Merry Christmas!
I hope everyone has a badass Christmas despite all of these happenings in our world. May you all stay safe, healthy, happy, and kind. And to the next Christmas may you still reading my stories. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
-naya
CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT
GAB CORTEZ
"The TV! Turn it on!"
Halos tumalsik ang sipon ko sa sigaw ni Papa. Nasa kalagitnaan ako nang page-emote sa unofficial break-up namin ni Psalm nang nagmamadali siyang bumaba sa hagdanan.
"Papa anong nangyayari? Makaka-move on ba ako kapag binuksan ko iyong TV? Babalikan ba ako ni Psalm kapag nakita ko ang palabas? Hindi na ba kami maghihiwalay kapag pinindot ko ang remote?" umiiyak kong mga tanong. Sunud-sunod na tumulo ang mga luha ko kaya mabilis kong pinunasan ang mga iyon. Wala na akong ibang ginawa kundi ang umiyak at damdamin ang pagkabiyak ng puso ko.
Sabi nga sa kanta, "It really hurts, ang magmahal nang ganito." I felt like my happiness was burrowed book in the library and I have to bring it back or else I'd be arrested for thief — although wala pa naman akong nababalitaan na nakulong dahil hindi naibalik ang libro sa library.
Kahapon napakasaya ko para akong nililipad sa alapaap ngunit isang maling salitang binitawan ko, bigla akong bumagsak sa lupa. I fell hard the pain twisting my core. I don't know if I'd be able to stand and walk again. Psalm was my light, my anchor, my everything, the pain cannot be mend by crying or staying away. Imbes na gumaling, mas lalo akong nadudurog kapag malayo ako sakanya. I want him back, I want him in my arms, iyon lang ang natatanging paraan para gumaling ako. Pero paano ko siya maibabalik sa akin kung ikakapahamak niya ang presensiya ko? How could I protect him if I'd be the cause of his ruin?
You already ruined him, said a voice in my head.
My face contorted in pain as I clutched my breastbone where my heart was located. Hindi ko makakalimutan ang sakit sa mga mata niya. Lagi ko iyong inaalala bilang parusa sa pananakit ko sakanya.
My father ignored me and grabbed the remote control. From the corner of my eye I saw my Mom emerged from the kitchen holding a spatula.
"Papa, anong meron? Mamaya pa ipapalabas ang Ninja Turtles," sabi ko, iyon kasi ang paborito ni Papa na pinapanood. Sabi pa niya noon tumitibay ang relasyon nila ni Tito Jackal at maniwala kayo o hindi, nagfa-facetime sila kapag nanonood.
"Watch," sabi niya, tutok na tutok ito sa television.
Mom stood beside, curious as me. Binaling namin ang atensyon sa tv hanggang sa nagpakita ang newsflash report. Agad kong nakalimutan ang pagka-brokenhearted ko nang makita ang dating Pangulo na napapalibutan ng mga pulis at reporters.
"Former President Gustavo Marso arrested on illegal drugs and illegal firearms charges."
He was in their mansion, shock and rage was clearly shown in his face as the reporters force their way to get a statement from him. He was being escorted by the police, handcuffed, towards the police car.
Nagkatinginan kami ng mga magulang ko, pare-parehas ang reaksyon sa napanood. Agad pinatay ni Papa ang TV at nanghihinang napa-upo sa sofa. Mom was on beside him instantly.
"H-how?" I managed to choke.
Umiling si Papa. "I don't have any idea. Ang alam ko lang ay mas lalo nating ikakapahamak ito," aniya.
"Do you think he would point a finger on us?" tanong ni Mama.
"That's possible. But who would do this to him? How did they find evidence to arrest him?"
"Someone powerful enough to pull that stunt. Kahit nasa kulungan na siya hindi iyan titigil. Mas lalo lang siyang magagalit," sabi ni Mama.
"What gonna happen now?" tanong ko. Bigla kong naaala ang mga bombang nakatamin sa mga bahay namin. Kinilabutan ako at agad nakaramdam ng takot. "W-we have to leave now. The bomb," I informed my parents.
Pinanlakihan sila ng mga mata at agad nataranta. "Pack anything you can in just five minutes! Get Selendrina!" utos ni Papa.
Nagmadali akong umakyat sa pangalawang palapag at pinuntahan ang kwarto ni Selendrina ngunit agad akong natigilan nang maalala na nagpumilit siyang pumunta kina Gyro kanina. Medyo nakahinga ako ng maluwag ngunit mabilis pa rin akong kumuha ng bag at nilagay ang ilang mga gamit at laruan niya. Nang matapos ay dumiretso naman ako sa kwarto at inimpake lahat ng mga importante kong gamit, lalo na ang mga pinahiram na notes ni Lance sa akin dahil suspended ako ng ilang araw. He would kill me if I did not bring back his notes. Sinasabi ko mas nakakatakot si Lance kesa sa bomba na nakatanim sa bahay namin.
"Gab!"
"I'm done!" Tumakbo ako palabas ng kwarto bitbit ang bag na pinaglagyan ko ng mga gamit. Huminto ako nang nasa hamba ako ng pintuan at hindi mapigilang lingunin ng huling beses ang kwarto ko. For nineteen years, this was my safe haven. Dito rin ang first date namin ni Psalm noong dinalaw niya ako nang mabugbog ako. I smiled at the memory. Pagbalik ko siguradong abo na ang bahay namin.
Pagkabalik ko sa sala ay nagkakagulo ang mga magulang ko. Pina-uwi lahat ni Mama ang mga katulong at iilang gwardiya ang natira para protektahan kami. Dad was barking orders while mom contacted everyone she knew over the phone.
"Let's go!" anunsyo ni Papa.
Nagmadali akong buksan ang pintuan ngunit agad natigilan nang makita kung sino ang naghihintay sa labas.
"Imy..."
She smiled faintly at me. Agad kong napansin ang magulo nitong itsura, gulo-gulo ang buhok, nangingitim ang ilalim ng mga mata, burado ang make-up na lagi niyang suot at ang damit ay ang parehas na suot nang huli ko siyang makita. That was three days ago.
"Hi, Gab. I wanted to see you for the last time. You're free now, you don't have to suffer from my father's hands. Hindi na niya kayo magagalaw dahil tinapos ko na," ngumiti siya nang pagod pero hindi naitago nito ang kislap ng mga mata niya.
Realization drew in me. Nabitawan ko ang bag at nanlalaki ang mga mata. "You did not..."
Her smile grew wider. "It was my birthday present to myself, to see him suffer inside a jail."
"Imy! What have you done?! Pinahamak mo ang sarili mo!"
"Hindi na mahalaga iyon, Gab. I promised you, right? Itataya ko ang buhay ko para sa kalayaan mo."
My eyes stung before I could open my mouth to argue with her, gunshots echoed outside our house.
"Gab! Get in!"
Mabilis kong hinila si Imy paasok ng bahay at dumapa habang sunud-sunod na umulan ng bala sa kung saan-saan na direksyon. Sunud-sunod na nabasag ang mga vase namin, ang mga bala ay binutas ang mga pader, sinira ang mga mamahaling gamit. I quickly looked at my parents and sighed in relief when I saw them safely hiding behind the couch.
"Get in the backdoor! Quick! May sasakyan doon!" utos ni Papa.
"Imy, let's go!" hinila ko si Imy ngunit dumaing ito. I looked at her, stilled when I saw blood dripping from her arm.
"D-daplis lang, I'm okay," she assured me but her face contorted in pain contrary in her words.
Another bullet landed on my side. Hindi ko na nagawang makipagtalo kay Imy dahil hinila ko na ito papunta sa backdoor. "Come quick—fuck!" I hissed when bullet whizzed on the side of my face.
Halos halikan ko ang lupa nang makalabas kami sa likod ng bahay. Mabilis kaming sumakay sa sasakyan — Lamborghini — sa driver seat si Papa at kaming tatlo ay nagsiksikan sa shotgun seat. Si Mama ang naka-upo habang kalung-kalung niya si Imy at ako naman ay nasa pinagigitnaan ng mga upuan, ang kaliwang pisngi ng pwet ko ay nakakandong kay Papa. I was on a very awkward position but that doesn't matter in the moment.
"Fuck! I thought there's a Van?!"
My father gripped the gearstick, grinning at me. "Sorry kid, I wasn't prepared but this shit will save us from hell," aniya saka pinaharurot ang sasakyan nang pina-ulanan kami ng bala ng mga gunmen.
I screamed when my father stepped the gas, the car flew literally from the backyard, flying over our low fences and landing on the road smoothly.
"Fuck! Pa, marunong ka bang magmaneho nito?" I asked anxiously looking behind to see two van following us.
My father did something he had never done to me before — smack me behind my head. "Anong akala mo sa akin? Of course I know, idiot! Para ka lang nagmamaneho ng kabayo!"
I winced clutching the head of his seat as he overpassed three cars. Did he just compared maneuvering Lamborghini to a horse?
"They're close!" Imy shrieked.
I cussed when I saw from the rearview mirror the cars just tailing behind us.
"Copy."
Tumili ako nang biglang lumihis ng kalsada si Papa. Mahigpit kong niyakap ang upuan niya at muling sumigaw nang makitang kasalubong namin ang mga sasakyan.
"Papa!"
"Got it."
"Are you crazy—wait what? Sino kausap mo?" Hindi niya ako pinansin pero napansin ko ang earpiece na suot niya. Hindi ko iyon napansin kanina. "Are you playing a spy right now?"
He glance at me cockily. "Ninja Turtles, son. Donatello by the way," inabot niya ang isang kamay at ako namang tanga ay tinanggap ito at nakipag-shakehands.
"Nice to meet you — aish!" agad kong bawi sa kamay. "Who are you talking to?"
"Michael Angelo."
I winced. First, I met Dora now Ninja Turtles. I'm trilled to meet who's next. Sana si Diego.
"Oh, shit! A truck!" Imy screamed.
Tumingin ako sa harap — indeed a ten wheeler truck speeding toward us ready to swallow us whole.
"I got this! Hold on tight dear passengers!" Dad clutched the gear stick, then held the steering wheel.
Mahigpit akong yumakap sa upuan niya. Malapit na sa amin ang dalawang van, ang mga sasakyan na sumasalubong sa amin ay nawawalan ng control, bumabangga sa kapwa sasakyan o sa mga puno. I had to check on them and pay all the damages after this, I just hope no one was hurt badly.
Back to our current situation, the truck was getting closer. Binilisan ni Papa ang pagmamaneho habang expertong iniiwasan ang mga sasakyan na sumasalubong sa amin.
"Papa—aaaaaahh!" I screamed at the top of my lungs when he suddenly move to the right lane just as the truck almost hit us. Inapakan pa niya ang break bigla dahilan para tumalsik ako papunta sa dashboard at dumikit ang mukha ko sa salamin.
Pain shot through me, I remained immobile for a while until my father drag my ass down his lap. Groaning in pain and clutching my face I checked Imy and Mom who both sandwich in the shotgun seat. Mukha naman silang maayos kaya sunod kong sinilip si Papa na siyang hindi napuruhan sa amin. He was busy talking to Michael Angelo over his earpiece. Naalala ko ang truck at ang mga sumusunod sa amin.
"Oh god..." I gasped when I saw the one van tossed over near the post light and the other one was buried in front of the ten wheeler truck. Punong-puno ng usok ang buong paligid, ang mga tao ay nagsilabasan sakanilang mga sasakyan para maki-usisa at magtawag ng tulong. Sa mahabang linya ng mga sasakyan at nakakabinging busina tiyak na matagal-tagal na traffic ito.
"Everyone's okay?" tanong ni Papa.
"Yeah."
"Pa, ang mga tao..." I said worried at the victims.
"Don't worry son, help is coming. They'd be safe but right now we had to leave. Hindi natin alam kung sino pa ang mga sumusunod sa atin," aniya bago muling pinaandar ang sasakyan habang naka-upo ako sa kandungan niya. I don't know how did he managed to do that but I made a mental note to ask his technique once everything was alright.
"Saan tayo pupunta, Pa? And Selendrina?" tanong ko.
"To safety and don't worry about your sister, she's safe with the Benedicto. Nakalikas na rin sila at doon tayo pupunta."
"Anong ibig mong sabihin na nakalikas? Sinugod din sila?"
He sighed. "Everyone of us were ambushed in their home. Kahit nakakulong na si Gustavo, hindi iyon titigil," he said glancing at Imy.
"I'm sorry. I thought I'd make the situation less a burden when he's inside the cell. I only made things worst," she said, lowering her heard in guilty.
Kinuha ko ang kamay niya at marahang pinisil. "It's not your fault, Imy. What you did is what you think is best, don't blame yourself," I said gently.
"Tama si Gab, iha wala kang kasalanan. Your father suit in jail but I think he's better in hell," sabi ni Mama dito.
Imy smiled gently. "I think so too."
"Was the Benedicto okay?" tanong ni Mama kay Papa.
"Yeah."
Kung sinugod kami at ng Benedicto, siguradong, "Ang mga Crane Pa. Okay lang ba sila?" nag-aalalang tanong ko.
"Well..."
Kumabog ng malakas ang dibdib ko. My palms clammed as fear cage me in. "P-please tell me their fine. Nasaktan ba si Psalm? Oh God! Kapag may nangyaring masama sakanya hindi ko kakayanin!" I panicked. "Mamatay ako! Ikakamatay ko kapag nasaktan siya!" I'm literally thrashing inside the car now. Halos mabunggo na rin kami dahil hindi makita ni Papa ang daan. "Papa! Sabihin mong okay lang ang aking mahal!"
Mula sa gilid ng mata ay nagkatinginan si Mama at Imy.
"Anak—"
Pinutol ko ang sinasabi ni Papa. "Sabihin mong ayos lang si Psalm!"
"Gab, listen—"
"Bababa ako," I announced. "Pupuntahan ko si Psalm at ililigtas ko siya!"
"Gab I thought you're with Ace?" naguguluhang tanong ni Mama.
I almost gagged at her accusation. "No way! Ma, mas gugustuhin ko pang mamatay kesa makasama ang ulupong na iyon!"
"You two looked good..." she winced.
"No, Tita. Gab is better with Psalm," Imy winked at me.
"Oh well, Psalm is such a cute kid. Do you think he will like me?" she asked worriedly.
"Of course, Ma. You're the best Mom in the world, who wouldn't like you?" I gently smile at her. I cannot wait to introduce them together formally.
"Rafael said they're fine," sabi ni Papa.
"Rafael who?"
"My bff Jackal Crane," he grinned.
Sandali kung si Papa si Donatello, Tito Jackal si Rafael, sino si Michael Angelo? Nasaan si Leonardo? Tinanong ko iyon kay Papa.
He sighed, sadness can be seen on his face. "He's resting in peace."
Tito Rodeo, the Vice President.
Kung ganoon si Michael Angelo si Mr. President. Can't wait to ask autograph from him.
***
SOUTHERN BENEDICTO
"He escaped. Thanks to me."
Tumango ako habang naglalagay ng bala sa magazine ko.
"Why did you let him escaped? Isn't our plan is to make him rot in jail?" Genesis scowled, crossing his arms over his chest. He still looked ravishing despite the dark circles under his eyes and disheveled hair, the first three buttons of his shirt were open exposing his delicious collarbones. Kung wala lang akong iniisip na takas-kulungang peste baka kanina ko pa dinala sa kwarto ito.
Geez, South! You're insatiable.
Hiding the smirk, I focused on my task. Matapos maipasok ang magazine sa baril, bumaling ako sa asawa. "It's too easy, Genesis. Ikaw ba hahayaan mo ang halimaw na katulad niya na sumisira sa buhay ng pamilya natin na basta makulong lang?"
He narrowed his eyes then gritted his teeth. "No. I'd put him in the dungeon and whipped him until he beg to stop but I won't stop instead I'd cut his organs one by one and feed them into Circe's sharks and then maybe, just maybe I'd stop when he stopped breathing."
Ngumiwi ako ngunit pumalakpak si Klaud at inakbayan pa si Genesis na mukhang nandiri sa ginawa ng pinsan ko. "I like him, couz! He's a keeper!"
I rolled my eyes. "Nakahanda na ba ang lahat?" tanong ko matapos iipit ang baril sa likod ng pants.
Klaud winked, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Of course! Just waiting for baby girl's signal."
"If you stop calling Atarah with that name, maybe she'd start using nice adjectives to describe you."
He laughed shaking his head. "Hindi na ako umasa!"
A knocked outside the door interrupted us. Ilang sandali lang ay pumasok si Commander Icamus. "The plan is working, the former President took the north. Tashkent and Catrain with their team are on position, waiting for signal. But I'm afraid to say there's a problem," tumingin siya kay Genesis. "The men who ambushed your family are still chasing them. Hindi sila kaya ng mga tauhan ni Noah. There's too many casualties."
Genesis clenched his jaw. "I thought it's all under control?" he pinched the bridge of his nose. "What's their location?"
"Going east."
Genesis looked at me asking for permission. I nodded, smiling faintly. "Go. I'll meet you at south."
He cradle my face and pressed his forehead on mine. "You better be at south."
"I won't lose direction, I promise."
He smiled and pressed his lips on mine, kissing me deeply and intimately. He pulled after a while to catch our breath.
"Go. We're running out of time," I said.
"Be careful, okay?"
Tumango ako ngunit nanatili pa sa akin ang tingin niya ng ilang segundo bago siya lumabas ng Wargrove Force Base habang sinisigawan ang mga tauhan niya sa suot na earpice na maghanda.
Klaud and Commander Icamus was with me. Tashkent and Catrain was on position at east waiting for the former President together with Dad's men. Si Vape at Mommy naman ang magkasama para protektahan ang pamilya namin. I wasn't worried about them because I know they can do it without me. Atarah, Coby, Rucc and Choal was in charge of protecting Genesis' friends.
"I just got a report, Gustavo was going after his daughter," sabi ni Commander Icamus habang papalabas kami ng Base.
Walang sa plano na patayin si Gustavo, gustuhin man namin para matapos na ang problema ngunit hindi pumayag si Daddy. Death is to easy for him, he wants to do the honor of punishing him for killing Tito Rodeo, the former Vice President, his best friend. He wants to give him proper justice. The plan is to slowly strip his wealth and connections but Imy got in the way and reported his father for his illegal acts. Nasira ang plano na kakasimula palang kaya nagkagulo na ang lahat. Mabuti nakabalik na kami kagabi ni Geness dito sa Pilipinas nang tumawag si Daddy para sabihing alam na ni Gustavo na ako ang bagong leader ng Nemesí. And now he's after me too.
"Nasaan si Imy?" tanong ko.
"She's with Gab Cortez. Papunta na sila sa west kung nasaan ang pamilya mo pero may nakasunod pa rin sakanilang mga armado at hindi nila alam iyon."
I sighed, gritting my teeth. "They need to be saved."
"All our men has their own task. Kailangan din nating puntahan si Atarah—or should I say the Bente-Bente Gang? The families of your friends were under attack too," problemadong sabi ni Klaud.
"I'll send my men."
"You mean, Nemesí?"
Tumango ako. "They're under my command now. Remember? Mafia Heiress?" tinuro ko ang sarili nang nakangisi.
"Oh, arrogant South Benedicto, we haven't met before!" He scoffed. "Please don't. Papatayin lang sila ng mga tauhan ni Genesis. Hindi porket nagpakasal kayong dalawa ay friends na rin ang dalawang grupo na ilang dekada nang magka-away."
"Edi sasabihin kong h'wag silang magpatayan."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that."
Commander Icamus chuckled. "Well, then Madam Mafia, what's the plan?" he asked.
"What plan?"
"You know, strategies on how are we gonna exterminate the enemies, things like that," he shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.
"Well, the plan is," I trailed, rolling my shoulders. "Klaud, what's the plan?" I look at my cousin, who rolled his eyes.
"Bakit mo ba iyan tinatanong sakanya?" He gave Commander a disapproving look then laid out the plan. Nakinig lang kami.
Nasa labas na kami ng Wargrove Force Agency nang huminto si Klaud at tumingin sa akin. "By the way, couz, I forgot to give you this," may hinagis siya sa direksyon ko na mabilis kong sinalo. "Welcome back, Southern Miracle Benedicto."
I opened my clasped hands and saw a familiar key. I gasped, looking at my cousin tearfully. He winked before nodding behind me. Lumingon ako at halos manlambot nang makita si Sakuragi—fresh, shining and looking brand new.
"Oh, god! My baby!" Mangiyak-ngiyak kong hinaplos ang malambot na upuan nito, side mirrors, headlights, lahat. Hindi ako makapaniwala na maayos na siya, lasog-lasog lang ito nang iwanan ko. "Let's save the world, baby."
It felt foreign in my command the first five seconds I'm riding it. Mas magaan ito ngayon, mas mabilis at tahimik ang andar. Tiyak na malaki ang gastos ni Klaud dito pero hindi bale, pera naman ni Daddy ang gagamitin ko pambayad tutal hindi ko pa nakukuha ang sahod ko bilang Mafia. I wonder how much my salary, above average siguro dahil bigatin naman si Abuela.
I can't wait to have my own salary and treat the Crane to Jollibee. But for now, I have to proceed to the plan—oh wait, what's the plan?
Fucking shit!
.