CHAPTER 3

Kabanata 3

IT WAS AN UNFORESEEN consequences of her stupidity. She was only trying to save her life from drowning and moved herself into the coping corner of the six feet deep pool when Sheeva had a panic attack.

It was a sudden episode at nasa kritikal pa siyang sitwasiyon. Fear enveloped her whole being.

Karaniwang namamanhid ang mga kamay at mga binti ni Sheeva sa tuwing nagkakaroon siya ng panic attack. She also had a trouble in breathing. Another common bodily disorder whenever she had it.  Napakasamang pangitain na naroon pa siya sa malalim na tubig. Those symptoms were uncontrollable.

Ilang taon nang iniinda ni Sheeva ang panic attack disorder. She usually takes Benzodiazepines whenever the serge of panic got intense but she was helpless at the moment. So helpless.

Ang nakikita niyang risk factor kaya nagkaroon siya ng disorder na iyon ay ang dahilan din kaya nabura ang kaniyang memorya. Sheeva has a dissociative or what is called Psychogenic Amnesia. Halos magdadalawang taon na niyang iniinda ang persistent na karamdamang iyon.

And she have no one beside her whenever she got an intense episode of panic attack. Isa sa medication upang labanan ang panic attack ay ang alalahanin ang masasayang sandali sa kaniyang buhay pero paano niya iyon magagawa gayung ipinagdadamot iyon ng kaniyang karamdaman?

Parang napipinto nang mag–shutdown ang kaniyang lakas at hindi na niya sinubok na lumangoy. Her breath was already unsteady.

Her eyes shut closed spontaneously. Her mind was slowly detaching from reality when her body submerged into the saltwater at a very low speed.

A slight radiant appeared inside her head. Sa simula ay tila kasing–laki lang ng dot ang liwanag na kaniyang natatanaw. Sandali pa ay nasilaw na siya nang sumibol ang liwanag na iyon.

She heard a lot of people talking around her yet she cannot see anyone. Just the blinding light.

Tila siya tumatakbo ng matulin. Walang malinaw na destinasiyon ang kaniyang mga paa. Tila naliligaw pero ang ingay sa paligid ay hindi mamatay–matay.

She blinked her eyes for several times.

Westscott Airways.

Nakita na naman niya ang pangalan na iyon.

Westscott Airways.

It was an aircraft’s signage. Ayon sa kaniyang pagsasaliksik ay ang Westscott Airways ang pinakamalaking airline sa mundo base sa nabasa niya sa isang artikulo ng international aviation–data firm.

Ngunit nananatiling malaking question mark sa utak ni Sheeva kung ano ang koneksiyon nito sa kaniyang nakaraan.

“BUHAY PA NAMAN siya, ‘di ba?” Bungad kaagad ni Hydrus nang lumabas sa kaniyang silid si Nicole kasunod ng resort doctor ng Hydrus Haven na si Ma. Cathrina Lopez.

He immediately stopped drying his damped hair from his recent shower and prepared himself to whatever kind of news he'd heard about that woman's condition.

Palaisipan kay Hydrus kung bakit naroon na naman ang babae sa kaniyang private swimming pool. And the mysterious woman was already unconscious when he spotted her an hour ago.

“She is safe now, Hydrus but there was a high chance that she could get a pulmonary oedema or shocked lung syndrome if you weren't quick to notice her drowning. Masuwerte siya dahil na–rescue mo siya kaagad and been resuscitated.” Paliwanag ni Doctor Lopez.

“I see. Mabuti naman at ligtas siya.” He sighed, unsure if what was that for. Maybe a sigh of relief? He doesn't know at all. Ang sigurado siya ay nalilito na siya sa mga kakatwang kilos ng babae na iyon.

Hindi naman niya ito responsibilidad subalit mahirap mang aminin sa kaniyang sarili ay nakaramdam siya ng kaunting pagmamalasakit kay Sheeva.

“O paano, babalik muna ako sa clinic, Hyd. Call me immediately if she regain her consciousness. I'll have to check her up again and make sure that everything is well.”

Mahinang tumango si Hydrus. “Sure. Thanks again, Chris.”

“Sasabay na ako kay Doc, Hyd. It's almost three na at kailangan ko pang bumalik sa Metro Manila.” Anunsiyo ni Nicole.

She was still gentle as before. Lourend Nicole Omac was his high school sweetheart. He was infatuated with her way back in their high school days. She's friend by many. Natural na mabuti ang pagkatao ni Nicole at mapagbigay–loob sa kapwa.

At first, he thought she would never talk to him as a casual friend after their unwholesome split a very long time ago. But when Yarrick— a good friend of him and a fratmate— recommended Nicole Omac to be the architect for the gut renovation of the property he bought recently, medyo nagulat siya na hindi nagbago ang pakikitungo nito sa kaniya. Minus the sweetheart things of course.

“You will drive alone?” he asked out of friendly concern. “Ivor and Junger are also going back to Metro. Ipapasabay na lang kita.”

“No thanks, Hyd. I am good. It's just a few hours of driving anyway. Have no worries.”

“Alright. You take care, Lourend.” he said. Ang kaniyang mga mata ay patumpik–tumpik na sumusulyap sa nakasaradong pinto ng kaniyang silid. The weird woman was inside his room.

Hindi niya mawari kung bakit nakakaramdam siya ng discomfort sa ideya na maiiwan silang dalawa ng babae sa loob ng kaniyang private villa.

Such a pussy, dirk.

Nauna nang lumabas ng kaniyang villa si Doctor Lopez. Akmang susunod na rin dito si Nicole nang tila may nakalimutan itong sabihin.

“I have something to tell you pa pala, Hyd. Tungkol sa babae,” Nicole obviously referring to the woman inside his room.

“Yeah. What about her?”

“I did not voice it out awhile ago with Doc Lopez. Pero kanina noong wala pa si Doc at binibihisan ko ang babae, narinig ko siyang sinasambit ang Westscott Airways tapos pakiramdam ko ay gustung–gusto niyang sumigaw though she wasn't moving.”

Mindfully, Hydrus looked at Nicole with a puzzled expression. “Westscott Airways? Bakit naman niya binabanggit ang Airline nina Wind?” He sounded curious.

“Curios nga rin ako e. Atsaka she looks familiar to me, Hyd. Can't explain it but I think I saw her before. Susubukan kong alalahanin kung saan.”

And his mind was in shambles. His curiosity grew bigger.

Paano na–involve ang Westscott Airways sa misyeryosong pagkatao ng babaeng iyon?

“ANO ‘TO? ANO’NG ibig sabihin nito?”

Hydrus got a little surprise when he was welcome by an impassioned hiss when he returned inside his villa. He closed the villa’s door using his elbow. Ang dalawang kamay niya kasi ay may hawak na tag–iisang food box.

“What is that?” Sinagot niya ang tanong ng isa pang tanong. He placed the food boxes on the bamboo center table before he looked at the maddening woman. Mabuti at nagkamalay na ito.

“Ladies watch ‘to!” Medyo nanggagalaiting sambit nito atsaka iwinasiwas ulit sa ire ang relos. She looked like she was a heartbeat from smashing the whole Haven down by the volume of irritation in her face.

“E alam mo naman palang relos iyan. Bakit ka pa nagtatanong?” He could not stop the sarcasm in his voice.

“Oo, alam ko na relos ito at hindi ako bulag. Pero kanino ito? Sino’ng babae ang nakaiwan ng relos na ito rito?”

“Aba! Malay ko,” he answered all too quickly and darted her an irritating look. “Puwede ba, pigilan mo iyang bunganga mo sa kahuhumyaw kung ayaw mong kaladkarin kita palabas ng bahay ko.”

“Ah sorry, Waifu. Na–carried away lang ako.” Ganoon kabilis lumambot ang emosiyon ng babae. So fucking weird! “Gusto ko lang naman malaman kung sino ang babaeng nag-iwan ng ladies watch na ito at nang maturuan ko siya ng leksiyon kapag nabo–bore ako.”

Hydrus winced. “And what do you have in mind? You're gonna plant some snakes to scare away whoever owned that watch? Same old tactics? Umayos ka!”

“Old tactics na iyon sabi mo nga. Huwag kang mag-alala, gagawa na akong bagong taktika para maturuan ng leksiyon iyong mga babae na humaharot saiyo.” She plopped down onto the bamboo settee and coolly closed her legs.

“‘Di ba may ballerina painting ka na naka–display dito dati? Saan na ‘yon? Bakit hindi ko makita?”

Pumakla ang timpla ni Hydrus nang mabanggit iyon ng babae. “Paano mo nalaman na may ganoong painting dito? Have you been here before? Probably without me knowing.”

“Wala ah. Nasilip ko lang dati.”

“Damn you!”

“Para sa akin ba ito?”

Tahimik na nakamasid lamang si Hydrus dito habang sinusuri nito ang laman ng food box.

“Anak ng sinampalukang pépe! Umi–effort ka na sa akin, Waifu ha? Natisod ka na ba ng karisma ko?”

“Damn you!”

His eyes unknowingly fell into her feet. Wala itong tsinelas ngunit ganoon pa man ay natatakpan pa rin ang buong binti nito ng mahabang skirt ng kulay lila na mahabang dress nito. It's Vivian maternity dress that he borrowed. Mahaba ang manggas niyon katulad ng karaniwang outfit ni Sheeva.

He tilted his head sideways and remained in his serious face expression.

“I want you to tell me why you were always scaring my female guests?” Sa unang pagkakataon ay naitanong iyon ni Hydrus sa baliw na babae.

“Wala. Trip lang. Walang magawa sa buhay.” Iyon ang walang saysay na tugon nito.

He clenched his jaw. Suwabe niyang hinagod ang kaniyang leeg upang pakalmahin ang sarili at nang hindi siya matalo ng init ng kaniyang ulo.

Hydrus occupied the settee across her. “I need to hear the truth or else I will kick you out of Poza Rica!”

“Trip nga lang.” Giit nito.

“Magsasabi ka ba—”

“Okay fine! Inis ako sa mga babaeng humaharot saiyo. That's all.”

His forehead knotted in confusion. “Why is that so? Why are you being so possessive of me? We don't know each other as far as I know.”

Napansin ni Hydrus na napalunok ito.

“Kasi trip ko lang talaga na ilayo ang mga mahaharot na babaeng iyon saiyo. You should be grateful with my effort.”

“I fucking wonder why. A case of jealousy? Do you even know me, don’t you?”

“Selos? Ako? What a big word! “Bakit naman ako magseselos sa mga babae mo, aber? Kaya ba nilang i-spell ang Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia nang walang hingahan?” she challenged without blinking.

Tumitig ito bigla diretso sa kaniyang mga mata. He kept the contact and hate to let go of her eyes. Her empty eyes. Kahungkagan ang napupuna niya sa mga matang iyon ng babae. As if like she was hiding a lot of secrets at the back of those jet black eyes.

Who the fuck are you, Sheeva?

Nginuya nito ang isang kagat ng lollipop chicken. In a while, he was attentively watching how her lips worked while she munching the food silently. She, too, was holding his eyes with hers.

With that, Hydrus realized the odd pleasure that coursing through his body.

He immediately withdrew his gaze from the odd woman and mocked himself inside his head.

“Teka. Ikaw ba ang sumagip sa akin, Waifu?” Naalala nitong usisain.

“Yeah.”

Her eyes twinkled. “Weee? So na–mouth to mouth mo ako?” Susog nito.

“What else do you think how the resuscitation goes? Crazy!”

“Sungit! Parang nagtatanong lang.” Ngumuso ito at nag–iwas ng tingin si Hydrus. She looks weird no more but cute.

Yeah fuck! What a silly description, dirk?

“Well, ano’ng nalasahan mo sa lips ko?”

“Kamatayan mo. Ano pa nga ba?” Pagbabasag niya sa panunudyo nito.

“Harsh! ‘Di mo man lang ba nalasahan na iyon ang labi ng babaeng handang tumagilid, tumihaya, luluhod dadapa para lang saiyo?”

He stood up furiously. He cannot take her anymore.

“You know what, you should consult to a psychiatrist. Para kang sira! You're so weird!”

"Alin ang sira?"

"Utak mo. You're so odd. From your actions, your goddamn outfit. Gusto kong isipin na takas ka sa mental."

Hindi man lamang ito nagbigay ng violent reaction sa sinabi niya. “Ang alam ko ay matagal nang sira ang ulo ko. Gusto mo ng bago?"

“Go away! Take that food with you and go straight to the clinic. Cathrina needs to check you out.”

“Siraulo ba talaga ako sa paningin mo? Gusto mo sirain mo rin ang puri ko? Para terno."

"Tsk. Umalis ka na nga sa harapan ko!”

"Okay. Higa.” She announced nonchalantly.

“What?”

“Sabi mo alis ako sa harapan mo. E 'di higa ka, lilipat ako sa ibabaw mo,” she stated like she only discussing how beautiful the waves reached the coast.

“Fuck off! You really belong to a asylum.”

“TWO, THREE, four, hmm...” At binilang muli ni Sheeva ang mga alaga niyang fennec fox na natutulog sa carpeted floor ng sala.

Kakauwi pa lang niya galing sa clinic nang madatnan niyang wala ang isa niyang fennec fox sa loob ng bahay. Aligaga niyang nilibot ang buong beach house pero bigo siyang makita si Salba.

She was hyperventilating while she was searching for Salba. Wala rin ito sa paligid ng beach house kung kaya at umabot na siya sa labas.

Natatanaw na niya ang araw na papalubog sa dulo ng laot kaya naman mas lalo siyang nag-alala kay Salba. Fennec fox is a rare animal ni Poza Rica. Siya lang yata ang may alagang fennec fox sa lugar na iyon kaya nangangamba siya dahil tiyak marami ang magkaka–interes sa pet niya.

Umabot si Sheeva sa ikaapat na bahay mula sa bahay niya at ang seaside mansion na iyon ay kasama sa nabili ni Hydrus. Sinisimulan nang sirain ang seaside mansion na iyon dahil plano ni Hydrus na tayuan ng hotel ang property na iyon.

“Salba. Diyos ko kang bata ka! Guma–galore ka na ha!” Nabunutan siya ng tinik sa dibdib nang sa wakas ay nahanap niya si Salba.

Nga lang ay nagulat siya nang tumakbo ito papasok sa nasabing seaside mansion.

She hurriedly ran after her silly pet nang may nakasalubong siyang isang grupo ng turista.

Hindi siya napahinto dahil sa mga nagaguwapuhang mga hitsura nito at nakalantad na mga abs kundi dahil may isa sa grupong iyon ang sumigaw sa pangalan niya.

A rush of adrenaline was oddly running through her when the man walked towards her direction. Kung ilalarawan ang ekspresiyon sa mukha nito ay para itong tinuklaw ng ahas na naka–lipstick na dark red at may fake eyelashes.

“Excuse me. Do I know you?”

“O Bože! Mislev ... mislev deka si mrtov.” Oh my God! I thought... I thought you are dead.

Dead?

And he's a Macedonian, too?