Jordan

I closed the pantry door shut as soon as Bogart, Gil, Chad, and I got inside.

"Bakit?" kunot-noo agad na tanong ni Bogart.

"Please tell me we gonna do the nasty, please tell me we gonna do the nasty," Chad tipsily whispered underneath his breath, pero narinig ko pa rin kaya umakto akong sasapakin siya. Nagtago naman agad ang lintik sa likod ni Gil.

I rolled my eyes and just sighed, trying to hide the fact that I was still nervous as hell. Nanginginig pa rin ang mga kamay ko pagkatapos naming tagumpay na matakasan si Madam Laura—technically, hindi namin siya natakasan dahil hindi naman niya kami hinabol. Ni hindi siya nagtangkang pumasok kahit noong bukas pa ito. She just stood there and watched as we ran inside for safety.

"May problema ba? Bakit dito tayo mag-uusap? Bakit tayo-tayo lang?" tanong naman ni Gil, sadyang hinihinaan ang boses.

Napahawak ako sa magkabila kong bewang at saka bumuntonghininga. "I need you guys to hide some of our weapons, 'yung tayo-tayo lang ang makakaalam. The people we just let inside, we don't really know—"

"Jordan, pinagdududahan mo ba sila?" kunot-noong tanong ni Bogart sa akin. "Pari 'yong isa sa kanila—

"Paano kung hindi siya pari at isa pala siya sa mga pugante na nagnakaw lang ng damit?" giit ko. "Utang na loob! Ayoko nang matutukan ng baril sa ulo—"

"Jordan, siya 'yong pari noong baccalaureate mass natin noong high school," kalmadong putol ni Bogart sa sinasabi ko.

"Siya rin 'yung pari na nag-bless ng mansion," sabi naman ni Chad.

Gil was about to open his mouth to vouch for the priest, so I quickly glared at him. Tama na. Alam ko nang mali ako.

"Still, keep your eye out on them!" sabi ko na lamang sa kanilang tatlo. "Don't let your guards down, especially on the kids and the pregnant woman. I know this sounds awful but I have feeling that kids and pregnant women will have harder time staying awake."

"Anong gusto mong mangyari? Iposas natin sila?" Chad started giggling, but I just kept looking at him with a poker face.

"If that's what it takes for us to stay alive," tugon ko.

"Jordan, seryoso ka?" tanong ni Bogart.

Unti-unti namang naglaho ang ngiti sa mukha ni Chad. "Jordan, I'm drunk as a skunk but I can still understand you clearly. You really want to handcuff a kid?"

"Kung sa tingin natin hindi na talaga nila kayang pigilan ang antok nila, kailangan nating gawin ang dapat para sa kaligtasan ng lahat," Gil said firmly, much to the confusion of Bogart and Chad. Meanwhile, there I was, relieved that somehow Gil and I were at the same page when it comes to keeping people safe.

"This is why I gathered you here." I sighed, folding my arms as I looked at them one by one. "I need you guys to have my back if tough decisions must me made. Bogart, you're the muscle of this group. Chad, you're the one with the resources—they will listen to you guys more than they will to me."

Lalong kumunot ang noo ni Bogart at bahagya siyang. "Jordan, hindi kita maintindihan. Bakit kailangan—"

"Ako rin . . . " Chad suddenly raised his hand, looking so bothered and frustrated as he looked over at Bogart. "Bakit si Bogart 'yong muscle? I mean, oo, malaking bulas siya, pero 'di hamak naman na mas putok ang muscles ko 'di ba?"

Parang umakyat ang lahat ng dugo sa ulo ko, lalo na nang i-flex ni Chad ang putok na putok niyang biceps.

Sandali na lamang akong pumikit nang mariin at bumuntonghininga. Pagdilat ko'y bumaling ako ulit kay Bogart. "There's one more thing we need to settle."

"Ano 'yon?" Si Gil ang nagtanong.

My eyes remained at Bogart. So was his on mine. "Whose side are you really on?"

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" tanong muli ni Bogart.

I pointed my finger at somewhere far. "Your grandmother is out there, waiting for the kill. I don't know what's going on in her mind, but something's telling me that she could be up to something. And just in case—God forbid—she gets her hands on one of us, I need to know you won't just sit still and let Madam Laura kill us. I need to know whether or not you will stop us from putting a bullet in her brain."

Bogart stilled and just looked at me like I just said the craziest shit.

"You almost beat Gil to death for saving my life," paalala ko sa kanya. "Now, I need to know whose side you'll be really on. Your family or us? If you choose your family, that's alright with me. I won't hold it against you. In fact, if I was in your shoes, I'd choose my family too. But please, ngayon pa lang, sabihin mo na kung sino ang poprotektahan mo."

Silence filled the entire pantry as Bogart and I continued to look at each other's eyes.

Unti-unting bumuka ang kanyang labi hanggang sa mabuo ang kanyang mga salita. "Masakit pero naiintindihan ko, at patuloy ko 'tong iintindihin."

Part of me felt relieved to hear Bogart say those words, but part of me also felt so sorry for him.

"Pero hangga't sa maari, ako ang bahala sa kanya," dagdag pa ni Bogart. 

"I respect that." Chad nodded. So did Gil and I.

"'Yon lang ba?" tanong pa ni Bogart sa akin.

Bumaling ako kay Chad. "We need to know every entry and exit points of this mansion—every potential hiding spot, dead end, door window. Basically, we need the blueprints."

Ngumuso si Chad. "Sure. Nasa library 'yon. Pasama lang ako sa pagkuha. Not that I'm a coward, but ya know?"

"Wala ka ba sa computer mo?" tanong naman ni Gil.

"Hmmm . . . " Sandaling napakamot si Chad sa kanyang panga. "Meron sa iPad, pero may password kasi 'yon—"

"I can crack that," Gil said coldly yet confidently, and in that moment, he looked so cool in my eyes. He wasn't just some weird dork after all.

"Automated ba lahat ng pinto rito? Pati ang gate?" tanong naman ni Bogart kay Chad.

"Uhuh! If the power goes out, all of us will be trapped here." Tumango si Chad, ngiting-ngiti at parang nagmamalaki pa.

Pare-pareho kaming napasinghap at takot na nagkatinginan.

"But don't worry, may generator naman," dagdag pa ni Chad. "No wait—the power has been out for a few hours now. Generator na pala ang nagpapagana ng lahat ngayon."

"Nasaan naman ang generator?" tanong ni Gil, bakas ang pangamba sa mukha.

"May maliit na shed sa labas para lang sa generator set!" Chad answered proudly.

"So, you're saying, kung aakyatin ni Madam Laura ang gate at sisirain niya ang generator set, patay tayong lahat?" I smiled sarcastically with gritted teeth.

Sa puntong 'yon, unti-unting naglaho ang ngiti sa mukha ni Chad. "Kung lang naman 'di ba?"

"Ughhh!" Gil, Bogart, and I all began to pace panicky around the pantry. I mean, who wouldn't panic, the mansion could turn into a kill box if Madam Laura wants to!

Chad suddenly snapped his finger. "Teka, kung ma-trap man tayo rito, ibig sabihin hindi makakapasok si Madam Laura! Buhay tayo!"

Hindi ko napigilang ngumiwi. "Oo, hindi makakapasok si Madam Laura, pero trap naman tayo kasama ang sandamakmak na potential sleepwalker na nagpa-party!"

"Rooftop," sabi ni Gil sabay tingin kay Chad. "Puwede bang bantayan mula roon ang shed na kinaroroonan ng generator set?"

Ngumisi naman si Chad. "Tamang-tama, may telescope kami doon."

"And we got a rifle, so I think we can work on that." Somehow I was a bit relieved. "Now all we have to do is gather up supplies. Let's also make sure to leave weapons near the exit points, just in case we have to escape."

"Sasabihin ba natin sa iba?" tanong naman ni Bogart.

"Tayo-tayo lang muna." Umiling kaagad ako. "If this gets out, others could panic. We can protect them better if they're calm. Just keep an eye on everyone."

Naglakad ako patungo sa pinto at nang buksan ko ito'y agad nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang muntikang sumubsob patungo sa akin si Ezra. Medyo matangkad siya kumpara sa akin at may dala pa siyang bote ng alak kaya mabuti na lang nabalanse niya pa ang sarili niya.

"Were you eavesdropping on us?" I glared at him as soon as he was able to stand up straight.

He grinned. "Sorry. I thought you were doing the nasty."

"I hoped too, my friend." Narinig kong komento ni Chad, bagay na agad kong ikinangiwi.

I pushed Ezra out of my way, my fingers grazing on his exposed chest hair. "Button up your floral polo, you dumbass."

***

"She's literally just standing there, doing nothing."

"That's so f*cking creepy."

"What do u guys think she's doing?"

As I walked back to the entertainment room, I saw Masha, Lincoln, Smoeki, Langaw, and Arnold huddled over the round table. When I got closer to them, I realized that Arnold was holding Chad's iPad. 

"Guys, ano 'yan?" Tumabi ako kay Masha yumakap baywang niya. Naramdaman ko naman agad ang malamig niyang kamay na hamawak sa akin. Somehow, I felt a bit comfort despite the situation we were in.

"It's the CCTV feed from outside," Masha answered with a sigh. "The old bitch is just standing there."

Dumako ang tingin ko sa iPad. Medyo malabo man ang footage, nangilabot pa rin ako nang maaninag si Madam Laura na nakasuot pa rin ng kanyang kulay pink na daster. It was creepy how her arms and ankles looked crooked as hell, but she was still able to stand firmly. 

"Para bang alam niyang pinapanood natin siya?" Halos bulong na sambit ni Smoeki, bakas ang takot sa mukha't boses. "Tingnan n'yo oh? Nakatingala talaga siya sa direksiyon ng CCTV?"

Hindi ko alam kung dahil lang ba iyon sa sinabi ni Smoeki pero pakiramdam ko tuloy ay direktang nakatingin sa amin si Madam Laura. Sa sobrang kilabot, napayakap ako nang mas mahigpit sa baywang ni Masha.

"She won't reach us here," Masha declared reassuringly even if I can feel her cold, trembling hands. 

"Pero paano sina Thea at PJ? Paano kung nandiyan pa si Madam Laura sa pagdating nila?" Lumingon sa amin si Smoeki, labis ang pangamba. "Jordan, baka kung anong mangyari sa kanila!"

Bago pa man ako makapagsalita, biglang tumayo si Langaw mula sa kinauupuan at lumingon sa sofa. Saka ko lang napansin na nakaupo pala roon si Rai, nakatulala at bakas pa rin ang takot sa mukha. But even if she was covered in blood, mud, and scratches, she still looked like a porcelain doll. 

I felt so sorry for Rai. Buong buhay niya, wala siyang ibang ginawa kundi lumaban sa iba't ibang academic competition at beauty pageant. Ngayon, gaya namin, antok at mga sleepwalker na ang dapat niyang labanan.

"Rai, bakit n'yo ba siya hinayaang makasunod sa inyo?!" Langaw sounded so angry and scared at the same time. 

"Langaw!" saway ko agad sa kanya. We shouldn't be playing the game anymore. All of us were just trying to survive. 

"Takot na takot kami habang nasa loob ng classroom na 'yon . . . " Rai said with gritted teeth. She sounded so frustrated that her once sweet voice turned deep and almost guttural. "Wala kaming magawa kundi magtago at panoorin habang isa-isang kinakatay ang mga tao sa paligid namin. Naririnig namin kayo. Rinig na rinig namin kayo! Inggit na inggit kami dahil habang papalabas na kayo, naroon pa rin kami, hindi makagalaw!"

Natahimik kaming lahat lalo na nang nagsimulang pumatak ang luha pababa sa mga mata ni Rai. "Do you know how awful it feels? To Desperately call for help? To desperately hope that maybe, just maybe, someone will come to help? In the end, we tried to risk it. We ran out of that classroom, screaming for you to turn around and help us. But what did you do?"

Nanikip bigla ang dibdib ko. I remember it clearly. The thunder, the lightning, the rain, the wind, and the screaming.

"Rai, tumahimik na nga at maupo roon!" Masha hissed. "Don't take out your frustrations on Jordan! Pare-pareho lang naman tayo ng sitwasyon!"

Biglang tumuon ang mga mata ni Rai sa akin. "I heard you, Jordan. I heard you clearly. How you stopped them from shooting the locks at the gate."

Naramdaman kong napatingin sa akin ang lahat. Lalo pang nanikip ang dibdib ko. Guilt began to consume every fiber of my being. But before I could respond to what she was saying, I noticed something missing—someone missing.

"N-Nasaan ang mga kasama mo?" bulalas ko. 

"Don't try to change the subject!" Rai snapped at me, tears still streaming down her face.

Bumaling ako kay Masha. "Mash? Nasaan sila?"

It was Lincoln who answered, "Sinusubukan ni Father Ruben na kausapin ang mga nagpa-party sa labas. Gusto niyang kumbinsihin sila kung ano talaga ang nangyayari. Naisip din namin na baka maniwala na sila kasi pari na talaga ang kakausap sa kanila."

"What?!" I couldn't help but panic. "Those people are drunk as fck! Baka may dalhin siyang hindi natin kilala rito!"

"Jordan . . .  " Naramdaman kong humawak si Masha sa braso ko.

Chad and Ezra were drunk too, but we knew they weren't the type to just pass out! Kung sana may guarantee na hindi basta-bastang mahihimatay sa kalasingan ang dadalhin dito ni Father Ruben!

"There we go!" Pagak na humalakhak si Rai. "I always knew you were a selfish bitch."

"Come on, man! She's just looking out for our safety!" Nakangiwing pagtatanggol naman ni Arnold sa akin.

"By what? Turning a blind eye to other people who needs help?" sabi pa ni Rai habang may mapait na ngisi sa labi.

Naiinis man, tinalikuran ko si Rai at hinarap muli ang mga kaibigan ko. "Guys, kailangan nating pigilan 'yung pari!"

Natigilan silang lahat at ang ilan naman ay nagkatinginan. Kahit si Masha, napansin kong nag-alangan. Ni hindi siya halos makatingin sa mga mata ko at naramdaman ko pa ang unti-unti niyang paghawak sa braso ko.

"Mash . . .  " I couldn't hide my disappointment.

Nakita kong nakatayo na pala sa isang tabi sina Gil, Bogart, at Chad kaya naman agad akong lumapit sa kanila.

"Kailangan natin pigilan yung pari! Baka kung sinong lasing pa ang madala niya rito," bulalas ko sa kanila.

Tumango naman kaagad si Gil at nauna pang lumapit sa pinto. Pero bago pa man kami tuluyang makalabas, biglang humarang si Masha.

"Jordilocks, listen to me, okay?" Marahang hinawakan ni Masha ang kamay ko at tiningnan ako sa mga mata, tila nakikiusap. "We need all the help we can get to survive this nightmare. Malay natin, sobrang magiging helpful pala sa atin ang mga taong makukumbinsi ni Father Ruben? At saka ang unfair kung hahayaan lang natin silang mag-party doon habang tayo, alam na alam natin anong nangyayari rito."

I know Masha would never want to hurt me, but in that moment, her words did. 

"Unfair?" Nanlumo ako, pero pilit ko itong tinago. "Mash, Bogart already tried to warn them earlier. You saw that. They didn't believe him. Father Ruben is only risking his life by being out there. Any minute, one of those people could turn and kill him!"

"Sasamahan ko si Father Ruben doon. Ako ang bahala sa kanya," singit naman ni Bogart sa usapan namin. Lumingon pa siya kay Arnold at Langaw, "Tara. Samahan natin si Father Ruben sa pangungumbinsi."

"What the hell, Bogart? I thought you had my back?!" I couldn't no longer hide the spite in my voice and face.

"Jordan, tama si Masha. Masyadong unfair kung hahayaan lang natin silang mag-party roon habang alam na alam natin kung gaano kadelikado ang sitwasyon," Bogart said and looked at the Boguards again. "Arnold, Langaw."

Parehong nagkatinginan sina Arnold at Langaw, bakas ang pangamba at pag-aalangan sa mga mukha.

"Arnold, Langaw, don't go if you don't want to. Prioritize your safety," paalala ko sa dalawa at narinig ko namang bumuntonghininga si Bogart.

"Teka, nasaan pala 'yung buntis at mga bata?" Gil suddenly asked, making alarm bells ring inside my head.

"Pinagpahinga muna namin 'yung buntis kasi masama raw ang pakiramdam. Ang mga bata rin. Nangako naman sila na hindi matutulog," Masha said reassuringly.

"And you guys trust them?!" Hindi ko na napigilan pang magtaas ng boses. Kumawala ako mula sa pagkakahawak ni Masha at tumakbo sa bag ko upang kumuha ng isang pares ng posas.

"See? Selfish." Narinig kong nagkomento pa si Rai pero nagbingi-bingihan na lamang ako. Walang ibang mahalaga sa akin kundi ang manatili kaming ligtas at buhay.

"Jordan naman!" Narinig kong sumigaw si Masha pero hindi na ako nagpapigil pa.

Akmang papasok ako sa pintong pinakamalapit sa akin, pero bigla na lamang itong bumukas. Natigilan kaming lahat at bumaha ang katahimikan sa paligid nang lumalabas mula sa silid ang buntis na sapo-sapo pa ang kanyang sinapupunan.

Habang nakatitig sa walang kakulay-kulay niyang mukha, napahawak ako nang mahigpit sa posas na hawak ko. Literal na isang hakbang na lang ang layo ko mula sa kanya.

"Audrey!" Nagulat ako biglang sumulpot si Gil sa pagitan namin ng buntis. Humawak siya sa braso ko nang hindi lumilingon sa akin at humakbang paatras, tuloy ay napaatras din ako.

Gil was facing the pregnant woman, but I could tell how tensed up he was with how tight he held on to me. I think at that moment, all of us were.

"Guys, may gamot ba kayo? Inaapoy sa lagnat ang isa sa mga bata," the pregnant woman, making all of us sigh in relief. But for me, my relief quickly vanished when I realized the second thing she said.

"Nieta." Wala sa sarili kong sambit at tumakbo na papasok ng silid, nilagpasan si Gil at ang buntis.

The moment I stepped inside the room, I saw two little boys dressed in Chad's oversized shirts. The younger kid was sitting on the bed watching TV, while the older kid was lying in bed and looking sick as hell.

Nabahala kaagad ako nang makita ang hitsura ng batang nakahiga sa kama. Hinang-hina siya't nanginginig pa habang yakap ang sarili. 

Alam kong mali, pero sa pagkakataong iyon, kailangan naming maging ligtas.

Dali-dali kong hinigit ang kamay ng bata at isinuot dito ang isang bahagi ng posas. Bago ko pa man ito ma-i-lock, bigla na lamang may humila sa braso ko.

"Masha?!" Sa sobrang gulat, wala na akong nagawa pa nang sapilitan niya akong hinila palabas ng kuwarto.

"Guys, huwag kayong mag-away!" Narinig kong pakiusap ni Smoeki na mabilis sumunod sa amin.

Nang tuluyang makalabas ng silid, marahas kong winakli ang kamay ni Masha na nakahawak sa braso. "What the hell, Mash?!"

"No, what the hell is wrong with you?!" Masha looked at me like I was the most disappointing thing in the world. "Jordan, bata 'yon!"

Hindi ko napigilang suminghal. Masha's words and actions hurt me, but above all, it made me angry. Of all people, I thought she'd be the first to understand me.

"Jordan, makinig ka!" Humawak nang mahigpit si Masha sa mga kamay ko at tinitigan ako sa mga mata. "We can't lose our humanity while trying to survive this! If that happens, how different are we from the monsters out there?!"

Sa sobrang galit, naramdaman ko ang hapdi at panunubig ng mga mata ko. "Lose our humanity?! Masha, you're going to lose your lives if you keep using your heart over your mind!"

"What do you want us to do then?! Act like monsters to survive?! Pagkatapos ano? Maliligtas nga pero mananatili naman tayong halimaw!" Masha argued back, eyes filling with tears and anger just like mine. "Jordan, you said it yourself! Help is already coming! This nightmare will end, but the memories of our actions will haunt us for the rest of our lives! Now can you live with that? Can you live with the aftermath of your actions?!"

All of a sudden, memories flashed before my eyes . . . how I shot Pia's loving father . . . how I ignored all the screams for help back in that school . . . how I insisted to keep the gate locked . . . how I shot that fugitive in the face . . . how I was ready to handcuff a kid just to stay safe.

I've done it already. There was no turning back. I've done monstrous things. And even if we get rescued, I will remain a monster. I have to live with that for the rest of my life. 

"What if it was me?" Masha voice turned soft as tears continued to fall down her face. "Jordan, paano kung dumating sa puntong mahihirapan na rin akong manatiling gising? Poposasan mo rin ba ako? Lalayuan mo rin ba ako?"

I shrugged and smiled bitterly. "I'm already a monster."

Ramdam ko ang mga mata nilang lahat na nakatingin sa akin. I was so angry and frustrated that I didn't care anymore. Pinulot ko na lamang ang rifle na nasa mesa at naglakad patungo sa pinto. "You guys better stay alive."

***

"Nieta." Tumingala ako at suminghap para maalis ang bara sa ilong ko. Nakakainis dahil kahit anong gawin ko'y ayaw huminto ng mga luha ko sa pagpatak. Hindi nakatulong na sobrang lakas ng hangin at ulang bumabagsak sa mukha ko.

Sandali akong pumikit at huminga nang malalim. Kinagat ko ang nanginginig na mga labi at muling yumuko sa lente ng telescope. Hindi ko napigilang magmura ulit dahil masyadong malabo ang paningin ko dahil sa mga luha ko.

"Basa na ba ng ulan ang lente ng telescope? Nagdala ka kasi dapat ng payong."

Bahagya akong napatalon sa gulat nang marinig ang boses ni Gil mula sa likuran ko. Mumurahin ko sana siya pero naramdaman kong tumigil ang ulan sa pagbuhos sa akin. Nilingon ko siya at nakita ang malaking payong na dala niya.

"Okay ka lang?" aniya.

Naramdaman kong dumausdos ulit ang mga luha ko kaya naman humarap ulit ako sa telescope. Pilit kong pinipigilang humikbi pero kusa nang nagtataas-baba ang mga balikat ko dahil sa bilis at lalim ng paghinga ko. 

"Everything you've done so far, they were all to protect us. Not yourself," sabi pa ni Gil. "You're not selfish. You're trying to help us survive."

Sa puntong iyon, tuluyan na akong napaiyak nang malakas. Gusto kong kutusan ang sarili ko pero sadyang wala na akong kontrol sa sarili kong emosyon. "I wanted to protect everyone like how my father would, but when I realized it was impossible, all I wanted was to protect those who I could. I didn't know I was turning into a monster."

"Hindi ka isang halimaw at mas lalong hindi halimaw ang tingin sa 'yo ni Masha." Bumuntonghininga si Gil at naramdaman ko ang marahang pagtapik ng kanyang palad sa ibabaw ng ulo ko. 

Lumingon ako ulit sa kanya. "If I'm not a monster then why do I feel like one?"

Ibinaba ni Gil ang kanyang kamay at ngumiti nang tipid. "Dahil pagod ka. Natatakot. Naiinis. Inaantok."

"Nagugutom," dagdag ko sa pinagsasabi niya. "This shit is making me hungry every fcking hour."

Bahagyang tumawa si Gil at umiling-iling. Sandali siyang nagbaba ng tingin sa basang sahig bago tumingin ulit sa akin. "To me, you're not a monster. You're the person who saved my life. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have lasted this long. I'm glad to do this whole sleepwalker apocalypse shit with you."

"Now you're just pulling my leg." I rolled my eyes and wiped my tears. I looked down on the telescope again, biting my lips just to stop myself from smiling.

"May nakikita ka ba talaga diyan?" tanong pa ni Gil.

"The ground's too dark and telescope lens is moisty." Umiling ako't bumuntonghininga. "This would've been better if we have a sniper rifle. The rifle we have doesn't even have a decent eyepiece."

"Kukuha ako ng pagkain at titingnan ko kung may mas ililiwanag pa sa baba," aniya pa sabay kuha sa kamay ko at ipinahawak sa akin ang payong. "Poposasan ko ang bata habang walang nakatingin."

Hindi ko napigilang matawa nang bahagya. "That sounds so evil without context. No wonder they're calling me a monster."

"And you're not. Remember that," dagdag pa ni Gil kaya tumango ako at ngumiti.

Nang makaalis si Gil, pinagpatuloy ko ang pagmamasid sa paligid gamit ang telescope. Medyo hirap ako dahil sa dala kong rifle at payong sa magkabilang kamay kaya naman inilagay ko muna ang rifle kung saan hindi ito mababasa ng ulan.

Habang hinahanap ko si Madam Laura, narinig ko ang mga yapak na papalapit sa akin. "Bilis mo, a? Wala na talagang ililiwanag—"

Nahinto ako sa pagsasalita nang paglingon koy hindi si Gil ang nakita ko.

"Why are you here, Ezra?" I gave him a bored gaze.

Ngumisi lang si Ezra at tumakbo patungo sa akin habang nakataas ang mga palad sa ibabaw ng ulo upang huwag mabasa ng ulan. Nang makalapit, patawa-tawang nakisukob sa payong ko ang lintik.

"Bakit ka nandito?" pag-uulit ko.

Bigla niya akong inakbayan at kinuha mula sa akin ang payong upang siya na ang humawak. "I have a proposition for you, Jordi."

Agad ko siyang sinamaan ng tingin. "What the hell are you up to now?"

He shrugged and grinned even more. "Nothing. I just realized that you make a good ally. If I stick around you, I know you'll do whatever it takes to keep me safe. They called you selfish even if all you did was protect them. But me? I will worship the ground you walk on if you look out for me. I will have your back the same way you'll have mine. So, how about we partner up?"

"Pinagsasabi mo?" Agad ko siyang kinunutan ng noo. 

"Keep me safe and I'll keep you safe." Nagtaas-baba siya ng kilay. "How about that, huh? I could even hook you up with my resources."

"Resources?" Napahalakhak ako. "Like what? Sure seat sa rescue chopper mo?"

"Rescue chopper?" Kumunot ang kanyang noo.

I rolled my eyes again, shaking my head. "So much for being allies . . . "

"No, seriously? Anong rescue chopper?" Natatawa niyang tanong dahilan para matigilan ako.

//