CHAPTER 79. She‘s Gone
THIRD PERSON POV
“I‘m sorry but you can‘t go any further, young lady.” Nieves said.
Khali shot him a cold gaze but she knew warning him with stares alone seems to be ineffective to this person.
Since the first time Khali have seen him, she‘ve never lumped him with the typical Marvelians due to this unusual aura and quality that surrounds him.
He was different. He had the quality similar to the King.
A dangerous one.
“Step aside or I‘ll kill you...” Khali said with a warning tone.
Nanatili si Nieves sa kaniyang kinatatayuan habang nakatingin kay Khali na puno ng determinasyon.
He won‘t back down.
Khali know it was the King who ordered him to look after her but isn‘t he being too serious about it?
I‘m trying to help his boss, why is he trying to get in my fcking way?!
Khali was getting impatient and made the first move, throwing him the helmet as a diversion. She lunged her fist in his stomach. He was quick at reacting and blocking her fist but the force made him step backwards.
Khali attacked him again and again. He blocked and dodged her attacks but one thing she have noticed is that he wasn‘t attacking back at all.
Damn it! He was just buying time...
Khali doesn‘t think she can bring him down with mere kicks and punches alone...
Should I finish him instead? That‘s the fastest way I know!
I need to go now! I need to see Jaemin...
I need to see him...
I need to see them...
Pakiramdam niya habang tumatagal ay mababaliw na siya kakaisip kung ano nang kalagayan nila ngayon.
May tiwala siya sa kakayahan ng Four Dragons, ngunit bakit hindi niya mapigilang mag-alala?
Huh?—Nag-aalala ako sa kaniya?
Khali heaved a deep breath. Her breathing turned slower but deeper. She stared at him with her usual cold eyes...
“I beg of you, Zero Nieves...” Khali said with a serious tone. “I need to get to them as soon as possible. Let me pass...”
His brows raised in surprise, the only reaction she have seen so far from his stone face.
She knew it, people are easily pleased with those magic words. So, she had no choice but act it out to pass through. She have more important thing to do.
“Then please allow me to go with you, young lady...” Nieves said.
Hindi inaasahan ni Khali na papayag siya ng ganon kabilis. Hindi na ito nagsayang pa ng oras, agad itong sumakay sa motorsiklo at pinaharurot ito papunta sa mansion ng mga Wilhelm.
Pagdating nila doon, tahimik na lugar ang sumalubong sa kanila. Walang tao o bantay sa paligid kaya mabilis silang nakapasok.
Khali didn‘t let her guard down despite the unusual quiet place. Malamang nandiyan lang sila‘t nagtatago.
Nang paakyat na sila sa second floor, may napansin si Khali sa ilalim ng hagdanan. Nang silipin niya ito ay natagpuan niya ang ilang mga tauhan na nakatali at nakabusal ang bibig.
Napagtanto niya na nandito na nga talaga sila. Malamang Four Dragons ang may gawa nito. Ibig sabihin ba nito ay napatumba na nila lahat ng bantay?
“Ayun sila! Huliin niyo!”
Na-alerto si Khali at Nieves dahil sa sumigaw. Nandito na ang iba pang mga bantay. They must have called reinforcements. That means they‘ve already been found out!
Naka-itim silang lahat at may mga hawak na patalim ang iba. Inihanda na ng dalaga ang sarili sa laban ngunit napatingin ito agad kay Nieves nang magsalita siya.
“Go ahead. I‘ll take care of them.” he said without looking at her.
Hindi na sumagot pa si Khali at tumakbo nalang paakyat gaya ng sabi ng binta. Kailangan niya munang mahanap sina Jaemin!
Natigilan si Khali at nanlamig sa kinatatayuan nang marinig niya ang malakas na tunog na iyon. Tunog ng baril.
Lumakas ang tibok ng puso niya. Binilisan niya ang pagtakbo papunta sa kinaroroonan ng tunog. Tinahak niya ang madilim na pasilyo hanggang sa marating niya ang malaking pintuan kung saan niya nasilayan ang kanina pa niya hinahanap...
The situation that appeared in front of Khali angered her.
The King is kneeling in front of a coward and one of the girls is being threatened with a gun and all of them are looking helpless because of their situation.
Due to their extreme excitement of humiliating the King, nobody noticed Khali entering the room.
She quickly kicked the gun away from Erin‘s head and gave Hiro a front kick to his chest to completely ward him off from Erin.
“Khali!”
“Lili!”
“What the fck are you doing here?!” Khali heard Trevor said. It might sound angry but she can clearly feel his concern.
Sa isang iglap, napatumba niya si CK at marahas na inapakan sa dibdib. Hindi na ito nagugulat dahil ramdam naman niya na mas malakas talaga siya kay CK kung hindi lang talaga siya pinagbantaan.
Agad siyang nilapitan nito. Heto na naman ang malumanay niyang mga tingin na may halong pag-aalala.
Hinawakan niya ang dalaga sa magkabilang balikat. Ramdam pa nito ang bahagyang panginginig niya.
“Goddamn it, Khali! Bakit ka nandito?! Delikado rito!” nag-aalalang wika nito.
He quickly shifted his gaze to someone behind Khali and shot him a deadly glare. It was so threatening she was almost taken aback.
“Forgive me, young master. I deserve a grave punishment.” mabilis na paghingi ng paumanhin ni Nieves.
“It‘s not his fault, Kangaroo...” Khali said, and he turned to her still worried.
Akala ni Khali magiging maayos na ang lahat dahil nakita niyang nakabawi na ang mga dragon ngunit hindi niya inaasahan na mapapasakamay ng isang kalaban ang baril.
Sa iglap ay nakatutok na ulit ito sa kanila.
Tila nabaling ang atensiyon niya kay Jaeshin, ngunit hindi inaasahan ni Khali na kay Erin niya itututok ang baril.
“Huwag kayong gagalaw! Papatayin ko ‘yang babaeng ‘yan!”
“Shoot them, Kyle! Shoot them and I‘ll make you the Number 1!” CK yelled from the ground.
Khali knew from his smirk he was gonna pull the trigger anytime soon.
She doesn‘t know. Her body just moved by itself again without her permission—No, she was always been reckless in the first place.
But she knew, she wasn‘t this stupid. Yet, she thought it was the safest thing to do.
She racked up her brain to think of dozens of possible ways to do but still in the end chose the stupidest one...
Her vision turned blurry and dark a few moments after the bullet pierced her.
She can hear voices but she can‘t seem to understand them. The darkness seems to be getting stronger and harder to resist...
Before Khali blacked out, she saw a glimpse of a face—a face painted with fear and devastation...
A vision that gave the most painful prick to her chest, more painful than any bullet out there.
*♡♤*
Trevor who was kneeling on the ground in front of Khali trembled in great shock and fear, hesitating to touch her.
What he feared the most has just happened in before his eyes. His fear that the butterfly he adores—could break apart because he failed to keep her secure.
Trevor gently picked her up. His breathing turned erratic as his cold hands were drenched with her warm blood.
“L-Lili...” Trevor called with a cracked voice.
Tinapik-tapik niya ito sa pisngi upang gisingin ngunit wala siyang nakuhang tugon. Nanatiling nakapikit ang kaniyang mga mata. Nangilid ang mga luha niya habang pinagmamasdan ang dalaga sa kaniyang bisig.
Hindi inaasahan ng panig ni Khali ang nangyari.
The King roared in anger because of the unthinkable sight of his beloved girl. Their enemies feared the devastated King even more than before. It made them realize that they shouldn‘t have angered this dragon.
Trevor didn‘t waste more time, he quickly carried her like the most precious thing in the world and walked her towards the doorway forgetting all the situation they‘re in.
Hindi mamamatay si Khali dito! Hindi pwede. Marami pa siyang gustong gawin para sa kaniya. Marami pa siyang gustong gawin kasama siya.
“Don‘t move.” malamig na banta ni CK saka tinutukan ng baril si Trevor sa ulo.
Ni hindi na nila siya napansin dahil sa sobrang pag-aalala kay Khali.
Trevor clenched his jaw in anger. The sadness in his eyes deepened as he hold Khali closer to him like he was afraid to let her go.
“Let me bring her to the hospital first. You can do what you want with me after...” Trevor said with a serious tone yet in a weak voice.
Dahil sa sinabi ni Trevor ay hindi napigilan ni CK na matawa. “Anong akala mo sa akin? Tanga?!” galit niyang wika.
“Fck you!” Kevin mumbled to himself, full of anger.
He tried to shake off the guy pinning him down but to no avail, there were two of them. He wanted to slug the shit of CK!
The rest wanted to do the same! They want to do something! But they were painfully helpless.
Nanlaki ang mga mata nila sa gulat lalo na ni CK nang bigla nalang sumulpot si Jaemin sa pagitan niya at ni Trevor saka niya hinigit ang kamay nito at tinutok ang baril sa kaniya.
“Jaemin!” Alexander called out.
Umaagos ang luha ni Jaemin. Ramdam ni CK ang panginginig ng kaniyang buong katawan dahil sa hawak nito.
Trevor proceeded to walk, without a care around him. He just want to have this girl in his arms get treated now.
CK was extremely angered. He was about to after him but he halted as he felt a cold metal in his temple.
“Yeah, you‘re stupid.” someone behind him answered while pointing a gun at CK‘s head.
Lahat sila ay nabigla sa pangyayari. Bakit hindi man lang nila ito naramdamang dumating? Sa balkonahe ba ito nanggaling?
“Put that down.” banta ng isang malamig na boses sa likuran ni Jaeshin at ni Kyle na may hawak ng baril.
Nakaramdam si Kyle ng sobrang pangingilabot at panlalamig kaya naman wala siyang ibang nagawa kundi ang sumunod sa kaniya.
Sino sila?!
As Trevor stepped outside of the room he was halted by a blonde-haired guy who blocked his way.
“Give me the young lady.” the guy said with a serious tone.
“Move.” walang emosyon ngunit ma-awtoridad na sambit ni Trevor.
“Why do you always get the coolest entrance?” another guy said with a bored tone who emerged from the shadows behind Hiro.
The mysterious guy swiftly kicked Hiro behind the knees making him kneel on the ground. He kicked him from the nape down to the ground, showing the gun behind Hiro that he was trying to pull out secretly.
Kinuha niya ang baril at binigay kay Iron na nasa tabi nito. Agad namang tinutok ni Iron sa kalaban ang baril kaya‘t mabilis rin nilang binitawan si Kevin.
Kevin quickly ran to Kianna and Jaemin who were still continously crying.
The blonde-haired guy suddenly pulled out his gun and pointed at Trevor making everyone alarmed.
Nagulat lahat ng mga kaibigan nila. Akala pa naman nila kakampi na nila ang mga ito!
“I said move...” Trevor filled with anger, said in an undertone while shooting the guy deadly stares.
Nagtagisan sila ng tingin. Hindi nagpatalo si Trevor kahit pa ramdam niyang hindi ordinaryong tao ang kaharap niya ngayon.
“Nieves.” ma-awtoridad na sambit nito.
Sa isang iglap ay nasa harap na nila ito at mahigpit na nakikipagtalo gamit ang malamig na tingin.
“Fret not, we‘re in Khali Vernon‘s side.” he said.
Fret not?! How? When you‘re pointing at gun at the head of one of us! Alexander exclaimed in his thought.
Bumuntong-hininga ang lalaki nang mapansin ang pagtulo ng dugo galing kay Khali. Binaba ang hawak na baril.
“Bring her to the Yamada Hospital.” utos niya.
“Bakit doon pa?! May malapit na hospital dito. Paano kung hindi siya umabot?! Do you want her to die?!” galit na saad ni Kevin.
“Follow my order if you want her to live a longer life.” the blonde haired guy sternly replied.
Habang nagtatalo ang dalawang panig kay Khali ay hindi nila napansin na nagkaroon na ito ng malay.
“Put me down.” Khali suddenly said, surprising everyone.
“L-Lili...” Trevor might be a little relieved but he was still extremely worried about her. It didn‘t changed the fact that she‘s still wounded.
Khali reached for his troubled face. “What‘s with that face? You look ugly.”
A face I don‘t wanna see because of me.
“Put me down. I‘m fine...” she said.
“No! Y-You need to be treated at once!” Trevor replied.
“I want to settle some score before we leave.” Khali said.
Kevin is relieved to her awake and at the same time, astonished. He couldn‘t even comprehend how tough this girl was.
“Clifford.” pagtawag ni Khali.
Mabilis na lumapit ang lalaking may mala-gintong buhok kay Khali at inalalayan siya pababa dahil tila walang balak si Trevor na ibaba ito gaya ng gusto niya.
Tahimik ang paligid at tanging yabag lang ni Khali palapit kay CK ang maririnig dito. Binaba ng lalaki ang baril na nakatutok kay CK nang tumigil si Khali sa tapat nila.
CK smirked. But it was immediately erased as Khali gave him a roundhouse kick in the face.
Dumura si CK ng dugo kasama ang ngipin na natanggal dahil sa lakas ng sipa.
Hindi nakuntento si Khali at akmang aatake na naman sana ito nang humarang si Trevor at niyakap siya ng marahan.
“Lili, please... Y-You‘re bleeding too much...”
Ramdam ng dalaga ang mabibigat na paghinga nito at labis na pag-aalala habang nagmamakaawa siya sa kaniya.
*♡♤*
Hindi mapakali at hindi maiwasang mag-alala ng magkakaibigan habang naghihintay sa tapat ng operating room kung saan sasailalim ng operasyon ang kaibigang si Khali.
“I‘m injecting the serum, young lady.” the woman wearing an operating attire and equipments said—which is also the doctor who will be performing the operation to Khali.
“Whatever.” Khali replied.
Nakatungo ang limang lalaki sa tabi ni Khali na ngayo‘y nakasuot rin ng lab gown at face mask. Tila mabigat ang pakiramdam at sinisisi ang sarili nila na nangyari ito kay Khali.
They are very apologetic that they were late that‘s why they couldn‘t prevent this unfortunate incident.
Lumapit naman ang isa sa lima papunta sa doctor na siyang magsisilbing scrub niya ngayon.
Unti-unting nawalan ng malay ang dalaga. At doon na sinimulan ang operasyon niya.
*♡♤*
KHALI‘S POV
Nang magkaroon ako nang malay ay ‘yung bedside table agad ang nakita ko. Nilibot ko ang mga mata ko at habang nakakakita ako ng mga aparatong pang medisina ay napagtanto kong nasa isang ospital ako.
Sinalo ko nga pala ‘yung bala.
Sinubukan kong bumangon ngunit tinigil ko rin agad nang maramdaman ko ‘yung sakit sa kanang balikat ko.
“Ojou-sama!” sabay-sabay na sambit ng ilang boses. Kilala ko kung sino ang mga ito kaya napairap nalang ako sa kawalan. (Trans: “Young lady!” in Japanese)
Bakit ko nga ba pinatawag ‘tong mga ‘to?
Maya-maya ay nasa harap ko na silang lima. Nakakainis dahil hindi ako makahiga ng maayos, nakatagilid ako humiga dahil nasa likod ‘yung tama ko—likod sa may parteng balikat.
“Call Yagami-sensei!” utos ng lalaking may blonde hair.
Dali-dali namang tumakbo ‘yung pinakamaliit sa lima, palabas ng room. Pandak.
“I told you to stop calling me that way whenever we‘re outside.” sabi ko.
Hindi na ako nagulat nang bigla silang lumuhod ng sabay-sabay sa harapan ko.
“Moushiwake arimasen, ojou-sama.” sabay-sabay nilang paghingi ng paumanhin sa sinserong paraan. (Trans: Formal “Please forgive us, young lady.” in Japanese)
The heck? Paano kung may makarinig sa kanila diyan? -__-
“Can‘t you get lost?” bagot na saad ko.
Biglang may pumasok sa pinto. Si Doc lang pala, kasama ‘yung pandak. Nagsitayuan rin ‘yung apat at mabilis na hinarang sina Kangaroo na akmang papasok na rin sana.
“Why don‘t you want to let us in?! Let us see her, please!” I heard Kianna cried.
Did they prohibited them to get inside of my room?
“Hayaan niyo lan—” natigilan ako nang mapaatras si blonde monke—este si Clifford. Sinipa ni Kangaroo. Gagu.
Lumingon sa akin si Clifford tapos ngumisi. Halata sa ngisi niya ‘yung pagpipigil ng inis.
“Just let them in.” saad ko. “And you may go now.”
Mabuti nalang at si Cliff ‘yung sinipa niya. Dahil kapag isa dun sa apat ‘yun ay kanina pa sila nagkagulo. Clifford is the calmest and has the coolest head among the five, very suited attitude for a leader.
Chineck ako ni Doc bago siya umalis. Si Cliff rin ang kinausap niya tungkol sa kalagayan ko. Kalaunan ay nasa harap ko na sina Kangaroo. Lahat sila ay mukhang nag-aalala.
“Lili...” mahinahong pagtawag ni Kangaroo sa pangalan ko. He‘s the most worried one among them.
He looks so tired.
He held my hand firmly and leaned to me. I could even hear his heavy breathing and his breath smells really addicting.
What the f—I‘m acting weirder, ain‘t I?
Sinubukan kong tumayo at agad niya naman akong inalalayan. Natulala ako saglit nang bigla akong sampalin ni Erin.
“That was so reckless, Khali!” nangingilid ang luha niya.
Halatang nagpipigil pa ito dahil panay ang lunok niya. Tapos bigla niya akong niyakap at nagsimula na siyang humagulgol ng iyak.
*♡♤*
Akmang babangon na ako nang alalayan ako ni Kangaroo na kanina pa nakaubob sa tabi ko.
Akala ko natutulog siya...
Sakto namang may pumasok na babae, may dalang cart ng pagkain. Tumayo si Jaemin para tulungan ‘yung babae. Tapos umalis rin siya kaagad matapos niyang gawin ang trabaho.
“Kangaroo...”
“Hmm?” tinaas niya ang mga kilay niya, “What is it?” malambing niyang saad.
“I don‘t like hospital food...” I said.
“It‘s better if you eat what is served, young—” bago pa man maituloy ni Raven ang sasabihin niya ay pinatahimik ko siya gamit ang seryosong tingin.
“K-K-Khali...” pagtutuloy niya sabay iwas ng tingin. -__-
Binaling ni Kangaroo ang tingin dun sa kaliwa ko kung saan nakaupo si Clifford at Raven.
“Let her be. Khali won‘t listen anyway.” Clifford said. He shifted his gaze to Kangaroo. “Just don‘t let her eat sugary foods, or anything that might cause blood clotting.” sabi niya.
Ngumiti si Kangaroo at pinasadahan ng haplos ang buhok ko. Ang lapit ng mukha niya habang nagtatanong.
“What would you like to eat then?” he asked with a gentle tone.
“Ice cream.”
Umiling siya ngunit may maliit na ngiti parin sa labi niya, “Didn‘t you hear him? It‘s not good for you.” aniya, “How about pasta? Soup? Anything warm...”
Bakit ganon? Bawat salitang binibitawan niya ang lambing pakinggan...
“By the way, Khali-sama. We need to go now. We were just waiting for you to wake up...” Clifford said.
“Whatever, just go.” sagot ko.
Ngumisi lang si Clifford.
“Then... please excuse us.” pagpapaalam niya.
Nag-bow sila pareho ni Raven. Muntik ko na ngang batuhin dahil kasasabi ko lang na huwag silang masyadong pormal kapag nasa labas kami—tapos! Tsk.
Before they went out of the door, Raven stopped and turned to Kangaroo.
“Hey kid, you better take care of her.” mariing wika nito.
Kangaroo clenched his teeth in annoyance. “You don‘t have to tell me, asshxle!” inis na pahabol nito.
Buti nalang hindi na pinatulan ni Raven.
“Huy, Khali! Sino ‘yung mga ‘yun?” biglang tanong ni Kianna nang makalapit siya. “Ang gwa-gwapo nila!”
“Gwapo? Sus, maputi—ah, maputla lang mga ‘yon!” Kevin commented.
“I‘ve only known Clifford oppa, sino ‘yung apat na kasama niya?” kuryosong tanong naman ni Jaemin.
“Oppa?” Alexander exclaimed with grimace.
What the—I shouldn‘t have told them to come here, after all.
“Did they introduce themselves?” tanong ko.
“No. Not at all!” Erin said like she was disappointed.
Whoa, they even got Erin?
“You should have introduced us! They were too hard to approach. I mean... there‘s this strong aura surrounding them. I was quite intimidated. Lalo na nung nasa OR ka!”
“They‘re the FBI.”
“FBI?!” all of them shouted in chorus. Surprised and seems like they couldn‘t believe what they just heard.
“Yeah... Fcking Bunch of Idiots.” pagkasabi ko nito ay parang nadismaya silang lahat lalo na ang mga babae.
“Aish. Akala ko real deal!”
“It would have been cool!”
*♡♤*
Hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na naman pala ako. Nagising ako mga 7:30 na ng gabi. Bumungad agad sa akin ang nakangiting mukha ni Kangaroo.
“I‘m hungry.” sabi ko.
“No ice creams, okay?”
Aish. “Fine. Pizza then.” sabi ko habang bumabangon.
Inalalayan ulit ako ni Kangaroo. Psh. Kaya ko naman ang sarili ko...
“May pizza‘ng dala si Aphrodite.” Kevin said. Tapos tinaas niya ‘yung box ng pizza.
Saka ko lang napansin ‘yung babae sa tabi niya.
Agad na kumunot ang noo ko. Aphrodite? Ano namang ginagawa niya dito? At bakit siya nandito?
“Ayoko ng Pizza Hut, Kangaroo. Shakey‘s ang gusto ko.” saad ko.
May napansin rin akong lalaking lumabas sa CR ng kwarto ko. Ngumiti siya sa akin.
I think I saw him back in the Wilhelm Mansion...
“Hindi ka naman mapili dati ah?” Jaemin commented.
“Such a spoiled brat.” a ni Kevin.
Gustong-gusto ko na tuloy siyang sakalin ngayon, hindi ko lang talaga magawa.
Dumiretso ng tayo si Kangaroo at tumingin kay Kevin, “I love spoiling my baby.” aniya, na naging dahilan ng malakas na kantyawan nila.
Kung hindi lang talaga namamanhid ang kanang parte ng katawan ko ay
malilintikan talaga siya sa akin!
“Dala mo kotse mo, Shin?” tanong niya. Tumango naman ang huli. “Let‘s go. Lili‘s hungry.”
“Sama ako. May bibilhin ako.” a ni Alexander.
“Uy!”
“Ako rin, sama. May bibilhin rin ako.” sabi ni rin ni Kevin. “Ikaw may bibilhin ka rin?” tanong niya kay Jaeshin.
“Wala.” tipid na sagot nito.
“Maiwan ka na!” Kevin said.
“Tangina niyo, kotse ko ‘yung gagamitin.” inis na sagot nito.
Muling tumingin si Kangaroo sa‘kin, “I‘ll be back.” he said before giving a peck on my forehead.
“Samaaa—”
“Diyan ka lang. Accompany the ladies.” bilin ni Alexander dun sa lalaki.
“Naks, Khali.” panunukso ni Kianna. Irinapan ko lang siya.
“He‘s so nice, isn‘t he?” Aphrodite said as she smile.
“Who? Trevor? Only towards Khali, tho.” Erin replied with giggle.
“Really? I think ganon talaga si Trev. He‘s sweet to every girls.”
Every girls, huh?
“He also buys me food when I‘m hungry. He gives water when I‘m thirsty and a towel when I‘m sweating.”
So? Anong pinaglalaban niya?
“Napaka-gentleman pa niya. He does whatever I ask him to do.”
“Nakow.” Kianna teasingly exclaimed.
“Close pala kayo? Hindi ko alam!” sabi nung lalaki sabay tawa. Lumapit siya sa akin tapos naglahad ng kamay. “I‘m Iron Mills!”
I stared at him and so as he. Binaba niya ang kamay niya, “Ay, oo nga pala.” sabi niya.
Napagtanto niya sigurong hindi ko maitaas ang kanang kamay ko. I infinitesimally flinched backwards when he suddenly shook my left hand.
“I‘m a fan!” he exclaimed.
“Aray naman!” napadaing ito at napahawak sa ulo niya nang batukan siya ni Kianna.
“Huwag mo siyang kulitin ngayon.” ani Kianna. Inirapan siya ni Iron at muling bumaling sa akin.
“I am a member of your fan club in Marvel High. Kindly give me an autograph?”
May kinuha siya sa bulsa niyang marker at binigay sa akin pagkatapos niyang buksan. He turned his back to me afterwards.
Is he telling me to sign at the back of his shirt?
Whatever. Nagsulat nalang ako.
“Done.”
Paglingon niya sa akin biglang natawa sina Kianna sa likod niya. Nagtataka pang lumingon si Iron sa kanila pero pinagsawalang bahala niya nalang ito.
Bakit nga ba nandito si Aphrodite?
“I heard kalat daw sa Marvel High na na-ospital na naman ang Four Dragons.” bulong ni Kianna na para bang nabasa niya ang iniisip ko.
Hmm. So, she‘s here to visit Kangaroo?
Ganon ba sila ka-close? Nakakabisita sa isa‘t isa kapag gusto nila? Tss.
Mabilis na nakabalik sina Kangaroo dala ang ilang box ng pizza galing sa Shakey‘s at ilan pang finger foods galing sa iba‘t ibang fast food chains.
“Hindi na ako nagugutom.” sabi ko nang makalapit si Kangaroo.
Kumunot ang noo niya.
Naiinis ba siya?!
“Labas muna kami. Hindi bumili ng maiinom tong mga ugok eh.” I heard Kianna said.
“Hoy! Sumama kayo, kayo kaya ang magbabayad!” Erin said.
THIRD PERSON POV
Bago lumabas ang magkakaibigan sa kwarto ni Khali ay may binulong muna si Kianna kay Trevor. Naiwan ito kasama ang pasyente.
“Can I just go back? I‘m not really thirsty.” Aphrodite said.
“We need to give them a time together, Aphrodite.” Kianna replied. “I think, that‘s what Trevor wants to, kanina pa.”
“What‘s the matter, Lili?” Trevor asked because Khali wasn‘t sparing him a glance.
Humiga ang dalaga nang hindi ito sinasagot. Gustuhin man niyang tumalikod sa kaniya ay hindi niya magawa dahil sa sugat niya kaya nagtalukbong nalang ito ng kumot.
Halos mapasinghap ang dalaga nang biglang may dumampi sa noo niya habang nakatalukbong parin ang kumot sa mukha niya. Malambot, kumportable at higit sa lahat ay napaka-pamilyar ng sensasyon.
Bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya dahil pakiramdam niya ay hinalikan na naman siya nito!
Dali-dali niyang inalis ang kumot upang tingnan nang masama ang binata.
Ngunit natigilan ito nang bumungad ang napakalapit na mukha nito sa kaniya.
“Did you just try to suffocate me?”
Trevor laughed by her weird question.
“Suffocate ka diyan.” he chuckled.
Tinanggal niya ang kumot sa katawan ng dalaga. Pinatong niya ang kahon ng pizza sa tabi ng kama ni Khali.
“Kumain ka na.” nakangiting wika nito.
“Hindi na nga ako nagugutom.” sagot ni Khali. Magtatalukbong ulit sana ito nang kumot ngunit mabilis na hinila ni Trevor iyon. “Kangaroo!”
Bumangon ang dalaga dahil sa inis.
“Lili.” Trevor said in a warning tone while holding her at both shoulders. “What did I tell you yesterday?”
Kumunot ang noo ng dalaga habang inaalala kung ano man ‘yung sinabi ni Trevor kahapon.
“I love you, Khali Vernon.”
She was taken aback by that sudden remark.
“There‘s no way I‘d like any girls aside from you.”
W-Why the heck is he suddenly saying those words?!
“What the hell are you trying to say, Trevor Ace Kang?” inis na tanong ng dalaga.
“Kianna told me...”
Aish, that girl is really talkative. Ano na naman kayang sinabi niya?!
“Hindi kami close n‘un, Lili. I was just returning a favour!” depensa nito.
“You seemed close though. You were like a black knight when she approached you like a damsel in distress.” sagot ni Khali nang malala niya ang tagpo noong relay match. “You taught her like you could teach her anything she wants to learn.” dagdag niya.
“Why would you be jealous from her when I got married to you?” sabi niya bigla.
Sandaling natahimik si Khali bago ito gapangan ng matinding hiya.
“Who‘s jealous?!” Khali blurted out.
“I was just returning the favor for helping me prepare the wedding. Fake wedding. Okay?” paliwanag niya. “There‘s nothing between us!”
TREVOR‘S POV
Lili stared at me with her usual expression. But she is biting her lower lip this time. She seemed too annoyed.
Is she really jealous?
Does this mean she likes me, too?
“Who cares?” iritado niyang saad.
Padabog niyang kinuha ang isang piece ng pizza.
I chuckled.
“But... I thought it was decided by a voting?” sabi niya.
‘Yung wedding booth?
“It was...” I smiled. “But their booth is too cheap. So, I made Jaemin organize it for our wedding.”
Para mas memorable kay Lili ‘yung event.
She wouldn‘t like to have a date with me. She always turn me down. So, instead of wasting my time waiting for her to come at a place when I knew that she wouldn‘t come, I chose to go with her anywhere she wants to.
“Jaemin?” she said, confused.
“Oo, kay Jaemin ako nagpatulong. But I heard Aphrodite insisted to organize it.” paliwanag ko.
Baka kasi isipin ni Lili kay Aphrodite talaga ako nagpatulong.
Wala naman akong pakialam kung sino ang mag-ayos, basta maayos!
“There‘s nothing special between us.” pag-uulit ko.
“Fine!” malakas na sagot niya. I even flinched in surprise.
“Hey!”
“Can I hug you?” tanong ko.
Naramdaman ko ‘yung malakas na palo niya sa likod ko. Ang bigat talaga ng kamay niya.
“You‘re already hugging me!”
Kanina ko pa ‘to gustong gawin.
“I‘m so sorry, Lili...”
Sobrang sama ng loob ko dahil sa nangyari. Hindi ko mapigilang sisihin ang sarili ko.
“I‘m sorry... I couldn‘t...” I swallowed the lump in my throat.
I failed to protect her!
Now, I can‘t even tell her to stay beside me. Because I failed to protect her once. I‘m afraid that I might fail again...
I felt her hand at the back of my head. Pulling me closer to her. Umubob ko sa balikat niya at pumikit.
“It was inevitable. Stop blaming yourself for everything...” she whispered.
“Lili...”
“Hey... are you crying?”
“No!” mariin kong pagtanggi.
*♡♤*
Umuwi na sina Kevin pagkatapos nilang kumain dito. Kaming dalawa nalang ulit ang natira ni Lili dito.
Pinapauwi na nga rin niya ako pero nagpumilit ako na hayaan niyang dito nalang ako matulog.
If it‘s possible, I‘d really want to be with her 24/7.
“Kangaroo...”
Minulat ko ang mga mata ko nang marinig ko ang pagtawag ni Lili sa akin. Bumangon agad ako at lumapit sa kaniya.
“You‘re too big for that couch.” sabi niya. “Dito ka nalang...”
Damn.
Is she inviting me lie down beside her? In the same bed?
“Hey! You‘re not imagining weird stuffs right now, are you?!” she exclaimed.
“What the hck do you take me for? Hindi ako kagaya ni Kevin ha.” kunot-noo kong sagot.
No matter how much I want to lay down with her in the same bed, this is just so inappropriate. I don‘t want to take advantage of this naive girl.
“But hey! How can you invite a guy to your bed just because he can‘t fit in the couch?!” sermon ko.
Paano na kapag ibang tao ‘yun?! Ugh! I couldn‘t even imagine Lili with other guy in a room alone!
“It‘s not a guy, it‘s Kangaroo!” sagot niya.
Natahimik ako sandali.
“Is that suppose to be a flattery, Lili?” tanong ko.
But fck, did she meant it‘s okay to do that because it‘s me? Is that it? Is it? Damn.
“This is bad, Lili. Sagutin mo muna ako.” pang-aasar ko.
Nagulat ako nang bigla niyang hilain ‘yung damit ko sa dibdib.
“A surly king of gangsters talking about ethics? Psh. Just get on, will you? Inaantok na ako.”
“Okay, okay...” pagsuko ko kaya binitawan niya ako.
“Dun ka sa likod. Ayokong paggising ko ikaw agad ang makita ko.”
What the fck? Napailing nalang ako habang nakangisi.
I sighed.
We‘re done with the Krone Mafia and the Jokers.
It was an unfortunate and infuriating that Lili was shot. Kasama ko siya ngayon dito, na kaming dalawa lang dahil sa insidenteng iyon. At pagbalibaliktarin man ang mundo, I‘d still prefer na sana ay hindi nalang nangyari iyon.
Mas gugustuhin ko nalang na apat na babae ‘yung kasama ko sa tuwing may lakad kami, at least she is not hurt...
Pero masama bang isipin na ito na ‘yung pinakamasayang pangyayari sa buhay ko?
“Kangaroo...”
“Hmm?” I really love it when she calls out to me. It never failed to make my heart flutter.
Tumagilid ako para harapin si Lili—‘yung likod ni Lili, at tinaas ang kaliwang braso para magsilbing unan.
“Were you scared?” she asked in a low voice.
“Mm-mm.” I answered with a nod.
I am. I still am scared until now.
Ipinikit ko na ang mga mata ko nang wala na akong narinig na sagot sa kaniya.
“Matulog ka na...” bilin ko.
“Kangaroo...” muli niyang pagtawag sa akin.
Damn, her voice is really soothing.
“Mm?”
“Don‘t blame yourself again, okay? If you do, then don‘t talk to me again...” sabi niya. Tapos mabilis siyang nagtalukbong ng kumot.
I let out a silent chuckle. She‘s so cute.
Pinagmasdan ko siya kahit na kumot lang ‘yung nakikita ko. I flinched when she suddenly removed her blanket.
“I forgot to finish my fruits.” she suddenly said.
Bahagya akong natawa sa kaniya. Lahat nalang yata ng gawin ni Lili napapangiti ako.
“I‘ll get it for you.” I said as I get off the bed.
Umupo ako sa tapat niya nang maibangon ko na siya.
“Ahh...” I said with a smile while feeding her sliced apples.
Napa-iwas ako ng tingin nang magtama ang mga mata namin dahil napansin kong kanina pa niya ako tinititigan.
Damn. Those stares are too much to bear. I think, I‘m having a heart attack.
I quickly looked at Lili when she suddenly touched my eyebrows, particularly at the wound at the end of it.
I think, I‘m about to cry. The way she touched me feels soothing and gentle.
“Lili...” I almost whispered.
This could be the best moment in my life so far. It couldn‘t have been better until she gave me a warm embrace.
I was the happiest.
Pero hindi ko inaasahang ‘yung gabing ‘yun na pala ang huling beses na makikita ko siya.
I came back with the stuffs she wanted to have...
I came back, but I couldn‘t find her anywhere.
I came back, but she‘s gone.
×××