Chapter 1: Benito Soliven

Timotheo’s POV

Another night, another party to attend. I smoothly went to the counter to order a beer for myself, “Beer please!” sabi ko sa bartender na naghahalo ng mga ordered drinks.

“Coming up, sir!” the bartender answered at mabilis na kinuha ang isang can of beer galing sa fridge sa likuran niya. “Here you go!” dagdag niya at inabot sakin ang beer.

“Thanks, bro!” Mabilis akong umalis ng counter at bumalik sa table kung nasaan ang mga kaibigan ko. I put down my beer on the table and slammed my body on the couch.

“You look horrible tonight, Theo!” Umupo si Tiffany sa tabi ko at pinagmasdan ang mukha ko. “Hindi ka ba nag-eenjoy?” she added.

“You know what, this life sucks! I want something new,” I blurted out and opened the can of beer that I bought. “I need some thrill,” sabi ko pa at inubos ang laman ng lata. 

“What kind of thrill, man? Ikaw lang ang kilala kong na-boring sa pagiging burgis,” Hector said while laughing at me.

I shook my head in disbelief, “You don’t understand me!” I gave up and stood up to get another beer at the counter. I ordered a bucket of beer para hindi na ako pabalik-balik. Once I came back to our table, my friends looked at me as if they wanted to tell me something.

“Look, Theo!” sabi ng pinsan kong si Tyrone at inabot sakin ang kanyang phone.

I saw a video of my ex-girlfriend making out with a guy, which made me gagged out of disgust. “Not interested!” I told him and put the bucket on the table.

Nagsimula na kaming magpakalunod sa beer hanggang sa magsalita si Tyrone, “Why don’t you leave your life here and start a simple one?” sabi niya at tumingin ng seryoso sakin. “I mean out of this city if you really want some thrill,” dagdag pa niya at inubos ang beer na hawak niya.

I think what Tyrone said was a bright idea, “I like that!” sagot ko at mabilis na tumayo mula sa pagkaka-upo sa couch. “I need to go! I already paid for our drinks,” I told them and left the club. Without any hesitation, I went back to the condo where I live alone. I got my luggage at nagsimulang mag-impake ng mga damit na balak kong dalhin sa pag-alis ko. 

I messaged Tyrone to get me out of my condo early tomorrow morning kasi ayaw kong ma-track ng mga magulang ko kapag umalis na ako. I left all my cards inside of my side cabinet and turned off my phone, so they couldn’t reach me. Nang maramdaman ko ang tama ng beer sa katawan ko ay nagdesisyon na akong matulog agad. 

The next day came, and Tyrone was already at my condo at exactly 6 am. “You are with Hector and Tiffany?” I asked when I saw my other two friends entering my condo.

“Why? Gusto ka naming ihatid sa bago mong titirhan,” Tiffany answered and helped me put my garments on my backpack. “Are you sure about this?” she asked me.

“Of course!” I answered and went to the bathroom to take a bath. Not that long, we were already on our way to Benito Soliven. Isa siyang province na malayo sa QC at alam kong hindi iisipin ng mga magulang kong titira ako sa isang baryo. They knew me!

Tyrone was driving his car while I was sitting in the passenger's seat. It took us a couple hours to make a beeline to Benito Soliven. I immediately looked around to see how beautiful the place was, “Great place!” bulong ko habang nakatingin sa mga punong sumasayaw sa ihip ng hangin.

“I guess you like the place, Theo!” Tiffany said at the back of the car.

“Yeah!” I answered and was still watching the trees as we passed by.

Tyrone played some music inside his car, and they were vibing on it. I was looking outside when Tiffany handed me a regular phone from the back. 

“I know na iniwan mo yung phone mo sa condo mo, so binilhan kita ng bagong phone na pwede mong gamitin dito,” Tiffany said and smiled at me. “May sim na din yan,” dagdag niya pa.

“Appreciate it!” I told her and ni-explore ang phone na binigay niya. As I was busy scrolling on my new phone, I heard some noises outside of the car. I lifted my head to find us just outside the city hall. 

“What is that?” Tiffany asked while looking outside.

May nangyayaring rally sa may harapan ng city hall kaya may traffic sa lugar. Binaba ni Tyrone ang bintana kaya mas lalong narinig namin ang ingay sa labas. 

“IBALIK ANG DAPAT SA TAO! IBALIK!” sigaw ng mga taong nasa rally habang hawak-hawak ang mga malalaking placard.

Tiningnan ko isa-isa ang mga nasa harapan ng rally. I froze when I saw a lady standing brave in the middle of the rally, “Bagalan mo, Tyrone!” utos ko kay Tyrone nung bigla siyang bumilis sa pagmamaneho.

Tyrone did what I said, and I could see clearly the lady that I was eyeing. Damn! She’s gorgeous! Binasa ko ang nakasulat sa placard na hawak-hawak niya, ‘Ang Bayanihan Hope Foundation ang kasangga ng mga tao.’ 

She’s one of the protesters and I guessed she was siding on what is right. As I was watching her, I noticed that she was looking around, maybe looking for someone or something. I was stunned when her gaze went into my direction, so I immediately moved away from the window.

“What the hell are you doing, bro!” I heard Hector called out from the back. I looked at him and he was smirking at me. The hell!

“Shut up!” I murmured and looked at the lady’s direction again. Thank God and she was looking in front again.

“So, can I drive fast now?” Tyrone asked kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.

“No!” mabilis na sagot ko at nagkataon din na may traffic kaya hindi kami agad-agad makaka-usad.