LEV PETROV (Wild Men Series #3) Book 2

Chapter 7

BREE



ONE hour and four arguments later, I am standing in front of a swanky club that has a "Desolation" name on top of the building. The letters are written in black and gold adorned by countless neon lights.

Dito ako dinala ng m******s na driver matapos akong samahan sa pawnshop at ilibot sa isla kanina. Ang kumag balak pa kong huthutan ng pera. Akalain n'yong singilin ako ng one thousand five hundred pesos. Anong akala n'ya sa taxi n'yang amoy kulob? Gold. Hinampas ko s'ya ng seven fifty with bonus na 'Pakyu po'. Broken hearted lang ako't depress pero hindi ako baliw.

"Gagong 'yon." Inis na pinagpag ko ang suot na itim na bestida. Nabili ko iyon sa katabing boutique ng pawnshop kasama ng sandals at undies kong suot. Hindi naman kasi ako pwedeng maglamyerda sa isla na robe lang ang suot.

Thank God for the small mercy. Hindi pa ako ganap na malas ngayong araw.

I let out a long sigh. Inilibot ko ang mga mata sa paligid. Tall buildings came into view. The lights from the huge port were reflecting against the glass windows of the building and it kind hurt my eyes. This part of the islands speaks wealth and sin in shouty capital letters. People walk so fast, cars chasing one another on the big highway nearby. And over the horizon, I'm mesmerized by the series of blue lights as huge waves applaud and kiss the shore.

Everyone- everything is moving except me. To say that I am flabbergasted is an understatement.

How the hell did they build this place?

The answer is simple. Money.

This is a far cry from the quiet, quaint and one with the nature vibe of our wedding venue. Iyong lugar kung saan naroon ang mga mansion nila Lev at ng mga siraulo n'yang kaibigan. Tila ako nasa Las Vegas with ahint of Miami on the side.

Kung hindi lang sa pagkamuhi ko kay Lev, malamang babalakin kong mag stay sa isla at mamasyal. But time is not on my side. So I did everything I could, charm the driver earlier to get some information that I can use for my escape.

Ayon sa nasagap ko buhat sa manyak na driver, mahigit tatlong oras daw ang biyahe mula sa isla –Agrianthropos, patungo sa pinakamalapit na bayan sa Palawan. Iyon ay kung kalmado raw ang dagat.

I asked the driver earlier kung anong oras ang first trip nang madaanan namin ang malaking pier, at nalaglag ang balikat ko nang sabihin niyang sa Lunes pa raw. Martes pa lang ngayon.

Takte! Saan ka nakakita ng biyaheng once a week?

Habang nasa daan kami kanina, panay ang tanong ko Kuya Pablo. Not his real name, mind you. Binansagan ko lang siya since siya iyong pare mong sobrang kwento. I asked him about the ins and outs of this island. I pulled the 'I'm new to this place' card nang makita kong nabalot ng pagtataka ang mukha n'ya. Mukha namang kinagat niya iyon. He shrugged and told me some important details about my new prison.

Number one, this place is an isolated island at kinumpirma ang hinala kong pinamamahalaan ito ng Foedus. All of the people here–residents and staff, bow down to those bastards and do their bidding. Sabi pa nga ni kuya Pablo, Foedus are gods amongst sinners here. A hum and an invisible middle finger was my answer to that.

Then he said something that piqued my attention. Nobody, as in not a single soul, leaves this island without showing a form or what type of s**t Lev and his gang signed. Spell control freaks in all aspects.

Oh, I forgot. The whole island is equipped with high-tech CCTV that will put NASA's or CIA's reputation second to none. But as per my prying, I found out that Foedus's security system has a weak point.

The clubs.

Dali-dali akong nagpahatid sa driver at ngayon nga'y tila ako timang na nakatunghay sa mga dumaraang mga tao. Pawang mga nakapustura ang mga ito't sige sulyap sa gawi ko. The reason is that I stick like a sore thumb with my lowkey outfit. Match it with my agape face.

Wala sa loob na nayakap ko ang sarili. The anger that's seeping through me started to dissipate. Ngayon, rumirehistro na sa utak ko ang takot.

What the hell am I thinking going here? I've never stepped inside a club after that night. Isinumpa ko na. Ngunit dahil sa galit ko kay Lev, heto ako't nagpapadalos-dalos na naman.

"s**t," usal ko sa sarili. I'm ordering my feet to move but they're ignoring me. Naka glue iyon sa semento.

"Hey, miss! Papasok ka ba sa loob o tutunganga lang d'yan? Baka hindi mo alam, nakaharang ka sa daraanan namin."

My lips parted as I blinked at the woman who's glaring at me. Lumipad ang tingin ko sa likuran niya kung saan naroon ang apat pa niyang kasama. Mukhang a-attend ng gothic party ang tatlo habang iyong dalawa'y tila hahabol sa FHM gala night. You get the picture. Skimpy dress, big boobs and sparkling make up.

Geez. Kahit three weeks na hindi mag retouch ang lima, pwede.

"Are you mute?"

Ngumisi ako ng nakakaloko.

"No. Just shocked with your outfits. Nakikipag kumpetensiya ba kayo sa disco ball or what?" Sabay takip ko ng palad sa mata

"b***h!"

Mabilis akong umatras nang makitang dadambahan ako ng kaharap.

"Opps. Chill ka lang. Iyong silicon mo baka tumalsik." Sabay nguso ko sa harapan niya.

Namula ang mukha nito ngunit bago pa niya maibuka ang bibig n'ya, sumabat na agad ang kaibigan niya.

"Nilalait mo ba kami? These faces? Wow! Did you see yourself in the mirror?"

"Oo nga. You look like a trash."

Humalukipkip ako.

"Hindi panlalait 'yon. Nagsasabi lang ako ng totoo."

Nanlisik ang mga mata ng pinaka lider ng grupo. I raised my right palm to stop them from spewing words to my face.

"Hep. Stop. Kung ikasasaya n'yong maganda kayo, eh di go. Sa inyo na ang trono. Nakaharang ako sa daraanan n'yo, right? Here you go, girls. Enjoy." Umurong ako't sumaludo, using my middle finger. Of course. And for the dramatic effect, nag-bow pa ako. "Use mint nga pala. Pang alis ng alingasaw ng masama niyong ugali." Then I ran.

A childish grin was painted on my lips as I strolled down the road. What I did was immature but those bitches need to be put in her place. I'm just doing this world a favor.

Magaan ang mga paang binagtas ko ang abalang kalye, ninanamnam ang munting saya dulot ng kapilyahan ko. Its been ages since I felt this kind of lightness and who knows–

"You f*****g manipulative w***e. Akala mo ba mapapalampas ko ang pagpapaikot mo sa akin?"

Natutop ko ang bibig nang makita ang dalawang bulto ilang dipa mula sa kinatatayuan ko. Di ko alam if magtatago or tatakbo. I choose the former. Salamat at may posteng malapit sa kinaroronan ko, doon ako nagtago'tv parang magnanakaw na sinilip ang dalawa.

Panay ang alog ng lalake sa babaeng tila walang pakialam kung sakalin man siya ng nobyo. Even though I can't see the girl's face I can tell that she's a catch and handful at that. Mukha siyang model kung pagbabasehan ang taas niya. Her boyfriend- or maybe ex- is not that tall though he's handsome. If you like the boy next door type.

"f*****g answer me! How the hell did you come here by the way? Did you f**k some dirty old man gaya ng sinabi ni Maui?"

"Magsama kayo ni Maui. Pareho kayong cheater. Oh, I just don't f**k some dirty old man. I f*****g kissed the ass of a Petrov. Hell, I even worship him!"

Did she what?

"s**t. I knew it. You're a dirty slut like your mom–"

"You don't have the right to drag my mother's name here. You son of b***h!"

Malakas na sampal ang pumutol sa kung anumang sasabihin ng lalake. Namewang ang babae habang ako ang kinilabutan sa tinging ipinukol ng lalake sa kaharap.

"You slut. I'll kill you!"He quickly grabbed her forearm with his right hand while his free one flew to her throat.

Natutop ko ang bibig. s**t. Ano bang meron ngayong araw at paborito yata ng mga lalake ang manakal?

"Push. Tagal. Just make sure na tutuluyan mo ako. 'Cause if not, sisiguraduhin kong walang magagawa ang tatay mo. I'll let your parents watch as I hang you by the ball and slit your throat."

The guy's laugh sent shivers down my spine. His eyes are glinting with danger as he chokes the life out of the woman.

"Anong pinagyayabang mo, ha? Iyong tatay mong 'don' kuno pero hanggang ngayon ni anino n'ya hindi namin makita? You're delusional. Tingnan natin kung hanggang sa'n ka kayang dalhin ng kayabangan at saltik mo, Via."

Tila may switch na pinindot sa utak ko nang marinig ko ang pangalang iyon. Dinampot ko ang unang bagay na nakita't sumugod. It doesn't matter if I know the girl or not, I will never allow any sick bastard to hurt a helpless woman. I know and am still experiencing the trauma at hindi ko hahayaang maranasan iyon ng iba.

"Bitawan mo siya. Hayup ka!" Sigaw ko't panay ang hampas ng bato sa nasorpresang lalake.

The pounding in my chest intensifies as I see the faces of those motherfuckers who r***d and tortured me in my head. My lungs start to constrict and I need to wheeze for air but I don't dare to let up. Isang mainit na palad lang ang nagpahinto sa akin.

Kumurap ako. The blood on Via's beautiful smiling face serves as a slap to my face. Napapasong binitawan ko ang hawak na bato't, napaatras. Nanlalaki ang mga matang tinitigan ko ang duguang bulto ng lalake.

Nakalugmok ito sa semento. Hindi ko alam kung humihinga pa ba or what.

"Oh my God! H-hindi ko sinasadya, Via..." Umatras ako. Gumapang ang takot sa buong kalamnan ko.

"I know. Hey, look at me. It's okay."

"G-god, I didn't mean to–" my lips are trembling, I'm shaking.

"Bree, pull your s**t. I said it's okay." Via shake both of my shoulders. Her expression was so deadpan.

Geez. Pati ba naman pagiging psycho ni Lev nakuha ng anak n'ya?

"V-via, believe me..."

"Damn it! Let's go." She pulled my hand with force I don't know she has. And we ran away the s**t out of there.

"Via–wait. Paano 'yong boyfriend mo?" Habol ang hiningang hiiklat ko ang braso sa dalaga't nilingon ang pinanggalingan namin.

Napilitang huminto ang dalaga. She made face.

"He's not my boyfriend, Bree. MU lang kami but not anymore. That cheating and scheming asshole. He just signed his death certificate."

"We should check kung ayos lang s'ya. Baka n-napatay ko s'ya. Oh my God!"

"Don't worry may five remaining lives pa ang gagong 'yon." Balewalang winasiwas niya ang kamay sa ere.

"What?!"

"Stop worrying about him. He's okay. Galos lang nakuha n'ya from you."

"Galos?! Via, nakahandusay siya. Duguan. Hindi galos 'yon."

"Hey! Saan ka pupunta?"

"Babalikan ko s'ya to check kung humihinga pa. Though I am against women's violence hindi naman kaya ng konsensya kong pumatay ng tao."

"He's okay. I am 100% sure of that. Trust me."

"But–"

"Okay. I might spike his drinks here and there. Alam mo na." She said nonchalantly.

What the total f**k? Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng mapagtanto ang sinabi niya.

"Oh, Via. Why?" My shoulders slump. "Drugging someone should never be on your book."

Sa gulat ko'y humalakhak ito. Ano sa nasabi ko ang nakakatawa? I pull out a long sigh. Tumingala sa kalangitan baka sakaling naroon ang pasensiya kong dahan-dahang naglalaho.

"You really are your father's child. Kuhang-kuha mo pati iyong kawalan n'ya ng konsensya."

"Ouch! Busina naman. I know galit ka sa kanya and all that he represents but don't forget the fact na may ambag din naman ang nanay ko sa paghulma sa 'kin. Nakuha ko ang pagiging Santa n'ya. May she rest in peace." She grinned. Nag antanda.

I made a face.

"Really? Kasi base–"

"Hep! Mamaya na, okay? Pwede ba, huwag kang palaka masyado. 'Wag panay talon sa sarili mong conclusion. There's always two sides of the coin. Tara. Let's get away from here bago pa ako mahuli ng mga alipores ni Dad."

My back went ramrod straight when I heard the last word. I eyed her questioningly.

"I am not allowed to enter his club or Uncle Trace. So, kung mahal mo pa ang leeg mo, sasama ka sa 'kin. He'll get mad kapag nakita ako sa camera na iyon–" she pointed to the lamp on our right, "–but hell will break its s**t when he sees his wife near this forbidden place on their honeymoon."

I don't need any convincing. Kusa na akong nagpatianod sa gusto ng dalaga. May point s'ya. Hindi ko alam kung anong kayang gawin sa akin ni Lev after the stunt I pulled tonight.

"Kotse mo 'to?" Napasipol ako nang wala sa oras na ikinabungisngis naman ni Via. My palm connect at the shining hood of the Centodieci.

"Nah. How I wish. Kay Uncle Elliot 'to. Ninenok ko ng may consent n'ya."

"I'm lost here."

Via opened the passenger door and motioned me to get inside.

"Simple. Kapag nalaman n'yang nawala 'tong Bugatti sa garahe n'ya, he will not panic. Matic alam na n'ya sino salarin." She pointed at herself then wink at me.

Napailing na lang ako't prenteng sumandal sa headrest ng upuan. Mukhang magkakasundo kami nitong anak ng demonyo kong asawa. Though she's his spawn, I'll make sure na when time comes Via will take my side.

"We're here. Tara na at mag tea."

"Saan?" Takang tanong ko nang makitang sa tabi ng mataas na burol kami huminto. Nasa dulo na kami ng highway.

She smiles. Using her red painted lips, ngumuso.

"Doon."

I followed her gaze. I gasp and hold my breath when I saw the structure. It was perched five hundred meters high on the cliff's edge offering a breathtaking view of the ocean. Madilim man, I know that it is sophistication, luxury and danger rolled into one. Pero kahit anong ganda niyon hinding-hindi ako tatapak doon. It reminds me of that dreadful night at hindi pa man ako ganap na nakakalabas ng kotse, unti-unti nang gumagapang ang kilabot sa katawan ko.

Breath, Bree. Just breath.

"Come one."

I shake my head. No way in hell I will go up there.

"I'll stay here."

"Bree?"

"No, Via. Please. Sa ibang lugar na lang. Huwag lang d'yan."

She pulled a long breath and then gave my right shoulder a tap.

"Kahit gusto kong magwalwal sa cliff bar na 'yan. Hindi pa wede. It's still under construction. We will go to the Sari-sari.Though need pa rin nating umakyat sa hill na 'yan but not too high. I promise you'll like the place." Via's baby blue eyes were dripping with honesty I can't help but nod.

So, I say f**k it and followed her.

Matapos niyang i-parallel park ang sasakyan sa daan tinungo namin ang isang secret elevator sa likod ng malaking bato. Geez. Nagagawa nga naman ng pera at teknolohiya.

"We can use the old way going up by trekking. Gabi na at kahit habit kong bigyan ng mini heart attack ang siraulo kong ama, I digress.Masyadong delikado ang daan dito kapag ganitong gabi na."

"S-so the cliff bar. . is that owned by your father?"

Via hummed. "Its his pet project. He started it one year ago. Ang hindi ko maintindihan ay kung bakit sa dinami-dami ng lupa at pwesto dito sa isla'y ba't niya pinili ang cliff na 'to."

There was a foreboding sense when I eyed the building. But I remained silent. First, I shared her sentiment and second, there's this little voice inside me telling me that I might be the reason for that.

No. Stop daydreaming, self. Marahas akong umiling.

"We're here."

Hindi ko napigilan ang mapa-wow sa natunghayan. In the middle was the most cozy bahay kubo I've ever laid my eyes on. Its as if hinugot iyon sa postcard at inilagay sa gitna ng gubat. May ilang lamesang nakakalat sa harapan noon kung saan may ilang mga grupo ang nag-iinom. Sa di kalayuan naman ay naroon ang mga naglalakihang big bikes.

"This is my fave part of the island. Secluded and not presumptous. Sa umaga, lugawan iyan. Karendirya during lunch. Kapehan sa hapon and during night time–tada! Laklakan. Thus the name, Sari-sari. Nasira lang iyong videoke machine kahapon. Kung hindi, maririnig mong ngumangalngal iyong mga construction workers na tropa ni uncle Trace," Via animatedly say. Her eyes are brimming with giddiness.

"May tropang construction worker si Trace?"

"Kapag lasing s'ya, yes."

I smile. Guess, hindi pa rin nagbabago ang siraulong 'yon. "This place is beautiful, Via."

"Ingenious right? This is my brainchild." Before I could utter anything, hila na ni Via ang kamay ko.

"Come. Ipapakilala kita kay Aling Lita at tatay Kulas."

Ang mag-asawang Lita at Kulas ang namamahala ng buong lugar. Masaya kaming sinalubong ng mga ito. Hindi pa man ako ipinakikilala ni Via, niyakap na ako ng matandang babae at tinawag na Madaam. Telling me that they are happy na nahanap na raw ni Lev ang katuwang nito sa buhay. I mentally snort at that.

I wanted to correct her and tell her na hindi magtatagal ang title na iyon sa akin but her friendly and warming face made me shut my mouth. Nagpatianod lang ako sa kanila. Inilibot ako ni Via. Ipinakita sa akin ang kabuuan ng kubo. Kung kubo man iyong matatawag sa laki at lawak niyon. After few minutes, we settled in the corner facing the dark woods. Malayo sa mga naghuhutuhang parokyano. May bote ng Patron sa gitna namin.

"Akala ko ba mag te-tea tayo?" Taas ang kilay na tanong ko.

Via's hand stopped mid-air. She eyed the bottle she was holding then gave me a playful grin.

"Oo nga. Tea."

"Ha? Gutom ka ba or bulag, Via. Anong tea? E, alak 'yan."

"Bree naman. Ilang oras ka pa lang nakakasama ng ungas akong tatay, naging corny ka na." She pushed the glass with the amber liquid on my direction. "Tea 'yan. Tea-quilla."

I gave her a toothy grin. Damn, I love her this instant.

"Cheers, b***h!"

I laugh and we clinked our glasses. Ang isang shot ay nasundan pa ng isa, at ng isa pa. Hanggang sa napangalahati na namin ang bote. I can't help it. Lev's daughter is so easy to be with. Hindi ko namamalayan na tumatawa na ako sa mga jokes n'ya at nakikinig sa mga rants niya.

Sa school. Sa tatay n'ya. Sa mga barumbado at overbearing na mga tiyuhin–aka Fordus. Sa yumao niyang ina. For being orphan and faced the cruel world at the age of eight.

"Akalain mong pang telenovela ang buhay ko. Anak ng isang kinatatakutang crime lord at madre. So kapag namatay ako, hindi kami magkakaroon ng matinong family reunion. Kasi iyong nanay ko malamang bff ni San Pedro while my dad's seating on Lucifer's throne."

Nasamid ako sa narinig.

"That sounds harsh and pragmatic, Via."

"Why? Nagsasabi lang ako ng totoo." Namumula ang pisnging anito sabay tungga sa laman ng baso.

"Next time, punta tayo dito nang mas maaga para mailibot kita sa gubat. We can target practice there."

"No way! Don't tell me may shooting range rin dito?"

Natawa si Via sa ayos ko. Tumango.

"s**t. You're a batshit crazy s***h genius woman."

She shrugged her shoulders. "From one mad feisty woman to another. I'll take that as a compliment. Small things."

I offered her a toast which she accepted gracefully.

"By the way, thank you sa pagsagip sa akin kanina. Though hindi ko naman kailangang sumaklolo. I can squash Tobi's balls if I want to."

Sumandal ako sa upuan, mariin siyang tinitigan.

"I don't drug him. There. Happy? Ako nga iyong balak niyang patulugin. He spiked my drinks not knowing that Desolation was my father's lair. My dad's security saw him doing that. Plano siyang bigyan ng leksiyon but I told them not to. It's my mess, kaya ako ang dapat umayos." Her face hardened at that. Then a sinister smile slowly appears on her face making the hairs at the back of my nape stand.

"So, you literally gave him the dose of his own medicine." It's a statement, not a question that got Via nodding.

Malakas akong natawa. Admiration blooms in my chest for Via.

"He wants to get into my pants sa umpisa pa lang.That should be a red flag for me but I choose to ignore it. I gave him a chance." Nangalumbaba ito't nilaro ang hawak na baso. "You see–sa mundo ng tatay ko, normalcy is like a unicorn. Rare. Kaya grinab ko iyong company ni Tobi. I'm planning to make us official next week. But Maui happened." She pursed her lips.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Via."

Nagkibit-balikat siya. Tinitigan ako.

"Enough of me. Your turn. Anong score between you and my monster father? Don't tell me that finally did what others failed to pull off. Ipagatatayo kana talaga ng rebulto ng mga kalaban ni dad."

Ignoring her sarcasm, I gave Via a patronizing look.

"And what is that? Please enlighten me."

"Kill him or burried his body. Ihahanda ko na ba iyong funeral dress ko at speech? Iyong pag iyak siguro kaya kong mag ambag ng mga tatlong litro. He's my father anyway."

"Where did you get that?"

"Its obvious, Bree. Remember, mas matanda pa rin ako sa'yo ng dalawang taon. I can smell your bullshit from miles away. Just please don't tell me na tinuluyan mo na ang tatay ko. Kahit gusto kita, I swear I'll slit your throat." Matalim ang mga matang anito sabay gagap sa kamay ko. "Kahit siraulo 'yon at may emotional IQ ng isang gold fish, mahal ko 'yon. He's my only family, Bree. So please–"

"He's still alive. Relax. Sa liit kong 'to at sa laki n'yang iyon. Feeling mo kaya kong paslangin ang damuhong 'yon?" A fake laugh floats in the air as I tried to mask the pang of pain I felt with her comment.

Gusto kong sipain ang sarili sa naramdamang guilt at slight na pag-aalala. s**t. Ilang oras na ang nakakalipas ba't hindi ko pa rin nakikita ang anino ng gagong iyon? Hindi kaya tama ang sinabi ni Via na tuluyan ng bumaba sa impyerno si Lev?

"Wala ka ba talagang clue o sadyang nagbubulag-bulagan ka lang? You don't need anything to hurt my dad. You're the weapon. His kryptonite. . . achiles heels. His heart, Bree."

I snort at that. "Walang puso ang tatay mo, Via. Huwag ako."

Lumambot ang ekspresiyon ng mukha ni Via.

"He has, Bree. Believe me. Naroon ako ng mag ala-mongha ang isang Lev Petrov. I was there when the doctor said that he can't walk and he just brushed it off. Andoon ako Bree nang isumpa n'ya ang buong mundo't halos gabi-gabi siyang may inuuwing bihag sa dungeon n'ya doing God knows what to those people." Suminghot ito't mabilis na hinablot ang bote ng alak saka walang sabi-sabing nilagok ang laman niyon.

"I was there when he was crawling or shouting your name in the middle of his nightmare."

Napamaang ako. Her words were like a double-edged sword that was carving my veins and letting me bleed dry. I shake my head vehemently.

"P-please stop it."

Mapait na ngumiti si Via.

"Masakit bang marinig ang katotohanan?"

"The only truth I know is that kinamumuhian ko ang tatay mo."

"Suit yourself. Bagay nga kayo. Parehas matigas ang bungo n'yo. You want my two cents?"

Tango lang ang sagot ko.

"Maybe you hate him cause it is easy to do so. Mas madaling mamuhi kaysa harapin iyong sakit at pait na dulot ng mga taong minahal at pinahalagahan natin."

Natameme ako. Hindi ko maapuhap ang dila o ang will na magsalita. How can I counter Via's statement? Nasapo ko ang ulo. Minasahe ko ang sentido. Ilang segundo muna ang pinalipas ko bago ko hinarap si Via.

" I want to believe you, Via. Trust me. But I can't, for the life of me. Minsan na akong naniwala at nagpakatanga sa isang tao. Doing the same s**t is a suicide." Tumango ako't nilaro ang laylayan ng bestida. "You see, all of the things that happened to me–scars, the acci–heartbreak. They are all self-inflicted. I paid a hefty price. To say that I've learned my lessons the hard way is putting it light."

"And what lesson is that? Care to tell? Yamang nadito na tayo sa sharing is caring part."

A rueful smile pulled my lips as I stood up. This talk is exhausting, I think it's time to face my great nemesis and the reason for all of this. Lev.

"Never trust a man with sin on their lips and ice in their veins."

"Where are you going?"

"Hell. Saan pa ba? I need to face Satan's right-hand man."

Nakakalokong tumawa si Via. Sumigaw na hintayin ko raw s'ya. Walang imik naming binagtas ang daan pababa ng bundok nang biglang umihip ang malakas na hangin. Napuwing si Via so I have no choice but to stop and wait for her.

"Just give me a minute, Bree. Sorry."

"Okay–"My palms automatically covered my mouth when I saw the big tarpaulin. Nakapaskil iyon sa mismong harapan ng bar na pinapagawa ng asawa.

"I'm done. Tara na't baka nagwawala na ang dad. Hey, ayos ka lang ba? Para kang nakakita ng multo."

"T-that. . .How?"

"Ahh. Weird 'di ba? Sa lahat ng pwedeng ipangalan ba't Seven Fifteen ang naisip ng magaling kong ama. Anyway, he's Lev Petrov so weird is his middle name."

"S-seven Fifteen..." May bikig sa lalamunang sambit ko.

Via's oblivious to my side. She just continues talking about some s**t na hindi na ma-absorb ng utak ko.

Jesus! It can't be.

"But w-why?"

"Never na sinabi ng dad. Pero base sa pag aala-NBI ko. It might be because he wants to commemorate the date of his accident."

"Accident?"

Via eyed me as if I grew two heads.

"Yes. The reason why he lost right his leg."

I swayed. Nnaghihinang napasalampak ako sa lupa. Hindi ko alintana ang nag alalalang tinig ni Via. All I know is that the pain in the middle of my chest went from bad to collosally painful.

What kind of joke is this? Sadyang napaka pak-s**t ng tadhana sa amin. Lev and I are not just sharing a dark past but the day of our accidents as well. But why? Of all the day na mangyayari iyon, bakit noong July fifteen pa?

Hindi kaya? No. No. It can't be.

Kung nasa loob lang kami ng isang kwento, minura ko na kung sino mang magaling na author ang lumikha ng story namin.

Bahaw akong natawa. Tang ina. Isa lang ang na-realize ko, there's no strong wall or will known to man I can put up to stop this–us, from happening.

Will I still fight it? Or cave into this? To us?