No Escape Series #2: No Resolve

Chapter 04: Be Careful

BE CAREFUL

Nagmamaneho ng van si Lance habang sakay ang kaniyang mga kaibigan na may kani-kanilang sariling atensyon. They are going back to their boarding house, but Rhian still doesnʼt know what to do at this time. She was looking out the window, taking in everything that their van was passing by, which is why Vernon noticed her right next to her.

“Are you okay?” Vernon asked, causing Rhian to look to her side. She nodded and didnʼt speak. “Really? You look dumbfounded.”
 
“Iʼm good. No need to worry about me,” Rhian answered sparingly but kept looking out the window. Vernon just kept quiet and leaned back in his seat, saka bumuntong hininga.

Hindi na maintindihan ni Rhian kung ano na ang nangyayari sa kaniya. Alam niyang masyado na siyang nagiging stress sa lahat ng bagay, pero dapat hindi niya iniintindi ang mga iyon lalo paʼt makaka-apekto sa kaniyang psychological health. “Lance, drop me there,” sabi niya nang makadaan sila sa isang parke.

“What? Saan ka pupunta? Sasamahan ka na lang namin,” tugon ni Lance.

“May problema ba, Rhian?” They all looked at her, but she just shook her head and smiled.

“Ayos lang ako; hindi niyo kailangang mag-alala sa akin. I just want to walk around this park by myself because I have a project in the writing community collaboration and I need a plot,” sabi niya. “I need to do the brainstorming. Maybe I'll find inspiration on how to create an outline, so I need to do this by myself first, guys.”

“Hmm, basta mag-text ka na lang sa amin kapag gusto mo nang umuwi, para susunduin ka namin agad,” sabi ni Gerald at tumango na lamang siya. Inihinto ni Lance ang van, sa tapat ng mismong parke, doon siya bumaba. “Always take care of yourself, bestieee!” pahabol pa ng sigaw ni Nikki, at kumakaway sila.

When Lance started the van again, those inside were quiet again. “Do you really think Rhian is okay?” Nikki asked worriedly.

“Ganiyan talaga ang mga writer, Niks,” tipid na sagot naman ni Kristen. “Even at first, I tried to come up with my own plot twist and outline; oh my God, itʼs really hard pala mag-brainstorming.”

“Worth it naman lahat ng mga ginagawa niya, maski kahit sa pagsasabay-sabayin lahat ng task, parang wala lang sa kaniya,” sabi naman ni Lance, nakatingin sa rare mirror para pagmasdan ang kaniyang mga kaibigan na nasa likuran.

“Uh-huh, you see, ang dami na niyang novel na naisulat since 2019,” sabi ni Jennifer.

Vernon moved to the other side, and now he and Nikki were next to each other. The two friends are both worried about Rhian. They all canʼt help but worry about each other, even if they are happy together. Paano naman kung ang bawat isa naman ay mayroong tinatagong sakit at problemang pinagdadaanan sa buhay?
 
Rhian was standing all around. Half a day had passed since they left the boarding house this morning and went to a place to shoot. Now that it was three oʼclock in the afternoon, she needed to be alone and walk around and admire the beauty of the surroundings. Kaunti siyang naglakad para naman makahanap siya ng kapayapaan sa lugar na kailangan niyang pagtuonan ng pansin.

Even if it was just a sign, he would find inspiration to develop his plot, but this time, maraming mga tao na naglalakad-lakad sa parke. The others are young people like her who are lovers and other friends. At that moment, nakita niya ang ibang grupo na nagtatawanan habang may pagkain na hawak.
 
She just smiled, because she never thought that in this instance she would see her schoolmates, who have their own motivation for their friendship. “Hey!” Napansin ng isang babae na mayroong pamilyar sa kanila. “Rhian, is that you?” Agad naman siyang ngumiti saka kinawayan ang mga ito.

“Hey,” tipid niyang pagbati sa mga ito. Tumayo ang ilang sa kanila at nilapitan si Rhian. “Hey! Whatʼs up? Bakit ka narito? Sinong mga kasama mo?” Samuʼt-saring mga tanong ang ibinabato ng mga ito kay Rhian, pero kahit gaano pa karami iyon, nasagot naman niya ang lahat.