'When Nightmares Come Knocking'
Tiffany Suzanne Holland
"I'll count to three. If you don't come out, I'll take you down."
Napahagulgol kami nang iyak ni Knox habang natatarang lumabas sa pinatataguan namin.
We fell to our knees before her, begging and pleading for mercy, hoping she would spare our lives.
"Please boss, don't kill us. Mga hamak na vlogger lang kami na gusto kumuha ng video ng multo." Nagmamakaawang paliwanag ko.
Hindi sya nagsalita bagkus, mas lalo lang nyang hinigpitan ang hawak nyang baril as she pointing it even closer to my forehead.
Mas lalo akong nanginig sa pwesto ko at taimtim nalang na nagdasal.
Oh, papa god, could you do a little magic trick for us? How about gently kick the heart of this killer? Let her feel a wave of kindness and melt away any mischief. Hipuin nyo po ang puso nya upang makaramdam ng awa. Dasal ko sa isip ko habang umiiyak.
Napasulyap ako sa tatlong magnanakaw na nakahandusay sa sahig.
Jusko!
My entire body trembled as I witnessed their lifeless body right before my eyes.
It wasn't a dream; I was truly caught up in this bewildering situation!
Now, what was the game plan?
How could we outsmart this individual and orchestrate our grand escape?
Para akong mababaliw kakaisip. I wasn't ready to surrender my life and let my dreams vanish into thin air! Hindi ko pa kayang mawala sa mundo.
"Get up!" The woman ordered.
Knox and I swiftly stood up, responding to her command.
Knox was crying uncontrollably, and it was clear that she was extremely frightened.
My heart went out to her, as I empathized with the intensity of her fear. Parehas lang kami kaya kahit gusto ko syang icomfort ay hindi ko talaga magawa.
The woman instructed us to follow her, so Knox and I obediently complied. We trailed behind her, curious and intrigued by where she was leading us.
Pero nakakahilang hakbang palang ako ay biglang nanlabo ang paningin ko.
And all of a sudden, I tripped and blacked out, falling to the ground unconscious.
As soon as I woke up, a smile immediately spread across my face.
Thankfully, it was all just a dream.
I looked around and noticed that the surroundings were different.
This wasn't my room at home.
Oh no, could it be another double dream?
I decided to give my arm a pinch, just to make sure. Medyo masakit, So, it means I'm not dreaming after all!
Uupo na sana ako nang biglang bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto.
Ganon nalang ang panic ko nang makita ko yung babaeng namamaril.
"Buti naman, you finally came to your senses, kid." She said in a cold, menacing tone, her intense gaze locked onto me.
Her eyes, a haunting shade of gray, seemed devoid of any emotion, sending shivers down my spine.
"N-nasaan ako? Nasaan si Knox?" Takot at nanginginig na boses na tanong ko.
"Ah, your little buddy? She's gone," she said with a sinister smile, as it her words carrying finality.
"Ha?! What do you mean she's gone? Wait, are you serious? Did you kill her too, just like what you did to those thieves?!" I shouted, followed by uncontrollable tears.
She didn't respond, instead she walked towards the couch and sat down.
She continued to stare at me, watching me cry. Wala syang awa! Pati kaibigan ko. Sana pinatay nalang din nya ako.
"She went home. Pinahatid ko sya." she said coldly, showing no emotion as she looking at me.
Nahintuan ako sa pag-iyak saka sya sinulyapan. "What about me?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear.
"Kelan ako uuwi? Gusto ko na umuwi saamin. Magpapaka alila pa ako sa bahay namin." Pilit na paliwanag ko.
"You're not going home. From now on, you'll be staying here in this haunted mansion," she declared.
Napaawang ang bibig ko dahil sa sinabi nya.
Is she serious?
I don't want to stay in this mansion! lalo pa ngayon na nasaksihan ko na may pinatay sa mansion na to. Tapos makakasama ko pa sya?
Kahit na ipamana pa nya saakin itong mansion nya hindi ko talaga to tatangapin.
Actually, hindi naman talaga ang multo ang nakakatakot dito, but her herself.
"Bumangon ka na dyan. Ipagluto mo ako ng breakfast. I'm hungry." Utos nya. I couldn't help but roll my eyes in response.
"Wait, wait... sandali nga. Masyado ka ding paladisisyon noh? Buhay ko to.. at ako ang masusunod dito."
"Is that so." Sagot nya.
She pulled out something black from her pocket. When I saw that it was a gun, I quickly got up and ran out of the room. Putek na!
Halos mapamura na ako dahil hindi ko mahanap yung hagdan pababa, ang haba kasi ng hallways at ang daming rooms.
Saan ba kasi yung bwisit na staircase? It's frustrating.
"This is the way to go down," she said, pointing towards the path.
Startled by her voice coming from behind me, I swiftly turned and headed in the direction she pointed.
And as soon as I saw the staircase, I carefully descended, tinignan ko din ang main entrance door. Wala na yung katawan ng mga lalakeng magnanakaw. Buti naman, kung makita ko ulit yun baka himatayin nanaman ako sa nerbyos.
I quickly made my way to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator to see what was inside. Walang laman, isang bottled water lang.
"Kung hindi ba naman tungengot itong killer na to. Magpapaluto, wala naman lulutuin?"
"Oh, sorry, I forgot to buy veggies and meat."
Napa'ismid ako saka sya tinignan, nakasunod nanaman sya saakin.
Wait, parang may iba? This person went from being really demon last night to suddenly being so nice now? Akala mo hindi pumatay ng tatlong tao. Grabe, kung titignan mo naman sya akala mo inosente.
Demons these days are such masters of deception.
"I'm just going to buy some vegetables and meat. Just wait for me here," she said.
"Wait, sasama ako. Ayoko maiwan dito."
"Okay.."
Napapailing ako sumunod sa kanya sa labas ng mansion.
Napapaisip ako kung saan nya dinala yung bangkay ng mga magnanakaw kagabi.
"Yung totoo? Umuwi na talaga si Knox sa bahay nila?" Tanong ko sa kanya.
"Yeah, pinahatid ko sya kanina. But, pagkakailanganin ko sya babalik sya dito sa mansion. And as for you, just stay here for now, you can't go home yet."
"Nako, baka kasi hanapin na ako ng Mama at Papa ko. I need to show up and see them, and what about my vlog? Kelangan ko yung ituloy, yun ang source of income ko.
"You have no other choice but to obey my instructions. Otherwise―"
"Okay, okay, let's forget about whatever you were going to say. You've got me, I surrender!" Pagputol ko sa sinasabi nya.
Lintik na buhay na to? Kung makarating man sa parents ko itong sitwasyon ko ngayon, baka sabihin lang ni Mudra na sige, sayo na si Tiffany, since she's so stubborn anyway, and we don't have any ransom money for her....I know how it goes.
Try ko nga sila tawagan.
"Ah, Boss..pwede ko ba tawagan ang family ko, para naman po masabihan ko sila na hinostage nyo ako."
Hindi sya umiimik, seryoso at focus lang syang nakatutok sa daan habang nagdidrive.
Naloloka ako, ano bang nangyari sa buhay at napunta ako sa ganitong sitwasyon. Ang masaklap pa, ako pa talaga ang napili nitong ipaiwan sa haunted mansion na yun.
What does this person intend to do with me?
I'm not even the daughter of the President, and my family is not wealthy. So if she demand a large sum of money from my family in exchange for my life, I'm certain that my family won't be able to provide it.
I can't stop my mind from racing, and it's causing me a lot of anxiety.. Feeling ko mamatay ako ng maaga pag itong tao na ito ang kasama ko araw-araw. Ano bang gagawin ko para matakasan ko ang taong ito?
"We're here na..." She said as she stopped the car in front of the nearby mini market.
Naiismid akong lumabas ng car nya saka tinignan ang paligid. Agad na naispatan ng mata ko yung mga damit na nakasabit kaya nilapitan ko yun.
"Ate, patingin nga nang kulay red na blouse na yan."
Kinuha nang tindera yung blouse na tinuturo ko at saka yun inabot saakin.
"How much to?"
"150 ganda.."
"Ah, sige bibilhin ko na to."
Tinawag ko naman sya saka ko sa kanya pinakita yung blouse.
"Bagay ba?"
"Hmmn.. yeah,"sagot nya.
"Okay, you pay for it... I don't have any money."
Bahala sya dyan, gusto kong maligo mamaya. Nalalagkitan na ako sa sarili ko.
Naglakad lakad pa kami at nakakita ako ng pants at underwear nagpapibi din ako sa kanya ng mga yun.
Uunahin ko na ang sarili ko.
Just like a wise vlogger once said, how can you be the superhero for others if you haven't mastered the art of self-care? It's all about putting yourself first, babe. Remember, you gotta prioritize your own awesomeness!.
Pagkatapos kong mabili lahat ng kelangan ko. Saka na kami bumili ng mga gulay at karne.
"Ganda, murayta lang ang kilo, fresh from farm.. bili na ganda."
"Isang kilo nga po ng patatas." Saad ko sa tindera habang tinuturo yung potatoes.
Nang matimbang at mailagay na ng tindera ang potatoes sa plastic, she handed it to me, and then I passed it to Ate gurl. Of course, she will be the one carrying it since she's the mastermind behind this.
Pagkatapos namin mamili ng mga gulay, nagtungo naman kami sa section ng mga meat. Ang sabi nitong killer na to, mahilig daw sya sa meat at bibira lang daw sya kumain ng seafoods.
Habang hinihiwa ng tindero yung karne bigla kong naalala yung mga magnanakaw na binaril nya kagabi. It made my stomach turn and my chest tighten. Shet! Wag ngayon... mukang aatake ang panic disorder ko.
I tried really hard to calm myself down, but no matter what I did, my chest felt tight and my heart was beating fast.
It has been a long time since my panic disorder last flared up, but it came back because of what happened last night.
"Hey, what's happening to you?" she asked, concern evident in her voice as she held onto my arm.
"I-I can't breathe.. I need medication.. my panic attack is flaring up," I stuttered, feeling a tightness in my chest and struggling to catch my breath.
"I really want to go back home," I sniffled, feeling a bit emotional, habang pinagpapawisan ako ng malamig.
My little feet were trembling with each step. Kelangan ko ng ilang minuto para magpahinga, o kaya gamot. Mahihirapan akong makahinga kung hindi pa ako iinom ng gamot.
She gently took hold of my hand and helped me sit down.
"Kelangan ko ng gamot. Tawagan mo si Mama. Sabihin mo sa kanya na―"
"Relax, I got this," she said, saka sya tumayo at may dinial sa cellphone nya.
As she engaged in the conversation. Todo drama naman ako.
At habang busy sya sa pakikipag usap.I mustered up the courage to move my feet and slowly walked away.
As I distanced myself, I slipped into a narrow alleyway. Bahala na kung saan ako mapadpad ang importante makatakas ako sa killer na yan.
Nang medyo naging okay na ang pakiramdam ko ay saka ako mabilis na tumakbo. Pero sa mga hidden alleyways lang ako dumadaan kasi baka makita nya ako pag sa malalaking road ako maglakad. Mahirap na.
Napangiti nalang ako nang mapagtanto ko na malayo na ako sa market.
Woohoo! I made it out safely!
The best part is, that killer has no clue kung saan ang bahay ko. Safe parin.
Nang makarating ako sa gitna ng rice field. I looked around, trying to find the road.
I kept walking, ignoring the discomfort, as long as I could get away from that killer. Masaya na ako dun.
When I heard a vehicle approaching, I eagerly waited for it. It was the kulong-kulong coming my way. Swerte ko! I quickly blocked the road and waved my hands to get the driver's attention. Huminto naman ang matandang lalake na nag didrive ng kulong-kulong.
"Manong, pwede po ba makisakay? Naliligaw po kasi ako. Kahit po hanggang main road lang."
"Sige iha, sakay na.." Saad ng matanda. Halos mapatalon ako sa tuwa dahil sa saya at saka sumakay sa kulong.
Nang makasakay ako ay saka pinaandar ni manong ang kulong-kulong at hinatid nya ako hanggang sakayan ng tricycle.
Nagpasalamat naman ako sa kanya dahil sa kabutihan nya. Naawa nga si manong saakin kaya nang malaman nya na wala akong pera ay binigyan din nya ako ng fifty pesos pamasahe.
He's like a real-life superhero! May the universe shower Manong with endless blessings for his incredible kindness.
Habang nasa tricycle ako, nakakaramdam ako ng kaba, Whenever I see a black Toyota Hilux pickup truck, I can't shake the feeling that the person behind the wheel could potentially be that killer. Grabe napapraning na talaga ako.
Nang makarating ako sa labas ng iskinita papasok sa bahay. I felt puzzled as I noticed a black SUV parked outside, along with two police patrol cars.
Anxiety washed over me as I wondered about the presence of those vehicles. Shit! Anong meron? Tapos yung mga tsismosang kapit bahay nakatayo sa tapat ng bintana namin.
I walked towards our house with a nervous feeling in my chest. I felt like something was wrong. I sensing that something was off.
Derederecho akong pumasok sa bahay namin. Nang makapasok ako may apat na police at dalawang matangkad na babae ang napatingin saakin. Sina Mama at Papa nakaupo din sa sofa habang nakikipag-usap sa kanila. While Ate Aira glared at me with intense anger in her eyes.
"M-mama, Papa.."
"Bwisit ka talagang babae ka! Wala ka talagang binibigay saamin kundi kahihiyan at problema!" Bulyaw ni Mama
My Mama was so furious that she stood up, almost grab and pull my hair, but my Papa intervened and stopped her.
"P-po? Bakit po?"
"Anong bakit? Gaga ka ba! Nagtrespassing kayo ng mga kaibigan nyo sa Mansion ng mga Aizenberg?! Ngayon gusto ka nilang ipakulong at ang mga kaibigan mo. Pati ang Ate Aira mo nadamay dahil sa kagagahan mo!"
Napalunok ako, gusto kong ipagtanggol ang sarili ko pero paano? If I'd said that woman was the killer and I witnessed the murder in that mansion, parang lumalabas na I admitting that we also trespassed with my friends in that mansion. Plus, there was a chance that she could have come after me and I could have become her next target.
"I'm Police Captain Kayein Lèandre. Can we invite you to the station for some questioning?"
"Po? Wala po akong ginagawang masama.."
"We have received a complaint against you and your friends, and it is imperative that we obtain your statement to establish your innocence. The accusations leveled by Doc Aizenberg carry significant weight, kung hindi mo ako maintindihan, pwede mong kausapin ang abogado nya.." Paliwanag ng police na poganda. So hot!
Hindi ako nakapagsalita, napatingin nalang ako sa isang babae na tumayo at lumapit saakin. Nilabas nya ang hawak nyang ID at nagpakilala sya.
"I am Attorney Willow Cassandra Montemayor, stand as legal counsel for Doctor Aizenberg. I kindly request your indulgence as I elucidate upon Doctor Aizenberg's grievance against you and your friends" Pakilala at paliwanag ng Attorney sabay ang shake-hands saakin.
Umiiyak, nanghihina at natatakot akong sumunod nalang sa kanya. Kinausap nya ako dito lang sa bahay dahil naki-usap si Papa na wag akong dalhin sa police station. Luckily, the female police officer was kind and agreed to our request.
Pinaliwanag ni Attorney Montemayor ang lahat. There is an evidence from the CCTV nang pagpasok namin in that mansion last night. But when I asked if there are CCTV cameras inside the house, her attorney said wala daw.
Kaya kahit na sabihin ko sa kanila na killer ang babae na yun at pumatay ng tatlong lalake kagabi ay siguradong hindi nila ako papaniwalaan.
Tanging mga mata lang namin ni Knox ang saksi sa pangyayari na yun.
This is crazy! What a chaotic situation I've gotten myself into!
She's the one who committed the crime, but it feels like my friends and I are the ones in trouble now.
"The agencies where your sister Aira Naomi Holland works are owned by Aizenberg. That's why Doc Aizenberg wants to terminate your sister's contract," she explained.
"Attorney, please don't involve my sister in this. Wala naman po syang kasalanan."
"I'm not the one making the decisions here, Ms. Holland. It's Doc Aizenberg," she stated matter-of-factly.
Napayuko nalang ako habang humihikbi. I felt someone sidle up next to me, her presence uncomfortably close.
I shifted slightly in my seat, but she also moved closer towards me. Kaya hinayaan ko nalang sya. Maya-maya lang nagsalita sya.
"Puntahan mo nalang kasi sa mansion and have a face-to-face conversation with her. That's the best way to put an end this problem," the killer's attorney suggested in a low, confident tone.
Tinignan ko sya kaya napangiti sya saakin. Pero agad ko din na binawi ang tingin ko. Should I go there? After escaping from that killer, now I have to go back and talk to her?
"Tao po!"
"Tao po!"
Nahintuan ako sa pag-iisip nang marinig ko ang pamilyar na boses na yun. I quickly stood up to open the door. It was Joen!
"Bakit?"
"Tiff, sina Rina, Rose at Knox.. nawawala.."