Chapter 18

"They want an interview of me?" my voice cracked as I ask the woman in front of me.

I was startled earlier when she knocked on the door and told me their offer.

"We wanted to know more of this Penna San Pedro. I know it's not your real name."

Natigil ako sa sinabi niya. Kinabahan ako agad. Paano kung kunin din nila ako katulad nang pagkuha nila sa kapatid ko?

"You can trust me."

I clasped my hands. "I want to get my sister back," sagot ko.

Tumango siya. Hinawakan niya ang balikat ko at lumapit pa sa akin lalo.

"I can help you get her from the Council. It's easy. You have to take my offer. We will release an article in this world, then the Council will notice of you, and I'm sure they'll reconsider judging the charges from Bok. Sofia will be back to you before you know it."

I agreed with her plan. I went to my room and take my books with me. Sumama ako kay Felicisima sa labas at pumasok kami sa kabilang kwarto. Nandoon ang iilang tao, busy sila sa pagse-set up ng camera at mga gagamitin pa sa interview.

Namamawis ang mga kamay ko habang nakaupo at tinititigan ang ginagawa nilang preparasyon. Did I choose the right decision? It's been a week and Sofia doesn't deserve to be isolated in the Council. I will do anything to get my sister back.

Hinigpitan ko ang hawak sa mga libro ko. Apat lamang itong dinala ko dahil 'yong isa ay ibinigay ko kay Writan para mabasa niya. I've been seeing Writan every early in the morning. Soon he'll be free. I can't wait for everything to get back to normal.

"Shall we start, Ms. Penna?" tanong sa akin ng interviewer.

Tipid akong ngumiti.

"Should you introduce yourself first? By your real name."

Tumango ako. There are five people in the room looking at us. I feel uncomfortable because this is my first time getting an interview. I can't believe that in this world I'll be popular as a writer. I looked away.

"I'm...Claudia Francesca Villareal. I'm the granddaughter of the former writer in this world, Penna San Pedro, and Bok, my grandfather. I was asked by my grandmother to give someone the book she has given me. At first, I have no clue who I'm going to give that book to, but soon I learned that Bok is my grandfather, and it's for him."

"Will you tell us about your journey in writing? In a week, you've been a buzz in our world. Every one of us here is inspired by your works. Will you tell us?"

I nodded. "I don't like writing nor reading. I'm not fond of books. But when I entered this world, I have new experiences, it urged me to create something new as well. With my friend's help, he guided me in writing. I guess it was successful and I'm thankful for that."

"Who's your inspiration?"

"My family, Bok, and Writan. They became the most important people in my life. This won't happen if I'm not inspired by them especially Writan. Every step of the way, he's there. I'm grateful that I met him."

"What message can you give to all writers out there?"

I stared at the camera. I cleared my throat.

"Write from your heart. Walang magmamahal pa ng higit sa libro mo kundi ikaw lang. Huwag kang susuko."

Tumayo ang interviewer at nakipagkamay sa akin.

"Thank you," I mumbled.

Lumabas din ako pagkatapos noon. My eyes landed on Writan, he was with two men holding him. I ran into him.

"Hanggang diyan ka lang," untag ng isang lalaki.

Writan and I looked at each other. Pinagsamantalahan ko ang oras na 'yon para titigan ang mukha niya. He's handsome as always, with chocolate eyes, a pointed nose, and thick lips.

"Why are you here?" I whispered.

"Pinapatawag ka ng Council, Ms. Claudia. Kung hindi ka sasama ay ikukulong namin ang lalaking ito."

No. I don't want him to suffer more. I watched Writan shook his head. Why is he so selfless? He's in danger and I will do everything for him to be safe. Napasinghap ako nang tutukan siya ng baril ng lalaki sa tabi niya.

"Sasama ako! Put the gun down!" I screamed.

The other guy pinned me to the wall and put handcuffs in both of my hands. My eyes got teary. The next thing I knew he slammed his gun on my head.

Nagising ako sa malakas na ingay sa paligid. Nagmulat ako at nakita ko si Writan na tumatawa at nakaupo kasama ng dalawang lalaki.

Napasinghap ako at napaupo sa kama. Nilibot ko ang paningin ko sa lugar. Maliit lang ang kwarto. May isang kabinet sa kanan at lamesa sa harap.

My forehead creased. Nasaan ako?

"Claudia?"

Tumingin ako kay Writan. His eyes were worried. He stepped forward to come near me.

"It's okay. We're okay. It was all an act."

Tumingin ako sa dalawang lalaki, sumaludo sila sa akin bago kami iniwan sa kwarto ni Writan. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya.

"Nasaan tayo?"

Hinawakan niya ako sa pisngi ko.

"Wala kang dapat ipag-alala."

"Si Bok?" nalilito kong tanong.

"I know where he is. I need to take you away from this world."

My eyes widened. "Why? Are we supposed to go to the Council and get Sofia? I can't leave this world without her, Writan."

He hugged me. "Calm down. Shh."

Tumulo ang luha sa mga mata ko. I've dreamt about hugging him for a long time. Here it is. I hugged him back. I won't let him go again.

"Shh."

Pinalis niya ang luha ko. Nakikita ko ang lambot sa titig niya habang nakatingin kami sa isa't isa.

"I missed you, Claudia."

"I missed you too. I thought I won't see you again."

Umiling siya at niyakap ako ulit. "Things will be okay, you need to go back."

Kumalas ako sa yakap niya. "I won't leave you here."

His eyes turned gloomy. Bumigat din ang kalooban ko. Alam kong imposible ang gusto ko. I have a life on the other side. But how could I live there if my heart is here?

"They tricked you. Sofia's not here."

"What? Where is she?"

"She's already with your mother. The Council wanted you here, to write, and be part of us. They know if you learned that your younger sister isn't here anymore...you'll run away."

Umiling ako, naguguluhan pa rin.

"I'n sorry for not telling you this sooner. The woman, Felicisima, planned this to help us. It was all our plan for you to write, to get you an interview so that I can take you away from here."

"But I don't want to go. Safe na si Sofia ro'n. I can stay here now."

Tumigil siya sa paghaplos sa buhok ko. May guhit ng sakit sa mga mata niya. Hinawakan ko siya sa magkabilang niyang pisngi para magtapat ang mga mata namin.

"I want to stay here with you, Writan."

Kinagat niya ang labi niya. "C-Claudia, you can't."

Something punched my heart. I felt pain all over again. Akala ko ay kapag nagkasama na kami ay magiging ayos na ang lahat. Akala ko lang pala. Sa halip na hilahin niya ako papunta sa kanya ay inilalayo niya ako.

"Ayaw mo na ba talagang manatili ako rito?"

Nanlaki ang mata niya. Lumapit siya sa akin lalo.

"No! I want you here, Claudia. But it's too dangerous. I can't protect you when I'm hiding. The Council will lock you up if they knew we're together."

"I can hide too," I whispered.

Umiling na naman siya. "How about your boyfriend? He can't stay here."

Boyfriend?

"I'm not in a relationship with Jason. Ikaw lang ang gusto ko."

I felt his lips on my forehead. I closed my eyes.

"You need to be out of here. I don't want you in danger. Please, you have to listen to me."

"Hindi ba makalalaya ka na? Masasamahan mo na ako rito."

"Tumakas ako. Kapag nakita nila akong kasama ka, pati ikaw ay ikukulong din nila. At ayaw kong mangyari 'yon sa 'yo. Masyado kang maganda para mapunta lang sa kulungan," he joked.

We chuckled. I hugged him tighter.

"Will I be able to see you again?"

"Sana. Claudia..."

He put his hands on my face and gazed at me.

"If...if destiny won't let us see each other again...I want you to find your happy ending in your world."

Pain. Aches. I wonder when it will go away? They're too fond of me to hurt me so much.

"I want to know that you'll be happy, Claudia. Knowing that you're happy is enough even you won't be my happy ending. A sad ending doesn't sound so bad, I'll be contented with it."

A tear fell from my eye. From that moment, I knew I can't do what he's asking.

"I can't."