Chapter 39: Hidden Follower
[PAUL TREVOR'S POV]
“Students! Pumila ng maayos!” sigaw ng teacher namin na nasa harap na ng mismong entrance ng museum na pupuntahan namin. Eh pano ba naman, sa sobrang ingay, ay wala nang magkaintindihan. Sa bagay, lahat ay excited makita ang Palawan, kahit pa wala man kami sa parte kung saan may beaches. Pero doon pa lang sa isipan mong malapit ka lang sa tubig ay mapapahiyaw ka.
And it's not our idea na mag-field trip sa Nueva Ecija. Masyadong sosyal ang Florentin. Dinaig pa yung Princeton University, yung partner naming school.
Nang makapila na ng maayos, ay nagsimula muna silang magbilangan ng mga students, at nag-check kung may partner ang bawat isa. Napalingon tuloy ako kay Exellor, na kanina ko pang napapansing pa-lingon-lingon sa paligid.
Hmm... masyado naman yatang na-amaze sa Cabanatuan?
Naririnig ko naman si Kylie and Greg na kaharap lang namin na nag-bubusitan nanaman. Kailan kaya sila titigil sa bangayan??
“Sabi ko nang 'wag mo hawakan kamay ko! Ih! Mamaya kung ano-anong pinaghahawak mo! Ang lagkit!” singhal ni Kylie, at kitang kita ang busangot na mukha, kaharap si Greg na sobrang ngisi.
“Wala naman masama ah? Bakit? Bakit nga ba ganoon kamay ko?” pang-aasar pa nito.
“Ñeta!” singhal pa niya muli, at pinag-krus ang balikat.
Napailing ako, at tinanaw pa sa di-kalayuan sina Jayvee at Rhianne na nasa may bandang unahan ng linya. Kumpara kina Greg a Kylie, mas masinsinan ang usapan nila at para bang malalim ang pinag-uusapan. Minsan nga gusto kong tanungin iyan tungkol kay Jayvee pero pakiramdam ko'y wala ako sa posisyon kung magtatanong man.
Nang pinapasok na nga kami, ganoon na lang ang mga mata ko sa paggala sa bawat sulok ng museum dahil napakaganda talaga! Kahit pa musuem, ay halatang alagang-alaga ito dahil sa bawat kulay ng sulok ng mismong lugar ay nakaka-antig ng emosyon. Ngiting-ngiti ang aming tourist guide na halos sabihin lahat ang bawat detalye na naroon sa museum.
“Hello students! I'm Shane, your tourist guide for today to witness the history of Nueva Ecija! Sadyang hindi masyadong recognized ang museo na ito kaya naman nagpapasalamat ako sa Florentin High dahil binigyan kayo ng oportunidad na makita at mabalik muli sa nakaraan ng Pilipinas, lalo na, noong ikalawang digmaang pandaigdig. Tara, at ako'y sundin ninyo!”
Galak naman lahat sumunod sa kanya, habang isa-isa kaming pinapasiyal sa mga artifacts na nakadisplay lang sa malalaking glass displays. Halos lahat ng nandoon... ay luma. May nakita pa kaming mga lumang revolver, rifles at mga kasuotan pa ng mga sundalo na naka-display na nanggaling pa sa panahong World War 2.
From old stones, to jeeps, nakakamanghang tingnan ang mga naka-display roon. Kahit sina Kylie and Greg na maingay kanina'y natahimik, dahil nga talagang wala akong masasabi sa mga iyon. Napanatili ang mga gamit, at parang hindi naman ginamit noon. Doon pa lang sa mga kulay, ay ramdam ko na para akong ibinabalik sa nakaraan.
Sobra sigurong hirap ang naranasan nila...
Matapos mapasyal ang buong lugar, ay hinayaan kaming mag-liwaliw para naman lapitan kung anong gusto naming tingnan sa mga bagay roon at mas alamin pa ang tungkol rito.
“Oy dude, puntal lang kami dun sa mga rifles.” paalam pa ni Greg, at parehas sila ni Kylie na pumunta sa malayo.
Ngiting-ngiti ako, ng ma-realize na...
NASAAN SI EXELLOR?!
Lumingon ako kahit saan at gulat ako ng hindi ko siya makita! Saan iyon pumunta? Kinuha ko agad ang phone ko at nag-try na i-text siya.
From: Paul Trevor
Nasaan ka?
Pero ilang minuto ang lumipas at hindi siya nag-reply! Sheesh!
Nilibot ko na rin tuloy ang sarili ko habang ang mga mata ko'y pabalik-balik ng lingon sa kaliwa't kanan. Bahagya akong kinabahan na hindi ko malaman, ng magsimula nang magbuo ang utak ko ng mga tanong...
Bakit bigla siyang nawala? Nasaan na siya? Naligaw ba siya? O Iniwan niya talaga ako??
Inis akong napakamot sa batok ng lalong marindi sa katotohanang iyon. Of course, Trev! Kailan pa iyon naligaw? Pero hindi rin naman imposibleng naligaw talaga siya! Pero... Damn!
Sa dami ng tao, ay sinubukan ko pang makipag-siksikan para makadaan sa kabilang parte ng museo, pero bigo akong makita siya.
Nang halos hingalin na ako dahil sa kakalakad, ay agad natagpuan ng mga mata ko ang bag niyang Dakine na naka-dungaw sa isa sa mga glass display kung saan sa loob ay may isang combat knife. Titig na titig siya rito at binabasa pa ang description na nakalagay sa glass.
Nanlamig bigla ang mga kamay ko, kaya hindi ko tinangkang humakbang papalapit sa kanya. Naititig lang ako sa kanya sa 'di-kalayuan, na nagbigay ng bigat ng loob sa aking dibdib. Nilabas ko muli ang phone ko't nagtext.
From: Paul Trevor
Nasaan ka?
Gulat akong makita na kinuha niya ang phone niya sa bulsa, at binasa pa ang text. Kunot ang aking noo ng mapansin ang naging malungkot niyang reaksyon. Tumagal iyon, at sa hindi malamang dahilan, ay ibinalik ang phone sa bulsa. Bumagsak ang balikat ko, at parang nanlumo sa nakita.
Ano bang nangyayari, Exellor? I thought we're okay?
Pinikit ko ang mga mata, at pinilit na humakbang, pero parang biglang kumirot ang puso ko sa mga naiisip. Umuulit ang mga huling katagang sinabi niya sa akin bago tuluyang magbago ng ganito... I don't deserve you... Nang buksan ko muli ang mga mata ko, wala na siya roon. Titig pa rin ako kung nasaan siya kanina.
“Bro, are you okay?” biglang may nagsalita sa likuran. Tumalikod ako't nalamang si Jayvee iyon, kasama si Rhianne.
“Y-Yeah–”
“Trev?” biglang nagtatakang singit ni Rhianne, kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. Kahit papaano, ay magaling rin magbasa si Rhianne ng emosyon ng tao, lalo na pag-kakilala niya.
Magkapatid nga.
Napabuntong-hininga ako. “I just don't want to talk about it.”
“It's about her, isn't it?” Of course, Jayvee had to nail it. Tumango na lang ako.
“Iniiwasan niya yata ako.”
“Pano mo nasabi?” tanong ni Rhianne.
Nang maikwento ko sa kanila ang lahat, sa kung paano pa muna siya nawala sa tabi ko, haggang sa makita kong hindi siya nag-reply sa text ko. Parehas silang ngumiti, at parang alam ba ang gagawin.
“Nako, nasasaktan ka talaga? Eh sa ngayon, intindihin mo na muna. Alam mo naman siguro sa sarili mo na hirap siyang magtiwala diba? Pero that doesn't mean she doesn't care for you... and she isn't showing you any kind of mixed feelings, talagang natatakot lang siya sa magiging desisyon niya kasi either ikakasakit mo o ikakasakit niya o ng lahat.” sabi ni Jayvee, at tumango si Rhianne ukol rito.
“Tsaka Trev, she needs you. Hayaan mo lang ang sarili mo na gumawa ng effort. Natural lang iyan, dahil syempre, hindi naman talaga agaran ang pagkakaroon ng tiwala. Actually, base sa kwento mo, ang masasabi ko, ay may tiwala siya sa'yo, ang kaso, nahihirapan siyang panghawakan yung tiwala na iyon kasi hindi iyon ganoon katatag o sadyang may bagay na humaharang sa kanya, dahil alam niya sa huli, talo siya, at syempre damay lahat noon. Kung titingnan mo nga siya, nabibilib ako kasi, hahayaan niyang masira siya, 'wag lang iba. She cares for you, Trev. Sabi ko namang 'wag siya susukuan. This is our first day anyway, tsaka hindi pa naman talaga magsisimula iyon dito...” dagdag pa ni Rhianne.
Tama naman sila. I can see the point clearly and straightforward. Hindi ko lang siguro maiwasan ang masaktan dahil parang siya mismo ang kusang lumalayo. Nabanggit ko na rin naman sa kanyang mas masasaktan ako kapag lumayo siya.
Sa huli, tinanggap ko pa rin ang mga naging payo nina Jay at Rhianne. They're right, I should be tough, dahil ramdam ko, hindi lang 'to ang haharapin ko. Mas matindi pa ang mga pwede kong maramdaman habang lumalalim ang pagkakakilanlan ko sa kanya.
Nang matapos ang isang oras, lahat ay tuluyang nang umalis sa museo. Pero bago pa man ang lahat, ay hinayaan na muna kaming mag-lunch. Yung iba ay nagdala at pinili na lang kumain sa loob ng bus, habang ang iba'y pumunta sa isang malapit na canteen para bumili ng makakain. Kasama ko ang mga kaibigan ko, ngunit nagpaiwan na si Exellor sa bus dahil nagdala ng sariling pagkain.
Pinilit kong ngumiti ng niyaya ko siya matapos naming makalabas ng museo.
“Hey, umm... lunch tayo sa labas?”
“I'll just eat here.” walang emosyong sagot niya at may kinuha sa bag, that I'm assuming, that's her lunch.
“...You sure?”
“Yes.”
Sa huli ay hinayaan ko na lang, tutal lunch lang naman iyon at hindi ko iyon mapipilit sa kanya. Bago pa man ako makalabas ng bus, rinig ko pang may tumawag sa kanya, at gulat ako ng makipag-usap siya sa ibang lenguwahe.
“Yassou?... Ti Kanis?... Ne... Ne... Dhen ekho idea...” [translation: Hello?... How are you?... Yes... Yes... I have no idea...]
Bahagya akong natawa ng maalalang Greek nga pala iyon. Napa-iling pa ako bago tuluyang puntahan ang mga kaibigan ko sa canteen.
[EXELLOR ONEIRO'S POV]
I did not expect that this will be that hard. I really have no plans to eat outside, but avoiding him while touring the museum felt... wrong and horrible.
But there were eyes watching us from afar. I tried to be distant as I could, for he could not hurt Paul.
After that, I did not expect my father to call. His number isn't even registered in my phonebook When the first thing I heard was his old voice... I knew... something would change. He only called to check on me, which is the second thing that I want to hear.
But my mind's distracted with the staring eyes of a man trying to hide. As for me, I did not show it. From the window, I could clearly see him standing, trying to sneak past people. Yeah, he failed miserably to do that... I decided to call Jamiel quickly. She answered in just a split second.
[Oh? Musta?! Bakit wala ka sa canteen?!]
“I decided to eat inside the bus. Do you know what time the school will head home?”
[Hmm... mga quarter ng 12... 12:40, something like that.]
Looking at my watch, it's already 12:24... 16 minutes left...
“Finish your food and meet me outside the bus stop. Near the signpost. Is Chris with you?”
[O-Oo n-naman. H-Hala, anong meron?]
“He followed us here.”
[… Sht... O-O-Osige, papunta na 'ko diyan.]
“Keep a distance from me when you got out. I'll send a signal.”
She hanged up, so I proceeded to wear my black facemask, and my beanie. I got out of the bus and went near the signpost, trying to breath fresh air. The very same air that we both breathe, I involuntarily sneered. My eyes tried to find Jamiel and Chris, and they never failed me. It was my turn to seek. Cracking my fingers, I went beside the trees and bushes, instead of walking straight at the concrete pavement.
It did not took too much time to find Gary hopelessly trying to find me, his head turning side to side, and crouching a little bit. Wearing a simple white t-shirt, jeans and rubber shoes... everyone would think that he's just normal, yet his hands are dirty just as his coscience. I waste no time capturing him by landing a sharp kick behind his knees, quickly grabbing his right wrist to put it on his back, locking it with my right arm.
“Don't make any noise or I'll let you see the dark in eternity...” I whisper on his ear.
He swallowed repeatedly, as I covered his mouth tightly with my hand. I kicked him where the sun doesn't shine, just to make sure he won't leave just yet. I led him to a quiet alley, a little bit far from the bus stop, just enough to interrogate him. Jamiel and Chris helped me soon, and pinned Gary on the wall, locking both his arms and legs.
“Why did you follow me here?” I asked him. He sneered, before spitting right in front of me. Luckily, he just did that beside of my face.
“Wala kang magagawa! At alangan namang wala akong gawen habang nakakulong! I do this... everytime... that you people let me rot in there! I swear magsisisi ka!”
His voice echoed througout the walls, emitting that anger off his head, but laced in despair.
“How many times did you tell that to me?” I sarcastically asked him, walking back and forth. I heard Jamiel snicker.
“20 times... mga lima na sa'ken, dalawa pa lang kay Chris.” she answered for me.
“Why don't you just spill?”
“Bakit pa?! Sinabi ko na iyan, paulit-ulit! Wala akong makukuha sa'ken! Pinake- alaman niyo ang grupo ko kaya magdusa kayo!”
This guy's getting on my nerves. My lips twitched. “We won't, 'cause I know you, and your... mobs.”
“P*ny*ta! Inubos mo silang lahat! P*ny*ta! P*ny*ta!” he yelled at my face, trying to break free of Jamiel and Chris's hold. I can see how beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his dilated, reddish eyes that looked hungry, trying to feed that off with his own anger and guilt.
I look away, and shook my head. If only I didn't have any conscience, my mind could've thought of dark scenarios to happen before him. I waited 'till I hear that usual blaring of sirens. Soon after, three police officers took Gary away from the scene. He glared at me as he was seated at the back of the police car. I sent him a glare back, as he went wild inside the car, trying to break the windshield that parts us.
“May araw ka rin saken, Jaizen!!” he mouthed.
My eyes followed the dissappearing car, as I only shook my head. I do not hold the sun for him as long as I can remember.
“Whew! Buti na lang nakita mo siya! Doon pa lang sa tawag mo na sense ko na may mali, kaya napatawag na rin ako ng pulis. Paano nga ba yun nakatakas? At talagang may gana pang mang-asar?” Jamiel said, and walked beside me as we head back to the bus. We removed our masks and beanies and hid it.
Well, Gary... bragging, all he did was that.
“Hmm... Ilithios...” [Hmm... idiot] I whisper to myself. Jamiel and Chris chuckled, understanding what I meant.
“Osige na. Tigil muna tayo dito at mag-e-enjoy pa tayo.”
Much unlikely, we were greeted back the shocked and confused faces of Paul's friends and... Paul. I raised a brow again.
“U-Umm bakit nakarinig kami ng sirena ng pulis doon? I-I m-mean saan kayo galing?” Paul immediately asked before our awkward encounter could get any worse.
“Ah, napadaan lang naman sila... tsaka may binili lang ako. Sinamahan lang nila ako.” Jamiel answered for us. We nodded, and they too.
“U-Umm, Exellor, sasama ka ba sa–”
“Yes. I'm keeping my answer.” I cut Paul off, and smiled.
I literally smiled. For I can ensure that no one will bother us here. But since I'm betting that Gary did not went here alone, I should let Jamiel and Chris join.
“If you all don't mind, they'll join too.” I suggested.
I swear I heard them gasped. I'm betting because for the first time I suggested something from them or it will be the first time that I'll join Paul's friends with my own so-called friends.
“Oo naman, Exellor. This adds up the fun!” Out of all his friends, Jayvee was the one that kept his cool. He smiled as if nothing's wrong with this world.
“Nagpaalam na rin ako kina Mama. Siguro hintayin na lang natin sasakyan niyo, Jay.” Rhianne tells Jayvee.
“Hey, dudes! Ako pala si Kylie!” Kylie introduced herself to Jamiel and Chris. Both introduced themselves too. Then followed by Paul's other friends. Even if they have once, shared a single table with them (just the day when Paul talked to me), Kylie implied that they should have a proper introduction.
My eyes went to Rhianne. Unlike the angry her before, now, she became someone who looked more... educated and straight. Which resembled her mother's beauty. Our mother's beauty, which is her own aura and personality. I can't really say that Rayanne's... beautiful, but her aura's definitely the one that's showing that beauty that I am talking about. Rhianne resembled Rayanne more than me.
When her eyes met mine, she smiled sincerely.
“Hintayin na lang natin yung mga sasakyan. Dalawa yung pinadala ko dito e.” Greg told us, looking at each and everyone. “Sinong kasama ng sino?”
“HUH?” was our reaction but, hopefully we recovered from that. Even before anyone had any suggestion, Greg snapped his fingers.
“Ah 'lam ko na... Sa isang van, boys lahat, sa kabila, girls lahat!”
Not bad. For once, everyone agreed. We chose to stay in the canteen where they ate and waited 'till two vans picked us up. The boys bade their goodbyes to us, while we still put our baggages at the back of the second van. When we When we were done, once again, there was an awkward silence between us four. No one said a word, but our eyes were watching each and everyone. We all shrugged and just went inside the van.
In the end, from the left, Jamiel, Kylie, me, and Rhianne were seated,trying to listen to the radio as the driver started the engine. This will be a looong ride.