CHAPTER 8

"A-anong gagawin nyo sakin?!" a woman shouted yet no one able to hear her. She was wearing an old loose shirt and printed pants. Her hair was messy, and she looked nervous and scared.

Someone sent her an email indicating that her husband was safe and he need to go to the specific place written in the email. Police officers were looking for her husband and she was running away without any lead where her husband go. She felt hope when someone emailed her and that was her husband.

She immediately ran into that place. There were a lot of people in the area. Some people were busy doing their job. Some people were busy buying food for their fam. The voices of the vendor echoed throughout the place promoting their business. She needs to find the filthy narrow street that has a shanty house.

She instantly found the place.She hurriedly go in that place yet she bumped into someone.Agad nyang tinakpan ang mukha at nagmadali sa paglalakad. Patuloy pa rin syang nakikipagsiksikan sa dami ng tao at tinatago ang mukha. There are some police in the area. She needs to be careful if she wants to find her husband.

Suddenly, she heard some footstep behind her as if someone was following here. Nakaramdam ng takot ang babae at agad na binilisan ang paglalakad kasabay ng pagtatago ng mukha. May nakita syang maliit na eskinita sa gilid at agad na lumiko doon. Nagulat sya nang makitang wala ng lagusan sa lugar na iyon.

Babalik na sana sya nang biglang may humila sa kanya papasok sa isang barong barong na bahay. She screamed loudly but the hand in her mouth prevented her from screaming. Pilit niyang inaalis ang kamay nito. Her tears flow in her cheeks. She was crying desperately for her life.

"Shh..wala akong gagawin sayo.. unless..." the deep voice of the man remained on her ears. She almost fell on her knees in a tremble. It was sucking her soul and tightening it with his words.

"Just do whatever I’ll say. Someone was following you so shut your filthy mouth," the man said while peeping at the small window at the old house. May lalaki pumasok sa eskinita at tila may hinahanap. Umalis na ito agad nang makitang wala rito ang hinahanap nya. Napahinga nang maluwag ang Auntie ni Xabrina ngunit pilit pa ring nagpupumiglas sa hawak ng lalake. His tighten grip almost broke her bone in her shoulder. He was too strong.

"P-pakawalan mo na ako. N-nagmamakaawa ako,"impit na sabi ni Auntie. Pilit nyang pinipilig ang ulo at nagpupumiglas sa kamay nito. Napatili sya nang biglang may hinawakan ng lalake ang kanyang leeg at sinakal.

"Manahimik ka kung gusto mo pang makita ang asawa mo."biglang nag iba ang mga mata nito at naging dilaw. She felt hope and at the same time nervous to the person in front of him. Something off to him. Tumango na lamang ang babae at nanahimik ngunit patuloy pa rin sa hikbi. Binitawan na sya ng lalake at tinulak sa may kisame. Hinimas nito ang kanyang braso na pumipintig dahil sa sobrang higpit ng pagkakahawak nito.

"Wear this then follow me."binigay nito ang isang malaking jacket sa kanya upang itago ang mukha sa mga pulis. Agad naman itong isinuot ng babae at sinundan ang lalake. Lumabas na sila ng eskinita at nakihalubilo sa maraming tao. She met some policemen in the road, yet she didn't notice.

The man in a black shirt was kept on walking until they were in the parking lot. Agad silang sumakay sa isang lumang sasakyan at pinaharurot ito paalis. The woman was just looking at the window, trembling in fear to the presence of the man driving the car. She doesn't have any idea who is this guy. His eyes glow that was unnatural for a human being. Niyakap ng babae ang kanyang sarili sa takot sa kanyang iniisip. Inilibot nya na lamang ang kanyang mata sa labas ng binate ngunit hindi pa rin maalis ang pangangamba nito.

Napansin nyang nasa mapunong lugar na sila. She suddenly felt anxious to the place. Mas lalo pang lumakas ang tibok ng kanyang puso nang bigla silang tumigil sa isang abandonadong lugar sa bundok. Marami nagtataasang puno sa paligid at mga ibon malayang nalipad sa alapaap. Sinuri nya ang lugar na pinuntahan nila. She gulped and breathes heavily.

The place was so creepy and old. It is a two-story house and has an antique style in the western era. There are some cracks in the wall indicating that it was too old as well as the cobweb all over the area. The small bulb above the door serves as the light yet still the place was too dark. The windows were dirty and there are some cracks on them.

“Let’s go,”the man said. Nag alaangan syang sumunod dito ngunit wala syang magagawa. Masyado na syang malayo sa syudad at hindi nya alam ang lugar na pinagdalhan sa kanya.

“Andito ba ang asawa ko?”tanong nito. The man didn’t answer her question and continued to walk to the house. Kahit na natatakot ay sinundan nya pa rin ito. She was hoping that he was leading her to her husband or else, she would be doom.

Their footsteps broke the dries leaves and twigs creating a creepy sound. The creek noise made her tremble in fear when the man opened the door slowly. Sumalubong sa kanya ang madilim na lugar at mga alikabok. She coughed softly and wipe the dust away. She can’t even see a thing.

Unti unting nang naglakad ang lalaki papasok sa loob na tila ba kabisado ang lugar na iyon kahit pa walang liwanag ni katiting. Sinundan nya na lamang ito at pilit na kinakapa ang dinadaanan. Pilit nyang inaaninag ang lalaki hanggang sa makarating sila sa isang lumang pinto. Binuksan nya ang pinto at bumungad sa kanya aang isang maliit na daanan na may mga kandila sa dingding na nagsisilbing liwanag sa lugar na iyon. Tila walang katapusan ang daanan na iyon dahil hindi nya makita ang dulo nito. Tanging kadiliman lamang ang nakikita nya.

Mabilis na naglakad ang lalaki sa daanan na iyon at tinahak ang kadiliman. The woman doesn’t know what to do. The place was too creepy as if he was leading her into the dungeon. But she doesn’t have any choice but to follow him. She silently prayed that the man was telling the truth.

Sinundan nya ang lalaki papunta sa kadiliman. Bawat hakbang ay ramdam nito ang bigat ng atmospera ng lugar. Patuloy sa pagpatak ang kanyang mga pawis sabay ng kabog ng kanyang d****b sa takot. Hanggang sa makarating sila sa isang lumang pinto. Mas lalong lumalakas ang kabog ng d****b nya nang biglang bumukas ang pinto nang hindi binubuksan ng lalaki ang pinto. Kusa itong bumukas at bumungad sa kanya ang isang kakaibang amoy at lugar.

The place was like a dungeon that has a cage and different tools for hunting. It was brightened by a lamp hanging in the wall and torches on the edge. There’s a wooden table in the middle and a map at the top of it.

There was a man standing inside of the cage. She was shocked when she saw her husband. He was full of bruises and cuts. He has a huge injury in his shoulder and cheeks. There’s a lot of blood on his torn shirts. Agad na lumapit ang babae rito at naawa sa kalagayan ng asawa.Hinawakan nya ang mukha ng asawa kasabay ng pagluha ng kanyang mga mata.

“Anong ginawa nyo sa kanya?!Napakawalanghiya niyo!”sigaw ng babae habang patuloy sa pagiyak. Tila wala sa sarili ang kanyang asawa at tuliro sa nangyari. Nakatulala lamang ito sa kanya habang natulo ang kanyang mga luha.

“Pft, shut up woman. We saved your husband from dying,”the man said while glaring at the woman. Napalunok nang malalim ang babae at patuloy pa rin sa paghawak sa asawa.

“Anong kailangan mo samin?”matapang na saad ng babae. Pilit nyang nilalakasan ang kanyang loob at tiningnan ng masama ang lalaki. She knew that he needs something from them. She can’t take of anything since the police already dispatched their assets. Dahan dahang umupo ang lalaki sa harapan nila at biglang umilaw ang mga mata nito. He smirked playfully as if he was planning something.

“First, you need to take back your property. I guess she was in a hospital right now.”ngumiti ng pagkalaki laki ang lalaki. Hanggang sa unti unting lumabas ang mga pangil nito at tila naglalaway. Nag iba ang anyo nito at naging isang kakaibang halimaw na matagal na nilang hindi natatagpuan. Tila nawala ang dugo sa mga mukha ng mag asawa nang makita nila ang anyo nito.

“That’s your task.”

*****

The luminous essence of the sun held the misery of the young lady sleeping peacefully and took it away. She slowly opened her eyes showing her thoughtful green eyes in the cloudless morning. Her miserable night turned into a wonderful and serene night because of the dreamy red eyes touching her aching soul. She woke up feeling happy and her heart was in peace unlike before. The warm air from the window wrapped her body and made her feel comfortable.

Napapikit sya nang mariin nang makaramdam sya ng pagtusok sa kanyang braso. The nurse was doing her daily routine to her. Agad naman syang napabangon at sinuri ang paligid. He was gone again. The owner of the red eyes was gone again. Xabrina sighed heavily from disappointment.

In her dreams, she was inside of the cage and both of her arms and feet were held by a chain. The place was too dark and some small lights look like a pair of eyes. There were a lot of eyes. Lahat sila nakatingin kay Xabrina at hinuhusgahan ito. She was crying desperately, and her hair was messy. She was scared. The owners of those eyes wanted to kill her. They wanted to take her life since it was worthless. She kept on shaking her head and begging them to stop. Tila nakakulong sya sa mga masasamang nakaraan na pilit nyang kinakalimutan.

She saw her mom and dad looking at her in disappointment and despise. Xabrina called and begged them but they just turned their back against her and walked away. She tried to reach them but she didn’t succeed. The chain was keeping her away from her loved one. Napayuko na lamang sya at patuloy sa pag iyak.

Unti unting nawala ang mga mata sa kanyang paligid at purong kadiliman na lamang ang kanyang nakikita. Wala na rin sya sa loob ng kulungan pati ang mga kadenang nasa kamay at pa nito.Sinubukan nyang tumayo at maglakad palayo sa lugar na iyon. Nugnit kahit anong gawin nya ay pabalik balik lamang sya sa lugar na iyon. Walang katapusang kadiliman. Wala ni isang katiting na liwanag ang matatagpuan. Her little hope was already gone. Napaluhod na lamang sya at patuloy sa pag iyak.

Unti unti nyang nararamdaman ang mga kamay sa kanyang leeg na parang sinasakal sya. She saw her auntie,uncle and Klara choking her to death. Pilit nyang inaalis ang mga kamay nito at nagmamakaawa ngunit wala syang magawa. They looked so mad at her. Her uncle and auntie were blaming her for the loss of their money. Nurse Klara was mad for not saving her from death. For choosing her own life.

Her tears were kept on flowing on her pale lips. Nawawalan na sya ng pag asang mabuhay pa. She wanted to rest from the pain eternally. She slowly closed her eyes and almost lost consciousness when she saw a bright light far away. The pair of red eyes came. He saved her. The people who were choking her were gone. They turned into ash and were washed away by the air.

He touched her face and wiped her tears. The soft gestures of him made her ease in pain. The black place turned into a beautiful paradise. The misery was gone. The love and warmth came with him. But, Xabrina realized that it was just a dream.

Someone knocked at her door. Hindi nya namalayan na wala na ang nurse. Someone was at the door. Agad syang nakaramdam ng kaba sa hindi masabing dahilan. Her inner peace turned into a bloody mess. The door slowly opened revealing unknown two people. Kumunot ang noo nya nang makita sila. A doctor and a nurse.

Napakunot ng noo si Xabrina. She was not familiar with the doctor. He has a face mask and an eyeglass with a scar on his face. The nurse in his side with a wheelchair was familiar. She knew that the nurse was already done checking her. They were wearing the hospital’s uniform but Xabrina was feeling odd to them.

Nanlaki ang kanyang mata nang makita ang mukha ng lalaki. He removed his shades and face mask revealing his real face.

“Did you miss us, Xabrina?”her uncle said playfully. Agad na nakaramdam ng takot si Xabrina. Tila bumalik bigla ang lahat ng kanyang alaala sa lugar na iyon. The pain and misery sealed away by a stranger were came back with a deadly weapon. Tinanggal na rin ng kanyang auntie ang hat nito at ngumiti nang kay tamis kay Xabrina. Mabilis na nagsituluan ang mga luha nito sa takot.

“Subukan mong sumigaw at malilintikan ka samin,”pagbabanta ng kanyang tito.Agad na tinakpan ni Xabrina ang kanyang bibig sa takot na baka kung ano ang gawin nito sa kanya. She was trembling in fear. Hindi sya makatingin sa kanyang mga tito at tita sa takot. Their deadly stare was killing her inside. Unti unting lumapit ang tito nito sa kanya. Hinawakan nito ang kanyang mukha na tila nag aaalala sa kalagayan nito. His huge scar in his face made him scarier and creepier. He looked like an old villain in the movies.

“Sagutin mo ang tanong ko, Xabrina. Hindi mo ba kami namimiss?”saad nito habang hinahawi ang kanyang buhok. Hindi alam ni Xabrina ang gagawin at nakatulala lamang sa kawalan habang umiiyak. Agad na naningkit ang mga mata ng kanyang tito at malakas syang sinabunutan.Napatili na lamang si Xabrina sa sakit nang pagkakasabunot ng kanyang tito. Nakatititg lamang sa kanya ang kanyang tita at mukhang natutuwa pa sa nangyayari.

“T-Tama na..”patuloy pa rin sya nitong sinasabunutan at inuntog sa pader ng malakas. Unti unting dumilim ang paningin ni Xabrina ngunit biglang syang sinampal ng kanyang tita upang magising.

“Mukhang masarap ang buhay mo ngayon ah? Kamusta ang panadaliang kasiyahan ha?”mataray na sabi ng kanyang auntie. Xabrina was crying helplessly and almost loss her subconsciousness. Nakaramdam sya ng matinding sakit ng ulo at pagtulo ng dugo mula rito. Nanginig ang buong katawan ni Xabrina sa sakit at takot. Tila naglaho bigla ang mga munting pag asa sa kanyang sarili. Tiningnan sya nang mariin ng kanyang auntie at hinawakan ang kanyang pisnge. Bumaon ang kuko nito sa kanyang pisnge na nagbigay dahilan upang mas lalo itong umiyak ng malakas.

“Ito na ang huling araw mo rito. Babalik ka na kung saan ka nararapat,”ani ng kanyang auntie. Her words pierced into her soul and broke it into pieces. She kept on shaking her head, but it won’t do anything. She knew that she will be back from that place. The place where she was captured and treated like trash and an animal. And she might experience the worst from all.

Unti unting pumikit ang mga mata ni Xabrina nang biglang may tumurok sa kanya. Tuluyan na syang nawalan ng malay habang umaasang makatakas sa huling pagkakataon. Agad naming inilagay ng mag asawa si Xabrina sa wheelchair at inilabas sa pinto. Agad na kinuha ang telepono at may tinawagan,

"Pumunta ka na rito, at gawin mo nang maayos ang trabaho mo. Malaki ang binayad namin sayo siguraduhin mong walang makakakita sayo,"saad ng uncle.

"Lahat ng makakakita at sumusunod samin. Ligpitin mo dahil di tayo pwedeng pumalpak," sambit nito.

"Yes boss,"sagot ng lalaki at agad na pinatay ang telepono. Isinuot ulit ng lalaki ang face mask upang itago ang mukha. Iniyuko nya ang mukha ni Xabrina upang hindi makita ng iba. Itinulak na nila ito pababa ng room nang biglang may nabangga silang lalaki. Agad na itinago ng dalawa ang kanilang mukha at binilisan ang paglalakad.

*****

Habang naglalakad si Nathan papunta sa kwartong inuukupa ni Xabrina ay tila bang hindi sya mapakali at kinakabahan. Napailing na lamang sya at hindi na lamang pinansin ang kanyang iniisip. When he already arrived at the door of her room, he sighed deeply before knocking.

 " Xab? It's me Nathan, papasok ako ha?" paalam nya rito. Laking gulat nya na lamang ng wala rito si Xabrina agad na nabitawan ang bulaklak na dala.The flowers fell into pieces along with his throbbing heart. Xabrina was gone.

Agad syang tumakbo paalis at tinignan ang bawat kwartong madadaanan. Umaasang makikita ang kanyang hinahanap. He ran faster as he could but the people around him were making him slow. Nakita nya ang isang doktor at nurse na may itinutulak na wheelchair. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang makita kung sino ang lulan nito.

“Fuck, I know it's her!” he said. Unti unti nang lumalayo si Xabrina sa kanyang paningin. Kinuha nya ang kanyang phone at tinawagan ang mga pulis habang sinusubaybayan ng tingin ang tatlo.

“They’re here!” saad nito. Pilit nyang hinahabol ang hininga at binibilisan ang pagtakbo. Ngunit sa isang iglap ay may humila at inipit sya sa pader. Sinakal sya nito gamit ang kanyang braso. The man looked scared from what his doing but he was determined to finish his job. He was wearing a black shirt and blue jeans with a black mask and black cap. His brown eyes can only be seen.

Hindi nya kilala kung sino ito at agad na siniko ni Nathan ang tagiliran para mabitawan sya nito. Nakawala na sya at aakmang tatakbo ngunit naglabas ng patalim ang lalaki at humarang sa kanyang daraanan.

"Tch, asshole." agad na sumugod si Nathan at sinipa ang kamay ng kanyang kalaban. Nabitawan nito ang hawak na patalim. Laking gulat ng lalaki dahil mabilis ang pagkilos ni Nathan. Tila bihasa ito sa mga bawat kilos nya. Sa bawat sapak na ibinibigay ay agad na nasasangga ni Nathan at gagamitin ang kanyang kamao sap ag atake.

The people around them immediately ran away when they bumped a cart. The man tried to punch his stomach hard, but Nathan managed to defend it. He grabbed the hand of the man and turned it around making him squirm in pain. He used his other hand to punch him into his chin. He lose consciousness and fell on the cold floor.

“Shit si Xabrina,” sambit ni Nathan. Tumakbo si Nathan sa may hallway at nakitang nakalabas na sila ng hospital at papunta sa parking lot. Hinawi ni Nathan ang mga tao sa paligid at muntikan pang mabangga ang matanda. Mabilis na naglakad ang mag asawa papunta sa isang sasakyan.

Malapit na sana sila nang biglang nakarinig sila ng tunog. Agad nilang binilisan ang paglalakad ngunit bigla namang may humarang na sasakyan sa kanilang harapan. Nanlaki ang kanilang mata nang makitang mga pulis ito. Nabitawan nila ang wheelchair sa takot at tumakbo papasok sa isang sasakyan. Umandar ito palayo at hinabol ng mga pulis.

Nathan immediately walked to Xabrina and wrapped his arms around her waist. His heart was throbbing so fast. He was fucking scared. He thought that she will be gone again. Akala nya ay mawawala ito ulit sa kanyang tabi. Pinagmasdang mabuti ni Nathan si Xabrina kung sinaktan ba nito ng mga taong kumuha dito. Napansin nya ang namumula sa pisnge nito at may maliliit na sugat. He gritted his teeth in anger then suddenly a doctor and nurses came.

"Asikasuhin nyo agad si Xabrina, lahat ng test gawin nyo kung kinakailangan." He sighed deeply.

“I can’t lose you again, Xabrina,” bulong nya rito habang pinagmamasdang papalayo ang kanyang minamahal. Malaking katanungan sakanya kung sino iyon at kung ano ang balak nito kay Xabrina.  Whoever those people, Nathan assured that they would be punished from what they did.

*****

@F.Ace