Special Chapter: Crash! Bang! Bang! Part 2

"Fudge..." I cursed softly. Hindi ko na halos maramdaman yung mga muscles ko sa kamay. Magbabayad talaga ng malaki si Nathan.

"I told you I should have run him over," I heard Jace speak over my head. "Drink." I felt her nudge my lips with something cold and sweet. I eagerly accepted the energy drink.

Potatoes. Ibabaon ko ng buhay si Nathan pag nagkita ulit kami. Hindi biro ang magbalat ng isang container van na patatas. Tatlong araw at gabi akong naghirap at naubos na lahat ng kuko ko sa kababalat.

"I'll haul these to the kitchens, go take a bath." She nudged me with a booted foot.

"Nooo..." I groaned in protest. Komportable na ako dito sa lapag. I don't think I can move another muscle. 

"Dali, ang baho mo na."I heard Red speak before I shrieked when I felt her dump a bucket of ice-cold water on me.

"This is epic. May potato party tayo!" Rin said enthusiastically habang pinapala yung mga patatas at parang gusto ko siyang gamitin na target bunny. Ayoko nang makakita ng patatas. Like ever. I glared at Rin and she gulped. "Ah, eh sabi ni Jaguar iluluto daw itong mga patatas tapos may feeding program tayo sa street children. Erm." She said in a very small voice.

"Tayo na Jem. May training schedule ka pa with the newbies mamaya." Trixie reminded me. Ghad, ayoko na!

"Baka mamaya dalawang container van na ipabalat niya sa'yo." Yhona said at bigla akong napabalikwas. No! Definitely no!

"Why, Jaguar, why?" Alam kong ang OA lang pero napapaiyak talaga ako. Sana pinadala na lang niya ako sa Chechnya or sa Gaza Strip para makipagbakbakan sa rebel troops, mas ma-u-utilize ko pa ang skills ko. Ngayon I feel like may Phd na ako sa pagbabalat ng patatas. Buti sana kung pwede kong ilagay sa resume ko yun.  

"Okay, bilisan na natin para madala na 'to lahat sa kitchen. Let's go agents!" I stood up slowly. Sila Trixie na ang bahala sa pagluluto ng potatoes. Shucks, di ko talaga maramdaman ang mga kamay ko. Siguro ang pangit na nila. Kailangan ko silang ibabad sa isang batyang skin softener ng magdamag. Pang-construction worker na ang fingers ko. Sobrang bagal kong binagtas ang hallway papunta sa kwarto ko para kumuha ng damit.

"Visitor for Agent Jem in the lobby. Visitor for agent Jem in the lobby." Gosh, kailangan ko pa gumapang papunta sa banyo. Sino naman kaya ito?

Pumikit ako at naghikab. Gusto ko na matulog. Hindi mabaho na ako, kailangan ko muna mag-shower!

Umulit na naman yung PA system. "Just a minute." I hauled myself to the bathroom at naligo in record time. Sino naman kaya 'to? Wala akong maalala na meeting ngayon. Halos hindi ako nakapagsuklay kakamadali. Bwisit.

"You gotta be kidding me." Hindi ako makapaniwala pagdating ko sa lobby. Ngumiti sa akin yung ipis.

"Hello, shortcake."

 ------------

 "Strawberry shortcake." The waiter placed my order in front of me. I kept the menu over my face as I watched Nathan from the corner of my eye. Dulo pa lang ng buhok niya naaasar na ako.

"I've been talking here for an hour," he remarked drily. I took out moisturizer from my purse and applied it to my poor fingers. Gosh, I badly need to go to the salon. 

"So?" Nakakatuyo ng dugo itong si Nathan. "Are we done? I've already wasted an hour. I badly need sleep and I have very little patience left." I smiled sweetly at him.

"You've been hiding from me for three days." At may gana pa siyang mag-pout? Sungalngalin ko kaya ng Beretta ko?

"I was not hiding." Ibinaba ko na ang menu at nagsimulang kumain. Gosh, napapikit ako. Na-miss ko ang food dito sa Pisces! Simula kasi ng makasal sila Trixie ngayon lang ulit ako bumisita. Di ko kasi keri na maatim na tumambay at makita si Alfredo-baby. 

"Ugh." I put down the spoon dahil nawalan na ako ng gana. Bumabagsak na talaga talukap ng mata ko sa pagod. "Nate I'm really tired. Let's talk next time." I stood up pero biglang umikot ang paningin ko. Gosh, not now. 

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Narinig ko yung boses ni ipis. Napahawak ako sa likod ng upuan. I breathed deeply. Kaya ko 'to. "Are you okay?" Hinawakan niya yung braso ko.

"Just give me a sec," I replied habang naghihintay na mawala yung hilo ko.

"Sit down first." Inalalayan niya akong makaupo.  I took deep breaths para kumalma. I tried opening my eyes again pero parang sobrang liwanag ng paligid at lalo akong nahilo. I opened my purse and searched for my phone inside. Nang makuha ko ito, I speed-dialled the HQ's hotline.

"Yo!" I heard Icen answer.

"Send someone to pick me up."

"Eh? Andiyan ka lang naman sa baba di ba?" Came her cutesy voice. Except wala ako sa mood ngayon.

"Icen. Send. Someone. To. Pick. Me. Up."

"Hey, ako na lang. Ihahatid kita." Nathan offered.

"O, ihahatid ka naman pala eh." I heard giggling on the other end of the line. Shocks, eto na hindi na ako titigilan nito mamaya. I ended the call.

"No need." I said sharply. I speed-dialled two on my phone. Buti na lang pinick-up niya agad. "Baby Jace, pick me up?" I pouted.

"Sure." Nabuhayan ako ng loob. Buti na lang talaga. I placed my head over my arms on the table. Pipikit muna ako habang naghihintay kay Baby Jace.

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

"Hmmm..." The covers feel so warm. Ayoko na bumangon pero there's something niggling at the back of my mind. There's something...

"Omigosh!" Napatayo ako sa kama. Shet. Shet. Iluluto na ako ni Jaguar sa kumukulong mantika. Sure na yan. Biglaan akong tumayo sa kama kaya tinamaan ulit ako ng hilo. Oh no,hindi pwede... anong oras na?

 "Shit!" Hindi ko napigilan na mapamura ng tignan ko ang wall clock. Teka, wall clock?

Wala akong wall clock.

Napatingin ako sa paligid. Hindi ko ito kwarto.

I let my gaze roam around the room. Black and earth tones, understated furniture, posters of cars.

This is clearly a guy's room.

What the hell?

I checked myself. Kumpleto pa naman ang damit ko. My shoes are on the floor by the bed. My purse is on the side table. Kinuha ko yung purse ko at shoes ko. It doesn't take a genius to know na narito ako sa condo ni Nathan.

Ang tanong bakit ako nandito?

I took out my phone and dialled Jace's number all the while putting on my shoes.

"Hello shortcake!" Jace's happy voice greeted me from the other line. What the?

"Jace!" Pumunta ako sa may bintana and checked. Okay, I'm at least fifteen floors up pero at least I'm still here in Eastwood. May mga kabute akong iihawin.

"So how was he?" Narinig ko ang tawanan at catcalls sa kabilang linya.

"The h*ll?" Naasar ako lalo. Pinagtritripan ako ng mga kabuteng ito. "Why didn't you pick me up?" I'm hurt. Akala ko kakampi ko si Baby Jace.

"Aw Jem, you needed a distraction. Trixie took over the class for you."

"Ugh, it's not that!" I insisted. "This is ridiculous. Are you seriously saying that I need to give this boy my time of the day? I'm not a cradle-snatcher." I pouted. Binuksan ko yung bintana at lumabas sa veranda. Makitid ito at malakas ang hangin. Nakita kong malapit ng lumubog ang araw. Like seriously ganoon ako katagal nakatulog?

"Why not? He might be your type!" I heard Icen giggle. Naku magagamit ko na talaga yung bago kong skills. Meron akong babalatang mga kabute pagbalik ko sa HQ.

"Pwede ba Icen, he's a freakin' kid!"

"Weh? Jem, weh? He's twenty two years old. I'd hardly call him a kid."

"And I'm twenty six so, no."

"Grabe, that's just a four-year gap." She insisted and I gritted my teeth.

"No." I ended the call. I jumped over to the next door neighbor's veranda para mas mabilis na makarating sa fire exit. 

Pero yung pagiging ipis ni Nathan epic talaga.

"Shortcake!" His car stopped in front of me. Mukhang galing siya sa casa at bago ang pintura ng kotse niya. Tuloy-tuloy akong naglakad.

"Shortcake!" Pinarahan niya ako.

"Ugh, my name is not shortcake!" I shrieked at him. "What would it take to get you off my case?"

He grinned at me. "Well, I bet you know what I really want." 

-----------

"So ano nga ulit ginagawa natin dito?" I stretched my arms over my head. Nakaupo kami ni Irina sa damuhan. She passed a bottle of Corona to me.

"Kasi nga maglalaban ulit si Jem saka si Nathan," she replied. "Penge pa 'ko!"

"O ito na." Iniabot ni Shanvie yung canister ng popcorn. Kasalukuyang nasa race track kami dito sa BGC at naghihintay na magsimula yung race ni Jem at Nathan.

"Palagay mo ilang seconds?" Kuya Aidan turned to me. Nakadantay si Red sa kanya na busy naman sa I-pad at naglalaro ng game.

"I dunno, di 'ko kilala si Nathan. Jem is very good though." Dumating na si Kuya Alfredo with Trixie. Inabutan din ni Aidan si Kuya Alfred ng beer.

"Finally, matatapos na rin rivalry nila." Shanvie flopped down on the grass.

"Aww, sayang nga eh. Ang sarap pa naman asarin ni Jem." Naka-cat-smile si Icen. "Huehue."

"Sige, pag narinig ka na naman nun. Mabuti tinulungan ka ni Jace kahapon kung hindi baka butas-butas ka na ngayon. Katakot pala kapag naasar si Jem." Irina popped more popcorn into her mouth. I put my arm around her and she leaned on me. Di kagaya dati na may batok ako kaagad, she's been rather sweet in her quiet ways.

"Huehue, nahihiya lang yan si Jem. Ang gwapo kaya ni bebe Nathan." Icen insisted. "Parang si Ian Somerhalder."

"Mas gwapo ako dun," Kuya Alfredo took a swig of his beer.

"Alfredo Zabala!" Nagkatinginan kami. Parang maamong tupa na ibinaba ni Kuya Alfred yung beer saka kumuha ng popcorn. Hahaha... nakakatakot magbuntis si Trixie.

"Love naman, isa lang." He pouted at his wife.

"Isa? Sige, mag-isa ka mamaya matulog." She pouted at di ko napigilang matawa. She's two months pregnant at matindi ang mood swings niya.

"Yeah take that you scum!" Red grinned evilly nang matapos niya ang stage ng game niya. "Ang tagal naman. Bakit di na lang kasi sila magbarilan para tapos na?" She asked rather innocently. Malapit na siyang manganak pero hindi siya nagsusuot ng maternity clothes. Si kuya Aidan ang nag-aalala sa kanya kasi masyado pa rin siyang reckless.

"Babycake konti na lang."

"Naantok na 'ko eh." She declared with a pout. "Uwi na tayo."

"Konti na lang Red. Dapat mag-cheer tayo kay Jem."

"Ay ayoko kay Nathan ako mag-cheer kasi wala siyang pala." Kakaiba talaga humor ni Red at buti nagkakasundo sila ni kuya. My brother put his arms around her and placed one hand over her rounded tummy.

"Pati si little cake mag-che-cheer din?" Kuya said in a childish voice while stroking his wife's stomach. "Little cake excited ka na?"

 "Antok na siya," Naghikab si Red bago pumikit. "Gisingin niyo ko sa gunstart."

I caught Irina with a thoughtful look on her face habang pinagmamasdan si Kuya Aidan at Red.

"Baby Z?" I nudged her.

"Ha?"

"Date tayo mamaya," I smiled at her. She reddened.

"Er, um pag wala kaming gagawin." She put a tendril of her behind her ear.

"Gusto niyo pa ng fries?" Yhona offered. Ang dami nilang dalang potato chips, French fries saka potato salad.

"Ugh, nakakasawa din pala. Next year na ulit tayo kumain ng patatas," Irina gave a disgusted shake of her head.

"'Kala ko potato girl ka?" Nakita kong nag-pout siya.

"Ugh, hindi nakakatuwa yung puro patatas ang kinakain at niluluto namin mula kahapon."

"So Potato Agents na kayo." I laughed and she glared at me. "Joke lang."

"Asan si Prince?" Icen popped another fry into her mouth.

"Sinundo si baby girl," Alfredo took some fries from the bowl. "Asan si Ali?"

"Ewan ko. Sabi may kukunin lang daw," I replied.

"Kuya!" We all turned at Aya's excited voice. Ang kapatid ko talaga, may asawa na pero parang bata pa rin. Nakasampa siya sa likod ni Prince. "Ay kuyas pala," she giggled as Prince set her down beside us. Trixie made space for her sa picnic blanket.

"Tumataba ka baby girl ah," Kuya Alfredo ruffled her hair.

"Syempre alaga yata ako ni Prince," she gave a kiss to each of us her kuyas and hugged Trixie and Red, her 'sisters' before sitting on her husband's lap. 

"Ayan, magsisimula na!" Excited na sigaw ni Shanvie. "Go Jem!"

Nag-countdown si Jace then the checkered flag went down.

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

"That's not fair, I need a rematch!" Mariing saad ni Nathan. Para siyang batang gustong maghuramentado.

"Me too!" Jem stomped her booted foot. "I'm going to crush this cockroach!"

Tie si Nathan at Jem. Pero ang mas nakaka-badtrip, naunahan sila ni Lily at Jaguar dahil busy silang dalawang mag-gitgitan sa track. Now both of them have wrecked cars at di pa pareho nakarating sa finishline.

"No." Jaguar grinned at them. "Ganito na lang, ang unang makakahanap ng susi ng kotse nila ang panalo."

"What?"

"Call!" Ngumiti si Jem. Alam niyang mas may advantage siya kay Nathan pagdating sa ganitong bagay.

"Okay, give it here." Iniabot nila ang kanilang mga susi kay Kuya Ali.

"Patay, pahihirapan sila ni Boss," Rin grinned beside me.

"Bakit parang tuwang-tuwa ka baby Z?" I nudged her.

"Wala kasing exciting na nangyayari sa HQ lately. Puro lang kami investigations saka training."

"Isnt that something to be thankful for," I held her against me.

"Well, nakaka-miss yung may action. Yung thrill."

"Ready, Jace?" Kuya Ali had that trademark smirk on his face. Lahat nagkatinginan when Jace brought out Ashter at yung isa pang canine unit na si Shaw. Itinali ni Jace sa leeg ng mga aso yung mga susi.

"What the fuck?" Halatang hindi alam ni Nathan ang gagawin.

"Okay." Naglabas si Red ng baril.

"Blank ready."

"In three... two... one!" Nagpaputok ng baril si Red sabay pinakawalan ni Jace ang mga aso.

"Oh shit!" Napamura si Nathan while Jem went after the dogs.

------------ 

I immediately went after Ashter. Hindi ako pamilyar kay Shawn dahil kararating lang niya nung isang araw at alam kong malamang na lapain ako ng German shepherd na yun.

"Ashter!" I called out after the dog. Ang bilis ng kanyang takbo at tumigil ako sandali para hubarin yung boots ko. I ran barefoot across the grass.

"Ashter! Come here boy!" Nakita kong narinig naman niya ako kaya bumalik siya. Yes! Sabi na advantage talaga.  

Agad na lumapit sa akin ang aso at narinig ko ang hiyaw ni Nathan.

"No fair! Kilala ka ng aso!"

Mabilisan kong tinanggal ang susi pero nadismaya ako ng makita kong susi ni Nathan ang nakakabit kay Ashter. "Arrgh Jace! Ang daya niyo!" Ibinalik ko yung collar ni Ashter. "Ashter run!"

Mayghad tulungan niyo po ako. I immediately ran after Shawn. "Here Shawn!" I froze when the dog turned with his fangs bared at me. Okay, this is not funny.

"Here doggie, doggie..." I tried to cajole him. Tinahulan niya ako pero hindi ako nagpatinag. Nag-staring match kami ni Shawn. I know how this guy thinks. Kapag natakot ako, tiyak lalapain niya ako. 

"Shortcake!" I felt arms around me bago tumalon yung aso and I braced for the impact.

"Nathan!"

"Jem!"

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

"Hoy ipis!" I pushed him off me. "Hoy, get off me!"

"Are you okay Jem?" Trixie came to my side.

"Shawn, down boy!" Agad na lumapit yung mga aso kay Jace.

"Yes!" I raised my keys which I got from Shawn. "I won ipis!" Sinipa ko si Nathan. "Ano ba, you're so OA ha."

"Hala, buhay pa ba si Nathan?" Shanvie tried to push him to his back. "Lagot ka Jem."

"Ay grabe ha, arte-much na yan." I pouted. "Hoy ipis, this is not gonna work. Aminin mo na, ako talaga nanalo."

"Hala Nathan..." Lumuhod si Aya sa tabi ni Nathan at tinusok-tusok yung tagiliran nito.

"Baby, wala na siya." Seryosong sambit ni Prince. "Let him go Goddess."

"You wish Constantino," biglang bumangon si Nathan at binatukan ko nga.

"See, addict ka lang talaga."

"Aww, shortcake I saved you and this is all I get?" I rolled my eyes at him. "And who said you won?" He pulled out his keys and dangled them in front of my face. "Got you shortcake." He smiled.

"Noooo!" Shet, hindi pwede ito.

"It's okay shortcake I'll settle for something sweet." He smiled at me. Yung smile na tipong hindi ko gusto.

"What?"

"This," he whispered before I felt his lips on mine.

W/N:

Pagpasensyahan na po ang sabaw kong update. It might take a while for me to release the next special chapters. Anyway, salamat pa rin sa mga sumusuporta sa ISITL. I love you all. <3