Masha

"Masha, sigurado ka ba rito?" pabulong na tanong ni Lincoln habang naglalakad kami sa gitna ng masukal at maputik na kakahuyan, dala-dala ang mga flashlight na ninakaw namin mula sa isang saradong hardware. 

We know looting is a horrible thing, but people around us were going nuts and we needed protection kaya naman kinapalan na namin ang mukha namin sa hardware na 'yon at kinuha ang puwede naming magamit. Masuwerte nga kami at nakahanap kami rito ng mga jacket at isang baril.

Bumaling si Lincoln ng tingin kay Smoeki na tumatakbo sa unahan namin. Smoeki's red jacket became darker than ever after being drenched in the cold rain. Halos hindi na rin mabasa ang nickname na nakaburda sa likod ng jacket niya dahil sa bahid ng mga putik dito. Well, he wasn't the only one. Pare-pareho kaming basa ng tubig-ulan at putik.

"Sabi na sa 'yong hindi mo naman kailangang sumama, 'di ba?" I reminded him for the nth time.

From the moment Smoeki tearfully explained to us what happened to his family, I knew I had to help him find his little sister. It wasn't just because he saved our lives from that convenience store, but because Smoeki's my friend and his family is no stranger to me. 

I can only imagine the pain he's in after what happened to his parents. His sister is all he has now. He can't lose her too. We have to find her. She's the only thing that's keeping him from completely falling apart.

"Gusto ko ring tumulong kay Smoeki, pero okay ba talaga 'tong dinadaanan natin?" tanong pa ni Lincoln habang mahigpit ang hawak sa isang baseball bat na kasali naming nakuha mula sa hardware. 

The woods scare the hell out of me too, but I would never admit it. Lincoln was scared enough, ayoko nang dumagdag.

"This is our safest and fastest way to Chad's place. Baha na ang mga daan at baka may makasalubong na naman tayong siraulo doon," paalala ko sa kanya. "And besides, we spent our entire lives in these woods. What could possibly go wrong?"

Hindi namin alam anong nangyayari at hindi na namin alam sinong mapagkakatiwalaan. Ilang beses naming sumubok humingi ng tulong sa mga taong nakakasalubong namin, pero pare-pareho lang silang gusto kaming gulpihin at patayin. We barely escaped with our lives.

"Paano kung wala roon ang kapatid ni Smoeki?" tanong pa ni Lincoln.

Naiinis man sa sunod-sunod niyang tanong, napabuntonghininga na lamang ako. "I don't know. But right now, I know Smoeki shouldn't do this all alone. His gut is telling him she's there, so I'll go with him. If she's not there, at least Smoeki's not alone."

Chad's holding a party at his house, and I know Smoeki's sister and her friends. Those kids can't resist a party. There's a big chance that Smoeki's gut is right about where she is. 

Napansin naming biglang huminto si Smoeki sa paglalakad kaya naman nahinto rin kami ni Lincoln. 

"B-Bakit, Mok?" Bakas ang kaba sa boses ni Lincoln at napahawak pa siya sa braso ko, parang handang-handa na naman akong kaladkarin oras na magkaroon ng problema. I really appreciate how he's been looking out for me the entire night but, for the God, sobrang sakit na ng katawan ko dahil sa pangangaladkad niya. Minsan tuloy gusto ko na lang na magpahuli sa mga humahabol sa amin.

Humarap sa amin si Smoeki, mangiyak-ngiyak at nanginginig ang mga kamay hawak ang maliit na radyong kasali naming nanakaw mula sa hardware.

"H-Hindi ko ma-contact si Kuya Vito . . .  wala naman sigurong masamang nangyari sa kanya 'di ba? O-Okay lang din si Fash 'di ba? D-Dapat sinamahan ko na lang siya patungo doon sa police station. D-Dapat hindi ako masyadong nataranta, wala rin naman doon sa bahay—"  Smoeki's words ended up getting tangled between his own gaps and heaving breathing.

Kinalas ko ang kamay ni Lincoln na nakahawak sa akin. Lumapit ako kay Smoeki at niyakap siya nang mahigpit. Smoeki's only a few months younger than I am. Back when we were kids, he used to be so tiny but now he towers over me. "K-Kuya Vito's okay. Fash is surely alright too. And you did the right thing sending Fash there. The cops needed to know what happened."

Nang bumitiw mula sa kanya, pilit akong ngumiti at pasimpleng kinuha mula sa kanya ang radyo. "You probably don't know how to use the radio. Susubukan namin ni Lincoln, okay? Kalma ka lang."

Tumango naman si Smoeki at lumunok, pagkatapos ay huminga nang malalim. He momentarily closed his eyes and shook his head, trying to get a footing on his own emotions.

"That's our boy," I whispered underneath my breath.

May kung anong sinabi si Lincoln pero hindi ko ito narinig dahil biglang umalingawngaw ang isang nakababahalang tunog.

Pare-pareho kaming nahinto sa paggalaw at nagkatinginan nina Lincoln at Smoeki. The three of us were dead tired and shivering cold from the rain. Not to mention, utterly terrified from what he have witnessed so far.

"Was that a gunshot?" I whispered, lips almost quivering.

Lincoln wiped the raindrops off his face using the back of his hand. He looked around and then shook his head. "W-Wala 'yon. Dito nga tayo dumaan para ligtas 'di ba?"

I didn't know if he was mocking me using the words I said earlier or he only said that to keep us calm. However, I could tell that he was trying to put on a brave face, but he's failing miserably. 

"Sundan natin," Smoeki said with a flash of determination in his terrified eyes. 

"Hell no!" I whispered out loud, glaring at him. "Smoeki, we run away from a gunshot! Not run toward it!"

"Paano kung nandoon pala ang kapatid ko?! Mash, kailangan ko siyang mahanap!" Smoeki's voice was shaking but his conviction was firm. "Hindi ko kayo pipiliting sumunod, basta ako, susundan ko ang tunog! Dala ko 'yong baril, huwag kayong mag-alala, kaya ko ang sarili ko."

Brave was never the word to describe Smoeki. Back then, all his heart-shaped lips did was grin, pout, and munch on some kiddie snack. Our age gaps weren't too much, but he was still everyone's little baby brother. Something about him just screamed adorable—the type you want to take care of under your wing. But ever since our paths crossed at that doomed convenience store, it's like he became a different person. Suddenly, he became the brave one.

"Smoeki sandali!" Wala sa sarili akong napasigaw nang bigla na lamang itong kumaripas ng takbo.

***

"Jordan!"

I couldn't stop crying as I hugged her tight. In the midst of all the chaos and confusion, I was happy to see her again. But at the same time, I was terrified for her safety. She was stuck in the island, just like me. Both of us were at death's doorstep, together with our friends.

As we embraced, I looked around and my heart sank when I realized that almost all of them were injured and covered with blood—even Jordan. She was even wearing just her shirt and shorts in the middle of the pouring rain. 

Nang makita naman ang bangkay ng mga lalakeng nakasuot ng kahel, nakaramdam ako ng matinding kilabot at pag-alala. What the hell happened before we reached them?

"M-Masha! W-Wala na si Kuya Vito!" Biglang nangibabaw ang mga salita ni Jordan sa pagitan ng kanyang hikbi't hagulgol.

Parang natulos ako sa kinatatayuan at unti-unting napabitiw sa kanya. "No . . . "

"Jordan, anong ibig mong sabihin?!" Tarantang lumapit sa amin si Smoeki, nanginginig ang mga labi at punong-puno ng pagkabahala ang mga mata. "Anong nangyari kay Kuya Vito?!"

Binuka ni Jordan ang kanyang bibig pero tanging hikbi ang lumabas dito.

"Kuya Vito?!" Biglang napalingon si Smoeki. Sinundan ko kung saan siya nakatingin at naaninag ang katawan ni Kuya Vito na nakasuot pa ng kanyang asul na uniporme. Nakahiga siya sa putik. Pero bago ko pa siya makita nang mabuti, biglang humarang si Bogart at ang mga kaibigan niya—para bang ayaw nilang makita namin si Kuya.

"A-Anong nangyari kay Kuya Vito?!" Mabilis na lumapit si Smoeki, pero mas mabilis na humarang sa kanya si Gilbert at pilit siyang hinawakan sa mga balikat, tila ba pinapahinahon.

"Smoeki!" Umiiyak namang humabol si Jordan at niyakap siya mula sa likuran. "P-Please huwag mo nang lapitan si Kuya! Dito ka lang, please!"

"H-Huwag nga kayong humarang! Okay lang si Kuya Vito 'di ba? Okay lang siya—" Smoeki's voice broke to a sob as he tried to get away from Jordan's embrace and push Gilbert aside. "Kuya Vito! Hoy! Bumangon ka diyan! Kuya!"

"Smoeki! Wala na si Kuya Vito!" Jordan cried out loud, and at that point, all I could do was cover my mouth and cry where I stood.

I was good friends with Kuya Vito too, but not as close as he was to Jordan and Smoeki. Kuya Vito just had this special bond with each of them, like Tina. Hell, he was even the reason why Smoeki is called Smoeki. 

Smoeki started wailing like a scared little boy as he placed his palms over his forehead. At first it sounded like he was annoyed as he begged everyone to stop playing a prank on him, until he started sobbing out loud. "Kuya Vito!"

And in that moment, it felt like I was looking at the same Smoeki again. The same Smoeki who would cry out loud when he accidentally gets hurt while playing . . . the little boy who would suddenly come knocking at our doors and invite himself to join family dinners . . . the kid who would follow Kuya Vito around because he thinks he's the coolest Kuya in the island.

Nang makitang niyakap ulit ni Jordan si Smoeki, hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko't lumapit na rin sa kanila. The three of us cried and hugged each other. And for a split second, it felt like we were the same little kids again. Only this time, there was no Kuya Vito to keep us in check.

Sa aming tatlo, si Jordan ang unang humiwalay. Humahangos man, pilit siyang nagtaas ng noo.

"W-We need to go. Help is coming. All we have to do is get to safety—"

"Help?" Humahangos na sambit ni Smoeki. "M-May darating na ba para tulungan tayo?"

Mangiyak-ngiyak man, tumango si Jordan at pilit na ngumiti. "K-Kuya Vito was able to get help for us. The public knows what's going on here already. When this weather gets a bit better, they'll come for us. Even the CDC."

"CDC?" Nakunot ang noo ko.

"M-Mamaya ko na ipapaliwanag . . . " Napahawak si Jordan sa mga balikat namin. "Let's go somewhere safe and stay there until—"

"Teka, hindi puwede!" Mabilis na winaksi ni Smoeki ang kamay ni Jordan. "Kailangan kong hanapin ang kapatid ko! Kailangan kong masigurong okay lang siya!"

Ako na lamang ang nagpaliwanag para kay Smoeki. "Jordan, we've been looking for his sister for hours now. Something happened at his house and—"

"I know." Bumuntonghininga si Jordan at nagpunas ng mga luha. "Fash came to the station—"

"Okay lang ba si Fash?!" Bumalik ang pagkabahala sa mga mata ni Smoeki. "B-Bakit hindi n'yo siya kasama?!"

"He's there with a couple of kids. I think he'll be safe there," tipid na paliwanag ni Jordan. "Where are you heading? And oh my God, what the hell were you doing in the woods?!"

"We've been looking for his sister," ako na lamang ang sumagot. "We tried her friends' house but all we found were some crazy mothertruckers who wanted to kill us—it's crazy, Jordi! Everyone was trying to kill us! We ended up looting this hardware to get supplies, but I swear we'll pay for everything once this crazy storm disappears."

"May party sa mansion ni Chad. Sa tingin ko nandoon ang kapatid ko. Kanina ko pa siya tinatawagan pero hindi ko siya ma-contact kaya gusto kong pumunta roon. Naisip kong mas mabilis kung dito sa kakahuyan dadaan, wala ring kaming mga siraulong makakasalubong dito," paliwanag naman ni Smoeki.

"You'll go there too?" Bumaling sa akin si Jordan at walang pag-aalinlangan akong tumango. Hindi ko kayang hayaang mag-isa si Smoeki.

"Then I'll go with you," Jordan said firmly, nodding her head as she swallowed up her sobbing. "Three of us, we'll stick together like the old days. Walang hihiwalay, magpapahabol, o magpapaiwan. You got that?"

Something about Jordan's words made me shiver. And the glint of desperation eyes . . . it scared me. 

"Jordan, ano bang nangyayari sa islang 'to?" My heart was in my throat. I have a feeling that Jordan knows what's going on. And it's not good.

"Sandali lang, dito lang kayo," she said firmly and walked up to the other guys' direction.

Magsasalita sana ako pero bigla akong napatingin sa bangkay na nasa lupa. Muntik akong maduwal nang maaninag ang isa sa kanila na sabog ang mukha, at ang isa naman ay wala nang ulo. All of them were wearing orange prison shirts, except for the other guy with the bandana wrapped around his head.

"S-Sa impyerno na ba ang bagsak ko nito?" Narinig kong suminghap si Smoeki, at doon ko lang napansin na nakatingin pala siya sa bangkay na may suot na bandana. Tears were streaming down his face and even if he wasn't saying it, all I could see was fear in his eyes.

"That's not happening." Muli ko siyang niyakap. "You saved Jordi's life. Smoeki, thank you for saving Jordan's life."

"P-Pero mali pa rin ang ginawa ko . . . " Mangiyak-ngiyak niyang sambit. "Tao pa rin 'yong napatay ko, Mash." 

All I could do was hug him tight and let him cry on my shoulders. And as we hugged, I couldn't help but notice Lincoln and Gil. I know that the two of them once worked together in that convenience store, but the way they separated themselves from the group felt weird. Nakatayo lang sila sa isang tabi at parang may seryosong pinag-uusapan.

Sa isang iglap ay biglang napatingin sa akin si Lincoln kaya nagtama ang mga mata namin. I couldn't describe it exactly . . . but the way he looked at me, it felt as if he was worried.

Teka, ako ba ang pinag-uusapan nila?

Nang bumitiw ako kay Smoeki ay siya namang pagharap niya ulit kay Gil. Gusto kong makinig sa pinag-uusapan nila, pero napakalakas ng pinagsamang hangin, ulan, kuliglig, at huni ng mga palaka sa paligid.

"You guys sure that you're coming with us? Literal na may hahanapin lang kami nina Masha at Smoeki sa bahay nina Chad." biglang nangibabaw ang boses ni Jordan sa pandinig ko. "And honestly, ayokong masisisi kung may mangyari mang masama sa inyo roon."

I recognize the guys Jordan was speaking to, after all, my mom once hired Bogart and the Boguards before, back when we needed some landscape help at our house. I just couldn't remember their names, except for Bogart. He was their scary big boss, after all.

The guy wearing black leather jacket stepped forward. He looked at Bogart before looking at Jordi again. "Sasama ako sa inyo, Vigoria. Tutal nagsimula 'to nang magkakasama tayo, tapusin na rin natin nang magkakasama."

Meanwhile, the tall guy in very oversized shirt stepped forward too. I couldn't help but notice the sunglasses still hanging on the collar off his shirt. "Balita ko storm-proof 'yong bahay nina Chad. Sa katunayan, balak kong pumunta sa bahay nila pagkatapos ng trabaho namin."

Napatingin ako kay Bogart nang maging siya'y naglakad din papalapit kay Jordan. "Siguradong gusto ni Boss Vito na huwag tayong magwatak-watak. Mabuti na rin na mas marami tayong magkakasama."

Somehow, I felt a bit relieved that they wanted to come with us. After all, there's safety in numbers. 

"Gil? Lincoln? Saan n'yo balak pumunta ngayon?" tanong naman ni Jordan nang lumapit ang dalawa sa kanya. Tapos na yata sa one-on-one meeting nila.

"We already talked about this," makahulugang sabi ni Gil habang iika-ika pa nang kaunti sa paglalakad. Something about the way he looked at Jordan annoyed me. Does he like her?

Jordan sighed and nodded. Wait, is there something I don't know? Anong meron sa kanila? Ba't ba sila magkakasama?

"Lincoln, ikaw?" tanong ni Jordan.

"Kung saan kayo, doon ako," sagot ni Lincoln at bigla na lamang napatingin sa akin. Hindi ako komportable sa titig niya kaya binalik ko na lamang ang atensiyon ko kay Jordan.

Lumapit bigla si Jordan sa patrol car na basag-basag at umuusok habang nakasalpok sa isang puno. From there, she grabbed a backpack and an old satchel bag. By the time she jumped out, everyone's eyes were already on her.

"From this moment on, all 8 of us will stick together. Us against the island. We'll make sure no one falls asleep, not even a wink. I know this sounds messed up, but after what we've been through together, we can't trust anyone else other than each other. Later, I'll explain why, but right now, we have to go. We have to stay awake," Jordan said with a cold and authoritative tone as she looked at us one by one. And I swear, in that moment, she embodied everything about her father. "There's not enough gun, rifle, and ammo for all of us. When shit happens, just run away. If you have no other choice then fight as much as you can, and only shoot when you have to. And when you shoot, for the love of God, aim for the head. Always aim for the head."

Jordan Audrey Vigoria always hated it . . . being the leader. Back when we were kids, she would fight anyone who would try give her the role, whether it was in school or extracurricular stints. She says she's not cut out for it. That she's not like her father, and she prefers to chill and go with the flow. That she's not someone to be looked up to. But here she is, proving herself wrong. She's her father's daughter in every sense of the word.

"M-Makikipagpatayan talaga tayo?" Nanghihinang sambit ng lalakeng nakasuot ng black leather jacket.

Jordan picked up a rifle from the ground and nodded. "If you're scared of going to hell for killing someone, don't be. We're already in hell tonight. It sucks, but right now, it's kill or be killed."

Her words sent shivers down my spine. Jordan's the most level-headed person I know. For her to say this . . .  

"P-Puwede bang magpahinga muna tayo?" Nag-aalangang nagtaas ng kamay ang isa pang Boguard at dahan-dahang naupo sa isang tabi. Langaw, I think that was what Bogart called him.

Walang emosyong tinuro ni Jordan ang mga bangkay na nakasuot ng kulay kahel na damit. "Sa tingin mo ba tatlong preso lang silang pumuga? Sa tingin mo ba, tayo lang ang mga mapapadpad sa gawing 'to ng isla?"

Mabilis napatayo si Langaw at takot na naglibot ng paningin sa paligid. "G-Guys, tara na. Ayoko na rito."

Lalapit sana ako kay Jordan, pero bigla akong naunahan ni Gil. Kinuha nito ang bag ni Jordan at pinasuot sa kanya ang isang makapal na jacket. They talked to each other like they were worriedly checking on each other's wounds. I know I should be glad that someone's taking care of her but it was still annoying. He even kept calling her Audrey for some reason.

"Mash?"

Napalingon ako at nakita si Lincoln. Agad nakunot ang noo ko nang inabot niya sa akin ang isang rifle.

"What? I'm not going to shoot him with that." Napasinghal na lamang ako at agad siyang nilagpasan upang lumapit kay Smoeki.

"Ha? Mash, pang self-defense 'to," habol pa ng lintik sa akin.

***

JORDAN

Ipinasok namin sa sirang patrol car ang bangkay nina Kuya Vito at Rambo. It was the least we could do for them. After uttering a short prayer and promising them that we will come back for them, we had to leave right away. 

"Alam kong nakakapagod, pero kailangan nating bilisan." I hated ordering people around, but the sooner we get to Chad's, the better. Bukod sa mga sleepwalker at halang na kaluluwa ang inaalala ko, nag-aalala rin ako na baka may makaapak sa amin ng ahas. It was dark and raining hard. Yes, we had flashlights but it was still difficult to be aware of our surroundings.

Every few minutes, I kept checking on them one by one. Smoeki and Bogart volunteered to lead the way so they were walking ahead of everyone with their own gun and rifle in hand. Behind them were Langaw and Arnold, and then Lincoln and Masha. The four of them were carrying our backpacks and supplies. Meanwhile, Gil and I were at the last of line, also carrying weapons. I liked it better being behind everyone because this way, I had a good vantage point to keep everyone safe. All I had to do was keep the rifle raised, just in case.

"J-Jordan, baka aksidente mong makalabit 'yan ha?" Lumingon sa akin si Lincoln sabay tingin sa rifle na hawak ko. Kanina ko pa napapansin na panay lingon siya sa amin, pati na rin si Masha.

"Hindi tanga si Jordan, Lincoln." Agad na sinamaan ni Masha ng tingin si Lincoln. "At isa pa, nasa likod ko si Jordan. Ang layo niya sa 'yo."

I know it wasn't the right time to poke fun of them, but I still couldn't help but grin. Poor Masha has no clue that Lincoln isn't worried about himself. He was worried about her, getting accidentally shot.

"Eyes forward," saway ko na lamang sa kanila. "Careful with every step."

Lincoln and Masha both sighed before looking straight ahead again.

As we walked, I couldn't help but hear Smoeki's sobbing as he apologized profusely to Bogart, Arnold, and Langaw for killing Rambo. At first, I was worried that they would lash out on him, like what Bogart did to Gil, but I was relieved when I heard them trying to assure Smoeki that there's nothing anyone else could do.

"Audrey, ayos ka lang ba talaga?" bumaling sa akin si Gil na kanina pa tahimik sa tabi ko. Nakataas din ang rifle na hawak niya at pasimple siyang nagbabantay sa paligid.

"I should ask you that. Sigurado ka bang hindi na masakit ang—" Nahinto ako sa paglalakad nang marinig kong may humikab.

Ginamit ko na iyong pagkakataon para ipaalam sa kanila ang lahat ng mga nangyayari at teyorya namin. Kung kanina ay may kanya-kanya kaming usapan habang naglalakad, lumao'y ako na lamang ang nagsasalita at wala na silang ibang ginagawa kundi maglakad at makinig.

Akala ko may hindi maniniwala sa kanila, pero dahil na rin siguro sa karansan ng lahat, wala akong narinig na pagtutol. Bagkus, ay narinig ko pa silang kanya-kanyang nagpa-plano upang manatiling gising.

In the middle of everything, I noticed how Masha suddenly fell silent. And when I tried to catch a glimpse of her face, I noticed the glint of fear on her eyes. 

Bumigat ang puso ko at uminit ang mga mata ko. I was already expecting for the worse, but seeing Masha's reaction, it felt like my worst nightmare just became real.

"Walang mangyayaring masama," kusang lumabas ang mga salita mula sa bibig ko at kaagad kong hinuli ang kanyang kamay. Hinawakan ko ito nang mahigpit dahilan para pareho kaming mahinto sa paglalakad at mapako sa kinatatayuan.

Mabilis na lumingon sa akin si Masha at niyakap niya ako nang mahigpit. Narinig ko siyang humikbi. She was trying to say it but the words won't come out.

"Don't say it!" Mabilis kong pigil sa kanya at niyakap siya nang mas mahigpit. "Don't say it and just stay awake. Just stay awake, you got that?"

Nang mapansing nahinto sa paglalakad ang mga kasama namin at pare-parehong napalingon, pilit kong tinatagan ang kalooban ko. "She's just freaked out. Keep walking. Susunod kami."

"Jordan . . . " I heard Masha whisper my name as she cried.

I swallowed hard and looked up at the sky, letting the raindrops fall against my face. "You won't turn into them. You will control it. You won't hurt anyone. You won't hurt me."

***

Pare-pareho kaming pagod na pagod at nanginginig na sa sobrang lamig, pero sa pilit kaming nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

After walking for what felt like forever, we finally found what we were looking for.

Sa sobrang laki ng mansion, halos hindi ako makapaniwalang nasa Rosamond Island pa rin kami. The mansion was so wide and enormous that it actually looked like a small building with white paint and glass walls. Oo nga at may malawak na gate, pero dahil glass wall, naaninag namin ang neon lights at mga taong para bang nagkakasiyahan pa sa loob.

"Ano bang ginagawa nila?" Narinig kong suminghap si Gil.

Something suddenly didn't right. I was about to gather everyone to make some sort of plan, but the Smoeki suddenly started running toward the gate, screaming Chad's name. Bogart and the Boguards quickly followed, desperate to get away from the merciless cold and rain.

I ran after them, trying to stop them, but when I got to them, they were already screaming into some camera while pressing what looked like a doorbell.

"Nieta." Napabuntonghininga na lamang ako.

All of a sudden, a small part of the gate suddenly opened and we heard a voice blare from some electronic speaker that we could not locate. "Damn. You guys look like you've been through hell. Good thing you're in heaven now."

Pare-pareho kaming nagkatinginan.

***

Pagpasok namin sa loob, kusang sumara ang gate. Sa pagkakataong iyon, alam kong wala nang atrasan kaya naman pilit ko na lamang na nilakasan ang loob ko at taas-noong naglakad kasama ng mga kaibigan ko.

We passed through a wide garden, which I could still remember. I've been to this mansion many years ago, and at that time, the entire place didn't look as modern or grand like this. Sa tingin ko nga ay parang may mga kapitbahay pa sila noon, pero ngayon ay wala na. Siguro nabili na nila ang mga lupain sa paligid.

By the time we reached the main door, it suddenly opened. This time, a familiar face greeted us. His face was still as defined as I remembered and his smile still had the same mischievous light. Nakasuot lang siya ng cargo pants at black sando kaya naman putok na puntok ang biceps niya. 

"Sa wakas! Naisipan n'yo ring humabol!" Chad grinned, raising the can of beer he was holding. He was about to say something, but his eyes suddenly landed on me. "Damn! Jordan! Mukha kang nahulog sa kanal!"

Ngumiwi ako at nagtaas ng middle finger. Chad grinned and raised his middle finger back. This had always been our way to greet each other.

"Chad, ang kapatid ko! Nandito ba siya?!" Mabilis na napaatras si Chad nang itulak siya ni Smoeki paalis sa dinaanan.

We followed Smoeki's lead and got inside the mansion, and what we saw made us all froze.

Beers and food were all over the place as people danced around like wild animals under the colorful neon lights. There are even people making out, flirting, and doing some dumb drunk shit all over the entire living room.

"Nasaan ang kapatid ko?!" Umalingawngaw ang napakalakas na sigaw ni Smoeki dahilan para mapalingon sa amin ang lahat.

//