Paper Memories

Chapter 25-II

Chapter 25-II

"Dapat hindi ka na sumabay sakin dito, may kukunin lang ako saglit." I told Nabi as we struggle to find the old backdrops and stunt props in the art dept storage room." Hindi ka naman nakaassign sa props, if I need help I'll just ask from the theater crew."

"...I want to be with you."

"You're flattering me, babalik naman ako kaagad."

"I'm bored there! Tinatamad ako sumali sa rehearsal." Nabi pouted an explanation, insisting to be my side ." Ikaw ang hindi ko maintindihan, ang rami mong ginagawa para sa play ni Kiera."

I glance at her as I dust the box." Commision yung ibang pinapagawa nila."

"Kahit bayad yun marami pa rin yung pinapagawa sayo..."

"Hindi lang yun, I also get to spend time with someone."

"I doubt your boyfriend is good with arts." A genuine expression of frustration showed in her face. She thinks its Percival. Nabi then forcibly try to grab a box that is stuck in corner of the metal shelf." I never see your pictures with him online or your phone's wallpaper, sa school mo lang siya hilig ibalandra. Just what is so good about that man, huh?"

I fell quiet, I let the silence tells Nabi I'm offended...

Hindi ko siya pinansin. Bumalik na lang ako sa paghahanap hanggang dulo ng storage, habang si Nabi basta-basta pa ang pagtatanggal ng mga kahon. Pero hindi man lang tinitingnan ang nasa loob. I watch her in discomfort, she just madly continue to do things as if she already lost her mind.

Saka bigla akong nakarinig ako na langitngit ng bakal...

"Do you hea----Get away from there, Nabi!!"

"Don't talk to me any way you wa---------"

I managed to grab her away before the shelves full of heavy materials and dust banged loudly in the ground. Nagtutuloy na ring madamay ang mga katabing estante, hanggat lahat sila magbagsakan sa sahig. The dust went inside my eyes---I couldn't move.

But atleast Nabi is safe in my arms.

If Nabi wasn't this small, she would be crushed before I had the chance to save her. I feel as if I almost stop breathing. Kaso kung ako ganto na hindi kakomportable bigla kong naramdaman kung gaano manginig si Nabi habang nasa kamay ko siya.

"W-we need to get out, Sheena! I-I'll call my friends, ah hindi! Yung theater arts. Kasalanan nila bakit nandito tayo!" Taranta sigaw sa akin ni Nabi.Bumalik na naman ang ugali niyang ayaw ko. Napabitaw ako sa kanya. Mangiyak-ngiyak pa siya habang nag-d-dial sa kanya smartphone." Alam kong wala kang kaibigan kaya ako gagawa! Mas masikip at madilim na dito, we're trapped!"

"Calm down, Nabi..."

"Why aren't you taking this seriously?!"

"I need a plan to think, makakalabas din tayo." Bulong sa kanya saka dahan-dahang tumayo. The racks toppled on one another, lifting it isn't a one-person job and the gap between the poles is too small for anyone to fit it." You're already calling for help, maghintay na lang tayo."

She clench her teeth, tinalikuran niya ako." Come on, answer..."

I can't waste my energy like her, but I can't help but be flooded with irritation for Nabi instead. Kaya pinapagpasyahan kong maupo sa gilid ng storage room. Pinanood ko si Nabi kung paano siya magmakaawa ng tulong sa iba. I can't help but sigh thinking of how stupid we are." You already called...Tama na, Nabi. Masyadong kang praning."

"I'm going to ask you again---how can you be so calm?!"

"Ikaw anong kailangan mo para kumalma? Drugs?"