TWO SECRETS

THE AFTERMATH

CHAPTER 7: "THE AFTERMATH"

The night after Graduation

12:01AM. THE NIGHT OF GRADUATION.

Tahimik yung SLU campus.

NOAH at SOFIA nakaupo pa rin sa gitna ng gym. Dilim.

Pareho silang naka-toga. Pawis pa rin. Duguan pa rin konti yung braso ni Noah.

Sofia: hinawakan braso ni Noah "Masakit?"

Noah: ngiti "Mas masakit nung sinabi mong maghihiwalay tayo nung Chapter 5."

Tumawa sila. Mahina. Pagod.

THE DEBRIEF

1:30AM. PIA SAFEHOUSE.

Dalawang director. Isang mesa. Isang recording.

PIA Director: "PHOENIX. Explain."

C**A Director: "EAGLE. Explain."

Noah: "We disarmed it. We arrested them. Mission complete."

Sofia: "And we resign. Both of us. Effective now."

Tahimik.

PIA Director: tumango "Denied."

C**A Director: tumango "Denied."

Noah + Sofia: sabayan "Ano?!"

PIA Director: "Masyado kayong magaling. Kailangan pa namin kayo."

C**A Director: "Last mission nyo yun sabi nyo. Pero hindi pa tapos yung syndicate."

Sofia: galit "Pinangako nyo!"

Noah: pinisil kamay ni Sofia "Kalma."

CIA Director: "One more. Last na talaga. Japan. 2 weeks. Tapos free na kayo."

Nagkatinginan sila.

THE FIGHT

3:00AM. Parking Lot.

Sofia: sisigaw "Sabi mo normal na tayo, Noah!"

Noah: "Gusto ko din! Pero paano kung hindi natin tapusin to... habulin nila tayo habang buhay?"

Sofia: "Eh paano kung mamatay ka dun? Paano na ko?!"

Noah: lumapit "Kaya nga dapat magkasama tayo. Hindi na magkahiwalay na team. Isang team. Team natin."

Sofia: umiiyak "Pagod na ko, Noah. Pagod na ko magtago."

Noah: pinunasan luha niya "Ako din. Kaya tapusin na natin. Para sa atin."

Naghalikan sila. Matagal. Desperado.

THE DECISION

4:00AM. SLU GYM. ULIT.

Bumalik sila. Kung saan nagsimula lahat.

Noah: iniwan yung baril sa bench "Ito huling hawak ko to."

Sofia: iniwan yung earpiece "Ito naman sakin."

Noah: "2 weeks. Japan. Tapos uwi. Tapos... normal."

Sofia: "Promise?"

Noah: "Promise."

Sofia: ngumiti "Sige. Pero may kondisyon."

Noah: "Ano?"

Sofia: "Pagkatapos nito... magpapakasal tayo. Walang mission. Walang code name."

Noah: lumuhod ulit "Deal."

THE LETTER

Iniwan nila sa locker nila tig-isang sulat.

Sulat ni Noah:

"To whoever finds this:

We were Eagle and Phoenix.

Now we're just Noah and Sofia.

And we're choosing us."

Sulat ni Sofia:

"To whoever finds this:

4 years. 2 secrets. 1 love.

Mission ended. Love started."

VOICE OVER:

2 weeks later. Narita Airport, Japan.

Isang lalaki at babae. Walang bagahe. Walang pangalan.

Magkahawak kamay. Papasok sa gate.

"Flight to Baguio. Final Boarding."

Blackout.

END OF CHAPTER 7