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 mouKATANA. “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
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
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
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
HER.Since our grandmother's death, my brother talked about moving out. He said a new environment would be a great help for us to move forward especially now that we've got no one left by our side.And speaking of 'new environment', he meant Terryn, our family's hometown.At first, I disagreed with his decision, but I just found myself sitting in this goddamn car for almost six hours already.For the past hours, all I did was think about all the memories I had with Mamala, our grandmother, and with Mom who passed away three years ago.And it made me teared up somehow dahil wala nang ibang pumapasok sa isip ko kundi pangungulila.I couldn't help it. Ulila na kami. It was really hard for us when Mom died, ano pa kaya ngayong si Mamala naman ang nawala? Siya pa man din ang tumayong mga magulang namin simula noong mamatay si Mommy especially because our father is nowhere
KATANA.I found myself standing in front of a two-storey house beside my brother. Just like him, I'm scanning the whole view in front of me.It was a cool house, though it's not modern. It was a... let's say, a bit of vintage. Halos lahat ng dingding ay gawa sa kahoy bukod sa mga haligi na gawa sa semento.It's not the same as our house in Manila, because this house is way bigger than our home there, but I must admit, it was beautiful.Pinanood ko si Kuya nang katukin niya ang pinto, while I stood still in my position with our luggages. It took a minute or so before the door finally opened, and a petite girl stood there with... surprise expression on her face.Her mouth was wide open and I think a handful soil could fit in there. She was also immobilize for about thirty seconds as if she was some sort of robot who malfunctioned. When she get herself together, she suddenly inched the gap between her and Kuya and... unex
KATANA.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 k
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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. &
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
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. &