Stay Awake (ORIGINAL DRAFT)

Chapter Twelve: Back to Oblivion

Chapter Twelve: Back to Oblivion

Well, not everything. But fragments--bits and pieces of what happened that night.

I was at the club with my friends, just dancing to the beat of some generic pop song blasting through the speakers. I remember one of my friends said that a girl named Pauline will be playing that night. I didn't care back then, I just want to party all night and get wasted.

Lumayo ako sa kanila saglit para kumuha ng drinks pero habang naglalakad ako, may nabangga akong middle-aged man na may mga dalang papeles. Muntik na nga akong matawa nu'ng mga oras na 'yon dahil he looked so out of place. Tinulungan ko siyang damputin 'yung mga dala niya na kumalat sa sahig.

Then I argued with him about something. It wasn't just a simple argument.. I got so angry that I shouted in his face. We practically made a scene, and the security guards dragged us outside. I can recall that moment clearly.

The only problem is, I can't remember the reason why we argued in the first place. The reason that had started it all. It seems really important. I know it is.

But that's the one thing I can't remember.

Nakaramdam ako bigla ng matinding frustration. Ugh. Kung ano pa 'yung importante, iyon pa 'yung hindi ko maalala. SIguro kailangan ko nang mag-delete ng mga useless things sa utak ko. If only I could do that.

Bumalik ako sa MOA Arena nang sakto sa oras. Pero unfortunately, wala pa 'yung mga kasama ko. Seriously, ano bang ginagawa nila sa loob ng mall para magtagal sila nang ganito? Nag-set pa kami ng meeting time tapos hindi naman pala masusunod.

Wow. Now I'm getting grumpy.

Naghintay pa ko for another ten minutes, at dumating na rin sila sa wakas. Kinausap ko kaagad sila tungkol sa parte ng memory na natatandaan ko.

"I'm not even aware na pwede ka palang magka-amnesia dahil sa sobrang kalasingan," I tell them pagkatapos kong magkuwento. Their faces are showing signs of seriousness.. But also disbelief.

"It's possible," Ian says. Nakasuot siya ng long-sleeve shirt at jeans. "Pero kung alcohol lang talaga 'yung dahilan, dapat kahapon pa bumalik 'yung mga memories natin."

"Wait... Natin?" Andre asks, pulling at his white shirt.

Ian nods. "Yes. Wala ka ring natatandaan about sa nangyari nu'ng gabing iyon, diba?" When Andre didn't answer, nagpatuloy siya sa pagsasalita. "Dalawang baso ng beer lang 'yung ininom ko. Akala ko dahil lang sa low tolerance ko sa alcohol kung bakit wala akong matandaan pero... Ngayon alam ko na."

"Bakit ngayon mo lang 'to sinabi sa amin?" Holly asks in a serious tone. There's no suspicion in her voice... She's just merely curious.

So am I.

"Because I'm trying to find a reason kung bakit wala akong matandaan," Ian answers. "Wala rin namang nagsasalita sa inyo about sa events that night so hindi na rin ako nagsalita... Until now."

Felicity tosses her hair. "So ngayon, lahat tayo ay may mysterious case ng memory loss," she says. "Anong gagawin natin ngayon?"

"We need to find a car," sabi ko. "And then we'll go back to Oblivion."

Andre makes a strangled noise. "Again? Nakalimutan niyo na ba kung anong nangyari nu'ng huli nating punta doon?" He scowls.

"This is the only way," Holly insists. There's an urgency in her voice, like she wants to get this over with as soon as possible.

Me too, Holly. Me too.

"If we want to save the humanity once and for all, we need to stick with Jared's plan," Ian says. Then he gives me a smile. "It's a good one."

I smile back at him.

"It's settled, then. We're going back to Oblivion," Felicity says, her voice dripping with fake enthusiasm. Muntik na akong matawa dahil sa kanya.

"Where will we find a new ride?" tanong ni Andre. Sabay-sabay kaming tumingin sa paligid kung saan may mga iilang kotse na naka-park.

"May mga kotse na dito," Ian answers with a grin. "All you have to do is make a choice."

A slow smile spreads across Andre's face.

*****

We ended up taking a red Toyota Highlander as our new ride. Since the car was Andre's choice, he gets to drive it.

"Do you really know how to drive this thing?" Holly asks him when we get inside the car. She's at the back of the driver's seat and she's currently giving Andre a suspicious look.

"Of course, Holly," Andre answers with a wink. "Trust me, I know what I'm doing." In-start na niya 'yung makina ng kotse. The owner is nowhere to be seen but luckily, iniwan niya 'yung susi sa ignition.

Felicity rolls her eyes. Then she turns to Holly who is sitting right beside her. "You shouldn't have asked him about his capability to drive a car. Mas lalo lang akong nawalan ng tiwala dahil sa sagot niya, eh."

Tumawa lang si Andre, then he starts to drive.

"Do you guys want some music or something?" tanong niya sa amin pagkatapos ng ilang minuto. "Naiwan din nu'ng owner ng sasakyan 'yung iPhone niya dito."

Ian nods. Nasa pinakaunahan din siya ng kotse, katabi si Andre. "Sure."

"No way," Holly scowls. "I hate music."

Nagsimulang mag-argue sina Andre at Holly about sa importance of music in our daily lives pero hindi ko na sila pinakinggan pa. Isinandal ko na lang yung ulo ko sa headrest at pumikit. Dahil mag-isa lang ako sa pinakalikod na parte ng kotse, ignoring my companions is easy.

Nanatili ako sa ganitong posisyon for the duration of the whole ride, my mind drifting somewhere else. Bumalik lang ako sa reality nang biglang tumigil 'yung kotse.

We're here. Sweet.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" tanong ni Andre nang makalabas kami ng kotse. "Can't we just go straight to Plan B?"

"There is no Plan B," Holly says. "Unless may idea ka."

"Uhm," Nag-isip saglit si Andre. "Go home?"

Holly huffs.

"Let's go inside. Huwag na tayong mag-sayang ng oras," sambit ni Ian. He seems on edge. Well, hindi ko siya masisisi. Hindi naman kasi naging maganda 'yung experience namin dito.

Kung pwede lang sanang umatras. Kung pwede lang sana na manatili na lang kami sa mga bahay namin at maghintay ng ibang tao na pwedeng magligtas ng mundo. We're just a bunch of teenagers. Hindi dapat kami ang gumagawa nito.

Pero... We're the only ones awake. Just like Holly said, there is no Plan B. It's either kumilos kami or pabayaan na lang namin 'yung buong mundo sa ganitong kalagayan.

I can't do that. Especially with my brother missing.

I take a deep breath, then inunahan ko na 'yung mga kasama ko sa paglalakad. My heart is beating so fast I'm certain that it will fall out of my chest. Ugh.

What if there are other....monsters lurking inside?

I put my palm against the cold and flat surface of the door. Then I push it open.

Muntik na akong matumba dahil sa bumungad sakin.

The club is completely empty.