Chapter 44.5: More than Mere Words Part 2

(Warning: Heartbreaking chapter. Please read with caution.)

"Icen, tell Reaper to come to my office," I heaved a sigh as I pulled the topmost file from my desk. So far, maganda ang performance ni Red sa pag-infiltrate sa panibagong kidnap for ransom at drug syndicate na pinapamanmanan sa kanya. Isang factory sa Laguna ang front ng HongKong Mafia na supplier ng meth at cocaine sa buong South East Asia. Last month apat na US nationals ang kinidnap nila at isa lang ang nakabalik ng buhay. Pati ang pagpuslit ng illegal na armas ay pinatos na rin nila. This thing is getting pretty complicated.

"Copy, Jaguar."

I scanned the file of the surveillance. The hardest part is making sure that all things be kept quiet, especially with the Philippine-US alliance being on the public scrutiny lately. Hindi pwedeng magmukhang nakikialam sa local scene ang agency kahit na iyon ang katotohanan. Maraming pulitiko ang nasasagasaan sa bawat mission na ginagawa namin although wala naman sa intensyon ng agency ang magpaka-hero. Ang priority lamang ay yung mga grupo na threat para sa kapayapaan at iyong mga may standing na kaso sa US na tumakbo dito sa Asya.

I heard a soft knock on the door.

"Come in." I saw Reaper pop his head in.

"Hi kuya Ali." He smiled at me.

"Jaguar," I corrected him. "I'm your boss. Kapag narito tayo sa HQ, our blood relations have no bearing." He looked abashed.

"Sorry, Jaguar."

"How are you adjusting to the work?" He gave a small shrug.

"It's okay. Icen's been training me at the control room. Edge has been giving me lessons on self-defense."

"Good. I'll schedule a training session with Jem on marksmanship." I saw his eyes get that shine. Boys and their toys.

"I want you to transfer closer to HQ. I'll talk to your mom so you can transfer to our house." He brightened up at me before straightening up. "Pwede mong gamitin yung dating kwarto ni Kuya Alphonse."

"Thanks, sir." He saluted smartly. Alam kong malaking hirap ang pag-commute niya from Bulacan to QC araw-araw. He'll be more useful if he's easier to reach saka hindi na niya kailangan na magsinungaling kung saan siya galing araw-araw kung na-la-late siya.

"That's all. You're dismissed." He saluted again and went out.

"Icen, send Rin to me as soon as she's back."  

"Yes, Jaguar."

"And tell all agents that Nutella is prohibited in the premises for the meantime." I could imagine the number of broken hearts and the screams of rage.

Kasalanan niyo, masyado na kayong sugar-high.

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

'Takte, wala namang warning na dadating si Jaguar!

Talagang literal na nahulog ako sa upuan nang tumawag si Icen na pinag-re-report ako ni Jaguar sa HQ.

Lagot, hindi ko pa nagagawa yung mga analysis na pinapatapos niya sa lab. Pati yung report ko dun sa mga bagong dating na items from Red ay hindi ko pa nasisimulan. Gusto kong maiyak.

'Langya masyado akong nalibang nitong nakaraang Linggo. Shit, kasalanan nung kumag na si A.

Wait Rin, kasalanan ba talaga niya? Di ba sama ka rin naman ng sama?

 Pero sino ba makakatanggi sa libre?

Owws? Dahil sa libre? May suweldo ka naman. In fact malaki ang kita na pinapadala mo sa pamilya mo monthly from this job.

I have to admit, A has this effect on me.

Wait, WHAT?!

NONONONONONO?!

Oh sh*t, lagot ako. Anak ng tinapang duling... anak ng bakang naglalambada... hindi pwede 'to.

I should stop seeing him. I should stop responding to his text messages. I should...

A calling...

I stared at the phone in my hand as it continued to vibrate.

What the h*ll?

"Hey Z, bukas 4:00PM kita susunduin ha. Dun ka na sa condo matulog." He sounded cheerful and I felt guilty.

"Ah A, I'm--"

"Maghahanda ako ng dinner, or do you wanna go out? Parang ang sarap mag-Korean. There's this amazing place that I know you'll love," he continued on and I sighed.

"A, kasi--"

"Bagay ka dun madami sila mag-serve ng lechugas. Tiyak masa-satisfy ang inner zebra mo." Anak ng lechugas ang daldal!

Wait, what?!

"Leche ka talaga! Ano 'ko kambing?!"

"Haha! Basta kita na lang tayo sa parking lot. I-ready mo yung tiyan mo ha, para madami kang mangatang damo."

"Bwisit ka!" I fumed at him and the line was cut-off. Damn. Ni hindi ko nasabi yung dapat kong sabihin.

I looked around me and realized that during the course of our, er conversation, I've reached Jaguar's office. Gusto ko na sanang mag-about-face pero biglang bumukas ang pinto. Nakita ko si Icen na mukhang namumutla at naiiyak. She pulled me inside at kung hindi lang nakakahiya ay hindi ako papatinag sa may pinto.

 Jeez, grow up Rin. Kaya ka parating pinapagalitan.

Eh, kasalanan ko bang natatakot ako sa kanya dahil mukhang babalatan niya ako ng buhay?

Pwede po bang mag-transform sa pagiging patatas at ibaon niyo na lang ako sa lupa? Anak ng patatas, naaapektuhan ako ng Princess Sarah memes na parating pinapakita sa akin ni A.

Leche ka talaga, A.

"You're late." His voice was as cold as ever. Ilang oras kayang circuit training ang ipapagawa sa akin?

Hindi na ako nagdahilan. Alam ko namang kahit anong dahilan ko ay unacceptable kay Jaguar kapag ganito ang mood niya.

"Go ahead Icen." I watched from the corner of my eye as she scurried off in a hurry. Now I'm all alone with the Jaguar.

"Having fun?" I had this sudden mental image of a videoke pero agad kong pinalis. Syete, baka pag tinopak si Jaguar hindi na ako makatayo ng dalawang araw.

"I'll finish the reports tonight," I replied as meek as I can. Tiyak hindi ako matutulog ngayon para matapos yung reports. Ang tanga mo Rin! You've been slack! Kasalanan mo 'to!

"These are your transfer papers for next semester. You will shift to Comp Sci in Diliman." I raised my head to look at him. He seemed amused.

"I'd rather have you nearer to HQ para madali kang maka-respond sa calls." He steepled his fingers in front of him. "At para madali ko ring ma-track si Adam."

"Uh...sir..."  

"And while you're at it, asikasuhin mo na rin yung papers ni A7. She's going to transfer to Anthro in Diliman," he continued as I gaped at him.

"I don't want you getting distracted from your job Rin. Especially if it's related to my siblings. Know your priorities."

I wisely shut my mouth.

"Go ahead. Prepare for the party tonight." Napatingin ako sa kanya. Nasasapian ba si Jaguar?

 Party?

He must have read the confusion on my face. "We have two new agents and it's Yelle's farewell party."

Wha-WHAT?! What the h*ll happened at that island?

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

"One more round!" Yelle downed the next shot and slammed her glass on the table. The party's been going on for a couple of hours pero hard na agad ang tinira niya. She's clearly pissed about her transfer to the Singapore Division.

"Tama na, nahihilo na 'ko." Shanvie waved her hand. Nakaka-limang shot na sila.

"Concede?" She nodded her head at me.

"Wala bottomless pit 'tong si Yelle." Yhona giggled.

"Shattap. Itsh my last night..." Yelle slurred as she took the next shot of vodka straight. She slumped on the table and pushed the shotglass with a finger. "Damn, Jaguar... anong I love you ka diyan? Damn...damn...damn you..."

"Trixie, di ka pa ba aalis?" Icen tapped my shoulder, "mag-a-alas-otso na."

"So?" I raised an eyebrow at her. I got a glass of iced tea and drank. What the--? Pati ito ini-spike nila?

"Di ba may date ka with A3?" Naibuga ko yung iced tea. Buti na lang at magaling umilag si Icen.

"Wala, ano bang sinasabi mo?" 'langyang Icen 'to, pahamak ka kasi! I saw Jem and Lily's attention zoom to me.

"So should we continue our competition?" Lily gave Jem a grin.

"Sure." Matapang na sagot ni Jem. "Trix, don't try to get out of this one. Kasali ka." She pulled my arm at nabitiwan ko yung iniiinom ko.

"What? What? Wait!" I tried to pull my arm off pero hinila ako ni Jem.

"Trix this is a fight for A3's love." Lily laughed at me. "May the best driver win!"

"The heck, ayoko!" Baliw ba sila? Wala akong race car. My Betelgeuse is a classic beetle.

"Trixie alam kong kinabitan mo ng Nitro si 'Geuse kaya wag ka magpaka-demure diyan," Shanvie urged me on. 'Takte talagang nilaglag ako.

"Jem, ayoko kayo na lang. I'll just be the judge," I offered pero tinignan niya ako ng matalim.

"No. Ang daya mo Trixie, here we are fighting for our chances tapos ikaw nakaupo lang sa sidelines. That is not fair!"

"Ayokong makipagkumpetensya kung si Alfredo lang naman ang nakataya. Sa inyo na siya."

"Whoa, sigurado ka Trixie?" Yhona nudged me. "As in, sure ka ayaw mo na kay A3?"

"Oo," I tried to be brave. Tama naman, di ba? Wala naman akong pinaglalaban so bakit ako makikipagpustahan?

"Tch. I'm disappointed in you 3X." Jem shook her head. "Akala ko pa naman worthy opponent ka."

"What's taking you so damn long?" Yamot na si Lily.

"Aling kotse ang available?" Jem turned to me.

"Ha? Er, nasa labas yung SLK saka hindi pa tapos yung GT3."

"So walang available na unit?" Jem looked like she was ready to blow. "Kaya naman pala tayo pinag-circuit kanina ng bonggang-bongga."

"Pwede mong hiramin yung Honda Civic RS ni Jaguar,"  I said in a sarcastic tone pero nag-pout si Jem at agad akong na-guilty. "Er there's the WRX, you can try asking Yelle for Green Empress."

"The heck? Badtrip pa naman siya ngayon..." Shanvie grimaced, "pero you can always try asking nicely."

"Keri ko yan." Jem gave a confident grin. "Good vibes kami ni Yelle-baby."

Okay, sorry pero hindi ko talaga gets yung rivalry nila ni Lily over Alfredo. I don't think I'll ever stop  liking someone kung matalo man ako sa pustahan. I stood there like an idiot amidst the crowd of party goers.

Maybe I should face my fears, then. Maybe I should go to the source.

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

"She's not gonna come." I felt Bleu's hand on my shoulder as I stared at the soft light of the candles. It's already 9:30PM and there's no sign of Trixie.

"You can go ahead, sweetie." I gave her a tentative smile. "I'll close the store."

"I'll help you," she offered, but I saw a telltale sign of relief on her face.

"No, Bleu." I stopped her from reaching for a plate. "I'll do it."

"Alfredo..." She looked tempting by the candlelight. I caught her hand.

"Don't Bleu, please?" I know the signs and I don't want to hurt her. I've hurt so many before and she's always been there for me. Always the one to pick me up when I break my heart.

I don't want to break her heart.

May choice ka ba? You shouldn't have encouraged them. 

"What?" Her touch has always been warm and comforting, but it's anothers hands that I want to hold right now. Somebody else's voice that I'm yearning for. Somebody else's eyes that I want to drown into.

"I'm sorry. I'm not the one for you." I saw her eyes widen. Does she know that I know? That I've known for so long now? But her feelings would be wasted on me.

"How do you know that?" I can feel the pain in her voice like a slap. "How do you know if you don't try?" Her fingers caught the lapels of my coat and she tried to close the gap between us. I held her hands and stepped back.

"Please Bleu, you are precious to me. You should know that..." I can see the tears at the corners of her eyes but I can't lie to her. She's been an amazing person who supported me from day one. Pero kaibigan ko siya, an ally, a confidant—I can't let her continue hoping for something I just realized I cannot give. I've been such an immature asshole all this time. I didn't care about breaking hearts, or hurting others, or caring enough to analize my feelings before getting into relationships. Puro lang laro ang lahat.

But hurting Bleu now is far kinder than letting her go on with something hopeless.   

"You're telling me there's no hope?" Her hands tightened over mine. I closed my eyes and nodded firmly.

"I love you Bleu, but not the love that you need." Her tears fell and I caught her in a hug. "I'm sorry mi bella. There is someone out there for you, but you cannot find him if you keep on looking at the wrong person." She shook her head.

"Stop it... stop, please..."

I held her as she cried the last tears she would shed for me.

Unbeknownst to both of us, another pair of eyes are crying but for very different reasons.  

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

I saw her curled up on the couch with a pillow. She's sound asleep. She must have waited long for me judging from the coffee cup on the table by her side.

"Meow?" I felt Chevy nudge my leg with his cold nose. I bent down and picked up the orange tabby kitten. "Meow..."

"Shhh.... you'll wake up our darling," I gently admonished him. He looked up at me with those luminous golden eyes. We brought him back from the island after he'd followed us for a whole week. I told Maria not to encourage him pero sadyang na-inlove na siya sa pusa at parati niyang binibigyan ng pagkain. I had him checked and given shots from the local vet sa mainland para madala namin sa plane.

I bent down and kissed her brow. She wrinkled her nose cutely and slowly opened her eyes.

"Ali?" her voice sounded rough from sleep, "anong oras ka nakauwi?"

"I just got back," I replied as I pulled her up and kissed her fully on the lips. "Sorry for waking you up."

"Kumain ka na?" She murmured softly when we parted. I shook my head. "May niluto si Yaya Maring for you, iinitin ko sa microwave."

"No, magluluto ako." I nudged her nose. "Kain tayo."

"Ayan ka na naman eh, goal mo talaga patabain ako." She pouted cutely at me.

"Kailangan mo ng energy darling." I gave her a grin and she swatted me on the nose. "Para mamaya."

"Alistair!" She blushed and I laughed. Our kitten meowed and jumped on Maria's arms. "Tignan mo pati si Chevy nawe-weirduhan sa'yo."

"Oh no, Chevy understands me very well. Right, little guy?" I scratched him under his chin and he rubbed against my hand. "He loves his daddy very much."

"Ali..."

"Don't worry. You're safe with me." I pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. "You don't have to be afraid of anything again." I mentally took note of the things I have to install to upgrade the security here. It's the other reason why I asked Reaper na dumito na. Mas madali ko siyang ma-tra-train kapag magkasama kami 24/7.  

I pulled her to the kitchen and she sat on a stool on the island and watched my every move. I tried to teach her how to cook in the island pero hirap talaga siya. Pero it was worth it seeing her vexed face. Asar na asar siya pag pinagtatawanan ko and she can be quite vocal. Pero mas masarap siyang suyuin kapag inis na inis siya.

Bad Alistair.

"See here darling, the reduction is going to make the sauce richer." I smiled as she inhaled the aroma of the food. "The meat gets more tender as it soaks up all the juices."

"How can you make explaining how to cook Adobo sound so sexy?"

"Well, I'm a Zabala." I smirked at her. "Here." I handed her a spoon.

"Mmm... perfect." She licked her lips. Her eyes were bright pools in the subdued light.

Yes. Perfect.

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

I rolled my eyes heavenward and sent a silent prayer for more patience. Mukhang malapit na talagang magsabong si Mitch at Issa dahil hindi namin nadala yung mga questionnaires na dapat ay gagamitin namin bukas para sa data-gathering. Ngayon nagtuturuan silang dalawa sa kung sino ang may kasalanan.

"Di ba sabi mo ikaw ang magpi-print?"

"Sabi ko i-save mo sa usb saka ko ipa-pa-print, may binigay ka ba?"

"Eh di dapat tinanong mo ako kung na-print ko na."

"Alam mong wala kang binigay na file, ano ako may magic?"

"Tama na yan," I gently scolded them. "Ulitin na lang natin yung questionnaires."

"What?!" Halatang irita na rin si Nathan, "you guys are impossible."

"Pasalamat ka sinali ka namin sa grupo," Mitch raised an eyebrow at him.

"Well, whatever. Kung sino ang nakaiwan, kayo ang mag-ulit. We spent two days to make those." He turned away and went out sa veranda. Probably to sleep or something... haay.

"Sige na, wag na tayong mag-away. It's not gonna change anything. Isulat na lang natin yung content then instead of a guided questionnaire mag focus-group discussion na lang tayo." Nakasimangot pa rin ang dalawa and I tugged at their arms.

"Uy Issa, Mitch..." I pouted at them. "Tama na please? Everything's gonna be okay."

I saw Mitch starting to give in, "Sige na nga. Sorry Issa." She poked at Issa's side. "Ikaw kasi super inlababo."

"Ako inlababo? Si Aya kaya yun." She retorted. "Sige na work na nga tayo. Mukhang tinulugan na tayo ni Nathan." I rolled my eyes upward.

"Basta wag kayong mag-away. Kayang-kaya naman natin yung work eh."

"Opo mommy Aya," Mitch smiled up at me.

"Eww... anong mommy?" I wrinkled my nose at her. "Dali na gawin na natin yung questionnaire kasi naantok na din ako." I urged them. In no time at all ay natapos rin namin yung questionnaire. Mabuti na lang at naalala pa namin lahat nung questions. I feel really tired at gusto ko na makatulog.

"Aya, uy samahan mo naman ako," Issa nudged me with her elbow.

"Ha? Saan?"

"Naiihi na kasi ako eh," she confessed. "Takot ako pumunta sa CR."

"Nge?" Hindi ko napigilan matawa. "Ang liit ko tapos sa akin ka magpapasama."

She pouted at me,"Aya naman eh."

"Okay, 'lika na." I relented. Alam kong takot siya sa palaka at madami nun dito. I brought out my headlamp na bigay ni Kuya Adam.

"Aya baka may palaka," she held tightly on my hand.

"Sus palaka lang. Takot yun sa'yo," I reassured her. Nakarating kami sa banyo at doon sa labas ako naghintay. "Bilisan mo."

"Pahiram ng ilaw," I handed her my headlamp at nilabas ko na lang ang phone ko. Swerte nakasagap ako ng one bar. Gising pa kaya si Prince?

I dialled his number. After five rings ay narinig ko yung groggy voice niya, "Hello?"

"Sorry, nagising yata kita."

"Baby?" I could hear him moving around on his bed. "Gising ka pa? Okay ka lang ba diyan?"

" 'de tulog na," I tried to be sarcastic. "Miss na kita."

"Miss din kita." Napuputol yung signal at medyo nahihirapan akong marinig siya. "I love you."

"I love you too," he whispered. "Nasa labas ka?"

"Oo, swerte may signal ako."

"Tingin ka sa taas." I looked up. The sky is shot with a million stars. "Nakatingin ka na?"

"Oo. Ang daming stars." I could feel the smile in his voice. Na-iimagine ko nakatingala siya sa langit.

"Hanapin mo yung Orion's belt," I gazed at the sky and quickly found the constellation.

"Okay, kita ko na yung belt," I told him. Sure enough, madaling Makita yung three distinctive stars that made up the 'belt'.

"Look for Rigel," he instructed me. Sure enough the bright, bluish star on the bottom of the constellation was hard to miss.

"I'm looking at him."

"Me, too." He said. "I'm asking him to watch over you. Hindi ka kayang abutin ng mga mata ko pero si Rigel can see the both of us. He's watching you in my stead. Pag na-miss mo 'ko baby tingin ka lang sa kanya and know that I'm looking out at the same star and praying for your return."

I sniffed. Nakakainis talaga 'tong si Prince, naiiyak tuloy ako.

"Okay ka lang Goddess? Ang tahimik mo."

"Oo, ikaw kasi eh, wagas magpakilig. Naiihi na rin tuloy ako," I chided him and he chuckled. Lumabas si Issa sa banyo.

"Sige, goodnight na Prince. CR muna ako." I told him.

"Good night baby," I heard him before I ended the call.

"Hay naku, nakakainggit ka," Issa poked me. Sumunod akong nag-CR at sabay kaming bumalik sa bahay. Ang higpit ng hawak ni Issa dahil takot siya sa dilim, mga insekto at palaka.

"Bakit ba kasi ang layo ng banyo?" She grumbled. "Pwede nam---AHHHH!" Napatili siya nang may tumalong palaka sa paa niya. Napakapit siya sa akin at natumba kami pareho.

"Naku Aya, sorry." She got up and helped me stand. Nagpagpag kami pareho. May maliit na gasgas ako sa braso.

"Sige, okay--" Bigla akong natigilan ng maramdaman ko yung leeg ko. Hala ka...

"Issa yung kwintas ko naputol," I immediately crouched on the ground. Oh no, hindi pwedeng mawala yun!

"Ha? Teka hawak mo naman di ba?" I started to panic when I felt for my ring pero hindi ko makita.

"Issa tulungan mo 'ko!" Naiiyak na 'ko. Madilim ang paligid at maalikabok. I groped along the small rocks and sandy soil.

"Ano bang hinahanap natin?" Her voice started to panic too. "Uy Aya, umiiyak ka?"

"Yung engagement ring ko," I could feel my tears starting to form. "Yung singsing na bigay ni Prince."

"What?!"

Halos isang oras ang inabot namin at pinuntahan na kami nung prof namin kasi lagpas na ng curfew pero ayokong umalis. Kailangang makita ko yung singsing ko. Iyak ako ng iyak at sinubukan naman nila Issa at Mitch na aluin ako.

"Aya pag maliwanag na hahanapin natin," they both tried to console me. I saw Nathan standing by the edge of the light looking on. I shook my head at them.

"Sige na Aya," he said. "Bukas sasamahan ka ng class na maghanap."

I looked up at him and he smiled.

"Promise makikita natin yon."

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

I flinched when I felt my phone vibrate.

For the nth time, Aidan!

Honestly, pwede ko namang i-off yung phone ko para hindi ako ma-distract kapag tumatawag o nag-te-text siya pero ako rin ang luka-lukang natutuwa kapag alam kong may message galing sa kanya.

Sige pa Red, mapapahamak ka sa pinaggagagawa mo.

Pero mapipigilan ko ba talaga kung kinikilig ako? Ikaw kaya ang padalhan ng 2,785 messages in five days? At walang magkapareho sa mga text niya.

Aidan ko, gusto ko na umuwi. Wait mo lang babycake mo. 'Takte nahahawa na 'ko sa cheesiness ng boyfriend ko!

Boyfriend ko.

Do I deserve this kind of happiness?

I shifted from my position on the roof para mas malinaw kong makita ang mga bagong dating sa factory. Tatlong HongKong nationals ang nakita kong pumasok sa loob at mukhang ini-inspect ang mga kontrabandong i-shi-ship sa weekend. I silently took photos via remote dun sa camera na inin-stall ko sa ceiling beam. Hindi pwede ang live feed dahil ma-de-detect nila ito. I heard the distinct sound of conversations in Mandarin.

So, kasama pala sa operations nila ang mayor at congressman ng bayan na 'to? Great, just great. Jaguar needs to know this.

I slid closer to better hear their words. I turned on the record function of my phone to capture their conversation pero biglang pumunit sa katahimikan ang malakas na ngiyaw ng mga pusa na naghahabulan sa bubungan.  Bigla kong naramdaman na umuga ang beam na pinapatungan ko. Oh sh*t.

Nag-angat ng ulo ang lider ng grupo at nagtama ang aming paningin. Crap!

Sumigaw siya na agad nagpa-alerto sa kanyang mga tauhan. I scrambled off the beam and took my guns out. Agad ko silang pinaulanan ng bala habang binabaybay ko ang makitid na metal railings. I flinched as I felt the sting of a bullet on my back.

Damn, Red. What bad luck. There's no place to hide amongst the beams.   

"Icen, I've been compromised. Red to HQ, I'm under fire." I didn't wait for her to reply. I dove across the next beam and crashed through the window. I could hear the voices of my pursuers coming closer. I counted eight of them. I crouched low on the tall grass. Salamat sa talahib.

I could feel my phone vibrate.

Aidan ko.

Uuwi ako... uuwi ako sa'yo.

My hands shook as I took aim.

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

My heart literally leapt with joy when she slid inside the room. I caught her in my arms as soon as she cleared from the window. I wasn't expecting her to come too soon.

"Aidan," she whispered softly and my heart rejoiced. She reached up and cupped my cheeks before she pulled my head down for a kiss.

Whoa, hindi ko in-expect na ganito ka-passionate si babycake pero sino ba ako para magreklamo? Oh no, not me. I'm not complaining. Far from it. Like a million light years away from any complaints.

"Babycake," I pulled her into my embrace when we parted. She's shivering. Mukhang naulanan ang babycake ko. Ang lamig ng mga daliri niya. She buried her head on my chest and sagged on me. "Sobra mo naman akong na-miss, Thursday pa lang dito ka na."

"Pagod ka ba? Gusto mo na matulog?" Masuyo ko siyang hinalikan. Her breathing seems a little shallow. "Red?" I saw her close her eyes and lick her lips. "What's wrong?"

"Wala." She's leaning most of her weight on me now. I pulled her closer and she flinched. I lifted my hand away from her back and stared in horror at the blood coating my skin. She's covered in blood.

Oh shit.

"W-what happened?!" I guided her to lie on my bed as gently as I could. I buzzed for the nurses. "Red!" She's biting her lower lip in obvious pain.

"I'm okay," she tried to stand but I forced her back. "Aidan, stop. I need to get back to HQ."

"Diyan ka lang. Wag kang gumalaw." I bodily tried to stop her. Ang tigas ng ulo. "Red!"

"I just came to see you. Let me go, Aidan."

"No," I said firmly and she glared at me. "Tatawagan ko si Kuya Ali. Stay put." The nurses arrived and they registered shock at all the blood covering my clothes and the bed.

"Wala pa si Ja-" But I cut her off with a kiss.

"Shut up. He's here." I returned her glare.

"We'll call emergency," one of the nurses backed away to the door. The other one started to take Red's vitals.

I took my phone and dialed Kuya Ali's number.

A/N:

Salamat sa pagbabasa! XD Di ko pa rin nasulat ang Rinam outing, sorry! Ang haba na naman kasi nito...hahaha... ipagpatawad. Kalma lang po sa mga fans ni Alfredo at Alistair.