Demon's Obsession

Fifteen

Run

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"GO AND announce the Gospel of the Lord," the priest said as the mass ended.

Kasabay ng palakpakan, pasimple akong sumulyap sa kaniya na buong misa ay nakaupo lang. Para siyang bato na hindi gumagalaw sa kaniyang puwesto. Tatayo na sana siya nang pigilan ko siya.

Agad akong napaatras sa talim ng tingin niya kasabay ng pagbawi ko sa aking kamay na nasa kaniyang braso.

"Uh... T-teka lang k-kasi m-magbabanyo ako," pautal-utal kong sabi. My heart's pounding from the overwhelming tension. How I wish he couldn't read my mind right now or I'll be dead.

Naalarma ako nang tumayo siya. "A-ano, malapit lang naman 'yung banyo!" I squeaked. Fortunately, the churchgoers were busy with causeries that can't seem to wait until they're outside.

I could feel the sweating of my palm when his argentine eyes almost felt like boring a hole through me just to read my mind.

Hindi na ako makapag-isip nang maayos sa abot langit na kaba. My hand unconsciously tugged on his sleeve. With the last of my courage I begged in a small voice, "Please?"

I just hoped I didn't sound that desperate enought to divulge my plans.

But who was I kidding? I was never a good liar! I looked away as I prepared myself to face his anger. Maybe I'd try better next time? I hope this isn't the last he'd consider my request.

"Three minutes," he said coldly. My lips parted but were formed into a beam. I nodded eagerly I almost clapped my hands in joy!

"S-sige! Thank you!" Halos takbuhin ko ang daan patungo sa labas ng simbahan. Mabuti na lamang at nasa labas pa nito ang palikuran.

Halos takbuhin ko na ang daan patungo roon. Hindi ko na ininda ang siksikan ng mga palabas ng simbahan. I almost cried when I was finally outside, breathing the fresh air, alone. I didn't look back as I walked straight to the side where the restroom is.

Mahigpit ang hawak ko sa laylayan ng aking damit habang mabilis na tinutungo ang aking lilikuan patungo sa aking kalayaan.

Walang lingong-likod ako lumakad hanggang sa ang lakad ay naging takbo nang marating ang kanto bago ang palikuran at tinungo ang ibang direskyon.

My heart was swelling in joy.

-♦-

SUNOD-SUNOD na katok ang ginawa ko nang maabot ang kahoy na pinto. It's usually quiet in here at this time of the day but with the situation at hand, the silence is suffocating.

"P-please, buksan niyo po," bulong ko sa gitna ng paghingal. Sana ay nakarating na sila mula sa simbahan. Hindi ako puwedeng magtagal dito sa labas. Palingon-lingon ako sa paligid, sinisiguradong hindi siya nakasunod sa akin. Bukod sa isang lalaking nakatayo sa kabilang parte ng kalsada at mangilan-ngilang sasakyan na dumaraan ay wala naman akong ibang nakitang kahina-hinala. Kahit paano ay nabawasan ang aking pangamba.

It seemed like God answered my prayers when the door slowly opened, revealing a woman dressed in white habit. Halos dambahin ko si Sister Vivienne nang pagbuksan niya ako ng pinto. Thank you, Lord!

Tulad ng inaasahan.

"Sister!" I almost squealed. Napaatras pa siya nang sabik na sabik ko siyang niyakap. Ilang sandali pa, noong nakabawi na yata siya sa pagkagulat, naramdaman ko ang paghaplos niya sa aking likod.

She chuckled. "Nakagugulat ka namang bata ka. Bakit ka naparito?" she asked when we pulled away from the hug.

Saka ko lamang naalala ang dahilan ng pagpunta ko. Dali-dali kong sinara ang pintuan sa aking likuran at saka inaya si Sister na pumasok sa ampunan. Hila-hila ang kaniyang kamay, unang bumungad sa amin ang receiving area kung saan may dalawang lamesa at sofa.

Dito ako madalas salubungin nila Chloe at Jason tuwing nagpapasabi akong bibisita ako. My heart clenched. Hindi ko kayang madamay ang mga bata sa gulong napasukan ko.

My initial plan was to beg Sister Vivienne and Mother Superior to let me stay in the orphanage until I could polish my plan to flee, as far as I could, away from Metro Manila. But what if he found me here? I'm sure he would. I didn't know the extent of his capabilities but I know he could, easily. He'll bring chaos. And I didn't want the kids to be terrified.

"Sandali lang, maghunos-dili ka, Kirah," rinig kong sabi ni Sister sa aking likod.

Tumigil ako at hinarap siya.

"Sister..." I trailed. I am stuck between asking for help and leaving them alone. I don't want to be selfish but I also don't want to go back to that prison he put me in.

She must've sensed my hesitation. Binawi niya ang kamay upang hawakan ang aking braso. This time she led the way. We stopped in her office.

"Calm down first before we talk. Maupo ka muna. Kukuha lang ako ng maiinom."

Tumango ako at sinunod ang kaniyang sinabi. I needed to calm down. I must think straight. I sat on the sofa at the far end, a coffee table placed in front.

Sister Vivienne came back after a while with a glass of iced tea and butter cookies. Tumayo ako upang salubungin siya.

"Salamat po. Hindi na po sana kayo nag-abala," nahihiya kong kinuha ang tray mula sa kaniya ulang ilapag sa lamesita.

"Hindi ka pa nasanay. Pumapayat ka, dapat kumain ka nang marami," puna niya. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

"Nasaan nga ho pala ang mga bata?" I asked instead. I didn't want her to dig any deeper. I didn't want to lie to her. No, not to Sister.

Her face broke into a timid smile. "Nasa simbahan pa sila," she answered. "Alam kong hindi ang mga bata ang pinunta mo rito. Sabihin mo sa akin, may problema ka ba?"

Nawala ang kulay sa aking mukha. Pinaalala na naman kung bakit ako narito. Napatingin ako sa kaniya. Sa nanginginig na boses, "Sister..." simula ko.

"May naalala ka na ba sa iyong nakaraan?" she pushed further. I stared at her for a second, my mouth slightly opened from shock. Her eyes reflect mixed emotions.

Nang makabawi, marahan akong umiling. "H-hindi po iyon, Sister."

"Ah," Umatras siya at sumandal sa kaniyang upuan. Ilang segundo siyang walang imik habang nag-iisip nang malalim. "Kung ganoon, anong kailangan mo?"

Hindi ako mapakali sa inuupuan ko, parang sasabog na ang dibdib ko sa kaba. I don't know if I'm just paranoid but I feel like he's gonna be here any moment from now. Like he's on his way already.

I can't imagine his livid visage. I don't want to. But I can imagine the sad faces of the poor kids once he breaks their peace.

"... If I have to follow him in hell and kill him for the second time, I would..."

But I want to be normal again. I want to go back to the days I am carefree... the days when I am free. When I wake up in peace and not in fear.

Ilang beses nagbukas-sara ang bibig ko. Sa huli ay nahanap ko rin ang aking boses.

"Sister..."

x
©Taciturnelle