Chapter 16: The Worst Birthday (Rescue Chapter)

I don't know why I initiated the kiss. It was just brief but it was able to give me different emotions that are now causing the turmoil inside me. I know that a kiss could be as powerful as this. It is something that makes you feel like burning in the middle of the rain. This is the first time that I kissed another man other than Gray and the feeling was no different. I don't know why, but it both feels strong and powerful. Parehas lamang iyon na tila nagpakawala ng napakaraming paru-paro sa tiyan ko at nagpatalon sa puso ko.

Am I bad for initiating this kiss? Masama ba para sa isang babae na gawin iyon? I don't know what pushed me to do it. Was it because I have a feeling that it would be my first and last kiss with him? I removed such thought on my mind. Sa puso ko ay may natitira pang pag-asa na makakaalis kami ng ligtas dito. We still have so many things to do in our life. There's no way that this kiss is my farewell kiss. No.

Khael was the first one to pull himself. "Special A..."

I smiled awkwardly when he stared at me. Yeah, I just initiated the kiss! And I don't know why I did it! "I-I'm sorry." God, how stupid could I be? Why did I do it?!

He shoved the awkwardness with his laughter. "Please don't be! That was the best thing that I ever received in my birthday, and that was my first! And it felt so damn good! I always want my first kiss to be long and passionate but most specially, I want it to be with you."

For the nth time today, his words warmed my heart. But do I deserve to be his first kiss? Before I can think of many things, the door flung open and a guy with a braided hair entered. It's been a while since I saw him and he's looking better than ever.

"Tell me he's not part of those ugly goons Special A", Khael said in a low voice as the guy got his phone and dialed.

"If I am not hallucinating, I don't think he is", I replied to Khael and looked at the guy. "Hey, pwede ba mamaya ka na tumawag, you see there's a ticking object on our side. I've heard you're good with bombs and explosives so maybe you can handle this one. Or if you can't do it, just get us the hell out of here!"

"Hey? Do I look ugly for you Dude? Ano ba ang definition mo ng gwapo?" Just like how I observed with him at the mansion, he has this playful smile. "Relax Archer", he said and kneel in front of the bomb. "Just the simple design, too easy to diffuse." Nagsimula niyang kulikutin ang bomba when Khael nudged me on my side.

"Who's Archer and why do you know him?", Khael asked, still wondering of the presence of the guy on our side with his braided hair.

"Don't mind why he calls me Archer and that's Hermes and you wouldn't want to know what he does. It's not really good", I replied. Mafia reapers are not the right occupation in the world.

"I can hear you", Hermes said playfully. I rolled my eyes on him. So what if he can hear us? Hindi naman talaga disenteng trabaho ang pagiging reaper kahit saang anggulo mo man tingnan. "Done!"

He gently tossed away that object in which the time was stopped at 43 seconds. If he was a minute late, malamang kanina pa kami sumabog ni Khael. Maybe God still wants me to live a long life kaya dumating si Hermes. I've been praying when I started to feel so hopeless and I'm glad that HE answered it.

Sinimulan akong kalagan ni Hermes. He happened to lean closer and I noticed the bruises on his face. Isa lamang ang naiisip kong pinagmulan ng mga pasang iyon. Must be from brawling with Eros while Artemis cheered on their side. Weirdos.

"Paano mo nalamang nandito kami?"

"Instinct", he said and giggled. This reaper's a lot weird. May nakakatawa ba sa tanong kong iyon?

"Oh come on."

"Fine. The young Vander happened to be in the mansion when this guy called", wika niya at bahagyang siniko si Khael. "I don't know how he was able to know that you're in danger gayong nagkwentuhan lamang sila." He threw a glare at Khael. "And why are you making your own story? That's not what happened on that comic sabi ni Poseidon!"

"That's an SOS code dummy. By the way, who's Poseidon?", Khael said and pouted. We refused to answer his question at nanatiling tahimik.

Geez Khael, never mess with a reaper please.

Mabuti na lamang at hindi na pinansin ni Hermes ang sinabi niya. Sinimulan siyang kalagan ni Hermes nang bigla na lamang pumasok sa pinto si Mnemosyne at kasunod nito si Artemis at Gray.

"Amber!", Gray shouted and rushed to hug me. Khael cleared his throat.

"Hey Silvan, I guess that hug should be for me", he said ngunit hindi siya pinansin ni Gray. "It's my birthday Dude."

He touched my cheek where my blood, sweat and tears met. "Damn those who did this to you! Are you hurt anywhere-"

"No. I'm fine."

"Silvan ako, masakit buong katawan ko", Khael said in a childish tone at inalalayan ito ni Hermes na tumayo matapos kalagan.

"Later Alonzo. Dadagdagan ko yan."

"Wow, so sweet of you", Khael replied in sarcasm. Like yeah, Khael has all the bruises and everything, not me.

"The whole area is clear. Mukhang mas nauna silang umalis bago tayo makarating dito", Mnemosyne told Hermes. These reapers could be useful at times. If it's not because of them, we would be dead by now.

"I don't know why you brought these chicks here Silvan instead of the police. Wow, you're here in an instant", komento ni Khael habang tinitingnan sina Artemis at Mnemosyne. Oh Khael, I guess I haven't informed you that things work in an instant for the Vanders and their mafia.

He's all bruised and we need to get out of here as possible upang magamot ito. "I think we need to get out of here", wika ko.

"That's right. Poseidon's on the rooftop waiting for us", Artemis said and she guided the way. Mnemosyne followed at gayon din si Hermes na akay-akay si Khael. Pagdating namin sa rooftop ay hindi na ako nagulat nang makita si Red na sakay ng chopper. That was the fastest means for them to arrive here.

"Oh, can anybody tell me what's going on? And how the hell did we get a young pilot? Kung nakaligtas man ako sa bomba, maybe I will die due to plane crash", Khael said habang tinitingnan ang naghihintay na chopper. I have the same thoughts the first time I encountered the mafia reapers but now I'm used to it. "But damn! Those goons are really determined to break every bones of my precious body."

Nang makapasok kami ay matamlay na umupo doon si Khael. He held his lower abdomen like it was the spot that hurts the most. I felt pity for him. Ngayon ay mas nadagdagan tuloy ang galit ko sa organisasyon. And I also listed Lowie's name next to Detective Tross! Damn them to the darkest pits of hell!

Nang pinalipad na ni Red ang chopper ay napabaling si Khael kay Hermes. "But how about my car?"

"We can ask someone to take care of it."

"I think we need to bring Khael to the hospital", suhestiyon ko. He badly needs medication right now.

"Please don't. I think I'll be fine at the dorm-"

Bago pa man niya matapos ang kanyang sasabihin ay pinutol na siya ni Gray. "No. You need medical attention. You will come with us at the mansion."

"But Gray!" I protested. Kahit gaano kaganda ang mansion, it is one of the most scary place. Uh, not a very good place to relax.

"Don't worry Amber, wala si Cronus at Cooler doon. Ryu's at their-"

"Just anywhere basta ba makababa na tayo dito", Khael said and kumapit sa upuan. It looks like he's not fond of flying.

"How do you manage to smile like that Alonzo gayong nabugbog ka na? This is supposed to be your worst birthday."

"Who says it's the worst? In fact this is the best." He said with a huge smile.

"Did something happen?", tanong ni Gray nang mapansin ang malawak na ngiti ni Khael. Bigla na lamang akong napaubo ng ilang beses dahil sa tanong na iyon. Uh, not a very good question.

"Meron."

Muli akong napaubo and decided to divert the topic. "P-paano niyo nga pala kami natunton?"

"Pathfinder here!", Mnemosyne said. The call was unrestricted and we were able to track it. But I am wondering how did Gray know that you're in danger?"

"That comic book is our SOS code when we were younger. He would call me and tell me something about it. Kapag sinabi niyang nakuha si Wesley ng Professor, it means that he's in danger. His strict tutor is what he calls Professor. Kapag tinatawagan niya ako at nagkukwento, I'd come and save him from the Professor. Minsan ay nilalagyan namin ng paint ang upuan ng tutor upang hindi matuloy ang tutorials nila", Gray explained. "I was surprise to hear it again after a long time kaya naisip kong nasa panganib siya."

Gray and Khael's friendship was a good one. I admire them to establish such at hanggang ngayon ay naaalala pa nila ang mga codes and- speaking of naaalala, I turned to Gray and gave him my death glare.

"So I am Fox?!"

"Yeah."

Sinuntok ko siya ng ubod ng lakas sa kanyang braso. He made a face at agad na hinaplos iyon. "Aray! Bakit ba?"

"The world's greatest detective's fuck buddy huh!" Wow ang ganda yata ng description nila.

I heard Red laughed so I turned my glare into him. "Why the hell are you laughing?"

"Drop the 'the hell' Amber. And oh, don't mind me. Well in the comic, that's really the description of Fox. Only that this guy told the wrong flow." Oh I forgot, the Red Saint is with us. Tss.

"Because it's meant as a code", Khael defended himself. "Mabuti na lamang hindi nagbabasa ng comic ang tatlong iyon. That was taking risk, kung nangyaring alam pa nila ang comic na Wanted, kanina pa siguro kami nakabulagta. And if those two lingered on our side, mamamatay siguro ako sa baho ng hininga nila. Damn!"

I am not a fan of comics lalo na kung ganoon ang mga pangalan ng mga bida. I bet the contents are not that good for kids too. What are the names there? Shithead? Sucker? John Two-dicks? Meh, super villains eh? Oh, so he observed their breaths too. Yuck.

"No cussing please or else I'll drop you", sabat ni Red. Tss. Khael just looked away at hindi nag-apologize but he never cussed since then.

When we arrived at the mansion ay agad na nilapatan ng lunas ang mga pasa ni Khael at gayundin ang sugat ko sa ulo. Kasalukuyang nagpapahinga si Khael sa isa sa mga guest room habang nasa veranda naman ako at lumalanghap ng sariwang hangin. I don't know where are the other reapers samantalang may pinuntahan naman si Red at Mnemosyne. Hermes and Artemis are nowhere out of my sight ngunit siguradong nasa loob lang din sila ng mansion.

"Amber."

Hindi ko na kailangang lumingon upang malaman kung sino ang nasa likuran. It's no doubt that it is Gray. Pinili kong wag lumingon sa kanya ngunit hinawakan ako ni Gray sa balikat at pilit na pinaharap sa kanya.

"Why are you crying?", he asked in a very worried voice. Nang tinanong niya iyon ay saka ko lamang din namalayan na umiiyak pala ako. "Sinisisi mo ba ang sarili mo dahil sa mga nangyari?"

I wiped away the tears in my eyes. "Kahit saan mo tingnan, it was really my fault. We're supposed to eat pero dahil sa kagustuhan kong sundan ang hinahabol ng mga pulis na bahagi ng Genesis, Khael ended up like this. He should have been with his family now and celebrating his birthday."

"Don't blame yourself. It does no good", Gray said firmly. "But next time don't be so impulsive. You will get yourself in danger. Sa ngayon, why don't we celebrate Alonzo's birthday before he goes home?" He gave me an assuring smile bago niya hinawakan ang kamay ko at hinila ako papasok sa loob ng bahay.

***

Weekend was over at balik skwela na naman kami. We celebrated Khael's birthday at the mansion. Nalaman kong kaya pala umalis si Red at Mnemosyne ay upang bumili ng cake para kay Khael, ayon na rin sa utos ni Gray. I don't know how he can order those reapers around. Maybe that's a perk of being a Vander. I believe that those reapers exist to serve them in every possible way.

When we parted ways ay hindi na ako nakarinig ng balita sa kanila. Gray went home with him at marahil ay para na rin i-celebrate niya ang kanyang birthday kahapon kasama ang kanyang pamilya. I didn't had the chance to greet him a happy birthday. Wala akong cellphone and I didn't bother to greet him via facebook account. As if he'd open his account just to read those birthday messages. Maybe he will but only after few days.

Ngayon ay kaarawan ko ngunit wala namang espesyal ngayon. It's just my age that increased and no other thing is special. Andi and Rese surprised me in the morning by singing a birthday song on my bed which awakens me at 3 AM. Kung ibang pagkakataon ay nainis na ako. I hate being awaken lalo na at antok na antok ako. But it was a wakeup call for me as they greeted me a happy birthday. Naghanda pa sila ng cake at flowers and I really appreciate it. My roommates are one of those few who were totally sweet.

I went to school minutes before the class started kaya hindi nagkaroon ng pagkakataon sina Gray na batiin ako. The class went smoothly and so far I've been doing well in my performance as a student. Nang sumapit ang break ay agad kaming nagpunta sa cafeteria like we always do.

"At dahil birthday ni Amber, all foods on her! Yes!", Jeremy said nang maupo kami. I don't know why he's really good in eating gayong hindi naman ito tumataba. I shot him a glare but he only dodged it.

"Just make sure you're not gonna eat at an expense that matches my whole week's allowance. I'm a poor student kaya magtipid kayo."

"Yes! Ako na mag-oorder." He rose from his seat at agad na sumali sa pila ng mga estudyante na nasa counter.

"Really, birthday mo ngayon Amber?", Math asked in surprised. I nodded my head to say yes. She glanced at my casted head at tinuro iyon. "Anong nangyari sa iyo?"

I haven't seen her yesterday at the dorm kaya posibleng umalis ito. I had already answered such questions from few of my acquaintances at the dorm at maging sa mga roommate ko. "Nothing. Nauntog lang ako at nagkasugat." That answer satisfied the people from yesterday at hindi na nagtanong pa. But then Math is a great annoyance who decided to delve deeper in this wound of mine.

"Nauntog? On the side? At ano naman ang nakauntog sa iyo? Basing on the size of your bandage, it's a considerable wound."

I want to roll my eyes. Her so-called detective skills and keen observation are not really necessary right now. She should have understands it that by saying "nauntog", I mean I don't want to talk about it.

"Hindi ko na maaalala kung ano yung nakauntog eh, the wound must have caused me to forget", I replied sarcastically. I don't want to sound like bitching but Math just pushes my buttons to do so.

"You should take care of your head. That's where the brain is placed kaya kailangan mong ingatan iyan."

I want to roll my eyes and mock her. She doesn't have to remind me where the brain is placed. Of course nasa ulo ang utak, alangan namang nasa talampakan. Even a preschooler knows that. Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at piniling wag silang sulyapan ni Gray. He was sitting beside her and right across me. Whenever Math and I had conversations like this, he refused to join us unlike Jeremy. Si Jeremy lang naman ang nakikisali sa mga usapang ganito at madalas na binabara si Math.

"Pepperoni Pizza, chocolate cakes and coke in can for everyone", Jeremy said when he approached our table. Inilapag niya sa harap nami ang laman ng tray at umupo na sa tabi ko.

Nagsimula na kaming kumain nang may ikinuwento si Jeremy sa amin. "Siya nga pala, umuwi ako sa amin noong weekend and you wouldn't believe my experience noong nag-commute ako pauwi", panimula niya. He took a big bite on his cake and licked his fingers.

"Why? What happened?", Gray asked.

"Sumakay ako ng jeep, tapos ako pa mag-isa yung sakay. Tapos pagdating namin sa isang kanto, may matandang pumara sa jeep at may dala siyang timba na may takip. When she passed by me and sat beside me, grabe! Ang baho nung dala niya! Nakakadiri yung baho!" He even twisted his face just to show us that the smell must really be disgusting.

"Tapos?"

"So ayun, tinanong ko yung matanda, sabi ko: Lola, ano po bang laman niyang timba niyo? Tapos tumitig siya sa akin, yung nakakatakot na titig sabay sabing "Bakit? Bibili ka ba?". He paused and drank from his coke.

"Ang creepy! Baka nakachop-chop na katawan ang laman nun!", Math said at bahagyang kumapit sa braso ni Gray. Tsk, landi! Oops, sorry.

"Syempre, natakot ako kaya umiling ako at sinabing hindi po. Nagpatuloy naman sa pag-andar yung jeep hanggang sa may tatlong babaeng sumakay. Sobrang baho talaga at napansin iyon ng tatlong babae. Kaya tinanong nung isa yung matanda kung ano ang laman nun." He stopped again and munched on his pizza.

"No! Baka nga killer yung matanda!"

"Ngunit gaya ng reaksyon ng matanda sa akin, she shot them a glare tapos sobrang nanlilisik ang mga mata niya sabay sagot ng 'bakit? bibili ba kayo?' Natakot yung mga babae kaya agad silang umiling at tinakpan na lamang ang mga ilong nila. Tapos may sumakay na naman na mag-asawa. Gaya namin, nagtaka din sila sa lamang nung timba so ayun nagtanong sila ngunit ang sagot pa rin nung matanda ay bakit? bibili ba kayo?"

I tried my best not to seem interested but Jeremy's experience is really scary. What if chopped body nga ang laman niyon gaya ng sabi ni Math? Even Gray seems so interested in it.

"Tapos bigla na lamang may tumawid sa daan na bata kaya biglang nagpreno yung driver! It was all of a sudden kaya napakapit kaming mga sakay at tapos tumilapon naman yung timba at natapon ang laman! And you wouldn't believe what was inside it!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata namin. "Anong laman nung timba?", we asked in unison. Jeremy's experience was really scary! He looked at us with wide eyes.

"BAKIT? BIBILI BA KAYO? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" He started laughing like crazy to our dismay. Nabilaukan pa ito sa kanyang kinain pero patuloy pa rin sa pagtawa. We should have known! Hindi sana kami umasa sa kwento niya. Uh, he really is a hopeless case. "Grabe yung mga mukha niyo!", he said while laughing. "Na-scam ba kayo?"

"Tumahimik ka na lang puns", wika ni Gray sa kanya but Jeremy only pouted.

"Happy birthday nga pala sa'yo para kahapon Gray. Ibinili kita ng regalo pero mamaya ko na sa dorm ibibigay kasi hindi kita nakita kahapon eh. Saan ka ba galing?"

"He celebrated his birthday at the beach kasama yung pamilya niya", Math replied. Teka, bakit siya ang sumasagot eh hindi naman siya ang kausap.

I wasn't able to prevent myself from asking. "Paano mo naman nalaman?"

"I was with them the whole day yesterday", she replied. She flashed a very proud face na para bang sinasabing dapat akong mainggit. At bakit naman ako maiinggit? There's no reason for me to be jealous! None!

Kinuha ko ang coke in can at agad na sinaid ang laman niyon sa isang tungga lang. Bahagya pang nalupi ang lata nang ilapag ko iyon. Like I said, I'm not jealous!

Jeremy looked at me and blinked few times. Then he moved his chair closer to me and he rested his arm at my back. "Be, cutting tayo mamaya ha? Gagala tayo kasi birthday mo."

Be.

Again. Uh. Ano na naman ang pumasok sa utak ni Jeremy?!

Bago pa man ako makapagsalita ay naunahan na ako ni Gray. "I'm sorry Puns but I already arranged my schedule with Amber today." His schedule? How about mine? Shouldn't he ask me first, right?

"No way! Be and I will go out later. Kakain kami ng maraming monggo, diba Be?" Jeremy even cupped my chin and made me faced him. Inis na tinabig ko naman ang kamay niya. Ayan na naman ang kanyang monggo!

"Find your own schedule-"

"No! Ikaw ang maghanap!"

"Puns!"

"Abo!"

"I'm warning you Puns!"

"At binabalaan din kita Abo!"

Nagsukatan sila ng tingin and it seems like none of them is giving up. Natigil lamang iyon nang magsalita si Math.

"I have an idea! Bakit hindi natin ito idaan sa isang deduction showdown? The first one to solve the mystery will spend time with Amber for her birthday, how about that?"

"Deal!", Je said confidently. What the hell?! Siya pa ang unang pumayag?! He's really doing a deduction showdown with Gray?! For real?! Let's clap hands for Jeremy's confidence level~

Gray glared at him and smirked. "Deal."

And the world gone mad. They should be asking me if I agree but from how I see it, they're determined to spend some time with me. And looks like none of them is willing to lose.

#

-ShinichiLaaaabs.