With my brows slightly furrowed, I stepped outside the gate to check if I had really seen Auntie Dani’s car.
Yus told us yesterday that his mother would be back in a week, but I was glad she was here now. I loved listening to her travel stories.
I watched as their gate opened, making way for their mistress. I waited for a few seconds, observing as the car finally parked beside their fountain until I heard the car door open and close.
Lumapit ako sa gilid ng gate kung saan may access system. I was not a stranger here and my thumbprint was registered on their system so I just had to get my thumbprint scanned before I can enter.
"Hello, Ate. Where's Prius and Auntie Dani?" I greeted one of the helpers who passed by when I entered the house.
She stopped and looked at me. She was holding a laundry hamper in her arms, obviously about to do the laundry of her employers.
"Ay, ikaw po pala 'yan, Miss." she said.
"Si Sir Prius po maagang umalis. Si Madam naman nagpapahinga po ngayon,"
I nodded and looked at their two-way staircase. Yus was gone already? Where did he go? Sana naman ay hindi niya makalimutan na may laro mamaya.
"Ah, is that so? Sige po," I said then turned my back on her.
"Sabihin ko nalang po na pumunta kayo rito," I heard and I just nod before opening the door to go back at my house.
Akala ko pa naman ay makakapag kwentuhan na kami ni Auntie Dani. Well, we can do that naman later.
When I returned home, I went straight to my room and saw that my bath was already prepared and clothes were neatly laid out on my bed. I glanced at their choice of outfit for tonight’s game.
It was a black sweater paired with a white pleated tennis skirt. Not a bad choice, but I wouldn’t say I liked wearing sweaters—especially when the weather was already too hot.
I am not tiis ganda.
So I changed it with a black with white stripes on the sleeves polo shirt before I went to my bathroom to take a bath.
After taking a long refreshing bath as always, I put sunblock all over my body and did my hair in front of my vanity mirror. While waiting for my sunscreen to be absorbed, I heard my phone beep, indicating that I had a message.
I let out a sigh before standing up to grab my phone off of my side table. Mamaya pang gabi ang laro pero nakasanayan ko na kasi na maagang magising.
Doing my assignments or trying new dishes from different countries used to be my activities in my leisure time but because this was our sembreak, I had to be laid-back and do something more fun.
From: Yus
I'll pick you up later. May gagawin lang ako.
To: Yus
Nasaan kaba? I went to your house earlier.
From: Yus
Nasa Pasay.
To: Yus
What are you doing there?
From: Yus
Basta.
His response made my eyes roll upward before I turned my phone off and put it down again on my bed. Then I stood up and went back to my vanity mirror to finish what I was doing.
‘Basta’ was not an answer. He is really a lame texter.
After glamming up, I grabbed my white Loulou puffer small shoulder bag containing my essentials, and then immediately stepped out of my room.
Imbes na dumiretsong labas ay pumunta ako sa kusina at kumuha ng water bottle.
"If nakabalik na dito si Yus at hanapin ako, pakisabi na nasa salon lang ako" I said.
The housekeepers nodded, so I smiled before finally leaving the house. Instead of
booking a car ride, I chose to walk.
Hindi naman ganoon kalayo ang pupuntahan ko kaya lalakarin ko nalang. Even though walking made me sweat quickly, I reminded myself that this was just part of my morning walk.
Pagkapasok ko ng salon ay may mga bumati saakin at binati ko rin sila pabalik at kinausap ko lang saglit ang pamilyar na nasa counter para magbayad bago ako iginiya sa kabilang parte.
The middle-aged woman gestured for me to sit on one of their manicure chairs, and I did.
Then, I noticed another woman who I assumed would be doing my pedicure. As they worked on my requested services professionally, I watched a movie on my phone, which rested on my lap.
When they were done, I expressed my gratitude before stepping outside their salon.
The humidity hit me as soon as I stepped outside, but before long, I was already inside the supermarket at the nearby mall, pushing my cart while scanning the aisles for anything worth buying. That’s when I spotted some familiar faces at one of the cashier counters.
I paid no attention to them before getting different items. I was going to cook Napolitan later since I badly wanted to try it.
I squinted slightly as I looked up, the scorching sun making my eyes sting. Gumilid ako sa lilim. Nakalabas na ako at tatawid na sana sa kabilang kalsada.
Medyo mabigat ang bitbit ko dahil naparami. If it wasn't with the weather, I already sashayed my way to go back home.
I clicked my tongue when I remembered that I did not bring my phone with me, so I went back inside the Mall.
–
"Cash or card po, Ma'am?" She asked.
"Card," I said, then handed her my card.
After swiping the card and handing me the small device to enter my PIN, I waited for a few seconds before she returned my card.
She was about to put it inside the small paper bag, but I stopped her, which made her brows slightly furrowed while looking at me.
"No, you don't have to. Gagamitin ko na," I said.
A bit hesitant and still confused, she handed me my new phone. While waiting for the escalator to descend, I fiddled with my phone to book a ride. I had already bought a new SIM card and loaded it with credits.
Pasay was a bit far from here. Even though I want Yus to pick me up here, he might be late because of the traffic. And I don't have any more patience to wait.
I finally booked a ride so now I was just waiting. Some familiar faces looked at me and I just looked at them back, making them look away.
–
"Oh my god, finally..." I sighed in relief when I saw a car coming in my direction.
I went immediately to open the car door before putting my shopping bags first and going inside.
"Miss Danica po?" the driver asked as he looked over his shoulder at me.
I just made up that name, so I nodded.
Then he started driving. I was looking outside the window when I suddenly felt uncomfortable.
It felt like the driver was looking at me, so I glanced at him, but his eyes were focused on the road.
Maybe I was just imagining things?
I let out a sigh before grabbing my phone on my lap tightly and was almost on the corner of this car.
Then our eyes met in the rear-view mirror. He was old, maybe in his 50s. I don't know, but I really felt uncomfortable, especially with the way he looked at me.
It was not a perverted look because his eyes seemed dead to me.
"May problema ba, Miss?" he suddenly asked.
I let out an awkward chuckle. "Wala po,"
"May nakalimutan ka ba? Babalik ba tayo?" he asked.
I shook my head and smiled forcedly. "Wala po,"
When an idea crossed my mind, I raised my phone and positioned it for a selfie. I snapped one first, then casually flipped the camera. Still faking a smile, I discreetly took a photo of the driver, making it seem like I was just taking another selfie.
Malas lang dahil kung kelan malapit na kami ay tsaka kami na traffic. My feet were tapping the carpeted floor, impatiently wanting to get the freak out of here because of this uncomfortable feeling in my gut.
I glanced at him again as he turned on the radio. The static crackled over the music, but he didn’t bother to fix it and just let it play until it sorted itself out.
When you were here before
couldn't look you in the eye
you're just like an angel
your skin makes me cry
The song was kind of good actually, so I vibe with it silently while looking outside the window.
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
And I wish I was special
The car on my right kept honking, making my ears ache. As if the heat wasn’t annoying enough—seriously, what the heck?
You're so fuckin' special
But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doin' here?
My brows furrowed as I noticed movement in the backseat. Clenched fists pounded repeatedly against the window. The car was tinted, but I was certain—those were fists.
I don't belong here
I don't care if it hurts
I wanna have control
I want a perfect body
Until those clenched fists stop knocking the window before it slides downward, making me more curious.
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice
When I'm not around
So fuckin' special
I didn’t know why, but my attention stayed on that backseat, as if I was expecting something to appear. Then, the window rolled down, and a middle-aged woman shot me a dangerous glare.
I wish I was special
But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doin' here?
Her eyes were a bit red, and her face was so scary. Deep eye bags, wrinkled skin, nose like a witch, and bluish lips. She was like a murderer in some thriller movie.
I don't belong here
She's running out the door
She's running out
She run, run, run, run
This car was tinted too, but it felt like she knew that I was looking at her.
Run
Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You're so fuckin' special
I wish I was special
Until she suddenly tilted down her head a bit but still looked at me before she formed a creepy smile. Gustuhin ko mang huwag salubungin ang tingin niya ay hindi ko magawa dahil tila pinipigilan ako ng katawan ko.
"Hello," she mouthed.
My heart was beating loudly and sweat starting to form on my forehead even though the aircon was on. She is giving me the creeps!
I let out a gasp when the windows rolled down completely. At ang ulo ng tulog na babaeng nakasandal sa bintana ay bumagsak sa pagkakasandal kaya kalahati ng ulo niya ay halos nakalitaw na.
Her hair was messy, almost covering her face, and her face was really sweaty and a bit dirty.
"May problema ba, Miss?" the driver suddenly asked.
With my whole body trembling in fear, I looked at him. "Ang creepy po nung nasa labas," while pointing my finger outside.
Kumunot ang noo niya at tumingin saglit sa tinuturo ko. We were still in the middle of the traffic, only 15 seconds left until we can move forward.
"Wala naman, Miss, e" he said, then looked ahead again.
Confused and surprised, I returned my attention to my right side. The window was shut now, but a strand of hair was caught at the top. As the car finally moved forward, I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
What the hell is happening?! Did I really just witness a crime? Oh, my gosh!!
The whole ride was very traumatizing for me and I was just sitting, recalling what happened. Hanggang sa makauwi ay iniisip ko pa rin 'yon.
"Hey, Azalea..."
I walked upstairs absentmindedly, my thoughts elsewhere. My whole body nearly trembled again as the image of the old woman’s face suddenly flashed in my mind.
That creepy smile...
Pumasok ako ng kwarto at nilapag ang mga pinamili sa lapag bago naupo sa kama, nanatiling nakatulala.
"Ayos ka lang?"
I almost flinched and held my chest when Yus appeared in front of me. I let out a sigh of relief before looking up at him.
"May nangyari ba? Ba’t tulala ka?" he asked with brows furrowed.
"You will not believe what I saw, Yus! Oh my gosh, recalling that is giving me shivers," I said, shivering more and goosebumps sprang all over my body.
"Huh? Ano ba 'yon?" he asked before sitting beside me, not taking his eyes off of me; intrigued.
"I...think I just witnessed a crime earlier," I said, with my heart pounding quickly.
The right side of his lips stretched with brows still furrowed, like what I said was confusing.
"What do you mean? At saan?" he said before chuckling.
I glared at him before punching his right thigh repeatedly. He was not taking me seriously!
"I am not joking, Yus! I really saw what happened!"
"Aray," he said before gripping my wrist to stop me from punching him.
"Kuwento mo nga nang maayos," he said before scratching the back of his head.
Then I told him what happened. I watched how his eyes widened before pressing his lips together until he touched his chin while looking at my carpeted floor, thinking deeply.
"Did you not call 911? Do you remember her face?" he asked.
I was too stunned to call 911 earlier!
"N-no...I was too scared," I said lowly.
He let out a sigh. "Thankfully, you're not harmed, but this is very disturbing...let's report this to the police station," then stood up.
I let out a heavy breath. Hanggang pagtulog ko ay paniguradong ito ang nasa isip ko.
"Hindi na ba tayo tuloy mamaya?" he asked.
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