MISSION 1: Saving You

Chapter 39 - Frightening Reality

Si Jason naman ang napatawa. "Kung babae nga ang panganay natin, tulad nang sinasabi mo, ibig sabihin, hindi lang apat ang anak na gagawin natin. Four boys ang gusto ko, remember?"

"No!" pinandilatan niya ito ng mga mata. "Apat na anak lang! Fixed na iyon!"

Sasagot pa sana ito pero tumunog ang cellphone. Nang sagutin nito ang tawag ay nalaman nilang nasa labas na raw ng resort si Barrera. May ibang personal na lakad daw ito at napagkasunduan na lang na sabay na ring babalik sa detachment.

The mist in her eyes intensified. They had been delaying as much as they can, but Jillian knew the time has come for them to leave the cottage. Mahirap na abutin nang malalim na gabi pauwi sa detachment sina Jason.

Matapos maibaba ang tawag ay sinapo ni Jason ang magkabilang pisngi niya, “I love you, Jillian. Lagi mo ‘yang tatandaan. 'Wag na 'wag mong kalilimutan.”

“Wag ka ngang magsalita nang ganyan na para kang namamaalam!” Magaan niya itong pinalo sa dibdib. “Apat na lalaki ang pangako mo sa akin at una pa lang itong nasa sinapupunan ko kaya umayos ka, Captain Arellano!”

“Hey! Namamaalam naman talaga tayo sa isa’t isa, di ba? Pero saglit lang naman tayong magkakahiwalay. After nito, medyo matagal din tayong magkakasama,” anito na pinunasan ang luhang umalpas sa kanyang mga mata.

“I will surely miss you, Daddy Jason.” Jillian smiled through her tears.

Jason’s eyes twinkled. “I like how you fondly call me Captain Arellano, but I love hearing that Daddy Jason more.”

Jillian tiptoed and kissed him. But they were once again interrupted by a call. This time, it was Jillian’s phone. Si Tammy. Ipinapaalam na nasa parking lot na ito ng resort at inaantay na siya.

Bumuntong hininga si Jillian. Muling kinintalan ng halik ni Jason ang mga labi niya bago sila magkahawak-kamay na lumabas ng kwarto. Matapos mag check-out ay magkahawak-kamay silang lumabas ng resort. Yumapos si Jillian sa fiancé at tumingala rito.

“Mag-ingat ka, Daddy Jason,” bilin niya habang pinipigilang muling pumatak ang luha sa mga mata.

“Yes po, Mommy Jillian,” nakangiting sagot nito na hinalikan ang tungki ng ilong niya.

Yumapos siya sa fiancé. Isinandig ang ulo sa balikat nito. Pero ang planong pagpikit ng mga mata ay nauwi sa singhap nang makita ang pagtigil ng motor at pataas ng kamay ng isang sakay noon.

“Jason!” Jillian shouted as she pulled his body behind the column.

But her movement is much slower compared to the speeding bullets. Jillian knew everything happened in a flash but she can swear everything seems super slow in her eyes. She heard Jason’s whimper and felt his body gave way. Jason embraced her tightly, his hand goes behind her head.

The panic, shouts and chaos of people fleeing the scene did not register in Jillian’s shock-stricken mind. Even the pain of falling on the concrete driveway did not fully registered in Jillian’s system. She wanted to shout for help but her throat closed up. She looked around, desperately searching for anybody. But the resort lobby seems so deserted after the thundering gunshots.

They were partly hidden by the planters and the column of the resort’s archway but Jillian was able to see that the gunman gets off the motorcycle. The anger she suddenly felt cause Jillian’s mind to focus. She wiggled underneath Jason and reached behind his back. Alam niyang may dalang sidearm si Jason dahil nakita pa niyang isinukson nito sa likod kanina bago nito isinuot ang polo shirt. Nang makuha niya ang baril ay agad iyong ikinasa at bago pa tuluyang makalapit sa kanila ang gunman ay pinaputukan na kaagad niya.

The first shot hit his chest. The gunman’s body swayed but Jillian got her target locked. She pulled the trigger hitting him again in the chest. Her third shot hit the gunman’s shoulder before he finally fell to the ground.

Nang bumagsak ang gunman ay sumilip siya sa kalsada. Pero dahil nakadagan si Jason sa kanya at nahaharangan pa sila ng planters at ng column ng archway ay hindi nagkaroon nang maayos na line of sight si Jillian sa driver ng motor. Gayon pa man ay iniumang niya ang baril sa area kung saan niya nakitang tumigil ang motor. May umalingawngaw na dalawang putok at lalong humigpit ang pagkakakapit ni Jillian sa baril. Kahit nahihirapan sa posisyon ay pilit siyang luminga sa paligid. She assessed her surroundings for other possible assailants that would suddenly pop-out.

Ilang sandali pa ang lumipas at humahangos na lumapit si Barrera. “Doc Jill! Sir Jason!”

Jillian took a huge breath using her mouth. Noong lang niya ibinaba ang kamay kasabay nang pagbitaw sa baril na hawak. “Barrera, help me. May tama si Jason!”

Dahan-dahan nitong inangat si Jason sa kanya. Jillian had seen blood so many times it’s already a common sight to her. But years of medical school and actual practice of her profession did not prepare her for the dread that gripped her body and numbed her soul. She nearly fainted when she saw both of them were covered in blood. And just the thought that all this blood came from Jason made Jillian lose her bearing. Tears gushed out of her eyes.

“Jason!” sigaw ni Jillian nang makitang nakapikit ito. Her hands automatically searched for his pulse. “Call an ambulance, please!”

Hindi maglipat-sandali ay bigla silang napalibutan ng mga tao, mga taong hinahanap niya kanina para tumulong sa kanila. Jillian cried in fear, frustration and anger as she desperate search where are the bullets entry point.

“Back off!” sigaw ni Barrera sa mga taong unti-unti nang dumarami na nakapaikot at nag-uusyoso sa kanila.

“Jillian!” Humahangos na lumapit si Tammy. “Oh my God!” Saglit lang itong natigilan bago nagkick-in ang training. Sumigaw ito sa gawi ng resort. “Call the nearest hospital and bring me your first aid kit!”