Chapter 32: The Night is Long

"Icen we are approaching Kalayaan Bridge, location of A5 and A6, over," narinig ko ang ingay ng static bago sumagot si Icen.

"A5 and A6 are convoyed five kilometers behind. Will arrive at meeting point in two minutes, over."

"Kuya, kailangang salubungin natin si Tiu. He's on a Hummer. I need you to box him in paakyat sa Kalayaan Bridge."

"Who the hell is Tiu?" Kuya Alfred raised his brows at me.

"He's part of the Chinese Mafia. Siya ang boss ni Hernandez." I honestly don't want Kuya Alfred to know so much. I know for a fact that I'm putting everyone's lives on the line but I couldn't ask for a better team.

Hernandez made it personal when he decided to target our baby girl. And Tiu just managed to make it as number one on my personal hitlist. 'Tangna ka, gamitin bang shield si Maria?

I know they'll hate me if something happens and they couldn't do anything about it. Especially Kuya Alfred.

That's what it means to be a Zabala. Family first.

"Damn Ali, I knew you liked being different. I never knew you're such a daredevil," may ngiting naglalaro sa sulok ng labi ni Kuya. Napabuntong-hininga siya.

"Well Kuya, lahat naman ng Zabala daredevil eh. Even baby girl has her moments."

"I wish she didn't have to grow up so fast," he smiled wistfully. I guess talagang mahirap tanggapin kay Kuya na magkakaroon na nang sariling buhay si baby girl na labas sa aming pamilya. She's always been the glue that kept us together.

"She grew up to be a beautiful woman Kuya, what more could you ask?"

"Aah, shit... iniisip ko pa lang na hindi na siya uuwi sa bahay natin pag nagpakasal sila parang gusto ko ng kidnapin si baby girl," Umiiling na napatawa si Kuya Alfred. Nagpalit siya ng gear at umakyat ang speedometer sa 260kph. Hindi ramdam ang bilis kahit halos lumipad na kami.

"Kuya, maaatim mo bang paiyakin si Diosa? 'Kita mo naman kung gaano niya kamahal si Prince, kaya niyang makipagbugbugan kahit ang laki ng kalaban niya," I patted his back just as we arrived at BGC.

"Sheesh, wag mong ipaalala ang Mel na yan sa'kin. Makakapanakit talaga ako ng babae for the first time in my life."

"They'll pay for everything Kuya; Mel, Alex, and Brian Tiu," I clenched my jaw at that last name. Fucking coward.

"We're here," medyo bumagal na ang takbo ni Kuya.

"9th Street tayo Kuya," he nodded and I opened my line, "Rika, position?"

"I'm here at the rooftop of W. I can see the Lady from here," narinig ko ang ilang putok ng bala at ang mahinang mura ni Rika. "He will try to use the C5-Kalayaan interchange. Road block at the Kalayaan Bridge is ready. Second unit approaching 24th Street. A5 and Red to intercept. Sanada requesting permission to go after XH32."

"Denied. Hold your position Sanada. Keep an eye on 43," I heard her grumble softly.

"Copy that Jaguar, Sanada out."

"Kuya Alfred, I need you to lead our enemy to the bridge. May naghihintay na roadblock ang Police sa C5 pero maaring tumakas pa McKinley Road si Tiu. Make sure you prevent that from happening. Trixie, stay with A3 and make sure he gets back alive," Nakita kong napalunok si Trixie and Kuya Alfredo scowled at me.

"Alistair, babae and bodyguard ko? Are you fucking serious?!" I laughed at him as I exited the vehicle and Trixie moved to sit at the passenger side.

"3X make sure his Lady comes back unscathed or all hell will break loose," Namutla si Trixie and I inwardly smiled. Ang sarap asarin ng mga taong 'to.

Dumating si Prince at pinababa ko si Jem para ako naman ang umangkas.

"Jem, go to the 9th and get altitude. I need you to provide distraction for A3."

We crossed the street to the foot of the Seda Hotel and the chief officer of the BGC police clasped my hand upon recognition. Nakaposisyon ang buong unit nila sa Parking B7. I got down from the vehicle and told Prince to stay put until I give him orders.

"How's the stand-off?"

"Safe na po lahat ng tenants sir. The escape routes are also blocked. Nasa underground parking ang lahat ng natitirang units ni Tiu," he reported to me.

"Sir," Nakipagkamay ako sa chief ng PDEA, "ready na po for extraction ang mga underlings ni Tiu. They are cornered sa 2nd floor and rooftop. He is trying to force his way out using his remaining people pero nakahanda na rin ang SWAT at SAF. May isang unit na nakalabas approaching Market."

"That's good news chief. However, I have news that another unit is coming in from Mckinley-Lawton. I need a unit to intercept them," he nodded and used his two-way radio to call for back-up.

I opened my personal line and called up Aidan.

"Aidan, expect company at 32nd. Tell Red to transfer sa truck bed."

"WHAT?!" halos mabingi ako sa reaction niya. 'Tangna talaga 'tong si Aidan, exagg... "Wait, Kuya Ali... oh shit... Sandali lang Red! Fuck, itatabi ko!" I heard a few curses and I can almost imagine the scene: Aidan trying to stop Red from climbing out of the window of the pick-up. As if, mapipigilan naman niya si Red.

I closed the line and called up Icen.

"Icen, position?"

"The bird will take five more minutes Jaguar. Yelle is on her way to A7 to relieve Rin. Reaper managed to hack into their communication system so expect the Dragon to come out any minute now. He has four units with him. XH32 and 21 are together with him in a Blue E150. They might separate to confuse us."

"Icen I need the fucking bird, now." She gulped.

"Yes sir!"

Biglang may malakas na pagsabog at iyak ng mga gulong. I heard Rika shout over the line,"The Dragon is making his escape! All agents on alert. I repeat the Dragon is trying to escape!"

"Prince!" Agad siyang lumapit at umangkas ako, "Ibaba mo ko sa may Audi, then make sure na makikita ka nung blue na Ford E150. Si Hernandez yun." He nodded grimly and I felt a frisson of fear enter my gut. We can't fail.

I'm never much for failures.

I saw the black Hummer hit the crash barricades and several agents fall back pero may hindi agad nakaalis and they were crushed to death. Guns were fired pero sadyang hindi kayang i-penetrate ang bulletproof. I checked my service firearm and sent up a prayer for victory.

"Constantino, make sure you won't die," I told him before I jumped off and came to a rolling crouch at the corner of the 9th. Nakita kong inararo ng sasakyan ang barikada at ng hindi tuluyang makalagpas ay nagpalit ito ng tactic at bumangga sa showroom ng Audi. Glass chips showered at nagtunugan ang mga unit.

There goes my dream Audi 7.

"Jaguar, permission to pursue double agent Komova," Rika's voice sounded a little hoarse. I saw a glint of something metallic on the 4th floor and knew that she's preparing to rapel down.

"Permission granted." I heard a sigh and saw her throw down a line and start her descent. In another heartbeat, she got on her black Ducati and exited through 32nd Street to wait in ambush. Four vehicles burst out of the underground parking and followed the path made by the Hummer. Nakita kong humiwalay ang E150 at tinumbok ang kalsada kung saan nakaposisyon si Prince.

"Jem, prepare for contact in thirty seconds. 3X the Dragon is out. Make sure A3 leads him to the lair."

"Copy that." I heard Trixie over the line at humarurot si Lady sa kalsada kasabay nang tumatakas na Hummer. I jumped over the rubble and got into the Audi 7.

Well, I've always wanted one and maybe they'll let me borrow this for a while. I pulled out my palm and connected to the car's system and overrode everything.

Well being a genius has its perks.

-------------------------

"Kiko okay ka lang?" Hinawi ko yung bangs niya. Medyo mainit siya.

"Okay lang po," he smiled and caught my hand. "Nababad lang ako sa araw kanina kaya medyo masama yung pakiramdam ko." Kitang-kita yung pagkapula ng pisngi niya saka mata sa pag-iyak. Wawa naman ang Kiko ko...

Kanina pa tumutunog yung cellphone niya. Tiyak nagagalit na si Tita Jackie pero wala yatang balak umuwi 'tong si Kiko at madaling araw na rin.

"Galit na ba si Tita?" I asked and he shrugged.

"Sabi ko andito lang ako sa kabilang kalsada," I frowned at him, "ako na bahala kay Mama." He sneezed and wiped his nose on his sleeve.

"Hay naku, siguro natuyuan ka ng pawis 'no?" He laughed at me. "Bakit ka tumatawa diyan?"

"Kasi Sab, para kang si Mama," he bent and kissed my cheek, "Ginagawa niyo kong baby. Malaki na po ako."

"Asus, nagsalita ang malaki na daw. Kung di ko pa alam na you're a virgin down to your toenails." I saw him scowl at me. Ooopss... maybe I shouldn't have said that? Patay, nagtatampo na naman 'ata si Villanueva.

He sighed deeply and I couldn't help but feel guilty,"Sorry, binibiro lang kita Kiko."

"Alam ko naman na wala akong experience eh," he looked dejected. Hay naku, sarap hilahin ng nguso nito. Ang cute naman ng boyfriend ko.

"Sorry Kiko, hindi ganun yung ibig kong sabihin..." I caught his cheeks, "wag kang magtampo, please?"

"Sige Sab pabayaan mo, magpra-practice ako para naman hindi ako parang tanga lang."

"Ano ba Kiko?! Exagg ka! Kanino ka naman mag-pra-practice aber?" I pinched his cheeks hard. He laughed and tackled me on the bed.

"Kanino pa?" He laughed lowly and the look he gave me sent a shiver down my spine. Holy crap, Villanueva... Bakit ngayon ko lang na-discover na ang cute mo pala?

"Kiko..." his lips caught mine in a gentle caress. Naman, bakit kahit wala siyang experience parang mas masarap siyang humalik kaysa sa exes ko? His hands framed my face and he seemed content to just keep our kiss light. Nakaka-frustrate na ewan. Hindi ako sanay na ganito. Usually yung mga boys aggressive... pero si Kiko napaka-gentle. I pushed him and reversed our positions.

"Whoa, Sab..." I saw him swallow hard. Grabe, ako yata ang mag-momolestiya sa kanya? Anubey Kiko... natatawa ako omigosh!

"Teka Sab, wait lang..." parang nagpa-panic siya? I couldn't help but chuckle at his expression.

"Kiko ang cuuute mo!" I kissed him soundly on the lips, "grabe ang sarap mong kulitin." He looked really flustered and I swear he's blushing like mad. Yung kamay niya hindi mapakali kung lalapat ba sa baywang ko o mananatili sa comforter. I took his hands and guided them to my waist. I saw him bite his lower lip.

"Dream come true?" I love teasing this guy. He nodded slowly and pulled me close to kiss me once more. I sighed against his lips. He always had this comforting aura and now I understand what it is. He's my soulmate, the one who completes me. The Yang to my Yin. The silence to my noisy world. The balance to my craziness.

"Sab..." his husky voice caressed my cheek when we parted. Ang init ng katawan niya. Hindi ko maintindihan kung dahil ba sa sinat niya o talagang hot lang ako. What the hell am I thinking?

"Bakit?" I kissed his earlobe and I felt him shudder and tighten his hold on my hips. "Ano yun?"

"Umm... sorry, baka kasi ma-offend ka," he sighed, "tayo ka muna kasi yung ano... kasi..."

Hindi ko mapigilang humagikhik, "Kiko nahihiya ka ba sa'kin?" I pulled away and settled myself firmly on his lap. I saw him close his eyes when I deliberately ground against him. "Hay, Mr. Villanueva ikaw na ang gentleman..."

"Sab talaga, grabe..." he murmured, "naughty girl."

"Hindi pa kaya," I took his hands and interlaced our fingers, "gusto mo ng naughty?"

He sighed and I felt a little put-off. Teka, ayaw niya sa alindog ko?

"Sab hinay-hinay lang naman," he smiled sheepishly, "I admit, lalaki ako and I'm extremely flattered..." he cupped my cheeks, "and aroused." Grabe, namumula ng husto si Kiko.

"Pero I want to savor this kaya be gentle with me." He grinned at me and pulled me close. Wow, hanep ngayon lang ako naka-meet ng lalaking hindi inuuna yung urges niya.

Wait? Be gentle with me?

Sarap pektusan nito!

I scowled at him, "So ayaw mo na landiin kita, ganon?"

"Hindi ganun, bunganga talaga nito..." he gathered me in his arms and instead of arguing, the feel of being in his arms calmed me. "Grabe ka talaga. I want to love you completely Sab, hindi yung pang-one night lang. I want you to be my first and last kaya ayokong magmadali. Yung init ng katawan madaling ilabas pero gusto ko hindi puro yun lang. I want to learn how to love you."

"Gusto kong ma-master kung anong kiss yung favorite mo, which parts do you want me to caress... " I felt him slide his hand inside my shirt and glide it along my spine. Oh shit. My breath hitched when he reached a particular spot between my shoulder blades. I saw a slow smile form on his lips.

Syete. Wala akong laban dito. Kiko Villanueva you're not playing fair.

"You like that?" I had to swallow hard and close my eyes when he repeated the action. O.M.G.

My gahd, hindi ko pwedeng i-compare si Kiko sa kahit sinong ex ko. Maski si Roel never made me feel this loved.

I felt him kiss my forehead and I opened my eyes. He is grinning softly at me. "Okay?" I couldn't help the sudden prickle of tears from the corners of my eyes.

"Teka, Sab may mali ba sa ginawa ko?" He panicked and pulled his hand out of my shirt, "Sorry!"

"Baliw!" I slapped his chest, "nakakainis ka, ang sweet mo!"

"Ha?"

"Pinapaiyak mo ko," I sniffed and he pulled out his hanky and started dabbing my cheeks.

"Grabe Sab, sorry na. Wag ka namang umiyak oh. Sige di na ko magpapaka-sweet." He said with a mischievous grin.

"Bwisit ka," I pinched his arm, "mukha tuloy akong tanga dito. Naiiyak kasi ang sweet ng boyfriend ko."

He sat up and re-arranged me on his lap. "Kasi naman Sab, experience-wise I'll admit na wala ako nun kaya mas okay naman sa akin na bumawi sa pag-aalaga sa'yo. I don't like the way those other guys treated you, dapat sa'yo parang reyna... you will always be a queen for me."

"Kiko--" I stopped when I heard gunshots coming from the outside. Nagkatinginan kami ni Kiko.

"SI AYA!"

---------------------

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa mga sinabi ni Prince. I stood in the middle of the room staring at nothing for the longest time.

May threat sa buhay naming lahat. Hindi lang sa aming dalawa ni Prince pero damay ang buong pamilya. Paanong itinago sa akin nila kuya ang mga ganitong bagay? Hindi ko maalala kung kailan ba sila naglihim sa akin. Alam ko namang mahal ako nila kuya, pero ang ilagay ang sarili nila sa gulo... hindi ko yata kaya na may mangyaring masama sa mga mahal ko.

Mahal ko.

Dali-dali kong inilabas ang cellphone ko sa bulsa at isa-isang tinawagan ang aking mga kapatid.

Bakit walang sumasagot maski isa?

Sinubukan ko ang numero ni Prince.

Walang sagot.

Parang hindi na ako makahinga. Nagbubuhol ang aking hininga at kusa na lang tumutulo ang luha sa aking mga mata. Naramdaman ko na lang na napaupo ako sa lapag na habol ang aking hininga. Nanghihina yung mga daliri ko at hindi ko na mahawakan ng maigi yung phone ko.

Natatakot ako...

Sa bawat segundong lumilipas ay lalong tumataas yung nerbiyos ko. Niyakap ko ang aking sarili. Lahat ng balahibo ko parang nag-aangatan at bumabaliktad ang aking sikmura.

Dear God, please keep my family safe.

I repeated those words over and over again like a mantra.

I flinched when I heard the glass of the window break at biglang namatay ang lahat ng ilaw sa apartment.

OhmaygahdOhmaygahdOhmaygahd....

I heard gunshots all around at para akong biglang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. I have to get out of here!

I immediately searched for my phone on the floor at nang makapa ko ay agad akong nagpasalamat sa Diyos. Gumapang ako ng dahan-dahan sa lapag. Wala akong makita sa kadiliman and I had to rely on my mental map to find the door.

God, please tulungan niyo po kami.

I reached the door and slowly opened it. Umalingawngaw ang putok ng baril at naririnig ko ang sigawan ng mga kapitbahay. Napaiktad ako ng tinamaan ang seradura ng pinto.

God, buti na lang hindi kamay ko ang tinamaan. Nalasahan ko ang dugo sa aking labi at na-realize ko na nakagat ko na pala nang sobra ang aking sarili.

I have to get out of here now!

Inaninag ko kung may tao ba sa labas ng bintana pero natatabingan ng mga punongkahoy ang buwan. Syete, wala akong choice. Alam kong nakikita ako ng kung sino man ang tumatarget sa akin dahil dalawang beses na niya akong muntikang tamaan.

I took a deep breath and counted in my head. Sabi ni Kuya Ali sa ganitong panahon kailangan kalmado para makapag-isip. Isiniksik ko ang sarili ko sa corner ng cabinet ni Prince. Ilang dipa lang ang layo ng pinto.

"KIKO!"

Narinig ko ang malakas na tili ni Sab and I felt my adrenaline kicking in. I quickly scrambled to the door and pulled it open. I heard another gun shot pero mas inisip ko na mamamatay akong parang nakorner na daga kung mananatili ako sa kwarto.

"Oh shit," I murmured softly when I saw Sab and Kiko crouched sa likod ng sofa. Duguan ang balikat ni Kiko and he is breathing harshly. Humahagulgol si Sab at punong-puno rin ng dugo ang mga kamay niyang nakatakip sa walang tigil na dugo.

"Sab, Kiko!" I whispered harshly when I reached them.

"Aya si Kiko..." nanginginig yung boses ni Sab. Kailangan naming makaalis dito. I took out my phone and immediately tried to call the police hotline para magsumbong. Agad namang may sumagot sa kabilang linya at nagsabing magpapadala ng tulong.

"Sab, wag kang umiyak," I tried to calm her, "we need to get out of here pero dapat wag tayong magpanic."

"Anong wag mag-panic?! Paano si Kiko?!" she shouted and I had to pull her down when several gunshots fired at our positon.

"Sab shut-up..." Kiko whispered with a grimace. "You're giving away our position."

"Sorry..." humikbi si Sab, "ano bang nangyayari?" she looked pleadingly at me.

"Sab hindi ko rin alam," we heard a crash at nakita kong may pumasok na tao doon sa bintana ng kitchen. Oh, shet kahit reinforced glass at may screen nakapasok sila?

I immediately searched around the room for anything that I can use to defend myself and my friends. My eyes found yung toolbox ni Prince na nakalagay sa tabi nung TV. I scrambled to open it and my hand found several Philips screwdrivers and a wrench. Mabuti nang meron kesa wala. I carefully made my aim and remembered what my Kuya Ali taught me. I pulled my arm back and used my whole weight behind my throw.

"Fuck!" she moved and I hit only her shoulder instead of her head. The owner of the voice is a girl and her hood fell back. I recognized the green, zebra-striped jacket. "Ow, kapatid ka nga ni Boss..." She held her hands up. Her right hand held a calibre .45 pistol. I aimed the second screwdriver at her.

"Whoa, wait lang... Boss Ali sent me to help you guys," she whispered loud enough for me to hear. I narrowed my eyes at her. Pinadala siya ni Kuya Ali?

"I'm Rin, we met at the library yesterday," I nodded but didn't take my eyes off her. Mahirap na baka mamaya niloloko ako nito.

There was a second crash and somebody came down in a rolling crouch beside Rin. "Anak ng tipaklong ang tagal mo!" She scowled at the newcomer.

"Ang daming counter agent sa labas, what the hell were you doing?" the newcomer asked sharply. "Bakit di ka tumawag sa HQ?"

"Anak ng... di mo ba napansin yung scrambler? Lahat ng com ko sa HQ na-i-intercept. Fuckin' hackers..."

"Icen must be slipping up if they got through the codes or Lana must have told them. Teka," she looked across the floor at me, "Hi, do you have a landline we can use?"

I nodded. What the hell? "Sino kayo?" Sobrang naguguluhan na ako sa nangyayari.

"We have to get you out of here," the newcomer said. "I'm Yelle by the way. Now where is that phone?"

-------------------------

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako biglang kinilabutan. My eyes scanned the monitors all around to check everyone's position. So far, everyone's on track. Hindi ako makahinga ng maluwag habang pinapanood ko ang paghabol ni A3 sa Hummer.

He's really good. The Hummer is trying to buck him off the road pero ibang klaseng driver itong si A3.

"Break, Icen report," I heard Boss Ali's voice cut through the line. I immediately scanned each monitor to check everyone's progress.

"Sanada in pursuit of Special Agent Mokova. Approaching C5-Kalayaan interchange. They just got off the bridge. A5 and Red in pursuit of their target. A6, Edge and Yhona on standby. Unit 7 roadblock at McKinley is in place. Jem and Prince approaching Rizal Drive."

"How is A7?"

"No sign of combat... wait..." I stared at the screen for a full five seconds. Syete, bakit hindi ko napansin yung nag-lo-loop na image?

"Icen," I heard a note of warning in his voice. I immediately checked the comm logs. It's been an hour since the last communication from Rin. Syete... paanong nakapasok to?

The sound of the land line broke through the immediate silence. I looked at the caller ID.

Prince Constantino.

I took the phone from it's cradle and Yelle's voice flooded into my ears.

"Icen, position compromised. We need to extract A7. Two units have been down. We have several hostiles including a sniper around the perimeter."

"Yelle, I'll arrange for back-up. Make sure ligtas si A7, please," My heart literally leapt from my chest when the line went dead.

"ICEN!" Boss Ali's roar broke through my daze.

"It seems somebody attached a scrambler," I breathlessly replied as I checked my codes. Fuuuck! I've been lax and they've taken the firewall down. I immediately checked the secondary firewall. Breached. I keyed in source codes, checked the progress, limited the damage, re-routed communication lines...

"Icen get the communications back up. Give me a report on A7 asap," I could hear the chill in his voice before the line disconnected. Naiiyak na 'ko sa kaba.

"Reaper!"

"Hey, what's wrong?" Dinaluhan niya ako sa harap ng monitors. He didn't need any words, kumuha siya ng keyboard and took over the information overwrite.

"I'll take care of it. Just concentrate on other things," he reassured me and I couldn't help but smile. Grabe, sana ganito na lang si Boss. Pero naiintindihan ko naman yung pagiging protective niya.

It took all but a few minutes for Reaper to get the lines back at pumasok ang malakas na sigaw ni Rin, "WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! REQUESTING FOR IMMEDIATE BACK-UP!!!"

Gunshots were heard over the line and I heard Yelle's loud cursing.

"Requesting permission to use fireworks," Yelle's voice sounded over the line.

"Permission granted," I turned on the GPS and satellite images of what is happening began feeding into the monitor. Nakita ko ang position ng mga counter agent.

Fuck and double fuck. Si Yelle at Rin na lang ang natitira sa team na pinadala namin to watch over A7.

"Yelle, there are four counter agents approaching from the main door. The sniper is positioned 45 degrees to the west, two roofs away. Two more agents are going to come in from the kitchen side in two minutes," I informed her.

"Copy that."

"They're armed. Be careful."

Shit, this night is just too long.

-------------------

I checked my peripheral vision to make sure na sumusunod pa rin yung E-150. Hindi ko alam kung anong balak ni Kuya Ali at pinapasunod niya sa akin si Hernandez.

I heard the crunching of metal against metal and the screech of tires. I looked back and saw an Audi 7 crashed against the back of the E-150 which caused it to hit one of the twenty-foot green lamp posts. I had a few seconds to back away bago ito tuluyang bumagsak sa lupa. I quickly got off my bike and approached the Audi pero bigla na lamang bumukas ang mga pinto ng E150 at iniluwa ang apat na kalalakihan at si Mel. I quickly ran past them and pulled out the gun that Kuya Ali gave me earlier as I crouched behind the Audi.

"Prince!" akmang tatakbo si Mel palapit sa akin ngunit hinarangan siya ng isang lalaki at hinablot siya sa braso, "Ano ba Lex? Bitawan mo ako!" Nagpumiglas siya pero inihagis lang siya nung Lex against the car.

The men all aimed their guns and fired at my position. I took a deep breathe and peeked. Papalapit sila and they are coming into a formation para palibutan ako. With their distance from each other, I could take out one, probably two if I'm lucky pero the others would probably still get me.

Well, better to take at least one of them down than do nothing. I heard a slight scratching sound seconds before a hand closed on my mouth and disarmed me.

"Constantino," I heard Kuya Ali's voice against my ear. I breathed a sigh of relief. "Eto gamitin mo. Mas effective." I felt him replace the gun with something else. I looked into my hand and couldn't suppress a smile. Nice one, Kuya Ali. I released the pin and threw the tear gas into the middle of the street. I heard loud cursing from their direction and Kuya Ali pulled my shoulder so we could make our escape. It was Antipolo all over again as we made our way to the other side of the wreck where my bike is. Suddenly bullet shots were firing at us as I kick started my bike and Kuya Ali clutched my shoulder with one arm and aimed back with his .45 to rain bullets back at Alex Hernandez. I saw Hernandez hide behind the door of the E150 to shield himself.

"Fuck you, Zabala you think you can get away with your petty tricks?!"

"Putangina Lex, ano bang ginagawa mo? Pag may nangyari kay Prince..." Mel tried to pull away the gun. Tangina ang weird nilang dalawa.

"Tangina, wag mo nga akong pakialaman!" He snapped and slapped her hard enough that she fell down on the street and blood poured from her mouth. "Bitch ka, papatayin muna kita bago ka mapunta sa iba. Ano bang nagustuhan mo diyan sa pa-cute na lalaking yan? Ni hindi ka niya mapanindigan!"

"Siya ang mahal ko!"

Kuya Ali wasted no time and fired at Hernandez. He ducked inside the vehicle, pulling Mel with him. His minions were all rolling on the ground clutching at their eyes from the effects of the tear gas. I shielded my nose with my jacket sleeve dahil naluluha na rin ako. We heard the noise of an engine at galing ito sa loob ng Ford.

"Drive," I wasted no time to think and took off seconds before a black BMW GX burst out of the back of the van.

"Kaliwa," he instructed me at dumiretso kami sa loob ng isang construction site ng isang itinatayong condo. "Get us to high ground." Idiniretso ko paakyat gamit ang ginagawang service ramp.

"Icen, position?" He listened for a while, "Shit, make sure she's okay. " She. Bigla akong kinabahan.

"Si Aya?" I shouted back at him, "Kuya Ali anong nangyayari?!"

"Fuckin' asshole," he muttered softly, "don't lose your focus on our subject. Trust Aya, okay?"

"May nangyari ba kay Aya?" I couldn't help the fear building inside of me. The thought of her hurt and bleeding... shit talaga!

I heard the roar from our pursuer and I couldn't take it anymore. Tangina ka, hindi ako tatakbong parang nakorner na daga. You fucking asshole...

I reversed and met him head-on. I heard Kuya Ali shout something but I don't care anymore. Kanina pa ako ginagago ng tarantadong 'to. I'm never one to hide behind others and let them take my shit.

I could see his face as we came together in a rush. At first he was smirking in confidence pero unti-unting napalis ang expression na iyon nang ma-realize niya ang intensyon ko. He cursed and tried to change direction but it was too late. I jumped at him as the bikes made a horrific crash and we rolled together on the hard concrete floor.

"PU.TANG.I.NA.MO." I didn't wait for us to come to a stop as I dealt each blow to his face. I could feel his nose break beneath my fingers but I don't care. Our legs were tangled together and I used my height advantage to pin him down as I caught his arm and locked it around his neck. I've turned his face into one bloody mess in no time.

"LEX!" I heard a feminine scream and looked up. I saw Mel running towards us and I felt Hernandez try to break from my grip.

"Tangina ka," I whispered harshly, "how dare you? Wala kang karapatang saktan si Aya."

"Fuck you," he laughed bitterly, "anong magagawa ng pretty boy na kagaya mo? What do you know about pain?"

"This pretty boy can snap your neck in an instant," I tightened my grip and he inhaled sharply. He tried to claw at my arm pero hindi ko siya binitawan.

"Bitawan mo siya!" I saw Mel aim a calibre .38 at us. I ignored her and continued choking the life out of Hernandez.

"Bitawan mo siya Prince!" her hand is shaking at nabitawan niya ang baril. The gun went off and I felt the sting of the bullet on my right arm. Oh shit.

"ImsorryImsorryImsorry..." Melanie fell to the ground crying and I cursed softly as Hernandez pulled away and rolled to where the gun is. He casually picked it up and aimed it at me only to have it fall back down when Kuya Ali fired his last shot.

"Alistair," he snarled. His hand is bleeding. "You could have killed me with your last bullet. Anong palabas 'to?"

"Yes," Kuya Ali said in a soft voice. "But what good would it do if mamatay ka without facing a trial? I'd love to see you suffer for a long time."

"Try. Hanggang ngayon asshole ka pa rin talaga," Hernandez taunted him. Kuya Ali looked bored.

"Enough talk," Kuya Ali discarded the gun and went into a fighting stance. Hernandez laughed and approached him. Agent to agent.

I stood up slowly and tried to halt the flow of blood from the bullet wound by applying pressure. I pulled off my jacket and ripped off one sleeve to use as a bandage. Akmang lalapit si Mel but I glared at her and she halted from where she stood.

"Kuya Ali..." I saw the corner of his lips lift in a ghost of a smile.

"We have a personal score to settle," he replied as he threw the opening punch that caught Hernandez on his left cheek. Hernandez staggered back a step but remained on his feet. He spit blood on the floor.

Their next clash is longer. Kuya Ali dealt four quick blows to his body pero magaling rin talaga sa hand to hand combat si Hernandez and he managed to block most of them. He threw an uppercut and Kuya Ali caught his arm and used his left foot to trip Hernandez. They landed on the floor on a heap with Kuya Ali on top and Hernandez caught in a stranglehold.

"Kuya!" Mel screamed and I know that deep inside her madness, there's still a spark of humanity in the girl I once thought I loved. "Please stop! Tama na..."

"You think you won but I'm not yet done," he pulled back and I saw the glint of something long and metallic on his hand. He slammed his palm on the side of Kuya Ali's neck. He smiled triumphantly when the hold on his head relaxed. Kuya Ali pulled the syringe off his neck with a hiss.

"Do you feel that? That's death creeping up on you," Hernandez laughed as he tried to get up from the floor slowly. He froze when Kuya Ali casually pulled him back down and slammed the syringe on his chest.

"Gago," nakangisi si Kuya Ali as Hernandez' eyes widened in surprise. "After what you did to Panther, you think I won't take precautions?" he smirked softly, "The question is, did you take precautions?"

I saw Hernandez face darken as he started clawing at his throat. His color is fast changing to red, then purple as blood and saliva started frothing from his mouth. Nagwawala si Mel as she tried to help her brother.

Kuya Ali stood up, dusted himself and walked towards me. "Prince okay ka lang?" I nodded mutely, too overwhelmed with how Hernandez met his bloody end. Whatever the hell it is, it looked like a very painful way to die.

I heard the sound of an engine in the distance and Kuya Ali pulled me to run after him as we ascended to the top floor.

The helicopter was hovering at the top floor when we arrived. Hindi maka-landing dahil sa mga bakal na nagkalat sa construction site.

"Kaya mong kumapit?" He shouted at me amidst the din of the engine. I nodded and grabbed the rope ladder. Sabay kaming humawak at umangat ang helicopter to bring us away. I looked up at the sky and marveled how such violence happened in a single night.

God, please keep my Aya safe.

A/N:

Sorry for the long wait. I decided to cut it here. Thank you to everyone who gave me their kind words and to those who continue to support ISITL. Sa lahat po ng nag-comment, vote at nagfo-follow, maraming salamat!

Medyo nakakalito yung W sa BGC because there are I think three buildings with the name. Basta yung W Globe yung mataas and the one I used here is the one located in front of Serendra that houses the Lamborghini and Audi showrooms located at 11th cor 28th.