The Deception's Rage

Chapter 6

Zale

"Breaking news: A shocking discovery has shaken the local community as the lifeless body of Robert Reyes, a prominent business owner, was uncovered in a chilling crime scene on his own property. The investigation into his murder has taken a dark turn, with suspicions pointing towards a potential rivalry among his competitors. We spoke exclusively to Carina Reyes, his grief-stricken wife, who expressed concerns for the safety of their child and opted not to pursue further inquiries at this time. We must caution our viewers that the images we are about to share depict graphic content and viewer discretion is advised. Please proceed with caution."

Sunod na ipinakita ay ang mga larawan ng bangkay ng business owner. Hindi ko kinaya ang nakita kaya napatakbo ako sa banyo. Katatapos lang din ibalita ng nangyari last week sa Valleydale University.

I feel sick in the stomach.

I clutched my stomach, feeling an unsettling churn rising up from within. And then it happened. I vomited uncontrollably, expelling everything I had consumed.

I know how f****d this world is. But I just can't get used to it. To think that there was a lot more than I know had my stomach spiraling once again.

Naghilamos ako ng mukha bago lumabas ng banyo. Agad namang sumalubong ang mukha sa akin ni Aurelia na nakangisi. Ano na namang nasa utak ng babaeng 'to?

"I did that. Seems like my work is getting recognition," she proudly said, munching on popcorn as she sat in front of her TV.

"You were the one who killed him?" Hindi-makapaniwalang tanong ko. It was too... brutal.

"Yup," she replied, emphasizing the 'p' sound. This girl, really... "Hey, don't think I'm the bad guy here! You see, his wife was the one who contracted us. He sexually assaulted his child and abused his wife. If you think I'm messed up, he's far worse."

Muli akong napatakbo sa banyo para sumuka. What the actual f**k?!

"I think you need to get yourself checked! Kanina ka pa pabalik-balik sa banyo para sumuka. Are you pregnant or something?" pang-aasar niya sa akin. "But seriously, though, you can back down. This job isn't for the weak. If you feel like you can't handle it, then don't bother. You'll just end up hindering us."

"I won't," sagot ko sa kaniya.

"Really? Then spar with me," she snickered. Again? "What? It's been a while since we sparred, don't you think? Don't even think of going easy on me. I'll smash your head right here, right now. I saw you fight last time, and you seem stronger than before."

Ah, tinutukoy niya 'yong nangyari sa Valleydale. I knew it. She found it amusing, kaya hindi niya na naman ako tatantanan hangga't hindi niya nakukuha ang gusto niyang resulta. Magrereklamo pa lang sana ako, pero bigla na siyang lumundag paalis sa sofa para pumunta sa direksyon ko.

"You gotta chill, Aria."

She scorned when she heard what I just called her. Ayon kasi ang tawag sa kaniya ni Axel, saka masiyadong mahaba rin ang Aurelia para banggitin pa nang buo. "Since when did we become so close for you to call me like that?" Sinalubungan niya ako ng suntok na agad ko namang nasalo.

"Ayon na 'yon? I'm pretty sure hindi ako gaanong bumilis. Bumagal ka yata?" I provoked her. I tried to break her ankle, but I didn't get the chance to do it dahil sinangga ko ang knee kick niya.

Sinubukan kong palakihin nang kaunti ang distansya namin para sa susunod kong atake. Looks like she didn't catch up easily so I fixed the momentum of my waist and torso, slowly raising my knee and rotating my body. Hindi niya na-counter ang side kick na ginawa ko, kaya nawala siya sa balanse niya.

Kasabay nito ang malakas na tunog ng pagkabasag ng vase sa likod niya. "Oops..." I chuckled.

"You learned taekwondo?" she asked. "That's a weak kick, it didn't have much of an effect on me," she boasted.

"You lost your balance for a bit," pagpapaalala ko sa kaniya. I didn't learn taekwondo, though. I just saw that once and tried to copy the technique.

She attempted to close the distance between us to minimize my attacks. Wala naman akong nagawa dahil ilang segundo lang ay na-corner niya na ako agad. Perhaps she realized that I was more comfortable as a long-range fighter, while she excelled at close-quarters combat. Although she was skilled in both, she was more adept in short-range engagements.

As she closed in, I quickly shifted my tactics. I knew I couldn't rely solely on kicks against her close-quarters expertise. With a swift motion, I transitioned into a clinch, wrapping my arms around her in an attempt to neutralize her advantage. However, she was quick to respond, countering my move with a sudden elbow strike to my ribs.

"Gotta do better than that," she taunted, a smirk forming on her face.

I winced in pain. I tightened my grip and used my momentum to execute a judo throw, aiming to bring her down to the ground. Mabilis siyang naka-catch up sa gagawin ko, kaya na-maintain niya agad ang balance niya. In an instant, she reversed the situation, pinning me to the floor instead.

She straddled me, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "Ready to give up?"

I smirked at her. Ipinulupot ko ang braso kong nasa sahig papunta sa bewang niya. Mukhang nagulat siya sa ginawa ko, dahil medyo lumuwag ang paghawak niya sa akin. "You should have seen this coming," I whispered. Hinatak ko ang dagger niya na nakatago sa suot niyang pants.

Her expression shifted from confidence to surprise as I swiftly aimed the dagger towards her. Mabilis kong nabago ang posisyon namin, kaya ngayon ay ako na ang nasa ibabaw niya. Itinusok ko ang dagger sa leeg niya, causing her to surrender.

Ibinato ko pabalik sa kaniya ang dagger niya nang maka-recover siya sa nangyari. Actually, inunahan ko lang naman siya. Alam kong kung hindi ko pa siya naunahan, sa akin tumutok ang patalim niya.

"That's not fair!" she exclaimed, momentarily caught off guard.

"There's no fairness for you, Aria. I know how sly you are," I shrugged.

"So what? You gonna cry about it?"

"Seems like you'll be shedding the first tears, loser." I responded, a smirk playing on my lips.

I chuckled softly as she defiantly extended her middle finger and stuck out her tongue. Minsan ay hindi ko talaga makuha ang ugali niya. Napakagulo. Minsan hindi mo alam kung bata ang kausap mo at ang tigas ng ulo, mayamaya naman ay ang bilis mapikon. Pero hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin talaga alam kung paano umiikot ang utak niya.

I couldn't help but wonder, how did she end up like this? I mean, I don't judge her for having a different perspective on justice. It's just that I'm curious about the path she took— from being the child of a famous actress to becoming what she is now. A mercenary who's driven by money.

Just what kind of life has she led?

Every time I see her, maraming tanong ang pumapasok sa utak ko. What happened to her after her mother's death? Where did she go? Why did she suddenly vanish from everyone's sight? I actually want to ask her, pero hindi naman kami magkaibigan para magtanong ako. And it's not my thing to pry into someone's personal life.

"Oo nga pala, p'wede ba akong magpaalam na umalis?" paghingi ko ng permiso sa kaniya. She didn't say anything, but she gave me a weird look. "Three days. Maximum." dagdag ko pa.

Nagyaya kasi si Kairi na bumisita sa probinsya nila. Noong una ay nagdalawang-isip pa ako dahil malamang ay hindi nila ako titigilan sa mga tanong nila kung saan ako nanggaling. Nagdesisyon na lang ako na sumama sa kanilang dalawa ni Chase dahil ilang linggo ko na rin silang hindi nakikita. I rarely use my cellphone either because I'm too busy here, and it feels like there's not a day that goes by without me taking a break. Hindi naman ako magrereklamo dahil ako naman ang pumasok mismo rito.

"Mukha ba akong nanay mo? Bakit nagpapa-alam ka pa? Buhay mo naman 'yan. Do whatever you want," Aria casually answered. "I'll try not to contact you for three days, para hindi ka ma-istorbo. It's not like kailangan din kita rito."

I was stunned. Her last line was so unnecessary.

"Salamat, ha?" sarcastic na sambit ko.

I packed my things that I would need for the next three days. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin namin sa probinsya nina Kairi, pero malamang ay magyayaya silang mag-swimming kaya naghanda na rin ako ng gamit para roon.

Nang makalabas ako ng kwarto ay wala akong Aria na nadatnan. Napansin ko ring wala na ang nabasag naming vase niya kanina. Lilinisin ko sana pagtapos kong mag-impake, pero mukhang naunahan niya na ako. Medyo nahiya tuloy ako. Siya pa ang naglinis, ako naman ang nakabasag.

Umupo muna ako sa sofa para hintayin siya kung nasaan man siya. Magpapaalam sana ako. It would be rude kung aalis na lang ako nang hindi nagsasabi sa kaniya. Gusto ko na lang sana siya i-message, kaso ang sabi niya noon ay huwag siyang i-message kung hindi importante.

Hindi ko napansin na naka-idlip pala sa sofa. I woke up to someone gently slapping my cheek.

"Hey..." mahinang tawag sa akin ni Aria. Napabalikwas ako ng bangon dahil doon. "I thought aalis ka?" tanong niya.

Mahina akong napamura. "Oh, s**t! Kairi's going to scold me," nagmamadali kong sabi nang tignan ang oras.

"Kairi?"

Agad kong binuksan ang cellphone ko at may 34 missed calls ako galing kay Kairi, 12 missed calls naman galing kay Chase. Ang huling message nila ay mauuna na raw sila at sumunod na lang ako. Sinend sa akin ni Kairi ang exact location para hindi raw ako maligaw, pero pucha! I'm bad at directions.

Mas lalo akong napamura dahil piniga ni Aurelia ang balikat ko. "Who do you think you are to ignore me?"

"Huh? May sinasabi ka ba?"

Piniga niya nang mas madiin ang balikat ko bago umirap. "Asshole," she sighed. "Ang sabi ko, akala ko aalis ka? Why are you still here?"

"Hinintay kita," untag ko. "Hindi ko napansin na naka-idlip ako kahihintay sa 'yo. Magpapaalam sana ako bago umalis."

She pursed her lips. "You what? Pero nagpaalam ka na before ka mag-impake ng mga gamit mo, right?"

"That's... different," saad ko.

"Whatever! You should go right now. Kairi's going to scold you." she mocked me.

Napakunot ang noo ko dahil sa tono ng boses niya, ngunit hindi ko na ito pinansin. As I was about to leave, muli siyang nagsalita.

"Where are you heading, by the way?"

"Batangas," I answered without looking back at her.

Nagulat ako nang bigla siyang lumitaw sa tabi ko. "Really? That's where I'm going too."

"Ano naman ngayon?" I retorted.

She swiftly made her way to the parking lot, getting into one of her vehicles. Rolling down her window, she gestured for me to join her. My brow furrowed in response. Did she actually want us to go there together?

"Ayaw mo?" mataray na tanong niya.

Mukhang desido rin naman siya na iwan ako kung ayaw ko. Pero bakit niyaya niya pa ako? Lumambot na ba ang puso niya?

Sumakay na lang ako dahil kailangan ko rin naman ng guide. Hindi kasi ako masiyadong pamilyar sa daan patungo kina Kairi at mukhang sanay naman si Aurelia sa mga ganoong bagay dahil sa trabaho niya.

Inilabas ko ang cellphone ko at pinakita ko lang sa kaniya kung saan ang exact location ng pupuntahan ko. Tinignan niya lang 'yon saglit at saka tumango. Nakuha niya agad 'yon? Ang galing niya naman pala kung ganoon.

"Ano palang gagawin mo sa Batangas?" pag-uusisa ko.

Inismiran niya ako. "Work. As usual." maikling sagot niya.

"Oh? What's the case?"

She began recounting the details. "There's this 17-year-old guy who sought our help. He had a close friend, a girl, who suddenly went missing. Apparently, she was a good girl but had a rebellious streak. You know, the typical teenager who loves going out and giving their parents a hard time. One day, his friend confided in him that she was being sent to the province to straighten up her act. At first, it didn't seem like a big deal. It turns out her parents wanted to send her to a reform center."

"What's with parents nowadays? Hindi ba nila kaya disiplinahin sarili nilang anak at iaasa nila ang responsibilidad sa iba?"

Sumipol lang siya bago magpatuloy. "She expressed her reluctance and even planned to escape to avoid being taken there. But on the night they were supposed to run away together, she mysteriously disappeared. Now, he's desperate to find her because he has a bad feeling about what might have happened," Aurelia explained.

Sabagay, hindi ko rin naman siya masisi kung desperado siyang hanapin ang kaibigan niya. Bigla ba namang mawala, eh.

"Oo nga pala, may trabaho ba 'yon at nakapagbayad? Minor 'yon, ah." I straightened my back.

"His family is loaded."

Napatango na lang ako at hindi na nagsalita ulit. Saglit ko siyang sinamaan ng tingin dahil mas binilisan niya ang pagpapatakbo ng sasakyan. Nakakatawa na manggaling sa akin dahil minsan ay kaskasero rin ako, pero mas malala naman siya! Parang laging may rush of adrenaline.

"Hindi mo ba kailangan ng kasama?" wala sa sariling tanong ko.

Alam ko naman na sanay siya dahil ilang taon niya na 'tong ginagawa bago pa ako dumating, gusto ko lang itanong dahil baka kailanganin niya ako. Medyo natatakot din kasi ako na baka mawalan ako ng silbi.

O baka naman ay nasanay lang ako sa ganoong pamumuhay. Na dapat ay magtrabaho muna ako bago ko makuha ang kailangan ko sa isang tao.

Nitong mga nakaraang araw ay nawawala na rin sa isip ko ang pagkamatay ng tatay ko. Aurelia actually told me to wait since she's still investigating, pero hindi ko naman p'wedeng i-asa lahat 'yon sa kaniya. Yes, we agreed to it but it's still unsettling for me.

"You mean you? Nah, I only need myself." She grinned.

What did I even expect from her?

Mula sa hindi malayong tanaw ay nakita ko na agad sina Chase at Kairi na nagbabangayan. Hindi pa ako nakakalapit ay naririnig ko na agad mga boses nila. Napangiti ako nang bahagya dahil na-miss ko rin silang dalawa kahit papaano. Mas naging malapit siguro sila, hindi na rin ako magtataka kung sila pala ang magkakatuluyan sa dulo.

"Thank you," pagpapasalamat ko kay Aurelia sa paghatid niya sa akin.

Tumango lang siya at saka humarurot ng alis. Nang makababa ako ng sasakyan ay agad akong sinalubong ni Chase ng suntok sa balikat. Siraulo talaga. Kararating ko lang ay ayon agad ang ibinungad sa akin. Napakabastos ng ugali.

"Bakit ang tagal mo, aber?" Kairi exclaimed, raising an eyebrow. "At sino 'yong naghatid sa 'yo? Babae? Nawala ka lang ng ilang linggo may girlfriend ka na?"

"Ano ba'ng pakialam mo sa buhay niya?" eksahaderang pahayag ni Chase. "Pero oo nga, sino 'yon?"

Parehas lang silang chismosa't chismoso.

"Saan tayo?" Hindi ko na pinansin ang tanong nila, pero malamang sa malamang ay hindi ako titigilan ng mga 'yan mamaya hangga't hindi ko sinasabi sa kanila kung sino 'yon.

"Lunch muna! Nagutom ako kahihintay sa 'yo. Napakatagal, amp!" reklamo ni Chase.

Pumunta kami sa isang seafood restaurant. We placed our orders and waited for the food to arrive. Kairi decided to go for the spicy seafood curry, a flavorful medley of shrimp, squid, and mussels simmered in a rich and aromatic curry sauce. Chase, on the other hand opted for a platter of grilled tiger prawns, seasoned with garlic butter and a squeeze of tangy lemon. The succulent prawns were charred to perfection, their sweet and smoky flavors intermingling with the zesty citrus notes.

Ako naman, I decided to indulge in a seafood pasta dish. I chose the linguine alle vongole, a delightful combination of al dente pasta tossed with clams, garlic, olive oil, and a hint of chili flakes for a subtle kick.

The atmosphere was lively, with the sounds of laughter and the aroma of freshly cooked seafood filling the air. It felt good to be surrounded by friends again.

Pagkalipas ng ilang minuto, dumating na agad ang aming mga inorder. Kairi's curry dish was served in a vibrant red bowl, the aromatic steam wafting upward. Chase's grilled prawns were placed before him on a bed of fresh greens, adorned with a drizzle of garlic-infused butter that glistened under the warm lighting. My linguine alle vongole was delicately plated, the pasta twisted elegantly with clams peeking out from between the strands.

"Tarantado ka?!" mahinang sigaw ni Kairi kay Chase nang kumuha ito sa pagkain niya. Bilang ganti, kumuha rin si Kairi sa pagkain ni Chase kaya nawala ang ngisi sa labi ni Chase.

Ngumuso si Chase. "Patikim lang, eh..."

Hindi ko mapigilang matawa dahil sa inaakto nilang dalawa. Parang mga bata. Ang kalat at ingay tuloy ng table namin dahil sa kanila. Kay Chase pa lang ay kota ka na sa ingay, eh.

Unang subo ko pa lang ng inorder ko ay napapikit agad ako. The combination of tender clams and perfectly cooked pasta delighted my palate.

"Pero sino nga 'yon, Zale?" sabay na tanong nila.

I chuckled before answering. "Aurelia."

Parehas silang napatigil sa pagnguya nang banggitin ko ang pangalan ni Aurelia. Parang tanga pang tumingin sa isa't isa na akala mo'y sobrang nakakagulat ang sinabi ko. Pero baka nga nakakagulat naman talaga para sa kanila.

"'Yong nakalaban mo sa last race?"

"Wala ka bang takot?"

"Siya rin 'yong anak ng artista na namatay, 'di ba?"

"Totoo ba?"

Napatakip ako sa dalawang tainga ko dahil tinadtad na naman nila ako ng tanong. Wala namang issue sa akin na nagtatanong sila ng patungkol doon pero gusto kong kumain muna. Dinaig ko pa artista sa dami nilang tanong. Wala namang masiyadong interesado sa buhay ko.

"P'wede ba na kumain muna tayo? Ang haba-haba pa ng araw, oh." I grunted inwardly.

They exchanged playful glances, their eyes filled with mischief, but thankfully they didn't pester me with any more questions. Natapos kaming kumain at sa huli, si Chase ang nagbayad ng bill namin. Nagreklamo pa siya na dapat daw ay kaniya-kaniya, kaya naglaro sila ng bato-bato pick ni Kai, natalo naman si gago.

Nang makalabas kami ng restaurant ay pinilit nila akong magkwento tungkol sa buhay ko nitong mga nakaraang linggo. Nagtataka rin sila kung bakit bigla akong nawala at madalang silang contact-in.

Magsasalita pa lamang sana ako, kaso biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko. It was a text from Aurelia.

From: A

i think i need u

"Kai, can I borrow your motorcycle? Babalik ko agad, promise." Hindi pa pumapayag si Kairi ay nagsuot na ako agad ng helmet. "I'll catch up soon!" paalam ko sa kanila bago patakbuhin ang motor.

To: A

Where are you? Send me your location.