DEALING WITH THE DEVIL (Vander #1-COMPLETED)

32: bad shot

"I think by now, the Mafia's course of action have been decided---"

"Do not kill him! Not yet!" apela ko.

He sighed. "Not my say though. Isa pa ay hindi ko masisisi si Cronus kung iyon man ang desisyon niya. My old man's a beast by the way."

Ibinagsak ko ang mga kamay sa mesa at marahas na tumayo. "Let me talk to him!"

His jaw dropped. "Are you serious?!"

Mabilis akong tumango bilang tugon. "My father's health is at stake. Kahit gusto ko mang patayin agad agad si Flavio, I cannot risk seeing my father sad to death because of it. So, come on let me talk to your old man. I will do whatever it takes just to get what I want.

***

This is the second time I've been in this huge house. Rocket brought me once here noong unang beses kong makaharap si Cooler, Rocket's mom and that flat midget before. Hindi ko naramdaman ang kakaibang ambiance noon but now the house seems different.

And speaking of Rocket, I haven't seen him around. Ayaw ko rin namang itanong kay Cooler kung nasaan ito but still a part of me wanted to know what he's up to lately.

Any way wala naman akong pakialam, just wanna know. And why am I thinking of that devil when all I need is right here with me?

“You know you looked tense right now, pwede ka namang magback out,” basag ni Cooler sa pananahimik ko. Like duh. I’m  already here, wala ng atrasan ‘to. Isa pa ay ginagawa ko 'to hindi para kay Flavio kundi para kay daddy. Kung ako nga lang masusunod edi sana matagal ko na siyang pinatay eh.

“So,” wika ko. “Where is he?”

Cooler looked around the huge empty hall. “Probably on the meeting, hindi ko nakikita ang kanyang mga tao sa paligid eh.”

Ops, wrong timing but anyway I can wait after his meeting. Kailangan ko lang talagang makipagcoordinate sa kanila. Then if Dad will be able to see how much of an asshole Uncle Flavio is, pwede na naming paghatian ang katawan ni Flavio at gawin anuman ang gusto namin. Although he has an ugly face, I prefer his head.

“Please feel at home,” sabi ni Cooler at tinuro ang malalaking couch. “Have a seat while waiting. Ikukuha muna kita ng maiinom.”

Hindi na niya hinintay ang sagot ko at sa halip ay dumiretso na sa kung saan mang dako ng bahay. Naupo naman ako sa couch at hinintay siya na bumalik. I was silently observing the house, thinking why the hell it was so huge, or if Rocket is even around somewhere in this ridiculously huge house or whatever things I have in mind.

Hinintay ko na lamang na bumalik si Cooler ngunit mayamaya ay bumaba sa hagdan ang isang matandang lalaking may dalang balde at mop. He was sweaty all over at may bimpo pa siya sa kanyang balikat. His braggy old clothes were so dirty na tanda na malamang naglinis siya sa second floor.

He stopped a bit at napatingin sa akin. At normal times, I would have rolled my eyes on peasants like him who doesn’t smile first at mukhang sa unang tingin ay hinuhusgahan ako. I love old hardworking people, peasants and beggars only if they look kind and friendly, unlike this caretaker.

Ngunit dahil maganda ang araw ko dahil una, nakita ko si Cooler, pangalawa nasa bahay nila ako at pangatlo, I am going to meet my future father in law kaya kahit hindi niya ako nginitian, ako ang unang ngumiti sa kanya.

“Hello!” bati ko sa kanya at nagstretching pa sa sofa. His cold eyes followed my foot na bahagyang nasipa ang center table. He ‘tsked’ at tuluyang bumaba ng hagdan upang ayusin ulit ang maliit na mesa.