Stranger Next Door

CHAPTER 7

What he said made me think what is the meaning of that. Buti na lang kinabukasan walang pasok kaya kahit late na ako magising, okay lang.

I spend the whole day in my room. Bumaba lang ako no'ng kainan na, pagkatapos balik ulit sa kwarto.

Hindi kami halos nagkausap ni Ate Khaytelyn kaya naman hindi ko namalayang umalis pala siya.

It's already 2pm when I decided to go downstairs to cook noodles, as usual. Naboring kasi ako. Ako lang mag-isa. Minsan, nakakasawa rin na magcellphone kaya kakain na lang.

After eating, I decided to go to the attic to find some stuffs that maybe, we can recycle. Napaka-alikabok dito.

Magugulo ang mga gamit. 'Tong attic na 'to ang bukod tanging hindi namin nalinisan dahil madumi. Sa sobrang dumi, kinailangan ko pang magsuot ng face mask pagkapasok.

I'm in the middle of cleaning when I saw something that caught my attention. Akala ko may natapakan akong kung ano. When I check it, it's a door knob on the floor.

Because of curiousity, I tried to open it but there's a lock in it. I don't know where to find that key.

My phone rang. It was Keith who's calling.

"Hello?" I asked after I asnwered his call.

"May ginagawa ka ba?"

"Wala naman. Bakit?" pinagpagan ko ang sarili ko na puno na ng alikabok.

"Wanna go somewhere?"

"Alam mo, kagabi ka pa." natawa na lang ako dahil kung makaaya ngayon, parang hindi niya ako niyaya kagabi.

"Ha?"

"Wala, sige. Saan ba tayo pupunta?"

"Remember the park?" he said.

I suddenly felt goosebumps when he mentioned about that park.

The park where me and Harris kissed, and also the park where I saw the girl with no eyes.

"Are you still there?"

"Yes." I answered. "Wait for me, I'll just take a shower."

I hang up the call.

Saka ko na lang siguro hahanapin ang susi nitong maliit na pinto kapag may oras ako.

While taking a shower, the girl with no eyes suddenly popped out in my mind. Napapikit na lang ako at binilisan ang pagligo.

Gosh, I don't want to remember about that thing. That's creepy.

After taking a shower, I choose my outfit for the day. Wala ako sa mood magsuot ng pants ngayon so I'm gonna wear skirt and croptop. I put a lipgloss since park lang naman ang pupuntahan namin.

Nagblower ako para mas madaling matuyo ang buhok ko. I use curlers to curl the end of my hair. Then, voila. Pwede na akong lumakwatsa.

I was about to leave but I noticed something. A sticky note on the television.

Kanina, wala pa naman 'to. O baka hindi ko lang nakita?

Dahan dahan akong lumapit kahit pa kinakabahan ako, saka ko tinanggal yung sticky note na nakadikit sa flat screen tv.

"Please be safe always." 'yon ang nakalagay sa sticky note. There's also a happy face in it.

What is the meaning of this? Iniwan ba 'to ni Ate Khaytelyn bago siya umalis kanina?

"Bella?" suddenly I heard Keith's voice.

He's pressing the doorbell button.

Itinago ko ang sticky na 'yon and I put it in my bag. Binuksan ko 'yung pinto saka ko nakangiting sinalubong si Keith.

"Sorry, did I take too long?" tanong ko.

"No, sakto lang. Tara?" pagyaya niya then I locked the door.

I texted Ate Khaytelyn that I will go somewhere and she said yes.

And as what we always do, we go to Harris' house para sabay na kaming magpunta ng park.

Buti na lang may mga umbrella park dito kasi medyo mainit sa labas.

Marami ring mga bata na nagsisitakbuhan kahit tirik na tirik ang araw.

"Magpaabot tayo ng gabi para maabutan natin ang live band." sabi ni Keith kaya naman nagtinginan kami ni Harris.

"I thought sawa ka na?" pang-aasar ko.

"Yes but if you're willing to watch it, it's fine with me." he answered.

Tumango naman ako tho a part of me is still hesitant. I still remember what happened when we watched the live vabd before. It was totally a disaster.

"Kumain ba kayo bago kayo umalis ng bahay?" biglang tanong ni Keith ng mapansin niyang hindi kami nagsasalita.

"We ate already." nagkasabay pa kami sa pagsasalita ni Harris kaya naman nagkatinginan kami.

"Alam niyo, napapansin kong hindi na kayo nagpapansinan masyado magmula nung huling punta natin dito sa park. Nagkaaway ba kayo o ano?" Keith asked, but I just laugh while Harris is still wearing a serious face.

"Of course we are okay. Alam mo naman na wala naman kaming topic para mag-usap ng mag-usap." sagot ko naman.

He just nodded. Pinalipas lang namin 'yung oras na tumitingin-tingin lang kami sa mga batang nagtatakbuhan.

When it's already 6pm, Keith buy some snacks para daw may makakain kami habang nanonood ng live band.

Naiwan kami ni Harris, so it's really awkward in here.

"Bella." he called my name, and I lifted one of my eyebrows.

"Yes?"

"We haven't talk for a while about that kiss. And I want to say sorry. Nabigla lang ako no'n." I don't know why but I felt something aching on my chest after hearing his answer.

For the months that we've always been with each other, I know in myself that I like Harris.

I'm expecting that he would say that he doesn't regret what happened but I guess I was wrong.

"It's okay." Wala sa sarili kong sabi.

Hindi ko alam kung guni-guni ko lang ba yon, pero nakita ko ang palihim na pagngiti niya.

"Guys!" Keith came, with sundae on his hands.

Mahaba raw kasi yung pila kaya hindi na siya nakabili pa ng ibang pwede na makain.

Mayamaya lang, nagsimula na rin ang live band. I can't enjoy the moment because that scenario where Harris kissed me is still in the back of my mind, and of course that girl who has no eyes keeps on haunting me.

Mayamaya nagdecide na rin kaming umuwi.

Hindi ko alam kung anong magiging reaction ko ng makita ko si Ate Khaytelyn sa may sala. Her eyes are swollen. She even had rosary in her hand.

"Ate?" tanong ko sa kanya pagkarating na pagkarating ko.

She just hugged me. Ramdam kong nanginginig pa siya na parang natatakot.

"What happened? Are you okay?" nag-aalala kong tanong.

"Why are you not answering my calls?" she said while sobbing.

Taka kong tiningnan ang phone ko and I saw that their are lots of missed calls from her. I didn't notice since my I set up my phone into vibration.

"Sorry, I didn't notice. What's the problem?" I'm looking at her intenly but you can see the fear in her face, "Ate, tell me what happened."

"Bella, I saw you in your room. You are crying." I almost stunned, because all this time I was with Harris and Keith. "But when I tap your shoulder, it's a girl. She has no eyes."

I suddenly felt goosebumps.

"Bella, let's go out in here. Magpatulong tayo kina Harris at Keith na maghanap ng bagong subdivision. Ayoko na dito." she's crying really hard.

I hugged her.

Gusto kong isipin na baka hallucinations niya lang ang nakita niya but I also saw that girl in the park.

"Ate, calm down. I'm here. Please have faith in me." tho I'm afraid, I tried to act normal.

She nodded.

Nagtabi na naman kaming matulog dahil pareho kaming natatakot.

Ate Khaytelyn is already asleep, while I am still awake.

I prayed silently. I know that prayer is still the most powerful in all.

God, please protect us from those spirits.

After praying, I didn't notice that I already fall asleep. I woke up because I feel something calling my name.

"Bella, wake up." the voice said.

Inuga-uga pa nito ang katawan ko na para bang ginigising ako. I didn't open my eyes 'cause I still feel sleepy.

"Bella wake up." that girl is eager to wake me up.

Tho I still want to sleep, I opened my eyes. To my surprise, I saw a girl standing beside me.

She's holding a bag and it's covering her face. That made me so frightened that I shouted, and Ate Khaytelyn suddenly woke up.

"What the hell, Bella I'm in a deep sleep, why are you shouting?" Ate Khaytelyn is yawning.

Ibinaling ko ang tingin sa may tabi ko pero wala na siya. Am I hallucinating?

"Ate, I saw something. I saw a girl." I almost stutter because what I've seen a while ago cannot sink in in my mind.

"Matulog ka na lang at huwag mo na 'yong pansinin. I'm right here beside you." Ate Khaytelyn patted my head and she go to sleep again.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. Hindi pa rin talaga ako nakakatulog kahit anong pilit ko.

Like what I always do, I go into the terrace to unwind. Nakita ko na naman si Keith. Aren't he afraid to be alone in the middle of the night?

"Why are you still awake?" I asked him and he open his eyes.

"I can't sleep. I guess, I am an owl. In the morning I'm asleep, and in the night, I'm awake." sagot niya saka ako tumango tango. "Ikaw? Bakit gising ka pa?"

"Someone wake me up." napabuntong hininga na lang ako.

"Do you mind if we take a walk again?" he asked, and this time I didn't hesitate to agree.

Bumaba ulit ako saka nagsuot ng jacket. Keith waited for me outside. While we are walking, that girl with a bag on her face is still on my mind.

That's really creepy. She literally wake me up, for what?

"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."

I push him away, still confused of what he said.

"What are you talking about, Keith?" gulong-gulo na ako ngayon.

Pakiramdam ko, marami akong hindi nalalaman.

"I can't tell you everything, Bella so just be safe," tiningnan niya lang ako, "I don't want the history to repeat itself."

I didn't speak after that talk, saka kami tahimik na naglakad pabalik sa loob. Pabagsak akong humiga sa kama pakarating ko sa bahay at nararamdaman kong bumibigat na ang talukap ng mata ko.

It was already 11 o'clock in the afternoon when I wake up. Naabutan kong nagluluto si Ate Khaytelyn ng menudo?

"Good Morning!" she greeted me and you can see how happy she is while cooking.

"Ate, baka naman hindi 'yan masarap, nagsasayang ka lang ng pagkain." wala sa sarili kong sabi saka humikab.

"Nope, Dennis taught me how to cook. Kaya ako umalis kahapon kasi nagpaturo ako sa kanya." she answered.

Hinintay kong matapos siya sa pagluluto saka inamoy ang menudo. It smells good.

"Now, it's time for tasting!" kumuha siya ng kutsara saka ipinatikim sa'kin.

Wow, she just cooked it right.

"How is it?" she's waiting for my comment and I gave her a thumbs up.

"Ganyan ba talaga kapag inspired? Sumasarap sa pagluluto?" saka ko siya tinawanan.

"Bella stop it, we're just friends. We already talked about it, and I'm moving on." kumuha siya ng plato para makakain na rin kami, "By the way, kailan pala pupunta dito ang mga kaibigan mo?"

Napatapik na lang ako sa noo. Gosh, bakit ko ba nakakalimutang icontact sina Yani at Andrei?

"I forgot, ate. I'll call them later. Nakakatamad pumunta sa kwarto. I left my phone there." sagot ko naman sa kanya.

After eating, I decided to take a shower. Nagbabalak akong magstay na lang sa kwarto ko ng buong araw para manood ng movies. Self bonding, I guess?

Kakatapos ko lang magbihis ng marinig kong nagriring ang phone ko.

Keith is calling. He is inviting me somewhere. Kaagad naman akong tumanggi dahil nga manonood ako ng movies. Sabi niya, dadaan na lang daw siya rito bago umalis.

Napakunot na lang ang noo ko ng maalala ko ang mga pinagsasabi niya kagabi.

Mga bandang ala una ng magpunta siya rito. He bring some adobo for us.

"Wow naman Keith, bihis na bihis. San punta natin?" Ate Khaytelyn is teasing her. "By the way, thank you for the adobo."

"May lakad kami ni Harris, Ate. Niyayaya ko nga sana si Bella pero may plano raw siya kaya hindi siya makakasama." sagot naman ni Keith.

Ate Bella turn her gaze into mine.

"What are you planning to do today?" she asked.

"I want to watch some movies." matamlay kong sagot.

I'm still thinking about what Keith said last night.

"Hintayin niyo ko, maghahain lang ako." Ate Khaytelyn walk into the kitchen to prepare the Adobo that Keith bring to us.

"Keith," I called him, "Why did you said that last night?"

He seems confused.

"Ang alin?" napabuntong hininga na lang ako sa ginagawa niyang pag-aalinlangan.

Kung para sa kanya wala lang 'yon, ako iniisip ko 'yon.

Nagring na naman ang cellphone ko. Yani is calling.

"Girl!" Yani seems frightened. "Nabalitaan mo na?"

"Ang alin?" taka kong tanong.

"May schoolmate tayong namatay, wait. Isesend ko 'yong link." saka niya itinigil ang tawag.

Agad kong niopen ang link at halos hindi ako makapagsalita.

The guy who died is the guy who gave me flowers the last time.