Pumasok si Lukas sa headquarters nila, kung saan sa loob ng isang malaking silid naroroon ang kanyang desk at sa kabilang side naman ng silid nakapwesto ang mga tauhan niya at si Misha. Hinubad nito ang suot na coat at sinampay sa sandalan ng swivel chair niya. He did not even bother to sit. He simply faced everyone.

"I am glad all of you are already here," seryoso nitong panimula. "Pinapunta ko kayong lahat dito dahil kagabi, napag-usapan na namin ni Sloven ang magiging arrangement ng pagkikita namin ni Risha."

"Kailan ka pupunta ng Russia, Sir?" tanong ni Officer 8, naka-ekis lang ang mga braso nito at seryoso rin.

"Mamayang gabi," sagot nito bago binalingan ang isa pa niyang subordinate. "Officer 2, na-contact mo na ba sila Officer 19?"

"Yes, Sir. Nasa Pilipinas pa rin sila at hinihintay ang go signal natin."

"Very good," tango niya. "Makakausap ko na si Risha bukas. I hope she cooperates to get this mission done."

Nagpakawala siya ng buntong-hininga. Sa maikling panahon na nagsama sila ni Risha, alam niya na siya yung tipo ng tao na maipagpilitan lang talaga nito ang gusto.

"She will, Sir," ani Officer 5. "Ayaw naman niya sigurong manatiling hostage ng Russian na iyon."

"Yeah," iling na lang niya. "Sige, pwede na kayong umalis."

Nagsipag-alisan na nga ang mga ito. Huling lumabas ng pinto si Officer 8 na nilingon pa si Misha. But the woman only signaled him to go ahead. Pagkaalis nito, sinara na ni Misha ang pinto at hinarap si Lukas.

Umupo na si Lukas sa swivel chair niya at  yumuko saglit para i-on ang desktop computer doon.

"I hope you'll be safe," ekis lang ni Misha ng mga braso habang nakatitig sa Major.

Nag-angat ng tingin si Lukas at sa isang saglit na iyon, inakala niya na si Risha ang nakikita ng kanyang mga mata dahil sa liwanag ng araw mula sa bintana na tumama sa babae. When he blinked, he saw Misha again. Her round eyes in contrast with Risha's big and wider ones.

"I will be," tugon lang niya rito. "You may leave now, Misha. I have to talk to Sloven."

She cocked her head to one side and threw a curious look at the man. "You just talked to him last night."

"Yeah," buntong-hininga lang ni Lukas habang hinihintay ang pag-log in niya sa computer. "I just have to review our conversations and clarify things to him again. Ayoko pumalya sa misyon na ito."

"Masyado mong ini-stress ang sarili mo, Major," umupo na ito sa gilid ng mesa ni Lukas, nakaharap sa direksyon nito. "Why don't you clear your mind a bit? Para makapag-isip ka ng maayos kapag nasa Russia ka na?"

"I worry about Risha," tugon nito habang nagki-click ng mouse. "As much as possible I don't want my subordinates to know that."

Natawa ito ng mapakla. "Why? Because you believe that feeling worries is a weakness? Not so military-like?"

Umiling ito. "No. Ayoko lang na mahawa sila. I want them to stay calm and relaxed. Para makapag-isip sila ng maayos."

"Kaya heto ka, sinusubsob ang sarili sa mission?"

"Risha is your sister, why are you trying to be so relaxed in this kind of situation?"

Napailing-iling na lang si Misha at umalis na mula sa pagkakaupo sa gilid ng mesa. Tumayo na siya sa tabi ni Lukas para makisilip sa computer nito.

"Because I know Sloven," ngiti lang nito. "He can't hurt innocent people. Tulad ko, may nakababatang kapatid rin siya. Mas matakot ka sa kakayahan niya magmanipula ng tao."

"He can manipulate people, huh?" sandal ni Lukas sa upuan para basahin na ang huling palitan nila ng e-mail ni Sloven.

"Yes, especially when it comes to emotions."

That made him scoff. He was not that easy. Lalo na kung emosyon ang pag-uusapan, hindi siya basta-basta naaapektuhan sa ganoong aspeto. Maliban si Risha. It was only her who made him feel a lot of different and stirring emotions.

"And I think you already have an idea why he chose to kidnap Risha instead of stealing the memory card from you or from your subordinate," patuloy ni Misha.

Tumigil si Lukas sa pagbabasa. "To make sure he gets what he wants."

"And to play with your emotions, Major."

Nagdulot iyon ng kaba para sa kanya. May punto ang babae. Sloven could really use Risha to play with his feelings. Bago pa nakasagot si Lukas, naramdaman na niya ang isang kamay ng dalaga sa kanan niyang balikat. It gave him a gentle squeeze that made him take a good look at her.

"Let's have some coffee first," anyaya nito sa kanya. "Please, Major?"

Coffee sounded like a good idea. It always helped him survive. Dalawang linggo na rin siyang hindi nakakatulog, puro panakaw lang na mga idlip kakaisip ng dapat gawin para maisalba si Risha at mahanap ang kopya nito ng memory card.

"Fine," he groaned.

***

Sloven grinned. Hinarang niya ang daliri sa tumatakbong langgam sa dining table at nang kumanan ito, hinarangan na naman niya ito ng kanyang daliri.

Look at this ant. Tarantang-taranta, hindi alam kung saan pupunta.

Hinarangan pa niya ito ng daliri, hinahadlangan ang bawat direksyon na gustong daanan ng maliit na nilalang para matakas.

This is what I will do to that Major. I will make sure he won't be able to escape until I get what I want.

"Sloven."

Napatuwid siya ng upo nang marinig ang boses na iyon. Dumako ang paningin niya sa entrance door ng dining room at nakita na nakatayo roon si Risha. Napangiti siya sa suot nitong puting jeans at sleeveless na turtleneck blouse na puti. Nakalugay lang ang mahaba nitong buhok at may malumanay na ngiti sa maputla nitong mga labi.

"Good morning," bati niya rito. "You're early."

"I can't really sleep that much," lapit nito sa kanya. "I still don't know what to do when I meet him again."

His eyes narrowed. Alam naman ni Sloven kung sino ang tinutukoy ng dalaga.

"I don't want to expect too much from Lukas," patuloy nito. "I already told you, we're already through. He must be just willing to see me because of the copy of the RSF."

"Well, just help him get it for me, darling, and this will soon be over."

Nakatayo na ito sa tabi ni Sloven. Her brown eyes looked down at him as she smiled wider.

"Why? Don't you want me to stay here anymore?"

He could not help the sly smile to escape from his lips. He leaned on his seat's left side to get a better view of the lady.

"I like you," he chuckled. "I like your guts to be nice to me, but that will never work, Risha. I know that somewhere deep inside you, you still want to escape, to be free, to be back home."

Umiling lang ito. "I don't know now, Sloven. In the Philippines, no one treats me better than you."

Napayuko na lang siya. "Well... That's just me. And keep in mind that I am only doing this because--"

"It's your job," dugtong ng dalaga. Natigilan siya nang hapusin na nito ang gilid ng ulo niya. The tip of her fingers run through his hair and lowered down to his cheek.

"You know, Sloven, you can be the typical kidnapper who gags his victims, blindfolds and tortures them. But you're not. You wanted to look dangerous but you cannot deny that you still have a good soul inside that sexy body."

His eyes trailed upwards until it met her eyes. Nginitian niya ang babae.

Alam naman ni Sloven na pinaglalaruan lang siya nito para maging komportable siya. Para malingat siya ng kaunti mula sa dalaga at makatakas na ito.

Kaya nakikisakay na lang siya. 

Bakit naman hindi? Nag-eenjoy rin naman siya sa pakikipaglaro rito.

"You know, I can be that kind of guy, Risha. I can gag and blindfold and torture you," he spoke lowly, shining desire sparkled in his blue eyes before he continued, "in bed."

***

A.N.

Guuuys <3 Heto na ang chapter 36! Hopia like it, hopia love it!

Next update? Baka Monday afternoon/evening na :) 

ANA xoxo