Kabanata 21
Kabanata 21
.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.
BULLET
"Sige na, Theia," they continued urging, "hindi ka naman nakakatulong sa mga activities! Kahit ito na lang ang ambag mo!"
She remained looking at them in between the strands of her hair, frowning.
She helped, didn't she? Bakit may gusto na namang pagawin? Nag-ambag naman siya sa bayarin! She fucking did her best to steal from that asshole, Wyatt Jr., last night!
"Nag-ambag na ako," walang gana niyang sagot sa mga kaklase na masama na ang tingin sa kanya.
"Ano? Anong ambang mo, isang daan? Eh, pangkain lang namin 'yon!" Singhal ng isa sa kanya.
My forehead creased, watching the scene unfolding. I was standing in the side whereas, Theia was seated on the chair and it was as if I am watching a movie in reality.
Why the fuck am I here? And seeing this girl?
Pinagmasdan ko ang itim na buhok ng babae na medyo nahawi sa pag-angat niya ng tingin sa mga kaklase.
Sadako.
Her black...brown eyes were cold I almost felt chills. I definitely noticed the rims around her irises.
"What do you want me to do?" She asked blankly.
"Ano? Uma-attitude ka na? 'Di porket madalas kang pinapansin ni Zion, magbibida-bida ka na rito! He's just like that to everyone! Mabait!"
I caught the shift in her face as she sported it back to her previous blank ones.
"And? Did I ask?" She asked and the look on the other girl's face made me smirk proudly.
Go, girl! Slap them! Go!
"Oh, what? Akala mo dahil sinasabayan ka niya ng lunch at binibigyan ng pagkain ay may gusto na siya sa 'yo?" She asked, trying to mask her embarrassment with bitchiness.
"He's just kind to everyone," sabat pa ng isa. "So, don't let your hopes up! He only fucks—oh, anyway, his types are far away from you. You're creepy."
"Idiots, as if he didn't had a hard on when we made out last night."
She whispered under her breath but I could clearly hear it. Natigilan ang mga babae.
"A-anong binubulong-bulong mo r'yan? Ano, mangkukulam ka?!"
Theia mumbled something under her breath again.
"Stupid."
I smirked when I realized I could hear it, as if it was coming out of my mouth.
"W-what are you doing?! What, you'll voodoo us or something—"
"Oh, I will if you won't shut your mouth and tell me what do you want me to do," she smiled coldly again it didn't reach her eyes.
They're right. She's creepy. But why do I feel contented and proud?
She felt so familiar.
They stilled. Only one girl had the guts to answer her.
"Mag-sadako ka sa horror house natin!" She hissed under her breath and before Theia could ask any further, tinapon nila ang puting lumang dress sa kanya.
My brows almost rose to my hairline.
Bitch?
Lumapit ako para sana ambahan ng sabunot ang mga babae sa ginawa nilang kabastusan pero hindi ako makaalis sa pwesto.
"You should be a good girl, Theia," biglang bumulong ang huli sa sarili kaya bumalik ang tingin ko sa kanya. "You just can't kill anyone in school property."
Oh...what?
Is that only a metaphor or...
In her leg, I caught a glint of a hidden knife and remembered who she really was.
The Duchess. The whistleblower.
The scenes changed and it was after class. The professor announced that they will only focus in their booths for today and silly enough, this block wanted a horror house.
Really? Foundation day? Horror house?
Iba-iba sila at nakita ko si Theia na sinasabihan muli no'ng mga babae na bumaba sa booth bago magbukas at walang-imik niyang sinukbit ang bag sa balikat at lumabas.
I followed her and my breath caught in my lungs when I saw Zion in his uniform resting his back on the wall in front of her classroom, waiting for her.
Zy...
It was him, but younger and I couldn't believe my eyes, seeing him like this.
My eyes stung. I took a step forward to reach for him when Theia walked in another direction. Zion's smile faded.
"Theia?" He called but the girl remained walking away.
Zion caught her arm, she gasped. I did, too.
Lumapit ako at pinagmasdan ang gulo sa ekspresyon ng asawa at si Theia na malamig ang tingin sa kanya.
"What?" She asked blankly.
The confusion vanished and was replaced by an adorable grin on his face. How fast was he in masking his expression?
"Lunch?" He asked and lifted his hand to show her a paper bag. "I cooked something new today!"
Her eyes fell on it but she shook her head.
"I'm busy, mag-aasikaso pa sa booth," sagot niya at napahawak sa pisngi para kumamot bago naglakad muli but Zion followed and walked with her.
"Oh? What booth? Madami 'yon sa baba, sa amin 'yong kasal-kasalan, gusto mo tayo?" He asked and grinned.
My heart thumped as if I was Theia and I could feel her bursting inside.
"Why don't you ask your girls to get married to you?" She asked bluntly, "I'm sure you'll get a harem of them—"
"What?" Nagseryosong muli ang mukha niya. "Girls? I don't have that—oh, was it the girls you saw earlier? That's just my cousins. They're just sweet to me, favorite pinsan kasi nila ako—"
"I'm busy, Zion, leave." Muli siyang naglakad pero 'di nagpatinag ang huli at tinakbo pa siya.
"Do we have a problem, bebe?" He asked.
Bumusangot ang mukha ni Theia at tumalim ang tingin sa kanya. He chuckled. I found myself smiling, too.
I'm an idiot, wasn't I? Bakit ako natutuwa sa halip na nagagalit? This is another woman! In my husband's life and yet!
"Can you quit with your childish names?"
"Oh, ayaw mo? Hmm," humawak siya sa baba, "what about baby loves, pumpkin pie, sugar tart?"
"Fuck you," singhal niya.
Mas tumawa ang huli, "mine kaya? O kaya BuKo—by the way, ibig sabihin no'n buhay ko."
She frowned, "h'wag mong subukan kung gusto mong 'di ko putulin 'yang buhay mo."
His mouth parted dramatically. He touched his throat and then his crotch, looking at her scandalously.
Oh, hell.
Theia's face reddened.
"I-I don't mean...that!" She hissed and lowered her eyes down his pants, "pervert!"
"Ako pa?" Mahina at eskandalosong sagot ni Zion, "guess who grind her ass on my crotch last night?"
Mas namula si Theia, "fuck you."
"Oh, I will, hun." He grinned when she blushed more, "oh, you like the hun? Okay, 'yon na call sign natin ngayon."
She stomped her feet and walk away, still hugging the dress.
"Hun!" Sigaw ni Zion, "lunch?"
"I'm busy!" She hissed.
"After lunch pa naman ang sa booth, ah? Kain muna tayo—" but she was already slamming the bathroom's door on his face.
"Zy, pare!" We heard another voice outside, "saan ka? Bakit ka nasa tapat ng banyo? Sa girls 'yan, ah?"
"Ah, oo," he laughed, "just waiting."
"Kanino?" Someone asked, "nga pala, nag-aaya sina Jackie, 'yong sa kabilang block, sa bar, mamaya raw. Birthday ata. Tara, game? Ang ganda no'ng si Jackie at type na type ka, baka maka-score." He laughed.
"No, thanks, man," Zion's voice filled my ear, he was serious.
"Oh? Bakit?" He asked, "no, don't tell me the rumors are true? Girlfriend mo si Sadako?"
"No," he answered.
My heart dropped for her. Nakita ko kung paano ang naglaho ang tagong saya sa mukha ni Theia.
She scratched her cheek again.
Why do I feel sad for her? Why does it ache?
"Oh, good! Akala ko pinatulan mo 'yong babae, ang creepy nga! Ni hindi ko makita ang mukha—"
"Say one word against her and I'll punch you in the teeth," malamig niyang putol.
"W-what? Hindi mo naman girlfriend, ah? Bakit—"
"Not yet," malamig niyang sinabi. "I'm still courting her and if, I hear anyone and you talk shit about my woman? You won't like it."
I had goosebumps.
"S-sorry," tumikhim siya, "sorry, man. Hindi ko alam na nililigawan mo siya—"
"Courting or not, you are not to talk shit behind anyone's back," he spat coldly.
I heard footsteps hurrying away. Narinig ko ang buntong-hininga ni Zy sa kabila at maya-maya ay kumatok na.
"Hun?" He called, "my sister texted, nagpapasundo sa room niya at nakikipagsabunutan na naman ata doon sa Kierra, tinatawag daw siya no'ng alien. Makapagsalita akala mo naman perfect eh, ginagaya nga essays ni Zire?"
I bit my lip to stop my smiles.
Theia didn't answer.
"I'll leave your lunch in your locker, baby," malakas niyang katok sa pintuan, "and I'm taking my sandwich! Dinamihan mo bang itlog 'yon?"
When she didn't answer, he sighed.
"I'll leave first, hun. See you later!" He chirped and when his footsteps vanished, bumalik ang tingin ko sa babae.
Theia rested her back more behind the door, her heart beating fast I could feel it ringing inside my chest. Napahawak ako sa dibdib kasabay ng kanya at nagkatinginan.
"Bullet, you still haven't eaten yet. Paano mo mababawi ang lakas mo?" I lifted my gaze and saw Clau with a plate of foods in her hand.
"What time was it?" I asked when I smelled the food and felt my stomach churning.
"You skipped breakfast and lunch," aniya. "Kanina pa kita kinakatok, hindi ka sumasagot."
"I was sleeping," sagot ko at inabot ang plato niyang inilalahad. "Sorry, Clau. You don't have to prepare this for me, alam kong may ginagawa ka pa."
"And what? Let you cook foods?"
I nodded and took the fork, "hmm..." maliit akong tumikim sa pagkain at wala pa ring gana kahit gutom na.
"Uh-huh, what will you eat? Takeouts again? Or that sandwich of yours with eggs and mayo?"
"Why? It's delicious, I like it," sagot ko at maliit na ngumiti, her eyes brightened.
"You...smiled," she noticed.
"Am I not smiling?" I asked lightly but she just sighed.
"You do but it's very rare and I haven't seen you smile for the past week, you are just here, hauled inside the room. It's dark in here, Bullet. Why don't you go out with me? Get some fresh air. It's suffocating inside."
"It wasn't when you're used to it," I shrugged and chewed my first before asking. "H-how are they?"
"Good," she nodded. "Jayden was watching them. I heard the security tripled since Wyatt's still on the loose."
I gritted my teeth, "still no intel where he's been hiding?"
Umiling siya, "who knows, baka umalis na 'yon papuntang ibang bansa? And not just that, the biggest warehouse for the trade got cleared out last night."
"What? Why?"
"Wala pa ring balita but Jayden was working into the CCTVs so I could hack and see what happened," aniya. "It was suspicious, Bullet. Cleared out, as in dead people inside."
Tumaas ang kilay ko.
"Wyatt's or..."
"Wyatt's," aniya. "It was brutal, some are disemboweled, gutted and dismembered! There was a cleaning crew earlier, no info from who. Definitely not from the police."
My heard sped, "DEA?"
"Possibly," she nodded. "But we can't say unless we have the CCTVs. You can eat first and join me out if you want, I'll wait."
"I want to sleep more," I whispered. "Can I join you later? I'm exhausted,"
She stared at me intently, worried but she didn't press.
"Alright, take your time," aniya. "Jayden will drop by to check your wounds and the CCTVs. Ubusin mo 'yan, ah? Palakas ka," she kissed my forehead before grinning and waving at me.
I smiled.
If they weren't here, saan na kaya ako pupulutin? Maybe in a ditch somewhere? Dead and cold?
I tried finishing the food but I only ate a small amount and I'm already full kaya pumunta ako sa banyo para maligo. I settled myself in the bath tub, staring at the empty white tile.
Para akong lumulutang.
It's been a week since I left but everyday, I keep tabs about them through the help of my friends while I haul myself in Clau's empty guest room. Crying to myself.
My wounds are getting better. Mabilis lang naman ako maka-recover sa mga ganito at sanay na sanay na ang katawan. I just feel exhausted these days.
Jayden said I should go out and talk to professionals for I am at risk of depression. I laughed it out and said I'm fine. They didn't pressed. It might be easy to fool them, but it's hard making me myself believe.
I'm done.
But I still have a lot of things in mind.
Now that I was given another chance at life, I wouldn't just risk this bargain for nothing. Might as well put it in great use before the devil took the claim.
Maybe, after I burn Wyatt alive, sure my Zion and Twinkle are safe, my friends are free and my family...if I really have one is saved then it was time for me to go.
Bumigat na naman ang talukap ng mga mata ko kaya isinandal ko ang ulo sa tile at sa paghulog nito'y muli na naman akong inatake ng mga panaginip na pulos tungkol sa kanya.
Theia but this time, my eyes are hers. My body are hers and her pain...we're all mine.
"What have you fucking done, Theia?!" He grabbed my chin and forced me to come closer.
I refused and fought but large men pushed me back towards him that I slammed back at him.
Tinulak niya ako sa lapag at sunod-sunod na hinampas ng tungkod. I flinched with the seething pain but I didn't cry.
"You betrayed us, you little bitch!" He screamed on my face, pulled me and grabbed my jaw. "What did you tell them?"
I kept mum.
"What the fuck did you tell them, Duchess?!" He screamed, "pinalaki kita! Inalagaan! I am your family! They killed my son and yet, sila ang kinakampihan mo?! What did you tell them?!"
He slapped me. It stung but I remained staring.
No, no one will know what I told them. No one will have to know what I have done. Not now. Not when it's not yet safe.
"Tell me!"
I spit on his face, he stiffened.
"No," I hissed and he lost it.
He slammed my head back on the ground I almost see stars and punched me. Tears formed in my eyes with the pain it caused.
This is my death. This will be the end of me.
It's okay, at least they're safe. At least I helped.
"Boss?!" Before the second round of punch met my face, I heard a panicking voice approaching.
"What now?!" He growled.
"The HQ's being attacked," the shaky breath continued. "We are not prepared, it was Archer."
I smiled.
"Fuck!" Sigaw niya.
I laughed I sounded out of my mind. Nagmulat ako ng namamagang mga mata, hindi na siya halos nakikita pero bakas ang malinaw ang galit doon sa kanya.
"You bitch..." his voice's trembling in anger when another one appeared on the door.
"Boss!"
"What the fuck now?!" Singhal niya sabay baling.
"The shipment container was raided," he informed. "It was Viper."
"Fuck!" Sigaw na niyang mas galit at mas malakas at nang makita niya ang ngiti sa mukha ko'y tumayo siya at tumalim ang tingin.
"I will kill you," he gritted his teeth.
"Do it," I smiled at him, closing my eyes in acceptance when he kicked my face again and again until I choked on my blood.
"Beat her!" He screamed at the top of his lungs.
They helped him in beating me and it hurt at first until I feel entirely numb.
"Take her back to the cage!" dinuro niya ako, hinampas ng tungkod at muling sinipa ang sikmura ko. "I'm not done with you, Theia!"
I opened my eyes, finding it hard to breathe until I realized my head's under water. Mabilis akong napaahon, naghahabol ng hininga at umuubo nang matantong pumasok sa ilong ko ang tubig.
"Bullet?!" Tuloy-tuloy na katok ang narinig ko mula sa pintuan. "Are you okay?!"
I coughed more and nod my head.
"Y-yeah," I exclaimed. "I-I'm fine!"
"Are you sure?" She asked again, "kanina pa kita tinatawag, 'di ka sumasagot!"
"I..." I closed my eyes and touched my chest, "I just fell asleep, I'll be out in a while!"
When she left, napagbagsak ang ulo ko sa tub, tulala at malalim ang iniisip.
What the fuck was that?
How the hell am I dreaming about Theia? About me as Theia?
Was it her memories or...I'm just making it all up?
I scratched my cheek.
But what if I'm Theia?
I laughed and messed with my hair.
Delusional.
You are just wishing you are her, because she'd been with your husband for a long time. Because she was his forgotten special memory.
And you, you are only the baddest parts of him. The traitor.
My limbs are weak as I got out of the room and met Claudine's eyes. Tumakbo siya para yakapin ako at nagitla man ay unti-unti akong yumakap pabalik.
"Why, Clau?"
"Don't get me worried like that again, okay?!" She gasped and squeezed me more, "I was calling for you and you didn't answer! I'm worried! Akala ko nagpakalunod ka na sa bath tub!"
My tears fell now as I cried loudly, letting all my frustration go.
"S-sorry..." my voice broke and buried my face on her neck, "sorry, Clau. S-sorry...sorry..."
She ended up crying with me that when the doors opened and we saw Jayden na nagulat sa aming dalawa ay lumayo siya para hilahin ang huli palapit.
"Sumali ka!" She hissed and he smiled before he opened his arms and hugged us both like a miniature.
I didn't know how long we stayed that way but it somehow made me relaxed and feel seen. I'm not really into physical contact but I smiled and it made me happy when he placed both his arms on my shoulder and in Clau's while dragging us outside the room to the kitchen.
He's like a big brother.
He lets us go after and asked, "movie tayo? Ako magluluto ng popcorn!"
They chose a horror film and while Clau was screaming her lungs out and Jayden was chuckling at her with his arm at the back of the couch behind her, I was staring at the television sadly.
I have watched that movie. Two months ago when the cousins ask me to join their monthly get together. Turns out, Crest got an early access—in short, pirated HD copy—and we watched it.
I remembered my husband quiet and burying his face on my neck the whole time, pretending to not care but I can see him flinching for every jumpscare sound effects. He even screamed one time, nagulat sa sigaw ng mga pinsan.
Meanwhile, Twinkle was grinning and munching on her popcorn. She was sitting on my lap while his brother's on my side. Sinusubuan pa ako no'ng bulilit ng popcorn at ginagaya ang sound effects no'ng multo habang proud na sinasabing hindi raw siya takot.
Those were just a month ago but it seems like a distant memory now.
Naramdaman ko ang basa sa pisngi kaya hinawi ko iyon at muling kumain ng popcorn.
If only I have known, I should've cherished it more. I should've teased my husband and cheer Twinkle. I should've slept with them more often. I should've cooked a less poisonous food.
I sniffed.
Naramdaman ko ang bilis ng baling nila sa 'kin, "Bullet?"
"I'm okay," I smiled and stared at the television. "Naiyak lang ako kasi namatay 'yong...'yong bida sa ending."
Their jaws dropped, "paano mo nalaman?"
"I watched it months ago," I answered.
Natulala lang sila sa aking dalawa. Nagtaka ako.
"Shit! Wala na! Spoiler!" Sigaw ni Clau sa akin at natanto kong nasa gitna pa lang ang movie.
"W-well..." napakurap-kurap ako at natawa na sa itsura nilang dalawa. "Spoiler alert?"
Muntik na akong mabatukan but they knew I'm quite fragile now, thankfully, kaya 'di ako na-sample-an. Pagkatapos ng palabas ay nag-asikaso sila ng CCTV at nagpaalam ako saglit para mag-shower.
When I got out of the room, it was unusually quiet. Tumaas ang kilay ko at walang ingay na pumunta sa living room at hindi na masyadong nagulat sa nakita.
Of course, I hid a smirk.
They were kissing. Nasa couch si Jayden at nakasampa sa kanya si Claudine habang pilit na tinatanggal ang shirt niya.
Oh, my sweet innocent Claudine.
I didn't know she was this wild, huh?
"Clau—"
"Just a bit," she gasped, "for a while..." she kissed his neck.
"We should tell her—"
"No, not now," she breathed, "I'm still shy! Anong magiging reaksyon niya? I-I mean..."
"Okay, but we'll tell her this week. If you won't, I will. I wanna live with you here," ani ng huli at muli siyang hinila palapit.
I smiled, happy for them. Umatras ako at tahimik na bumalik sa kwarto para bigyan sila ng privacy at nagpahangin sa bukas na bintana para magnilay-nilay.
I need to find my family. If ever it was real. I just want to know the truth.
Suddenly, I remembered the fucking USB. Napaahon ako at dali-daling naghalughog sa kwarto para hanapin iyon.
Damn it! Am I that preoccupied to forget about it?!
Halos mabaligtad ko na ang kwarto nang maalalang nasa suot kong pantalon iyon no'ng gabing iyon. I sighed.
It's in my old house. Fuck, I wish hindi pa nawala! Baka may magamit akong impormasyon do'n! It couldn't be that useless if Wyatt was dying to have it!
Pissed and annoyed of myself, nang sigurado akong ayos na ang dalawa ay lumabas na ako nang may maliit na ngiti.
"Bullet!" Clau was fidgety when she saw me, nakaupo na sila sa sofa, magkalayo pa. Jayden looked cool but Clau, she was...if isasali 'to sa acting bagsak na kaagad.
"Kumusta?" I asked lightly, "nag-enjoy ka naman?"
Her eyes widened, "h-huh? Saan? Sa movie, oo! 'Di ba, Jay! Maganda?!" Her voice's in high-pitch.
Sinulyapan ko si Jayden at tinaasan ng kilay. Nakuha niya kaagad iyon bago napailing na at natawa.
"She's my girlfriend now, Bullet," aniya.
"Jayden!" She screamed so loudly my ears exploded. "Bakit mo—"
"It's obvious, Clau," natawa ako sa reaksyon niyang nahulog ang panga at kumukurap-kurap, namumula. "I can sense it, and I saw you two making out. Ikaw pa talaga sa ibabaw, ah?"
She screamed again, throw her laptop back to the table and buried her face on the pillow to scream more. Jayden laughed loudly.
Nailing ako.
They hacked the HQ's CCTV and what we've seen was what I didn't expect at all.
"So, it was real, then," singhap ni Clau. "Your husband's the Reaper?"
I nodded, still stunned to what I'm seeing on screen.
"He's gone into rampage," Jayden mumbled, couldn't believe his eyes. "Alone."
I couldn't believe what I'm witnessing now. Zion, stabbing, killing and shooting heavily armed men. Alone.
He looks enraged.
"Was there any more angle?" I asked, "there are at least twenty people inside the HQ! Heavily guarded, impossibleng pumunta siyang mag-isa!"
"Yes, here," Clau showed me another footage and to my shock, siya lang talagang mag-isa.
It was like looking at a killing machine annihilating the entire place and the people in it. He didn't even flinch when men attacked him from behind.
And my throat tightened when he got shot but he just looked at the direction where it came from blankly before raising his gun and shoot heartlessly.
Reaper.
This is him.
The CCTVs can't record sounds but images kaya 'di ko narinig ang sinabi niya sa lalaking nakuha. The latter shook his head, trying to escape but Reaper shoot his kneecap and asked something again.
Pulang-pula na ang kamay niya sa dugo, pati na rin ang damit, malamig ang mga mata. One look in the dead blue eyes and you will know death has came to finally get you.
Even without the audio, the man was obviously wailing and begging for his life. Zion didn't listen.
When another bunch came, he got stabbed that my fist clenched.
"Who was that asshole?" Tukoy ko sa sumaksak sa asawa.
"You don't have to know," ani Jayden kaya bumalik ang tingin ko sa screen at nakita kung paano inikot ni Zion ang braso niya.
It was dislocated. My throat dried when I saw his bone poking out of his skin that I can definitely feel his pain.
Zion caught the knife from the asshole's hand, stabbed him on the waist before he dragged him on his dislocated arm to the other one's place.
He started his torture. Nonchalant, brutal and alone.
"Wow..." Claudine breathed. "Was that...was that the sweet Zion you're saying? Your husband?" Hindi na kinaya ni Clau at nag-iwas na.
"That's Reaper," ani Jayden. "I've seen the aftermaths of his missions. Malinis at tahimik but this one...wow, he's mad."
He's right.
Reaper works precise, quiet and not much blood was involved in his every mission. At least not this much blood he's definitely bathing in it.
I watched how he removed the asshole's fingers, one by one, torturing them until they sang to whatever he's been asking.
"Why was he suddenly attacking them? And this brutal? He's gone mad," Clau commented.
"For Twila, I guess," sagot ko, nakatitig pa rin kay Zion sa screen. "He took his sister,"
"But this was brutal," ani Jayden.
"If I saw Wyatt after what he's fucking done with my Twinkle, I'll be this brutal, too." Kumuyom ang kamay ko, "I'll burn him alive after I tortured him."
We continued watching the whole footage and I didn't even bat an eye. Clau covered her mouth when she couldn't take the brutality anymore, tumakbo siya sa banyo at nagsuka. Jayden stood and followed her.
He took everyone out. Alone.
He was that mad for Twila Klein.
I know he's a good man, Twinkle will be safe with him. But really, he went alone? Paano kapag napagkaisahan siya at nasaktan?
Why is he an idiot? These are armed men! Was he expecting Wyatt to be here?
He had killed, tortured even the son of one Wyatt's biggest partner and in that case...there will be war.
"He's in danger," I told the two when they got out of the bathroom.
"Why?" Lumapit sa akin si Clau habang pumunta naman si Jay sa kitchen.
"See this man?" Tinuro ko ang tino-torture ni Zy, "wasn't this the son from his partner in Italy? Giovanni's brother, Gio, from House of Kastrioti?"
"Oh..." umawang ang labi niya, "yes, it was him. Why was he in the HQ?"
"The last time I heard, to avoid fucked ups—from the recent failed missions, mga tauhan na mismo galing Italy ang nag-aasikaso. Wala na silang tiwala kay Wyatt."
"And now, because of this..."
"Yes," he nodded. "Your husband and DEA might be in danger—a bigger one."
"Fuck,"
And so, I began my plans. In the next following weeks, we spied on them. Dahil kabisado ko na ang oras ng pasok ni Zion ay 'di na ako nahirapan na isakto roon ang mga balak.
The first time I saw him again is through the lens of my sniper, I almost cried.
He was leading a buy bust and we've had an intel that the Italians—because of that death was targeting Zion.
Hindi lang 'yon. I found out he got the USB I left and if not me—siya naman ang hahabulin ni Wyatt.
Seriously, why was everyone targeting him?
Zion was working really hard these days, hindi ko na maalala ang bilang ng mga warehouse at underground office ang pinuntahan niya. He was mad mad.
Every operation was brutal and bloody and everytime he leaves, he always look so lost and exhausted. As if he was fighting with everything only to end up leaving with nothing.
I touched the gold necklace he gave me and then the ponytail Twinkle gifted me before.
Now that I saw him, kailan ko kaya masusulyapan man lang si Twinkle? Was she taking care of Meow-meow? Or was she sad I was gone? Did she miss me?
"I heard he's looking for you," Jayden said.
I stiffened.
Inalis ko ang tingin sa sniper at tinaasan siya ng kilay, "what for?"
"I don't know," umiling siya. "Got an intel, he was forcing those people he tortured where were you, saan ka raw dinala. He was also looking for Wyatt but the bastard's probably out of the country."
He's looking for me?
"Maybe he still wanted to kill me," sagot ko na lang at muling pinanuod ang asawa sa sniper na inuutusan ang mga tauhan na tahimik na pasukin ang warehouse.
"I don't think so," ani Clau. "The man's obviously in love—"
"Let's get the work done," malamig kong utos.
They didn't comment further but I could feel their gazes. Nagbubulungan pa ang mag-syota kaya kumunot ang noo ko at pinanuod na lang ang asawa sa malayo.
It's possible he's looking for me. Maybe he still wanted to kill me.
I closed my eyes.
Not now. Let me rid of these bastards trying to touch you, honey. And I'll be gone.
"He couldn't trace us," dinig kong sinasabi ni Clau kay Jay, "we don't have any credit card transactions and we didn't even have a real, intact identity so...if we're untraceable, so was Bullet."
"I don't think he wanted to kill her," ani Jay na mahina, sinadya naman atang marinig ko. "If he did, sana no'ng doon pa sa bahay, no'ng sugatan 'to na niya ginawa."
"Sabi sa 'yo, mahal pa nga 'tong si Bullet," kulit ni Clau, "ayaw mo maniwala, eh, halata naman sa mukha! Naalala mo no'ng huling kinausap natin 'yon grabe 'yong bilis ng takbo no'ng sinabi mong iniwan mo sa labas si Bullet."
"He's mad," he answered, "he knew she'll escape."
"Kasi nga gusto akong patayin," I pointed out, refusing to acknowledge my wild heart.
I didn't want to hope again. To mistaken the way it beats with love again.
"Let's just work, the Italians are here,"
I'm really not that good with sniper but I guess it could work. I had a training about this for at least three times before which was I think, good enough.
Sumilip akong muli at umigting ang panga nang makitang hindi sa kalayuan ay may mga nagtatago. They have armed guns and I knew they're from Italy when I saw their house's insignia.
Binalikan ko ng tingin sina Zion.
"They're preparing an attack now," Jayden informed and when I saw one man from the distance trying to aim a shot at my husband, I shoot.
Natumba siya. Unfortunately, natamaan ko lang ang balikat.
"Fuck!" I cursed when I missed.
Nagkagulo na. Lahat sila ay napatingin sa itaas, sa building na pinagpwestuhan namin medyo malayo sa kanila pero dahil doon ay naalerto ang asawa at nalamang may gustong mang-ambush.
I could make out his commands as he pressed his comms, pulled the gun and aimed at the other side.
I tried again and aimed. I killed two men.
"They're coming here!" Sigaw ni Clau, "let's go! Tama na 'yan!"
Jayden began packing while I remain looking for the closest man attacking my husband. Mukhang napansin niyang natutumba ang mga lalaking lalapit sa kanya na inangat niya ang tingin.
I know he couldn't see me but it felt like I'm having eye-to-eye contact when it felt like he are looking at me straight to the lens.
My heart thumped, painfully.
"Bullet!" Sigaw ni Jayden! "Faster!"
I shoot another man and then went back into looking at my husband when I realized he's gone.
Doon na ako napatayo, I packed my things immediately nang sumabit ako kung saan. Cursing, I pushed myself up and sprinted after my friends before whoever that is coming after was.
Napahawak ako sa dibdib para haplusin ang kwintas nang wala akong mahagilap.
Panicking, I touched it again just to verify and when I realized it was gone, tumigil ako sa pagtakbo.
"You go first, may naiwan ako,"
"What? No, forget it, Bullet! We're outnumbered, they'll catch us—"
"Ready the van! I'll be right back, I swear!" Hinagis ko sa kanila ang hawak ko bago tumakbo pabalik sa taas kahit anong sigaw nila sa 'kin.
I looked around, cursing just to find the necklace. It was his gift when we first met! The only thing I still have of him! Hindi p'wedeng mawala!
I spent a fucking lifetime pushing things away and searching on the ground when a noticed something glinting from the distance.
My necklace!
Natigil ako humakbang nang marinig ang papalapit na mga yapak paakyat at mabilis na tinakbo ang lumang tinambak na kabinet at isiniksik ang sarili sa loob no'n.
Armed men got seconds after I hid myself. Sa siwang ng cabinet ay kita ko ang uniporme nila.
From DEA?
I breathed.
Pinanuod ko ang team na chini-check ang ibang gamit na Naiwan namin nina Jayden sa tuktok, when they realized no harm was in the premises, bumaba ang baril nila.
My heart raced when the door opened again and I saw my husband in his all black shirt, pants and boots. May item na bulletproof vest pa siya at may nakasabit na baril sa balikat at hawak na patalim sa kamay.
"Colonel," they saluted.
He nodded, his cold and dangerous eyes scanning the area.
"Anything?"
"No, Col.," ani no'ng isang lalaki. "May naiwan lang na mga Gamit pero mukhang nakaalis na ata ang sniper.
"That's more than one," he strode closer to our equipment and observed.
"Galing kina Anderson, Sir?"
"No," his jaw clenched while checking the knife I fucking left.
Why am I so clumsy?
"This isn't from the Italians," aniya. "The sniper's attacking them, instead."
"Galing sa atin, Sir?"
"No," humigpit ang hawak niya sa kutsilyo at pilit na inalala kung saan niya nakita iyon. "It was shooting anyone coming our way. We are not the target."
"Colonel," isang armadong lalaki pa ang lumapit. "Saw this on the ground."
My breath hitched when I realized he got the necklace. Muntik ko nang masapo ang noo nang kunin iyon ni Zion.
One look and his expression changed, muli siyang bumaling sa kutsilyo.
"Wala bang natira no'ng umakyat kayo?"
"No, Sir, gamit lang,"
Zion went frantic. I saw the way he tensed when his shoulders squared while rummaging the equipments.
"My wife's here," his voice labored and stood. Sinuklay niya ang buhok at mariing pumikit.
My heart raced.
"Colonel?"
"Find her! Damn it! Check downstairs!" Utos niya.
My heart raced while watching him checking every equipment we left, pressing his comms everytime he'll ask for help.
"Check if there are CCTVs in this building," utos niya at mas humigpit ang hawak sa kutsilyo, my eyes stung when I saw how the sharp part of the knife got buried on his palm.
"My wife," aniya. "My wife's here. Check!"
Nang mawala ang kausap niya ay napatalon ako nang bigla niyang sinipa ang lumang mga upuan.
"Fuck!" He cursed and tightened his grip. Mas umagos ang dugo roon kaya kinuyom ko ang kamay.
He's hurt. There's blood! What the fuck was he doing?!
"Dad," he pressed his comms again, "my wife's here,"
Wife...I'm his wife?
I sent him the annulment papers a week ago.
How am I still his wife?
"Yes," he breathed. "I think she's the sniper, can you help look? Yes, please. Thanks, Dad."
Nahulog ang balikat niya at nabitawan ang kutsilyong hawak. I watched how he stare at him wounded palm, his eyes exhausted.
May nasagi ang paa ko.
Shit!
It made a sound. I saw how his back straightened as his eyes landed to the old cabinet where I'm hiding.
He pulled his gun up, didn't even care of his dripping blood as he walked closer towards my direction.
I panicked and stopped breathing.
"Anyone there?" His sharp, sultry voice was enough to make me tremble.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
He took a step closer, both his hand on the gun while striding cautiously.
"Sino 'yan?!" Sigaw niya, "get the fuck out before I shoot."
Shit.
Inabot ko ang baril sa tagiliran.
I have to escape. I have to—
"Colonel, may van na aalis sa parking!" I heard a man saying that Zion lost focus and glanced their way, I used it as an opportunity to kick the doors of the cabinet open and pushed Zion's gun away from his hand.
He was caught off guard that I managed to seized him by putting one arm on his neck and a gun on his head.
He froze.
Sabay-sabay na nagsitaasan ang baril ng mga tauhan niya at pinaikutan ako.
"Ibaba mo ang baril!"
"Shoot or I'll kill your boss," I hissed dangerously.
He's still processing.
Tulala pa rin si Zion at nalaman kong naka-recover na siya nang umayos ang tindig niya. Good thing I was wearing my boots kaya abot ko siya.
Honestly, he was skilled he could definitely unarmed me but he didn't even fight.
I pressed the gun more on his head. He breathed, relaxing.
He raised his hands a bit, showing me he's surrendering.
"Hi, misis," magaang sabi niya na may ngiti pa sa boses.
My heart raced.
"Shut up," muli kong hinigpitan ang hawak sa may leeg niya at idiniin pang lalo ang baril sa sentido niya.
"Let him go," the man from his team exclaimed, "let him go or we will shoot—"
"Shoot my wife and I'll shoot you myself," malamig niyang sabi.
Miski ako ay natigilan sa sinabi niya at tumikhim.
"Shoot me, papasabugin ko utak nito," banta ko pa pero sa halip na matakot ay tumango pa ang gago.
What the fuck?
"Yeah, shoot her, sasabog utak ko," he added lightly. "Gusto n'yo bang may utak dito? No, right? So, don't shoot her."
"The fuck, Zy?" I hissed under my breath.
I was just threatening him so they'd let me go!
Gumalaw siya kaya humigpit ang hawak ko. Mukha tuloy niyayakap ko siya sa leeg.
Umatras ako papunta sa pintuan, "tell them not to follow us,"
"Don't follow us," aniya sa team, akala mo'y 'di malaking tao kung makasama sa 'kin sa lakad!
What was he, a kid na first time sa fieldtrip?
Bumaba kami ng hagdan habang sakal-sakal ko si Zion na masunuring sumusunod. He wasn't even fighting but I think if I let him go, sasama pa rin!
What the fuck?
I breathed in his familiar scent and familiarized the warmth of his body was giving me. I missed it so much.
"Sir!" Sigaw ng mga kasama habang pababa kami.
Kumaway lang siya at nag-thumbs up sa itaas. Hinampas ko ang kamay.
"Behave!" I hissed.
"Alright, Ma'am," he chuckled lowly and cleared his throat when I pressed the gun on his skin.
Calm down, Bullet! Stop reacting! You have to escape and not feel his body against yours!
Tinulak ko si Zy hanggang sa makarating kami sa parking at ang mga baril na nakatutok sa van namin, sa mga kaibigan ko sa loob ay napunta sa amin.
They tensed and got alarmed upon seeing their boss with his life on my palms.
Nalipat sa akin ang mga baril kagaya no'ng nangyari kanina.
Damn it, I just want to escape!
"Colonel, permission to shoot—"
"Don't shoot her," he ordered. "If any of those bullets hurt my wife, I'll shoot you myself."
My arms loosened on his neck in shock but his bloody hand firmed my grip back, as if he didn't want me to let go.
"Bullet!" Sigaw ni Clau sa sasakyan habang ang ilang baril ay nakatutok pa rin sa kanila.
"Quick!" I barked and pushed Zion, he followed obediently and when we reached the van, ipinaharap ko siya sa mga kasama para gawing shield.
Inalis ko ang braso sa leeg niya pero nanatili ang baril sa sentido.
My body burned from the angry look I'm getting from his team. I know they wanted so bad to shoot me but couldn't because of him.
"Leave," I whispered. "Tell your men not to follow us,"
"Don't follow us," he ordered.
"Us, Reaper," I emphasized. "I'll leave you here, just let us go. Hindi na ako manggugulo, pangako. 'Di mo na 'ko makikita—"
"I'm fine. Don't follow us, sasama 'ko sa kanila," he announced loudly and my jaw dropped when he pushed the gun down I'm pointing on his head casually and invited himself inside our van.
"Tara na, saan roadtrip?" He chirped with a bright smile. My friends' jaw dropped.
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