Harmony Of Bullets

Bullet 7

ERNALINE'S POV:

'Welcome to your life

There's no turning back

Even while we sleep

We will find you.'

1980's hit song ang kinakanta ko na favorite ni Dad pakinggang at ang titulo nito ay Everybody Wants to Rule The World. Bagay nga naman ito sa tulad nilang may sariling mundo sa pagnenegosyo.

"Ang ganda naman ng boses mo."

Napatili ako nang biglang may magsalita sa bandang tenga ko at napalingon ako sa gawi nito nang tumalon ako palayo mula sa couch na kinauupuan ko.

"S..sino ka?" Nauutal na tanong ko.

A girl out of nowhere pops up inside Kuya Reiden's office.

Humagalpak ang tawa ng babae habang nakasandal ito sa head rest ng couch.

"Hayup yong reflexes mo girl, ang layo ng narating mo." Wika nito habang tumatawa pa rin.

Nakarating kasi ako sa mesa ni Kuya na ilang dipa ang layo mula sa couch na kinaroroonan ko kanino.

Naiinis na tumayo ako ng maayos at lumapit dito dala ang gitarang hawak ko. Buti nga hindi ko siya nahampas kanina.

"Huwag mo akong ginugulat Miss at baka mahampas kita ng gitara ko." Maasim ang mukhang bumalik ako sa couch at muling umupo.

Umupo rin ang babae sa tabi ko kinuha nito ng walang paalam ang notebook kong niluma na ng panahon.

"Woah, song writer ka?" Tanong nito habang bina-browse ang notebook ko.

"Medyo lang." Sagot ko dito.

"Pa-humble ka pa, halata naman sa boses mo na may ibubuga ka talaga!?" Aniya.

"Teka nga? Ibigay mo sa akin yan at baka ibenta mo sa mga recording studio, kakasohan kita ng plagiarism at copyright!" Banta ko rito bago ko hinablot mula sa kamay niya ang notebook ko at inilayo dito.

"Grabe ka naman. Hindi ako ganung klase ng tao ha!?" Depensa nito.

Umigkas ang kilay ko. "Sino ka ba?"

"My name is Saviel Hyuga," walang atubiling pakilala nito.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito sa office ng Kuya ko?"

Bumuntong-hininga ang babae at humiga ang ulo nito sa head rest ng couch na parang tinatamad. "I got bored inside the conference room where they are gathered and I decided to sneak out and ended up here. Bet ko lang talaga mag-explore sa kompanyang pinupuntahan namin."

"Magnanakaw ka siguro no?" Naniningkit ang mga matang tinitigan ko siya.

Tumawa si Saviel. "Come on. I am not a thief. Alam kong mayaman si Montenegro pero mas mayaman ang Boss ko. By the way, kapatid mo si Reiden Grei?"

"Oo."

"Hindi ko alam na meron siyang kapatid. Akala ko isa siyang walking zombie na tropa ni Cassius," aniya habang natatawa pa.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Although I may not be a well-known public figure, I am proud to say that I am a Montenegro heiress, with a direct lineage to the Montenegro Empire. It is an honour for me to carry on the legacy of my ancestors and uphold the traditions and values that have been passed down through the generations."

"Oh, that's why." Pagsang-ayon niya. "So, tell me, may girlfriend ba ang Kuya mo?"

Napangiwi ako. "Crush mo ba ang Kuya ko?"

Saviel shrugged her shoulder. "While I appreciate the way he presents himself, there are certain aspects of his behaviour that raise concern for me. On one hand, I am drawn to his charm and charisma, but on the other hand, I can't ignore the red flags that make me question whether he is truly trustworthy."

"Anong red flag?"

"When you notice a red flag in a relationship, it should be taken as a warning sign that your partner may have controlling tendencies. These red flags could manifest in various forms such as jealousy, possessiveness, or a need for constant attention. It is important to keep an eye out for such signs because if left unchecked, controlling behaviour can escalate and lead to emotional and even physical abuse. Therefore, it is crucial to address these issues early on in the relationship and set healthy boundaries to ensure a safe and fulfilling partnership." Tanong niya.

"Malay ko?"

She laugh. "So, may girlfriend nga siya?" Pagpapatuloy pa nito.

"Walang girlfriend si Kuya." Sagot ko dito.

Totoo naman sinabi ko dahil kahit isa ay walang pinakilala si Kuya Reiden sa bahay.

"Ireto mo nga ako?" Aniya at humagalpak pa ng tawa.

Parang naalala ko sa kanya ang kaibigan ko sa L.A University, her name is Sinji Natividad.

"Pareho kayo nung kaibigan ko. Trip niyo talaga si Kuya." Nakangiwing saad ko dito.

Napalingon sa akin si Saviel. "I possess a distinct set of characteristics that sets me apart from all other species. To date, no one has attempted to replicate me, except for one individual whom I inspired with my exceptional traits."

"At sino naman 'yon?" Tanong ko na tila matagal na kaming magkakilala ni Saviel gayong ngayon lang kami nagkita at nagkausap.

"Her name is Sinji."

Napatanga ako.

"I knew it. I remember her the way you talk." Bulalas ko.

"You know her?" Takang tanong niya.

"When I was pursuing my studies at L.A University, I had the pleasure of befriending a wonderful individual. I remember fondly the time we spent together and the bond we formed. She was a reliable and supportive companion throughout my academic journey, always ready to lend a listening ear and offer valuable advice."

"Oh, kaya pala--" Naputol ang sasabihin ni Saviel nang biglang bumukas ang pinto ng opisina ni Kuya at iniluwa noon ang grupo ng mga kalalakihan. I saw Kuya Calvin and Kuya Senri behind the man whose walking towards directly where we are sitting, even my brother is walking behind them.

"Hyuga..." Tawag ng lalaki habang nakatingin kay Saviel.

Sumama ang timpla ng mukha ni Saviel at padabog na tumayo at tyaka hinarap ang lalaki.

"Ano na naman bang problema mo Barney? I told you I won't go far inside this company." Wika ni Saviel habang nakapamewang.

"Despite my warning, you seem to have ignored my advice and decided to venture inside Grei's office sneakily." Kunot-noong tanong naman ng lalaki.

Tinignan ko si Kuya at nakatayo lang ito katabi sila Kuya Calvin at iba pang lalaking kasama nito na ngayon ko lang nakita.

Lumapit ako kay Kuya Reiden at bumulong dito. "Who are they?" Usisa ko.

"One of the major investors and my business partners." Aniya baho isinuksok ang kamay ni Kuya sa sariling bulsa nito.

Patuloy sa pag-uusap si Saviel at 'yung lalaki na parang wala kami sa paligid nila.

"What's up Ernaline?" Bumaling ako kay Kuya Calvin nang batiin ako nito kaya naman ngumiti ako dito at kumaway.

"Hello Kuya Calvin, how'd you doin'?" Pormal na pakikipag-usap ko dito.

"Quit hittin' my sister De Chavez, I'm warning you." Sali ni Kuya Reiden sa usapan namin.

Kuya Calvin laugh at what Kuya Reiden said as he taps his shoulder while talking to us. "Why you look so bothered? I told you I am not planning on courting her. Buti sana kung hindi siya related sayo baka maisipan kong gawin ang sinasabi mo?"

"The hell with you!?" Sinuntok ni Kuya ang sikmura ni Kuya Calvin pero ang lalaki ay tumawa lang.

"I didn't know you have a sister, Grei?" Sumali sa usapan namin si Kuya Senri at lumapit pa talaga ito sa kumpulan namin.

"You meet her a hundred fvcking times Kuruzaki, why ask me?" Sagot ni Kuya.

"Watch your mouth Kuya Reiden," pagbabanta ko.

Kuya Calvin and Kuya Senri look at me in unison. "It's fine Ernaline, that's how the way we talked with each other. Kahit mukang bato ang kapatid mo, sanay na kami sa ugaling meron siya."

Tatawa-tawang umiwas si Kuya Calvin mula sa kamao ni Kuya Reiden. A usual scenario of group of men and their relationships.

"By the way Ernaline, this is Senri Kuruzaki one of the members of BlackHand band." Pakilala ni Kuya Calvin. "You will work with him in the future since magiging parte ka ng banda."

"What?" Usisa ni Kuya Senri kay Kuya Calvin.

Bumaling si Kuya Calvin dito at nagsalita. "I told you I asked Grei's help and he told me about her. Naikwento ko na sa inyo nung magmeeting tayo diba? Don't tell me tulog ka na naman sa conference room nang sabihin ko yan?"

Kuya Senri shrugged his shoulder as if he didn't care what Kuya Calvin said.