But the taxi accelerated suddenly, catching me off guard with the change in speed. Anya even grabbed my arm, clearly frightened.
“Don’t be afraid. They’re not after us,” I reassured the driver, though I suspected those cars were indeed following us. I didn’t want the driver to panic. “Just drive safely.”
“No, Ma’am. Something like this happened before. One of my passengers, a woman, was crying because she said she was being chased,” he explained.
I squinted. “Do I look like I’m crying?”
He nervously bit his lip, eyes darting between the road and the mirrors. I took a deep breath. However, the taxi kept changing lanes abruptly.
“Mister, stop doing that. It’s dangerous,” I warned.
“Ma’am, don’t worry. I’ll take care of you,” he replied, changing lanes again.
One of these sudden movements nearly threw me towards the door, but Anya held onto my arm, keeping me in place.
“Mister! Drive safely!” I couldn’t help but raise my voice.
He seemed startled by my outburst and changed lanes again, almost hitting another car’s bumper. I held my breath in panic. This was not good at all.
“I know those men. Please slow down. You almost caused an accident!” I pleaded with the driver.
He started breathing heavily. “Something like this happened before, Ma’am. My passenger said she knew the people following us, but when we reached our destination and she got out, the black cars surrounded my taxi and shot my passenger. Ma’am, I almost got charged with murder if not for a witness speaking up. Please understand, Ma’am. This is for all our safety.”
“But it’s too dangerous!” I shouted as he changed lanes again. Glancing up in the rearview mirror, I saw the same black cars still chasing us.
Who were they?
“I’ve dealt with this before, Ma’am. I know what I’m doing, so please don’t worry.”
I pursed my lips. Honestly, I didn’t know who those people were in the black cars. I wasn’t sure if they were Dad’s men or from the Clasiso clan. It would be okay if they were Dad’s, but if they belonged to the Clasiso, I didn’t know what could happen to us.
After a few minutes, the taxi driver finally found a safe alley to pull into. We waited there until the black cars passed by, relieved when they did. I never expected such daring driving skills from someone.
Looking at the rearview mirror, I saw the driver still keeping an eye on the black cars disappearing into the distance.
“We lost them,” I said, slightly out of breath.
The driver scratched the back of his head. “I’m sorry for scaring you.”
“It’s okay. I wasn’t sure if they were Dad’s men either. It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?” I smiled awkwardly.
I glanced at Anya. “Are you okay?”
She looked like she had seen a ghost, her face pale, but she nodded weakly and smiled at me. “I’m okay, Ma’am.”
“Good.” I sighed again. “Let’s take a different route.”
The driver agreed and steered the car southward, towards Dalaguete, planning to drive through the mountain ranges, a safer route than our previous one.
It took us another two hours until we reached the municipality of Dalaguete. I noticed Anya shifting in her seat. When I looked at her, she was gazing out the window. I recalled she mentioned being from Mantalongon, a route towards Badian. I figured we’d need to stop once we reached Mantalongon.
The car rounded a curve. We were nearing Mantalongon.
“Stop the car when we get to Mantalongon,” I instructed.
A few minutes later, the car came to a halt. There was an archway ahead marking the entrance to Mantalongon. I glanced at Anya and noticed her somber expression.
“Anya,” I called out. “Go visit your aunt.”
She hesitated but managed a soft smile and nodded. I directed the driver to enter Mantalongon, and Anya guided him to her house.
After a short while, the car stopped in front of a humble nipa hut. I nodded at Anya as she glanced at me and then stepped out of the car.
I smirked. I intended to accompany her. I wanted to verify if Anya was truthful before placing my full trust in her. After all, Simmy was a cunning woman, and I didn’t know what tricks she might have up her sleeve.
I exited the car. The fresh air of Mantalongon greeted me. I heard the driver’s door open and close; he had exited the car as well.
“Mantalongon is beautiful, Ma’am. Fresh air,” the driver commented.
I nodded. “What’s your name again?” I asked.
“Robert, Ma’am.”
I glanced at him. “Do you have any idea who those people were chasing us?”
Robert furrowed his brow and shook his head. “Being a taxi driver, Ma’am, I often find myself in trouble. My taxi is familiar to rich kids running away or people escaping from something. But I can’t pry into my clients’ lives; I’m just a driver. I have no right to interfere.”
A smile tugged at the corner of my lips. I liked his principles. I thought he could be useful. I pulled out my cellphone and handed it to him.
“Save your number in my phone. If I ever need a driver, I’ll call you.”
Robert smiled and took my cellphone, typing something before handing it back to me. “I’ll be waiting for your call, Ma’am.”
I shrugged and turned my attention to the humble nipa hut in front of me. There was one more thing I needed to see.
I approached the nipa hut. Anya had left the bamboo gate open earlier, so I entered without difficulty. Glancing around, it was a typical provincial nipa hut. I spotted a duyan (hammock) in one corner.
Stepping inside, I heard Anya’s cry. My brow furrowed.