Chapter 33: at what cost

COOLER

I'm feeling completely out of place, but I have no choice but to stay. The room, with its suffocating haze and red-painted walls, is stifling, and the vodka I'm downing isn't helping.

Inayos ko ang suot na in-ear dahil narinig kong nagsalita si Artemis. "What hell is this place?" She groaned in annoyance. "Poseidon, keep your dick in your pants or at least until Zeus' deal is over."

Sinagot siya ni Poseidon. "You know I don't play while working."

I cut off their exchange. "Nasa pwesto na ba kayo?"

Si Artemis ang unang sumagot. "Yup, here at the bar with six women and four men doing an orgy." She made a disgusting grunt. Can't blame her, pinapwesto ko siya kung saan siya ang pinakamalapit sa akin. That also means she can witness everything that's going on in this sex party or whatever they call it.

I grimaced. Like Artemis, hindi rin ako komportable. I wasn't expecting this kind of place, but given the significance of the deal, I have to endure. Tama si Artemis, if anyone is enjoying this, it's probably Poseidon. He's someome who sticks his thing to anything with a vagina. But since he doesn't mix work with pleasure, I trust he'll handle his part of the job, despite being in this bizarre place. 

I adjusted my mask carefully, making sure it wouldn't come off easily. Umayos ako ng upo nang bumukas ang pinto at niluwa ang lalaking nakasuot ng itim na salamin. His hair was slick back, and his shining red suit was so bright and shiny I can spot him from a mile or two.

"You must be Zeus," sabi ng lalaki, sa tonong tila sanay mag-Ingles ngunit halata sa tono na ibang lenggwahe maliban sa Ingles ang ginagamit.

I offered my gloved hand for a handshake. "And you must be Gambo."

He smiled widely. "Kumusta ka, Zeus?"

Oh, he speaks fluent Filipino. "You speak Filipino," komento ko.

Tumawa siya at muling tinuro ang upuan ko, signaling me to take a seat. "Of course, sa Cebu ako lumaki. My heart wants the Filipino hospitality, that's why I wanted the Vander family on this."

"Well, let's cheer to that," iyon na lamang ang komento ko at itinaas ang baso.

He laughed maniacally before picking up his glass, doing what I did. "But that is not entirely the reason. Vander has done small-scale operations in Miami and has gained its own reputation. I was expecting Cronus, but I guess the son who overthrew him showed up, eh?"

I smirked behind the mask. Unlike the myth, I haven't overthrown Cronus; he just let me take over due to his declining health. "I like to make a deal with my own name."

He crossed his legs at muling tumawa bago sumenyas sa kanyang mga bantay. Ilang sandali lamang ay pumasok sa silid ang anim na babaeng nakahubad. They all sat beside Gambo, two of them straddling his lap, the other two making out, and the other two licking their way from his nasty ankle up.

I watched him smirk at me habang abala ang mga babae sa kung anu-anong ginagawa nila.

"Did you come alone?" tanong niya.

"No, I have company," sagot ko.

Bigla niyang sinipa ang dalawang babae kaya tumilapon sila sa sahig. He screamed at them in a different language, at mabilis na tumayo ang dalawa at nakangiting bumaling sa akin.

Well, if I had been kicked like that, I don't think I could smile.

Tumayo sila at lumapit sa akin, and I understood what they were trying to do. Itinaas ko ang isang kamay upang pigilan sila sa balak at bumaling kay Gambo.

"I appreciate the gesture, but please, I decline. I always make sure there's a fine line between my work and pleasure," wika ko sa kanya habang sumasandal. "If you may, I'd like us to get straight to business."

Muling tumawa si Gambo bago nagsalita ng ibang lenggwahe. The women went back to licking his ankles.

"Well, I was like that when I was your age too. No play, just work, pero nang tumanda ako, I realized it's fun to do both," he said at muling sumenyas sa mga tauhan niya.

A lot of men entered the room with body bags, to which I'm guessing don't contain a body. Inilapag nila ang mga bag sa harap at binuksan iyon, revealing stacks of money inside.

"Hello, there, my friend," masayang bulalas niya nang makita ang pera. "They can be your friend too, that is, if everything will go smoothly."

May kinuha siya sa bulsa ng kanyang suot na pulang coat, a folded paper na nang binuklat niya, revealed a map.

"Have you been to Mindanao, Zeus?" tanong niya. "Great place, accommodating people, and wonderful beaches."

I nodded in response, vigilant of everything that may happen in this room.

"We usually ship by air, but we're hot right now, and my politician friend wants to lie low, so we want another means to smuggle the guns," pasiuna niya at tinuro ang ilang bahagi ng mapa. "This is where we will take it from."

It wasn't easy, lalo na at naging mainit ang usaping smuggling sa bansa. It will be a big risk, but my gut tells me I can pull this through.

"Consider it done," sabi ko sa kanya, dahilan upang mapangisi siya na tila hindi makapaniwala.

"Young and confident, I like that," sabi niya. "But Zeus, don't you think I'm paying too much for just a few guns?"

His voice sounded ominous, but I know very well to keep myself calm and collected. Poseidon checked in a few times if everything is under control and if not, I should say the word "cards."

"Spill it," wika ko. Of course, it was very alarming to receive such a deal with just a little amount of deliveries. Hindi lamang iyon, there is a promise of an introduction to a huge gun and ammunition depot. "Then we can talk."

Gambo pushed off one of his sluts, spat on another, and said something in a foreign language where the sluts started kissing each other. This should have been an arousing moment, but their queer activity just made my stomach churn, ngunit hindi ko iyon pinahalata.

"Don't you like my little show?" tanong niya.

I shook my head in an honest response. "I'm not used to it."

He laughed before downing his vodka. "Do you have a Hera of your own, Zeus, and a number of paramours?"

I tapped my fingers on my knees, which sometimes intimidate the people I talk to. I don't want to waste my time here, but of course, I have to get on his good side. "No, I'm more of a monogamous type."

"I see," sagot niya. "Have you smoked opium before?"

Tumayo ako at inilahad ang palad sa kanya. "I think we're done here."

Bigla na lamang tinutok ng mga tauhan niya ang mga armas nila sa akin. I stopped and raised both hands with a laugh.

"Sit down, Zeus."

Nanatili akong nakatayo at tiningnan siya. He looked at me with a smirk before I pulled my own gun and started firing everywhere. Nagkagulo ang mga naroon na babae at nag-unahan sa paglabas. His men tried to pin me, ngunit itinaas ni Gambo ang isang kamay para pigilan sila.

"Everyone, out!" he shouted at his guards, at kahit nag-aalangan, ay lumabas lahat ng kanyang gwardiya, at kami na lamang dalawa ang naiwan. "So... you are really your father's son."

Hindi ako sumagot sa komento niya at sa halip ay muling umupo, crossing my legs.

"When we were teens, Cronus and I started small-scale contraband smuggling in the Philippines, and look at you now—the Vander family is one of the country's biggest names," kwento niya, smiling at the nostalgia. "But you know, we weren't compatible. He's like fire, and I'm ice—too hotheaded when he should be the cool one. But you know what I like most about him? He is a strategic planner and a visionary. He could go to big places with such a brain for that damn well-calculated approach, but he was ruined by temporary things. He kept his profile low and has not served jail time. How insane is that?"

Of course, I know how amazing my old man is. While I was caught from time to time, no dirt has been on his name. Not even a suspicion, with him one of the probable suspects of a case. Do you know why he cut me off?

My old man has never talked about his relationship with Gambo, and I don't think he ever mentioned him. He must have totally cut him off and they went on their separate ways. Hindi ako nagkomento sa kwento niya at nakinig na lamang.

"He wanted a simple life despite him knowing it's hard to get out," patuloy niya. "He also refused to ally with huge cartels and crime organizations. Just imagine what would be Vander Mafia's success if he only connected with big crime syndicates."

"I am not Cronus, Gambo, so I prefer you get straight to the point," putol ko sa mga sasabihin niya.

May hinigit siya sa bulsa at inilapag sa sa harap ko. It was a large plastic-wrapped bundle of white powder. "We're under pressure from the authorities right now, so help us get this to someone."

Drugs. No big deal.

Crossing my legs, I downed my last vodka. "Done."

***

JAJA

Cooler said he will be gone for three days ngunit panglimamg araw na ngayon at wala pa rin along naririnig mula sa kanya. I was worried, dahil paano kung may masamang nangyari sa kanya?

I tried texting him for days ngunit wala akong natatanggap na reply. I also called pero hindi macontact ang number niya. Hindi pa rin ako mapakali, I tried calling him again ngunit gaya ng ilang beses ay cannot be reached ang number niya.

Dahil sa labis na pag-aalala ay si Red ang tinawagan ko. I know it's too much pero hindi ko na alam anh gagawin. Ayaw kong maistorbo si Red lalo na at dis-oras na ng gabi but I was left with no option.

Sinalakay ako ng kaba nang mag-ring ang kabilang linya at sinagot iyon ni Red.

"Hey, Jaja," masiglang bati niya. "What's up?"

There was screaming and cursing from the background ngunit hindi ko iyon pinansin.

"Uhm, pasensiya ka na Red, kasama mo ba si Cooler?"

He was silent for a while, at ilang sandali lamang ay narinig ko ang boses ni Cooler mula sa kabilamg linya. "Hey, pretty!"

"Cooler? Nakabalik ka na?" Iyon ang unang nasabi ko. Gusto ko sanang itanong sa kanya kung bakit hindi jiya ako kinontact, and he hasn't showed up for the past five days mula nang makabalik siya pero hindi ko magawa. My chest felt lighter as I soilently felt relief. "Mabuti naman at ayos ka lang... I was worried baka ano na ang nangyari sa'yo."

"Oh, shit. You're crying right now, are you?" Nag-aalalang tanong niya.

Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi at tahimik na pinahid ang mga luha. I was crying, but it was due to relief na ligtas siya. "N-no, I'm not."

"I'm sorry, babe. I'll see you  later okay? Can't talk to you right now, it's snowing here," sabi niya.

"Nasa ibang bansa ka pa?"

He laughed but I can tell he's a little pissed behind that laughter. "Nope, I'm in my car. I'll see you later babe, okay? I love you."

Pinatay niya ang tawag at nagtatakang napatingin ako sa cellphone. That was one weird conversation. It's Cooler but he was odd, like he was sort of pissed right now. At anong ibig niyang sabihin na may snow, sa sasakyan niya? Was that possible?

I don't want to hurt my head thinking about it kaya humiga na lamang ako. It's 11 PM and he said he will see me later, so was it later at dawn or soemthing? Kilala ko si Cooler, when he say he will see me later, he will show up no matter what time it is. Inalis ko ma lamang ang pagtataka sa isip at ipinikit ang mga mata para makatulog.

***

COOLER

"That fucker!" Umalingawngaw ang boses ko sa loob ng kotse. Ibinagsak ko ang pinto at bumaling kina Hermes at Eros na nakatayo at nakayuko, probably trying not to get on my bad side. "Get this thing off my car right now!"

Agad silang gumalaw at inalis ang patong-patong na puting bagay sa loob ng sasakyan ko. Normally, I love my cars, but I have a weird feeling about this one. When I shot one of the seats and grabbed the knife I kept in my sock to slice up the leather, I lost it. I cursed again when instead of foam, white powder spilled out.

Poseidon knew I was not in the mood right now kaya tumayo lamang siya sa gilid at tinakpan ang tainga habang napapamura ako. His phone rang, and when he mentioned Rustia's name, I calmed myself. I grabbed his phone, noting to myself that I have to get a new one because I lost mine.

"Hey, pretty!" I made sure I didn’t sound so pissed right now.

"Cooler? Nakabalik ka na?" Her voice started to crack, and bago pa man ako nakasagot, muli na siyang nagsalita. "Mabuti naman at ayos ka lang... I was worried baka ano na ang nangyari sa'yo." She sounded cheerful, but fake, dahil naririnig ko ang pagkabasag ng boses niya. I'm betting good money that she's crying right now.

Damn, I don't want her to cry.

"Oh, shit. You're crying right now, aren’t you?" Great, that's not what boyfriends are supposed to do to their girlfriends, right?

"N-no, I’m not."

She definitely was. There was nothing I wanted more than to go to her, lock her in my arms, and stop the tears. But the blaring police sirens in the distance and the drugs spilling all over my car weren’t helping. I had to deal with this first, then I’d come back to her—with a bouquet, pizza, and maybe a necklace worth more than a million to make up for it.

Sumenyas si Eros dahil habang tumatagal, mas lumalakas ang tunog ng papalapit na sasakyan ng mga pulis. They loaded the drugs back in my car in an attempt to escape the incoming police.

"I'm sorry, babe. I'll see you later, okay? Can't talk to you right now, it's snowing here," I said with a sigh.

"Nasa ibang bansa ka pa?"

I laughed as I turned on the engine. "Nope, I'm in my car. I'll see you later, babe, okay? I love you."

Pinatay ko ang tawag at hinagis kay Poseidon ang cellphone. He immediately caught it, while the others buckled up.

I started driving as fast as I could. It was easy because it was what I usually do, but with my anger and adrenaline right now, my mind was so clear. The drugs scattered around the car only fueled my rage with every second.

I noticed Hermes started praying on the side. "I will never understand your love for racing, Zeus. Mas gusto ko pang balatan ng buhay kaysa sumakay sa ganito."

Kabaligtaran naman si Eros na tila batang tuwang-tuwa. "Shut up, dude! We're flying! Woo hoo!"

Poseidon, who was on the passenger side, crossed his arms at napatingin sa side mirror. Flashing lights of red and blue were following us, but with that speed, malabong makahabol sila.

Unfortunately, this road was unfamiliar, so the police cars somewhat caught up. I stepped on the gas, making the tires screech, ngunit determinadong makipaghabulan ang mga pulis.

Mula sa backseat ay sumungaw ang ulo ni Eros. "Can we play Taylor Swift's Getaway Car?"

Hinablot siya ni Hermes at dinapuan ng suntok sa mukha. "Nababaliw ka na ba?"

"Hey, it’s not every day you get to ride in Racer Zeus’ car! Speaking of which, bakit hindi racist ang tawag sa mga taong nagra-racing?" Eros grinned, only to get another punch from Hermes, who was now trembling with fear.

He groaned as he held his stomach. "Ugh, I'm gonna throw up."

Tumawa si Eros. "Dude, not in Zeus' car, or else..." Sinadya niyang huwag tapusin ang sasabihin.

"I know!" Sagot ni Hermes at binuksan ang bintana at sumuka. Suddenly, drugs started flying everywhere dahil sa nakapasok na hangin. The huge slice on the seats was leaking drugs, kaya napamura kaming tatlo maliban kay Poseidon. Mabilis na isinara niya ang bintana at napamura ulit nang mapansin ang sasakyan ng mga pulis, almost catching up to us.

The car tried to pull up alongside us, but I was quick to swing the car in a tight corner. We turned in a circular motion, leaving smoke in the air, ngunit mabilis na nakontrol ko ang sasakyan. The police car struggled to keep up, while I stepped on the gas even more, finding a familiar road. Tinahak ko ang daan na malayo sa highway, to avoid causing accidents, and immediately drove away.

Humihina na ang tunog ng sasakyan ng mga pulis, and no sign of its lights as well. Nang matiyak na wala nang nakabuntot, ay mas kumalma na ako, feeling the rush of adrenaline slowly wearing off.

I let out a satisfied grin at sumulyap sa rearview, only to find Hermes passed out, samantalang malawak naman ang ngisi ni Eros.

"He passed out due to fear," agad niyang sabi. "Not because I punched him."

Poseidon glanced back and shook his head slightly before leaning back in his seat. "What are the drugs for, Zeus?"

Nasa daan pa rin ang mata ko. "Hindi ko alam, must be one of Gambo's surprises."

He didn't look amused. "We don't deal drugs, Zeus."

Hindi ako nakapagsalita. I know I stepped out of my principle by doing this extra favor. Did I trample on my own principle just to please others?

Damn, I really hate myself.

Hanggang sa makarating kami sa bahay, ay hindi na ako nakapagsalita. When I pulled up, I tossed the keys to Eros.

"Get rid of the drugs and burn this car," wika ko at agad na umalis, avoiding eye contact with Poseidon because of shame.

Sure, I got money worth a year's operation, but at what cost?

#

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