“Tawagan niyo lang ho ako kapag may kailangan kayo.”

 

I nodded and thanked Kuya Bert, the one who drove me to the Island where I am right now.

 

He is one of the most trusted people of my parents. Matagal na rin siyang nag ta-trabaho sa amin kaya naman nakasanayan na namin siyang tawaging 'Kuya Bert' he is really approachable and kind. 

 

After a little chit-chat, nagsimula na akong mag lakad. Kuya Bert helped me to find a location where I can stay. There are three available rooms in different locations. So I can choose what is more convenient for me. 

 

May mga bakanteng bahay rin kasi rito na hindi available for tourists

 

Wala sa tatlo kong pagpipilian ang dati naming tinuluyan ng mga kaibigan ko noong araw na pumunta kami rito. So if ever they found out that I wasn't at home, hindi nila ako makikita agad dito. I know Mama can't lie to them. Unless she made a promise. 

 

I don't want my friends to know that I'm going back here because I don't want them to get in the middle of this mystery I'm trying to solve. 

 

I want to do it on my own because it will become more complicated if there are so many people involved. 

 

Pumara ako sa tricycle nang may madaanan na terminal

 

“Bago ka lang dito, Ma'am?” The tricycle driver asked

 

I don't know how to answer that question. I heard most people are using that as a strategy so they can ask you for larger money. 

 

“No. This is actually my second time here.” I answered

 

“Inglesera. Do you want me to tour you around? It only cost 350 pesos! The original price is 500 pesos.” 

 

I immediately shook my head

 

“Sa La Cruza st. lang po. Near where the heart of the Island is.” Sagot ko

 

“Ah! Sa puso? Medyo maingay roon, Ma'am! Marami kasing tao at punuan. Buti nakakuha pa kayo? May bahay ako na pwedeng ipa-renta kung gusto ninyo. May kalayuan nga lang dito. Pero maganda naman ang tanawin at tahimik.”

 

He looks very sincere but I won't accept his offer

 

“No, thank you. I'm fine with La Cruza.” 

 

Saglit pa siyang may kinuha sa maliit niyang bag na naka lagay sa bewang niya at inabot sa akin ang maliit na papel. 

 

“This is my contact number. Alam kong natatakot kayong mag tiwala sa akin pero malinis ang konsensya ko at marangal akong nag ta-trabaho para sa mga anak ko.”

 

Tahimik kong tinanggap ang papel na may nakasulat na numero. I don't know how to react because I've never been in this kind of situation

 

“I'll try to think about it.” Sagot ko

 

Tumango ito at kulang na lang ay tumalon na sa tuwa

 

“Thank you very much, Ma'am!” Saad niya at sa wakas pinasakay na ako sa tricycle at saka dinala sa La Cruza

 

 

I salute those people who commute everyday. I know they suffer a lot and I'm very thankful to my parents because I don't have to experience that kind of hardship. Because I don't think I can survive if that happens to me.

 

 

Hindi ko pa nailalapag nang maayos ang mga gamit ko nang tumawag na si Arryn. Hindi gano'n kaganda ang internet dito pero okay na rin. 

 

Umiling ako at inilapag ang mga gamit bago isara ang pinto. Kararating ko lang sa La Cruza at salamat ay malinis ang kwarto kung saan pansamantala akong tutuloy

 

Mabilis kong kinuha ang cellphone at sinagot ang tawag ng kaibigan. Mas nauna pa siyang tumawag kaysa sa magulang ko

 

“Where are you? You are not responding to our messages! Cyan and I were freaking out! I asked tita about your whereabouts pero sabi niya, ikaw raw ang ta