Chapter 47: Firestorm

I could hear the raised voices before I even opened the door. I stopped for a while and contemplated whether it's worth the trouble to stick my nose in on this.

"Girlfriend? Girlfriend! 'Yan lang ba inaatupag mo dito? Nakuha mo pang mambabae habang naka-confine!"

I suppressed a smile. Classic Susanna reaction.

"Ma! Wait, Red – Ah shit!"

"Minumura mo 'ko? Minumura mo na 'ko ngayon!"

"Hindi po... teka lang po! What the f*ck Red!"

"Aidan get down from there!"

"Red! RED! Babycake hintayin mo 'ko!"

"Aidan! Anak, bumaba ka sabi!"

I stepped away from the door and walked towards the tall, glass windows. Sure enough, I saw a flash of black leather on the sill followed by an almost inaudible thump on the roof. I opened the glass and slid out into the open air of the 5th floor windowsill. There's a drain pipe to the left which I used to climb and follow Red.

I saw her sitting on the roof with a pensive expression on her face. Her sling down by her side  and she's pulling off her bandages. I sat down beside her and helped her unwound herself from the cloth. She didn't flinch or start at my presence.

"When do I get back to the field?" She asked. Hindi siya tumitingin sa akin. Her voice is cold, typical Red. I know her very well and I know she's itching to get herself back into the thick of the action. Unfortunately, she won't be of much use in the field because of her condition.

"You're not going back to the field. Rin will go in your place." Her head whipped so fast that her hair hit my face. 'T*ngna naman talaga. I matched her glare with one of my own.

"You're going to stay with Icen and monitor the extraction and escape routes."

"Jaguar, I'm not the f*ckin' comptroller."

"You're useless in the field."

"I can still shoot as many as*holes with my left arm."

"My decision is final."

"Your decision sucks ass."

I saw her eyes widen in surprise. I know she didn't mean to say that even though she was thinking it. Damn, she looks exactly as her name.

"No matter, this is one sucky assignment you deserve." I smirked at her. She rolled her eyes at me. We sat in companionable silence on the roof. The wind carried wisps of her deep auburn locks. I realized suwerte si Aidan. Red is far from your normal girl and that idiot actually managed to get under her skin.

"Is she always like that?" She asked in a neutral tone.

"Unfortunately." I replied drily. "Masanay ka na."

"No way. Nobody talks sh*t to me."

"Wag kang magsalita ng tapos." I reminded her, "I'm beginning to think that you've really fallen for that idiot."

"Tch."

"How the mighty have fallen."

"Says the guy who went through hell and high water for some little Chinese heiress."

"Touché."I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. "'Though I can't stand Susanna either. She's one h*ll of a b*tch." Susanna and I have never met eye to eye. I was the one who threw her out during our father's wake and she never forgave me for the public humiliation. But I figured it's alright since I never forgave her for breaking my family apart.

"I don't care." I looked at her closely and realized she's actually pouting. I'm actually too surprised to react. Si Red, pouting? That incredible poker face is actually capable of pouting? Unbelievable.

She looks...cute. So cute that it's disconcerting since she'd probably throw a Molotov cocktail at anyone who dares to call her cute.

"What?" The pout was replaced by a scowl.

"What are you gonna say to him?" Her scowl deepened.

"Sh*t. He can go back to his mom if he wants to. Ayoko ng weak." She answered hotly. The door of the rooftop opened and a breathless Aidan came out onto the roof.

"Babycake?"

Hindi ko napigil. I turned my back and snorted a laugh. 'Tangna, ang corny. Red stepped on my booted foot. Hard.

Aidan  came close and pulled her into a hug. Red remained rigid in his arms.

"Sorry na, wag kang magalit, please?"

"Hindi ako galit." She deadpanned. She took his arms off and stepped away.

"Galit ka eh," my idiot brother pouted. "Uy, babycake..."

"'T*ngna naman Aidan, umayos ka nga," I thumped him on the head but he didn't even flinch or lifted his eyes from Red's face. "I'm giving you five minutes Red."

I left them and went down through the service stairway. I actually feel quite light on my feet and before long I started humming a happy tune. Karma's a b*tch, baby.

Susanna's gonna have nightmares with that one.

And if my instincts are correct, there's another storm coming her way in a zebra-striped package.

My instincts have never failed me.

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

The door closing behind her had the effect of cold water.

Sh*t.

"Ooops..." Jem snickered loudly. Jace picked up the bag of clothes on the floor and pulled it with her on the bed.

What the h*ll is Trixie doing here?

Ang tagal bago na-process ng utak ko ang nangyari.

Wait, what? She was here... she saw me... us.

I took a glance around and groaned inwardly. F*ck. No wonder she left.

This room looks like a warzone.

"Aren't you supposed to follow her?" Jem picked herself up from the floor and gave my cheek a kiss before she stepped back with a naughty smirk. "Unless you really want to play some more with us."

"Uh, no way," Jace groaned. "I feel like shit. I'm never playing strip-poker with you again, Jem." She pushed past us to go to the bathroom.

"F*ckinsh*t," I heard her heave her guts out on the toilet.

Oh damn. Baka mamaya iba na naman ang isipin ni Trixie. I immediately ran to the door. I need to find her.   

"Wait!" I turned and Jem threw my car keys at me.

"Goodluck, Romeo," she laughed. "Make sure to woo your angel."

I was already on the elevator when I encountered a group of grandmas. They screamed when they saw me. I looked down and groaned.

Sh*t, naka boxers nga lang pala ako.

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

I don't remember how I got down so fast. Everything was just a painful blur. Hindi ko maintindihan kung anong dapat kong unang maramdaman: Hurt? Betrayal? Jealousy? Regret?

Una sa lahat, hindi naman kami so bakit ako dapat masaktan? Hello, Trixie? Sabi mo ayaw mo sa kanya di ba? So bakit ka nag-iinarte dahil lang sa nakita mo?

Eh, ano bang pakialam ko kung... kung...

"Miss! Miss! Hoy miss!" Napalingon ako sa malalakas na busina at napansin ko na lang binubusinahan ako ng mga kotse. Nakaharang pala ako sa gitna ng kalsada at green na.

"Sorry po!" I apologized quickly.

"Ang aga-aga, tatanga-tanga," the guy muttered before he sped off on his car. Ang kapal naman ng mukha! Sabihan daw akong tanga, eh siya nga mukhang gutom na unggoy?   

Bwisit ka Alfredo, muntik pa akong masagasaan.

Which reminds me, bakit nga ba ako naglalakad eh may kotse naman ako? Lechugas, naiwan ko si Geuse sa parking lot! 

Ano ba yan, Trixie? Dahil lang sa isang Alfredo Zabala nagiging utak-patatas ka na! You should stay away from him! Wala kang mapapala sa lalaking daig pa ang convenience store sa pagiging always open at accommodating.

Napatigil na lang ako na tutop ang aking dibdib. Pero ang sakit eh. Kahit alam ko naman talaga na babaero siya, iba pa rin yung actual na makikita mo yung nakikipagharutan siya.

I took a few moments to calm down bago ako nagsimula ulit na maglakad pabalik sa hotel.

"BEEP! BEEP!" Napatalon ako sa sunod-sunod na malalakas na busina. Sh*t, kilala ko ang busina na yon. Lalo kong binilisan ang lakad ko pero nakasunod pa rin ang putting Nissan Skyline at mukhang binubuntutan ako.

Nagsimula ng magtinginan ang mga tao at nag-ca-cause na kami ng traffic kasi tumigil yung mga tao para pagtinginan kami.

"BEEP! BEEP!" Leche. Leche. Nakakahiya 'tong lalaking 'to. Bakit ba niya ako sinusundan? Binilisan ko pa lalo at parang tumatakbo na ako. Nakakita ako ng side street at lumiko ako. I heard the screech of tires at mga nagsigawang tao. Don't tell me?

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa ginawa niya. My ghad, what is he doing? Bakit isinampa niya sa gutter si Lady?

"TRIXIEEE!" Syete, otso, nuebe... nakakahiya!

"Miss, tinatawag ka nung gwapong driver oh..." A giggling older lady said. "Sayang naman pansinin mo na."

"Di ko po kilala yan," I muttered before I took off again. Ano ba, may meeting pa ako at ngayon nakikipaghabulan-taya pa dito kay A3.

"Trixie, wait!" I heard screaming and this time I couldn't stop myself from cursing.

"What the h*ll?"?" I turned to him and froze.

Damn. No fair.

Lalong nagtilian ang mga nanonood lalo na yung mga kababaihan.

Jusmio. Ibaon niyo na po ako sa lupa.

"Kuya penge ng pandesal!"

"Sheeeetengene... akin ka na lang papa!"

I groaned inwardly. This is not funny. Not at all. I covered my face with my hands. Ugh! Mighad!

"Trixie, " he placed his hands on my shoulders and I flinched.

"Ano bang ginagawa mo?" I hissed without looking at him. "Puwede kang kasuhan ng indecent exposure."

"Bakit ba kasi ayaw mo akong kausapin? Kanina ko pa tinatawagan 'yong phone mo saka kanina pa 'ko bumubusina. Kaya ako bumaba kasi hindi kasya si Lady diyan sa eskinita."

Lechugas, pati pala yung telepono ko naiwan ko dun sa bag na dala ko kanina. Ano bang kamalasan meron sa araw na 'to?

I didn't say anything. I took his hand and pulled him with me pabalik sa kotse. Nagpalakpakan pa ang mga usisero at usiserang nakatingin. Gusto kong lumubog sa lupa lalo na't nakita kong may mga nag-vi-video pa ng kalokohang ginawa nitong si Alfredo Zabala. Anlaking eskandalo nito at baka mamaya ipakita pa sa balita. Lagot ako kay Jaguar. Ilang bote kayang Nutella ang ipang-bri-bribe ko kay Icen at Reaper para linisin lahat ng magkakalat na photos at videos sa internet?

"Trixie," Napaigtad ako ng hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. Dali-dali ko itong hinila pabalik.

"What?" Humalukipkip ako at ini-start na niya ang kotse. We drove to Eastwood in silence. Mabuti na lang pareho lang ang way papunta sa restaurant niya at sa office. Mamaya ko na babalikan ang kotse ko sa hotel pagkatapos ng meeting with Jaguar.

"I'll get down here," I told him nang tumapat kami sa building ng HQ.

"Let's talk first," he replied and the automatic locks clicked.

"I have a meeting at 8:00"

"Sandali lang 'to. Talk to me, Trixie."

"Ano bang problema mo?" I asked in an irritated tone.

"I want to explain."

"You don't have to explain anything. Let me down."

"Gusto ko pa ring mag-explain."

"Jaguar – "

"Can kiss my ass," he stubbornly replied. Ang lakas ng saltik!

"Whatever it is you think important enough to tell me, please say it now. Let's not make this complicated." I saw him heave a sigh and watched as his adam's apple moved slowly. My gaze is drawn to the slow way he licked his lips as he started to speak.

"Trixie what you saw earlier is not what it seems," may halong pagsusumamo ang kanyang boses. Shemay, bigla kong naalala yung nakita ko at naasar na naman bigla ako. Feeling ko dapat siyang balatan ng buhay.

"Mr. Zabala what makes you think I care?" I tried to mask the hurt in my tone. "Your bed partners are none of my concern."

"It matters because I care, damnit!" nagulat ako ng hampasin niya ang steering wheel. "I can't sleep."

"If you have problems, talk to a therapist. I can't do anything for you." I told him and he stared intently at me. Napaurong ako sa inuupuan ko sa sobrang intense ng titig niya. Hindi ko alam  kung gusto niya akong sapakin or kainin or both.

Kainin? What the heck, Trixie? Ang thoughts mo! Ang thoughts!

"What did you do to me?" His low voice sent a shiver down my spine.

"M-malay ko sa'yo..." I averted my gaze from his stare and looked for a place to look at pero ang hirap kasi naman... he's practically naked! Trixie, nasa kotse ka ni Alfredo Zabala at naka-underwear lang siya!

"Are you a witch?"

"E-ewan ko sa'yo," I shoved him off kasi ang lapit na niya at shomai naman naka-boxers lang kaya siya. "Lumayo ka nga."

"I can't," I looked bewilderedly at him. Ano bang problema nito?

 "...because you got me under your spell."

"Alfredo..." Napalunok ako.

"You gotta help me, Trixie." He looked so serious. Parang matutunaw yata ako. "I think I'm going crazy."

"I think I'm crazy too."

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

One week later...

I shifted my position to relieve the tension on my leg.

I could hear something croaking deeply and glanced down to see curious amphibian eyes directed at me.

"Kokak..." The frog regarded me with a bored expression before it hopped away.

Anak ng palaka, kung alam ko lang na sobrang boring pala ang surveillance sana doon na lang ulit ako na-assign sa lab kasama ni Shanvie or Trixie. Mas gusto ko pa mag-circuit training kaysa maghintay magdamag dito sa talahiban. Paano kaya natatagalan ni Red yung ganito?

My phone vibrated and I glanced at the screen.

A-damn:  Kokak, kokak. :D

I sighed. I don't know how I should feel about him. I still can't believe what happened that night. Parang panaginip lang yung gabing 'yon. I could feel a blush forming on my cheeks when I recalled his kiss.

'Takte, bakit parang kinikilabutan ako?

Kinikilabutan o kinikilig?

My phone vibrated again and there was another text message. 

A-damn: Irina?

Anak ng tinapa, pati pagtawag niya sa akin hindi na Z. Paano na 'to?

I could clearly picture in my mind the knowing smirks from my fellow agents. Lalo na yung cat smile ni Icen saka yung smug grin ni Red. Huhu... bakit ba kasi ganito si A? Ang ayos-ayos na nga ng relasyon nam— wait, anong relasyon? Wala kayong relasyon!

Wala nga ba?

Pero hinalikan niya ako! Mukha akong tanga, wala man lang akong nagawa. Nakatulala lang ako sa kanya.

Gusto kong batukan ang sarili ko. Ang dami kong tanong. Ano nga ba kami? May feelings ba siya sa akin? Pero di ba sabi niya friends lang kami? May friends ba na hinahalikan sa lips?

Sabi niya wag ko daw isipin 'yon. Saka sana daw walang magbago sa amin. Paanong walang magbabago, eh siya nga yung bigla na lang kakaiba ang kinikilos.

Arrrgh! Ang hirap initindihin. Parang baliw lang. 

Naalala ko tuloy si Trixie. Isang linggo nang lutang. Buti na lang yung attention nasa kanya ngayon dahil sa gulong ginawa ni A3. Buti na lang walang nakakaalam ng nangyari sa amin ni A sa bundok kasi baka makapatay ako ng maingay na palaka.

A-Damn: Ok, bka busy ka. Ingat, :).

Hindi ko alam kung kaya ako pumapadyak dahil sa kilig o dahil namimitig na yung binti ko. Peste. Leche talaga 'tong si A.

Nagtatampo kaya siya kasi di ako nagre-reply? Pero alam naman niyang may mission ako. Anak ng naglalambadang talangka, bakit siya magtatampo? Ayan ka na naman sa sobrang pagka-assumera Rin! Tama na nga, mamaya mabugbog mo na naman siya dahil sa pag-a-assume mo.

Me: Ok lng. See u whn I get back.

'Takte. Nararamdaman kong namumula ang pisngi ko. Buti na lang wala akong saksi dito kundi mga palaka at tipaklong kasi nakakahiya. Hindi bagay sa isang agent na kagaya ko yung parang teenagers sa TV na halos mapigti ang ugat sa kilig. No. Not me. I'm Irina Jean Ignacio. Badass zebra agent.

A-Damn: I miss u baby Z. :(

Holy kamote...

Nanlaki yung mata ko sa reply niya at muntik ko pa mabitiwan yung phone ko. Leche. Tinignan ko ulit kasi baka namamalik-mata ako pero yun talaga yung ti-next niya. Baka nambwibwisit na naman 'to. Ang lakas pa naman mang-trip netong si A.

Me: Hoy tigilan mo nga ako.

A-Damn: Bawal k ba ma-miss? :(

Anak ng kabayong di maanak... lalong ginugulo nitong si A ang concentration ko. Pinatay ko ang phone ko para walang distraction.

The transceiver on my ear buzzed and I heard Icen's voice, "I7 to Zebra, do you copy?"

"Zebra, here." I replied.

"How is the activity?"

"Target has not moved since 1600 hours. Two trucks unloaded materials at 1800."

"Remain in position, we have intel that new blood is arriving at 2300"

"Copy that." Great, may mga bago na naman silang biktima. Sandali lang nag-lay-low pero nung naging slack na naman ang local police, balik sa operations.

"May nakaka-miss daw sa'yo." Napatigil ako sa sinabi ni Icen. Whatda –?!!

"Did you just f*ckin' hack my cellphone?" I hissed at her.

There was a giggle on the other end, "I can't help it. You were acting really weird since coming back from the mountains." There was a pause. "So, kayo na?" Sh*t.

"T*ngina!" Hindi ko napigilang magmura. Nantutsa, walang konsepto ng privacy ang kabuteng 'to!

"Zebra, stop cussing. I7 you know better than to use the comm lines for gossip." For the first time, Jaguar's voice sounded so welcome to my ears. Thank you Kuya Ali!

Oh crap! Did I just refer to Jaguar as kuya?

Patatas. Gawin niyo na akong patatas.

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

"Halika baby," Prince tugged at my hand as we made our way inside their house. Madaming bisita ang papa niya. Karamihan mga kasama sa partido at yung mga kamag-anak nila. Ramdam kong nakatingin sila sa akin at para akong nanliliit lalo.

"Prince, sigurado kang okay lang?" I asked him. He smiled at me and kissed my forehead.

"Oo nga. Alam nilang isasama kita," he smoothed my hair and tucked a strand behind my ear. "I love you, Goddess." I nodded and followed him inside. Puno ng tao ang sala nila at nakipagkamay si Prince at humalik sa mga tito, tita, at pinsan niya. Binati naman nila ako ng pinakilala niya.

"Pagpasensyahan niyo na po, mahiyain po itong girlfriend ko." He said and I marvelled at the ease he possessed in a crowd. He seemed to carry a light with him wherever he goes.

"Baby?" He queried and I shook my  head, "anong iniisip mo? Gutom ka na?"

"Hindi pa naman. Mag-greet tayo sa papa mo." He nodded and we wove through the people to find his father. Natagpuan naman naming siya sa likod bahay na nakikipag-inuman sa mga kumpare niya.

"Happy birthday Papa," Humalik si Prince sa kanya at nagmano. Nagmano rin ako at iniabot yung gift namin sa kanya.

"Ito na ba yung panganay mo? Ang gwapo ah, at matangkad!" Puri nung isang kumpare niya kay Prince. "Hindi ba yan mag-ba-basketball player?"

Tumawa yung papa ni Prince, "Hindi eh. Yung pangalawa ko ang gustong maging basketbolista. Engineering 'tong si Prince sa UP Diliman."

"Aba, matalino!" Napangiti si Prince. "Sino ba iyang kasama mo?"

"Tito Cesar, si Aya po girlfriend ko." Inabot ko yung kamay niya saka nagmano.

"Maganda, magaling kang pumili,"namula ako sa kanyang tinuran. Hindi ako sanay sa maraming taong nakatingin sa akin. Sumang-ayon naman ang mga naroon.

"Andito ka na pala Prince." Napalingon kami sa mama ni Prince na dumating na may dalang pulutan. Humalik si Prince sa kanya. Akmang magmamano ako pero inilayo niya ang kamay niya. Napakagat-labi na lang ako kasi halata naman na hindi niya ako gusto.

Napansin naman agad ni Prince na hindi ako komportable kaya inaya niya na ako sa kusina para kumuha ng pagkain. Doon sa kwarto niya na lang kami kumain na dalawa.

"Prince, galit pa rin si mama sa'kin," I couldn't help but feel bad. Hindi ako sanay na may nagagalit. Parang pakiramdam ko maiiyak ako kasi hindi niya ako gusto.

Napabuntong-hininga si Prince, "mawawala rin yun baby. Basta ipakita mo lang kung ano ka talaga sa kanya. Mahal kita Aya, at mahal ko si Mama. Gusto ko rin na magkasundo kayo."

"Ano bang dapat kong gawin?" I asked him.

"Nothing, baby. You're perfect for me." He pulled me close and kissed me. "Wag ka nang mag-alala. Matatanggap ka rin ni mama."

"Sana nga." I really do want her to like me. Gusto ko kagaya nung dati yung relasyon namin, nung bago magkaroon ng insidente.

"Baby, pa-kiss naman," I felt Prince move and I found myself beneath him.

"Ay grabe, baka mamaya may pumasok."

"Wala. I locked the door," he gave me a naughty grin. "Pwede na?"

"Prince baka mamaya akala nila may iba tayong ginagawa dito." Ayokong isipin ng mama niya na may ginagawa kaming kalokohan o kamunduhan.

"Wala pa naman ah," he pouted at me. "Sige na baby..."

Hindi ko na siya hinindian. As soon as I nodded he caught my lips in a kiss. Sinundan ko lang yung ginagawa niya ang soon enough the kiss became deeper. His hands roamed on my skin, sending warmth to pool at my center. I could feel him caressing the bare skin of my leg before he lifted it and wrapped it around his torso.

"Priiince..." I couldn't stop myself from moaning his name. His mouth descended lower, leaving tiny kisses on my neck and collar bone. I closed my eyes and let myself feel. 

"Aya, can I..." I could feel his hand on the zipper of my dress.

"Prince, teka wag," I opened my eyes to see him biting his lower lip. I could feel how aroused he is. Kinilabutan ako sa hindi ko maipaliwanag na dahilan. "Prince... sorry."

"No, okay lang..." he closed his eyes and kissed my brow. "Sorry din. Ang sexy mo kasi Goddess, nakakagigil." He pulled me close for another kiss. I could feel him squeeze my butt and I swatted his shoulder.

"Prince!" He chuckled and bit my lower lip.

"Baby, sana graduation mo na... I want to make love to you Aya," he whispered huskily. "I want to love you everyday."

"Ay grabe ka," I blushed deeply. "Bakit ang serious mo naman?"

"Basta. Gusto na kita pakasalan agad. Nakita mo ba yung mga dati kong classmates kanina? Parang gusto kong manapak kung makatitig sila."

"Hala ka, wag naman ganon," I laughed at him. "Saka hanggang tingin lang sila kasi ikaw lang ang mahal ko." I kissed his nose. "I love you Prince." 

Narinig naming may kumatok sa pinto at bigla kaming tumayo at nag-ayos. Nagulo na yung buhok ko tapos nalukot na yung dress ko kaya inayos ko muna. Pinagbuksan ni Prince ang pinto at naroon si Duke.

"Kuya sabi ni mama labasin mo naman daw yung mga bisita, puro si ate Aya lang ang inaasikaso mo."

"Duke, 'takte ka wag ka nga ganyan magsalita," Prince said heatedly and I immediately stood up.

"Inulit ko lang naman yung sinabi ni Mama, anong masama dun?"

Mukhang nagkakainitan sila kaya hinawakan ko na yung braso ni Prince, "Prince tara, labas na tayo." I smiled at him. He glared at Duke before we went out of his room. Feeling ko, gusto ko nang umuwi.

"Baby, wag mo pansinin yun ha," he reassured me. I nodded at him and we went to the sala where majority of the guests are. Nakita namin agad ang mama niya at pamilyar sa akin ang babaeng kausap niya. I froze when I saw that it was Bettina, yung ex ni Prince na parang higad.

"Prince!" Agad na tumalon si Bettina from her seat at bumeso kas Prince. He tightened his hold on my arm. Leche. Parang gusto kong manapak.

"Hi Aya,"she threw me a fake smile which I didn't return. Hindi ako sanay sa plastikan.

"Prince, nami-miss ka na raw ng dati mong barkada. Bakit hindi kayo pumunta ni Bettina sa terrace? Andun sila Mike." His mother said and he nodded. Hindi pa rin bumibitiw sa kanya si Bettina and I arched an eyebrow. Ano, kapalan lang talaga ng mukha?

"Baby, ipapakilala kita sa friends ko," Prince slid an arm around my waist at alam ko na ramdam niya yung pagka-inis ko.

"Sandali lang 'to baby tapos uwi na tayo," he whispered to my ear.

"Pero pa'no yung birthday ng Papa mo?" I whispered back.

"Maaga tayong uuwi," he winked at me.

Mabait naman yung mga barkada ni Prince at niyaya siya mag-inuman pero he declined kasi sabi niya mag-dri-drive siya kahit ako naman talaga ang mag-dri-drive sa aming dalawa. Awkward lang kapag humihirit si Bettina at pati yung mga barkada nila napapatigil at naiilang. I just kept quiet and smiled at them. Hindi naman kasi ako madaldal na tao lalo na't bago lang ang kakilala ko. Nagsimula silang mag-videoke at kumanta si Prince ng 'All of Me' para sa akin. Napikon yata si Bettina kaya inagaw ang mic at siya naman daw ang kakanta.

Kumanta siyang 'Rolling in the Deep' ni Adele at lahat natahimik. Halatang bitter ang lola mo at kanina pa rin siya tumutungga ng Tanduay Ice kaya medyo maingay na siya. The whole time, Prince has his arm around my shoulders and I appeared unaffected by her antics. Paki ko ba sa past nila eh ako naman ang future ni Prince? Akala niya siguro mababaw akong tao para madala sa pang-iinis niya.

Nagulat ako ng biglang naupo siya sa gitna namin ni Prince. "Oopss.. sorry!" Halos nakakandong siya sa boyfriend ko at gusto ko siyang itulak.

"Hey, Beth lasing ka na," Prince tried to pull her up and take the bottle of vodka from her.

"Oo nga, tara na Beth," James tried to take her pero pumiglas siya.

"Ayoko pa, hindi pa ko lasing..." she smiled. She's obviously drunk.

"Beth baka mamaya mag-barf-machine ka na naman diyan," sabi nung Mike at napangiti lang ako.

"T*ngna ka, nilalaglag mo 'ko!" She pushed his arm at nalaglag ang bote na hawak niya. "Ikaw anong nginingiti-ngiti mo diyan?" She turned to me.

"Wala. Masama bang ngumiti?"

"Sasagot pa eh," she rose and pushed me. Napaurong ako sa upuan at muntik ng mahulog.

"Beth!" I heard Prince shout.

"Bwisit ka eh! P*tangina, sinisiksik mo sarili mo dito!" She screamed at me and I slapped her.

"AYA!" Niyakap ako ni Prince.

"How dare you?!" Tumayo si Beth para abutin ako pero hinarang ni Prince ang sarili niya.

"ANO BA TAMA NA!" Bulyaw ni Prince at tila natauhan siya. Bigla siyang umatungal ng iyak.

"Ano bang nangyayari?" Biglang dating ng mama at papa nila Prince at nadatnan kami.

"Wala po tita, nagkainitan lang," James tried to explain.

"Sinampal ako ng malditang yan!" Itinuro ako ni Beth and I felt like crying. Ako na nga ang inaway tapos ako pa ang may kasalanan?

"Kahit kailan, puro na lang gulo," matalim ang tingin ng mama ni Prince sa akin.

"Ma, hindi kasalanan ni Aya," Prince tried to explain but she just huffed and took Bettina's arm.

"Uuwi na lang ako," Maluha-luha na ako and I pulled away from Prince.

"Mabuti," Prince's mom muttered loudly at hindi ko na napigilan ang luha ko.

"Ma, ano ba?!" Padabog si Prince and I turned away. "Aya!" He tried to follow pero hinarang siya ng papa niya.

"Prince ang mga bisita..." I didn't hear the rest of their conversation because I ran outside to my car. I quickly buckled myself and started the vehicle. I just want to run away from here. Hindi ako sanay na may nam-bu-bully kasi takot ang bullies sa mga kuya ko. Lalo na kay kuya Ali pero hindi ko sila matawag para ipagtanggol ako ngayon dahil alam kong si Prince naman ang pagbubuntunan ng galit nila.

I immediately got to the highway. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. Tumatawag si Prince sa phone ko pero hindi ko pa siya gustong kausapin.

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

"Asan si Aya?" I pulled James' arm as I rushed out of our house.

"Umiiyak eh, nakita kong sumakay dun sa kotse niya. Baka umuwi na," James had a concerned look in his eyes, "Dude, hindi sa namamakailam ako pero mukhang masama talaga yung loob ni Aya. I think sundan mo na."

I nodded grimly and got on my bike. I revved up the engine and sped down the highway. She couldn't have gotten away that fast. Kilala ko mag-drive si Aya, level-headed yun at hindi umaangat sa sixty ang speed lalo na sa city, kahit sa SLEX hanggang 110/kph lang ang speed niya pero kinakabahan ako kasi ilang minutes na at hindi ko pa naaabutan ang kotse niya. I'm already driving at 170/kph down the highway.

"F*ck."

I saw the familiar headlights down the road. Judging by the distance, she is driving at close to 140/kph.

Tangina. Galit nga to sa'kin.  

Sinubukan kong dikitan yung kotse niya to get her attention. If anything, her speed just increased and I was forced to keep up or lose control of my bike. Shit, ngayon ko hindi na-aapreciate ang pagka-OC ni Kuya Alfredo in setting up her freakin' car.

"Aya!" I screamed uselessly at her.

 I saw no other choice. I sped ahead of her and prayed na hindi niya maisipang lumiko or bumalik. When I judged her to be at least a kilometer behind I stopped the bike in the middle of the damn, god-forsaken road.

A few seconds and I saw her car at full speed directly at me. I just closed my eyes and waited for the impact.

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

"Tarantado ka ba?!" I welcomed the feel of her tiny fists on my chest. I realized I was crying as I caught her in my arms.

"Baliw ka ba?! Magpapakamatay ka?! Gagawin mo pa 'kong killer..." Nanginginig siya. Nanginginig ang mahal ko.   

Hindi ako makaimik. Pinabayaan ko lang siyang umiyak sa mga braso ko.

"Goddess..."

" 'Taragis na Goddess yan..."

Hindi ko alam kung anong emosyon ang uunahin ko. Matatawa ba ako kasi nawala ang pagka-demure ng girlfriend ko at nag-beast-mode sa harap ko? Masaya ba dahil mahal niya talaga ako at di niya ako tuluyang sinagasaan? Magagalit ba ako kasi nilagay niya sa peligro ang sarili niya sa pag-dri-drive ng galit at over the speed limit? O maaawa ako kasi umiiyak siya at halatang nahihirapan na sa aming relasyon?

"Aya, makinig ka naman sa'kin please? Mahal kita. Mahal na mahal..."

"Alam ko!" She screamed at me, "pero bakit ka magpapakamatay diyan?"

"Ayaw mo kasi akong sagutin eh," I kissed her tear-streaked face. "Shhh...baby wag kang umiyak please?" The last time I heard her like this noong nag-away sila ni Mel. I hate seeing her so miserable. Dapat umalis na lang kami kaagad. Or dapat pinaalis ko na lang si Bettina. Shit, ang tanga ko.

"Okay ka lang ba?" She combed my hair with  her fingers and wiped my face.

"Oo, pag okay ka lang din," I replied and she smiled despite her tears.

"Siraulo ka," she sniffed. "Wag mo na uulitin 'yon."

"Wag ka na ring tatakbo sa akin. Please, hindi ko kayang mawala ka," I hugged her tightly.

"Ang sweet niyo naman..." I lifted my eyes and saw several men weaking black masks surrounding us. Shit. I immediately pulled Aya to my back.

"Prince?" Kita ko ang kaba sa kanyang mga mata.

"Sino kayo?" I asked them warily, "anong kailangan niyo sa'min? Kunin niyo na yung gusto niyong kunin pero wag niyo kaming saktan." There were eight of them. All burly and looked to be hired professionals.

"Syempre kukunin namin 'to," he patted Shiro's hood, "pero isasama rin namin kayo." Kinilabutan ako sa mga mata nung pinakamalaking lalaking mukhang lider nila.

"Malas mo lang bata, pakialamero kasi ang tatay mo," he smirked at me before I felt the blow behind my head and I thought I heard Aya scream as darkness took me.

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End chapter 47

Another update dahil antagal niyo naghintay mga friends! XD Salamat sa lahat ng readers ng It Started in the Library! :D