Kabanata 25
"D-DAD?" pumiyok ako.
Nanahimik ang lahat. I saw his forehead creased while looking at me, pinakatitigan niya ako. Napasinghap ako at nalaglag ang luha sa mga mata ko.
This is him; I knew it...
His eyes, his face, everything... Kahit kay tagal na nang huli ko siyang makita ay ito pa rin siya.
"Ree," naramdaman ko ang hawak sa akin ni Zeij kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.
"Z-Zeij, si..." I pointed my Dad who was just staring at me. Nanatiling nagtataka ang tingin niya at pilit akong kinikilala.
He's not dead.
"That's Tiger..." ani Zeijan na nagtataka rin sa asta ko, I saw his men moved from his back to get Brad pero hindi ako makapaniwalang nakatingin pa rin.
"T-Tiger?" I stuttered.
"Yes... He's our boss." Sumulyap muling ako roon sa lalaki at mas napaluha ako nang makita kong lumapit siya sa akin.
"Miss..." his cold voice said, and I almost ran towards him.
"D-dad..." I whispered.
That made him stop. I saw how his mouth parted at nakita kong ang paglambot ng mata niya. It was like he realized something and when his tear fell ay nasapo ko ang bibig ko.
"A-Alicia? Anak?" he called.
I sobbed. Mabilis kong tinakbo ang direksyon niya at napahagulgol nang magdikit kami.
"Alicia..." bulong niya at mas napahagulgol ako at mas humigpit ang yakap sa kanya.
He hugged me back tightly like he'd never want lose me again. I heard his sob kaya mas napasinghap ako.
"D-daddy... Akala ko... Akala..."
"S-shh, I'm sorry, anak. I-I didn't know..." he whispered as he caressed my back. My heart is thumping wildly, mixed feeling with both sadness and happiness.
His grip tightened around me as he held the back of my neck and hugged me tighter.
"Anak ko..." basag na ang boses niya. He is shaking, I heard how he cried while he's trying to calm me down.
Halos manginig na siya habang nagsasalita at matapos ay sisinghap at iiyak.
He moved away and I saw how his blood shot eyes reflected mine. I can almost see my own eyes on his, like they were mirror images.
"A-ang laki mo na..." Umangat ang kamay niya sa pisngi ko at hinaplos ito. "Ang laki na ng baby Ali namin."
"D-daddy..." umatungal ako.
"G-God, I still can't believe..." he whispered. "How? My daughter..."
Kahit nag-matured ay halos wala siyang ipinagkaiba sa pictures niya noon, only that the lines on his forehead and thin lines on the side of his eyes now.
"P-paano ka napunta rito, anak?" mahinang sabi niya at umiling lang ako at muling yumakap sa kanya.
"D-daddy... I missed you. B-bakit hindi mo kami binalikan?" I whispered, hurt.
"Anak..." bulong niya. "I-I thought..."
"Sir, some of the syndicate agents are alive." Imporma sa kanya. Napahiwalay siya sa akin at nakita kong tumingin siya sa lalaki roon.
"Kill them," his voice's cold. "Keep everything around my daughter safe."
"Copy, Sir..." Umalis ito at muling humarap sa akin.
"I'll explain, okay?" I nodded amd stared at him. I still couldn't believe this.
Why is he still alive? Ang sabi noon...
"Don't cry, darling..." aniya at masuyong pinunasan ang mga luha ko. "I will keep you safe."
"S-si Mommy..." I muttered. "We have to save her."
I saw how his eyes softened. Nakita ko ang pamumuno ng luha sa mga mata niya.
"W-where is she? Where's your Mom? Is she safe? Is she...?"
"She's with Antonio," mahinang sabi ko. "He hostaged her so he can scare me."
"Fuck," he muttered in a hard voice. I saw rage forming in his eyes. Ang galit na iyon ay nakikita ko lamang sa mga mata ni Zeijan sa t'wing nanganganib ako.
The look that could kill.
He gripped my hand at pinakatitigan ako.
"We will keep your Mom away from them, okay?" I nodded.
"Please..." bulong ko. "Let's save her."
He nodded. Humawak siya sa palapulsuhan ko at nakita ko ang paglingon niya sa paligid.
I took a glance at my husband and saw him staring at us. Tulala lang siya at napakurap.
"Archer, come here." My father strictly commanded but my husband didn't even move, nakatulala lang ito sa akin.
"Archer!" my Dad exclaimed, that's when he stood straight.
"M-me?" he pointed himself.
"Faster!" mabilis na napunta sa harapan namin si Zeijan at nakita ko ang pagkabalisa niya.
"Yes, Sir?" alangang sabi niya at nakita kong kumunot ang noo ni Daddy rito.
"Are you fine? You look constipated," ani Daddy.
"Yes, Sir..." tango ni Zeijan at pumormal.
"I want you to alert the system, call Phoenix and the other members, we'll go on the syndicate's warehouse tonight," ani nito.
"How about the bombs?"
"Magtanim kayo roon, command them and let them do what you asked. We have to save my wife," we answered.
"Yes, Sir," ulit ni Zeij at sumulyap sa akin.
He looks shy and too formal kaya ngumuso ako.
"Uh, Dad..." Napalingon sa akin si Dad at sumulyap ako kay Zeijan bago sa kanya. "Ano nga pala—"
"Go, Archer! We don't have time to waste! We have to save my wife!" Nakita kong napaayos si Zeij at naguguluhang napatingin sa akin at maya-maya nagpa-panic na tumakbo palayo.
Napangiti ako. Yes, Zeij, your boss is my father...
"What is it, darling?" ani Dad at napangiti na lang ako at umiling.
Next time, Dad. Not now.
"Come with me, tell me exactly the place where they're hiding. I have stopped his men from escaping kaya hindi pa marahil ito nakakarating sa kanila," ani Dad sa akin.
"I will come too..." I said.
"No, you stay here, baka may mangyaring—"
"I'm also an undercover, Dad," pag-amin ko, I saw how his forehead creased. "They trained me to—"
"Bullshit!" mariing sabi niya at pumikit. "What did they do? Did they hurt you? Ang Mommy mo? Si Carmina?"
"T-They used us." He cursed. Humugot siya ng hininga at maya-maya'y inabot ang telepono niya.
"Tell the President about what happened and let him send more men. I will fucking kill that asshole." Tumulong ako sa Dad ko sa paanong makakapasok kami sa headquarters.
They were all busy, refilling the guns, dumping the dead enemy's bodies, and preparing the bombs and knives. Ako nama'y abot-abot ang kaba habang tumutulong.
I still can't process everything, about why he is still alive.
Why is he the head of this agency? Why did he not help us?
"Whatever happens, I want you to stay safe. I will let you come with us pero kung sakaling maging alanganin ay hindi ka tutuloy," paalala ni Daddy.
I nodded.
"You and your Mom's safety is our priority so, help me." Nakita kong iniikot niya ang tingin at nagsalita.
"Archer, come here." I saw how my husband jogged near us.
"Yes, Sir?"
"Take good care of my daughter. Kapag dating natin doon ay gusto kong siguraduhin mo ang kaligtasan niya," ani nito.
"Gladly, Sir," ani Zeij at bahagyang dumikit sa akin kaya napakagat ako ng labi.
"And another thing," he stopped, and I saw how my husband almost turned white.
"I'll talk to you later," he said coldly.
"F-for?"
"For you, touching my daughter," aniya at natigilan din ako roon. "I don't let my daughter be touched by any men, but you hugged her."
"B-because she's my—"
"We'll go in five, protect her. I am counting on you, kapag nagkagalos 'yan, my gun is always ready for you." Kinasa ni Dad ang baril at pinakita kay Zeijan at nakita ko ang panlalaki ng mata ng asawa ko.
I almost laughed at his reaction, nakita kong sumulyap sa akin ang Daddy ko bago ngumiti at tumalikod.
He left but my husband remained staring at him.
"Uy..." I tugged his cheek and chuckled when I saw his lips turned pale.
"Mister?" I called him and reached for his cheek at doon lang siya napatingin sa akin.
"D-dad mo talaga siya?" I nodded and smiled. Nakita ko ang pagrehistro ng kaba sa mukha niya at napalunok.
"Patay..." he whispered and shook his head. I laughed and reached for his face for a quick kiss.
"Why?" tanong ko. Inabot naman niya ang baywang ko at maya-maya'y tumungo at yumakap habang nakasubsob sa leeg ko.
"Asar sa akin 'yan," nanghihinang bulong niya. Mas napatawa ako at hinaplos ang buhok niya.
"Why?"
"I am too fond of annoying him everytime and now, I'm fucking dead," bigo niyang sabi.
•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•
EVERYTHING is ready. Zeijan hacked the cameras inside the headquarters and I saw my Mom and friend's condition. Nasa isang madilim na kwarto sila at napapalibutan ng mga lalaking may malalaking baril.
My Mom is still crying, same as my friend, Trece. Si Hawk na lang ang nanatiling malakas at pilit kumakawala pero binubugbog lang siya ng mga tauhan doon kahit anong gawin niya.
My Dad and Zeijan are mad. I saw my Dad kicking the chair as he looked at my Mom's situation. Si Zeijan naman ay mariin at halos pasigaw na para utusan ang mga tauhan na sumakay na at umalis.
I am with Zeijan the moment we left. I saw how his hand on the steering wheel tightened. Si Daddy naman ay nasa isang sasakyan at mas nauna pa sa amin.
He was too eager to save my Mom at halos mamatay naman ako sa kaba habang mabilis na pinapaandar ni Zeijan ang sasakyan.
"You don't have to fight; you can just stay—"
"No," iling ko. "I will help in saving my Mom."
"What if something happened?" nilingon niya ako at nakita ko ang pagkabigo sa mata niya. "I was damn scared when I saw you with Brad, natakot ako. I can't afford to lose you..." mahinang sabi niya at nilingon ako.
"Zeij..." I sighed and touched his arm. "I will be safe, no matter what. You'll protect me, right?" I smiled.
"Damn it, I will give my life just to protect you," he said and took a glance at me. Nang abutin niya ang kamay ko ay kaagad kong hinawakan ang kanya.
I let our fingers intertwined at kaagad kong hinalikan ang likod ng palad niya bago pisilin.
"Salamat..."
"You stay here without my command," Zeijan commanded his men.
"Yes, Arch," ani Phoenix.
"Once we go inside, I want you to tell Axel and the team to go," ani nito.
I quickly took the gun and put it on my jeans. I strapped a knife on my leg and the armalite on my back.
"Be safe, Alicia," my Dad suddenly told me, kaagad akong nag-angat ng tingin at tumango.
"Yes, Dad. I will save Mom," sagot ko.
"When you go inside, stick with Archer. He'll keep you safe. Connect with me immediately and we'll attack," ani nito. I nodded.
"Noted, Dad." I smiled. Kaagad naman siyang yumakap sa akin at humalik sa noo ko.
"I promise to keep you and your Mother safe," bulong niya sa akin. "Babawi pa ako sa pagkawala ko. Pangako."
We will be the first one to enter the headquarters. Dahil sa kabisado ko rito ay walang choice si Zeijan kung hindi ang isama talaga ako.
My Dad and his men are outside, hiding, waiting for our instruction before they'll attack.
We went to hole on the ceiling. Nauna akong gumapang at nakasunod sa akin si Zeijan. It was too hot in here, masikip rin masayado at medyo madilim pero kailangan naming gawin ito.
"Left, baby..." I crawled to the left, naramdaman ko naman si Zeijan sa may paahan ko kaya napalingon ako.
"It's hot in here," he breathes.
"Hmm," I chuckled. "Ginusto mo 'to, 'di ba?"
Ngumiwi siya pero napailing at napasinghap ako nang paluin nito ang pang-upo ko.
"Go, baby. We won't take much time here. It's damn hot." Napailing na lang ako at binilisan.
Sinilip ko ang ibaba at nakitang may mga tauhan roon na naglalakad. They seemed relax. Paniguradong hindi pa nila alam ang nangyari kina Brad.
"Ang tagal ng pamangkin ni Boss. Nakuha kaya nila 'yong Archer?" We both stopped when we heard that.
"Hindi ko alam, baka bukas dala na iyon dito. Kung hindi kasi at natalo sila, tiyak na patay itong mga kaibigan ng babae," ani ng isa.
Kumalabog ang dibdib ko.
"Faster, baby. On the right side this time." Doon lang ako natauhan. Mabilis akong gumapang patungo roon at halos sundan na namin ang mga lalaki habang naglalakad sila.
I saw them went inside the room at wala na kaming maiikutan rito sa itaas kaya tumigil ako.
"This is the end," sambit ko at nilingon si Zeij. "We have to get out of here and get inside."
Iniabot ang kamay ko at iniabot sa akin ni Zeijan ang screw. I screwed the barrier and it fell, kaagad kong sinilip ang ibaba at nang makitang walang kahit sino ay nagsalita ako.
"Clear, Zeij."
"Be careful, Ree." I nodded and moved my body to jump on the hole. I landed smoothly on the floor at narinig ko ang pagbagsak at nakita kong nasa tabi ko na rin si Zeijan.
He was dripping with sweat, ang kanyang buhok ay medyo basa na rin kaya ngumuso ako.
"Here," I handed him the handkerchief pero nanatili lang siyang nakatingin doon kaya marahang inabot ko siya at pinunasan ang mukha niya.
"Thank you..." he smiled, and his eyebrow lifted kaya tumango ako kaagad ay pinisil ang ilong niya.
"Welcome," sagot ko at nang umawang ang labi niya para magsalita sana ay nakarinig kami ng yapak.
I lowered the hanky and he grabbed my arm to hide. Pumunta kami roon sa may gilid at kaagad kong inihanda ang baril ko pero inabot ni Zeijan ang kamay ko para pigilan ako.
"Not now, Misis..." iling niya. I saw him took a peek on their location and saw him click his earphone before talking.
"We're inside," imporma niya roon sa labas. "Yeah, we'll go to their room and once we got them out, I'll call you again."
"Let's go," bulong niya. I nodded. My grip on the gun tightened as we walked quietly. Zeijan's wearing his black shirt and leather jacket, ang isang kamay niya ay may hawak na baril habang ang isang kamay naman nito ay nakahawak sa pulsuhan ko.
I am looking everywhere with my gun in the air. Nang makitang may isang CCTV camera roon ay kaagad kong tinawag si Zeijan at nakita kong ngumisi lang siya sa camera.
"Zeij! We will be seen here!" tawag ko.
"No, that's Axel, Ree..." aniya sa akin at bumilog lang ang bibig ko roon.
"Doon tayo sa kanan," I told him.
"Got it," he said.
We walked cautiously, hand in hand. Malakas ang pagkabog ng dibdib ko at sabay kaming nagtago sa isang gilid nang may narinig kaming naglalakad.
I took a glance and saw an armed man kaya kaagad akong sumeniyas kay Zeijan. He nodded; his blue eyes pierced through me as he put his finger on his lips.
"One..." he mouthed. "Two... three..."
He smacked the man with his gun, kaagad itong napaayos kaya sinipa ko ang paa ng lalaki. Hinampas ni Zeijan ang batok nito kaya kaagad itong nawalan ng malay na kaagad ko namang sinalo.
Zeijan helped me as we quietly placed the man on the floor and confiscate his guns.
I put one on my jacket and Zeijan put one on his back.
When he pointed the way ay kaagad akong umalis at pumunta sa likuran niya. We were back to back, him pointing the gun on his way and me on the back.
"May nakapasok!" I immediately pulled the trigger and shoot them. Natamaan ang isa at ang isa'y nakatakbo kaya napamura ako.
"Run!" I exclaimed. Zeijan grabbed my arm as we ran, nag-alarm ang buong lugar. The light turned red for emergency at kaagad kong nakita ang mga lalaki roon patungo sa amin.
I heard Zeijan's gunshot at kaagad akong tumalikod sa kanya para tumulong. I shoot every man who'll get on our way.
I kicked someone's face before shooting his head with my gun.
"Alyx!" I tucked when Zeijan shouted at mabilis na naiwasan ang bala mula sa kalaban.
Itinapon ko ang baril nang maubusan iyon ng bala at akmang bubunot muli pero may sumuntok sa sikmura ko.
I gasped in shock. Natumba ako sa lapag at nang kinasa ng lalaki ang baril at akmang itutok sa akin ay kaagad siyang nawala sa landas ko dahil sa sipa ni Zeijan.
I saw him punched the man's face as he twisted his neck.
Mabilis akong tumayo at inabot ang kutsilyo. I immediately went on my husban''s back as I watched him shooting the enemies with two guns on each side of his hand.
"Zeij!" I screamed at mabilis siyang umikot patabi nang ihagis ko ang kutsilyo sa kamay ko. The knife struck the man's throat at the other man's chest.
I then got two guns on my back and helped him shooting the enemy. Mas dumami ang mga tao, nang maalala kong may mga kasama pala kami sa labas ay kaagad akong tumawag sa kanila roon para sa tulong.
I heard the glasses shattering, sabay kaming napalingon ni Zeijan roon at nakita ko ang mga armadong lalaki na pumasok roon para tulungan kami.
The men all wore a black gear, may malalaki ring silang baril at kaagad akong nahatak ni Zeijan para makalayo.
"We have to save your Mom!" We ran towards the room pero hindi namin nagawa nang may mga armadong lalaki rin doon.
Zeijan held my arm and hid me behind his back.
"Ayon sila!" I heard gunshots, at kahit anong pilit ni Zeijan na itago ako sa likuran niya ay hindi ako pumayag. I immediately took a glance from his back and put my arms on the side of his waist to shoot.
"Damn, woman!" Zeijan cursed and shifted his position, putting both of his arms above my shoulder to shoot those men behind me.
I cursed as we both shifted our position, back to back and put both of our hands in each side to shoot those men coming from our side.
"Go!" We ran as I threw daggers towards the enemies' way.
"Baby!" Sa paglingon ko kay Zeijan ay nakitang naubusan na siya ng bala kaya mabilis kong hinugot ang magazine sa bulsa ko at hinagis sa kanya.
He immediately caught it and quickly installed it on his gun before shooting again.
I gasped when I saw Berto shooting and rage started filling inside of me. This bastard!
Pinatamaan ko siya. Napamura ito at pilit akong hinablot kaya nabitawan ko ang baril ko.
Siniko ko siya at hinila ang buhok niya pero nasampal niya ako kaya pumaling ang ulo ko.
"Fuck you!" I screamed.
"Putang ina mo! Halos patayin mo na ako kanina!" he screamed on my face at napasinghap ako nang sakalin niya ako.
I coughed and punched his face pero nanatili siyang nakahawak sa leeg ko. I choked when he gripped my neck tighter. I kicked him pero naipit niya ang paa ko at muli akong sinampal.
"Puta ka! Sana pinatay na kita noon pa! Pahamak ka! Sana natuloy na lang ang paggahasa ko sayong malandi—" someone punched him.
Napahugot ako ng malalim na hininga nang mawala ang kamay nito sa leeg ko. I coughed, nang mapalingon ako ay nakita kong nasa lapag na si Berto habang si Zeijan ay nasa taas nito.
"Fuck you! Fuck you!" Zeijan cursed loudly as he punched the man repeatedly. "You fucking asshole! This is for hurting my wife!" Zeijan exclaimed, his voice filled with anger.
"Tang ina, dapat sa inyo pinapatay!" Berto shouted as he tried to fight back but to no avail, he can't.
I shot everyone who'll get here at sa muling paglingon ko kay Zeij ay nakita kong inabot niya ang baril sa likuran niya.
"And this is for molesting my wife, you fucking asshole!" Zeijan gritted his teeth, pointing the gun on his forehead before pulling the trigger.
Kumalabog din ang puso ko nang makita ang walang buhay na katawan ni Berto sa lapag, his blood splattered on the floor at ang malamig na mga mata lang ni Zeijan ang nakita ko matapos.
His blue eyes are almost blood shot, raging with anger and disgust. Nakapirmi ang mga labi niya at igting ang mga panga niya.
"Zeij..." I muttered and ran towards him. Mabilis kong binalot ang braso ko sa kanyang likod at napasinghap si Zeijan at maya-maya'y niyakap akong pabalik.
"S-sorry, Ree..." he whispered at paulit-ulit akong tumango at mas niyakap siya. "I-if I could just turn back the time, I-I would never let you be touched by this man. Patawarin mo ako, hindi kita natulungan."
"N-no, baby..." Iling ko at maya-maya'y napasinghot siya. "You're not at fault, wala kang kasalanan dito," bulong ko at inabot ang pisngi niya para punasan ang mga luha niya.
My poor baby...
"Calm down..." bulong ko.
We get into my Dad's command. Hawak ang baril niya'y nauna sa amin si Daddy.
Armed men were in front of us, sila ang sumisipa sa bawat pintuan na papasukin para malaman kung nasaan sina Mommy.
"It was I think at the last left side, doon madalas sila nagdadala ng tao," bulong ko sa asawa ko.
Zeijan nodded before telling this to his people. Humawak siya matapos sa baywang ko at hinaplos iyon kaya namungay ang mata ko.
Please, Lord. Kahit napakasama kong tao, please, I am begging you to keep us all safe. I want to have my family back, my friends and my husband. Please, I want to have them back. I am begging you, Lord.
"What are you doing Archer?" We both stopped when we heard my father's voice. Mabilis na binitiwan ni Zeijan ang baywang ko at napatingin kami sa kanya.
I saw his sharp eyes as he stared at Zeij.
"P-po?"
"I told you to protect her, not touch her," ani Daddy at nakita kong napalunok si Zeijan at tumango.
"O-oh, yes, Sir..." he stuttered.
"They're here!" senyas ni Axel sa unahan. He pointed the door and the men prepared for the attack.
I readied my gun. Kaagad na inilagay ako ni Zeijan sa likuran niya at si Daddy naman ay naroon na sa unahan. I saw the Axel kicked the door opened and pointed his gun inside.
Hinila ko si Zeijan doon at napasinghap ako nang makita si Antonio roon kasama ang mga tauhan niya.
My heart constricted at the sight of my mother. She has dried tears on her face at mas nanlumo ako nang makita si Antonio sa likuran niya habang nakatutok ang baril sa ulo niya.
"Fancy seeing you here..." ani Antonio na may malaking ngisi.
"No!" I screamed.
"Alyx!" Zeijan pulled me pero kumawala ako sa kanya at lumapit doon pero itinutok ng mga lalaki ang baril nila sa akin.
"Let her go!" mariing sabi ko.
"Mautak ka ano, Alyx?" tawa ni Antonio. "Talagang nakipag-kampihan ka sa mga iyan para dito? Don't you think it's useless if I just kill your mother and them in front of you?"
"Hindi!" sigaw ko, nanginginig sa galit at takot.
I felt my husband's presence behind me.
"At talagang kasama mo pa 'yan?" halakhak ni Antonio nang makita si Zeijan.
"Let her go," malamig na sabi nito. Mas napatawa si Antonio rito.
"And do you think I will follow you?" he mocked Zeijan. Nang lingunin ko ang mga kaibigan ko ay nakita ko ang lumuluhang si Trece at ang duguang si Hawk.
My mouth parted at muling napaharap kay Antonio.
"Let them go... Please..." bulong ko. I gasped when he pointed the gun more on my Mom's head.
Umalpas ang luha sa mga mata ni Mommy habang nagmamakaawang nakatingin sa akin, she probably wants me to just go and leave her.
She groaned pero umiling ako.
No, Mom, ililigtas namin kayo.
"Bakit hindi na lang kayo umalis dito?" ani Antonio kina Zeijan. "Once I blow this bitch's head ay wala na namang kwenta ang pagpunta niyo. Leave, iwan niyo rito ang babaeng 'yan," ani Antonio.
"No..." mariing sabi ni Zeijan at hinawakan ang braso ko.
"Then, what should I do? Kung mapapatay niyo naman ako ay mas mabuti nang mamatay muna ang mga ito." Ngisi niya.
Kumalabog ang dibdib ko. I began shaking my head.
"N-no, sasama na lang—"
"No, Alyx!" Zeijan gripped my arm to let me stay on my place.
"Go, Viper. Come here or I will blow your mother's head off." Iwinasiwas ko ang kamay ni Zeijan.
He stared at me shaking his head at malungkot akong ngumiti sa kanya. Antonio laughed devilishly.
Zeij...
"Go, kung ayaw mong patayin ko ang Nanay mo para magkita na sila ng Tatay mong—"
"What?" Sabay kaming napalingon nang may magsalita.
It was my Dad, malamig ang mga mata niya na nagpakita roon at nakita ko kung paano nanlaki ang mga mata ni Antonio.
The smirk on his face faded at the mere sight of my supposedly dead father.
"Fancy seeing you here, Antonio." Dad smirked.
I saw how my Mom's eyes widened, nalaglag ang mga luha sa mga mata niya at nakita ko rin ang hindi makapaniwalang mukha ni Antonio.
"How..." Antonio muttered at nang magkatinginan kami ni Zeijan ay kaagad niya sa aking hinagis ang baril na kaagad kong itinutok at pinaputok kay Antonio.
His gun fell at nagsimula na ang gulo. Mabilis akong sumugod at sinuntok ang mga lalaking nakapalibot doon. Zeijan, is on my side, fighting while protecting me.
Nakita ko ang pagsugod ni Daddy kay Antonio at mabilis kong tinakbo ang distasiya ng lumuluha kong ina.
"Mommy!" I removed the rope on her hand at ang malambing at malungkot niyang mga mata ay nakita ko.
Her mouth parted at kaagad ko siyang niyakap nang mahigpit at lumuha sa balikat niya.
"Mommy... Sorry..." I sobbed. Humiwalay ako sa kanya at nakitang umiiyak na rin siya, she was groaning, and I saw her took a glance at my father who's fighting Antonio.
"B-buhay si Daddy, Mommy. He'll save us, he's alive..." Napahagulgol siya.
Sa muling pagsulyap ko sa mga kaibigan ko ay nakita kong nakatayo na ang dalawa mula sa pagkakatali at nakita ko kung paano ihagis ni Zeijan ang baril niya sa direksyon ni Hawk.
They shot the men at nanatili lang akong nakaprotekta sa Mommy ko habang ang asawa ko ay nasa harapan ko at pilit kaming itinatago.
Unti-unting naubos ang mga kalaban at nakita ko ang pagbagsak ni Antonio sa lapag sa isang suntok ng Daddy ko.
"I... will fucking kill you."
"Go, patayin mo." Halakhak pa ni Antonio na umuubo pa ng dugo. "I played well with your family, pinagkatuwaan ko sila..."
He shot his arm, napamura si Antonio at napahawak sa balikat niya.
"That is for fucking with my life!" mariing sigaw ng Daddy ko.
He shot his other shoulder, making him scream.
"That is for making my family suffer!" sigaw niya at sinipa ito. Nakita ko ang paghampas ni Daddy ng baril sa nguso nito bago unti-unting itinapat ang baril sa noo nito.
"Tang ina mo!" Antonio screamed.
"Fuck you too..." Dad said mockingly and spitted. "And this is for the years I am not with my family." He said hardly and laughed mockingly at him. "Goodbye, asshole. May you rot in hell."
I saw how my Dad gripped the gun on his hand and in one shot, Antonio fell on the ground with a bullet on his head.
Nanghina ako roon at napahinga nang malalim. I saw how my father fell on the ground at mabilis kaming nilingon at nakita ko ang pagkintab ng mga mata niya.
Napahagulgol ako at napasapo ng bibig ko. Lalo na nang tumayo siya at halos takbuhin ang distansiya namin. I sobbed harder when he reached my Mom, hugging her tightly as he cried on her shoulder.
"C-Carmina..." bulong nito. My Mom cried and lowered her head on his shoulder.
"A-Al..." my mother muttered at nanghina ako roon at mabilis na yumakap sa kanilang dalawa. My father sobbed as he held both of us tightly, not wanting to let us go.
"I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry." Dad sobbed, apologizing.
Humiwalay ako sa kanila at hinawi ang mga luha ko.
My heart just couldn't grasp what's happening. It almost burst for too much happiness as I look at my parents reuniting. Something touched my heart as I look at this sight.
This is the sight I've been wanting to see... My parents, my love one's safe...
Napalingon ako.
I saw my husband on the ground, staring at me. His blue eyes shined with tears on his cheek.
He smiled at mabilis akong tumakbo sa kanya. I knelt in front of him and hugged him. Suminghap ako sa balikat niya at dinama ang init at pagmamahal na hatid niya.
He held me, touching my nape as he hugged me tightly.
"M-mister ko..." bulong ko.
"I am happy for you..." paos niyang sabi at inabot ang mukha ko. He caressed my cheek and I saw how his eyes smiled when he did.
"I am so proud of you, Ree..."
"Zeij, salamat..." bulong ko at kinagat ang labi ko para maiwasan ang pag-iyak.
"Don't cry..." marahang hinawi nyia ang luha ko at hinuli ang tingin ko. "I love you..." sinsero niyang sabi at masuyong hinalikan ang noo ko.