Pumasok ako at tumabi kay Ace na ngayon ay nakaupo. I tapped her shoulders to calm her down.
"I know I'm new here kaya mainit ang mata niyo sa akin, but I will never do anything to ruin our plan and endanger our agents." depensa naman nito.
"Really? You were assigned to keep an eye on the couple. It was as simple as that pero ano? nasalisihan ka pa? O baka naman tinulungan mong makatakas."
I saw how Rainela reacted to that. Wala ni isa sa mga kasamahan niya ang dumepensa sa kaniya.
"Stop it! We're asking you to give us the details of what happened, not put someone to blame!"
General's voice thundered which made everyone stop talking.
"Julia, explain what really happened." Hunt seriously said.
"The couple we're staying in a five star hotel malapit sa isla. Just as we planned. Wala silang dalang tauhan nang pumasok sila sa hotel as we hacked into the hotel's CCTV. I left four men to guard the airport and the rest of us will proceed to the hotel. We immediately got a hold of them sa hotel mismo. I cuffed them and locked them in one of the rooms. May sumugod sa mga na-asisgn na agents sa airport mismo kaya pumunta ako doon kasama ang tatlo pa sa pinakamagaling na agent sa team. I have the keys with me para sigurado. Iniwan ko si Rainela and five of our men to look after the couple pero pagbalik ko galing sa airport, walang ng malay ang limang tauhan natin at wala si Rainela sa kwarto."
"Then where did the keys go? Bakit nakatakas ang mag-asawa " Hunt asked.
"I'm pretty sure hindi ko yun nawala, unless someone took it from me. Si Rainela ang huli kong kinausap."
Everyone's gaze was now focused on Rainela. She looked at us with tears pooling in her eyes. She shook her head, trying to deny the accusations.
She looked at Julia.
"Are you trying to say that I took the keys? Eh di sana napansin mo kung sakaling kinuha ko man." she fired back.
Natahimik ang lahat.
She's right. Mapapansin naman siguro kung kinuha nga nito ang susi. But there's a way to do that without letting your victim notice it.
It's impossible. Only well trained agents could do that trick. You can't easily learn that move in just a span of time. Unless, if you started doing it when you were still at a young age.
I looked at Rainela. I know I doubted her the first time I saw her. But her actions are just adding up to my doubts.
I saw her once in the gym. She's practicing some martial art moves and her skills are just the same as the high ranked agents here who took years to practice skills like that.
She's different from the other newbies. She looked like she's used to doing this kind of stuff even before she entered the agency.
It could be possible that she really is well trained even before she entered here. But there's something in her moves that only few know. Like me. Her moves are familiar because they were taught to me when I was a teen.
"What happened after that?"
I was taken aback when I heard the General's voice.
"We couldn't find the couple. We checked the cctv pero hindi nakuhanan or someone must've tried to delete the footages. Then while we are looking for the couple, Rainela went back to the hotel. I asked where she had been. She answered that six men came inside the suite and started attacking them. She was dragged outside of the hotel pero nakatakas daw siya." she answered.
"Is it true Ms. Zurich? Tell us your side." Hunt said.
Napatingin muna si Rainela kay Hunt bago ito lumunok at sumagot.
"I-I was dragged outside of the hotel by the couples' men, but then I was able to escape when they got distracted by the hotel's emergency alarm." she stuttered.
Nakakabingi ang katahimikan kaya kinuha ko iyong pagkakataon para magsalita.
"Bakit sa lahat ng bantay, ikaw lang ang hindi nila sinaktan kung ganon? Ni isang pasa wala. " I curiously asked.
I heard gasps from the other agents. Napatingin rin sa akin ang Heneral at si Hunt. But then I didn't mind them.
Nataranta siya sa tanong ko. She looked at me like she can't believe it.
"I-I don't know. Ako lang ang babae sa lahat ng bantay kaya baka akala nila hindi ako lalaban sa laki ng katawan nila. Maybe they can also get a use of me." lusot niya.
I sighed and played with the pen I'm holding. Kapani-paniwala naman. Baka nga hindi siya sinaktan dahil baka magamit siya upang kuhanan ng impormasyon.
"Bakit dumiretso sila sa isla kung ganoon?" Hunt asked.
That's the biggest question.
"I heard Bernardi's wife telling his men to go straight on the island to ask for Yichen's help." Rainela said.
Everyone fell silent. Rainela looked at everyone. Walang kumakampi sa kaniya. Mainit din ang tingin ng kasamahan niya.
"Please believe me. I did not do anything. I'm not a spy. Please General, believe me. Cap, please."
I looked at Rainela begged. She was crying and shaking her head.
"Don't worry. We won't accuse you of something without enough evidence." Hunt assured her.
Umiwas ako ng tingin at huminga ng malalim. We can't just blame anyone. Lahat sila may pagkukulang. Hindi pwede na iisa lamang ang sasalo ng kapabayaan nila.
"We cannot undo things right now. The only thing we should do right now is to look for Rex. This is another mission." General said.
"As for team b, you'll be under investigation. That means, you will not work unless the investigation is done."
Nagsinghapan ang mga agents because of the General's decision. Wala silang magawa kundi yumuko na lamang.
"Meeting adjourned. You can have your rest."
Hinintay kong makalabas lahat bago ako tumayo at sumunod kay Ace.
Hunt was left in the meeting room with the General.
I directly went to my room to take a rest. Kararating lang ng chopper kung saan sakay sina Yudis at Red.
They will stay here in the agency for their recovery. We have complete machines and medications here kaya mas safe kung dito sila.
Hindi rin muna pinayagan na may bumisita sa kanila dahil kailangan pa silang i-check.
Mabigat ang loob ko dahil sa nangyari. In a short time, I got to meet my friends. Hindi man ganoon katagal ang pagkakilala ko sa kanila ay na attached na ako.
What happened earlier scared me. The thought of losing a friend hurts. Once is enough. I don't want to feel that pain anymore.
Nakatulugan ko na lang ang pag-iisip at nag pagod. Madaling araw na rin at wala pa akong pahinga.
Alas nuwebe na nang magising ako. I immediately went to take a shower para makapag agahan na.
Isang itim na sando at itim na pants lang ang sinuot ko. Tinali ko na rin ang aking ankle boots.
Hinayaan ko lang na nakalugay ang buhok ko dahil basa pa naman ito.
I went out of my room with a heavy feeling.
Papunta ako sa cafeteria nang matanaw ko sa loob si Hunt na kasama si Rainela.
I saw him talked to the agents pero hindi ko rinig sa distansya ko mula sa kanila.
He helped Rainela with her tray of food. Sabay silang umupo sa pandalawahang lamesa.
Mas lalong bumigat ang loob ko sa nakita. Hindi ko alam kung bakit.
I sighed and directly went to the coffee machine. Magkakape na lang ako. Nawalan ako ng ganang kumain.
I looked for Ace pero wala siya. Pupuntahan ko na lang siya sa kwarto niya.
Nang mapuno ang kape, kinuha ko na ito at maglalakad na sana palampas kina Hunt nang natanaw ako nito.
"You won't have your breakfast here?" he asked, which made me stop walking.
Bumaba ang tingin niya sa hawak kong kape.
"I'll just drink coffee."
Tiningnan ko si Rainela tapos si Hunt. Naiirita ako. Di ko alam kung saan nanggagaling ang bigat ng nararamdaman kong ito. Siguro sa pagod at sa nangyari kaya wala ako sa mood.
"Uh.. I'll just look for another table."
Bigla akong napatingin kay Rainela sa sinabi nito.
Tumayo ako ng tuwid at tumikhim.
"No need. I won't stay here. Pupuntahan ko pa si Ace." I said, stopping her.
"You sure?" Hunt asked.
Our eyes locked. I saw concern in the way he looked at me.
"Yeah. I'll go now. Enjoy your breakfast."
I bowed a bit before I left. Hindi na rin naman niya ako pinigilan kaya diretso na akong lumabas ng cafeteria.
Some agents greeted me so I just gave them a little nod.
I sipped on my coffee as I walk. Pupuntahan ko na lang si Ace para ayaing mag breakfast.
I knocked on her door pero walang bumubukas ng pinto. Baka tulog pa.
Napabaling ako sa aking kaliwa. I saw a male agent holding some folders. Kalalabas lang nito mula sa kanyang room, katabi lang ng kay Ace.
"Excuse me. Nakita mo bang lumabas si Ace sa kwarto niya?"
Lumingon siya sa gawi ko. Namumula ang kanyang maputing mukha. Umayos siya ng tayo at tumikhim.
"Ah nakita ko siyang pumunta sa pagamutan. Mukhang bibisitahin sina Red at Yudis."
"Ganoon ba? Salamat."
"Walang anuman."
Tumango ako sa kanya at pumunta na sa pagamutan.
Habang naglalakad, tinapon ko ang kape sa basurahan na nadaanan ko. Wala na rin namang laman.
Busy ang mga nurses sa kanilang trabaho pagdating ko. Nang makita ako ng isa, nginitian ako nito.
"Good morning Nyx. Nandoon si Ace sa kwarto ni Red. Third door mula dito. Katabi lang ng room niya ang kay Yudis."
"Salamat. Kamusta sila?"
"Gising na sila. Bali ang kaliwang braso ni Yudis at namamaga ang tagiliran. Si Red walang bali pero maraming pasa sa katawan. Mabuti at naagapan ang saksak sa kanyang tiyan."
Nakahinga ako ng malalim. At least they're safe now. Si Rex na lang ang kailangan naming hanapin.
"Sige, Salamat. Pasok na ako."
Umalis na ako at una kung pinuntahan ang kwarto ni Red.
Pagbukas ko ng pinto, sinarado ko ulit. What the!? Wrong timing.
Nasapo ko ang noo dahil hindi man lang ako kumatok. Nakita ko pa tuloy ang halikan nilang dalawa.
God, my eyes!
Ba't ba kasi hindi man lang nilock.
Bumukas ang pinto at sumungaw ang mukha ni Ace. Her face blushed. She probably knew I saw that.
"I'm sorry. Uh babalik na lang ako mamaya. I chi-check ko lang si Yudis."
Sabi ko, ayaw kong maistorbo sila kaya aalis na lang ako.
"Pasensya na. Pasok ka." Ace smiled awkwardly.
Nagdadalawang isip pa akong pumasok. Pero nandito na rin naman ako kaya bibisita na lang ako. Mukhang di ko kayang bumisita ulit dito.
Red smiled shyly at me. Mayroon siyang pasa sa kanang pisngi.
"Kamusta?" tanong ko.
Napakamot siya sa ulo at tiningnan si Ace sa likod ko.
"Ayos naman. Medyo namamaga lang ang mga sugat."
Nilibot ko ang paningin ko sa kwarto. May prutas na nakalagay sa isang round table sa gilid.
"Mabuti naman kung ganon. Oh siya aalis na ako. Pagaling ka."
Nginitian niya lang ako at pabirong sumaludo.
Napailing na lang ako sa kakulitan niya.
Nginitian ko si Ace at tinapik ang balikat nito bago ako lumabas ng kwarto.
Sa kwarto naman ni Yudis ang sunod kong binisita. This time, kumatok muna ako.
Walang bumukas kaya baka walang tao. Dahan-dahn kong binuksan ang pinto at bumungad sa akin ang tulog na si Yudis.
May cast sa kaniyang kaliwang kamay. At may iilang pasa din ang kanyang mukha.
I sighed seeing him this way. Hindi ako sanay na ganito siya. He's all smiles and a very jolly person. Seeing him weak is new to me.
Matagal ko pa siyang pinagmasdan bago ako nagdesisyong umalis.
Pagtalikod ko, si Hunt agad ang una kong nakita. Tiningnan ko kung may kasama siya pero wala.
I sighed. Hindi ko na alam ang nangyayari sa akin.
"San ka pupunta?" he asked.
"Magpapahangin lang sa labas."
Matagal niya akong pinagmadan bago tumango at binalingan ang kaibigan.
"May meeting tayo ngayong ala-una. See you in the meeting room."
Tumango ako bago sumagot. "Thanks. I'll go now."
Tumabi siya para makadaan ako. Sinarado ko na din ang pinto at naglakad na paalis.
Kung awkward kami noon, mas lalo na ngayon. Something between us changed after his confession. I don't know how to treat him after that night.
Alam ko naman na may gusto siya sa akin noon. Sa panunukso pa lang ni Yudis, buking na siya. Pero iba pa rin pala kapag umamin na.
Kung noon nakakaya ko pa siyang tingnan sa mata, ngayon naiilang na ako sa tuwing magkaharap kami. Hindi ko rin maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko sa tuwing kasama ko siya.
The green grass of the field made me relax. I sat down on a bench below the narra tree. I needed this.
I watched the birds fly freely. I sighed as I remember clearly how I wanted to become one of them when I was a kid.
Funny how cruel my childhood days were. The world is too harsh to me that I wanted to just become a bird and fly away to find my own home. A place where I can find peace and comfort.
It really happened. When I met my father and brother. They were my home. My comfort. And my peace. They are the ones I've been asking. Nothing more. That's why I swear to myself that I will do everything to keep them safe.
Akala ko nga sila lang sapat na. But when I met these people who became a part of my living as well, my life turned more lively.
Hindi ko aakalain na darating ang araw na hindi lang si Dad at si Khael ang gusto kong protektahan. They're my friends and I want them safe too.
Sa nangyari ngayon sa kanila, hindi ko alam ang kaya kong gawin sa mga gumawa nito.
Masakit na sa mata ang sinag ng araw kaya nagdesisyon na akong bumalik sa loob.
Ang bilis ng oras. Hindi ko man lang namalayan na tanghali na pala.
Hindi ako kumain ng agahan kaya dapat kumain ako ngayon ng lunch.
Pumasok na ako patungo sa cafeteria st agad nag-order ng sisig at sinigang na baboy.
Umupo ako sa lamesa na madalas naming inuupang anim. Wala namang nakaupo kaya doon na ako.
Mag-isa akong kumain sa pang-anim na lamesa.
Some agents glanced at my way to smile at me. I just nod at them and continue eating.
Nakalahati ko na ang kinakain ng tumigil sa harap ko ang lalaking agent kanina na nakausap ko. Yung sa katabing room ni Ace. Di ko alam ang pangalan.
"Okay lang bang makiupo?"
He asked, bitbit ang tray ng lunch niya.
"Sure."
"Thank you.. . Mag-isa ka ata ngayon?"
"Busy"
Mukhang gets niya naman ang ibig kong sabihin kaya nginitian niya ako.
"Ganon ba? Eh ba't nandito ka?"
Nagsalubong nag kilay ko. Ano ba ginagawa sa cafeteria?
"To have lunch."
He chuckled at my response and looked at me defensively.
"Sorry. Nakukulitan ka ba sakin? "
Truth is, I'm not really in the mood to talk right now. But, I don't wanna be rude. Mabait naman siya.
"Okay lang."
"Hindi ako feeling close ha. Curious lang."
Tumango ako at kumain na lang.
He is so talkative. Pero kalaunan, medyo nakakasabay naman ako sa humor niya. He's easy to get along with.
Not bad to have someone joining me for lunch.
I checked what time is it at nakita kong pasado alas dose na. Baka nasa meeting room na sila.
"I need to go now. May meeting pa kami."
I stood up and fix my plates. Para hindi na mahirapan mamaya ang magliligpit nito.
"Nice talking to you.. Sana pansinin mo pa rin ako ha"
Natawa ako sa sinabi niya.
"By the way, I'm Keihan." he said as he lent his hand for a handshake.
I took it and smiled a little.
"Nice talking to you as well, Keihan. I'll go now.