Limit Nine: Knowing Rey Ashton
(9th Force – Skylar)
The sound of Ginri’s laugh. Nakakatuwa talaga. Tipong pati ikaw mapapa-giggle din. Hindi rin talaga nakaka-boring sa isang malaking mansyon kapag may kasamang mga babies. Madadagdagan pa ng dalawa kasi parehong buntis sina Amber at Yanyan.
Kainggit. >__<
Well… I’m not saying na gusto ko ring mabuntis pero kasi happy family silang lahat eh. Iyon ang nakakainggit.
“We can’t risk losing. If we lose again lalo lang natin silang pinapayaman.”
“I know. Kaya nga gumagawa ako ng paraan eh.”
Narinig kong umurong ang silya na inookupa ni Rey. And as usual, he walks out of the meeting again. Lagi naman niyang ginagawa ‘yan. Sanay na rin siguro sila. Ako medyo. Wala naman kaming magagawa. = . =
“Ah Sky.”
Tumingin ako kay Erinne. Binitawan ko ang kamay ni Ginri at lumapit sa kanya. “Yep? Need anything?”
“Here, take this.” May iniabot siyang folder sa akin. “Isa ‘yan sa mga hiningan mo ng parole. Granted na siya, hinihintay na lang yung iba.”
Napangiti ako sa narinig. “Really? Kailan siya makakalabas?”
“No definite date but I think it’s soon. We just have to wait.”
“Wow. Thank you so much.”
“Sino ba ‘yun?” biglang usisa ni Xena. “Tuwang-tuwa kang makakalaya na siya. Boyfriend mo?”
Sa sampung myembro ng Full Force, si Xena po ang intrigero. Mahilig gumawa ng tsismis kaya nakakapikon rin minsan but I do get it na hindi naman niya gaanong pine-personal. It’s just his way of entertaining himself sa boring na bahay na ‘to. Kaya nga madalas sinasakyan ko na lang. =___=
“Tatay ko.” ( - _-)
“Weh? Maniwala?”
“H’wag ka maniwala, walang may sabi sa’yo.” :P
“Daya mo.”
Binelatan ko siya. “Excuses guys. Erinne, thank you ulit.” ^___^
“Yah sure, no problemo.”
Umakyat ako sa halimaw na hagdanan. I just wish na sana lang eh may elevator sila para hindi mahirap makaabot ng second floor. Kaloka. =___=
Anyway yun nga. Nakangiti kong binabasa ang laman ng folder na binigay sa akin ni Erinne. Pumasok ako ng kwarto ng walang kamalay-malay na may nakahiga palang dragon sa kama ko. Napansin ko lang nang maramdaman ko ang titig niya sa’kin.
“Rey. Anong ginagawa mo dito?”
“What’s that?” he asked, pertaining to the folder.
“Ah. Yung notice na granted na yung parole nung kaibigan ko.” ^___^
“Kaibigan? Sa kulungan? Didn’t you stayed in prison for only two to three weeks? How are you sure that that friend of yours is worthy of the parole?”
I smiled then proceeded to position beside him on the bed. Naupo rin siya mula sa pagkakahiga. “You know… I have this certain talent of seeing a good heart out of a bad past. If you know what I mean.”
He stared at me. Joke ko lang ‘yon. Masyado kasing obvious na sa kaso ni Jin eh napilitan lang siyang ipagtanggol ang sarili niya. Trust me it often happens to me. Kaya yung sinasabi kong talent, di totoo ‘yun. I just learned to see through people’s cases and lives kaya ko nagagawang magtiwala sa mga kakayahan nilang maging mabuti.
“Then dapat hinayaan mo na lang na ang gobyerno ang gumawa ng paraan para sa parole niya imbis na ikaw pa.”
“Really, Rey? Do you think ganito kabilis maaasikaso ‘to kung hindi ko ginamit ang impluwensya ng pamilya mo?”
“Don’t you trust the government?”
“It’s not like that. You see, the problem with the government is… they actually don’t pay any attention to those ‘bad people’ in prison. Hindi naman lahat ng nando’n masama eh. May karapatan silang magkaroon ng tsansa para mabuhay ng normal. They have done wrong to the public, yes. But do they deserve to live in a caged prison forever? No. And your government… actually… hindi nila kayang pagtuunan ng pansin ang mga ganitong problema. Konti lang sa tutuusin ang naga-grant nila ng parole sa dami ng mga nakakulong. Hindi nila bibigyan ng pansin ang ganitong kaso. Pipitsugin lang ‘to. Kung hindi ko nilakad kay Erinne ‘to, hindi siya makakalabas do’n.”
“You think so?”
Tumango ako. Napaisip rin ako. Kung si Rey ang mananalo as District Emperor, magiging pareho rin kaya siya ng ibang politician? The unloyal ones. Mga public servants na sakim sa kapangyarihan. Gano’n rin kaya siya?
Bilang isang District Emperor, magkakaroon siya ng pagkakataon na mamuno sa labing-tatlong distrito ng District City. Pero bago ‘yon, magkakaroon rin siya ng pagkakataong makalaban sa pwesto ang labing-dalawang candidates ng natitira pang twelve Districts. He would probably have a rocky road especially with three candidates quite getting a little brutal and sly on the track.
The District Seven, known as the Underground District which has the most brutal candidate who can even consider assassination just to win. District Ten which has the most intelligent and famous candidate. And District Thirteen known as the Unlucky District since it’s the thirteenth of districts, they have the most influential candidate.
So I don’t think that if he wins, he can win that fight with as easy as one two three. It will take a lot of blood and sweat on the way.
“Sky.”
Sabay kaming napatingin sa may pintuan. Maryan was there. “Can I talk to you for a moment? Well… if you don’t mind, Rey.”
Tahimik na tumango si Rey. Tumayo ako at sinundan si Maryan hanggang sa may kusina. Uminom siya ng vitamins niya saka humarap sa akin. “How’s the guy?”
“Huh?” @__@a
“Rey, how’s he?”
“Uh… tingin ko nakita mo namang okay siya?”
Nag-cross siya ng arms niya while nakasandal sa counter. “You know… Rey is not like that. He’s a normal guy before, he talks more often unlike now. And I see mukhang nagsasalita naman na siya ng madalas, seeing that he often talks to you without forcing him to do so. Nakakatulog na rin siya ng maayos without drinking any alcoholic drinks or without waking up in the middle of the night for a shallow sleep.”
Hindi ko maintindihan kung anong gustong ipahiwatig nitong babaeng ‘to. Like huh? Pake ko du’n? Bakit niya sinasabi sa akin ‘yan? “So…”
“Try and get to know him more.”
“Eh? Baket?” o_O
“Because it would be more convenient and amazing. Right, Sky?”
Hindi ko naiintindihan. <(=__=)>
XxxxX
“Ayoko ng black coffee, Rey! Gusto ko yung macchiato!” T__T
“Just drink it, nakalimutan kong sabihin kay Eric.”
“Naman eeehhh.” T^T
He shook his head at tumahimik na. Nag-pout ako at kinain na lang ang pagkain na nasa mesa niya. Para namang may choice ako eh nagugutom na rin ako. And in all honesty nakakagutom mag-isip. Si Cloud kasi eh. Kung anu-anong sinasabi sa’kin.
“Rey.”
“What again?”
Nag-angat ako ng paningin mula sa kinakain ko. “Question.”
“Shoot.”
“Why are you… running for District Emperor? I mean, iyan na yata ang pinaka-nakakasira ng ulong desisyon when it comes to stuffs regarding your privacy and your freedom. Well not unless you want power.”
Nanahimik siya saglit. I was on the verge on telling him it’s okay if he don’t answer pero naunahan niya ako. “It’s for Erinne and Zone.”
Tumaas ang kilay ko bigla. “Don’t tell me trip nilang isabak ka sa ganyan?”
“No, don’t be silly. It’s all about sacrifice, Sky. If I don’t do it, Zone’s gonna do it. If Zone won’t then Erinne will. It’s enough that our parents had dragged them into this ‘you’re-famous-you’re-a-public-property’ stuff and I don’t want to give them some more. I know how hard it is. Ayokong maranasan nila ‘yon.”
For a moment in there I thought my heart melted. Sacrifice. Dahil do’n? Para sa mga kapatid niya. That was just amazing. Pero hindi naman siya si superman para saluhin ang mga gano’ng bagay kung ayaw niya. Mahihirapan lang siya. It’s really hard to do something that you don’t like.
“You can just say no ‘ya know.”
“It’s fine. Four years of term and it’s done.”
“Tsk. Sabi mo eh.”
Nagkibit ako ng balikat. Kumain lang ako. Fifteen minutes later, may naisip akong gawin. Tutal naman eh gusto niyang magpaka-bayani. “Let’s ditch.”
“I don’t ditch, Sky.” -___-
“Really, come on! Sige na, ako ang magda-drive. Please?”
He sighed. “Fine.”
Ngumiti ako then hinatak siya palabas ng Ashton. Kinuha namin kay Manong driver ang susi ng kotseng ginamit namin kanina. So like I said ako ang nag-drive. Tahimik lang siya throughout the ride. We went in to a Suburbia village. I just hope hindi niya mapansin.
“Ate Sky! Uwaaaaa!”
I giggled as the kids greeted me with a hug pagpasok namin ng bahay. Hindi siya mansyon pero kalahati ng laki ng mansyon ni Rey. All in all, malaki na rin.
“Sky! Napadalaw ka? Kamusta?”
Ngumiti ako kay Nay Ester. “Okay lang naman po. Ah may kasama pala ako. Kids, si Kuya Rey. Batiin n’yo siya.” ^u^
“Hello po, Kuya Rey!” they greeted in chorus.
Bumaling ako sa kanya. He seemed confused. Natawa ako. “C’mon, what’s up with the face?”
“Why are we here?” pabulong na tanong niya.
“Masaya dito, trust me.”
“And who are these kids?”
“Kapatid ko.” :D
“Like I don’t know better, Sky.” -___-
Natawa si Nay Ester. “Hindi niya sila kapatid, h’wag kang mag-alala, Mister. Nagbibiro lang si Sky. Mabuti pa maupo na muna kayo. Maghahanda ako ng makakain n’yo. Sky, alagaan ang bisita.”
“Sure Nay. Alaga lang pala eh.” :D
“Kuya Rey! Kuya Rey! Laro po tayo.”
I looked at him amused. Hinihila siya ng mga bata palayo, malamang papunta sa court sa likuran. He looked back at me na parang sinasabing patay ako mamaya. Tinawanan ko lang siya. “You’ll love it, Rey I’m telling you. Baka makalimutan mo mamaya ‘yang itsura mo. Enjoy!” XD
Pumunta ako sa kusina at tumulong kay Nanay. Hindi ko siya nanay as in nanay talaga. Dati ko lang siyang Yaya, niligtas niya akong nung seven years old ako at muntikan akong tangayin (in short kidnap) nung yaya ko nang mga oras na ‘yon.
“Tara, silipin natin sila. Baka nagpapasaway na naman ang mga ‘yon.” nakangiting yaya ni Nanay habang dala ang tray ng mga pagkain sa court.
“Nay, may kailangan ho ba kayo? I mean… pera? Anything?”
“Sky, hindi ka pumunta dito para itanong ‘yang mga ‘yan. Nandito ka para bumisita.”
“Pero—”
“Maayos kami, h’wag mo kaming alalahanin. Keep the money, we have enough. Ngayon tatanungin kita. Sino ba ang lalaking ‘yan?”
Napalingon ako sa tinitignan niya. I saw Rey laughingly clutch Snooky at itinaas ang bata sabay inikot-ikot sa ere. They were playing basketball kaso inaagaw ng mga bata ang bola sa kanya. Unconsciously napangiti ako. I never seen him laugh like that. Though the laugh sounds familiar. I wonder why.
“He’s… someone I’d like to see having fun.”
“Oh I see. Someone special I’d say?”
Nawala ang ngiti ko. “Special child, Nay pwede pa.” -___-
Tumawa si Nanay Ester. “Hindi naman kaya in denial ka pa? Subukan mong pag-isipan muna.”
“Nay naman eh para ka namang timang. Hindi ako papatol d’yan noh. Ang adik neto.” = 3=
“Highblood ka na naman eh. Niloloko lang kita.”
Hindi na ako sumagot. Gigisahin lang niya ako panigurado.
6PM na nang mag-decide akong hatakin si Rey para umuwi. Hindi kami pwedeng magtagal kahit gustuhin man niya dahil siguradong bo-bombahin ako ni Eric. Di siya ang mapapagalitan kaya todo hatak ako sa kanya palabas.
“Uwaaaaaaaa! Kuya Rey, h’wag po muna kayong umalis!” T__T
“Oo nga po Kuya Rey dito na kayo matulog.”
“Sige na po, Kuyaaaaa!” *w*
“Eh—”
“Oy oy oy.” Namewang ako sa harapan nila. “Hindi naman kayo ang papagalitan kapag hinatid ko ‘tong mokong na ‘to ng late. Kaya pwede ba magpasukan na nga kayo sa loob.”
“Waaaaah si Ate Sky bad.” *w*
“Maganda naman.” = 3=
I heard a soft chuckle. Hindi ko na kailangang lingunin kung sino ‘yon because I’m damn sure it was Rey’s. He then stepped up and kneeled down to level with the kids. “Babalik ulit kami. Nagmamadali lang kami ni Ate Sky n’yo.”
“Talaga po? Maglalaro po ulit tayo ng hoops?”
Ang sosyal. Hoops daw eh basketball lang yun. Timang na Rey Ashton ‘to.
“Yap. Tapos sa susunod si Sky na ang ishu-shoot natin.”
“Ha-ha, Rey-Rey, nakakatawa.” -____-
He smirked then stood up. Sumakay na ako sa kotse. Siya nagpalinga-linga muna sa labas ng bahay bago pumasok sa sasakyan. I started the engine at umalis na doon. I wonder what will be Eric’s reaction with this late night homecoming.
“Was that an orphanage?”
Sumulyap ako kay Rey. Wow nagtanong. “Nope.”
“Then what?”
“It’s my house. The bunch of kids in there are the same children na na-rescue ko from a syndicate na ginagawang taga-palimos ang mga bata. Some of the teens in there were used for sex trafficking. Cyber sex to be exact. The leader of the syndicate was hunted by me. Hindi kinaya ng konsensya kong iwan ang mga bata so I brought them to the house at pinatira sila do’n. Afterall hindi naman ako madalas na nag-sstay doon. I’m often out of town since bounty hunter nga ako. So si Nay Ester ang nag-alaga sa kanila.”
“Reality pains doesn’t it?”
I gave him a faint smile pagkatapos ay tumingin ulit sa kalye. “Politician ka hindi ba Rey? Can I just tell you something?”
“What is it?”
“Do you know… that it’s easy to lead a world when you know love?”
I saw him smirk bitterly. “Nonsense.”
“I’m serious.”
“How’d you say?”
“Kapag nagmamahal ka, you do things for someone you love without any interest of gaining something for yourself. Because all you do is please her. That’s all. And when you love, you lead a better world. You’re asking why? Dahil pinamumunuan mo ang mundo sa pamamagitan ng pagmamahal. You love your people, you do your best to please them. And in return they love you unconditionally as how you love them. That’s how love is. And a world with love, a leader full of love, is something that people wish to have. Ain’t it easy, Rey? It’s easy if you believe in love.”
I silenced him for about thirty minutes. Hindi ko alam kung pinag-iisipan niya ang mga sinabi ko. I hope he does. Because I want him to be a better person. I want him to lead supremely. I believe he can do it.
“Perhaps, Sky… you’ve been in love?”
*SCREEEEEEECHHH!*
I turned to him with eyes wide. Is he damn serious with the question?
Dear Sasame,
Kung may multiple choices lang sa tanong niya, baka nasagot ko pa. Ano kasing klaseng tanong yun di ba?
Thinking,
Death Hunter
***
Do you believe in love doctor love? (/*0*)/ xDDv Astig ni Sky. XD Kahit ako nganga. X
So I updated. I'm so happy gosh nanalo si Cena sa Royal Rumble. I'm so proud of my husband. *____* XDD Anyway, Vote and Comment guys! Loveee!
-HR