His Dark Secrets ꨄ

Promise ꨄ

"Ano! Bro, nasabi mo na bang lahat kay Katie? Ipinagtapat mo na ba sa kanya kung sino ka talaga?"

"Baka hindi nya ako maintindihan.." Napasapo sa sintidong kumikirot, mariing napapikit si Zero. "Baka magalit sya sa'kin at kamuhian nya ako!!"

"Bro, lalo syang magagalet sa'yo kapag sa iba pa nya nalaman ang tunay mong pagkatao!"

Napadilat syang bigla ng marinig ang sinabi ni Bogz sa kabilang linya. Napatiimbagang nilipat nya sa kabilang tenga ang cellphone nyang hawak. Napasulyap sya sa side mirror ng kanyang kotse ng makitang patungo sa kinaroroonan nya ang kanyang Ina.

"Sa tingin mo Bro, mapapatawad ba ako ni Katie, sa oras na malaman nyang nagkukunwari akong may amnesia?"

"Hindi natin malalaman kung hindi mo susubukan! Saka kilala kong babaeng 'yun! Ang pinakaayaw nun, ay yung sinungaling at manloloko.."

Kinabahan syang bigla. "Ganun ba!"

"Yeah! At ang balita ko pa! Nagkahiwalay sila ng kanyang boyfriend dahil niloko sya."

"Panung panloloko? Malala ba? Anong ibig mong sabihin? "

"Malala Bro, nalaman nyang... Bakla pala ang Ex boyfriend nya! Tsk.."

Napapalatak pa si Bogz habang nagkukwento sa kanya.

"May ebedensya ba?" Kumulimlim ang bukas ng kanyang mukha.

"Nahuli nya sa akto, Bro!! Oh! Diba mas malupitan pa sa ebedensya? Hindi na nakapalag pa ang kupal, muntik pa nyang mabaril ng wala sa oras."

'Damn!! Anong karapatan nyang saktan ang babaeng pinaka mamahal ko??'

Ramdam ni Zero, ang pagbabago ng kanyang anyo, dahil sa galit na kanyang nararamdaman.Nang biglang...

"Anak!!"

Isang tapik sa kanyang balikat ang nagpabalik sa kanyang katinuan. Ng lingunin nya ito at makita kung sino, unti unting kumalma ang kanyang pakiramdam.

"Ina!!" Napakurap kurap pa sya ng masilayan ang magandang ngiti ni Amber.

"Okay ka lang ba?" Tanong nito na may halong pag aalala.

Kaagad syang tumango sabay ngiti para hindi na mag alala pang kanyang Ina.

"Aalis ka ba? San ka pupunta?"

"Ahm... Kila Bogz lang po, Ina!"

Ngumiti na naman ito, sabay haplos sa kanyang pisngi.

"Mag iingat ka Anak ha!! Saka umuwi ka ng maaga mamaya para sabay sabay tayong maghahapunan ng yung Ama..."

Nalipat sa kanyang ulo ang kamay nito, mahinang sinuklay suklay ng daliri nito ang kanyang buhok.

"...Mag luluto ako ng paborito mo!! Hmm..."

"Opo, Ina!! Salamat po!". Hinawakan nyang kamay ng kanyang Ina, hinalikan saka mahinang pinisil ang palad nito. " Mahal ko po kayo ni Ama!!"

Natutuwang ginulo ni Amber ang kanyang buhok..

"Hmm.... Ang Anak ko! Napaka lambing at ang gwapo gwapo! Mahal na mahal ka din namin ng Ama mo!!!" Yumukod pa ito saka hinalikan sya sa pisngi. "Oh! Sya, sige na! Puntahan mo na si Bogz. Mag iingat ka ah!!"

Naka ngiti syang tumango sabay kaway sa kanyang Ina, saka umayos na ng upo sa hatap ng manibela, basta na lang nyang ini off ang kanyang cellphone saka inilagay sa kanyang tabi.

Ang totoo nyan hindi naman kila Bogz ang punta nya, kundi patutungo sya sa sariling bahay ni Katie, kung saan magdadalawang taon na syang naninirahan doom kasamang dalaga.

Malayo ng sasakyan ni Zero, pero si Amber nakatayo pa rin dun, nakatanaw pa rin sa kanyang Anak. Kakaiba ang kanyang nararamdaman ngayon, parang may hindi magandang mangyayari sa araw na'to.

"Anong....?"

Nasapo nyang kaliwang dibdib ng bumilis ang t***k ng kanyang puso.

"Masamang pangitain ito!!". Pumihit sya patalikod, malalaki ang bawat hakbang papasok ng kanilang bahay. Hinanap kaagad ang kanyang alagad na Kwago.

"Ziglo!!"

Pumapagaspas ang malalaking pakpak ng Kwago, dumapo kaagad ito sa kanyang balikat.

"Sundan mo si Fossils!!"

Kumumpas ang kanyang kamay.. Iglap lang at naglaho ng Kwago nyang kaibigan.

'Iuwi mong ligtas ang anak ko, Ziglo!!! Ipangako mo, kaibigan!!'

Saglit syang naghintay ng sagot nito.

'Pangako!! kaibigan!!'

Pagkarinig nya ng sagot ni Ziglo, sa kanyang isipan. Tinungo na ni Amber ang kusina para maghanda ng kanilang hapunan.

=¢=

Samantala sa bahay naman ni Katie. Katatapos lang nitong makipag usap sa isang imbestigador, pagkabayad nya sa serbisyo nito, kaagad namang nag paalam at umalis na ito.

"Sana meron na!!! Fingers crossed!! Whoopi!!!"

Excited syang binuksan ang folder.... para lang ma dismaya ulit.

"Haaayy...!!"

Marahang ibinaba ni Katie sa mesa ang folder na hawak, nangalumbaba syang napaisip kung bakit hanggang ngayon wala pa ring makalap na impormasyon ang mga imbestigador nyang nakukuha.

"Bakit ganun? Kahit ilan pang imbestigador ang i hire ko, pare pareho lang ang nire report sa'kin... "

Bumabang kanyang tingin sa folder,naka balandra dun ang sulat na 'FILE NOT FOUND'

"Hmmm.. Sino kaba talaga Zeke? Bakit wala man lang akong mahanap na sagot sa mga katanungang gumugulo sa isip ko tungkol sa'yo?"

Kinuha nyang picture ni Zero na nakaipit sa folder, pinaka titigan nya ito.

"Napaka misteryoso mong tao."

Hinaplos haplos nyang buhok nito sa picture, nalipat ang kanyang daliri sa mga mata ni Zero.. Maya maya napangiti sya ng maalala ang nakaraan nila.

"I seriously hate how you can make me believe in everything that you say. As easy as that. You can make my mind turn tapsy-turvy until I could finally say “Yes”. I would always want to say “No”, but your convincing power always pulls my mind to utter the yes word. Sometimes, I would slap my face and remind myself not to trust people just like that. I’m not like this before. I keep my trust into my palm and never hand to anybody else but my mother. But when you came along, I felt like I’m protected with you. I trust you."

Kinakausap nyang picture na para bang kaharap lang nya ang misteryosong binata.

"Like everybody else, I want to make myself happy, but it’s you who did it. You told me, it’s your job to make me happy and you’re taking the right for that responsibility. I can’t do anything but to let you handle my happiness, because it is you who’s my real happiness. You make me smile with just one silly grimace. You make me laugh with one stupid joke. We shared too many laughter that I can’t even count those times when I cried because of laughing. You know what will make me happy and you know when to stop annoying me with your corny jests. You’re my cute clown. I’m happy being with you."

Nangalumbaba sya't napatingin sa labas ng bintana.

"Over the days that we’ve been together, I’m starting to know you better. I’ve discovered your favorites, your hobbies, your interests and the things you’ve always dreamed of. Sometimes, I really get worried of some of your habits especially if I can see that it won’t give you any good. I know, there are times when I stepped on to much to your private life but I just want you to be okay, everyday. I don’t want seeing you very tired, and most especially, I don’t want you getting sick. I know you don’t want me telling you things over and over again because you ain’t weak, but I just can’t help it. I just care too much about you."

Sumandal sya't napatingin sa kisame. Inaalalang happy memories with Zero.

"Virtually, you just don’t know how tight I hugs you. In my mind, I kiss and pinch your cheeks because you’re too cute for me. This may sound so childish but I always draw scenes in my mind which includes me and you, hugging each other tight, like there’s no tomorrow. Before I go to sleep, it’s you that I always think of. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not perverting you in my mind, I just love the feeling being in your arms. I always dreamed of you."

Maya't mayang kanyang pag ngiti, na ngayon ay may halong pagka kilig na.

"Everyday of my life, this smile that I never expected to have, was the most beautiful thing that greeted me as I woke up. I never thought that I can smile as sweet as this before the time you haven’t been in my life. But when you came along, you changed a bit of myself, and it’s for the better. And I’m willing enough to show the real me in front of you because I believe that you’ll accept me whoever or whatever I am. And I’ll do the same to you. This smile in my face is just one of the things I’m thankful to you. I know, you’re God’s gift to me."

Dahan dahan syang pumikit, na may munting ngiti pa sa kanyang labi.

'You made me realized so many things which I haven’t think of before. You taught me to value my life and to appreciate everything around me. You made me realized how many persons are there to love me, because I deserved it. You’re the one who let me know who are my true friends and those who are not. You taught me that not everything is just about me. That I should also try reaching for other people because there are still those who are willing to help me without any return. You’re really a good guy and I’m happy that you’re by my side. You are my hero.

Often times, we may not understand each other, but it’s you who always choose to level down your pride. You never harbor ill feelings against me and you’re always willing to forgive me when I’m at fault. You always try to understand me because you know how to handle my attitude. And when you do something that’s not right, you don’t hide it. Instead, you ask forgiveness without any lies and false promises. I can’t help forgiving you because I always feel how sincere you are. I’m always willing to forgive you.

Unanimously, my family, my friends and myself were already sure that it’s you who deserve all the love and care that I can give. There’s nobody else who can love and care for me as much as you do. You’re too perfect for me that sometimes, I’m afraid that we can’t be for each other. But it’s you who take away all the doubts in my head because you assured me that it is you who was meant to be for me. That’s why I’m giving you all the trust and responsibility to carry me through good and bad times. I can’t help myself from falling in love with you over and over again.'

Dumilat sya't umayos sa pagkakaupo, inilapit sa kanyang mukha ang litrato ni Zero.

"You love me.... but I love you more!!' Sabay halik nya sa picture . "hmm.. Mwa!!"

Masayang masaya na sya sa ganito, kahit na hindi pa rin bumabalik ang alaala ng binata. Bastat para sa kanya, kahit ano o maging sino man ito, tatanggapin at mamahalin nya ito..

"Zeke!... Walang iwanan, hanggang kamatayan.. Promise!!"

Ng biglang umihip ang malakas na hanging lamig mula sa bintana nyang bukas.

WHOOOSSS

"A- Anong...?"

Napasunod ang kanyang tingin sa kumpol kompol na mga kalapating itim na nagsipasukan sa loob ng kanyang bahay.

"Sa wakas! Nahanap din kita!!"

"Ikaw..?" Napangisi sya ng mamukhaan ang bampirang binaril nya noon sa Sierra Casa Blanca. Alam nyang magkikita pa sila nito, Hindi nga lang nya inaasahan na ngayong araw na pala ito mangyayari.

"Pinaglaruan mo ako noon..." Nanlilisik ang mga mata ni Lulwa habang papalapit kay Katie. ".. Ako naman ang maglalaro sa'yo ngayon."

At sa isang kisapmata lang sakal sakal na nito si Katie.

Yun ang tagpong bumungad kay Zero, pagka bukas pa lang nya ng pinto.

"What the F*ck!!!"

💃MahikaNiAyana