Captured (On-Going)

14th Hunt: Genie

GENIE

AYLA

"Draw that ideal person you have inside your head

And then look at me"

My feet pound the sidewalk as I carry a small black pouch in my right hand. Hindi ko na magawang tumingin sa likuran ko — scared of getting caught. I ache everywhere. It's as if my lungs are going to burst, my head is throbbing, my heart is heavy, and my limbs are about to give up.

I cannot run from this pain.

I continue to run. 

Suddenly, numerous cars started honking . Napatingin ako sa kanan ko, may isang mabilis na sasakyan ang papalapit sa akin. The truck is heading straight to meet me and all I can do is close my eyes, brace myself, and wait for the impact.

But it never came.

Slowly, I open my eyes.

I am no longer on the streets.

I am curled up in a small chair, Josh is here. Looking down on me with a smile on his face. Inilahad niya ang kamay niya sa harapan ko. I reach up to him. But when our hands touch, a gunshot echoed.

I wake, startled by my dream. I abruptly scanned my surroundings at nasa clinic ako ni Dr. Illustre. Napatingin ako sa kaniya and he didn't say anything. He remains impassive.

"I had an unpleasant dream." I declared.

"Did you had a nightmare last night?" Tanong niya.

"I didn't." Pag-amin ko. I looked down on my lap. "Josh tucked me to bed last night."

"Come again?" Rinig ko ang gulat sa tanong niya.

"Pinuntahan ako ni Josh kagabi sa bahay, he said he was worried dahil baka raw kung ano na ginawa sa akin nu'ng babaeng hinahanap nila." Pagkwekwento ko.

"And you sleep well after he tucked you to bed?" He asked.

"Yes, at hindi ako nanaginip ng masama." Every night, I always had a nightmare pero kagabi ay wala.

"I see." Tumatangong sabi niya. Again, he gave nothing away.

"Something happened on Thursday but I don't remember." Sabi ko nang maalala ko ang sinabi ni Josh. "And I didn't harm myself." Napangiti ako at tumingin sa kaniya.

"That's great." Binigyan niya rin ako ng isang malaking ngiti.

We were silent for a moment before I decided to continue on telling a story about my family. Dr. Illustre remained impassive and listened intently to me. Paminsan-minsan ay binibiro niya ako, and I find that soothing.

Tumagal ng halos isang oras ang naging session ko. Inilahad niya sa akin ang isang canister na nasa lamesa niya. He offered me gummy bears all the time. Kumuha ako ng ilang piraso at kinain 'yon.

Kinuha ko na ang bag ko at ang susi ng kotse ko na nasa center table. Uminom ako mula sa water dispenser na nasa gilid ng pintuan. My gaze landed at the time on the right. It's nearing 5:00 pm.

"See you on Saturday, Ayla." He smiled and waved at me before I head to the door.

Aabutin ko pa lang ang door knob nang bumukas ito.

It's Josh, and I stilled.

"Ayla," he smiled. Kaya naman nginitian ko rin siya bilang pagbati. "Pauwi ka na?"