Mismatched

[3]

"Hey. You sure you're ok?" Pang-ilang beses na itong tinanong ni Andriel sa akin. And to be honest, nababanas na ako ha. Please, nagtitimpi na nga ako dito para hindi sumabog yung pagkaselosa ko eh.

Wait. Did I just say that? No. I'm not jealous. I really am not.

Damn you, Riel.

"Oo nga! Pwede ba!" inis kong sabi sa kanya.

We were walking our way back to our apartment until we reached our room. I stopped while he fished the keys out of his pocket to open the door.

"Why are you angry?" tanong niya. He even raised his eyebrow.

"I'm not angry!" Ok. Maybe I am.

"Really? Then why are you shouting?" nagtataka niyang tanong. "Are you hungry? Do you want to eat? Damn, we should've eaten first."

"Pwede ba, Andriel. I'm fine, ok? I'm perfect. Just open the door. I'm not hungry," sabi ko, pilit na pinapahinahon ang boses ko para magmukhang okay lang ako.

"Okay. If you say so. I'm just here when you need me," sabi niya at dumiretso na siya sa living room. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako biglang nainis. Maybe because I expected na susuyuin niya pa ako hanggang sa bumigay ako at mag-make up na kami. But obviously, not this time.

"Okay. Fine then," I grumbled and headed straight to my room.

I didn't want to sleep yet so I opened my laptop and browsed the internet. I'm actually getting a bit bored here. I'm already craving the action and adrenaline rush. Habang nagb-browse, nagulat na lang ako nang may nag-pop out na message box sa screen ko.

It looks like a chat box of some sort. There was a message by firsttwin18. Who the f**k?

firsttwin18: Hey baby ;)

It creeped me out at first, but then realized that this must be the work of another pro-hacker. I tried to locate his IP address, but for some reason, I can't have access to that information. Wait, does that mean, whoever's behind this is better than me? Oh no. I don't want that. No way.

You: Who is this?

firsttwin18: My identity isn't important rn ;)

You: It is to me. Please tell me who this is.

firsttwin18: No way. Anw, im gunna haunt you baby ;*

You: I'm going to locate you.

firsttwin18: Try it if you can, babe.

Well, crap. He knows I can't. Still, I need to try. It might take me a couple of hours though.

firsttwin18: Nuh-uh, baby. Stop what you're doing and I'll try not to go through your personal documents.

I immediately stopped typing after that. Ok, what the actual f**k. This is creeping me out.

firsttwin18: good. I'm not an enemy, baby. I'm just here to talk to you. Im a friend, ok? A creepy friend but that's all i can give you.

You: Please get out of my computer.

firsttwin18: sorry :( but i rly want to talk to you. Cant u just spare me the oddities and just talk to me as if im your friend?

You: No way.

I immediately closed my laptop and put it away in its bag. Okay, to be honest, that was creepy as hell. It gave me goosebumps. I should really just sleep this off. He can't bother me now, can he?

I got myself ready for bed and was about to fall asleep when suddenly, my phone had a text. I quickly grabbed it, expecting it to be from Andriel saying sorry, but was surprised when it was from an Unknown Sender.

Agad akong kinilabutan. Don't tell me this is the same guy...?

Unknown Sender: Heaven Fajardo. Fine. I know you, ok? I'm not here to creep you out so hear me out.

Hindi ako sumagot and tried to turn off my phone. Hindi niya daw ako planong ma-creep out but I already am. This is creepy as hell, ok?

The moment I turned off my phone, bumukas ito immediately. I tried to swallow my fear. Someone's hacking me and my gadgets. I'm supposed to be a pro-hacker but I can't even find this dude's IP address.

Another text message popped out when the screen reloaded.

From: Unknown Sender

Dude! Listen, ok? I know this group of drug dealers just near your area.

He or she finally caught my attention. A group of drug dealers? My crime instincts kicked in. I finally replied.

To: Unknown Sender

Why are you telling me this?

From: Unknown Sender

I told you. I know you, future FBI special agent ;)

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako napangiti. I mean, this guy's good. Where'd he got that info? That's just classified.

To: Unknown Sender

Fine. Please tell me the location.

From: Unknown Sender

Your wish is my command, princess :)

The next morning, I immediately told the news to Raphael. Gulat na gulat siya kung saan ko nakuha yung information at sabi ko ay narinig ko lang sa tabi-tabi.

"Well actually, we're already planning to infiltrate one of their 'exchange'. You could join us for experience if you'd want to, Heaven," nakangisi niyang sabi. Nanlaki ang mata ko.

"Really? So I can skip my training today?" umaasang tanong ko.

"Of course. Anything for you," sabi niya at kinindatan niya ako. Napailing na lamang ako. Agad niyang in-excuse ang sarili niya para asikasuhin ang mga dapat niyang gawin. At sinabi niyang h'wag daw ako gumalaw sa kinatatayuan ko.

Syempre, masunurin naman akong bata. Baka mamaya ay bawiin niyang ma-excuse ako ngayon. Habang naghihintay, napatingin ako sa entrance ng building. Kumabog ang dibdib ko nang makita ko si Andriel na papasok. Hindi dahil natutuwa akong nakita ko siya, kundi dahil natatakot ako.

Because, I left him. I told him I won't go but I lied. And now, nandito siguro siya para pagsabihan ako. Ayaw niya na kasi akong mag-isa lang na pupunta dito.

Nakikita ko na ang galit niyang titig sa'kin. "Heaven!" inis niyang sabi.

I smiled innocently. "Yes?"

"We'll talk later," sabi niya with matching singkit eyes na para bang hinahamon ako. Bago niya ako nilagpasan at dumiretso siya. Nagtataka akong sinundan siya ng tingin at nagulat nang makitang naroon pala si Sheryl na naghihintay sa kanya.

Oh. So maybe he didn't come here for me after all.

Hindi ko alam pero bigla na lamang akong na-badtrip. Pinanood ko lang ang dalawa na nag-uusap hanggang sa makapasok na sila ng elevator at sumara na ito. Fine.

"Oh? Bakit ka nakasimangot?" Napatingin ako sa lalaking dumaan sa harapan ko. It was John. Ganda ng porma niya ngayon ah? He was wearing the FBI uniform.

"Nothing. Ano meron at bakit ka nakaganyan?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"We have an operation right now. Naghahanda na ang mga agents sa labas," sabi niya at nagkibit-balikat. Hindi ko maiwasan na mapatingin sa briefcase na dala niya. I'm pretty sure that's a rifle sniper. Damn, I wanna hold one right now.

Ngumiti siya ng malaki na para bang nang-iinggit. "Wanna come? Oh wait. You have your training session today. Boo hoo," pang-aasar niya.

Napairap na lamang ako. God, is this guy always this childish?

Good thing bumalik na si Raphael. "Okay, done Heaven! Are you ready? You excited?" tanong niya bago siya napatingin kay John. "What are you still doing here, boy? Get your ass out, soldier!"

"Yes sir!" sagot ni John at naguguluhan siya napatingin sa akin.

"I wanna come with John, is that ok?" tanong ko.

"Oh sure, darling. Oy, tignan mong mabuti to ha," sabi ni Raphael bago niya ginulo ang buhok ko. Nang nakaalis na siya ay ngumiti ako ng malapad kay John. Kitang-kita ang pagkairita niya sa'kin.

"Fine, let's go," he grumbled before exiting the building with me trailing behind him.

We both entered a black van at pinanood ko ang mga naka-unipormeng agents na nagsisipasukan. There were five of them, all in all. Wow, they can take care of an operation with just five people?

Nagsimula ng umandar ang van.

"So, what's a pretty girl doing in here?" one of the guys asked. He looks British. Actually, he's good-looking.

"I'm just here to watch," maayos na sagot ko. Kinindatan niya ako at ngumiti ako ng pilit. Nope. I don't do f-ckboys.

"I'm France, you are?" What? Weird name. Napansin kong pinagtitinginan na kami ng apat na agents na nandito rin sa loob ng van.

"Not interested," sabi ko sabay ngiti ng pilit.

"You wouldn't say that if you get to personally know me, baby," sabi niya at kumindat ulit.

Nagulat na lang ako nang may isang babaeng sumigaw, "Isa pa at tutusukin ko na yang mata mo!" Katabi ko siya. At nakakatakot siya ngayon. But she's pretty, to be honest.

"Calm down, Bee," sabi ni France at napairap.

"Gusto mong putulin ko ang bayag mo ngayon, ha?! Landi nitong lalaking to!" inis na sabi ni Bee at pumorma pa siyang babarilin niya si France gamit ang handgun na dala-dala niya.

"Kalma ka lang, bebs!" natatawang sabi ng isa pang babae. "Ba't mo kasi binoyfriend yang malanding yan eh?"

"Mahal ko naman yan eh," sabi ni France habang malapad ang ngiti kay Bee.

"Pakyu, lagot ka sakin mamaya," sabi ni Bee.

"Sorry na babes! Pinagseselos lang kita!" sabi ni France at nagpapa-cute pa siya. Oh god, ang we-weirdo pala nitong mga to. That's just unexpected. Kala ko naman ay mga seryoso na sila.

"Pinagseselos? Talaga?" Bumaling siya kay John na nasa kabilang tabi ko at ngumiti. "John, pumunta ka ng kwarto ko mamayang gabi ha? Namiss na kita eh," sabi niya habang may malumanay na boses.

"Ok," sabi ni John at nagkibit-balikat na para bang wala siyang pake kung mag-away ang dalawa. Wow, just wow.

"Nagpupunta si John sa kwarto mo? Anong ginagawa niyong dalawa?" Nagbago ang mood ni France at mukhang pati siya ay nabadtrip ngayon. What, he literally asked for it. It's his fault.

"Ano sa tingin mo?" Sinabayan ni Bee ang pagkainis ni France.

"Oh god, nag-aaway na naman sila," sabi ng isa pang babae. Naaawa siyang napatingin sa'kin. "Wag kang mag-alala, magbabati ulit yang mga yan mamaya. Ako nga pala si Hanna," nakangiti niyang sabi sa'kin.

"I'm Heaven," sabi ko kahit na maingay na nagbabangayan ang dalawa.

"I like your hair, Heaven," sabi niya.

"Uhm, thanks," sabi ko at ngumiti. Awkward.

"We're here. Positions, everyone," sabi ni John. Doon ko in-assume na siya ang leader. Tumigil na ang van at tumahimik na rin si Bee at France. Wow, they're acting professional right now. I'm impressed.

Bumukas na ang van at mabilis na nag-disperse ang grupo. Nakasunod lang ako kay John habang tumatakbo siya papunta sa isang pamilyar na building. Wait, this is my school. The group of drug dealers are making their transaction here? Gosh.

Sa likuran kami dumaan, which was surprising because I didn't know there was a way in through the back of the school. Umakyat si John hanggang sa nakarating kami sa 3rd floor. Doon ay tumigil siya at nagsimulang ayusin ang rifle sniper niya habang nakapwesto sa may bintana.

"Are you guys reprimanded to shoot?" tanong ko habang pinapanood ko siyang mag-ayos.

"Yeah. Unless it is really needed, I'm just here to make sure everything goes right," sabi niya.

"Oh, ok."

He crouched down, until he's flat to the ground with the rifle ready to shoot. He watched through the scope of his gun. Humiga rin ako katabi niya and tried to look at what he was looking at. Hanggang sa nakita ko na.

Today's a weekday kaya maraming estudyanteng dumadaan. One particular group caught my eye. Actually, they obviously looked suspicious. Mayroon kasing mga estudyanteng nakatayo malapit sa grupong ito at para bang nakabantay.

Wait, it meant mga estudyante ang grupo ng mga drug dealers na ito? What. The. Actual. Fudge.

Bigla akong may namataan na pamilyar. It was Bee. In casual wear. Inalis niya yung uniporme niya? Well, that would make sense kung huhulihin nila tong mga to. Obviously, they'd run away kung nakakita sila ng mga FBI diba?

Nakita ko na hinarangan agad si Bee ng mga nakabantay. Then she pointed somewhere. Wait, that's right. Naroon yung girl's bathroom malapit sa kanila. Wow, galing naman nilang pumili ng lugar. So maybe they aren't that smart huh?

Hinayaan na siyang dumaan, siguro para hindi halatang may nangyaring transaksyon doon. Kahit na halata naman talaga.

Natapos na yung transaksyon. Teka, kailan balak sumugod nitong mga to? Nagulat ako nang may namukhaan akong pamilyar. S-si Ramon yun ah? Teka, isa siyang drug dealer? But he's such a sweetheart!

Nagsimula ng magsialisan yung mga tao sa paligid at naiwan doon si Ramon na para bang may iba pang inaantay. Pati yung mga estudyanteng nakabantay kanina ay wala na roon. Bee creeped out behind him before knocking him out.

Nagsilabasan na rin yung iba pang FBI agents at pinagtulungan nilang buhatin si Ramon palabas ng eskwelahan. Doon ko lang napansin na wala na palang katao-tao kaya okay lang sa kanila ang balandara ang katawan ni Ramon. Class must've started minutes ago.

Nagsimula ng tumayo si John at niligpit na ang rifle.

"Wait! Bakit si Ramon lang ang kinuha niyo? Akala ko ba marami sila?" nagtatakang tanong ko.

"He's the son of the mastermind, dear. Hindi dumating yung mismong grupo ng mga infamous drug dealers. So now, we have to extract that information outta him," mariin niyang sabi.