Him

"Buhay ba?" Ulit ko dahil hindi ako sinagot ni Ci.

"Anong pakealam mo?"

"Wala lang." I shrugged.

"Eh 'di 'wag mo nang alamin."

"Gusto ko lang malaman."

"Huwag mo na ngang alamin." Iritado niyang sabi.

"Gusto ko nga—"

"Isa. Matatamaan ka." His voice was sharp and dangerous, I shut my mouth.

Bakit nga ba gusto kong malaman?

"Kahit lugar nalang kung saan siya— ah!" Tinamaan niya nga ako ng sapatos niya! Mabuti nalang at nakailag ako.

"Tumahimik ka." He hissed.

Napanguso ako at saglit na natahimik. Bakit? Hindi pa siya nakakamove-on?

"Hindi—"

"Isa." Banta niya ulit sabay kuha sa natitirang sapatos.

"Kumain ka na?" I changed topic.

Nagtaas siya ng kilay at natahimik. Nagapakawala ako ng ginhawa nang unti-unti niya nang binaba ang makamandag niyang mga kamay. Tumayo ako at kinuha ang sapatos niyang nasa sahig— I almost lost my life with this shoe. Pakiramdam ko nga sinadya niya lang na hindi ako tamaan dahil alam niyang masasaktan ako.

When did you start assuming things, Hendrik?

Napailing ako sa naisip at unti-unting nilapitan si Ci na nakatayo lang, ang isang paa ay walang sapatos. Alam kong ang dapat kong gawin ay ilapag ang sapatos sa tabi ng paa niyang walang sapatos kaya hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili kung bakit ba ako lumuhod sa harapan niya? Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko ba kinuha ang paa niya at dahan-dahang ibinalik ang sapatos na siyang muntikan akong mapatay? Pakiramdam ko may sariling utak ang mga kamay ko kaya nagulat nalang ako nang matapos ko ang ginagawa. His feet felt so light against my hand. It just fit perfectly. It felt so... familiar? Nostalgic even?

Singhap ang nagpatigil sa akin. Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakitang pumasok na pala si Jericho sa opisina ko. Okay, maybe the position looked awkward at its best. Nakaluhod ako sa harapan niya! At anong iniisip ko?!

"Jericho!" Napatayo ako at inosente siyang tiningnan.

"Anong... ginagawa mo?" Mahinahon niyang tanong kahit na tunog na tunog ang pagdududa sa tono niya.

"Ahh... ibinalik ko lang ang sapatos ni Ci. Natanggal kasi." Paliwanag ko.

"Bakit kailangang ikaw ang magbalik ng sapatos niya?" Nagtaas siya ng kilay sa akin.

"It's not what you think! Come on, Jericho! I'm straight!" I said, almost offended. Hindi ganoon iyon!

Tumikhim si Ci kaya sumulyap ako sa kaniya. Nagtaas siya ng kilay sa akin at nag-iwas ng tingin. I tilted my head when I noticed something unusual. His ears... they were red. Along with his neck and face! He's flushing!

I gasped. No way! Hindi puwede! I mean, I know he's gay but...

"Hindi puwede si Jericho!" Sabi ko kaya nanlaki ang mata ni Ci sa akin.

"Ano?" Lito niyang tanong.

"Jericho is off-limits." I said, clarifying it. Hindi niya puwedeng magustuhan si Jericho!

"Ano bang pinagsasabi mo?!" He hissed that I flinched.

"Ano..." Litong tanong ni Jericho.

"Wala! Labas na Ci!" Turo ko sa pinto kaya sinamaan niya ako ng tingin pero nakinig din siya dahil lumabas siya. I released a breath and turned to Jericho.

"Bakit?" Taka kong tanong.

"Well, you need to do an undercover." He sighed.

"Saan?" Tanong ko sabay lakad pabalik sa upuan ko.

"Sa party. You'll put a drink on our target's drink and we'll make it seem like he'll get laid tonight. Kapag pumasok na siya sa hotel room, doon tayo aatake. He's a running candidate for mayor and not good for our organization." That's all the information he said because I don't know much about our business.

All I do is follow orders and kill people. Without knowing the reason. Without knowing the target's background. I don't want to. Knowledge scared me. The moment I have knowledge, I know I'll meet my death. Knowledge is power they say and I'm afraid of that power because it could lead to brutal death. Hindi ako takot mamatay pero takot akong mamatay sa hindi kaaya-ayang paraan. Especially if it's in  my father's hand. I'm sure he'll make my death burtal and painfully slow.

"Okay. Can I bring Ci?" I asked unconsciously.

He gulped. Loud gulp. Bumaling ako kay Jericho at nakita ang namumutla niyang mukha. He looked at me as if—

"Hendrik... alam kong magandang lalake ang bago mong bodyguard pero lalaki pa rin—"

"I'm straight. To prove a point, we'll get ladies after the mission." I cut him off.

He released a heavy breath. "Okay. The first one to get laid will be the winner." He smirked at me. I smirked back.

"I'll win just like any other time." I said confidently.

"Hindi tayo nakakasiguro." Aniya sabay kindat sa akin. "Anyways, yes. You can bring Ci as your bodyguard. Pero bakit hindi si Angelo?" Lito nyang tanong.

"Ci is my new bestfriend." I said proudly that his eyes widened.

"Ano? I can't believe you! I'm your bestfriend!" He sound so offended.

"Hindi na. May bago na ako." Ngisi ko.

"Alam niya ba paborito mong kulay? Paborito mong ulam? Gusto mong panoo—"  

"Let's now do the mission." Sabay tayo ko para makapunta sa closet at makapagbihis.

"Hendrik! Ako ang bestfriend mo!" Pahabol niya bago ko siya pinagsarhan ng pintuan.

Nagbihis ako ng isang pormal na suit. I went out and like I've anticipated, Ci is waiting outside. I cast him a glance before turning to Jericho who's openly observing him.

"Sasama ka sa akin." Sabi ko na siyang tinanguan niya. Siguro'y sinabihan na siya ni Jericho tungkol sa misyon.

Si Mavrik ang nagdrive sa amin papunta sa venue. It was a special occasion. Jericho said it was a celebratory party of the mayor retiring. And his candidates are all invited.

"All eyes." Si Mavrik sa earpiece ko.

Nilingon ko si Ci na nagbihis na rin ng suit. He looked formal and serious. His eyes bore into everyone but the target, trying his best to act like a normal guest.

"Approaching." I hummed and sipped my glass of champagne. Eyeing the target.

He's a middle-aged man with wrinkles and white hair. Malaki rin ang ngiti sa labi at halatang palakaibigan— after all, that's what gets people to vote for you— if you're good at socializing and being friendly in their eyes. Dapat mabait ka... sa simula. Sa simula lang lahat. A facade.

Ci and I are wearing an unnoticeable earpiece, just enough not to grab attention. Nang malapit na ako sa target ay nilapitan ko si Ci na sumisipsip ng tubig sa baso niya.

"Entertain guest to avoid suspicion, Ci. I'll call you when I need you." I said nonchalantly. I saw him side-eyeing me.

"Okay."

"Kapag hindi ka makawala sa oras na kailangan kita..."

Nilingon niya ako at nag-antay ng isasagot ko. I sipped a glass of champagne and looked at Ci's cold black eyes. They were serious, ready to listen to my words.

"Sabihin mong natatae ka." Sabi ko kaya pansamantala siyang natigilan.

"A... no?" He looked off guarded. I smirked at him, finding my idea brilliant. Hindi niya siguro naisip iyon kaya nagulat siya dahil naisip ko iyon.

"Sabihin mong natatae ka. Papakawalan ka nila." Confident kong sabi kaya napanganga siya sa gulat.

"Natatae ako?" Ulit niya tila hindi makapaniwala.

"Natatae ka." Tango ko sabay ngisi. "Works all the time." I winked before confidently approaching another guest, chatting with a man.

That's to stall time. Mavrik will tell me the right time to butt in and talk to the target. Hawak niya ngayon ang controller room at ang cctv kaya wala akong dapat na ikabahala.

"About time, boss." Mavrik voice echoed against my ears.

I smiled at the girl I was talking to and swiftly told her I'll see her around with a wink. She flushed and nodded, thankfully giving me the time to aproach the target. Nang makitang walang kausap ang matandang lalake ay nilapitan ko siya.

"Mr. Mondragon!" I approached him with a wide smile.

"Oh! Hello there!" Bati niya sa akin kaya ningitian ko siya.

"I heard a lot about you! Ang dami mo raw natulungan na tao!" Of course that was scripted.

Tumawa siya at kumindat sa akin. "Ganoon talaga kapag malapit na eleksyon." Aniya kaya ningitian ko nalang.

"Ilang taon ka na? Forty?" Obviously sixty.

"No!" Tawa niya. "I'm Fifty-one, silly!" Masaya niyang sabi, halatang ganado dahil nagmukha siyang bata.

Oh... akala ko sixty na!

I continued to flatter him with shallow and subtle compliment that he enjoyed a lot. Ci slowly approached Mr. Mondragon's drink and discreetly put the drug on. My eyes beamed at Mr. Mondragon as I continued to converse, subtly roaming my eyes around potential spy. Mabilis at madaling nagawa iyon ni Ci kaya nang kuhanin ni Mr. Mondragon ang inumin at ininom iyon ay sinulyapan ko si Ci na nakikipag-usap na sa isang lalake.

Isang... lalake.

Lalake!

My mind went on alert as I observed the man he's talking to. The man was young like us and he's a potential threat. He could—

"Mister...?"

"Ah!" Bumaling ang atensyon ko kay Mr. Mondragon. "Gutierez." I said with a smile, he beamed.

"It was nice meeting you, Mister Gutierez! Puwede tayong magkita ulit kapag nakaupo na ako sa puwesto!" Malisyoso niyang alok na siyang ningitian ko.

"It would be a pleasure! Speaking of pleasure. What type of pleasure do you exactly want?" I wiggle my brows playfully and he laughed manically.

"Bakit mo naman natanong? Kaya mo bang ibigay?" Hamon niya na tinawanan ko.

"Of course! Kaya kitang bigyan ng kahit sinong gusto mo! You see," I leaned closer to his ears. "I can drug that person tonight and lead the target to your room." I whispered and his eyes widened as it it shone darkly like a monster.

"Hindi ako naniniwala." He grinned but I could see in his eyes that he wanted the offer.

So slowly, I slid my hand inside my pocket and discreetly showed him an obvious room key. His eyes widened but it was not enough to convince him so I took another path. I showed him a drug packed in a plastic. His eyes gleamed.

"And what would you want in exchange?" He slowly lifted the drugged glass and my eyes followed the champagne as he gulped an amount. 

"Exchange? Hmm... Let's say I want money." It's just like exchanging dirty transaction. Money is the most plausible reason.

"Money! No problem! Basta madadala mo kung sino ang gusto ko?" Nagtaas siya ng kilay na nginisihan ko.

"Of course! Just describe it and I'll do the magic." I winked at him and his smile widened creepily.

"Come here." He glanced back before beckoning me.

"Ano?" Ngisi ko nang nakalapit na sa kaniya, tama lang para kaming dalawa ang makarinig.

"I like pretty boys." Bulong niya kaya unti-unting nawala ang ngisi sa labi ko ngunit bago niya pa mapansin iyon ay ibinalik ko ang ngisi.

"Really? We have the same taste!" I lied and laughed.

His smirk widened and he glanced back again. My eyes followed his line of vision and my heart nearly dropped. No words could describe the terror in my heart as the situation slowly... downed on me.

"That boy over there. I want him tonight." He's pointing at my bodyguard! Ci!

Kung kanina kaya ko pang ibalik ang ngiti ko, ngayon ay hindi na. Hindi ko na magawang magpanggap. Magaling akong umarte pero ngayon, hindi ko na yata kaya pang ngumiti o kausapin siya. Malakas ang kalabog ng puso ko at gusto kong gawin ang lahat matanggal lang ang atensyon niya kay Ci!

"I'm curious what's beneath that suit he's wearing." Mr. Mondragon whispered maniacally that all the facade I tried to master broke into tiny little pieces, ready to stab his eyes out.

"Hindi siya puwede." Biglaang nagbago ang tono ko pero wala na akong pakealam.

Mr. Mondragon's smile disappeared when he heard that. Bumaling siya sa akin at kumunot ang noo.

"Hayaan mo! Hindi niya naman mahahawakan si Ci!" Si Mavrik sa tainga ko pero hindi ko siya pinakinggan. Dapat malaman ng lalakeng 'to na hindi ako papayag!

"Bakit? Gusto mo? No worries! Hindi ako madamot! Puwede naman nating paghatian!" This time, he was the one wiggling his brows playfully.

And I swear, I want to shoot him. Now. As in now. Around people. Around eyes. Kinuyom ko na ang kamao at handang kunin ang baril na nasa damit ko ngunit natigilan ako nang biglaang mabunggo si Mr. Mondragon ng kung sino dahilan kung bakit natapon ang inumin sa damit niya.

"Pasensya na!"

Hindi ko gustong magmura. Hindi ako kailanman nagmura. Naniniwala akong walang pangyayari ang makapagpapamura sa akin dahil may kontrol ako sa sarili ko, hindi katulad ng mga magulang ko na kaunting pagkakamali ay nagmumura. Pero ngayon, muntik na akong magmura. Kaunti nalang, magmumura na ako.

"Oh! It's okay! It's okay!" Mr. Mondragon held Ci's hand who was trying to wipe his suit.

"Sinabi ko." Si Mavrik sa tainga ko kaya nagpakawala ako ng malalim at puno ng pagtitimpi na hininga.

Alam ni Ci. Alam niyang siya ang makapagpapapunta sa lalake sa bitag niya kaya ginawa niya 'to!

"Pasensya na! Ahh! May extra t-shirt ako! Puwede kitang ipahiram!" Si Ci kaya napapikit ako para kontrolin ang sarili.

"Relax, boss." Si Mavrik sa tainga ko. He probably saw me on the CCTV and I must have been obvious.

"Sure! Sure! Lead the way!" Si Mr. Mondragon sabay ngisi kay Ci.

Nilingon ako ng matanda kaya mas lalong kumuyom ang kamao ko. My jaw clenched painfully when he winked at me playfully, almost as if telling me he doesn't need my help anymore because the prey is willingly taking his bait.

But he doesn't know. He's the prey.

And I will make sure of that.