Prologue
1790 Words
"Meeting adjourned..."
As that word had said, all the men that were present in the room descended from their seats and immediately stood up and left.
In that dim light room, silence reigns... only two people left. The head of the Cosa Nostra and its great successor.
"That's how you ruled, Nikolo." A dominant and stern voice said. "Don't let anyone step on you. Don't show any mercy and pity. Harden your heart and mind... That's how you'll survive in this jungle of life."
A twenty-nine year old Nikolo, obediently nodded. "Sì papà."
Nikolo Luca Moretti was pure Italian and the only successor of his family's legacy— the head of Cosa Nostra, a Morettirian Mafia in Sicily. He already graduated Political Science, but now he's studying Criminal and Constitutional law as his father's order.
His father was very strict when it came to him. His Father always says that he should be heartless to everyone and to not show any weakness... As an obedient son, Nikolo, always obeys without question and hesitation.
For the life he has, he doesn't have a say. Kung ano ang gusto ng kanyang ama, 'yon ang susundin niya.
"How's your study? Doing good?" Muling tanong ni Giovanni sa anak na nasa kanyang gilid na tahimik lang na naka-upo habang walang ekspresyon ang mukha.
"It's very easy." Nikolo answered honestly.
Hindi mo rin makikitaan nang yabang sa mukha nito. Talagang nagsasabi lang ito ng totoo.
A smile made its way to his Dad's lips like he already expected the answer.
"Good." Giovanni said emotionless and has this stern face. "Keep that up... you are the next head of Cosa Nostra—the Don—so you have to be knowledgeable about everything."
His father stood up from his seat and patted his back.
"Non essere un idiota, Nikolo." He's father said and left the room leaving him alone.
Non essere un idiota.
Nikolo is already used to that word. His father keeps on saying that to him.
Non essere un idiota.
"Don't be an idiot..." Nikolo translated his father's words.
Now that he's alone, Nikolo, heaves a deep sigh before throwing his head to his seat and stares at the ceiling in silence.
It suffocates him every time his Father brings him to work, to train him how to be a feared, noble and respected leader. Simula nang tumuntong siya sa hustong gulang, palagi na siyang sinasama nang ama sa kahit anong lakad nito patungkol sa pamamahala sa Cosa Nostra. And ever since then, he always acted up all his emotions.
He didn't want this authority, he didn't wish to have this big responsibility but he couldn't do anything. This is what he was destined for— to be the head of their family's legacy.
Nikolo never experienced being a child, to be a normal kid who plays on the playground, to have childhood memories. Kids of his age still play at the playground until the sun drops from the horizon... Far from what he grew up on.
At the age of ten, Nikolo was holding a real gún with high caliber instead of his toys. At the age of fifteen he was forced to study different types of martial arts instead of studying different types of children's games.
He never once enjoyed his childhood days. Because of his responsibility, he's forced to be matured at a young age to handle a wide range and handful of people. Hindi basta-basta ang pamahalaan ang ganoong kalaking organisasyon. It needs effort to handle diverse people with different attitudes and principles.
His father trained him so hard that sometimes he just wanted to disappear from the world and gave up. Pero tuwing inaalala niya ang rason kung bakit siya nagsusumikap, naduduwag siya. He made this far because he wants to avenge the death of his mother and siblings.
"Should I ready the car for you, Don Nikolo?"
Nabaling ang tingin ni Nikolo sa nagsalita. It was he's consigliere. Cesare—his consigliere—his advisor and upper right-hand.
Even though he wasn't officially the head of Cosa Nostra, Nikolo, already has his men. From, consigliere, underboss, caporegimes to his soldiers and associates. The initiation of power will only pass to him when he turns thirty.
"I'm not yet Don, Cesare..." He answered without looking. "I'll drive for tonight. You can leave now."
Cesare, his loyal consigliere bow down before leaving the room.
Nakakabinging katahimikan muli ang naghari sa silid. He's used to it already—deafening silence...it comforts him for unknown reasons. In silence he could only feel that he matters. In silence he could only feel that somehow, it put him in ease after a rough day. In silence he can be himself for a moment.
Sa katahimikan lang nakikilala ni Nikolo ang tunay niyang sarili.
It was midnight when he left their grand hall. It's where they all gathered for an assembly. It's a top secret place that only a member of the family knows.
When he arrived at his huge dark house, he went straight to his room. He didn't even bother opening the lights. Sanay siya sa madilim kaya nakakakita pa rin siya kahit hindi buksan ang mga ilaw. He's been trained for it anyways.
Una niyang kinuha ang isang black label na alak at tinungga agad iyon mula sa bote.
A bitter taste of alcohol sipped through his throat that made him cough.
"Fúck..." Mahina niyang mura.
Naglakad si Nikolo patungong veranda habang nilalagok ang alak. The alcohol was strong but it didn't mind Nikolo.
He needs to be drunk for him to sleep easily.
Nikolo was halfway to the veranda when he received a call.
"Hey, boss..." bungad ng tumawag sa kanya.
"Any problem? Why'd you call?"
"It's nothing serious." Rocco said dismissing. "I'd like to inform you that the underboss commanded us to check our warehouse in the Philippines—"
"Then why are you calling me? Shouldn't you be on the mission?" Nikolo cut off his caporegimes.
Rocco Messina, his capo or the captain of the soldiers and Orazio is his underboss—a powerful second in command and also his cousin. His only closest cousin.
"I'd like to remind you that drinking like that can make your kidneys rotten..."
Nikolo frowned and was about to speak when Rocco talked.
"Stop frowning, you boss. Hindi nakakagwapo."
"Stop watching over me, Rocco. I can handle myself just fine." Nikolo leans forward and rests his elbow on the railings. "You know how to speak Filipino now?"
"I need to." Rocco replied. "Hindi pa naman ako magaling managalog pero at least hindi na ako mabebenta."
Rocco still has an accent with speaking Filipino. Matigas pa rin ito managalog. Though he's impressed because Rocco was only studying Filipino for weeks.
"Ayusin mo ang trabaho mo loko." Bilin ni Nikolo. "Baka hindi kana makabalik ng Sicily kapag pumalpak ka. Filipinoes can be viólent sometimes."
Mukhang hindi naman gumana ang pananakot ni Nikolo kay Rocco.
"Wow! Your tagalog is dayum good!"
Nikolo could hear the impressed voice of Rocco.
"I learned tagalog when I was 17." Pagyayabang ni Nikolo. "Aren't your future Don genius?"
"Putangina, sobrang hangin naman dito." Rocco mocked. "End call ko na, baka matangay pa ako."
For a moment Nikolo didn't hide his smile. For a moment he forgot how to act cold and ruthless. He just became his true self.
Huminga siya ng malalim saka sinundan ng tingin ang kotse ni Rocco na nakatago sa ilalim ng malaking puno hanggang sa mawala ito sa paningin niya.
Even how cruel this world can be, he is still grateful that he has friends. Hindi nga lang niya maipakita kung gaano siya kasaya na makilala ang mga kaibigan niya.
Papasok na sana si Nikolo sa loob ng kanyang kwarto ng may maaninagan siya na dalawang bulto ng tao na naglalakad papalapit sa kanyang malaki at kulay itim na gate.
The two silhouettes were walking in tiptoe. Dahan-dahan naman na kinuha ni Nikolo ang baril sa kanyang bewang at walang tunog na puwesto kung saan kita niya ang dalawang anino.
"Ikaw na ang mag-door bell..."
Filipino...?
Tumaas ang kilay ni Nikolo saka pinagmasdan niya ang dalawa pero alerto pa rin siya.
"Gaga ka... Ikaw ang natalo sa pustahan kaya ikaw na mag-door bell..."
The two kept on arguing and they seemed... drunk. Mga lasing yata ang dalawang babae na nasa harap ng gate niya.
"Hindi naman ako pumayag sa challenge mo, eh."
"Kahit na ginawa mo pa rin kaya mag-door bell kana o iiwan kita dito."
"Kasi naman, eh..." reklamo ng isang babae saka tumingin sa kabuohan ng bahay.
Their eyes met... pero si Nikolo lang ang nakaalam dahil nagtatago siya sa madilim na parte ng veranda at hindi siya kita ng babae. Something inside him jolted.
He almost lost his composure while looking at the woman's face. Dahil sa pagtama ng mga mata nila ay nagdala iyon ng kakaibang pakiramdam kay Nikolo.
Mabuti nalang ay nag-vibrate ang cellphone niya kaya nabaling ang atensyon niya.
"Should I fire bullets at them?"
Iyon agad ang bungad ni Cesare sa kanya.
"No need to... they seem not a threat." Nikolo cleared his throat. "Where are you?"
"Roof."
"Anong ginagawa mo diyan sa bubong?"
"Stargazing." Tipid nitong sagot bago binaba ang tawag.
Mahinang nailing na lamang si Nikolo. Parang kabute talaga itong si Cesare at Rocco. Kung saan-saan lang.
From his peripheral vision, Nikolo, saw the woman push the button of his doorbell. One. Two. Three. She pushed it thrice before backing down.
"Para naman walang tao, eh." Ani ng babae.
"Mukhang haunted house 'yong bahay. Sayang maganda pa naman."
"Kaya nga. Tara na. Baka may engkanto pa rito, eh."
"Gaga, nasa Italy tayo hindi Pilipinas. Walang engkanto rito."
Inilibot ng babae ang paningin hanggang sa mapansin nito ang cctv sa bandang kaliwa ng gate. Ngumiti ang babae saka kinalabit ng kaibigan nito.
"Alam ko na ang gagawin mo, Adina..." nginuso nito ang cctv. "Doon mo nalang sabihin baka sakali makita ng may-ari kapag umuwi."
"Claire naman, eh!"
"Sige na. Hindi naman tayo kilala ng may-ari ng bahay eh. At sigurado ako hindi rin naman tayo maiintindihan no'n." Tulak pa ng babae na pangalan ay Claire. "Kung hindi mo 'to gagawin, magbabayad ka ng fifty thousand sa akin. Sige ka."
Ang babaeng si Adina ay huminga ng malalim saka napipilitang lumapit sa harap ng cctv.
Pinakatitigan muna nito ang cctv bago ibinuka ang bibig at lakas loob na nagsalita.
"Kapag bored kana sa buhay mo... tara pakasal tayo."
Tapos sabihin ng babae ay agad silang kumaripas ng takbo palayo sa kanyang bahay habang tumatawa. Nag-zizigzag pa ang takbo ng dalawa.
Habang naiwan naman si Nikolo na laglag ang panga at hindi makapaniwala sa nasaksihan.
What the hell was that...
- Writer
