Never Promise Again

Chapter 27

Naya's Point of View

"Dito ka na talaga nag-papractice ever since pa?"

Tanong ko kay Lux. Dinala niya kasi ako sa isang firing range around Makati City. Dito sila dati nakatira bago lumapit sa Quezon City. Na-miss niya na raw kasi ang pag-gamit at pag-practice ng baril at gusto niya raw ipakita sa'kin kung paano siya gumamit nito. He also wanted to teach me to use a gun and fire but only if I wanted too.

"Yeah, my Father introduced this place to me." Sagot niya. So it was because of his father.

"Kailan at anong age ka ba nag-simulang mag-practice ng baril? Does your Father influenced you on this field or ikaw lang din talaga?" Sunod-sunod kong tanong. Na-cucurious lang din kasi talaga ako. Siya kasi 'yung anong taong nakilala ko na may interest sa ganitong field.

"Uh, when the time that my Father brought me here and started showing some shooting I got really captivated, it took my interest. I was like a kid who got really amazed from it. I think it was really cool and I really visualize myself firing. I told my Dad that I also want to learn practicing guns and my both parents were fine about it." Kwento niya habang nag-lalakad kami patungong reception desk.

"By the age of 15, my Dad taught me about guns. He taught me how to use, hold, position and shoot carefully and properly the target. Then after gaining knowledge, I finally had a chance to shoot. It wasn't really accurate but it feels amazing hanggang sa nag-tuloy-tuloy na."

Pag-kukwento niya. He was 15 when he learned firing and now he's 20, so limang taon na siyang nag-papractice ng shooting range. Na-iimagine ko tuloy ang mukha ni Lux nung nag-papaturo siya sa Dad niya.

"Lux, hello! Kumusta na? Ang tagal na ng huli mong punta rito, ah." Bati sa kaniya ng receptionist. Nag-taka tuloy kung kailan pa ang huling practice ni Lux dito. Matagal-tagal na kaya?

"I got really busy, Sir." Tumawa naman ang kausap niya and they look close. Napag-hahalataang madalas nga si Lux dito. The receptionist glanced at me, he raised a brow.

"Girlfriend?" Tanong niya. Tumango naman agad ako at bumati.

"Good afternoon po." Lux paid for the entrance fee. Pumasok na kami sa malaking room kasama ang isang staff.

Pag-pasok pa lang namin ay rinig na rinig na agad ang mga putok ng baril. Sound proof ang pader kaya hindi namin 'to naririnig kanina sa labas. Pinapanuod ko naman ang mga trainer kung paano nila ina-assist ang iba sa kung paano humawak ng tama sa baril. Pakiramdam ko nakakakaba 'yun.

Nag-tungo kami sa isang cubicle at naruon na ang mga equipment na gagamitin namin, ni Lux pala. Tumingin ako sa mga target sa'ming harapan. Each of them has different distance from here. May malalapit pero mas marami ang malalayong targets. Para siguro mas challenging at para mas ma-sharpen din 'yung skill for targeting and firing.

"Kailan ba ang last firing mo rito?" Tanong ko.

"Last year." Sagot naman niya. Last year pa. Matagal na rin pala, hindi naman kaya mahirapan na siya? Kasi 'di ba matagal-tagal na rin siyang hindi naka-hawak ng baril.

Tumingin siya sa'kin at mukhang nabasa niya ang ibig sabihin ng mukha ko. "What? Do you think my skills gotten rusty?"

"No. I'm just thinking na baka mahirapan ka lang pero sa tingin ko kaya mo naman 'yan." Simple kong sagot at chineer ko pa siya ng kaunti.

Nag-salubong naman ang kaniyang mga kilay bago lumapit siya sa'kin at sinuotan ako ng ear protection. "Just watch me." May confident niyang sabi kaya naman tumango na lang ako. Bumalik siya sa pwesto niya para mag-handa.

He wore an ear protection and a safety goggles. He took the SIG sauer gun and put the detachable box magazine inside the magazine well, now the gun is contained with bullets. He touched the grip before pulling the slide of the gun, getting ready. He positioned himself and target the targets and then, he pulled the trigger to fire.