Territorial Men 9: Carter Altaraza

CHAPTER 1

"Nah, she wasn't." Then he shook his head because it was true.

"Baliw ka na kung gano'n."

"Brute, it's not all about being good in bed—"

"Cut the bullshit, Altaraza."

Sinipat niya ang kasama, pareho silang nakadapa sa makakapal na damo at natatabunan ng mga halaman. Para silang mga bidang tauhan sa pelikula, ang pagkakaiba lang, totoong nangyayari ang lahat ng ito at hindi kathang isip lang.

"Admit it, we prefer to spend a night with women who knew exactly how to please men."

"Of course, but..."

"No buts."

Carter just shrugged off because this brute is fucking right. Kaya nagtataka siya kung bakit naiisip niya pa rin ang babae, samantalang hindi naman ito magaling sa kama pero...baliw na baliw siya.

Napakadilim sa lugar na 'yon at kapag humahangin, rinig na rinig ang hampas ng mga sanga ng punong-kahoy. Tuwing gano'ng oras, lumalabas ang mga lider ng terorista, napabagsak nila ang dalawang lider kagabi, may tatlo pang natitira.

Sa umaga, binobomba ng mga ito ang paligid, kahapon ay hindi naging mapalad ang isang grupo ng kasundaluhan dahil binomba ang bahay kung saan ang mga ito nananatili.

They got the news from the headquarters, everyone in the Military is mourning that loss, but at the same time, they were still there, continue doing their job.

Ang isa sa mahirap gawin pagdating sa trabaho nila ay manatiling matatag at nasa tamang pag-iisip sa kabila ng mga kaganapan na pilit na sumusubok sa tatag ng kalooban nila.

Imagine those soldiers' families, imagine the pain of losing someone dear to you just to protect our Country.

Carter sighed when he remember his parents. Kung mamamatay ba siya sa mga oras na 'yon at mababalitaan ng mga ito, ano ba ang magiging reaksyon ng magulang niya? For sure, they will mourn, but they may also blame him because this is what he likes, right?

"You can take a nap," Keith told him.

When he glanced at his friend, Keith's attention is on his rifle and the targets.

"No, I'm good."

"It was a long day, Altaraza. Go on and take a damn nap."

"I am not here to take a nap, Tuazon."

From his binocular, he can see the armed men who are roaming around the old building where the victims are located together with the terrorist leaders. They are patiently waiting for the right time to take a shot.

Sa malayong bahagi, naririnig nila ang tunog ng mga helicopter na palipad-lipad at paikot-ikot sa kabuuan ng apektadong mga lugar.

"You know, my family is in my mind especially when I am in this kind of situation. It's okay to think about them as long as it didn't distract you." Keith's voice was almost a whisper.

Did this brute fucking read his mind?

"I was just wondering if my parents will mourn if I die."

"They will."

"I don't think so..."

"Walang magulang ang hindi nagluksa sa pagkawala ng anak nila, Altaraza."

"Hindi nila gusto ang lahat ng ito, Keith. Pero wala silang magawa dahil ito ang pinili ko."

"Masasaktan pa rin sila kapag nawala ka. Kaya...wag kang papayag na mamatay ka sa laban na ito." Sabay tapik nito sa balikat niya.

"What if we both die here? I would want to watch our friends while crying in the middle of their speech in our eulogy."