"It's because he value his family so much, that's it."
'Ang bilis niya pang nag-desisyon no'n, basta tinutukan nalang ako ng baril.'
"So we're really doomed." he said while laughing like he's going to lose his sanity. "Once Musac learn that you're still alive, he'll hunt and kill you. Do you have any plans?"
'Wala.'
Gusto ko lang makauwi sa Pilipinas. Ayun lang.
Alam kong sasama ang loob sa'kin ni Giovanni kapag sinabi ko 'yon. Alam kong sa'kin nalang siya umaasa sa ngayon.
“By the way," aniya na nakapag pabalik sa'kin sa ulirat. "where did you..get that ring?”
Mukang kanina niya pa napansin ang singsing sa kamay ko, sabagay lagi niya kasing tinitignan kung suot ko ang singsing na bigay niya.
“He gave this to me.”
Gulat niya akong nilingon saglit bago ibalik ang paningin sa daan.
“And the opal ring I gave you?”
“I lost it.”
“What?!” hindi makapaniwalang sabi niya.
“I lost it.” ulit ko. “Been trying to find that, for fucking days but no- no opal ring anymore.”
I heard him tsked.
“Are you sure there's no tracking device there?”
Inalis ko ang singsing sa index finger ko at pinagmamasdan ito nang mabuti.
“Shit!”
Bumangga ang suot kong helmet sa ulo niya nang bigla niyang i-preno ang motor. Muntikan pang mahulog ang singsing sa kamay ko kaya inis ko siyang tinignan.
I was about to spat out on him but leave my mouth open when I saw his hand, signal me not to talk.
From few cars ahead us, there were policemens seems like finding someone. They were talking to eachother in their language.
“They were looking for you... They address you as a wanted criminal.. Hide your hair and... that ring.” bulong niya.
Agad ko namang sinunod ang sinabi niya. We passed through them and both breath with relieve.
“Really? Bother other people just to capture me?” hindi makapaniwalang bulong ko.
“Well, Montenegros have connections to them. As an exiled monarch family, they still need a protection.”
Nangunot ang noo ko sa mga pinagsasabi niya.
“Monarch? Isn't this country democratic?” puno ng kuryosidad na tanong ko.
“It is. But before, it was ruled by a royal family. They fail to protect this country, they got exiled. But until now, they still attain their title. The famous one I know were Duchess Hennessy, his son, Lord Keithron, Marquis of Athens and the rebel one, Duke Demetre.”
‘W-Wait, what?’
Kilala ko sila, as I've said before. Inaral ko ang lahat ng mga Montenegro pero hindi ko alam ang bagay na 'to. And royals? Tsk! This is not fantasy.
“What are you talking about? Royals? Duchess?” I refuse to believe. “Are you kidding me? Kings and Queens were just in fantasy.”
“What about the royal family in England? Queen Elizabeth? Prince Charles? Prince Harry? Of course they exist” natatawang sabi niya. “And I can't believe that you didn't know royal family were real. Especially you?”
Kabanata 95
Start from the beginning
