The Universe Traveler (Taglish)

Chapter 1: Direct Message

— Devon Talex P.O.V —

"KAILANGAN MO ng katuwang para hindi matigil ang sumpa," wika ng lola kong si Asul.  

I do not need to repeat what she said. There is only one thing about it. She's telling all about our ancient supernatural power.  

She even told me back then, the power we have is said to come from an indefinable creature. She believes that it is called a fairy.

And of course, who would believe that? But as time passes by, I just decided to pretend to believe so that Grandma would not tease me so much. There is no day that she does not talk about the power of our clan.

"Ang kapangyarihang ito ay natatangi sa atin apo. Ikaw lamang ang pinagsabihan ko nito sa kadahilanang sa iyo ko ito ipapamana. Sa madaling salita, ipagpapatuloy mo ang naudlot naming paglalakbay ng lolo mo." Aniya kaya naman mas lalo akong naguluhan.

At first glance, I thought that it is just an ordinary book.

Your Adventure Guide   

"'Wag mo munang buksan apo," pagpipigil niya sa akin. "Hindi pa oras. Masyado pang delikado," aniya ng may emosyong pag-aalala.  

Sometimes, I don't really understand her anymore.

"Hmm, okay. But, what should I do here?" I asked sarcastically 

"Like what I've said earlier hijo, kailangan mo munang maghanap ng makakatuwang."  

It was almost 5 years then, since the last time I talked to and was with my Lola. Marami akong natutunan sa buhay. At isa na ro’n ang mabuhay mag  isa.

"Hey! It seems like you’re thinking so depth," Jerad said.  

"Nothing, just don't mind it dude," sambit ko habang nakatuon pa rin ang aking atensyon sa laptop at patuloy na pumipindot sa keyboard.  

I don't want a nuisance at this time. Masyado ng mahaba ang pagsasawalang bahala ko. Kailangan ko ng gumawa ng aksyon. Perhaps it's the perfect time to do this? Yeah, I guess so. 

I'm now busy scrolling on my Twitter feed. Tho' I have other social media account to also use, but still, Twitter makes me feel different. 

@gailduu retweeted  

@andreexyz  

Thanks for 5 million subscribers! I love y'all, I  promise that I'll do better. *love emoji  

This tweet caught my attention.  

@andreexyz

Andree Lyn Damontez  

Watch my vlogs!  

*YouTube link  

She's a vlogger? A travel vlogger? Hmm, what an interesting field.  

"Uy Dev! Sama ka naman sa hang out. Miss ka na ng squad dude," pambubulyo ni Kyle.  

"Pass. I need something to do first. Maybe next time? Please, I promise." Humagikhik ako at inakbayan siya.  

Ilang oras ang lumipas hindi ko inaasahang magkakatagpo na naman kami ng librong ibinigay sa'kin ni lola.  

"Pakaiingatan mo 'yan apo. Iyan lamang ang maiiiwan ko sa 'yong pamana." I remembered she'd told me.  

I hold the book. "Are you real?"  

I’m insane to know what it really contains.

"Aling Susi, pakiabot nga ho 'yung laptop ko," I commanded to her. 

"Sir." 

I undoubtedly open my laptop saka binuksan ang Twitter account ko. Kailangan kong makasiguro kung totoong vlogger ba talaga 'yung babaeng nahagip ng aking atensyon.  

Matapos ang ilang saglit na pagsisiyasat, bumungad na sa akin ang kaniyang YouTube feed.

She reached five million subscribers.  

But, I don't know her even before. Maybe, she's just starting yet quickly catch the goal.  

I scrolled up then I realized that she really made a lot of videos.

"Sir, may gusto pong kumausap sa 'yo," saad ni manang na nagpataas pa lalo ng aking dugo.  

"Papasukin mo na lang, p’wede?" walang gana kong tugon.  

"Dude!" tawag ni Philip sabay pag-akbay sa akin.

"I'm busy, I don't have time for any bullsh*t party nor hangouts,” I said in an irritated tone.  

You want to disturb me, huh?  

"No, I'm not here to invite you. I just want to talk to you rather. I'll just want to make some trouble in your mansion. Is that okay?" he said then he bites his lower lip.

"Ano ba 'yang tinitignan mo d'yan?" dagdag niya pa.

"Nothing."

Lumapit siya sa 'kin hanggang sa tuluyan niya nang nakita ang ginagawa ko.  

"Hmm, she's a famous vlogger. Ba't 'di mo naman sinabi sa 'kin na may interes ka pala sa mga babae? I-I mean sa vlogging, hehe,"  

"She's the one. Siya ang matagal ko ng hinahanap. That’s what I think,” sunod-sunod kong sambit. 

"Huh? What are you saying? Is that your girlfriend? Ayan ha," pambubulyo niya saka inakbayan ako.

"Hindi mo naman sinabi sa 'min na may jowa ka na pala." He chortled, then.  

You don't know my life path. You better just keep quiet. 

Ayoko siyang madamay. Hindi rin p’wedeng malaman niya ang pinaka-tinatago kong sikreto.

I hid the laptop in the cabinet and turned on the tv. He told me that we should just watch Netflix, then okay, for the sake of our conscience.

Until someone rang on his phone. "Wait, dude. Sagutin ko lang muna. Just a couple of minutes." Pamamaalam niya.  

Kaya naman binalik ko ang tuon sa panonood ng sa tv habang lutang na nag-iisip.  

"What?!" rinig kong gulat niyang sambit. "Okay okay, I'll be there now,”  

Sandali siyang lumapit sa 'kin na bigla kong ipinagtaka. "Alis muna ko dude. Emergency,” aniya saka kumaway.

He did not tell me what it was, he just said goodbye to me and I just let him go.

By this time, kailangan ko ng ipagpatuloy ang naudlot kong pagsasaliksik.  

I grab my laptop once more, then I open its YouTube application.  

*Typing... Andree Travel Vlogs  

Bumungad sa akin ang kanyang account.  

Gotcha!  

Tanaw agad ang mga magagandang destinasyon na kaniya nang natungo.

Local places lang ang mga lugar na iyon ngunit tanyag na tanyag sa ganda.  

She also looks beautiful too, by the way.

I went back to the Twitter application to finally convince her. I think you’re the one who would travel with me, Andree.

"Sir?"  

Sh*t!

"Ano na naman manang?" taas tono kong tanong.  

"Nakahain na sa hapag 'yung pagkain. Kumain ka na po muna. Alas tres na ng hapon, wala pang laman 'yang tiyan mo." Usad niya.  

"Pakihatid na lang 'yung akin, please? May ginagawa pa 'kong importante," bumalik muli ang atensyon ko sa laptop at 'di na pinansin ang mga sunod niya pang sinabi.  

Me: [If you would be given a chance to travel the entire universe, will you undoubtedly grab it?]   

I send her a dm with this interesting question. Please agree with me?  

*Seen  

Mga ilang minuto pa ang lumipas bago ko siya nakitang magsimula mag type.  

*Typing  

She replied: [Thanks for that kind of offer. But, that's too impossible. No thanks,]

So peevish!  

Me: You would understand soon.  

"Here's your food Sir," saad ni manang.  

"Sorry manang, kailangan ko munang umalis ngayon," I dictate her what to do.  

Lumabas ako ng mansyon at kailangan kong dumaan sa hotel. Mag ba-baka sakali ako na mayroong Andree Lyn Damontez ang nag-rent doon. Lalo na't napag-alaman kong naririto rin sila sa Batanes. 

Coincidence?

I looked up. My grandmother's hotel wasn’t fading. It was made excellently. As far as I know, it has also forty floors.

"Good afternoon Sir!" bati sa 'kin ng isang trabahador. I just smiled at him.  

"Miss..." I look at the pin name on her shirt. "Miss Jasmine,"  

"What can I do for you Sir Talex?"  

"Pakitignan sa list ng mga customers kung may Andree Lyn Damontez ang nag-book. She's a vlogger," dali-dali kong sabi at dagling tinignan ang orasan sa aking kaliwang braso.  

It's now 3:38 pm.  

She felt shocked by what I said. Her mouth dropped open. I suddenly closed my eyes angrily as I placed one shoulder on the desk. "A-ah... opo, mayroon po. Actually, kahapon lang sila nagpa-reserve. May kasama rin po siyang babae, kaibigan niya po 'yun yata," tugon niya. "Bakit po sir?"  

"It’s a private matter. Give me now her unit number or…" inilahad ko ang isang palad ko at tinignan siya ng nakangisi.  

Tumango tango lang siya. "Okay, sir copy,” she continued to type.  

"Uhm… sir? Is this not illegal? Kakilala ka po ba ng customer?"  

Napahampas ako sa desk na nasa harapan niya.  

"Give it now or I will fire you? Remember, maraming pwedeng pumalit sa ‘yo, hmm," I attempt her then I raised my brows.  

Ramdam kong may kaba siyang naramdaman na naging dahilan upang mas hanapin niya iyon ng mabilisan.  

"Sorry, sir," yumuko siya. "She's in unit number 1578 po,"  

"Okay," maikli kong tugon at madaliang sumakay sa elevator papunta sa unit na iyon.