SHE was just right behind Maha – too cautious with their surroundings as they both sneaked around Balti's house. Halos dumikit na sila sa pader ng bakod at mga halaman sa labas pa lang ng bahay ni Balti. Siya na ang tumitingin sa paligid. God, never niya naisip na magiging akyat bahay sila sa Faro. At huwag sana silang mahuli. Basang-basa pa ang mga damit nila. It did dry off a bit dahil na rin sa hangin pero nilalamig pa rin talaga sila.

Tahimik na ang buong Faro. Patay na rin halos ang mga ilaw ng mga bahay nila Tor at Jude na nadaanan nila kanina. She's sure no one noticed them. If mayroon man, siguro sa mga CCTV na lang ng buong Faro if ever nahagip man silang dalawa ni Maha. Na sana hindi.

"Sa likod tayo dumaan," bulong ni Maha. Sinundan niya ito papunta sa likod bahay. Alam niyang may isang daan pa roon na hindi madalas gamitin ni Balti. It lead to the pool area kung saan nakaharap sa dagat.

"May spare key ka?"

"I have. I had it duplicated."

"Hobby mo ba talagang nakawin o i-duplicate ang mga susi ng kuya mo?"

"I find it kinda helpful." Maha stopped. Bahagya siya nitong nilingon. Umangat ang isang kamay and a couple of keys dangled from the metal circle of the keychain in her ring finger. Maha smiled smugly. "I know, I'm smart."

Bahagya lang siyang natawa rito at nagpatuloy sila sa paglalakad. Mababa lang naman kasi ang mga bakod ng mga bahay rito sa Faro. The height of their fences usually levels in the chest area – pero kung 'yon ay kasing tangkad mo ang isa sa mga Faro Boys na halos 6 footer. But for a girl whose height is around five feet flat. Swerte na 'yong hanggang leeg or mata mo ang fences. But the façade of the house is measured above the normal average height of a person. Depende na sa design talaga ng bahay.

When they reached the back area, bumungad sa kanila ang one way black wrought iron gate. Kita mula sa labas ang pool area ng bahay – low light, pero sa tingin niya may tao sa loob. Otherwise, patay dapat ang mga ilaw. Lumikha ng tunog ang pagpasok ni Maha sa susi sa keyhole. Napansin din nito 'yon kaya dinahan-dahan nito ang pagpihit until they heard a clinck sound from the keyhole. Nang bitiwan ni Maha ang susi ay kusa nang bumukas ang gate.

Nagkatinginan sila ni Maha. Napalunok siya. Maha gave her a determined look. Ibinalik niya ang ganoong klaseng tingin nito bago sila tuluyang pumasok sa bahay.

Mula sa glass door na humahati sa pool area at living room ay sinilip nila kung may tao sa loob. Maha slid it open but hilt to a stop when they heard footsteps from inside. Feeling niya mapipigtas ang ugat sa puso niya nang luminaw ang anino ng isang lalaki sa wooden floor. The living room was dim but has enough light to filtered the shadow of whoever was inside the house.

Halos yakap niya ang braso ni Maha – backs pressed solidly on the wall behind them. Pansin niya rin ang halos pantay at pagsabay ng pagtaas-baba ng mga dibdib nila dahil sa kaba. Hinawakan ni Maha ang kamay niya para sinyasan siya na sisilip ulit ito. Tumango lang siya. Pagkatapos ay dahan-dahan itong sumilip.

"It's Juan," she mouthed nang ibaling ang tingin sa kanya. Maha frowned. "What is he doing here?"

"Anong ginagawa niya?"

"Eating –"

"Kumakain?!" nakasigaw na siya sa isip pero bulong pa rin niya 'yong react niya. Akmang sisilip siya nang pigilan siya ni Maha.

"Don't," she shook her head, "mapapansin tayo. May ilaw." She pointed the incandescent light on the ceiling positioned in the middle of the closed floor to ceiling glass door. Not a good idea nga dahil makikita ang anino niya. "But at this hour?" Patingkayad na naupo sila sa gilid.

"Gising pa nga sila Simon at Sep," aniya.

"Which I find odd. Why are they awake at this hour?" Sandali silang natahimik pareho. Hindi sila makakapasok kung nandoon si Juan. "I'll distract him," basag nito.

"Huh? Paano?"

"I don't know, pretend to be a mouse? A cat?"

"Maha –"

"I have an idea. Babalik ako sa harap. I'll show up so he'll open the door for me. I'll pretend I did this in my own free will, so you could sneak inside while he's outside. You will know because I'll ring the doorbell outside at kapag napansin mong lumabas si Juan, you get in and find my brother."

"How can we make sure na si Juan lang nasa bahay?"

"We will find out. One way or another, mahuhuli pa rin naman tayo, but we have to reach the target before everyone finds out you're with me."

Bumuga siya ng hangin. "Okay."

Tipid itong ngumiti. "We'll be fine." And tapped her shoulders. "Mainit ulo no'n sa'kin. I'm sure he'll do his best to get rid of me." She slowly crawled beside her para sa gawi niya ito makadaan, kung saan hindi ito mahahagip ng tingin ni Juan.

Nang makalabas si Maha e naghintay pa siya ng ilang minuto bago narinig ang sunod – sunod na doorbell mula sa loob. Sumilip siya mura sa siwang na glass door at napansin niya si Juan na tumayo mula sa sofa. May hawak itong careal bowl na inilapag nito sa wooden coffee table at dire-diretsong naglakad sa direksyon ng pinto.

"God, Maha, you better keep Juan annoyed," aniya, pinalipas niya muna ang ilang segundo para masigurong wala ngang tao bago siya pumasok sa loob. Hinubad na niya ang suot na sapatos at iniwan doon. Lilikha 'yon ng ingay – mas mabuti nang magyapak siya. "Nin, kaya mo 'to." Nang makapasok ay umangat ang tingin niya sa itaas ng hagdan. "Nasa taas kaya si Balti?" 

Bahala na nga.

Akmang aakyat na siya nang may marinig siyang ingay mula sa loob ng library. Parang may nahulog. Napakurap siya at napalunok. Bigla siyang kinutuban.The library! How could she forgot? She retreated her steps and when to follow the path to Balti's library. Dahan-dahan, halos naka tiptoe na siya para lang hindi marinig ang mga yabag niya. It was kind of dark, considering the low light that miracously reaches the small hallway.

I will really strangle your neck, Bartholomew, kapag nagkita tayo!

Bumuga ulit siya nang malalim na hininga at napalinga sa paligid nang nasa harap na siya ng library. He should better be here. Ang dami na nilang hirap ni Maha para lang dito. Malakas ang tibok ng puso na humawak siya sa knob ng pinto. Ilang beses siyang nagdasal sa isip na sana hindi lock 'yon. God, please, she needs answers! The door clinck open – wide eyed – ay nabitiwan niya ang knob at napakurap. It opened.

May sumilip na ilaw mula sa bahagyang bukas na pinto.

"Who's there?" It was Balti.

It had been a while since she last heard his voice. But she shrugged that little longing away from her heart. She didn't go through these hardships just to rekindle feelings with him. 

Lakas loob pa rin niyang hinawakan ulit ang pinto at pinihit 'yon pabukas. Pagkapasok na pagkapasok niya sa library ay sobra siyang natigilan. Nakagapos ang mga kamay nito sa likod nito. Pati na rin ang mga paa. Mukha ito ang narinig niyang kalabog kanina. He fell from the sofa.

"What happened to you –"

Lumamlam ang ekpresyon ng mukha nito. "Ninin," tawag nito sa kanya. "Help me." Nahabag siya sa pakiusap nito. "Itakas mo ako rito." Lumapit siya rito, tutop ang bibig ng isang kamay. She didn't expect to see him like this.

"Anong ginawa nila sa'yo?"

"Nin, I'll explain everything to you, but first, you have to take me out of here." Lumuhod siya sa harap nito para kalasin ang electrical tape sa mga kamay nito. It's bruising his wrists! "I'm sorry. I know, I've hurt you –"

"Save your reasons for later. Ilalabas na muna kita rito."

Iniwan niya ito at mabilis na hinanap mula sa drawer sa ilalim ng mesa nito ang cutter. Kailangan lang niyang padaanan ng cutter ang electrical tape para kumalas 'yon. Hindi niya alam kung ilang layer ng tape ang pinanggapos ng mga ito kay Balti. But it looked painful.

"Nin, my glasses. Find my glasses."

Mabilis lang niyang nakita ang lalagyan ng salamin nito. She checked kung nasa loob ang salamin nito sa mata at nandoon nga.

"Found it."

Bumalik siya at inalis na rin pati ang lubid na nakatali sa mga paa nito. Beads of sweat was on her foreahead and both sides of her face. Kahit na may aircon sa library e kabado pa rin siya. Baka kasi mahuli sila if hindi niya binilisan ang mga kilos.

And when Balti was freed ay tinulungan niya itong makatayo, inalalayan sa mga balikat. "You think, you can run by yourself?" aniya. Inaayos nito ang salamin sa mata.

He smiled. "I'll do my best."

Mabilis na lumabas sila sa library, maingat, at kalkulado ang mga galaw. Nang dumaan sila sa sala e naririnig pa nila ang boses nila Maha at Juan na nagtatalo. Napatingin si Balti sa kanya. She met his gaze. "It's Maha," sagot niya. She felt like she needed to answer the look of confusion in his eyes. "She's just distracting, Juan. Let's go."

Pero paglabas nila sa glass door ay bumungad sa kanila ang pusa ni Juan na si Binig. Ang sama ng tingin nito sa kanila. Pero kailangan niya munang suotin ulit ang sapatos.

"Don't mind her," ni Balti, hinawakan siya sa pupulsuhan. "We have to go," saka siya hinila palabas ng bukas na gate. But she heard the cat growled – sobrang lakas na para bang sumisigaw.

Umikot sila sa bahay, hindi 'yong dinaanan nila ni Maha kanina. Ang higpit ng pagkakahawak ni Balti sa pupulsuhan niya. They were running as if they were chased. Na kapag isa sa kanila ang huminto ay siya ring huling beses na maabutan silang humihinga.

"Si Maha –" Kinapos siya ng hangin.

"She'll find a way."

"Balti –"

"Just trust me. They wouldn't hurt my sister."

They are almost there. Malapit na sila sa gate. Pag-angat niya ng tingin e ngayon lang din niya napansin ang unti-unting pagkalat ng pula sa kalangitan. Badya na ano mang oras e bubuhos na ang ulan. Mas lalo niyang naramdaman ang kakaibang kilabot sa lamig ng hangin. But she didn't understand what was that odd and eerie feeling.

Pagdating nila sa gate ay napansin nilang walang tao sa guard post pero may ilaw. Iginala niya ang tingin sa paligid. Unti-unti na ring nagsisimula ang pagkulog. She was scared and anxious at the same time. Lalo na nang ibaling niya ang tingin sa direksyon na dinaanan nila kanina. Si Maha, inaalala niya si Maha.

"Balti –"

He let go of her hand at pumasok ito sa guard's cubicle. May kung ano itong pinindot doon dahilan para bumukas ang gate.

"We have no time, Nin." Bumalik ito para hawakan ulit siya sa pupulsuhan. Nagtama ang mga mata nila. "We have to go!" Hindi na siya nakapag-protesta pa. Mabilis na hinila siya nito palabas ng gate at tinakbo nila ang nag-aagaw na dilim at ilaw mula sa mga natitirang lamp post mula sa mahabang daan ng mg arko ng mga puno palabas nang tuluyan sa Faro de Amore.

Muli siyang lumingon sa parola at nahigit niya ang hininga nang gumuhit ang kidlat sa mismong likod ng parola. Pakiramdam niya ay yumanig ang lupang tinatakbo niya.

"WHAT the hell are you thinking?!" sigaw ni Juan kay Maha.

He was torn between crashing her with his bare hands and keeping off his hands from her. She felt so vulnerable at the moment. She didn't understand anything. Ang alam niya lang e, galit na galit si Juan and Iesus was not happy at their current situation – probably, everyone didn't like the situation she'd dragged at this specific moment.

"Juan, stop it," inalayo na ni Simon si Juan. "Maha didn't have any idea."

She clutched on the blanket-wrapped on her shoulders. Tinignan niya isa-isa ang mga nasa paligid niya. So, Iesus' secret group does exist? And Jude was even here.

"If you told me prior, then this could have been prevented," she raised a voice, a bit annoyed with all of them. "You imprisoned my brother without us knowing –"

"It was for your own good," kalmadong sagot ni Vier.

"We wanted to know what was happening to him, okay? He's acting weird. It felt like he was a completely different person, though, he appears to be fine. But what did you do? You totally deprived us of our rights to know his current state, Vier. We are his family. He is my brother. And I deserved to know what the hell is happening with him because I care!" She fumed in anger. God!

"We all care," ni Juan. "But you, sneaking in here with Niña without consulting us was never a good idea, Maha. You screwed us up! And God knows what will happen next. Ipagdasal mo na lang na hindi masama because your regrets would be too late by then"

"Juan, stop," Iesus meddled. "What is done, is done."

"It's not interely Maha's fault," pagtatanggol ni Simon sa kanya. She may appear headstrong, but she's already in the brink of crying. God, pagod na pagod na siya sa araw na 'yon. Gusto na lang niya umiyak. "May kasalanan din tayo. If only, we did properly explain to Niña and Maha what happened to Balti, they wouldn't resort to this drastic actions."

"He already escaped," ni Sep, seryoso rin ang tingin nito, which she find rare, kasi 'di niya mahagilap kay Sep ang ganoong reaksyon kung nakikita niya ito sa Faro. Sep seemed like he was about to kill someone.

"With Niña," Jude added, na siyang pinakakalmado sa pito ang mga oras na 'yon, he was almost invisible standing beside the curtain near her brother's study table in his library.

"Ano ba kasing nangyayari? Will you explain it to me?" she desperately pleaded.

"Niña is in great danger," it was Vier who answered her. "We've lost Balti since he canceled his engagement with Niña."

Nalito siya. She couldn't catch up with Vier's words. "What do you mean?"

"I know, you're not clueless about us, and you have probably heard about the 12 missing items we're trying to retrieve. Faro de Amore isn't just a place, Maha." She was drowned by his intense look. His light hazel eyes darkened like a storm. "There is more to this place and people that meets the eyes."

Nagitla siya nang gumuhit ang malakas na kidlat sa labas. She felt like the world moved. The shadows of the four men in front of her against her were struck with the invisible lightning that slips through the big glass window of the library. She felt horrified at the eerie shadows.

She blinked some tears in her eyes. Ramdam ang panginginig ng mga kamay niya. She gulped. But she fought the urge to cry. She hated crying. She will not cry... not until she understands the whole implication of her drastic actions.

"You lost him? How? I mean... how could you say you lost him?"

"I don't know how to explain this in simpler words," ni Tor, "but, Maha, Niña is not safe with your brother at the moment. If we're too late, either of them will die."

Lalo siyang naguluhan. "Pero bakit nga? Ano bang nangyayari sa kanya?"

"Balti found the third missing item and there is a high chance that it's a cursed item like mine," dugtong ni Tor.

Kasabay ng pagguhit muli ng kidlat sa labas ay ang malakas na pagbuhos ng ulan. The ramble sounds lingered for a few seconds. And it made her worry even more. Oh, god!

THE next passing minutes were pure torture. Ilang beses niyang tinawagan si Niña but she couldn't contact her phone. Laging out of coverage area. It's getting on her nerves.

"Maha, na contact mo na si Niña?" asked Tor.

"Out of coverage area," she heaves a sigh of frustration. "I just hope hindi lowbat ang phone niya."

"You think we can find them in her house?" ni Simon.

"I doubt," Iesus disagreed.

"He will never let us find him that easy," dagdag ni Tor. "He will never go to places we're familiar with."

"But if we're lucky, we might," ni Sep.

"He will not make any move tonight," ni Iesus, hindi ito nakatingin sa mga kasamahan nito, it was like he was lost in his train of thoughts.  Habang tumatagal ay mas lalo siyang nahihiwagaan dito. "Pero dapat maunahan natin siya sa kung ano mang binabalak niya."

"But how?" asked Jude.

This time, natuon ang atensyon nilang lahat kay Iesus. Malakas na buhos na lamang ng ulan ang bumabasag sa katahimikan nilang lahat habang naghihintay sa susunod na sasabihin ni Iesus.

Umangat ang tingin nito sa kanila. She had never seen that kind of seriousness in Iesus before. It was like an expression of death. A dark storm that can wash out a whole city. It was calm but deadly. It only intensified her growing anxiety at the moment.

She couldn't say that she understands what everyone was saying. But she was sure, she pretty messed up everything for them. And that, a strong surge of regret will be coming after her if all of these things will not work right.

"We need to know what missing item is in his possession," Simon interrupted. "Only then, we can determine his next move."

"That would work," Sep agreed. "But can any one of us transcribe the black book?"

"I have a few of his transcribe list of missing items," ni Iesus. "If we're lucky, baka isa sa mga missing items na na i-translate ni Balti ang nasa posisyon niya."

"Do you have any idea, Maha?" tanong ni Vier.

"I'm... not... sure..."

"An item that is quite rare to find... a vintage item," dagdag pa ni Vier.

"Wait," aniya, nag-isip siya. There should be one. Sinubukan niyang alalahanin ang mga bagay na maaring nasabi sa kanya ni Niña or ng kuya niya. "Hmm... I'm not sure... but Niña once asked me to look for a wooden rectangular box in our room."

"Wooden rectangular box?" ulit ni Vier.

"Familiar ba?" ni Sep.

"Wait!" singhap niya nang may maalala ulit. "Niña sent me a photo of that wooden box." She immediately went to her photo gallery in her phone. "Hindi ko nakita sa bahay ni Kuya ang box and it slipped on my mind dahil na rin sa madaming bagay. Here." Ipinakita niya ang larawan kina Iesus.

She received different reactions from the seven pero ang unang nanlaki ang mga mata ay si Tor at Vier. Halos sabay pa nga.

"It's the missing item," Tor uttered in horror.

"Is it the ink of life, Iesus?" baling ni Vier dito.

"It is..."

"And it's a cursed item?" asked Juan.

"It can become one," sagot ni Iesus na siyang ikinatigil nilang lahat. "And we need to find him before it's too late."

"BAL –" hindi natapos ni Niña ang sasabihin nang halikan siya ni Balti sa mga labi. Sa gulat niya ay nailapat niya ang mga palad sa dibdib nito. The warmth of his bare chest on her palms burned her. His kisses was rough and hungry – making her melt in his arms despite her confusion. It was like he was catching up with the lost time they had been apart. And it made her confused even more. "Balti –" anas niya, nagawa niyang ilayo ang sarili rito, but his arms firmly remained wrapped around her waist. Muli nitong inangkin ang mga labi niya. And she hated herself for kissing him back with the same wanton.

Their clothes are both soaked from the pouring rain. Kaya bathrobe lang ang suot niya sa mga oras na 'yon, and it wasn't helping at all. It's not calming anything... and worse, the intimate touched of their body between the thin fabric of her robe and his bare skin was making her mind shut her remaining sanity.

Hindi sila umuwi sa bahay at lalo na sa bahay ng mga Juarez. They booked a room in a hotel in the city. At hanggang sa mga oras na 'yon ay malakas pa rin ang ulan sa labas.

Balti was naked up and she could feel his jeans still drenched, but it didn't matter. He pulled her up and pressed her body more on his body as he help her wrapped her legs on his hips. Feeling niya kakapusin na siya ng hangin. Pero hindi niya naman makumbinsi ang sarili na lumayo at pigilan si Balti.

She missed him too much that it hurts.

Naramdaman niya ang paglubog ng katawan niya mula sa malambot na kama as he gently lay her there – kissing her deeper. Pinakawalan ng mga hita niya ang baywang nito pero nanatiling nakayakap ang mga braso sa leeg ni Balti. Lalo lang nagulo ang isip niya nang maramdaman ang mga kamay nito sa kanyang katawan habang nasa ibabaw niya ito.

Pinakawalan nito ang mga labi niya as he trailed kisses on her jaw, pababa sa kanyang leeg. Pareho silang napaungol at the sudden heat of want they both felt with each other. Bumalik lang ang mga labi nito sa mga labi niya – devoured her mouth like a hungry beast.

"Let's cancel the wedding."

Naimulat niya ang mata.

Bumalik sa kanya ang lahat ng mga masasakit na salita na binitiwan ni Balti. She felt her body shivered with the sudden pain of realization. Kinailangan pa niyang kumurap para mahanap ang lakas na maitulak ito palayo sa kanya.

"I can't..."

"Nin," he looked in pain, but she tried not to meet his eyes para 'di mawala ang focus niya.

No, Niña, this should stop. Stop giving yourself to a man who didn't deserve you.

Inayos niya ang halos mahubad na bathrobe sa katawan niya. Marahas na naisuklay ang isang kamay sa basang buhok. Feeling niya ang tanga-tanga ulit niya nang mga oras na 'yon. She wanted to cry pero ayaw niyang umiyak sa harap nito.

Enough, Niña!

"I need answers," she demanded.

"I don't have enough time, Nin," he gently said. His face softened. "I know, I promised you an explanation, but I cannot explain everything for now, but I want you to help me."

"Help you with what? Balti, hindi kita maintindihan. At saka, bakit kinukulong ka nila Iesus? Ano bang nangyayari sa inyo sa Faro? Tapatin mo na ako dahil ang dami nang tanong na gumugulo sa isipan ko ngayon."

"Nin, I have no time," she could hear the desperation in his voice as he repeated those words again. "But I promise you, maiintindihan mo rin lahat nang 'to."

"Ang ano nga?!"

"Niña!" he uttered her name firmly, either out of desperation or annoyance, she couldn't distinguish anymore. She's still too confused. But she needed answers. "Mahal, please, just trust me." He tried to reach for her hand pero lumayo lang siya. She ignored the pain she saw in his eyes. If kung totoo nga ba 'yon o iniisip lang niya na mayroon.

"I've trusted you whole my life, Balti, but you always ended up disappointing me."

"I know."

"And you're still asking me to trust you?"

"Nin, I swear, for one last time, I want you to trust me."

Paano siya magtitiwala sa isang taong ilang beses na siyang binigo at pinaasa? Anong panghahawakan niya kay Balti kung nagsasabi ito nang totoo kung kahit isang eksplinasyon ay hindi nito maibigay sa kanya?

"Please, Nin, for one last time..."

"Let me think about it." Lumayo pa siya rito hanggang sa maisandal ang likod sa headboard ng kama. "God, Balti, I don't know... 'di ko na alam ang gagawin ko..." Naiiyak na talaga siya.

And God knows how much courage and will did it take her to convince herself to fill that distance. Being close to him, in this room, and hearing him say things that he may not mean only added another pain in her already miserable love for him.

"I don't have enough time –"

"I know!" she growled. "Paulit-ulit mo na 'yang sinasabi sa'kin. Hindi ako bingi."

Napayuko ito at hindi niya alam kung maaawa ba siya sa lungkot na nakikita niya sa mga mata nito. She's just too confused to think and to decide. Marahas na naisuklay nito ang kamay sa buhok bago tumayo.

"Just take a rest for now."

As if rest could make me forget how miserably in love I am with you?!

"We will talk again when you're ready," anito bago tuluyang pumasok sa loob ng banyo.

Habang siya ay mas piniling umiyak sa ilalim ng kumot. She needed those damn tears out before she lost her mind.

Damn you, Balti!