"Of course, I know..."
Halos tumumba si Andrius sa sobrang pagkabalisa at panlulumo sa narinig namin kay Newt. Ako naman ay humigpit ang kapit sa likuran niya at hindi malaman ang gagawin. Muling tumingin sa amin si Casper at walang bahid ng anumang emosyon ang mukha niya.
"Fuck..." rinig kong bulong ni Andrius. Nanginginig ito at nangingilid ang luha sa mga mata. "How long have you known?"
"Does that matter?" tanong pabalik ni Newt. "The thing here Judge Blake is, I know."
Nagsimula siyang maglakad papunta sa amin at nasundan iyon ng pag-urong namin ni Andrius.
"Step back!" bulyaw ni Andrius. "Or else I won't hesitate to slit your throat, you snake!"
"Hear us out, Andrius," sabat ni Casper. "We have our reasons."
"What reason?!" ganti ni Andrius. "You fooled me! You fooled us!"
"Andrius—"
"I TOLD YOU TO STEP BACK!" inihagis ni Andrius kay Newt ang basong nakapa niya at tumama iyon sa dingding. "The next time I'll throw you something, I'll make sure that it'll ruin your face. So step back, you freak!" mariin niyang sabi.
Hindi nakagalaw si Newt at Casper. Kapwa ito nag-tinginan at hindi malaman ang gawin.
"Neska, you call the police," Andrius said. "We won't let this pass."
Halatang na-alarma si Newt.
"Do it now," Andrius said. His voice cracked. It was obvious that it was hard for him to do so.
I opened my phone. Nanginginig man ay nagsimula akong mag-dial.
"Neska..."
Napatingin ako kay Casper. At mula roon ay nakita ko ang pangamba sa mukha niya.
"If...if you'll report us, might as well hear us out," he said. His voice was shaky.
"Casper joined them on purpose," sabat ni Newt bago pa man kami maka-hindi. "Kaya please, give us the chance to explain. We have our reasons."
"What reasons?" tanong ni Andrius. "I trusted you...I fcking did..."
Casper gulped. "Andrius..."
"When you begged me that night," Andrius halted him. Tears were building up in his eyes. "You said you have your reasons. You told me you will tell her. You know I was dragging you to a nearby police station that night but you said...you have your reasons and there's no way that you can hurt us. Pero anong ginawa mo?"
There were tears in Casper's eyes as well. Newt was getting emotional.
"You lured her here..." Andrius uttered and his voice broke. "Of all places, Casper...For what? I trusted you kahit hindi mo sinasabi sa 'kin 'yong rason mo. Dahil nakita ko kung gaano ka ka-buting kaibigan at anak. Kahit tatay ni Neska, pinagkakatiwalaan ka. You said you will tell her because she'll understand it better than I will. Now, this? I trusted you Casper... for the first time in my life, I did..."
"Andrius, let me explain—"
"Isa ka pa," sabat ni Andrius. "Newt...I sacrificed my life in Manila to help you and the only thing I'd get is betrayal?!"
"Andrius, hear us out," sabi ni Newt. "Maiintindihan mo kami 'pag nalaman mo—"
"Let us go," pakikisali ko. "Masiyado nang maraming kasinungalingan. Tama na..."
"Neska..." Casper looked at me when he knew he can't persuade Andrius anymore."It's okay kung magagalit ka rin sa 'kin. Naiintindihan ko. Pero...pero sana...sana pakinggan mo manlang ang side ko...ang side namin. After that, after hearing everything, it's okay if you'll still hate us. There's nothing I can do about that. But first, pakinggan niyo muna kami."
"No," I said as I faced them my phone. "Because I'm calling the cops now."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Newt.
"Sa presinto ka na magpaliwanag," mariin kong sabi.
Nanlumo si Casper.
"Let us go," Andrius said. "And don't call anyone from your cult. Don't make us hate you more."
"Andrius—"
"Step back!" sigaw ni Andrius. "Now turn around. Hands on your back and face the wall. NOW!"
Hesitant at first, Newt and Casper did it. Andrius was covering me while we were slowly walking towards the door. Just then, someone was knocking.
Nagkatinginan kaming apat.
"Did you call anyone?" tanong ni Andrius sa kanila.
Umiling ang dalawa.
"Open it," utos ni Andrius sa 'kin habang nakaturo ang basag na bote sa dalawa. "Open it, Neska."
With trembling hands, I slowly opened the door. When it finally opened, a familiar face met my eyes.
"Doc Traise!" sigaw ko.
Andrius' face lightened up.
"What's...happening here?" naguguluhang tanong nito.
"Look at them," I said with pain in my voice. "Casper has the mark of the eagle and Newt knows it! He even lured me—"
Natigil ako nang hawakan ni Andrius nang mariin ang kamay ko. Nang tingnan ko siya ay nag-igting ang panga niya. Nang tingnan ko kung saan ito nakatingin ay halos manlambot ang mga tuhod ko.
Newt and Traise were exchanging looks.
"H-He knows as well..." Andrius hardly uttered.
"D-Do you know?" tanong ko.
From looking at Newt, Traise rerouted his eyes at me. From then, he gave me a nod.
Halos matumba ako sa sobrang pagkabalisa.
"Since when?" tanong ni Andrius. Halata sa boses niya ang galit at sakit.
"Not too long ago," Traise said.
From then, two girls who were laughing can be heard walking towards us. When they saw the commotion, the both of them stopped.
"Anong nangyayari?" tanong ni Aubrielle.
Nang makita ni Avery ang marka sa katawan ni Casper ay ngumisi ito.
"Ah, so nahuli ka?" tanong nito. "Sabi ko kasi sa inyo, sabihin niyo na, eh. Ang kukulit ninyo."
Nakuyom ni Andrius ang kamao niya. I held it.
"Alam ninyong lahat maliban sa 'min?" Andrius asked.
Aubrielle understandingly nodded.
Andrius bit his lower lip and his tears fell to the ground.
"Wow," mariin kong sabi. "So kami lang ang walang alam at matagal nang naloloko rito, ganun ba?
"Hindi sa gan'un," sabat ni Aubrielle.
"Then what?!" I asked with tears in my eyes.
Yet, no one was moving even a single nerve. No one can even meet our eyes. As the long pause of silence resonated in the whole place, the sound of a heavy rain accompanied by a roaring thunder followed.
"Come inside and lock the door."
We all looked at Casper who broke the ice. He looked at my eyes and he smiled weakly.
"I'll tell you everything..."
~~~
Third Person P.O.V
"The one who gave the first aid. The one who recorded the time of the incident. The bystander. 1 guy and 2 girls."
Napa-buntong hininga ang lalaki habang pa-ulit-ulit na pinanunuod ang video na kuha mula sa CCTV. Ilang taon na ang nakararaan simula nang mangyari ang insidenteng iyon. Akala ng lahat ay normal lang iyon na pangyayari. Akala ng publiko ay isa lamang iyong kaso ng isang lalaki na inatake sa puso sa loob ng pampublikong train. Ngunit lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat ay isa iyong kaso ng pagpatay.
"So, this man, was a member of the eagles but he decided to quit?" tanong ng isang babae.
Nagpalinga-linga ang lalaki, sinisigurong walang ibang makaririnig sa kanila. Nang makitang walang tao sa paligid ay tiningnan niya ang babae.
"Avery, ano ba?!" sabi niya. "You must never say that word!"
"What word, Newt?" tanong ng babaeng tinatawag niyang 'Avery.' "Like, the eagles?"
Tiningnan siya ni Newt nang masama. Tawa lang ang naging tugon ni Avery.
"Okay, okay," Avery said. "I'm willing to listen now."
"Alright," Newt replied. "Yes. This man decided to quit and be a whistle-blower. Like, ibubulgar na talaga niya lahat noon pa. Iyong kuta nila, who was the leader, literally everything. In fact, this guy was invited to go to Manila for his protection. Pero dito pa lang, sa MRT mismo, he was killed while he was on his way."
"Shocks," tugon ni Avery. "Heinz was really that demonic, huh."
Newt looked at her. Avery just smiled weakly.
"I'm fine talking about him," she said. "Let's just not mention that cuppycake guy."
Newt nodded understandingly. Few months prior this, Heinz, the leader of the cult known as the eagles, were unmasked and was later killed by someone named Tyler Scott, the leader of the Death Chasers, a secret legion created solely to fight against the terrific cult. While facing Heinz, Tyler Scott also died in exchange for the justice of the cult's victims. To give honor to him and to his death wish, the municipal city decided to play his favorite song, The Cuppycake song, every 5 PM of the day.
"Play the video again," Avery said and she looked closely at the monitor.
Newt played it again and they both examined it thoroughly.
In the video, the guy was just standing at the corner of the station. Not until the train's door opened and there were a lot of people who squeezed themselves inside the train. Few moments later, a lot of men surrounded the guy. When the train's door opened once more after it reached the next station, the group of men went outside. Few seconds later, the guy fell down and started to have seizures.
"Stop!" sigaw ni Avery. "Pa-back ako mga 40 seconds."
Nakakunot man ang noo ay ginawa iyon ni Newt. Nang makita ay nanlaki rin ang mata niya. Napatayo pa nga siya at tinitigang mabuti ang nasa screen.
"What the hell?!" bulyaw niya. "Am I...seeing the right thing?!"
"Of course, dumb man," Avery said.
What they saw was a syringe. A man beside the guy injected it to the guy when people squeezed themselves to go inside. When the door opened, there were probably some members of the eagles who went out for an escape. Few seconds after, the victim collapsed.
A smirk formed on Avery's lips. "Gotcha."
Dali-daling naghanap si Newt ng papel at isinulat iyon.
"Shit!" bulyaw niya. "Kailangan natin hanapin itong tatlong 'to. Malamang, sila ang nakaka-alala ng mga mukha ng mga taong 'to. Nababaliw na 'ko!"
"Aside from those kids, there is someone we have to find too," Avery said.
When Newt looked at her, Avery placed a pile of papers in front of him.
"What's this?" tanong niya.
"The supposed to be whistle-blower has a son," she said. "I found the name but not the child. The previous investigators gave me the files. I visited the orphanage, ayaw pa nga nila sa 'king ibigay but at the end, they did. When the child was few months old, the whistle-blower guy sent his son to the orphanage. Pangalan lang niya ang nakuha ko pero kung sino ang umampon ay ayaw nang ibigay sa 'kin ng orphanage kahit anong pilit ko. Pero base sa mga papeles, apelyido lang ng umampon ang nakuha ko."
"Ano raw ang pangalan ng bata?" tanong ni Newt habang isa-isang tinitingnan ang papel.
Ngumiti ang babae.
"Casper," she said. "Casper Harrington."
Ilang buwang hindi pinatahimik ng pangalang iyon ang utak ni Newt. Kung anak iyon ng lalaking dapat magbubulgar ng lahat ay malamang hahanapin din iyon ng mga agila.
Base sa nalaman nila ay bukod sa kamatayan ang kapalit sa pag-alis dito, required na isali rin ang pamilya bilang miyembro ng mga agila. Iyon marahil ang na-iisip nila na dahilan kung bakit ipina-ampon ang bata. At ngayong madali nang malaman ang mga impormasyong iyon, malamang ay naghahanap na rin ang mga agila.
"CASPER HARRINGTON?!"
Nanlulumong tiningnan ni Newt ang lalaking nasa harap niya. Moreno ang binatang iyon. Naka-brushed up ang itim nitong buhok at naka-suot ito ng salamin. Bukod sa malinis nitong coat at puting polo ay nakangiti rin ito at kitang-kita ang dimples sa ibaba ng labi niya.
"Yes, sir," sabi nito at mas lalo pang ngumiti. "Casper Harrington is my full name. My friends call me Casper. Friendly ghost, for some."
Napangisi si Newt. He had been looking for this guy for quite a long time only to find out the guy he was looking for will appear in front of him, and even applying for a job position in his department.
"I took Psychology as my Bachelor's degree," the guy said when he noticed Newt wasn't asking him. "I graduated as our batch valedictorian. I placed 18th sa BAR. I have no job experience yet but—"
"I'll hire you if you'll answer my question," Newt halted him.
Casper was dumbfounded at first until he flashed a fake smile. "Po?"
"You..." Newt said. "Do you know your parents?"
Casper smiled in disbelief. "Of course. My parents are—"
"No, not your current parents who adopted you," Newt said. "But the biological ones."
Casper's eyes widened.
"H-How...did you know that I'm adopted?"
"So it's you..." Newt uttered and smirked.
"What do you mean, sir?" Casper asked. "Do you know my parents?"
Newt met his eyes and smiled.
"Congrats, Mr. Harrington," he said and he offered him his hand. "You're hired."
"What do you mean I'm hired?" tanong ni Casper. "You didn't even interview me. You were just asking about my parents and—"
Newt looked at his hand and back to Casper, giving him a warning. Casper understood it and half-heartedly just shook Newt's hands.
"Do you know why people do hand-shakes?" Newt asked. Casper was looking at Newt's eyes with baffled face. "It's to see if the other person came in peace and doesn't hide a weapon under his sleeves."
"I know," Casper said. "I'm just... confused. I don't even know why I got hired or—"
"You were hired because you don't have a weapon," Newt said and he smiled. He looked thoroughly in Casper's eyes. "And starting today, you will be the weapon..."
It was the start. Casper was hired as one of the new public defenders of the town. During his stay there, he kept on bugging Newt about what did he know about his real parents. It didn't put him at ease. It never put him to sleep. Until one day, Newt finally gave in.
"I'll tell you if you'll accept my offer," Newt said.
"Anong offer?" tanong niya.
"Give us therapy sessions and we'll tell you about your parents."
Pareho silang napatingin kay Avery na biglang nagsalita.
"What?!" tanong ni Casper.
"We both have PTSD," Avery said. "We were diagnosed of it when Tyler died."
"Why me?!" tanong ni Casper. "I mean, yeah graduate ako ng psychology but I'm not a psychiatrist! I mean, I can help you with your treatments but I can't prescribe medicines—"
"You said you can help us with our treatments," Avery said. "That'll be enough."
"Y-You don't understand!" Casper started to feel the frustration. "Why don't you just seek for a professional?"
"Because that's the first thing we avoid," Newt said. "Trusting people we don't know who. Alam naming may doctor-patient confidentiality but the fact that we seek for a mental support, once our enemies found out, we're doomed. We're done."
"So you see, Mr. Harrington," pakikisali ni Avery. "You are our only chance. Help us gather back our identities and we'll help you find the real you. It's a win-win situation for the three of us."
At first, Casper didn't want to. He wasn't even curious about his real parents, not until he met Avery and Newt. He tried to fight the urge to agree with them but whenever the thought of maybe he has the siblings that he could help crossed his mind, he never failed to feel the curiousity.
Until the time came that he finally agreed. Avery and Newt explained it to him. When he found out that his dad was the man behind the infamous MRT death incident, he teared up. He felt the unfathomable amount of anger when he found out the reason why. Avery and New told him everything; from the fact that his father was part of the notorious serial-killer cult to the tragic part that his father decided to be the whistle-blower and was eventually killed.
"How about my mom?" he asked, tears in his eyes. "Is she... alive?"
"To be honest, hindi namin alam," sagot ni Avery. "The eagles have this sort of recruiting process wherein if you join, your family also has to. Depende sa negotiations ninyo during the recruiting process at sa mga bagay na kaya mong ibigay."
"Paano niyo alam 'yan?" tanong ni Casper.
Avery looked at Newt. Newt cleared his throat.
"Your dad sent a recording to the authorities before as his confession tape. Pero hindi nagamit dahil nga sa nangyari sa kanya. The authorities had no consent and there was no desicive evidence about it."
"S-So," sagot ni Casper. "Paano natin malalaman kung buhay pa ba ang nanay ko? Or... or kung may mga kapatid pa ba 'ko?"
"There's only one way," Avery said. "But it's risky."
"And what's that?" desididong tanong ni Casper.
Newt gulped. "You have to join the eagles..."
Just then, Casper found himself in one of the alleys. He was wearing nothing but blacks. According to Newt and based on his dad's confession tape, the eagles recruit people if they were standing in a deserted alley alone at night.
Casper tried it. Half an hour later, a black car stopped in front of him. When the window opened, a man wearing a black sunglasses met his eyes.
"Code?" the guy asked.
It was the part where Newt told him the eagles will ask about the code.
"Death is inevitable," Casper said. "So are we."
The guy smirked.
"Hop in."
It was a long ride. Sa katunayan, ni hindi na nga niya nakabisado kung saan ba siya dinala. Nang bumaba sila ay hindi rin niya mapaniwalaan na may ganito kalaking bahay sa lugar nila. 'Pag pasok pa lamang nila ay puro lalaki na ang makikita. Lahat ng mga ito ay naka-itim. May mga kandila sa paligid at iba't ibang palapag ay may maririnig kang mga nagdarasal ngunit ang mga dasal ay nasa wikang latin.
Kilabot ang bumalot kay Casper nang mga sandaling iyon. Gustuhin man niyang tumakbo ay hindi niya magawa.
Maya-maya'y may lalaking lumapit sa kaniya at pina-upo siya sa upuan sa harap nito. Tinitingnan siya ng lalaki mula ulo hanggang paa.
"Saan mo nalaman ang patungkol sa relihiyong ito?" agad na tanong nito.
Napalunok siya. "S-Sa TV..." sabi niya. "'Y-Yung pagka-expose—I mean, 'y-'yong pagkamatay ng—"
"Sinong patay?" tanong sa kaniya ng lalaki. "Our lord will never die. He will rise again in the most perfect time and when he comes back, like a thief in the night, we will kill everyone who tried to bring him down. He is eternal. You can't kill someone who controls death, don't you think?"
Napalunok si Casper. Tango na lamang ang naging tugon niya.
"Good that you understand," sabi nito. "Uunahan na kita. You saw my face. You saw our place. You know about our name. Quitting and exposing will only bring you one thing; and that's death."
"I know," Casper mumbled.
"What's your name?" tanong nito.
"Casper," sabi niya. "Casper Harrington..."
The guy typed something on his computer.
"Casper?" tanong niya. "We have a record here. Casper Hertzberg. Hindi ba ikaw 'yan?"
"No," Casper said. "I'm a Harrington, though."
"Really?" tanong ng lalaki. "What's you birth date?"
Casper told him. Kumunot lalo ang noo ng lalaki.
"The Casper Hertzberg has the same birthday as yours."
Doon na siya na-alarma. Ilang segundo lang ay na-alala niya ang sabi ni Newt. Na may record ang mga ito ng pamilya ng mga miyembro nito. Malamang ay na-register siya nang sumali ang tatay niya. Kung ganoon, siguro rin ay naroroon ang pangalan ng nanay niya o ng mga kapatid niya. Lumakas lalo ang kalabog ng dibdib niya.
"Sigurado kang hindi ikaw 'to?" tanong uli ng lalaki. Nag su-suspetsya na ang mga mata nito.
"Puwede ko bang ma-check?" tanong niya.
Nag-aalangan nang una ang lalaki hanggang sa payagan siya. Nang makita niya ay halos manlambot siya. It was his dad. He saw his mom's name and his sister.
He has a sister...
"Ang tagal mo naman?" tanong ng lalaki.
"P-Po?" tanong niya. "Sorry."
Agad siyang bumalik sa kina-uupuan niya.
Sa gilid ng mga pangalan ay ang status ng mga ito. DEAD and nasa tatay niya habang sa kaniya, sa nanay niya, at sa kapatid niya ay NOWHERE TO BE FOUND and nakita niya.
Halos mapangiti siya sa tuwa at halos ma-iyak. Buhay ang nanay niya at may kapatid siya...
"What can you contribute for the cult?"
That's when things hit him. He came here only for the information. He didn't think much of what will happen after that. He opened his mouth but he can't come up even with a single word.
"Anong trabaho mo?" tanong ng lalaki.
"I'm a public lawyer," sabi niya. "A public defender, I mean."
"A lawyer, huh?" nakangising sabi ng lalaki at tumingin sa kasama nito. "What a good catch."
If it was a good thing or a bad thing, he can't distinguish which.
"How much can you donate monthly?"
"Donate?!" he exclaimed.
"Yes," the guy reaffirmed. "We have monthly donations here."
He didn't expect that.
"How about half of your salary?" the guy requested.
It caught him off guard. He wanted to object but he was scared.
"Half it is, then," sagot ng lalaki. "At ilalagay nalang natin siya kunwari as a donation to orphanage. Para hindi magduda ang BIR."
He was just watching them. He can even pee on his pants from too much fear.
"Where do you work?" tanong ng lalaki.
Nang sabihin niya ay galit ang bumuo sa mukha ng dalawa.
"That's where Newt and Avery are working, right?" tanong ng lalaki. "Ah, I hate the fact that they're still alive. When the lord comes back, I'll make sure that they're better off dead."
The guy then looked at him. "Fill up this form."
He did and he handed it to him after.
"Follow this guy and you're done," sabi nito.
"Saan kami pupunta?" natatakot na tanong ni Casper.
"You need to have the mark to be one of us," the guy said and he smirked. "The mark of an eagle."
Sinundan niya ang lalaki paakyat. Sa bawat palapag ay may mga kuwarto. Sa loob ng kuwarto ay mga taong naka-itim at umiiyak sa pagdarasal. Sa gitna niyon ay isang imahe ng lalaki at napapaligiran ito ng itim na kandila at mga dugo.
Hindi pa nga sapat ang salitang 'nakakagimbal' para i-describe iyon.
"Pasok," utos sa kaniya ng lalaki.
'Pag pasok niya ay isang makina ang nakita niya.
That night, along with his loud scream of pain, the mark was permanently imprinted on his skin.
Just like that, he became one of them...
~~~
NESKA.
"That's what happened..."
We were all looking at Casper. Nasa loob kami at nakikinig sa kaniya.
I looked at Andrius and he was just looking at him. Suddenly, he looked at each and everyone of them.
"How did you know this?" he asked them.
"As Casper said, Avery and me are part of the plan," Newt said.
"We told Traise about it when he decided to join," Avery said. "Traise has his own ways of knowing the secrets around him. Sinabi na namin dahil malalaman din naman niya."
"I saw the mark after nila mag-usap ni Neska sa ulan," sagot ni Aubrielle. "He wasn't wearing anything inside kaya kitang kita sa basa niyang polo. I confronted him about it until he decided to explain to me dahil i-re-report ko na siya sa pulis n'un."
"See?" tanong ni Newt. "We have our reasons, Andrius and Neska. We have—"
"And what's that reason?" tanong ni Andrius. "You don't trust us?"
Casper cleared his throat. "It's not about trust—"
"It is, Casper," Andrius said. "You told Traise about it without a second thought. You explained it to Aubrielle the moment she knew. What makes it different if you explained it to me that night?"
Casper opened his mouth but nothing was coming out.
"It's because you don't trust me...." Andrius' voice was full of bitterness.
"Judge Blake..." Newt uttered. "Sasabihin naman namin sa inyo kaso—"
"This is why we act this way," Andrius said. "We trusted you. All of you. Neska and me joined this legion kahit na wala naman kaming kinalaman dito. We are better off without this legion. We can go back to Manila whenever we want to. Wala kaming kaibigan o pamilyang ipinaghihiganti o ano. But guess what? We decided to stay because we want to help, even if it will put us at risk. Because you guys are our friends...our family..."
He then looked down.
"A family who doesn't trust us..."
Avery covered her face. Traise sighed. Aubrielle bit her tongue. Casper and Newt were guilty.
Andrius stood up and held me by my wrist.
"We're going."
We started to walk but then Casper stood up.
"I lured her to help her!" he shouted.
We stopped and we looked back.
"In the eagle cult, they assign a group of members to abduct their next victim," he started. "They targetted Neska. I was assigned to abduct her. They assigned us randomly and it was my first time. Hindi mo rin kilala makakasama mo and right after the mission, the medium will be deleted. I saved her instead of abducting her. I lured her here dahil malayong pumunta sila rito lalo na't well-guarded itong lugar na 'to. Isn't that enough reason for you to trust me?"
Andrius looked back at him.
"Thank you," he said. "But that doesn't change the fact that you fooled us."
Just then, with a heavy heart, we walked away.
Sa buong oras na nag d-drive si Andrius ay walang kumikibo sa amin. Kung dahil ba pareho pa rin naming hindi ma-absorb ang mga nalaman namin ay hindi ko na alam. Maya-maya'y tumunog ang cellphone ko at si papa ang tumatawag. Nagpa-alam lang ako na kasama ko si Andrius dahil nag-alala na siya't anong oras na'y hindi pa rin ako umuuwi, lalo na sa nangyayari sa paligid ngayon.
"Was that your dad?" Andrius finally talked.
Tumango ako. "He was worried."
"Anong oras na rin kasi," sabi niya.
Maya-maya'y katahimikan nanaman ang bumalot sa amin. Nang huminto ang sasakyan ay napatingin agad ako sa labas.
"Dito na?" tanong ko.
Tumango siya. "Mabilis ba?"
"Patayan lang pala ang sagot sa traffic ha," pagbibiro ko.
"Buang," tugon niya habang nangingiti.
"Oh!" sabi ko at itinuro ang labi niya. "You smiled! Okay ka na?"
"Of course," sabi niya. "Why shouldn't I be?"
"Are you sure?" tanong ko.
Tumango siya. "Yes."
Maya-maya'y umiwas siya ng tingin at tumingin sa itaas.
Doon ko napansin ang luhang nangingilid nanaman sa mata niya.
"Andrius..."
He bit his lower lip.
"Hindi pala ako okay," he said and he bitterly smiled.
I immediately caressed his shoulder.
"Ang sakit lang..." sabi niya. "We trusted them but they didn't trust us. We literally put our lives at risk only to be treated this way, only to find out we were being outcasted. I don't know if I'm just being sensitive but...but this is the first time I trusted someone...only to be betrayed after. It sucks, Neska. Nakaka-trauma..."
I nodded understandingly.
"Before, wala akong pinagkakatiwalaan kahit sino. Not even my sister, my dad, or my own mom. All because I don't wanna expect or depend on someone. When I joined this secret legion, they...they earned my trust. They made me feel like I have real friends I can entrust anything about me. I invested too much emotions on this, Neska. I treated everyone as a family. That's why it stings so much. That's why...that's why it hurts like hell."
He smiled bitterly once again.
"There are certain things that will always remind me why I grew up hating people. It never gets wrong..."
"Andrius..." I uttered. "You have me, hmm? You still have me."
He looked at me and tears were building up in it.
He touched my face. "Of course, I have you. Is there anything else you'd like to tell me? About anything, Neska. Para isang bagsakan nalang lahat ng sakit ngayong gabi."
Umiling ako at pinunasan ang luha sa gilid ng mata niya.
"Please don't betray me," he said and his voice was shaky. "Ikaw nalang pinanghahawakan ko..."
I smiled at him. "I promise."
"I don't want promises anymore," he said and he cupped my face. "I want you to do it."
"I will," I said and gave him an encouraging smile.
Just then, my phone rang.
Andrius laughed. "Sige na, pumasok ka na sa loob. Baka i-ban pa 'ko ng papa mo rito."
I laughed at him. "Sige. Will you be okay?"
"I have to," he said. "Do I have a choice?"
I laughed again. I opened the door.
"Ingat," I said. "Bawal pumasok kotse rito, dapat hanggang doon ka lang sa labasan. Ready mo na sarili mo mapagalitan ng mga tanod."
He just laughed. When his car vanished from my sight, I sighed.
People like Andrius rarely trust people but when they do, it took them a lot of courage to do so. Whenever they interact with people, it will always remind them why they caged themselves and built high fences to protect themselves.
The severity of pain caused by betrayal focuses more on who did it more than what they actually did. The most destructive part is when it comes from someone you trusted the most.
And that's why Andrius was hurt.
What they did was understandable. What's murdering him was the fact that it came from the people he considered as a family which he trusted more than anyone.
I heaved a sigh.
Tomorrow morning, Andrius' call was the first one I heard. Apparently, he was going to our house to pick me up. Kaso lang ay na-stuck siya sa traffic papunta sa amin.
"Hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit may traffic," sabi niya. "I mean, kagabi naman, wala?! Wait. Are those luggages? Oh, okay. The residents are leaving, that's why. Wait! Hoy! Bakit nag U-turn 'yon? Bawal dito mag U-Turn ah? Yawa!"
Napangiti ako nang marinig iyon mula kay Andrius.
"Hello, Neska, are you still there?"
"Opo," nakangiti kong sabi.
"Nasa'n ka na?"
"Papunta na sa train," sabi ko.
"Pasensya na talaga. Just stick yourself to the crowd, ha? Open your GPS and press 1 if something unusual happens, okay?"
"Opoooo," sabi ko.
"Sige, I'll see you in the office. Makikipagbardgulan lang ako rito. Holy shit! Bakit nag counter-flow 'to? This is my space!"
Natatawang pinatay ko na ang tawag.
Haaaay, mga pinoy talaga.
Pagpasok ko ng station ay nagkasalubong kami ni Casper papunta sa escalator. Nang magtama ang paningin namin ay pareho kaming napahinto.
Hindi ko siya pinansin at agad na sumakay ng escalator. He stood up just behind me. When I looked down, I noticed there were guys just below me and I was wearing a skirt.
In my great surprise, Casper stood just below me and blocked the view of my legs from the guys below. When I looked at him, he was looking sideways.
"Thanks," I uttered.
Hindi na siya kumibo. Nang makapasok kami nang tuluyan sa station platform ay umupo kami sa magkabilang dulo ng waiting area. Maraming tao na ang umupo sa pagitan namin pero magtinginan o kahit magkibuan ay hindi namin nagawa. Sadyang napaka-awkward ng nangyari kagabi.
Maya-maya lang ay dumating na ang train. Agad nagtayuan ang mga tao. Nagpasukan ang mga ito at naiwan kaming dalawa. Tumayo na ako at naglakad. Nang mapansing hindi siya tumayo ay napalingon ako.
"Won't you come?" tanong ko.
Umiling siya. "Next train nalang ako. I don't wanna make you feel uncomfortable."
That pierced my heart. We used to be so close and now this...
"Okay," sagot ko at pumasok na ng train.
Before the train's door closed, our eyes met. Casper smiled at me weakly.
"Sorry..." he mouthed.
Before I can even react. the train's door finally closed.
Isang madugong laban ang nangyari bago pa man ako makarating ng office. Bukod sa siksikan ay sira pa ang aircon ng train. Pakiramdam ko nga piping-pipi ako sa loob ng train. Iyong tipong mas pagod pa 'ko sa biyahe kaysa trabaho ko mismo.
Dali-dali akong pumasok ng lobby para makalasap ng aircon.
"Ah, yes!" tili ko pagpasok.
Nagtinginan sa 'kin ang mga guard. Awkward na ngiti lang ang naging tugon ko. Pagpasok ko ng elevator ay dali-dali kong inilabas ang phone ko. Nag text ako kay Andrius na nandito na ako sa office. Saktong pagbukas ng elevator sa 9th floor ay boses agad ni Andrius ang maririnig ko. Pagbukas niyon ay nabigla ako sa nakita ko.
Nakatalikod sa akin si Andrius. Sa harap niya ay sina Traise, Avery, Aubrielle, at Newt na mga halatang kinakausap siya.
"Is that all you got to say?" Andrius asked.
"What?" Avery asked. She was taken aback. "Blake, we are apologizing."
"And so? Am I required to accept it?" tanong nito.
Avery can't open her mouth.
"We are lowering our pride here, Andrius," Aubrielle said. "It took us a lot of courage to apologize."
"Apologizing because you genuinely do and apologizing because you were caught and there's no way out are two different things," he replied.
Newt was about to say something but Traise halted him by shaking his head.
"I don't accept apologies just to end the beef," Andrius said. "And I don't accept apologies in general, a change of behavior will do."
No one can talk between them.
"If you have no more words to say, I'll go. My trial will start in few minutes."
From that moment, Andrius turned his back and started to walk. When he saw me, he stopped. From maintaining an emotionless expression, his face brightened up.
He walked faster towards me.
"How's the train?" he asked.
"It was good," na-aalarma kong sagot. Papalit-palit ang tingin ko sa kanya at kila Traise.
"You look at me when you talk to me."
I met his eyes. He smiled.
"There," he said. "Have you eaten anything?"
Umiling ako.
"Just as I expected it," he said and he get something from the pocket of his coat. When he got it, he took my hand and he handed it to me; a burger.
"I have a trial 'til the evening. I don't know kung makakasabay kita mag-lunch but at least, we'll have the same breakfast. Eat well," he said and he softly messed my hair. "I'll go, then."
When he started walking, I felt my heart was breaking into tiny million pieces.
I saw something in his hand. There were scratches and wounds on his knuckles. It was obvious that he got it from punching the walls. His anger management issues probably flared up because of what happened last night.
"Oh my god," bulong ni Avery. "First time ko mag-apologize, rejected pa. Never again!"
"He has all the rights to get mad," Traise said. "I mean, if I were him, I will abandon you all."
Newt laughed. "Tara na nga't mag meeting."
Maglalakad na sana ako paalis nang bigla akong sitsitan ni Avery.
"Saan ka pupunta, 'neng?" tanong niya.
"Sa office ko," tipid kong sagot.
"May meeting tayo," sabi niya. "'Wag mong hintayin hablutin ko buhok mo papasok. Tara sa loob."
Nagtatawanang pumasok sila Newt at Aubrielle sa loob. Nakangisi naman si Traise.
"'Wag mo 'kong hamunin..." rinig kong sabi ni Avery.
Nagmadali akong sumunod at pumasok.
"WHAT?!" sabay-sabay naming sigaw matapos mag-kuwento ni Newt.
"Wait! Teka lang!" sigaw ni Avery. "Let's get it straight. So... iyong...iyong crush mo sa convenience store is the same woman you had a drunk one night stand with noong nagka birthday party sa club iyong superior natin dati at naiwan kami ng sasakyan?!"
"Oo nga sabi!" sigaw ni Newt pabalik. "'Wag mo nang isigaw!"
"Jesus Christ," bulong ni Traise. "Please have mercy on this guy's soul."
"Ang kapal ng mukha mo magpanggap na shy boy ka't 'di makalapit doon," sabi ni Aubrielle. "Eh, nag o-one night stand ka pala?!"
Nagtawanan kami.
Tiningnan nila ako.
"Akala ko ba ayaw mo sumama?" sabi ni Avery. "Ba't ka nakikitawa?"
"Stop making her uncomfortable," sabat ni Traise. "Ikaw naman namuwersa sa kaniya pumasok."
Avery looked at me. "Sorry," she then gulped. "For not telling you."
"Sorry," pakikisali ni Newt. "We learned our lesson."
"Hindi ko alam ba't ako mag so-sorry sa 'yo pero sorry," sabi ni Aubrielle.
"We're not forcing you to accept our apologies but we'd like to let you know that our apologies are sincere," Traise said. "You have all the rights to get mad. We understand."
I looked at them. "Let's just...focus on our job. Forgiveness will follow."
They nodded understandingly.
"S-So, Newt," pakikisali ko. "Naka-usap mo na ba siya? Iyong babae sa convenience store?"
Natahimik silang apat. Suddenly, a smile curved on Newt's face.
"Pinapatawad mo na kami?" tanong niya.
"You said you have your reasons," I said. "I chose to see good in your intentions than in your act."
Napangiti na rin sila Avery.
"I hope Judge Blake will accept our apologies too..." bulong ni Aubrielle.
"Let him," sagot ni Traise. "We all have different amount of emotional vulnerability. Puwedeng sa 'yo tolerable pa but for some people, masakit na. There's no overreacting whatsoever. If it hurts, it hurts. Lalo na sa katulad ni Judge Blake. By observing him, he seems like an aloof guy who needs no one. He can function alone. He rarely trust people but when he does, he's giving it all in. That's why when betrayal happens, it tastes like a murder. Let the man bleed. He needs it."
Tumangu-tango kami.
"Alam mo Traise, sa sobrang bait mo, mukha ka nang lalampas sa langit," New suddenly said. We all laughed.
"So, 'yun nga, about sa bebe ko," panimula ni Newt para mawala na ang awkwardness. "Guess what? Kaya pala hindi niya ko pinapansin kasi hindi niya 'ko ma-alala. Kaya ang ginawa ko, noong nagbayad ako, iyong membership card ng hotel na pinag check-in-an namin iyong pinambayad ko, kunwari napagkamalan kong cash card. The moment she saw it, she remembered me!"
Natawa kami sa reaksyon niya.
"Then?" tanong ni Aubrielle.
"Once all of these shits end, we'll date!"
Nagpalakpakan kami dahil umaasta siyang para siyang nanalo sa loto.
"Date ha, hindi check-in," pagbibiro ni Avery.
"Nauna na iyong check-in, siyempre," sabi ni Newt at kumindat.
Nagtawanan kami at pinagpapalo siya.
"Ikaw ba, Avery?" tanong ni Aubrielle. "Are you dating someone or you still can't get over Tyler Scott?"
Nanlalaki ang mga matang napatingin kami kay Aubrielle.
"W-Why?" tanong ni Aubrielle. "I'm just... curious!"
"Ano 'to, bobo?" bulong ko.
Avery's expression changed. It turned into something emotional. Her face seemed melancholic.
"No," nakangiti nitong sabi pero halata ang sakit. "I'm not dating anyone. Tyler's just...too good to be forgotten. How can I forget him when even with the sun set, I can remember him?"
Natahimik kaming lahat.
"When I listen to If by Bread or Somebody Out There by A Rocket To The Moon, every memory of him keeps on flashing on my mind as if it happens just yesterday. Whenever I discover good songs, I still think about him. Always."
She then looked at Newt.
"I envy you for going that far with that woman," she said and she smiled weakly. "With Tyler, we haven't even kissed. Not even once."
I bit my lower lip. Baka mas mauna pa 'kong ma-iyak kaysa kay Avery.
Katahimikan ang bumalot sa buong kuwarto. Maya-maya'y bumukas iyon at pumasok si Casper.
"Ba't ganiyan mga mukha niyo?" tanong niyo. "Sinong patay?"
"Si Tyler," sagot ni Newt.
Nagtinginan kami sa kaniya.
"T-That was a joke, okay!" defensive niyang sabi. "That was a joke! Sorry!"
"Gusto mong sumunod?" tanong ni Avery.
"I heard your unit was bombarded with teenage girls, ha?" nakangising tanong ni Casper kay Traise bago umupo.
Traise sighed hard. "Telling my address in front of a live broadcast wasn't a good thing at all. I can't even sleep properly dahil maya't maya may kumakatok para lang magbigay ng regalo. Ewan!"
Bago pa man kami makapag-react ay kabiglang nag-ring ang cellphone ni Traise. Nang makita kung sino iyon ay napapikit ito at napa-sign of the cross.
"Who?" tanong ni Newt.
"Courtney," bulong ni Casper.
Nang sagutin ni Traise ay pilit ang naging ngiti niya.
"H-Hi, wifey, kumusta?"
"Kumusta?!"
Napangiwi si Traise nang sumigaw ito.
"Traise Stevens!" bulyaw pa uli nito. "The last time I know, nagsusumbong ka sa 'kin dahil may nag frame up sa 'yo para mapunta riyan. Ngayon mababalitaan kong sumali ka pa at lider pa talaga, ha?!"
Napakagat ng labi si Traise. "Eh, Courtney, pinilit lang ako ni Newt at Avery—"
"Speaking of Avery," sabi ni Courtney. "Nandiyan na ba 'yan? Ang kapal ng mukha niya para iwan ako rito! Sabi niya bago ako maligo bibili lang siya ng tissue, tapos ilang oras lang makikita ko siya sa TV nasa Pilipinas na?! At suot pa niya 'yong dress ko?!"
Napatingin kami kay Avery. Avery forced an awkward smile at inagaw ang cellphone kay Traise.
"Bitch, do you really have to say that out loud?!"
"Bitch, ang layo naman ng pinagbilhan mo ng tissue?! Pilipinas pa talaga? Do you even know I took all your works here at ako pa mag pre-present sa International Criminal court?!"
Natawa si Traise.
"Was that Traise?! Who gave him the right to laugh?!"
Ibinato ni Avery ang phone kay Traise at agad iyon sinalo ni Traise.
"W-Why?" tanong nito. "I was laughing because your voice sounds cute. Can't I adore the woman I own?"
"Woman you own?!" tanong ni Courtney. "Alam mo ba dati ang tanong sa 'kin, 'Ay, Courtney Spencer? The fiancee of that doctor?' ngayon 'Courtney Spencer? the fiancee of that doctor na namakyu sa TV?' Traise, act your age! Magmura at mamakyu talaga on TV?! Batang hamog ka ba?"
Napatakip ako ng bibig dahil halos matawa ako.
"Batang hamog agad?" tanong ni Traise. "Ikaw nga nang strike ng sarili mong witness at na-object ng sarili mong kakampi sa defense. Live rin 'yon, ah."
"TRAISE?!" sigaw ni Courtney.
Tawa lang ang naging tugon ni Traise.
"I love you," sabi ni Traise. "I'll call you after the session. I recorded this call so I can listen to your voice whenever I miss you."
"Huh," sagot ni Courtney.
Natawa uli si Traise. "Wala bang I love you more—"
The next we heard, Courtney immediately ended the call. Traise looked at us with an embarrassed face.
"S-Shall we start?"
Nang matapos ang meeting ay nagsi-balik kami sa mga trabaho namin. Newt and Traise continued checking the CCTV footages. Si Avery naman ay pumunta sa mga police station para mangalap ng details tungkol sa mga biktima at mga nawawalang tao na maaring konektado sa mga agila. Si Casper naman ay may trial. Si Andrius naman ay hindi pa rin natatapos ang hearing. Nagsimula na rin akong mag review patungkol sa kaso na kabibigay lang sa akin kanina.
Saktong pagpatak ng uwian ay agad-agad kong kinuha ang mga gamit ko at nagmadali papunta sa elevator para pumunta kay Andrius. Pagbukas ng elevator ay hindi ko malaman kung papasok ako o hindi. Casper was inside.
Walang kibong pumasok ako sa loob.
"What floor?" tanong niya.
"3rd," sagot ko.
Pinindot niya iyon at sumara na ang elevator.
"Going to Andrius?" tanong niya.
Tumango ako.
"I'm glad okay ka na sa kanila," sabi niya.
"I have to," I said. "After all, this team won't work kapag maraming hindi ayos."
"Glad to hear," he said. Nanatili ang katahimikan sa 'min.
"About the eagles..." I said, breaking the ice. "Are you gonna be okay? I mean, you saved me instead of abducting me."
"I don't know," sabi niya. "I know alam na nila na hindi ako kakampi dahil sa ginawa ko kagabi."
Natahimik kami kinalaunan. Hanggang sa tumingin siya sa lapag at bumuntong-hininga.
"Neska..." he suddenly uttered. "I'm sorry. For not telling you."
"It's fine," I said. "Like what you said, you have your reasons. Thank you pala for saving me last night."
"That was the least that I can do," he said.
"How about your mom and your sister?" tanong ko. "Sila ba 'yong hinahanap mo lately?"
Tumango siya. "May nakuha akong tip. Someone said my mom is in Australia. She sent me an e-mail few days back after niya makita iyong campaign ko online. Sabi niya, my childhood photo resembles her lost son. We have to conduct a DNA test to find out, though."
"Will you go there?" tanong ko.
"'Di ko alam," sabi niya. "Pagkatapos siguro ng gulong ito, ewan."
I nodded understandingly. Few seconds later, silence swallowed us again.
"Neska..." he once again uttered.
I looked at him.
He smiled at me weakly.
"I know, things are kind of vague lately. You might even question my sincerity and I can't blame you for that. Doubt everything about me but please, not my feelings for you."
I opened my mouth to say something but I can't think of anything.
Just then, the elevator opened. When we looked at it, Andrius was standing outside. He looked at me and he looked at Casper.
After Casper and Andrius looked at each other fiercely, Casper went out and walked away.
"Andrius..." I mumbled.
Andrius looked at Casper who was walking away and he looked back at me. Without uttering anything, he went inside. He pressed the button going to the parking area.
Hanggang sa pumasok kami sa loob ng kotse niya at umandar iyon ay hindi niya ko kinikibo. Buong biyahe ay nasa daan lang ang tingin niya. Kahit lingunin ako ay hindi niya ginawa.
"What's wrong?" I asked when I can no longer handle his coldness.
"Nothing," matipid niyang sagot.
"Was it because I talked to Casper?"
"No," he said. "He's your friend. There's nothing wrong with it."
"Then why are you like this?" tanong ko. "Are you mad or something?"
"No," he said.
"You're mad and it shows."
"I'm not mad," he said and finally, he looked at me. "I'm just hurting..."
He rerouted his eyes back in front of him. The pain on his face was enough to tell me he was suffering.
"Hindi ba dapat natin 'to pag-usapan?" tanong ko.
"No," sagot niya. "We're good."
"But you're not fine," I said.
"I am," he said and he forced a weak smile. That's when I looked at his hand and I noticed how his knuckles were swelling.
"You're not," I said with tears in my eyes.
He then stopped the car.
"You're right. I'm not okay," he said and he looked at me. Tears were building up in his eyes. "The pain, Neska. It's killing me..."
"What's causing you pain?" I asked and my voice broke.
"Everything," he said and tears fell from his left eye. "They apologized to me and I didn't accept it because I'm still hurting. I know I did the right thing pero bakit nakokonsensya ako? Bakit...bakit pakiramdam ko ang sama kong tao?"
"Andrius, hindi, okay?" I said. "Naiintindihan nila. Naiintindihan nila na nasasaktan ka pa kaya hindi mo tinanggap."
He looked down and he burst into silent tears. "I want to get mad. I want to make them feel how angry I am. But why is there a huge part of me who'd like to think that there are reasons why they did that instead of hating them for doing that?"
He bit his lower lip and his tears fell to the ground.
"They are my first friends...I trusted them more than I trusted my own parents and now this... I risked my life to help them and now this...."
He looked at me. He looked so wrecked.
"I can't even court you properly because I want to settle things first. After sacrificing everything this is what I'll get? I'm not mad at what they did. I'm hurting because it came from them, from the people I first trusted after doubting the humanity for so long. Ang hirap, Neska. Nahihirapan ako."
I held his hand. "Andrius, no one's rushing you. You can take your time to heal. Naiintindihan ka nila."
"People are always telling me I'm a monster," he said. "But why aren't they sorry for turning me into one?"
"Andrius..." I uttered with concerned voice.
"I'm so sick of being painted as the bad guy, Neska..." he said. "I'm so sick of everything..."
"If things are hurting you this much, we can quit now, Andrius," I said. "We can quit and go back to Manila, if you want. I'll go with you, I promise."
"No," he said and he wiped off his tears. "They need us here. We are here when it started. We can't just leave them behind."
We wiped off the remaining tears in his eyes.
"Just give me the time. I promise, few days from now, I'll get better," he then looked at me and smiled. "Thank you for staying with me. I appreciate it."
I looked at his knuckles. He looked at it and he softly laughed.
"I...uh...punch my wall last night. I had an episode and I kinda regret it. It stings, though. I didn't put any medication because I'd like you to do it."
I wiped off my tears as well and laughed. "Sa bahay. Kumpleto si papa niyan. Dati rin siyang member ng Red Cross."
"Really?!" he exclaimed. For the first time today, I saw genuine glow on his face. "That makes me wanna go to your house more."
Andrius started driving but this time, there was a relief in me.
When we reached our house, parehong kumunot ang noo namin ni Andrius. There were two cars outside.
"Sinong dumating?" tanong niya.
Nagkibi-balikat ako.
Paglabas namin ay namukhaan namin ang mga kotse. The first one was Newt's and the second one was Traise's.
"Ba't sila nandito?" tanong ko.
Papasok na sana kami nang bigla kaming harangin ni Aubrielle and Casper.
"Hi," nakangiting sabi ni Aubrielle. Bakas sa mukha niya ang pagka-niyerbiyos.
"Anong hi?" sabi ko. "Papasok ako. Tabi."
Hinarang naman ako ni Casper na kararating lang. "Mamaya na. Gusto mo mag ice cream muna?"
"She clearly said she wants to go inside," Andrius said.
I was about to go inside again but Aubrielle halted me.
"Mamaya na," sabi niya.
"Bakit ba—"
Natigil ako nang marinig na may nagsisigawan sa loob. The voice was from my dad and Newt.
"Anong nangyayari sa loob?" tanong ko.
"I don't know," sagot ni Aubrielle. "That's why we should not meddle. Let the elders talk."
"Elders my ass," I said. "Move."
Yet, Aubrielle wasn't moving.
"I said move," I said and was looking at her eyes.
"We were tasked to keep you out of your house for whatever reason," Aubrielle said. "Let's just obey Doc Steven's words."
"You know what I'm capable of, Aubrielle," I said fiercely. "Move or I'll make sure you regret making me repeat my words."
Aubrielle started to weaken.
"Get the fuck off," sabi ko at sinangga ang balikat niya bago tuluyang pumasok.
"Neska—"
Casper was about to block me but Andrius managed to block Casper from doing so.
When I went inside, I saw my dad arguing with Traise, Newt, and Avery.
"UMALIS NA KAYO!" sigaw ni papa. "TAPOS NA ANG USAPAN. ALIS!"
"We're not yet done talking, sir," sagot ni Traise. "The truth must prevail at all times."
"WALA AKONG PAKIALAM SA KATOTOHANAN NA SINASABI NINYO. UMALIS NA KAYO SA BAHAY KO AT AYOKO NA KAYONG MAKITA KAHIT KAILAN PA!"
"Sir, this is for the better," pakikisali ni Avery.
"BETTER?! 'WAG NINYONG SIRAIN ANG PAMILYA KO. UMALIS NA KAYO HABANG MAHINAHON PA 'KO!"
Anong pinag-uusapan nila?
I felt Aubrielle stood beside me. Casper and Andrius were at our back.
"Neska let's go outside," sabi ni Aubrielle at akmang hihilahin ako nang pumiglas ako.
"Sir, please, makisama naman kayo," sabat ni Newt. "Nagkakagulo na ang lahat. The truth will set her free."
"Truth?" tanong ni Aubrielle na nagsimula na ring ma-curious sa nangyayari. "What truth?"
Hindi ako makagalaw o makapagsalita. Patuloy lang ang panunuod at pakikinig ko sa kanila.
"WALA AKONG PAKIALAM SABI SA KATOTOHANAN NINYO!" sigaw ni papa. Hindi ko pa siya nakikitang ganito ka-galit noon. "UMALIS NA KAYO! ALIS!"
"Hindi kami aalis," sabat ni Avery. "We will tell her because she has to know."
"WALA KAYONG SASABIHIN SA ANAK KO! KUNG ANO MAN ANG NALAMAN NINYO, WALA NA KAYONG PAKIALAM PA ROON!"
Anak...?
Then it's me...?
"What is it?" tanong ni Andrius. "What are they talking about?"
"SHE MAY BE CONNECTED TO THE EAGLES! THAT'S THE MAJOR CONCERN!" sigaw na rin ni Avery.
"TAMA NA!" sigaw ni papa. "AYOKO NA MARINIG KUNG ANO MAN ANG SASABIHIN NINYO. LABAS!"
"She has to—"
"LABAS!"
"But—"
"UMALIS NA KAYO!"
"DAPAT MALAMAN NI NESKA NA—"
"AYOKO NA KAYONG MARINIG—"
"—NA HINDI NIYO SIYA TUNAY NA ANAK!"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko.
W-What was that...?
"Shit..." bulong ni Casper.
Natahimik si papa at hindi makapagsalita.
What did I just hear...?
Nalaglag ko ang hawak kong cellphone.
Lahat ay nagtinginan sa 'kin. Nanlumo si papa nang makita niya 'ko. Maging sila Newt, Avery, at Traise ay hindi malaman ang gagawin.
"N-Neska, anak, kailan ka pa...kailangan ka pa na riyan...?" natatarantang tanong ni papa.
"Did you hear it?" tanong ni Aubrielle. "Neska, t-they said...they said that...that you're adopted..."
I can't move. I can't even talk. Tears were in my eyes.
"Neska, what the fck was that?" tanong ni Aubrielle na hindi makapsniwala sa narinig niya
Until in a snap, I turned emotionless. My face turned unbothered.
"Hindi ka ba galit o magugulat manlang? Oh kaya—" natigil bigla si Aubrielle nang makita ang ekspresyon ko. She stepped back.
"Why aren't you shocked?" tanong ni Casper and in a sudden, his eyes widened. "Y-You know?"
From that moment, my face turned fierce. The personality I had long been hiding suddenly got awakened. In a flash, a smirk curved on my lips.
"Of course I know," I said and I looked at each and everyone's dumbfounded faces.
"I'm the dark raven, after all..."