Author's Note: Happy 10th year anniversary BHOCAMPERS! This is my gift to everyone that supported me throughout this wonderful journey. And what better gift than to go back to the character that started it all?

Enjoy reading!

Harthart,

MsButterfly

REVERSE 4

Strike Three

STRIKE 1: THE DAY THAT HE FORGOT ABOUT OUR ANNIVERSARY

MISHY'S POV

Ramdam ko ang mga matang nakatutok sa akin pero hindi ako tumigil sa sunod-sunod na pagsubo ng mga pagkain na nasa harapan ko. Right now, I probably look like the perfect definition of stress eating. At least nagbagong buhay na ako ngayon. Dati namamaril na lang ako kapag mainit ang ulo ko.

"Neng, baka gusto mo kaming tirhan ng pulutan?"

Nakasimangot na binaba ko ang hawak na tinidor at padabog na sumandal ako sa upuan ko. "I don't get it."

Nagkatinginan si Bree at Kat na siyang mga kasama ko. I asked them to have dinner and a few drinks with me. Few na naging many dahil kanina pa kami nakikinabang sa happy hour ng Filling Station dito sa Manila.

"You don't get what?" tanong ng sister in law ko na si Bree.

"I don't get how he forgot about it. Kung sana ilang taon pa lang kaming kasal. But our ten years anniversary is getting near. Sampung taon na kaming magkasama. Kaya paano niya nakalimutan iyon?"

"Hmm."

"I hinted about it a couple of times this past week, but no matter what I say he just can't get a clue."

"Baka bumalik ang amnesia."

Napaubo si Bree na saktong umiinom sa sinabi ni Kat. Binigyan ko ng matalim na tingin ang kaibigan ko na prenteng nakaupo lang at hawak ang baso niya. Unlike me that is donning my usual black jeans, black fitted tank top, and black leather jacket, and Bree that is wearing a gray pants and a floral long sleeve top, Kat has a black knee-length retro dress. Naka-hollywood curls din ang buhok niya at pulang-pula ang suot niya na lipstick.

Kung may award lang para sa best dress ang lugar na kinaroroonan namin ay baka sa kaniya na iyon binigay. Filling Station after all is an American diner theme restaurant.

Pinaikot niya ang mga mata niya nang makita niya ang tingin na ibinibigay ko sa kaniya. "I expect you to care more about running out of your favorite bullet during work than your husband forgetting about your anniversary."

"Of course I care!"

Pahablot na kinuha ko ang baso ko ng alak at dirediretso kong tinungga ang laman no'n. Sinenyasan ko ang server at kaagad naman siyang kumilos para magdala ng panibagong beer. Iyon kasi ang kanina ko pa iniinom.

"People tend to forget more when they're together longer," sabi ni Bree nang makaalis ang waiter.

"Bakit? Eh dapat nga mas naaalala niya kasi ilang beses na kaming nag-celebrate ng anniversary."

"Because you have more priorities now. May mga anak na kayo, mas nagiging demanding ang mga trabaho niyo, and you also have more happy memories with him now. It's like waking up on Christmas everyday. Parang normal na lang sa'yo ang Pasko kasi araw-araw naman Pasko para sa'yo."

"Iba pa rin ang Pasko para sa akin. Last year nagsuot pa ng sexy Santa Claus costume si PJ."

Parehas na naniningkit ang mga mata na nilingon namin si Kat pero si Bree ang nagsalita, "Alam mo hindi ka nakakatulong."

"Hindi ka rin nakakatulong, Doktora," inginuso ako ng babae. "Kahit anong paliwanag mo sa isang 'yan hindi magiging effective. Kahit pa sabihin natin na ilang beses nga niyang nakalimutan ang anniversary nila noon, hindi 'yan makakalma."

"That's different!" I hissed. "Sampung taon na kami. A decade is a long time. Dati ang pinakamatagal ko lang na relasyon ay sa sasakyan ko na ilang taon na sa akin. I didn't have children with my car. Hindi ko rin pinakasalan 'yon. Isn't a decade supposed to be special?"

"Why don't you talk to him straight?" Bree asked.

"Kapag ako ang nakakalimot sa anniversary namin, it's not because it's not important for me. Nakakalimot ako kasi meron akong trabaho na halos iisa na ang araw at gabi. I don't have the leisure to stop for a moment and think about my family because I'm focusing on the job to make sure that I can go back to them alive. It's not because I don't care."

Sandaling natahimik ang dalawa. Kahit si Kat na kanina pa pilit pinapagaan ang usapan ay hindi kaagad nakapagsalita.

It was Bree who speak first after awhile. "Do you think he doesn't? This is Dale we're talking about. His whole world is about you and your family."

"I know that. I'm lucky to be with someone like him. Itong nakalipas na mga taon ang pinakamasayang parte ng buhay ko. I don't think I would know what happiness really means if not for him."

Binaba ni Kat ang baso niya at matamang akong tinitigan. "This is not about the anniversary."

Napapabuntong-hininga na sinuklay ko ang kamay ko sa buhok ko. "No. It's not."

"Then what?"

"I think he's cheating on me."

Both of the women froze and stared at me in shock. Naramdaman kong nanginig ang mga labi ko at ilang sandali lang ay nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ko.

Everyone who knows me would be paralyze if they see me right now. I'm not a crier. I'm the kind of person who would just end my problem by eliminating the source. But right now we're talking about the father of my children. We're talking about the love of my life.

"Eh gago pala iyon eh!"

Hindi lang si Bree kundi maging ako ang muntik mapatalon sa kinauupuan. Natigil ang luha ko at napatingin ako kay Kat na siyang malakas na nagsalita. Mas tama ngang sabihin na nasa sigaw na ang lebel ng boses niya dahil maging ang mga tao sa paligid namin ay napapatingin na sa direksyon naming tatlo.

"Sino ba siya sa akala niya? How dare him?! Dapat sa mga ganiyang lalaki pinuputulan!"

Nagpapalingon-lingon sa paligid na marahang tinapik ni Bree ang katabi na babae sa balikat. "Kalmahan mo lang. Hindi pa natin naririnig ang lahat."

Itinuro ako ni Kat. "She's crying! She's Mishiella Greene for pete's sake!"

"Night," bulong ko.

"What?" she asked roughly, still angry in my behalf.

"I'm Mishiella Night-"

Bago ko pa matapos ang sasabihin ko ay sinubsob ko ang mukha ko sa mga kamay ko. My body rock with sob and I heard Kat uttering curses again.

Naramdaman kong may umupo sa tabi ko at nang mag-angat ako ng mukha ay nakita ko si Bree na lumipat para tumabi sa akin. Marahan niyang hinagod ang likod ko at binigyan ako ng maliit na ngiti.

"What really happened, Mishy?"

"I-I... I can't explain it. He's just... he's just distant. Minsan pakiramdam ko umuuwi na lang siya kasi kailangan. He's good with the kids but with me it feels different. I can't remember the last time we talked, or the last time we went out just for us two. When I initiate a conversation it's like he's not interested with what I'm saying."

"Mishy..."

"He don't even kiss me goodbye now."

"Did you two had a fight bago nangyari ang mga sinasabi mo?"

Umiling ako. "Kaya nga hindi ko maintindihan. Sana kung alam ko kung anong problema para magawa naming ayusin. Pero wala eh. One day we're okay and suddenly we were like this. Minsan pakiramdam ko mas gusto niya nga na wala siya sa bahay."

"Maybe he's just busy? His business is going to have another expansion right?"

"Dale is not like this. We went through so much already. I know when he's busy but even then he's not like this." I dropped my eyes to my hand that has a wedding ring. "I married young. We got married so early. But I don't want it to end this fast. Not even fifty years will be enough. Not even a hundred."

Hindi na magawang makapagsalita pa ni Bree. There's nothing left to say. Kahit siya alam kong nakikita iyon.

"We're going to drink."

Parehas kaming napatingin kay Kat. "We're already drinking," Bree said pointedly.

"We're going to get shit-faced and we're going to forget about any assholes."

"I don't think that's a good idea-"

Pinunasan ko ang magkabila kong pisngi at tumango ako. "Okay."

We did exactly that. Hindi ko na alam kung ilang beses nagpabalik-balik ang mga server sa table namin para alisin at palitan ang mga baso namin ng inumin at ang mga pinagkainan namin.

We didn't talked about heavy stuff anymore and instead we just laugh and laugh and laugh. Kaya hindi na nakakapagtakang lahat kami ay hindi na napansin ang mga oras na lumilipas.

Kat and I's heads are almost touching the table when I felt someone touched my shoulder. My first reaction was to move away, but when I felt the familiarity of the hand, my eyes went up.

"I only called PJ to pick us up," Bree said hurriedly to me. Nagpapalipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa akin at kay Dale na siyang nakatayo sa gilid ko.

"Your husband was supposed to come here with me but Dale said he'll drive me here. We'll take Mishy's car with us back home," PJ said, his forehead knotted as he look at me. Katulad ni Bree ay pinagmamasdan niya rin kami ni Dale.

Tinulungan ni PJ ang asawa niya na si Kat na makatayo habang si Bree naman ay kinuha ang bag ng babae. Sa aming tatlo naman kasi ay kaming dalawa lang ni Kat ang talagang maraming nainom. I guess Bree didn't drink as much because she's worried about us.

"Ikaw!" Halos hindi na makatayo ng diretso si Kat habang nakaturo sa direksyon ni Dale. "Hindi ka namin bati! Bad ka!"

"Kat," PJ whispered loudly. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing's wrong with me pero diyan sa pangit na 'yan meron!"

Pilit na ngumiti si Bree kay Dale. "She's just drunk. We should go now. Babayaran ko muna ang bill," pagkasabi niyon ay nagmamadali siyang umalis.

PJ gave us another glance before he helped his wife walk out of the place. Naiwan kami ni Dale na nananatili pa rin na nakatayo sa tabi ko at hindi nagsasalita.

Kinuha ko ang bag ko at isinukbit ko iyon sa balikat ko. I felt him move as if to help me stand up pero iniwas ko ang braso ko sa kaniya at itinukod ko ang mga kamay ko sa lamesa para tumayo.

"I can walk," I whispered.

I expected him to say something. Pero wala siyang kahit na anong sinabi at sa halip ay hinayaan niya lang ako sa gusto ko. He moved out of my way, looking at me with cold eyes.

Pinauna niya akong maglakad pero hindi pa ako nakakalayo ay natigilan ako nang marinig ko siya na nagsalita.

"Scarlet."

Pinanood ko kung paanong sumilay ang malawak na ngiti sa mukha niya habang nakatingin sa isang babae na mag-isang nakaupo sa isang booth.

At first glance, it was as if I'm seeing myself. The woman is petite, with a small heart shape face, and long curly red hair. Dyed obviously. Baka pangarap maging si Little Mermaid.

Halos parehas din kami ng damit. May suot din siya ng leather jacket. Ang pagkakaiba nga lang ay naka-mini skirt siya. And of course... of course she's younger. She's probably in her early twenties. Samantalang ako malapit ng mawala sa kalendaryo.

"Let's go, Mishy."

Naramdaman ko ang mahigpit na hawak sa akin ni Bree na hindi pa rin pala nakakalabas ng restaurant. Madilim ang mukha na nakatingin siya sa direksyon ni Dale.

Akala ko ay tahimik na mauuna na lang kami pero sa pagkagulat ko ay nagsalita siya ng malakas. "If you're done talking with another woman, baka gusto mong iuwi na muna ang asawa mo, Dale?"

May rason kung bakit ilag ang mga tao kay Bree. After all she's Breeyhana Banes before she became my boss and half brother, Poseidon's, wife. She's a genius in her field and she already established herself as a dignified doctor at such a young age. She knows who she is kaya wala siyang takot kahit na kanino.

I looked at Dale's direction and I saw his smiled died. Mahina siyang nagpaalam sa babaeng kausap niya at lumapit siya sa kinaroroonan namin.

"I was just greeting an employee. She's my secretary. She had a day off and I didn't expect that she's here."

"I didn't ask for an explanation," Bree said matter-of-factly.

I turned to her, "It's okay Bree. You can go first. Hinihintay ka na nila PJ."

She reach for my arm to squeeze it and she gave Dale another look before she walk out of the restaurant.

"I'll appreciate it if you don't talk about our problems with your friends."

His voice sounded crisp and hard. Alam kong naririnig kami ng babae na hindi naman malayo sa amin. The woman looks uncomfortable as she tried to avoid my gaze.

"So we do have a problem," I whispered.

"What?"

I glance up to look straight at Dale's eyes and this time, I spoke clear, "Nothing. At least now I know I'm not losing my mind."

STRIKE 2: THE DAY THAT WE HAD OUR BIG FIGHT

MISHY'S POV

"The escalating number of the victims are causing alarm to the public. Police are investigating the cases, but a firm conclusion is not made yet seeing how there's a discrepancy on the witnesses statements. According to the authorities, the descriptions doesn't match. The Mantis remain a mystery-"

Pinatay ko ang TV nang marinig ko ang pagbukas ng pintuan ng bahay. I've been alone all day instead of staying at the headquarters. Dinala ko rin ang mga bata kanina sa bahay nila Kuya Ethan.

Dale and I need to talk. I told him that we need to talk before he left for work.

Tumingin ako sa orasan at nakita ko na maaga pa. Alas kuwatro pa lang ng hapon. He's usually home by six in the evening. And almost midnight these past few weeks.

Bumukas ang pintuan ng study at iniluwa no'n si Dale. I opened my mouth to speak pero naunahan na niya ako, "Can you order and prepare food? I have my team here."

"Your team?"

"We have a meeting."

"Bakit hindi niyo gawin sa opisina?"

"Because the files I needed are here na sinabi kong ipadala mo kanina."

Kumunot ang noo ko at hinanap ko ang cellphone ko. I pushed the documents scattered around the table until I found my phone. I saw a couple of messages from Dale.

"I was busy," I told him.

"You're always busy."

Lumalim ang gatla sa noo ko. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

Imbes na sagutin ako ay bumuntong-hininga na lang siya. "I don't have the energy to fight right now, Mishy. Can you please prepare food for my employees?"

"We need to talk."

"I have a meeting."

"Reschedule it then."

Sinuklay niya ang kamay niya sa buhok niya at pagkatapos ay niluwagan niya ang suot niya na necktie. "Hindi lang trabaho mo ang importante. My company is relying on me too. This is important for me."

"For you? Eh paano ang problema natin? Hindi ba iyon importante para sa ating dalawa?"

Hinilot niya ang sentido niya. "I can't do this right now."

Pagak na tumawa na tumayo ako. "Can I prepare food for you and your team?"

"I'm not asking for a lot."

"You won't talk to me, you don't listen, you can't even spare a few moments of your time to talk about us. At ang gusto mo ipaghanda ko kayo ng makakain niyo? I told you this morning that we needed to talk."

"Mishy-"

"I'm not asking for a lot too, Dale. I just want my husband to talk to me!"

"Is this about the fucking anniversary again?" Nang makita niyang natigilan ako ay umiling siya. "PJ talked to me about it. Funny how other people can tell me about my wife's problem habang ako hindi ko alam."

"That makes one of us. At least ikaw alam mo ang problema kasi ako hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin maintindihan kung anong nangyayari sa'yo."

"It's just an anniversary, Mishy. We already celebrated a lot of them. I don't remember making a big deal out of it kapag ikaw ang nakakalimot."

"That's not the point!"

"Then what is?!" dumadagundong ang boses na tanong niya.

I can't say that we didn't have any misunderstanding in our ten years together. There's no such thing as a perfect marriage. May mga bagay din kami na hindi napagkakasunduan. But this is the first time that he raised his voice at me.

"I don't care about the anniversary. I care about you not caring no matter how I tried to show you that I want to celebrate it." Marahas akong humugot ng hininga na para bang kinakapos ako no'n. "I care about you not even stopping for a moment to listen to me. I care about you sleeping in the other room after you come home late at night. I care about you not kissing me... not touching me. I care about you not looking at me as if you still love me."

Nanatili lang siyang walang salita na nakatingin sa akin. Mapait na ngumiti ako at inabot ko ang cellphone ko.

"The kids are with my brother. I'll stay with them."

Nilagpasan ko siya at lumabas na ako ng opisina. When I walked out in the living room I saw his employees looking at me uneasily. Hindi ko kailangan maging henyo para maintindihan na narinig nila ang pag-uusap namin ni Dale.

My eyes stopped on the red-headed woman. The one that I saw that night at the restaurant. Tumayo siya nang makita niyang nakatingin ako sa kaniya at bantulot na inangat ang kamay sa direksyon ko.

"Mrs. Night, I'm-"

Hindi ko na pinatapos ang sasabihin niya at basta ko na lang siyang nilagpasan. I grabbed my car keys from the hooks near the door at tuloy-tuloy na naglakad ako papunta sa nakaparada ko na sasakyan. Pero bago pa ako makalapit doon ay naramdaman ko ang pagpigil sa braso ko nang kung sino.

"You're acting juvenile," Dale said with a bite on his tone.

Pumiksi ako dahilan para mabitawan niya ako. "I'm staying with the kids."

"She was being nice to you. What the hell is wrong with you?"

My lips parted as if I want to say something but the words didn't came out instantly. Hindi makapaniwalang tinignan ko siya.

"You're asking me what's wrong? Naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo, Dale? I told you that we have a problem. I told you that I need you to talk to me." My eyes clouded but I fought through it. "I told you that I'm leaving but you didn't say anything. You didn't once asked me what's wrong. Kung anong nangyayari sa akin. Kung bakit ako nagkakaganito. But now you're asking me because you think I'm acting juvenile in front of your precious secretary?"

"Mishy-"

"Like a bullet through the heart." His eyes flashed at my words, remembering the same day that I'm thinking of. "You were talking about love before, but right now you're putting a different bullet in my heart. And this one... this one, Dale, really hurts."

STRIKE 3: THE DAY THAT WE BROKE UP

MISHY'S POV

The music is blasting throughout the jam-packed bar. I can feel every beat of the loud sound pulsating and vibrating around me as if it has a life of its own.

"Refill?"

Umiling ako at binigyan ko ng maliit na ngiti ang bar tender na nasa harapan ko. I'm sitting at one of the bar stool because unlike the people partying around me, I'm not with anyone.

"You usually come with a man. Is he on his way?"

"We broke up today."

Naumid ang dila ng bartender na parang kaagad niyang pinagsisisihan ang pagtatanong pero nginitian ko lang siya ulit. "It's okay."

"Holler at me if you need a refill. The next one is on the house."

I thanked the man and he turned to the other customers waiting for him.

"Hi, Miss."

I looked up and I was expecting to be greeted by a face of an angel. An angel with a drop-dead gorgeous body, a super handsome face, jet black eyes, and kissable lips.

But I found no one.

I drop my eyes back down. I quietly nurse my drink, playing with the glass while my eyes are unfocused as I replayed all the things that happened today.

NAPAPATINGIN sa akin ang mga taong nadaraanan ko pero walang kahit na sino sa kanila ang pinigilan ako. I know I look murderous. And to be honest I can't say that I'm not feeling it too despite the circumstances.

Gaya ng inaasahan nang makarating ako sa kinaroroonan ng opisina ni Dale ay hindi ko natagpuan sa lamesa ng sekretarya niya ang babae. Without breaking a stride, I went straight to Dale's office and pushed the door opened.

Halos magkasabay na naglayo ang asawa ko at ang sekretarya niya. But the image is already ingrained into my brain. Him on his chair with that woman that is sitting on top of his desk.

"Kaya naman pala wala ka sa lamesa mo, lamesa pala ng asawa ko ang gusto mong upuan."

Tumayo si Dale at naglakad palapit sa akin. "Mishy, I can explain-"

Itinaas ko ang kamay ko para patigilin siya sa pagsasalita. "Let's cut the bullshit, Dale. Gasgas na ang linya na 'yan."

Binuksan ko ang bag ko at may inilabas ako roon na envelope. Kinuha ko ang laman no'n at marahas na ibinato ko iyon sa direksyon ng lalaki.

"I've been staying in my brother's home for three days. Aside from calling the kids, you didn't once asked for me. Paano ka naman magkakaroon ng oras hanapin ako eh mukhang abala na abala ka?"

On the floor, the pictures of him and his secretary are scattered all over. Mga litrato iyon na kuha sa restaurant kung saan sila kumain at sa mall kung saan pinamili niya ng kung anu-ano ang babae.

"Don't waste your breath explaining these pictures. Hindi ako tanga, Dale." My words are dripping with acid as I continued, "I guess you were really busy. Not just because of your company but because you're busy finding a new wife. You must be regretting not having me sign a prenuptial agreement. Pero okay lang no? You're even expanding the business. Kaya hindi na siguro problema kung mapupunta sa akin ang kalahati."

"For god's sake, Mishy! Listen to me-"

"No. You listen to me. The time for you to explain is over. I asked you again and again. I tried to talk to you. Pero hindi ka nakinig at hindi ka nagpaliwanag."

"Mishy-"

"This is strike three for me, Dale. I could have handled anything. But not this. You didn't just disrespect me as a woman. You disrespect our marriage and the family that we have." Hinayaan kong tumulo ang luha mula sa mga mata ko. "So I'm done. We're done."

Hindi ko na hinintay pa na magsalita siya at tumalikod na ako. But before I managed to, I caught sight of his secretary and there's no mistaking the smile that I saw on her lips.

Whore.

Kuyom ang mga kamay na lumabas ako ng opisina. I can hear the low buzzing of the people talking. Alam kong kami ang pinag-uusapan nila base na rin sa tingin na binibigay nila sa akin.

I entered the elevator and I closed my eyes. Thankfully it didn't stop on any floors except to the ground floor.

Nang huminto iyon at bumukas ang pintuan ay lumabas na ako. The moment I stepped out of it, I felt my phone vibrated.

FR: BESTFWEND PJ

The hit was ordered.

Akmang ibabalik ko iyon sa bulsa ko nang maramdaman ko ulit ang pag-vibrate no'n.

FR: BESTFWEND PJ

On you.

Hmm. Interesting.

I called for the bartender and he immediately went to me. I pulled out a five hundred bill from my wallet and placed it on the counter.

"Heading out already?" he asked.

"Yeah. I'm exhausted." Tinapik ko ang counter. "You can keep the change."

Nagpasalamat siya pero kita ang pag-aalala sa mga mata niya. This is not the first time na nakita niya ako. Iyon nga lang ito ang unang beses na nakita niya ako na mag-isa.

Instead of going out the front door, I went to the back. Hindi ako nagdala ng sasakyan dahil balak kong uminom. Not like before, I can't be irresponsible now. May mga anak na ako.

Malamig at madilim na eskinita ang bumungad sa akin. The street was silent since everyone is probably inside having fun. The only thing that can be heard is the clack of my heels on the pavement.

Until someone joined in.

I can hear the quiet steps shadowing mine. Bumilis ang paglalakad ko pero ganoon din ang ginawa niya. I turned to look at my back but hands grabbed me tightly on the arms.

Umangat ang kamay ng tao sa likod ko at akmang may itatakip siya sa bibig ko pero kaagad ko iyong natabig. Ginamit ko ang pagkatigilan niya at buong pwersa na siniko ko siya dahilan para mabitawan niya ang panyo na hawak niya.

I tried to run away but he immediately caught up to me. He wrapped an arm around my neck, squeezing enough to stop me from moving. Kaagad niya akong kinaladkad patungo sa kabilang direksyon ng lugar kung saan mas madilim ang eskinita.

"She's one tiny woman and you're struggling?"

Gulat na napatingin ako sa nagsalita. What is she doing here?

Scarlet Reynaldo.

Dale's secretary.

The expression on her face is different than the times I've seen her. Gone were the meek and uncomfortable woman. Ang nakikita ko ngayon ay ang babaeng saglit kong nakita ngayong araw na 'to. The one with the gloating smile.

She wasn't supposed to be here though. Too bad for her, lucky for me.

"What... what are you doing here?" I asked.

"Watching." Nagkibit siya ng balikat. "It's different now. I'm the one usually doing it. But the thing is, I made some changes. I decided to keep your husband for awhile. That's why I don't have a prey to watch. Kaya ako nandito. I don't want to miss it."

"Miss what?"

"You dying," she said with a sweet smile. Pinagkrus niya ang mga braso niya. "Usually if there's a woman involve, the women are useless. May iba na may prenup at may iba naman na hindi talaga kasal in the first place. But you will have half of Dale's money. I can't let that happen."

Pilit na nagpumiglas ako sa pagkakahawak sa akin ng lalaking nakatayo sa likod ko pero diniinan niya lang ang pagkakasakal sa leeg ko. "H-Hindi kita maintindihan."

Para bang hindi ako naririnig na nagpatuloy siya sa pagsasalita. "It's so easy. Discard the woman, marry the man, then kill him. But I want to keep your husband for awhile. He's different. He didn't try to sleep with me unlike the others. He seems like he's really interested in me. He's also a great businessman. Mas lalaki ang kompanya niya paghawak niya at mas lalaki rin ang makukuha ko. I might keep him forever since he's useful."

What a psychotic narcissist.

"Ayoko ng may kahati. That's why you need to go." She smiled again as if she's on a cloud nine by just thinking about it. "Don't worry. Your children will follow you."

I stopped struggling in an instant.

The woman's smile widened as if she's basking at what she's seeing on me. Pero kaagad namatay iyon nang makita niyang direkta akong nakatingin sa mga mata niya habang hindi na kababakasan ng takot na ipinapakita ko sa kaniya kanina.

I know what she's seeing in my eyes. The same thing that she probably saw on her own whenever she looked in the mirror.

"You have blood on your hands."

Uncertainty washed through her. "Jason do it-"

"But I have a pool of it," I whispered.

It was just a split second. It was all I needed.

I leaned my head forward and push back again as hard as I can. I heard a crunch signaling me that the action hit purchase. Kasabay niyon ay ginalaw kong muli ang siko ko at malakas na inapak ko ang takong ko sa paa ng lalaking nasa likod ko.

He let go of me with a scream of pain but I didn't let him get a grip of himself.

I used the wall beside me as a leverage and I hook my arm on his neck to jump on his back. Buong bigat ko ang tinukod ko sa likod ng mga tuhod niya. I kicked him hard, making him fall on the floor like a tree.

Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak sa leeg ng lalaki na nag-angat ako ng mga mata para salubungin ang tingin nang nahihintakutan na babae.

I didn't let her gaze go.

Not even when I twist his neck and he fell lifelessly on the ground.

I didn't need him anymore. I was going to use him to get to the target, but the main target fortunately arrived.

I stepped around the body and pulled out a gun from the holster on the inside of my thigh. Nanlalaki ang mga mata na umatras ang babae hanggang sa halos madapa na siya sa pagmamadali na makaalis. But before she can do so, a man step out of the shadow, stopping her.

"D-Dale, help me. She's crazy," nanginginig ang boses na sabi niya at yumakap sa asawa ko.

Taas ang kilay na tinignan ko ang lalaki. "Kapag hindi ka lumayo sa impakta na iyan, lulumpuhin ko 'yan."

A smile curved Dale's lips and before the woman can move, he lock her arms on her back and pulled out a handcuff. Pakiramdam ko ay lagpas na ng hairline ko ang itinaas ng kilay ko nang makita ko na may kulay pink pa iyon na dekorasyon.

"Don't look at me like that, baby. She gave me this to use on her. Since I'm a gentleman, I'll give this back since she won't be taking anything from me."

"D-Dale? A-Anong... anong ginagawa mo?" naguguluhang tanong ng babae.

"Helping you even if you don't deserve it," he said to her coldly. His eyes are dead as he look at her. "But from the vile things you just said earlier, I'm having a hard time not letting her kill you." Dale pointed to his ear. "I've been listening."

"I'm just doing this so that we could be together. She will try to take you away from me."

Pinaikot ko ang mga mata ko at lumapit ako sa kanila. Her eyes widened in fear but there's nowhere she could go to hide. Nanigas ang buong katawan niya nang itinulak ko ang noo niya gamit ng nguso ng hawak ko na baril.

"Get this inside your brain. That's my husband."

"H-He wants me."

"I want you behind bars," Dale said before his yes went to me. "There's only one woman I want in my life and not even the end of this life time could change that."

"B-But-"

Itinikom ng babae ang bibig niya nang bigyan ko siya ng malamig na tingin.

"Keep up with us will you? Your operation is over, Mantis."

Her face went pale but I just smiled at her. Dale moved to stand beside me, his arm reaching for me. Ikinawit niya iyon sa bewang ko at mahigpit niya akong hinapit palapit sa katawan niya.

Nagpalipat-lipat ang mga mata niya sa aming dalawang mag-asawa. And finally, the reality are now slapping her to wake up.

"Y-You played me," she whispered.

"Yep," I said simply.

Nakangiting dumukwang si Dale at hinalikan ang noo ko. He doesn't even look a bit bothered that there's a dead man on the ground that I just killed. Dale accepted my job and the things that I do a long time ago. In the end of the day, I can peacefully lock away the darkness of my life because his light always shine without judgment on me.

"Happy tenth year anniversary, baby," he said to me. "Now are we done with you being my pretend unwanted wife? Because I think it's time for us to really celebrate."

"Agents will arrive to pick up Scarlet Reynaldo and to clean up. Mission accomplished, Agent Strike."

Boses ni PJ ang narinig ko na nagsalita sa kabilang linya ng suot ko na listening device.

Inangat ko ang kamay ko at marahang isinuklay ko iyon sa buhok ng asawa ko. "Mission accomplished."

AGENT STRIKE: THE DAY OF OUR 10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

MISHY'S POV

"Here's to our ten years of marriage and ten hours of breaking up."

Naiiling na idinikit ng asawa ko ang baso niya sa akin. Parehas kaming nakaupo sa high stool sa may mini bar kung saan naguguluhan man ay masaya kaming tinanggap ng bartender kanina.

Tinungga ko ang laman ng baso at ganoon din ang ginawa ni Dale. Nang ibaba niya ang sa kaniya ay inangat niya ang kamay niya para punasan ang gilid ng mga labi ko.

His eyes were shining but he just keep on looking at me without saying anything.

"What is it?" I asked.

Inipit niya ang mahaba ko na buhok sa likod ng tenga ko. "I don't care if you forget about our anniversary."

"Dale-"

"I'll remind you and we'll celebrate. Kahit na one week late pa o mas matagal. I'm not afraid of forgetting. I will always remember and I won't hold it against you if you don't." His eyes are searching my face, memorizing it. "When you're out there working, you don't need to worry about us. I want you to worry about you so that you could come home to us safely."

"Dale... honey..."

"You can talk to your family about our problems. They love you like I do. They care for you. Kaya kung may problema, gusto ko may mga taong nasa tabi mo kapag wala ako." Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at pinaglandas niya ang hinlalaki sa suot ko na singsing. The partner of the ring he's wearing. "You can always talk to me. I will always listen. You are my priority. Kayo ng mga anak natin."

"I know."

"I will never disrespect our relationship. You won't see my back. Not ever. And I won't see yours because I won't give you any reason to leave me."

"Honey..."

"I won't show our son something that he shouldn't do to a woman, and I won't show our daughter what she should be afraid for to see on a man. I will never hurt you. Specially not that way."

Marahang hinaplos ko ang pisngi niya. "Why are you telling me this? Honey, we're okay. Scripted lang ang mga pag-aaway natin."

"But I still said a lot of upsetting words to you, and you know how I hate seeing you cry."

"Fake tears lang 'yon. Kat grilled me over and over for me to master those tears. Kung hindi tatawanan ko ang ginagawa natin. Not once in our ten years together that you said anything of those words or acted that way with me. Kaya hindi madaling kumbinsihin ang sarili ko na maapektuhan. You love me too much to do that to me."

Naiiling na hinila niya ako palapit sa kaniya at sa pangalawang pagkakataon sa gabi na ito ay hinalikan niya ang noo ko. Pagkatapos no'n ay imbis na pakawalan ay niyakap niya lang ako sa katawan niya.

I contentedly buried myself inside his arms as I wrapped my own around his waist.

"Without you and the kids was the longest three days of my life."

"Mine too," I whispered.

It was a con. The Mantis is not just one person. They're a group targeting rich men. Kaya hindi sila mahanap at kaya hindi pareparehas ang description sa kanila ng mga witness dahil iba-iba silang tao. On the front line is the women that marry and kill the men, may they be single or those that are willing to leave their partners for their mistress.

We needed one Mantis to eliminate the rest and stop the operation. Luckily, one started sniffing around Dale. I wasn't worried. He have me as his wife. Walang mangyayaring masama sa kaniya hanggang buhay pa ko.

At first, I just want to shoot the woman. But we needed evidence. Poseidon talked to me about reversing the con. Making them taste their own medicine. I didn't want to but Dale did.

His exact words were, "Let's do this, baby. I haven't helped you in a long time. It would be a great way to celebrate our anniversary."

So we did.

We staged scenes that Reynaldo will witness so that she could make her move. At home, we just laugh about it, and then we plan for the next one.

Now here we are.

"Hi, Miss."

Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. The same words that he said on the listening device earlier. Words that he also first said to me a long time ago. In this exact place where we first met; Pazo Bar.

"Muntik mong masira ang acting ko kanina dahil diyan."

Tumaas ang isang kilay niya at bahagya niya akong inilayo sa kaniya. Tumikhim siya, "Shh. We need to reenact this."

Napatawa ako sa kalokohan niya pero dumiretso na rin ako ng upo. Inismidan ko siya at nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

"Sungit," bulong niya.

Bagay talaga kaming maging mag-asawa. Parehas kaming kakaiba. Deciding to quicken the scene we are reenacting from the first time that we saw each other years ago, inangat ko ang kamay ko at hinila ko siya dahilan para mapayuko siya sa direksyon ko.

"Hey, Missy. I know I'm hot pero hindi mo naman ako kailangang hilahin," angal niya.

"Where's your car?" Nang hindi siya kaagad sumagot ay inulit ko ang tanong ko. "Where's your damn car?"

Umangat ang sulok ng labi niya. "Why? Want to do it in my car?"

Nginitian ko siya at iminuwestra kong lumapit siya sa akin gamit ang hintuturo ko. He lean down as if to listen to me.

Dati piningot ko siya at pilit na pinaturo sa kaniya kung nasaan ang sasakyan niya. Pagkatapos no'n ay hinayaan ko na siyang umalis. But of course tonight is different.

"Yes," I whispered as I ran my finger on his cheek. "Yes, I want to do exactly that."

His eyes are shining as he looked at me in the way that he always did. Like he's drowning with happiness.

"I'm really glad I found you, baby. I love you," he whispered, his lips almost touching mine.

"As I love you, Dale." Tinawid ko ang distansiya ng mga labi namin at sandaling idinampi ko iyon sa kaniya. "Now bring me to your car so that you could do your last mission for tonight."

"Acknowledge, wife."

He did exactly what I want. If BHO gives out a badge for a job well done, he should receive one. Because that night, he carried out his mission successfully. And he was right... it was a great way to celebrate our ten years together.

Mission accomplished.

FIN