Demon's Obsession

Five

Letters

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HINDI ako makatulog ng gabing iyon. Sa tuwing ipipikit ko ang mata, bumabalik sa akin ang nangyari kanina.

Without a second thought, I rushed towards the door of the café. My eyes never left the man across the street. It felt like we held each other's glaze under the shadow of his hood.

It's a wonder why he just stood there as if waiting for me to reach him. I just shrugged it off and took his immobility as an advantage.

I grew tired of being frightened. I needed answers and only him would give me what I needed.

Hindi ko alam kung paano ako nakatawid nang matiwasay dahil hindi ako nakatingin kanina sa daan. Nasa parehong side na kami ng kalsada. Just a couple more steps and I'd reach him. I would finally get the answers I needed.

"Ouch!" Nawala ang tingin ko sa lalaki at nakita ang batang nadapa sa aking harapan at umiiyak. Agad ko naman itong inalalayan tumayo saka lumuhod sa harap nito.

"Tahan na," alo ko rito.

Nag-angat ng tingin ang bata habang pinupunasan ang namumula at basang-basa niyang pisngi. Naramdaman ko naman ang pagkirot sa aking puso. It must've been too painful for him.

Tinignan ko ang tuhod niya at nakitang may sugat doon. A wound on his delicate skin! Kinuha ko ang panyo sa aking bulsa. Pinagpag ko muna ang buhangin sa paligid ng kaniyang sugat bago ilapat ang malinis na panyo roon.

"May sugat ka. Nasaan ang parents mo?" tanong ko habang pinupunasan ang kaniyang luha.

May itinuro siya sa likod ko. As if on cue ay may babaeng tumawag sa bata. May lalaki namang bumuhat sa bata. Mukhang ito na ang parents niya.

"Pasensya na miss sa abala nitong si Chandler," sabi nung ginang.

I smiled. "Okay lang. May sugat siya," I informed them.

They checked their child's condition at nagpasalamat bago umalis.

Saka ko lang naalala ang pakay ko rito. Lumingon ako sa pwesto ng lalaki kanina at nakitang wala na ito roon. Hindi ko alam ang mararamdaman. Disappointed or relieved? I don't know.

Maybe I was bummed out because I didn't get the chance to ask him or relieved for not meeting him. It was only then I realized the dangers he might inflict on me.

I mentally slapped myself. What am I thinking? I just acted on impulse!

Turning around, I was about to go back to the café when something caught my eye.

The turtledove... inside a birdcage. But what piqued my attention was the paper, seating on top of the birdcage.

I grabbed it and learned that it was similar to the paper left earlier at table no. 8, folded. Binasa ko ang nakasulat nang mabuksan ko iyon.

You still haven't changed. You always have a gentle heart that attracts sinners like me.

I flipped the paper and written on the other side was a number.

7...

I didn't understand what it was. And up until now, my mind's working to find its meaning. There are many possibilities but most are just null events.

A lot of questions popped out because of his statement. He said I haven't changed. Does he know me before I was involved in that accident?

I really need to talk to him. This is getting more confusing day by day. Naisip ko naman ang nakasulat sa likod ng papel.