Number 47 | ON-GOING

CHAPTER 23

PREVIOUSLY ON NUMBER 47:

"We can use it against him," I said after minutes of thinking. That caused Major Isabel ang Rogue to turn their gaze at me.

"Hindi ko pa alam kung paano, but, let's counterattack each and every moves of Homer back to him."dagdag ko habang seryoso at diretso ang tingin sa kanilang dalawa.

I rubbed both of my hands together while my elbows was atop of my knees. Nervousness was eating me, but, I have to be strong and brave in terms of this. For justice.

Hindi ko hahayaang siya lang ang aatake. I'll retaliate, times ten. I won't let him outdone me.

If Homer considered me as a dead person already, then I would be free from the authorities. I mean, I'm free to hover around the City and everywhere.

Makikipagpatentero nalang ako mula sa mga tauhan ni Homer.

Hide and seek was out since Homer knew where my home was; the Stanovoy.

Matira, matibay.

★

I know, I know

DMITRI.

"Mag-iingat ka pa rin kapag tumatakas ka." Rogue said as I pay for the ice cream I bought for us.

After a talkshow with Major Isabel earlier, I've decided to go somewhere and to cool down. Literally cool down.

"Of course," sabi ko naman matapos magbayad saka inakbayan si Rogue na pasimple lang na kumakain ng ice cream on a popsicle stick.

"Siguraduhin mo lang, Dmitri, dahil kung hindi, ako ang papatay sa 'yo." Masama akong tinapunan ng tingin ni Rogue. Ang mahal kong pinsan ang nagsalita. Ang sarap tenga, grabe.

Ngumiti naman ako sa kanya habang patuloy lang kami sa paglalakad sa parke.

"In what way would you like to kill me?" I asked after taking a bite on my ice cream. "Would you kill me using a knife and slash me on the neck? Or would you fire a gun straight to my heart?"

Nalukot ang mukha ni Rogue na siyang ikinatawa ko.

"Do I look I'm a criminal?" Taas kilay na sabat niya sa akin.

"Are you not?" Balik tanong ko naman sa kanya. "Alam ko namang hindi mo magagawa 'yong sinabi ko kaya nga ako nagtanong, 'di ba?"

Rogue scoffed and looked away, attention on her ice cream.

"Mabait ako, kaya papatayin na lang kita sa kagandahan ko."

Humagalpak naman ako ng pagtawa kasabay ng maaliwalas na hanging yumakap sa amin ng pinsan ko dito sa parke.

Makikita ang mga sumasayaw na mga bulaklak at dahon na sumasabay sa galaw ng hangin. We can even hear the birds chirping on the branches of the big trees above us.

"Oh, bakit ka tumawa?" Natatawa namang tanong ni Rogue na nahawa yata sa pagtawa ko.

"Rogue, mahal kong pinsan," sabi ko pa, huminga para iahon ang sarili sa pagtawa dahil sa sinabi niya. "I'm already dead, killed by your gorgeousness a long, long, time ago. Don't treat me as a double-dead meat sold in the market."

With what I've said, my cousin smiled from ear to ear, glad that I'm her cousin.

"I love you, pinsan!" Then Rogue hugged me tightly, a genuine smile plastered on her face.