13

Hindi na nakasagot si Leif. Napalingon kaming lahat nang magbukas ang pintuan ng clinic. Canary is wearing the usual bitch face. She has a cast on her right arm. The doctor explained na hindi niya ito puwedeng igalaw basta-basta. She has to go back every week for therapy.

Nang umalis ang doktor at nurse at maiwan kaming lima sa labas ng clinic ay sandaling katahimikan ang namayani. Lake is just looking at Canary, na mukhang malalim ang iniisip.

We are all waiting for her to talk or to curse us all because of what happened. Leif is just quiet on the side. Nakita ko kanina na sandali silang nagkatinginan ni Canary, na parang in-expect na niya na darating ito.

"I want to kill you but if I do, hindi ko mapapakinabangan ang pinsan mo," Canary finally muttered while looking at Lake. Pagkatapos ay sa amin naman siya tumingin. "I don't know if I should be grateful because of what you did. Kung hindi kayo dumating at nakialam, this mess will not happen."

"You really have a bad mouth," naiiling na comment ni Via. "We saved you from those disgusting monkeys."

Canary smirked. "Saved? Who told you I need to be saved?"

I felt a bit guilty. Na-realize ko na 'yon kanina. Paano kung hindi naman kami nakialam? Paano kung hinayaan na namin siya? Paano kung hindi na ako sumunod doon?

I am the one who started it all. Mukhang ayos naman ang negosasyon nila ni Troy. But they still let her got drunk for money. Paano kung hinalay siya bigla ng mga 'yon? She was so weak that moment.

"Troy has a really bad record. We don't know what he is capable of doing," paliwanag pa rin ni Via. Namumula nang bahagya ang mukha niya sa inis. "And if he did dirty to you, you'll be treated just like a trash na itatapon somewhere."

"And what it has to do with all of you? I mind my own life," matapang na sagot ni Canary. "Isn't it ironic that instead of going home a little drunk, I'm going to suffer from this for how many days? Or even months?"

Sasagot pa sana si Via pero pinisil ko na ang braso niya. We promised to understand whatever Canary will say. She has so much in her head. At sobra akong nagi-guilty dahil sa nangyari. But I still believe na tama lang na nandoon kami.

"Ihahatid kita pauwi," Lake said. "I'm really sorry. Ako ang may kasalanan. I was just so worried nang hindi ka dumating on time."

"I've been thinking what should I do," pahayag ni Canary. Seryoso pa rin ang mukha niya pero tila nabawasan na iyon ng galit. "Since I can't move that much, I need your service."

"What?" naguguluhang tanong ni Via.

"I know you know my dirty work," Canary said. "May natitira pa akong seventeen na kliyente ngayong buwan. At hindi ko sila matututukan dahil dito," at itinuro niya ang nakabendang braso.

"I can pick you up and drop you at the university," ani Lake at nagtaas pa ng kamay. "Hindi ako male-late, promise."

Canary ignored him and pointed at me. "I know you're a scholar. Kaya mong magpuyat at magsagot kaysa kay Via. Sampu sa kliyente ko, madadali lang ang ipinapagawa. I will send it to your email."

She then turned to Via. "And you, seven of my clients who request for a thorough research are all guys. I don't know how will you do it to cancel my service to them but if you cannot use your brain then use what you are proud of."

Namilog ang mga mata ni Via. "Are you telling me to give myself to them?! How dare you treat me like this?"

"Does your brain really can't function well? Just talk to them. Some guys just want to see a beautiful face. At kapag may hindi pumayag, ikaw ang gagawa ng research."

"Why am I taking all the burden?" naiinis na tanong ni Via. Halos mapaiyak siya sa inis. "And who told you I'm going to follow what you said?"

"You know why you should," Canary rolled her eyes. "Kung ayaw mo, si Alice na lang lahat. Maganda rin naman siya nang kaunti."

Nag-init ang pisngi ko sa sinabi niya at itinuro ang sarili ko. "Maganda? Nang kaunti?" Hindi ko alam pero parang bahagya akong nainis.

"I hate to say this but that's the only thing I can think of. Hindi ako puwedeng masira sa mga kliyente ko," sagot ni Canary at napabuntonghininga siya. Bakas sa mga mata niya ang pag-iisip at panghihinayang.

"Okay. Fine. I'll do it," Via said. "But promise me you'll get better."

Tiningnan ito ni Canary at marahang tumango. Then she turned to me again. "Also, ikaw muna ang mag-duty sa computer lab. I can't move in this state. Maybe a week or two. Doon ka na rin maggawa ng ise-send ko."

As much as I wanted to shout and say no, I just nod. Tatanggapin ko na lang para matapos na ang diskusyunan namin.

"What about me? What's my role?" sabat ni Lake. "I can be your personal driver and professional spender for your needs."

"Just don't talk to me," Canary answered. She approached Leif and said, "Puwede mo ba akong ihatid sa sakayan ng taxi?"

All of us is staring at them. Lake's jaw is almost going to drop.

Tumango si Leif at kinuha ang gamit ni Canary. Inalalayan niya ito maglakad. Nakatanaw lang kami habang tinitingnan ang unti unti nilang paglayo.

"Can I punch him on the face tomorrow? Or should I kick him to death later?" kalmado pero inis na pahayag ni Lake.

"What kind of excorcism just happened?" Via said. "Ngayon ko lang narinig si Canary mag-request."

"Maybe that explains a lot," I said. May kung anong kumurot sa dibdib ko. "And that explains we all should be going home, too."