Grievous: Dhenmer Ramos

Chapter Seven

"Mr. Ramos, where are you taking me? Seriously?" Tanong ko habang tumitingin-tingin sa paligid. Nasa biyahe pa rin kami at ang tanging nakikita ko lang ay mga puno. Nasa kagubatan kami sa kalagitnaan ng gabi. What did I got myself into?

Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi dahil sa kabang nararamdaman. Hindi ako natatakot dahil nasa gubat kami, hindi rin ako takot dahil madilim. Kinakabahan ako dahil pakiramdam ko ay may something na mangyayari sa aming dalawa ni Dhenmer.

"Will you stop calling me that? My name's Dhenmer, Frances." He gave me a short glance and returned his attention in front.

I rolled my eyes at him. "What's the big deal about it? Ganoon din naman 'yon."

"Just call me by my first name, Frances. Hindi naman mahirap 'yon."

Bumuntong hininga ako at tumingin sa labas, hindi ko na lang siya sinagot at naghintay na lamang kahit na nababagot na.

"We're almost there, by the way."

"Are you planning to kill me? Are you a murderer? Are you one of the Wrong Turn fellows? I mean, really? In the woods?"

Nilingon niya ako, sumeryoso ang mukha niya at tumiim ang pagtitig sa akin. "What if I am a murderer?"

"H-ha?"

Binalik niya ang atensyon sa daan imbis na sagutin ako pero nakita ko ang pagtaas ang sulok ng labi niya. Napanguso ako at inirapan siya. Aaminin ko, kinabahan at natakot ako duon. Sinong hindi mapapaniwala dahil sa paraan ng pagtanong niya at pagtitig niya sa akin?

May binabalak ang lalaking ito at aalamin ko iyon kaya sasakyan ko 'tong trip niya.

Huminto siya sa harap ng isang old cabin. Napakatahimik sa paligid, ang maririnig mo lang ay ang tunog ng uwak at mga insekto sa paligid. Madilim ngunit hindi masyado dahil sa ilaw ng kotse niya at sa liwanag ng buwan.

"I swear, kung tinatakot mo 'ko at may binabalak ka, huwag mo ng ituloy dahil mapapatay talaga kita." Pagbabanta ko sa kaniya.

Nagkibit-balikat lang siya, lumabas siya ng kotse at lumabas na rin ako para hindi maiwang mag-isa sa loob. Mabilis kong sinundan si Dhenmer papasok sa nakakatakot na cabin.

"What are we doing here? B-bakit dito? Hindi ba nakakatakot sa loob, ha?" Tanong ko, pasimpleng kumakapit sa braso niya. Wala na akong pakialam sa kung anong iisipin niya, legit na natatakot ako.

"We'll stay here."

My eyes widened, I stopped him from walking and turned him around to face me.

"Ano? Why here? What are you planning?"

"You'll find out soon." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinila ako papasok sa madilim na cabin, nagpaubaya na lang ako't hinigpitan ang hawak sa kamay niya. Ayokong mahiwalay sa kaniya sa ganitong lugar.

"Relax, you're not gonna die. There's no ghost here." He whispered to my ear, siniko ko siya para lumayo siya sa akin. "Sit on the couch for a bit." He pushed me to sit on the couch and let go of my hand, he disappeared into the darkness as his footsteps vanished.

I was consumed by fear suddenly, the hairs on my skin standing my hands getting cold and sweaty.

I waited a little bit longer and pulled myself together, thankfully, the lights turned on. Seconds later, he came back with his hands in his pocket. He didn't look scared, it's almost like he often visit this place.

He must have turned on the generator or something.

I watched him close the door, he gathered some woods from the corner and brought it to the old fireplace. He grabbed a lighter and a cigarette from his pocket, he lit up the cigarette and put it between his mouth.

Why does he still look so hot even with that cigarette?

"You smoke? I'm not even surprise." Sumandal ako sa couch. "Why are we here? This is what you call a vacation? Hindi ako mag-eenjoy kung ito 'yong definition mo ng vacation.

He pulled the cigarette from his mouth, he blew out a thick smoke before sitting next to me.

"Let's chill for now."

"Chill? It's creepy here, how am I suppose to chill? I don't even know why I'm here and why you brought me into the woods this late at night. Baka pagkamalan pa kita na mga fellows sa Wrong Turn, except you have looks and doesn't look scary."

"Trust me, you'll like it here." His lips tugged upwards, he stood up and threw the cigarette to the fireplace.

"It's surprising that there's still electricity here." I muttered. "It's... pretty cozy here."

"Are you hungry?" He asked, looking at me over his shoulder.

"A bit."

"Take care of the fire, I'll find us something to eat." Walang sabi-sabi niya akong iniwan sa silid, hindi ko alam kung saan siya nagtungo pero pinabayaan ko na lang.

Umupo ako sa harap ng tsimnea at inasikaso ang apoy tulad ng sabi niya. Hindi pa masyadong umaapoy pero siguradong ilang saglit pa ay totodo na ito at mas mapapanatag ang loob ko. Hindi na ako makapaghintay kasi masyadong malamig dito, pakiramdam ko ay magiging yelo ako sa lamig.

Hindi na lamang ako umalis sa harap ng apoy, I patiently waited for Dhenmer to come back and he did after a few minutes with four bags of chips.

"I found these in the cabinet, I must have left them when I last visited here." He sat next to me and handed me one bag.

"When's the last time you came here?" Tanong ko habang tinatanggap ang pagkain.

"I don't know, maybe a year ago."

"What?" Tinignan ko ang expiration date ng chips at walang nakalagay na expiration date rito. "Hey, hindi ako kakain nito!"

"Why not? It's still edible."

"Kapag na-food poison ako, ikaw may kasalanan!"

"You won't die, Frances. I'm sure you already ate something expired before, I accidentally ate one in the past, I didn't die." Binuksan niya ang chips niya at kumain ng isang piraso.

I folded my arms over my chest, I rolled my eyes at him and dropped the bag. Nakuha niya lang ang atensyon ko muli dahil sa mahinang pagtawa niya.

"I'm just kidding, I bought them this morning. There are more foods in the fridge. I brought you here prepared, baby, so don't worry."

"You stupid!" Sinuntok ko ang braso niya. "Hindi tayo close para asarin mo 'ko, ha?"

"We'll be close."

"In your dreams." Mapang-asar ko siyang nginitian, binuksan ko na ang bag of chip ko at kinain ito.

Lumaki na ang apoy ilang saglit lang at masarap sa balat ang init na nanggagaling dito. It's more cozy now but I still get scared whenever I think about how we are alone in the forest, in the middle of nowhere. What if may mga Wrong Turn dudes nga rito? What if may multo rin?

I shivered at the thought, I ate some more chip as I stare into the fire.

The sound of the crickets are relaxing, the cold breeze of the wind is making me calm. Even Dhenmer's appearance is making me calm, just knowing that he's here with me lessened my fear, even when he's the one that brought me here.

"I have so many questions to ask you, pwede ba 'kong magtanong?" I rubbed my hands together, kahit na may apoy na ay medyo malamig pa rin lalo na sa kamay at sa mga binte ko.

"Ask ahead."

"Good." I cleared my throat, pinag-isipan ko muna ang unang itatanong ko. "Bakit pinuntahan mo 'ko?" Tumingin ako sa mga mata niya, gusto kong sagutin niya ako ng totoo at huwag magsinungaling sa akin.

Sinalubong niya ang tingin ko at napangiwi. "Don't think you're so special, Frances."

"Pft! Why would I think like that? I'm pretty sure you're planning something to me, aalamin ko 'yon." Dinuro ko siya. "Baka balak mo 'kong i-prank."

"I wanted to come here, gusto ko ng kasama. For some reason, pumasok ka sa isip ko. Maybe because I know that Hunter fired you and encouraged you to have a vacation. This will be your short vacation, in comfort zoe, mare-relax ka dito. Trust me."

Tinitigan kong mabuti ang mga mata niya kung nagsisinungaling ba siya o hindi, pero mukhang nagsasabi naman siya ng totoo. Walang kurap-kurap ang mga mata niya at hindi niya inalis ang tingin sa akin.

"Fine, I'll take that." I put some chips inside my mouth.

"Do you know why I like it here?"

"You like quiet place? Something like that?" I shrugged. "Or you're like Christine, she's adventurous and loves nature."

He chuckled, he dropped the bag of chip on the floor. "Later, you will see the reason why I like it here."

"Anyways, paano kayo naging magbestfriend ni Hunter? I confirmed from him na bestfriend ka nga niya talaga. I never seen you before, matagal-tagal ko na ring kasama si Hunter."

"We're friends since childhood, but I moved to Spain and decided to sette down there. But I changed my mind for an important reason." He explained. "What about you? You seem very close to him? What's your actual relationship with him? Are you his girlfriend? Or do you like him perhaps?"

Halos lahat ng mga kilala ko ay natanong na rin sa akin ang mga iyon, hindi na ako nabigla dahil kahit sino naman talaga ang ke-kwestyunin ang closeness namin ni Hunter.

"Well... he's important to me, he saved me and I love him. He's like the brother I have always wanted. " I looked away, biting my lower lip. "Plus, I don't really see myself growing old with a partner. I rather be single for a lifetime and grow old alone."

"You're too bitter." He chuckled, he grabbed my jaw and turned my face to face him. "Did someone hurt you in the past?"

His question made me freeze and think. There is a certain person that broke me, the reason why I lost myself.

My uncle...

Hindi ko alam kung bakit bumabalik na naman siya sa isipan ko. Matagal ko ng kinalimutan ang mapait kong nakaraan, hindi ko ito hinahayaang sumagi sa isip ko subalit ngayon ay bigla-bigla na lang itong pumapasok sa isipan ko. Ang mga walang kapatawarang ginawa niya sa akin.

"Before I trespassed your home, Frances, I know you were crying."

I closed my eyes, I took a deep breath and then pulled myself away from him.

"That's none of your business." I clenched my fists.

I expected him to ask more and annoy me like he always does but to my surprise, he just stayed quiet and didn't say any word. I brought my knees to my chest and hugged them, hiding the visible fear in my eyes.

"Magluluto lang ako ng hot noodles sa kusina, to lessen the coldness. I'll be back." Tumayo siya mula sa tabi ko, tumingala ako sa kaniya at nagsalubong ang kilay nang makitang hinuhubad niya ang jacket niya. "To keep you warm." Maingat niyang pinatong sa balikat ko ang jacket niya.

He was about to walk away but I grabbed his hand.

"H-hey, but what about you? It's cold."

"Sanay na 'ko sa lamig, okay lang ako. If you want to come with me, just follow me, nasa kusina lang ako." He put his hand on my head and patted it gently.

Nilisan niya na ang sala at nagtungo sa kusina. May ngiting gumuhit sa labi ko, pinagmasdan ko ang nagsasayaw na apoy habang sinusuot ang jacket.

I'm starting to enjoy this, especially his jacket thay hugs my body. Ang bango-bango niya talaga, kaya okay lang sa akin kapag tumatabi siya sa akin.

I stayed in front of the fireplace for a couple of minutes before deciding to follow Dhenmer into the kitchen. Nakasandal na ito sa lamesa, nakakrus ang braso sa dibdib at nakatingin sa bintana na tila malalim ang iniisip.

"Hey, Dhenmer." I approached him with a small smile, he blinked twice then looked at me. "Why are you spacing out?"

He shook his head. "Hindi naman pala mahirap sayong sabihin ang pangalan ko."

"Hindi bagay 'yong inosente mong pangalan sa itsura at ugali mo." I joked, "how's the noodles? I want to eat now."

"Hindi pa luto, just a few more minutes."

"Anong iniisip mo?" Pasimple akong tumabi sa kaniya, sa sahig lang ko nakatingin at pinipigilan ang sarili na mamula. What's so embarrassing about this situation? God, I'm probably just going crazy.

"Just... some things."

"Oh." I nodded, I scratched my nape, trying to think any topic that works to discuss with him. But my mind just gone black all of the sudden. I was too flustered and nervous to even think properly.

Shit, why does it seem so impossible to unlike this guy?