Second Moon

The Kabanata 2

Mayari

Lumundag ako sa aking kama matapos kung pakalmahin ang sarili. Labing-apat na taon ng nakalipas at labing-apat na taon din ng pagdurusa.

Ang kwartong ito, ito yung dati kong kwarto at wala man lang nagbago. Tumatawa kong ipinikit ang aking mga mata sa mga ala-alang muling bumabalik sa akin na tila ba tinatangay ako ng isang malakas na alon. 

Takot na takot ako noon. Wala akong magawa kundi umiiyak at sumisigaw ng malakas. Agad naman napatakbo ang aking yaya upang patahanin ako at tanungin anong nangyari. Pati mga kapitbahay namin na nasa park ay tumulong narin sa pagpapakalma sa akin. Ngunit kahit anong gawin nila ay hindi nila ako mapakalma. Kaya agad akong iniuwi ng aking yaya.

Nang makarating kami sa bahay ay hindi parin ako tumigil sa kakaiyak. Kaya nagalit ang Lolo Javier kay yaya at sinisi ito sa nangyari. He scolded her habang si Auntie Malyn at Uncle Henry ay pinapatahan ako.

"Baby, don't cry anymore. Do you remember you said you want to buy a new toy? Let's go to the mall we'll buy that new toy you like." sabi ni Uncle Henry habang karga-karga ako.

"Why is our baby sad? Inaway ka ba ng kalaro mo? Sino umaway sayo?" galit na tanong ni Auntie Malyn. Kahit sino pa ang umaway sa akin ay handa niyang sugurin.

"They're dead!" blanko'ng sagot ko sa kanila ng tumigil na ako sa pag-iyak.

Lahat sila ay agad na estatwa sa kanilang kinatatayuan nang marinig ang aking sinabi. Na sinundan ng isang nakakabinging katahimikan.

"Who's dead Mayari?" gulat na tanong ni Uncle Henry na siyang bumasag sa katahimikan.

"Nanay and Tatay are dead, they drown in the water when the plane crashed. It's my fault. You're all going to die because of me. She said I'm going to drown in the waters too. I'm going to die!" sagot ko sa kanya na tila ba iniwan ako ng aking espirito.

Maka ilang saglit ay muling pumatak ang mga luha sa aking mga mata. Hindi ko mapigilan ang takot na aking nadarama.

"I'm going to drown! Please save me!" desperado kong sigaw na tila ba nalulunod ako sa mga oras na ito.

"Si-sinong nagsabi niya Mayari? Lolo won't let that happen." nauutal na tanong ni Lolo habang sinisigurado sa akin na hindi siya makakapayag na muling mawalan ng mahal sa buhay.

"Mayari where did you heard that? Wh-who told you that Nanay and Tatay are dead?" tanong ni Auntie ng bumalik ito sa katinuan.

"Nakita ko. I... I saw it when Mayumi told me." takot na takot kung sinabi sa kanila. Dahil sa takot ko ay agad kong tinakpan ang aking mga mata na tila ba nakikita ko itong muli.

"Mayumi? Who's Mayumi baby?" pagpapatuloy na tanong ni Auntie na ngayon ay naka tingin sa aking yaya.

"Ma'am! Sir! Si Mayumi po yung kaibigan ni Mayari na lagi niyang kwenekwento. Kaya lang po ni minsan hindi ko pa po nakikilala o nakikita si Mayumi." sabi ng aking nanny habang naka luhod ito sa harapan nila. "Ma'am hindi naman po ako nagpabaya sa resposibilidan ko sa bata. Hindi ko po alam kung anong nangyari. Masaya naman po siyang naglalaro mag-isa sa park nang bigla po itong umiyak at nagsisigaw." pagpapaliwanag ni yaya.

"Darn it! Hinayaan mo makipaglaro ang aking apo sa isang estranghero! At paano ito naka pasok sa loob ng subdivision. Paano natin malalaman kung saan iton nakatira." lalo tuloy nagalit si Lolo Javier.

He might be strict but he's always been a caring and loving father and grandfather sa amin.

"But Lolo I know where she lives." pagsagot ko kay Lolo. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit galit na ngayon ito sa kaibigan kung si Mayumi. She was the only one who was kind enough na sabihin sa akin ang katutuhanan. Pinapatahan pa nga niya ako kanina noong umiyak ako sa park. "She lives in a huge castle behind that big mango tree." pag papatuloy ko.

Pero bakas sa kanilang mga mukha ang gulat dahil sa sinabi ko.

In the end, pinaalis ni Lolo Javier ang nanny ko dahil sa nangyari.

Isang linggo na ng nangyari ang incidente sa park. Isang ligong na rin ang lumipas nang huli nila akong marinig na nagsalita. Naririnig nalang nila akong sumisigaw at takot na takot. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi matatakot kung makakita ka nang aninong sunod ng sunod saan kaman magpunta.

"Her hallucination is caused by psychological trauma. If this continues this may lead to a more serious issue." saad ni Dr. Reyes na isang psychiatrist. Dahil na rin sa pag-aalala nila sa akin ay minabuti nilang ikunsulat ito sa doktor.

"They what should we do then? It's been a week but it's getting worst. She suddenly cries on her sleep saying she's drowning. She's also running a high fever. Sometimes she even points her finger at things we couldn't see." pag-aalalang sabi ni Lolo sa doktor.

"Well, aside from her medication I would suggest that you take her someplace new to her. Go on a vacation that might help her recover." mungkahi ng doktor.

Mungkahi lang iyon ng doktor, ngunit nakapagpasya si Auntie at Uncle na lumipat sa Canada kasama kami ni ate Roxy.

Though, I still regularly visit my psychiatrist for the last fourteen years. But honestly, I could still see them until now I just choose to ignore it and my nightmares it never left me. I just don't want them to worry about me anymore. So I pretended that everything is okay.

Sino ba naman kasi ang makakalimot kung ikaw mismo ay nakita mo ang sarili mong kamatayan.

The sound of the car engine drifted me back to reality. Nagtungo ako sa bintana nang makita ko si Lolo at Ate Roxy sumakay sa sasakyan at umalis. They decided to live separately dahil narin sa layo ng bahay ni Lolo sa papasukan naming university.

Well you see, I lied just like I always do. You can call me a brat or whatever you want I don't care. I wasn't that tired at all I just wanted to escape from them. I mean who would like to listen to those boring stories. Hindi ko alam paano natatagalan ni ate Roxy makipagkwentohan kasama ang mga nakakatanda sa kanya.

It's too early to go to bed. So I unpack my stuff and undress to change into a more comfortable outfit.

An outfit that is more suitable for clubbing. 

Naka suot ako nang loose black v neck spaghetti strap camisole, black leather jeans, and black strappy heels. Sa balikat ko ay isang leather jacket.

Well, I may not be familiar around but that's the good thing about the internet it makes our life so much easier.

I heard Auntie Malyn and the twins going to their own rooms while the housekeepers were busy with their chores. 

I'm sure they will go ballistic if they find out I went out alone. I'm never allowed to go out alone kahit na they think na magaling na ako.

To avoid getting caught I slowly climb out of my window.

Oh! Old house with big windows you're such a blessing.

I slowly run hiding in the bushes and climbed the mango tree near the fence to jump over.

Voila! I'm out and ready to party.

The loud music and the crazy people dancing on the dance floor made the whole club lively. I went to the counter to order a lemon drop martini. I couldn't help to smile mischievously as I saw those hungry beast stares at me like I'm a helpless prey.

Kahit ang mga barista ay nagnanakaw ng tingin sa akin. As I wander my eyes, one barista caught my attention, his sight follows me no matter where I go. He went to the counter to serve the other customers despite how busy he is he still glance at me from time to time.

Soon after I heard him say, "Hindi ka nabibilang rito. Gulo lamang ang dala mo."

 I wasn't sure if I heard him right nor was he talking to me.

Kahit sa Canada na kami lumaki ng mga pinsan ko we still could understand and speak Filipino. Patriotic kasi si Lolo gusto niya na kahit wala kami sa Pinas ay hindi namin makalimutang Filipino kami. Filipino-spanish to be exact.

I smirk trying to ignore the bartender.

I danced and flirted with the boys who caught my attention. However, as soon as they act like a pervert I ditch them. The good thing is I have a strong tolerance for alcohol or else they will take advantage of me.

"Hi! I'm Justine. Are you alone? Would you like to join our table." the man pointed towards their table. Of course, I ignored him and continued drinking.

"You know, I have a good intention. I can see that you came here not for that reason. You know what I'm talking about." he was too naive and acted innocent. Oh, boys and their lies. Who's stupid enough to go to bars and expect nothing would happen. Well, except for me, I just came here to drink. So I continued ignoring him.

"You see I invited my friend but he was one hell of a devil he brought his girlfriend over so I ended up as a third wheel. It would be just drinking, chatting, and dancing" he said trying to convince me again. 

Yet, I ended up believing him.

You see, if there's one thing I'm good at that would be knowing one's sincerity. When he saw that there won't be any chance of success he slowly stood up and apologize.

Before he could take a seat he was surprised that I followed and sat beside him. "Should we get more drinks?" I smiled while raising my martini.

Well, he kept his promise all we did was drink and chat with dancing in between. I, on the other hand, pretended that I don't understand Filipino.

"Hey! Um... While you were talking with each other earlier. The guys over there gave this. Would you like to try it? What do you think Justine?" Gabe said habang ipinapakita ang isang pakiti ng gamot sa amin.

"I don't think we should." Justine hesitated.

"It's just for tonight. The first and last time." Gabe insisted.

I know what are those I've seen my so-called friends use them.

Party drugs.

I wander my eyes around. When drugs are involved I'm sure there will be people around watching you just to make sure things will be kept hidden. They took the pill so I pretended to swallow it too.

"I'm sorry!" conscience took over Justine. I'm sure it was his first time taking a drug out of peer pressure and curiosity.

"It's okay!" I reassuredly smile at him. "Umm... Excuse me I need to use the restroom." I look for an excuse for me to throw away the pill. Hindi ako tanga para uminon ng party drugs. Isa pa it might trigger my delusional self. 

I saw the disappointment in his face. Probably regretting what he did.

When I got back from the restroom they now have four new companies. Two ladies and two men are now seated with them.

"Celine, they said they want to join us. By the way, they are the ones who gave us the pills," said Nicole.

I got a bad feeling about it but I choose to ignore it and just go with the flow. We drank some more. Time passed and I could see that the pill is starting to take over Justine, Gabe, and Nicole. Soon after our new company started to act strangely.

Then suddenly I feel dizzy. The party lights are slowly blinding me. Wait! I'm not drunk yet. I blink and rub my eyes. After some time I froze and become pale to the sight in front of me.

What that fudge!

Our four new companions look hideous. They have pointed ears, big red eyes, fangs, long talons, and wings. Then when I look at Justine, Gabe and Nicole they look totally normal. I drop the drinks I was holding.

What the fudge!

I must be drunk already. I didn't drink the pills. I took all my medication this morning. Why are my eyes playing some tricks on me now?

The bartender came right away to clean the shattered glass. I didn't know what to do. I glance again towards my new companion. They look... normal now.

'Your mind is just playing tricks on you' I reminded myself.

I grab and hold tightly on the barista and said "I'm going home. Can you help me get a cab."

Justine looked at me I sense he wanted to take me home but he was too drank.

"We should take you home." One of our new companions offered.

"No! I could go home by myself." I firmly said. Trying to hide my panic.

Bago paman makasagot ang aking mga kasama agad nagsalita ang barista at sinabing "I'll help you get home safely. Let me take you to the taxi area."

I didn't know but when I heard him say those words I calmed down and felt safe.

I'm regretting na lumabas ako ng bahay mag-isa. What my family knows is that magaling na ako. Sinusubukan ko ring kumbinsihin ang sarili ko na magaling na ako. Pero ngayong gabi ang lala ng hallucination ko. Pagpasuk ko sa club mga anino lang ang nakikita ko but when the light was slowly blinding my left eye hindi na tao o anino yung nakikita ko.

"Satingin ko hindi ka dapat umuwi ng mag-isa. Tapos na naman yung shift ko kaya puwedi kitang ihatid sa bahay niyo." I was surprised by what the bartender said.

When we got finally out of the bar. My rationale started to come to me. "Thank you! I'm not drunk and I could go home by myself now."

We both couldn't grab a taxi from the bar so he suggested walking a little farther to the next street. I must be really crazy I didn't know why but I ended up following him. We were the only ones in the dark and empty road. Street lights are not working. Buti nalang at full moon kaya nagsilbing itong ilaw sa madilim na kalsada.

I'm more afraid of what might happen to me than what I saw in the bar earlier. Fudge! The alcohol is getting to me now. I will end being harassed by this jerk.

I made up my mind to go back to the bar or somewhere where street lights are working. Before I could say a word he immediately grabs my wrist firmly. "Sorry, I made a wrong turn." He took a big step almost sprinting going back where we came. "We should hurry up." He said calmly.

Even he said calmly I sense that horror in his tone. What is going on now?

"No! You actually made the right turn." said the male voices in front of us. "Your such a bad little girl. You didn't take the pill." he continued.

"Why the hell did you bring me here!" I ignore the voice in front of us and scolded the barista who is now in front of me acting like a shield.

"I didn't know that the street light here is not working." pagtatanggol nito sa sarili.

"Enough arguing you two. Well, there is no escape." said the female voice from behind. There are two of them. Those voices, I've heard of them. Then I suddenly remembered the four strangers who gave us the pills.

What are they doing here? 

Paanong ang bilis nilang naka rating dito?

When I focus my sight on the voices it wasn't sure anymore. My mind and eyes are playing tricks again. What I'm seeing are no humans. I could clearly see those wings, talons, and fangs.

"No! No! No! I swear I took all my medicine this morning. Could it be my medicines are no longer work? I'm hallucinating again. Please I stop playing tricks on me now. This is not the right time." I said while pulling my hair out of frustration. Ano ba naman to ang lala na talaga ng sakit ko sa utak.

"Ano bang pinagsasabi mo? Ano ba ang nakikita mo? Diba mga kaibigan mo sila?" tanong ng barista sa akin.

"Of course not! You might think I'm crazy but they look really terrible right now. They look scary, those wings, talons, and fangs those looks really deadly." I blurted out without thinking. I didn't mind if he judge me at this very moment.

"That's interesting! You could see us. Our bodies are of humans yet you could see our true form." sabing lalaking nasa harapan namin

"What- What do you mean? What are you saying? Are you saying I'm not hallucinating?" I stuttered.

"Hindi ka namamalik mata. Totoong-totoo ang iyong nakikita." agad na sabi ng bartender. He rolled his sleeves revealing the tattoo on both his wrist as if it will help us in the situation we're in.

"So both of you could see us then? Tingnan mo naman ang sarap ng huli natin ngayong gabi. Sigurado akong mabubusog tayo." sabi ng babeng nasa likod namin sa kasamahan nito.

What does she mean? Is she going to eat us?

Binuksan nito ang kanilang mga pakpak at lumipad patungo sa amin akmang aatakihin na kami nang biglang...

Nagising nalang ako sa liwanag ng araw na pumapasok sa aking silid na tila ba hinahalikan ang aking mga pisngi. I rolled over my bed feeling confused. 

"Arrgh! Why do old houses have such huge windows? I don't want to get up yet." pagrereklamo ko.

"Gising kana pala Celine" ang sabi ng babaeng naka upo sa may study table na may hawak-hawag na mug. Sa harap niya ay ang naka on na laptop

"Ate Roxy! Good Morning! What are you doing here in my room? I thought you went home with Lolo Javier. Ang aga mo naman ata." I asked. Hindi ko man lang napansin na nasa kwarto ko pala siya.

"You don't remember what happened last night?" she curiously asked.

"Huh? Uh! Why does my head hurt? Didn't we had diner before I went to my room to rest." pagtataka kung sabi sa kanya.