Kabanata 35: Ala-ala
"Je suis de retour!" I said as I enter the house.
(Translation: "I'm back!")
Hindi pa man ako nakaka limang hakbang papasok ay naramdaman ko na ang pamamanhid ng pisngi ko.
"Mom! What the heck!" Asik ni Miguel na kaagad akong inalo.
Tita Minerva slapped me again.
Nakayuko lang ako na nagpipigil umiyak.
"Salope!" She yelled to me.
(Translation: "Slut!")
"T-tita..." Pabulong na sabi ko.
"Napaka landi mong babae ka, Samantha! Nakuha mo pa talagang lumandi ng wala ang anak ko! Bwisit kang bruha ka! Slut!" She yelled.
"I don't know what are you talking about, tita." Sa takot na sasaktan niya uli ako ay kumapit na ako sa braso ni Miguel.
"The designer just called me. Ang sabi niya ay may kasama ka raw sa loob ng shop. What the hell, Samantha! You're flirting!"
"We're stuck! Nasaraduhan kami roon, tita. I'm not gonna flirt with other. I wont cheat on Miguel for fucking sake!" I yelled back. I lost my temper.
She was about to hit me again when Miguel spoke.
"Tara na, Vespera. You need to take a rest." Inalalayan niya akong maglakad papunta sa room.
Hinayaan niya akong naupo sa kama habang naka yuko, nang marinig ko siyang tumikhim ay nagsalita na ako.
"M-miguel..."
"Do you know that guy?" He asked.
"No. He said kaibigan siya ni Shantelle which is the designer. I don't have any idea na pareho kaming ma s-stuck roon." I honestly said.
"By any chance, do you get his name?"
"Why? You're gonna report him too like you used to do when we're on France?" I sarcasticly said.
"I just want to keep you safe, Vespera."
"I am safe, Miguel. Stop overeacting. Walang mananakit saakin, walang kukuha saakin at walang mangyayaring hindi maganda saakin. Stop being so protective." I said.
"Samantha Vespera Monte—"
"T'es chiant, Miguel!" I cut his words off.
(Translation: "You're annoying, Miguel!")
"I want you to be safe, Vespera. That's all." He said.
"May itinatago ka ba saakin?" Tanong ko.
"Ano namang itatago ko?"
"May hindi ka ba sinasabi saakin?" I asked again.
"W-what? Anong itatago ko sayo? Anong sasabihin?" He confusely asked.
I shruged. "My real identity?"
Then his eyes widened. "W-what?"
"I encounter two people, they're calling me 'Alice'. Hindi ka naman nagsisinungaling saakin diba? I am the real Samantha Vespera Monteverde, right?"
"Yeah. Y-you are Samantha Vespera. And I promise not to hide a secret from you, get it?"
"R-really?"
He just nodded and kissed my forehead before leaving the room.
___
Napabangon ako sa higaan ng maramdaman ko ang pagka uhaw. Madilim ang kwarto at walang ilaw, inabot ko ang cellphone ko at tinignan ang oras bago buksan ang flashlight nito.
It's already 2:43am. Nang itutok ko sa higaan ang flashlight ay wala si Miguel.
"Where did he go?" I asked my self.
I didn't bother to look for him. Naglakad ako palabas at nagtungo sa kusina. Wala sigurong kuryente kaya walang ilaw ang paligid. Buti nalang may cellphone akong dala.
I opened the fridge and get some water to drink.
Nawala panandalian ang antok ko dahil sa medyo malamig ang tubig. Hindi na ako nag abalang hugasan ang pinag inuman ko dahil baka makagawa lang ako ng ingay. I didn't bother to wear my slippers too.
I was about to go back to our room when I heard Miguels' voice on tita Minervas' office. Hindi ko na sana papansinin but I heard my name.
Pinatay ko ang flashlight ng phone at ginamit nalang ang screen ng phone para maging ilaw kahit pa mahina lang.
"See? I told you, Josh! Kahihiyan ang dala ng babaeng 'yan!" I heard tita Minervas' voice.
"Don't talk to her like that infront of me, mom." Miguel answered.
"Bakit ba ipinagtatanggol mo ang babaeng 'yon?! Wala naman siyang ambag sa buhay natin!" Tita hissed.
May ambagan?
"She's my girlfriend."
"You're girlfriend is dead, Josh. Keep that on your mind."
"She's with me."
"Shut it! Sooner or later, she will find out what's her real identity. Sooner or later, she will leave you. Habang may pagkakataon pa, sabihin mo na sakanya, Josh please, I'm begging..." She said.
I frozed. Who I am, then? My tears starts to flow.
"M-masaya na ako sakanya, mom. I-i'm contented now with her..." Miguel said and I heard him sobbed.
"How about her? Is she happy? Is she contented? How about the things she wants to know? Her past, ipagkakait mo ba?"
"Mom..."
"Anak, Samantha is already resting. Sa tingin mo matutuwa siya sa mga ginagawa mo?" Tita said.
Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot ni Miguel. Naglakad ako papunta sa kwarto at humiga.
Are they lying to me?
After a few minutes I heard his footsteps. Lumubog ang kabilang bahagi ng kama senyales na humiga na siya. I closed my eyes and pretend to be asleep.
He put his arm around my waist and kissed my shoulder.
"Don't leave me..." He said.
Still, I pretend to be asleep.
"Cause I'm starting loving you not as Samantha..."
"...but as Alice."
Suddenly I cried, silently.
Am I really Alice Saavedra?
_______
"Good morning, baby." I greet him as he entered the room.
"May lakad ka?" He asked.
"Meeting a friend." I said.
"Friend? Who is it? Do I know who is that friend?"
"Yeah, you know him." I said while applying some blush on.
"Oh a guy?"
"Wala ka bang tiwala saakin? I wont flirt! If you're not still satisfied it's police Zamora. Still not satisfied? Okay go, sumama ka." Naiinis na sabi ko.
"U-uh chill, baby. I'm not doubting you. It's okay with me. You can go there, I wont disturb you, enjoy!" He said before kissing my cheecks.
Paglabas ko ng kwarto, pinadasahan na ako ng mapanuring tingin ni tita Minerva.
"Where you going, ate?" Alexa said.
"Meeting a friend." I gave her a smile.
"Who?" Tita asked.
"A guy, tita. Don't worry I wont flirt. Hindi ako malandi." I gave her a smile before leaving the house.
Ginamit ko ang sasakyan ni Miguel at tinext si Brent na papunta na ako sa meeting place. Miguel let me use his car, kay tita daw ang gagamitin niya. Si Brent. Sa police station, nandoon kasi siya ngayon.
Makalipag ang ilang minuto ay naka rating na rin ako.
To: Mr. Zamora
I'm here infront of your acency. Hurry up, mainit rito.
From: Mr. Zamora
On my way.
After a few seconds, the glass door opened. It's Zamora.
"Okay lang bang dito muna, wait for me here. Matapos na rin i-analyze ang report ko. Give me 10 minutes." He said.
Inalalayan niya ako papasok ng acency. I sat on the monoblock he provided for me.
"Potangina mo, Sanha, sabi sayo si Alice 'yan eh. Sosyal version nga lang." A girl who just entered mumbled.
"Gago baka magkamukha lang. Patay na si Alice, tanga." Another girl said.
"Tanga paano kung multo pala niya 'yan tapos dinadalaw tayo kasi hindi maayos ang paghahanap natin sakanya, Sanha..."
"Tang ina ka, Joy. Hindi tayo mumultuhin ni Alice, mahal niya tayo. Baka si Karren talaga 'yan."
"Alice ikaw ba 'yan?" The girl named Joy approach me.
"No..."
Nagulat nalang ako ng bigla nila akong niyakap. After a few seconds I heard them sobbing. I tapped their back to comfort them.
"Hindi pwedeng hindi ikaw si Alice. Sa boses palang, alam na naming ikaw 'yan, Alice." The girl named Sanha said.
"Shhhh... Don't cry." I tried to comfort them.
Ilang saglit pa, bumitaw na sila sa yakap.
"A-alice kamusta kana? Ang laki ng pinagbago mo ah. Bakit hindi ka bumalik?" Joy asked.
"Uh, I'm not Alice. I'm Samantha Monteverde." I smiled as I introduced my self.
"Hello? Najera! Oo si Joy 'to. Nandito si Alice. Oo gago ka ba? Mukha ba akong nagbibiro? Sira ulo bilisan mo!" I heard Joy. May kausap siya sa phone.
"Alice naman, alam kong hindi kami nagtagal na hanapin ka pero h'wag naman ganito oh. Miss ka na namin." Sanha said.
"If you think that I'm pretending, no. I lived in France for about four years with my boyfriend." I explained.
"Gago kasama mo si Brent sa France?! Akala ko pa naman hindi ka marupok. Jusko, Alice." Joy sound disappointed.
"No. Uhm with Josh Madrigal, he's my boyfriend."
"Hulaan ko, kinalimutan mo kami 'no? Sabi ko na nga ba eh, kapag nawala si Karren, mawawala ka rin." Sanha said.
"Hoy Joy asan si Alice, putangina nakalimutan ko magbayad sa taxi!" I head a familiar voice.
"Nandito kami, Najera." Joy shouted.
A man run towards us.
When our eyes met, I frozed. He's familiar. Hindi ko namalayan na niyakap na niya ako. Sa hindi malaman na dahilan, niyakap ko siya pabalik.
"Y-you're back, Alice. You're back, Alice ko..." He cried.
Then a scene flashed on my head. This guy is patting my head. We're both smiling to each other inside a book store. The next scene is inside a room.
" Hangga't kaya ko, nandito ako para sayo. Hindi man ako 'yung para sayo sa kwentong 'to. Umaasa ako na baka sa sarili kong kwento, may mahahanap akong katulad mo..."
Sean Tyron Najera...
"Ang dami kong gustong sabihin sayo, Alice. Shit! Parang na blanko ang utak ko ngayong nasa harap na kita." He's trying to control his tears.
"H-hey, why everybody's crying?" I fake my laugh.
"It's because you're here again." He answered.
"Do you guys know me?" I asked.
"Alice Saavedra. Agent 107." Joy answered.
"Are you guys telling the truth?"
"Walang rason para magsinungaling kami, Alice."
Then I remembered what tita Minerva said last night
"Shut it! Sooner or later, she will find out what's her real identity."
Nagsimula akong magpanic dahil sa panandaliang sakit ng ulo.
"I'm confuse..." I uttered.
"Do you remember us?" Sean asked.
"I don't remember anything."
"Amnesia..." Rinig kong bulong ni Sanha.
"Who are you with? Saan ka tumutuloy?" He asked me.
"Miguel Madrigal."
"I'll help you. Tutulungan kitang maka alala. I'll help you no matter what, okay?" He assured.
"No! Don't! H'wag niyong paki-alaman ang buhay ko! H'wag niyo akong bigyan ng problema! Kuntento na ako sa meron ko." I shouted.
"How about your parents?" He asked.
"According to Miguel, my parents died because of a car accident. Stop confusing me!" I shout.
"Leave her alone." I head Brents' voice.
Yumuko ako para pigilan ang mga nagbabadyang luha.
"You're with her?" Sean asked Brent.
Brent didn't answered.
"Shit..." Joy mumbled.
"Hindi ka ba natatakot? Nung huling kasama mo si Alice, napahamak siya. How can you be this rude, Zamora?" Sabi ni Sean na dahilan ng panandaliang tahimik ng paligid.
"I wont hurt her. Hindi ko na siya hahayaang mapahamak uli. Shut it, Najera. Hayaan mo kami ni Alice."
"Are you aware that she has amnesia?" Sean asked.
"Yes. I'm trying to figure it out."
"I will solve this case, ibabalik ko si Alice sa mga magulang niya. I will do this not because it's my job but because shes... She's Alice."
"How can you help me, then?" I interrupt.
"I'm not detective for nothing." Then he hugged me again before saying. " I'll give you the happy ending you always wanted." He said before patting my head and leave.
Naguguluhan ako. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin, parang pinagkakaisahan nila ako. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang paniniwalaan ko.
I faced Brent. "Sa ibang araw nalang tayo magkita." I smiled before leaving the agency.
Hindi na niya ako sinundan. Naglakad ako papunta sa kotse at pina andar iyon. Gusto ko nalang umuwi at matulog. I'm really confuse.
"Sino ba talaga ako?" I asked my self while driving.
Nasa gitna ako ng daan, puro puno ang makikita at mga taong nagpi-picnic sa gitna ng damuhan.
Sa sobrang gulo ng utak ko, natagpuan ko ang sarili na umiiyak.
I closed my eyes when I feel my head ache. Mariin akong napapikit at sinusubukang kontrolin ang sakit ng ulo.
As I open my eyes, sinubukan kong iliko ang kotse na babangga sa malaking puno but it was too late.
I close my eyes again, hinintay ang pagtama ng kotse sa puno. Nang maramdaman ko iyon ay tumama ang ulo ko sa manibela na dahilan ng pagkawala ng malay ko.
I woke up when someone grabbed me. Nalilito pa ako noong ibaba nila ako sa kotse. Maraming tao ang nakapaligid. Ang light pink na dress ko ay namumula na dahil sa dugo.
Nanghihina ako, nahihirapang huminga.
"Miss. Miss kaya mo bang magsalita?" A woman asked me.
"Tumawag kayo ng ambulansiya!"
"Kawawa naman si ate."
"Masakit 'yon."
"Pota ang daming dugo. Makaka abot pa kaya 'yan sa hospital?"
I heared people around me.
Muli kong ipinikit ang mga mata ko. I cried not because of pain but because I remember everything now.
Karren Mae Redoble
Andrea Saavedra
Brent Zamora
Sean Tyron Najera
Sir Ferrer
Yury Mosaika
Adamson Saavedra
Joy
Sanha
Jayrinn
Those mission I've been. Sa agency. Sa building kung saan ako nahulog. Sa mga paghihirap ko dahil kay Lucifer...
"Miss... Miss kapit lang, malapit na ang ambulansiya." The woman held my hand.
I sighted heavily.
"Miss, anong pangalan mo?" She asked.
Napalunok ako bagi sumagot.
"Alice. Alice Saavedra..."
_____
Idkleorie