Part 16
When I got out of my car, their guns pointed at me directly. Pero hindi man lang ako nakaramdam ng takot nang ginawa nila 'yon.
"Why didn't she get out of the car?" The man in front of me asked.
Tumingin ako sa kaniya. "Why are you asking me?" I boredly asked but it was fucking wrong move because he made a noise using his gun before pointing his gun at my car window where Darlene was.
Fuck, baka saktan niya si Darlene or... kill her here! Mas lalo tuloy nadagdagan ang kaba ko nang itutok niya lalo ang baril kung nasaan si Darlene.
"Don't you dare hurt her," I glared at the man.
He looked at me. "I will never hurt her, she's important and we can't afford to lose her." He grinned.
"Fuck you and your fucking dogs."
Alam kong nainis ang isa kaya tinutok niya lalo ang baril sa akin, sinipa ko ang baril niya palayo bago sila sugurin. I tried to fight them back, napabagsak ko ang tatlo gamit ang sarili kong lakas. I jump around before kicking the man in the stomach. It kinda hurts but it's alright.
A man in my right side, held my hands tightly but I'm not that weak to be fucking held by someone. Sinipa ko ang lalaking balak akong hawakan, paikot naman ang ginawa ko kahit na hawak ako ng tanginang lalaki sa likod ko. Pabagsak ko siyang sinuntok dahilan para dumugo ang labi niya.
Hirap siyang tumayo.
"One down..." I smirked while stretching my neck. "Wanna fight, fucker?" I asked the man in front of me.
Tumigil ako nang may maramdaman sa likod ko. Someone was doing something behind my back, huh?
Balak akong tutukan ng baril ng isa pero nilayo ko ang baril niya nang humarap ako sa kanya. Sumusugod na silang lahat sa akin pero wala akong pakialam. Nahawakan ako ng kalaban ko but I fucking slammed my head to his forehead just to let go of me. Hindi naman masakit ang noo ko dahil alam kong siya mismo ang napuruhan. At least, the two fucker is down.
"Two down..." I wiped the blood beside my lips.
Tumigil ako nang makitang bumaba si Darlene sa loob ng sasakyan. Nawala ang atensyon nila sa akin kaya bumalik ang kaba na nararamdaman ko kanina.
They were looking at her, but I still remained looking at Darlene too. I think she's done calling someone. That's good... Darlene. And please, relax. We need to get out of here. You will be safe.
Tumitingin si Darlene sa akin bago humarap sa lalaking tumutok sa kanya ng baril.
"Tangina, ano ba kasing kailangan niyo?" I can see the nervousness in her eyes.
The fuckers frowned. "We don't speak Filipino. Speak English."
"Tangina ginawa pa akong utusan."
What the fuck?! Kailan na siya titigil sa pagiging maloko? The man pointed her gun on her head. Masama akong tumingin sa kanya.
Tumikhim naman siya bago umayos. "I was just kidding. What do you want? You want my father's money? Then go to him not to me, I don't have money for fuck sake."
Napapailing na lang talaga ako sa kaniya.
"We don't care about your father's money. We all want your sign." But fuck, mas lalo lang nainis ang lalaki.
"For what? You know, I really don't have a permanent sign. Kasi when I was young I didn't know what sign is, kaya guri-guri na lang ang ginagawa ko. Like you know, ganito." She did a fucking hand gesture. "I was just kidding. Pero guys believe me! I don't have permanent sign kaya sayang lang! Gusto niya kahit guri-guri na lang? Okay na ba 'yon sa inyo?"
Really, Darlene?! You seriously like that?! Ang lakas niyang magbiro kahit na nakatutok na ang baril sa kanya!
"Damn it, Miranda." Baka mamaya wakasan ang buhay niya! Damn it. "Stop joking!" I badly want to shut her mouth!
"Anong magagawa ko?! Eh, umaandar ang pagiging maloko ko?!" God! Bakit ko ba gusto ang babaeng ʼto?
Hinawakan ng lalaki ang dalawang kamay niya kaya hindi ko mapigilan na samaan ng tingin ang lalaking humawak sa kanya.
Tangina, akin 'yan! That woman is mine! Darlene Michelle Miranda is mine! Huwag mo siyang hawakan! Sa oras na makaalis ako dito, tatanggalan ko ng kamay ang lalaking humawak kay Darlene. Kapag ako talaga nakalaya sa mga lalaking nakahawak sa akin.
"You want this man to die?" A man pointed his gun at me. "I can kill him right now."
I can't see any fear in Darlene's eyes. It was full of black and serious eyes. Damn, she was so fucking serious at this moment. .
"Yes, kill him now."
I looked at Darlene with shocked eyes.
What?! Payag talaga siya na mamatay ako?! Ako nga, ayaw ko siyang mamatay kasi gusto ko siya at ayaw ko siyang mawala tapos... hahayaan niya lang ako na mamatay?! That's unfair! I'm scared to lose her tapos siya hindi takot na mawala ako?! That's freaking unfair, Darlene!
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Sagot ko na ang kape at tinapay."
I frowned. Did she just say that?!
"Pati burol-teka ano bang gusto mo? Marinate este cremated o iyong ibuburol?" Darlene looked at me, so I glared at her to make her shut up. "Haha. Joke lang." Bawi niya. "Biro lang! Galit ka na niyan? Biro lang talaga, promise!" She even laughed, huh?!
Tumalim ang tingin ko sa kanya dahil sa mga pinagsasabi niya. She laughed a bit before looking at me too.
"Let's get her so we can go back to London early and do the signing."
Wait... London? For what?! And what the fuck is he talking about?! Signing for what?!
"Nakashabu yata ang lalaking 'to. Hindi ko maintindihan ang pinagsasabi niya, amputa. Partida English na 'yon, ah?"
I let out a sigh because of Darlene.
"I can't understand her words." Our enemies said.
"Well maybe these words you will understand. Go to fucking hell, fuckers." Damn! She's so hot! I just realised that Darlene has a fucking accent whenever she's cussing in English.
And whether I'll admit it or not... she's so fucking nice and badass. Tangina, akin lang ang babaeng 'to. This woman is only mine.
"Get her."
I was about to get my enemy's gun but Darlene did it first. She kicked the man to his stomach that made the man down and let go of her hands, kinuha niya agad ang baril at mabilis na kinasa.
What the... wala pang segundo pero bumagsak na ang lalaki sa sahig. Darlene shot the man's heart, she even smirked after she did that. That's fucking... hot and badass at the same time.
Darlene shot the man who's holding my hand. She got something on her back and it was my gun! Sinalo ko ang baril nang hinagis niya bago kinasa at tinutok sa likuran niya.
We both sided our shoulders and killed the person behind us. I killed the man who's about to shoot her and she did the same as the person who's about to shoot me from behind.
I pointed my gun to the man who touched my Darlene. Tumigil naman siya at galit rin ang mata niya.
I told you... I will kill you. I shot his body twice means..."Fuck you." I smirked as his body bleeds a lot of blood.
Tinutok ko naman ang baril sa lalaki na tinutukan ng baril si Darlene. I turned around while pointing my gun to them. Until I felt Darlene's back behind, our guns were pointing to our enemies.
Napapalibutan nila kaming dalawa ni Darlene habang nakatutok ang mga baril nila sa amin. As if I'll be scared of them. Dalawang tao lang ang kinatatakutan ko.
Which is God and Darlene.
"Mr. Aris would be mad at us if we didn't get her or kill her."
Aris... I heard that name before and I saw in the files that... It was Morriston. Posible bang kapatid ni Tita Serine ang Aris na tinutukoy nila?
"Oh, talaga? Share mo lang?" Ang lakas talaga manggago ni Darlene. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi pakinggan ang mga sinasabi niya. "Walang may paki sa sinasabi niyong Aris mga tanga."
"Fuck it, Miranda. You really aren't scared, huh?" I asked.
"Ikaw kaya nag-sabi sa akin huwag akong matakot." Sagot niya. "Gutom na ako."
"Damn you, Miranda. Stop thinking about food or eating. Think about our enemies now." inuna pa talaga ang gutom niya, e.
Damn, they're here again! Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang humiwalay kay Darlene kahit na ayoko. I fought this four fuckers while Darlene is five.
Alam kong hirap na hirap na siya at gusto ko siyang tulungan pero hindi ko magawa. I badly wanted to help her but I couldn't, gusto ko siyang lapitan pero tangina nitong mga lalaki sa harapan ko gusto akong mamatay. Tss... I can't afford to die. Gusto kong magkaroon ng anak at asawa in the future!
Ginawa ko na lang ang makakaya habang panay ang sulyap sa banda ni Darlene. Baka kasi may balak sa kanyang bumaril nang hindi niya nalalaman.
"Why are you protecting her?"
Tumingin ako sa lalaking nasa harap ko. "Well, that's because I like her and I don't want her to be dead. But you, I want you to be dead." Wala na akong pakialam kaya basta-basta na lang siya binaril. His blood exploded because I shot her in his head.
I was catching my breath. Damn, that's fucking tiring! Napalingon ako sa pwesto ni Darlene. Fuck! Someone shots Darlene.
"Don't move." Oh, fuck!
"Fuck it. Can you just let me?!" I hissed while putting my last bullet inside my gun.
Paglingon ko kay Darlene may hawak siyang baril. At bagsak na lahat ng kalaban niya. Ang bilis naman, napatumba niya ang lahat na 'yon? Naupo siya saglit habang hawak ang noo.
"Putangina ano b-ba?!" Darlene shouted. "V-Velasquez sa likod mo!"
Oh, baby, I know that someone was on my back.
Hinarap ko ang lalaking nasa likod but before he pointed his gun at me, he fell down and coughed a blood. Where did that come from? I'm not the one who killed him. Tumingin ako sa paligid. Saan galing 'yon? Napatingin ako kay Darlene na nanghihina.
"Shit! Miranda!" Fuck, my shoulder hurts. Nadaplisan lang naman ako ng bala. "You're fucking bleeding." I said while trying to stop the blood from flowing.
"H-Hindi naman m-masakit!" She smiled, trying to show that she's okay. "Promise... Parang k-kagat lang ng limang d-dinosaur."
I held her shoulder softly to stop from bleeding. I found my handkerchief from my pocket and put it on her wound. "I thought you're strong?"
"Aba gago ka pala, e. Lima 'yung kaharap ko? Tangina. Ang s-sakit! Huwag mong diinan!" Aw, binatukan ako ni Darlene. "M-Masakit kasi!" Halata nga. "Sino 'yung bumaril sa lalaki? Hindi ikaw 'yon, 'di ba?"
"I don't know. Let's go, I'll take you to Hospital after we escaped to these fuckers." I said. "Makakaalis rin tayo rito. Tangina, baka maubusan ka ng dugo."
"Marami akong stock sa katawan ni Darius, kuya, at kay papa. Same blood kaming apat kaya no problem." Sagot niya. "Marami akong pagkukunan."
"Give her to us."
We both stopped when we heard a voice coming from our behind.
"Just give her to us so you can live normally and you will be alive." What the fuck, this traitor! "We will not hurt your girl. After the signing session she'll be free." Fuck you, Madrid.
Kaya pala nalaman ng mga kalaban namin kung saan nag-aaral si Darlene dahil sa kaniya. He knew about Darlene and I know he's the one who told Darlene's school. This fucking traitor deserves to die.
I saw in the car reflection's Drake's car followed by Darius' Aston Martin, and his Organization members' sports car.
"You will face me first before you get my sister." Drake is here now, he got his gun from his behind. "No one ever can touch her, even you and your dogs."
Madrid laughed. "Oh? I'm so scared, Drake! We all know, you can't kill someone because you're weak-." Drake shot him, which made him shut up. Madrid coughed as we saw a blood test coming outside from his mouth.
Deserved, fucker
"Who's weak? You? You are so damn weak, Madrid," Drake fixed his coat before smirking. "That's why I kicked your ass in my Organization, you're so fucking useless."
So damn useless and fucking traitor. I know Drake found out who ruined the anniversary party of Tito Dylan. It was him, it was Madrid. So he really deserves to die.
"Anong organization?" Darlene asked. "G-Gago ang sakit!"
Lumingon ako sa kanya. "I should take you to hospital. You are getting pale."
Tumingin naman si Drake kung nasaan kami bago tumingin sa harap. "Leave." Utos ni Drake sa mga kasama ni Madrid. "Or you all want to die too like what I did to him?"
Another man smirked at us. "We will make sure that one day, this woman will die." As if Drake is threatened? Baka nga sila pa ang natakot.
"Putangina, mamamatay na yata ako."
Darius is here now. He has blood on his uniform. He was about to hug Darlene but I stopped him.
"She's hurt so back off." I tried to steal Darlene from him.
Darius frowned. "Fuck you! You are the one who should back off here! I'm her brother and you're nothing to her."
"See? She was shot? Let's take her to the hospital first." I rolled my eyes. "Stop the drama, Darius."
"Who did this all? Who shot these dead bodies?" It was Jake Whistler. "I'm Jake by the way." He introduced himself. "Your brother's member in Satyr."
Darlene was clueless what Satyr is. Lumapit si Drake at masama na agad ang tingin sa akin.
"What the fuck did I do again?" I asked while fixing Darlene's uniform.
"No one can ever touched my Darlene, right? Now back off, Velasquez. Masyado ka nang natutuwa sa pag-hawak sa kaniya."
"Hey! I'm just helping!" I defend myself.
"Oo nga, galing niya nga kanina, e." Darlene said while nodding. "Kita mo 'yan? Siya nag-pagbagsak sa mga 'yan." Oh, is my baby proud, huh?
Drake rolled his eyes. "Let's go, Lin. I'll take you to Hospital." Kinuha niya sa akin si Darlene. "Sumabay ka na lang kay Darius, Velasquez."
Wala akong balak umarte dahil wala akong kotse. Natigil kaming lahat nang may magsalita na babae.
"Are you guys okay?" Wait, this woman is familiar. I think I've seen this woman before. "Especially him, he almost shot good things. I know how to snipe and kill the man who wants to kill you."
I looked at the woman and freak, Drake was stunned seeing the woman in front of him. While Darlene is thinking something as she blinks five times. Hindi makapaniwala si Drake, gulat pa rin. His lips even parted!
"Tangina, Darius. Siya si Andrea Yasmin 'di ba? 'Yong sa picture na tinitingnan ni—" Drake covered Darlene's mouth.
"Roosevelt?" Tanong ni Darius.
Roosevelt? Wait... Roosevelt. I really don't know. Wala akong kilala na Roosevelt.
Darlene nodded. "'Di ba?! Siya 'yon, gago! Kuya 'yong bet ni Papa para sayo nandito." She said a lot of word that made Drake shut. Kung hindi pa siya nagsalita baka kanina pa nagsasalita ang kapatid niya. "Ganda kaya niya! 'Di ba ikaw talaga 'yon?" She looked at the woman named Andrea Yasmin or Anya for short.
"So, you know me, huh? Yes, I am Andrea Yasmin Roosevelt but Anya for short. Uh, are you okay?" she asked Darlene.
Tumango naman si Darlene . "Oo naman, okay lang ako. Kahit masakit. Ayos lang naman. Hindi naman malalim ang sugat ko, atsaka okay lang si Nix." Ngumiti siya at siniko si Drake. "Yieee. Kuya, nandito si Anya."
Natatawa na lang ako sa ginagawa ni Darlene. Shipper, huh? I love seeing Darlene like this. She's really a shipper. Gusto na siyang patigilin ni Drake pero makulit si Darlene dahil panay ang pang-aasar.
"Let's go, Lin." Hinila siya ni Drake para umalis. "Let's all meet to Hospital. Papunta na doon si Papa."
"Teka lang naman." She said. "Kanina ka pa ba nandito?" She was asking Anya.
"Oo, I was about to leave when I heard some gunshots. At nakita ko rin na muntik na kayong mapahamak, I mean, napahamak pala kayo dahil look..."
"Ang ganda niya, 'no?" Tanong ni Darlene sa akin.
Mas maganda kaya siya kaysa kay Anya. "I don't know. Ask your brother." Hinawakan ko ang kanang kamay niya bago pinagsiklop ang daliri namin. I squeezed her hands.
"Maganda siya kuya. Sumang-ayon ka na para makaalis na tayo."
"Okay, okay! She's beautiful! Now, let's go, Lin." Drake said.
Anya blushed.
"Yie, putangina!" Pinitik ni Drake ang bibig niya. "Aray, ah!"
"Stop swearing." Saway ko.
She just looked at Anya. "Thank you kanina, ah? Baka patay na 'to kanina kung sakaling hindi mo naunahan 'yung kinginang 'yon. Hoy, mag-thank you ka sa kanya kasi siya ang dahilan kung bakit ka pa buhay ngayon."
"Your thank you is enough. Sumunod ka na kay Ryu baka magalit pa 'yon sa ‘yo,” sabi ni Anya.
"Wew, pati second name ni Kuya alam mo? Baka bahay namin alam mo rin? Kung hindi baka gusto mong sabihin ko sa ‘yo para madalaw mo si ku—"
"Darlene." Saway ni Darius.
We didn't stay in that situation. Dumating ang mga tauhan ni Tito para linisin lahat ng mga katawan sa kalsada. They will back their bodies to our enemies because we don't have plans to bury that kind of bodies.
Kinuha ko muna ang cellphone ko sa loob ng kotse bago sumunod kay Darlene.
"What are you doing here?" Drake asked me.
"I will stay here," I said. "With Darlene."
"No way." Nandito rin pala si Darius.
"To you, no. But for me, yes. Umalis ka d'yan,” utos ko.
"No—"
"Umalis kayong dalawa." Nagsalita si Darlene. "Alis. Umalis kayong dalawa."
Balak kong pumasok sa kotse pero nilock niya! Masama akong tumingin kay Darius.
"You will be the one who drives." I left him and went to his car.
Pumasok agad ako sa loob ng shotgun. I saw a pack of cigarettes from his compartment glove. I got one and got his lighter, I went down the window and put my elbow in the window as I lit the cigarettes. I saw a red light from my cigarettes as I smelled my cigarettes. I blew the smoke through the window.
I'm so freaking tired.
"Si Darlene ba ang gumawa no'n lahat?" Darius asked as he sat on the driver's seat. He followed Drake's car. He was pertaining to those dead bodies.
"Well, yeah. How badass my baby is, huh." I smirked and exhaled the cigarettes. I went out my hand where my cigarettes are.
"Fuck you, Nix. Stop calling her that way." Kinuha niya ang vape sa compartment glove. "And please stop using cigarettes here. Hanggang vape lang ang kotse ko."
"I don't care and as far as I remembered, you're smoking too."
"Yeah, I know. Ikaw nga ang nagturo, 'di ba?" He rolled his eyes. "You are a bad influence."
I raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me? I am not a bad influence."
"Liar." He blew the smoke on his window.
I picked up my phone while it beeps several times. It was Harvey and my friends, they were asking about Darlene's condition so I chatted with them on the GC without Darlene, and she got shot.
Owen: Relax lang kayo. Sampu ang buhay ni Darlene.
I shook my head when they responded to Owen's message.
"And by the way, Darius. Someone mentioned Aris' name, is that Aristotle Morriston?"
Darius blew his smoke first before looking at me.
"And... about signing. What the hell was that?"
Darius shrugged. "I don't know. Walang sinasabi si Mama. But I guess... that Morriston is Aris. Aristotle. I know iisa lang 'yon but we need to figure that out to make sure. We can't do a move without knowing their true identities."
"I will do that." Aalamin ko kung anong signing ang tinutukoy ng mga ʼyon. I will figure out what kind of Heiress they're talking about. Konti lang ang alam ko tungkol kay Aristotle Morriston.
"I know that kind of face, Nix. What are your plans?"
"You really know me, huh?" I smirked teasingly. "You know your best friend truly."
"Fuck you!" He said, napikon siya bigla.
I chuckled. "Parang ikaw si Darlene kapag pikon. But I like Darlene more unlike you. You're annoying."
"Woah? Look who's talking? Parang hindi ka pikon, huh? I remembered that I teased you with a girl tapos sa kapatid ko pala kita inaasar." He cussed me a lot. "That's fucking annoying."
"I remembered that. My one and only, huh? I guess, she really is." Pang-aasar ko sa kanya. "Mukhang magkakatotoo pa lahat ng sinasabi mo."
"Shut the fuck up, you freak." Masama ang tingin niya sa akin.
I laughed at him before looking at my phone. Darlene chatted on the GC to tell that she's okay. I dialled her number to call her.
I put my phone in my ear to wait for her. I threw the cigarettes before dialling Darlene's number again. Hindi niya kasi sinasagot. Kaso ayaw pa rin kaya inulit ko ulit. Buti na lang sinagot niya na.
"Miranda, why are you not answering my call?" I said.
Lumingon si Darius sa akin pero hindi ko pinansin.
"[Wala lang.]" She answered.
I stopped a bit until I realised that she's with Drake. "Is it because of Drake again? Damn your brother, masama bang kamustahin ka? Tss... Gusto ko lang naman malaman kung tumigil na ba sa pagdurugo ang sugat mo? Okay ka lang ba?"
I saw Darius rolling his eyes. "You two just see each other earlier."
The hell I care? Gusto kong kamustahin si Darlene.
"[Hindi ako okay dahil masakit ang sugat ko.]"
"Sa bagay you was shot, Miranda. Just relax there and ignored your brother. Panira siya masyado."
Darius glared at me.
"[Uh, teka, patayin ko na lang muna. Malapit na akong malowbat.]" She has a power bank! Why doesn't she use it?
"Alright, see you. Bye." I ended the line.
After I ended I received a message from Darlene.
From: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
HINDI AKO LOBAT, VELASQUEZ. NANDITO KASI SI KUYA. BAKA KUNG ANONG ISIPIN N'ON!! LAGI PA NAMANG GG SI KUYA SAYO. LAGOT KA D'ON.
Why is it capslock? I made a reply.
To: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
Masyadong epal ang kapatid mo. Anyways, bakit naka-capslock ka?
From: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
WALA LANG :>
How cute emoji.
From: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
SABI KASI NILA MAGKAKAROON RAW NG BEBE YUNG MGA NAKA-CAPSLOCK. HEHE. KAYA GANITO. <3
Oh, really?
To: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
Oh? Don't need to do that. Ka-text mo na kaya hindi mo na kailangan magkaroon. Kinakamusta ka pa nga.
But... wait, what if may katext siyang iba?! Wait, wait, hindi naman siguro. Once ko nang nakita ang messages niya at number ko lang ang nakalagay d'on, I can't see her two brothers number and even to Tito and Tita's number.
Naghintay pa ako ng message sa kanya pero wala, so I flood her a lot of messages.
To: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
Are you still there? Haha. I imagined your tomato face, Miranda.
To: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
Heyyyy.... Lin.
That's her nickname. I like her nickname but I like the nickname's owner.
To: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
Yohooo. You there?
To: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
Miranda.
Why can't she reply? Nagsend ulit ako ng message.
To: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
Kilig 'yan? Haha.
Dude, hindi man lang siya nagreply sa akin. I got seen by Miranda several times.
Bumaba agad ako sa kotse ni Darius nang makarating sa Hospital. I saw Tito Dylan in front of the Hospital entrance. Sinalubong naman siya ng mga nurse. I saw how Tito Dylan hugged Darlene.
Lumapit ako sa mga tauhan ni Tito Dylan habang kasama niya si Darlene.
"Sir, nakuhaan ng CCTV footage ang nangyari sa street kung saan naganap ang barilan. May dumaan rin na pulis sa street, nagtataka kung bakit ang daming dugo." Rocco said, one of Tito's men.
"And they got suspicious." Alexis added.
"Then asked the guard if pwedeng makita ang footage. The police can't see that, the organization may get in danger." I said while looking at the picture where the Police were looking at the whole place. "And also... clean the whole place. Just do everything para hindi kumalat ang CCTV footage. Baka makalkalan ng mga police ang nangyari."
"He's right, do everything. Don't let them see the footage," Darius said.
Tumango naman silang lahat. Binigay ko na ang baril ko kay Alexis bago sumunod kay Darlene dahil pumasok na sila sa loob.
"Remove the bullet," Narinig kong utos ni Tito Dylan sa nurse.
The nurse nodded. "Yes sir. That's our job. Julie, let's go and Miss Darlene, let's go to the operating room."
"H-Huh?" Darlene got nervous.
"Don't worry, patutulugin ka naman habang tinatanggal ang bala. Let's go."
"You're gonna be okay, Lin." Drake said.
"Okay kaya ako." Okay, huh? Ang putla na niya at parang wala na siyang dugo sa katawan.
Nilingon ako ni Tito Dylan. "Thank you, Nix. Treat your wounds too."
I nodded. "I will."
Sinundan ko sila papunta sa OR. Nakita ko kung paano kumapit si Darlene sa nurse kaya alam kong mawawalan na siya ng malay. Mabilis akong tumabi sa kanya at hindi ako nagkamali. I catched Darlene's unconscious body. The man's nurses showed up, balak nilang hawakan si Darlene. Dude, tumingin lang ako sa kanila pero parang handa silang bitawan si Darlene.
I put Darlene on the stretcher. Dinala naman nila si Darlene sa OR, we stayed outside since we can't go inside. One hour na ang lumilipas. Dumating rin sina Trevor.
"She got shot?" Harris asked.
I nodded. "Yeah, she is." I answered. "But she will be fine."
"We know that." Trevor said.
"Wait, curious lang ako..." Tumingin kaming lahat kay Gael. "'Di ba wala namang alam ang kalaban natin kung saan nag-aaral si Darlene or even in the files? Walang nakalagay kaya paanong nalaman nila?"
"Because of Madrid," Oh, Shion is here. And... Kester. Drake's two friends are here. Wala si Tristan, kaibigan rin nila.
"He was betraying us because he didn't get the title he wanted." Kester said to all. "I found out that he's the one who told the enemy where Darlene was studying."
"You're so cold, Kes. Anyway, he was right. He betrayed us. He tells the enemy where my sister is." Drake nodded. "And she mentioned a name earlier. It was Aris."
Tumingin ako kay Drake.
"What name again, Drake?" Tito asked him.
"Aris..." He answered while looking at Anya.
"Aris?" Trevor asked. " Is that related to Aristotle Morriston?"
"E, sino po ba 'yon?"
Nga pala, hindi nga pala kilala 'yon ng iba.
"Just like what Darlene told me, kapatid ni Mama, half siblings," Drake added, looking at Anya's direction. He rolled his eyes for some reason.
"And yes, maybe. Maybe iisa lang iyon pero hindi naman ako tanga para hindi iyon malaman. So, I guess, Aris and Aristotle are just one," I sad as I stood up, looking at the operating room door.
Ang tagal naman ng Doctor lumabas. I want to know if Darlene is okay now. Kung pwede ko lang sirain ang pinto, ginawa ko na pero hindi ko magawa.
"Who guys told you about Aristotle Morriston?" Tanong ni Tito Dylan.
"Si Mama," sagot ni Darius. "I didn't know she had a sibling even though we were always together in Australia. She didn't tell me even once. "
"Wait, he's a former leader of Scythe Society, right? I saw it sa isang files mo, Tito. Siya 'yong kumakalaban sa 'tin even before, tama ba ako?" Tumingin ako kay Tito Dylan. "And if siya nga ang nag-utos sa mga 'to, what is his purpose? Anak ng kapatid niya, pinapatay niya? For what reason, Tito Dylan? And how about Darlene's signature, may gusto silang ipapirma kay Darlene, na sa tingin ko ay mahalaga. Because just like what Tita Serine said, they can see Darlene as their hindrance. But the biggest question here is, what's the purpose?"
Aristotle Morriston.
I researched him nang makita iyong pangalan niya sa files ni Tito Dylan. I found out that he's a former Leader of Scythe, which is our enemy. Scythe is our biggest enemy. They wanted the whole Black Forum to be dead. Pero dahil nga marami kaming lahat hindi nila nagawa. Sila pa ang nawala instead of the whole Black Forum.
At first, when Tita Serine told us about him, I had a hint if ang Aristotle na kilala ko at kapatid niya lang ay iisa and I was right. Iisa lang ang taong 'yon. And yeah, he's Tita Serine's half sibling and of course, Astralla too, ang kambal na sinasabi ni Tita Serine. Magkapatid silang tatlo. Ang hindi ko lang malaman kung bakit gusto nila si Darlene. Is Darlene really important to them?
And I know that the whole Scythe is the reason behind this mess. I know that the Scythe is the reason why Darlene got kidnapped and... the reason why Lara died.
At isa lang ang ibig sabihin nito, matagal na talaga silang magkaaway? Sila ang dahilan kung bakit may nangyari noon.
"Do you know the reasons why the whole Scythe wants her head?" I asked once again. "Especially to Morriston. And the sign they're talking about. What kind of sign is that? What does that mean?" I went back on my seat.
"I don't know, Nix. My wife is a secretive person. Kahit katiting na sagot wala akong nakukuha mula sa kaniya. All I know is, the Scythe Society is the mastermind to all of this mess. They are the reason why my daughter is always in a critical condition. I don't know their reasons," tanging iyon lang na sayo ang ang nakuha ko. "But I know my wife. I know there's a reason why she can't tell us now. May pinapangalagaan siya and I know it's Darlene."
I'm not convinced but I let that. Tumayo ako at sinilip ang pinto ng operating room. Ang tagal ng Doctor! Tumingin ako sa iba at nagsalubong ang kilay ko nang makitang nakatingin sina Harris sa akin.
"You're crazy, I'll pray for your soul, man."
I raised my middle finger. He chuckled.
My shoulder hurts a bit. Mamaya na lang siguro ako magpapagamot. Binalik ko ang tingin sa pinto at nakita ko naman na lumabas ang Doctor.
I asked the Doctor immediately. "How is she?" I hope she's okay. Damn, shit. I'm so fucking nervous!
"How's my daughter?" Tito Dylan asked the Doctor too.
The Doctor smiled then nodded. "She's fine and actually..." She laughed a bit. "She collapsed yes, but, she immediately woke up and after that she didn't sleep. She's awake while we're removing the bullet and she's so talkative when it comes to her loved ones, especially to the man named—I promised her that I won't tell."
I was fucking stunned hearing the Doctor's words. What the fuck? Is she serious?
"Panay ang kwento niya tungkol sa bagay-bagay para raw hindi siya makatulog dahil baka raw matuluyan siya kung sakali." The Doctor shook her head. "But, she's fine kaso nakatulog na dahil panay ang kanta kanina. Naubusan yata ng energy." The Doctor smiled. "Pwede niyo na siyang puntahan kapag nailipat na sa maayos na kwarto. Excuse me."
My jaw was fucking dropping while processing the Doctor's words. What the... seryoso ba siya? Seriously, Darlene? Darlene was fucking singing in the operating room? You're unbelievable.
Alam kong hindi lang ako gulat pati rin sina Drake.
"What the hell... I can't believe my daughter. Singing while removing the bullet on her body? Kung iba 'yan baka tulog o ano man pero siya... para siyang nanay niya. God, giving birth while doing a fucking makeup?" Tito Dylan was fucking shocked as fuck.
"Giving birth to Darlene and Darius?" I asked and he nodded.
Mana nga talaga si Darlene kay Tita Serine. Nang malaman nila na ayos na si Darlene, nagpaalam na silang aalis na. They will be here tomorrow. But I'll stay because I need to treat my wound.
Paalis na sana ako nang dumating ang Doctor.
"Mr. Miranda, we have a problem. Masyadong naubusan ng dugo ang anak niyo and we need B negative blood," The Doctor said. "She'll wake up soon once masalinan siya."
"We are all B negative here," Darius said. "But I still want a love life, Kuya, ikaw nalang?"
"I still want to have a family, you know, so I suggest si Papa nalang."
"Right, take my blood." Tito Dylanremoved his coat before entering the whole room.
We stayed outside.
"You two are B negative blood?" I asked Drake and Darius.
"Yeah, including Darlene. What's your blood again?" Darius asked.
We are now talking about blood types here.
"A+ Positive." I answered.
Tumayo na ako para pumunta sa nurse. Isa lang ako pero ang dami nilang pumunta sa akin. I ignored their annoying smiles and picked up my phone.
"Upo po kayo dito, Sir." I sat on the bed while looking at Darlene's photo.
Darlene is my wallpaper. Patago ko pa siyang kinuhanan ng picture. She was laughing while tying up her hair into a messy bun, but it's beautiful. Actually, she was talking to Harvey and Arvin at that time kaya ang ginawa ko inalis ko sila sa picture. I cropped them out.
They ruined the picture.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin ay halos tumaas ang kilay ko nang makita ang nurse sa harap ko. "Hey..." Tapos na pala nila akong gamutin.
"I have a girlfriend so please... stop touching me. I have a girlfriend." I removed the nurse's hand on my arms. Tumayo na ako para puntahan si Darlene. "And Nurse, let me remind you. You are a nurse not a woman in the bar to show your boobs in front of me. This is a Hospital not a bar nor a club."
The nurse gulped as she bowed her head in shame. Everyone looked at her.
"I'm just reminding you, so don't be ashamed." I left her.
Napailing nalang ako.