When Back In Time

SHE NOTICED her right arm was bandaged.

The man who saved her noticed her touching her bandaged arm. He said, "Malubha ang pagkakapaso ng iyong braso. Mabuti na lang nasagip kita agad agad kung hindi, hindi lang iyan ang aabutin mo." (You're arm was severely burned. It was great that I save you instantly or else that is not only the burn you get)

Esperanza softly touched her bandaged arm and reminisced what happened to her. She then came back from the future and came running back to the nipa hut to see Pepe. But then, instead of seeing him she met her almost tragic demise.  Inside the nipa hut, she took refuge in the bedroom when bullets came cruising and shooting in the living room. And then, an explosion erupted. A man came inside the burning nipa hut. It was Agustin with his well-trimmed mustache. He took the other clock from Esperanza and shot her in her leg.

Her fingers clawed softly her arm.

Her savior told her that he is a doctor but only professional in ophthalmology.

"A-ano?" she asked. (W-what?)

He explained that he's a doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. He could not guarantee her if he totally did the right thing on her arm. He only cleans it up and disinfected it then bandaged. In addition, he could not get her to the hospital for some reason. That's why he's very sorry if what he did is kinda wrong.

Esperanza shook her head and said her thanks to him.

It is alright if he didn't rush her to the nearest hospital. And besides, she's kind off in a hide when that Agustin tried to kill her.

'that man,' she thought to herself with loathe. 'He told me he killed me because he was ordered to do so. Who would order him to do such a thing to me? And why me? Why kill me? What can they get from killing me? I have no recollection that I ever wronged someone in order to deserve this situation I am in. and those civil guards that had been chasing us Pepe from the very start was not after Pepe but me. And they hurt Pepe because of me.'

A hand held her hand.

Esperanza didn't notice that hard frown on her eyebrows and deep creases between it. Her savior looked at her worriedly.

The man was on his age of 30's. his hair was slicked back and was shiny like it was licked by a carabao. He has a big forehead and small mustache on his upper lip.  He was thin and short in stature.

There was something on this man that reminds Esperanza of but she couldn't put her finger on it. This man looked familiar like she met him before. But she couldn't remember where. It is like she saw him many times before but still couldn't figure out where and how.

"Maayos lang ba ang pakiramdam mo o may gumagambala ba sa iyong isipan?" he asked. (Are you okay or is there something that is bothering you?)

She shook her head.

He let go of her hand and pulled a chair to sit. He started aking her why she was inside that burning nipa hut. He also added, what had happened.

She held her breath and bent down her head. She could not tell him. Definitely not. She can't tell him that someone was out there trying to kill her without any concrete reason, she thinks.

Her hands balled in defiance to speak.

"Hm," he started and crossed his arms. He crossed his legs, "Hindi mo ba maaring isalaysay man lang sa akin ang nangyari? Kasi kung hindi ko napansin ang nagliliyab na apoy noong napadaan ako sa sapa at ang mahinang sigaw mo ng tulong, hindi sana kita nailigtas. Ano ba talaga nangyari iha?" (Can't you state to me what happened? Because if I did not notice the fire when I was passing by the stream and heard your soft cry for help, I wouldn't be able to save you. What really happened child?)

She shook her head. She cant tell, right? If she tells him, would he believe her? would he help her out?

But if she did tell him, this man will also know that she's with a rebel and this man might sell Pepe to the authorities.

"Pepe…" she blurted out. Her eyes widen. She looked towards the man.

The man looked at her in surprise.

She asked, "No-noong napadaan kayo sa may sapa may nahanap po ba kayong isang lalaking kasing edad ko?" (Wh-while you were passed by the stream, did you find a boy there who's the same age as me?)

Her savior's eyebrows frowned. He shook his head. He did not recall stumbling upon a boy.

'Oh no!' Esperanza said to herself. 'Where is Pepe? Where is he?'

He asked, "Bakit mo natanong iha?" (Why did you ask child?)

Oh no. "Iyong….itong kaibigan ko ho. Kailangan kong mahanap 'yong kaibigan ko," she said and abruptly leaped out from the bed. (My-my friend. I need to find my friend.)

But instantly she fell down on her feet in pain. She held her leg in excruciation.

The man told her that she should not do that because she had an injury from her leg. Her leg was shot and he was about to ask her about this but instead zipper his mouth after seeing her looking away.

He told her she needed to recuperate from her injuries.

"Pero," she started, "Ang kaibigan ko ho. Kailangan ko siya mahanap." (but, my friend. I need to find him)

She thought to herself, 'Pepe is in grave danger.'

A memory came flashing to her mind. Agustin's voice came whispering to her head and telling her that Pepe was gone and Agustin killed and dump him on the stream.

She shook her head. She did not believe it. Pepe is not dead. He is not…

Her savior asked, "What's your name iha?" (What's your name child?"

"Esperanza."

"Esperanza," he said, "Alam mo, huwag kang mag-alala. Kung nasaan man ang kaibigan mo nasisigurado kong nasa mabuting lagay siya. Kung gugustuhin mo, maari kong hanapin ang kaibigan mo." (Esperanza, you know what, you should not be worried. Wherever your friend is, I can assure you he's in good condition. If you want, I can help and find your friend)

"Ah nga pala," he continued, "nagkataon nga naman. Kapangalan ko pala ang iyong kaibigan. Pepe rin ang aking pangalan." (By the way, coincidentally I have the same name with your friend. Pepe is my name too)

Afterward, the Pepe 2 came out leaving Esperanza sitting on her bed.

She is so worried.

She tried to call out Bangun Bangun for help but the god of Time and Cosmos didn't appear.

She must not be like this. She doesn't have the leisure to sit here recuperating while out there was Pepe who might be hurt or dying because of her.

This is her fault. She causes all the pain and suffering of Pepe.

She needed to find him soon.

But first, she needed to gather up all her energy before she leaves. Right. Now, she must not rush in. her life is in danger and so does Pepe.

And she needs to be careful.