by Jonas Sunico
He then gave me the gist of who this guy really is. He was a murderer, but what made him different was how and who he killed. He killed children; he killed them by pummeling them to death with brass knuckles that had spikes at the end. The senate hid him and his case so that people wouldn’t be afraid. They held a trial for him but just like his crimes, this was also hidden from everyone. The deal was that the senate would choose the priest’s fate: it was either death or life in a very small room without contact from anyone in the world. If one senator chose life, he would be spared. And one senator did have mercy on him. He said that it is not up to anyone as to when a person dies; only murderers take the choice of killing. So it was decided that the murderer was to be kept hidden, isolated from society.
That one senator had mercy on someone who killed children. That senator saw through the murderer’s stained hands and gave him life. That senator now regretted his decision. That senator is the man standing beside me. I really gotta ask him to tell this story once this whole ordeal is over.
“Mr. Rapid, now, now, hold your horses. This is a new age we’re living in and in this age I’ve changed. I’m a messenger of God, sent to protect the 3 chosen ones. I know this may sound crazy to you but I’m not going to harm this little girl here. You see she’s one of the saviors. And... thank you, I know that you’re the one who voted to spare me. I shall repay you with the salvation of the human race.”
All of a sudden, Mr. Rapid’s nose starts to bleed. “’Nu daw? ” he asks.
“You there. I know you. The world needs you, I can’t express my joy in seeing you. The 3 saviors finally meet. You, this girl here—she’s Carla by the way—and of course, the last but not the least...”
“Manahimik ka nga! Ano ang pinagsasabi mo diyan? Di kita maintindihan pero ang alam ko hayop ka. May balak ka na namang masama, noh? Asa ka pa, boy, ako na tatapos sayo.”
What’s this guy saying about a trio of saviors? And how did he know I can’t speak Filipino? I don’t look like an American anyway. Man, this guy’s weird... and Mr. Senator’s comprehension level is NOT good for us. Sooner or later these two are gonna go at it. Mr. Senator and I will beat the sinister out of him. I’ll save that girl. Carla.
It’s not the zombie apocalypse or anything that causes hallucinations, but she’s very pretty. I’m shaking in nervousness and awe just looking at her. I can see her beauty even without makeup and even if she’s bloody as a meat shop and as dirty as the mouth of a Filipino tambay. I’m not one to believe in love at first sight... but I didn’t believe in zombies then either.
I sooo wish that this psycho killer is not her dad.
Anyway, priorities, priorities, I’ve got to do something about this standoff. I don’t know whose side is right but I’m choosing Mr. Senator’s side because he’s such a badass. The tension in this place is so high I’ve forgotten about Askal. I look to my side and he isn’t there. Then I start to look around. No sign of him. Now I really start to panic. I give Mr. Senator a worried look then I whisper, “Yung aso, nawawala!”
He gives me an annoyed look but I can sense that he’s kinda worried too. Then out of the deepest darkest corner of the room; Askal comes walking in. He stands between us and the other survivors. He looks left and right innocently, no idea of the danger he’s in. And Carla, I can see that she’s finding Askal rather cute. She flashes a nice quick smile. Askal on the other hand slowly spins around the place he’s standing in as if he’s about to lie down and rest. His innocence is adorable.
But Askal doesn’t lie down, neither does he sit. Askal... Askal does his dirty business in front of a standoff. Shitting in the middle is a nice icebreaker and boy does it smell bad. We all laugh, even Mr. Senator, who was quite serious a few moments ago. But his instinct stays the same... Exactly 3 seconds after we started to laugh he drops his weapons and charges at the priest.
The priest was not easily distracted though. This is going to be a tough fight.
The priest raises his fist in an orthodox boxing stance and throws a quick left hook at the charging Mr. Senator who is stunned for a moment but then he does a roundhouse kick from out of nowhere. The priest flies a few feet away but he stands up in an instant.
I don’t know what Carla was thinking at that moment but she started to charge at Mr. Senator, who of course I protect. I grab her as she’s about to strike down Mr. Senator and ask, “What the hell are you doing? We’re trying to save you. Can’t you se....” before I get to finish my sentence she punches me so hard my lips burst. I fall down hard on the wooden floor and see Askal who, for the first time ever, does nothing to help us. He just stands there and watches as we fight.
Things are quite hazy but I clearly see Carla charging at me. I don’t think she’s going to kill me though... I hope not. I stand before she gets too close and grab her hands. Now that I am this close to her, I can see my world in her eyes. She’s so beautiful I’m about to piss my pants. We stand in silence, the struggle forgotten. A romantic moment. But she stops the moment and suddenly throws a punch at me again. This time she aims for my ribs.
I feel a searing pain and cough up blood. How hard can this girl punch? I think my ribs are broken. She charges at me again, but this time she doesn’t attack. She looks scared, actually.
“Okay ka lang?” she asks.
“Ye-yeah,” I answer.
We then both look like we forgot about something... Mr. Senator and the priest! They’re no longer on the floor with us. The entire room is trashed and one door is like ripped apart.
Carla helps me stand up and walk. She doesn’t speak again and we make our way to the door. This is weird. I feel so comfortable around her... aside of course from the searing pain in my ribs.
As we go down the stairs, we see that the two are no longer fighting. Instead, the two are looking at the church’s main door. Which is about to break down any minute.
With every second that passes, the banging at the door grows stronger and stronger.
13
“Ano??? Anong propesiya? Gago ka ba? Tatakas kami rito at maiiwan kang hayop ka. Kriminal ka, wala kang karapatang mabuhay. Buong buhay mo puro katarantaduhan ang ginawa mo, ngayong huling sandali mo na... gumawa ka ng matino. Saluhin mo na ang mga papasok na zombie. Bigyan mo kami ng sapat na oras para makatakas dun sa daanan sa may Itim na Nazareno.”
At least they’ve calmed down a bit. I’m guessing that it’ll be 3 minutes or so before the door breaks. My “fight” with Carla left me weak and she has been carrying me on her shoulders since we fought. I look at her and I see that she has no blemishes and pimples... She does look quite dirty though. For a survivor with shelter, she’s VERY dirty. I don’t even know where she got all that dirt from; this church is really clean.
She notices me looking and at that moment... our eyes lock. I think she smiled at me. Or maybe that was a snicker. Arrogant kid, thinks she can beat me up anytime she wants. I was just taken by surprise earlier.
“O-ooof!”
She drops me without warning. I look at her with anger then notice she’s trying not to laugh. What a sadistic little girl she is. Pretty AND sadistic. I do hope that this is not infatuation though; I’m kinda worried that this apocalypse has clouded my emotions. I mean I went gaga over Mr. Senator a while back so why can’t I be clouded now?
Eto? Eto ba yung kasama kong sasalba sa mundo? E di nga ako mapataob neto, e pano pa niyang magagawang sagipin ang mundo? Kung siya lang din kasama ko, magsosolo na lang ako... Tsaka baka siya yung mahilig mandila. EEEEEW.
Eto namang aso niya... cute. Kaso, mukhang walang silbi. E di nga siya umimik nung jinojombag ko amo niya. At nabubuwisit na ’ko sa mga gurang dito sa tapat ko. Ano bang problema nila? Di ba nila nakikita na babagsak na yung pinto?
“Ano bang problema niyo, bakit di na lang tayo tumakas lahat? Nakakairita kayo!!!!
“Ikaw! Machete! Este- Rapid, kung ano man ang nakaraan niya, wala na yun. Kung masama talaga siya, matagal na niya ’kong pinatay. “
“At ikaw,
oo, ikaw na lalake ka, di ko alam kung sadyang mahina ka lang o baka naman di ka pumalag kasi babae ako, o kabaka beki ka, pero di ka dapat nagpapatalo kahit kanino! Wag kang aanga-anga, pwede? Di ko alam kung pano ka tumagal nang ganito sa Pinas. Siguro takbo ka lang nang takbo sa mga sombi.
“At isa pa: etong aso mo? Pakawalan mo na yan, pabigat lang siya. Aaminin ko, cute siya pero paghinahabol ka ng mga sombi, di sila titigil para kamutin at kurutin ang pisngi ng aso mo. Magiging pabigat lang siya sayo.”
Halos malagutan na ’ko ng hininga sa kakasigaw pero worth it naman. Hay.
“Hija... May dalaw ka?” tanong ni Rapid.
“Sa pagkakaalam ko, pangatlong araw na niya,” sagot naman ni Father.
“Kung tatakas tayo nang sabay-sabay dun sa daanan sa Nazareno, mahahabol lang nila tayo agad. Alam ko ang daanan na yun. Bumubukas siya pero aabutin ng oras bago magsara ule. Senador ako, diba? Alam na alam ko ang bawat sikreto sa Pinas. Alipin ako ng gobyerno; alam ko mga sikreto nila. Kelangan may maiwan dito para makalayo ang mga tatakas.”
Di ako makaimik. Kung ganun nga ang sistema ng daanang yun, kelangan ngang may maiwan. Ano na? Sigurado magvovolunteer si Father para magpaiwan. Di ko siya kayang iwan, at ayoko pang mamatay. E mukha namang di ko mapipilit na maiwan ’tong mga mokong na ’to.
“Ikaw ang tatanungin ko... Totoo ba ’tong propesiya na ’to? Sa tingin mo ba, kayo ang sasalba sa mundong to? Kung nagtitiwala ka sa hayop na ’to, sige. Masaya akong magpapakamatay para makatakas lang kayo... Basta kasama kong mamatay ’tong hayop na ’to.”
Di na naman ako makaimik. Pero parang nagkusa na ang ulo ko na tumungo at sumangayon sakanya.
They’re talking so fast I don’t have time to assess what the hell they are saying. Did this chick just insult me?
“The prophecy is true. We need to let them go, Mr. Senator. You look confused? I’m pretty sure you don’t understand us. Pardon me, savior. Let me give you a summary. Me and Mr. Senator are arguing about the prophecy that you, Carla and the dog are destined to save the world. Now, I think we are in agreement that me and Mr. Senator will stay here while you go to the secret entrance. Oh and Carla... said good things about you.”
Well, at least now, I understand. But that last part sounded like a lie.
“Di siya nagta-tagalog?” asked Carla.
“Nag-aaral pa lang,” Mr. Senator and the priest answered.
I stand up, my body feels weak but I think I’m better. Askal comes and licks my hand. This soothes me very much.
So... I’m a savior huh? Me, this chick and Askal. That’s an odd bunch.
They start to discuss things more calmly now. The priest replies in English so I can keep up. He’s nice. Is Mr. Senator sure that this guy’s a child killer?
They’re starting to conclude that we three will go on, while the adults stay. No... I don’t want that. I can’t leave Mr. Senator behind. I want him to stay because he’s my ally and protector. He may be rough around the edges but he’s still pretty nice. And I think Carla wouldn’t want to leave the priest’s side anyway.
*clang*
A nail from the door drops... Then another follows. Then another. Before we know it, the door is about to fall.
“Run my children,” says the priest.
With a tear on her face, Carla proceeds to hug the priest tightly. So I guess she’s not all that tough. She then takes several steps back.
I look at Mr. Senator. I want to hug him as well (minus the tears) but he’ll punch me the moment I get too close. I walk to him. He then presents his fist. A bro-fist. I guess that’s better than a man hug.
“Remember lahat ng tinuro ko. Make sure na di maaaksaya ang sacrifice ko” he says.
“Tama ka, mahina siya pero may potensyal siyang lumakas. Sa ngayon, alagaan mo muna ’tong bata ko, pero pagtagal, siya na ang mag-aalaga sayo. Etong aso, si Askal. Mali ka sa kanya. Maniwala ka saken: malaking tulong yang hayop na yan. Takbo na!”
For some reason Carla doesn’t move an inch, so I do what I think best. I grab her hand tightly and look into her eyes. “Don’t look back,” I say. Then we proceed to run hand in hand, with Askal behind us.
After a few steps, I look back again. I see them bracing for war: the priest clenching his knuckles, Mr. Senator reloading his gun. At this moment I somehow know that we are going to see them again someday... And at that moment, I also start to regret our decision to run away.
I wish I were stronger, braver. I wish I could stay and fight with them. I wish I could die with them.
14
We reach this room at the back of the church. Inside it is this black, burnt figure of Jesus Christ. I’ve seen this on the net before. It’s the Black Nazarene. Filipinos go gaga over this one day a year. Said it could grant wishes and perform miracles. Basically, tradition here is that people want to get their hands or handkerchiefs to come in contact with the idol. Voila! A miracle or a wish will come true.
I don’t have any handkerchief with me so I’ll guess I’ll have to touch every inch of the idol to get all the miracle out of it because I see no exits in this room. All I need is this miracle.
“Hey! San exit? They said meron dito diba?”
Carla ignores me and continues to climb up the Nazarene. I was joking when I said we needed a miracle but this girl. This girl is actually climbing this thing and who knows what she’s gonna touch?
“Baba! Let’s go back, maybe there’s still time to help them back there. There’s nothing here. There is no entrance. How stupid could you be?” How stupid could you be... How stupid could you be... HOW STUPID COULD I BE??? Shit. She’s gonna kill me.
She turns around. She breathes deeply. And I am scared shitless as she’s about to shout me to pieces.
“Don’t you think I understand you? You’re all-American accent here and there but you’re still one of us. You’re still a Filipino and I don’t know why your father raised you without teaching you how to speak your mother tongue. You act as if you’re all stars and stripes but deep down you know that you’re a three-stars-and-a-sun guy but you’re just afraid to admit it.
“There’s a secret entrance here and I’m sure of it. If you help me rather than bother me the maybe, just maybe, the entrance will be found.”
Woah. And I can still hear her mumbling something.
“Hayop ’to. Di porket pulubi ako, di na ’ko edukado. Di mo ko kilala.”
I guess I should really help out now.
I quickly walk to her and help her up. I offer her my hands to step on but she chooses to step on my shoulders... and face. She’s doing it on purpose, I know it. Askal on the other hand is standing in front of the door. Probably guarding the entrance.
Before I know it, I see Carla on the shoulders of the Nazarene. And... she’s... wait… is she squeezing the cheeks of the Nazarene? What the hell?
Nasan na yun? Sabi sa pisngi, e kanina ko pa kinukurot to? Ano pa bang kulang? Kurutin ko habang sinasabi, “Ang cute cute nam bebe?” Halos lamutakin ko na buong mukha netong Nazarenong ’to. Nakakainis na anak ng pu...
Eto na. Eto na ata: naramdaman kong umangat yung pisngi! Ha! In your face, Black Nazarene. Actually, in your face nga hahaha. Tuwang-tuwa ako. Nanginginig yung Nazareno, lalabas na ata yung daanan. Teka, bat parang lumalakas yung nginig?
Shet. Umaatras sya. Yung entrance nasa ilalim. Isang madilim na butas na may napakadaming hagdan. Di ko kayang kumapit nang matagal; antaas pa naman ng babagsakan ko. Yung Nazareno umaatras sa malaking pintuan. Maiipit ako pag di ako umalis dito. Sheeeeeeeet.
“Carla! Over here! Jump, I’ll catch you. Trust me!”
No. Ayaw ko, ayokong isalalay sa lampang yan ang buhay ko. Yung aso na lang, mas may tiwala pa ’ko sakanya e. E wala, yung aso nakatingin lang sa pintuan. Nakatunganga.
“What are you doing? Jump!” sabi niya.
Oo na! Tatalon na ’ko, buwiset. Malapit na kong maipit kaya nagmamadali akong tumayo. Kumapit ako sa cross ng Nazareno. Nakakatawa. Umaasa ako ngayon sa isang milagro. Sana masalo ako. Nazareno, ikaw na bahala
sakin...
She jumps! I didn’t expect her to get so high. I need to catch her. She trusts me. So I brace myself. I put all my force on my legs while ensuring my arms are strong as well. My body is ready.
To me, everything is happening slowly. This... This angel starts to fall into my arms. The moment before our bodies collide, I see her face—the closest I’ve seen it. Every beautiful thing I saw earlier is amplified a hundred times. If the apocalypse would give me time to spend with her—heck, give me an apocalypse every lifetime.
But of course, what is love without pain?
The moment her body collided with mine, all I felt was a searing pain in my ribs... The ribs she broke. She lay on top of me (we were basically nose to nose). But this intimacy was blocked out by the pain. I would have loved to writhe and scream in pain but I haven’t brushed my teeth in days. Would be sad to save her life, only to kill her a second later via bad breath. All I could do to ease the pain was bite my lips and tear up.
I think I might just faint from the pain...
Sinagip niya ko. Kahit na alam niyang di niya ko kaya, sinagip niya ko.
Mukhang di niya kinaya ang sakit. Hinimatay siya. Salamat Joe... Shet! Hinimatay siya!
15
Where am I? Where’s Askal? Mr. Senator? Carla?
I’m in this really dark place, so dark I can’t see my hands. What happened? Are we dead? Didn’t we make it to the end of the passage? Or did Carla leave me to die? Last thing I remember was Carla’s face very close to mine, the searing pain, the loud sound of the Black Nazarene moving, gunshots from the other room. And I also remember fainting.
I hear footsteps.
“Kawawa ka naman. Nag-iisa, walang naiin-tindihan. Nasa inang bayan pero di maintindihan ang nanay niya. Bakit ba kase wala kang interes aralin ang Filipino dati? E di sana madali lang buhay mo ngayon, di yung nganga ka.”
