Chapter Ten: Under Guard
Inilagay ko ang huling damit sa loob ng bag bago iyon isinara. I sighed and checked the time from my wrist watch. It's only five in the morning and the school's call time is at six. May isang oras pa akong uubusin para magplano ng gagawin ngayong gabi.
Today's the first day of camping. During the past two weeks, I have been going back and forth at the forest and at the school, hoping I can see again the people who dropped the mysterious pill. Kauuwi ko lang tatlong oras ang nakalipas ngunit dumating na ang araw ng camping ay hindi ko na sila nakitang muli.
Gesa ang Elen have been in contact with me since we found out about it. Ngunit maging sila ay wala ring masabi sa akin. They can only look at the library archives and I can only investigate from here. If we try to search it on the computer data, the higher ups will know even before we can find answers.
I glanced at my phone when I saw Karleen's name on the screen. Kagabi niya pa ako pinapaalalahanan sa mga dadalhin. I even doubt she slept since her excitement started two weeks ago.
She greeted me, Good morning! See you! and sent a photo of them and their bags. My eyes went to look for Duke but he wasn't in the picture and there are only three bags.
I grunted and mentally slapped my self. Why do I always have to look for him? Hindi kaya ay ginamitan niya ako ng kung ano? Simula noong nagkasama kami sa Lacuston, pakiramdam ko ay mas lalo lang akong naguluhan. I even dreamt of him twice this week! So much for trying to avoid, Gabrielle!
Mabilis ang takbo ng oras. I arrived at the school on time. Kumpulan na ang mga estudyante ngunit mabilis kong nakita si Karleen kasama ang dalawa. They were silently discussing under the tree. Vil was shaking his head, somehow disagreeing with the two. Nang nakitang palapit ako ay umayos sila ng tayo at tinapos ang usapan. I didn't mind asking, not that I can speak anyway.
"Good morning, Dianne," si Vil ang bumati sa akin. I only nodded as a response. Hindi nagtagal ay tinawag kami upang luminya papunta sa bus.
Lara is unusually quiet. She wasn't really talking to me but this morning, I felt like she's purposely distancing herself. Nawala lang sa kanya ang atensyon ko nang siniko ako ni Karleen at inginuso ang isang direksyon. I glanced at the school's gate and immediately held my breath.
Tamad na naglalakad si Duke sa gitna ng kumpulan ng mga estudyante. Even though he wasn't asking, the students made way for him, and he didn't even mind those glances the girls are giving. Nasa daan ang mata habang ang dalawang kamay ay nasa magkabilang bulsa ng itim na pantalon. Someone from the side called him. Lumingon ito at tumango lang sa lalake bago bumaling sa gawi namin.
Umiwas ako ng tingin at bahagyang tumalikod. Ngumisi ang kanyang kapatid sa akin bago ako pwersahang pinaharap sa dating direksyon. When I turned, I can already see Duke's dogtag. Halos mapapikit ako sa biglaang pag-atake ng panlalakeng pabango niya sa ilong ko.
"Akala ko magmo-motor ka," komento ni Karleen habang nakakawit pa rin sa braso ko. Kinunotan ko ito ng noo pero hindi na siya tumingin sa akin. When I glanced at Duke, I saw how his eyes remained on me before answering her sister.
"I got no gas," aniya at sinuklay ang buhok gamit ang kamay.
I tore my eyes off his lazily combed hair. If only Gesa can see me right now, she probably gave me a punch already. I felt dumb. Kailan pa ako nagsimulang mailang?
"Alright, but you sit alone. Magkatabi kami ni Dianne," ani Karleen at tuluyan na akong hinila papasok ng bus.
True enough, I seated beside Karleen. Sa gilid ko ang bintana kaya hindi na rin ako nagreklamo. At least I get to see the view and not listen to Karleen until the end of trip.
Vil and Lara seated at the same row we are in. Papuno na ang bus nang makita ko ang pagpasok ni Duke. Agad niyang natagpuan ang mata ko ngunit iniwas ko iyon. I don't even know why I'm feeling nervous everytime he catch me looking at him.
He walked past our row. Agad akong napaayos ng upo. Hindi man ako lumingon, nararamdaman ko ang pagmamatyag niya sa akin mula sa likod.
Is it because I'm fearful that he knows who I really am? Pero kung alam niya nga, bakit hindi niya ako hinuhuli? At bakit naman ako matatakot? One way or another, he will know anyway. It's just a matter of time.
"I am really excited to roam around..." Karleen started and I only sighed internally as the bus moved out of school.
Mabilis ang paglagpas namin sa mga puno hanggang sa naging malubak ang daan. I saw a signage, telling that we're moving north, farther from the district's center. I have never took this road before even though I went to Klestive a few times already, kaya naman inubos ko ang oras sa pagkabisado ng mga nakikita sa daan.
Umaalog ang bus dahil na rin sa mga lubak sa maputik na lupa. Ang kaninang aspaltong daan ay naging mabato. Muli akong dumungaw sa bintana upang pagmasdan ang kakahuyan na nilalagpasan namin.
"And then, for the second day, naisip ko na manood ng sunrise, what do you think?" tanong ni Karleen. Wala sa sarili akong tumango habang hindi tinatanggal ang tingin sa mga puno.
"Great! I'll ask Vil and Lara for a nice spot," aniya bago ako tinantanan.
I squinted my eyes when I saw a shadow behind a tree. Ang isa ay naging dalawa hanggang sa dumami ang mga iyon. From the looks of it, they were not trying to run after us. It seems like they were actually waiting for us.
Are they hunters? Iyon ang unang pumasok sa isipan ko. I checked my phone but to my surprise, there were no signal on it. It only meant one thing: these shadows, they are not following orders, and I don't know them.
Napatingin ako sa bubong ng bus nang maramdaman ang kakaibang pag-alog nito. Parang isang bagay ang dumagan o dumaplis. Tila naramdaman din iyon ni Karleen dahil sa biglaan niyang pagtigil sa pagsasalita.
She didn't react negatively but I felt her stiffened. Could it be wolves, then? Kaya ba wala akong nararamdaman sa sentro dahil nandito sila? What were they doing in a secluded place then? Shouldn't they be following Duke everywhere he goes?
The ride went smoothly, minus the unusual movement on the bus' roof. Hindi na rin umimik si Karleen pagkatapos noon. I didn't show her I felt it and it doesn't appear that she knows I noticed it neither. Naging masyadong malalim ang inisip niya sa natitirang oras ng byahe.
We reached the destination after an hour and a half. Isa-isang bumaba ang mga estudyante bitbit ang kanya-kanyang gamit. The three went out already while I am still trying to get my bag when a tall figure easily pulled it for me.
Ni hindi ko kailangang lumingon upang kumpirmahin kung sino iyon. He handed me my duffel bag and even made way for me to walk first. Kinuha ko iyon na hindi siya nililingon at tuluyang lumabas.
Tinipon kami ng mga guro sa isang open field. They started the head count and the checking of attendance. Nang makitang kompleto ang lahat ay nagsimula silang mag-anunsyo.
"Every group in the camp is given until lunch this day to build their tents and prepare their things. You can roam around after you're done. However, we have settled borders around the area and no one is allowed to go beyond those points. In the afternoon, we will have the first activity. For now, enjoy the morning," the male teacher instructed.
We started setting up our tents. Vil built theirs while Karleen and I were busy on our own. Si Lara naman ang nag-set-up ng camping stove namin.
"Alam mo bang ngayon lang sumama si Duke sa school activities?" ani Karleen habang inaayos namin ang loob ng tent. Napalingon ako upang ituon ang atensyon sa kanya.
"He wasn't really outgoing at all. I mean, yes, he can vibe, but I never seen him this... open," she added.
Hindi ko makuha kung ano ang kinalaman noon sa akin. I just continued my bedding while she does her own.
"I hope you will do him good," dugtong niya at napabuntong-hininga. When I turned around to see her, the hope in her eyes were evident. Nang maramdamang may gusto pa siyang idagdag ay iniwas ko ang tingin at naunang tumayo.
She followed me outside only to see Lara and Vil having their time. Halos umirap ako kung hindi lang sila binato ni Karleen ng tsinelas para tumigil.
"Can't you use your tent? Geez," ani Karleen pero dinaluhan din naman ang dalawa.
I watched the three laughed and bonded. Binatukan ni Karleen si Vil at hinila ang buhok ni Lara. The two didn't stop challenging her though. Instead, Vil stole a kiss on Lara's lips which made Karleen screamed in disgust.
While watching them play around, I keep on reminding myself. These are the people Duke grew up with. They, too, are close to him. They make him. And killing him means destroying the people that matters to him as well. Ending his life means breaking their hearts.
I sighed and closed my eyes for a moment. I cannot let the present interfere with my plans, I have dreamt of this my whole life, and I cannot let other people's happiness change my perspective. I cannot let my enemy change who I am.
"Oh, Dianne," narinig ko ang boses ni Vil. Napadilat ako at nakita ang naghihintay niyang mata. His dimples showed as he smiled. "Kain, halika!" aya niya.
I silently sat in between their laughs. They sometimes include me on the topic but they limit it with polar questions. I didn't mind. I won't like to write anyway, not now that the pancakes are really good.
"The first time Vil made a pancake, it was a disaster!" pagku-kwento ni Karleen. The list goes on and on until their first overnight, their first camping, their first day at school.
"Nasaan nga pala si Duke?" tanong niya kalaunan nang maubosan sa kwento.
"Nasa paligid lang 'yon," sagot ni Vil sa kanya.
We decided to roam around the area after. May ibang mga lower years na nahihirapan sa pag-aayos ng tent kaya tinulungan sila ni Karleen. I kind of feel bad and responsible as well, kaya kahit hindi naman ako obligado, nakialam na rin ako sa kanila.
"Thank you, Ate!" ani ng isang babae at nag-abot sa akin ng water bottle. I hesitantly accepted it. I checked it first and when I saw that it is still sealed, I went to drank it up.
"Kanina ko pa problema iyan. Iyong kasama ko, ayon, nagpahila na. Baka nasa mga talahib na ngayon," dagdag niya sa huling sinabi.
When she saw my stares, she eyed me as well. "Naengkanto ka ba?" tanong niya na mas lalong ikinakunot ng noo ko.
Karleen came laughing. "Do you really believe in fairies?" tanong niya sa bata. Nagkibit-balikat ito at uminom din sa sariling bote.
"I heard rumors," she countered. "Eh, wala kasi siyang reaksyon. Ang dami kong nasabi," turo nito sa akin.
Is she blind? Didn't she see how confused I was when I heard the terms she used? And she's only what? Fifteen?
Karleen chuckled. "That's because she cannot speak. She's a mute. And don't believe in rumors." aniya bago ako inanyayahan paalis.
The hours went fast. May mga guro na nag-ikot upang i-check ang bawat grupo. We passed, except that our food were running out fast because of Vil. Hindi pa yata siya umaalis sa lamesa at nagluto ulit ng panibagong pagkain.
The two girls decided to continue checking other groups. Dumiretso naman ako sa tent upang kumuha ng kutsilyo. I remember having the first activity tonight. If I am lucky, I can escape for an hour or two to check the outer boarder. If Duke is still on it, it means he covered a lot of ground. Iyon ang gagawin ko mamaya: to trace his tracks.
"Oh, akala ko sumama ka sa dalawa," ani Vil nang nadatnan ako sa loob ng tent. I pushed my bag, just enough not to let him see my swiss knife, before turning to him.
I shook my head. Nagkibit-balikat siya at ipinasok ang isa pang bag. "Gamit ni Karleen. Nakalimutan niya," he tried to explain. Siguro'y nakita nito ang lito kong ekspresyon. Tumango na lang ako at hinila ang bag upang ipwesto iyon kasama ng ibang gamit ni Karleen.
"Hey, you wanna taste the dish?" muli niyang aya sa akin.
It's not like I can say no so I nodded. Nang nakaalis ito ay saka ko lamang kinuha ang swiss knife sa bag at saka siya sinundan.
I saw him cutting some carrots into cubes. Hindi pa man ako nakakalapit ay amoy ko na ang bango ng kung anumang niluluto niya.
I admit, I am not a fan of kitchen, simply because I didn't grow around simple task like cooking or cutting vegetables. Pero sa paraan ng paggalaw ni Vil ay halatang sanay na sanay siya sa gawain.
"This one is my specialty," aniya at inilapag ang sopas sa harapan ko. Hindi pa nakuntento at tuluyan akong pinanood. I wasn't really used to having someone join me on the table other than Gesa but I cannot shoved him away. Isa pa, sa amoy pa lang, alam kong malinis iyon.
I picked the spoon and tried the soup. I stayed silent for few seconds. Nang mapatingin kay Vil ay nakita ko ang pagtaas ng kanyang kilay, halatang kabado.
"How was it? Is it bland? I think it is," usap niya sa sarili. Inilingan ko iyon. I gave him thumbs-up and quickly ate the remaining. Nang maubos ay inilahad ko ulit iyon sa kanya.
"Gusto mo pa?" manghang tanong niya. I nodded and he laughed. It's not like I can have soup every day kaya lulubusin ko na. He served me another bowl and gave me a glass of juice.
"Hindi ka kasi bumisita ulit sa bahay. Nagluto pa ako last week. Maybe you can come again after camping. Saan nga pala ang bahay niyo?" tuloy-tuloy niyang tanong.
I sipped on my juice and quietly placed it down. I was ready for my excuse when he slapped his forehead.
"Wala nga pala tayong notebook," aniya at tumawa. "Basta, pumunta ka na lang sa bahay. I can cook another dish for you," dagdag niya at ipinagpatuloy na ang pagluluto.
That was close. I didn't see the question coming from him. I never saw him as the inquisitive type but that somehow made me ready. I shouldn't really get comfortable around anyone, kahit kay Karleen pa.
The professors instructed us to gather. Nagpunta kami ni Vil at doon na rin nakita ang dalawa. I purposely ignored Karleen and focused on the announcement. They started giving the first activity. We are going to have a campfire and a mini welcome program tonight. Dahil doon, kailangan naming maghanap ng mga tuyong kahoy sa paligid upang may magamit mamaya.
After giving the instruction, we were sent in groups on the forest part. Agad naman akong kumilos upang pulutin ang mga kahoy na nadadaanan.
"Kwento ni Vil na nagustuhan mo raw iyong sopas na niluto niya," ani Karleen habang sinasabayan ako sa paglalakad. I nodded and picked another branch.
"Sayang. If only I knew, I could've brought more of it. Hindi bale, mag-camping na lang ulit tayo sa bahay," she went with planning another get-together while I listened, sometimes nodding at her silly suggestions.
Nang makuntento sa napulot ay bumalik na kami sa campsite. We are given an hour to have our dinner before the campfire starts. At dahil nakaluto na kanina si Vil ay hindi naman kami nagipit sa oras.
"Where's Duke, really? Hindi ko pa iyon nakikita, ah," ani Karleen nang matapos na kami sa pagkain ay wala pa rin ang kapatid.
"Magpapakita rin 'yon mamaya. He won't miss the campfire, for sure," ani Vil.
"He didn't tell you where he's going?" Karleen asked. Umiling lang si Vil at uminom ng tubig bago naunang tumayo.
I insisted on washing the utensils, out of appreciation for the good meal. Karleen went to take a bath so Lara helped me with drying the plates.
Tahimik talaga siya, iyon ang napansin ko. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that there's more to it. Karleen assured me she's just like this: cold and distant, but on the contrary, she said she's actually good. Pero hindi iyon ang nararamdaman ko.
It's good that I'm a mute, so I don't need to start a conversation myself. Ayaw niya rin akong kausap dahil tahimik siya sa buong minutong nandoon kami.
I was wiping my hand when the knife slipped on her hand. My reflexes automatically kicked it and caught it before it even reached the floor. Kung hindi ko iyon nahuli ay didiretso iyon sa kanyang paa.
I carefully gave her the knife. Her eyes stayed on my hand for a second before it went to mine. She forced a smile before taking the knife from me. Hindi na siya nagpasalamat at bumalik sa ginagawa kaya nagdesisyon na akong umalis.
I silently cursed myself as I walked towards the tent. She's studying the way I held it. I admit, that's fast for a normal student but I guess, no matter how hard I try to pretend, I will still act on my pulse.
Tinawag na kami para sa campfire. I didn't enjoy it that much. I am pre-occupied with the little incident I had with Lara. Also, I find the theme too inane. There was a total blackout and the lower years started screaming, someone even cried so they had to make the blackout part shorter than planned. I didn't get the point of shutting the lights off just to make a fire after.
Nang lumaki ang apoy ay doon ko naramdaman ang init. They started singing camping songs, some even presented dances and there was a portion where someone is called to confess anything. Beside me is Karleen, who's really enjoying. She even cheered for the guy's honesty to the girl he likes. I, sometimes, wonder if she's still a kid dressed as an adult or an adult acting like a kid.
Dumantay ang tingin ko sa kanyang katabi. I caught Lara watching me like a hawk. Nang makitang nakatingin ako ay nag-iwas ito ng tingin. Hindi na siya lumingon muli dahil na rin naging abala sila ni Vil.
The program lasted for two hours. There are few reminders for the rest of the night and the call time tomorrow. Lara and Vil disappeared fast. Karleen went to the lower years, maybe she wanted more about the confession.
I decided to get some fresh air instead. It's still a little early before the curfew so I didn't mind walking around. Hindi yata sapat sa akin ang sariwang hangin. Kailangan kong mahimasmasan para matauhan.
To my surprise, I saw a river that wasn't that far from the camping ground. Wala pang sampung minuto akong naglalakad ay nakita ko na iyon. It was clear and definitely enticing. I secured the perimeter first before removing my clothes, leaving only my undergarments.
Dahan-dahan akong lumusong sa tubig. I shivered at the first touch of the cold water on my skin. Pinanood ko ang paggalaw ng tubig, kasama ng sinag ng buwan doon. I played the water for a few minutes. Eventually, the water reached my chest until it came below my nose. I inhaled a huge amount of air and started to swim back and forth. I keep on going deeper, touching the rocks underwater and then going up to get some air again.
Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto akong naliligo. I only knew I was out there for too long when I saw Duke beside the water. The moonlight reflected on his dark eyes. I couldn't see the whole of this face but judging by the way his shoulder moves, he just arrived. And his stance tells me he was tensed and relieved at the same time.
Napatingin ito sa damit kong nasa batuhan. He placed the towel he brought beside it and then left. Nang makalayo siya ay doon lang ako umahon upang magpatuyo at magdamit muli. Agad din akong sumunod nang matapos sa pagtutupi ng tuwalya. Ni hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nagmamadaling makarating.
My steps became slow when I saw the three in serious discussion. Magkatabi ang mga babae, na ngayon ay nakatalikod sa akin. Kaharap nila si Duke na ngayon ay salubong ang kilay na nakikinig. Vil was in the side, in between them. Ni hindi nila nakita ang pagdating ko dahil sa pinag-uusapan.
I walked past behind them with a faster pace. As soon as I reached a good distance, Lara told them the news that made me stop on track.
"They have killed the hunters."
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