Chapter 25: Let The Games Begin

"Yaya Maring napansin niyo po ba si Panther?" tanong ni kuya Ali. Si Panther ang alagang pusang itim ni kuya Ali.

"Hindi ko pa nakikita. Baka kung saan lang sumuot ang pusang yun," sagot ni yaya na nagwawalis sa sala.

"Ang weird lang. Usually naghihintay yun sa'kin sa garahe pagdating ko pero wala siya kahapon pa," Naka-kunot-noo si Kuya Ali.

"Naku kuya, hindi kaya nasagasaan si Panther?" tanong ko sa kanya. Umupo siya sa tabi ko sa sofa at inilabas ang palm computer niya.

"Hmmm... tignan ko yung tracker," he murmured to himself. "Oo nga pala, pahiram ng cellphone mo. I-check ko lang yung prank caller mo. I-trace natin."

I put down the bag of almonds that he gave me as pasalubong. Nagulat na lang ako kaninang umaga nang  umuwi ako at sinabi niyang kakagaling lang daw niyang HongKong, "Eto po kuya," I handed him my I-phone. I'm watching a re-run of Lord of the Rings sa HBO while waiting for Prince na ihatid si Shiro dito sa bahay.

"That's strange," he frowned. He pulled out a connector at ikinabit sa phone ko. His scowl deepened as he keyed in a code on my phone, "Diosa gaano katagal nung huling tumawag yung prank caller mo?"

"Hmmm... mga two minutes?" I tried to remember, "mga ganon po kuya. Bakit po Kuya Ali?"

"Pahiram muna nitong phone mo ha," he stood up from the sofa and went up the stairs but he stopped on the last step, "Pakisabi din kay Prince na pahiram ng phone niya pagdating."

"Okay po," I turned my attention back to the screen.

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I closed the door to my room and put the locks in place.

Something strange is going on and I'll be damned if I can't get to the bottom of this.

I turned on my computer and keyed my username and password for the classified international database that I'm using. Ito ang isa sa mga perks ng trabaho ko. I can access anything online and well, virtually hack into every piece of data available as long as it is electronic.

My BPO job is mostly a facade. Well, technically it is because I really am an employee of a prestigious BPO in Eastwood. I made sure na nasa database nila ako at pumapasok ako araw-araw para ma-count sa employees but my consulting job only takes about fifteen minutes a day and the vast majority of my time is spent wrecking havoc inside the world's most secret underground facilities.

The company is a front at pag-aari ito ng US Government to hide their activities here in the Pacific. They have provided me with my own team and a whole floor to oversee our missions. Akala ng lahat, na-bore ako at nag-resign kaya ako umuwi. Only the higher-ups know the real reason why I had to go back home. The truth is masyado nang mainit ang pangalan ko sa US kaya naman kinailangan kong mag-lay-low pero hindi ako pwedeng mawala ng tuluyan sa scene. I need to keep working in the shadows.

Una kong binuksan ang call log at tri-nace kung saan galing ang tawag.

"You're good," I have to admit na may skills kung sino man ang gumawa nito. He managed to make it appear that the call came from Australia, before backtracking to four other countries, until finally na-trace ko ang tawag na nanggaling dito mismo sa Quezon City.

Why go through all this trouble? Anong meron kay Diosa para gumawa ng ganito ka-elaborate na ruse?     

I sent out one of my own creations. A virus that masks itself and attaches to any data log, so much that everytime the user calls or receives a call, the GPS function immediately sends me a signal. Everytime it connects via Bluetooth or Wifi, na-i-infect niya ang ibang device at kumakalat sa system undetected.

Next, I decided to send my new prey a message. A virus that loops and makes my line appear as if the person is contacting himself, or in the case of the internet, his own IP address will show when he tries to find me.

Three.

Two.

One.

Diosa's phone rang. I answered after the second ring.

"Hello?" I knew he couldn't resist it. Hackers are curious by nature, and this guy is no exception.

"Nagustuhan mo ba yung regalo ko?" he had a voice masking device connected to his phone. I made a mental note to download a decoder.

"Sino 'to?" I asked him pleasantly.

He laughed, "Sa susunod iba na ang ipapa-slash ko."

"Anong kailangan mo sa'min?" I asked nonchalantly. So, connected talaga siya sa gustong manggulo sa baby ko? You just messed with the wrong family.

"Gusto kong makipaglaro."

"Makikipaglaro ka sa'kin?" I smiled softly as I opened the console of my new mainframe. The machine hummed low as I entered the keywords and sent out feelers into the stream called the internet, "Sigurado ka?" I didn't know why my voice turned into a hiss.

"Masarap ka bang kalaro?" I could hear his heavy breath on the other line... waiting... assessing.

Already, several hits lit up and I grinned as each iota of information presented itself in an orderly flux before my very eyes. Let the games begin.

You have no idea who you are playing with.

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"Goddess gusto mo labas tayo?" Kakatapos lang nung LOTR movie sa HBO at magkatabi kami ni Prince sa sofa habang kumakain ng almonds.

"Anong gagawin natin?" I leaned against him and he placed his arm around my shoulders.

"Punta tayong mall, bili na tayo ng school supplies," he suggested, "tapos nood tayo sine after."

"Gusto ko yan," I looked up at him, "para tayong mag-da-date?"

"Date naman talaga yun ah," he pinched my nose, "bihis ka na baby." I kissed his cheek and ran upstairs to change my clothes.

The trip to Trinoma was quick dahil weekday at hindi pa naman dismissal time. Mabilis kaming nakapag-park ni Prince. Pumunta muna kami sa bookstore to buy our supplies then we bought tickets for the 5PM movie. Natawa si Prince when I told him na ayoko ng love story, drama or horror. Ngayon lang daw siya nakakilala ng girl na mas trip ang action and adventure kaysa sa romance. Pagkatapos bumili ng ticket, we ate lunch at Cyma. It was my time to laugh kasi ang sama ng tingin ni Prince dun sa waiter na nag-serve ng food.

"Grabe ka, parang kakainin mo si Kuya waiter kanina," I pinched his nose as we exited the restaurant arm in arm.

"Kasi naman parang kakainin ka rin niya kung makatingin. Bwisit, baka upakan ko siya," he muttered with a scowl. "Kasi naman baby ang ganda mo ngayon, tapos naka-contacts ka pa. Shet, gusto na kita iuwi para ako lang makakita niyan." Sinuot ko kasi yung isa pang dress na binili namin ni Sab sa Forever 21 last time.

"Wow Mr. Constantino ang possessive mo pala," I grinned, "ang cute mo pala pag nagseselos."

"Walang cute sa selos," he pouted, "ikaw, ayoko ring nagseselos ka. Kung yung iba natutuwa pag nagseselos ang girlfriend, ako hindi. Gusto ko secure ka na ikaw lang mahal ko."

"Ay ano ba yan Prince," I hugged him kahit nasa gitna kami ng daanan. Grabe, hindi ko lang talaga mapigilang kiligin sa sinabi niya. "I feel so loved."

"Kasi love naman talaga kita baby,"  he dropped a kiss on my forehead, "coffeeshop muna tayo? May one hour pa bago yung film." I nodded and we first went to Starbucks kaso puno ang seats kaya naglakad kami papuntang Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

"Uy Prince!" Sabay kaming napatingin at nakita namin si James na ka-org ni Prince na may kasamang isang matangkad at maputing babae na nakasuot ng denim short-shorts at halter blouse na kulay pink.

"Sweetie!" biglang yumakap yung babae kay Prince nang makita niya ito.

What the hell? Sino na naman 'to?

Itinulak  ni Prince ng bahagya ang babae. I felt him tighten his hold on my hand. Binigyan ko siya ng warning glance na nagsasabing: MAGPALIWANAG KA!

"Wait lang Beth," He held a hand up at nag-pout ang babae. Hilahin ko 'yang nguso mong bruha ka. Naasar ako bigla at hinila ko ang kamay ko pero lalong hinigpitan ni Prince ang hawak.

"Ano ba yan sweetie, di mo ba 'ko na-miss?" Ohmaygash ang arte ng boses niya. Malapit na akong manapak!

"Sweetie?" I repeated in a quiet voice. Nakita ko ang alarm sa mukha ni Prince at James.

"Beth, si Aya girlfriend ko," pakilala niya at tumingin sa akin yung 'Beth'. Nakataas ang kanyang kilay kaya naman tinaasan ko rin siya ng kilay.

"Oh," tumawa siya na parang nakakainsulto, "I'm Bettina. Prince and I... well we go a long way back," Makahulugan yung tingin niya. Parang naghahamon.

"Oh, okay," I tried to smile at her. "Nice to meet you." Walang kalatoy-latoy na sabi ko.

"Classmates kaming tatlo nung highschool," paliwanag ni James, "Pero kami lang ni Prince ang nag-Diliman."

"Wow, anong grade ka na?" She sniffed and looked at me. Ano daw? Anak ng..."High school ka na ba?"

"Beth, ano bang sinasabi mo?" Kunot-noong tanong ni Prince. Isang plastik na ngiti ang sinagot nito sa kanya.

"Ano ka ba naman, parang wala tayong pinagsamahan," she laughed. "Ang saya kaya nating dalawa."

"Ikaw, anong grade na babae ka?" I countered hotly. "Parang alam ko na..." Nag-iba ang aura ng mukha niya. Bring it on, bitch!

"Ah, Prince manonood sana kami ni Beth nung pang 5:30PM na movie," sinubukan ni James na ibahin yung usapan. "Sabay na tayo?"

"Ah, sorry yung pang 5:00PM ang papanoodin namin ni Goddess," He pulled me away, "mauuna na kami."

"Prince naman ngayon lang ulit tayo nagkita tapos aalis ka agad?" Ang arte talaga ng boses niya at parang gusto kong mangalmot. "Sweetie, ang KJ mo naman." Nakita kong humawak siya sa braso ni Prince.

I was seething in anger. Ang kapal ng mukha ng babaeng ito. Sinabi na ngang may girlfriend pero ang kapal pa rin.

"Sorry Beth, may iba pa kaming gagawin ni Aya. We'll go ahead," May sasabihin pa ulit siya pero I cut her off.

"May gagawin kami ng boyfriend ko," I emphasized the word kami. "Yung pang-kaming dalawa lang. Gusto mong sumama?"

"Wow ha, marunong ka na ba nun?" she laughed sarcastically.

"Ikaw mukhang 'yun' lang ang alam mong gawin," I pushed her hand off Prince's arm, "tanggalin mo yang kamay mo kung ayaw mong putulin ko yan."

"Beth!" Prince pushed her off nang akmang sasampalin niya ako, "Ano bang problema mo? Pwede ba tama na?"

"Sweetie, galit ka?" she looked like she's about to cry. Buti nga sa'yo. Makati kang higad ka.

"Don't call me sweetie. Hindi na tayo. You're making a fool of yourself," He scowled at her, "And stop making fun of my girlfriend. Alam ko ang ginagawa mo at hindi ko mapapalampas na insultuhin mo si Aya sa harap ko."

She looked shocked as Prince led me away. Naiinis pa rin ako at hindi ko siya kinibo hanggang sa pumasok kami sa Coffe Bean and Tea Leaf.

"Baby," he pulled me to his side and cupped my cheek once we were seated on the couch, "wag ka na magalit."

"Nakakairita,may pa-sweetie-sweetie pang nalalaman," I scowled at him, "bakit ba ang dami mong babae? Aargh, sana pinagbigyan mo ako kahit isang sapak lang!"

"Goddess, matagal na kaming wala ni Beth. Highschool pa yun," he tried to hug me but I held him at bay. "Aya, wala akong ibang babae."

"Bakit ba yung mga ex mo hindi maintindihan ang ibig sabihin ng 'ex'? Graduate naman sila ng highschool di ba? Grabe, nakakaasar," I said hotly and he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Aya wag ka na magselos. Wala na silang halaga sa'kin, okay?" he reassured me."Anong gusto mong gawin ko para mawala yung init ng ulo mo?" He looked stricken at naawa naman ako. Hindi naman niya kasalanan na may malaking problema sa utak yung mga ex niya.

"Hug mo ko," I said softly and he gathered me in his arms. He ran his hands against my back to soothe me.

"Prince nakakainis ka..." I pouted at him.

"Ano na namang ginawa ko?" he stopped and asked in a panicked voice.

"Ang gwapo mo." I murmured against his chest. He looked down at me and a smile spread on his face. "Bwisit sila."

"Akala ko kung ano na," he laughed and kissed my nose, "tinakot mo naman ako baby."

"Dapat matakot ka," I glared at him, "kasi kakalbuhin ko na yung susunod na babaeng tatawag sayo ng 'sweetie'." 

 "Aya, wag ka na magselos please? Let's not ruin our date." he sighed, "wala ka bang tiwala sa'kin?"

"Ganyan ka ba talaga ka-sweet? Feeling ko lahat ng ex mo bigla na lang susulpot at one time para guluhin ako," I couldn't help it. Badtrip na 'ko at wala na 'ko sa mood. "Ang daya."

"Goddess, kailangan ko bang mag-apologize?" He looked defeated.

"Hindi naman... pero I can't help but feel bad about it." I murmured softly. "Masisisi mo ba 'ko?"

He didn't answer but just let out a long sigh.

"Sorry," I mumbled and tried to get up. 

"Aya, san ka pupunta?" he stood up as well. "Saka bakit ka nag-so-sorry?"

"Hindi ko alam. I don't feel so good," I answered truthfully, "Uwi na lang tayo."

Wala na siyang nagawa kundi sumunod nang magsimula na akong maglakad papunta sa parking lot. We just sat in the car for a while, not saying anything.

"Aya, dun tayo sa apartment ko," he touched my hand which was resting on the steering wheel. I nodded at him and started to drive. Mabilis naming narating ang apartment niya and he held the door for me when I got out of the car. 

"Sit please," he told me and I sat on his sofa. He went inside his room and I made myself comfortable. I took off my sandals and hugged my knees while waiting.

I was shocked nang pagbalik niya ay lumuhod siya sa harap ko.

"Binigay sa akin 'to ni Mama kagabi. I'm supposed to give this to you next year pero parang ayoko nang hintayin," napalunok ako nang makita ko ang maliit na kahon na hawak niya. I'm pretty sure I know what's inside.

"Prince?" My heart is beating so fast. Teka lang, mag-thi-third monthsary pa lang kami di ba? 

"I wont say the words now at hindi mo kailangang sumagot. Ayoko pang gawing official pero I want you to know na seryoso ako sa'yo at kahit ilang babae pa ang pumarada sa harap ko, ikaw lang ang pakakasalan ko," he brought out a ring topped with a single solitaire diamond and slid it into my finger.

"I love you Library Girl." 

-End Chapter 25-

A/N:

Thank you for all the reads, comments and votes on this story. XD I hope everybody will have a nice day! Next stop, first day blues. :D