Chapter 15: hypothetically speaking

COOLER

My deep thoughts were interrupted by my ringing phone. It was a good excuse to get out of bed, and shuck off the woman beside me.

"Zeus," sagot ko sa kabilang linya.

"Where are you?" The voice on the line was angry and urgent. Sinuklay ko ang daliri sa buhok at tiningnan ang cellphone, checking who it was.

It was reaper Artemis.

I opted to ignore her question. "Is everything ready?"

"What the fuck, Zeus. All is set, ikaw na lang ang wala pa. Where the f—" she stopped and yelled something about Poseidon being angry with her words in the background. Ilang saglit ay muli siyang nakipag-usap sa akin. "Get your ass in her Zeus, or else Poseidon will blow a fuse with my language and we're all dead meat.  Nasaan ka ba kasi?"

I sighed, glancing at the naked woman on the bed smiling at me. I picked up my jeans from the floor, slipping on it and checked the time on my watch. Shit, I have a deal in thirty minutes.

"I'll be there in 20," sagot ko at pinatay ang tawag. Nang ibutones ko ang pantalon ay nagsalita ang babae.

"That was... amazing,"  sabi niya at bumangon. 

"Yeah," wala sa sariling sagot ko.

"Aalis ka na?"

"Yeah." In my mind, I made a plan where to drive para mapadali ang pagdating ko sa warehouse.

I  felt the woman crawl towards me, long nails running through my chest. "Can't you stay a little longer?"

"Ugh, get off me." I sort of pushed her, pero sa malambot na kama naman siya bumagsak. 

"What, didn't we have an amazing time?" she asked angrily.

I'm too busy to tell her she's boring and she didn't satisfy me.

I pulled some money on my wallet at biglang napalis ang ngiti sa labi niya. "What the fuck, anong tingin mo sa akin, prostitute?"

Alam kong hindi marami ang nainom ko kanina, but her nagging made me wish I had been wasted.

Binalikan ko ang mga nangyari. I had so much in mind kaya lumabas ako upang uminom. I saw her from the other side of the bar counter and she walked into me and  struck up some conversation. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung anong pangalan niya. I didn't bother to ask,  maybe she gave me her name but I don't remember, and I don't care.

My mind was actually... wandering off... to Rustia. It's been a week since she left, at ayon kay Poseidon, ay nananatili siya sa kapatid niya. I thought not having her around was actually a good thing dahil sa ganoon ay walang temptasyon. I cannot be tempted with her enticing lips. I will not be thinking about her anymore. I thought I needed to get laid to prove that it's not Rustia that I really want.

But damn, I can't even get it up if I don't think about her. I am so screwed.

"I have to go," iyon lamang ang huling sinabi ko bago ako tuluyang umalis, leaving her with her mouth wide open in anger.

I made it just in time, but Artemis gave me an earful. Like I always do, I just let her rant. Nang tumigil na siya, lumapit ako sa malalaking crate na naglalaman ng mga smuggled na armas.

"Wala bang problema ang pagpasok nito?" tanong ko.

Poseidon nodded. "This successfully went through, but it's not as smooth as expected. Also, the cops are on our tail. We can't keep delivering imported canned sardines, so I suggest na humanap na muna tayo ng ibang paraan."

I nodded, mentally noting various ways to keep our operations going. Ilang deliveries na namin ang muntikan nang mahuli. Good thing we were ready, or the cops can be paid.

Bahagyang lumapit sa akin si Poseidon. "You reek of alcohol. Hindi ba hindi ka umiinom kapag may trabaho?"

Inayos ko ang pagkakasuot ng maskara nang marinig ang mga paparating na sasakyan. It must be our clients, and it was a good excuse not to give Poseidon an answer. Hindi na siya nagpumilit at sa halip ay pumwesto na lamang sa sulok kung saan hindi siya matatanaw ng katransaksyon namin.

The eerie silence and the dimly lit warehouse made me shiver, kahit na pinagpapawisan ako. My insticts were on high alert as I looked around, feeling the forming not in my stomach.

Bawat segundong lumilipas ay hindi ako mapakali. I thought it was the alcohol, but something didn't feel right. Ipinilig ko ang ulo at saglit na nagmasid sa paligid. No matter how I tried to clear my mind, I felt so uneasy, and something bothers me. The rustling of the wind outside heightened my unease.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit iba ang pakiramdam ko. I held my in-ear device, slowly moving to the dim part of the place.

"Poseidon," mahinang usal ko. I heard him respond. "Let's retreat."

He sighed. "Bakit—"

"Let's just do it," sagot ko.

"Copy." He knew better not to question my gut feel.

Mula sa pwesto niya ay nakita kong tumango siya sa akin, ngunit hindi pa kami nakakahakbang ay biglang namatay lahat ng ilaw.

"Damn it!" I mumbled under my breath as I slowly maneuvered in the darkness. The warehouse stood in eerie silence, but I knew my men were on the move, ready for any potential danger.

Nakarinig ako ng mga yabag ng tumatakbong mga paa, hanggang sa pumailanglang sa ere ang isang malakas na putok. Splintering wood scattered in the air, at napuno ng usok ang paligid. My hand immediately gripped the cold metal of my gun, eyes wandering in the darkness trying to find a safe place to hide.

"Zeus, don't move," narinig kong sabi sa akin ni Artemis mula sa suot kong in-ear device. "I'm waiting for Mnemosyne's response to ID whoever that is kaya mas mabuting huwag ka munang gumawa ng kung anong hakbang habang hindi natin kilala ang kalaban."

"Got it, Artemis," mahinang bulong ko.

"ZEUS!!!!" The voice echoed on the place.

Napatigil ako nang marinig ang hindi pamilyar na boses. Bahagya nang naka-adjust sa dilim ang paningin ko. Hinanap ko kung saan nanggagaling ang boses ngunit dumarami na ang ingay sa paligid.

Another gunshot rang out, striking the crate near me. I ducked, rolling to a safer side.

Shit!

"Mali ka ng kinalaban, Zeus," sabi ng boses. "You think I'll sit around after what you did to my brother?"

I didn't have to wait for my reapers' confirmation that it was Brusca, Hechanova's brother. I knew it was personal, and he was really out for blood.

Narinig ko ang pag-ping ng earpiece ko. And it was Artemis speaking. "Mnemosyne confirmed it's Brusca. He's armed kaya mag-iingat ka. At may mga kasama siya. Mnemosyne will send you a feed."

I nodded. "Thanks, Artemis. Siguraduhin niyong makuha lahat. We can't waste a lot of merchandise."

"Copy."

A small beep and a green dot illuminated on my wrist. Agad kong tinakpan ang suot na relo ng kamay, fearing that the little green glow will give away my hiding place.

Another gunshot echoed on the area, at naging hudyat iyon ng matinding gulo. His men exchanged fires with my men, and smoke filled the place.

"Lumabas ka sa pinagtataguan mo, Zeus. Stop hiding like a coward and face me!"

Brusca has gone out of his head. Inulan niya ng bala ang paligid kaya napilitan akong umalis mula sa pinagkukublihan. The reapers exchanged fires with him ngunit sadyang hindi nila maitumba si Brusca. Patuloy ang palitan ng bala ng magkabilang kampo, and none of us were willing to back down.

Inilibot ko ang paningin sa paligid at pilit na hinanap si Poseidon. He was nowhere in sight, and when I tried to look around, a number of my men were on the ground. Ilang beses akong napamura. Brusca is not here to talk and negotiate. He's out here to kill!

Muli siyang nagpaulan ng bala sa ere. A sharp, burning pain shot through my shoulder as a bullet grazed me. The scent of blood mixed with the acrid smell of gun powder filled the air. Napamura ako, hanggang sa narinig ko ang mahinang pag-ungol ni Brusca. When I peeked, Poseidon was grappling him, pinning him on the ground.

Agad akong tumakbo palayo, finding another place to hide. I stumbled several times, tripping over the scattered bodies and debris on the ground. Muling bumalik ang mga ilaw sa paligid, but it caused more chaos.

Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin, I saw Artemis swung by a long loose wire towards Brusca and Poseidon's direction, with sparks flew in all directions.

Poseidon had him by the neck, ngunit agad siyang nabalibag ni Brusca. He was about to pick him up again ngunit nasipa siya ni Artemis. Her kick almost did no effect, but it was enough to stall some time for Poseidon to stand up. I ran towards their direction, keeping the gun safely in my hand. I positioned to shoot Brusca ngunit masyado silang malikot.

Artemis managed to flank Brusca from the side, at mabilis na sumalakay rin si Poseidon. Kahit dalawa sila ay nahirapan sila kay Brusca, and I knew I had to help. I rolled on the ground, moving nearer to them. Nang matantya ko ang pwesto ay kinalabit ko ang gatilyo, hitting Brusca on the leg.

Napaluhod siya, at sumigaw kaya mabilis na sinundan ko ang kanyang kabilang paa. He fell on the ground making it easier for Poseidon to subdue him. Kumuha agad ng lubid si Artemis at tinali ito.

"Zeus, you're bleeding!" bulalas ni Poseidon. He spit some blood on the side, at saglit na pinakiramdaman ang sarili. The reapers had always prioritze my safety and well-being than their own.

"Malayo sa bituka," komento ko at hawak-hawak ang duguang braso na lumapit. Brusca was smirking at us, and I was tempted to snatch that annoying smirk on his face. My arm hurt like bitch, but I'm sure his legs hurt as well.

"Man, why are you so..buff? Do you eat rocks for breakfast?" pabirong tanong ni Artemis habang tinatali si Brusca.

Hindi pa rin nagsasalita si Brusca hanggang sa tuluyan akong makalapit. "I was actually trying to reach you, Brusca, and maybe talk with you. Brother to brother."

I stood on one knee, to level my face with him. Hindi siya nagsalita ngunit nakakaloko ang ngising iginawad niya sa akin.

"You catch a flight and throw a flip when your brother got shot on the leg?" Bahagya akong tumawa. "I would have done the same, but just so you know, I only shoot him because he threatened my younger brother."

Hindi ko alam kung nakikinig ba siya. Diretso lamang ang tingin niya sa akin. Kahit mga mata lamang ang nakikita niya dahil may suot akong maskara, he stared at me as if he can see through me. Nagpalitan ng tingin sina Poseidon at Artemis, weirded by the silence of our foe.

In a swift movement, he broke free from the ropes at biglang hinablot ang baril na hawak ko.

Everything happened so fast, that even my fastest reapers didn't have the time to react.  Wala rin akong panahon para iligtas ang sarili, and it was too late when a gunshot echoed inside the old warehouse.

Bumulagta si Brusca sa sahig habang hawak ang barin na pinutok niya sa sariling bunganga.

What the hell was that?

***

JAJA

Sinamahan ako ni Brad na maghanap ng apartment buong araw. He took the day off para tulungan akong makahanap ng mura at kahit papaano ay ligtas na matutuluyan. Halos lahat ng nakita namin, kung hindi nasa delikadong area, ay hindi secure ang mismong lugar.

It was hard to find a good place to stay, ngunit kahit paano ay may mga options na ako. Pupuntahan ko na lamang bukas ang mga area na hindi namin napuntahan ngayon.

Brad insisted na doon muna ako tumuloy sa kanila, ngunit nahihiya akong maging pabigat sa kanya. He's married, at kahit wala pa silang anak, may sarili na siyang pamilya. Nasa 2-week out-of-town training ang asawa niya kaya malaya akong nakakagalaw sa bahay nila sa gabi kapag nasa trabaho si Brad.

Halos madaling araw na nang makapahinga ako. I spent the rest of the night doing laundry. Pasado alas-onse na nang matapos akong maglaba at maligo. I wrapped my hair with a towel at nagkape.

Ilang sandali pa ay tumunog ang cellphone ko. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang makita ang pangalang rumehistro sa screen.

Cooler Vander.

Isang linggo na akong walang balita sa kanya, tapos bigla na lamang siyang tatawag ng dis-oras ng gabi?

I debated whether or not to take the call, ngunit sa huli ay pinili kong sagutin iyon, dahil baka emergency.

Really, as if I'll be the first person he will call in case of an emergency?

Ipinilig ko ang ulo at sinagot ang tawag.

"H-hello?"

There was a screeching sound from the other line, followed by a giggle and screamingvin pain. Kilala ko ang boses na iyon. It was him.

He sounded so happy, in fact, too overjoyed kaya malabong maging emergency.

"What the hell, Raine! You sure you're doing it, right—fuck, fuck, fuck, I called Rustia!!!"

There was another screeching sound, and another screaming. May naririnig rin akong tawa ng isang babae, at biglang kumirot ang puso ko.

Why is he calling me at this hour when he's with another woman? I was about to end the call pero narinig ko ang pamilyar na boses na nagsalita.

"Jaja?"

"Red?"

"You're still awake, hey quick question."

Napakurap ako ng ilang beses. Bakit sila tumatawag nang ganitong oras, at bakit naririnig ko ang tawa at pagmumura ni Cooler sa background?

"Hmm, ano iyon?" sagot ko, kahit medyo naguguluhan.

"Hypothetically speaking, let's say Cooler got shot and he's sort of high but adorable and let's say he's a dying man and his last wish is that you take care of him, would you be a doll and do so?" tanong niya. 

Naguguluhang napatingin ako sa cellphone, unsure if everything I heard was right. Kinurot ko ang sarili at napagtantong gising ako.

"Uhm, anong tanong iyan, Red?"

He laughed. "Not that Cooler's shot and it's not like he's high at all. It's hypothetical. HYPOTHETICAL."

"I see," sagot ko at kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi. It was one weird hypothetical question, but to answer it, of course, bakit hindi?

Huminga ako nang malalim. "It's weird to be asked that, pero syempre, kahit sino namang nasa pangangailangan, tutulungan at aalagaan ko."

"Good, because we're outside your brother's house, and Cooler's high as a kite. Be a doll and help us here?"

THEY'RE WHERE, AND COOLER'S WHAT???

#

A/N: I know we all love Red (Santong Pula) and guess what, may sariling story siya. It's still ongoing (I think I started it just this year) and I am so excited to share his story with youuuu all! It's entitled PICK YOUR POISON (Vander Sides #1). Maybe I will continue it kapag natapos ang UNI, or maybe after Vander Series #3 or maybe I'll keep updating it every once in a while hehe

ShinichiLaaaabs