Got Me Captive (Got Me #1) | ✓

31

"They were unreachable these days. . . Why the sudden curiosity? Don't tell me you figured all of it out just now?" wika ng lalaki sa kabilang linya.

Humugot ako ng malalim na hiniga. "Hindi ba siya nag-iwan ng kahit ano bago siya nawala?"

"He left us with assignments, that's all. Hindi na bago at hindi niya gawain iyon."

Right. He's Posadaz. Ano ba ang aasahan ko? He has trust issues. Hindi ko na rin mapigilan ang sarili ko na humagilap ng impormasyon patungkol sa kaniya kaya lumapit na ako kay Anakin.

"I see. . ." I trailed off. "Thank you for your time. How can I pay?"

"No money can do. How is Italy?" biglaang tanong niya.

"Same and thriving," tipid kong sagot.

He snorted. "I would love to be back."

"Why not?" inipit ko ang telepono ko sa aking tenga at pinagpatuloy ang aking ginagawa.

I mixed all the raw ingredients in the pan and waited for it to simmer. Kinuha ko ang telepono tsaka naupo sa may dining area kung nasaan si Xanti na kasalukuyang naglalaro sa tablet niya.

"Unfortunately, there's still a pack of tasks I have to accomplish in this country. Have you gone wander around?"

"Wander around like just wander around my house and rot?" sarkastiko kong sabi.

He laughed. "You perhaps did really change. Knowing you, hindi mo kayang manatili sa bahay niyo ng isang minuto na walang ginagawa."

"A lot could change in a minute, Anakin."

"You should loosen up. I suggest you visit our favorite places before. Visit our favorite bar!"

Biglang nanumbalik sa akin ang eksaktong lugar kung ano ang tinutukoy niya. Para iyong bangungot sa alaala ko. Bangungot ng kahapon.

Napangiwi ako nang maalala iyon. "I would never, ever again," pagtatanggi ko.

He cackled. "Why not? I was with our friends when you disappeared and I can say you missed everything. The adventure. The last time we saw you, was at that bar."

I was nibbling the insides of my cheeks. "People change. Anyhow, thank you for the information. I have to go."

"Alright. See you soon."

"Better not," sagot ko tsaka pinatay ang tawag.

Matapos ang niluluto ko ay agad ko nang pinakain si Xanti. I always have a conversation with him everytime we're together. Palagi ay marami siyang tanong sa akin at lahat naman iyon ay nasasagot ko. Ganoon rin ako sa kaniya. We would always talk about random things na para bang magkaibigan lang kami.

I was watching him as he fed himself when my phone rang. I stared at the caller for a few minutes before hesitantly answering it.

"Ria," I called her name.

"Good morning! Tagal mong sumagot? May ka-bebe time ka na?"

"May. . ." sininok ako. "-ginawa lang."

"Sus. . .May lakad ulit kayong mag-nanay?" tanong niya.

"Wala naman. Why?"

"Hmm. . . I heard from Eros that you hired a babysitter."

Napasulyap naman ako sa naglalaro kong daliri. "Y-Yeah. I may have a thing to do this month so I won't have time to assess the helper if ever late na ako mag-hire."

"Bakit pa?! Nandito naman ako! I don't have anything to do kundi maburo sa bahay na 'to. Cancel mo na lang iyon, I want to take care of Xanti."

"Why?" wala sa sariling tanong ko.