Kabanata 24:
Alive
I can't feel my lungs and heart functioning anymore. I lost ability to breathe. My body is so weak as water dominate it. I can't feel anything anymore. The only thing I can see now is the scenes where I'm with Kairus.
My body can't move as my eyes traces the details of his face. His thick brows, dark menacing eyes, narrow nose, lips as red as the rose, angled jaw and his muscular and tone body. I will gladly accept death if I would be with him in afterlife in eternity. I won't have any regrets ending my life if I would see him in return.
How long I spent my life is enough because I already have him, I already find my home. Kung mawawala lang rin pala siya sa akin ng ganoong kadali ay wala ng dahilan pa para ipagpatuloy ang buhay. Sapat na sa akin ang mahanap ang tahanan ko kaya ngayon hahanapin ko muli siya kahit sa kabilang buhay pa.
I will be home, finally. I want to be at peace with him.
I'm drowning in fantasies and memories with Kairus when all of that faded immediately when I heard unclear sounds. I feel something hard pumping my chest that making my frozen heart started to beat.
"Fuck! Breathe! C'mon!" I heard a muffled voice sounds begging. My mind become blank and black again. The veins in my body become warm as blood start to flow again. But I'm still not breathing. My lungs can't function.
"Breathe!" the sound is getting inside my ears. I don't know if it because of the water in it or I'm imagining things. Is it Kairus voice? Where is he? Bakit wala akong makita kundi kadiliman lang? Hindi rin ako makagalaw.
Nakarinig pa ako ng ilang hindi klarong salita habang patuloy na binabayo ang dibdib ko ng kung ano. Its hard and calloused as what Kairus hands feel when I hold it.
"No! Hindi puwede!" narinig ko na iyon ng klaro at napasinghap ako sa isip. Nakakulong pa rin ako sa kadiliman at parang patuloy pa rin akong nalulunod. I just feel something soft and tender brush on my lips.
Hindi ko alam kung ano pero natigilan ako. Pamilyar na pamilyar iyon sa akin. Naramdaman ko ang hangin na pumapasok sa bibig ko mula sa kung saan. I feel air travelling through my chest until it sent down to my lungs. The blood in my body started to make my systems and all organs back to life.
My body arch as I feel my chest tightened. May nararamdaman akong papalabas sa aking bibig.
Parang rumaragasang alon na gustong kumawala. Suminghap ako sa pag-awang ng labi. In milisecond I cough waves of water suddenly come out from my mouth. May nakita na rin akong liwanag sa mga mata ko at suminghap ng makaramdam ng hangin na lumalabas sa ilong ko.
"Yes! Breathe! Come back to life Kayeziel!" it was like a warm arms embrace me again as I feel my body function. I can feel my lungs and heart functioning. Sinubukan kong gumalaw pero hinang hina pa rin ako. Ang tangi kong nagagawa ay huminga at parahas ng parahas ang pagkalabog ng puso ko.
Cold breeze sweep across my face. I see blurred light as I cough and water continues to come out in my mouth. Nanginginig ang daliri ko at hindi malinaw sa akin ang lahat. I heard a unclear voice again as everything went black.
I feel like I'm floating in thin air. My chest and throat are sore. Masakit rin ang ulo ko pero ang gaan ng gaan ng katawan ko na para bang nakalutang ako. My eyes move as I slowly open it. Unang bumungad sa akin ang puting kisame.
Ang amoy ng likido, gamot at makina ay inatake ang ilong ko at muli akong umubo. I craned my neck to see more and I see a white room. May IV fluid na nakakabit sa kamay ko. An oxygen was attach on my nose. Even with my weak body I tried to remove it. Agad kong nalanghap ang malamig na hangin sa kwartong iyon.
Gusto kong umupo pero hindi ko magawa. I can just look around the room. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Hindi ito ang itsura ng langit. Did I failed to my plan? Am I still alive? May nagligtas sa akin?
Wala akong matandaan bago ako muling mawalan ng malay kundi ang hindi klarong tinig at ang paglanghap ko muli ng hangin. My eyes heated if Lyndon caught me again? Nabigo na naman ba ako at nahuli muli sa tangkang pagtakas.
"Mabuti at gising ka na." mabilis akong napalingon sa nagsalita at naningkit ang mga mata ko ng makita ang isang hindi pamilyar na lalaki. He's so tall, his hair is a bit messy like he brush it frustratedly numerous times to make it look like that. His brows were thick and in a good shape, narrow nose that serve as a bridge to his dark gloomy eyes.
It was dark as the night and as mysterious as the ocean. Sobrang lalim na kapag tinitigan ko ay nauubusan ako ng hininga. His lips were so red. He has an angled jaw that make him look so gorgeous in a manly way. He's wearing a simple white shirt that his broad shoulder, massive and muscular body is so evident.
He crossed his arms and the veins in his arms protruded. He look directly at my eyes. My mind start to wonder who is this man? But I sigh in relief, it's better to see a stranger than to see Lyndon or my Mommy's face. Ang tanong niya ay nagpakompirma lang sa akin na nabigo nga ako para pumunta sa kabilang buhay kong nasaan si Kairus.
Bahagyang nanikip ang dibdib ko. Why did this man save me from drowning? Siya ba ang may-ari ng tinig na hindi ko klarong naririnig noong makalanghap muli ako ng hangin?
I cleared my throat and try to speak if I can do it and I sigh as a hoarse voice come out in my lips.
"There's no more reason to live. I better stay in afterlife than to live in hell." his eyes were wary and he squinted it at me. Dahan dahan lang iyon dahil sa hindi ko pa klarong tinig.
"Ganoon lang kadali na tapusin sa iyo ang lahat?" his cold baritone voice said that make me feel goosebumps. My lips twitched as I remember the man who have the same tone as that.
"You don't know what I've been through. I was locked in hell. I lost the man I truly love."
"Kainoa Treverous Verceluz, right?" my heart took a sudden leap in the sudden mention of his name. Umawang ang labi ko kasabay nang pamimilog ng mata.
"H-How did you know him?" gulat kong saad at hindi pa masiyadong maitaas ang boses dahil sa pamamalat. He cock his head cockily and put his hand on the side of the bed.
"He's your boyfriend, right? You attempt a suicide in a thought that he was gone because of the hotel explosion?" what he said make me elicit a gasp. Paano niya nakuha ang impormasyon na iyon. Hindi ko siya kilala. Ni hindi pamilyar sa akin ang mukha niya.
"Who are you?" I ask seriously and he look at me intently as he seat on the side of the bed. Agad na lumubog ang kama dahil sa bigat niya.
"I'm Zaijan, your cousin." agad na nalaglag ang panga ko sa sinabi niya.
"W-What?" gulantang kong tanong. Nanatili siyang seryoso at walang pinagbago ang mukha. He's looking at me lazily.
"I'm Gwendolyn's son." simple niyang saad at natigilan ako. Nang naproseso ang sinabi niya ay napasinghap ako pero nalasahan ko ang pait at nanikip ang dibdib ng maalala si Tita.
"A-Anak ka ni T-Tita?" I see pain and rage in his eyes as I said it. Bigla akong nanlamig roon. Nag-init ang pisngi ko dahil sa nangyari kay Tita. Hindi ko nakompirma kung totoo ang sinabi ni Lyndon, but I know him. He can do it without thinking twice.
"S-Sorry dahil s-sa akin..." I trailed off when my lips quiver.
"Wala kang kasalanan." tumulo ang luha ko sa sinabi niya. Seeing his dark intense eyes filled with pain and rage make me confirm that Lyndon really... Hindi ko magawang sabihin. Sobra sobra ang nararamdaman kong sakit ngayon dahil sa pagkawala ni Tita nang dahil sa akin.
"A-Anong ginawa nila k-kay Tita? L-Lyndon said..."
"I was in work when that happened. I'm skilled in mix martial arts and knew how to handle a gun but I didn't save the very important person in my life. I should protect her but she was killed without mercy." his knuckles turned into fist and the rage in his eyes turn wrath. I swallowed hard as I feel nervous on looking at him.
"S-Sorry. I-If I can do something for the justice for Tita, I'll help you."
"You're innocent. It's your family and that motherfucker who did a sin. They're heartless and devils." his eyes turn bloodshot. The wrath in his eyes intensifies. Ramdam ko rin ang sumasalim na galit sa mata ko dahil sa ginawa ng sarili kong pamilya.
"Isa rin iyan sa mga dahilan kung bakit gusto kong tumakas." tumuon ang mga mata niyang naghahalo ang pag-aalab at dilim.
"I'm on my way saving you from that hell. Hindi mo lang ako nahintay at nagdesisyon ka agad na tapusin ang buhay mo." natigilan ako roon.
"S-So you're really the man who save me from drowning?"
"Uh huh. You made me scared as fuck when you almost lost breath. Mabuti na lang at naiahon kita agad at nagawan ng paraan. If I just arrive late for seconds, you're dead now." alam kong sariling kagustuhan at desisyon ang paglunod pero hindi ko maiwasang kilabutan at balutin ng lamig dahil sa sinabi niya.
"You shouldn't end your life that easy."
"You can't blame me. I lost Kairus, he's my only hope and peace. Nawala siya sa akin kasabay ng buhay ko."
"How can you so sure that he was dead? Do you really confirm it?" I stunned on his question. Madilim ang mga mata niyang nakabaling sa akin at hinihintay ang magiging sagot ko. I can't believe that I really survive death and I'm still breathing and alive now. Hindi ako makapaniwala.
"Y-Yes. I s-saw and read the article. He's n-names was on the list---"
"You read a wrong and fake article. He's not dead. I done my own investigation and it was confirmed that Lyndon do it in purpose. He explode the building to kill a specific man and how bad is it to found out that he killed numerous person but his subject survive."
I think my mind just shutdown, my heart skipped a beat and my breathinf faltered when I heard that from him. Marahas akong napasinghap at nanlalaki ang mata na tumitig sa kanya. Naghahanap nang kung anong emosyon roon para masabi kong nagsisinungaling siya. But his eyes remained dark and mysterious. My jaw dropped as my tears fall like waterfalls.
"H-He's alive?" I breathe the question. My lungs function again and my breathing turn massive as I wait for his answer. Nahigit ko ang hininga ng makitang tumango siya.
"Yeah, He's still alive and kicking."
Mas lalong bumuhos ang luha ko na tinakip ko ang kamay sa bibig para lamang mabawasan ang lakas noon.
Sa isang iglap ay halos manlumo at manghina ako dahil sa sariling desisyong ginawa. If he didn't save me from my attempt I'm probably dead now.
Ako ang mang-iiwan kay Kairus. Bigla akong nagsisis sa padalos dalos kong desisyon na ginawa.
"I-If y-you didn't there to save me...I'll be dead and I'll leave him a-alone for a wrong thought." my lips quiver on my own statement. Lumuha at umiyak muli ako. Inabutan ako ni Zaijan ng tubig pero hindi ko iyon tinanggap mula sa kanya.
Nanghihina ako sa napagtanto. I just chase death and now I survive from it like Kairus. Kung nalunod nga talaga ako at hindi nakaligtas, ano na ang mangyayari sa kanya? I thought he break his promise but I didn't expect I'm the one who almost cut our ties.
"Marami talagang namamatay sa maling akala, mabuti at naroon ako." Zaijan said it without a humor and I cried silently.
"I'll let you rest for now and after I'll explain to you everything." binaba niya ang baso sa tabi at ang paper bag na mukhang may lamang pagkain. He stood and walk towards the couch in the side of the room. Nahiga siya roon at tinakpan ng mga braso ang mga mata habang patuloy akong natulala at hindi pa rin makapaniwala.
It feel surreal to realized that I'm still breathing. My heart ache as I did a horrible mistake. Gusto kong saktan ang sarili sa ginawa pero masiyado pa akong mahina. He's alive! He survived! My heart ache while happiness console it softly. Where is he then? Ayos lang ba siya? Ano na ang kalagayan niya ngayon?
Hinahanap pa rin ba niya ako? Nakabalik na ba siya sa Isla Vagues? Kamusta siya? Ang daming tumatakbo na tanong sa isip ko at ang tangi kong nagawa ay umiyak habang hindi pa rin makabawi sa lahat ng mangyayari.
I'm leaning my back in the backrest of the bed as I watch the nurse remove the IV fluid in my hand. The nurse flushed a bit when she glance at Zaijan beside her. Nakatingin sa akin si Zaijan at parang naghihintay sa nasasaktan kong ekspresyon pero hindi ko siya pinagbigyan. My expression is blank and without any humor on it.
"Kamusta?" tanong ni Zaijan nang naalis na iyon ng nurse. Nangangatog ang tuhod ng nurse ng makaalis at sobra pang namumula.
"Ayos lang naman." ginalaw ko ang kamay at daliri ko. Wala talaga akong maramdamang sakit roon. Tanging kagaanan lang, kahit na nang tinaggal ang IV at may ilang sumirit na dugo dahil mukhang kabado ang nurse sa presensiya ni Zaijan ay wala akong maramdang sakit.
Namanhid yata ang katawan ko dahil sa tatlong araw na kakahiga sa kama sa loob ng kwarto na ito. Zaijan is always attentive to ask me about my condition. Hindi ako maayos dahil naroon pa rin ang mga bumabagabag na tanong sa akin. Gusto kong malaman ang tungkol kay Kairus.
I always ask Zaijan about it but he always saying for me to rest first before he answered all of my questions. Kaya kahit na nanghihina pa ay pinagbutihan ko sa tatlong araw para gumaling agad.
"You'll answer all of my questions now?" tanong ko agad sa kanya. His brow arched as his lips twitched.
"I still don't know where he is. I'm still investigating about it."
"B-Baka bumalik na siya sa Isla Vagues."
"Hindi niya puwedeng gawin agad iyon. The tragedy is still fresh. Hindi nahanap ang katawan niya dahil may ilang hindi na makilala dahil naging abo sa pagsabog. They're just announced that the lost are already dead. Kaya noong nakita mo ang pangalan niya sa listahan ng patay, ay hindi iyon totoo." napasinghap ako sa lahat ng sinabi niya.
"K-Kung ganoon paano mo nalaman na buhay siya kung hindi mo nakikita?"
"One of my men saw him staying in a rent house. Nakita ko rin siya at inalam ko muna kung siya nga ba iyong lalaking hinahap ko. Then it confirmed that he is really Kainoa Treverous Verceluz. Kaso noong kokomprontahin ko na, wala na siya sa lugar na iyon."
"B-Bakit siya umalis? B-Baka may nangyari na sa kanya."
"Ayos lang siya. He's quite smart and skilled. Hindi na kataka taka na natunugan niya ang mga inutusan kong bantayan siya. Sa tingin ko, inakala niyang kalaban kaya siya umalis."
"H-Hindi niyo pa nahahanap?"
"We're tracing him now and the information we're leading us to a place near Isla Vagues. Mukhang may balak nga siyang bumalik pero nag-iingat pa."
"G-Gusto kong bumalik sa I-Isla Vagues."
"Hindi mo puwedeng gawin iyan." seryoso niyang sinabi at kumunot naman ang noo ko.
"Bakit hindi?"
"Huwag kang magugulat. This is the outcome of your suicide act." he said and my forehead creased more. I watch him hold the remote and the flat screen TV open.
Agad na nasa news channel iyon kaya narinig ko agad ang balita.
"The heiress of Brizuela Corporation, Kayeziel Harselia Brizuela was confirmed dead. It was an early report for the chief navy who lead the searching for the heiress body. Tatlong araw ang naging paghahanap pero walang nakitang bangkay ng babae. Ang tanging naisalba ay ang sasakyan nito na nagkaparte parte sa ilalim ng dagat..." my jaw dropped hearing the news. Suminghap ako at agad na napalingon kay Zaijan na nanatiling seryoso.
"You failed killing yourself but you succeed on escaping hell. Now your family think your gone. Hindi ka nila hahabulin pa." he said cockily like what he said is nothing. Habang ako hindi makapaniwala rito.
"M-My death is broadcasting nationwide! L-Lahat ng tao alam na patay na ako?!"
"Yes, and your fiance is so broken. Look." bumaling siya sa telebisyon at umawang ang labi ko ng makita si Lyndon na pulang pula ang mata. He look broken, helpless and hopeless. He look like he lost everything.
"I'm sorry, I can't give a statement now." nanghihina niyang sinabi at agad na iniwas ang mukha at iniwan ang media na hinahabol siya.
"Mr. Brizuela! Please give us a statement. Why your daughter decide to end her life by suicide? May problema po ba ito?" napasapo ako sa bibig ng makita si Daddy sa telebisyon. He's eyes are blank and mourning. Its filled with pain and sorrow. He look so hurt and devastated. Nagsimula na akong umiyak.
"I can't forgive my self. I love her so much, I should done s-something so this won't h-hap.." he didn't finish the sentence because he suddenly breakdown. Mabilis na pinalibutan siya ng bodyguard para makalayo ang mga media.
"Sir! Sir!" sigaw ng mga media ng igiya na si Papa papasok sa sasakyan. I cried harder as Zaijan turned off the TV.
"What happened is a good thing so your family won't bother you again but it would turn bad if Kairus will heard about your fake death." mabilis na napatigil ako sa pagluha sa sinabi ni Zaijan. I turned to him and like usual, his expression didn't change. He was still serious when my heart pounded in nervous because of what he said.
"How do you think he would react if he found out about this? For sure he'll breakdown like you. Do a suici----"
"Hindi puwedeng mangyayari iyon! Hindi niya iyon m-magagawa." nanginig ang boses ko kasabay ng paghikbi. Zaijan lick his lower lip.
"Pero ikaw nagawa mo, di ba?"
"K-Kailangan ko siyang pigilan! K-Kailangan niyang malaman na n-narito pa ako!"
"That's why we need to find him as soon as possible. Sana lang wakang bangin sa lugar kung nasaan siya para hindi siya tumalon." hindi ko alam kung nagbibiro ba si Zaijan sa sinasabi niya pero nanatili siyang seryoso, walang humor sa mukha.
I can still feel the lethal pain in my chest.
"We must find him." I said with conviction and he slowly nod. Pagpatak ng pang-apat na araw ay napagpasyahan na ni Zaijan na umalis na ako sa hospital.
Sinama niya ako patungo sa Panagasinan. Hindi ko alam na doon pala siya nakatira. Tahimik lang ako buong biyahe. Hindi mawala sa isip ko si Kairus. I just hope he won't pulled the same act like I did when I thought he was dead. Hindi ko na talaga kakayanin kung mangyari man iyon.
He brought me to his mansion. My mouth parted as he open the car door for me and my eyes landed in the grand and elegant mansion.
It's a three story mansion with roman style windows. Naglalakihan iyon at agaw pansin kahit malayo ka mula sa mansiyon. Ngayong nakatayo ako malapit roon at kaunti lang ang distansiya ay sobra na akong humahanga. This windows is like a castle in the movies I watch.
Iginaya niya ako papasok at agad na sumalubong sa amin ang bilang ng mga kasambahay na nakauniporme at humilera bilang pagbati sa pagdating namin. Nakayuko sila sa aking lahat at walang nagtangka na tignan ako sa mga mata.
"Mabuti at nakarating na kayo hijo. Sobra akong nag-aalala!" isang ginang ang sumalubong sa amin. Nakauniporme pero mas elegante ang sa kanya kaysa sa normal na suot ng mga kasambahay.
Some part of mansion are covered with hard bricks. The marble floor is shining in delight as I clearly see my reflection on it. My eyes landed in the grand staircase in the center of the mansion. Pagpasok mo pa lang ay iyon na agad ang bubungad sayo. The every steps of the grand staircase are marble and the bannister looks so magnificent in the intricate unusual design.
Halos humanga ako sa gumawa ng disenyo ng bannister na iyon dahil sobrang komplikado at hindi iyong mga disenyo na madalas kong makikita. Its so unique and classical. Siguradong mahabang panahon ang ginugol rito para matapos iyon.
The elegant and glowing chandelier is like the heart of the mansion. It brings light and amusement in my eyes. The furnitures, decorations, and everything inside the house looks so expensive. I even saw some paintings that cost a fortune. Every things inside are so organize, kahit ang galaw ng kasambahay rito ay kalkulado.
I was so fascinated in the whole mansion that I can't take my eyes on it until the maids serves our lunch.
"I n-never heard on Tita about having a mansion as grand as this." gulat kong sabi kay Zaijan ng mabalik sa wisyo na pinapanood na pala ang reaksiyon ko.
"Itong mansiyon na ito ay pinatayo ni Papa. Minsan lang umuwi rito si Mama dahil nasa Maynila at nag-aayos ng negosyo. Nandito rin kasi ako para sa trabaho." simple niyang saad at namilog naman ang labi ko dahil sa nalaman.
Pero mabilis din akong natigilan. I know Tita met a man after she run away from his evil husband. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto kung sino ba ang Papa ni Zaijan. Wala pa ako sa mundo ng mangyari iyon, naririnig ko lang sa kuwento ni Mama noong bata pa ako.
Ayokong itanong dahil baka maoffend siya pero mukhang nabasa niya na ang nasa isip ko.
"I'm his son on the man she met after she become free on that devil. I'm Zaijan Larique Lazzarabal." namilog ang mga mata ko sa narinig na pamilyar na pangalan.
"L-Lazzarabal? I heard that last name in Isla Vagues!" baka naman kamukha lang ng apelyido. Hindi naman malabo na may magkaparehas ng ganoon.
"Yeah, that's my Dad's province. I born there, pero napunta rito dahil sa negosyo ni Papa. Naroon si Papa at tumutulong sa negosyo nila Lola."
"D-Did he knew about..." hindi ko nagawang ituloy at tumango siya.
"He's mad when he found out. Hindi niya mapapatawad ang gumawa noon kay Mama kaya nagpla-plano na siya laban sa pamilya mo. Don't worry he will let law get the justice for Mama even he wants so bad to torment them without mercy." umawang ang labi ko at napayuko.
"I'm too sensitive to tell you our plans to your family, aren't I?" bahagya siyang tumawa na para bang kaswal lang ang pinaguusapan namin.
"I know about my Mother evil did and Lyndon but my father is innocent."
"That's also my Dad's conclusion. Kaya hindi siya kasama sa galit ni Papa. We knew everything about you, Mama told us. Noong nawala si Mama, agad na naming plinano ang pagkuha at pagsalba sayo sa kamay nila. I always watch your mansion, hindi lang ako makalapit dahil maraming security."
"Y-You planned to save me since the start?" hindi ko makapaniwalang sinabi.
"Yeah, I chase you when you drive alone that day. Sobra ang gulat ko noong sinubukan mong magpakamatay. Good thing that I'm good on swimming and I'm a professional diver."
"I won't do that again."
"Because there's no reason to end your life now, right?" I don't know if that's a mock but I glared at him.
"Kumain ka na." iginiya niya sa akin ang mga pagkain.
Habang nagpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon kung nasaan si Kairus ay unti-unti ko ring nakilala si Zaijan. He's five years older than me and he get Tita's Gwendolyn's smile. Bihira ko lang naman siya ngumiti at madalas ay seryoso talaga siya lalo na kapag nasa trabaho.
I found out that he's leading a special force and security agency. Noong unang beses ko na makita siya sa sala ay halos atakihin ako sa puso dahil ang daming nakalatag na iba't-ibang uri ng baril sa center table. Namutla at kinabahan ako lalo ng hawakan niya ang isang shotgun roon.
He smirk when he notice me. Tumawa siya ng makita ang bahagya kong takot na reaksiyon.
"A-Anong gagawin mo diyan?"
"I'm sorry I forgot to tell you that this is my field expertise." he shrugged and even handled me the gun. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at nagkibit balikat lang siya at nagpatuloy na sa ginagawa.
I once visit their headquarters and my mouth parted as I saw numerous kind of guns that is hanging in the walls. May shooting range rin na katabi noon at naroon si Zaijan, nageensayo o nagpapalipas oras. I once watch him there. I even stop breathing as I saw how skilled and good he was in holding the gun and shooting the target.
Walang palya iyon, ang target ay tamang tama sa gitnang kulay pulang bilog. The veins in his arms protrude everytime it moves as he pulled the trigger. Hangang hanga ako sa kanya. He's so young and yet he can lead this agency so well. Mga politiko, artista, aboagado, at mga kilalang tao ang kumukuha sa kanila para sa seguridad.
It was a high end security agency. Ang dami kong nakitang mga lalaki na mukhang bodyguard. Madalas ay puro lalaki ang nakikita ko na malalaki ang katawan at magaling humawak ng baril. Bilang lang ang mga babae. I even watch Zaijan trained some new mens in their agency.
He's eyes were so dark and intense as he seriously watch them shoot. He's eyes are scary and a threat to everyone. He's presence are so intimidating that everyone here respect him so well. Wala akong nakitang ni isa na nagtangkang kumalaban sa kanya.
Huminga ako ng malalim nang makita na napatumba niya muli ang lalaki na eneensayo. We're here in a gym's boxing ring. They're doing MMA and Zaijan is a beast for having a very well skills in combats.
"Akala ko ba nasanay na iyan noong nakaraan? Ulitin mo ulit ang routines para sa isang linggo." seryoso niyang sinabi habang lumalabas sa ring. I leaned my back as he walk towards me to get his bottle of drink beside my chair.
"Ayaw mo talagang humawak ng baril?" tanong niya pagkatapos uminom. I shrugged.
"I think I'm not still ready to hold it."
"Kailan ka magiging handa kung ganoon? You can use it as self defense when something happened."
"I know but I can't help to tremble when I hold gun! I can't even have a strength to pulled the trigger!" I hopelessly said and he chuckled.
"Pero kailangan mong maging handa para sa isang bagay." kumunot ang noo ko.
"Anong bagay?"
"We're going to Isla Vagues, my men confirmed that Kairus finally went home. Pupuntahan natin siya."