CHAPTER THREE
Ilang beses kong tiningnan ang hawak kong card mula sa talipandas na lalaking nagngangalang Gotham. Pangalan pa lang nito halata ng hitik sa pera ang binata. I should've thrown his card away, but instead, I kept looking at it.
He has something I need the most. And that is a proper healthcare for my brother.
Gotham is a dangerous man. If I want to associate myself with him, I need to play my cards right. Hindi ako p'wedeng makampante. I know what kind of man he truly is. Mas delikado siya kaysa sa miyembro ng gang.
"Ang ate ko... may boyfriend na, yie!" Russle was teasing me once again.
Simula pa noong isang araw, hindi na ako tinigilan ng kapatid ko. He was just too happy. Palagi kong nakikita ang ngiti sa labi habang tinutukso ako. Walang araw na lumipas na hindi niya nababanggit ang lalaking iyon, bukambibig siya ni Russle.
Tuwang - tuwa ang kapatid ko sa mga laruang galing mula sa lalaki. Kahit saan siya magpunta, dala niya ang mga bigay nito. He liked the rubik's cube and different puzzles so much.
Pinagmasdan ko siya. Malalim na ang tulog ng kapatid ko. His heartbeats were fine. Hindi pa ako dinadalaw ng antok simula kanina.
I stretched my hands upward. Napasulyap ako sa card na nasa ibabaw ng mesa, napailing ako.
Tumayo ako at kumuha ng tuwalya. Siguro ligo lang ang kailangan ko para ipanatag ang aking kalooban.
Tumungo ako sa banyo, sinubukan kong hindi makagawa ng ingay. I don't want my brother to wake up in the middle of the night. It was a quick shower to freshen up myself.
Nang matapos ako, agad din akong lumabas ng banyo at nagtungo sa cabinet. Tanging tuwalya lang ang tumatahob sa hubad kong katawan. I was confident my brother was already asleep.
I picked a comfortable shirt and pajama.
Kinagat ko ang aking labi, pakiramdam ko'y may nakamasid sa aking bawat galaw. Imposible. All doors and windows were locked. Ipinikit ko ang aking mata. I was being hunted by the big syndicates I fought against for a good amount of money.
Dumako ang paningin ko sa malaking stuffed toy katabi ng kapatid ko sa pagtulog. I stared at it long enough to draw my own conclusions. I went near the bed. Marahan kong kinuha ang best friend 'kuno' ni Russle.
Kinapa ko ang laruan habang titig na titig sa mga mata nito. I touched the camera installed in its eye.
I grabbed my phone and dialed a number. Lumabas ako ng kwarto. Sinalubong ang aking katawan ng malamig na hangin mula sa maliit na espasyo ng balkonahe.
After three rings, the call was answered.
"What?" He asked huskily on the other line. "Missed me?"
"Pakyu kang ulol kang manyak! Akala mo ba mauutakan mo ako sa paglalagay mo ng camera?" I was hissing under my breath. Hininaan ko ang aking boses, hindi iyon kailangang marinig ng kapatid ko.
Bahagya pa akong hiningal sa sunod - sunod kong sinabi.
I heard a chuckle on the other line. "Took you so long, huh?" His tone was mocking.
Mas lalong uminit ang dugo ko. Where did he get his audacity to taunt me?
"Come on, be thankful, Filantropi. If something happens to your brother, he is being monitored. Help could be sent easily to your place..." mahinahon niyang saad.
Lumambot naman ang galit ko... one thing that could melt my heart is how others treat my brother. Wala akong pakialam kung i-trato nila akong hindi tama, basta hindi ang kapatid ko.
It would be war. Hindi ako manghihinayang na alisin sila sa daan. I'm good with people who are nice to my brother.
"Pakyu pa rin, ulol! Palalampasin ko lang ito sa ngalan ng kapatid ko!" kumalma ang tono ko.
"Fuck me, then," mas lalong naging baritono ang panlalaki niyang boses. "Want to sit on my face?"
"Tangina mo talaga," I almost yelled.
Bumalik na naman ang inis ko sa lalaki.
"Nice boobs..." hirit pa nito.
I was about to curse him once more, he ended the call.
Naiinis akong pumasok sa loob, ibinalik ko sa tabi ni Russle ang stuffed toy. I made sure its camera doesn't show me. Sa banyo ako nagbihis ng pantulog, in-eksamin ko rin ang ibang laruan ni Russle na galing sa kanya. Mukhang lahat ng iyon mayroong camera.
Fuck that guy. Minasahe ko ang aking noo upang pakalmahin ang sarili ko. How many times did I undress in front of those toys?
Muli kong idi-nial ang kanyang numero. I went out of the room again.
Ilang ring nang kanyang phone, wala pa ring sumasagot sa tawag ko. He knew I would curse him out. He knew I was raging mad. Mukhang wala siyang balak sagutin ang tawag ko.
"Tangina, ang duwag ng gago! I will literally kill that man!"
I heard a chuckle on the other line. "You missed me that much? Your angry voice sounds hella sexy. I couldn't wait to hear you moan my name with that angry, sultry voice." Mas lalo pang nang-iinis ang boses niya.
Kulang na lang sumabog ang kumukulong dugo ko sa kanya. "Pakyu, Gotham! I swear, I'm going to slit your goddamn throat and your mouth will never utter words again!"
I could take banters without getting pissed. Pero kapag sa lalaki, hindi maipaliwanag ang inis kong nararamdaman. He was getting into my nerves that instant. Agad kong pinatay ang tawag.
Maybe, this is revenge for stealing his car and for losing him a rough sex that day. It was working. Inis na inis ako sa lalaki hanggang pagtulog ko.
***
"Are you ready?" tanong ko kay Russle bago kami pumasok sa opisina ng doctor.
I was able to find a doctor to check up on him. Kagaya ng sinabi ni Gotham, hindi na kami p'wedeng bumalik sa klinika ng dating doktor ng kapatid ko matapos ang ginawa ko.
Luckily, I was able to find another doctor.
"Okay, tapos na tayo. You can play again, Russle." Sinundo ng staff ang kapatid ko at inalalayan palabas. Nagpaalam siya sa akin dala ang kanyang mga laruan. "I'll be honest with you, Ms. Masimsim..." panimula ng doctor ng makaalis ang kapatid ko sa aming puwesto.
"We don't have the facility to treat your brother. Siguro naman aware ka at sinabi ng dating doctor ni Russle ang pangangailangan ng kapatid mo. The operation is needed. Sadly, we don't have that kind of technological advancement and facility to cater his needs." I sighed hearing the words.
Alam ko iyon. I was told that a lot of times. Kaya nag-iipon ako ng malaking pera at iba't ibang trabaho na ang pinasok ko. We need to fly abroad for his surgery. Mas maayos ang pasilidad at sistema sa ibang bansa.
P'wede rin naman dito... but after my outburst, it wouldn't be possible.
It needs to be done as soon as possible. She gave me a small smile.
Tuliro akong lumabas ng clinic. Agad kong hinanap si Russle. He was playing quietly beside the nurse while talking to her. Mukhang nakuha sa charam ng kapatid ko ang kausap nito.
Tumikhim ako. "Bunso..."
Hinanap ako ng kanyang mata. He said goodbye to the nurse, I just nodded my head to acknowledge her presence and thanked her for accompanying my brother in a short time.
Isinuot ko ng maayos ang kanyang mask, binuhat ko siya hanggang makalabas kami ng exit. Pumara ako ng taxi.
"Nag-enjoy ka ba sa visit natin sa doctor? Parang hindi nakasimangot ang bunso ko, ah." Dinampian ko ng masuyong halik ang kanyang noo.
Maaliwalas ang kanyang aura. He didn't even complain seeing a doctor today. There are times it's hard to convince him... wala naman siyang ibang choice. Ako pa rin ang nasusunod sa usaping pangkalusugan ng kapaid ko.
"Good mood ako, ate. Mabait iyong nurse at bagong doctor ko, naglaro kami..." kuwento niya.
Hinayaan ko siyang matulog sa aking balikat sa durasyon ng biyahe.
Bumaba kami sa eskinita matapos kong bayaran ang driver, masyadong masikip ang daan para sa mga sasakyan. Kinarga ko si Russle papasok ng makipot na eskinita. My eyes wandered around, I was being paranoid.
I could feel pair of eyes looking at my every move. It was mostly my instinct, but I couldn't be wrong. In my illegal profession, instinct ang isa sa malakas na kasangga ko.
Maaaring mali ako, maaaring tama. Kailangan kong makasigurong ligtas ang kapatid ko.
Pasimple kong sinulyapan ang kabuuan ng lugar. I located the pair of eyes staring at us intently.
A man in a leather jacket. He looked like a goon.
Dumaan ako sa mga tambay na may session sa gilid ng kalsada, agad nila kaming binati ng kapatid ko.
"Kilala mo ang lalaking iyon?" Pasimple kong itinuro ang miyembro ng sindikato sa hindi kalayuan. The man was the watcher. "Mukhang bago, naiinip na yata. Baka gusto rin ng alak..."
They looked at the man. Tumungo si Insyong at isa pang tambay sa direksyon lalaking nagmamatyag. Nawala ang atensyon niya sa akin. They are the distraction I used, it was my cue to leave.
Hindi ako nagpahalata pero abot langit ang aking kaba. I was more afraid for my brother than my safety. Kinatok ko ang bahay ni Aling Cynthia, walang sumagot ng pinto.
When I twisted the knob, the door was already opened. Marahan akong sumilip sa butas na awang ng pintuan. My stomach churned seeing a lifeless body of a woman covered in her pool of blood.
Mabuti na lang wala roon ang atensyon ng kapatid ko. Isinara kong muli ang pinto.
Umikot ako ng apartment. If they already killed our landlady, I was sure they were inside our apartment to kill me. It was my fault Aling Cythia died. Walang dapat ibang sisihin kung hindi ako, nadamay siya sa gulong ito ng dahil sa akin.
Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng wala kaming nakasalubong ni Russle sa likod ng apartment. Dumiretso ako sa bahay nina Roberto. That man was trying to court me... I just need his help looking out for my brother.
"Ate, bakit po tayo andito? Hindi pa ba tayo uuwi?" Russle asked softly. Pupungas - pungas pa siya.
Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "Mamaya uuwi rin tayo, may kailangan lang ayusin si ate. Dito ka muna kay kuya Roberto, ayos lang ba iyon?" Ibinaba ko siya at pumantay ako kay Russle.
He pouted at me. "Bakit hindi kay nanay Cynthia? Mas gusto ko roon."
Hinaplos ko ang kanyang buhok. An ounce of guilt was invading my system. Russle loved the woman like his own mother and I was grateful with her for all the help raising my brother. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin sa kanya na wala na ang babae.
"Walang sumasagot sa bahay nina Aling Cynthia. Baka wala siya sa apartment. Pansamantala, dito ka muna. Okay?" I caressed his cheeks lovingly. "Okay ba iyon?" pag-uulit ko.
Tumango naman siya, hinalikan ko ang kanyang noo. Tumayo ako at kinatok ang pinto ng barong - barong ni Roberto. His eyes were shocked seeing me in front of his door.
Nagbago ang ekspresyon iyon na tuluyang nauwi sa pagngisi.
"Mahal kong Ag---"
Hindi ko na pinatapos ang walang kwenta niyang bati, pinapasok ko ang kapatid ko ng walang pahintulot ng lalaki. Russle was just laughing. Naupo ang kapatid ko sa tapat ng bukas na telebisyon.
It was a teleserye. Tangina, akala ko porno ang maabutan ng kapatid ko sa tv screen.
I heard stories about Roberto blasting a hardcore porn on his television screen. Masyadong malakas ang tunog nito kaya hindi maiwasang ipa-barangay ni Aling Wilma, ang kalapit na bahay.
Iginilid ko ang binata. Nagniningning ang mata ng lalaki.
"Alagaan mo si Russle habang andito siya, hindi ako magtatagal. Pepektusan kita kapag may nangyaring masama sa kapatid ko." I warned him.
Ngumisi ito ng todo. "Oo naman, si bayaw pa ba? Malakas ka sa akin, mahal kong Agnes. Hindi ko pababayaan ang kapatid mo, peks man." Itinaas niya ang kanang kamay na parang nanunumpa.
Inirapan ko lang siya. Bumaling ang tingin ko sa kapatid kong nakaupo sa isang sulok ng sofa. He was well-behaved.
"Russle..." tawag ko sa atensyon niya.
Gumawi ang atensyon niya sa akin, kumaway naman ako. He smiled at me and waved his hand. May kasama pang flying kisses siyang ibinigay. My heart swelled with love for this little one.
Hindi pa ako handang mamatay. Russle still needs me. But I have to make sure they leave me and my brother alone.
I shut the door close.
Kinuha ko ang malamig na bagay sa sapatos ko. Hinawakan ko iyon hanggang makabalik ako sa apartment. Unang pinuntahan ko ang bahay nina Aling Cynthia. I looked at her dead body. She was shot in the head.
Napabuntong-hininga ako at napailing. Awang - awa ako sa sinapit ng matandang babaeng walang ibang ginawa kung hindi maging mabait sa amin ng kapatid ko.
Hinanda ko ang sarili ko. I let myself breathe for a moment. Hindi ako p'wedeng makonsumo ng guilt na nararamdaman ko sa pagkamatay ni Aling Cynthia. I couldn't reverse it.
Naglakad ako ng marahan patungo sa pangalawang palapag ng hindi gumagawa ng anumang ingay. The only weapon I have with me is a fucking knife. Lugi ako sa baril nila.
Pinihit ko ang door knob. I opened the door slowly. My heart was pounding fast and hard inside my chest. Wala akong ideya kung anong bubungad sa apartment.
"Long time no see, Agnes." I gritted my teeth hearing the familiar voice.
It was Bernabe.
I was face to face with a man with white hair and wrinkled skin. Kulubot na ang parte ng kanyang mukha, naaaninag ko ang katandaan ng lalaki. It has been a long time since I last saw the man.
His men pulled their guns to aim at me, I laughed at the scenario.
Bernabe was the leader of the syndicate who found me lurking in the streets of the city. Kinupkop niya ako, binihisan, tinuruan ng diskarte sa hindi legal na gawain. I was a good student and I was a good asset to him.
Matalino raw ako at madaling matuto kaya ako ang kanyang paborito. Isang beses lang akong pumalpak na nauwi sa presinto. He backed me up. Binugbog niya ako ng makalabas sa kulungan.
Well, I learned my lesson. Hindi ako muling nahuli ng pulisya.
I was ten when I held my first gun. A year later, I was able to shoot the target in the right place. That was the kind of education he fed me. I never got the proper education and school, everything I learned was self-taught.
As I became exposed in a different environment, I realized my job was bad. Pinangarap kong magkaroon ng simpleng buhay. It was intensified when I met my brother.
Kumalas ako sa sindikato. It wasn't easy. Hanggang ngayon, isa pa rin akong wanted. They were looking for me so they could kill me.
"Anong kailangan mo?" matapang kong tanong.
"Alam mo kung anong kailangan ko sa'yo..."
"I wasn't a snitch, Bernabe. Wala akong intensyong sirain ang sindikato mo." I stood firmly. "Hanggang ngayon, tinik pa rin sa lalamunan ang turing mo sa akin?"
Ngumisi ako sa kabila ng maraming baril na nakatutok sa aking ulo. I felt flattered. Ako pa rin ang pinakamagaling sa lahat ng naging tauhan niya. No one could surpass my level and he fears what I can do.
"Hindi lang iyon ang atraso mo sa akin, Agnes. You became my competitor. Tanda mo pa ba ang ginagawa ko sa kompetensya?" Itinuon niya ang tungkod upang tumayo.
"Oo, tandang - tanda ko. Marumi kang maglaro, ayaw mo ng nauungusan. When you're threatened, you would do everything to take your competitors out of the market..." I smirked. "Duwag ka, Bernabe. Hindi mo gusto na nalalamangan ka ng ibang tao."
Someone lunged to attack me. I received a punch on my the side of my lips. Hindi ako natinag sa suntok, I kept myself in the place where I stood. Agad kong nalasahan ang dugo sa gilid ng aking labi pero hindi umatake pabalik.
Kaya kong patumbahin ang mga lalaking ito ng walang armas. I can fight, but Bernabe is a traitor. Hindi siya papayag sa one-on-one combat dahil alam niyang may pag-asa ako sa ganoong laban.
He knew me well. He knew my capability.
Kinagat ko ang labi ko. Tumawa ako ng nang-iinsulto. "Your new products are kind of different breed. Sigurado ka bang ganito lang ang kaya nilang ibuga? Soon enough, you'll be out of the market."
Muli akong sinunggaban ng isang lalaki. I easily dodged him and grabbed his hair. Adrenaline rushed through my system, I punched him on the throat hard he couldn't breathe. Seconds later, he collapsed on the ground. Inapakan ko ang kanyang batok.
Hindi ako sigurado kung buhay pa ang lalaki.
I smiled menacingly. "You know, I can always run away... Let's have a deal."
Nawala ang takot kong naramdaman kanina. It was an unfavorable circumstance for me but I was able to turn it around to my favor.
Wala siyang ibang nagawa kung hindi makinig sa sasabihin ko. "I'll give you one minute to take your revenge on me. Ipabugbog mo ako sa mga tauhan mo sa loob ng isang minuto. Hindi ako lalaban. Walang baril o kahit anong patalim. Just fist and legs... let's do it the old way. In return, hahayaan mo akong mamuhay sa paraang gusto ko. Kapag hindi mo iyon sinunod, I'll hunt you down and kill you myself," mahinahon kong turan.
Tinitigan niya ako ng matagal. He doesn't look convinced with my offer.
"Look..." I shrugged. "One way or another, I'll get out of this situation alive. Mabait na ako sa lagay na ito. Binigyan kita ng pagkakataong makaganti sa akin. Take it or leave it. It's not my dying day, Bernabe. Hindi ngayon ang oras ko."
I waited for his answer. Does he have that many options?
"Sige, pagbibigyan kita sa gusto mo... sisiguraduhin kong malulumpo ka," he threatened with an annoying smirk.
"Let's see..."
Pumuwesto ako sa gitna. I prepared myself for the punches and kicks I was about to receive. It was for Russle's better life. Handa akong isugal ang lahat.
I put the timer to start. The men rushed towards me. Sabay sabay nila akong inatake. Kagaya ng sinabi ko, hindi ako umiwas sa bawat suntok at sipa. My face was badly bruised, blood was flowing from my wounded cheeks.
Napaluhod ako sa sunod - sunod na sipang natamo ko. Every time I knocked down, I pushed myself to get up. It was the longest one minute of my life. Patuloy ako sa pagbangon sa bawat pagtumba hanggang tumunog ang orasan.
The one-minute mark was up.
Tumigil ang mga miyembro ng sindikato ni Bernabe. Pinilit kong tumayo. Pinahid ko ang dugo sa aking pisngi gamit ang aking kamay. They also targeted my head, they weren't as sharp as I was to target the body points that could kill a person.
"You thought I would let you go that easy?" Humalakhak si Bernabe at inilabas ang baril sa bulsa.
I knew. I knew what he was planning to. Alam ko kung paano siya mag-isip. He doesn't honor words. That's just how he is.
Hinawakan ako ng kanyang tauhan at pinaluhod sa gitna. Lumapit siya sa akin at itinutok ang baril sa noo ko.
"You weren't fair as always... hindi rin naman kita masisisi. Your men don't have a chance against me. They are useless. They can't protect you." I said mockingly.
Hinampas niya ako ng kanyang tungkod. It made my face even bloodier. Umiling lang ako. Bugbog sarado na ako, a single blow wouldn't hurt anymore.
"Huling habilin?"
Ngumisi ako.
A silhouette of a man started to appear in my vision. The men holding me fell to the floor in a swift manner. His eyes were stricken in fear as he noticed his men dying in front of him.
Hinanap niya ang salarin. He wanted to take me as a bait. Inagaw ko ang tungkod sa matanda.
Bernabe is old. Sooner or later, he will rot in hell.
"Do you think I'm that stupid?" I asked and smirked tauntingly.
Gotham came into sight. Siguro malakas ang pagkakasuntok sa ulo ko, but the guy looked dashing. Baka naapektuhan ang paningin ko.
Umikot ang mata ko sa paligid. Russle's toys were scattered around the room, Gotham was watching every move. A part of me held onto hope he would come for my brother.
Nakadapa sa sahig si Bernabe ng wala siyang makapitang tungkod. He was trying to get the gun that slipped in his hand. Naglakad si Gotham sa direksyon ko. Inilahad niya ang kamay para alalayan ako sa pagtayo na binalewala ko lang.
"Bad girl," the smirk was condescending.
Pinahid niya ang dugo sa labi ko. "You were late."
"Knew you could handle them, I'm impressed. I'm impressed that I would offer myself to get beaten up in exchange for a kiss." Humalukipkip siya habang pinagmamasdan ako.
"Really?" I asked, grinning with my bloody lips.
Mas lalong lumaki ang ngisi niya ng itaas ko ang middle finger ko. I really wanted to punch him since his bold idea to put cameras in Russle's toys, but it came handy.
"What do you want to do with this fucking cunt? Your call, bad girl."
"I've already seen enough murder for the day." Nagkibit - balikat ako. "Do you have a cigarette?"
Naglabas siya ng isang kaha mula sa bulsa. Kumunot ang noo ko ng basahin ang brand ng sigarilyo, hindi ako pamilyar.
Treasurer? Luxury black? Hanep, ah. Pang-marlboro lights lang ako.
Naupo ako sa gilid ng kama at sinindihan ang sigarilyo. Pinasadahan ko ng huling tingin ang apartment. This would be the last time to see this place. Hindi na kami p'wedeng bumalik ng kapatid ko sa lugar na ito.
Wala pa akong plano. Hindi ko pa alam kung saan kami titira ng panibago.
I was tired to think, I just want to see my brother safe.
"Russle's on the next apartment... get him for me," utos ko sa lalaki.
I can't be seen by my brother with this condition. Baka mas lalong lumala ang sakit niya sa puso kapag nakita niya ang kalagayan ko ngayon.
Dumudugo pa rin ang kabuuan ng mukha ko, may pasa pa yata ako sa mata. My belly and back hurt with their kicks.
"I figured... he's with me." He sat beside me.
The smokes came out of my mouth. Tumingin ako sa kanya.
Mas lalo siyang gumagwapo sa paningin ko. Damn, the fucking fight affected my eyesight.
Tumayo ako. I got a duffle bag and packed my brother's things. Inilagay ko sa maleta ang equipment na kailangan ng kapatid ko. Kumuha rin ako ng ilang gamit ko at ang perang nakulimbat ko. Itinapon ko iyon kay Gotham.
I threw the cigarette on the bed and added a bit of gas on it. Tumungo ako sa banyo upang maghilamos. Pinalitan ko rin ang suot kong damit. Bahagyang maitim ang ilalim ng mata ko. The cut on my lip and cheeks were visible.
Lumalaki na ang apoy sa kama. Gotham was still sitting there waiting for me.
Ibinaba ko ang fusebox ng kuryente.
"Let's go," saad ko sa kanya.
He stood carrying my bags. "What about the man?"
"If he escapes, then he's supposed to live his life. Siya na ang bahala kung paano siya makakatakas sa apoy."
"You're really something, huh. Heartless." Gotham shook his head.
"Agnes!" sigaw ni Bernabe. "Hindi mo ako p'wedeng iwanan dito!"
"Sinong may sabing hindi p'wede?" Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Good luck, Bernabe."
We walked outside of the house together. I didn't look back.
Sumakay kami sa isang lumang sasakyan. It was a nice choice of a getaway car. Gotham drove away from the scene.
"Asan ang kapatid ko?"
"My house. He's sleeping soundly."
Tumango ako. Mas mabuti iyon. He wouldn't see me in this state, I don't want to freak him out.
"Let him stay with you for the mean time. Hahanap lang ako ng panibagong matutuluyan namin ng kapatid ko. Hindi rin siya magtatagal sa poder mo." I told him.
His brow raised. "Where do you plan on staying?"
"Kahit saan, hindi naman ako maselan. Kaya kong matulog sa kalsada," sagot ko sa tanong niya.
"Not happening. You're staying with your brother." Pumarada siya sa tapat ng isang sari-sari store. Bumaba si Gotham sa sasakyan. I kept busy looking at the streetlights outside.
Moments later, he came back to the car. Mayroon siyang bitbit na supot.
Idinampi niya ang yelo sa parteng tinamaan ng suntok.
"I'll take you to the hospital. Your injuries need to be examined," bigla niyang sinabi.
Kumunot ang noo ko.
"Why are you even doing this?"
"Doing what?"
"Edi ba gago ka?"
He just kept pressing the ice on my wounded face. Hindi siya sumagot sa tanong ko. Instead, he drove the getaway car again. Sunod sunod naman ang pagdating ng bumbero sa lugar.
The car stopped in front of huge manor. Naunang bumaba si Gotham, sumunod naman ako sa lalaki. Sabay kaming naglakad patungo sa malaking bahay. I wasn't sure if the house was his.
Sinalubong kami ng isang gwapong nilalang. The place was eerily mysterious and dangerous. I was alert. The man's expression was intrigued. Kahit ang lalaki ay hindi mapagkakatiwalaan. He's just like Gotham.
"Did you hit the woman, Gotham?"
"I didn't. Examine her, Lincoln," he ordered the man.
I just stood there. Lincoln walked towards another door. Kusang bumukas ang pintuan, hinigit naman ako ni Gotham papasok ng pinto. There were several medical equipment inside. Hinayaan kong tingnan ng lalaki ang natamo kong sugat.
"So, what happened?" Tumaas ang kanyang kilay.
May pinahid siyang ointment sa sugat ko.
"She got into a fight," Gotham answered.
"You didn't interfere?"
"I would be a dead meat if I interfered her plans." Narinig ko ang kanyang mahinang pagtawa. "She handled them."
Matapos gamutin ng kaibigan ni Gotham ang sugat ko, muli kaming bumalik sa sasakyan. Pinatakbo niya ito sa kabilang direksyon hanggang makarating kami sa isang village.
Tumapat ang sasakyan sa tapat ng magarbong mansyon. It was probably his house.
"What now?" I asked.
Natigilan siya sa pagbubukas ng pinto ng kotse.
"Hm, you're going to stay with me. I'll provide the best healthcare for your brother. You can't go back on the streets, you know that."
"In return?" I raised a brow at him.
"I need a bride."
We looked at each other's eye for a second. I gave him a dagger look.
"Fuck you, Gotham Wolfgang Arkinson!" I hissed.
"I'll fuck you, too, Filantropi Agnes Masimsim."