ALTHED was sitting magnificently in a long sofa at the VIP lounge of a high-end firing range facility somewhere in Quezon City. He was eating snacks with his family. Ainah just finished the the lectures about guns and firing. Binigyan sila nito ng ilang minutong break para makapag-merienda bago sila mag-actual firing.
His eyes were on Ainah and Cedrick who were just few meters away. The two seemed to be talking intimately, while they were eating their snacks. Simula pa lang ay nahahalata na niya ang closeness ng dalawa. And, Ainah always looked happy whenever she was close to him.
Hindi alam ni Althed kung bakit may kung ano'ng hindi niya maintindihang pakiramdam ang umuusbong sa sistema niya habang patagal nang patagal niyang pinapanood ang dalawa. How could she be so happy ang charming with other guys, while she was like an annoyed chicken when she's with me? Iyong tipong manunuka na lang kapag nilapitan mo kahit wala kang bad intention. An image of Ainah crawling sexily towards him registered his head again. He shook his head slowly.
Ego lang ito. Hindi ko lang matanggap na ang pangit ng trato niya sa akin just because of whatever our past is. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung ano exactly ang nagawa ko.
This should not make any sense for him but for some reason, he was affected.
"You know what, bro? If you like her, just say the magic word. Hindi iyang hanggang tingin ka na lang sa malayo," buska ni Ian Sol.
Pinagkunutan niya ito ng noo. "This isn't about her," pagde-deny niya. "I'm just thinking about those names in the list that they gave a while ago."
Earlier that day after that explosion incident, Ainah gave him a list of possible suspects. Sinabi nitong malinis ang record ng lahat ng taong konektado sa kanila, kaya isa-isahin nila lahat ng may posibleng motibo. And he felt a little confused with the names. Ang ilan sa mga iyon ay malapit talaga sa kanya. Iyong tipong parang pamilya na ang turing niya sa mga iyon. Kung sila ang nasa likod ng chaos na ito, for sure, a part of him would be disappointed.
"Just be careful with everyone," sambit ng kanilang ama. "Sa ngayon, wala tayong mapagkakatiwalaan except ang pamilyang ito at sila," tukoy ng kanyang ama kina Ainah at Cedrick.
"I hope this will end as soon as possible," sabad naman ng kanyang ina. "At sana wala nang mapahamak. This is starting to make me feel so worried about you, Althed."
Hinawakan ni Daddy Geo ang kamay ng asawa. "Matatapos din ito."
"Don't worry, 'Ma. Since we have the Code Black with us, I believe we are in safer state," sabi ni Ian. "And sure ako na hindi naman tayo pababayaan nina Ainah. Lalo na si Kuya. Feeling ko may percentage of feelings pa siya para kay Kuya." Bumaling ito kay Ainah na walang kamalay-malay na siya ang pinag-uusapan nila.
Bumungisngis ang kanyang mga magulang nang tingnan niya ang kapatid. "Galit sa akin iyong tao. Kung ano man iyong klase ng rejection na ginawa ko sa kanya noon, hindi ko talaga maalala."
"Ang naaalala ko lang, sinabi mong hindi mo siya type dahil mataba siya. Napahiya siya sa harap ng maraming tao kasi sa gitna ng basketball court siya nag-alok maging prom date mo. Dahil pinagtawanan mo lang at tinanggihan, na-bully siya ng iba, pinagtawanan din, and eventually, nagalit sa 'yo kasi 'di mo siya na-appreciate lalo na iyong efforts niya. Iyan, sinabi ko na sa 'yo kahit nangako ako sa kanya na hindi ko sasabihin. Bahala ka na mag-discover ng mga effort niya. Kaya mo na iyan."
"Why would I?" he tried his best to sound like he didn't care.
"Because you're affected, and she's just right there."
"How sure you are that she affects me?"
"Come on, kuya. I know you." Tinapik nito ang balikat niya. "Hindi lahat ng babae katulad ng mga na-experience mo— the goodbye after taste kind of girl na unang lalapit with the same purpose. You know what I mean. May mga babaeng tulad ni Ainah, na hindi mo makukuha kahit ibandera mo ang lahat-lahat sa katawan mo."
"At andyan lang siya, anak. Puwede kang bumawi," nakangiting sambit ng kanyang ina.
He rolled his eyes. "Bawiin ang nasabi ko na? 'Ma, wala po iyon sa dictionary ko. Kung sinabi ko po iyon noon, for sure she deserved it that time."
"Your rough attitude really sucks, anak," komento ng tatay nila.
Nahinto ang usapan nila nang lumapit na sina Ainah at Cedrick sa kanila. "Okay na po ba tayo? Puwede na po tayong mag-resume?" nakangiting sambit nito habang nakatingin sa pamilya niya. Nawala lang ang ngiti nito nang balingan siya nito. He was just showing his deadly stare. "Bakit na naman, Sir Althed?"
"Seeing your face is enough to annoy me and ruin my mood," hirit niya sabay tayo mula sa kinauupuan niyang comfy sofa at nauna nang maglakad papunta sa outdoor firing range area. The rest followed him.
"Ma'am Sophia, ipinaglihi n'yo iyong lalaking iyon sa rock music ano? Karisma Band is known for alternative rock love songs. Iyong tipong nag-a-I love you pero pasigaw," tukoy nito sa celebrity band na kinabilangan ng kanyang ama during his younger days. "Lagi na lang yamot at galit ang isang iyon," narinig pa niyang litanya ni Ainah sa magulang niya na ikinatawa naman ng mga ito.
"Pagpasensiyahan mo na iyang anak namin, Ainah. Marami lang sigurong iniisip kaya ganyan," sambit ng daddy niya.
"Ah, so mula pagkabata, marami na po siyang iniisip, doc? Ganyan na siya noon pa."
Napalingon si Althed kasabay ng pagtawa ng kanyang kapatid. Nakita niyang ngumiti pa ang mga magulang niya as if his grumpy attitude was just a nice joke. Nagtama ang mga mata nila ni Ainah. She just smiled annoyingly. He just rolled his eyes and proceeded.
Sa mga sumunod na oras ay sinubukan nila ang actual firing. Walang ibang tao sa firing range dahil nirentahan nila ang buong facility that day.
"Okay, Sir Althed, load the gun," Ainah instructed.
He was holding a Koch VP9, a 9mm handgun caliber. Tinuran na sila nito na mag-load ng bala at magkasa ng baril. He was in focus of learning even her sensual lavender scent was distracting his senses. Cedrick and another Code Black agent as assisting his dad and brother.
"Focus your eyes on your target," sunod na instruction ni Ainah. "Make sure that you are aware of the gun you are holding. The muzzle shall always be pointing to a safe direction and the trigger shall always be safe from your fingers unless you are about to shoot." He just nodded and followed what she was saying. "Raise your gun and aim your target." An unexplainable sensation run through his veins when she held his arms. Iniayos nito ang position ng braso at kamay niya. Umikot ito sa kanyang likod at inayos ang posture ng kanyang balikat. "Shoot your target, whenever you're ready."
And that what he did. It was three consecutive shots. She pressed the button of the mechanical machine that pulled the target panel closer to them. Napangiti siya nang malapit-lapit na sa center ng target ang mga na-hit niya.
"Good job, sir. As much as possible make this as a newly-acquired hobby habang nilalakad ng agency ang license to carry ng mga baril na iha-handover ng agency sa inyo. Do you have any questions, sir?"
"Gaano ka kagaling bumaril? Show me," he said as if challenging her to prove her worth.
Ainah grinned sexily. "The farthest range of this is too near for me," she said while pressing the button that sent the target panel to the farthest range. "I can even hit the bullseye just with my peripheral vision." Kinasa nito ang baril, pulled the trigger, nag-side glance for few seconds, at sunod-sunod na binaril ang target.
It was expected that she hit the bullseye. He wondered how many people did she already hit in her profession.
"Woah! Ang galing mo, Ainah. Asintado, ah. Parang dati hindi ka makasalo ng volleyball," hirit ni Ian.
Tumawa lang si Ainah. "Kainis ka, pinaalala mo pa. Well, duling pa rin ako sa volleyball hanggang ngayon. Wala akong future sa sports maliban siguro sa pagtakbo." Binalingan siya nito. "May tanong ka pa, sir?"
"Ilan na ang napatay mo?" wala sa sariling tanong niya. Natigilan din ang pamilya niya sa tanong niya. "I mean, in that profession of yours, hindi naman maiiwasan na makadisgrasya kayo, 'di ba?"
Ngumiti ito. "We are trained to shoot the safe spots of the body. Krimen pa rin ang pumatay, kriminal man ang pinatay mo o hindi. I apologize kung hindi ko masasagot ang tanong mo."
It meant, there was or there were. "Are we done here?" tanong na lang niya to close the conversation.
"Yes, sir. Your next schedule is a meeting with your business colleagues."
After the firing lesson, umuwi na ang mga magulang nila. Sila naman ni Ian ay tumuloy sa hangout meeting nila ng kanilang mga kaibigan sa business industry. Still with Ainah, Althed went inside the Kofi Cups and Sweets branch in front of Pontez Media Building. Naiwan si Cedrick sa labas upang magmanman.
"Sir, restroom lang ako," paalam ni Ainah.
"Sige, sumunod ka sa VIP Room 2."
Kumaliwa si Ainah para magbanyo at dumiretso naman silang magkapatid sa VIP room.
"The always late brothers are finally here!" buska ni YB nang makita sila. Yuan Bravery Canilao was the owner of Canilao Foods Corporation.
"Sorry, we attended a target shooting class," tugon ni Ian sabay upo sa couch.
"Target shooting? Babae ba ang target diyan? Join ako next time," biro ni CL. Christopher Lucas Pontez was the one who owned the Pontez Media Production.
"Hay naku, kuya. Basta babae, buhay ang dugo mo," sabad ni Jed. Jederei Cielo Pontez was CL's younger brother, who owned the Pontez Media Publications.
"Bumubuhay ng kulay ng mundo ang mga babae," hirit ni CL.
"At may nakaririnig sa inyong babae," hirit ni Jav. Marcelo Javier Losin owned the Losin Investment Consultancy.
"May nakikita ka na namang hindi namin nakikita," buska ni YB.
Naamoy ni Althed ang familiar lavender scent perfume ni Ainah. Tahimik lang itong pumasok ng silid kaya hindi ito napansin ng karamihan. "No. He's right." Itinuro ni Althed si Ainah. "This is Rai, my executive assistant." Saka lang ito napansin ng mga ito.
"Gentlemen, just don't mind my presence. I'll just be ghost at his back," bati ni Ainah sa mga ito.
Ngumiti ang mga ito sa sinabi ni Ainah at isa isang nakipag-kamay.
"A cute EA," sambit pa ni Jed.
"Where's your 'sexytary'? Ano'ng name noon? Veronica? Ah, no. I remember now. Vernice," hirit ni YB.
"Vernice na palaging V-line ang top," CL added naughtily.
"She's still my secretary. I just lessen her responsibilities since I need someone who will attend to my personal needs and errands," paliwanag niya.
"But, wait. You are familiar. Have we met before?" tanong ni CL.
Napailing na lang siya. Usual line na kasi ni CL iyon. "All women are familiar to you."
Tumawa lang silang lahat.
"Sir, my face is generic. Baka kamukha ko lang," sabad ni Ainah.
Napakunot ang noo ni Althed nang pakatitigan pa ni CL si Ainah. "No, I think kilala kita. Do you know Jude Sebastian Celerio?"
"Celerio Transit Corporation?" curious na tanong din niya na ikinatango ni CL. Kunot-noong binalingan niya si Ainah at napangiwi ito sabay ngiti.
"I knew it! Isa ka sa college girlfriends ni Jude, 'di ba?" hirit ni CL na tila tuwang-tuwa sa natuklasan.
So, she has a CEO ex. Why did they part ways? He was curious.
"Past is past," hirit ni Ainah. "Buhay pa ba siya? Curious lang," biro pa nito.
Tumawa si CL. "Of course. Mukha nga lang nakahanap na ng babaeng magpapatino."
"Good kung gano'n."
"Pero ako, available pa. Would you like to go out with me? I—"
"Stop flirting with my staff, CL," may halong pagbabanta ni Althed.
"Ikaw naman, bro. Kung gusto mong maging single for life, go ahead. 'Wag mong idamay ang mga staff mo lalo na ang magandang EA mo," hirit ni CL. Sinegundahan ng tawa ng mga kaibigan nila ang sinabi nito.
"Yeah, loosen up a bit," hirit ni Jav.
Napailing lang siya. "Can we just start discussing our agenda instead?" he asked instead.
"Alright!" YB caught their attention. "Let's get into business."
For the next two hours they talked about business deals and some personal matters, until food was served. Hindi na niya kailangang mag-effort mag-alok ng pagkain kay Ainah dahil nagkanya-kanya ng bigay ng pagkain ang mga kaibigan niyang mahihilig sa babae.
He was just eating nang bigla siyang nilapitan ni CL at binulungan. "Can I speak with you in private with her?" tukoy nito kay Ainah.
Nagtataka man ay tumango na lamang siya. Agad itong lumabas at sumunod sila dito. Lumipat lang sila sa isa pang vacant VIP room.
"What is it, CL?" usisa ni Althed.
CL faced him. "What's going on? I don't understand why a high-caliber police is working as your EA."
Nagkatinginan sila ni Ainah. She just nodded, thus giving him the authority to tell CL whatever he wanted to tell.
"How did you know?" tanong niya.
"Forensic Science ang course ni Ainah." At binalingan nito si Ainah. "I remember seeing you at Camp Crame with Ninong Eldwick. I know, there's something going on."
Ainah nodded to Althed.
"Okay, bro. Promise me that no one will know . . . for now," sabi ni Althed, bagama't alam niyang sooner or later, malalaman din ng mga kaibigan niya ang pinagdadaanan niya at ng kanyang pamilya.
"Of course. Maybe I could help too."
He nodded. Okay na sa kanya ang verbal affirmation ngunit biglang naglatag si Ainah ng non-disclosure agreement.
"Sorry, sir. Protocol," paliwanag ni Ainah. Wala namang alinlangang pumirma si CL. "Thank you. But we can't talk about it here. Sashimi and Sashami is in the area."
"What?" kunot-noong tanong ni CL.
"Ah, suspects codes. Let's meet in my car at the gas station going south," sabi niya.
CL agreed. Bumalik sila sa VIP room at tinapos ang meeting na iyon. Papalabas na sina Althed at Ainah ng coffee shop nang makita niya si Irvo kasama ang mommy nito na si Aunt Lily.
"Ted, hijo!" magiliw na pagbati ni Aunt Lily. "What are you doing here?"
Bilang paggalang ay lumapit siya at bumeso sa tita niya. She was a cousin of his mom. Irvo tapped his shoulder too.
"I just had a meeting with my friends," tugon niya.
"And who is this beautiful lady?" tukoy ni Irvo kay Ainah. His eyes were glowing while gazing at her. Mukhang type ng pinsan niya si Ainah.
"Oh, my new executive assistant Rai."
"Good afternoon, sir, ma'am," Ainah nodded as sign of respect.
"It is nice to meet you, Miss Rai," nakangiting sambit ni Irvo bago ito bumaling sa kanya. "Mukhang mapapadalas ang pagsaglit ko sa opisina mo sa mga susunod na araw, bro."
"Don't be flirty, bro," biro lang niya. "I'm sorry, I have to go and catch another meeting."
Agad na silang nagpaalam at sumakay ng kanyang kotse. Cedrick was driving.
"I know now how to get closer to Irvo Montelino," sambit ni Ainah kay Cedrick.
"How?" tanong naman nito.
"Gagamitin ko ang ganda ko," hirit nito.
Althed chuckled. "How sure you are?"
"Of what? Of him, being a suspect? Kaya nga nag-iimbestiga."
"No. I mean, you being beautiful," pang-aasar niya. He heard Cedrick chuckled.
Mula sa passenger seat sa una ay binalingan siya nito. "Maganda ako. Wala akong pakialam kung hindi mo ma-appreciate ang ganda ko. Kung wala kang maitutulong sa imbesigasyon, manahimik ka, sir. Okay?"
That triggered his senses. No one should talk to him that way. "Apparently, I'm paying you to save my life, so I will say, whatever I want to say."
Bumuntonghininga ito at nanahimik na lang bago sila nakarating sa gas station kung saan niya kakausapin si CL.