Bullet

Chapter 1

AGAD akong napamulat nang makarinig ng isang malakas na kulog mula sa kalangitan. Sabayan pa ng isang nakakatakot na kidlat, na akala mo ay sa iyo na tatama dahil sa lakas ng liwanag. It's scary especially that I have someone with me right now. Hindi na siya nagpagalaw pa sa dating puwesto, kaya inabutan ko na lang ng unan.

Mabilis kong tiningnan ang orasan, at nakitang ala sais na ng umaga. It's 6 in the morning, and the rain is pouring heavily. Kagabi pa kami naghihintay ni lieutenant sa mga dadating niyang kasamahan, pero napapikit na ako't lahat-lahat ay walang dumating.

Pinatulog niya na lang ako at siya na lamang daw ang maghihintay.

I fixed myself, combed my hair, and washed my face. Dala-dala ang phone ay diresto akong lumabas ng kuwarto. But I froze on my spot upon seeing a tall man in a uniform.

Nakatalikod ito sa akin ngunit alam kong tinitingnan niya ang mga litratong nasa frame. It's my pictures, and some are my mother's, and some are pictures of my class. Hindi ako nakagalaw dahil may dala siyang malaking baril, nakasabit ito sa balikat niya.

"Lieutenant Ulysses? Maayos na po kayo?" I asked cautiously as I slowly walked towards the man. Alam ko. Alam kong hindi ito si lieutenant. Imposible.

This man is a lot taller and larger than him. Kaya natatakot ako. Even if I am just facing his back, he's already intimidating. At noong may kaunting distansiya na lamang sa pagitan namin, ay kinailangan ko nang tumingala.

"Lieuten---"

"Are you Aurora Nadia Valencia, 25, a kindergarten teacher and a volunteer in San Juan Elementary School?"

That voice. That deep, deep voice.

Siya ba ang tinutukoy ni lieutenant na Colonel Apollo? Iyong may isa pang pangalan na Bullet?

"How . . . how did you know?" Nauutal kong tanong.

That's when he turned around. At mabilis akong napaatras dahil muntik pa akong mabunggo ng baril na hawak-hawak niya ngayon. If his back is already intimidating, then his aura when he faced me almost killed me. Balot na balot siya. I can't even see his face, because he's wearing a full face mask with a plain black aviator.

"We tracked your house, and you have one of our lieutenants. Of course, we'll check your background. Isn't obvious?" Malamig na saad ng malalim nitong boses.

Agad akong napayuko. "S-sorry po. Bangag pa kasi ako. Of course, you'll know."

He didn't speak. Bigla niya na lang kinuha ang braso ko at hinila ako paalis. My eyes widened in pure shock and disbelief, that's why I quickly pulled my arm away from him. Mabilis ko iyong nagawa dahil hindi naman mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin.

"Bakit mo ako hinila? I won't go anywhere." Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko rito.

I saw how his head slightly tilted. "Lieutenant Zamora told us about your safety and situation. You are right. Kung natagpuan niya ang bahay mo, ay napakalaki ng posibilidad na matunton ka ng mga taga-Guerilla. So come with me. No questions. No other unnecessary things. Aalis tayo. You'll be staying in the base for your security."

His gloved hand held my arm again but I stood my ground.

"Naka-pajama pa ako, sir! And my things! If I really have to leave, then let me pack my things!" Katwiran ko.

Pinilit kong hilahin pabalik ang braso ko pero hindi niya na ako hinayaan pa. "If you didn't know, our team discovered a tracking device on Zamora's vehicle. It turns out that the sniper is not a stupid one, but only because it isn't a sniper on the first place. And by the way, his vehicle is just beside your house."