Karmic Hearts

Chapter 2

Parang sasabog ang utak ko sa nalaman ko. Pasimple kong hinanap ang 'yong lalaki kanina. Bakit naririnig ko ang boses nya sa utak ko? Bakit bigla-bigla na lamang siyang sumusulpot at nawawala?

I don't know what it was, but something made me look at the large doors of the reception hall. Nakita ko roon ang lalaki. Nakasandal siya sa tabi ng pintuan, nakapanuod lang sa mga tao. Nobody paid him attention. I think...they really couldn't see him.

Nagtama ang paningin naming dalawa. He smiled and touched the tip of his hat. Saka siya umalis sa pagkakasandal at lumabas ng reception hall.

I had no intention of following him outside. I don't know the guy and I'm a bit scared kasi baka nga multo sya! Pero...parang biglang nagkaroon ng sariling buhay ang mga paa ko.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kong mga paa sa pagsunod sa kanya. Sa likuran ng reception hall ako napadpad. Nakita ko siya roon, nakatayo sa tabi ng isang lumang balon. I didn't even know that this place has an old well. Dahil sa katabing lamp post, kitang-kita ko ang lumot na nakakapit sa balon. The guy raised his hand and made a 'come hither' gesture with his forefinger. I felt a tug, like I was being pulled closer.

I began to panic when my feet started taking steps. Pinalo ko ang mga binti ko. Stop walking!

"Don't fight it, Mina. You'll only get hurt," the guy told me.

That sounded like 'just surrender and I'll make this easy for you' which made me more panicky. Iwinasiwas ko ang mga kamay ko sa harap, dahil baka nga naman may taling nakakabit sa 'kin na hindi ko nakikita.

The guy suddenly burst out laughing. He's cute but he really has this unsettling vibe. Di ba may mga serial killer naman na gwapo? My heart hammered against my chest. Kahapon lang, pakiramdam ko ay galing ako sa isang aksidente. Ngayon naman, pakiramdam ko, may papatay naman sa 'kin. Ganito ba parallel universe na 'to? Araw-araw akong mamamatay sa iba't ibang paraan?

Before I fainted in fright, I suddenly realized something.

I can move! Nawala yata sa konsentrasyon 'yong lalaki nang bigla syang tumawa. I can feel my feet again! Dahan-dahan akong umurong at nang tingin ko'y medyo malayo na ako sa kanya, sumibat ako ng takbo.

Pero hindi pa man ako nakakalayo ay parang nanigas naman ang buo kong katawan. It's like a force field suddenly enveloped me, trapping me in that mid-running pose. Then, I heard a snap of my fingers and the world turned around. Or rather, I turned around.

Napaharap ako sa kanya.

"You know, it's rude to turn your back on someone who's talking to you."

Nakahalukipkip siya, seryoso ang mukha.

I opened my mouth to say something but no words came out. He sighed and snapped his fingers again. Bumaba sa lupa ang isa kong paa na nakaangat kanina. I was freed from...whatever it is that was holding me earlier.

"Who...are you?" I asked

He took two steps forward and I took two, back. He raised his hands as if telling me that there was nothing to worry about. Well, that's easy for him to say. He has the upper hand. I'm lost, confused, and scared. And he has magic tricks.

"Will you promise to listen and not run away?"

"Uhm...no." I'd run like hell if I felt like I was in danger, even if running is futile. At least I tried to save my life.

"Mina, I'm not gonna hurt you."

"How can I be sure of that? And why do you know my name? Ano'ng nangyari kanina? Bakit bigla na lang akong naglakad papunta rito—"