Author's Note:
Trigger Warnings! (again): Gun and blood.
This chapter is not for everyone. You can skip the chapter if you're not comfortable reading it.
It's been three days.
Three days since Adira got hospitalized and I haven't done anything aside from being a professor at the university and going to Adira's room as soon as my work is done. They are still monitoring her and thankfully, she's still stable and there's nothing to worry about.
I'm currently in my car right now, wiping my revolver while waiting for the clock to strike at 11am. I'm near Arcilla's house, watching what he's doing. I looked at my wrist watch and saw that I still have 10 minutes to execute my plan.
Nilagay ko ang baril sa tabi kong upuan at kinuha ang aking black zippo. I played with it, opening and closing it while waiting for his men to leave the house.
Tatlong tao lang naman ang nasa loob ng bahay nito. Pwede ko na rin naman pasukin ang bahay ang kaso, pakay ko lang talaga si Arcilla ang makausap. He's one of the reasons why my Adira is lying on that bed.
Ilang minuto lang ay lumabas na ang mga tauhan na kanina lang ay nasa loob at sumakay na sa kanilang kotse para umalis.
May nakita pa ako na may dala silang dalawang suitcase na alam ko ang laman sa umpisa pa lamang. I know those men and money laundering is not new to me anymore.
Muli akong tumingin sa bintana nito at nakita na may kausap pa ito sa telepono niya. Kita ko kasi ang anino nito dahil sa ilaw na bukas pa rin sa kwarto nito.
Napabuntong hininga ako at kinuha na ang baril sa tabing upuan. Lumabas na ako ng sasakyan habang hawak ang baril sa kaliwang kamay at sa kabila naman ang aking zippo na binubukas-sara ko pa rin kaya naglilikha ito ng ingay sa tahimik na lugar.
Walang emosyon akong papunta ngayon sa gate ng bahay nito. Nilagay ko ang password ng gate nito na kanina lang ay na-hack ni Paolo bago sila bumalik ng Sicily.
Matapos kong mailagay ang code nito ay agad na akong pumasok at dumiresto sa pintuan ng bahay nito.
Nang makapasok ay agad kong pinalibot ang aking mata sa buong bahay at hindi mapigilan na napangiwi sa naamoy na amoy ng bahay nito. Kasing baho ng pagkatao niya ang bahay niya. Walang pagkakaiba.
Napailing ako sa naisip at dumiresto sa kusina nito para kumuha ng baso at isang bote ng wine bago pumunta ng living room at doon inumin iyon. Madilim na at ang tanging liwanag na makikita na lamang ay ang ilaw galing sa kusina.
Gumalaw ako sa bahay nito na para bang bahay ko ang pinuntahan, sapat na para marinig nito ang ingay na aking ginagawa.
Nagsalin ako ng wine sa baso at agad na sumimsim doon. Napasandal ako sa sofa at tumingin sa kisame, waiting for him to go downstairs.
Napahinga naman ako ng malalim marinig ang mga yabag nito pababa ng hagdan, mabagal at hindi nagmamadali and it just making my blood boil.
Patuloy ko lang naman pinapaikot sa aking kamay ang baso habang pinapanood ang kisame. Narinig ko naman na nakasampa na siya malapit lang sa aking pwesto. Narinig ko ang pagkasa nito sa baril, na lalong nagpangisi sa aking isipan.
Now, he knows how to cocked a gun.
Wonderful.
"Who are you?" Maririnig sa boses nito ang galit at tapang kaya lalo akong napangiti, ang tingin ay nasa itaas pa rin.
Pinaikot ko ang baso, "Someone you should fear," malamig kong saad bago napa buntong hininga, "How fascinating that you already forgot my name after a few days of our encounter, Arcilla."
Narinig ko ang pagsinghap nito at paglayo ng yabag nito sa aking pwesto.
I heard him hissed, "How did you get i-in?" Nanginginig ang boses na saad nito kaya umalis ako sa pagkakasandal habang nakatingin ng walang emosyon sa kawalan.
I played with my zippo, opening and closing it with my thumb while looking at nowhere.
"Stop being dumb for a day, Arcilla. You know what I'm capable of." Mariin kong saad at sinindihan ang hawak na zippo.
Nang mamatay iyon ay tinakpan ko agad ito at tumayo habang hawak na ang baril, nakatalikod pa rin dito.
"What are you doing here?" Tanong nito, ramdam pa rin ang pagkakatutok ng baril sa akin.
Umangat ang aking tingin at nilagay sa bulsa ang zippo bago mapatayo sa tanong nito. What a nice question.
Tuluyan na akong humarap dito ng malamig na tingin na makikita sa mukha at tinagilid ang ulo bago mawala ang emosyon sa mata, "To kill you."
Pagkasabi ko noon ay agad kong tinutok ang baril dito na siya namang kinataranta nito while clumsily holding his gun. That made me look at him, amused.
"I'm not scared of you," saad nito habang umaatras pataas sa hagdan.
Tiningnan ko pa rin ito ng walang emosyon at tumango, "You should be," I uttered at unti unting lumapit dito.
Bumalatay ang takot sa mata nito at mabilis na naglakad paatras.
Humahakbang lang din naman ako papalapit dito hanggang sa naramdaman na nito ang pintuan ng kaniyang kwarto kaya tumingin ito sa akin ng nanlalaki ang mata habang nakatutok ang baril.
"Do you know why I am doing this?" Malamig kong tanong at tinagilid ang ulo.
Namumuo na ang galit sa aking sistema kaya nanggigigil na tinutok ko ang baril dito. He raised both of his hands while nodding his head, scared for his life.
"Two people dared to kill all the most important person in my life," sabi ko at naglakad papalapit dito habang tinutok na ang nguso ng baril sa ulo nito that made him close his eyes in fear, hands are shaking and his breath started to get uneven.
"One succeeded to kill my grandparents," madiin kong saad, madness is only going stronger, "The other one almost... succeeded."
"Why do you guys love to see me suffer that much?" Walang emosyon kong saad habang nagpipigil.
He remained silent while listening to what I'm saying, still raising both of his hands, shaking. Tears also fell from his eyes but I didn't mind it and continued to point my gun at him.
"So, now you're crying?" I mockingly asked and lowly chuckled. Mas lalo akong lumapit dito para diinan ang pagkakadikit ng nguso ng aking baril dito.
Nakapikit na ito ngayon habang may mga luhang tumutulo sa mata, saying things to stop me from doing this but, no. I will not stop until my grandparents get the justice that they deserve.
Imbes na maawa ay lalo lamang umusbong ang galit sa akin kaya lumayo ako dito at pinaputukan ang kaliwang nitong kamay dahilan ng pagdudugo noon at ang pagsigaw nito sa sakit. May silencer ang baril ko kaya panigurado na hindi ito maririnig ng ibang tao sa paligid.
It's 12am. I also don't have a plan to wake people up.
I smirked and slowly kneeled in one knee to look at his face, "This is not the time where you will die, Arcilla," hinawakan ko ng marahas ang pisngi nito
"Ti ucciderò, molto lentamente, così mi implorerai di ucciderti," malamig kong saad habang nakatingin dito ng walang emosyon.
Nakita ko na napalunok ito habang umiling iling, still holding his left hand. Tumayo naman ako at pinuputukan ang kanan nitong kamay na lalong nagpasigaw dito sa sakit. Habang naririnig ang mga daing at sigaw nito ay para lamang nagbubunyi ang aking kalooban.
I looked at my wrist watch, "You still have 30 minutes before you die. How about we play instead, hmm?" Malamig ang boses kong tanong dito at lumuhod para makapantay ang aming mukha.
Narinig ko naman ang pag singhal nito bago dumaing sa sakit, "Why don't you just kill me now?" Nanghihinang saad nito habang nakaluhod pa rin.
I chuckled, humorlessly, "It's really not like me to kill someone just like that," sabi ko at lumuhod muli sa harap nito.
I looked at him, dead in the eye, "Do you remember when I killed someone at Milan?"
I stood up and turn my back on him as I look at the remaining bullets in my gun before looking at him, again.
"M-Mr. Castellano... You k-killed him right after Esther burn their whole h-hacienda."
I smiled in triumph, remembering the days that I am unstoppable in Italy.
"Do you know how I killed him?" He shook his head. I sighed, "Just like what I'm doing to you right now."
"It is where you will run for your life while I watch you running for your life... and then once I caught you..." I looked him dead in the eye, "There will be no escape because starting from that... I am going to play with you until you lose your breath."
Napalunok naman ito sa aking sinabi at lumayo habang nakaupo na parang takot na takot. Tumayo na ako habang nakatingin dito ng may maliit na ngiti sa labi at pinaglaruan ang zippo na kanina lang ay nasa bulsa.
"Correre, Arcilla," mahina kong saad habang nakatingin sa hawak na zippo. Mabilis naman ako nitong nilagpasan para lumabas ng bahay niya.
Pinanood ko ito ng walang emosyon habang siya ay nahihirapan buksan ang pinto dahil sa madugo nitong kamay. Nang masarado nito ang pinto ay agad na nawala ang aking tingin ko dito at nilagyan ng saktong limang bala ang aking baril.
Naglakad ako at nang makalabas ay agad na nakita na nahihirapan itong buksan ang kaniyang gate kaya nanatili akong nakatayo sa pintuan ng bahay, pinapanood siyang mahirapan.
Nakita naman ako nito ng lumingon ito sa akin kaya natataranta na binuksan niya na ito at dali-daling lumabas ng gate. Naglalakad lang naman akong nakasunod habang siya'y lakad takbo ang ginagawa.
Nakayapak lang ito habang nakasuot ng pajamas. Makikita na tumutulo ang dugo nito sa kamay dahil makikita sa damit at kahit sa daan na dinadaanan nito na may dugong natulo. Patuloy lang ito sa lakad-takbo at panaka-nakang pagtingin nito sa akin.
Tinutok ko ang baril sa tuhod nito at agad na pinutok iyon na dahilan ng pagdaing nito at pagbagal ng kaniyang takbo. Nasa dulo na kami ng subdivision kung saan wala nang masyadong bahay na nasa paligid at puro bakanteng lote na ang makikita.
Patuloy pa rin naman sa pagtakbo si Blake hanggang sa tumigil na ito sa at hinihingal na napatingin sa akin.
Naglalakad lang din naman ako papalapit dito habang nakatutok pa rin ang baril sa kaniya na nagpalaki sa mata nito. Tarantang tumakbo muli ito at minsan nadaing dahil sa tuhod.
Binaril ko naman ito sa likod, sa may balikat dahilan ng pag-upo nito sa damuhan. Nasa isang bakanteng lote na pala kami ng hindi ko namamalayan dahil patuloy lang naman akong nasunod dito.
He raised both of his hands while breathing heavily and closing his eyes, "I gave up, please," naghihinang sambit nito na nagpapatawa sa akin ng pagak.
"That early? I still want to play," sabi ko at tumingin sa wrist watch na suot. 10 minutes to go and bye bye.
Lumingon ako dito ng walang emosyon sa mukha, "Anything you want to say before you die?" Bulong ko.
"With the tombstone I made for you, you should be dead on October 13, 2019. It's not yet 12 am so let's wait for hmm... 10 minutes."
Umiling iling naman ito habang gumagapang papunta sa akin. Nagmamakaawa itong pinagsiklop ang kamay at hinawakan ang aking tuhod. Tiningnan ko lang naman ito, tila walang pakialam sa sinasabi niya.
"I d-don't wanna die, please. Spare m-me," sabi nito pero winaksi ko ang kamay nito sa aking tuhod at tinutok ang baril sa ulo nito.
"Then, you shouldn't have done that," tukoy ko sa ginawa nito kay Adira.
"You shouldn't have made an alliance with Chase," malamig kong saad habang nakatingin sa mata nito, "That you need to kidnapped Adira," I trailed while my eyes are becoming cold every second, "And killing my grandparents with Chase," pigil ang luha na tapos ko sa sinasabi.
He looked at me, flabbergasted while mouth was agape, "I didn't—"
"No need to fvcking lie, Arcilla," madiin kong saad at diniinan ang pagtutok ng baril sa ulo nito, "I treated you like a friend and you fvcking wasted it!" May hinanakit kong saad at hindi na mapigilan ilabas ang galit dito.
"I spare you that time when I found out because I'm waiting for you to tell me the truth. But, no! You decided to kidnap her and kill the only reason why I'm here in this goddamn world!" Mariin kong saad at tinanggal ang pagkakatutok ng baril at sinakal na ito sa panggigigil.
I choked him with the remaining strength that I have dahil pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon ay para akong nanghihina.
"F-Fabrizia, p-please..." namumula ang mukha na saad nito pero hindi ako nagpatinag at mas lalo pang hinigpitan ang pagkakasakal dito, galit ay lalo lamang lumalala.
"You fvcking asshole," mahina kong turan. It's full of hatred, madness, and pain na lalong nagpaluha sa akin. This guy didn't know the pain I've been through.
Binitawan ko na naman ito ng nakita na lumulutang na ito sa aking hawak at muling tinutok ang baril dito.
He is gasping for air while holding his neck where I choked him earlier. He looked at me and said, "I did that because I love you."
An unbelievably scoffed leave my mouth while looking at him in full of hatred. The audacity to call it like that!
"That's fvcking love to you?" Hindi makapaniwalang saad ko at bahagyang natawa sa sinabi nito, "Killing my grandparents and hurting Adira is your way to show it?" Nanggigigil kong saad.
Lalo lang naman umusbong ang galit sa aking sistema ng tumango ito kaya pinaputukan ko itong muli sa tuhod. Muli itong napahiyaw at napahiga na sa damuhan habang hawak ang tuhod.
"Just kill me!" Nahihirapan na sigaw nito. Lumapit ako dito at tumango, agreeing with what he said.
"Want to die now?" Tanong ko kaya tumango ito ng desperado sa akin, "Stand up."
Tumayo naman ito kahit nahihirapan at humarap sa akin ng hawak ang tiyan. Lumayo ako dito ng ilang hakbang bago itutok ang baril sa tiyan nito.
"I'll fvcking show you how you shot Adira that night," nanggigigil kong saad at pinaputukan ito sa tiyan. Napaluhod naman ito kaya lumapit ako dito ng isang hakbang.
Tinagilid ko ang aking ulo ng makita ang pamilyar na lagay nito ngayon. Napangiti ako ng mapait.
The same poise of my grandparents before they kill them. Kneeling with their face full of blood.
Muli ko itong tinutukan ng baril ngayon ay sa ulo na, "This time, I'll show you how you shot my grandparents in that abandoned house," sabi ko sabay ng pagbulagta ng katawan nito sa damuhan.
Nanatili sa ere ang aking baril habang nakatingin sa walang buhay nitong katawan. Kinuha ko ang cellphone sa bulsa at tinawagan ang mga maglilinis na ni-hire ko.
I looked at my wrist watch which is now covered in blood.
It's exactly 12 am.
"It's done," saad ko at hindi na hinintay na magsalita ang nasa kabilang linya.
Walang gana na bumalik ako sa aking kotse at agad na pinaandar iyon papaalis sa lugar na iyon. Nakatingin lang naman ako sa harap habang nagd-drive hanggang sa mapadako ang tingin sa kamay. It's full of the blood of that man kaya napailing na lamang ako at hinayaan iyon.
Napatingin naman ako sa aking cellphone ng makita na tumunog iyon, indicating that someone is calling. Kinuha ko iyon at agad na sinagot na makitang si Sidra iyon. It must be regarding Adira's situation right now. I told her to give me an hourly update everyday na wala ako sa tabi ni Adira.
I am driving now to my Dad's house in Makati and it's only a 30 minute drive.
Hindi rin naman nagtagal ay nakarating din ako sa condominium nito ngayon. It's the most expensive condominium building here. Actually, I really don't know where my Dad is staying. I just know that this is the place because...
My Dad doesn't like to stay in a cheap place. He said it makes him disgusted.
A real asshole.
I was about to go in when someone stopped me from my tracks. It's a guy in a suit and it looks like a receptionist in this building.
I look him dead in the eyes, "What?"
His mouth was agape before blinking rapidly, "Are you o-okay, M-miss?" he stammered while looking at my clothes which were full of blood.
"Do I look like I'm not?" I ask him with coldness in my voice.
"It's just that your clothes are full of b-blood---"
"I can clearly see that. Now, will you please make a way?" Hindi tumaas ang aking boses but it is full of rage and coldness kaya naman umalis ito sa aking harap at binigyan ako ng daan para makapunta na sa room ng aking tatay.
I just shake my head before walking away. He's wasting my time. I need to kill that old man now.
Sumakay ako sa elevator and no one dared to come together with me kaya agad ko na rin pinindot sa 7th floor.
Maya maya ay nakarating ako sa floor na iyon at hinanap ang room 107 as per Sergio said. He hacked everything earlier that's why I know everything.
I knocked on his door and did not press the doorbell. I heard footsteps going on the door kaya naman napayuko ako at namulsa sa suot na slacks. My head started to think of blood as I remembered everything bad that my Dad did to my loved ones.
How he made his plan with my asshole cousin to get the organization for me, how he said hurtful things to my woman and how he shot his own father at that abandoned house in Italy. Everything that he did that hurt me the most. He killed the person I looked up to because of his own greed and jealousy.
I want to erase his existence in this world.
I heard the door open and when I looked up to meet his eyes he turned into horror when he saw me on his front door.
"Fabrizia..."
I looked at his back, "Are you not going to let me in?" I asked with a cold in my eyes.
He shook his head in disbelief, "W-What are you doing here?"
"Allontanarsi," I said but he shook his head and that's when I clenched my jaw in rage before making my way inside but he kept pushing me away kaya naman tinulak ko ito papasok.
He started shouting pero hindi ko ito pinansin at naunang pumasok sa loob. I heard him panic and immediately grabbed the baseball bat near his shoe rack but I quickly pointed my gun at him so the bat fell off his hands.
Hinawakan ko ang doorknob at ako na mismo nagsarado ng pinto ang ni-lock iyon.
I glanced at him with my gun pointed at his head, "Do as I say."
He gulped before raising both of his hands, "Fabrizia, I am your father. Remember—"
"Stop reminiscing stupid memories," I shut him up, "I don't wanna hear them."
Idiniin ko sa kaniya ang nguso ng baril, "Now, sit at that stool."
Ginawa naman nito ang aking sinabi habang ako ay nakasunod dito. Kinuha ko ang lubid na nakasabit pabilog doon sa kaniyang pader at kinuha din ang duct tape na dala. Pinaupo ko ito doon at sinimulan siyang itali sa kinauupuan. Tinalian ko ng mahigpit ang kamay nito at ang paa katulad ng ginawa nila kay Adira.
"Fabrizia. What are you doing?"
"Shut up," I grunted and when I'm done tying him, I sat on his sofa, facing him with my gun still in my hands. Kinuha ko ang zippo na nasa bulsa at pinaapoy iyon, not saying anything to him.
"Fabrizia, please."
"Don't be too excited about what I am going to do with you," I said, still playing with my zippo. I got up from my seat and went to the kitchen area to get a knife that I'm going to use.
"I will just ask you a few questions," umupo muli ako sa sofa at tinutok sa mukha niya ang kutsilyo, "and I want you to answer me with nothing but truth. Intesso?" I threatened and he nodded like a puppy. I chuckled because of that.
Coward. How can he lead the organization?
"Where is Mother?" Nanginginig ang boses na tanong ko as his eyes immediately widen. Nangilid ang aking luha.
There is something that Sergio told me when I was on a phone call with him earlier. He said that my mother was in Italy and was abducted in Sicily last Saturday. Until now, hindi pa rin nahahanap si Mom and it's making me worried sick!
He also reported that my Dad might know where is she since it looks like it was my Dad's men who get her.
I still remember what my brother said.
"Fabrizia..."
"Hmm?"
"Ask our father first about our mother's whereabouts... before you get your hands on him."
Lalong nangilid ang aking luha, "One lie, I get to slice your face with this knife, yeah?" Nilapit ko ang upuan dito, "Now, answer the question. Where is my mother?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!"
I clenched my jaw and immediately sliced his cheeks with my knife that made him scream. I roughly held his face with my face screaming in anger while looking at him.
"Wrong answer," I hissed.
"I'll ask you again. Where is she?" I said, only seeing blood.
"I t-told you, I don't know-- Ackk! Stop!" He screamed as I sliced his right cheek this time. Now, he looks like he's crying in his own blood.
"Don't make me get your eyeballs using this knife," I said, lowly, "Answer!"
"She's in Milan! M-Milan," he exclaimed at mas lalong inisod ang upuan papalapit dito.
"Why?"
"That's the only thing I know—! Ahhh! Fabrizia, please!" He screamed when I left a cut on his forehead this time.
"Why?" Pag uulit ko sa tanong kanina. He is now breathing heavily.
"I-I--- She was t-t-there as a p-payment," my eyes darkened on what he said.
"Payment for what?"
"My d-debt! At Mr. Accardo! Please! That's the only thing I know---!" He started to beg as his tears started to flow also before I punch right in the face hanggang sa magtagal iyon ng ilang beses.
I only see blood.
"You fvcking asshole," I coldly whispered as I continued to punch him in the face with my bare hands, not caring if it is full of blood now.
Tumigil din naman ako ng makita ang sobra sobrang dugo sa mukha nito. His eyes are now swollen and there are still some blood flowing from his cheeks because of what I did earlier.
Kinuha ko ang baril na nasa kitchen counter at ang duct tape na kasama noon. I started to put a tape on his mouth before I ask him a question.
"This is a close ended question; nod if yes and shake your head if no, okay?" sabi ko sa mababang boses. He nodded his head.
"Is your unit soundproof?" I coldly asked him that made him nod hesitantly, indicating that he said yes.
Napatango tango ako bago maisipan na paputukan na agad ang ulo nito.
He's dead.
I stare at his dead body. I don't know what to feel at this moment and it feels like I feel so numb.
Lumabas na ako but I clean myself before going out. Dumating na rin kasi 'yung mga inutusan ko para linisan ang ginawa ko doon sa condo na iyon and they brought me a new pair of suit.
I was in my car when suddenly my phone rang.
It's Sidra.
"Hello?"
[Ma'am!]
"Hey, something happen?" Tanong ko ng nababahala. It is about Adira for sure dahil siya 'yung isa sa mga nagbabantay doon ngayon.
[None! But we have good news.] Masigla nitong sabi kaya kumunot ang aking noo.
"What?"
Walang pakialam kung hindi maayos kong ipinarada ang sasakyan at agad na pumasok sa ospital, not minding other people's stare.
Hinanap ko kung nasaan sila Adira dahil wala na ang mga ito sa ICU kung saan huli ko silang nakita kanina.
Nanahimik ako ng ilang sandali para pakinggan ang boses na naririnig ko. Agad akong tumakbo sa 3rd floor ng marinig ang mga boses ni Soleil at Dione doon.
Hindi naman ako nagkamali ng makita ang mga dalawa doon na mukhang nagtatalo na naman kaya tinawag ko ang mga ito.
"Chavez!"
Lumingon naman sila ng tinawag ko at agad na sumilay ang mga ngiti sa labi nila. Humahangos na lumapit sa kanila.
"Where's Adi?" Tanong ko kaya agad nilang tinuro ang loob ng kwarto habang nakangiti. Nakangiti na lumapit doon ngunit nag-alangan dahil baka may tao pa nandito na kinakausap si Adira.
"You can come in, Miss," nakangiting saad ni Dione pero nag-aalangan talaga ako. Nang hindi makapagpigil ay si Soleil na ang naunang nagbukas at pumasok kasabay si Dione. Napapikit naman ako sa inis.
"May bisita ka, Adi," sabi ni Soleil sa mapang-asar na boses at lumingon sa akin. Inirapan ko naman ito bago sumilip sa loob.
There she is. Nakasandal na sa headboard ng higaan while smiling beautifully with her brown eyes, shining in happiness. Nanubig naman ang aking mata ng makita ang kalagayan nito.
Pumasok na ako ng tuluyan sa loob ng bigyan ako ng daan ng dalawa. Nanatili akong nakatayo sa harap nito, still looking at her in daze. She's still gorgeous for someone who got shot in the stomach.
"Faby..."
That's enough reason for me to hurriedly walk over to her and hugged her with all I might. Naramdaman ko din naman ang pagpulupot ng braso nito sa aking bewang kaya napaupo na ako sa higaan. Nilagay ko ang aking ulo sa leeg nito at doon na nagsilabasan ang luha na kanina pa gustong lumabas.
"Thank God you're okay," I whispered in relief while sobbing on her neck. Hinaplos ko ang buhok nito bago umalis sa leeg nito. She is looking at me with a sweet smile on her face. Lalapit na sana ako dito when someone cleared their throat. Napaatras ako at tumingin sa kanila ng namumula ang mukha.
"We'll leave you two," sabi ng Lolo nito kaya nahihiyang napatango ako dito. Isa isa naman silang lumabas.
Lalo akong namula sa huling sinabi ni Sidra sa amin, "Hey, 'wag niyo muna gawin 'yon dito." Nakangising sambit nito bago tuluyang lumabas ng kwarto.
Nahihiya naman na lumingon ako kay Adira na ngayon ay may malambot na ngiti na sa labi. Hinawakan ko ang dalawang kamay nito habang nakangiti na rin.
"When did you wake up?" Tanong ko habang pinagmamasdan ang mukha nito. Damn, I miss her.
"Just a few hours ago. I was waiting for you," mahina nitong sambit kaya napangiti ako ng wala sa oras. Napayuko ako while fiddling with her hands.
"I just did some e-errands," bahagya pang nanginig ang boses ko ng sabihin ang 'errands' na word dito. She squint her eyes but still change the topic.
"How long was I asleep?" Tanong nito at umayos ng upo.
"3 days," maikli kong saad at muling tiningnan ang mukha nito, "I miss you, baby."
Natigilan ito sa aking sinabi bago pamulahan ang buong mukha at mapayuko. She hid her face using her hair kaya lalo akong natawa at yumuko para makita ang mukha nito. I just wished she could look at her own face right now. She's beyond gorgeous.
"Are you shy? My baby's shy, hmm?" Nang-aasar kong saad dito kaya agad niya naman akong hinampas sa braso. Natawa lang ako sa ginawa nito at niyakap muli ito.
I sighed bago ilagay ang ulo nito sa aking dibdib, "I'm so glad you're okay," mahina kong saad.
She hummed before hugging me back, "Thank you for saving me that night," she softly said and rubbed her hands at my back. Napapikit ako sa dinadalang init nito sa aking puso. My whole system suddenly turns warm when she suddenly touches me and only she can do that.
Maya maya ay nabahala ako ng may maalala. Kumunot ang noo nito at hinawakan ang aking kamay.
"Aspen? What's wrong?"
Bumuntong hininga ako, "Are you not scared of me?"
"Is there a reason to?" Napatingin ako sa kaniya ng sabihin niya iyon. She has this soft look on her face right now.
"After finding out about my background, I'm sure you have doubts already—"
"Do you really kill people?" Seryosong tanong nito.
"I don't kill women and children. And I don't kill a person without a reason. It is my own rule even though grandpa doesn't like it."
Napabuntong hininga ako at lumayo sa kaniya ng kaunti. That made her frown and a pout started to form in her lips.
"I-It's... I just kill people who betray, who are not loyal to the organization and to the one who deserves it. I don't kill people just because I like it."
"Aspen..." she starts, "Those things don't change the fact that I love you."
Tumingin ako sa kaniya ng nagugulat hanggang sa hinawakan nito ang aking pisngi before stroking it.
"I love you but please... hold onto that rule of yours and limit the killings." she whispered kaya tumango ako. Everything she said will be granted.
"Aspen, I believe that violence and ruthlessness is not the answer for everything." Pangaral pa nito kaya tumango ako, taking everything she said seriously before I kissed her forehead.
I look at her before tracing her face using my hand. She looked down on my lips so that made me clenched my jaw.
Bumaba rin naman ang aking tingin sa labi nito at dahan dahan lumapit sa labi nito. Pumikit na ito, expecting my lips to met hers so I also closed my eyes.
I slowly leaned into her, just listening to what my heart and my mind said to kiss the hell out of her but someone just has to ruin the whole moment by knocking at the door.
Napapikit ako sa inis bago muling tingnan si Adira sa mata ng natatawa, "Why do people like to interrupt us sometimes?" Medyo inis at tuwa kong saad dahil natatawa na rin si Adira dito.
Umiling naman ito, "Just open the door." Natatawa nitong saad kaya natatawa din akong tumayo bago halikan ang noo nito at pumunta sa pinto para buksan iyon.
Pagkabukas ko naman ng pinto ay siya rin pagkawala ng emosyon sa aking mukha habang nakatingin sa tao, na ngayon ay puno ng pag-aalala at kaba ang makikita sa mukha ngunit kalaunan ay nanumbalik ang takot sa mukha nito.
Kinuyom ko ang aking kamay at tumingin dito ng walang ekspresyon sa mukha.
"Caleb."