Winning Hurricane

XV - Propofol

"No. No.. kapag wala siya sa condo saka lang tayo tatawag.."

Ngayon palang hindi ko na alam kung ano ba ang dapat sabihin kay Tita! I should really apologize hard kapag may nangyare.. shit..

Cyclone nodded, "I'll search the area,"

"I'll go with you." Hurricane told me, tumango nalang ako. "I'll drive." Again.. tumango lamang ulit ako.

Geez, Ansel! Saan ka ba nag-suot?

I closed my eyes as I inhaled for a breath.. I should calm myself..

Please be safe.. please protect her wherever she is..

I covered my face with my hands as I tried to breath slowly, keeping my hands from trembling more..

It's my fault.. I left her alone..

"She'll be safe. We will find her."

I only nodded, my thoughts were getting wilder by the second.. images of my best friend in different possible worst scenario came rushing in like a flood.. I am trying to make it all off of my mind pero yong anxiety habang hindi pa namin nakikita si Ansel palakas ng palakas..

This never happened before..

Mabilis akong lumakad pagkadating ng condo. I don't usually pray pero ngayon halos segu segundo ko ng pinapanalangin na maging okay si Ansel.

My knees almost gave up when I saw no shadow of her.. there's been a series of rape cases going on for the last month and we ignored it since nahuli nadin naman daw but now.. what if-oh Chandy! Stop thinking!

Hurricane's phone started ringing kaya agad akong napatingin.. I thought si Cyclone na ang tumawag.

"Barb." He glanced at me as he answered the caller. "No.. I.. I can't pick you up, may emergency..no.."

"You can go, Cane." I told him impassively. I'll just contact Cy at sa kanya sasama sa pag-hahanap kay Ansel. Masyado nang naabala si Cane, tanda ko pa na sinabe niya kanina na susunduin niya si Barb sa isang party.

"I can't.. okay! Okay." Then he ended the call.

He looked at me apologetically and I didn't expect I'll feel very disappointed.. sure, I told him to go and I kinda want him to go but there's a part of me thinking na sasama siya sa amin tonight sa pag-hahanap kay Ansel.. but I can't demand from him right? And I want to curse myself for thinking selfishly.

He has his own priorities..

"Chandy, I'll just pick Barb-"

"It's okay, you don't have to explain."

"But-"

"Really, I'm fine. We will find Ansel. Cy will update you."

Binuka niya ang bibig niya pero agad ding sinara.. he looked hesitant and worried but I can't take dramas tonight when my best friend's missing. I offered him a nod before walking to the door, ramdam kong nakasunod lang siya sakin hanggang makalabas kami.

"I'll drop you sa Usual." I told him as I settled on the driver's seat.

Tahimik lang kami sa loob ng kotse, I already texted Cy to meet me so we can both search for Ansel. Nilalabanan ko ang sarili kong wag tumingin kay Hurricane but I can clearly heard his heavy breathing and it only made me assumed we're both trapped in dilemma.. him about choosing between staying with me or with Barb and me thinking if he is worthy of all the risk I know I will soon going to take.

And none is easy for the both of us.

**

It was already nine in the morning and still no shadow from Ansel. Wala pa kaming tulog nila Cy. Parang anytime mahihimatay ako sa sobrang kaba. Inisa isa na namin ang mga hotel pero wala.We tried reaching out to the police pero kailangan pa daw mag-antay ng 24-hours! Really, I respect their rules but can't they sense emergency?! Kaya madaming naabutan na lamang na lumulutang sa ilog after 24 hours e.