Sorry for all the errors! Enjoy reading and hope you have a great day ahead! 💗 ✨
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***
#TCS41: Back on the Game
"Kailan mo pa nakilala ang Ate namin ha?" Rebel asked with furrowed eyebrows, looking keenly at Akakios. I almost chuckled because Akakios's sitting straight and across him were my siblings doing some kind of interrogation.
While, I'm watching him while I'm at the kitchen preparing some snacks for the hungry wolves. Mabuti na lang at wala si Chewy ngayon dahil nasa vet ito dahil nagkasakit 'nung nakaraan.
"Anong magic meron ka? Ba't mo natatawag si Ate gamit ang pangalan na 'yun?" Fate asked with pure curiosity and he's looking at him like she's solving some crossword puzzle with so much fun.
"Why are you here in her unit? And why do you act so cozy around her?" Justice continued the parade of questions. Although, he's the only one who looked not that serious and light hearted among everyone, he still gives off the protective aura.
"Anong pangalan mo? Ilang taon ka na? Sinong magulang mo? Where do you study or work?" I was almost jaw dropped when I heard the nonstop queries from my fake older brother, Law. My goodness. Is he interviewing Akakios for some job?
"Kuya Batas naman! Kulang na lang hingan mo ng resume?" Natatawang sabat ni Gabby.
"So, ano? Sa 'yo mag-aaply ng trabaho?" Kantiyaw pa ni Justice sa nakasimangot na si Law.
"Baka gusto mo pagawan ng essay, tingnan natin kung papasa?" Dagdag pa ni Rebel at saka nakipag-apir kay Justice at Fate.
"I'm serious." Maikling saad ni Law at saka masamang tiningnan ang tatlo. I almost lost my composure when I saw the three, looking lost little kittens when the foremost scolded them. They all pouted sadly and defeated. They bowed their heads and their eyes looked so cute.
I controlled myself from giggling at the kitchen however, one soft laughter caught all of our attention.
Law's mouth formed a little 'o' when he saw Akakios chuckling softly because of the scene they were creating. The three gasped and looked at him in astonishment. Even I was caught off guard with what Akakios did.
Hindi nakapagsalita ang mga kapatid ko sa mahinang tawa ni Akakios. He smiled at them brightly. Natulala silang lahat at saka marahang napangiti na para bang sobrang tuwang tuwa kay Akakios dahil sobrang amo nito.
Even Law who's the evillest among us, smiled! Oh, my gosh! This is a feat! Law don't smile that sincere! All his smiles are playful and somehow evil. But this one is just... purely genuine.
I wish I had Akakios charm! This innocent angel just tamed a devil!
"I'm Akakios Laurentius Monteverde..." He started when I finished preparing some snack so I went to them to put it on the centre table and of course, to join their conversation or more like interrogation.
"I met Silhouette months ago." Sinabi n'ya kung paano kami nagkakilala, kung saan, at kung paano. Madaldal ang mga kapatid ko lalo na si Gabby at Justice, pero napapangiti ako nang tahimik sa tabi ni Akakios dahil sobrang nakikinig lang ang dalawa na para bang nagayuma at saka patango tango pa.
"Name? Anong name? Her name's Miracle Silhouette Evans right?" Napalunok ako nang sabihin n'ya ang tunay na apelyido ko kaya halos sabay sabay napatingin sa akin ang mga kapatid ko. I gulped, twice, and smiled at them awkwardly.
"I call her Silhouette or Silhoue because that's her name... why is it forbidden to call her that?" Nagtatakhang tanong nito sa napakalambot na paraan na para bang sobrang nag-iingat sa pagtatanong.
They looked at him in unison, which was so funny to me. They were all so attracted to him!
And to add, when they look at me, they gaze at me accusingly, but then, when they switch their eyes to Akakios they would all stare at him in amazement and puppy glowing eyes. Grabe! Sobrang nakakahiya 'tong mga kapatid ko. Tama bang pinakilala ko 'tong mga 'to kay Akakios?
"I'm her neighbour." Akakios mentioned gently. "And her... cook? I cook here most of the times because she can't," He chuckled and glanced at me while smiling cutely. "We are comfortable around each other, too."
"You can call me, Alas or Laurent. Or whatever you would like to call me. I'm twenty-three years old. Parents? I have my grandfather. I'm currently attending the same school as Silhoue. I also worked at a company when it was vacation." He answered the questions shortly yet effectively.
The four nodded easily like they all agreed and satisfied with his answers.
"Wait... you are TWENTY THREE!? Freaking twenty three?!" Hindi makapaniwalang sambit ni Fate at saka napatayo sa kinauupuan habang nanlalaki ang mga mata. Napaatras si Akakios sa gulat sa late reaction ng bunso namin.
"Seryoso ka?" Ulit pa nito at saka lumapit kay Akakios. "Eh, baby ka pa sa panginingin ko eh!" Dagdag pa nito at saka lumabi. The nervous Akakios chortled at her. When Fate saw that, she immediately back away like a hypnotized beauty who's afraid of making Akakios uncomfortable or what.
"Ikaw ang baby, tumigil ka d'yan, Pateh." Saway ni Law sa bunso namin. Nagmake face lang si Fate kasi ayaw 'nun na masyado namin s'yang tinuturing na baby. Mas gusto no'n na para s'yang panganay.
Binalingan ako ni Law na para bang ako ang may atraso sa kan'ya, napakunot-noo ako. "He could seriously call you like that, and you never experience anything?" Nag-iingat na tanong nito sa akin.
I gave him a sincere smile. "It's true, Law. He could. And I'm fine." Sagot ko rito kaya naman napabuntong hininga s'ya na tila hindi na n'ya gusto pang pahabain pa ang usapan.
"Ibig sabihin ba no'n pwede ka na namin tawagin na ganun, Ate?" Justice asked me, which made me surprise.
"Let's try?" Malumanay na sambit ko na s'yang kinagulat ng mga kapatid ko.
"I don't wanna risk it." Rebel told us while gritting his teeth.
"Anong meron?" Bulong sa akin ni Akakios, mukhang naguguluhan sa pinag-uusapan namin. Nilingon ko s'ya at nginitian nang matamis. He looked at me like he was reading my whole life... my whole soul. His soft and genuine almost black eyes made me feel like he's gonna be here... for whatever happiness, and for whatever hell.
Nagkatingnan kaming magkakapatid. Law stared at me intently waiting for my response. He knew when to give me the right, and when to back down, and I'm always thankful for that. I heaved a sigh and faced Akakios.
"I... Calling me that name... it's hard to explain... but it's like locking me on a cage. A cage full of bad memories, bad experiences, and bad things, I never want to see or remember again..." Nanghihina kong sinabi sa kan'ya.
He held my hand carefully.
"Don't..." Nagulat kaming lahat nang sabihin n'ya 'yun.
"Don't call her that name if there's a risk that she'll cry or if she'll remember bad memories..." Nagpapaintinding wika n'ya sa mga kapatid ko. He caressed my hands carefully, afraid that I might disappear or he might hurt me.
"What if I wanted to see... if I can survive this?" I contradicted while searching for his eyes.
"If that's what you want, I'm willing to agree, but that doesn't mean... I would stay still if something happens. I'll be here through it all." Nagpapaintinding saad niya na naghatid sa akin ng matinding pagtibok ng puso. Pakiramdam ko hindi ako makahinga sa sobrang tindi nito. Ang sikip sa dibdib.
Natahimik kami nang ilang segundo. It escalated quickly into this when it was supposed to be just Akakios knowing my siblings. I don't know if the timing's right... but I just wanted to try again... to gain my name back again.
The silence stretched out as I was contemplating on what to do next. Now or never.
"Let's try..."
"I don't agree this this." Madiing sabi ni Rebel. "We don't have Luna, Dada or Momo. You are not in our home, Ate. And most of all, you have a mission. This can't be done recklessly." He added in a serious tone.
"I want to try, Rebel..." Nagpapaintinding wika ko. "Pa'no kapag sa gitna pa ng panganib may bumanggit ng pangalan ko? Pa'no kung sa gitna pa ng misyon ko?" I was scared of it... I'm terrified of it.
Rebel sighed heavily. Tumayo at saka dumiretso sa kusina para kumuha ng tubig. Nanatili ang tingin ni Fate sa akin parang gusto akong yakapin. Justice's eyes were shut and his elbows on his knees. Nag-iisip nang malalim. Napatingin ako kay Law. He's gonna be the one who will have a resounding firm 'no' on this. But instead, he smiled at me.
"Let's do it."
Napanganga ang mga kapatid ko at lumapit na ulit si Rebel sa amin.
"Are you serious?" Pangungumpirma ni Justice.
Law just nodded his head, looking with a sharp expression on us. His eyes were ruthless. He'd risk this, he'd do it.
Humigpit ang hawak ko kay Akakios. "Call my name... Akakios..." I demanded firmly.
"Silhouette..." Mahinang sambit nito sa napapaos na boses. I closed my eyes. Nothing changed.
"Do it, Law..." Halos mahugot ko ang paghinga ko at halos mawalan ako ng hangin sa dibdib. Parang umakyat 'yung puso ko sa tainga nang mga pagkakataong 'yun. I could feel my hands shaking although, Akakios' holding me.
Natatakot ako. Kinakabahan ako. Pakiramdam ko sasabog ang utak at puso ko nang magkasabay.
Law breathed heavily.
And with one word...
"Silhouette."
The cage that I've been wanting to escape from all my life... appeared. Tougher than ever. Colder than the winter storm. Bloodier than when I first saw it. My breathing hitched. Parang kinukuha ng isang makapangyarihang demonyo ang hininga ko. Nauubos ito nang paunti-unti...
Napahawak ako sa leeg ko... kahit sobrang dilim nang paligid at hanggang sakong ko na ang dugong natatapakan ko ngayon, umaasa pa rin ako sa isang milagro.
My eyes felt like bleeding... it's not tears... but blood. Sobrang sakit... sobrang hapdi.
My hands... it's tied. And it's bruised. Konting galaw lang parang hinihiwa ng papel. It stung so bad...
My feet... they were cold as ice, immovable. Parang hawak ng isang demonyong ayaw ako pakawalan kahit anong gawin ko... kahit anong pagmamakaawa ko.
My ears... it rung so bad. Mabibingi ako sa sobrang tinis ng tunog na naririnig ko. Hanggang sa nawala ito at saka ako nakarinig ng tawa. Napakaraming tawa na tila masayang masaya sa paghihirap na nararanasan ko.
Then it called me...
Silhouette... Silhouette... Silhouette....
Gusto kong sumigaw, gusto kong magsabi na tama na, gusto kong makuha ang boses ko, pero hindi ko magawa. That sound that haunted me over and over again, that name that caused a lot of pain in my heart and in my mind...
"Shit!"
"Miracle! Ate!"
"Please..."
Napalingon ako sa isang banda... sobrang hina. Parang mga bulong 'yung naririnig kong tinig. I cried silently and wept secretly. I wanted to see them... I wanted to go back to them... but like always... I'm caged...
"Silhoue..." Marahas akong napalingon nang marinig ko ang tinig na 'yun. It's so distinct.
"Silhoue..." Hindi ko alam pero nagkalakas ako para tanggalin ang mga tali sa kamay at paa ko. Nagkalakas para tumayo at punasan ang mga luha ko.
"Silhoue..." I closed my eyes and opened it again.
The nightmare cage became bright as white. Nakita ko na parang dimensional na box ito. Wala nang dugo, wala nang dilim. My heart suddenly felt light, my head didn't hurt anymore. It felt nice... it felt brand new...
"Silhoue..." I smiled as I recognize the voice.
It's him. It's always going to be him.
I went to one side of the cage I'm in... I saw his opaque shadow. I slowly walked to him. Placed my hands on the box. Wanting him to know that I'm still here... I'm fighting here. Maluha-luha ako lalo na 'nung ilagay n'ya rin 'yung kamay n'ya sa kung nasaan 'yung akin.
Alam n'ya... he knows that I'm still here...
I'd go to you...
Mahinang sambit ko sa isip, hanggang sa bigla na lang akong naghabol ng hininga at nang imulat ko ang mga mata ko nagulat ako sa nakita. Puti... nasa loob pa rin ako? Kaagad akong tumingin sa kabilang dako.
No...
This is... my room!
Kaagad akong umupo at nakaramdam nang matinding sakit sa ulo. Pero kahit gano'n dali dali akong tumakbo papuntang living room. I was about to speak when I was caught off guard with how things were...
Law's having his morning coffee while talking to Akakios with a smile.
Justice's eating a sandwich and joining Law and Akakios's simple talk.
Rebel still look sleepy that's why he's still yawning while putting some food on his plate.
Fate, on the otherhand, was laughing at her brothers and Akakios.
Nagtawanan silang lahat pagkatapos ay masayang masayang nakikipag-usap kay Akakios. Nanatili akong nasa gilid habang pinagmamasdan sila. Sobrang aliwalas at sobrang nakakagaan lang sa loob na makita sila.
"Good morning, Silhoue." Marahang sumilay ang mga ngiti sa labi ko nang mapansin ako ni Akakios. Umalis sa pinatataguang lugar at saka marahang lumakad patungo sa kan'ya.
"Hoy, uso, magtoothbrush muna?" I stopped on my track when I heard Rebel say that. Kaagad ko pang narinig ang tawanan nila 'nung tumakbo ako papuntang bathroom para gawin ang bagay na 'yun.
When I arrived, my breakfast's already on the plate. I sat beside Akakios. Across Rebel and beside Fate.
"You, okay?" Justice asked, concern lingered on his eyes.
I nodded while munching my bread.
"You were a wreck last night..." Maingat na sabi ni Fate. I nodded again. I'm aware of how messy and how pitiful I am last night. After my blackout, the memories of what happened flowed in my head.
Nang matapos ngumuya napatingin ako kay Akakios.
"Want some other food?" Umiling ako at ngumiti.
I thought he'd be... frightened with how I was last night. But he looked peaceful. Sabagay, s'ya lang ang kalmado sa nangyari kagabi. Fate and Justice were crying and begging because of me. Law and Rebel were almost at each other's neck. But they were united when thinking of a plan on how to make me feel the pain... a little... bearable.
But with just Akakios... genuinely calling my name that I despise the most...
I calmed down...
And that was when I fell asleep peacefully. Just in his arms... his with his touch. He pacified me.
Kung paano ako hindi makahinga, paanong gusto kong magwala, kung paano akong umiiyak na parang lahat ng sakit sa mundo pinasan ko na, kung paanong hindi ako makontrol... he witnessed pieces of my monsters, but he stayed...
"Thank you, Alas." Natahimik kaming lahat nang banggitin 'yun ni Law. He's not the type to say thank you... but he did. "For what it's worth, as long as my Miracle's happy, we are happy." He added with a shrug.
Nagkatawanan kaming magkakapatid dahil do'n.
"Akala mo naman panganay." Pang-aasar pa ni Fate. At do'n nagkaroon ng nakakalokong tawanan sa breakfast namin.
***
"Wooo! Go number 10! I love you!"
"Grabe sobrang gwapo mo talaga number 10!"
"Pakasalan mo na ako Number 7!"
"Akin ka na lang kuya plesss!"
"Let's go! Win! Fight! Go!"
Napatakip ako ng tenga dahil sa naririnig na sigawan mula sa loob ng court. Pakiramdam ko nadagundong ang buong paligid sa tindi ng ingay. Idagdag mo pa ang sabay sabay na cheer na maririnig mo.
I gulped when I saw how crowded it was at the front of the entrance. Papasok na sana ako nang magvibrate at tumunog ang phone ko kaya ko tiningnan 'yun.
"Hello?!" The voice on the other line yelled because the background noise was too much.
"Na saan ka na?! Nakakaloka ang first day ng balik ko rito sa school?! Like anong meron sa basketball team ngayon at ganito ang hatak?!" I chuckled when she commented on that. "Pero nasan ka na nga?!" Dagdag n'ya.
"Entrance." I answered firmly.
"Wait mo ang pinakamagandang friendlalu mo d'yan, to the rescue na si Ate gurl!" I laughed softly because of her reply and the call ended.
"Miracleeee!" She yelled the moment she saw me. "Huwaw! So totoo pala ang akala kong fake news ni Kael na nakikita ka nga kapag nandyan ang prince charming mo? Teka, where na si prince charming?" Tapos hinanap n'ya pa sa paligid si Akakios.
Inakbayan ko si Luna at saka ko s'ya binulungan. "I miss you, Luna."
"Uwaaa! I miss you more, Miraaaa!" Masayang masayang sabi nito at saka ako niyakap nang mahigpit at bineso, kulang na lang patakan ako nang maraming halik sa pisngi. Hinala n'ya ako papasok sa loob.
I felt more than happy that Luna finally arrived here in school. Dito talaga nag-aaral 'to, kaso bumalik sa isla at probinsya dahil sa pamilya. Mabuti na lang nandito na ulit, may kasama na ako.
Halos humaba ang leeg ni Luna para lang hanapin ang sinasabi n'yang Prince Charming. Napailing-iling na lang ako rito. Seriously? Justice just met Akakios a few days ago, and now, Luna knows about it.
"Asan nga? Asan? Ang daming wafu, mygash! Daming pwedeng jowain!" Pumalakpak pa ito at ngumiti nang sobrang lawak sa akin.
"Justice would be so red in jealousy." I retorted while grinning at her.
"Abno naman 'yang kapatid mong 'yun." Irap n'ya sa akin. At saka kami umupo sa may bleachers na malapit lapit lang sa court. Nasa may banda rin kung saan malapit sa mga upuan ng iba pang players at coach.
"Sino ba crush mo ro'n sa tatlo?" Kuryosong tanong ko habang iginagala ang mga mata para hanapin si Akakios. And, I automatically lit up when I saw him talking with the coach just on the corner near us.
"Lahat sila, para masaya!" Baliw talaga 'tong si Luna. Hinarap ko s'ya at saka pinanliitan ng mga mata.
"Rebel's stalking Honoka." I told her directly.
"Ay may pakabog ang lolo mo?" She laughed hysterically. "Ipapulis ko na ba?"
"Silly." I murmured. Tawa lang nang tawa si Luna. Kung alam lang nito na naging crush s'ya 'nung triplets 'nung maliliit pa kami. Luna's the triplets' hero and lovable cute charm. They were so protective when it comes to her.
"Pero sino nga d'yan si Prince Charming?" She wiggled her brows and I chortled at her and whispered, "Number 10."
She aggressively faced me and shook my shoulders. "Seryoso ka?!" Malakas na tili n'ya kaya naman halos patinginan kami 'nung mga malalapit sa amin. I covered my face because of the scene Luna created.
In between my fingers, I saw Aki walking through the player's bleachers, which was near us. Of course, he saw me and stared at me, but I acted like I don't know him. The girls beside me screeched because of it.
If Aki was not called by one of his teammates, I'm one-hundred percent sure that he'd scoot beside me just to chat a little.
Magkaiba kami ng department. At kung magkakasama man kami ni Aki, sa paglabas lang talaga at pauwi, tapos sa condo talaga kami laging magksama at hindi sa school, kaya sigurado ako na ni walang mag-aakala na magkakilala kami.
Lucky, Aki, could control his presence now, a little, unlike before. Kahit wala ako, minsan okay s'ya kaya naman sikat na sikat sa buong school. He's always the talk of the town. On how smart, how athletic, and how kind he is. He's being exposed to the world. And I'm happy for him.
"Halaaa! Grabe!" Luna was so exaggerated when I revealed who Kael talked about.
"Grabe girl! 'Yan 'yung may fanclub na sinisigawan ng karamihan ng mga girlalu dito kanina pa! Tsaka 'yan 'yung nasa forum na prinsipe ng school! Nakakaloka ka gurl!" Grabe, kahit kapapasok lang sa school ni Luna, updated kaagad ito.
"I love you, number 10!" Sigaw 'nung nasa taas na kahanay kung saan kami naka-upo.
Luna looked at the girl with piercing daggers. "Aba't!" She was ready to throw a fit. I laughed at her reaction. I shook my head lightly; she seriously needs to calm down.
"'Di ka n'ya love, iba love n'ya! Kawawa!" Luna screamed her reply, and I laughed because of it.
Nagkaro'n nang mas malakas na sigawan 'nung biglang dumating lahat ng players ng ibang school. Idagdag mo pa na nag-warm up na rin ang mga players ng school namin. The crowd became wilder and noisier. Luna beside me, also joined the hype.
While I was just staring at Akakios smiling and doing what he likes.
After things, have been settled, a whistle echoed in the whole basketball court, and the game started. The cheer from our school and the other became more competitive as the first quarter became heated.
Luna's screaming on the top of her lungs.
"Ilampaso n'yo! Hala, sige!"
"Wooo! Go Number 10! Ang galing mo!"
"Hoy, nakakainlab ka lalo Number 10!"
"Papunas ng pawis, number 10!"
The amount of cheers for Akakios made me smile, because he's got so much support. Grabe, parang no'n lang sobrang dami n'yang gustong matutunan at ngayon nagagawa n'ya na 'yung mga bagay na 'yun. I couldn't be more proud of him. He achieved so much in a short amount of time.
"Eh ikaw kaya ipunas ko sa sahig!" Biglang sumigaw si Luna ng gano'n kaya nagkaro'n ng tawanan sa mga nakarinig.
The game continued and I couldn't help but smile secretly whenever Akakios would make a shot. Mostly, three point shots. Kapag break nila sa mga pag-itan ng quarters makikita mo na sobrang seryoso ni Akakios sa pakikinig sa coach nila.
His sweaty and tired look is just so attractive. The girls near us would cheer and scream for him whenever he's near, or whenever he'd glance at me. Luna beside me would look at me maliciously as a reaction.
Pakiramdam ko sobrang pula ko na dahil sa ginagawa ni Akakios at Luna.
The last quarter of the game started, and it begun pretty bad. Akakios was being guarded by three men. And some of them were playing dirty, and the referee couldn't see it. Blind spot. I felt alarmed and nervous for him.
"Tangina!? Ang daya n'yo naman!"
"Hoy! Anong gaguhan 'yan!"
"Gooo! Number 10! Kaya mo 'yan!"
Sigaw pa nila. Siniko ako ni Luna kaya napatingin ako sa kan'ya. "Huy, kawawa naman si Prince Charming mo! Kanina pa sinisiko ng mga bantay sa kan'ya, mukhang bothered at ayaw gumawa ng gulo..." She stated while looking at him.
"Cheer mo kaya para naman maging maayos? Baka need ng support mo, pagod na rin siguro? S'ya nagdadala ng laro kanina pa eh." Ngumuso sa akin si Luna kaya napa-iwas ako ng tingin. Napalunok din. Anong magagawa ng cheer ko?
"Dali naaa! Sasabayan kita promise!" she suggested eagerly. Tumanggi ako nang kaunti sa kan'ya.
"I-shoot mo, i-shoot mo, i-shoot mo na ang ball! Kapag 'di ka nakawala sa kanila Number 10, akin ka na ha!" Kanta at sigaw ng isang babae na nasa gilid lang namin ilang upo lang ang layo, habang nakatawa at may placard pa.
Napanganga kaming dalawa ni Luna dahil do'n at saka ako tinulak tulak ni Luna. "Payag ka? Payag ka? Inaagaw Prince Charming mo!" Naghi-hysterical na sambit nito. I smiled at her mysteriously.
I don't need to threaten Akakios like that. Instead of screaming and doing uncertain things, I stood up and immediately, Akakios's eyes focused on me. I smiled at him, and saluted quickly. I took a sit after. Hindi naman ako ganun kahalata kasi may iba rin naman nanakatayo na nag-chi-cheer. He stopped on trying to escape, and looked at me in awe.
Slowly, his lips rose to form a smirk.
All the girls shrieked when he smiled like a child. "Thank you!" He mouthed with his eyes almost in a form of a crescent moon. Just a few seconds after what I did, he's back on his top play. Nakaalis s'ya sa pagkakakulong sa mga nakabantay sa kan'ya at saka sunod-sunod na nakapag-shoot ng bola.
"Iba ang powers mo, bes!" Halakhak ni Luna matapos makita ang epekto ng simpleng ginawa ko.
She clicked her tongue. "Kaunting ganito lang!" She mimicked what I did, just a little salute that I did. I blushed shyly.
The whistle echoed, a sign that the game ended. Everyone cheered loudly that I had to cover my ears. Nagtatalon pa sa saya ang ilan at todo kanta para sa pagkapanalo. They cheered for our school energetically. The whole place seemed to have a blast and earthquake.
Isa na si Luna sa nakisigaw at nakitalon.
Binuhat pa si Akakios ng mga kasamahan dahil sa pagkapanalo nila. Tatawa tawa si Akakios sa nangyri at saka bumababa mula sa kanila at saka direktang tumingin sa direksyon ko. He started to walk to my direction. I held Luna's hand tightly. I searched for an escape path.
But I was frozen while trying to escape when I saw him saluted the same way I did to him earlier, with a little wink.
"Holy shit! He's so hoooot!"
"Panty ko yata nasa lupa na!"
"Pahinging hangiiin! Papunta rito si Number 10!"
Halos mahimatay na yata 'yung mga malapit sa akin at mga nasa taas namin 'nung biglang umakyat si Akakios sa may hadgdan papalapit sa kung nasaan kami ni Luna. The crowd automatically gave way for him to pass.
My heart beat... I could hear it in my ears. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. Sobrang kinakabahan ako. The people who noticed the salute I did earlier, started to look at me suspiciously. They knew he was going to approach me! They realized that when he mimicked what I did earlier.
I held my breath when he was already in front of me.
"Oh my gosh!" Luna gasped when she saw Akakios nearer.
Everyone were watching us! Their eyes were piercing at us! Nanlalamig ako dahil sa tindi ng atensyon na nasa akin—nasa amin ngayon dahil kay Akakios. He smiled at me while panting because of tiredness from the game.
"I wanna hug you, but I'm sweaty..." He mentioned nonchalantly.
The crowd near us were shocked by his words. They all screamed and teased us. Then with one look from him, they were all silent again.
"Congratulations." I retorted while looking at him. I smiled, too. Nakakakaba. Hindi ko maipaliwanag pero sobrang saya ko pa rin, kahit pakiramdam ko sasabog na 'yung puso ko sa sobrang bilis ng tibok nito.
"Wait for me?" Inosenteng tanong pa nito. I gulped, not once, but thrice. Hindi naman ako naglaro pakiramdam ko pinagpawisan at napagod din ako.
"Oo raw! Oo raw! Mag-iintay s'ya!" Masayang sagot ni Luna kay Akakios at saka ako itinulak papalapit sa kan'ya. Akakios laughed at Luna, then he looked at me. His eyes telling or more like questioning who's her.
"Ah, si Luna... kababata ko..." Mahinang pakilala ko. He tilted his head a little to see her.
"Hi, Luna!" He greeted with a huge smile.
"Hi..." Akala mo nahihiyang bati nito na may kakaibang ngiti sa labi.
"Tara?" Akakios then held my hand without abandon and dragged me with him to his teammates.
And the whole school was so shocked because of what happened.
PAUWI na kami matapos ang maghapon sa school at sa pagkain ng dinner. We ate dinner at a restaurant with Luna. After that, we directly went home to rest. It's been a long day.
"Goodnight, Silhoue..." Akakios told me with a tired voice and eyes. Parang tulog na naglalakad ito kanina pa. Mabuti na lang at ako ang hinayaang mag-drive kanina 'nung pauwi na kami rito sa condo.
Sinundo na rin si Luna ng driver n'ya kaya hindi na namin hinatid.
"Rest well." Nakangiting sabi ko. Akala ko makakapasok na ako sa loob ng unit ko pero nagulat ako nang hilahin ako nito bigla papunta sa kan'ya para ikulong sa yakap.
Instead of saying anything, he remained silent. I just hugged him back and felt his warmth. It lasted a few minutes before he broke the hug and stood in front of me. He just stared at my face—like memorizing its features.
Then he smiled.
"May dumi ba?" Naiilang na tanong ko.
He shook his head. "Just staring at something beautiful." He answered innocently then pulled me a little closer. Pinatakan n'ya ako nang marahan at malambot na halik sa noo. He caressed my cheeks while placing another light and feathery kiss on my forehead.
"Always take care..." Mahinang imik n'ya at saka ako binigyan pa ng isang halik sa noo. Medyo nagtagal 'yun at saka n'ya lang ako pinakawalan at hinayaang pumasok sa loob ng unit ko.
Sinalubong ako ni Chewy na bumabatok. "Arf! Arf! Arf!"
Napa-upo ako sa sahig habang nakasandal ang likod sa pinto. Napahawak sa dibdib at saka pinakiramdaman ang pusong nagwawala dahil sa simpleng ginawa ni Akakios.
I'm screwed. So... screwed.
While I was on the floor with Chewy, my phone rang. I saw Momo's number.
I answered it with a blank mind.
"Where are you?" She asked in a serious tone which made me go back to all my senses.
"Nasa condo po." Maingat na sagot ko. I could hear Momo's breathing. Kaagad akong kinabahan. Anong meron? Okay naman sila ni Dada sabi nina Fate 'nung huling bisita nila sa akin ah?
"I just got some additional information about your mission." Napatayo ako at saka ko inilagay si Chewy sa baba. Naglakad ako papuntang kwarto ko at saka sa closet. I opened a secret door in there and continued listening to my Momo.
"Go to the District 7 and search for a man named Florentino. He'd give you an information about the person that we are looking for."
"Sige po."
Momo ended the call and I prepared to go the dangerous District 7. I prepared for my all black outfit and took three guns to put it in my gun pocket and I grabbed the sword that I've been using since I was kid.
I looked at it sharply and fixed it on its sword holder.
I don't really use the sword's blade. I only use its back. That's why I gained the title of Back of the Blade from the underground cities.
I put up my long soft hair in a high pony tail and wore a mask.
Tonight's going to be a long night. Because for a short while, Miracle Silhouette will be gone, and Blade will be back on the game.
***