Mukha ba akong malungkot? Well oo, but no one ever notice it. But this guy from Batanes she noticed my sadness for the nth time of shedding tears siya lang ang nagmalasakit. Bago ko paman makita ang mukha niya nakatalikod na ito, he has broad shoulder and well-trimmed na buhok, matangkad din pogi ata to. In my mind ito lang ang lalaking binigyan ko ng compliment.
“ Hey Thanks” pasigaw kong sabi yet hindi man lang lumingon.
Snobero ang gago, I throw the ring that my dad gave on my 25th birthday wala akong mapaagdiskitahan. Hindi ko rin feel ang Batanes mygawdd gusto ko ulit sa Ilocos.
“ Honey, yung plane sino ba ang Pilot?” I called Do Jae siya lang naman ang maasahan ko sa Korea. Since umuwi nanaman siya sa Korea.
“Sirene Ye Na Hyun!! For the nth time stop calling HONEYYYY baka gusto mong ituloy ang kasal? Ano tatawagan ko na ba ang dad mo? Huh? Sagot Honey.”
“the eff Do Jae, well you’re a good catch pwedeng di na ako magwork di ba. I’ll quit my job sige let’s get married.”
“ANDWEEE, ayoko ng brat na asawa mas maganda pag magkaibigan na lang tayo.”
Alam ko naman na hindi niya kaya, I love teasing him.
“ HAHAHAHA yun naman pala e. Who will fly the plane?”
“ Cold will do his job, pinatwagan ko na.”
“ Arraso, jalgayo jagii,”
Do Jae ended the call, wala naman akong maraming dala pwede ko ring iwanan tong mga damit I can buy a lot of this pero saying naman kasi puro designer brand tong mga to. Hayyy kainis ang hustle lang.
“ Jagii? Baliw eto ang number ni Cold 09168916841”
“Thanks Jagiiiiii”
I called the Pilot, may kasama raw ako well okay lang naman. Gumawa ako ng itinerary para sa Ilocos for the last time I want to visit that place. 7pm ang flight matutulog na naman ako for the entire flight.
______________________________________________________________________-
“Cold nasan yung kasama natin, ang tagal naman Saan ba punta noon?”
Mag aalas otso na ng gabi wala pa yung may-ari. I know ang demanding ko pero hayyss ayoko talaga ng mga late.
“ Ewan ko dude teka itetext ko.”
Matagal din magreply, kung may flight sana ngayon nagdomestic plane kahit sa economy class na lang ako.
“ Nandito na raw sige na umupo kana roon dude may mga maiinom jan at foods.”
“ Alam mong di ako umiinom Cold.”
“ Really sige nga ano to?”
He showed me a photo, damn sa club yun. Nagflash tuloy sakit sa ulo sigurodong umabot na naman to sa kay Heneral I mean sa Lolo.
“ It was just freaking game Cold.”
“At ngayon nagmumura kana bakit? Maganda ba? Did you get her number? Ano Lumot pa rin?”
“Alam mo Cold chismoso ka rin magkaibigan nga kayo ni Haze.”
“Mas pogi naman ako roon. So ano nga”
“wala simpleng body shot lang, Ni hindi ko nga alam ang pangalan niya but I saw a tattoo on her neck ‘SIRENE’ baka yun ang pangalan niya.”
"What?!! Achievement yun lumot body shot. So... Ano na?"
"Stop it, you know me well Cold. I have alot of things to do and women is not on the list."
"Captain, nagsisimula na akong maghinala ha. Huyy hindi tayo talo." May pa ekis pa sa dibdib.
"Aishh, gusto ko ng katahimikan Cold."
"Hey, kumusta pala ang dinner with your dad?"
"Isa pa yan sa dumagdag sa mga problema ko sa kampo. We will get married by end of the year, kung hindi irereleave ako sa trabaho."
"Ahhh, kaya naman pala. si Astrid anong sabi niya?"
I made a face, and very long sigh. Sumasakit ang ulo ko and I just receive the details for the mission.
"Bat ko pa tinanong no? Of course Astrid is in favor of this. Bro 6 months? kaya ba?"
"No, honestly bro baka matatagalan kami dito sa next na mission namin. And my dad has been pressuring me about the wedding, hopefully hindi matuloy. "
"Pero Linus, matagal na kasi yan e. Even nong nas Europe ka pa."
Europe, good memories suddenly appeared in my head I miss playing and wonder about that woman.
How was she? Its funny that I still remember her kahit ni pangalan niya hindi ko alam. My only remembrance from her e yung hair pin that worth a million. Even my mom ask me kung saan ko yun nabili coz nag-iisa lang yun,I even tried to know the name of the owner kaso ayaw sabihin. I kept that hair pin ewan kahit papaano I have this feeling. Yeah ironic I cannot even recognize emotions pero heto ako I little seed of hope that I will meet her again.
Finally dumating na ang may ari I got a text from Cold. At pumwesto ako sa cockpit to accompany Cold for the flight.
" Hey Captain, maganda talaga yung may-ari. Your kind of girl Jiel, Fair, tall amd skinny. "
" Its Linus,Cold stop calling me Jiel."
"Alright Cap, Ano ready for departure? "
"Yeahh, lets go. "
After announcing what to do and Flight details they are ready to go. Si Cold parang ang laking plane ang papaliparin ang daming alam well protocol e.
We safely landed at Ilocos. Mukhang bigatin nga ang may-ari ng plane latest na labas ng BMW ang sumundo.
I called Rogue, alam kung nasa Ilocos pa ito para kay Vielle.
"Rogue, saang hotel ka ngayon?"
"Celestine Castle, Cap. bakit po?"
"I'am in Ilocos, whats your room number?"
"114 Cap."
"Sige pupunta ako dyan."
Nagpahatid na lang ako kay Cold dito muna siya sa ngayon.
"Celestine Castle tayo Cold."
"Hey may malapit na Pub dyan tara."
"No I'll rest bukas na lang."
"No wonder ang boring ng buhay mo Cap."
"Oo na thanks for the ride."
Bigla na lang may tinuro si Cold.
"Oi oi, Linus correct me if I'm wrong. Di ba sasakyan yun ng babae sa plane."
"Hey you're being chismoso again. Bakit hindi mo kilala yung may-ari? Baka illegal na yan a."
"Lalake ang may ari ng plane,girlfriend niya ata. He is Korean may Aviation Company at Hotel Chains siya pero marunong magtagalog."
"Eh bakit kung makapagsalita ka parang gustong-gusto mo ang girlfriend ng boss mo e."
"Ah sinabi ko bang girlfriend? Mali her secretary I mean secretary ng ex fiancée ang gusto ng boss ko. Ex fiancée niya yan, that woman broke of the engagement."
"That's interesting, bakit ayaw niya e may kaya naman ang lalaki."
"I heard she is a doctor, and billionaire. At her young age she founded her own company. It earns millions of dollar a month. She definately don't need a man for her luxurious living."
"For a doctor dami niyang time magvacation."
"They own a hospital. Do you want to know her name?"
"You sounded like a paparazzi Cold."
"Nagtanong ka sinagot ko lang ."
"Psshhh, sige na." I dismissed Cold.
"Bakit mo ako pinapaalis, I'll check in this Hotel."
"Okay."
Sa may reception ng hotel nakasalubong nila si Rogue.
"Cap here's the key card."
Mukhang may pupuntahan pa siya.
" May lakad?"
"I'm going to meet someone at the nearby pub."
Eto naman si Cold.
"Hey Rogue my friend. Tara inom. Ayaw ni Captain Lumot kaya ikaw na lang ang aayain ko."
"I'll just meet you at the nearby pub Cold."
"Yes!! Paano ba yan Cap. sama kana kasi."
Pamimilit ni Cold kay Linus. While Linus getting annoyed but in the end pumayag din.
"Okay, I'll just take bath. Inom lang ha."
"What? Why so boring naman." Astang nagpapacute pa ang loko.
"Stop doing that di bagay."
Sabay silang sumakay sa elevator at nag-ayos na rin.
He was dawned by his thoughts.
Something is not right, those similarities on the cases they are not just coincidence. The bodies were burnt tanging necklace lang a evidence para makilala nila ang tao. Nahulog sa dagat ang kotse how come the bodies were burnt? I believe my sister is alive ang katawan na nakita ay hindi kanya. I want a DNA test but my father ayaw niya. He cremated the body without conducting autopsy at pinaclose agad ang kaso. Alam ko hindi lang aksidente, the car may tama ng bala at pati ang driver noon na namatay.
I stop grieving because I'm hoping that she is alive. I even suffered . After that incident I decided to enter military Lolo was somehow happy. I remained lowkey I didn't brag my identity, I want to be treated like a normal person. For years I have lead at itinuturo nito si Alhazeem. He was spotted n the area at mga CCTV nakuha ang kanyang kotse na sumusunod sa car ng kapatid niya. Nagulo lang ang kanyang pag-iisip ng kumatok si Cold.
"Dude pakibilisan naman baka nakakarami na si Rogue doon. Nandito pa raw sina Draco at nasa Pub na sila."
Pasigaw na sabi ni Cold.
Eto na naman tayo pag tong limang ugok na yun ang kasama ko siguradong yari ako.
I am on my towel, at tong si Cold may mapang asar na tingin.
" Fafable, sarap mo naman Captain."
"Pinagsasabi mo." sabay bato sa towel sa mukha.
"Pagsinabing inom-inom lang ha. Huwag niyo akong isama sa kalokohan niyo. "
"Okay okay tara na."
I decided to wear a white shirt and a jeans. Bili lahat to ni Magnus, that brother of mine maluho lahat ng gamit designer brands. Hindi ko naman kailangan, but he insisted para naman daw mas presentable akong tignan.
For about 20 minutes car ride nakarating kami ni Cold. Bumungad ang malakas na si tugtug at nakakasulasok na amoy ng sigarilyo.
"VIP section tayo cap." sabi ni Cold.
"Linus, call Linus outside our field Cold. Its uncomfortable." tila ilang pa rin si Linus.
Sa second floor nakatambay ang kanyang grupo. They are having fun, except for Rogue. He was eyeing Vielle nasa kabilang table kasama ang magaling kung kapatid si Magnus. He saw at lumapit.
"Brother, come and join us. Lets party! Its my first time seeing you on place like this." pasigaw na sabi ni Magnus dahil sa ingay ng paligid.
"No I have my company here. I didn't know your here in Ilocos." I said.
He took a full shot on Jack Daniels. Hindi naman siya madaling nalasing I know Magnus has high tolerance on alcohol.
"I have business here. Have you no heard? A korean lady, I mean I want to close a deal with a fellow businesswoman here. Pero hanggang ngayon di ko pa siya nakikita." ginagala rin ang kanyang paningin.
"Goodluck brother." yun na lang ang aking nasabi.
"Linus, about your marriage do you want to do something about it?" natamaan ako sa sinabi niya but I wont bite his bait. Knowing Magnus he is into it again.
"Nah, I'll handle it thanks kuya." Magnus is one year older than me. He manage to make the company hit its highest stock price.
On my way to balcony, my naguusap na babae at lalake. Usap nga lang ba? Well who Am I to judge its a club. Hooks up are every where. I shook my head I need air.
"Stop it okay I'm with someone" ana ng babae mukhang kinukulit ng kasama ni Magnus sa table kanina. I know this guy, he is model at may record na ito ng harassment.
As far as I'm concern wala pa rin akong magagawa wala ako sa trabaho. Holding my beer pumunta ako sa may balcony. Right on time the lady pulled me and kissed.
"Oh You're here Jagiii, get lost now mister I'm not interested." dismissing the guy.
Nang makaalis na ang lalaki, the woman look at me apologetically.
"I'm sorry" nakayuko pa niyang sabi.
Hindi ko makita ang kanyang mukha dahil medjo madilim but her beauty shines.
"Iwasan mo ang lalaking yon miss." I said.
"He is so makulit, I hate his guts. Ughh he said I was looking at him like ko daw siya. Its frustrating me liking him? He is feelingero, he is not my type duhh." ang conyo niyang sabi.
I laugh at her statement , sa tono ng kanyang salita alam kong hindi siya Pilipina.
"Welcome to the Philipines, ganun talaga. Why are here? Are you alone?" I'm starting to make a conversation.
"Alone, and yeah I want to blow off some steam." the lady answered.
"Why?"
She shrugged her shoulder. "My family sucks. You why are here? Why did I asked of course to have some fun right?" she said.
Pareho kami nito, atleast makakarelate tong isang to sa akin.
"We are same on some point, my team is here. They are having some fun. What's your name by the way? If you don't mind. " paubos na rin ang ininomko.
"Sirene how about you? And sorry about earlier." she said apologetically.
Anong sasabihin kong pangalan? My real name? Hindi ko naman siya makikita pa.
"Jiel, its okay." I offered my hand for formality.
She accepted my hand and pulled me for a kiss. This lady is aggresive, might as well respond. I don't knoe what comes into me, hindi naman ako ganito maybe its the alcohol.
She smiled in between kisses, and pulled me closer. Her hands found my neck she hang it she tip toe a bit to reach my face, my hands found her waist. I cannot see face properly alam ko hindi ito kanyang totoong looks, tumama ang ilaw ng kanyang phone sa kanyang mukha I can say she is in contacts and a heavy make up.
She is experience kisser, I can tell it. I kissed girls back then pero hindi ganito. Our tongues were battling, and breath is hitching. Natigil lang ng may tumawag sakin.
"Linus don't hide hoyy ikaw ang taya ngayon sa inumin." Its Cold. natigilan lang siya ng makita ang aming posisyon.
Agad siyang tumalikod, "sorry wala pa dito ang hinahanap ko."
Kahit kailan tong si Cold.
"I'll be going. Mr. Jiel see you when I see you." he tapped my shoulder and kissed my cheeks.
That was quick, I suddenly remembered the woman whom I had body shot. Her tattoo "Sirene" at Sirene ang din ang pangalan ng babae siya ba yun? Too late she left.
Bumalik ako sa table namin, at naghiyawan ang aking team.
"Woahhh!!! Cap bago yun a." kantyaw ni Haze.
"We don't know my side ka pa lang ganun Sir." dagdag naman ni Draco.
"Dapat pala noon pa natin sinasama si Cap." Maximus commented.
Hindi na ako sumagot hahaba lang ang usapan. They were wasted mabuti na lang at malapit ang hotel na tinutuluyan ng tatlo. At si Cold ginawa pa akong driver. Rogue was nowhere to be found.
"Ano Linus naka score ba?" Cold teased.
"Stop, its not like that." sagot ko habang nagmamaneho.
"Wow lang ha! So ano yun natalisod siya at tumama ang kanyang labi sa labi mo. Ang cliché naman cap." lasing na nga dami pang sinasabi.
" Franz, were after her. Alam mo naman yun and his history. Cold I think its her the woman, about the body shot. Her name and the tats. pareho. She is agressive and experienced in kissing. She is one of kind. " I chuckled.
Tinignan ko sa rear view mirror. Tulog na pala. My phone light up, eto na ang picture ng mamanmanan namin.
Maganda ang babae I think I saw her somewhere, my blood boils immidiately when I saw the picture of Alhazeem.
Wala pa sa hotel si Rogue, I took a bath a cold one to calm my being before going to sleep. Tomorrow I will clear my mind before going to my mission. I texted my senior para I cancel ang vacation I will head to Palawan na pang bukas. Total my bahay naman ako doon, my vacation house na parang totoong bahay ko na rin since doon na ako nakatira.
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Next Chap. ang kanilang official na pagkikita.
#LiSin❤