TO KILL IS TO SERVE

Chapter 25: The Birthday

It took me two f*****g minutes to realize that what I am staring at is a painting and not a picture. Every stroke looks so real that the moment of awareness that this is a painting sent chills to my whole body. I have been seeing realistic paintings and I never cared about them, not until I was directly involved to art myself.

“What do you think?” Alora asked after giving me time to grasp on the thin thread. “That was the gift I received from Manasseh.” She added and I lent her my eyes.

This is Manasseh’s? I raised my brows and looked back at the realistic painting of three people squeezing themselves to fit under the table—Alora, Manasseh and Hanie. Alora’s face is cheery and her mouth’s widely open, probably laughing out loud; Manasseh’s smile is a bit awkward because of his difficult position of getting squeezed in between two girls; and Hanie’s right index finger’s on her lips, probably signalling her giggling girl friend to quiet down.

Alora sighed beside me and clapped once. I glimpsed at her once more and she smiled for a bit while staring at the painting, and then her blissful expression changed into that of her daily monotonous one.

“We were childhood friends—Hanie, Manasseh and I. That time, we tried playing hide and seek like we always do, with Manasseh’s younger sister as the It but we cannot fit under the table anymore. That was my last happy memory with them before all the s**t that’s happened.” She suddenly spoke without me having to ask her. “Manasseh gave that to me as a gift last year, on my birthday.” She added and exhaled through her nose, with her hands crossed.

You sound as if giving you this piece of art is a pain. I thought while observing her distressing state. I cannot feel any empathy or even sympathy towards Alora and her tragic past with her friends. Perhaps this is because my mind’s still set on killing her and that she’s still my target. The fact that Hanie committed suicide and was not directly murdered doesn’t and will never compromise any truth. Since I weren’t aware of any truth yet, I won’t judge Alora for now—but I won’t change my conviction either.

“You have a nice art studio.” I uttered to alter her mind from thinking too deeply about her past for she might start a drama and a woman’s f*****g drama is the worst thing ever.

Alora lifted her head to face me and chuckled. “You think so? Manasseh said it’s too plain.”

It is. I answered in my thoughts. Her studio is only as big as a regular room and there are merely eight paintings on its four walls. The art corner where her materials are placed is too neat I cannot believe it’s even in use. It’s just like you. “Nah. I think this room represents you.” I replied. This room might be very plain; notwithstanding, it still has the characteristics of being an art room. The colourfully stained floor of marble, the nostalgic mixed scent of watercolour and acrylic paint, the pile of white canvases waiting to be painted on, the newspapers at every bottom corner of the walls that obviously not working much and the artist who is standing beside me.  This is how every art studio should look like. No joke.

Alora scoffed and chuckled. “Let’s hear your cheesy line again, then.” She jested while trying not to laugh more.

I rolled my eyes, pretending I’m pissed by her jokes but little did she know that every time she kids me, she’s unconsciously breaking down her walls she has established between us, even before we met. This is the fastest way to know everything without forcing it.

“It might sound cheesy but this unbelievably tidy art studio is like you, its almost spotless owner.” Her eyes widened in question and I winked teasingly. “It looked so plain and the only art décors you have are these paintings. You’re plain as well, Miss Weller. You are so plain and the only cute thing you have is being an artist. But this room still has the evidences of being an art studio, even after all the neatness you tried to apply. And you still have the evidences of being you, even after all the masks you put on in order to not reveal yourself.” I added and cleared my throat. My heart is pounding so fast and I am currently euphoric of this scene. Her eyes are dilating and I can see her trying to stop herself from talking. I am so f*****g thrilled but I should restrain talking too much for now. I lectured in my thoughts while stopping myself from showing a mischievous face.

Alora, you seemed so guilty of something. I chuckled and extended my hand to pat her head. She flinched in surprise as soon as I’ve reached her. “You should stop acting helpless in front of everyone in class. I think you need to stop wearing your mask and start punching those fake artists, don’t you think so, too, Alora?” I shifted the mood from being aggressive to light. It’s better not to trigger her today since it’s her birthday.

My target inhaled deeply and nodded before she exhales. She must’ve felt relief when I ended up talking about her attitude in class, but she also unintentionally agreed to my suggestion. She was left with no other choice but to nod. Alora looked quite frightened of the idea that I might know something about Hanie’s death, thenceforth, the day where she unexpectedly told me over the phone that she killed Hanie indeed wasn’t intended as I guessed.

We left her art studio after a few more minutes and headed to her main house, which is just in front of the studio. She told me that her father, Mister Weller, will only allow her to have an art studio if she were to use their backyard’s storage house. Alora told me to wait in the living room while she’s preparing for our snack.

This was the original plan when I agreed to head over her house after class but we ended up taking time in her art studio. She told me earlier that her father won’t be home for three days and she doesn’t want to celebrate alone so she invited me for a movie in her house. A target just f*****g invited the assassinator to come over and watch movies. I cleared my throat as I fight my urge to flip my Reisun switch on.

“Do you want your popcorn to be cheesed?” Alora asked while she’s in the kitchen.

“Do you have sour cream? I like sour cream better.” I replied and picked up the remote control. She yelled with a yes and I began browsing for movies saved in the USB flash drive that’s already inserted at the back of the TV.

Their house produces too much echo and probably out of habit, Alora did not even turn the lights on. Mister Weller could’ve taught Alora to always stay low whenever she’s in the house alone, or even with someone, for it might risk her life. Assassinators are everywhere—there might be one even in your living room.

I was checking the stored movies in the USB drive when I encountered a folder named HAM. Hanie, Alora, Manasseh. My mind instantly concluded. I would just say I got curious if Alora would ask. I thought and opened the folder without asking for her permission.

“A document, huh?” I sighed out of disappointment when the only file on the folder isn’t opening for the TV cannot read its file type. I am f*****g curious about it but I will wait for the right time before I ask.

Alora came in with two bowls of popcorns in her hands and ran back to the kitchen after putting the bowls down on the table; then she came back bringing two bottles of soft drinks. She sat down recklessly in the other sofa and picked up her bowl of orange newly popped corn seeds. That looks f*****g salty. I thought while making my bothered expression visible. I have been learning how to stop acting on my expression and just show the f**k out everything aside from being mischievous and bloodthirsty. In this way, I will stop raising more suspicion and look more real.

“Is Mister Weller aware that you brought a guy into your home?” I asked and picked up the other bowl of sour cream popcorns. Alora turned to me and nodded. “Good.” I simply replied and handed her the remote control. Mister Weller actually entrusted his daughter’s life to her assassinator. I exhaled the malicious thought through my nose and controlled my lips to avoid grinning. I still can’t stop myself from thinking wickedly when it comes to Alora. Or maybe both of them don’t see me as a threat.

“What movie do you want to watch?” She asked while chewing. She’s even dropping her manners in front of me.

I shrugged and grasped a handful of popcorn and stuffed them all in my mouth. Alora did not react and turned her head back to the TV screen. I had to show how open I can also be for her to trust me more.

“Do you want to watch A Star is Bo—oh, have you watched Fractured already?” She faced me with such excitement on her eyes as she exclaims. I furrowed my brows and shook my head. Alora gasped and smiled with her mouth opened widely. “Bro, you gotta be freaking kidding me! That movie has so much twist that I… I—okay, let’s just watch it!” Her tone, volume and pitch go up and down as she feels pity, happy and excited at the same time. Normal ladies are f*****g scary for they can mindlessly show two hundred expressions all at once. I blinked in awe as I watch her getting energized because of a movie. I never got the chance to see hundreds of mix emotions in one face through Kiken—since she’s an assassin, too.

-

What the f**k was that? I sighed in disappointment of my own unsaid conclusions while we’re watching the movie. Alora turned to me in such a happy face and sat beside me.

“What do you think?” She asked with sparkling eyes. “I bet you were lost, right? Right?”

Fucking right. “Lost, who?” I denied and raised my right brow in pretention. This is one of those rare times wherein I literally hid my embarrassment using my assassin skill of pretending. “I’ve already guessed that the moment he stopped when they fell, he’s already mentally wretched.” I said with fake confidence. I f*****g have not. I thought in counter of my lie. I seriously thought that the hospital is a godforsaken place that kidnaps people and takes their organs. f**k this movie. But I remained calm and composed after all the realization I have inside my head.

Alora pouted and crossed her arms. “You’re no fun. It took me weeks to completely convince myself of that movie’s ending and you already got the right plot in your mind while we’re watching.” She exhaled and opened her bottle of carbonated drink. Alora moved back to her original seat and re-browsed the movie list again.

I looked down at my untouched bowl of popcorn. I completely got f*****g absorbed in the movie that I forgot about my popcorn. That movie was f*****g depressing I don’t ever want to watch it again. I did not even feel this anxious when I killed my stepfamily. I mumbled to myself and caught the eyes of Alora looking at me.

“What?” I asked with a completely unfazed expression, pretending that I am still serene.

The movie has too many gaps and loopholes but I once did not notice them for I was too occupied to know the ending. The good thing about this movie aside from its tense, mysterious and thrilling atmosphere is that it really made the viewers feel puzzled of how it would end and that drifted the viewers’ attention from focusing on the gaps and loopholes to getting blown away when the revelation came. This is f*****g dope. I wonder what did I learn from this movie aside from hospitals cannot seriously take your organs without your permission but assassins can. I slightly furrowed my brows.

“Hanie liked mystery thriller movies. So every time I watch this alone, I remember her.” Alora spoke out of the blue without those sparkly eyes anymore. I silently watched her and waited for her to tell me further. I could definitely get something out of her when she’s this vulnerable. “I am glad that my 28th time watching this movie, I am not alone.” She unexpectedly smiled and for a brief moment, I am sure that I saw not just her eyes sparkling, but her whole f*****g soul.

I shivered in a reason unexplainable and kept a straight face.

We stayed silent for a few seconds until my target stood up and extended her hand towards me. “It’s already late, Grei.” She said while genuinely looking soft. I grabbed her hand and stood up while having her to help me.

I wonder what is this light and delicate feeling surrounding my pumping organ.

She thanked me again for spending her day with her after sending me out of their gates. I bid my good bye and started walking on my way back home. The sun has completely set but I still feel warm for some reason. I thought while kneading my left hand’s finger tips subconsciously. My phone vibrated as soon as I got out of the subdivision and that phone has only one number saved.

I picked up the call and placed the phone unto my right ear without looking for the caller’s detail anymore. “Alo—”

“Should we go to Hanie’s family mausoleum tomorrow? I ponder if she will hate me for being this happy.”