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Chapter 3: New town, new friends.
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2024-10-29 19:42:56KATANA.
Kuya introduced me the people earlier. The three dudes are Jerome, Neil and Santi. They were my brother's friends back then and they kept in touch all through these years that passed. They also remembered me when I was still a kid when even I, myself, don't. They even stayed for a sleepover dahil miss na miss daw nila ang isa't-isa.
Ang babae naman kanina, si Nana Neli, she was my brother's nanny and Ynah is her daughter. They were also the ones who took care of the house when we were in Manila so they lived here for almost 16 years.
Kaya naman nag-desisyon si Kuya na hindi na sila paalisin pa. I mean, it's a win-win situation. Walang bahay sina Nana Neli kaya pabor sa kanila iyon. Kami naman ni Kuya, magkakaroon kami ng kasama. Nana Neli was even more than willing to work for us dahil napakarami raw naitulong ng pamilya namin sa kanila. Turns out, Mamala gave Ynah a scholarship kaya napaka-thankful ni Nana Neli.
I didn't know how that night ended but I laid in my bed with a smile. Pakiramdam ko, muli kaming nagkaroon ng pamilya.
The next day, I woke up late. Akala ko nga ako na lang ang hindi pa gising but when I went out of my door, the door across the hallway opened as well. Lumabas mula roon sila Kuya at ang tatlo niya pang tropa... na topless.
Okay....
They said they'll have a sleepover— but I didn't know they meant it literally!
I stared at them with wide eyes and Kuya stared back at me as if he's already defending himself.
"W-What the hell did you guys... do...?" mahina kong sabi habang nanlalaki ang mga mata.
Kuya's eyes widened and so did the rest of the guys'. Para silang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig dahil namigas silang lahat sa tapat ng pinto.
"What the fuck, Katana?!" defensive na sigaw ni Kuya. "Ang dumi ng isip mo!"
My eyes widened. "Well, it's not my fault you guys are topless..." I trailed off and eyed them from head to toe. "...and all sweaty and shit," I added.
All of their eyes widened. Santi even covered his body as if I'm harassing him and the two guys wore their shirts on.
"It was just a fucking sleepover!" sigaw ni Kuya.
I dramatically put my hand on my mouth with still wide eyes. "Nagtabi-tabi ba kayo?!"
"Lah!" sigaw ni Jerome at tinuro ako gamit ang nangangatal na kamay. "Hindi, 'no! Nag-kamustahan lang kami kagabi kaya rito na rin kami nakatulog!"
"Weh?"
"It was just a sleepover!" muling sabi ni Kuya kaya napatawa ako.
"I know. I was just joking, chill," sagot ko na nagpatawa kila Jerome at Neil.
"This girl's crazy," Santi muttered behind me when I continued walking down the hallway.
Nang lingunin ko siya ng may matalas na paningin, he pretended like nothing and looked up at the ceiling.
Sabay-sabay kaming bumaba matapos no'n at nadatnan namin sa kusina ang mag-ina na naghahanda ng almusal. After greeting each other, we all started eating.
And for the nth time, muli ko na namang naalala sina Mamala at ang dati naming buhay noon.
Sabay-sabay din kaming kumakain noon... at ni minsan ay hindi ko naisip na aabot kami sa punto na wala na siya.
Mamala wandered around the world for 86 years— and if I was given a choice, I'd rather die before the day she did so I won't live without her.
Nang matapos kaming kumain, nag-aya sina Santi papunta sa downtown. At first, I refuse to go. Gusto ko pa rin kasing ipakita kay Kuya na hindi pa rin ako kumbinsido sa pagtira namin dito. Pero hindi ko alam kung anong ritwal ang ginawa sa akin ni Santi dahil napapayag niya 'ko.
Dahil linggo ngayon, bukas daw ang amusement park. Mamayang gabi naman, magbubukas ang perya. That's why they all decided to spend this day to tour us around Terryn.
We all went to downtown using Santi's family's van dahil hindi kami kasya sa kotse ni Kuya.
Nang makarating doon, saglit muna kaming naupo sa mga benches dahil may hinihintay pa daw sila Kuya. Not too long after, may lumapit sa aming dalawang lalaki. One of them was just a bit taller than me (beacuse everyone else is way way taller than me— even Ynah), but his enthusiasm was as high as kite. The other one, on the other hand, looked stiff and intimidating. Tuloy ng ipakilala sila sa akin ni Kuya na mga kaibigan niya pa raw, I only greeted Daryl (the jolly one) back.
"Katana," Daryl mentioned my name as we walked towards one of the booths. We were walking side by side while Jeran (the guy with him), was behind us. Ynah and the rest of the gang are also having their own world ahead of us. "I should call you Espada, don't you think?"
I snorted. "Manahimik ka."
He chuckled lightly. "Cool kaya 'yon. Espada. Katana... they're both swords!"
"Walang nagsabing hindi," sagot ko na ikinanguso niya.
Nang marating namin ang booth ng mga pagkain, bumili kami ng kung ano-ano. Tulad na naman kanina, Daryl accompanied me and Kuya was on their own group. Jeran was also behind us, eating in silence.
That day continued. Naglibot-libot kami sa park at nag-try ng kung ano-anong laro. Nang sumapit ang lunch, saglit kaming kumain sa isang fast food chain at muling nagpatuloy sa paglilibot. Nang lumubog naman ang araw, we rode different rides and it was damn enjoyable. We even went to a horror house and I was laughing the whole time because Daryl kept on screaming like a damn girl beside me. He even hugged me twice! I thought it was just his moves but when I felt how fast his heartbeat was, I couldn't stop teasing him about it.
Nang lumabas kami sa horror house, alas-sais na ng gabi. Nagpaalam si Ynah sa nanay niya na rito pa rin kami kakain kaya hindi na raw naghanda ng pagkain sa bahay si Nana Neli.
Dahil doon, dumeretso na kami sa isang simpleng restaurant sa bandang dulo ng park. Nagulat pa nga ako ng kawayan ako ng isa sa mga waitress na hula ko ay mas bata sa akin. Turns out, it was Santi she was waving at. Nasa likod ko pala ang gago at pinsan niya ang babaeng kumakaway.
After settling ourselves in one of the largest table, we ordered our food. While waiting, I wandered my eyes around the whole restaurant. Hindi ko mapigilang mamangha dahil kahit simple, maganda ang interior ng buong lugar. Halos lahat ng kulay ay magagandang tingnan sa isa't-isa.
"I think I know the guy... but the girl beside him is unfamiliar. Girlfriend siguro," rinig kong bulong ng kung sinumang babae sa likod ng mesa namin.
Are they referring to us?
"Oo nga eh," rinig kong sabi ng isa pang boses. "Jeran and Santi are there. They're probably friends with the guy."
So they're talking about us...
Tumingin ako sa likod ko, and my eyes met one of the girl's eyes. But instead of looking away, she just smiled at me as she stood up.
Eh?
I watched her as she walked towards our table. Sumunod din sa kanya ang babaeng kasama niya pa. Nang makalapit, she stood between Jerome and Neil and looked at my brother.
"Hey," the girl greeted.
Jerome was the first one who greeted back. "Hey, Belle," he said. Dahil doon ay nakumpira kong magkakakilala sila. "'Sup?"
"I'm with Sandra," the 'Belle' said, pointing the other girl behind her. "We were just wondering who these guys are."
She was looking at me and Kuya, so she's probably pertaining to us. However, no one spoke up. Kung hindi pa tumayo si Kuya para magpakilala, mukhang walang papansin sa dalawang bagong dating.
Nakita kong nagningning ang mga mata no'ng Belle nang tumayo si Kuya, lalo na ng ilahad niya pa ang kamay nito sa kanya.
"I'm Karlos," bulalas ni Kuya, biglang nahulog ang ngiti ni Belle. "Karlos Miguel."
I didn't know why it amused me, pero pinanood ko ng maigi si Belle. Parang may naalala siya bigla sa pangalan ni Kuya.
"I-Isabelle," sagot niya kay Kuya at nakipag-shakehands ng mabilis dito. "Nagkakilala na tayo noon."
Neil suddenly laughed. "Oo! Siya 'yong sumapak sa 'yo noon!"
Napahalakhak ako. Napalingon tuloy sa akin ang mga tao sa mesa kaya saglit akong natigil.
Isabelle suddenly landed her gaze on me. She gave me a questioning stare before looking back at my bro. "Girlfriend mo?"
My smile fell, and the whole table fell silent. Isabelle suddenly felt the silence, so she looked around and smiled awkwardly.
Kuya cleared his throat and pointed at my direction. "She's Katana Miguel, my sister."
Isabelle and 'Sandra' looked surprised. While I, on the other hand, suddenly felt annoyance inside me. Pagkamalan ba naman akong shota ng sarili kong kapatid!
Psh!
Just when I thought my day would end great.
Bab terkait
The Runners Chapter 4: Run.
KATANA.Days went by smoothly at namalayan ko na lang ay pumapasok na ulit ako sa school. Si Kuya ang umasikaso ng lahat at tulad ko, nag-aaral siya ulit. He's pursuing his course in Manila— engineering. Habang ako, Grafe 12 student.Nagkaroon ako ng ilang kaibigan sa eskwelahan, pero ang pinaka-close sa akin ay si Santi at Daryl. Daryl and I are classmates— unfortunately. And he just wouldn't stop pestering my life. Maging si Santi ay tuwang-tuwa kapag pinag-ti-trip-an ako.Mga siraulo.I remember this one time na kinuhanan kami ng dugo ng school. I didn't know what it was for pero sabi, requirement daw ng eskwelahan. I was scared of needles kaya matagal na pilitan ang nangyari. Matapos no'n, hindi na 'ko tinigilan ng dalawa. Maghapon ata nila akong inasar tungkol doon.Unti-unti ko na ring nagugustuhan ang pagtira namin ni Kuya rito dahil tulad nina Mamala at Mommy, napaka-maalaga ni Nana Neli sa amin. Parati n
The Runners Chapter 5: A helping hand and a monster.
KATANA.Hindi ko na napansin kung nasaang parte na ako ng perya. Pero ang unang pumasok sa isip ko ay ang tumakbo patungo sa parking lot sa pag-aasam na naroon sina Kuya at hinihintay ako.On my way there, I saw long metal pipes on the ground— probably some parts of one of the unavailable rides. I didn't know what has gotten into me but I picked two of the pipes and continued running. Minsan pa akong napapalingon sa likod ko but whenever I do, halos bumigay ang mga tuhod ko sa tuwing nakikita ko ang mga mapupulang mata ng mga taong humahabol sa amin.Saka ko lang din napansin na marami ring mga sugat ang mga humahabol sa amin. Puno sila ng mga dugo at parang bali-bali na ang mga buto. It was as if... they were zombies...No...That can't be...I shrugged the thoughts off my head and continued running. Nang marating ko ang parking lot, naiiyak akong nagpa-ikot-ikot sa pwesto ko para hanapin sina Kuya."KAT
The Runners Chapter 6: Plan.
KATANA.The woman on top of me was like a maniac. She was trying hard to bite my neck but I was also giving my all to fight back. And although her eyes scare the hell out of me, I tried my best to get her off of me."KATANA!" I heard Jeran's voice, pero hindi ko maigalaw ang ulo ko para tingnan siya dahil sa ginang na nasa ibabaw ko."Help me!” sigaw ko habang umiiyak at pilit na inilalayo ang mukha ng babae sa akin. "Jeran!"The woman was really eager to hurt me, but as her head hung lower down my neck, a long pipe hit her head and she flew away like a bird that was hit by a stone in an instant.Imbis na tumayo ako kaagad, napatitig lang ako sa maitim na langit habang umiiyak. Kung hindi pa ako hinila ng dalawang pares ng kamay, hindi ako makakatayo kaagad."Katana! Katana!" Jeran called out as he tapped my cheeks nonstop. Pero imbis na pansinin siya ay napaiyak lang ako ng napaiyak.The woma
The Runners Chapter 7: Saving Jehanna (Part 1)
Everyone agreed on my plan, so the first step we should do now is to go home.Usually, it will only take us twenty minutes to go home from the amusement park. But the road was, unfortunately, in disaster right now and it's taking us long. Right now, we've been in this van for half an hour already.When I peeked outside the window, it was the same view.There were cars everywhere. Lahat ay nakahinto at nakaharang sa kalsada. Ang iba ay nakabukas, senyales na wala na ang may-ari sa loob, habang ang iba ay nag-aapoy na.The owners of the cars probably left in a hurry, or maybe... they're already dead undead.Yes.It's hard to explain, but that's that.If you were bitten, you should be dead, but you wouldn't, so you'll be undead because you're no longer alive.Get it?Even I, myself, don't understand it.
The Runners Chapter 8: Saving Jehanna (Part 2)
KATANA.It was probably because of adrenaline, but whatever his reasons are, I want to shove Jerome's face off the ground for making such a dumb move.I tried to stop him— both Jeran and I did— but he was so eager to save his sister that he didn't even thought of what might happen next when he attacked the zombie on top of Jehanna, unarmed."Tangina!" sigaw ko nang siya naman ang dakmain ng zombie. "Ang bobo, ampota! Susugod-sugod, wala namang armas!" galit kong bulalas at naghanap ng maaring gawing panlaban.I wandered my eyes around the dark alley to look for something I could use as a weapon, but the dim light from a distance wasn't enough for me to see things clearly. Mabuti na lang at inabutan na ako ni Jeran ng isang mahabang kahoy. Nang tingnan ko kung ano ang hawak niya, nakahinga ako nang maluwag ng makitang isa iyong mahabang tubo na gawa sa bakal."You go get Jehanna
The Runners Chapter 9: Who's to blame?
KATANA.The whole van smelled blood and dirt and sweat, but no one's complaining about it.Even Belle and Sandra were quiet about it— at nakakapanibago iyon dahil sobrang aarte nila.We were just silent as my brother drove the car, and it was the type of silence that's calming.I was leaning on my seat and my gaze is outside. Tulad ng mga naunang nadaanan namin, magulo na ang kalsadang tinatahak namin pauwi. Nagkalat ang mga nag-aapoy na kotse at dugo sa paligid, at nakakatakot iyong tingnan."G-Guys..." Ynah suddenly uttered, breaking the silence. All of us turned our heads towards her direction, ready to listen for what she might say. "W-What if the zombies already reached our neighborhood?" she asked, voice's trembling and eyes are brimming with tears. "P-Pa'no si Nanay? Pa'no kung... pinasok 'yong bahay tapos... tapos...""Ynah..." Neil called out. "'Wag ka munan
The Runners Chapter 10: Here's the scheme.
KATANA.11 PM nang makarating kami sa bahay.Bago kami tuluyang bumaba ng van, siniguro muna naming walang mga zombie ang nasa paligid ng bahay bago kami pumasok sa loob. Dahan-dahan lang din ang bawat galaw namin sa takot na baka hindi na si Nana Neli ang maabutan namin doon.Ynah was offended by that, of course, pero wala siyang magawa. It's better safe than sorry, after all.Thankfully, si Nana Neli pa rin naman ang naabutan namin sa bahay. Nag-panic pa siya ng makita ang mga itsura namin dahil wala pa pala siyang alam sa nangyayari sa labas. Nahirapan din kaming magpaliwanag sa kanya dahil iniisip niyang nababaliw na kami."Nana, totoo po ang sinasabi namin!" Kuya blurted out with a frown, face-palming himself. "Sa tingin niyo po ba gagawa kami ng ganoo
The Runners Chapter 11: Wounded.
KATANA.After the planning, the boys (Kuya, Jeran, Santi, Neil, Jerome and Sam, surprisingly) went upstairs to prepare themselves para sa napag-usapan nilang paglabas. Naiwan kaming mga babae sa sala kasama si Daryl na walang tigil sa pag-iingay na animo'y walang masamang nangyayari sa labas."Sunod tayo sa kanila, Espada!" he suggested beside me. Napangiwi naman ako at napatitig sa ngiting-ngiti niyang mukha na parang nangungumbinsi pa."Tigilan mo nga ako, Daryl," I irritatedly mumbled, elbowing his side so he would stop pestering me, but the jagoff just wouldn't."Sayang..." bulong niya at kunwaring bumuntong-hininga, nagpaparinig. "Gusto ko pa namang kunin 'yong mga gamit ko sa bahay." Malungkot siyang ngumiwi at sumandal sa dingding sa tabi ko. Pasimple pa siyang sumisilip-silip sa akin para tingnan kung umeepekto ang ginagawa niya— na hindi naman.I hissed. "If you already want to die, go on and kill yourself. 'Wag mo 'kong idamay
Bab terbaru
The Runners Epilogue 2.2
KATANA. “MAMALA?” Pagkapasok ko pa lang sa dining area ay siya kaagad ang hinanap ko pero wala siya ro'n. “Mamala?” tawag ko ulit at pumasok sa banyo, sa sala, sa garden, sa kwarto niya, at sa buong bahay. Pero walang Mamala. Suddenly, there’s an unexplainable swirls in my stomach that made me want to puke. My heart’s starting to pound loudly against my ribcage while the corners of my eyes started burning with the tears threatening to fall. Hinarap ko si Kuya. Tulad ko ay natataranta na rin ang mga mata niya but he’s somewhat… calm. “Where could she be, Kuya?” tanong ko sa kanya, nangangatal. He took a few steps forward towards me, grabbed my shoulder and smiled at me assuring. “We’ll find her. Now, calm down. Walang nangyaring masama sa kanya, okay?” “Pero pa&r
The Runners Epilogue 1.2
KATANA. I JOLTED up awake and chased my breath when I felt a strange feeling as though as I was falling out in the darkness. Hawak ang sariling dibdib at nanlalaki ang mga mata, paulit-ulit akong suminghap ng suminghap ng hangin na para bang kaaahon ko lang sa tubig. “S-Shit...” Nangangatog ang mga kamay kong hinimas ang dibdib hanggang sa tuluyan nang kumalma ang puso ko. I blew out a sigh of relief and let myself fall in the matress where I was just lying seconds ago. Then I jolted up again when I realized where I was. I'm in my room... Not that one from Terryn, but the room where I always walk around naked and the same room where I always listen to Imagine Dragons and LANY on max volume. I’m in my room in our house in Manila. Holy shit. What the hell’s happening?! Inilibo
The Runners Chapter 45: The end of an end.
THIRD PERSON'S POV. HINDI PA man tuluyang nakakalayo sina Jeran, Karlos st Katana mula sa pintong pinanggalingan nila ay tuluyan nang naupos ang oras dahilan ng pagsabog ng buong lugar. Karlos and Jeran rolled on the ground from the impact while the almost unconscious Katana flew away from the facility. Nanlaki ang mga mata ng lahat dahil sa gulat matapos makita ‘yon bago nila isa-isang nilapitan ang tatlo para tulungan. “KATANA!” “KARLOS!” “JERAN!” “KUYA!” There were lots of voices, and noises and frantic movements as the facility started blowing fires. Gayunpama’y mabilis na nagtakbuhan ang lahat upang saklolohan sina Katana at Jeran na tila ba nawa
The Runners Chapter 44: Explosion.
KATANA. “SHIT! WE only have ten minutes!” Napasigaw na lang ako sa sobrang taranta at frustration kasabay ng pagsabunot ko sa sariling buhok. Nang mahimasmasan, saka ko lang naisip ang pagbawas ng oras. Napalingon ako kay Kuya at kay Roldan, pero tulad ko ay natataranta na rin sila. Mabilis akong naghanap ng orasan na maari kong bitbitin at agad na dumapo ang paningin ko sa relo ni Roldan. Without any words, I immediatley grabbed Roldan's wrist and took his wristwatch, making him frown in irritation. “I'll be needing this!” depensa ko kaagad bago pa man siya makapagsalita. “And you think I won't?!” Hindi ko na siya sinagot pa. Nagsimula na lang kaming tumakbo palabas na pinangunahan ni Roldan dahil siya ang may alam n
The Runners Chapter 43: An ally.
KATANA. I didn't know how we ended up in this different room but all I know is I don't care about anything and anyone anymore. My mind's a mess. My system’s haywire and I can't think straight. Parang kinakain na nang poot at sakit at guilt ang buo kong katawan— internally, emotionally and physically. The guys in whites made us laid in another metal beds after entering another room with my brother and strapped us down yet again. Sumunod lang kami ni Kuya sa kanila. Hindi kami nagreklamo o nagpumiglas o ano. Basta na lang kaming sumunod at hinayaan sila sa kung anumang balak nilang gawin sa ‘min. Ni hindi nga ako nag-reklamong masakit ang katawan ko at ayaw kong pang mamatay— parang sa mga oras na ‘to kasi, hindi na iyon ang kaso. ‘Cause after hearing the unveiled truth out of Jerez’s mou
The Runners Chapter 42: Behind their death.
KATANA. “THEY... T-THEY were my family...” Those words silenced us like a knife and painfully left a thick and heavy ambiance inside the room. We all watched Jerez as he painfully sobbed on his hands, not minding our presence and curious stares. While my heart throbbed in slight pain, alam kong tulad ko, nakaramdam rin ang mga kasama namin ng super duper slight na awa para sa doktor na 'to. “W-We were happy...” mahina niyang bulong maya-maya habang patuloy pa rin sa paghikbi. “Everything’s working out fine. We were contented. We were complete... not until Lloyd ruined everything!” galit na sigaw niya dahilan para mapapiksi ako sa gulat. “And up until this moment, it still hurts!” he wailed, bringing gloss in my eyes as tears threathened to faill. “I’ve lost them years ago an
The Runners Chapter 41: Unveiled truth.
KATANA. I COULD feel my chest tightening with the sight of Belle and with the sound of my friends’ cries. Tears continued to flow recklessly in both of my cheeks, signifying deep pain, as we all watched the retreating figure of Roldan and Belle. I felt numb physically after all that had happened, but deep down inside me, I’m slowly dying. Mad wasn't enough to describe how I feel right now. It's as if my chest is burning with anger and my mind is flooded with nothing but the thought of killing Jerez. Napupuyos ako sa galit bagaman pinapanatili kong kalmado ang paghinga ko. I know that Jerez can feel and see my rage, but my fury seems like a carousel to him. The more I fuel the ride with my madness, the more he enjoys. And God knows how much I want to punch the life out of his body right now. &
The Runners Chapter 40: Cruel reality.
KATANA. “KAT! KAT! Katana!” “Shhh! She’s still asleep! Shut up!” “Baka dumating na ‘yong baliw!” “Just... Just let her rest for now!” I woke up when I heard noises— whispers to be exact. I slowly opened my eyelids, but I immediatley closed it again because of too much light from the ceiling. Nang unti-unting masanay ang mata ko sa liwanag ay agad akong napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng mga boses. I tilted my head to my right, but due to the straps— yet again— it was hard. But I still managed anyway. “K-Kuya...” I called out softly when I saw him. Mabilis siyang lumingon sa ‘kin, bagaman hirap din tulad ko dahil sa mga
The Runners Chapter 39: Award?
KATANA. THE WOMEN’S brisk conversation was ended quickly as they walked closer to my directions. Nanigas kaagad ang laman ko sa takot nang tuluyan silang makalapit, pero nang hilahin nila ang bagay kung saan ako nakahiga ay bahagya akong nakahinga ng maluwag. Not until they started pulling me out of the dark room and in the brightly lit hallway. “Hey...” mahina kong sabi sa dalawang babae nang pumwesto sila sa magkabilang gilid ng parang metal stretcher kung saan ako nakahiga. They were pushing me— or the stretcher, while their focus are up front. They didn’t budge when I spoke, so I assumed they didn’t hear me. “Hey, where are you taking me?” muli kong tanong, pero tiningnan lang ako ng babae bago muling ibinaling ang atensyon sa harap. &
