Between Two Worlds

Chapter 6

I accidentaly lean my back against the wall and seems like I failed myself from escaping. One-fourth lang ang bukas ng roll up ng grahe kung kaya't bandang paa lang ang kita ko mula sa nilalamg na may ari ng yabag na iyon.

Sa pagbukas ng roll up ay kasabay ang pagkahulog ko mula sa kinasasandigan ko.

I screamed loudly to seek for help but there's no point of screaming because I found myself inside the dark room.

The echo of my voice murmured in my ears repeatedly. Bakit ba ako nagtatago sa sarili kong bahay?

I can't help myself but to scream and scream.

"Robert! Vien!" I screamed their names without hesitation. "Can anyone hear me? Hello?!" paulit-ulit na bigkas ko ngunit ang naririnig ko lang ay ang echo ng aking boses.

Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo ko. Tila huli na nang mapagtanto ko na masakit pa rin ang mga pasa na natamo ko mula nang mapagulong ako sa gubat at parang dumoble ang sakit nang mahulog ako rito.

Nasaan ba ako? I haven't seen this in the blueprint of the house, unless Lolo hid the real blueprint. Paano ba ako makakalabas dito?

Siguro naman may switch ng ilaw rito. I seek for the switch even though my eyes can't see anything inside this dark room

While roaming around, walking through the dark, I tripped from a random thing out there.

Shemay, it's a cliff! Kaagad na humawak ako sa bagay na nahagip ng kamay ko. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay sa isang wire ako nakakapit pero hindi ko alam kung magtatagal pa ang pagkapit ko roon. Before I lose grip, I heard someone’s footsteps, going in my direction. I lift up my head letting me see his vague silhouette. "H-help!" sambit ko na parang malapit na akong maubusan ng hangin dahil sa makapigil-hiningang sitwasyon ko ngayon.

"S-sorry, I have to do this." Hindi ko man kita ang mukha niya pero alam ko kung sino ang may-ari ng boses na iyon.

Napasigaw ako dahil sa sakit nang apakan niya ang mga daliri kong nanginginig na sa paghawak sa manipis na wire.

As he pressed his shoe against my hand, I inevitably lose the grip and let myself to fall into the dark.

"Nooooooo!" I screamed loudly. Napabalikwas ako ng bangon. I sweat from head to toe. My heartbeat is as fast as if it was in a racing competition.

Hindi ko alam kung paano ako magre-react sa kung ano ang nakita ko sa aking panaginip na parang totoong nangyari. It felt so surreal. Hindi ko alam kung kaya kong harapin ang mga taong nasa harapan ko ngayon gayong kaya nilang basahin ang nasa isip ko. I don't know if I could still trust them.

"What happened, Bette? Vien told me that she saw you collapsed at the garage," nag-aalalang wika ni Robert. I felt relieved when he said those. Ibig sabihin hindi niya suot ang contacts niya upang basahin ang aking iniisip.

"P-pagod lang siguro ito," I told him. To be honest, I fell from the high ground but Vien told him that I collapsed? Did she lied or I'm just delusional? I need to ask her about this matter but first, I need to calm myself from that dire dream.

Tumayo ako sa pagkakaupo. I just found myself laying on the sofa.

"Are you okay na? Is there something na sumasakit pa?" asked Vien. May pagka-konyo pala itong si Vien?

"Yes. I’m fine,” I plainly said.

Hindi ko alam na dinala pala ako ng paa ko sa kusina at hindi namalayan na kasama ko pala ang robot na buntot nang buntot sa akin kanina pa.

"Bakit mo ba ako sinusundan? Kanina ay sa garahe at ngayon, dito? You're neither my personal bodyguard nor a friend so please stop like you are one! You irritate me!" I blurted out.

"I-I'm s-sorry," mahina niyang tugon. Naramdaman ko na tila nasaktan siya sa mga nasabi ko mula sa kaniyang boses. I was later surprised when she lets go of water under her eyes. Pinahid niya ang luhang iyon bago tumalikod sa akin.

"W-wait!" Napatigil siya sa paghakbang nang sabihin ko iyon. I felt guilty of what I did but I'm serious about it. "I don't know that a robot had feelings too but I mean it. I know you are programmed to be my BEST FRIEND but can you please stop doing what you are doing! A BEST FRIEND is not a friend with title because BEST FRIEND is a friend that makes everything happier and memorable, experience things that can't be bought by money, always there in upside downs. More importantly, they don't lie with each other. Those are the things I define BEST FRIEND. So please stop being like that, it annoys me!" I left her after I said those cold remarks.

I went to my room then locked my door and failed to govern my eyes. Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pa ba ang bigat na aking dinadala ngayon.

Those words I said to Vien reminds me of my friends.

They are almost perfect but I don't know if they are telling me the truth. Truth that I began to doubt.

~FLASHBACK~

"Guys, pagod na ako, pwede bang magpahinga muna tayo saglit?" pagrereklamo ko. Napaupo na lang ako sa malaking bato na malapit sa akin.

"Hindi tayo makakarating sa tuktok nitong bundok kung titigil tayo," sabat ni Christine.

"Oo nga, tayo na, baka hindi natin makita ang paglubog ng araw mula sa tuktok ng bundok," dagdag naman ni Kryzel.

Nagsimula na ulit kaming maglakad. Dahil sa gusto ko nang makarating sa tuktok ng bundok para makapagpahinga, ako na ang nanguna sa aming magkakaibigan.

Alam kong kasunod ko pa sila ngunit nang lumingon ako sa aking likuran ay natigilan akl dahil walang bakas ni anino man lang nila ang aking nakita.

I started to seek for them but I can't feel their presence around me anymore.

Bumalik ako sa kung saan huli ko silang nakausap pero hindi ko sila nakita. Tila pinagplanuhan nila ang kanilang paglisan.

Babalik na sana ako sa bahay pero hindi ko alam kung saan ang daan pabalik. Malayo na rin kasi ang aming nilakad mula nang huli kaming mag-usap kung kaya't bumalik ako sa kung saan sila nawala baka makita ko sila sa aking pagbabalik ngunit wala silang iniwang bakas. I stopped from walking. Hingal na hingal akong umupo sa isang malaking puno ng narra, nag-aabang na baka bumalik sila pero hindi ako nagtagumpay.

~END OF FLASHBACK~

I thought that they want us together to see the sunset from the peak of that mountain but thinking it logically, I'm a failure discerning their actions.

Oo, hindi nila pinaramdam na iba ako. If I'm out of place, they will ask me about the topic to be in a circle and I began to doubt those experiences with them after that incident happened.

I love their companion. They are straightforward even though it can hurt people but I find it helpful to become a better person. We laugh with each other, shared same hobbies like archery and dancing.

Then, I accidentally saw them at the mall after I ate a while ago. They laughed hard as if they are too happy without me. Seeing them like that is enough to break me into pieces. Hindi ko alam kung kaya kong tiisin yung sakit na pinaramdam nila sa akin kaya't iniwasan kong mapagawi ang mata nila sa akin. Seeing them laughing felt like something electrified my whole system.

Wala na bang idadagdag ang sakit na nararamdaman ko ngayon? Tila ayaw akong pasayahin ng panahon. Puro sakit na lamang ang laman ng aking dibdib.

I laid on the bed facing the ceiling. A small tear drop fell as I shut off my eyes until sort of images devoured me like an art to entice me taking me into a deep slumber.

***

I was awakened by the sound of the door, knocking by someone outside.

"Bette, are you still asleep?" the voice asked. "You need to eat, you shouldn't forget to fill your stomach at the right time," mahinahong saad nito. "I'll wait you in the dining room. I won't eat if you're not going to eat. Please, Bette! Not meddling with the two of you but Vien also wants to talk to you about an important matter between you two," he added. I heard him left by the sound of his footsteps.

Bumangon ako sa kama. I thought it is still afternoon but I think I overslept. The stars from the window are smiling at me–sign that it was already midnight.

I massaged my eyes, seems like I'm not yet ready to face them but my heart said I should.

I took few steps to approach the mirror. As I see myself on it, I can't help but to pity myself. My eyes are swelling, the wounds are yet to vanish but the pain inside me are still fresh. I was like tortured by my own self by the means of thinking so much.

I seek for a spectacle to cover my eyes. I don't want them to see me like this.

Binuksan ko ang pinto at dumiretso sa dining room. Ang tahimik ng paligid, tila walang tao sa buong bahay.

I saw them sitting on the rectangular table. Bakante ang parehong dulo ng lamesa kung kaya't doon ako pumwesto sa kabilang dulo na malayo sa kanila. Hindi pa nila ginagalaw ang pagkaing nasa harap nila at totoo nga ang sinabi ni Robert mula sa likod ng pinto ng aking kwarto kanina.

"Buti naman at lumabas ka na," nakangiting panimula ni Robert. "It's our first time to eat together inside your mansion, so let's eat? Vien cooked all that!" he said like he's promoting such commercial.

"Okay." Walang lumabas na boses sa aking bibig. My throat is as tired as me. I can't force myself to speak because it will cause me great pain.

"Here!" Tinanggap ko ang basong may tubig na ibinigay sa akin ni Vien. I drink as many as I could but I don't know if there's a change because I still can't speak. "T-thanks!" I whispered. Tila naintidihan niya iyon sa galaw ng aking labi. She creates a deep smile so I gave her a slight smile too.

Sumandok ako ng kanin na nasa harapan ko. Vien assisted me to do so. The aroma of hot tinola caught my nose telling me I should start to eat before its temperature goes down. I took a spoonful of it paired with rice. It suits my taste so I gave it a go again.

"I'm going back to the future," Robert seriously said breaking the silence.

Muntik na akong mabulunan sa kanyang sinabi. I grab the glass again to stop me from choking. After drinking too much water, I loudly landed the glass in the table. "What?" Eventhough I don't have a voice, I know, he understands what I said.

His eyebrows narrowed. "I can't help myself to see you cry again and again so I decided to go back in the time where I really belong. It's hard for me to see you like that. Besides, you don't need me anymore," tugon nito na may halong pagkalungkot sa kaniyang boses.

I force myself to speak as loud as I could. "No! Don't do that! Maybe, time travel really exist pero kapag umalis ka, sasama ako!" My voice cracked and managed to speak a minimal voice out of my lungs.

"But it's dangerous out there! Hindi natin alam kung anong pwedeng maging komplikasyon ang maaari mong makuha. No, Bette, you won't!" he told me, full of authority and conviction. Tumayo siya sa kanyang kinauupuan at nilisan ang paligid. Nagdulot din ng ingay ang pagbaba niya ng kutsara’t tinidor sa kaniyang plato.

I followed him to where he is heading. I think he will go to the underground laboratory.

When I let him use the lab, I gave him a duplicate of my pinky finger mark so that he could enter the lab freely.

"Hey!" I called him but my voice is not enough in order for him look at me.

Kahit na binilisan ko na ang paglakad ay hindi ko pa rin siya magawang maabutan. I was late when I found myself running.

Malapit nang magsara ang pinto ng elevator. The opening is only an inch so I run as fast as I could. Napapiksi naman ako sa sakit nang ilagay ko ang aking kamay sa gitna nito. Unti-unting nagbukas ang pinto ng elevator at hingal na hingal na pumasok doon.

His eyes were opened widely. "W-why did you do that?" nag-aalalang tanong nito. He immediately grabbed my hand that has been caught in between the elevator's door and blew some air on it.

Binawi ko ang aking kamay mula sa kanya. "I'M. GOING. WITH. YOU!" I said with conviction. Thanks to me being hard-headed, I am still able to speak.

"No!" pagmamatigas nito.

"Yes, because I still need you! I need you as a companion. My lolo left but I don't know where he is. My friends left because they want me to vanish instantly and you, you will left me too? Hindi ko na kaya ang sakit na nararamdaman ko hanggang ngayon!" I said while my eyes shred into tears.

He hugged me tightly. "Bakit ang dali lang para sa kanila ang mang-iwan? I don't remember mistakes that I did to make them left me." I cried on his chest. I don't know if I could bear the pain alone but telling him those makes me feel at ease in a few moments.

Hanggang kailan pa ba ako makakaranas ng kirot dito sa aking dibdib? Tila ito na aking kapalaran—ang maramdaman ang sakit at kirot mula sa taong mahahalaga sa akin. Kaya ko pa ba? Kakayanin ko pa ba? Naguguluhan na ako sa mga nangyayari sa buhay ko at wala akong magawa kung hindi tanggapin ang lahat ng mga iyon.

Unexpectedly, the elevator opened–a sign that we are already here at the underground lab. Kumalas ako sa kanyang yakap at pinunasan ang mga luhang natatakluban ng aking spectacles.

He lead the way and I followed him until our feet carried us in a particular room. He showed me an unfinished machine and became baffled after seeing it because I don't know its purpose.

"So this is the device we're going to use going back to where I really belong." He approached the machine and lean against it. I nod my head upside down like I understood what is the purpose of this machine.

An important word caught my ears. "W-we? So pumapayag ka na sumama ako sa'yo?" Kahit na pagaw ang akong boses ay nagawa ko pa ring sabihin iyon nang diretso. Eventhough he can't see my eyes, I let out a euphoric smile as if I'm excited like a flower that wants to bloom immediately.

Napangiti siya sa aking pagngiti. Tila nakakahawa ang ngiting binitawan ko upang mapangiti siya ng abot-tenga.

***

Dalawang araw na ang nakakalipas at tanging ang ginagawa lamang ni Robert ay ang kumpunihin ang nasirang sasakyan na ginamit niya raw upang magtungo rito sa kasalukuyang panahon.

Ayon sa kaniya ay ginawa niya iyong napakaliit na bagay upang mapagkasya sa dala-dala nitong backpack nang magkita kami sa paanan ng bundok. I can't imagine how advance their technology was and I don't know if I should believe to a thing called time traveling.

Pabalik na kami ni Robert galing sa malapit na restaurant dahil napagdesisyunan naming kumain muna sapagkat tutok na tutok siya sa kanyang ginagawa nang may marinig kaming isang sigaw galing sa matandang babaeng hindi kalayuan sa amin.

Pinuntahan namin siya upang malaman ang dahilan. Sa hindi inaasahan ay nakita namin ang isang lalaking lumulutang sa swimming pool. Nasa labas kami ng bakuran kung kaya't hindi namin maaninag ang itsura ng biktima.

"Oh My God!" sa gulat ko ay napahawak ako sa aking bibig.

Itutuloy...