Incarcerated Hearts (UA BOOK 2 TAGALOG) dela Conde no. 1

Kabanata 2 Party

Kabanata 2

Party

"Black, listen to me. We'll make this as quick as possible," I heard my partner, Silver. He's communicating with me through an earpiece.

"I know," I said.

"I'll give the floor on you, Black, good luck!"

Black, for elegance and beauty, sometimes, for death, me.

I walk with grace and pride. All my actions are controlled, even my breathing is in control. Ganito ang buhay ko sa taong lumipas.

Hindi illegal ang ginagawa ko kaya nasikmura ko ito sa loob ng halos limang taon.

Naalala ko lahat ng isinulat ni Khalil naimpormasyon, sa 4th floor gaganapin ang party kaya sa 5th floor ako pu-pwesto. Walang tao sa 5th floor dahil under renovation ang floor na ito kaya magandang pwesto iyon kung sakali.

"Go to the left corner. Assemble your arm now and aim for a shot," Silver again talk to me.

I put the silencer on my sniper gun and then I positioned myself at pasimpleng pinagmasdan ang mga tao sa ibaba na nagsasaya.

Gamit ang lens ay hinanap ko ang imahe ni Domingo Santilian, one of the most wanted drug pusher here in Europe.

"He's wearing a red coat," Silver said. "Shot him on his head," utos niya.

"Will you please shut up? I am concentrating here you moron!" I told him. I heard him chuckle.

"Come on, attorney Mercado! Bibig mo parang hindi ka abogado," he said. I tsk, on him.

"Walang pang batas na-naimplementa na bawal kaming magsalita ng ganoon," I told him but he keeps on pestering me. He keep on telling me what should I do, even if I already know what I should exactly do.

Nakita ko na ngayon si Domingo, he's dancing with his daughter, I can't shoot him in front of her, that would be traumatic.

"Does rats already inhabiting your chest?" Silver said.

"f**k, it Mikael! I am aiming for a good shot! If you can't keep your mouth shot, ako ang magpapatahimik sayo," banta ko sakanya na tinawanan niya lamang.

"We're on a mission, don't call me by my name-" di ko na narinig pa ang susunod niyang sasabihin dahil marahas ko ng tinanggal ang earpieace ko at binalik ang sarili ko sa pukos.

When Domingo was on stage giving some speech, his closing remarks maybe.

Sa baba ay nakita ko ang pamilyar na imahe ng lalake, Major Egue. Hmm... The police are here, this would be exciting.

Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Domingo, I am now aiming for his head. Hinakawan ko ang trigger, I counted three by myself, and then I pull the trigger. The bullet then went down to his direction, it was fast and very silent, moment pass by, bumagsak na siya sa sahig.

People then scream, nagkagulo. I even saw Major Egue's frustration. Lumingon siya sa taas kaya nagpakita ako at kumaway sakanya.

He started to ran papunta sa taas. Oh, boy! You can't arrest me, I have a license!

Tumakbo ako and using a window, I jump from 5th floor. I close my eyes and spread my arms like a bird. Dinamdam ang malamig na hangin hanggang sa bumagsak ako sa isang malambot na bagay. Dumilat ako at napagmasdan ko ang mga butuin sa kalangitan bago ito natabunan ng metal.

Ilang sandali pa ay unti-unti nang nawalan ng hangin ang malambot na bagay na binagsakan ko, hanggang sa nawala na nga talaga.

"Kung kailan ka tumanda tsaka ka pa nagloko," Mikael told me habang nakahalukipkip siya sa tabi.

Lahat ng plano namin sa gabing ito ay nasunod. Maging ang pag-alis namin sa lugar ay sakto lamang.

Mikael offered his hand to me at pinatayo niya ako. Sakay kami ngayon sa customize bus ng agency namin, tho, this is not just a simple bus. It only looks like a bus but the fact is, it is not really a bus.

"That was too quick," Luke said habang nagmamaneho siya. Umupo ako sa isang upuan at bumuntong hininga.

"Egue will get mad again," I said. Napangisi lamang si Luke saakin at napatawa ng bahagya si Mikael.

"Inunahan mo kasi siya," Mikael said.

The morning then came and like the usual. Mga kaso naman ang pinag-aaralan ko. My day seems so normal until a mad man slammed my door angrily.

"Oh, hi, Major Egue! What can I do for you?" I ask him with politeness. Tiim bagang siyang nagtungo sa lamesa ko, halos magdikit na ang kilay niya.

"Domingo Santinial was shot last night at 11:11pm," panimula niya. Nilaro-laro ko ang signpen ko at pilyo siyang tinuunan ng pansin.

"And then?"

Nanliit ang mga mata niya at inis niyang hinampas ang lamesa ko.

"What are you doing to my wife?" Mariing tanong ni Khalil na kakapasok lamang sa opisina ko. Major Egue then turn to him, nagtatangis ang bagang.

"Nangingialam na naman ang ahensya ninyo sa kasong hawak ko!" I can really see the frustration in his eyes. Egue is a Filipino na nagtatrabaho lamang dito sa Spanya.

"You should be thankful! Napapadali ang trabaho mo!" I said. Nakita ko na mas nainis pa siya saakin. Khalil then shook his head to me like he doesn't like what I have just did.

"We have the same goals major Egue. I hope you understand that our agency is just helping the Spain national police. They ask for our service so we're giving our best, h'wag mo sanang masamain," Khalil told him. Egue then turn to me at binaliwa ang sinabi ni Khalil.

"Listen to me young lady, I don't need your help. I can perform my job well, I can finish my task without your help."

Matapos niyan ay umalis na siya. Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako. His pride had been touch probably, and I feel bad for him.

"Why?" I ask Khalil when he suddenly locked my door. Ngumiti lamang siya saakin at marahang lumapit.

"I just miss my wife," he said.

"W-we're on the office!" I said with horror. He burst into laughter and kiss my forehead.

"I just want to be with you just for a moment, yong walang istorbo."

Ngumuso ako sa sinabi niya at niyakap na lamang siya.

We spent the rest of the day on my office together bago kami nagdesisyong umuwi na sa bahay.

Mabilis ang naging takbo ng oras. Another week had passed at heto, tambak na naman ang trabaho. After I won a case ay may kasunod na namang kaso na ipinahawak saakin. People are paying me hundred thousands of money when they hire me. I don't have actually a fix price, sila mismo ang nagpepresyo sa serbisyo ko, pero kapag alam kung mahirap lamang sila ay kahit na wala silang binabayad, pinaglilingkuran ko parin. My duty is to bring justice, hindi mangurakot. Trabaho ko ang tumulong, hindi manggipit.

Hinilamos ko ang mga palad ko sa mukha ko. I am so tired this day.

Napabaling ako bigla ng tumunog ang cellphone ko, a call from anonymous.

"Hello?" Walang sumasagot. Napataas ang kilay ko when I only heard a harsh breathing.

I don't have much time to entertain shits kaya binaba ko na ang tawag. But later, nakatanggap ako ng text.

From anonymous;

Drop the Magallanes case.

I lick my lips. Why does this someone wants me to drop it?

I immediately dialed Eight's number.

"We are not dropping the case. Keep on investigating, Eight. That's an order!" I told her.

"Copy that," sagot niya.

Khalil didn't fetch me dahil busy rin siya ngayon kaya mag-isa ako ngayong naglalakad sa parking lot when I suddenly feel that someone is following me. I halt and then I shifted my body to 180 degrees, pero walang tao. Isang galaw ko pakanan ay may naramdaman na akong isang malamig na bagay na nakatutok sa likuran ng bungo ko.

I heave a sigh at walang sabi-sabing sinipa patalikod ang kung sino man. Nahawakan ko ang braso niya and then I pull him closer to me, giving him a hard blow on his stomach at siniko ko ang balikat niya.

Someone grab me and tried to punch my stomach pero nailagan ko. I release a high kick, napaatras siya pero sinugod ko agad siya, I release a 360 flying kick, making the man collapse.

"Show me your self!" My voice echoed the whole parking lot.

Moments later, I heard footsteps. Hindi lang isa, kinabahan ako bigla. The steps taken were heavy and by many!

Hinarap ko ant likuran ko and what have I just saw had given me a great horror. Halos hindi ako makapagsalita sa nakita ko. I never thought I'd be seeing this man in person. Never in my life, I've dream of having him in front of me.

"I am sorry if we're rude to you. I just want assurance," he said.

Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko pero kaya ko ng magsalita,"i-it's a p-pleasure to meet you, Mr. President," I then bow my head as a sign of respect.

For heavenly's sake, the Russian President Victor Kaczmarek is in front of me! Sinong hindi mauutal sa presensya niya? He's a big person! He's from a great country!

"Are they your people?" I ask awkwardly while looking to the two man lying on the ground. President Kaczmarek then nodded.

"Why did you- uh- I mean--" bumuntong hininga na lamang ako. I am so tense!

"I am sorry for the rudeness Mrs. Gibran. By the way, can you lead us to your office so that we could talk?" He said.

I nodded repeatedly. Focus Jenan!

"S-sure!" Nauutal ko na namang sabi.

Nang marating namin ang opisina ko ay kaagad kong inutusan ang sekretarya ko na kumuha ng makakain at maiinum para sa mga panauhin. Maging siya ay nataranta dahil sa presensya ng presidente.

Mahabang usapan ang naganap and I couldn't even process it all properly until I went home. Iyon parin ang iniisip ko.

I keep on asking myself about, why and another why.

"Come here, hon," Khalil said while offering his lap on me. Bumuntong hininga ako at dahan dahang lumapit sakanya. His arms then possessively wrap on my waist.

Kanina pa kasi ako pabalik-balik sa paglalakad dahil sa sobrang pag-iisip. Isinisiksik ko pa kasi sa utak ko ang nangyari kanina. I just said yes to him without thinking what would actually happen after.

"Are you taking the job he offered?" My husband asks me.

"I already said yes," I told him.

Khalil then caresses my cheek.

"Then I'll book a ticket for you now. It's a special request from the Russian President and it would be a scandal of you reject it," Khalil said.

Bumuntong hininga ako.

"I can't leave my son here! Paano si Eurence?" I ask him. He gave me an assuring smile and then offer me a hug.

"Hindi ko naman papabayaan ang anak natin. I promise you, we'll be fine here," Khalil assures me. "Besides, this will be the first and the last mission you will be taking out of the country," dagdag pa niya.

I don't have a choice but to agree with him. And besides, I can visit them if I want, we have money, I can easily travel.

"We can travel with you and stay with you in the Philippines for at least a week or so. What do you think? That would be better," he said but I shook my head.

"This job will only be a month or a couple. President Kaczmarek and I had an agreement," I said. Khalil then nodded slowly.

"I'm going to miss you, Jenan," he said. Napangiti narin ako. Khalil is not that hard to love. He's smart, gentleman, a good looking man at mabait. He's sweet and caring, and with all these years, naging kaagapay ko siya sa buhay.

"What does Khalil is thinking? Ginawa niya pa akong personal bodyguard mo!" Pagrereklamo ni Mikael. Kanina pa siya, kahit noong nasa eroplano pa lamang kaming dalawa ay Panay ang reklamo niya. The silent and mysterious Mikael ay nawawala na ata. I don't know if he's imitating Ethan or what. Sabi niya kasi, siya daw papalit sa pwesto ni Ethan sa buhay ko, but for me, Ethan will always be on my heart. He's the first man who became so loyal to me. I salute his kindness, even if he felt something for me, he still chose our friendship.

"Isang linggo lang naman, hanggang sa umalis na kami ng partner ko papuntang ibang bansa," sabi ko sakanya.

President Kaczmarek had told me that I will be having a partner in this mission, he said it will going to be a woman para mas magkasundo kaming dalawa. Tatawag na lamang daw ang presidente saakin kapag ka nakontak na ang partner ko.

"Saan tayo mag-stay? Your house was sold years ago, right? Are we going to book in a hotel or buy a condominium perhaps?" Huminto ako at binalingan si Mikael. I gave him a smile.

"None of the above. We'll be staying in one of my relatives house, sa pinsan ko sa side ng mga Patajo," sabi ko sakanya. Tumaas ang kilay niya saakin and his dark eyes bore on me.

"Is your cousin a woman?" He asks. I rolled my eyes on him and let a mock laugh.

"Yeah, but she's already taken, sabi ng tito ko," sabi ko sakanya at nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad.

Sinuyod ng paningin ko ang kabuuan ng lugar. I am looking for my cousin. She told me arlier that she would be wearing a beige dress and will be bringing half of cartolina with her name imprint.

"I think that's her," Mikael said while pointing to the woman who's bringing a cartolina. Lumapit kaming and then she immediately asked if I am Jenan Gibran, and I said yes to her.

"I am Jamilah Patajo. It's nice to meet you, cousin," she politely said.

Napangisi ako nang mapansin ko ang mga tingin ni Mikael sakanya.

"Don't you dare moron, Jamilah is still young!" I told him in a low tone, preventing Jamilah from hearing it.

She led the way to their car and she told me that I and Mikael will be staying sa isang bahay nila, ate niya lang naman ang naroon kaya ayos lang.

"We're going to have a party earlier at the Reale Club. Wanna join?" Jamilah ask me, pero sumulyap siya sandali kay Mikael na pinikit muna saglit ang mga mata.

"Sure. Just let us rest for a while. Text me the address at susunod na lamang kami roon," sabi ko na tinanguan niya lamang, without living Mikael from her sight.

"Who is he?" Hindi na siguro natiis ang kuryusidad.

"I am Mikael," siya na mismo ang sumagot at idinilat ang mga mata bigla. Jamilah's face then blush. Napailing na lamang ako. This moron!

Nang makarating kami sa tahanan nila ay kwarto kaagad ang hinanap ko, at ganoon din si Mikael. We decided to take a nap before going to the party, aayaw na sana ako kaso Jamilah is already expecting us,  especially, Mikael.

By 6:30 pm ay nagising na ako and it took me ten minutes to wake Mikael up. Alas syete emedya na nga kami nakarating sa club na tinext saakin ni Jamimah. Natagalan lamang kami dahil kumain muna kami ng pang-hapunan.

The Reale Club is a 3-star club in the Philippines. Puro mga middle-class ang naririto at nagsasaya.

VIP 3A. Iyan ang text ni Jamilah saakin kanina kaya hinanap namin iyon ni Mikael and when we finally found it ay Hindi na ako nagulat sa dami ng taong nakapaloob sa silid. Ang sabi ay may announcement daw na gaganapin mamaya kaya nagtipon sila, and I really wonder about that announcement. That must be exciting dahil talagang hinihintay ng lahat.

"Don't drink too much, Khalil would kill me," paalala saakin ni Mikael. Nginitian ko na lamang siya bago ako nakihalubilo sa iilang taong nakikihalubilo rin saamin.

"Guys! He's coming!" Jamilah's sister said in pitch.

Nasabihan na kami kanina na sa oras na pagbukas ng pintuan ay kakanta kaming lahat ng happy birthday. Seconds later ay biglang bumukas ang pintuan and I sang the song cheerfully together with these people.

I saw Mikael's face turns into blank. Napalunok siya bago bumaling saakin and he suddenly block my way. Pinanlakhan ko siya ng mata dahil sa ginawa niya.

"Oh! Thank you Daniela! I never expected this! This may be a late birthday celebration but it's worth it, I must say," narinig kong sabi ng isang lalake.

Nabalot ng kantsaw ang buong silid.

"By the way!" Masayang sabi ni Daniela na kita ko na dahil itinabi ko si Mikael. She's raising her hand, there's a ring!

"I and Henrik is getting married any time soon!" She happily announced to everyone and later on, I saw a familiar man who claimed her lips passionately.

A smile form from his lips. Eyes were smiling, like rejoicing for something. Congratulations were on the air, and the happiness is unstoppable!

Nakipalakpak ako at ngumiti narin. I saw how his eyes blink with happiness as it roams. I don't know how did it happen, but our eyes suddenly met.

Nawala bigla ang ngiti niya at napaawang ang mga labi ng bahagya.

I then mouthed the word 'Congrats' to him and then I smile.