CHAPTER 5
Waem swallowing nervously, her eyes wided while looking at the man who's now approaching her. Ito ang magtuturo sa kanya? How come? Mukhang hindi naman ito nagulat na makita siya o sadyang alam lang nitong magtago ng emosiyon nito. Napalunok siya nang tumayo ito sa harap niya. Ngunit ganoon na lang ang kabang naramdaman ni Waem nang magsimulang lumapit lalo si Loid sa kanya.
Humakbang siya paatras hanggang sa mabangga ang kanyang likuran sa lamesang naroon.
“What are you...” Waem closed her eyes tightly when Loid face close to her more. Ramdam niya ang hininga nito sa mukha niya.
“Never forget to wear these. Gunshots are a lot louder than you'd think.”
Waem immediately open her eyes when she heard Loid talk and feel him puts on the ear protection to her. Ito ang maglagay no'n sa kanya. When she looked at him, Waem saw how the smirk plastered on his face. Napapahiyang natulak niya ito papalayo.
Loid placing a small, compact pistol on the table. Sinundan naman iyon ng tingin ng dalaga. “We'll start with this .22 caliber. It's perfect for beginners, less recoil.”
Hindi naman maiwasan ni Loid ang matawa sa kanya. Habang nakapikit kanina ang dalaga ay hindi niya mapigilan ang sariling hindi ito titigan. She's really beautiful. Napailing siyang humakbang paatras. He's begins to explain the basic principles of firearm handling to her, nang hindi inaalis ang tingin dito.
"Remember, safety is the most important thing. Always handle your firearm as if it's loaded, finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot. Got it?" Waem nods
Napakislop si Waem nang hawakan siya ni Loid. He guides her on how to properly grip the pistol. Binitawan naman agad siya nito pagkatapos ituro kung paano hawakan iyon.
"Firm grip, but don't strangle it. Your aim will waver if you're too tense,” his voice is so serious.
Waem nods and raises the pistol, aiming at the target about twenty meters away. She tries to adjust her grip, looking to Loid for reassurance.
"That's better. Now, it's important to remember - this is for your protection. But it's not your only defense." Waem looks up at the target, her eyes reflecting the weight of his words. But her hands shake slightly. Umang beses niyang humawak ng baril kaya labis ang kabang nararamdaman niya.
Loid touch her waist and caress it lightly, para pakalmahin siya. Ngunit kakaibang pakiramdam ang umusbong sa kanya. Pakiramdam niya ay tatalon na palabas ang puso niya sa lakas ng pagkabog no'n. Napanguso siya. Hindi naman kasi siya nito kailangang hawakan doon. Tuloy, ay lalo siyang kinakabahan.
"Relax. You're not alone in this. I've got you,” mahina at malambing nitong wika malapit sa kanyang tainga.
Nanindig ang balahibo niya at lalong nanginig ang mga kamay niya. Ngunit sa kagustuhang matuto ay sinawalang bahala niya muna ang nararamdaman niyang iyon. Waem takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, steadying her aim. Loid stands back, observing. Hindi pa rin nito inaalis ang kamay sa baywang niya.
"When the enemy attacks, they won't wait for you to be ready. That's why we practice. So we're always ready," he said again.
There's a pause. Then, a gunshot echoes around the range. The bullet hits the edge of the target. Waem looks at Loid, anticipation in her eyes.
Loid smiled and wink at her. Bahagya pa itong natawa na kinangiti niya. "Not bad for your first try. Now, remember your stance, control your breathing, and try again. Practice is key."
They continue the lesson, Loid giving pointers and Waem steadily improving, each shot bringing him closer to the center of the target.
“Thank you,” mahinang wika ni Waem nang matapos. Hindi naman siya mahirap turuan. Madali lang niyang natutunan ang mga tinuturo sa kanya at dahil na rin sigurong magaling ang nagtuturo sa kanya.
Tumango lang ito at muli siyang tinitigan. “Why do you want to learn using a gun? May nagbabanta ba sa ‘yo? Your father can teach you.” Loid give her a towel.
Umiling si Waem. Kinuha niya towel nito at marahan na pinunas sa kanyang leeg. “Wala pa namang banta pero hindi ko na hihintayin na mangyari iyon.”
“Then, you should let your father teach you.”
Kumunot ang noo ni Waem. Umirap siya sa binata. “Kung gusto kong magpaturo sa kanya, sana ay hindi na ako tumakas ng ilang beses sa amin.”
Loid shook his head while scanning her. Lumapit siya sa dalaga at bahagyang kinuha ang sumbrero nitong suot. Napangiti siya nang makitang natigilan ito at halos manlaki ang mga matang tumingala sa kanya. Kinuha niya ang towel na hawak nito at siya ang nagpunas sa pawis nito sa noo.
“You're hotter than a Bunsen burner set to full power. In terms of intellect, of course,” he suddenly said.
Hindi maiwasan ni Waem na pagkunutan ng noo pagkatapos marinig ang sinabi nito. Wala siyang maintindihan sa sinabi nito. Anong Bunsen burner?
“A-Ano bang pinagsasabi mo?” nautal pa siya ng itanong iyon.
Then again, Loid shook his head and smirk at her. When Loid look at her lips, ay hindi maiwasang mapalunok si Waem. Sinubukan niyang lumayo mula dito ngunit bumaba ang pagkakahawak ni Loid sa baywang niya at mahigpit siyang hinawakan doon na para bang ayaw siya nitong bitawan. Bumaba ang mukha ni Loid habang nakatingin sa labi niya ngunit bago pang maglapat ang labi nito sa kanya ay nakarinig sila ng sigawan mula sa labas.
And without warning, the entrance to the shooting range swings open with a violent crash, and a group of menacing figures, marked as members of a rival mafia organization, pour into the room. Their leader, a hulking figure known as the Butcher, sneers as he spots Loid and Waem. Mabuti na lang at bago mapatungo ang paningin nito kay Waem ay sinuot muli ni Loid ang sumbrero niya.
"Cllaus, you've run out of places to hide," he growls, his eyes gleaming maliciously move to Waem. "And you've brought a lame duck with you. How thoughtful."
A cold wave of fear washes over Waem, but she's annoyed the word he used.
“Gago! Anong lame duck?” bulong ni Waem na kinahigpit nang magkakahawak ni Loid sa kanya.
“Shut up!” bulong nito pabalik sa kanya habang nakatingin sa mga ito.
“But...” Aktong lalapit ang mga ito ng tumalim ang tingin ni Loid.
“Don't touch her!” he says calmly, placing himself protectively in front of Waem. His hand was now on her arm.
The leader's grin widens as he points at Loid. "Then she's fair game," he responds, giving a nod to his men who fan out, their fingers twitching near their holsters.
Loid doesn't rise to the bait. Instead, he calmly begins to load his handgun, the metallic clicks echoing around the room.
"My woman, might not be able to use a gun," he replies evenly that shock Waem, "but that doesn't mean we're easy targets."
Without another word, he spins on his heel and opens fire. His shots are quick and precise, picking off the Butcher's men one by one. But the enemy is numerous, and for every man that goes down, another two advance. Halos hindi na makita ni Waem ang galaw ng binata. Ngunit dahil hawak siya nito ay pilit niyang sinasabayan ang binata. He's still protecting her.
As the tension spikes, Loid's senses sharpen. He unholsters his own weapon, his eyes never leaving the approaching figures. Habang nakipagbarilan ay binigyan siya ni Loid ng baril na hindi niya alam kung saan nito nakuha.
"Waem," he murmurs, "stay close, and no matter what happens, don't let go of the gun." Kahit kinakabahan at halos mabaliw na si Waem sa takot ay nagawa niyang tumango. Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang baril. May nalalaman na siya kung paano gamitin iyon ngunit sa oras na iyon ay hindi man lang niya magawang iangat ang kamay dahit sa panginginig no'n.
“Loid, I'm scared.” Hindi pamilyar kay Waem ang mga taong iyon. Siguro siyang hindi iyon tauhan ng ama niya.
“Just hold my hand. Huwag kang bibitaw ano man ang mangyari.” Waem nodded her head again.
The air in the shooting range crackles with anticipation, and then, the sound of gunfire roars through the room. Amidst the chaos, Loid’s gunfire stands out, each shot precise and lethal. Waem clings to Loid, her breaths ragged, but she manages to keep hold of her gun, just as Loid had instructed.
Dahil nakafocus ang atensiyon ni Loid sa harapan nila ay hindi nito napansin ang taong nasa gilid nila. Nakatutok na ang baril nito kay Loid. Kung wala siya sa likuran ng binata ay hindi niya iyon makikita. With her trimbling hand, Waem raise her hand and pointed it to that man. Without a second thought, she pulled the trigger. Dahil sa ginawa niyang iyon ay mabilis na napatingin si Loid sa kanya at tiningnan ang lalaking nakahandusay na ngayon at naliligo sa sariling dugo.
“Good, baby.” Loid wink at her again and focus on his enemy. Namula naman siya at sumabay sa galaw nito habang nakatingin sa paligid.
With deft footwork, Loid guides Waem through the crossfire towards the back of the range. His hand clutches hers, their fingers intertwined tightly as bullets zip past them. All the while, Loid fires back, providing them cover.
“Habulin niyo!” They heard the loud shout of their leader kaya mabilis siyang tumakbo papalayo.
Eventually, they find themselves by a hidden emergency exit. Loid kicks the door open, still holding onto Waem, and they spill into an alleyway, a welcome rush of fresh air hitting them.
Once they’re outside, Loid swiftly barricades the door with a nearby dumpster before turning to Waem. His expression softens at her frightened gaze.
"You did good, Waem," he says, a comforting hand on her waist. "It's always scary the first time, but you were brave."
Despite the fear still pulsating in her veins, Waem manages a shaky smile, her grip on the gun not as tremulous.
“Ako lang naman 'to,” mahinang bulong niya, saktong siya lamang ang nakarinig.
Loid’s reassurance stirs a newfound courage in her, and as they disappear into the night, Waem vows to master her fear, her faith in Loid guiding her through the dangers of their life.
“Drink this.” Nang matakasan nila ni Loid ang mga taong iyon ay dinala siya ni Loid sa isang Village na sigurado siyang hindi sila masusundan.
A cozy, rustic house nestled in the heart of Safe Village, a small community where everyone knows each other. The house emanates warmth and homeliness, surrounded by a lush green garden adorned with seasonal blooms. The night is quiet and peaceful.
Kahit sino hindi malalaman na dito naninirahan ang isang Mafia Heir. His house was small, lahat ng mga bahay roon ay magkatulad lamang ang laki. But when Waem entered his house lately ay doon niyang napagtantong kakaiba ito.
Loid has a underground house. Mas malaki ang sa baba kaysa sa taas nito. Simple lamang ang mga desinyo sa taas, kung sino ang papasok ay hindi malalaman na may kakaiba sa bahay nito. Sa underground siya agad dinala ni Loid, para ring masiguro ang kaligtasan niya. It is like a underground mansion. There's a swimming pool, a garden and a playground. Hindi niya alam kung paano nitong napagawa iyon ng hindi nalalaman ng mga taong naninirahan doon.
They're seated in the living room, the soft glow from the fireplace casting a warm light around them. Pinagtimpa siya ni Loid ng gatas dahil hindi naman siya nagkakape. Nakaligo na rin siya at suot ang boxer at puting damit ni Loid. Sanay na rin siya sa mga ganoon dahil hilig din niyang sinusuot ang damit ng kambal.
“Do you want to eat?” Kasabay nang pagtanong nito ay ang pagtunog din ng sikmura niya. Napapahiyang ngumiti siya sa binata na kinatawa lamang nito.
Loid look so cold and a serious type of guy. Nakilala at nakita niyang iyon lagi ang ekpresiyon ng mukha nito. Waem didn't expect the Loid she was seeing now. Napapansin din niyang kapag kumakausap ito sa ibang tao ay gano'n ang mukha nito, walang ekpresiyon at tipid kung magsalita. Ngunit kung siya ang kaharap nito ay mawawala ang ganoong ekpresiyon nito. Napatunayan iyon ni Waem nang makarating sila sa Village isang oras na ang nakakalipas.
A beautiful girl approached them lately. Si Loid ang una nitong kinausap na para bang ang tagal na nilang magkakilala. Napapansin ni Waem ang nakakaakit nitong ngiti sa binata ngunit si Loid ay nakakunot lamang ang noo habang nakatingin dito. Until he asked her who she is.
Hindi nilang dalawa inaasahan iyon. Mukhang napahiya ang dalaga ngunit pilit pa ring kinakausap si Loid. She even introduced herself again, ngunit mukhang walang pakialam ang kasama niya. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Loid sa kanya habang naglalakad hanggang sa makarating sila sa isang bahay. Nakasunod pa rin ang babae sa kanila.
“I have a party later, you can—” Hindi na natapos ng babae ang sasabihin ng marahas na binalingan siya ni Loid.
“Can you shut up‽ Kanina pa ako naririndi sa boses mo! Who the hell are you?” malamig na wika ni Loid.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ng babae. Halos mapaatras pa ito. “A-Ano kakasabi ko lang ng pangalan ko. I'm Lul—”
“I don't f*cking care about your f*cking name!” Agad na niyang pinigilan si Loid. Mukhang mainit talaga ang ulo nito ngayon.
“Loid, stop it! You're scaring her!” And after she voice that, ay kumalma ito. He softly looked at her and nodded his head. Doon lang napabaling ang babae sa kanya at mukhang nagulat pa nang makita siya. Kimi lang siyang ngumiti at hinigit na si Loid papasok sa bahay nito.