Chapter 2

I am almost near the counter, ignoring my thoughts about what is going on.

A vehicle with fifteen feet in height finally arrived, sa likuran nito ay ang trailer that has length of twelve meters, and with all are weighing over two tons. It does not have a bumper, straight at flat ang harapan. The front wheels are smaller kung ikukumpara sa eight wheels at the back na nagdadala ng buong bigat ng truck.

The door clanked, bumaba ang driver.

Nilapitan siya ni Rick habang nakalagay ang kanyang mga kamay sa beywang, while the other is covering his eyes from the sun's light, na matatanaw sa dulo ng tunnel.

I saw him shaking his hand with the driver, I know na it was a gratitude and he was smiling. Bumaling sa kaliwa ang kanyang ulo, hindi ako sure kung ano ba ang nakita niya.

"Ang mga buraot." Ang hindi ko matiyak na buka ng bibig niya, then shakes his head.

At nakita ko ang shiny breastplates, sword na nasa mga beywang na hitting the thighs while continuing to walk towards Rick. Spears na may haba na almost three meters na kanilang binibitbit with their arms and at the front of their chests.

Rick really dislikes these ones, and they are the guards of city.

Nilingon din ito ng driver na tila ba na alam niya na darating sila. Sigurado, they are the ones who checked the trucks before it could enter the city gates.

Tinapik ni Rick ang balikat ng driver, at may binulong. "Dalhin niyo na ang mga new weapons sa dapat paglagyan. Ako na ang bahala sa mga 'yan[guards.]"

Umakyat at bumalik ang driver sa truck, isinara ang pintuan, and start the engine. He turned the steering wheels, changes gear shift and step on the gas. Sumunod lamang siya sa utos ng nakakataas.

Sakto na dumating ang dalawang guards, nods at Rick with a smile on their faces.

Nasa counter na ako and placing the wagon sa tabi ko. I pressed a button on it, an access to the second layer drawer.

Rick bend his head a little to the side, ayaw niya na may ibang bisita lalo na kapag mga guards.

Ang guard na may moustache na lagpas sa chin ang tumingin sa akin, malamang natanong tungkol sa akin.

"Pamangkin ko." Ang sigurado na magiging sagot niya. Gaya ng parati niyang binabanggit sa tuwing may magtatanong. Tumingin siya muli sa guwardya. "Muli niyang dinalaw ang kaniyang tiyuhin na walang katigil-tigil sa kakatrabaho."

Nakatingin ako sa kanila mula sa ibabaw ng first layer drawer ng wagon while I kneeling down and fixing its locks.

At para hindi na magtagal pa ang usapan, isa sa mga worker ang lalapit. Pumagitna siya sa dalawang guards, inakbayan ang kanilang mga balikat. Nilingon siya ng guard na may muscular proportion, inaalam ang dapat niyang isagot with some hand gestures.

"Tutal nandito na lang din kayo, saluhan niyo muna tikman ang mga bagong alak!" Ang magiging bigkas naman ng mga labi ni Rick.

Isinama ng worker ang mga guards at nagpakalayo-layo.

I stood up, then go the counter. Tumalikod ako against it, ipinatong ang magkabilang siko sa surface nito, watching as the other trucks turns with the sound of a steam during an engine break.

Rick slips down his fingers sa side ng crates, aa he is making his way sa loob ng table. He took and then place all of it on it. Only available lang sa blackmarket. Kinds of toys I am proudly presenting and all are fit for my vehicle.

First, I picked up the kind of plate-shaped form of shockwave electricity; a neutralizer.

"Magkano ang lahat ng 'to?" tanong ko habang inilalagay ito inside the drawer.

"Sa ngayon, hindi ko muna tatanggapin ang bayad mo." sagot niya.

I threw my head away, kasunod ang pagkunot noo. Nakapagtataka, at ngayon pa niya naisipan na magbiro. "Naging weird ka nitong mga nakaraan."

Ngumiti lang siya, at sinabi, "Alam mo, pwede kita maging mechanic dito sa workshop ko."

"Is that a proposal?" tanong ko.

"Ano sa palagay mo?"

"You're to kind! But, alam mo naman na para sa akin ay libangan lang talaga 'to."

"I was really hoping that you would say that."

"So, magkano nga lahat?" Ipinakita ko ang isa sa mga binili ko from the blackmarket.

"Hindi ako iyong tipo na going to take back what I've just told."

"Sigurado ka?" tanong ko. "Sige, hindi ko tatanggihan 'yan!"

I don't know how to react, but, he just gave me those that were from blackmarket na kaya ko naman bayaran sa kanya ng buo. "Hihingi pa man din ako sa 'yo ng favor, pero, dahil sa naging libre na ako, baka hindi ka na din pumayag." Kinuha ko sa wagon ang board of switch buttons, at ipinakita ito sa kanya. "Iyong bagay na nasa tabi ng pinagkuhaan ko nito, sa akin na lang."

"Alin iyong capsule machine ba?" tanong niya. "Sige, itatabi ko para sa iyo."

I have heard buzzing, the sound of an approching vehicle echoes. It stopped in front of us, kicking down the stand, and a young boy goes down

His name is Auri, a friend of mine and always accompanies me on my march.

I am almost done finishing putting all of my stuff on the wagon, when he asks me, "Are you ready?"

"Hindi ka ba man lang maliligo?" sagot ko.

"Para saan pa at wala naman aamoy." He approach the wagon, place his foot is on the knot underneath the platform edge, and press down the handle. Ang first layer drawer was been pulled down inside, then he again steps on the knot making the sides to cover up the surface of the drawer. The wagon is ready and it is fully unrecognizable, not knowing na it contains things that is not meant to be seen by others; especially the guards.

"Sira! Siyempre kailangan mo ng proper hygene! Kadiri ka!" sabi ko na may kasama pangangatog na katawan bilang pang-aasar.

"Eh, ba't ikaw?" Pushing the wagon towards the vehicle. "Mukhang hindi ka pa naliligo."

"Kasi nga, mali ang decision ko na dapat pumunta muna ako sa maruming basement at bago maligo."

Rick raises his both hands, approach us and then say, "Alright, kayong dalawa. Baka mauwi pa iyan sa pikunan." Kahit pa alam niya na hindi iyon mangyayari. Bitbit niya ang isang briefcase habang yakap naman ng isa niyang braso ang isang box, aluminum at kulay bronze, and then give it to me.

But, for what?

"Happy birthday..."

"Huh?" reaction ko.

"Bakit?" tanong niya.

"Hindi naman sa hindi ko agad ito magugustuhan, pero, paano mo nalaman?"

He taps the shoulder of Auri, then pulls him right beside him. "Nandito si Auri."

Nakatulala lang ako sa kanila. "Hindi ko pa nga alam kung paano makapagpasalamat sa iyo for the things from the blackmarket." Tinignan ko ang box, I smirk. "Tapos mayroon na naman?"

"Walang anuman." sabi niya.

"Thank very much." I dashed towards him, opening my arms. I just realized na nakayakap na pala ako sa kanya ng mahigpit, one thing na I have not done yet to 'someone.' Is his eyes were big? Is his arms were raised and without hugging me? Either way, I don't care, and I just loved of what I'm feeling that moment.

Later, he hugged me back, and whispers over my head, "Both of you are gonna be late, remember?"

Kailangan ko na ang umuwi. Hindi niya alam kung saan at kung kanino ako nauwi. But, he doesn't have to know about it naman, nothing is very special.

I gently pulled myself away from him, looking down, and not letting him to see my reaction after.

I feel really great.

"Hayaan mo, bata. Kapag ikaw naman ang may kaarawan, reregaluhan din kita." he said to Auri, then he wipes my hair like I was a toddler.

"Aasahan ko 'yan!" Auri went on the vehicle, place both of his hands on the handlebar. He taps the knot underneath his foot, pressing the clutch, and twist down the gas. The engine starts.

The wagon behind was pulled by a force coming from the holes, making it connect with it. It was automatically been lifted, flips over the beside the sit. When it was all ready, I ran, jumps and land on with my arms over his shoulders.

Suddenly, may ibinato si Rick, nasalo ko naman ito gamit ang dalawang kamay kasabay din ng paglapag nito sa aking dibdib upang masigurado na hindi dadaplis.

He threw me a new pair of googles.

"Sands are very itchy in the eyes."

I raise my hand with it, and gesturing him for a goodbye.

Auri and I left.

We enter the tunnel where the a dozen of trucks been gone. I was staring at the light at end of it, as the wind goes stronger and stronger.

But then, I thought to myself, am I going home? Am I going back that time, or there's something outside that could be an adventure?

I need to find out.

End of Chapter 2

1503 Words

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