Stranger Next Door

CHAPTER 22

Hindi ko mapigilang mapatingin sa mga nadadaanan namin habang nakasakay kami ng taxi. I already miss being outside.

Pakiramdam ko, ang tagal tagal kong nakakulong.

"Are you okay?" tanong ni Keith kaya naman napalingon ako sa kanya, "We will go to the church first."

My eyebrows met.

So, nakakapag isip pa rin palang magsimba ang demonyong to? Hindi ako nainform na pwede pala ang demonyo sa simbahan.

"A-are you sure?" taka kong tanong.

He nodded, then he smiled.

"Why? Don't you want to go to the church?" he raised both of his eyebrows, para bang nagtataka siya sa ikinikilos ko.

"Wala naman. Nung buhay pa kasi si Harris, naalala kong hindi man lang tayo nakapagsimba." then I smiled awkwardly.

He just nodded.

"So I guess, pupunta na lang tayo ng church after nating mag date?" he suggested.

"It's up to you. Anything is fine with me." tipid kong sabi.

"Okay then. Let's go to the mall first." he excitingly said.

After few minutes, nakarating na rin kami ng mall. Manonood muna daw kami ng movies.

Kailangan pa naming pumila para makakuha ng tickets. Nag order si Keith ng popcorns. He suggested to watch romance but I refused. Horror na lang, total naman nakakatakot siya.

The movie started. Hindi ako interesadong manood dahil iniisip ko si Yani.

What is she doing at this moment? Sana naghihintay na siya gaya ng nagpag usapan namin? Kailangan ko lang hintayin na matapos tong movie na pinapanood namin then after that, I'll find a way para mawala ang tingin niya sakin.

Napatingin ako bigla kay Keith saka ako napatawa ng mapait. Look, the murderer is watching the movie excitedly.

He's so dumb.

"Are you enjoying the movie?" nilingon niya ako saka ngumiti sakin.

His eyes is sparkling. Parang bata na nanonood ng cartoons. He feels so excited tho it was a Horror movie.

I just sighed and waited for the mpvie to finish. After that, he said that we're going to buy new dresses on the mall.

I am so excited. Ito na yung tamang tyempo ko para makatakas.

He brought me into the most expensive dress shop. Hindi ako makapili. Kumikinang ang mga mata ko habang nakatingin saga damit.

I miss buying expensive clothes. Noong buhay pa si Dad, I used to buy branded clothes. Kapag may bagong labas na design ng damit, bibilhin ko kaagad.

I even have personal designers when there are school events. Malimit lang ako mag ulit ng damit. I even had my ootd that time.

As in lahat.

Natuto na lang naman akonh mag ukay dito sa Pilipinas. I learned how to save money because of Ate Khaytelyn. Dati, puro ako gastos dito, gastos doon but because of her, I saved a lot for my studies.

I miss being rich, but I'm happy being poor. Kapag kasi mayaman ka, hindi mo alam ang halaga ng kahit katiting na bagay.

Dito, kahit piso pinapahalagahan ko. Ate Khaytelyn always tell me that one peso is not that easy to get. Hindi ka niyan makakapulot ng basta basta. Tama naman siya.

"May napili ka na ba?" he asked, "Or you want me to buy all of that?"

My eyes widened.

"Huwag naman. Hindi ko naman yon masusuot lahat. Lagi lang naman akong nasa loob diba. Saka, sobra na to. Ang mahal mahal ng mga to, Keith." gulat kong sabi.

"You know that I love you so much, Bella. I'm willing to give everything for you." he's smiling at me right now.

If he's not murderer, maybe I can give him a chance. But the fact that he killed innocent people especially Ate Khaytelyn and Harris, it's a no no for me.

"Saka, sino bang may sabi na lagi kang nasa loob? Starting from now, I will let you go out. Basta dapat, kasama ako." he said.

As if naman na mauulit pa to.

"Nakapili na ako. Ito." nakangiti kong sabi saka kinuha yung black dress. "I'll just go in the fitting room. Susukatin ko lang."

He nodded.

Naupo siya dun sa couch saka naman ako naglakad kuno papuntang fitting room. Good thing, this shop is big and there are lots of buyers. Hindi niya mapapansing lumabas ako.

I left the dress on the guard, saka ako tumakbo palabas ng mall.

Sana lang naghihintay na si Yani don.

Habol hininga ako ng makalabas ako ng mall, at nakita ko si Yani. I smiled.

Finally, we can be free now.

"Kanina ka pa ba dito?" tanong ko, she looks exhausted.

"Hindi pa naman. Tara na!" she dragged me and we ride a taxi.

She has her money the whole time. Buti na lang.

"Saan po kayo, mga Ma'am?" tanong ng driver.

"Police Station po." sagot naman ni Yani.

I'm really nervous at this moment. Alam kong sa mga oras na to, nahalata na ni Keith na wala ako don.

"Stop being nervous." hinawakan ni Yani ang kamay ko. "Makakamit na natin ang hustisya, Bella. Huwag kang mag alala. Malalaman na rin ng lahat ang tungkol sa pagkatao ni Keith."

Nginitian ko lang siya saka ako naghintay na makarating ang taxi sa police station.

Papasok na sana kami ng pulis station ng makita ko si Keith. He's standing at the door, but he's wearing a different outfit.

Nanlaki ang mata ko at agad akong napahawak kay Yani.

"T-tara na." I was about to walk away but he glanced, and he finally saw me.

"Bella." he called my name.

Dali dali kaming tumakbo ni Yani. Fck, bakit siya nagpunta sa police station? At bakit nag iba ng ganon ang damit niya?

Sht!

"Yani!" sigaw ko ng natumba siya.

"Bella, Yani!" sigaw ni Keith.

Kaagad kong hinila patayo si Yani . We run as fast as we could. May nadaanan kaming boutique saka kami nagtago sa loob non.

Please, I hope we don't get caught.

"Sheez. Paano siya nakapunta sa police station ng ganon kadali?" gulat namang tanong ni Yani. "Saka talagang nag effort pang magbihis, ah?"

Sinubukan kong sumilip. Nasa labas ngayon si Keith ng boutique. Panay ang linga sa paligid.

"H-hinahanap niya tayo, Yani." kabadong tanong ko.

Mas lalong bumilis ang t***k ng puso ko ng pumasok siya sa boutique. Sinalubong naman siya nung nagbabantay.

"Yes, Sir. Ano pong hanap nila?" ngumiti yung babae, parang may crush pa diyan sa mamamatay tao na yan.

"Have you seen two girls entered here? One of them is my girlfriend. Nagtampo sakin kaya kailangan kong suyuin." Keith said.

Sht. Sana lang hindi kami isumbong ni Ate.

Mas lalo talaga akong kinabahan ng idinako niya yung tingin sa pinagtataguan naming boutique.

"Nandyan po, Sir. Nagtatago po." turo naman nung babae.

Fck, we're doomed.

"Yani, tara na." sabi ko saka kami dali daling tumakbo palabas.

"Bella! Yani! Please don't run away!" he said, I am not Keith. I am Keifer!"

Natigilan ako bigla sa pagtakbo.

"Girl, ano ba bakit ka tumigil sa pagtakbo? Huwag kang magpapaniwala diyan, hindi yan si Keifer! Patay na si Keifer!" hihilahin niya sana ako pero nagsalita ulit siya.

"We used to talk in the terrace, don't you remember?" tanong niya. "I even warned you but you didn't listen. So, I'm here."

Memories started to rewind.

—

I opened the window near our bedroom. Saka ako nagpunta ng terrace, para sana magpalamig. There, I saw the young man who gave us lasagna on their terrace also, breathing, with his eyes closed. Parang pinapakiramdaman niya ang hangin.

I can't deny the fact that he's handsome. His eyes are still close, so he couldn't see me staring at him.

He suddenly opened his eyes, and I was shocked. I don't know what to react. I simply smile and wave at him, but he didn't respond. He's just staring at me, with his eyebrows furrowed.

Bigla siyang pumasok sa kanila. So, okay? What was that? He's acting weird.

—

"Keith!" I shouted when I also saw him in the terrace, asusual, breathing, with his eyes closed.

He suddenly opened his eyes. Nakakunot na naman ang noo niya. He's just staring at me, and he seems clueless about my personality.

"Why are you still awake?" I asked him, but still, he didn't replied.

He's just staring at me, shooked his head and entered his room.

I tried to calm myself. Everytime I saw him hanging out on the terrace, it feels like Keith is completely a different person. It's kinda weird.

—

I decided to go to the terrace. Medyo madilim pa ang kalangitan. Nakakaramdam pa din ako ng takot pero minabuti kong lakasan ang loob ko.

There, I saw Keith. He's also in the terrace. Gaya ng dati, nakapikit ang mata niya. Parang pinapakiramdaman ang hangin.

He's still awake at this hour?

"Keith!" I tried to call his name, and I succeeded.

He opened his eyes. Gaya ng dati, parang nagtataka siya na makita ako. Parang hindi niya ako kilala.

"Bakit gising ka pa?" tanong niya.

The way he act is so cold. Hindi siya yung Keith na palatawa ngayon. Masyado siyang seryoso.

"Natulog ako. Kakagising ko lang. Ikaw?" I tried to smile at him but he's still serious.

"I can't sleep." he replied.

I simply nodded because I don't even know what I'm going to say. How can he look so fresh even he had no proper sleep?

"Did I scare you?" he asked again, and I shook my head.

"Bakit ka nga pala mahilig tumambay dito?" tanong ko.

"This is my favorite spot. Wala naman akong ibang mapuntahan kaya dito na lang. At least dito, hindi ako nakakaramdam ng problema." he smiled at me.

Bigla akong kinilabutan ng ngumiti siya. Actually, hindi naman nakakakilabot ang ngiti niya. It's cute.

Ang ikinakatakot ko, hindi siya sa'kin nakatingin.

He's looking beside me. Swear, he's being creepy right now.

"Sinong tinitingnan mo?" I tried to look beside me but there's no one.

Hindi kaya may third eye si Keith?

"I'm going to sleep. It's nice talking to you, Bella." again, he smiled at me.

"Matutulog ka na?"

"Yes. Pinapatulog niya na ako." he left me dumbfounded.

I know I didn't heard it wrong. He told me, "niya". Sinong "niya"?

"Who?" I asked but he didn't respond.

Naglakad na siya papasok kaya naglakad na rin ako pabalik ng kwarto.

—

"Keith!" I shouted his name when I also saw him in the terrace.

His eyes are closed, as always. Palagi niya na lang pinapakiramdaman ang hangin. He heard me that's why he turned his gaze into mine.

I tried to smile at him but his reaction didn't changed. He's still serious.

"Nakauwi ka na galing kina Harris?" tanong ko.

He just nodded.

Ayan na naman siya sa pagiging seryoso niya. I don't understand why he treats me differently. Sometimes he's nice, but sometimes he's acting cold.

"Maaga ka bang matutulog mamayang gabi?" I was shocked because of his question, but I immediately answered "no."

"Why?" tanong ko sa kanya, since I'm I didn't know why he's acting weird these past few days.

"I want to see you again here." he's answer makes me confused.

"D-dito? Sa terrace?"

He just nodded.

—

Keith is also on the terrace. As usual, he's feeling the air with his eyes closed.

I was just staring at him. I don't know what would I feel. Sa totoo lang, kapag nandito sa may terrace ang senaryo namin, ang kalma kalma niya lang tingnan.

"You're still awake?" he opened his eyes and look at me.

Tumango lang ako dahil hindi ko pa rin nakakalimutan yung ginawa niya kanina.

I'm still mad.

He always do thiscand that makes him really annoying. Daig niya pa ang boyfriend kung gumanon. That guy seems harmless and there's nothing wrong with that.

"Are you okay?" kumunot ang noo niya, pinagmamasdan ako.

"Yeah. I'll sleep. Goodnight." wala sa sarili kong sabi.

I was about to enter when he called my name. That voice is soothing. I should be mad but after hearing his voice, I feel something I can't explain.

"Bella." he repeated.

I faced him but my reaction is still the same.

"Yes?"

"Are you mad?" he asked.

I sighed. Ayoko naman na kung ano ang isipin niya.

"So you're mad?" he chuckled.

That was the first time that I saw him chuckled.

I mean, he's always laughing but this is different. Yung tawa niya ngayon ang cute tingnan. Hindi malakas, hindi rin mahina. Tamang tawa lang.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked again.

Napayuko ako. How would I say it? That I am mad because of what he did?

"Alright. Let's take a walk outside." he said.

Napakunot ang noo ko. It's already dark. Halos wala na ring tao sa labas.

"I'll wait for you there." before I could speak up, he entered his room.

Kahit natatakot ako kasi madilim na, bumaba pa rin ako. I guess Ate Khaytelyn won't notice me. She's already asleep.

I wear jacket since I kmow that it's too cold outside. Keith is waiting for me when I opened the gate.

"Where do you want to go?" tanong ko ng makita ko siyang naghihintay.

"Nothing. We'll just take a walk." seryoso niyang sabi saka siya nagsimulang maglakad.

Sumunod naman ako sa kanya. We were just walking. I can hear the sound of the crickets. I can also hear the wind brushing through the leaves.

"Are we just going to walk?" I asked, then he stopped walking and faced me.

His face is still serious. Ibang iba sa Keith na palagi kong nakakasama.

"I just want to be with you, Bella. That's all." he said. "I want you to keep safe."

—

"You look bothered." Keith said.

"I just want to ask you if, do you believe in ghosts?" he stoop a little and after that he faced me.

He nodded.

"Actually, I can see one. She's following us right now." biglang nanindig ang balahibo ko kaya naman napakapit ako sa braso niya.

I even scan the sorroundings to check if there is someone following us. Keith laughed.

"I'm just kidding, Bella." he said.

I gave him a deadly glare but he just smiled at me, and signed his hands as peace sign. Why do he look so cute right now?

"Stop freaking me out." I sighed as a sign of relief.

"So, is the ghost the reason that's why you're pre-occupied?" he asked.

Tango lang ang nagawa ko.

"Why are you frightened?" he asked, "Kung meron ka mang dapat katakutan, 'yon ay ang buhay. Bella, ghosts cannot harm you. If they are haunting you, maybe they just want to say something, but you need to understand what is that something they want to convey."

Kung sakali man, ano ba ang gustong ipahiwatig ng babaeng 'yon sa'min?

"Stop thinking about it. I'm here. You are safe." he smiled and patted my head.

I felt something strange.

Because of too much happiness, I suddenly hug him.

Since day one, Keith is always here beside me. He helped me to gain new friends, to enroll at the school and to become confident on everything. He's really a good friend.

"Why are you hugging me?" he asked.

Kaagad naman akong napabitaw sa pagkakayakap sa kanya.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just thankful. Kung wala ka siguro wala pa rin akong kaibigan ngayon." I gave him the best smile I could give, just to show my sincerity.

"Are you falling for him?" my eyebrows met, when I heard his question.

Wait, what?

"I mean, are you falling for me?" he repeated the question.

"Of course not, Keith. We're friends. Good friends." diretso kong sagod.

Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang balikat ko saka ako tiningnan, mata sa mata.

"Bella, never fall inlove with me. Kahit anong ipakita ko sayo, sa school, sa park o kahit na saan, huwag na huwag kang mahuhulog sa'kin. Kung pwedeng layuan mo ako, gawin mo. Do you get what I mean?" he's still staring at me, "Yon lang ang maitutulong ko para maligtas ka."

—

"Keifer."