Once In An Existence

Chapter 19: Problem solved!

“Kim are you alright ba?” I asked her. In an instant, tumingin siya sakin with teary eyes.

“I can’t explain it, Alice. It’s hard. It was really tempting...” I can see her trembling. She is guilty.

I did not reply na lang. Baka mali pa ang masabi ko eh. I know what she’s going through. Alam ko pero ang hindi ko alam ay kung bakit niya kailangan yun gawin. Hindi niya sinabi sakin.

“Follow us, Kim.” Those four maarteng girls! Bigla na lang hinila si Kim! They’re getting on my nerves na ah!

I got up right after they got Kim’s arm, pero bigla akong hinarang ng isa. “Don’t you dare follow us, Alice! This is none of your business okay?!” She pushed me.

Eto na talaga! Ano bang problema nila? Ugh! Kailangan ko na malaman! Kim needs me as well.

Malayolayo na sila kaya I followed them. I just hope none of them will see me. Malayo na din kami sa university. I mean, labas ng gate. Pero they stopped sa may mataas na building. Parang park yung labas nun eh, and I saw them stop sa isang bench. Pinaupo nila si Kim at pinalibutan siya.

Slowly and clearly, I made my way to a wide tree. Wide enough para hindi nila ako makita and near enough para marinig ko ang pinaguusapan nila.

I exhaled some breath para i-calm ang sarili ko. Maybe, para ihanda din ang sarili ko sa mga maririnig ko.

“Thanks for doing us a favor, Kim.” That voice. That’s the leader’s voice.

“I hate all of you for blackmailing me!” That’s Kim’s!

“Well. Nagawa mo na naman eh. Here’s your money.” I peeked para makita lang na inaabutan si Kim ng pera. What? Bakit naman? “Now, you can prove to your parents that you have also worked para makapunta ka sa Seoul and be like your sister. You can now apply as a trainee.” I can imagine that maarte girl smirking!

“Ugh.” I saw Kim accept the money. No. That’s her reason for taking that money and for doing that? Kaya pala she’s not telling me. I’ve been pursuing her to get a job and work for her own money. Pero, eto pala yun. Kaya pala.

I ran.

And I do understand Kim.

I suddenly hear a fast approaching car while I’m running on the sidewalk.

“Alice! Alice! Alice! Wait!” Huh? Liningon ko ang tumatawag sakin.

“Harry?! What are you doing?” I looked at Harry na nakasakay sa kotse at naka-baba ang windows na kanina ay tinatawag ako.

“Sabay ka na.” Pinagbuksan ako ng pinto ni Harry.

“Ayako nga! Baka magalit sakin si Esha! Si Esha dapat isa--”

“Stop talking! Tinext ko na si Esha okay? Kaya sumabay ka na dito dahil may itatanong ako sa’yo!” Kaya agad akong napasunod sa gusto ni Harry.

Tahimik pa as soon na pagkasakay ko kaya tinignan ko si Harry. He has a curious look at his face. Hindi kaya...

“Alam mo?” sabay naming sabi.

“Wait. Alice. Alam mo ba kung bakit andun si Kim at kung bakit---”

“Stop talking!” I mocked Harry. Ginaya ko kasi yung tono niya kanina. Natawa kaming dalawa. “Anyway, yes I do.”

“Teka nga! Ang daming tanong sa isip ko ah! You better tell me the whole story, Alice.”

“Eto na eto na.” Inayos ko ang upo ko. “Isang beses kasi diba hinabol ni Kim yung mga babaeng yun? Remember?” Harry nodded. “As soon as bumalik si Kim, para siyang lantutay. Para nga siyang zombie na hindi alam ang gagawin. She acted like that whenever you guys are not around.