Captive

Chapter 5

One month later

Rebel's POV

Isang tipid na ngiti ang ginawa ko habang kinukuhanan ng picture ang mga bulaklak dito sa hardin. I also take a picture of the beautiful sunrise. Pasikat na naman ang araw, another day to be empty. Another day to be scared, to be lonely. I always woke up and wait for the sunrise, I always capture the beauty of it. I always hope for tomorrow even if it was hard. Every day I'm looking forward to remembering everything from my past.

"Madam!"

Ngumiti ako ka'y Selena.

"Ang aga mo talagang gumising,"

Tumawa ako at kinuhanan ang nakasimangot nitong mukha ng picture.

"Hala ka, Madam!"

I smiled.

"Just call me with my name, Selena. Rebel, just call me Rebel." Utos ko rito.

Umiling ito.

"Malalagot ako ka'y Master." She answered.

I was about to speak when someone called my name.

"Rebel,"

Nanigas ako dahil alam ko na kung sino ito. Even Selena's eyes widened at mabilis na tumabi sa akin at yumuko.

"Good morning po, Master."

"S-sin," I whispered.

His cold eyes looked at me and spoke.

"I told you to stop waking up this early in the morning," nakasimangot na ani nito.

"P-pero gusto kong makita ang araw, Sin."

Tumigas ang mukha nito.

"Are you disobeying me, little one?"

Nanlulumong umiling ako.

"I'm sorry," tanging usal ko.

"Selena," tawag nito sa babaeng nasa tabi ko.

"Po?"

"Ready our breakfast and ready her clothes. She will go with me to the office." He said at hinila na ang kamay ko papasok sa kitchen.

O-office?

"S-sin, b-bakit ako sasama sa opisina mo?" I asked.

"Don't ask,"

I sighed at hinawakan ng mabuti ang camera ko. Sin is always cold to me. He wants me to do everything he wants. If I disobey him he will punish me. He will lock me in my room for one day and Selena will also be punished. I will never disobey him again if I do that, Selena will get hurt too. I don't want other people to get hurt because of me. I always choose silence when he's around, iniiwasan kong makagawa ng mga pagkakamali na ikagagalit n'ya.

Sin is really scary when he's mad. I don't want him to be mad at me again.

"The breakfast is ready Master." Wika ng mga helper sa amin.

Tipid na ngumiti ako at saka umupo na. I looked at the hotdog and fried rice, kulang na lang ay nag heart shape ang mga mata ko.

It's my favorite!

Of course, hindi ko 'yon sinabi sa harapan ni Sin. He's strict. He will surely shout at me if I say that in front of him.

"Give her milk," Sin ordered while reading some papers in front of me.

Tahimik akong kumain. This is what it's like every day, no conversation. Sin doesn't want to talk to me, he doesn't even want to see me. I don't know what I've done to him but I know I did something bad to him.

Maybe I'm really a terrible person.

I've read it in the books, that hindi nagagalit ang mga tao kung walang dahilan. I'm too afraid to ask him what I did to him for him to get mad at me. Natatakot ako kaya hinahayaan ko na lamang ito na parusahan ako.

After all, he's still taking care of me.

Namamanghang pinagmasdan ko ang malaking building sa harapan ko. Maraming mga empleyado ang pumapasok sa loob. They all look busy at tila nagmamadali.

"Are you going to stand there forever?" Iritadong wika ni Sin sa akin.

Tipid na ngumiti ako.

"S-sorry," I whispered.

He just rolled his eyes in annoyance at lumakad na papasok. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang sumunod dito. Maraming mga tauhan ang nakapalibot sa amin. I wonder why, maybe Sin is a big businessman. Nakayuko ako habang naglalakad dahil maraming mga nakatingin sa amin. They're probably wondering who am I. I don't understand why Sin takes me here. This is the first time that he lets me come with him.

"A-aray," daing ko nang mauntog ako sa matigas na pader.

Hinimas ko ang noo ko at saka tiningnan ang nabangga ko. Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil likod pala ni Sin ang nabangga ko!

I'm dead.

"Saan ka ba nakatingin?" Malamig na tanong nito.

Lumunok ako dahil humarap ito sa akin. He's looking at me strictly again, those eyes, I'm scared of those green eyes. I feel like they will eat me.

"A-ah kasi, I was looking at the floor. M-maganda kasi yung tiles tama, maganda nga." Palusot ko.

"Stupid," he hissed at tinalikuran na ako.

I sighed.

Wew, buti na lang at hindi ito galit sa akin. I thought he will shout at me in front of all these people. They're all looking at me with curiosity in their eyes. Hindi ko maiwasang mailang.

"What are you still doing there?" Inis na sigaw nito.

Lumunok ako.

"A-ano 'yan?" Turo ko sa sinasakyan ng mga tao. It's like a silver room at lumalabas ang mga tao roon. Labas masok sila at hindi ko alam kung anong meron.

I-it's magic?

Kunot ang noo nito.

"What the fudge are you saying?"

I gulped.

Umiling ako.

"H-hihintayin nalang kita dito, hmm?" Wika ko.

He looks at me, tila nauubusan ng pasensya.

"Come here this instant, Rebel." Seryoso at kalmado na utos nito.

Patay, galit na talaga si, Sin. P-pero ayokong pumasok sa silver room na 'yan!

"S-sin," ungot ko ngunit nanlaki ang mata ko nang hilahin ako nito papasok. "Hala!"

Napakapit ako dito dahil biglang umandar ang silver room. Nilibot ko ang paningin ko at pinagmasdan ko ang umiilaw-ilaw na mga buttons.

W-what is that?

"Tsk, it's just an elevator, stop acting like an innocent child." He hissed.

"E-elevator?"

Tinanggal nito ang pagkakakapit ko sa kanya.

"Don't touch me, woman. Listen, this is called an elevator, people use this as a sort of transportation, get it?"

Lumabas na ito ng bumukas ang elevator? Mabilis akong sumunod dahil baka maiwan ako.

"Good morning, Sir!"

"Good Morning po!"

Nakayuko lang ako habang binabati ng mga tao si Sin. They're all greeting him but Sin remain unbothered. Pumasok na kami sa opisina nito.

Wow, even his office looks so good! Mabilis na lumapit ako sa salamin na malaki. Tanaw na tanaw ang mga building sa labas.

"W-wow, p-parang maaabot ko na ang langit." Bulong ko.

"Tsk, so stupid."

Yumuko nalang ako dahil sa sinabi ni Sin. I don't understand too, bakit tila wala akong alam sa mga bagay-bagay.

He's right, I'm stupid.

"Rebellious!"

Umangat ang mukha ko at masayang tumingin sa tumawag sa akin.

"R-rouxe!" I happily said ngunit mabilis akong yumuko when Sin glared at me.

"Tsk, Montelevan."

"Shut up, Vergara. What are you doing here again?" Sin asked.

"Well, King wants me to drop this. Tonight, 9 pm. At narinig ko rin that, Rebellious is here."

Tipid na ngumiti ako rito.

Rouxe became my friend. He gave me the camera I'm using. He also teaches me how to use that. I'm so happy that he's my friend. He's warm and Sin is not.

Sin is like a fire, he's always hot tempered.

"Okay, now leave."

Nalungkot ako dahil doon. Rouxe is going to leave na? I want to ask him about elevator pa naman.

"Nope, I'll take Rebellious with me. I will tour her around." Rouxe said.

Nanlaki ang mata ko.

"R-really?"

He chuckles and nods.

But I stopped when Sin throw the vase at the floor. Mabilis akong yumuko at nanginginig na pinagsaklob ang mga kamay ko.

He's mad.

"What the, Montelevan? You're scaring her."

"Shut up and leave! I'll kick your ass, Vergara." Sin coldly said.

"No, I'll tour her around." Hindi nagpatalo si Rouxe.

"Rebel," tawag sa akin ni Sin.

Nanginginig na tiningnan ko ito. Bakas ang takot sa mga mata ko.

"S-sin,"

"Come here," he ordered.

I looked at Rouxe who's shaking his head.

"No, don't come near him."

I bit my lip.

"Rebel!"

Napatalon ako at mabilis na lumapit sa tabi ni Sin. Lumunok ako nang hawakan ako nito ng mahigpit.

"Leave, Vergara. My wife will stay here, I'll just see you tonight. Don't make me repeat what I said." Matigas na saad nito.

Rouxe sighed.

"Fudge you. Don't worry, Rebellious, I'll take you with me next time." Ngumisi ito at tumingin sa akin.

Malungkot na ngumiti lamang ako rito. Wanting to be with him, gusto kong sumama sa kanya. Now that Sin is mad, I'm scared.

"Fudge him," ungos ni Sin.

Lumunok ako dahil ako naman ang binalingan nito ng tingin.

"You woman, don't talk to Vergara ever again. Understand?"

"P-pero, Sin-

"Understand, little one?"

No, I don't want to. Rouxe is my friend, tanging silang dalawa lang ni Selena ang kaibigan ko and he wants me to ignore him? No, I don't want to.

"No," mahinang bulong ko.

Nanginginig ako but I don't want to obey him this time. Wala naman ginagawa si Rouxe para hindi ko ito kausapin.

"What did you say?" Malamig na tanong nito.

Kahit takot ay sinalubong ko ang berdeng mata nito.

"He's my friend, Sin. Please, don't take him away from me." Mas lalong nag-apoy ang galit sa mata nito.

His jaw clenched and was about to speak when the door opened.

"S-sir, pinatawag n'yo raw po ako."

Pumasok ang isang babae na may edad na. May suot itong puting uniporme, saying that she's a janitress.

Sin sighed but glared at me darkly.

"We're not yet done, little one."

I sighed and nodded.

Tumikhim si Sin at nagsalita.

"Yes, this is Rebel, she will be with you from now on. She will also be a janitor." Nakangisi nitong pahayag.

M-me?

Tumingin sa akin ang matandang babae at bakas ng kalituhan sa mata nito.

"P-po?" She asked.

"Do you want me to repeat what I've said? She will be with you with your work. She will help you," seryosong sagot ni Sin at tumingin sa akin.

Nalilitong nagsalita ako.

"J-janitress?" Usal ko.

He grins.

"What? Ayaw mo?"

Umiling ako at ngumiti.

"I want to! G-gusto kong tulungan s'ya," I smiled at the old lady who's just looking at me with awe.

"Tsk, leave and wait for her outside." Utos ni Sin sa babae.

Lumunok ito at mabilis na tumango at lumabas. Humarap sa akin si Sin.

"Before you start your work, I want you to listen. The first rule, don't ever say to them that I'm your husband, second, don't touch me and last, you will not talk to me when you're here, understand?"

Tumango ako.

That's easy to do. We're just like ghosts to each other so that's not a challenge.

"Good, now go."

Mabilis na lumabas ako at naabutan ko roon ang babae na inaantay ako. I happily smiled at her.

"Hello, po,"

Ngumiti ito.

"A-ayos ka na ba iha? Tara at ikukuha kita ng uniporme." She said.

Masayang tumango ako.

I can't wait! This is the first time that Sin let me wander alone. Usually, Selena is with me and some guards. But now, I'm happy that I can meet other people.

------

Napapagod na napaupo ako sa maruming tiles. Grabe, ang hirap palang maglinis ng mga comfort room. This is so tiring.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin nang makarinig ng tawa.

"Pagod ka na ba iha? Heto ang tubig, oh."

Ngumuso ako ka'y Aling Rosie.

"N-nakakapagod po pala ang ginagawa n'yo. Buti po at kaya n'yo,"

I'm seriously exhausted. Pakiramdam ko ay nakipag habulan ako sa mga zombies. I don't even feel my back dahil sa paglilinis ng mga bowl at tiles.

"Matagal ko na itong ginagawa at kailangan kong gawin ito para sa anak ko, iha."

"Ganon po? A-ako, my parents are dead, Sin said to me." Mahinang usal ko.

"Ikaw, iha. Ka'y ganda mo at mukha kang mayaman bakit ka nandito kasama ko? Pinarusahan ka ba ng boss?" She asked.

Eh? Sin always punish me, so this is not new anymore.

"Before you start your work, I want you to listen. The first rule, don't ever say to them that I'm your husband, second, don't touch me and last, you will not talk to me when you're here, understand?"

Mabilis akong umiling.

"A-ahm, kailangan ko pong trabaho kaya narito ako. Ayaw n'yo po ba ko kasama?"

Umiling ito at hinaplos ang buhok ko.

"Nako hindi, iha. Naaawa lang ako sayo at ka'y bata at ka'y ganda mo pero ganito ang trabaho mo." She said in a low voice.

"Ano naman po ang mali sa ganitong trabaho?" Inosente kong tanong.

"Mababa ang tingin nila sa mga katulad natin na may ganitong trabaho, iha. Napaka inosente mo pa sa mga bagay-bagay. Pero masyadong marahas ang mundo." She explained. "May usapan nga na mafia boss daw ang boss natin."

Kumunot ang noo ko.

Mafia boss?

"Ano naman po ang mafia boss?" I asked.

Umiling ito.

"Ikaw talaga, mafia boss daw ang mga gumagawa ng mga illegal na gawain. Ibig sabihin sila ay pumapatay ng walang awa at delikado silang tao."

Lumunok ako.

S-sin is a mafia boss? K-kaya ba lagi itong may mga kasamang maraming bodyguards? Tapos may baril din ito, kaya nga takot ako rito. I thought he will kill me using those guns.

"S-saan n'yo naman po nalaman ang bagay na 'yan?" Utal na tanong ko.

We shouldn't judge other people. Maling pagdudahan ko si Sin. He may be a scary man but he's still kind to me. Maling pag-isipan ko ng masama ang asawa ko.

"Sabi ng ilang mga empleyado, pero di ko alam kung totoo. Kaya hangga't maaari, wag tayong masyadong dumikit sa kanila."

I sighed.

"M-mali naman po na husgahan natin si S-sin ay ang boss po natin. Baka naman po usapan lang nila, wag po kayong matakot."

Ngumiti ito.

"Oo naman, iha. Hangga't walang ginagawang masama sa iyo ang isang tao, wag mo s'yang pag-isipan ng mali. Oh, sya, tara na at marami pa tayong lilinisin."

Pagod man ay tumango ako rito. I should help her, she's old compare to me. Dapat ako ang gumawa ng mga mabibigat na gawain.

Ngunit hindi pa rin mawala sa isip ko ang narinig.

Mafia boss?