“Why?” I asked when Waxton suddenly burst into my apartment looking so nervous.
“You need to leave this apartment right now,” he said. I looked at him feeling confused but he only grabbed my wrist and dragged me outside of the building. His car was waiting outside with Julius and as soon as we hopped inside, he started the engine.
"What the hell, Waxton. What's going on?!"
“I think you are bugged,” Julius said while driving.
“What?"
"Someone sent us this—" Iniabot niya sa aking bigla ang kulay itim na sobre. Hindi na ako nag tanong pa at agad na binuklat iyon.
"What's this?" Kunot-nuo kong sambit. Inis na inagaw sa akin ni Julius ito saka iniabot kay Waxton.
"She probably don't know how to use that," he said. Takang kinuha naman ng isanang cellphone niya sa bulsa.
"Grabe Liv, hindi mo alam ang memory card?" Tila natatawang sambit ni Waxton. Humalukipkip lamang ako at pinanuod ang ginagawa niya. Maya-maya pa'y isinaksak niya ang cellphone sa speaker ng kotse at duon ay natigilan ako sa mga narinig.
"What the hell!" sigaw ko.
Sa recording, maririnig ang usapan namin sa office ni Julius. Kung paanong hinahalukay namin ang impormasiyon tungkol sa mga Thana. Simula hanggang huli. And if they are right, it only means one thing, I am a treat to them. I may become the reason of their death.
“Don’t cry, Liv,” sambit ni Julius na may kasama pang pagtawa. Mukhang nababakas niya ang rumerehistrong takot sa aking mukha ngayon.
“What are you laughing at?” kunot nuo kong tanong sa kaniya.
“Because you appear anxious, not for yourself, but for us. Pag nalaman to ni Noah baka mag puso-puso ang mata nuon,” dagdag nito na lalo kong ikinainis.
"How come you find that funny? Do you not realize that I may cause you harm or even worse, kill you? With what are you meant to laugh? Do you find it amusing that I'm currently depressed? You old man, come here! When I attempted to strangle Julius—who is still laughing uncontrollably—Waxton grabbed my hands.
“Hey relax, Liv; I told you we’re on your side,” Waxton said, but I only pointed my blazing eyes at Julius. He was not looking at me; our eyes are fixed on the rearview mirror.
"I laughed because you are not only deserving of something important that you have earned, but you are also returning the favor. In other words, you're starting to allow yourself to be normal. You are terrific; you are doing fine, even though you are miserable right now," aniya na nakapag pa hinto sa akin. Sumandal ako sa aking kinauupuan at tiim bagang na huminga ng malalim.
Liv, he is correct. It's awful that you feel miserable now that you could hurt us, even though at first I felt it was impossible for you to trust us or me. Waxton replied. From the mirror, I saw how Julius formed a small smile and nod at me.
"You've transformed into the Liv Miller you desire to be."
"I don't know how, when, or why, but Noah did this eventually," I said.
“Let’s go, he’s waiting.” Sabi ko nalang at ibinalik sa labas ang aking tingin.
Nakarating kami sa hospital, si Julius ay dumeretso naman sa nurse station kaya't umuna na kami ni Waxton sa silid ni Noah. Naabutan naming nakaupo na ito sa kaniyang hospital bed at kumakain ng mansanas. Sa gilid nito ay si Tita Norma na bakas ang pag-aalala sa anak. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang hindi makonsensiya. Kalalabas lang niya ng hospital, ngayon ay si Noah naman ang nandito.
“Noah,” I called him and his gaze shifted to mine. I bite my lips as I controlled my emotion and just give him a gentle smile.
“How’s your feeling.” I ask.
“It’s fine, I’m fine Liv.” He said while looking intently into my eyes. I know what things are running inside his head. That it’s not my fault and I shouldn’t blame myself, but as long as his life was on line, I couldn’t afford to believe that.
“Hija, kamusta kana?" Tita Norma gave me the warmest smile while she gently touched my cheeks and hugged me. I suddenly remembered the scenario when I visited her, and it turns out she knew me.
“Ah-” natigilan ako at bumaling kay Noah dahil hindi ko malaman kong anong dapat sabihin.
“Magandang araw daw Ma,” natatawang sambit nito na dinig kong ikinatawa rin ni Waxton sa aking likuran.
“Pagpasensiyahan mo na po Tita itong si Liv, sa bundok 'yan lumaki eh, hindi marunong makisalamuha sa tao,” hindi ko na pinatulan pa ng pang-aasar ni Waxton.
“Naiintindihan ko, siya hija maupo ka muna." Naupo naman ako sa monoblock chair katabi rin ng hospital bed ni Noah.
“Liv! Eto nga pala si Nessy at si Missy. They are twins, mga pinsan ko sila,” pagpapakilala ni Noah sa dalawang bata.
"Pinsan?" Paniniguro ko.
"Ah, hindi ko nga pala nasabi sayo, si Miss Jamison, Tita ko siya, kapatid siya ni Mama." Mas lalo yata akong naguluhan at tumingin sa kambal.
"You mean, anak sila ni miss Jamison?"
"Yup!" sagot nito na ikinangiwi ko.
"Akala ko ba matandang dalaga 'yon?"
"You're wrong."
“Hi po ate Liv. Tama nga si Kuya ang ganda mo nga po-” biglang tinakluban ni Noah ang bibig ng bata sabay nailing na ngumiti sa akin.
“Nagbibiro lang 'yan Liv, wag kang maniwala diyan,” depensa nito na ikinataas ng kilay ko.
“Hindi naman po kuya, sinabi mo naman talaga 'yon,” giit naman nitong si Missy. Kamot sa ulong bumusangot nalang itong si Noah na nakapag pa ngiti sa akin.
“Wow! kuya, tama ka nga po ang ganda niya lalo pag naka smile.” Lumapit sa akin bigla si Nessy kaya naalarma nanaman ako ngunit mabilis na nakabig ni Noah ang aking kamay at pinisil-pisil iyon. Napatitig akong bigla sa kaniya.
"It's okay, relax, Liv," he whispered.
“Hi ate Liv, I’m Nessy po and I like your hair, sana ganyan din ang hair ko,” sabi nito. Bumitaw naman si Noah at marahang tumango.
“How old are you, Nessy and Missy?” I asked and they both smiles before answering.
“6 years old po,” Sabay na sambit ng dalawa. Mapait akong napangiti.
Hindi ko maiwasang hindi isipin ang batang Olivia. Ganitong idad din ako ng tuluyang talikuran ng mundo. Kung itatabi ang anim na taong gulang na Olivia sa kanila, hindi ko kayang ngumiti ng kagaya ng mga batang ito. I lost everything, even my emotions, when I was that age.
“Listen to me kids, I don’t know if you can understand this but you that you are lucky." Nagkatinginan ang magkapatid saka muling humarap sa akin at ngumiti.
“Lucky? Swerte po 'yon diba? Hindi naman po kami mayaman ate Liv,” sagot ni Missy.
“Kids, you know what? Luck isn't necessarily associated with money. Pwede ba akong magtanong?” tumango ang dalawang bata.
“Who bought this toys?” turo ko sa hawak nilang umiilaw na tila magic wand. Ngumiti ang dalawang bata at tumingin kay Noah na siyang katingin din sa amin.
“Si Kuya Noah po,” I smiled.
“Are you happy?” mabilis na tumango ang dalawang bata.
“Then you are lucky. Alam ninyo kung bakit?” I ask again. Missy giggle first before she answer.
“Dahil may bago po kaming toys?” I nodded my head.
" That's the first, pero swerte kayo dahil meron kayong Kuya Noah. I used to have a brother, you know that. He was really wonderful and kind, and he loves me just as much as Kuya Noah does for the two of you.” both girls smiled sweetly.
"Ano pong pangalan ng kuya mo ate Liv?" Neska asked and I felt the long-lost pain rising inside me again.
"Ellison, his name was Ellison," I aswered. Tumingin ang dalawang bata kay Noah saka lumakad palapit sa kaniya at yumakap.
I could see his eyes welling up with tears once more and he mouthed "thank you." Even though it should have come from me. As I mentioned before, he changed me, and part of that shift was the return of long-lost feelings.
***
“Anak bakit naman kailangan mo pang bumukod sa amin? Malapit lang naman ang school mo dito, ah. Napapagod kana ba mag lakad araw-araw? Wag ka nalang gumastos pa sa pang gamot ko para may badget ka sa pamasahe,” maluha-luhang sabi ni Tita kay Noah. Napag desisyonan kasi naming lumipat siya malayo sa pamilya niya dahil baka madamay ang mga ito. Isa pa ay hindi namin mababantayan nang mabuti si Noah kung malayo siya masyado sa amin.
“Kailangan lang talaga, Ma. Para sa bagong part time job ko po. Uuwi naman po ako dito pag maypagkakataon ako.” Tuluyan nang umiyak si Tita kaya tinapik naman ito ni Julius sa balikat upang pakalmahin.
“Malaki na si Noah, alam na niya ang ginagawa niya. Hayaan mo na siyang magdisisyon para sa kaniyang sarili.” Pangungumbinsi ni Julius dito.
“Uuwi na si Juliana ngayon kukumbinsihin ko siyang dito na muna mamalagi para may makakatulong ka sa gawaing bahay,” dagdag pa nito at hindi nakatakas sa akin ang pagkalukot ng mukha ni Noah.
“Who’s Juliana?” bulong ko kay Waxton na katabi ko ngayong nakaupo dito sa sala.
“Detective Romero’s niece. Ang alam ko kaidad mo lang 'yon, tapos tamad daw at mukhang balak pa yatang pikutin itong si Noah,” kumunot ang nuo ko sa huli niyang sinabi.
“What do you mean?” bago pa man siya makasagot, bumukas ang pintuan at bumulaga sa amin ang maputing babae. Unang tingin halatang laking maynila. Mataas, maganda sana kaya lang ay puno ng makukulay na kolorete ang mukha. Subrang pula din ng labi nito na parang sinasadyang inguso pa.
“Speaking of the devil,” nulong na turan ni Waxton.
“Noah, my love! Matinis na sigaw ng babae saka nagtatakbo at sinunggaban ng yakap si Noah.
“Ah-eh kumusta, Juliana,” naiilang na sabi ng kawawang lalaki. Panay ang kalas nito sa mahabang braso ni Juliana ngunit sadyang bumabalik lang ito sa dati.
Seriously? Akala ko malala na ang pagiging clingy ni Neska kay Hunter, may mas lalala pa pala.
“Namiss kita, Noah. Siguro, miss na miss mo na rin ako noh?” anito sabay tatlong sunod na humalik sa pisngi ng lalaki. Hindi pa nga yata matitigil iyon kung hindi ito hinila ni Julius.
“Tigilan mo 'yang kalandian mo Juliana, may girlfriend na 'yang si Noah,” napatakip sa bibig si Jualiana at humawak sa kaniyang dibdid, akala mo'y nasasaktan.
“Totoo ba, Noah. May girlfriend kana?”
“Ah- hehe oo eh,” sabi naman nitong si Noah saka saglit na sumulyap sa akin.
“How can you do this to me? sabi mo hihintayin mo ako!” Agad akong napangiwi habang si Waxton ay pinipigilan naman ang kaniyang tawa.
“Ah, may sinabi ba akong ganun?” kamot sa ulong sambit ni Noah.
“Tumigil kana Juliana. Total bakasiyon ka naman ngayon dito, tulungan mo sa gawaing bahay itong si Norma dahil aalis na si Noah ngayon,” bilin ni Julius sa pamangkin. Si Noah naman ay agad na pumasok sa kaniyang silid. Tumayo ako at sumunod sa kaniya sa loob.
“Ah Liv sandali lang,” dinig kong tawag ni Waxton ngunit hindi ko siya nilingon.
“Noah,” napabaling agad ito sa akin at halata ang gulat sa kaniyang mukha.
“Bakit pumasok ka dito Liv?” tumaas ang kilay ko.
“Bakit bawal ba?” napalunok ito.
“Ah-eh hindi naman, kaya lang baka kung anong isipin ni Mama,” bulong ang huli niyang sinabi kaya hindi ko masyadong naintindihan.
“What did you say? ”
“Nothing, ang sabi ko kung anong kailangan mo, may sasabihin kaba? ”I sighed.
“I just wanted to say sorry for what happened to you.”
“I told you it’s not your fault,” aniya saka pabagsak na naupo sa kaniyang kama.
“Still, I feel responsible for this. If I didn’t drag you into this mess, you don’t have to leave your family.”
“Hey Liv, come here.” Tinapik niya ang katabing kama, kaya naupo naman ako duon.
“I understand that you are upset, but to be honest, after meeting the thana, I can tell that you are not like the Dark at all. Yes, you are rude and conceited at times, but that's just who you are. You also lack connection and communication skills but you never wanted to injure anyone, I know that. Lahat nang nangyari sakin, Liv, lahat-lahat mula nuon hanggang ngayon, wala kang kasalanan,” aniya at marahang tinapik ang balikat ko.
"But at least let me lessen this guilt," I added and he gave me a weary expression.
"As I mentioned earlier, Liv, you don't have to feel bad about it. It was not you who tormented me."
"But they found you because of me."
"What are you trying to say?" I let out a sigh.
""Maybe there's a reason why, but I'm not sure. We need to find out if I have a tracker inside of me, Waxton remarked. We cannot risk our plans.
So you'd like me to engage in some hacking?I was relieved to see a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.
"Yes," I say, he smiles and nods.
“One more thing,” dugsong ko, bumalik sa kaseryusohan ang mukha niya.
“Ano 'yon?”
“Let’s ensure your family's safety.” Naturally, Noah nudged. He stated that he doesn't want me to have to support his family financially because I'm recommending that they move to a place outside of Youngville where we can be certain of their whereabouts and safety. Julius didn't object because, honestly, I felt that this was something that their family would appreciate, and in the end, it was exactly what I wanted.
“Where are we?” I asked, matapos huminto ang kotse ni Waxton sa tapat ng two story house.
“You’ll see,” anito at nauna na siyang lumabas nang sasakyan. Sumunod naman kami ni Noah.
"Where's Julius?" I asked dahil nakakapagtakang wala ito.
"He's at the station." Tumango nalang ako't di na nag usisa pa.
Tatlong katok sa pintoang gawa sa narra ay bumukas na agad ito.
Bumungad sa amin ang isang matikas na lalaki. Sa tantya ko ay bata lamang ito ng ilang taon kay Julius. Ang kulay gray niyang buhok ay tumatama sa kaniyang balikat. It's been sixteen years but I can still recognize his face.
Hindi siya ngsalita, malawak na ibinukas lamang nito ang pintuan at maaliwalas ang mukhang tumingin sa amin.
"Finally, my Olivia grown up so fast," he said. I bit my lip.
"Anton," sambit ni Waxton at sabik na yumakap sa kaniyang kapatid.
"Welcome home little brother," sambit nito bago tapikin ang likod ni Waxton.
Tuluyan na kaming pumasok sa loob. I wander inside the house and I see no sign of luxury. Sa labas mukhang mayamang tao ang nakatira, ngunit sa loob, bukod sa upuang gawa sa Narra ay wala nang iba pang gamit. Malinis naman ang buong bahay. Iyon nga lang ay nagmumukha na itong inabandona sa kalumaan.
Ibinalik ko ang paningin sa magkapatid. Sa unang tingin, malayo talaga ang itsura nila. Waxton has a rounded face and tan skin while Anton has a white skin. Masyado ring nadedepina ang panga nito kumparabsa kapatid. Gayunpaman, hindi maipagkakaila ang kakisigan ng dalawa.
“Olivia, or should I say Liv Miller, how are you?” baling niya sa akin.
“Good,” tanging sambit ko naman.
"Very well then. By the way, Noah Sanchez. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Halata ang gulat sa katabi ko dahil bahagyang umawang pa ang bibig niya.
"K-kilala mo ako?" Hindi makapaniwala nitong sambit, malawak na ngumiti naman si Anton.
"Yes, the hacker boy, right? You almost got my IP address, and you're the first one who got that." Kumunot ang nuo ni Noah.
"You're the one who warned me about Liv's safety when she was in the library with Miles?!"
"I did," Anton replied. Mukhang hindi parin makapaliwanag si Noah sa narinig kaya't tinapik nalang ni antok ang balikat nito.
"Hoy, Noah!" Tawag ko rito. Bumalik ito sa katinuan at bahagyang bumaba para itapat ang bibig niya sa aking tainga. Hindi ko ipinahalata ang paninigas ng katawan ko dahil duon.
"I did something bad to Anton," he whispered. Takang tumingin naman ako sa kaniya.
"What?"
"So, what's you came here for?" Anton asked kaya't nabaling na ang atensiyon konsa kaniya.
"Well, we have a guts that Liv has a-” Waxton replied but Anton cut him off.
“A tracker?” natahimik kami.
“You do young lady and let’s get it off of you,” aniya. Iginaya niya kami papasok sa kaniyang silid na puno ng ibat-ibang klase ng teknolohiya. Hindi ako pamilyar sa mga ito dahil wala naman akong alam sa mga software, kaya nga hindi ako bumibili ng cellphone dahil bukod sa wala naman akong pagagamitan nuon ay hindii ko rin alam kong paano gamitin.
“Woah! This is amazing,” namamanghang saad ni Noah habang inililibot ang paningin sa paligid. I can say he knows everything inside this room, but I never seen him doing some tech work. So it’s gonna be a first time.
"Welcome to the most advanced technology ever created," Anton exclaimed. Honestly, I'm in awe of all the devices in this room. Judging from the appearance, I'm pretty sure they were all created by him.
Anton led me to sit on this strange chair, which is made of metal but isn't like any other chair. It has cables and divices connecting from the rear to the front. I feel like I'm sitting in an electric chair right now, but Noah said it's cool.
"I feel like I was about to execute," I said and they all chuckled.
"That is not a pun, I'm serious," I added but it made them laugh even harder.
“Relax Liv, hindi mo ikamamatay 'yan,”Waxton said. Hindi nalang ako sumagot pa at inayos ang sarili sa upuan. Anton got up and came over to me.
"I met this fragile girl 16 years ago and I didn't think that I would meet her a lot differently from now," He said while placing my hands on the weird armchair. May mga kinabit din siya sa aking katawan at maging sa aking sintido.
“From an inquisitive cub to an actual wild lion. I like how you've changed, honey.
"You've played a part in this transformation." Seryusong sambit ko. Bahagya siyang ngumiti.
“Is that a thank you?”
“I guess.”
“Okay, I can deal with that,” tumango-tango niyang saad at bumalik na sa kaniyang pwesto.
Pare-pareho kaming natigilan ng umalingawngaw ang familiar nursery rhymes sa buong silid.
"What the hell?" Hindi malaman ni Waxton kung matatawa ito o ma wewerdohan habang patuloy na pinakikinggan ang kanta.
"Tatlong bebe?" Natatawang sambit ko. I look at Anton who's massaging his temples.
"Someone set an alarm virus into my system. Tumutunog 'yan tuwing alas-tres ng hapon," Bigla akong napanganga at inilipat ang paningin kay Noah na nakatayo sa aking gilid. Palibhasa at nakatayo siya kaya't kinailangan ko pa itong tingalain.
"You do that?" Medyong pabulong kong sambit. Ngumiwi siya.
"Gosh, Noah. So childish," sambit ko. Napakamot naman ito sa kaniyang ulo at mukhang nahihiya rin sa kaniyang ginawa.
"You ready?" Anton asked me. Tumango ako bilang sagot.
Naupo ang dalawa ni Noah sa harap ng napka raming screen at nag simula tumipa duon.
"Mr. Cruz, paano mo pala nalaman na mapapahamak si Liv nuon?" tanong ni Noah sa gitna nang ginagawa.
"Since the day Liv moved here, I've known her. I knew the battle was not yet finished when I took her to the orphanage. I became aware that something was amiss at Youngville Academy when Grace Marcello died. For Liv's safety, I therefore made the decision to hack their CCTV," he explained, and I can't help but be grateful.
"You monitor the CCTV up until now?" Noah looked a little dismayed as Anton shook his head,
"Ilang buwan narin mula ng mawala ang access ko sa CCTV. I gave hacking a second try, but this time it lasted only a few hours. There is currently another unidentified malware protecting the CCTV. Once you manage to breach the system, your database is gradually accessed," yelled Anton.
"That is completely crazy!" Noah uttered an irritated
"Thank you, Anton," biglang sambit ko dahilan upang maglingonan sila sakin.
"I never thought that there is someone who is secretly looking for my safety, thank you," I said. Noah appears overly proud of the way he stares at me.
"No issue, Liv. It doesn't mean that people don't care even if they seem far away from you. Hindi lang ako Liv. Magugulat ka pag nakilala mo ang mga taong pinoprotektahan ka mula sa malayo," aniya na nakapag pagulo sa akin.
"What do you mean?" He give a small smile.
"You'll find it out at the right time," he replied. Huminga ako nang malalim upang kombinsihin ang sariling magtiwala sa kaniya.
After a minute, they were all occupied with something on their computers. Waxton is sighing uncontrollably, and I hear a finger tapping on the board. While I was getting a little drowsy in this strange chair, they were all glued to the internet. Nevertheless, I never experienced any pain, so I suppose this is really safe. I believe it aids them in determining whether or not there is a tracker inside my body.
"Oh, God!" Noah let out a start.
"What's wrong?" Waxton asked and they all turned to stare at Noah's PC.
They all turned to stare at me when Anton shouted, "Bingo."
"I guess you have this little thing inside you since 16 years ago." Anton's voice echoed in my mind
"Where?" I enquired.
"In your left thigh." When Noah replied that's when it dawned on me. Chief Sanchez passed away 16 years ago, the same year I was injected with a syringe.
"Is hacking the tracker possible?" Waxton asks in concern.
Noah groaned deeply as he answered, "Yeah, but I hope they are not aware of what is happening right now."
“Okay let’s do the job! Let’s go team!” palakpak na sambit ni Anton. Waxton, who is observing them perform their tasks, is looking quite concerned.
Minute after, I feel something in my thigh. Nakapantalon ako ngunit dama ko ang pagkibo ng aking laman mula sa loob.
“Wait!” sigaw ko. Tumingin ang mga ito sa akin.
“They knew, bullsh*t they are controlling the tracker inside me! Stop! Kalagan ninyo ako!” hindi ko na mapigilang mapasigaw ng makaramdam na ako ng sakit mula duon. Mabilis na tumakbo sa akin ang tatlo at inalis ang mga wires na naka konekta sa aking katawan. Sinubukan kong tumayo ngunit lalo lang lumala ang sakit nuon dahilan upang bumagsak ako sa sahig.
"Oh! Please remove this from me!" Now, like a poison, the pain is shooting up into my head. My eyes are becoming hazy and my hands are tightly clasped.
“Sh*t! Liv! Liv stay awake dadalhin ka namin sa hospital.” I heard Waxton's panicking voice.
“No-no take it off right now, it’s killing me please alisin ninyo yan sa katawan ko!” naalarma ang tatlo at mabilis na binuhat ako ni Noah. Anton lead him to the next room and they put me on a table.
“Liv, kaya mo ba? we’re going to open you,” Noah was gripping my hand tightly and his voice sounded so frightened. I never had a chance to respond to him when the pain become too much to bear. I can taste the blood in my lips from biting it, and I can feel my red, puffy eyes right now.
"I'll remove your jeans," I slashed at Noah once more.
“Just f*cking do it!” dahil duon, mabilis nitong inalis ang pantalon ko.
“Ah!” sigaw ko nang umpisahan na nilang hiwain ang aking hita. It double’s the pain lalo pa ng isuot ni Anton ang daliri niya sa hita ko at may kinapa-kapa duon.
“I got it, I got it!” he exclaimed. A little metallic chip that has destroyed my life for the past sixteen years is on his hand. But, knowing that I no longer have that tracker makes me feel relieved.