Bullet

Chapter 27

Warning: R-18

NANATILI kami sa ganoong posisyon hanggang sa lumayo na siya. Kumunot ang noo ko nang makitang inalis niya ang kuwintas niya. The one with the wolf head pendant. Inilagay niya iyon sa palad at pinakatitigan. I also stared at the bronze necklace.

"Wear this," he said. "Let me."

Hindi ako nakaimik at hinayaan siyang isuot sa akin ang kuwintas niya. His skin brushed against mine as I felt the cold bronze necklace on my neck. Naramdaman ko ang katamtamang bigat nito. And I held it, slightly confused as to why he gave this to me.

"But this is yours." Sabi ko. "Bakit mo isinuot sa akin?"

"'Cause I want to give that to you. Do you know what that wolf pendant means?" He asked. His finger slightly tipping and holding the pendant. "A wolf means loyalty and family. Me and my sister have that. And I am giving it to you because you're my family now as well. And that I will come back to you always."

I smiled. I looked at him. "Thanks."

"Keep that. I believe it'll keep you safe. It worked for me in years." He chuckled.

"Huh? Edi dapat suotin mo ito! Para maging safe ka."

"No need. I want you to be safe. And I'll be fine. Don't worry about me, Aurora."

Hindi na ako nakaangal nang ikabig niya ako palapit at muling yinakap. I hugged him as well. Sa hindi malamang rason ay kinakabahan ako. Dahil siguro masyado pa akong nagugulat at nalulungkot sa mga nangyari kanina. How Ulysses killed two men without any remorse---I know, I saw it in his eyes.

Lalo na nang malaman niyang alam na ni Valente na siya ang espiya na hinahanap, matagal na.

"I can't believe Ulysses would do that," I said in a small voice. "I've always thought he's really a good man. All along, he's been lying to me. At paniwalang-paniwala naman ako."

"Don't think about that man. Hindi mo kailangan alalahanin ang lalaking iyon. We'll punish him and make him talk about the other spies. Kailangan naming mahuli ang iba niya pang mga kakampi." He said.

"But how did you know? How did you know it was him? And why didn't you stop him from shooting Captain Smith?"

Doon siya lumayo at narinig ko ang malalim niyang paghinga.

"I've...I was scared, Aurora."

I bit my lower lip at that and exhaled harshly.

"Akala ko, kapag dumating na ang oras na iyon, hindi ako matatakot. But I was scared. The moment I saw he has a gun, I became scared. Especially that I know you're with us inside that room. Kasama kita at hindi ko man lang inakala na masisira ang plano ko. I didn't foresee it happening."

"Anong plano?"

"I was planning to confirm it to Mario and then to tell the truth to the captain and second lieutenant. Akala ko ay hindi pa siya makakabangon, knowing that he's been shot---but he's relentless in killing us all. Nakapunta pa rin siya at hindi ko rin inaakalang lalasunin niya ang mga sundalo rito."

"He's...he's my friend. Lahat ng pinakita niya sa atin, hindi totoo? Napipilitan lang pala siya? The kind facade? Everything?"

"I'm sorrry, Aurora. I know how you've treated each other. And I know how he had been there for you when I wasn't. When I was avoiding you. But you saw it. Nakita mo kung anong ginawa niya. He didn't even deny it. He's our enemy, and he lied to us all these years."

Napaiwas ako ng tingin at humugot ng malalim na paghinga. Hindi ko man matanggap ngayon pero kailangan kong tanggapin. Eventually, I have to face him and accept him as our enemy. And to forget every good things he had done for me. Everything.