Wandering One

Simula “New York City are you having fun?!” I shouted loudly and blasted the music. Minanipula ko ang launch pad na nasa aking harapan. I adjusted the beat and triggered the effects para mas lalong umingay. This is a rave party. Everyone is up for it, and really having fun. Sabay-sabay na naghiyawan at sayawan ang mga tao sa saliw ng electronic music. The crowd is so wild now that the party is at its peak. Hindi ko maitago ang ngiting naglalaro sa aking labi dahil sa mga taong bigay na bigay sa pagsasayaw malapit sa stage. Buhay na buhay ang gabi rito. Maraming tao ang masayang nagpa-party. There is no place for inhibitions here. Everyone is free and alive. “Jump! Jump! Jump!” On my cue, nagtalunan ang lampas dalawang-daang katao sa aking harapan. Ah, so love leading the party. I banged my head as I escalated the mood through adding more effects in the song I played. The neon lights danced to the beat as well tila sumasabay sa bawat bagsak ng ritmo ng musika. “Put your hands up in the air!” Ang bilis ng t***k ng puso ko. My blood rushed sa taas ng enerhiya ko. I banged my head lightly, feeling the quick tempo. I swayed my hips and grind a bit. I saw some of the facilitators and organizers on the sides dancing as well. Napuno ang buong open space ng hiyawan ng mga nagwawalang party goers. This is it! I feel so alive watching these people party until they drop. It is always my pleasure to bring them the best tune and mood to party. Because of this, I get to go to different places and paid to party. Being a disk jockey is my chosen career and I am good at it. I just accidentally discovered my passion for this. Dahil sa nakilalang kaibigan natutunan ko paano ito. I started being her apprentice hanggang sa kaya ko na. I learned a lot from her. Si Shalum ay isang half Argentinian at half Black American. She is seven years older than me, but we easily got along dahil maganda ang pakikitungo niya sa akin. In fact she helped me a lot to cope with life rito sa America. She treats me like a little sister. May ilang bagay lang na ayoko sa kanya gaya ng pagiging alcoholic at pagti-take niya minsan ng weeds, but I respect her. Hindi ko siya pinapakialaman sa aspetong iyon. She is liberated like most of the citizens here kaya rin hindi ako gaanong nakakasabay. Sinasama niya ako sa mga gig niya. I learned from watching her maliban sa personal niyang pagtuturo sa akin tuwing nasa katinuan siya o walang lakad. Nagsimula ako sa maliliit na pubs. She introduced me to her friends na nasa parehong larangan niya kaya mas lumawak pa ang kaalaman ko. Unti-unti akong humusay at nagawa na ngang tumayo sa sarili kong mga paa. Until now I still can't believe na ito na ako, I am independent and I am fine being alone. The years passed and my experience mold me to who and what I am now. After more than an hour I stepped down of the makeshift stage. My turn was over. May susunod pang DJ sa akin. I know him by the name and sa mga usapan-usapan. Kinausap niya ako kanina nang nasa tent pa kami. I can't help, but agree to the rumors na hindi nga maganda ang reputasyon niya, although he is great DJ. He tried to touch me, it's normal her but I am not comfortable. At first, I hinted him na ayokong hinahawakan ako pero nakahawak pa rin siya. Lumayo ako, pero sumunod pa rin siya. I had jo choice, but be straight forward. Akala niya pa nagpapakipot lang ako. Good thing a friend saved me kaya hindi na ulit siya nagtangka pa. i think he is a bit high too. Sinalubong naman ako ng provided sa aking personal assistant for this event. She handed me a bottle of water. Tinanggap ko naman at nagpasalamat. I drunk half of it before giving back the bottle. “That was great,” komento ng PA na si Hazel. I smiled at hear. "Thanks.” “Oh, shoot! I forgot. There is something for you,” she said, and then called someone. Not for long, someone came running to us holding a bouquet. Malaki ito. May Iba't-ibang bulaklak at ferns na maayos ang pagkaka-arange. My forehead knotted. “This is for you.” Malapad ang ngiti ni Hazel sa akin, teasing me. I secretly rolled my eyes heavenward. For goodness sake! Kailan ba titigil ang nagbibigay sa akin ng mga bulaklak? It gives me creeps dahil wala namang identity ang nagpapadala. Hindi ako sigurado kung parehong tao lang ba ang nagbibigay o magkaiba, pero my guts tell me na iisa lang sila. I took the flowers and said my thanks sa nag-abot. He nodded at tumalikod na para bumalik sa puwesto niya kanina. “Thank you, Hazel. Mind telling me who gave me this?” subok ko. “Sorry dear. No idea,” she replied. As expected. Maliban sa bulaklak may nagbibigay din sa akin ng mga gamit gaya ng alahas, sapatos at kung anu-ano pang mamahaling bagay. There's even hotel accommodations or free trips na hindi ko tinatanggap kahit pa kilala ko na ang nag-offer. Maliban sa talent fee marami talagang incentives. That's the perks of my work. I shrugged my shoulder shortly after realizing that she does not really know. Wala ring tag o card na madalas namang mayroon tuwing nakakatanggap ako ng mga ganito. Lumapit ang organizer na si José. Of course it is pronounce the sosyal way, "José". He hugged me and I hugged him back. Nagbeso pa kaming dalawa. Binaba ko ang hawak na bouquet. I have no plan keeping it. I am not comfortable accepting it, at ayokong idagdag pa iyon sa iisipin ko. “Thanks for the awesome party, Ro,” he said sincerely. “Nah-ah. I should be the one thanking you for inviting me.” Jose is a good friend of mine. I met him in Los Angeles in a party years ago. He was one of the organizers ng party. Nagkausap kami at naging magkaibigan na nga. His partner at that time was a Filipino, kaya rin madali kaming naging malapit. Kaya lang naghiwalay din sila. “Oh, stop being humble. I know very well that you’re aware that you’re great.” He even rolled his eyes. Nagkatawanan kami. “Right,” sabi ko. Dinala niya ako sa mga kasamahan at kaibigan niya. I saw familiar faces, mga nakasama na rin sa iilang gigs at party. I mingled with them and talked about random things while drinking cocktails. Sa mga hindi pa ako kila, they were asking me how I started. So, I told them my story, just a little part of it though. I can't give them the full details of my life. The good thing about Western people is they are less nosy. Hindi kailanman nila inusisa ang pagkatao ko unless importante. What I tell and show them are enough to them. Nagtagal ako sa grupo nila Jose, but when I felt like I reached my limit, I excused myself. “Dude. I’ve got to go,” paalam ko kay Jose. “This early?” Tumaas ang kilay niya. I wanna roll my eyes. Anong early? It’s nearing dawn! “Yas.” I am drunk, but still sober enough to go to my hotel suite by myself pa naman. Medyo umaalon nga lang ang tingin ko sa sahig. Sa dami ng napagkuwentuhan namin hindi ko namalayang sunod-sunod na ang pag-inom ko. Pinalitan pa naman nila ng hard mix and cocktails kanina. “Where’s the fun in that?” apila niya. Tumawa ako. Wala na talaga akong planong magpapigil pa. I am tired too. Nangangalay na ang paa ko sa suot na pumps. Gusto ko ng mahiga sa malambot na kama at matulog ng mahimbing. Bukas hindi ako lalabas. Hihiga lang ako buong araw bukas. “I really have to go,” I said with finality. Hinalikan ko ang pisngi niya. Kumaway ako sa dumaang kakilala ganoon din si José. Wala na siyang nagawa at pinakawalan na ako. I also said my goodbye to his company. Umalis ako sa dagat ng mga tao. Medyo gumegewang na ako. I laughed and tried to correct my posture. Damn! Lumampas na ako sa limit ko. Masyado kasi akong na-entertain sa mga kaibigan ni Jose. They were humorous and friendly. I continued walking and at the same time trying to get a hold myself when I bumped to someone. “Oh, I am so sorry,” I managed to say. The man is taller than me. He has a bulky built too. His chest is buffed like a wrestler. Nag-effort pa talaga akong tumingala para makita ang mukha niya. But before I can see his face, he covered my mouth and nose with a handkerchief on his hand. I inhaled something odd. Napasinghap ako. Hindi ako nakagalaw dala ng gulat at epekto sa akin ng nalanghap na kemikal. Shit! This scenario is very familiar. The emergency alarm in my head began to activate, but it was too late. Nagpumiglas ako gamit ang natitirang lakas. I tried to scream as loud as I can, but it was just muffled. In a snap, I felt dizzy and sleepy. Fucking s**t! I have to get away or else… “Yes, boss. I got her.” I heard the guy said as he carried me to I don't know where. That was the last thing that I heard from the short conversation. Tuluyan na akong nawalan ng lakas. I can’t even move my finger. Tainga ko na lang yata ang gumagana, but it is slowly failing me. I am fighting so hard not to lost consciousness, but to no avail. Kalaunan, everything went blank. Nagising ako. My body felt so exhausted and numb. Namimigat pa ang mga mata ko, but my mind said wake up. Then it dawned on me — I should wake up. Crap! This is not good! Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang mga mata ko. Ilang sandali akong napatitig sa ceiling. I am still disoriented and a little confused. My mind wandered for a while. Nang mahagilip ko na ang diwa ko, bumangon na ako at nag-inat ng mga kamay. Nagawa ko pang humikab. I roamed my gaze inside the room. Napakunot naman ang noo ko. This doesn’t look like my hotel suite. The weird feeling creeped to my system. What happened? Gising naman na talaga ako, so hindi lang dala 'to ng disorientation or at least hangover. I hastily scanned my memory bank. Shortly, memories from last night flooded me. “Putang ina!” I cursed loudly. I gasped sharply. Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko. Panic and fear rose inside me. Last night there was a guy I bumped or maybe he purposely bumped me. He made me smell that hankie sprayed with strong scent chemical, so I would lost consciousness. Someone abducted me! I checked myself first. Yumuko at tiningnan ang katawan ko. Oh, no! I can’t imagine if someone touched my body. Chills climbed to my bottom spine until it reached my nape. Pati mga kamay ko nanlalamig na rin sa takot. Ang trauma na matagal ko nang kinalimutan ay parang nanumbalik bigla. I am on the verge of crying, but I stopped myself. “f**k! f**k!” Inisip ko kung ano ba ang suot ko kagabi. Clearly, hindi ako naka-pajama, but I am wearing one now. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig at nagyeyelong tubig. I feel goosebumps all on my skin. Pinakiramdaman ko ang katawan ko. The thing is, I don’t feel sore down there. Is it a good sign? Iyon lang ba ang palatandaan? But I feel so tired like I have a jet lag. Damn it! Mas lalo akong naguluhan at tumindi ang takot. I can't think straight. I surveyed the room again. This does not look like an abandoned place. Hindi ba sa mga ganoong lugar dinadala ang mga naki-kidnap? Why would someone abduct me? For ransom? Sino naman ang tatawagan nila? I have no one — But does it have to be an old abandoned place para ma-konsoderang k********g nga? Ugh! What am I even thinking?! This is an emergency. My phone! Tama… 911, but I can’t find my phone on the bed. Tumayo ako at tumakbo sa pinto. Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko na sinusubukang buksan ang knob, but it is pointless. It’s locked from the outside. Is it even possible to lock it from the outside? Surely! That's why I am locked up here. Kakalampagin ko na sana kaya lang naisip ko, I will just call my kidnapper's attention. Bad idea. Lumipat ako sa bintana. Nag-aagaw pa lang ang liwanag at dilim sa labas. I tried to open the windows, pero naka-lock din. Ano ba namang bintana 'to, ba’t ayaw mabuksan? I can see houses outside, mostly old houses made of mixed cement and wood. Tahimik ang kalsada. Iginala ko pa ang paningin ko for possible help. My eyes caught something, the electrical wires. Napatakip ako sa nakaawang kong labi. I shook my head when an idea came to my mind. "Nasa New York lang ako or somewhere in the US," I convinced my doubtful self. “Is that even important now?” Panunuya ng isip ko. I saw someone approaching riding a bike. Hope sprang inside me. Sisigaw na sana ako for help kaya lang naunahan na ako noong nakasakay sa bike. “Pan-de-sal! Bili na kayo ng pandesal!” The guy screamed at the top of his lungs. My jaw sagged. M-may nagtitinda ba ng pandesal sa America? Naghalo-halo na ang nararamdaman ko: fear, confusion and panic. Kung tama ang nasa isip ko kung nasaan ako, how come? Kagabi lang nasa New York ako. Ano ‘yun, magic? It can't be! Masyadong imposible. I am pacing back and forth while figuring out where am I and who kidn*pped me. A name crossed my mind. Napailing ako. No. That’s impossible. He can. He is capable, but would he? Ngayon pa ba? In the middle of the battle inside my head, the door opened. A man entered in slow motion I guess, sa bagal ba naman ng hakbang niya. He is wearing a plaid pajama and cotton white shirt that fits his masculine body. Umangat ang tingin ko. When I finally had a glimpse of the man’s prominent jaw, thick brows, deep set-dark eyes, aristocratic nose and lips in grim line, my world stopped briefly. Understatement ang nagulat. Gulat na gulat akong napaatras sa kinatatayuan ko. My but hit the wall. Natigil ako sa pagatras. “N-na nasaan ako?!” The only thing I was able to utter in my current situation. I was in state of shock for a moment. “Pilipinas,” he said in his cold baritone na nagpatayo sa buhok sa batok ko. “s**t!” I muttered without voicing it out loud. “K-kailan? Paano? B-bakit?” Tuliro kong tanong. . Tumigil siya sa paghakbang nang mga dalawang metro na lang ang distansya sa pagitan namin. His intensed gaze meet my wandering eyes. Mataman niya akong tinitigan. Blangko ang kanya expression. The way he looked at made my knees weak. “Welcome home my prodigal wife,” he said and gave emphasis to his last word. “No!” I mumbled hysterically when the situation finally sink in me after denying everything that is happening now. “Your wandering is over, wife.” The side of his lips rose. He smiled, but the kind of smile that post threat. Nanatili sa akin ang mariing titig niya habang pilit kong iniiwas ang aking mga mata. Maliban sa matinding takot, hindi ko mapigilang punahin ang dibdib at tiyan niyang naaninag ko sa puti at malambot na telang suot niya. Damn! He look sinfully hot, but it’s should be less of my concern now. In fact, I should not care at all.