Simoun: The Aggressive Man Challenge

Challenge # 2

"Good morning, Arru. You look lovely."

Lumingon ako nang marinig kong tawagin ni Ido si Arruba. Wala pa man nagsasabi ay alam kong malapit lang siya. I smelled her perfume and it kind of ticked me off. I smiled to myself when I saw how lovely she looked in that lacey green dress she was wearing.

Today is Judas' birthday. Friday the thirteenth - March. Twenty-nine na si Judas. Matanda na siya pero hanggang ngayon magkasama sila ni Arruba sa iisang bahay. Judas is Arruba's life. I admire the girl for loving her brother too much. Minsan ay sinabi niya sa akin na hindi niya alam ang gagawin niya kapag nawaala si Judas sa buhay niya. That's one of the reason why I protect my friends. I just don't want Arruba to be sad.

"Nandito ang muse. Pwede na tayong mag-start. Hi, lovely." King David pulled Arruba to kiss her cheeks. I had to look away. I didn't want to see that. Pumasok kami sa fuction hall. Ngayong araw na ito ay kumpleto kami. Nandito si Ido - siya lang naman ang palaging wala. Nandito sin si Axel at si King David. He was the one who sat beside Arruba and Judas. I sat beside Ido. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin na para bang niloloko niya ako at alam ko ang ibig sabihin noon.

"It's over, dude. So just shut up."

"No! Of course not! I was rooting for the two of you!"

"I am rooting for him for her so just back off!" Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mga mata. Natawa naman siya sa akin. Noong nakaraan ay kausap ko si Ido. He had a mission in Iceland where he killed the pirate's mayor. Hindi naman mahirap iyon sa kanya. Tinanong ko siya kung kailan niya titigilan ang trabaho niyang iyon. Hindi siya sumagot. Hindi daw siya titigil hangga't hindi niya nahahanap ang pumatay kay Roma at papatayin niya rin ang taong iyon sa pamamagitan ng mga kamay niya. It's just a petty thing to do, killing for someone you love...

I forgot that I did that too, three years ago. I killed a man - not that it's my first time - it's just my first time to kill a man for the sake of love. Pilit ko nang kinalimutan iyon. Tapos na iyon at hindi ko na babalikan pa.

"I'm so glad all of your are here today. Parang ako ang may birthday." Natatawang simula ni Arruba. Napatingin ako kay David nang maglabas siya ng isang long stemed white rose. Of course, Arruba loves white roses. That's why I always gave her violet tulips back then. It meant something special to me - to us. But that, also is a finished chapter in our lives.

"Thank you, David. You're so sweet!"

"Nililigawan mo ba ang ate ko?" Biglang tanong ni Judas. This is what all we were waiting for. Ido proposed for a toast. Axel John sniffed.

"Putang ina, say yes, dude!" Sigaw pa ni Axel! "Nang maibigay mo na kay Arruba ang virginity mo! Gago!"

"Gago! Hindi na ako virgin mula pa noong twelve ako!"

"Gago ka din! Katorse ka nagpatuli! Si Arru nga ang sumama sa'yo!'' Napabulanghit ako ng tawa. That story never gets old! Tawa naman nang tawa si Ido. si Axel John ay pumapalakpak pa. Noon ko naman napansin si Arruba na nakatitig sa akin. I smiled at her.

We were always like that. Iyong tipong may silent joke na nagaganap sa harapan naming dalawa. She could still read my mind and I could still read hers. It's something that cannot be taken away from the two of us.

Nagsimula ang early birthday lunch ni Judas nang inaasar pa rin nila si King David. Pikon naman kasi si King David at si Arruba ang taga-awat nilang tatlo. Matapos kumain ay kinantahan nila ng happy birthday si Judas. It was hilarious, what they did to the birthday cake. Ibinato nila iyon kay Judas kaya nagkaroon ng cake fight ang tatlo. Agad naman na niyakap ni King David si Arru to protect her. I had to leave the hall. I got out to smoke. Kung nakikita lang ako ni Apollo ngayon, pagtatawanan niya ako. She would tell me how coward I am for letting Arruba go. Apollo was a very opinionated lady. She calls what she sees and says what she wants. Sapalagay ko sa kanya namana ng babaeng reyna ang tingin sa sarili ang ugaling iyon.