10: stupid enough

COOLER

"Cronus..." My voice cracked a bit, feeling annoyed as I watched my old man blew some smoke from his cigar. Pabagsak na isinarado ko ang laptop at nag-isip pa ng mga paraan upang kahit papaano ay makumbinse siya.

But I know that look. He sat there, leg-crossed while popping one of the most expensive cigars in the world. That was his "I don't care, My decision is final" look.

"Puerto Rico has the best rum and cigar," narinig kong sabi niya habang sinisipat ang hawak na sigaro. "Premium tobacco, best quality."

Pulling my hair in frustration, I pulled a chair, at sat facing him. "Listen up, Old man—"

He still ignored me. "That Jaja woman is very pretty. She kind of reminds me of Ivy, you know. That face can launch a thousand ship."

"Pwede ba makinig ka muna—" I was desperate, but Cronus is getting none of it.

Tumingin siya sa suot na relo. "By the way, my flight is later at 3AM."

Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako. Appealing to him was futile, I know that but I still tried my shot. The news about his deteriorating health is going on for a while now. Maraming mga pangalan ang naging matunog na siyang magte-take over sa negosyo in his absence. Names of senior members who grew old in business with him. Kahit hindi kasali ang pangalan ko sa mga iyon, I still readied my presentation on why not to let Cooler Vander take over the business. Knowing Cronus, he's a fan of surprises at hindi nga ako nagkakamali.

But old man won't listen. He won't even consider. Handa ba siyang bumagsak ang negosyo dahil sa maling desisyon niya?

I am not the best option. Bakit ako? There are older members, seasoned by time and experience in the business. How could he pick his mediocre son to take over?

Inihanda ko ang sariling lumuhod, to beg him not to put this responsibility on my shoulders ngunit naunahan niya akong magsalita.

"Do you remember how you got that most trustworthy award in elementary?" Biglang tanong niya, smiling at his reminiscence.

I bowed my head, feeling ashamed of my self. Noong elementary ay nakatanggap ako ng dalawang award— most neat and clean, at most trusthworthy. I remembered getting jealous watching my classmates given medals for being the cream of the crop. I remembered feeling shitty because of the random award given to me.

"What does it have to do with this? Please old man, bawiin mo—"

"I was like wow, that's really my son," nakamgiting sabi niya.

Natahimik ako at pinagmasdan siya. Cronus believe in me ngunit madalas ko siyang napapahiya. I failed most of the time. And his overconfidence in me is putting me in a tight spot.

"Please—" My phone suddenly rang, prompting Cronus to take his leave.

"Goodbye son, see you in a while," wika niya at tuluyang umalis.

Saglit akong nakipagtalo sa sarili kung hahabulin ko ba siya upang patuloy na kumbinsihan. Even if I know my efforts of convincing him will be wasted, I still wanted to try. Patuloy naman sa pagtunog ang cellphone ko, kaya naiinis na kinuha ko iyon at sinagot.

It was from one of the Vander reaper, Eros.

"I'm in the middle of a very important conversation with Cronus right now—"

He cut me off. "Where are you? We're throwing you a party right now ngunit hindi mo man lang ba kami sisiputin?" Mula sa background ay rinig na rinig ko ang malakas na tunog ng musika. There were also people shouting happily as if they're having fun.

"Party?"

"Yup, of you taking over.
Congratulations, Zeus. Everyone's waiting."

The line went dead before I could react. Randam ko rin ang pag-alis ng kulay sa mukha ko. Here I am, doing everything I can to persuade my old man to rescind his announcement, while some people are throwing me a party.

What the hell?

****

Hindi pa man ako nakababa ng sasakyan ay sinalubong na ako ng maingay na tunog na nangagaling sa bahay. There were some people outside the lawn, drinking and dirty dancing. Even the poolside was filled with people, some were making out endlessly.

Walang nakapansin sa pagdating ko dahil nagkakasayahan ang lahat. This is giving me a headache! Minasahe ko ang noo at hinanap kung sino man ang pasimumo nito.

I made a face when some strippers tried to stop me pero isang tingin lamang ay agad silang lumayo. The house smelled like guns and booze. Bigla na lamang akong nakarinig nga kalabog. Kasunod niyon ay pagkalaglag ng isang katawan mula sa second floor. Biglang nagsigawan ang mga tao at nagkagulo lalo na nang may tumalon rin mula sa taas at inundayan ng suntok ang nahulog. The man immediately moved, and they started brawling like there's no tomorrow.

Damn, Eros and Hermes! Here they go again!

Parehong putok ang mga labi nila ngunit pareho rin silang nakangiti. They continued  landing punches and kicks to each other and I heard Artemis told people to continue whatever they are doing at huwag na lamang pansinin ang dalawa.

Same old scenario. Eros and Hermes trying to kill each other, Artemis betting on whoever wins. Nilingon ko ang mahabang hagdan, and I was right, Ares was there, silently watching the fight as well. Sa tabi niya ay nakatayo si Hades na nagbibilang ng pera, probably joining the bet at higher stakes.

Naiinis na lumapit ako sa naglalakihang speakers, and pulled the wires out of the main source. Biglang nabalot ng katahimikan ang paligid, and it's as if everyone's world stopped.

Artemis saw me, and made the announcement. "Okay, party's over!"

Umingay ang paligid na tila ba nainis ang lahat sa biglaang pagtatapos ng party. There were disappointed sighs everywhere until Artemis further announced na itutuloy ang party sa isang kilalang bar. Everyone was happy again, and left almost all at once.

Hanggang sa makaalis ang pinakahuling bisita ay inis na nakatayo lamang ako roon. Pitong tao lamang ang naiwan, silently waiting for my outburst— Poseidon, Ares, Artemis, Mnemosyne, Hades, Eros and Hermes. They were the seven reapers of the Vander Mafia.

Si Artemis ang unang bumasag sa katahimikan. "Ugh, Zeus in case you don't know, si Poseidon ang pasimuno nito." She jus randomly picked someone to save herself knowing I am furious right now.

"What? I'm with Zeus at the dinner," apela naman ni Poseidon. "It was Ares who called me here."

Tinignan siya nang masama ni Ares. "Tinawag lang kita para sa pustuhan. I was betting my left arm! Eros was winning!"

I mentally made a face. Very typical Ares. He's not up to something that's no challenge. He would only join and tolerate Eros and Hermes fights for a valuable stake. If my greatest bet are my expensive cars, Ares goes for more valuable like body parts. Minsan na siyang natalo sa pustahan and he lost his right ring and pinky finger. Lucky for him that's just what he lost.

"Anong si Eros, eh halos lanta na 'yan!" Hermes butted and pointed at Eros. "Putok ang labi at tatlong bali. You think that's winning?"

Hades held his shoulder, and Hermes made a painful cry. "Bali rin naman balikat mo."

"So, si Eros nga nanalo? Give me my money and your left eye," Ares said and grabbed the money from Hades, ngunit mabilis iyong naiwas ng huli.

"No, he's not winni—"

"Damn it, don't ignore me," my voice roared on the corners of the house. Natahimik silang pito at sabay na napayuko. "Who organized this party?"

Mnemosyne raised her hand. "Ugh, I organized this... According to Pi's order."

What the heck. I slapped my forehead in distress at huminga nang malalim. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and dialled Pi's number. Akala ko ay tulog na siya sa mga sandaling ito ngunit tatlong ring lamang ay sinagot na niya iyon.

"Congratulations, Cooler! Did you get my surprise?" Bati niya sa telepono.

"Pi, you know I hate parties," sagot ko. I was sort of angry, but it's hard to be angry to Pi. She's very adorable, plus she's pregnant so no one wanted to mess with her. I know iyon din ang rason ni Mnemosyne kung bakit sinunod na lamang niya ang utos ni Pi na magpa-party.

"Oh, the party's a plus, I have another surprise. Ask Red," she giggled. "Goodbye Cooler. Don't call me again. Rocket and I are having sex from dusk till dawn after months of absentee due to my pregnancy so don't bother us."

The line ended before I can say another word. Napasimangot na lamang ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Who cares about their sex life? Bumaling ako kay Poseidon na ngayon ay nakatingin sa akin.

"What surprise is she talking about?" tanong ko.

"Don't hate me, it's hard to say no to Pi," panimula niya and I exactly understand.

"Just get straight to it."

He sighed. "Jaja."

Biglang nandilim ang paningin ko. Don't tell me he did not get her home safe after that freaking dinner?!

"Why, what happened to her? Hindi mo ba siya inuwi agad, after I told you so?"

It's already 2 AM, the dinner ended at 10 PM. I was presenting my case to Cronus for at least three hours and he's telling me Rustia is not yet home?

"I did, I mean, I tried to b-but..." Poseidon struggled to find the right words.

"Anong nangyari?" This time I was real mad. Kung hindi ko lamg kailangang umapela kay Cronus, I would have taken Rustia home myself. And now he's telling me this?

"What the hell happened Poseidon—"

"No cursing, please," he told me.

I would have flipped, but everyone feared the Poseidon asking no to cursing the same way everyone feared the pregnant Pi.

"Just get straight to the point Poseidom, and tell me." Tiningnan ko ang ibang reapers na naroon pa rin. "All of you, leave!"

Poseidon was the first one to move.

Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata. "Not you, Poseidon."

He made a face and stayed still. Una siyang nilagpasan ni Mnemosyne at tinapik ang kanyang balikat. "Call me if you survived, Red."

Sumunod si Ares at tinapik rin ang kanyang balikat. "Rest in peace, dude."

Hades followed, tapping him to. "You are so dead."

Maging si Artemis ay tinapik din siya. "I'll have my eulogy ready, Red."

Sumunod ang mga paika-ikang sina Eros at Hermes.

"If I did not dislocate my shoulder, I would have tapped you too, bro," sabi ni Hermes at nilagpasan siya.

Eros followed, holding his bleeding side. "You will be missed, bro. Rest in paradise."

Saglit na namayani ang katahimikan nang kami na lamang dalawa. The house was big, but there was pure silence in it na para bang kahit ang patak mg tubig ay maririnig sa buong kabahayan. Poseidon was the first one to break silence.

"Listen, Zeus—"

"Coooooolerrrr Vandeeeerrrr~"

A drunk voice echoed inside the house, at sabay kaming napatingala ni Red sa second floor kung saan nanggaling ang boses.

"Damn it, what is she doing—" Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at sabay kaming napatakbo ni Red papunta kay Rustia. She was about to slide down the railings, happily screaming "wieeeee".

Una siyang narating ni Red. He immediately caught her before she fall face down the floor. Her laughter echoed around the house, at tila ba tuwang-tuwa siya.

What the heck, kung hindi lamang si Poseidon ang kasama ko ay malamang kanina pa ako napamura. Rustia looked drunk, but she does not reek of alcohol. Medyo mapula rin ang kanang leeg pababa sa dibdib, as if there were tiny rashes.

"Anong nangyari sa kanya, did she drink?" Tanong ko, grabbing Rustia from Red. She felt hot too.

"Cooler, my boss!~"  She said with a smile and pulled something out of thin air. It was a colorful hankie. "Tada!~"

"Did you drink anything?" I asked ngunit hindi niya ako pinansin at sa halip ay bigla na lamang iwinasiwas ang panyo at naging pulang rosas iyon.

"Tadaaa again!~"

Narinig ko ang mahinang tawa ni Poseidon ngunit agad siyang natahimik nang sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. He stood still and looked down.

"Anong pinainom mo sa kanya?" I asked him angrily.

"Tubig!~" It was Rustia who answered. "Gusto ko ng tubig! Akala ko disyerto na ang lalamunan ko sa sobrang dry—"

Poseidon was about to laugh again but he moved swiftly before I can say anything. Nang makabalik siya ay may dala na siyang bottled water na agad niyang binuksan at iniabot kay Rustia.

"Thanks, Pula!~" She said and chugged the water.

Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Red. "Care to tell me what happened? Is she drunk?'

Poseidon shook his head. "I wish she was. Pi drugged her."

"What the—" Hindi ko na tinuloy ang sasabihin bago pa niya ako sitahin. "How so?" 

"To make the long story short, my suspicion was right. That person is now on the move," wika niya sa seryosong boses.

Poseidon is my most trusted reaper. Other than he always makes the work done, mapagkakatiwalaan rin siya. We were also blood related, and I've known him since we were kids.

Few weeks ago ay kinausap niya ako. He told me someone's messing with business, same pattern of what happened five years ago when Erebus, Cronus' trusted friend and Rustia's father died. Everyone found out about it, but Erebus' death and the missing 13 billion money somehow took the blame. Everyone thought Erebus was the traitor.

But my gut is telling me otherwise. The real traitor just ride with his death, and now he's starting to move again. The thought of people biting others disgusts me.

Recently, money was short and records showed some manipulation. It was so clean na kung sa unang tingin ay hindi mo iisiping may mga hindi match na records. Ghost receipts, excessive expenses, and others.

Hindi man kalakihan ngunit sa napakaraming pagkakataon na hindi na match ang mga records, Vander Mafia lost a huge amount without anyone noticing.

Nang napansin ko iyon ay agad kong pinaimbestigahan kay Poseidon. And I was right. Someone's on the move again. The same person who did us dirty five years ago and took advantage of what happened to Erebus— Jaja's dad. He died as a greedy traitor sa mata nga nakararami but the inconsistencies of the events that day were so apparent. The mystery of his death and the missing 13 billion is still untold.

It was bad idea to bring Rustia to that dinner, but Red see it as an opportunity to see the traitor on the move.

Kung hindi lamang kinuwento ni Pi si Rustia kay Cronus, she wouldn't be in this mess. I somehow caused her life to be in danger.

"Nang ihatid ko siya, napansin kong may sumusunod sa amin," wika ni Poseidon. "We exchanged fires, and she was being hysterical. Then Pi called and invited her for the your party and..." Napabuntong-hininga si Red. "She was supposed to give her calming dose, but she got rashes. At hindi ko na alam ano pang mga binigay ni Pi sa kanya."

"At ang nakabuntot sa inyo?" Tanong ko.

"Ares took care of it. It's a paid hitman. Hindi rin niya alam sino ang kliyente niya, he just took the job because the pay is good," sagot ni Poseidon.

Napahawak ako sa noo. What the heck, patong-patong na problema? Just day one of my taking over at ito na agad?

I cannot be angry to Pi. No man can get angry to her or you will face her wrath. Poseidon was the only option.

Itinaas niya ang dalawang kamay, tila ba sumusuko. "Alright, get angry with me. Nandiyan na iyan," he said as if reading my mind.

Rustia suddenly leaped towards me, cupping my face like a freaking cute kid.  Bumaling siya kay Red. "This is my boss.~"

Red nodded smiling. "That's my boss too."

Rustia made a whispering gesture at nagkunwaring bumulong. "Medyo kuripot ang boss natin, wala man lang akong commission."

Poseidon laughed ngunit agad din namang natahimik nang tiningnan ko nang masama.  "What am I gonna do with her?" 

He shrugged. "Why are you asking me? You know what I do to women."

Napalabi ako. Right, why am I asking him? He's practically a whore. "Poseidon—"

"Look man, it should be past my duty hours, can I leave now?" Frustrated na tanong niya. "Like a said, traitor's on the move. I cannot leave her alone sa bahay niya."

He's got a point, but what am I gonna do with a high woman in my home? She will kill me in the morning, I'm sure.

"Any other options?" Tanong ko.

"How about call Pi?" Red asked. "That way, she will not flip when she wakes up in the morning with two men."

And what, face Pi's wrath? No thanks. She made it clear not to disturb them. "She specifically mentioned not to call her."

Naintindihan iyon agad ni Red. "Ugh, they definitely doin' the nasty all night long."

Nakasimangot na tumango na lamang ako. Biglang tumunog ang cellphone ni Poseidon, and with grinning face, he turned to me.

"Ops, Pop's calling. Bye dude, don't do anything stupid!" He took it as an opportunity to leave! Tumakbo siya palayo, totally ignoring me.

Don't do anything stupid, huh? As if being
alone at home, with a high woman is not stupid enough?

#

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