GUARDIAN ANGEL
"Ang tungkulin ng mga bantay na anghel ay bantayan ang mga tao, ang subukang pigilan sila sa paggawa ng masama, ang bigyan sila ng kapayapaan sa kanilang pagtulog, at ang harangin ang sinumang alagad ng dilim na magtutulak sa kanila sa kasamaan..." — Gamaliel, Angelic Doctrines XXI
I didn't see the General for a few days. Actually, inip na inip ako sa kawe-wait sa kanya. Gusto ko din kasing malaman kung ano na yung status ni General Miguel, ang general ng first army of heaven and the former leader of the castaways. Feeling ko kasi, kapag napunta sa dark side si Boss Miguel and the second war in heaven occurs, marami siyang made-defeat sa mga angels sa heaven. Ikaw na yung maging number one warrior angel ni Ama.
Anyway, all was normal naman sa Ledesma Residence. The days passed without much excitement. Basic guardian duties lang yung naging job ko.
However, one day before the New Year, biglang nag-exit si James ng house na nakabihis panglabas. He rolled his wheelchair derecho sa gate.
So of course, nag-panic agad si Isabel. "James!" she called out to him.
Nag-stop si James right at the gate. Actually hawak na niya yung handle bars ng gate at that time, and he was about to open the gate. "Bakit?" he asked back.
"San ka pupunta?" asked ni Isabel sa kanya.
I saw tension sa jaw muscles ni James with that question. I could sense yung dating ugali niya, na wala dapat nakikialam whetever he wanted to do.
Pero nung makita niya yung eyes ni Isabel full of concern, nag-subside agad yung tension na yon. "Dadalawin ko lang sandali sila Mommy sa memorial park," reply niya.
The more na naging concerned si Isabel. "Ikaw lang mag-isa?" asked niya.
"Oo. Bakit?" asked back ni James.
"Pero naka-wheelchair ka..."
"Magta-taxi lang naman ako. Sa memorial park lang naman."
"Papano kung kelangan mo ng tulong? Papano kung may dadaanan ka na walang gugulungan yang wheelchair mo?"
Napa-pause si James. Naalala niya yung gutters na dadaanan if he would go from the cemented paths to the grass lawn sa loob ng memorial park. Nasa grass lawns kasi yung mga tombs. Na-realized niya na mahihirapan siya doon. He would need assistance.
Yun nga lang, because ma-pride pa din siya, hindi siya hihingi ng help from Isabel.
"Sasamahan na lang kita," offered ni Isabel.
Again, because of pride, hindi niya agad ia-accept yung offer na yon. Nag-shake his head siya agad. "Gusto kong kausapin sila Mommy nang mag-isa."
Because matatalino ang mga angels like me and Isabel (oh di ba, kasali ako, hehehe...), alam namin syempre yung ganung way of thinking. Konting psychology lang naman yun. "Ihahatid lang kita sa puntod nila,” suggest ni Isabel. “Tapos iiwanan kita. Maghihintay ako sa malayo. Sige na, pasamahin mo na ko..."
Nag-stare si James kay Isabel for about ten seconds. He considered the possibilities and what he wanted to do. Then nag-sigh siya ulit. "Sige na nga," reply niya.
Napa-smile si Isabel because of that. Mukhang kinilig pa siya. Humahaba na ang hair ng lola nyo. Hehehe...
So ganun nga yung nangyari. Nag-hail ng taxi si Isabel for them, and then tinulungan niya si James mag-transfer from wheelchair to taxi. And then she folded his wheelchair and pushed it inside. Saka pa lang siya sumakay.
"San tayo?" asked ni Mr. Driver.
"Sa Pasig Memorial Park." Si James yung nag-reply.
"Sige." Pinaandar na ni Mr. Driver yung fare meter niya. Umandar na din yung taxi.
And after thirty minutes, nasa memorial park na sila.
Like what she promised, hinatid ni Isabel si James sa harap ng tombs ng parents niya. "Doon lang ako," sabi niya afterwards, pointing at a mausoleum which was about seventy meters away.
"Sige," reply lang ni James.
"Kapag kelangan mo na ko, sumenyas ka lang..."
"Oo."
At that point, serious mode na si James. He was already staring sadly sa tombstones ng parents niya. Nagmo-mourn na naman siya.
Iniwan siya doon ni Isabel. She went doon sa mausoleum which she pointed out. Tumayo lang siya sa gilid noon. From a distance of seventy meters, tinitigan niya lang si James, guarding him like a true guardian angel.
Si James naman at that time, naka-close na yung eyes niya. Deep in his mind, he was remembering the happy times of his family noong buhay pa yung parents niya. Toddler pa lang siya at that time, before pa yung second pregnancy ng mommy niya. They were a very happy family way back then.
With tears in his eyes, nag-start siyang mag-monologue para sa parents niya, in a very soft voice.
"Mommy, Daddy... Nasan man kayo, alam ko nakabantay kayo sa kin. Alam nyo naman siguro na nahihirapan ako. Hindi madali na iwanan nyo ko dito nang mag-isa. But knowing you, siguro gusto nyo talaga yung ganito, para matuto akong tumayo sa sarili ko. Kung ganito talaga yung gusto nyo, wala naman akong choice. Pero Ma... Dad... miss na miss ko na kayo..."
When I looked at Isabel, I realized na umiiyak na din siya. Obviously, naka-tune in yung eyes and ears niya kay James, using her powers. Naririnig niya yung voice ni James from that distance. Nakikita niya din yung tears ni James. And she could almost feel what he was feeling. Almost nga lang.
Syempre, ako, feel na feel ko yun. Ako kaya yung guardian angel ni James, the only one who was given the right to hear his thoughts and feel his emotions. Ang difference lang namin ni Isabel, hindi ko pa na-experienced maging human being. Therefore, hindi pa ko nagiging emo kagaya niya.
Haay naku. Human life is so sad talaga...
Wait lang. Napuwing yata ako. My eyes are kinda moist...
Duh? Hindi ako umiiyak ha...
"Mommy," continue ni James. "Tinutupad ko na yung request mo sa kin. Hindi ko na inaaway si Liza. Sa totoo lang, pareho na kaming walang family ngayon, di ba? Might as well accept her. May purpose naman siguro yung pagdating niya sa life natin..."
Napa-glance na naman ako kay Isabel. Nakita ko yung slight smile niya after yung lines na yun ni James. Naka-smile siya kahit teary eyed. Ang loka, parang kinikilig na naman.
"Dad... I don't know kung bakit sa kin mo ipinamana yung company. Wala akong alam sa management, di ba? Hindi nga ako naka-graduate ng college. Challenge mo ba ‘to sa kin? Do you want me to learn from experience by force? Kakayanin ko ba ‘to kahit naka-wheelchair ako?"
And then I heard Isabel's whisper. "Kaya mo yan, James..."
And ako na si Miss Gaya-gaya... "Kaya mo talaga yan, James," whisper ko din.
At that point, nag-stop na si James sa pagsasalita. He just looked down and then iyak lang siya nang iyak.
Trying to avoid the emotions, I closed my senses na lang from James. I also avoided looking at him. Nag-look around na lang ako sa memorial park, trying to change my mood.
Konti lang yung people noon sa memorial park. Morning pa kasi. Mas marami pa nga yung staff na naglilinis sa surroundings kesa sa mga nagvi-visit sa mga tombs.
And then I saw this guy na nakaupo in front of a tomb which was about ten meters from James. He was probably in the mid-thirties. Mas malaki siya kay James. He was wearing maong pants and jacket.
At first, since hindi ko siya in-inspect thoroughly. Akala ko kasi, mourner din siya like James. Yun nga lang, kakaiba yung mga glances niya kay James.
After a few minutes, he stood up, and then naglakad siya palapit kay James. Noon lang nag-activate yung suspicion ko. And I immediately turned on my special senses to scan his body.
Napa-gasp ako sa na-discover ko. May knife siya sa under the left sleeve of his jacket. And inilalabas niya na yon as he approached James.
Oh em gee!
It was too late to warn James!
"Pare, holdap 'to," sabi nung lalaki kay James, pressing the blade of the knife at James's throat. "Ilabas mo yung wallet at cellphone mo. Bilis!"
Nag-panic ako syempre. I had a hard time deciding what to do. Napapa-retch pa ko sa alcohol-smelling breath nung holdaper. Di man lang nag-toothbrush ang lasenggo. Yuck!
But surprisingly, hindi nag-panic si James. He was actually calm. Well, sa dami ba naman ng troubles na na-involved siya. Sanay na siya sa ganun. "Pare, sandali lang," request niya dun sa holdaper. "Baka naman pwedeng alisin mo muna yang kutsilyo mo sa leeg ko..."
Obvious na nainis yung holdaper, probably because hindi nag-show ng fear si James sa kanya. "Wag ka nang dumaldal!” sabi niya, rudely. “Ilabas mo sabi yung wallet mo at cellphone o gigilitan ko talaga itong leeg mo!"
Again, no panic from James. "Pero Boss... hindi nga ako makagalaw dahil diyan sa kutsilyo mo."
Ayun, nag-flare up na yung holdaper. "T*ng-ina mo! Mamatay ka na!" And with one strong motion, idiniin niya yung blade sa throat ni James.
Nag-panic ako to the maximum level. Because of that, lumabas yung powers ko.
Napa-stop ko yung movement nung arm nung holdaper. Anong ginawa ko? Pinasakit ko lang naman yung nerves niya sa kamay. Para lang siyang ina-arthritis.
"Anak ng!" protest ni Mr. Holdaper. “Bakit sumasakit ang kamay ko?!"
Because of that delay, nahawakan ni James yung arm niya which was holding the knife. Nag-arm wrestling silang dalawa. Pinu-pull away ni James yung arm from his neck. Si Mr. Holdaper naman, pinu-push yung knife towards him.
Ang problem lang, off balanced si James because he was sitting on a wheelchair while nakatayo si Mr. Holdaper. Another problem was, I could only use my powers against any living human being for a few seconds. Yun kasi yung rules, and may penalty if I would violate it.
Lagot si James once mag-turn off yung power attack ko.
Papano na?
Si James naman, nag-start pang mag-trip yung mind niya. Kasi naman, he was considering na magpa-murder na lang siya kay Mr. Holdaper. A part of his mind kasi was thinking na gusto na talaga niyang makasama yung parents niya in the afterlife. Ang nagpapa-stop lang dun sa thinking niya na yun was his pride. Ayaw niyang mamatay in that way in the hands of a crook. Sobrang low noon para sa kanya.
It was a relief for me to see Isabel at the commotion. She appeared on James's side and hinawakan niya agad yung arm nung holdaper which was holding the knife. Together with James, they forced the knife away from his throat.
Once nailayo na yung blade sa neck ni James, sinolo na ni Isabel yung battle. Nasa wheelchair kasi si James and he could not follow yung mga arms and hands na nag-aagawan sa knife.
So what he did was to scream for help. "Security! May holdaper dito!"
Nagtinginan kay James yung mga people who were scattered all over the memorial park. Na-gets nila agad yung message niya. Some of them, yung mga lalaki, nag-start nang lumapit.
Noticing the approaching people, nag-panic na si Mr. Holdaper. Nag-start na siyang magwala. "Demonyo kang babae ka! Bakit ang lakas mo?!"
Napa-smile ako with that. Of course malakas siya. Warrior angel kaya yang kalaban mo...
With a simple effort, nag-step si Isabel sideways. With that movement, nai-hide yung pag-aagawan ng knife from James's eyes. I knew exactly what she was planning.
And without James seeing it, gumamit siya ng additional angelic strength, and nai-twist niya yung wrist ni Mr. Holdaper.
"Aray!" scream nung salbaheng lolo nyo. Nabitiwan niya yung knife.
At that time, malapit na yung mga people who wanted to help. Nag-panic na talaga si Mr. Holdaper. In one surprise move, he kicked Isabel sa midsection. Malakas yung kick. Although Isabel handled well the pain it gave, the force and momentum of the kick drove her backward. Nawalan siya ng balance. Na-release niya yung grip niya sa arm nung holdaper. Then she landed three yards away sa grass, on her back.
Tatakbo sana yung holdaper but I was not letting him get away that easily. With one snap of my fingers and a small amount of angelic power, napa-stiffen ko yung ankle joints ng lolo nyo. Parang gout attack lang naman. And he stumbled forward, face down, to the grass. Ooops... Lampa lang?
Huli si Mr. Holdaper. The people who came to help dragged him away.
Nilapitan naman ni James si Isabel who was immediately on her feet. And although tense na tense pa si James at that time, hinawakan niya pa talaga yung arms and hands ni Isabel. He inspected them, looking for wounds or injuries. Of course, wala siyang makikita. Angel nga si Isabel, di ba?
"Okay ka lang?" he asked her.
Nag-nod her head lang si Isabel. Then it was her turn to inspect James for injuries. Tiningnan niya yung neck ni James. Hinawakan niya din yung hands ng binata. To the relief of both of us, wala naman siyang injury.
Napa-sigh ako at that point. Haaay...Thank you, Lord...
After that, nag-stare si James kay Isabel. His eyes were a picture of disbelief. His mind was filled with questions.
"Bakit?" asked ni Isabel sa kanya.
"Thank you," he said.
Nag-smile a little si Isabel. "Wala yun."
Nag-scratch his chin si James. "Papano mo nalabanan yung holdaper na yun?” asked niya. “Ang lakas nung braso niya, di ba? Papano mo nakaya yun?"
Nag-shrug her shoulders lang si Isabel. "Ewan ko. Siguro sanay lang ako sa ganun."
Nag-cross yung eyebrows ni James. "Sanay? Sanay kang makipag-agawan ng kutsilyo?"
Nag-sigh si Isabel. "Siguro..."
"Aaah... Baka sa past mo na di mo maalala, lagi kang napapaaway. Oh baka naman, nag-train ka ng martial arts, di mo lang matandaan. Ganun kaya?"
Nag-shrug her shoulders lang ulit si Isabel. "Siguro," reply niya ulit.
Napa-smile na lang ako. Puro safe answers kasi yung mga sagot ni Isabel. And in fairness, hindi naman siya nagsinungaling.
"Thank you," sabi ulit ni James. Nawala na yung questions sa mind niya on how Isabel fought off the holdupper. In-ignore niya na lang yung disbelief niya.
For the first time, na-sense ko yung appreciation niya sa value ni Isabel. Appreciated niya talaga yung pagse-save sa kanya ng dalaga.
For the first time din, he was thinking kung papano siya makakabawi dito.
"Uwi na tayo," sabi ni James after a little while.
"Sigurado ka?" asked ni Isabel sa kanya.
"Oo. Enough na yun for the day." Nag-pause siya for three seconds. "May resto sa labas, di ba?" asked niya, hesitating a little.
"Meron. Nagugutom ka ba?"
Nag-nod siya. "Oo. Kain tayo. Treat kita."
Nag-bulge out yung eyeballs ko, surprised. Whatda? Did he just invite her for a snack? Totoo ba ‘to?
And when I looked at Isabel, I swear I saw na nag-sparkle yung eyes niya.
Ang haba na ng hair niya ha...