Jordan

I don't like crowded places, but I can normally tolerate it without a problem. But the moment we stepped inside Chad's mansion and saw the living room filled with people partying like there was no tomorrow? My head began to spin and I just wanted to throw up. In my mind, I could see one of them, suddenly turning on the person next to them . . . killing them . . . and then us.

"Jordan?" I felt someone grab ahold of my arm. 

Parang nakawala ako sa kung anong usok na sumakop sa isip ko at namalayan ko na lamang na nakaalalay na sa magkabilang gilid ko sina Lincoln at Masha. Nasa harapan ko naman si Arnold na panay tanong kung okay lang ba ako habang itinataas ang mga daliri niya, inuutusan akong magbilang.

"Althea! Nasaan si Althea?! Althea!"

"Walang matutulog sa inyo, naiintindihan n'yo ba?! Nagiging bayolente ang lahat dahil sa virus na 'to!"

"Maniwala kayo kay Bogart! Nagsasabi siya ng totoo! May virus talaga!"

Nilibot ko ang paningin at napasinghap ako sa sobrang gulo at ingay ng paligid. Smoeki was running around the wide neon-lit area, looking for his sister while grabbing any long haired girl who remotely resembles her figure. And then there was Bogart who was screaming his head off, trying to warn everyone but they were too busy and drunk partying to give a damn. And then there was Langaw, trying to get everyone to listen to his boss. The three of them, no matter how much they yelled and screamed, no one bothered to listen. Instead of attention, all they got were curses and annoyed stare.

"Hindi mo naiintindihan! All it takes is just one person! Isang taong infected lang ang kailangang makatulog para maging literal na impyerno ang mansion mo!" And then there was Gil, desperately yelling and convincing Chad about the situation.

All of a sudden, memories of Kuya Vito flooded my mind. The way he selflessly stayed to serve and protect. The way he cared for us like we were his own flesh and blood. The way those bastards desecrated his remains.

None of the people I care for will die on my watch again . . . 

Pilit akong kumawala mula sa pagkakahawak nina Lincoln at Masha sa akin. Dire-diretso akong naglakad patungo kay Chad at ako na mismo ang humarap sa kanya, hindi alintana ang nakakabinging musika at nakakabulag na mga ilaw sa paligid.

"Yow, who the heck beat you up?" Chad let out a slow, amused laughter as soon as we saw each other's face up close.

Chad's defined chinito face was drowning in the neon lights. His eyes were half-hooded and the way he talked and moved were too sluggish. And I could just tell by the never-disappearing grin on his face how intoxicated he was—maybe even high.

"Chad, you listen to me, okay?" Mariin kong hinawakan ang kanyang balikat at tinitigan siya sa mga mata. "I need a space for just the 8 of us! Meron ka ba no'n dito? We need a place to rest, away from all these people! Do you have that?!"

Napatingin si Chad sa kamay kong nakahawak sa kanyang balikat, hanggang sa bumalik ang kanyang tingin sa mga mata ko. Buong sandali, hindi nawawala ang malumanay na ngisi sa kanyang mukha. "Wala man lang bang 'I Miss You' mula sa 'yo? 3 years ka ring nawala, ah?"

I took a deep breath and forced myself to flash the sweetest yet fakest smile. "I miss you. May space bang para sa aming walo?"

"Bakit walo lang? 'Di ako kasali?" Ngumuso siya, nanginginig nang kaunti ang labi dahil sa ngisi niyang gustong-gustong kumawala palagi.

"I'll protect your ass too! Just get us a space!" I snapped, eyes throwing daggers out of desperation.

He laughed while shaking his head a bit, amusement dancing in his cloudy eyes. "Yeah, let's go to the second floor. Nandoon ang entertainment room at ilang guest room. I'll make it exclusive for ya."

Kahit papaano ay nakahinga ako nang maluwag. Agad akong dumiretso kanila Bogart at Langaw na panay pa rin ang pangungumbinsi sa lahat.

"Stop it. You did your part. Choice na nila kung hindi sila maniniwala," giit ko sabay hila kay Bogart palayo sa mga nagpa-party.

"Ano?! Naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo?!" bulalas niya, pero hindi ako kumibo at patuloy siyang hinila sa braso. 

I clearly heard myself alright. I wasn't proud of my words and thoughts, but it was a matter of survival. And that moment, I was dead set on making sure we survive the night. Kahit kami lang.

It's impossible to protect everyone, so I'm choosing to protect those who I could. And at that moment, it was them. 

"Jordan, hindi ko mahanap si Thea!" Mangiyak-ngiyak na lumapit si Smoeki.

"Second floor!" Matigas kong giit.

"Nasa second floor siya?!" Namilog ang mga mata ni Smoeki.

"Second floor!" halos sumigaw na ako.

As soon as the nine of us gathered together, we headed for the spiral staircase, which was just on the corner of the living room. However, before any of us could climb up, we saw Ezra sitting on the bottom stairs with a bottle of vodka wrapped around his hand. He was still as handsome as I remembered but I can just feel this asshole energy coming out from him without even trying.

"Where ya going?" He took a sip from the bottle, sprawling his legs like he was preventing us from going up the stairs.

Ezra's obnoxiously large gold necklace and rings were almost sparkling. And his floral black polo was even buttoned down, giving us a glimpse of his broad, hairy chest.

"Ezra, may virus sa islang 'to! Lahat ng nahahawa, nagiging bayolente kapag tulog!" pamamalita kaagad ni Bogart, bakas ang pangamba sa boses. "Anak ka ni Mayora Luigi! Maniniwala sa 'yo ang lahat kung ikaw ang magbibigay sa kanila ng babala!"

I didn't anything. I just stood there and observe how he will react.

Is he still the same asshole I knew back when we younger? Or did he get a character development from the last three years I was gone.

Ezra took another sip out of the bottle. He then stood up, grinning while looking at us like we were pieces of trash. "Let's say you guys are telling the truth about this whole virus thing . . . Chad, my man, you really going to let them in?"

I'd say he's the same asshole, but if I were in his shoes, I wouldn't let us in too. It's now battle of survival, after all.

"Why won't I let them in . . . " Chad giggled and shrugged sluggishly. He was so intoxicated that Gil had to hold his back so he wouldn't stagger and fall down the ground. 

"Tinatanong pa ba 'yan?" Ezra laughed sarcastically and then raised his hand. "I say, you throw them out. Keep the virus out, kumbaga. I mean, kanina pa tayo nagpa-party rito pero wala namang naging bayolente. Baka mamaya, sila pa ang magsimula."

"Tangina mong gago ka, ako ang magiging bayolente dahil sa 'yo, e!" Gigil na bulalas ni Smoeki at muntik na nitong sugurin si Ezra kung hindi lang siya nahila nina Bogart, Arnold, at Langaw.

Wala sa sarili akong napatingin kay Masha at nakitang nakadungo lang siya habang nakatayo sa isang tabi. She looked so uncomfortable, especially with the topic of our discussion.

Napabuntonghininga na lamang ako at napatingin kay Chad. "Do you want us to stay or go? Kahit ano pa ang maging desisyon mo, susunod kami. We won't hold it against you—"

"What kind of question is that? Hindi ako makaka-graduate ng elementary kung hindi n'yo ako pinapakopya palagi!" Pasuray-suray na humalakhak si Chad at kunot-noo kaming tiningnan isa-isa. "You guys are my friends. This is my house. Tara sa second floor at mag-videoke!"

"I already called dibs on the third floor. Wala sa inyo ang aakyat doon." Ezra moved aside, rolling his eyes as he took another sip. Kung makapagsalita, akala mo siya ang may-ari ng mansion.

***

As soon as we reached the top of the spiral staircase, we were met with three corridors. The first one lead to a door, the second lead to another door, while the other lead to another spiral staircase. We headed for the first door and when Chad opened it, we gasped at the enormous entertainment room packed with its own fridge, large television, comfortable couch sets, and even games like foosball, billiards, and even a round dining table.

Tila ba sabay-sabay na bumigay ang mga paa namin sa iba't ibang bahagi ng silid. Bogart and his remaining Boguards melted down the floor like a trio of candles, while Masha, Lincoln and Gil threw themselves straight to the couch. Ako naman ay agad na naupo sa sahig nilibot ang paningin, tinitingnan ang puwede naming maging exit point kung magkandele-leche ang lahat.

"Anong ginagawa niya?" Naupo si Chad sa tabi ko at tinuro si Smoeki na isa-isang binubuksan ang tatlong pinto sa magkakaibang direksiyon ng entertainment room.

"Your house is fucking amazing," hindi ko napigilang magkomento. "How many rooms do you even have here overall?"

The more rooms, the more hiding spots we have in case shit hits the fan.

Nagkibit-balikat si Chad at patawa-tawang uminom mula sa dalang bote ng alak. "Take a guess and if you're right, be my lucky bride."

I rolled my eyes. Chad and his family were already filthy rich before I left the island, now they're just crazy fucking filthy rich.

"If they start going wild down there. Are we safe here? Okay ba ang mga pinto?" tanong ko na lamang. "Do you have some sort of layout of the house? I have to see it."

He shrugged, eyes still half-hooded and the grin never disappearing on his face. "It's soundproof. Y'all can fuck all you want and no soul outside can here ya!"

"Chad, seryoso ako!" I snapped at him again. Naramdaman ko tuloy na napatingin na silang lahat sa amin.

Chad flexed his muscles. Putok na putok na nga ito dahil sa suot niyang black na sando, nag-flex pa ang siraulo. "You know what's serious? My guns! Look at 'em, Jordi! This left one is Armando, the right is Fernando. Put them together—"

"What the hell is wrong with you?! Do you think all of this is just a joke?!" I was so tired and annoyed that I almost burst into tears. "Chad, do you even believe us?!"

Chad, still grinning, suddenly moved near my ear and whispered, "I've been seeing stars and rainbows all night but I remember Ezra asking if a chopper can land up the rooftop. Susunduin daw siya ng mommy niya kapag huminto ang ulan. Now, isn't that as fishy as the fishes in my fish tank?"

Kaagad namilog ang mga mata ko at kusa akong napatingin sa sofa kung saan nakaupo sina Lincoln, Masha, at Gil. Silang tatlo, nakatingin na rin pala sa amin.

"Magpapadala ng chopper si Mayora Luigi rito para kunin si Ezra!" bulalas ko. It was unfair as hell, but at the same time, I thought of it as an opportunity to get my friends to safety.

Chad giggled. "Sana all."

"Ang tanginang 'yon . . . " Narinig kong bumuntonghininga si Bogart at napasuntok-suntok sa kanyang palad.

"Sabi mo nandito ang kapatid ko?!" Biglang lumapit sa akin si Smoeki at nakita kong bukas na ang tatlong pinto sa paligid ng family room, maliban sa pang-apat na nasa likuran namin na siyang dinaanan namin mula sa hagdan.

Napatayo ako kaagad, lalo na nang makitang dismayadong mga mata ni Smokie. I couldn't blame him for being mad at me. I did lie to him, after all.

"Smoeki, don't yell at Jordan!" sita kaagad ni Masha.

"Jordan!" Napapadyak si Smoeki, mukhang ano mang sandali ay maiiyak na. 

"Wala ba talaga dito si Thea?" Napabaling ako kaagad kay Chad.

Nagkibit-balikat naman si Chad at ngumuso. "How should I know? I was banging a cutie earlier."

Dali-daling kinuha ni Smoeki ang bag na nabitiwan niya sa sahig. "Aalis ako! Magpapatuloy ako sa paghahanap sa kapatid ko! Hindi n'yo ako kailangang—"

"Smoeki, huwag ka munang magpadalos-dalos!" I quickly blocked his path. After learning about the rescue plan for Ezra, this was the best place for us to be. "Magplano muna tayo!"

Mula sa gilid ng mga mata ko, nakita kong nagsitayuan ang iba naming mga kaibigan.

"Jordan, nawawala ang kapatid ko! Naiintindihan mo ba ako?! Kailangan niya ako! Ako na lang ang mayroon siya! Hindi ako puwedeng tumunganga lang dito!" Smoeki blurted out with gritted teeth. I stilled. It was the first time he ever screamed or even raised his voice at me.

Guilt overcame every fiber of my being, but I still couldn't wrap around Smoeki leaving when we've finally reached a safe place, not without a plan. 

Kung may paraan lang para maipalam namin kay Thea kung nasaan kami. Kung may paraan lang para masigurong ligtas siyang makakarating dito.

Nang akmang lalagpasan ako ni Smoeki, nagsalita si Gil.

"Si Fash . . . Kung ligtas dito, dapat nandito rin sina Fash at ang mga bata. Sabihin natin kay Fash na humabol na rito . . . na hanapin at isama rin dito ang kapatid ni Smoeki," Gil said as if he just read the conflict up my mind.

"Guys sorry, pero parang suntok sa buwan naman yo'n?" komento naman ni Arnold. "Hayaan na lang natin si Smoeki na hanapin ang kapatid niya."

Pumikit ako nang mariin at huminga nang malalim. Pagdalilat ay agad akong napatingin kay Smoeki. "10 minutes. Just give me 10 minutes, okay?"

"10 minutes para saan?!" Naguguluhang tugon naman ni Smoeki.

With my heart on my throat, I ran over to my bag and quickly fetched out one of the radios I took from my parents room. The ones I got from the station were soaking wet from the rain, but this one survived because I wrapped it up inside my bag after fearing for the worst. And it did pay off.

I pressed the power button and quickly tuned it to the frequency that the station uses. If Fash is still in the police station, he'll quickly respond. Heck, he'll even be the first.

As the static blared from the radio, the entire room fell silent. All eyes were on me and the radio on my hand.

I took another deep breath before initiating contact. "Fash?"

I looked at my friends one by one. All of them looked as agitated as I was, especially Smoeki.

"Fash, are you there?" I lowered my head and closed my eyes shut, praying hard that he will answer. Praying hard that he is still safe. "Fash, if you're listening—"

"Jordan?!"

I gasped and quickly opened my eyes as soon as I heard a familiar voice burst from the static.

I blinked my eyes, unable to believe my own hearing. Or I guess it was just me, trying not to expect too much so I can spare myself the heartbreak. 

"PJ?" pag-uulit ko, halos bulong at patuloy pa rin ang pagdarasal sa isip. "I-Ikaw ba 'yan?"

Part of me wanted it to be him because I've been worried about him all day. But part of me was also scared, because this could confirm that my brother is out there, in flaming piles of danger.

"A-Ako 'to! Ako 'to! Jordan nasaan—"

"Si Ate Jordan?"

"Shhhh! Maririnig nila tayo sa baba ano, ba!"

Nagsitayuan ang mga balahibo ko nang makarinig ng iba pang mga boses, lalo na nang mapansing para bang nagbubulungan sila.

Where the hell is PJ?! Is he hiding?! Is he safe?! Why the hell did he go back to the island?!—I had so many questions, but at the same time, I just wanted to cry my heart out.

"Nasaan ka? Okay ka lang ba?" aligagang bulong muli ni PJ sa kabilang linya at nasundan muli ng static.

Pumikit ako nang mariin at pilit pinakalma ang puso kong parang sasabog na sa pinaghalong kaba at pangungulila. Hinahayaan ko naman ang mga luha dumausdos pababa sa pisngi ko. "Chad's mansion. P-Peej, pumunta ka rito. A rescue chopper is coming—"

"Jordan, sorry sa mga—"

Mabilis akong umiling kasabay ng tuluyang pagkawala ng hikbi mula sa bibig ko. "Just stay alive. You're forgiven as long as you stay safe and alive. I need you, Peej. I really need you."

I needed PJ. Always did and I always will.

No matter how old and strong I get, I will always need my big brother.

I couldn't help but feel sorry for Thea. There I was admitting how much I needed my own brother, when earlier I was trying to stop her own brother from finding her. I was a hypocrite through and through.

"Kasama ko si Thea. Pupunta kami—"

Bago pa man matapos ni PJ ang sinasabi, bigla na lamang hinablot ni Smoeki ang radyo mula sa kamay ko. Nanginginig niyang hinawakan ang radyo at nag-uunahan ang mga luha. "Si Thea?! PJ, ang kapatid ko! Okay—"

"Shhh!! Shhh!" putol agad ni PJ sa kabilang linya. "Nagtatago kami! Shhh!"

Mariing pumikit si Smoeki at napasapo sa kanyang noo. He looked so lost and frustrated, but at the same time there was a soft smile on his crying face. "PJ, ang kapatid ko. Please huwag mong hayaang may mangyaring masama sa kanya—"

"K-Kuya Smoeki?" Bigla naming narinig ang pabulong at mangiyak-ngiyak na boses ni Thea. "Kasama mo ba sina Mama at Papa? K-Kuya, okay lang ba kayo diyan?"

Gumuhit ang matinding sakit sa mukha ni Smoeki. Itinikom niya ang nanginginig na mga labi upang huwag lang tuluyang humagulgol. "Mmm-mmm."

My eyes automatically went to my friends. Masha and Lincoln were crying, while the rest were listening intently. Meanwhile, there was Chad, looking around the room with an amused smile on his face as if he was seeing majestic invisible objects floating around us.

One more word from Thea and it seemed like Smoeki was going to sob out loud. Mabuti na lang at boses na ulit ni PJ ang narinig namin.

"Hahabol kami diyan. Smoeki, si Jordan—"

"PJ, ako ang bahala kay Jordan. Utang na loob, bantayan mo rin ang kapatid ko," umiiyak na pakiusap ni Smoeki, bakas ang taranta at pangamba sa kilos at pananalita. "PJ, huwag mong hayaang may mangyaring masama sa kanya. PJ, please ikaw na ang bahala sa kapatid ko."

"Hahabol kami diyan," sabi pa ni PJ at sa isang iglap ay static na lamang ang narinig namin.

"Peej?" Umiiyak kong bulong pagkatos kuninulit ang radyo mula kay Smoeki. "Peej, are you still there?"

Nang wala nang sumagot sa kabilang linya, naibaba ko ang kamay kong mahigpit ang hawak sa radyo. Napatingin ako kay Smoeki at gano'n din siya sa akin. Sa isang iglap, pareho kaming nag-iyakan at napayakap nang mahigpit sa isa't isa.

//