Nakarating na kami sa condo ni zy, at bumungad sa tapat ng pinto si kaela.
"You don't have to worry, caleb will conti--" hindi natuloy ni jaze ang sasabihin n'ya ng pangunahan ni kaela 'yon.
"I wasn't there for that, I'm here for something."
Nag tataka pa din ako kung pa'no n'ya nalaman ang condo si zy, kahit na makapasok kami ay hindi maalis sa isip ko kung paano.
"How did you know my condo?" taka kong tinititigan si zy, he doesn't know about it?
"Ah. Basty texted me, If I need something to tell about, he gave me your condo." sagot ni kaela, tsaka tumingin sa'kin.
"Pigilan n'yo si levi, parang iba pa ata ang nais kay zy." si xander na nakatingin kay levi.
Bawat galaw kasi ni zy ay titig na titig si levi, para bang hindi naniniwala na walang babae si zy.
"Ano nga pala pinunta mo dito?" tanong ni lance, kay kaela.
"Basty did text me ago, that--"
"Wait-- what? he do?" pag putol ni duke sa sinabi ni kaela.
"Yeah, thought he's with you. That's why I know where zy's condo, he do, texted me a minute ago." takang tinititigan kaming lahat ni kaela.
"He's not with us." si yael na ang sumagot sa nakakatakang tingin samin ni kaela, her eyes widened when yael told her.
"What did he tell you?" he did ask first, before looking at me.
"That, if I need anything.. then, he texted me your add." hindi pa din s'ya makapaniwala, malaki pa din ang mga tingin n'ya sa bawat isa samin.
"And, what brought you here?" jaze.
"Someone texted me again,"
"With a different number, and news." dagdag n'ya pa.
"And what it says?" lance.
"Someone's betraying, not just one, but.. 2 out of three." that makes me curious, why on this world it's happening?
"This makes me scared, I don't like threats, and.. I don't wanna die." si kai.
"What are you plan, caleb?" tanong sa'kin ni kaela.
I don't know, but I like playing hide and seek.
"No one will, I'll sacrifice everything, to get out of this. as soon as possible." alinlangan akong ngumiti kay kaela.
"Send me the number, I'll try my best, to find that person. I'll let that person feel, what hell feels like." tumingin ako sa kawalan, ramdam ko ang tensyon ng lahat.
"No, you don't sacrifice your life, ac." titig na titig ang mga mata ni lance, na kahit ang pag hinga ko ay pakiramdam ko na binibilang n'ya.
"Basty won't choose me, if I didn't. I know he's plan, why me." bato ko saknya ng salita.
"What are you planning?" kai, and that's it.. everyone look so clueless while looking at me.
After what happen earlier with kaela and us, she left and give me the number who texted her. Even levi was so shocked, he didn't get back on how he was so childish.
Everyone remained silent, maybe? thinking who was the other betrayers. Everyone on our group, doesn't look so suspicious, everyone's normal. but, why? 2? out of three?
What are you you tryna say? why does it have to be us, why? does it have to sacrifice? just for this god damn racing?! does it really about, racing? or maybe? something?
Fuck betrayers!! fuck cheaters!!
I'm out of my mind, why do I feel like... I'm already lost.
I got betray and betray, I can't even think who was the two? or three?? I don't know! who are they? why they are attacking us? silently? why on the side where I can find any trace of betrayers.
"It doesn't good on us, maybe? they're pranking us." sa gulat ng lahat ay napatingin ang lahat kay levi, he's trying to be positive in where our life is in danger.
"fuck! this time, made me realize that I'm really a gay, I'd like to backout, just wanna go back where am I enjoying the snow there." Dwayne's talking about snow on canada, that's where he stayed, for a long time.
"You don't have to admit it, it's obvious, baby boy." yael try to chill and not to think about the conversation earlier.
"Let's just enjoy being in zy's condo, you know? let's have some fun, and try, not to think on something, that.. bothering us." dion, being positive infront of us.
"So, what we gonna do?" kai asked, ang cute naman ng kai na 'yan, syempre hindi ko sinabi 'yan, baka asarin nanaman ako.
"Call some friends, and known friends? to make some party in he's condo." ngiti ngiting tagumpay si levi habang sinasabi 'yon, wala ng nagawa si zy kundi ang bumunting hininga.
He's condo is actually big, it does have a quite amazing view at veranda.
Mostly, levi called all he's friend, ang some are from mark, duke, dion, xander, seth, and quinn.
I stayed at veranda, it's getting late, I look at the star, and moon.
It's quite loud, but still feels chill song. just exactly suits for this weather, the weather feels chilly.
Everyone's friend is here, chillin' and still vibin' with girls who-are-they-friends. And ofc, drinking alcohol, even zy don't agree with girls, cuz he said that, 'its the first time to let a girl-- girls come inside, my condo.'
At the time of 9:30 to be exact, they make the sound so loud, and I do felt that this is the real bar and party of what they're waiting for.
Some of my cousins, allistair, dion, quinn, yael, xander, levi, and jaze are on the couches, sitting and talking on both sides, where girls are talking on them at both sides, do y'all get me?
Nvm, let me make it short. They have lots of girls on they're side, It wasn't new.
Some are talking with they're friends,and talking or maybe? chilling while drinking alcohol on their hands.
Saw levi stood up for someone to give a hand bump, tumatawa pa sila dahil nakapaligid ang mga babae kay levi. My cousin offered a glass of alcohol on him, dinagdagan pa nga 'yon ni levi.
Hindi ko nalang pinansin 'yon, at tinuon ang tingin sa iba. Nakaupo lang ako dito sa veranda ni zy, I do workout, and I don't cheat on my workout.
Party or celebration is not excuse to drink some alcohol, I do what makes me healthy. Lalo na ngayon ay kaylangan ko ng maayos na katawan, I don't think I can move if I'm fat.
"Dito ka nalang ba?" sinulyapan ko si kai na dumating, dalawa ang hawak n'yang baso, nilapag ang isa sa lamesa, sa harap ko.
"Why not join with them, huh?" tumayo ako, at pinatong ang braso sa rails ng veranda.
"Why not?" he asked me back.
"They have their on business, why not join them?" I asked again.
"I'm not only one," nakapatong ang braso n'ya, pero ngayon ay nakaharap kami sa loob ng condo ni zy, inuusisa ang lahat.
"See that? the owner of this condo? he doesn't like girls on he's condo. Ramdam ko 'yon galit n'ya, isang mali lang ng mga babae na 'yan dito, at lalo na kay zyken, baka makalimutan ni zy ang lahat, at suntukin kung sino makita n'ya." turo pa ni kai, kay zy na inirapan si levi dahil tinatawanan ni levi si zy.
Napatingin naman si zy sa banda namin, tumayo s'ya at dinala ang baso ng tequila. Makalapit ay binaba na n'ya ang baso, tsaka pinatong din ang mga braso sa veranda.
Nakaharap sa maingay na n'yang condo, halata mo naman sa itsura n'ya na hindi s'ya makapaniwala. Umiiking iling s'ya na naiirita na.
"Chill bro, zy. Just stay chill, and enjoy... sometimes" pag papakalma ni kai kay zy.
"How do I hell, relax? and chill? at this fucking situation?" he's describing at two situation of him and us.
"Mananatiling kalmado, kahit si zy ay delikado." pag papakalma ni kai sa sarili n'ya.
"It's not my fault, okay? wag ako, si levi may pakana nito." natatakot na paalala ni kai kay zy.
"I gotch you, kai." sabi ko, agad naman s'ya tumabi sa gilid ko, kung kanina ay nasa gitna s'ya, ako na ngayon.
"Tsk,"
"Hey, young women. if you need help, you can call me, don't ever hesitate to ask for help." walang gana pero may ingat sa salita ni zyken.
"Same." kindat at ngiti sa'kin ni kai.
"Trust me, I can without anyone." mark my words.
"Mark her words, she knows how to handle being in trouble--"
"Without any plans, nor any stable plans." pag singit ni lance kay kai.
"Puro babae, ba't di kayo nag imbita ng lalake para may nauupakan na ta'yo." si kai, halatang naiilang na kasama si lance at zy.
"No boyfriend's, allowed." may diin sa salita ni zy.
"Tanda na n'yan di n'yo pa pag bibigyan, alam na n'ya 'yan, she know her limitations, and she knows what to do." pag didipensa sa'kin ni kai.
"I can't see her last name changed into some gross boy." taas kilay na tingin ni kance kay kai.
"Aba! bakit? sino gusto mo mag bigay? si caleb? eh, mukha lang 'yan lalake, pero pusong babae pa din 'yan, siguro? 'no?" laking mata s'ya lumingon sa'kin, tinabig naman ni lance ang dibdib ni kai.
"Ouchy, laki biceps mo, daddy lance." pangaasar ni kai.
"Matatanggap n'yo ba 'ko?" tanong ko sakanila.
"Huh?" si kai.
"Women?" zy.
"Oh, girls?" lance.
"Hell, yeah."
"Gago! wag! baka iseduce ni levi, tapos ang ending sila talaga ni levi, kasi feel ko, feel ko lang, huh? maiinlove din 'yon sa pag mumukha ni levi. Aminin n'yo, kahit mukhang gago si levi, malakas ang dating ng gagong levi." ang daldal ni kai.
"Did you just backstab, levi?" si zy.
"Hala s'ya oh! half half, pero i'm just describing him, in my point of view, wala lang, I have him a gagong levi with a sexy angle." totoo naman kasi ang sinabi ni kai, he'll be looking like a stupid sexy levi, ewan ko lang sa pag iisip.
"I'm a not hot?" halos mabulunan si lance at kai ng mag tanong agad si zy, tinignan ko lang si zy.
"Be honest, kai." ngiting pangaasar ni lance.
"Well... uh,"
"Be careful, cutie boy." taas kilay na ngumiti si zy.
"A quite but deadly hotter, swear zy. If I were a girl, I would choose you over than--"
"Gagong levi with sexy appeal?" pag putol ni lance.
"Alam mo, lance? hilig mo pumasok sa usapan ng may usapan." pag tataray ni kai kay lance na tinaasan lang ng kilay nito.
"How 'bout me?" tanong ni lance kay kai.
"Huh? Bakit ba ako tinatanong n'yo kung pogi kayo? d'yan naman si ac, hinuhuli n'yo ba 'ko?"
Sa kalagitnaan ng paguusap ng dalawa na si lance at kai, ay biglang napalitan ang kanta na kanina ay puro kabastusan ang lyrics, ngayon ay napalitan 'yon ng koreanong kanta.
Agad kong hinanap ang katawan ni levi, kita ko naman ang pagtataka at galit agad sa mata n'ya kahit na masyadong madilim, at LED lights lang ang nagsisilbing ilaw sa condo ni zy ngayon.
"Who change it?" tanong ni lance.
"I don't know," sagot ko.
"levi's coming here," biglang lumapit samin si yael.
He's walking toward us, when suddenly?
"Hold me, y'all stick on me, don't go anywhere." hindi ko inaasahan ang pag patay ng mga LED lights na kanina ay sobrang makukulay kanina, ngayon ay namatay na.
"What's happening?" rinig na rinig ang sigaw ng bawat babae dito sa condo ni zy.
"Don't make a scene in my condo, caleb." may banta sa boses ni zy.
"Stick together," binitawan ko ang mga kamay na naka kabit sa'kin.
"Caleb?! where are you going??" it was duke.
"It's dangerous, woman!!" loud ang clear, it was ali.
"Stay where you are, caleb! please, it's not safe for you." I heard dion's begging.
Levi's not talking, he maybe upset.
But I continue walking on the kitchen, looking for a knife without light. I can't hear any foot steps, masyadong mainam ang pag lalakad, pero ramdam ko na may sumusunod sa'kin.
"I don't hurt girls," hindi ko nilingon pero malabong makilala ko ang boses dahil sa tela na nakatakip sa bibig n'ya.
"You asshole! get her!" I heard someone voice, at the balcony area, where my cousins stay on.
"Shout like I hurt you, don't ask." it's like, he cares for me.
Nanatili akong nakatalikod, walang hawak na kahit ano, pero nakakunot ang mga noo dahil sa gulo. bakit ganto? bakit parang ang gulo? he sounded so soft, that he can't hurt me.
"Aray! fuck, Back out! I can't take this women." he shouted, agad akong humarap.
Nakita ko ang nalaglag na kutsilyo sa sahig, bumalik ang tingin ko sa tagiliran n'ya na may saksak. madiin n'ya 'yon hinawakan, malikot s'yang nag lakad paalis sa harap ko.
Biglang bumukas ang puting ilaw sa buong condo ni zy, nakita ko ang mga babae na hawak hawak ang mga bibig na tila ayaw mag bigay ng ingay. Mga pinsan ko na mag kakahawak ang kamay, gulat gulat sa pangyayari.
Tumakbo ako palabas ng condo ni zy, walang pumigil sa'kin kahit isa, pero isa lang ang nasabi ko na h'wag ng tumawag ng kahit ano'ng tulong.
Habang tinatahak ng mabilis ang hallway ay wala kong makitang bakas na may nag lalakad, o kahit anino. dumiretso ako sa elevator, pero saktong tatlong elevator ang nag bukas, walang bakas.
Sinibukan ko tawirin ang exit door, pero tinignan ko ang buong hagdan sa baba at taas, walang bakas na may tao don.
Pagod akong bumalik ng condo ni zy, pinindot ang doorbell na agad bumukas.
Nakita ko pa din ang gulat sa lahat, kahit sa mga bisita. walang umiimik kahit isa, walang nag babalak.
"I'm sorry," matapang kong hinarap ang lahat.
"What happen are coincidence, police are now investigating on this, I'm really sorry for this cause, I promise to take care of everyone who's hurt." pag papatuloy ko.
Mag sasalita pa sana ako ng may kumatok, binuksan 'yon ni dwayne, niluwa no'n ang dalawang tao, pero ang isa ay kilala ko.
"ezi--"
"Are we close?" una ko.
"Oh, I'm sorry. You look like someone I know, I'm sorry ms." may diin sa salita, iniwasan ko s'ya pero ramdam ko pa din ang mga titig.
"Hey, why did you came back?" Agad na dumiretso si levi saknya, taka ko silang tignan.
"Oh, your cousin left something here, as a friend of the both of you, tinulungan ko na kahit lasing 'to." he was saying it, like I was asking him if they're relative or not.
I don't care, if you both know or not. you can leave, in this condo, or leave earth, fuck you!
"Bro, Can I ask you favor?" ikinagulat ko ang pag tayo ni mark, at lumapit s'ya kung nasa'n sika levi.
"Sure, mark. anyway, what it is?" why does he always answer them, like he's answering my question too? without saying it loudly?
"Can you take them home? you can insist--" dahil bida bida tong kausap ni mark, syempre papayag 'yan.
"No worries, mark. the thing that I worry about is car--"
"ac's van are available, daanan mo nalang ulit dito kotse mo, ayos lang ba 'yon?" desisyon ka xander? argh!
"Hand him the key, ac." ali starred at me, like he's telling me, that I should hand him in polite way.
Inirapan ko s'ya at sadyang binato ang susi ng van, sakto naman na tumama 'yon sa noo n'ya.
"Caleb!" sigaw ni mark.
"What?"
"Why can't you be good on him? say sorry."
"I don't talk, nor glance at strangers. And oh, sorry? okay, sorry not sorry." tinaasan ko lang ng kilay si mark, at inirapan s'ya.
"I'm sorry, bro. She really do have that bad attitude, she have illness, I hope you understand." pag hihingi ng paumanhin ni mark.
"You are." tukoy ko kay mark.
"Well, I'm fine, lady. I just got distracted, kaya hindi ko nasalo." maybe he's talking on the both of us.
"Take care of my visitors, I keep my eye on you." nag ngitian muna silang lahat, bago umalis ang mga bisita pati na din ang isang demonyo.
Now, they're all looking at me. all visitors are gone, even that boy, gone too.
"What?" I ask them in irritated tone.
"How did you handle killing people?" sininulan 'yon ni
"How can you be so sure, huh?"
"There's a blood, on a knife."
"Did I use knife?"
"I'm the one who ask first."
"Did I use knife?" ulit ko naman na may diin.
"Did you?"
"I don't,"
"Who hurt that person earlier?" singit ni seth.
"By himself"
"It's a serious situation, can we all be serious?" taas kilay ni jaze.
"Why? I'm being serious, and I'm dead serious... sinaksak n'ya sarili n'ya, it's not my problem." inirapan ko lang sila at dumiretso sa kusina.
Kinuha ko ang kutsilyo na nasa sahig, puno 'yon ng dugo, kahit ang sahig ay may mga patak na dugo. kumuha ako ng ziplock at nilagay ng walang bakas na print ko don.
I even get a piece of paper for blood test, I put it on a seperate plastic. I have plan for this, and I'm going to have a plan for this guy.
"You never ask me if I'm okay..." drama ko, pero inirapan ko pa din sila bago umupo sa lamesa sa veranda.
"You should ask us, if we're okay, hm? you can handle it my yourself, and we can't." walang ganang sumagot si mark.
"Wow, so, it's my fault that you can't? ba't parang kasalanan ko? na bobo kayo?"
"It won't happen if we just quit--"
"Then, you may go first. I will never leave this group, I'm a boss."
"You can just leave, ac. Our life is in danger, how can you stay calm?" galit na si xander.
"I have my plans--"
"Was it stable?" tanong ni lance.
"Of course, it wasn't."
"See? how can you fight for it?" tanong naman ni levi.
"Of course, traitor have additional plans. So I do have, too."
"Let caleb handle it, all we need to do... is to stay by her side, and help her when she needs us the most." nginisian ako ni levi, at nginitian ko naman s'ya.
"She's not just ac, believe her cuz she's our queen boss."