Robin's Curse

Kabanata 8

"No! Stop this, Oscar. Robin is fine. How many times do I have to say that?" an angry voice filled my ears.

"I know she is and I just want her to be completely fine. I told you, we are making something that can make Robin ability disappear. don't you want that? A much more normal life for her?" A much calmer voice than the first one said.

I would like to think that I am dreaming or having a nightmare but I know this is juts a one fine normal day for us. For how long am I living here again? Living my normal life as what I define it? Five months and twenty six days. Great!

Ever since the day when Oscar didn't keep her words to my Mom about putting an end to the research of Theodore and the others, they didn't stop arguing about that. I can see how stress my Mom is whenever she is talking to me. Asking me everyday if I am okay and keep on telling me she is trying her best to stop them from coming here.

I know that already, specially now that everyday I woke up, they are shouting and bickering with each other about the same issue.

I am guessing that finally, my Mother already knows that side of her boyfriend. At least, I don't need to try harder to make Oscar show it.

"My daughter is not sick! She doesn't need medicine or what so ever that you are trying to develope. Isa pa, kahit ikaw nakita mong kaya na niyang kontrolin ang sarili niya. She didn't commit any mistake for the past few months tulad ng inaakala ng mga kaibigan mong Doctor. You witnessed that, why can't you just make this stop? I know you can!" I heard the eagerness on her voice, so as accusations.

I pulled myself up and took the glass of water on my bedside table. I took a sip on it and let out a deep breathe.

I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in," My voice is hoarse. Halatang kagigising ko pa lamang. I heard a fake cough coming from my door.

I diverted my eyes on it and saw Sleav standing there with a plate of cookies on his left hand and a cup of coffee on his other hand. I nodded to show him that I acknowledge his presence. He went to the mini sofa on my room and took a sit. I watched him put the plate on the center table.

"I thought you are awake and just don't want to come outside," he said. Mababa ang boses pero lalaking lalaki pa rin.

Hindi ako sumagot at nanatiling nakatingin sa kaniya. Nakatalikod siya sa akin at hindi kita ang ginagawa kong pagkilatis sa kaniya.

Sleav, he has well built body. A toned body that looks like he is doing work outs when he is actually not. Maybe being a dining staff helps? But come to think of it. The first time I saw him on that bridge, standing n***d, I actually saw that his body back then and now doesn't change. Maybe he is a gym instructor back then?

Wait! Is there a gym back then?

Ridiculous!

I heard my name was called plenty of times and that bring me back from my deep thoughts. Unlike earlier, he is now tilting his head to face me. I smiled awkwardly and said the first question on my mind that time.

"What are you back then?"

Nangunot ang noo niya sa naging tanong ko. Maybe he didn't expect me to get curious about his past life?

"What do you mean?" he asked, still confused.

"I mean, anong buhay mo noon? Anong trabaho mo?" I asked, fake shrugged my shoulder to ease awkwardness.

He seems enlightened and didn't asked more about why I am so curious about him suddenly.

"I came from a noble family. I can't tell you my job. Maybe when the right time comes. I came here because you called me and my job right now is to protect you." he said that using that's-it-do-not-ask-anymore tone. I rolled my eyes.

"You are so plain and stiff. I just want to know you better." I murmured and he didn't answer that nor give attention to it.

"I'll just brush my teeth. I will eat that, you can leave it there. May pasok ka pa diba?" I informed and asked him at the same time. If I won't asked him, silence will surely eat us.

I checked the time on my phone before entering the bathroom. I didn't close it entirely so that I can still hear him if he talk. Isa pa, maghihilamos lang naman ako at magsisipilyo. I am also comfortable with him now than the usual month. Sanay na ako sa presensya niya at pakiramdam ko, sa katauhan niya, nagkaroon ako ng kapatid.

"I won't go to work. They will check on you again, right?" I heard the uncertainty on his voice. i nodded but when I realized he can't see me, I answered.

"They will. That's why Mom is furious again. You heard them." I said as a matter of fact. When he didn't answer anymore I focused on my Morning routine.

Mabilis kong tinapos ang pag-aasikaaso at nakakaramdam na rin ako ng gutom. Sa pagod ko kagabi ay hindi ko na nagawa pang kumain nang makauwi. Diretso agad ako rito sa kwarto at 'di na namalayang nakatulog na pala ako.

Paglabas ko nakita kong hawak hawak na niya ang pamilyar na libro at sinusuri iyon. Hindi ako nagsalita at tumungo sa katapat niyang couch at umupo. Dumampot ako ng cookies at saka sinubo. Sandali siyang sumulyap sa akin at muling inintriga ang sarili sa libro na hawak.

"Maganda iyan," sambit ko.

"That's actually a series. May movie din iyan. You can try that if tamarin ka na magbasa," pagsa-suggest ko.

He is holding my favorite book. Harry Potter and the Half blood Prince. Maybe bago lang sa kaniya at hindi ko alam kung naisulat na iyan noong nabubuhay pa siya.

"I might read it. Is this the book one?" He asked.

"Nope. Nandoon sa pinakataas na estante ng book shelves ang book one. Sorcerer's stone ang pamagat," sambit ko. Tumango siya.

Nilapag niya ang libro ilang sandali at binaling naman ang tingin sa akin.

"Aren't you going to change before you face them?" He asked. I shook my head.

"Para saan? Sa Hospital, lab gown lang ang gamit ko. Isa pa, hindi naman sila bisita para paghandaan ko ng mabuti." Walang gana kong sagot. Tumango siya sa akin, nauunawaan ang nais kong iparating.

"Do you think they will stop?" I asked absentmindedly.

Hindi ako nakatanggap ng sagot sa kaniya.

"Maybe... they won't." He trailed of yet gave me the answer that I know might be true.

He stand on his feet and bid his goodbye. I continue eating the cookies with the thought that I didn't asked him why would he not attend his work just because the Hospital staff will visit.

----------

At exactly ten thirty, they arrived and asked questions regarding my situation. I just gave them short yet straight answers. I can feel the tension between my Mom, Oscar and Theodore. Hindi tulad noon na maayos pa ang pagtanggap sa kanila ni Mommy. Ngayon, mahahalata mong hindi niya gusto ang presensya nila.

Kitang kita sa ekspresyon na nakabalatay sa mukha niya na hindi niya ikinatutuwa ang padating nila. I also heard her snickered whenever she heard the question and feel like it is too much.

"For how long will they visit here, Oscar? This is too much." I heard Mom blurted out and Oscar tried to stopped him because the volume of her voice is enough for them to hear it but Mom faced Theodore instead when Oscar didn't give her an answer.

"Don't tell me sa ilang buwan niyong pagbalik balik dito hindi ka pa rin nakakakuha ng kasagutuan sa mga tanong mo, Theo. I might think you are up to something then?" She demanded. straight forward.

I saw Sleav walk towards where Mom is, he put the glass of water in the table in front of her but she didn't look at him nor thank him.

Sleav walk towards me and remain standing behind my back.

"I am sorry if we are taking plenty of your time-" Mom cut him off.

"Good to know that you are aware of that, Theodore." Mom's voice is feisty that one of the medical staff almost choke with the cookies on her mouth.

Silence filled the room for the moment before Theodore finally speak up.

"Don't be uptight, Risa. This might be the second to the last visit. The last one, who knows when but we will come back for the last time," Theodore said and stood up and face Mommy with a fake smile plastered on his face.

"Thank you for letting us in and I hope the next time we came here, she is not like this anymore, Oscar. I am counting on you." He said with finality on his voice. I saw how his eyes flickered before he signed his staff to exit.

"Did you see that, Oscar? How a git of a man he can be!" Mom said furiously.

Oscar just patted her shoulder to calm her. I let out a sigh. Sleav finally take the sit beside me.

"You okay?" he asked. I nodded.

"Just a little stress." I answered truthfully.

Mom looked at me after she heard what I said.

"I'm sorry, honey," she said. I smiled at her to assure her that I am okay even though I am not.

"Let's go. Magpahinga ka muna sa taas. Robin can handle herself now. Isa pa, Sleav is here. While you, you need rest." Oscar told her. Mom pursed her lips into thin line before she speak again.

"I won't be this stress if you happen to stop them from coming here. Make sure na totoo ang sinasabi niya na ang susunod nilang pagbisita ay huli na." Nakita ko ang inis sa mata ni Mommy. Bumaling siya sa akin at ngumiti.

"Honey, aakyat muna ako. Kumain na kayo ni Sleav, okay?" Nang makita akong tumango ay tumalikod na siya para harapin uli si Oscar.

"Ihatid mo sila, Oscar. Kasamahan mo pa rin iyon," Malamig ang boses niya nang sinabi iyon at saka umakyat.

Tumayo ako at tumungo sa kusina. Hindi na binalingan pa si Oscar o kahit si Sleav.

-------

I struggled to run as fast as I could. I don't care about the body pain, my uneven breath and my soaking face as long as I get away with this place. I need to get away from them . But who are they? Who am I trying to get rid?

"Run, Robin. Run!" I heard voices from behind. It is my Mother's voice but I can't see her. Where is she?

"Don't let them caught you, My Lord," another voice said.

I can't see anything but darkness. I don't know why I am running or what I am running away from.

"Faster, Robin!"

"Faster."

"Don't look back."

"Forget about us, worry about yourself."

"Just run."

"Robin!" another voice. A man's voice. Much closer, much clear than the others.

"Robin, wake up!" A voice filled with worries.

"Robin!"

I gasped. Panting. Looking for more air. Dizzy head and darkness creeped me out.

"Where... am I?" I asked, struggling to breathe.

"You are still at your room. You are just having a nightmare," said the voice beside me. I looked at him.

Sleav...

"Sleav," I whispered. He gave me a plain smile.

"It's okay." he said, soothing voice trying to calm me.

"I thought they will caught me," I whispered.

His eyes are reassuring. Later on, I calm down. He hand me a glass of water.

"Thank you," I said. He nodded.

"Fell better now?" he asked and I smiled.

"I thought it's real, you know." he didn't budge and just let me speak.

"Mom's telling me to run but I can't see her... so are you. Your voice are telling me to not look back and I dont know why but I feel so scared. I don't know why I am running away. " I said becoming frustrated because of it.

"I just don't know why I am so affected, you know. It is just a nightmare." I said, sounding so depressed.

"Maybe because that nightmare means something," he commented and I can't stop myself from thinking...

Could it be a warning for me? Could it be?