Ceaseless Fire

Chapter 32

Chapter 32
Together

I knew it myself. I fell for his trap, but I just can't be trapped and do nothing. I need to try and get out. I need to break the barriers that keep me from coming out.

"I can't come with you," I told him.

Sumandal naman siya sa kanyang kinauupuan at saka nagtaas ng kilay sa akin bago humalukipkip.

"And what is your excuse this time?" he challenged me.

"I don't have a passport," I stated. "It's not an excuse, but a fact."

"That's not a problem at all," he said and was very calm about it. "I know someone from the Department of Foreign Affairs. I can set you a schedule tomorrow immediately and you don't need to fall in line anymore. You can have your passport in just three days. And for our visas, I'll also ask someone I know to handle it. There's nothing to worry about."

Hindi ako makapaniwala. Sobrang bilis niyang makaisip ng paraan at solusyon. It seemed like he perfectly planned everything before telling me about the trip.

"Magpapaalam ako kina Tita Edna at Tito Franco," sabi ko sa kanya.

"Ako na ang magpapaalam para sa'yo," pagp-prisinta niya.

Maagap naman akong umiling. "Ako na. Hindi ka naman nila kilala," sabi ko.

"What I mean to say is, sasamahan kita sa pagpapaalam mo sa kanila. I need to go home at Bela Isla before we fly to Japan. May kailangan akong asikasuhin doon ng madalian," pagpapaliwanag niya. "I'll go home with you."

Napakunot naman ang aking noo. "Hindi ako uuwi."

Nanatili namang naninimbang ang kanyang titig habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Sa pagkakaalam ko'y nasabi ko na 'to sa'yo," sabi ko. "Ayaw ko nang umuwi hangga't maaari."

"You need to go home," he insisted.

"Pwede naman akong magpaalam sa tawag. Tatawagan ko na lang sila. Hindi ko na kailangang bumalik pa ng Bela Isla," sabi ko sa kanya.

"Believe me, Naiyah. You really need to go home," he said.

Mas lalo namang napakunot ang aking noo. "Kung kinakailangan kong umuwi ng Bela Isla dahil uuwi ka roon at kailangang kasama mo ako ay hindi mo ako mapapasama."

"That's not it, Iyah." He sat up straight and pointed to the paper that the HR head gave me. "You need to complete your requirements. Kailangan mong umuwi. If I'm not mistaken, one of your requirements is your Transcript of Records. I think you are well aware that BICC only gives TORs to their students or their alumni personally. Kahit kamag-anak mo pa ang kumuha ay hindi nila ibibigay."

Mabilis ko namang binasa ang mga requirements at nang mamataan ko ang sinasabi ni Drew ay alam kong wala na akong kawala. Of course... It's one of the most basic requirements in applying for a job. Why haven't I thought about it?

"I'll ask the HR head to extend the deadline for your requirements," sabi pa niya. "Next, next week na tayo umuwi ng Bela Isla. I'll be with you, so you don't have to worry about anything."

Is there really nothing to worry about? Kinagat ko naman ang aking ibabang labi.

But I know I can't run away forever. Babalik at babalik akong Bela Isla. Doon ako lumaki. It's my hometown and even though that place left a big scar on my soul, it will always have a place in my heart.

"Anyway, I've set a lunch appointment with Walter and Kriesha later. I know you want to see them. They will both come..." Drew suddenly said that made me raise my gaze at him again. "But I didn't tell them that you're here in Manila, yet."