Chapter 17: Dethroned

Only the bravest soldiers fought the toughest battles and won the greatest victories.

"I already informed your mother that you are with me. Since we are colleagues, she didn't suspect anything," my Doctor, Walter Fuentabella, said.

I nodded and tried to smile. I hope that Mom is in good condition. I'm away and I can't visit her.

"Today is my son's birthday. May simpleng salu-salo mamaya. Susunduin kita at doon kakain."

My forehead creased in confusion. I never thought that someone as busy as him could have a son.

"You have a son," I stated, amazed and still shocked.

Ngumisi siya at patuyang itinaas-baba ang kilay. "He's just two years older than you..."

Nahimigan ko ang gusto niyang ipahiwatig doon. Hindi ako makapaniwalang hanggang ngayon ay binubugaw niya pa rin ako. Akala ko ay nagsawa na siya?

"Not interested, Grandpa."

Nagngitngit ang kaniyang mga ngipin at tumalim ang tingin. I tried to suppress my laughter but failed. Hindi nakatakas sa aking paningin ang pamumula ng kaniyang mukha. Lalo lamang akong humagalakpak sa tawa nang namula pati na rin ang kaniyang bunbunan.

"You! 'Wag kang kakain mamaya, ah?! Ang itim ng budhi mo!" gigil na litanya niya habang sinusubukang takpan ang kalbo niyang ulo.

Pinilit kong mag-mukhang seryoso para mas lalo siyang inisin. "Fine! I don't eat organs from the morgue, anyway."

His eyes widened. "E-excuse me?!"

"You're excused," I uttered.

Lumaylay ang kaniyang balikat at sumimangot. A ghost of smile appeared on my lips. "Okay... When will I win against you? Ugh!"

I chuckled when he walked out after his defeat. The old man is upset again for he never got into my nerves. Humming, I went outside my room, not minding Grandpa's wrath if he will find out about my escapade.

"Good morning! Have a blessed day ahead!" I greeted every person I bumped into. My light disposition seems to affect people around me.

As I wander, my feet brought me to the hospital church. Ni isang beses mula noong na-diagnose ako, hindi pa ako nakapupunta dito. Ngayon pa lamang.

Naupo ako at itinaas ang tingin sa altar. The one who died in the cross stared back at me. Nakikinig ka naman 'di ba?

Naalis ang aking atensyon doon nang may tumabi sa aking lalaki. Wait. Pamilyar siya. The same diamond earring and evil smirk caught my attention.

"You are?" I asked, trying to remember him.

"Aww. Gano'n ba ako hindi ka-importante para hindi mo matandaan?" Umarte pa siyang parang nasasaktan habang nakahawak ang kamay sa dibdib.

Tumaas ang aking kilay at hindi na
siya pinansin. Baka hindi ko naman talaga siya kilala. Paano kung isa pala siyang serial killer?

"I'm Dew and I'm not a serial killer," he mumbled, still wearing his smirk.

Uh-oh. Napalakas yata ang pagkakasabi ko. At teka! Dew? Parang narinig ko na iyan kung saan.

"Still don't remember? Bullet's?"

He's the demonstrator in the firing range!

"Oh, it's you..." I trailed.

Tumango-tango siya at mas lalong nilakihan ang ngisi. "What are you doing here?"

Suminghap ako at tumayo. "Magnanakaw sana. Kaso dumating ka," sarkastiko kong sagot.

Does he have to ask that? I'm a patient here, of course. Isn't it obvious with my hospital dress? Or he just doesn't have common sense? Tsk, tsk. Males.

"Hey! Wait!"

Hindi ko siya nilingon at diretso lang ang lakad. Babalik na sa silid bago pa maabutan ng kung sinumang Poncio Pilato na sumusunod sa akin ngayon.

I was about to close the door of my room when a hand blocked the handle. Tinulak niya iyon at dire-diretsong pumasok sa loob. He also managed to lay in my bed like some sort of a king.

"Fine! Go on. Sleep in there. But, the old lady beside you seems pissed," I uttered with a serious voice.

"Psh! You can't fool me. Wala naman talagang multo dito."

Lumapit ako sa bed-side table at kinuha ang binalatan nang mansanas. Pinaikot-ikot ko muna iyon sa aking palad bago kinagatan. Kinuha ko ang remote ng tv at pasimpleng inangat ito. Napatalon naman siya at bumagsak mula sa kama nang biglang bumukas ang tv.

Humagalakpak ako sa tawa nang paika-ika siyang dumikit sa akin. Tila ba takot na takot. "No ghosts, huh?" nanunuya kong tanong.

Nawala ang ngisi ko nang bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa noon si Dr. Fuentabella. "There you are, Red. Halika at kakain na ta—Devan? A-anong ginagawa mo dito?"

Nagtaka ako nang tawagin niyang Devan ang Poncio Pilato na nasa tabi ko. Hindi ba Dew ang pangalan niya?

"Dad! What's up?" Dew answered.

Kunot-noo kong pinalipat-lipat ang aking tingin sa dalawa. So he's Grandpa's son? Does that mean that he is my father? Pft.

"Devan West, anong ginagawa mo rito sa kwarto ni Red? Hindi pa ako handang magka-apo! Tsaka na lamang kapag tumubo na ulit ang buhok ko!"

Umalpas ang munting tawa sa aking bibig dahil doon. Nadinig ko ring matunog na ngumisi si Dew.

"Anyway, sumunod na kayo roon sa Conference Room. Nakahanda na ang mga pagkain."

Bago siya umalis ay hinatak niya pa ang tainga ng anak at pinandilatan ito. Napailing na lamang ako sa kalokohan ng matanda.

"Loko talaga si Dad. Hindi pa rin naman ako ready magka-anak, 'di ba, misis?" nang-aasar niyang komento.

Sarcastically, I smiled at him. "Talagang hindi ka pa ready! E, hindi ka pa naman tuli!"

Tigalgal ko siyang iniwan doon. I am strolling towards the Conference Room when my phone vibrated in my pocket.

Mom:

Red, something came up. Please call me when you receive this.

Dali-dali kong tinawagan ang numero niya at agad niya naman iyong sinagot. Nagtaka ako nang walang madinig sa kabilang linya kundi mga hikbi.

"M-mom? What happened?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.

"R-red... I-I know that Walter asked for your assistance in his medical mission... But can you please... come back? I r-really need you here..."

Tumikhim ako upang pigilan ang namumuong luha. "A-alright, Mom. I will come back.