Vens' POV
Pagkalingon namin ni Craise...
"Spare?! You're the Emperor?!"
"Did we surprise you?"
"I'm not that surprise, but I never thought that the one who taught us is the Emperor hisself."
"Haha... I miss you two. Come here Craise, I want to hug you two tight. It's been a long time since the last time we've seen each other." Lumapit kami ni Craise sa kanya at saka namin siya niyakap ng mahigpit. Nagtataka ba kayo kung sino siya? Well, he's Jasper Tuazon, my cousin. Me and Craise are close to him, we treat him as are real brother. Kumalas na kami sa yakap.
"Seriously Spare, what are you doing here?" Tanong ni Craise
"I know that you didn't come here just to race with us. What's your reason para umuwi sa Pilipinas?" Tanong ko rin.
"You know me well. I'll tell you later pag-umuwi na tayo. I'll stay in your house nalang Vens tutal mukhang matatagalan pa naman ang uwi nila tito at tita."
"Okay, I think it's an important matter. Pero bakit dinala mo pa dito yung limang ugok na yan? "
"Hi Vens! Hi Craise!" Bati samin nina Kuya Neil, Paul, Kit, Khalil and Kuya James
"And seriously, sila ang 5 Kings?"
"Hindi ba dapat, 5 ducklings?" Banat ni Craise saka kaming dalawa nag-apir.
"Grabe naman kayo. Hindi niyo ba kami na miss?"-Kuya Neil
"No we didn't!"
"Hahaha... Tama na nga yan, alam niyo kase Vens and Craise, hindi niyo lang nakikitang seryoso tong limang to, pero pag racing na ang pinag-uusapan walang tatalo sa seriousness nilang lima. Haha" Spare said.
"Yeah right. Pero bakit mo nga dinala yang mga yan?"
"I'll tell you later. For now, let's enjoy the night."
"Well, I think hindi niyo na kailangan magpakilala pa sa isa't isa..." Singit ni Jerome.
"By the way Jerome, I heard there's a new troupe coming tonight." Tanong ni Spare.
"Yeah, oh they're here..." After saying that biglang may dumating na anim na kotse. Parang kilala ko itong mga kotse na to ah. Biglang lumabas lahat ng sakay ng mga kotseng yon.
"The heck! Why they're here?!"
"We invited them. And they are your opponent for tonight." I look at Jerome and I was? Really? I look at them? Seriously? Them?
Lumapit sila sa amin at para silang nakakita ng multo. Ewan kung dahil ba sa kagandahan namin ni Craise o dahil andito rin kami. Sinamaan ko lang sila ng tingin. Iba rin pala tong' mga to when they are at the other side of the world. Iba yung pananamit nila, yung itsura nila and even how they act. The windy loosers together with their leader bamboo stick man, Xander Drache Lacson is here.
"Emperor, Kings, Empress, Queen... meet the Gangster King and his troupe. They are also known as The Blackfists." Napatingin ako kay Jerome tapos dun sa anim. They are the well known Blackfists? How come nandito sila? At bakit hindi nila ako pinaghihigantihan sa mga ginagawa ko sa kanila? Di bale, hindi rin naman ako natatakot kahit paghigantihan nila ako. And one more thing, kung sila ang makakalaban namin ngayon, I'm sure we can defeat them once more.
"So, you're all here. Can we start the race now?"-Jerome
"Sure." Sagot namin ni Craise at di ko binigyang pansin yung mga bagong dating. I don't care about them.
"So, how much is your bet?"-Jerome
"We---" Bago pa matapos ang sasabihin ni kawayan ay inunahan ko na siya.
"Craise and I will bet 20, 000, 000 php, plus... the one who'll lose will gonna be the winners slaves for 1 month. Accept it?" I said then I smirk foolishly.
"Woah... Are you sure Empress? 20, 000, 000 php. Isn't it big? This is the first time you'll bet with a higher price with this people."-Jerome
"Vens, are you sure with this? This isn't just a game. If we lose, we'll gonna be their slaves for a month. The money is not an issue but Vens, being a slave for a month?! That's horrible!" Craise whispered.
"Don't worry Craise, we defeat them last time. I'm sure we'll defeat them once more. And have you forgot? May dalawa pa tayong alas kung saka sakaling maipit tayo."
"Are you serious? We'll gonna use are two secret weapon? But we never use that in a situation like this. Maliban nalang kung nasa gipit na gipit na sitwasyon na tayo."
"Just stay with my plans Craise. If we'll gonna win, I'll treat you for 1 week. Shop all you want and buy all you want. So, payag ka na ba?" Nagbubulungan lang kami dito't nag-uusap rin yung anim.
"Sabi mo yan ha? Wala ng bawian. 1 week shopping ha?"
"You know me Craise, I have a word."
"Vens, Craise... What ever you have in your mind, just be careful. And remember all I taught to you." Spare said and gave us a hug.
"So, Blackfists, do you accept their offer?"-Jerome
"Yes, we accept it." That Xander said and look at me. I gave him a devily smirk. Tignan ko lang kung anong binatbat niyo.
"Then, shall we?"-Jerome
Pumasok na kami sa kanya-kanya naming kotse. Nagseatbelt na kami ni Craise. We look at each other and smile. Then I look at the other side. I gave them a foolish smirk. We start our Engine and start heating it up.
"Ready?"-Jerome
"Set"
"GO!"
BROOOOOOOOOOM....
We drove so fast that all things around us is passing so fast. Feeling ko tuloy mas mabilis pa kami sa speed of light. After turning on how many curves, we are now at the zigzag part. Kung hindi ka maingat dito, malamang na mahulog sa bangin yung kotse mo kasama ka. Hindi ko ba nasabi, pero yung napili kasing site for this race is a mountain like place. Delikado talaga dito, kaya rin siguro natatakot si Craise kanina. Kaya nga I offer her 1 week free shop eh, yun kasi ang kahinaan niya, at kalakasan din naman. Ginaganahan kasi siya pag alam niyang sa huli may price siyang makukuha.
"Vens, be careful. I can see that the one side of this mountain is totally ruin. Once you made a wrong move, it's either you'll fall and slide, or you'll totally die." I heard Craise said on the line.
"Thanks Craise, be careful also. We can do this!"
Nangunguna na kami ngayon, pero halos na sa likod lang namin yung Blackfists. We'll gonna use that part of this mountain to finally defeat them.
"Craise, you go first. Drive fast and don't let them notice that there is a part of this mountain na malapit ng gumuho."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, just be careful." Craise drive fast as she can and successfully passed that part na para bang walang sira sa parteng yon. I can see na malapit na nila akong maabutan. Medyo binawasan ko yung speed ko para maabutan nila ako. Nang medyo malapit na sila sa akin ay saka ko binilisan yung pagpapatakbo. Nakasunod parin sila sa akin, at nung malapit na ako sa part ng my guhong side, ay saka ko ipinihit yung kotse ko para maiwasan yun. Atsaka ko na pinaharurot yung kotse ko. Napasmirk nalang ako sa nakita ko. Muntik na kasing mahulog yung kotse ni Xander buti nalang nakapagpara pa siya agad. Napahinto rin yung mga kasama niya, muntik na nga nilang mabangga ang isa't-isa.
"SH*T!!" I heard Xander cuss angrily. Paano ko narinig? Wala e. Malakas talaga ang pandinig ko.
"That serves you right SLAVE!" I said then drive out to the finish line. I arrive successfully to the finish line. And they all cheered up. Bumaba ako agad and brush my hair. Sinalubong naman ako ng lahat.
"You're unbelievable! I heard that the Blackfists is one of the fastest drag racers. I thought they'll defeat you." Jerome said saka ako nilapitan ni Craise.
"Have you forgotten our motto?"
"No one can defeat the Empress and the Queen" Spare and the others We just laughed at them until Xander and his troupe finally arrived. They get down in their car and gave us a unbestowed look. Everyone look at them. Kala mo sinong mga magagaling e wala pala sila e. Weaklings.
"Don't be mad at us stick man, there's still next time... a time for you to lose again."
"HAHAHAHAHAHA" All of us laugh except for the Blackfists
"You don't need to laugh at us, you can't win everytime. Minsan ang panalo, panandalian lang yan. If I were you, I'll cherish the moment." He and gave me a smirk. Yang mukhang yan. Pupunitin ko na talaga yan.
"Shut up SLAVE. Hindi man ako manalo sa susunod, I'll assure you, someone will still defeat you!"
"Enough! So the Empress and the Queen won. So where's your 20, 000, 000 each?"-Jerome
"Here, take it." Xander then gave the money to Jerome, then Jerome gave the money to me.
"Here's your part Jerome." Then I gave him 10, 000, 000.
"Thanks Empress."-Jerome
"Sure thing." Then I gave the crowd 10, 000, 000 for them to celebrate. And I gave Spare and his friends another 10, 000, 000. Hindi naman kami ganon kadamot. What would I do to this lots of money if I can get all I needed?
"And Craise, here's your 30, 000, 000."
"Thanks Vens."
"Don't thank me. We both work for it."
"Bakit ganon? Mas malaki yung sayo Venisse?" Tanong ni Kuya Neil
"I'll get 30, 000, 000 also."
"How about the remaining 30, 000, 000?"
"Those will be given to 3 orphanage we support."
"Seriously? Wow, I just can't believe it! Isang Bad Empress and Bad Queen will donate 30, 000, 000 for the orphans?"
"Then you have to believe it."
After how many hours of driving, we finally arrived at home. Craise decided na mag-sleepover nalang sa house. May importante kasing sasabihin si Spare at gusto ring malaman yun ni Craise.
"Good evening Vens, good evening Shirley." Bati samin ni Yaya.
"Good evening din po Ya." Me and Craise then we kiss her
"Hi Yaya!"
"Jasper! Buti nakauwi ka! Namiss kita iho!" Yaya was surprise and was overwhelmed ng makita si Spare. Ang tagal na kasi niyang hindi nakita si Spare. It's been several years.
"Ako rin po Ya. Oo nga po pala, kasama ko po pala sina Neil, James, Kit, Paul and Khalil. Were staying here po muna for this night. Tomorrow po, magstastay na yung limang yan sa condo. And I'll be staying here with Vens habang wala pa po sina Tita and Tito."
"Ay, ang lalaki niyo na, parang kelan lang ang babata niyo pa ah. Mga uhugin pa kayo noon."
"Yaya naman eh, past is past and past can never be back"-Khalil
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Natawa nalang kaming lahat.
After naming magkwentuhan, kumain na kami ng dinner. Tawa parin kami ng tawa habang kumakain. Ang gugulo kasi nung lima. After naming kumain eh pumunta na kaming lahat sa sala.
"So, ano ng importante mong sasabihin Spare?"
"Ahmm, how will I start this?"
"Look, ayoko ng paligoy-ligoy. Just make it straight to the point." Huminga muna ng malalim si Spare bago nagsalita.
"She's coming home..."
"She's coming home..."
"She's coming home..."
Paulit-ulit yang linyang yan na pumasok sa isip ko at parang nanliit ako sa lakas ng salitang yan. Parang nabingi ako sa sinabi niyang yon. Parang hindi ako makagalaw. Parang sumakit bigla yung puso ko. Hindi ko alam, hindi ko naiintindihan. Bakit kailangan niya pang bumalik? Kung kailan maayos na yung buhay ko? Kung kailan masaya na ako? Kung kailan hindi ko na nararamdaman ang takot, kung kailan panatag na yung kalooban ko? Bakit? Bakit niya pa guguluhin ang buhay ko?
Ok na ako. Ok na Ok na ako. Pero bakit kailangan niya pang bumalik. Hindi ko maigalaw ang katawan ko. I want to utter some words, but I can't even open my mouth. As if it was sealed. Natatakot ako. Natatakot akong maulit uli yung dati. But I need to conquer my fears. Walang ano- ano'y, napilit kong makapagsalita.
"Kelan---Kelan siya babalik?"
"One month. After a month..."
"Then I need to prepare for that day..."
"Vens, are you ok?" Tanong ni Craise.
"Yes. Yes I'm Ok." Tatango-tango kong sagot then I gave them a weak smile.
"Don't worry Vens, kaya kami umuwi dahil sa balitang yan. Nandito kami para suportahan ka. Para alagaan ka. Para protektahan ka, at para tulungan ka."-Kuya James
"Thank you for caring... Ahmm, I need to go upstairs, I think I need to rest. Just ask Yaya to accompany you in the guest room... Sige"
Dumiretso na ako sa kwarto ko. Nanghihina ako. Nanginginig ang katawan ko. Parang hindi ko na kayang humakbang pa. Napaupo nalang ako sa sahig. Sumandal ako sa gilid ng kama. Naaalala ko na naman ang lahat. Hindi ko na napigilang maluha. Ayoko mang sabihin sa kanila pero, natatakot ako. Natatakot ako sa mangyayari. Niyakap ko yung binti ko and burst out with tears.
"Vens?" I heard Craise's voice. Nilapitan niya ako saka tinabihan.
"Craise, natatakot ako. Bakit pa siya babalik dito? Ok na ang lahat, Ok na ako. Bakit kailangan niya pa uling guluhin ang buhay ko?"
"Shhh... Don't be afraid Vens, we're here for you. Hindi ka namin pababayaan. Andito lang ako, hinding-hindi kita iiwan." She said and hug me tightly.
I hope, things will be fine soon. Coz' I don't want to live with fears anymore.
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A/N: Xander as slave? What will happen?
At sinong magbabalik? Bakit takot na takot sa kanya si Vens?
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