My Handsome Katipunero

KABANATA 7

"Ayos lang." I looked up. Nakaharap na siya sakin, nakahawak sa batok at nakatingin sa ibang direksyon. i guess it's his mannerism. " 'Di ko man maintindihan ang ilan sa iyong sinabi, nararamdaman ko namang taos-puso ang iyong paghingi tawad. Kaya, ayos lang."

When his eyes landed on me and his lips formed a genuine smile, I felt like a heavy weight was suddenly lifted from my shoulders. And without knowing it, I smiled. Then, another word came out from my mouth, "Salamat, Antonio."

"Walang anuman." nakangiting sabi nito. "Pumasok ka na. Masama sa babae ang manatili sa labas sa ganitong oras, binibining Kristin."

Tumango ako, "I-ikaw?"

"May pupuntahan lamang ako."

-

I slept well last night. Pagkatapos na pagkatapos kong makausap si Antonio ay agad akong bumalik sa bahay at mabilis na nakatulog. And now, I woke up feeling fine. When I opened my eyes, I was hoping that I was already in my room, but I was wrong. I'm still here. In the year 1896.

Ga'no ba katagal akong mananatili dito? Karlos, what's his problem? 'Di ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit niya ako dinala dito. He's a God of Time, he must be punishing me. But for what reason? I value time. I don't waste time. So, why?

That kid, 'di mo talaga mabasa ang batang 'yun. For a kid, he's too matured. And because of that, nakakairita na siya.

"Hija?" napalingon ako sa nagsalita.

"Aling Isay, bakit po?"

She was standing at the door, wearing that gentle smile on her face. Aling Isay sure is a kind old lady. She always have this warm and comforting smile. Iba siya sa mga matatandang kilala ko. The oldies at our neighboorhood are annoying, too strict, at parang palaging may menopause. "Halika ka na at kakain na tayo."

I returned the smile, "S-sige."

After that, she went out.

I'm starting to get comfortable around them. And I only met them two days ago. This is new. I don't get too comfortable with my friends. I'm afraid that if I get too close they'll betray me. I have trust issues. But with these new people around me, I feel something different.

I looked at the window. It was already dawn. And people are already outside, working. They sure wake up early.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko sa ilalim ng unan. I opened it and I looked at the time.

11:35 pm. July 11, 2016

What?

I blinked. What the Heck? My phone is working but why is the date and time-? Oh God! I can't change it! What the hell is happening? Sigurado akong dalawang araw na ang lumipas mula nang mapunta ako rito, and today is my third day. And my phone says it's still July 11? Dapat July 14 na ngayon.

Geez. this doesn't make sense at all. This whole time travel thing is darn complicated and confusing.

I shoved my phone inside the pocket of my skirt. Bahala na muna. Tatanungin ko na lang ang batang malignong 'yun pag napagdesisyunan niyang magpakita. I still got a lot of questions in my mind that I want answered, and that brat haven't told me everything.

I stood up at lumabas sa kwarto. Tumambad agad sakin ang kusina at sila aling Isay na naghahanda ng pagkain.

"Hija, may problema ba? Namumutla ka."

"O-okay lang ako." Doon ko lang napansin na wala si Antonio. It's so early, nasa labas na agad? "N-nasan po si Antonio?"

"Nasa labas siya, hija. Inihahanda ang kalabaw na ipagbibili sa bayan." Nakangiting sagot ni Mang Nestor habang inaayos ang hawak na itak.