Power Within II: Bound by a Promise(Under revision)

III: MAID

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Napabalikwas ako ng bangon habang pinupunasan ng mga palad ang tumatagaktak kong pawis sa noo.

It was the same dream over, and over.

I gave the clock on the wall a quick glimpse, it was six in the evening. Tumayo ako at binuksan ang pintong gawa sa salamin papunta sa balkonahe. I took my clothes off and dived into the swimming pool just outside the glass door, hoping that the cold water can cool my head. I swam back and forth for numerous times. Gusto kong makalimutan ang panaginip na 'yon. I stayed in the water for an hour or so, before deciding to get out.

Pag-ahon ko, napansin ko ang isang babaeng nakatayo sa kabilang kalsada, sa tapat mismo ng bahay ko. It was the maid. She's still here. I pretended to not see her and walked right in.

In just a few minutes, I'm already dressed and in front of the TV inside my room. I was about to bite a sandwich I made for myself when my phone vibrated.

“Magkukulong ka na lang ba sa bahay mo?” salubong ni Gerard.

“I'll just see you guys tomorrow.” Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya, ibinaba ko na lang ang tawag na sinabayan ng malakas na buhos ng ulan.

I stood up to close the huge glass door which I left open a while ago for air. Nahagip na naman ng paningin ko ang katulong. Nando'n pa rin siya, sa eksaktong puwesto kung saan ko siya unang nakita kanina. Hindi siya natinag kahit nababasa na. Mukhang wala siyang balak umalis o sumilong man lang.

Naisara ko na ang bintana maging ang kurtina bago isinuot ang headphone ko. The rain continued pouring heavily, drowning the sound of the loud music I'm currently listening to.

Kahit ayoko, kusang pumapasok sa isip ko ang tungkol sa katulong na nasa labas. I'm already standing in front of the window, looking outside when I realized what I was doing.

She's still there, standing. At halatang giniginaw na siya sa lamig. 

Not sure of what I'm doing, I went down, took an umbrella and stepped out.

“Your health isn't my liability.” I held the umbrella over her.

Nangangatog siyang nag-angat ng tingin. Walang salita kong kinuha ang gamit niya at naglakad papasok, sumunod naman siya.

I left her bag on the floor and went to get a towel.

“Ngayon lang 'to, hindi na mauulit.” Ibinato ko sa kanya ang tuwalyang bitbit.

Still shivering, she wiped herself. I sat down while continously asking myself about the stupidity I'm exhibiting right now. 

“I'll let you stay, but don't you dare say anything to my parents about me. Not a word!”

Umaliwalas ang ekspresyon sa mukha ng babae at agad siyang napangiti. “Talaga ho, ser? Hahayaan n'yo ho akong mangatulong dito?”

I'm already starting to regret my decision.

“Here are my rules. Follow them! Breathe them! Live with them!” I emphasized on every word. “Don't talk unless I gave you permission. Clean the house everyday. Prepare food only when I ask you. Do only the things that a maid is suppose to do, understood?!”

“Ser, yes ser!” Sumaludo pa 'to sa 'kin. “Adelaida Dimasapoc at your service!”

“Your name sucks!”

“Aba ser, bigay ho 'yan ng mga magulang ko kaya—”

“Didn't I just say to talk only when I asked?!”

Agad niyang isinara ang bunganga. Her mouth is like an armalite that shoots non-stop when fired!

“I've already wasted a lot of time in you, Adria. So, if you'll excuse—”

Who—who the hell is Adria?

Ikinaway ng maid ang kamay niya na nakapagpatigil sa pagkatulala ko sa hangin. “Ser?”

“Use any room in the maid's quarter.” Hindi ko na siya nilingon at nagmadali na lang sa pag-akyat papunta sa sarili kong kuwarto.

What's happening to me? I'm blabbering things that don't make sense.