GHOST HUNTER 3

MEETING PRINCE CHARMING AND FIGHTING OFF WITCHES

EMERSYN

“Hindi mo ba iyan sasagutin?”sabi ng multong ningunguya ang kinain niyang pancake. “Mukha ka na kasing timang d’yan sa kakatitig sa cellphone mo,”natatawa niyang wika.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin ‘tsaka tumayo at pumunta sa sala. Nagbuntong hininga ako bago sinagot ang tawag.

“Hell—.”

“Kahit kailan problema ka talaga sa pamilyang ito. Nasaan kang bata ka?! Umuwi ka rito sa mansyon at wag na wag mo pang dagdagan ang sakit ng ulo ko!”

Sa tagal na panahon na lumayas ako sa pamamahay na iyon ay ngayon pa lamang tumawag sa akin ang aking ama. Ang akala ko ay kakamustahin niya ako o magmamakaawa siya na pauwian na ako sa bahay sa mahinahon na paraan pero mukhang nagkamali ako sa inaakala ko. I thought I would have a chance to speak with my father just the way he spoke to me before. Before all the chaos happened.

The chaos and tragedy, he blamed it all to me. What he said was true but as a father shouldn’t he be comforting me. We should be comforting each other for our lost. Alam kong nasaktan si Dad pero hindi ibigsabihin non na hindi rin ako nasasaktan sa mga nangyari. Hindi ko naman ginusto ang mga nangyari.

“Hindi ako uuwi. And I will never go back to that hell!”

Bahala na kung wala akong modo o galang sa aking sariling ama. He doesn’t respect me or even treat me as her daugther anyway. Matagal na niyang tinatak sa kokote niya na malas ako sa pamilya.

“Wag na wag mo akong sasagutin nang ganyan!”

“Bakit Dad?! Does it hurt that your not treated by your daugther with respect? Oh, right. Why should I be asking that? When you don’t really claim me as your own daugther anymore. Matagal mo na akong kinamuhian sa pagkawala nila dahil gaya ng sabi mo noon. Malas ako sa pamilya diba? Kung tutuusin mas gusto mong mawala na ako sa mundong ito, diba?!”sigaw ko sa kabilang linya. I gritted my teeth. I can even feel my hands trembling with anger and my eyes stingy.

“Babalik ka sa mansyon o—.”

“O ano! Iaalis niyo na ang pangalan ko sa pamilyang Dela Torre. Wala akong pakialam Dad! Kahit kunin niyo pa at ipamigay sa iba ang lahat ng kayamanan at mana ko! WALA AKONG PAKIALAM! Hindi naman ako naghangad sa kayamanan niyo matagal na akong kontento sa kung anuman meron ako ngayon. Kaya kahit anong gawin at sabihin niyo sa’kin hinding hindi na ako babalik sa impyernong mansyon iyan!”

Para hindi ko na muling marinig ang tinig ng aking ama ay wala sa sariling hinagis ko sa pader ang cellphone ko. Nabasag ang screen at nakakasiguro akong hindi ko na iyon muli pang magamit. Biglang nanghina ang mga tuhod ko at napaupo ako sa sahig. At sa pagkakataon na iyon ay humagulgol na ako sa pag iyak. I let out all the pain that I was suppressing earlier. Ang sakit sa pakiramdam na sa nagdaang mga taon ay ganito parin ang trato sa aking ama. A jinx in the family.

Parati akong naiingit sa ibang pamilya na makikita ko araw-araw. Kahit payak, simple o kahit mahirap man pero makikita mo na minamahal ng mga magulang ang kanilang mga anak. Ako? Ano ako? Parang niluwal lang ako sa mundong ito bilang b****a na pwede mong pagtapunan sa lahat ng kasalanan ng mundo. Para pagbuntungan ng galit gaya ng isang punching bag na pwede mong suntukin, tadyakan, sipain at saktan.

“Hey, tahan na.”

Even if my hands were covering my face I know who is this guy sitting in front of me. He touches my head lowering it till my head touches his shoulder. Niyakap niya ako at ganun din ang ginanti ko sa kanya habang patuloy parin ako sa pag iyak. The embrace of a ghost was as cold as ice yet somehow I felt warmth in it. A warm and reassuring hug like it’s telling me ‘Everything will be okay.’

Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay nahimasmasan na ako at tumigil na ako sa pag iyak. Tahimik kong pinagpatuloy ang almusal ko ‘tsaka ang iba ring daily routines ko. Sa buong oras na iyon ay hindi ako ginambala ng multo at nanuod lang siya ng palabas sa TV. Pagkatapos ay lumabas ako sa unit ko para umalis patungo sa paaralan. I was walking the hallway going to the elevator when I felt him near me. I took of my eyeglasses off and turn to face the ghost who was following me.

“Anong ginagawa mo?”

Pero imbes sagutin ang tanong ko ay nilihis niya ang usapan. “Eyeglasses ka ba, baby?” may ngiting tanong niya. I didn’t answer and just rolled my eyes.

Bumagsak ang kanyang balikat at ngumuso. “Baby, dapat magtanong ka ng ‘bakit?’”pagmamaktol ng multo.

“Bakit?”napipilitang kong sabi.

He cleared his throat before speaking with a smile plastered on his face. “Because I can’t see my life without you.” Nakasimangot lang ako nang sabihin niya ang isang corny na linya na tiyak kikiligin ang mga babae. The bad thing is, he told it to the wrong girl.

“Tapos ka na?”

“Ahh. Its really hard to make you smile.”he said with disappointment in his voice. Napailing ako sa kanya at saka ko siya tinalikuran. Nang maabutan ko na ang elevator, inis na lumingon ako ulit sa likuran.

“Why the heck are you still following me?”

“Gusto kong makita ang school mo.”

“Hindi pwede.”

“Bakit naman?”

I can feel my eyebrows twitching from his annoyance. Urgh! What an annoying ghost! Sabing hindi nga pwede eh. Ang tigas ng ulo! Nagbuntong hininga ako.

“Look, hindi ka pwedeng sumunod sa’kin sa school. Baka may makakita sa’yo—.”

“I can hide pretty well—.”

“It’s not just that. I don’t want any distractions when I’m at school. I have too many things in my mind so I don’t have time to deal with you. So please, just this once, don’t follow me. You can freely do whatever you want inside the house, just don’t follow me there.”

He didn’t say a word instead he just look at me intently. Like he was searching for something through my eyes with a blank expression bored on his face. And I felt a little uneasy because it was a first that he showed me a blank look. I got used to seeing him jolly and always smiling even for a short while we’re together. But Jaxon, the ghost I am facing now was different. It’s like he was a different person when he shows an expression like that. He looks more ghastly with that expression.

PING

Lumingon ako sa bumukas na elevator door. I glance at him then went inside the elevator. And as the door closed he never diverted his gaze away from me. Nagbuntong hininga ako. What is his problem? Why does he look so serious all of sudden? Iniwaksi ko ang isipang iyon. Why should I be thinking about him? I should just focus on doing well today in school.

But I’m relieved that he didn’t follow me.

~*~*~

Gaya nang nakasanayan pagdumaraan ako sa hallway ay ang daming bulungan at iniiwasan ako ng mga taong nakakasalubong ko sa daan. They're afraid of touching me because I might contaminate them with my ability. This is not possible since this ability can only be inherited. It means my ability is transferred genetically. So I can’t pass my ability with just anyone if we are not genetically related.

Hindi ko nalang sila pinansin at pinagpatuloy ang paglalakad. Pumasok ako sa klase ko ng tahimik at hinintay dumating ang guro namin. Makalipas ilang minuto ay nagsimula na ang mga lectures namin. Sa isang subject ay prinisenta at nireport ko rin ang presentasyon ko. Lubos na napahanga nga ang guro sa detalyado at organisadong pagkagawa ng report ko. I felt a pang of guilt towards the ghost. I never really thank him for all his help. But the heck! Why should I say thanks to him? When I already agreed of him staying at my place that’s enough for a ‘thank you’, right?

It was lunchtime and I decided to have lunch in the cafeteria. I sometimes eat in the cafeteria and when I say ‘sometimes’ it meant once in a blue moon. I don’t know why but I just don’t feel like eating on the rooftop. Doon ako sa rooftop parating kumakain kasi tahimik at malayo ako sa mapanglait at mapanghusgang mata ng ibang estudyante.

Doon ako umupo sa bakanteng mesa sa pinakadulong bahagi ng cafeteria. Sinimulan ko na ang pagkain ng Adobong manok at kanin, apple ‘tsaka bottle ng lemon juice. And because I seldom eat in the cafeteria many were whispering, talking shit behind my back.

“Eww. Sarah get rid of your apple. Baka nahawakan niyan ng freak bago niya kunin ang apple niya. You might get infected with the freak disease.”

Seriously? Can’t they just shut up and eat. Geez. I suddenly lost my appetite.

I stood up and was about to bring my tray to the counter when I suddenly saw a person approaching my table with his tray of food at hand. Eh? Holy pancakes! Don’t tell me he's gonna sit at my table. No way!

“May I care to join you?”

I was left speechless and just gaze at him. When he didn’t get a response he just sat down and eat.

“Don’t just stand there and eat.”

Even if I decided earlier that I won’t eat anymore. Tumalima ako at umupo ulit sa aking upuan, masyado seryoso at may awtoridad ang kanyang tinig na kahit sino ay susunod sa kanyang sinabi. And suddenly the atmosphere became quite. Too quite.

Nang tiningnan ko ang paligid ay hindi ko maiwasang mailang sa kanilang mga titig. The boys occasionally steal glances towards our table while almost all the girls are glaring at me. Parang pinapatay na nila ako sa kanilang mga tingin. When I look at the Student Council’s table where Stefan usually sits with his other members of the Student Council, they were also looking at our table. Some had questionable and confused looks bored on their faces, some were shocked, some girls were glaring at me and some, well, some of them didn’t give a damn about their President eating at the same table with me who is labeled ‘freak’. But considering the number, it's obvious that most of the people don’t want me eating with the Student Council President.

Pero bakit dito kumain si Stefan? Nagka alitan ba siya sa mga kaibigan niya at sa SC Commitee? Why would he—Oh, why am I even asking? The heck! I should be happy because my crush is eating with me at the same table. I suddenly felt the butterflies in my stomach, the joy in my heart, and weirdly a felt a little cold. Marahil ay dahil sa nilakasan ang AC o dahil sa matatalim na tingin ng mga tao sa paligid. Oh, but who cares! I just affixed my thoughts and attention to both my food and him. It was a great idea that I decided to eat here rather than on the rooftop.

Tahimik lang kaming kumain kahit medyo naging awkward na ang atmosphere. Tahimik lang siyang kumakain na hindi ako pinukulan ng tingin. Nong inakala ko na hindi siya magsasalita hanggang sa matapos siyang kumain ay bigla itong nagsalita sa pormal na boses.

“By the way, Ms. Dela Torre may I spare some of your time after classes this afternoon? I have something important to ask of you.”

Anong paguusapan namin? Kahit medyo naguguluhan ako ay tumango ako bilang sagot.

“So it’s settled then.”

Tumayo siya hawak ang kanyang tray. “Meet me at the rooftop after classes. Understood?” he said with authority.

“Y-Yes, Mr. President.” sagot ko at ako naman si tanga ay sumaludo pa talaga ako sa kanya. What the heck was wrong with me!? Emersyn, umayos ka nga! This is totally not like me! Shocks! Nakakahiya. I know I look as red as a tomato by now.

To ease my nervousness I took my apple and was about to take a bite when he suddenly took it away from me. I was about to protest and say something but then he bites from my apple. Everyone look at Stefan with wide eyes, some were even gasping. Pati ako ay nagulat sa inasta ni Stefan.

He just ate the apple. My apple! Kinagat niya ang pagkain na hawak ko. Other people don’t even want their skin to touch mine because there afraid they might get what they call ‘freak disease’. But he just ate the apple that I touch. Bakit niya ginagawa iyon? Is he trying to represent a good example of equality here? Is he trying to raise a point that I am not a freak that is should be treated indifferently in this school? Or does he just want to eat that apple?

“I’ll be waiting for you at the rooftop.”sabi niya bago tumalikod at naglakad papunta sa counter para ilagay ang kanyang tray doon. Pagkatapos ay naglakad siya paalis habang kinakain niya ang mansanas.

Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay napagdesisyunan ko nang tumayo at naglakad papunta sa counter kung saan nilalagay ang mga ginamit na tray. I pass a table with a bunch of girls were looking at me with disgust and giving me their death glares. I just acted that they don’t have an affect on me.

“She is not an only freak but she’s also a witch. Akalain mo ginayuma niya si Stefan.”

“Hindi pa siya nakuntento sa ghost friends niya at nakipagsiksikan pa siya kay Stefan honey.”

“Ha! What a bitch!”

Napahinto ako sa harap ng pintuan nang dahil sa narinig ko. Witch? Gayuma? They call me a freak and now they label me as a witch. What the hell?! Nakipagsiksikan? Hindi naman ako ang lumapit sa kanya para pagsabihan akong nakipagsiksikan sa kanya. Siya ang mismong lumapit sa’kin. And me? A bitch? They all look more like a bitch than me.

Especially the one girl I recognized from them was the one I hated the most. I hate to admit it but among all her bitchy friends she was the most attractive. She has champagne-colored hair and has this seductive blue eyes that when a guy looks straight into her eyes, he can’t stop but be drawn to temptation and start to—you know give in to the temptation.

The cousin I hated the most.

Cheska Dela Torre Rodriguez.

 “Hey freak!”tawag pansin ni Cheska sa’kin.

I turn to face her who was just sitting at her table carefully eating her cheesecake. Oh, how I wish to smack that cheesecake on her bitchy face.

“Why did you stop all of a sudden? Is it because of what we said? Especially when I said you’re a bitch. Totoo naman, di ba? Kung ayaw mong tawagin kang ‘bitch’. Don’t come near Stefan ever again. You might have forgotten every person that comes close to you dies.”

I felt the anger surging in me. Kinuyom ko ang aking kamao. I need to control myself, to control my anger. I know Cheska is only trying to provoke me. Cheska is trying to tamper with my cool and trying to reveal my bad side, the freak they wanted to see. But I will never give them the satisfaction of seeing me reckless.

I was about to turn and exit when I suddenly heard Cheska screaming.

“What the heck is wrong with you, Jasmine?!”

Cheska’s face was a mixture of shock and anger while her friend who was named Jasmine was also shocked that she splash her friend with the strawberry milkshake she was holding. The other 3 friends had wide eyes and mouths gaping. Cheska’s face, her maroon uniform was wet with the pink liquid of Jasmine’s milkshake (she deserves it though). If the situation was not dire I would have clapped my hands and praised Jasmine for doing that to Cheska. But why would she do that to her friend?

“What is wrong with you bitch?!” Cheska said her eyes flaring with anger.

“Yeah. Why did you do that to Cheska, Jasmine?”sabi ng babaeng ponytail ang buhok kumuha siya ng tissue papers sa bag niya at pinunasan ang uniform at mukha ni Cheska.

“Nababaliw ka na ba?”

“Jasmine, what’s wrong with you?”

“I-I...Hindi ko sinasadya!”wika ni Jasmine.

Mapakla ang tawang ni Cheska. “What?! So you’re telling me this is an accident?!”sabi ni Cheska sabay turo sa kanyang mukha.

Jasmine just keeps shaking her head and she keeps whispering to herself that ‘It was an accident. Fear and confusion were evident on Jasmine’s face. But in my opinion, mukhang sinadya talaga ni Jasmine na buhusan ng milkshake si Cheska. It wasn’t just a mere accident.

Pero mas nakakagulat ang sumusunod na pangyayari. The ponytail girl suddenly gets a handful of chocolate cake from her plate and smudge it on the chest of the red-haired girl sitting next to her.

“Ahhh! Jamie what the f*ck are you doing?!”sabi ni red haired girl na gaya ni Cheska ay galit na galit rin sa kaibigan.

“No! Hindi ko ito sinasadya! Anna believe me! Hindi ko ito sinasadya! Sorry!”sabi ni ponytail girl na nangangalang Jamie. Pero gaya rin ni Jasmine ay gano’n rin ang reaksyon ni Jamie.

What the heck is happening here? Gagawa sila ng masama sa kaibigan nila ngunit sasabihin nilang aksidente lang iyon. Clearly, Cheska has a sick circle of friends.

Nakisama na rin ang isa pa nilang kaibigan sa gulo ang sinabutan si red haired girl na nagngangalang Anna.

“Arrraaaaayyyy!!”d***g ni Anna habang sinusubukan na ialis ang kamay ng kaibigan.

“Sophie! Stop it!”sabi ni Jamie at sinubukan na ialis rin ang kamay ni Sophie sa buhok ni Anna.

“I can’t! I can’t control my hands!!”sigaw ni Sophie.

“Ahhh!! Let go of me bitch!” ani Anna.

Lumapit si Cheska sa kanila at sinabunutan si Sophie. “Let go of her bitch! Let go!”

At do’n na nagsimulang gumulo ang lahat, nagsubunutan silang lima, nagtatapunan ng pagkain, nagsampalan, minura ang isa’t isa at kung ano ano pang ginawa nila. At ang ibang estudyante, ayun tawa ng tawa sa kabaliwan ng lima. May grupo nga ng kalalakihan na nagpustahan sa kanilang mga manok kung sino ang mananalo.

“Woah! Catfight!”

“Anna! Kaya mo yan!”

“Sophie my babe! Go! Go!”

“Sampalin mo sila Cheska darling!”

“I love you, Jasmine!”

“Woah! Go, Jamie!”

“Food fight!”

Geez. Seriously. What is happening with these people?

Ngayon ay lumapit na ang mga SC Comitee mula sa kanilang mesa at sinubukang awatin ang lima sa gulong ginagawa nila. Pero mukhang walang magpatalo sa kanilang lima dahil walang sumusuko.

I was about to exit when I suddenly felt that coldness again and this time it was different, it was much colder. Tinangal ko ang suot kong eyeglass at nilibot ko ang tingin sa magulong cafeteria. At do’n sa gitnang bahagi ng cafeteria ay nakita ko siya. Amusement was on his eyes as he wave his hand repeatedly. Wait?! Don’t tell me, he is responsible of the girls fighting. Kaya pala nang sinabi nila na hindi nila sinasadya at hindi nila makontrol ang kamay nila ay dahil kinokontrol niya sila. That manipulating idiot!

“Freak! I’m not done with you yet!—Urgh! Let go of me!”sigaw ni Cheska sa isa sa mga miyembro ng Student Council na nilagay ang mga kamay ni Cheska sa kanyang likuran upang hindi siya makalawa. Gano’n din ang ginawa sa iba niyang kasama na pumipiglas rin sa mga taga Student Council. Nauna na silang umalis sa cafeteria. They shot me death glares as they pass me. Tch. What a pathetic group of brats.

Muli kong nilingon ang direksyon niya subalit wala na siya do’n. Narinig ko ang bell sinyales na kinakailangan ko nang bumalik sa klase ko. I’ll deal with him later.

I didn’t get to focus in class for my mind was clouded with so many things. The first, was why did he do that to girls. Second, why was he here when I told him to not follow me and stay at home. And the third that was bugging me was about what I and Stefan will discuss on the rooftop.

Hindi naman kami close ni Mr. President. Ngayon nga lang niya ako kinausap ng gano’n. Ano kaya ang bagay na pag usapan namin? Di kaya! Does he like me? Is he gonna confess to me? No! That would be impossible! Who will like a girl who is labeled a freak at the school?

I should stop daydreaming.

But the thought that we will be alone together, talking of whatever-that-is-so-important. I can’t help but smile.

Hindi ako nakinig sa huling klase dahil ang atensyon ko ay nakatuon sa orasan sa ibabaw nang whiteboard at tumunog ang bell.

“Class dismiss.”

Mabilis kong isinukbit ang bag sa balikat ko at lumabas ng room. Nagmamadaling tumakbo ako sa hallway ng mga lockers patungo sa hagdan. Inakyat ko mula sa ikadalawang palapag patungo sa ika anim kung saan nando’n ang hagdanan patungo sa rooftop. Marami na ring estudyante ang nagsibabaan pero wala naman akong nakabanga kahit sa pagmamadali ko dahil iniiwasan nila ako. One of the perks, that I am labeled as a ‘freak’. People give way for me. Kahit sabihin natin sa masamang paraan iyon, I got use to it.

When I got to the sixth floor, I stop putting my hands on my knees and catch my breath. Nang naging okay na ako ay nilakad ko na ang hallway, sinuklay ko ang buhok ko gamit ang kamay ko at tiningnan ang aking repleksyon sa glass window. I was daydreaming about what Stefan and I will be discussing when suddenly someone grab my arm, drag me inside a room and close it. I turn to face him. For a second I was shocked but then it disappeared.

“Didn’t I told you not to follow me?!”singhal ko sa kanya sabay kalas sa hawak niya sa braso ko.

He didn’t say a single word. He just looks at me with his eyebrows furrowed. Ever since I met him this was the second time I saw him this serious. I roam my eyes in the whole room. There were instruments like drums, trumpets saxophones, flutes, guitars of different kinds and colors, and the most eye-catching was the red grand piano that was placed in the center of the room.

“Where are you going?” he said with a cold tone.

“It’s none of your business,” I said and turn around to twist the doorknob open.

When I heard a snap of my finger from the back and suddenly I felt the doorknob twitch. What the—I tried to twist it open but it won’t budge. Inis kong hinarap si Jaxon.

“Open the damn door, ghost!”

Sinubukan ko parin buksan ang pinto hinampas ko ito at sinipa ko ito ngunit walang napala ang mga efforts ko. What the heck is his problem with me?!

“Bakit ka makipag usap kay Mr. President?”he said mocking the word ‘Mr. President’. Mr. President? Si Stefan? Anong pake niya kung makipag usap kami ni Stefan?

“I said, it’s none of your—.”

“I don’t trust him,” he said.

Trust him? Kilala ba niya si Stefan? Imposible naman iyon dahil gaya nga nang sinabi niya wala siyang naalala sa nakaraan niya. Anong problema niya kay Stefan? Kung may trust issues siya, wala na akong kinalaman do’n.

“Simula nang nakipagsiksikan ka sa pamamahay ko nagiging pakialamero kana. Wag ka nga makialam sa buhay ng ibang tao. And didn’t I told you not to follow me but no, you followed me and even cause a scene! Ang tigas rin ng utak—ayy tama nga pala wala kang utak dahil isa ka lang pakialamerong kaluluwa!”

Nandilim ang mata niya sa sinabi ko at nagulat ako nang gamitin niya ang kanyang kapangyarihan para itulak ako ng invisible na pwersa at marahas na natumba malapit sa paanan ng grand piano. I was about to shout but turns into a gasp. When he used his powers again and made me follow float a few inches away from the ground while he sat at the grand piano. His feet stepping on the keys which made a horrible sound. And just like last time, I wasn’t able to move my body.

“Kahit kailan hindi ka talaga marunong magpasalamat. You should be thankful I help you from those girls—.”

“Help? Tulong ba ang tawag do’n? Ayy sorry ha! Sa pagkakaalam ko gulo ang ginawa mo! Mas lalo mo lang ginulo ang buhay ko!”

Naramdaman ko nawala bigla ang kanyang hawak sa’kin dahilan para masakit na bumagsak ako sa sahig. Damn it! Bwiset ang multong ito! I should have exterminated him when I had the chance before. Now I look so helpless without my weapons. I always left them inside my locker when I was hurrying to meet up with Stefan I forgot about the weapons.

I forgot two ghosts were roaming inside the school: the one that keeps pestering my life and the other that was still unidentified.

Even if I use my brute strength I don’t know if I can keep it up without my weapons to help immobilize him. It is a bad case of bad timing to forget my weapons. I winced in pain when he harshly grabbed my cheeks so I can face him who is now kneeling in front of me.

“Remember Emersyn, you are mine and mine alone. No one is allowed to hurt you in any way unless it’s not in my hands.” he coldly said.

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa gulat nang makita kong ang kulay brown niyang mata ay naging itim. Agad kong tinabig ang kamay niya na siyang kinabalik sa kulay ng kaniyang mata. Tumayo siya at naglaho ng parang bula. Ha! You are mine? Nagpapatawa ba siya? Sino ba siya sa inaakala niya para umasta ng gano’n? Isang lang siyang multo. Pakialamerong multo!

But this is bad. He is starting to give signs of turning to a malignant ghost. Kinakaialangan ko na siyang pugsain sa lalong madaling panahon bago pa siya makain ng kanyang emosyon at kapangyarihan at maging masamang espirito. An evil spirit, a malignant ghost, that only wants to destroy, to scare, to haunt, and hurt people to gain more power.

Tumayo ako at tinahak ang hagdanan patungo sa rooftop. Pagbukas ko ng pinto nakita ko siyang malapit sa railings habang tahimik na minamasid ang paglubog ng araw. Naghalo ang kulay dilaw, pula at dalandan sa kalangitan. And from where he was standing where the sun was on his back made him so magnificent as he slowly turn to face me. Wow. Golden.

“My time is gold, Ms. Dela Torre. What took you so long?”he said which brought me back to reality from fantacizing his beauty. Shoot! Hindi niya sana napansin na pinagmasdan ko siya na parang tanga.

“S-Sorry po Mr. President. May—may importante kasi akong ginawa bago ako naparito.”nauutal kong wika habang sinarado ang pinto at naglakad papalapit sa kanya. Crap! Hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihin inatake ako ng multo bago ako napunta rito.

Nagbuntong hininga siya. “No bother. I have something important to discuss with you. I need something from you.”sabi niya habang naglalakad siya palapit sa’kin. Hindi ako gumalaw sa kinatatayuan ko ngunit habang lumalapit na siya ay umaatras na ako. Hanggang sa naramdaman ko na ang pinto sa likod ko. Nilagay niya ang dalawang kamay niya sa magkabilang panig ko.

Holy pancakes! What is this important thing that we need to discuss? At bakit kailangan ganito ka lapit?! Napalunok ako.

“Ano i-iyon?”nauutal kong wika.

Who wouldn’t stutter? When a handsome and serious guy is this close to you. His face is just inches away from mine. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko na para bang sumali ako sa isang triathlon.

I was startled when he suddenly put his palms on my cheeks.

Holy pancakes! What does he want from me?!