Feather (Self-Published)

CH 4: Cadit Quaestio

I woke up in my bed with my boss sitting on the old wicker chair that used to belong to my dad.

"You're awake," Mr. Santander said.

I tried to sit up but he clucked his tongue and gently pushed me to lie back down. "Magpahinga ka muna. Anong nangyari?"

"Hindi ko po matandaan...."

"You passed out. Naabutan kita rito na nakahandusay sa sahig. May sakit ka ba sa puso?"

"Wala po."

"Sigurado ka?"

"Opo. Katatapos lang po ng annual physical check-up natin sa office at wala naman pong nakitang problema ang mga doktor."

"Why were you crying? Hanggang ngayon namumugto 'yang mga mata mo."

I smiled a little. "Kailangan ko lang pong iiyak ang mga sama ko ng loob. Pero, paano pong nandito kayo...?"

"I followed you. I was right behind you and Manny the whole time," he told me.

I wanted to ask him questions but I could sense that he wasn't in the mood to answer them.

"Si Kuya Manny po pala, nasaan?" I said because the silence was becoming unbearable for me.

"Pinauwi ko na."

"Ahh..."

"I'll pay for the door..." he suddenly said.

"Which door?" I asked.

"Yours. Specifically your main door. It's off its hinges because I kicked it open."

Bakit? I wanted to ask but opted to keep quiet because I didn't want to appear ungrateful.

"Hindi na po kailangan. Kaya ko po 'yung ayusin," I said as I tried to get off my bed.

"Saan ka pupunta?"

"Titingnan ko po 'yung pinto."

"Humiga ka lang," he said, his tone disapproving. "The door can wait."

Hindi po pwedeng sira 'yung pinto ko dahil mag-isa lang po ako rito, Sir.

"Anong oras uuwi ang kapatid mo?"

"Hindi ko po alam." I chose to be vague because I wasn't exactly keen on dumping my family problems on him. "Pero, mayamaya po siguro ay nandito na 'yun..." I said.

"Miss Montiel..."

"Po?"

"Did you attempt to harm yourself?" he asked; his face was devoid of emotion but his eyes were another story.

"Sir—"

"Kahit anong rason pa man 'yan, nothing is worth killing yourself for," he fervidly said. "Akala ko ba matalino ka? Alam mo ba kung ilang tao ang nagdadasal ngayon para madugtungan lang ang mga buhay nila o ng mahal nila sa buhay and here you are carelessly throwing away yours?!"

The anger in his voice surprised me.

"Ano bang problema mo? Is it because of what happened at my condo?"

"Hindi po—"

"Then what is it?" he demanded.

I stared helplessly at him.

"Magsabi ka kung kailangan mo ng tulong! Magsabi ka kung nahihirapan ka na! Hindi 'yung magugulat na lang ako kasi wala kang malay at napalibutan ka ng kutsilyo!"

The gaze holding mine was furious.

"What happened to you, Juris? Nasaan na 'yung matapang na babaeng nakilala ko? 'Yung babaeng palaging nakangiti kahit bwisit na bwisit na s'ya sa akin? That woman who rolled her eyes at my ridiculous requests when she thought that I wasn't looking? Speak up, Juris, damn it!"