Angel's Mission (Taglish)

Chapter 5

Kabanata 5

Life and death.

Two words that define a thousand meanings.

But what I’m certain of; it is an inevitable fate of everyone.

That’s part of everyone’s life that most people are feared about.

Only few brave people can entirely embrace it and Tammy is one of those few.

“Bakit ka umiiyak dito?” I wiped my tears away as soon as I heard him.

Joshuel approached me and sit beside me.

Dito agad ako pumunta nang maintindihan ko kung anung nangyari sa batang kasama ko. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi malungkot, maawa at masaktan para sa kaniya habang nakatingin sa playground kung nasaan kami kanina.

“Sometimes, I wonder if God is really cruel.” Out of the blue, I stated my opinion saka tumingin sa papalubog na araw.

“Bakit mo naman nasabi yan?”

“Because He created sadness and death. Hindi ba pwedeng wala nalang gulo? Everyone can live at peace. Hindi ba pwedeng wala nalang sakit, then everyone would not suffer like the way Tammy did. At wala nalang kamatayan. Everyone can be immortal so no one will be miserable after losing someone.”Malungkot na pahayag ko dito.

“He created those to balance everything.He created death so people can appreciate someone’s life. Darkness so we can see the beauty of lightness. Sadness so we will know the feeling of happiness. I think without all these things, we’re merely breating and not alive.”

“Napakabata pa ni Tammy. Ni hindi nya man lang naranasan sigurong maglaro kasama ang ibang mga bata. She did not deserve this way of death.”

“God is wiser than you think He is. Everything happened has reasons. You may not understand that right now but I know that eventually you will. At isa pa, masaya na si Tammy ngayon. Nagawa nya naman ang lahat ng gusto nya even with a limited time. So you don’t have any reasons to be sad at all for her.”

Then that’s the first time I saw his genuine smile.

“There she is.” Napatingin naman ako sa direksyon na tinuro nya. Then I saw Tammy’s smiling face while waving us goodbye. Palabas ito ng hospital habang hawak ang Mommy nya.

“Pero hangga’t lumalaban po yung pamilya ko para sa’kin, sa tingin ko wala po ako karapatang sumuko o panghinaan ng loob. Hindi po ba?”

I remembered Tammy’s word that made me chose this decision.

“Let’s do it.” Determinado na hinarap ko si Joshuel.

“You’re gonna do it?”

“As if I have a choice, right?” Now’s the time that I show my fancy crooked smile at him.

“I know right. Well, actually you do have a choice. And that’s to simply give up at tanggapin mo na hindi ka na makakabalik sa katawan mo.”

“Just like what Tammy said. Hangga’t lumalaban ang pamilya ko, wala akong karapatang sumuko. I must do everything that I can to live. So, what do I need to do now?”

He snapped his fingers at nag-iba na naman ang lugar na kinakatayuan namin.

It’s like a garden or a park.

I see different kinds of trees everywhere. Different wilf flowers around the area. Benches and a very large fountain in front of us.

“Sit down.” Utos sa’kin ni Joshuel while he’s comfortably sitting in one of those benches.

“Where are we? Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Is this for real?” Naa-amaze na tanong ko dito at naglibot sa paligid na parang bata.

He then cleared his throat and smiled sarcastically at me.

“No you’re not. Kung iniisip mo na nasa langit ka na, nagkakamali ka. Masyado pang maaga para isipin mo na makakapunta ko dun. And to tell you frankly, I’m not even sure kung dun ka mapupunta once na oras mo na. Seeing how you live your life.”

“Seriously?! Are you really my guardian angel?!”  I tried to stay calm as I could but I failed.

“Why’d you asked? Mahirap bang paniwalaan na ang isang gwapo at hot na katulad ko ay guardian angel ng maldita na tulad mo? Na-startstruck ka sa’kin right? Sabi ko na nga ba, if I’m only living right now, I’m really sure that I can be a great actor in this country.” Sabay suot nito ng shades na hindi ko alam kung saan nya napulot.

“Where’s your wings and halo then? Usually angels has wings and halo right?” I crossed my arms and start to doubt him.

“Those who can see my halo are the ones who are ghost already and it goes for my wings as well. So do you still want to see it?”

 “No!” I immediately stop him from what he’s about to do.

“Naninigurado lang naman ako kung talagang anghel ka nga. Bakit ganyan ka pumorma? Tapos mas madalas ka pang mag-english kesa sa’kin. And what with those attitude? Is Angel supposed to be rude and sacrcastic at all times? Last time I check, Angels supposed to be kind, gentle and charming.” I crossed my arms and teased him.

“Why? Is it a sin already to look good? And for your information, we know how to read, write or speak in all languages. We can also sing, dance and play any instruments. We’re simply talented. And who are you calling rude and sarcastic? Kind, Check. Gentle. Check. Charming. Check. Wala ka nang hahanapin pa.” Paliwanag nya habang pinandidilatan ako ng mata.

This is the first time that I saw an angel who could be this conceited and full of himself. Oh, right, this is the first time I met one.

“Yeah, right. As you say so. Paniwalaan mo kung anung gusto mong paniwalaan. Ano bang kailangan kong gawin makabalik na sa katawan ko.” I just agreed dahil mukhang hindi matatapos ang kayabangan nito kung hindi ko yun sasabihin.

And as he snapped his fingers in the thin air, there’s a notebook appeared in front of us. As tiny as a coin.

“Nakalagay sa notebook na’to ang mga pangalan ng sampung taong kailangan mo.” Then he handed me that tiny notebook which I think I need some magniflying glass to be able to see what’s inside.

“Ganito talaga ‘to kaliit? Wala bang mas malaking size ng notebook?” Reklamo ko sa kanya.

He pat the notebook then it turned twenty times bigger and thousand times heavier than what it is earlier na syang dahilan kung bakit napaluhod ako habang sinusubukang buhatin ‘to.

“Can’t you at least be more considerate?” Naiinis na tanong ko dito habang pinipilit pa rin buhatin ang notebook na binigay nya.

“Believe me I am.” He said between his chuckles. Then tap my shoulder.

“Para sabahin ko sa’yo, I’m not doing it on purpose. That is the original look of that notebook.”

“Then how am I supposed to carry this? Tao ako at hindi katulad mo na kayang gumawa ng mga kababalaghan.” I sarcastically answered. Still in the ground trying to at least take back my hand.

“I just said that that’s the original look of that notebook not the weight. And believe me or not, it’s light as the feather. The main reason kung bakit ka nabibigatan at hindi mo makayang mabuhat yan is because there’s a heavy burden inside you. Yes, maaaring hindi ka na galit sa kinalakihan mong pamilya but you also need to forgive others. Sa nakikita ko, there’s so much more that you need to know and learn. At ang isa pang rason ay dahil sa mga buhay ng mga taong nakapaloob dyan. They carrying the same burden just like you.”

Nagawa ko ding makuha ang mga kamay ko sa ilalim ng notebook na yun. I stand up straight and look at him; irritated.

“Teacher ka ba? Hindi naman di ba? So don’t lecture me. Tulungan mo nalang ako para mapadali ‘tong misyon na sinasabi mo.”

“Believe me, gusto kong matapos na ang misyon na’to sa lalong madaling panahon as much as you do.” He smiled and pats again the notebook causing it to shrink and looked as it is before. He kept it in his wallet.

Hindi ko alam na possible din palang magkaroon ng bipolar ang mga anghel. Sa una suplado then after that he will smile so genuine and sweet.

“And how do we do that?”

“Good question. We need to find someone who can help us.”

“At sino naman ang someone na yun?”

“Someone who is grateful by your presence. Or should I say, isang taong may utang na loob sa’yo. Though I know it’s hard to believe there’s one.” He continued while we strolled in this beautiful garden.

“I’m afraid that I agree with you. Hindi ba pwedeng yung family ko nalang ang pwedeng tumulong sa’tin? I’m sure na matutulungan nila tayo.”

“I know right. I mean, sinong magkakautang na loob sa isang malditang tulad mo? Pero sa maniwala ka man o hindi, may taong ganun ang nararamdaman sa’yo. At doon tayo pupunta ngayon.”

Hindi na rin ako nagulat nang mag-iba na naman ang lugar na kinakatayuan namin as he snapped his fingers.

One of the perks of being angel. Hindi mo na kailangan ng pamasahe o mastuck pa sa traffic.

But out of all places, talagang sa putikan pa kami napunta.

“Seriously? Sa putikan talaga?” I rolled my eyes at him.

I just hear him sighed at nagsimula nang lumakad paalis.  Then that’s the time I got a chance para tumingin sa paligid.

It’s already dark, gaano ba katagal nandun sa garden na yun?

If I would describe this place where we at right now. Dalawa ang pwede kong maisagot. Maingay at Magulo.

Tabi-tabi at tagpi-tagping bahay. Nagkalat ang mga tambay at mga lasinggero sa gitna ng daan. Isama mo pa ang mga batang nagtatakbuhan na wala man lang suot na mga tsinelas sa daan.

Nagkalat din sa daan ang ilang mga tao na may hawak na mga balde at lalagyanan ng mga tubig. Sa tingin ko ay mga nag-iigib ito mula sa kaisa-isang posong natatanaw ko di kalayuan.

Hindi rin nakaligtas sa’kin ang mabahong amoy na sigurado akong nanggagaling sa mga kanal sa gilid ng daan.

Saang lugar ba ako dinala ng anghel na’to?

Napatigil lang ako ng mabangga ko si Joshuel na nasa unahan ko.

“Nandito na tayo.”

Huminto kami sa isang bahay na gawa sa mga kahoy, pinagtagpi-tagping yero at iba’t ibang poster ng mga kandidato.

“Nasaan na ba tayo? Ngayon lang ako nakapunta dito.” I asked while still inspecting the place.

“Don’t worry, we’re still in your hometown. The very reason that we’re here is dahil dito nakatira ang taong makakatulong sa misyon mo.” My eyes followed where he’s pointing at.

Nakita ko ang isang babaeng nagluluto gamit ang ilang mga kahoy sa gilid ng hinintuan naming bahay.

“Her name is Llicec Fajardo. A grade 12 student in Arellano University. Nagtatrabaho ang nanay nya sa isang pwesto sa palengke while her father is a family driver. “

“Pareho kami ng school na pinapasukan. Her name is Llicec? Sounds familiar. Where did I heard that-.”

Hindi ko na anatuloy pa ang sasabihin ko nang humarap sa’min ang babaeng tinutukoy nya.

“I knew her!” At nag-flashback sa utak ko nung panahong nasagasaan ako. Then I saw this girl. Crying while running towards me.

“Of course you knew her. Sya yung pinagtanggol mo sa mga bully sa labas ng school nyo that’s why she’s thankful to you. At sya rin ang nagdala sa’yo sa hospital.”

“Right, her name is Llicec.” I continued as we welcomed ourselves in their small kitchen.

Pinanood ko ito habang masayang nagluluto ng mga iba’t ibang gulay.

“Ate, matagal pa po ba yan? Nagugutom na po kami ni Raiver.” Maya-maya ay may lumabas na batang babae na sa tingin ko ay hindi nagkakalayo ang edad kay Tammy. Hawak nito ang isang batang lalaki na sa tingin ko ay lagpas limang taong gulang.

“Malapit ng matapos sa pagluluto dito si ate. Mag-ayos ka na ng mga pinggan sa mesa. Para pagdating nila Inay at Kuya ay makakain na agad tayo.” She answered with a smile then pat her head.

“Sige po, Ate. Maghahanda na po ako.”

“Pangalawa sa apat na magkakapatid. In a daytime, she’s a student. Sa gabi naman, nagtatrabaho syang cashier at waitress sa isang 24 hours fast food chain sa di kalayuan. Her profile is also clean. Mabait, masipag, matalino, maasahan, walang arte, mapagmahal sa magulang, may respeto kahit kanino. Unlike you.” Joshuel continued to describe her and teased me.

While me, I can’t help but to stare at them. Maski ako hindi ko maexplain sa sarili ko kung anung nararamdaman ko ngayon.

I don’t know if this is a culture shock or what.

Ngayon lang kasi ako nakapunta sa lugar na ganito, nakapasok sa ganitong bahay, nakakita ng ganitong kasimpleng pamilya.

Nagulat nalang ako nang hindi sinasadyang matabig ako ng kamay nito. And what’s worse is mukhang hindi lang ako ang may ibang naramdaman. She focused her eyes in front of her which is me.

“Oh my gosh. Nakikita nya rin ba ako?”

“Nope. She can’t see you. But she can feel you.” Joshuel answered.

May gusto pa sana akong sabihin pero hindi na natuloy yun dahil naagaw ang atensyon ko sa mga bagong dating sa bahay.

“Nay! Kuya!”

Agad na sinalubong ng yakap ng dalawang bata ang mga ito.

Isang babaeng nakasuot ng simpleng daster at may bitbit na bilao sa kaliwa nitong kamay. Marami-rami na rin ang puting buhok nito na tanda ng katandaan, kasunod naman nitong pumasok ang isang lalaking nakasuot ng pormal na damit.

“Cecile Fajardo, 58 years old at nagsislbing ilaw ng tahanan ng pamilya. At Calvin Fajardo, 28 years old. Panganay na anak nito.” Pagpapakilala ni Joshuel sa mga ito.

“May pasalubong si kuya sa inyo. Walang iba kundi ang paborito nyong pancit!” Sabay pakita nito sa supot nyang hawak.

“Maghugas na kayo ng kamay para makakain na tayo. Para hindi na ma-late si Ate Llicec nyo sa trabaho nya.” Pagkara’y sabi nito at kumuha ng isang pinggan para sa dala nitong pancit.

“Mano po, Inay.” Si Llicec. Kasabay ng pagkuha ng bilao na dala ng Nanay nya.

“Kaawaan ka ng Diyos. Llicec, anak. Sigurado ka bang papasok ka pa sa trabaho ngayong gabi? Hindi ba’t bukas na ang final exam nyo? Baka mas makakabuti kung wag ka na munang pumasok ngayon at mag aral ka nalang muna dito sa bahay.”

“Wag po kayong mag-alala. Wala naman po kaming gaanong customer kaya siguradong makakapag-aral ako kahit papano mamaya. Sayang din po yung kikitain ko ngayong gabi. At isa pa Nay, kailangan po natin ‘to lalo na’t natanggal si Kuya sa bar na pinagtatrabahuhan nya. Ang mabuti pa ho, kumain na po tayo. Kanina pa po nagugutom sila Lyric.”

“Good evening. Welcome po sa JMI restaurant. Ano pong order nyo?” Nakangiti na bati ni Llicec sa taong sumunod sa pila.

We’re here in the fast food chain she’s currently working at. Sinundan namin sya ni Joshuel dito para makita ang pagtatrabaho nya. Nakaupo kami sa isang bakanteng mesa while watching her.

Pero kabaliktaran ng sinabi nito sa Nanay nya na konti lang ang customer doon. This restaurant is a jam packed.

Maraming ibat-ibang tao ang nasa loob, mostly teengers. Sa tingin ko nga ay mauubusan na sya ng boses sa pagkuha ng mga order ng mga ito. She looks tired but happy in her job at the same time.

“She lied.” I commented. Still looking at her.

“Huh?”

I turned my gaze at Joshuel’s puzzled look.

“She lied at her Mom. She knew that this place has a lot of customers. Pero sinabi nyang konti lang ang mga customer nila dito.”

“Ah, yun ba? She just said that cause she knows that her Mom will never allows it. Pag nalaman ng Nanay nya na mahirap at nakakapagod ang trabaho nya, mag-aalala lang ito at mapipilitan syang sundin ang utos nito. But they need money. For their everyday expenses. Hindi nya kayang walang gawin while her siblings getting hungry.”

“Yeah, right.” I just agreed para hindi na humaba pa ang usapan. Knowing him, hindi naman sya nagpapatalo sa mga discussion.

“Anyway, back to business. As I mentioned before, she’s the only one who can help you with your mission. And that is by possessing her body. Once na makatulog sya then you can go ahead and take control over her.  Within those time, dapat mahanap mo ang mga taong nandoon sa notebook. And the rest is ikaw na bahala kung anung dapat gawin para mabago mo ang buhay ng mga taong yun.”

“Possessing her body? You mean, sasanib ako sa kanya para magawa yung sinasabi mo na mission? And do you know how hard is that?” I asked in disbelief.

“I know. She is your exact opposite. Lahat n g good traits ng isang tao ay masasabi kong nasa kanya na. While you got the bad ones. Kaya kung ako sa’yo pag-aaralan ko na kung paano maging mabait.”

He showed me his fancy crooked smile again.

If only I can erase that smile.

“I get it. You don’t have to rub it on my face. Madali lang naman maging mabait. Anyway, who’s the first person on the list?”

“Good luck then. You’ve got 50 days to do this mission. So if you have ten names on the list. I assumed that you will finish one by one within five days para makahabol tayo sa deadline. And your day 1 will start tomorrow.”

He showed me the giant notebook again and flip one of the pages.

“Your first task is…-“

“Primo Benedict Santillices.” I continued as I scanned the very first name that appeared in the first page.