Chapter 27: Counter Measures

I watched in the shadows as my baby sister's car pulled out of the parking slot and noted that Prince is the one driving Shiro. Tinawagan ko siya matapos kong malaman na mayroong kakaibang nangyayari at dinala ako ng tracker ko dito sa campus ni Diosa. Ito talaga ang gusto ko kay Prince, pagkasabi kong kailangan niyang sunduin si Diosa ay walang pag-aatubiling sumama siya sa akin kahit na may klase siya.

"Alistair?" I heard a voice call behind me and I turned to see a familiar face.

"Hello, sir. Kamusta po?" I smiled and greeted Prof. Sevilla, one of my father's former collegues. He teaches Anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences and one of Diosa's professors. He returned my handshake heartily.

"Mabuti. Ang mommy mo kamusta?" he asked, "matagal na kaming di nagkita."

"Okay naman po si Mommy. Weekend umuuwi kasi tinanggap niya yung position as Associate sa Los Baños." He laughed at that.

"Sabihin mo kay Adelia bumalik na siya ng Diliman. Masyado nang hectic ang schedule niya tapos malayo pa sa inyo."

"Sabi nga po namin kahit dito man lang sana sa Manila pero parang kinukulit pa yata siya ng Dean position sa Davao."

"Naku, lalo siyang mapapalayo," he shook his head before turning a kind gaze to me. I've always liked him and that is a surprising feat considering how much I hate trusting other people. Isa kasi siya sa mga taong hindi ako trinatong kakaiba. "Bakit ka nga pala napadaan? Si Aya ba?"

"May kikitain lang po ako," I realized I didn't have to lie outright. I'm out here to meet my prey.

"Ah, sige. I'll go ahead iho. May last class pa ako." Pagpapaalam niya. I waited until he entered his classroom before I walked up the marble staircase leading up to the top floor of RH. The distinctive smell of formaldehyde and chlorine assailed my nostrils.

Students in white lab gowns are busy on the tables. White and green masks covered their faces as they bent to their task. Each student has a black leather case where they kept their feline subjects.

I could feel the rage boiling in my gut. Tarantado 'to ah.

"Whose bag is this?" I casually asked the girl busy working on the table. She looked up at me then blinked comically for a few seconds.

'Tangna naman ang bagal ng processing.Taga-UP ka ba?

"Kanino 'to?" I gestured to the case sitting on top of the table beside hers.

"Wow," she licked her lips before her hand rose and she poked me with a finger, "hala, totoo ka?"

"Kay Narvaez," a guy answered from the other table. I nodded my thanks before I took white disposable gloves out of my back pockets and snapped them on. The girl beside me is fairly drooling. Ano ba yan? I thought. Ayoko pa na naman ng pinagmamasdan.

I carefully peeled the zipper off and was met with the strong odor of chemicals. I took a long look inside and felt the rage go full-blown. Makakapatay talaga ako.

Matted black fur.

He just declared war with me and I'll be damned if I let him get away with it. I picked out a slip of paper tucked inside Panther's stomach.

Curiosity killed the cat.

I clenched my jaw at the blatant message he left.

Pucha, walang imagination.

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The whole time na pauwi kami hindi binitawan ni Prince yung kamay ko kahit sinabi ko sa kanya na mahirap mag-drive na isang kamay lang. Ngumingiti lang siya at hinahalikan yung kamay ko. Hala parang baliw lang 'tong boyfriend ko.

"Prince okay ka lang ba?" Di ko mapigilang magtanong.  

"Oo naman. Pumayag kang umuwi sa'kin, paanong di ako magiging okay?" he grinned and gave me a swift kiss. Buti na lang red pa yung ilaw at traffic kasi feeling ko talaga mababangga kami sa ka-cheesy-han ni Prince.

"Prince tumingin ka naman sa kalsada, please?" I swatted his arm. "Mamaya i-ki-kiss kita pagdating sa apartment pag binilisan mo mag-drive."

"May kiss?" his eyes lit up and he grinned mischievously, "sabi mo yan ha?"

Oh noes. Did I say the wrong thing?

Nagulat ako nang bigla siyang nag-U-Turn sa may Rotonda at dumiretso sa back roads.

"Uy san tayo dadaan?" Hindi ako pamilyar sa lugar na ito pero mukhang wala ngang traffic.

"Short-cut tayo baby, miss ko na yung kiss mo eh." He squeezed my hand before letting it go and putting his whole concentration on getting us to his place.

Hay naku, iba na pag motivated!

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I took a deep breath before I dialled the number of my secretary. Isang ring lang at sumagot na siya.

"Yo, boss," I could hear her happy giggle. Naman, napaka-chipper talaga ng babaeng 'to.

"I need an agent to watch over A7. Send it over to PC. Coordinates en-route," I sent the map of Prince's apartment via encrypted e-mail.

"On it. Anything else?" I could hear her tapping on a keyboard. Malamang naglalaro na naman ng online games 'to. Tigas talaga ng ulo. Buti na lang di pa siya pumapalya sa trabaho.

"Icen, send Rika to meet me for lunch. Coordinates en-route. I also need the results of the leads for Tiu, Hernandez and Narvaez. Send Rin to extract the package our subject left here. I need full analysis by tonight."

"Why her? 'Lana's been moping around here for so long, malapit ko na siyang saksakin. Kelan mo ba palalayasin 'tong babaeng ostrich na to?" I could hear the exasperation in her voice. We share the same sentiments.

"Icen yung pinapagawa ko muna," I said in a clipped tone. "I need a diversion."

"Sure. That's all?"

"Wag niyong ubusin lahat ng spaghetti at tirhan niyo 'ko ng Nutella. Mamaya sugar-high na naman si 'Lana at Yhona. Magpapa-physical exam ako pagbalik ko, ang di makapasa laglag," I heard a gulp from the other end. 'Langya, kabisado ko na talaga ang saltik nitong team ko. Bakit ba puro babae pinadala ng HQ sa'kin?

"Jaguar, out." I heard her soft stuttering before I closed the line.

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Pagkapasok pa lang sa pinto ay bigla na akong hinila ni Prince at sinimulang halikan. His hands went under my thighs and pulled me up. I wrapped my legs around his middle as he leaned our bodies against the door. I could feel his longing through his kisses. There was an almost desperate note in the way he stroked his tongue against mine and the way his hands travelled along my body. It was as if he was memorizing every curve, dip and nuance.

"Sh*t, baby," he moaned against my throat. We are both panting for air. Hindi kagaya nung ibang beses na nag-make-out kami, parang wala akong inhibitions ngayon. I just let him kiss me over and over as if I wanted to be branded by him alone.

Hindi ko alam kung paano kami nakarating sa kwarto niya. Basta naramdaman ko na lang ang paglapat ng aking likod sa kanyang kama. Pero wala ang karaniwang takot o pagkailang ko. Parang gusto kong hayaan lang siya at magtiwala sa kanyang pangako. Gusto kong kalimutan ang lahat; yung mga desperado niyang –ex, yung baliw na stalker ko, at yung lalaking nag-slash ng gulong ko at nag-pa-prank call sa'min.

"Prince?" I murmured softly to his ear.

"Hmmm...?" his finger touched the ring on my throat. "Suot mo pala baby, akala ko hindi mo dinala."

"Syempre suot ko yan. Promise mo yan sa'kin eh," I smiled and kissed him. "Mahal na mahal na kaya kita."

"Shhh... baby, let me hold you" he slid his hands inside my shirt, "can I take this off?"

We were interrupted by someone ringing the door bell. He lifted his face and gave me a disappointed look, "Aww... man, ang aga naman nila."

"Ha? May bisita ka ba?" I frowned at him.

"Akala mo tayong dalawa lang?" he gave me a mischievous grin,"wow, Goddess hayaan mo next time I'll make sure na tayo lang talagang dalawa." He pulled me up with him and helped me fix my clothes. Hala ka, yung buhok ko mukhang... er, nakipagsabunutan. Shocks.

Nauna siyang lumabas ng kwarto para pagbuksan yung nag-doorbell.

"Oi 'Tol, inuwi ko na yung bike mo ha," bati ni Kuya Adam sabay abot ng susi kay Prince.

"Thanks, bro" Nag fist-bump sila.

"San ba ref mo? Baka matunaw na 'tong mga ice cream. Favorite ni Diosa, Cheese saka Double Dutch." Hala, pati si Kuya Aidan nandito?

"Kuya, ano pong meron?" Lumapit ako para i-hug silang dalawa. Nakita kong namula yung mukha ni Kuya Adam pagtingin sa akin at tinago ni Kuya Aidan yung ngiti niya sa pag-ubo. Nyay, halata ba kung anong ginagawa namin kanina? Nahiya ako bigla.

"Barbecue party," sabi ni Prince. "We're celebrating the first day of school."

"Hala, mag-pa-party tayo? Di ba may pasok bukas?" I frowned at him. "Mr. Constantino, anong klaseng plano 'to?"

"Bonding lang tayo baby. I invited Kiko and Sab too." He grinned at me, "anime marathon daw kayo ng SAO mamaya."

"Ha? May homework ako!" I protested, "may paper ako sa Anthro 1 at research sa Hum 2."

"Naman Diosa, andami naming kuya dito oh. Tara gawa muna tayo homework bago pa dumating sila Ali at Alfred." Kuya Adam pulled me to sit on the sofa with him. Pumunta sa kitchen si Prince saglit tapos bumalik na may dalang soda para kila kuya Adam at Aidan at juice para sa'kin.

"O, Prince eto yung notes kanina." I looked suspiciously at Prince.

"Sabi mo wala kang class," I pouted at him. He shrugged. "Prince pangako natin sa Mama mo di ba, studies first? Graduating ka!"

"Ngayon lang," he sat on the floor beside me and opened Kuya Adam's notes. " 'Takte, walang patawad 'tong si Sir Flores. Lahat 'to? Agad-agad?"

" 'Lul may quiz na nga kanina," Kuya Adam poked him on the head, "18/20 lang ako."

"Yung syllabus kinuhanan mo ba 'ko?" Pinic-turan niya yung mga pages ng notes ni Kuya Adam.

"Picturan mo na lang. Andiyan sa loob ng libro." Kuya Adam turned to me, "O anong kailangan natin sa paper mo baby girl?" I grinned at him. Hay, si Kuya Adam talaga ang gaan kasama. 'Kala mo super happy-go-lucky lang pero US din kagaya ko.

"Intro pa lang naman kuya. First chapter po nung book saka may guide questions," Napangiti ako kasi nagsi-upuan na silang lahat at nagkaroon ako ng tatlong instant na gwapong tutors.

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We saw kuya Ali's black Honda Civic arrive. Sinalubong siya ni Kuya Aidan at tinulungang magdala nung spaghetti.

"Tagal mo, brod. San ka ba galing?" Inayos ni Kuya Alfred sa lamesa yung bagong dating na pagkain.

"Fort lang. May mi-neet ako," he bent down and kissed my cheek, "hello baby girl."

"Wow, kuya may date ka?" I saw his cheeks redden, "Hala ka, meron nga?"

"Naks bago yan ah. Di mo naman kinain ng buhay kuya?" Kuya Ali scowled at Kuya Aidan.

"Gago," He shoved Aidan but I saw a shy smile grace his lips. Grabe, ang cute ni Kuya Ali!

I hugged him and whispered to his ear, "Si Ria?" He gave a small nod. Waaah! Kinikilig ba si kuya? Shocks...

He straightened when he noticed our other siblings sporting knowing smiles. He gave them his signature death glare and they averted their gazes.

"Simulan na natin yung anime marathon!" Sab announced and everyone rushed to get food and find places in the living room.

"O dali lagay mo na yung DVD para makasimula na tayo!" Grabe ang ingay talaga ni Sab. Nakangiting nilagay ni Kiko yung DVD sa player.

"Teka kukuha  muna ako ng pagkain! Pause muna, onegai," I pleaded. Umupo ako sa tabi ni Prince who nudged my shoulder.

"Lahat kayo otaku?" He was looking around at my brothers who were busy bantering about SAO's light novel and comparing it to the anime version.

"Di naman. Pero lahat kami nanonood ng anime," I smiled at him. "Ikaw ba never nanood?"

"Yung Bleach dati. Sinimulan ko yung Naruto pero di ko naman natapos pareho," he said, "tamad ako magbasa ng subtitles eh."

"Well Mr. Constantino you're about to get an education on being an otaku."

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After the anime marathon, nag-antok na ang girls at nauna nang natulog sa kwarto ni Prince dahil maaga rin ang klase bukas. Naupo kami sa maliit na balcony ng apartment kung saan may outdoor grill. Naglabas ng light beer sila Aidan para makapag-inuman saglit. Ako ang nag-utos sa kanila na gawin lahat ito at bilib din ako sa tiwala ng mga kapatid ko sa aking salita at kanya-kanya silang isip para mapagtagni-tagni namin ang aming kwento.

Umupo si Kuya Alfred sa tabi ko, "Ali, ano bang pag-uusapan natin?"

"Alam ko na kung sino yung prank caller ni Diosa," I don't have to lie to my kuya. Alam kong kailangan ko ang tulong niya to execute my plans.

"What do we need to do?" Alam ni kuya kapag may mga bagay akong di sinasabi and I appreciate him for that. He trusts my judgement.

I turned to look up at the sky and took a deep breath.

That's when I saw the unmistakeable glint of a crossbolt  four roofs away.

"Wag kang gagalaw," I whispered softly to Kuya Alfred. His eyes darted to catch mine through his peripheral vision.

"Ali?" I saw him swallow hard. I mentally calculated the trajectory of the projectile given the angle of release. Plus or minus the wind pressure...

"Trust me, Kuya," I told him before I shoved him down as soon as I saw my subject release the trigger. Kuya toppled over the bench as I snatched the arrow in mid-air. A few millimetres and two nanoseconds later and it would have hit Prince who is busy turning the barbecues on the grill.

"Sh*t!" Malakas na napamura si Kuya Alfred. Hawak niya ang balikat na siyang tumama sa lapag.

"Oh kuya ba't ka nag-swi-swimming diyan? Di pa nga tayo masyadong umiinom, lasing ka na?" tumatawang itinayo ni Aidan si Kuya Alfred. Tumayo ako at tiningnan kung naroon pa rin ang subject ko. Naglaho na siya sa kadiliman pero alam kong babalik siya. It's another warning for me to back – off.

Fvck you. As if I'll be scared of such cowardly tactics.

"Kuya Ali san ka pupunta?" tanong ni Adam.

"May kukunin lang sa kotse," You just gave me the key, idiot. I unlocked the doors and got into my car.

"You know what to do," I handed the projectile to Rika. "Let Trixie and Shanvie handle the analysis, I'll send you on a different mission, Sanada."

"Sure," she smirked as she took the evidence. "Fire away."

"I need eyes on 43," her eyes widened before a slow smile formed on her lips. "And make sure the package gets to her tonight."

"Nakakaasar ka!" she poked me on the side and I scowled at her.

" 'Tangna Rika, boss mo 'ko!" Loko to, red-day ba niya ngayon?

"Bwisit, nakakakilig..." she grinned, "And yes, I'll make sure your flowers are delivered. Anything else?"

"That's all for now."

"Aww... what would I give to be in her shoes?" she smiled dreamily. Baliw rin 'tong babaeng 'to. Pero di ko rin napigilan ang ngiti sa aking labi. I stepped out of the vehicle and returned to my family.

Time to execute counter measures.

A/N:

Bleach - copyright Kubo Tite

Naruto - copyright Masashi Kishimoto

This chapter is dedicated to the Ali-shippers: @Ria_Lee, @PrivateHeroine, @icenearth, @GingerbreadPrincess, @lunatrix @shanvieorbe and @yhonamarie O ayan, may cameo na kayong lahat! *clap clap*

P.S. yung date ni Ali at Ria ay nasa 'Star-Crossed' na mini story nitong ISITL. Hindi ko pa na-pu-publish kasi di pa tapos isulat so wag kayo ma-weirduhan kay Ali (haha,  pero sadyang weirdo talaga siya!)

Answers to mysteries will be revealed next chapter. :-P