"Ang tahimik mo," I jeered as I walked closer to Mia.

She immediately turned around to see me. She was wearing her cute pink jacket to prevent getting cold. It was the second week of January and we immediately boarded after new year.

I handed her the food she wanted to eat while we were waiting for our flight.

"Kinakabahan ako," her words trembled.

I sat on the nearest seat close to Mia. I rested my right leg above my left knee to comfortably show Mia everything would go well.

"What's the difference when you're in America anyway?" I asked her with such curiosity.

Nito pang nakaraan niya sinabi sa akin kung gaano siya ka-kabado sa nalalapit naming pag-alis. Everytime I tried to ask the reason, she couldn't clearly explain to me.

Noong unang sabak ko kasi sa America ay wala akong naramdaman. Blanko ang aking isipan sa mga unang araw ko sa ibang bansa na tila ba naiwan ang lahat sa Pilipinas.

"New environment," she trailed off, "new people tapos... kabado lang ako sa mga puwedeng mangyari dahil bago para sa akin."

I nodded and chattered, "Wala namang pinagka-iba kung na sa Pilipinas o Amerika ka."

"Why?" she innocently asked me.

I leaned in and drawled, "Dahil kasama mo naman ako."

She made this disappointed look while I laughed at her reaction. She lazily chewed her burger while watching me tease her.

"You're so cute when you're acting like that," I mocked.

She made a face and said back, "Kabado na nga ako sabay babanat. Sana okay pa ang puso ko, Lukan."

I gently caressed her cheeks yet she tried avoiding my touch. I pouted.

"Mia, kakayanin mo roon, ako na ang nagsasabi sa 'yo. Ang oppurtunity na nga ang pumunta sa 'yo, 'di ba? You didn't expect you'd get a great chance abroad with your profession. This is the first step at kahit hindi ka pa nagsisimula, noon pa man ay naniniwala na ako sa 'yo," I praised.

Tinaasan niya lamang ako ng kilay kaya't nagpatuloy ako sa sinasabi, "Kinalaban mo nga ang papa ko, ito pa kaya?"

"Hmm," she acted as if thinking, "makes sense."

I smiled at her and tried caressing her cheeks again. This time, she didn't do anything to stop me.

"You're brave and you got this. You're with me, what can go wrong when we're together?" I pointed out.

She finally smiled back and the doubts disappeared from her face.

"Parang kahapon lang nangyari, 'no? Kahit ako ay hindi makapaniwalang natalo natin ang papa mo. I was literally shaking while doing all the plans. Hindi pa ako nagtiwala noong gagana ang lahat," she softly opened up.

"And everytime I notice your suspecting eyes, mas lalo akong kinakabahan. I can't lie to you, I am just keeping everything as a secret kasi... kailangan," she added.

I gently tapped her head and let her continue, "Kinailangan kong magmukhang masama para lang maging successful ang lahat."

She met my eyes and mumbled, "Akala ko nga, hindi mo na ako tatanggapin."

Then her eyes started to water. Sinubukan niyang ngumiti upang hindi tumuloy ang nagbadyang mga luha.

"Tapos si Jigaian, napakagago," natatawa niyang kuwento.

I chuckled remembering what Jigaian did that day.

I wasn't sure how many days since I got jailed inside a white box-like room. I lost the count. The room itself was comfortable, I didn't feel suffocated. Every eating hour, someone would knock and enter to give me delicious foods as well.

Maganda man ang turing sa akin dito ay hindi ako p'wedeng lumabas at wala akong magawa sa loob kung hindi ang mag-isip. Ilang araw na akong hindi nakatanggap ng balita mula sa labas. Sinubukan kong magtanong tuwing may pumapasok ngunit tila ba hindi nila ako naririnig.

Nag-alala pa ako sa mga naiwan ko. Kumusta si mama, nadamay ko ba siya? Ang hospital, wala na ba? Si Fred na noong pupunta sana upang pigilan ang paghuli sa akin, anong ginawa pagdating noong gabing iyon?

Too many questions yet no one could feed me the assurance and answers I needed.

The room had no clock as well, tila ba ayaw nilang ipaalam sa akin kahit ang oras.

I couldn't relax when my mind was clouded.

I heard a knock from outside. Ito na naman, may papasok upang magbigay ng pagkain at hindi ako papansinin. I didn't move and instead, I waited for the person to come in.

Nakatingin lamang ako sa pumasok at halos lumiyab sa galit ang aking mga mata. He was the guy who gave me the footages from the hospital's surveillance team.

"I can't say your name because it's complicated but fuck you," I hissed.

The guy, Jigaian, seemed unbothered. His clothes were all black and he looked different from the first time I noticed him.

"It's Ji-ga-yan," he informed me, binaybay pa nga.

"Whatever," I dismissed him.

Talagang na sa loob ng hospital ang mga tauhan ni Dominiko kaya pala hirap kung gumalaw ang aming imbestigasyon. Kung kailan napagtagpi ni Fred ang lahat saka naman nila ako nakuha.

"I'm here to say everything," he told me, "so I mean no harm. I mean, lahat naman kami noon pa man ay walang balak saktan ka."

I didn't say anything.

"You see, mister, Mia can't tell you the whole details due to our rules. I'm telling you, don't blame her for putting you here," he asserted.

"Why shall I believe you?" I tried asking.

"Well," he trailed off and slowly handed me his phone.

"That's live," he informed me, "they're fighting against your father. That's your mom beside Mia, Eros is currently stating to the court."

I was observing the live tape while he was explaining to me what was happening.

"Bakit hindi ko marinig?" I unconsciously asked.

"Naka-connect sa earpiece ko ang audio. I illegally connected my device on their system. That's not open to the public," he answered me.

"And I can't let you watch it the whole hour. Pumunta ako rito upang kausapin ka. Maya-maya lamang ay matatapos na iyan at kakailanganin nila ako," he told me.

Binalik ko sa kanya ang phone dahil gusto ko ring marinig ang kanyang mga sasabihin.

"What's your connection with the Zorron? You work for Dominiko?" tanong ko.

"What? Dominiko?" he chuckled, "I don't work for that asshole. You know Armagidon?"

"Panganay na kapatid nina Mia at Serin," I tried remembering.

"Oo, siya nga. I work for him," sabi sa akin ni Jigaian.

"What are the Zorron anyway? Is this a big organization?" I asked.

"Yes but I'm not in the position to explain you that. I'll be straight to the point," he started.

"Bakit ikaw ang magsasabi? Mia has rules to follow, ikaw ba ay wala?" natatawa kong tanong.

Jigaian smirked and sat in front of me.

"I'm a rule breaker," he boasted.

"Alright," I drawled.

"Mia knew Ero Entel's plan ahead. Si Eros ang nagsabi sa kanya noon, four years ago," pagkuwento ni Jigaian.

"Four years ago... she was still first year college by that time, right?" I asked.

Jigaian nodded and continued, "Si Eros ang nagsilbing tagakuha ng impormasyon mula sa papa niya. Your father is greedy having you and your family's power pero hindi siya makalapit sa 'yo dahil bantay sarado ka ng mga tauhan ng Zorron."

What?

"Yes, binantayan ka ng mga tauhan ng Zorron. Mula noong umalis hanggang na sa America ka na," Jigaian explained.

"And they did that because they wanted to protect me from my father's plan?"

"Absolutely," Jigaian stated.

"Wait, I'm fucking confused," I hissed.

"Nalaman lamang ni Mia iyon noong first year college na siya... but the men were already following me since I left," I analyzed.

Jigaian sighed, para bang mahirap ipaliwanag sa akin ang lahat.

"Okay, let me clarify. I'm not really good at explaining but please bear with me. The men were following you since you left to keep you safe from a Zorron's enemy. I won't expand that part. They looked out for you under Dominiko's order and when Mia knew Ero's plan two years after, she ordered to double your security," Jigaian added.

"They first protected me from their enemy? Bakit ako nasali sa gulo?" natatawa kong tanong.

"Because you were related to Mia. The reason why her parents separated the both of you," he answered.

Oh fuck. Kaya ba nagsinungaling si Dominiko kay Mia tungkol sa kanyang karamdaman? Now this was fucked up.

"Okay... okay, next," I hissed.

Jigaian chuckled, "Komplikado, 'no?"

"Their family is really something," I trailed off.

"Yes but their family is helping you to get the justice your family deserves," Jigaian said.

"Mula sa pagpatay sa grandparents mo, rape case ng mama mo—Mia knew it all. Kay Armagidon siya humingi ng tulong dahil wala siyang tiwala kay Dominiko. Then the two started doing plans and back-up plans," he continued.

"Pati ang pag-avail ni Mia ng VIP treatment ay kasama sa plano. She needed to be part of the hospital to let us in. Naunahan namin si Ero sa pagpasok sa loob kaya't pakonti-konti siyang nagbato ng bala," Jigaian explained.

"His first bullet was Gareon Santos, the nurse who killed Renz Lipata—"

"I knew he killed him," I commented.

"Then good, you think well... pero Lukan, 'yong nurse na nakita mo sa footage ay ako. I was the one who entered the patient's room. I needed to steal a fucking tight uniform to dress up like a nurse—"

"Bakit ka pumasok?" I asked.

"I was tracing the footages from my own laptop when I noticed some changes. Someone tried cracking the codes. He wanted to manipulate the cameras para walang traces na maiwan si Gareon," he explained.

"I was torn between battling with the hacker and saving the patient in that room. Sa huli ay pinili kong pumunta sa pasyente upang iligtas. Pagpasok ko roon ay hawak na ni Gareon ang kamay ng bata and was about to unplug the life support using the child's unconscious hands," he added.

"Nasuntok ko pa ang gago at nagpapatayan kami nang biglang binunot ni Renz ang plug," he trailed off with a gloomy tone.

Jigaian looked away as he said, "The kid ended his life."

"Then Gareon escaped, hindi ko na hinabol dahil mas mahalagang makuha ko ang footage ng kanyang pagtakas. I went inside my car and tried retrieving from the hacker the actual tape of his escape... pero wala," he continued.

"The hacker wanted to delete my footage too para walang maiwang clues... ngunit natalo ko ang gago kaya iyon ang nakita mo from the surveillance team," he explained to me.

I commented, "So much puzzle."

"But Gareon was a scholar from the Zorron's program," I mentioned.

"You're right... but you know, greed can change a person," Jigaian said.

"Then the next issues came from Ero Entel. He was the one behind those sudden deaths and mistakes of the services... para kayo ang sisihin ng mga tao," Jigaian hissed.

"Originally, Ero's plan was to destroy your hospital's reputation... to the point you'd seek him for help. Gago talaga, e, tingin niya naman ay hahanapin mo ang tulong niya?" natatawang komento ni Jigaian.

"Why is Eros working for the Zorron?" I asked, "and he's doing things behind his father's back."

"Ah, that, well... I can't answer why he's working for the Zorron. I'm not close to your brother but I do know some personal things," he trailed off.

"Back when you were all in high school, tuwing may bagong pasa o nabugbog si Eros ng kanyang ama, he'd use our special medicines to cure his body immediately," Jigaian began.

What the hell? I never knew about this.

"Doon pa lang ay inisip ko ng masamang ama si Ero Entel and I kind of understand why Eros chooses to betray his father. Hindi lang isang beses iyon nangyari, I noticed him in that state several times," pagpatuloy ni Jigaian.

"You didn't know anything?" he asked me.

"Not even a bit," I whispered my answer.

"So basically, you can't tell me about this organization... but this is a good organization, right?" I changed the topic.

"An organization can be good but also bad at the same time, you know. Depende sa namumuno," he said, "but since si Armagidon ang sinusunod namin, this organization is good."

"Bakit ayaw ninyo kay Dominiko?"

He made a disgusting face when he heard the name. He answered, "Too many reasons to hate him."

"Anyway, ang rason kung bakit ka namin kinuha ay para itago mula sa mga banta ni Ero Entel. He couldn't catch you because of our guards so he decided to just kill you like your grandparents."

"That night, his men were waiting outside your house. We gave them the wrong information for us to get you with enough time," he revealed to me.

"Eros even argued to Mia na hindi mo na kailangang ikulong pa, bantayan na lamang," he shared, "but Mia wanted you to be a thousand percent safe while they battle against Ero Entel."

I bit my lower lip, imagining everything Mia had done for me... for my mother.

"My mother knows these stuffs all along?" I asked.

Jigaian nodded and answered, "Yes. Mia reached out to your mother while they were still planning things... and she convinced her to fight for her justice."

Wow.

"Brave," I commented, "and they didn't inform me about the plan because?"

"Telling you the details is against the organization rule," Jigaian answered.

"But you are telling me now because you're a rule breaker," I chuckled.

"Absolutely," he agreed.

"You're girl is really brave. Balita ko noong high school, she was bullied and degraded... you are a lucky bastard," Jigaian snapped.

"Kung hindi mo 'to sinabi sa akin... will Mia tell me afterwards?" tanong ko.

He swayed his head as an answer, "Hindi niya pa rin masasabi unless if Armagidon will let her break the rule."

"Kaya nga ako na ang nagsabi sa 'yo, in case Mia can't confess this to you. That woman has been focused and caring on you for a long time. I can't just go onto another mission knowing you are still doubting and hating her," he hissed.

Pinanliitan ko ng mata si Jigaian.

"I don't romantically like Mia, calm down. I just adore her attitude, tough and smart. So keep her," he assured me.

"I will definitely... if only I can go to the court now to thank her, I will," I trailed off.

"Don't worry, after they win the case, you can live the rest of your life with Mia," he teased.

"Yeah, thank you for telling me about this," I expressed, "I still can't believe this is what they've been doing behind me."

"Shocking, right? You love a Zorron, deal with it."

When they finally let me out, the surrounding seemed unfamiliar yet light.

"Lukan," my mother called me when she saw me nearing her.

I wasn't sure if Mia told her I'd come home today, I hadn't spoke to her yet. I prioritized meeting my mother first before anyone else... because in the game she played, she was before the weak one.

"Ma," I called back and ran the distance between us.

Sinalubong niya ako ng yakap na akin namang lubos na tinanggap. She hugged me tightly as if she didn't see me for the whole year. Her shoulders were shaking, probably because of her emotional breakdown.

My mother was sobbing yet laughing cutely at the same time, as if the problems she carried for years were only nightmares.

"I am so proud on what you and Mia have become," she whispered, "and Mia... don't get mad at her—"

"I know, ma," I said, full of sincerity.

"I'm happy, glad—I don't know. The feeling is too overwhelming to describe," she rejoiced.

"Mia convinced me to fight against Ero Entel and this... is something I never expected to happen," she added.

"I know. Gulat pa rin ako hanggang ngayon sa ginawa ni Mia. All along I doubted her," I told mom.

"Paano mo nalaman?" she asked me.

"Someone told me," I answered.

"Who?"

"Secret, I'll just tell Mia when we meet," natatawa kong sabi.

Tinampal ni mama ang aking braso at kumalas sa yakap. She held my face with both of her hands. The warmth of my mother's touch sent delightfulness to my chest.

"Love her everyday, Lukan," my mother whispered.

"I will," I said, full of confidence, "I'm also grateful to you, ma, for being with me through those years of confusion and conflicts."

"Madami kang dinalang mabibigat na problema... yet you didn't give up on me," I continued.

"Why would I? Anak kita," she sweetly said, "wala kang kasalanan sa mga nangyari sa aking nakaraan, Lukan. I only wanted you to grow, different from your father. Nalagpasan mo lahat ng iyon, Lukan... and I'll forever remember the moments we shared."

"I wasn't there on your first childhood years... kaya bumawi ako noong medyo nakaluwag. I'm happy seeing you grow with my guidance. It only proves I am not that bad as a mother after all," she chuckled.

"I'll be forever grateful to you, ma... you are the root of every success I have," I sincerely told my mother.

I went out of my room's bathroom after the long tiring day. We just landed in California this afternoon and we decided to rest the whole remaining hours.

Mia had no energy to even appreciate my house, she just wanted to sleep after the arrival. Kumain lamang kami at hinayaan ko na siyang magpahinga pagkatapos.

It was ten in the evening and I was ready to sleep beside her. Nahuli ko siyang pasimpleng sumilip sa akin nang ako'y lumabas.

"Kunwari ka pa," parinig ko.

I waited her to smirk yet my girl seemed determined to fake her sleep.

Sinuot ko ang hawak na t-shirt at tahimik na tumabi kay Mia. Before, she wanted to sleep on the other room. Mabuti na rin at pagod ang isang 'to dahil kung hindi, malamang ay nakipagtalo pa sa akin kung saan siya matutulog.

"Gising ka na o gising ka pa?" I whispered near her ear.

She flinched when she felt my breath against her skin.

"Gising na ako," she lied.

"Sige, kunwari na lang naniniwala ako," I said to her.

"Hindi ako makatulog, e. I mean, I feel tired but I can't sleep," she softly spoke to me.

"Hm, what do you want me to do, then?" I asked.

Lumapit sa akin si Mia at ang unan lamang na kanyang yakap ang nagsilbi naming distansya.

"What do you want to do?" she asked back.

My smirk couldn't just stop.

"Ngiting madumi ang utak," she accused.

"Huh? Masama na pa lang ngumiti?" I hissed.

"Yang ngiti mo kasi, may masamang balak," she scoffed.

"Hindi masama kung gusto mo rin," I teased.

She rolled her eyes and said, "Hindi pa nga tayo mag-asawa."

Wow. Of course, she was right.

"Ang gusto ko lang naman ay manood ng movie para antukin tayo, anong masama roon?" I laughed.

Her cheeks became red, might be ashamed of what she was thinking. Talaga naman, Mia.

"Right, walang masama roon," she agreed as if she was also thinking about it.

"Ano bang na sa isip mo? Bakit kailangang mag-asawa muna tayo?" I teased her endlessly.

"Nothing," she defensively answered.

"But we can also do the thing in your mind—"

"No!" she reacted, "I mean—"

"So, iba pala ang na sa isip mo? Ano ba 'yan? Pabulong," tukso ko muli.

She groaned in frustration and attacked me. She jokingly slapped my shoulders, I let her do it for the next seconds. She didn't notice her position, she was already on top of me... without the pillow.

"Alam mo, Lukan—" she was about to say something when she realized it.

"What?" I smirked.

"Ang pangit mo from this view," she insulted.

Tinawanan ko lamang iyon at hindi naapektuhan.

"Tawa ka nang tawa! Ayusin mo na nga para makanood na tayo," she commanded.

"Paano ko maaayos, na sa taas pa kita?"

"Aalis na ako, malamang!"

She was about to get off me when I purposely used the chance to be above her.

"Lukan!" she warned me.

"Oh?" natatawa kong tanong, "tingnan ko lang din ang view mo from here."

"Mga palusot mo!"

I neared my face on hers and my movement made her stop shouting at me.

"Ang ganda mo," I softly whispered a compliment.

She pouted and didn't say a word after. I slowly tilted my head to let her know what I wanted.

She let me do it, I claimed her lips because it was mine to kiss. We exchanged breaths in every movement and the tip of her lips triggered me to want more.

A minute after, she gently held my face, telling me to stop. I did what she wanted and looked at her attentively.

"Happy birthday," she weakly whispered to me.

My brows arched on what she just said.

"My birthday is tomorrow," I told her.

"I know, January 9... I just want to greet you now... before you do something tiring to... me," she trailed off.

I smirked and let her continue, "I want to be the first one to greet you. Hindi ko 'yon magagawa bukas ng umaga kung... papagurin mo ako ngayong... gabi."

"Thank you for greeting me," I whispered and kissed her again.

Who would've thought I'd end the day with her beside me? Everything was finally stable and nothing held us back to continue the love we created.

I'd never get tired reminding her: Mia, your flaws and imperfections made you lovely.