It Started in the Library (Completed and Editing)

Chapter 33: Forever is Longer

Chapter 33: Forever is Longer

I couldn't help myself from stealing a glance at A3. He looked liked he's enjoying himself habang napapakapit naman ako sa bawat pagliko at ikot na ginagawa namin sa Hummer. Sabay nito ang pag-iwas din sa dalawang sumusunod na FJ Cruiser na kanina pa kami pinupuntirya. There is an almost smile on his face and I swear there's a touch of madness mixed in there.

The thing that disturbed me the most is the fact that the car is flooded with classical music that blared out from its speakers. It's surreal to listen to Beethoven's Piano Sonata no. 8 while the scenery outside of the windshield is literally flying before your eyes. Parang hindi ko alam kung ma-re-relax ba ako o masusuka sa nangyayari.

Yet A3 looks so sure and calm. Kahit na maya't-maya pakiramdam ko mapipisat kami ng Hummer na pinaglalaruan niya sa kalsada, he never lost control. Parang iisa sila ng kotse niya at bawat galaw niya sa kambiyo at pag-ikot sa manibela ay mayroon silang malalim na pagkakaintindihan.

Mabuti na lang at mabilis na nakahabol si A5 at Red at kasalukuyang nagsisilbing screen namin ni A3. Nakikipagpalitan nang putok sa dalawang sasakyan si Red and I could see from the side mirror ang galit na galit na mukha ni A5 habang pilit na umiiwas rin na mabaril ang kanilang gulong.

"Thank you," I heard A3 say and I was taken aback. Ako ba ang kausap niya? I looked around pero wala naman talaga kaming ibang kasama dito sa kotse, maliban na lang kung kinakausap nga niya itong kotse niya.

Waah, Trixie... ang lakas talaga ng saltik ng mga Zabala!

"Er, what was that?" I asked just to be sure that my ears weren't playing tricks on me.

He smiled, "Thanks because you guys upgraded my Lady. I think she approves of the new engine." Maygulay nasa langit na ba ako? Nakangiti siya... nakangiti si Alfredo Zabala...

"Uh, you're welcome. Boss' Ali's orders," I realized I'm grinning like an  idiot and wisely shut my mouth and straightened my face. Agents are supposed to behave better than this.

"3X you are approximately one kilometre away from the bridge. You have twenty seconds until impact," I heard Icen's voice over the transceiver.

"Sir, I need you to open the window," I told A3 at pinindot niya ang power button na nasa driver's side para bumukas ang bintana sa side ko. Biglang pumasok ang nakanginginig na hangin at nilipad ang lahat ng buhok ko.

"Alfredo," I turned to look at him. Malakas ang ambon sa labas at agad na nabasa ang gilid ng mukha ko. Ngayon ko naramdaman ang bilis ng aming pagtakbo nang dahil sa bukas na bintana. Parang liliparin ang lahat ng kalamnan ko mula sa aking buto.

"Ha?" I'm not sure if the wind is just playing with my senses.

"I'm Alfredo," Syete. Two words lang pero parang napatanga na naman ako sa kanya until I heard Icen's voice give me my final warning.

"Ten seconds before impact. 3X are you in position?"

"Yes," I replied as I climbed out of the window and sat on the edge to aim for the Hummer's tires. Shit, one wrong move and I'll fall and die from a broken neck. Every rain drop felt like I am being pelted by pebbles. I brought out my service firearm with the special bullets designed to penetrate even armoured vehicles.

"Steady!" I called out to A3 at naramdaman kong nag-sustain yung speed ng kotse. We reached the bridge and the road narrowed to three lanes. I could taste my own fear as I carefully aimed. The distant lights from the nearby buildings became rays of multi-colored light in my vision as I concentrated on my target. I need at least four shots to make it good. I fired all six shots in succession and the Hummer careened dangerously as it lost control and threatened to tip on its side. Five out of six, better than I expected.