The Nameless Hour

Chapter 02: Bad Omen

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Inabot din ako ng ilang araw bago sundan ang address na binigay sa 'kin. I know, I have no choice. Kaso, pinakamalaking parte ng pagkatao ko ang sariling ego. Kapag na-i-imagine kong pinagtatawanan nila ako dahil humingi ako ng tulong sa isang scam na manghuhula, hindi ko kakayanin.

But, following my ego only lead to sleepless nights. I look more like a ghost.

I'm currently outside a two-story house. The house seemed old because of the uncovered cracks on the wall and violet paints that were starting to get peeled. If it weren't for the human sized cardboard on the top of the door bearing it's name, aakalain kong nasa mali akong address.

There... there it was again. That unexplainable sensation. It was as if I'm holding on to a string and the other end was held by that someone who was watching me. This time though, hindi ko pinahalata na naramdaman ko ang presensya niya.

It never left me, kaya hindi rin ako umuwi sa karaniwan kong pinagtutulugan. I slept on different locations... often with other street children. Para may kasama ako.

I continued with my original business. Bago pa ako makakatok ay kusang nagbukas ang pinto na tila ba tinangay ng hangin. Nagdadalawang-isip akong pumasok.

The room was dimly lit. May mga glow in the dark solar system stickers na nakadikit sa ceiling at mga posters about hand reading, tarot card, etc. na nasa pader. The only source of light was the aligned mini-lamps on both corner of the rooms and the crystal ball on the center.

Kung sino man itong Crystal Phoebus na ito, I think she was aiming for a mysterious and enchanting vibe. But I have to break it to her... it's definitely not working.

"Well, well... nakita ko sa aking mahiwagang crystal ang tungkol sa iyong pagdating." A teenage girl appeared from behind the crystal ball.

I was expecting for someone... much older.

Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya. I've seen my fair share of craps to know that she's making me a fool. I literally saw a CCTV camera implanted on her front door.

"Tell, me... what's your business?" tanong niya.

"Your a seer, aren't you? Hindi ba't alam mo na dapat 'yon?"

"Oh... well, I expect the privacy of my customers, you know." And then, she continued blabbing about how them psychics restrict their cosmic powers to respect the people around them.

She suddenly offered her hand in front of me. Dumaan pa ang ilang segundo bago ko maintindihan ang ibig niyang sabihin.

I reached for my pocket and handed her a crisp 20 pesos.

Napahawak siya sa tapat ng kaniyang dibdib. Nanlalaki ang mata. "Anong tingin mo sa serbisyo ko? Mas mura pa sa sibuyas?"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes before handing her an additional 200 peso bill. The smile on her face widened.

"That's more like it."

As if I have the choice.

"Now, I'm looking for this place..." Diretsahang sabi ko bago ilarawan ang lugar sa panaginip. Kung paanong lagi ko itong napapanaginipan.

"Hmm... having a dream about being in an unknown place could mean innovation. Be ready for the positive changes that awaits you in your life."

Her hands were encircling the crystal ball, fingers wiggling. Tila ba nakapikit ang kaniyang mga mata ngunit sa katotohanan ay nakatingin lamang sa nakabukas niyang cellphone na nakatago sa likod ng crystal ball. It shows, Showing Coogle Results.

Marahas akong napatayo kung kaya't maging ang monoblock chair na inuupuan ko ay natumba. I slammed the table that it almost knocked out the crystal ball.

I stared at her with intensity, although I never felt an inch of my muscle move.

"Pinagloloko mo ba ako?" My tone was icy, and yet my voice only came out as if I'm bored.

She was unaffected. Mukha pa nga siyang natutuwa. Inilahad niya uli ang kamay. Bumuga ako ng hangin.

"I'm out," nasabi ko na lamang.

I twisted the doorknob, but before I could pull the door open... nagsalita uli siya. Her voice were few octaves lower.

"The name reaper is finding you, his unfinished victim."

Parang tumigil ang pagtibok ng puso ko. Kahit na nakasara lahat ang bintana at pinto ay tila ba may dumaan na malamig na hangin sa pagitan namin.

"What did you say?" Halos pabulong kong sambit. My heart beat was louder.

"...You're here for a reason. Someone put you here to protect you. 'Wag mong sayangin ang kaniyang sakripisyo," dagdag pa niya.

Lumingon ako sa manghuhula. "Sino? Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

But her irritating grin was back again. Nakalahad na ang kaniyang kamay. I reached for my pocket and felt nothing. Padabog kong binuksan ang pinto at malakas itong isinara.

Just hearing that name... the name reaper... it made my blood boil. Isa itong posporo na nagsilab ng malaking apoy sa aking puso.

Ngunit, nang tignan ko ang sarili sa side mirror ng nadaanang sasakyan ay hindi man lang nagbago ang ekspresyon ng mukha ko. It remained flat and unbothered. Ang mga mata kong kulay abo na halos matakpan ng bangs ko ay nanatiling parang inaantok. My waist-length jet black hair again followed the wind as if it was it's master. Isama pa ang mala-Koreana kong puting balat.

I really look like a ghost.

"Show yourself," awtomatiko kong sabi nang maramdaman uli ang presensya ng nagmamasid sa 'kin.

It was followed by a deep breath. From the dark side of the road, a figure emerged. She walked towards me with grace that it almost looked like she's floating.

"Was I that obvious?" saad niya.

Hindi ko mabasa ang ekspresyon niya.

"For someone who thrives on the street, you sure have a lot of money." She scanned me from head to toe. "...And doesn't think twice on spending them too," dagdag pa niya.

"State your business."

She tiptoed before placing her heels back. "Well, pardon me but I happen to have heard of your business with the police. And the place fits the hometown of my grandmother."

Nanatili akong tahimik. But, I think she already understood that I'm all ears that why she continued speaking.

"You're looking for the town of Jura."

Just like the mentioning of the name reaper, hearing the word Jura was like finding another piece of me. It was as familiar as my own breathing.

Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib nang lumakas ang tibok niyon. Tanging 'yon na lamang ang aking naririnig sa kabila ng paggalaw ng labi ng babaeng kaharap ko.

"...by the way! My name is Leola Einar. How about you?"

Blanko akong napatingin sa kaniyang mukha pagkatapos ay sa kamay niyang nakalahad.

I said nothing. Because, even I don't know. Sino nga ba talaga ako?