FEROX FOREVER 1: Nothing Sinful ✓

Kabanata 01

Abby

"You told me na susunduin mo 'ko." I reined my voice from shouting at Ate Tara over the line. "Ngayon, palalakarin mo lang pala ako?"

"Nagka-emergency lang ano ka ba. Landon is in the hospital right now. Nagkaroon ng shoot out sa sting operation nila sa Malabon. I need to check on him if he's okay," katwiran naman ng nakakatanda kong kapatid.

"Sana sinabi mo kanina pa. You could have just called and notify me during lunch nang sa ganoon ay nakapaghanda ako."

"Don't be stupid, Abby. What happened was unprecedented, you know that. Besides, mag-commute ka na lang."

Hindi ko napigilang mapabuntong-hininga sa screen ng phone ko. "Wala ng bus sa ganitong oras. Bihira rin yung mga taxi na dumadaan rito. God, do you want me to get murdered in the streets? It's so fucking dark!"

"This is the reason why I told you to get a dorm."

"There's no place like home, Ate. And I could never afford one. Fifteen thousand a month yung rent. Saan ako makakapulot n'on?" reklamo ko.

"What I'm referring to is a campus dorm, Abby," she said, tone condescending. "Wait, you sound breathless. Nag-jogging ka ba?"

"Hinabol ako ng aso kanina sa kanto. Your fault."

"Damn it, Abby. Mag-Grab ka na lang o mag-habal."

"Nalimutan kong mag-load. Buti nga ikaw yung tumawag sa 'kin. My phone is getting low "

"Are you guilt-tripping me?"

I chuckled sarcastically. "Is it working?"

"Not cool, Abby. How about this. May kakilala ako d'yan sa Orchard Subdivision. He's a good friend of mine back in college. I could text him to let you stay for the night until tomorrow morning. Susunduin kita mamayang alas-singko."

"Mas pipiliin mo pa talaga yung boyfriend mo kaysa sa mismo mong kapatid."

"I'm sorry for being a horrible sister, Abby, but I promise, I'll make it up to you. Mag-eat out tayo sa Bon Chon sa susunod na Sabado. My treat. It's just that Landon is really in a critical condition right now. He's been stabbed by a junkie they'd been chasing down the block. He needs me more than ever."

I kind of felt bad that I was giving Tara a dilemma. She was right, though. I could manage getting myself to safety in this late hour of the evening. It was just that I was annoyed toward my big sister. "Sige na. Balitaan mo na lang ako kung okay na siya. I hope he makes it."

"Abby," Tara warned. "Ayaw ko 'yang tono mo. Hindi ka pinalaki ni Mama na bastos. I'll be quick. Promise."

I rolled my eyes. "Text me the address please. Sigurado ka na kaibigan mo 'to ha?"

"Yes."

My phone beeped and when I saw the address, I gasped.

"Papapasukin ba ako ng guard sa subdivision na 'to? Parang Beverly Hills or Palm Springs ng Pilipinas 'tong subdivision na 'to."

"Well, they call it the "rich men's village". Just let the guard know that you're there for Noah Wright and he lives in Lot 17, Block 10. Yung five-story na bahay na may palm trees sa harapan."

"Ugh, fine. Kailangan ko pa yatang magpasosyal para makapasok. Mukha akong nasagasaan ng ten-wheeler na truck at kinaladkad ng tricycle sa lagay ko."

"The guard wouldn't care, silly. Basta banggitin mo lang yung pangalan ni Noah at kung bakit ka papasok, you're good to go. Nandito na yung commute ko. I'll talk to you later. Love you."