Paper Memories

Chapter 7-II

Chapter 7-II

Even when I stepped down the taxi, I have no idea what Percival is up to. Halos maasar ulit ako ni Nabi at ni Ricos dahil sa kanya. Parang naman kasi akong clingy and overthinker na girlfriend kanina. I already tried calling even on the ride home---he did not answer.

Baka busy sya, o baka nga nagtatampo.

Maya-maya habang naglalakad, naramdaman kong parang may sumusunod sakin.

I'm sure it's not Percival, so I walk in another direction. I am not used to this path, but I decided to continue walkin. I'd regret it more if I turned back. Marami namang light post sa madadaanan ko, kahit maraming mga pasikot-sikot dun. Napalayo pa ako ng tuluyan sa Main Street.

I was about to turn my head to look if I'm reallt being followed. But the stench of alcohol greeted me instead. May nag-iinuman sa kanto, parang may sariling mundo, barkada ng mga lalake, nagkakasiyahan, malapit lang sa akin---Napansin nila ako.

"Miss! Lalayo pa to, dito ka na samin!"

"I don't know any of you..."

"May binubulong ka ba? May oras kaming kilalanin ka, Senyorita." Dalawa sa kanila ang mabilis na humarang sa akin. I knowhey won't take no for an answer." Di mo naman kailangang mapressure mamili samin. Willing to share kami sayo."

I clutch my bag." Aalis na ako..."

One man grabbed my arm."Huwag ka ng pakipot, dapat nga masaya kang may kasama ka na. Mukhang ang lungkot-lungkot mo."

"Hoy, mga baliw 'to. Kadiri ka kaya tingnan. Pangit-pangit mo." Sabat ng isang may katangkarang lalake na puno ng tattoo. He has a goofy drunk face as he seems to try to scold his friends." Mangbabae pa kayo wala naman kayo pera, paalisin niyo yan."

"Killjoy din 'tong loko." Balik lang ng kasamahan niya.

I need help, pero pinangunahan ako ng bibig ko." Putangina niyo, tigilan niya ako."

"Tarantado, paingles-ingles ka pa kanina mabaho rin pala bibig mo." A man who acts as if he's their leader intervened, naghagis siya ng bote sa direksyon na nagpagulat saming lahat."Tutal kaya mo naman itindihin kami palamig-lamigin mo pa utak ko para hindi ka sakin malintikan."

You can't really choose choices or consent. But I did what I must. What I can." Then...Let's just end it this way. Sorry, kailangan ko lang dumaan dito at makauwi."

They were instantly pleased. Aside from that hot-headed man, the wonders of money sit best with lots of them. It's a check signed by my name.I was pathetic trying to put up a fight when I could just do this.Pero nanlamig ako sa mga sunod na sinabi nila. "Meron pang mas ilalaki to diba?"

"Halatang mayaman ka, ano naman ngayon?"

"Kinuha ng kaibigan mo yung tseke! You're not satisfied?!"

Their leader yet snapped at me again, he got up from the table and yank my arm harshly. Inaawat na siya ng manyakis at kapwa niyang lasenggong kaibigan pero hindi siya bumibitaw." Punyeta yang ugali mo, kababaeng tao mo akala kung sino ka dahil lang may pera ka?"

I need to be saved.Percival.Anyone.

May napansin akong may katakarang lalake na nagmamasid sa malayo. Malamang napadaan lang. Pero bakit nakukuha niyang manood lang? Nasa madilim na parte siya ng patay sinding ilaw ng streetligh. With a scrunched and stoic face, he just inhaled from his long stick of cigarette. He evaded his gaze when our eyes met.

Hindi niya ba akong tutulungan?