Programmed Girlfriend (published under PSICOM)

Chapter 15

            Gaya ng napag-usapan, dumating si Dad two days after. Hindi ko na siya sinundo pa sa airport gawa nga ng sitwasyon ngayon. Buti at kahit papaano kabisado na rin niya ang Pilipinas.

"I can't believe you can actually live in this place, Levi." Bati nito habang hirap na hirap pagkasiyahin ang mga gamit niya sa hagdan.

Nasa 2nd floor kasi kami, nagkataong masikip lang naman ang daanan papunta sa kwarto.

"Well, we have no choice. We're safe here, and I don't have enough money to rent a hotel room." Sabi ko at tinulungan na siya sa pagpasok ng mga gamit.

Hindi naman 'yung mga damit ang nagpabigat sa maleta niya e. 'Yung mga gamit o equipment niya for his experiments.

"Amazing. You have all your stuffs in one room." Pagpuna ni Dad. "So she's the girl."

Lumapit si Mia at inabot ang kanyang kamay for a shake hand.

"Hello, sir."

"Hi sweetie, Levi talks about you a lot." Masiglang bati naman ni Dad.

Dumeretso siya sa sofa at nilapag ang kanyang bag sa lamesa.

"Do you stay in this room together?"

"Yes, and we barely leave." Sagot ko naman.

"And you've been doing?" Tanong pa nito, as if he really wants me to say it in detail.

"Dad, we talk, eat, watch, play ps3... we've got lots of entertainment so we never get bored." Not to mention the love making part.

Napatawa naman siya sa sinabi ko habang nag-aayos ng gamit. Sabi na e, hindi talaga mawawala ang pagka-frustrated scientist niya kahit saan magpunta, at syempre 'yung kalat, ako magliligpit.

"Listen, Dad, we need to get out of this country." Sabi ko bago pa maiba ang usapan.

"Who is this Richard, by the way? Chris also keeps on sending me information about Aurora, and it's totally disturbing."

"I think Chris has been manipulated by them. I don't exactly know what happened but Mia's life is in danger." Sagot ko.

Napatingn si Dad kay Mia at tinanong, "Do you remember everything that happened to you, dear?"

Umiling lang siya. "I remember a few, but not everything."

"Well then for now, let's get started with those memories of yours. Are you guys ready?"

Agad nitong tanong habang sineset-up ang kanyang apparatus o kung ano mang tawag mo dun.

As a matter of fact hindi pa ako handa. Nag-aalala ako sa maaaring epekto nito kay Mia. Paano kung mas lalo siyang ma-trauma?

"Dad, is this really necessary?"

"For us to find out what happened. Aren't you curious as well? I'll connect your minds together so you can also view her memories as she recalls them." Mabilis nitong paliwanag at kinabitan kami ng parang helmet na naka-konekta sa isang machine.

"Mia, I'll get a sample of your blood if you don't mind." He said and injected her, who also seems to be nervous as I am.

"I need to check the condition of the chip." Sabi nito at itinabi sa isang lalagyan 'yung nakuhang dugo mula kay Mia.

"It will take time recalling memories. Mia will have to start from the very beginning—most of the time it begins with the childhood memories up to the traumatic ones. It might cost you a whole day, so while I'm supervising you, I have to start examining the chip you injected her." Sagot nito, and now I understand kung bakit nagmamadali siya.

Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang kamay ni Mia at sumandal sa kama katabi niya. Pinag-kabit na ni Daddy 'yung wires at naghanda ng isa pang injection.

"This is a sedative for you to sleep in just a minute."

He first injected Mia and then me... so gradually, we fell asleep together.

***

It was a total blur at first, pero maya-maya ay naging malinaw naman sa'kin kung nasaan ako. Nasa isang malaking bahay, and in front me is a cute little girl. Yes, she's really cute.

I heard a voice. It was Mia's, and she's starting to tell HER story...

This was the third day my home tutor met me. Suot ko 'yung paborito kong dress—'yung unang binili sa'kin nila Mommy matapos nila akong kunin sa bahay ampunan.

I was an orphan, and thanks to my adoptive parents, I felt like a princess.

"Aurora," Masayang tawag sa'kin ni Mommy at inabot ang kanyang kamay para bumaba ako ng hagdan.

Tahimik lang kasi akong nakatitig sa aking guro, si Mr. Gary.

"Halika na anak. Andito na si Teacher." Malambing na sabi ni Mommy.

Dahan-dahan akong bumaba at hinawakan ang kanyang kamay. Nakatitig lang ako kay Mr. Gary, hindi bumabati o ngumingiti. Ayoko kasi talaga sa kanya.

"Good morning pretty, Aurora." Nakangiti nitong bati.

"Pagpasensiyahan mo na muna sir, medyo takot kasi sa lalaki 'tong ampon namin. Alam mo naman, she's one of a kind beauty."

My Mom was a writer. Naalala ko every night, she would always read me bed time stories, at paulit-ulit niyang binabasa sa'kin ang Sleeping Beauty. Favorite niya kasi talaga 'yun, kaya Aurora na din ang ipinangalan sa akin.

"Nah, she enjoys playing with me naman, Ms. Villegas. Hindi ba, Aurora?" Tanong nito at tinapik ako sa ulo.

"Sige na anak, start na kayo ni Mr. Gary. Madami pang stories ang isusulat ni Mommy." She said and kissed my forehead.

Pinanood ko siyang lumakad palayo sa'kin. I didn't want her to leave. I didn't want to stay with Mr. Gary.

"Aurora? Halika na sa study room." Sabi nito at sumunod naman ako.

Umupo ako sa maliit kong upuan at hinanda 'yung mga gagamitin ko; paper, pencil, crayons, eraser. Nilapag ko 'yun lahat sa maliit kong table.

"O Aurora, pasayahin mo muna si Teacher Gary bago tayo magsimula..." Excited niyang sabi at binuhat ako sa sofa.

"Teacher, gusto ko po mag-color..." Sabi ko at pinipilit makaalis sa kanyang hawak pero mas lalo niya lamang itong hinigpitan.

"Mamaya na, madami pa naman tayong oras para diyan e. Play muna tayo, 'yung mga ibang bata nga gusto nagp-play muna e..."

"Pero ayoko po mag-play..."

Hindi pa'ko tapos sa sinasabi ko nang ihiga niya ako at inalis 'yung favorite dress ko.

I was so little. I had no idea what was happening.

Madami akong natutunan. Na-master ko halos lahat ng subjects kahit na simula pagkabata home schooled lang ako.

I learned a lot in that huge playroom.