Chapter 35: birthday blues

JAJA

Parang dinurog ang puso ko nang makita ko si Cooler. He was suffering so much, at tila wala akong nais gawin kundi alisin lahat ng paghihirap niya. If only it were that easy. Puno ng hinanakit ang kanyang mga mata habang nakatitig siya sa salamin, tila ba ayaw niya sa repleksiyong nakikita niya. Sa labas, Cooler seemed like a cheerful person, pero witnessing him loathe himself, I was reminded of how harsh reality can be. Sinubukan ko ang lahat ng kaya ko para kahit paano ay gumaan ang pakiramdam niya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin, so I let my heart lead. Wala akong ibang ninais kundi alisin ang mga pasakit niya.

Kung tatanungin ko siya tungkol sa nararamdaman niya, it felt like making him relive the pain again, kaya inaliw ko siya sa bagay na gustung-gusto niya—ang mahika.

I like how simple Cooler is. Just the oldest magic trick that even a child could do, tuwang-tuwa na siya. I only wish I could find the magic trick that would take all his pain away. Nang magising ako, wala na siya sa tabi ko, but he left a note in the kitchen along with breakfast he had prepared.

Kinuha ko ang maliit na papel at binasa ang nakasulat.

I'll see you tonight. I love you.
-Cooler

Napangiti ako at idinikit iyon sa pinto ng refrigerator, kung saan nakadikit ang iba pa niyang mga notes na iniwan. Today is his birthday, and I know I can't keep him all to myself. Still, I'm happy he will make time for me later tonight. Kumain ako at naghanda para sa trabaho.

I already planned how we would celebrate his birthday. A simple dinner, watch a movie, or maybe a relaxing bath. Bumili ako ng bath bombs at kung anu-anong ilalagay sa bathtub. I even prepared some wine. It wasn't the best, but surely Cooler would appreciate the effort.

Inabala ko ang sarili sa trabaho buong araw. I only wished Cooler happiness ngayong kaarawan niya. I texted him a happy birthday, pero hindi siya nag-reply. I also tried calling, pero hindi ko pa rin ma-contact ang cellphone niya. I never had the chance to ask last night kung okay lang ba ang phone niya or if there was another number I could reach him. Nang bandang hapon, napansin ni Vinny ang pananamlay ko.

"Gusto mo bang mag-out nang maaga?" tanong niya. "Kanina ka pa parang maraming iniisip."

I forced a smile at umiling. "Wala namang problema."

Tila hindi siya naniniwala, pero hindi na siya naging makulit pa. There was even a time when he noticed I had been mopping the same spot for nearly an hour. Tinulungan na lang niya ako. I apologized and tried to pull myself together. Cooler left a note that he'd see me tonight. He will fulfill that promise, no matter what.

A white car pulled up outside the store around late afternoon, and two men in tuxedos stepped out carrying large paper bags. They entered the shop, looking for someone.

"Miss Jaja Rustia?" one of them asked.

Sinalakay ako ng kaba at hindi agad nakapagsalita. Vinny volunteered to take over at the counter while I faced the men. My heart pounded as I stared at them, but moments later, they bowed politely.

"Pinapabigay po ni Sir Cooler," said one of the men, handing me the paper bags. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa kanila at sa mga bags. They were from expensive brands, so I peeked inside, confused. Clothes, shoes, accessories, and other items. What?!

"A-ano 'to?"

The other man handed me a black envelope. With shaking hands, I opened it and read the contents. It was an invitation to Cooler's Masquerade Birthday Ball.

"Pinapabigay po ni Sir. Busy po siya sa paghahanda kaya hindi siya ang nag-abot sa inyo. Marami pa po roon sa sasakyan."

Looking at the expensive brands, there's no doubt Cooler sent these. Pero bakit napakarami?

"Ugh, lahat 'to?" Naguguluhang tanong ko.

"Para po may pagpipilian kayo."

Napabuga ako ng hangin. Sa dami ng dala nila, para na akong magbubukas ng boutique. I slapped my forehead. Of course, Cooler wanted me to look my best for his birthday. I couldn't embarrass him. Today is his special day, so kahit labag sa loob ko, I'll wear what he sent.

"Kukunin po muna namin ang pinadala niyang mag-aayos sa inyo. Susunduin po namin kayo mamaya para maihatid sa hotel," one of the men added.

Well, what choice do I have?

***

The men dropped me off at my apartment, and I found myself staring at the mountain of boxes scattered around my room.

"Sana hindi siya mag-expect nang sobra," I muttered to myself. It's his special day, and I've been too focused on myself that I forgot who Cooler is. Of course, there's a grand party for him.

Napabuntong-hininga ako and started unpacking the bags. There were dresses in shades of deep crimson, blue, and even black, with matching shoes that made me gasp at their probable price. I chose to wear the black dress that I thought would be comfortable. There's nothing comfortable about knowing its price, but I had no other choice. I picked a lace dress that looked both daring and classy. I had to be presentable because this was Cooler's important day.

I put on the dress, fixed myself, and then checked my reflection in the mirror. Then, I reached for the silver mask and placed it on my face, smiling faintly.

I tried to steady my nerves. Kinakabahan ako sa maaaring mangyari ngayong gabi, but I can't abandon Cooler. He wanted me there, and I'll be there with my best behavior. I will not be a bother.

I lost track of how long it took me to get ready. Soon enough, the car arrived to pick me up. Wala pa rin akong natanggap na text o tawag mula kay Cooler, but I understood that he was busy today. Before stepping out of my apartment, I gave myself one last look in the mirror. I looked like someone who belonged in Cooler's world—a world of power, money, and secrets.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the evening ahead. There was no backing out now. Habang ginigiya ako ng mga tauhan ni Cooler papunta sa nakaabang na sasakyan, I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight would be more than just a celebration.

Tahimik lang ako buong biyahe papunta sa venue. I was so nervous knowing I'd see his unpleasant relatives again. My hands were cold, and I wished Cooler was there holding them. When we arrived at the hotel, I gasped at how luxurious it was. Even outside, there were already people, and I noticed media snooping around. There were flowers with birthday greetings for Cooler. The entrance was adorned with lavish decorations, and the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. I could see masked guests stepping out of luxury cars, greeted with utmost respect by security.

I tried calling Cooler again, but his number was still unreachable. Just when I was about to call Poseidon, one of Cooler's men grabbed my arm. He removed his in-ear device and whispered to me, pulling me aside.

"Ma'am, tatagpuin daw po muna kayo ni Sir Cooler sa rooftop," he said in a low voice. "Sa likod po tayo dumaan, may express elevator doon."

I smiled and nodded, following him to a different part of the massive building. With each passing second, my heartbeat quickened. By the time I entered the elevator, my nerves were shot. I tried to ignore the disappointment of knowing Cooler could contact his men but not me, keeping it to myself.

My heart was racing as I watched one of the men press the top floor button. Sa bawat palapag na nadadaanan namin, tila mas lalong bumibilis ang tibok ng puso ko. I glanced at the men briefly. They wore black suits and masks that covered half their faces. They also had earpieces, na tila ba maya't maya ay may kumakausap sa kanila mula roon. They didn't seem suspicious—more like well-trained professionals—but something about them was unsettling.

I adjusted my mask and tried to calm myself. I reminded myself to be on my best behavior, lalo na't araw ito ni Cooler. Ibinaling ko sa iba ang paningin ngunit nahagip ko ng tingin ang tattoo sa gilid ng leeg ng mga lalaki. I tried to take a closer look without being obvious.

The tattoo was a crossed sword emblem. Masbtumindinang kaba ko nang mapansing may ganoong tattoo rin ang isa pang lalaki. Matching tattoos? Either they're couples, or it's an emblem of some sort.

Wala akong nakitang tattoo kay Cooler. I don't recall seeing one on Red either, or kahit sa iba pa nilang kasamahang nakilala ko na. Something about the tattoo felt eerily familiar.

Before I could think more about where I'd seen it, the elevator doors opened, revealing a man in a mask—pero tiyak akong hindi iyon si Cooler.

***

COOLER

"I am so proud of the man you've become, Zeus," proud na wika ni Achilles, sabay taas ng hawak niyang wineglass. He gestured to his business partners, who also raised their glasses.

"As expected from a Vander!"

Sabay-sabay nilang ininom ang alak, tuwang-tuwa. I lowered my gaze, afraid someone might catch me looking at Achilles with disgust.

He disgusts me. Saka lang naman ako mabango sa kanya kapag may nagawa akong mabuti. And because I bring in huge money, connections, and other downstream businesses that ripple from the deals I close on my own.

"For the Vander Mafia!"

Patuloy na nagkakasiyahan ang lahat. It was a grand party I wasn't interested in, pero hindi ako puwedeng mawala rito. I excused myself at hinanap si Poseidon sa paligid. I already oriented him na aalis ako sa kalagitnaan ng party. I have to spend time with my girlfriend, who wasn't invited dahil una sa lahat, hindi naman ito birthday party ko. This is a victory party arranged by Achilles, para sa tagumpay. I hate this. I hate being here.

Kahit nakamaskara ang lahat, I can easily recognize Poseidon, pero hindi ko siya mahagilap. I turned to the sides, pero sinalubong ako ng mga babaeng nakamaskara.

"Cooler, happy birthday."

Napahinto ako at napangiti. I don't know who these girls are, pero tiyak kong kung hindi kasosyo sa negosyo, they must be daughters of politicians connected to the Vanders.

"Thank you, Miss..." Crap. I should have just ended it with thank you.

Inalis niya ang maskarang nakatabing sa mukha. "Sophia. Sophia Glodove. We've met a few times..."

Hindi ko na narinig ang iba niyang sinabi dahil namataan ko si Poseidon. "Excuse me," mabilis kong sabi, agad na umalis para lapitan siya.

"Did you reach Rustia?"

Huminga nang malalim si Poseidon bago umiling. "Wala rin siya sa apartment niya."

My hands clenched into fists. "I don't feel good about this."

"You sure she's not somewhere planning a surprise for you?"

I know she's up to something, but considering she just saw me break down, it must be something intimate and fun for both of us. But then this party happened. Now, I can't get hold of my girlfriend's whereabouts.

"Hindi maganda ang kutob ko, Poseidon. Also, Mnemosyne mentioned Hechanova and Brusca. Ibig sabihin, hindi nga si Brusca ang nakaharap natin. Tiyak na may plano sila. I'll kill them both if they lay a hand on Rustia!"

Tinapik niya ang balikat ko. "Relax. We will find her—" Pareho kaming natigilan nang tumunog ang cellphone ni Poseidon. Tiningnan niya iyon, and all the blood rushed to my head nang makita ko ang videong ipinadala sa kanya.

It was my sleeping girlfriend, dressed in black with a masquerade mask. The one who took the video ran the back of his palm on Rustia's face while greeting me a happy birthday.

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