Overnight

10

JHAMIL

I actually donʼt know if this is a good idea. Ayoko sana ng sina-suggest nila but it seems like they are sure about it so maybe we can give it a try.

“Are we not gonna play?” I asked them because they are still standing.

Maybe they changed their minds.

“Kailangan natin ang libro, Jhamil. Hindi tayo makakalaro kung wala 'yon at ang lagyanan ng dugo.” sabi naman ni Agor.

I just sighed.

Why do they have to act like everything is a big deal? They can just get it upstairs.

“So? Do I have to get it for you?” wala sa sarili kong sabi.

He didnʼt speak. Napailing na lang siya saka umakyat sa hagdan kasama si Kylie. I just sat on the sofa again while waiting for them.

Habang nakaupo ako at naghihintay, napaisip ako sa mga nangyari kanina.

When Kylie asked me why I donʼt want to play, itʼs actually not because I prefer reading. I mean—yes I prefer reading but Iʼm willing to hangout with them this time. 'Yon naman talaga ang sadya namin kaya kami pumunta rito but the moment I entered this rest house, I feel something strange.

Naramdaman ko na parang may tumitingin saʼmin. Mula pagpasok namin, nakamasid siya. Kahit noʼng naglalaro kami, nakamasid pa rin siya.

I can see it in my peripheral vision but everytime I try to look, wala naman akong nakikita. I donʼt know if sheʼs trying to scare me or what.

I tried to ignore it because I donʼt want to act weird. Kapag napansin ng mga kaklase ko na panay ang tingin ko sa paligid, they might think that Iʼm a weirdo.

I donʼt want it to happen thatʼs why I keep silent not until I started to hear different voices.

They are whispering on me but I canʼt understand what theyʼre trying to tell. Or maybe, I chose not to listen thatʼs why I canʼt understand.

“Jhamil, okay ka lang?” Japhet asked me and I just nodded.

I tried to focus on playing but the voices are still here.

The more that I try to avoid them, the more it gets louder.

“Stop! Stop it! Stop!” napahawak na ako sa ulo dahil hindi ko na kayang pigilan ang mga boses.

Those voices.

Those are deep. Some are shrill. Naghalo-halo ang boses nila sa tenga ko na para akong mababaliw.

They keep on calling me.

“Jhamil!” I can also hear my classmateʼs voices.

Nagsitayo sila para alalayan ako na makatayo.

“Jhamil, tell me. What happened? Masakit ba ang ulo mo? Kailangan mo ba ng gamot? Tell us whatʼs happening?” rinig kong tinatanong ako ni Mayet pero hindi ako makasagot.