Red

"What?" tanong ko sa asawa kong si Marie na nakatitig sa akin habang nag-aayos ako. 

"You look handsome as always," sagot niya. 

"Love, I have an interview in less than half an hour. Mamaya ka." 

Natawa siya sa sinabi ko. "Ang hirap mong bigyan ng compliment. Are you sure you don't want me to watch the interview?" 

"Sure. Mag-enjoy ka na muna kasama ng mga kaibigan mo habang nagta-trabaho ako." 

She rolled her eyes and embraced me from behind. "I think you already have a decision with that Knights of the Leaders." I felt her lips on my shoulder before she released me. 

"Whatever your decisions, Love. I will support you." 

"I love you. I will do this because—" 

"Because you are a great person," she said cutting me. "I know there is a soldier deep down in your heart, Red. You will not be a reserved air force for nothing." She gave me a smile that I will never get tired of staring at. 

"See you later?" 

Tumango ako bilang sagot at hinalikan si Marie. The love and trust she has for me are unconditional. I don't know why I thought before that I can live without her. 

She is right, I already have a decision with the UN's offer to me. To be a leader of this new military force that Europe and America already started. Why it was offered to me was beyond my imagination. It was a huge responsibility that is on my plate. I don't know if I can chew this when I start to take it. 

Kasama ko sa interview si Kyle, Ace, Marcus at Abby. Sila ang makakasama ko sa mission na ito. I meet them at the Admin Building. 

"Okay ka lang?" tanong ni Kyle sa akin. 

"Okay lang. Naisip ko lang na hindi lang finances ang kailangan kong hawakan, pati ang conscience ko." 

Tumango si Kyle. "I know this is too much but for the sake of the next generation, we have to do this." 

Huminga ako ng malalim at tiningnan ang mga kamay ko. Kamay na mukhang magkakaroon ng dugo at maninimbang sa susunod na panahon. 

Nakaupo kaming lima sa harapan ng mga international reporters. Naka-stand by ang sariling security ni Ace para masigurong hindi gagala ang mga reporter sa loob ng Country Club. They will stay inside and will be guarded until they left the vicinity and outside the gate.

An interviewer will ask the question raised by the reporters and we will answer it in front of the whole world. 

Cailee, Carlos... Marie. 

"Mr. Sebastian, why do you think the UN asked you to lead the Knights of the Leaders and not a member of the military from your country?" unang tanong sa akin ng interviewer na puti. 

"I am a member of the Philippine Air Force, a reserved one but that didn't make me less of a soldier. Besides having my own finances to create facilities that will benefit the whole of Asia, I am not in any political position to have conflicts of interest." 

"Mr. Sebastian..." 

And the interview went on. 

"... is there anything the UN is covering for your country? Let say, political killings, missing funds, gold bars that were hidden from the world?" 

Natawa ng bahagya si Kyle at Marcus sa likuran ko. 

"That is a very bold assumption. Why not ask the UN about your allegations? I am intrigued by the gold bars you were saying. Is this the golden buddha?" 

"If that would be the case, and the way you reply, Mr. Sebastian, is this a concrete decision that you will lead the Knights of the Leaders Asia?" 

Huminga ako ng malalim at inisip ang pamilya ko— ang mga anak ko — bago ako sumagot. 

"Yes, I will lead the Knights of the Leaders together with these Four Pillars at my back. We will lead the Asian territory under the UN law." 

Nagpatuloy ang interview at hindi iilang beses sumagot si Kyle at Ace sa mga reporters. They are nasty and cruel but we need to stand our ground if we wanted to be the founder of Knights of the Leaders. 

The interview lasted for four hours. For four fucking hours, I am answering their stupid questions. 

"Last question, Mr. Sebastian, what is your motive for agreeing to this position? What does the UN promise all of you?" 

"A better place for the next generation," I replied and left the podium with my team behind my back. 

Sumenyas si Ace sa mga tauhan niya na sila na ang bahala. 

"Putangina," usal agad ni Marcus nang makapasok kami sa bahay. Naroon sila Marie at ang mga kaibigan niya. 

One look at me and she knows that I am agitated. Agad siyang lumapit sa akin at yumakap. 

"Everything alright?" tanong niya sa akin. 

"Yes," I replied. 

"Love?" 

I smile a little. "Let me handle it, Marie." 

Napabuntong hininga si Marie. 

"Red," tawag sa akin ni Kyle nang makalayo si Marie sa amin. "Thank you for accepting it." 

Huminga ako ng malalim. "The only way to save lives is for me to give up my soul. I rather die every day just for this world to be safe than be alive while the outside of this gate is suffering. I need to choose the lesser evil." 

Tumango si Kyle. "You will be a great leader for us. You have our support — you have your Pillars." 

"Thank you, Kyle." 

"Thank you for being the best husband for my sister." Kyle clapped my shoulder and went to his wife, Sam. 

I guess, the soldier in me needs to gear up starting tomorrow. Knights of the Leaders Asia is official established. 

"Love, ano ang ginagawa mo d'yan?" Marie asked. 

"Watching you," I replied that made her smile.