I AM CONNECTED TO HIM
I wore my jacket and tied my hair up. I take a heaved sigh before I slung my backpack on my shoulders.
“Greyna! We need to talk!” I heard a shout outside and it's from my Mom. She keep knocking the door but I didn't bothered to look on it or open it.
“Greyna!” for a second time, she shouted, mentioning my name.
I opened the window as I felt the coldness of air. It's already eight pm in the evening and you will really felt the cold embrace of the air.
Without any hesitation or hint of nervous, I jumped out of the window as I landed on the grasses in our backyard.
Malalaki ang hakbang ko papuntang bakod namin at inakyat ko ulit ito. Tumalon naman ako pagkatapos. I suddenly heard the sound coming from my pocket. It's my phone ringing and probably Mom is calling.
I took it from my pocket as I saw his name on the screen. It's Riwen. Pinatay ko ang phone ko at ibinalik sa bulsa. Mom probably pleaded him to contact me. It's because,
He-is-my-future-husband.
I hate how they arrange me with someone. I don't even know him. Kahit malaman ko pa kung sino siya, hindi ako interesado at hindi ko rin iyan bibigyan ng pansin. I'm already 22 year old. Kaya ko na mag-desisyon para sa sarili ko.
I'm not a kid anymore. If I'll repeat it in front of their faces para ipamukha sa kanila, I will. Mahirap ba intindihin ang salitang iyon?
Suddenly, I stopped walking because of voices. I put my palm on my head. My eyes spinning, dahil nahilo ako bigla. Nakaramdam naman ako ng hapdi at nakita ko ang isa kong palad na may sugat.
Wait, where did I got this? Yes, I like punching men's faces but seriously, hindi ko maalala na nagkasugat ako.
“Ouch!” Napaatras ako dahil doon. Hinawakan ko ang pisngi ko at nakita ko naman sa daliri ko na may dugo ito. So, what's happening?
Naglakad na lamang ulit ako. After several minutes of walking, I found myself enter the bar. I need alcohol right now.
Nakakabinging ingay ang sumalubong sa akin. They're dancing and some of them shouting.
“Here's my card. I want peace.” The bartender look at me in disbelief. “Bigyan mo ako ng pinakamasarap sainyo na inumin.”
Umakyat naman ako sa itaas at hindi ako pinigilan ng dalawang nagbabantay. Pagka-akyat ko ay napahinto agad ako dahil sa naririnig kong boses.
"Finish him!"
"Yes boss!"
“You know guys, I found this fight boring. There's no thrill. Wala nga akong nakuhang galos. I'm just following their rules.” Wait, bakit ko naririnig ang mga ito? Baliw na ba ako? Or I drink something?
Umupo naman ako at hinintay ang alak. What the hell I got this night.
May naglapag naman sa lamesa. It's color orange. And what the hell is this?
“Give me a soju instead. Wala akong sinabi na Tang juice ang ibigay mo sa ’kin, sira ka ba?” inis na wika ko sa kaniya.
“It's not orange juice ma'am. Ganiyan lang talaga kulay niyan,” sagot nito at napataas ang kilay ko sabay tingin sa inumin na hinanda niya.
“Wala bang lason ’to?” He crease his forehead.
“Wala ho ma'am. Hindi ko po gawain ’yon.” Tumalikod naman ito at umalis. Agad ko namang nilagok ang binigay niya. Matapang siya. Sinampal ko naman sarili ko dahil parang nakaramdam ako ng antok.
Uuwi yata akong lasing sa isang lagok lang. Mahina talaga ako sa mga ganito. Tumayo naman ako at bumaba na. Narinig ko na naman ang nakakabinging ingay. Pagkatapos kong mabawi ang card ko ay lumabas na ako ng bar.
I saw a group of boys. They're drinking.
“Look who's here.” I ignore them but someone grabbed my wrist. Oh not now. Nahihilo ako ngayon.
I shake my head because of dizziness. But then, in a snap, the one who's holding my wrist is now lying on the ground. Wait, wait! I didn't punch him or did something.
“Aish, don't touch her. I tied your brother's body at wala siyang kawala. Then now you're here?” Napalingon ako sa boses na iyon. A guy wearing all black. At sino naman kaya ito?
Walang pasabi na hinila niya ako. Dinala ako nito sa walang tao na parte ng kalsada.
“Sorry for being careless lately.” Blanko ko siyang tinignan. “You got wounds and... little bruises.”
Ano ba pinagsasabi nito?
“Wait here,” he added. Tumawid naman ito ng kalsada at pumunta sa sasakyan niya. May kinuha siya roon at tumakbo pabalik dito. “Wear that.”
Tinignan ko ang loob ng paper bag. “Can you please straight it to the point? What do you mean about—”
“Our lives connected. It's a... you're connected to me and...kapag nasaktan ako sa ’yo mapupunta. It's hard to believe but i won't force you to believe me.” Tinignan ko lang siya. Nahihibang na ba talaga ang mokong ’to?
“You're crazy. You talk to a wrong person,” seryosong ani ko sa kaniya. Kinuha niya ang kutsilyo na nasa bulsa niya lamang at hiniwa ang braso niya. Nakita ko kung paano ito maghilom at napadaing naman ako bigla.
“If I'm crazy then you're CRAZY too.” He widely smile at me.
“If this is a dream—”
“IT'S not a dream, Greyna. We're connected,” pagpuputol niya sa sasabihin ko.
“This is part of the rule. Rule of organization.” Kunot-noo ko siyang tinignan.
“We're destined.”
@derinovem
