𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝟎𝟏: 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭 (𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃)

𝟑: 𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐈...𝐟𝐞𝐫

     "Tama, may amnesia siya."

     The doctor confirmed that the woman was indeed suffering from amnesia. Nanatiling walang emosyon ang mukha ni Ronin habang nakatingin doon sa babae sa bahagyang nakabukas na pinto ng hospital room. Nothing's new and she's not his problem. Yong mga kamay niya nasa loob parin ng bulsa ng hoodie niya. 

     "'Yong funds ng hospital for these type of patients are short. Medyo marami na ding dinala ang ilog na yun dito. Wala pang balita kung bibigyan tayo ulit ng gobyerno," the doctor told him as if he cares.

     "And?" Binaling niya sa doctor ang mga tingin. 'Yong dalawang nurses sa likuran nito parang naiilang na sa kanya. Well, he can't fake his reactions.

     The doctor sighed in defeat, realizing he couldn't persuade the man to take the patient with him. 

     "Bakit mo siya dinala dito Mr. Foster? At bakit ka pa nandito? You seem uninterested." The doctor's tone gradually shifted into a more casual tone. His patience is wearing thin despite his attempts to maintain composure.

     'Right. Bakit nga ba?' Ronin thought.

     Hindi naman nakasagot si Ronin kaya umalis na lamang ang doctor sa harap niya.

     That doctor is starting to grow gray hair. Tumatanda na ito sa kaka-manage ng hospital. Iniwan na siya ng lahat ng mga kasama dahil sa wala namang magbabago sa buhay nila kung mananatili sila sa maliit na hospital na yun. He turned down tons of opportunities because he wanted to die serving his hometown. 

     Mathara is just there listening to her surroundings. It's making her uncomfortable that Ronin is darting her sharp stares as he enters that room. O baka, ganun lang talaga ang mukha niya, strict tignan. Umalis na ang doctor at nanatili parin siyang nalilito sa mga bagay bagay.

     "Who are you?" tanong niya ulit sa lalaki. Ronin just looked away and turned the tv on matapos kunin nag remote in a bored manner. Lilibangin niya lang si Mathara para makaalis siya. But then, the news took his attention instead. 'Yong remote mahigpit parin ang pagkakahawak niya dito. 

     Nakatayo lang siya sa gilid ng kama mga pitong hakbang mula sa dalaga.

     "Breaking news! Death Devil is dead--" Parang nag-whistle ang pandinig niya. 

     'It can't be. Hindi nila basta basta mapapatay si Death Devil,' sigaw ng isip niya. 

     Without any more words, he left the hospital room. Walking distance lang ang bahay na tinutuluyan niya mula sa hospital. Maliit lang ang bahay na yun pero sementado at fully furnished. May isang kwarto lang at halos iisa lang ang sala at kusina. The house is a mess too. Well, as expected for a man living alone.

     Pagbukas ng pinto bumungad agad sa kanya ang maliit niyang board na nakapaskil sa pader, malapit iyon sa pinto ng kwarto. Maraming mga pictures at newspapers na naka-pin doon. The interior of the house appeared dim, with the only light coming from the open door casting a focused light on that board. Coincidentally, the light highlighted a blurry photo of Death Devil in her full attire.

     Lumapit siya dito at tumabon ang anino niya sa litrato. Marahas niya itong kinuha kaya napunit ang bandang itaas nito dahil sa pin. 

     "Hindi ako naniniwalang patay ka na. I will hunt you down. Sisiguraduhin kong aamin ka sa harap ko na ikaw ang may pakana ng sunog," nanggigigil na saad niya. He crumbled that photo with that same hand he used to snatch the photo from the board.

     Yes, he isn't sure but his instinct is telling him that she is. Para sa kanya, palabas lang at pagkukunwari ang pagkamatay ng serial killer.

     Bago niya masimulan ang hunt na sinasabi niya, kailangan niya ng magbabantay sa bahay niya. He doesn't want to leave his house uncertain about when he might return. Baka masira ito dahil walang nag-aalaga. And he knows exactly kung sino ang pababantayin nya dito. Some sort of a payment for saving that woman's life.

     Kinabukasan.

     "Are you sure?" The doctor was hesitant about Ronin's offer. His eyebrows are furrowed in confusion. At the same time he is surprised.

     "I just need someone to take care of my house while I'm away," he confirmed with a sense of boredom in his tone. "Hindi ko din siya pipigilang umalis kung may kapamilyang kukuha sa kanya. It's temporary."

     "Well, thank you?" Hindi parin makapaniwala ang doctor. "She will be released after this week," dagdag ng doktor bago umalis.

     "Hoy, ikaw," he called for Mathara. Mathara pointed at herself, wearing a questioning expression, seeking confirmation if he was indeed calling for her. "Oo, ikaw." Nabanas naman agad si Ronin. Mabilis siyang ma-irita lalo na pag nag-uulit siya.

     "Anong kailangan mo?" tanong naman ni Mathara. Her voice mirrored the same cold and bored tone as his. Mukang nakahanap na siya ng katapat.

     "I will be taking you in, temporarily."

     "And do I have to say thank you?" she asked sarcastically. "And what makes you think I consent?" Hindi man maalala ni Mathara ang sarili nanatili naman ang kanyang pag-uugali. 

     "I don't need your consent. I saved your life. Mas malaki ang utang mo sa akin compared sa ipapagawa ko sayo," inis na tugon ni Ronin sa sarcasm nito. "At-- hindi mo maalala pangalan mo diba? I can call you whatever I want."

     Mathara felt it is not necessary to respond. She easily grew bored with meaningless conversations. Masakit pa ang ulo niyang naka-bandage pati katawan. She preferred to conserve her energy for healing rather than engaging in a fight with this stranger.

     Ronin looked at her and thought of a name. 

     'Stubborn and sarcastic,' Ronin thought, crossing his arms slowly. 'She doesn't seem grateful for my help. I wonder what name suits that attitude.'

     "Sino ka ba? I've been asking you this simula nung nagising ako." Biglang binuka ni Mathara ang bibig. Nabibingi siya sa katahimikan at naiilang sa masasamang tingin ni Ronin sa kanya.

     "Ronin," sagot nito still busy thinking about names for her.

     'HELLary,' he thought smirking. Mathara only gave him furrowed eyebrows as he kept staring at her. 

     'Nope, too cringe. She's a demon. Oh, what about Devil.' Nawala ang nanunuyang ngisi niya nang maalala si Death Devil. 'Nope, baka anong gawin ko sa kanya.'

     "Alam ko na," napataas pa ang isang kamay niya na para bang naka-isip ng 'great idea'. "I'll just call you Luci--," he said with a mocking look on his face. "--fer," he whispered in continuation.

TakahashiKazumi2024