Code Name: Mercy

CODE NO. 06

R A I N

“Rain. Rain! Raain~ wake up.”

“Augh… Ano ba? Inaantok pa ak– what?”

“Uhm, you overslept. It’s past seven already.”

Kumurap-kurap ako sa anghang ng mga mata ko. I thought I slept for at least 5 hours straight, pero mukhang hindi ata sapat ang naging tulog ko base sa anghang na nararamdaman ko. At anong oversleep? Akala ko ba eight o’ clock pa kami?

Naghikab at nag-unat na muna ako ng katawan bago itinulak ang sarili ko para bumangon. The moment that I felt my eyes getting used to the morning light, I first fumbled my bed to look for my phone. Gusto ko lang i-check ang time.

07:13 AM

Well, it is indeed past seven.

I felt a little relief when I saw the time. If I sleep now, I will still have more or less 46 minutes of sleep.

Not bad para sa mata kong maanghang. Kaya naman itinaas ko ang mga biyas ko at dahan-dahan na itinumba ang sarili sa kama. I was about to go back to the bed when I heard a creaking noise of an opening door.

“Rain, you’re still there?” The voice belonged to Lian.

As soon as I saw her entering, I bounced back immediately kahit na hindi pa man dumapat sa kutson ang likod ko, at agad na nagreklamo ng, “Hindi ba ang sabi eight tayo ngayon sa studio?”

“Oh, that,” sabad naman ni Korina na nagsusuklay sa harap ng salamin, “That was cancelled. Apparently, something came up to one of the program producers of the associate company.”

“Really? So why do I have to wake up even earlier?” angal ko ulit.

Baliktad bang mag-isip ang mga tao sa bansang ito?

“Because the boys are home. You know that they are not as independent as what their so-called reality show’s broadcasting.Besides Jay’s too tired to cook for them and Liam won’t stop dancing unless someone reminds him it’s time to eat,” banggit naman no Korina.

Gosh. Why do they sound like teenagers?

“Yeah. I told them not to overdid it pero mukhang inabot sila ng madaling araw kasasayaw sa practice room,” dagdag naman ni Lian na para bang anak niya lang ang pinag-uusapan namin dahil sa tono ng boses niya. “Rain, lumabas ka na, ha. Sorry pero ikaw muna ang umasikaso sa kanila. Don’t worry, they behave well on their day off. I assure you well.”

Bumangon na ako ng tuluyan sa kama ko dahil sa taranta. I feel so betrayed at this moment.

“What? Is that supposed to make me feel good? Why is it only me?”

Nahinto sa pintuan si Korina na susunod na sana kay Lian sa paglabas ng room namin.

“Mr. Efrhain needed some hands for the music video settings. Since half of the talents came from the Leaf Company, with such controversy, they can’t show up on the day of the shoot. That’s why we are kind of missing some resources. Bye for now, Rain. We’ll leave the boys in your hands.”

At naiwan na nga akong mag-isa sa dorm. Hindi pa man ako nakapag-hilamos pero tadtad na ako ng mga gawain.

OMG. Does it mean that I’ll be like a kasambahay to them today? Oh… no. I have never tried doing something as difficult as cleaning a whole house in my entire life.

“Sana lang ay hindi sila makalat na mga lalaki.”

Mabilis akong kumilos. Naligo at nagbihis na ako. Hinahanda ko na ang sarili ko sa matinding pakikipagbakbakan sa dumi kaya nagsuot ako ng maluwang na damit at pajama. Nagtali na rin ako ng buhok at nagdala ng face mask.

Lexus’s dorm is at the main building, at the west wing. Third floor medyo—sobrang layo mula sa dorm namin. I don’t know kung ano ang pumasok sa isipan ng management para gawing malayo ang dorm ng mga personal assistants sa mga idols nila.

“Hi, Rain!” Pambungad na bati sa akin ni Liam pagbukas na pagbukas ko ng pinto ng dorm nila.

“Hey… ah! What are you up to? Come back here!” Muntik ko nang makalimutan na dapat ko pala silang bantayan.

“To the practice room. I’ll film a few dance videos!” paalam ni Liam habang tumatakbo ng patalikod. He then turned around to face the right way after telling me his intention.

Ugh. Kids in the entertainment industry are the most carefree. Liam is basically a teen. He’s like seventeen or sixteen, I guess? I am not so sure. Hindi ko naman tinatandaan ang edad nila.

Humakbang na ako sa tapat ng pinto ng dorm ng Lexus. Their place is much more stylish and spacious than ours. 

Well, their room and ours both have modern styles. But theirs is like a complete package.

The members have their own rooms. The living room is so spacious with a set of three sofas and a 75 inches TV with a gaming console… and a bright white lamp beside it. They also got a bigger kitchen. The equipment is about the same to us, from the induction stove up to the water dispenser. Mayroon din kami ng mga ito. What makes a difference is that their equipment is much more expensive and high technology. They even have a double door refrigerator while we got the regular one with a freezer above.

“Tsk. I miss my place.”

I dragged myself inside. Hindi pa man ako nakapasok ng tuluyan sa loob ay nabibigatan na ako sa katawan ko. I still haven't seen any of them, except Liam, yet I feel so suffocated. Para bang may maitim na ulap sa kisame ng dorm nila na pumipigil sa akin na pumasok.

“Can I just n–”

“Oh, hi Rain. It’s just you? Where’s Lian and Korina?” Hindi pa ako tapos sa iniisip ko pero sumulpot na bigla si Lucas.

He came from his room. With headphones around his neck he jumped into the sofa then reached for the TV’s remote control.

Ah~ How lucky. Gusto ko rin na humiga lang sa sofa.

“The manager needs them. So, it's just me,” tugon ko, trying to suppress my jealousy.

It’s just me in my first time being a personal assistant during a not so busy and almost normal day.

“Oh… You done eating?” tanong niya ulit na para bang napilitan lang siya na kausapin ako para hindi biglang tumahimik ang ere sa pagitan naming dalawa.

“Yup. I ate some bread.” Maikli ko naman na sagot. If he just wants to fill in the quiet air, then I shouldn’t reply so seriously. Pero mas pinili ko na lang na umalis na sa sala. Mukhang obligado kasi si Lucas na ipagpatuloy ang usapan namin dahil siya ang unang nagsalita, kahit na halata naman na hindi siya interesado.

May nakita akong nakakalat na plastic sa sahig at iilang mga damit na nakasampay sa upuan sa kusina. Kinuha ko ang mga ito tapos ay tinapon ang plastic habang nilagay ko naman sa labahan ang damit. I was kind of nervous to check the laundry. Baka kasi puno na ito at ako pa ang maglaba. Never pa ako naglaba sa tanang buhay ko!

The only thing I am good at is sleeping… I can cook a little but I no longer cook that often kaya medyo nangangalawang na rin ako.

“Hey, Rain.” Bati sa akin ni Ethan nang magkasalubong ko siya palabas ng laundry room. Yumuko lang din naman ako bilang sagot.

Bumalik muna ako ng sala para icheck kung may kailangan bang linisan nang makita ko na ang kaninang maluwag na long sofa ay halos mapuno na dahil sa nadagdag na dalawang tao. Tumabi na rin kasi kay Lucas si Jay at Jake.

Nagpipicture si Jake kasama si Lucas habang naglilinis naman ng sapatos niya si Jay. Naiwan naman na nakabukas ang TV na mukhang walang nanonood.

Babalik na sana ako ng kusina para maghugas ng mga pinggan nang masagi ng mata ko ang basurang paper wrap na ginamit sa box ng sapatos ni Jay. Obviously, pinulot ko ito. But then a flash news came in on the TV and a familiar name was mentioned, sanhi para huminto ako.

“The famous kid’s program, Shining Star producer, Marco Torres, was found dead in his room in building A. According to the witness, they were having a chat when Marco collapsed out of nowhere in front of her. At first, she thought that he just fainted yet she noticed a gush of red liquid coming from his head. She then quickly reported it to the management of the building. Investigation found that the suspect used an M24 sniper gun. They located two possible areas based on the angle of the bullet that struck Torres’ head. Meanwhile, as a result of…”

Oh. Such good news! Hindi na ako magugulat kung may pupunta na mga pulis sa SMART ONE building para icheck ang rooftop nito. Malamang ay isa ang building na ito sa dalawang mga location na tinutukoy sa balita. But of course, I am not nervous because I no longer have the sniper gun I was using, and the CCTV last night was all covered up with a program. It’s also a common rule to use gloves when we are on duty for a finger print free kill. Also the other details and possible evidence was already taken care of by Daddy’s men in black.

They will just look for a scapegoat who is as nasty as the target. I’m pretty sure may nahanap na silang kriminal na nasa malapit lang at sa kanya ibubunton ang lahat ng sisi sa pagkamatay ni Marco. In that way, the case of the assassinated producers will be solved while a man who deserves to rot in jail ends up in jail.

“What sad news. Didn't you know Mr. Torres invited us to be a guest in the Shining Star?” Jay uttered.

Dahil sa balita tungkol kay Marco ay napunta na agad sa TV ang atensyon ng tatlo.

Ibinaba naman ni Jake ang cellphone niya nang marinig ito. “Oh, yes. I thought it was just me who saw the letter on the table.”

“In the dressing room, right?”

“Shining Star is my little sister’s favorite kid’s program,” Lucas mentioned.

“It could have been fun. What a shame.” Jake exclaimed with a hint of disappointment.

But Jay replied in a calm manner. “Now, now. Don’t worry too much. It was the producer who died, not the show. The show is still gaining high ratings. It’s popular even abroad. I’m sure some other producer will pick the Shining Star. Who knows, they might also invite us?” Jay shrugged.

Woah. Woah. Woah. This guy has great sense.

Hindi na ako nagtagal pa sa pakikinig sa kanila. Bumalik na nga ako ng kusina para magsimula na sa hugasin.

“Now, how should I start?”

Tinititigan ko pa lang ang mga plato ay hindi ko na alam kung saan at kung paano sisimulan ang paghuhugas ng pinggan.

I’m really sure the cleaner in my house is an expert to this. I’ve seen her wash the dishes, and it seems like an easy and smooth task. Kaya lang hindi ko siya masyadong nakikita sa tuwing nagsisimula siya so now I don’t have any idea how should I start. Like totally!

Ang dumi pala ng simula nito. As far as I can remember, the cleaner was just putting a soap, a foamy one, then she was washing them with water and she’s done.

Limang plato at maliit na bowl. Limang baso, higit limang kutsara at tinidor, mga nasa anim hanggang walong tasa. Frying pan at wok tapos may kladero pa pala ng rice cooker. Sa tagal kong nakatayo ay halos bilang ko na ang mga hugasin.

“Wow. We sure used a lot this early in the morning. Are these making you confused about how to start?” rinig kong tanong ng boses sa tabi ko. At nang lumingon ako ay nakita ko na lang na humihigop ng inumin niya si Ethan gamit ang kulay itim na tasa.

“K-Kind of,” I said as I rushed to grab the closest utensil to me.

Inabot ko na rin ang sponge at pinahid sa kutsara.

Weird. Why does it still feel gross? I mean, I guess I am doing it right… probably.

Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang medyo hindi kaaya-aya na pakiramdam. Gusto ko na lang na matapos ito. Kaya naman kumuha pa ako ng isang kutsara at sinabunan ulit ito nang may humarang bigla na kamay sa sponge ko.

Nang inangat ko ang ulo ko ay nakita ko ulit si Ethan.

“What?”

Mukhang may gusto ata siyang sabihin. He was seriously staring at the sponge.

May mali ba akong ginagawa? Kasi kung meron, he should just tell me.

“What’s the mat—” I stopped abruptly. 

Ethan held my hand and gently lifted it up, exposing the dirty sponge.

Oh, gosh. I knew it! I knew it felt so weird!

Mabilis ko naman itong hinugasan at pinipiga para malinisan.

“You should wash them first. Remove the leftovers before soaping them.”

Natigilan ako sa biglang pagsasalita ni Ethan. Bigla lang kasi siyang dumating at tinuruan akong maghugas. So, bakit hindi na lang siya ang gumawa nito?

Kahit gusto ko man ‘yan sabihin ay hindi ko na ginawa. Ginawa ko na lang ang sinabi niya. Inalis ko ang mga tira-tira na butil ng kanin na dumikit na sa plato. This shouldn’t be too hard. Magtatanggal lang naman ako ng dumi, eh. Pero bakit parang… it’s gross!

Ayaw ko man pansinin pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasan na mapansin ang mamantikain na mga plato, at amoy ng pinaghalong tubig at iba’t ibang tira-tirang ulam. Mas malala pa nung inabot ko na ang isang bowl na may namumuo nang taba sa taas dahil sa lumamig na sabaw. I bet there’s beef in that dish kaya grabe na lang ang mantika.

“Here. Let me help you.”

Napausog ako sa kaliwa nang umusog din palapit sa akin si Ethan. Mukhang tapos na siya sa iniinum niya. Kinuha niya ang pantakip sa sink, tapos ay binuksan ang gripo at saka kumuha ng plato. Itinapat niya rito ang maduming plato at gamit ang kamay niya ay hinimas at inalis niya ang mga dumi. After he did one ay kumuha na naman siya ng isa. Patuloy niya lang itong ginagawa hanggang sa natanggal na ang lahat ng dumi sa mga hugasin. Pati nga ang kaldero at kawali ay nilinisan na rin niya. He did it so naturally that he was quick in his hand.

“There you go,” sabi niya sabay abot ng mabula na sponge.

“You’re used to this.” I complimented him habang sinasabon na ang mga plato. Samantala, sa kabilang sink naman ay siya ang taga-waswas.

“Yup. I was always assigned to wash the dishes in my home before. It was before I started my training years.”

It’s a household duty, huh. Well, ordinaryo lang naman silang tao bago sila naging idols. Isa ito sa mga bagay na nalaman ko during my not so long stay in this agency. Halos lahat ng trainees dito ay nanggaling sa iba’t ibang estado ng buhay. May mga anak ng mayaman, at may iba na galing pa sa matinding hirap ng buhay. It’s a dream para sa mga mayayaman habang fame and fortune naman ang habol ng mga mahihirap.

I wonder kung saan sa dalawang ito si Ethan?