AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a special chapter I wrote for KUMU Write With Me session. Thank you so much for joining the live and writing this special chapter with me.

LUNATICS

Christmas Special

MAY TATLONG Christmas party ang Bachelor's Village. One was the lunatics Christmas party, then the Amazonas and the last one was the family Christmas party where everyone comes together to celebrate Christmas with everybody.

Today was lunatics Christmas party and the lunatics decided to celebrate it in Shun's orphanage. This was their first time celebrating like this outside the Bachelor's Village.

And for some reason, Khairro arrived early at Shun Kim's orphanage, and he was holding a clipboard, ready for the day.

Khairro frowned at the clipboard. "Wait... why the fuck am I doing this again?" He was a Chief of Police for fuck's sake!

Gusto pang magreklamo ni Khairro pero naalala niya kung bakit siya nandito.

He lost to "Rock Paper Scissor" game. Kaya naman nandito siya ngayon at inaalila siya ni Shun Kim.

At saka hindi lang naman siya ang natalo. There were four of them. Him, Terron, Reigo and Dark. Plus, Knight since the Spaniard Count volunteered for his "book of life" experience. They were not even shocked with Knight anymore. Only he would find joy with this experience. 

They're all here to help and wait for the lunatics' gifts that would arrived today since the party will be held this afternoon.

Khairro was assigned to record every gift for report.

While Dark, Reigo and Terron were responsible for documentation, counting the gifts, help carry it to the orphanage and other menial tasks.

As of Knight, his brother-in-law... well, nobody knows.

"I wonder what those lunatics will buy for the kids..." Dark mused while leaning on his Ducati. "I hope it's something decent."

Terron glanced at the orphans playing in the large field inside the orphanage. "Well, it's Christmas and it's for the kids. I'm pretty sure it'll be fine."

"Si Shun na talaga ang pinakamasaya ngayong pasko." Sabad Reigo na inaabala ang sarili sa hawak nitong digital camera. "Naka-kutong na naman siya."

"Shun owned the largest orphanage in the country." Wika ni Knight na nakaupo sa hood ng taxi nito. Sa dami ng magagarang sasakyan ni Knight, hindi talaga nila maintindihan kung bakit ang hilig nitong gamitin ang taxi nito. "It takes a lot of resources to take care of children."

"He gives scholarships to the orphans as well, right?"

"Yeah," it was Knight who answered Khairro, looking proud.

"Kaya panay kutong ni Shun e." Naiiling na sabi ni Dark pero wala namang bakas ng pagtutol sa mukha nito.

The lunatics loves to complain about Shun, but at the end of the day, they always gave in.

"He was an orphan himself before he was adopted. That's why this place is very important to singkit." Ani Knight. "He's a kutungero Philanthropist."

"More like Robin hood."

"Nope. Mas sosyal pakinggan ang Philanthropist. Para naman magmukhang kagalang-galang ang singkit na 'yon."

Umayos ng tayo si Khairro ng makitang may pumasok na truck sa gate ng orphanage. "Looks like it's time to work."

Sumunod ang tingin ng apat kung saan nakatingin si Khairro.

"I wonder who's our first Christmas sponsor?" Dark asked with a lopsided smile.

"It's a truckload of gift." Reigo said after observing. "Isa lang ang ibig sabihin no'n. Hindi kuripot ang nagpadala ng truck na 'yan."

"Then let's cross out Iuhence and Calyx on the list." Terron said in a matter-of-fact voice. "Masyadong kuripot ang dalawang 'yon."

Khairro fixed his tie and walked towards the truck. "Time to work, lunatics."

Khairro approached the truck first. While the other four were behind him.

Hindi na nagtaka si Khairro ng tiningnan siya ng driver mula ulo hanggang paa habang puno ng pagtataka ang mga mata nito. Sinong hindi magtataka e naka uniporme siya ng pulis? Balak niyang dumeretso sa presinto pagkatapos dito kaya naman sinuot na niya ang uniporme niya.

Pero hindi lang sa kaniya tumuon ang nagtatakang tingin ng driver. Pati na rin sa mga kasama niya.

Who wouldn't be, really?

Dark was wearing a leather jacket as if it was cold when it was sunny.

Terron was wearing a suit.

Reigo was in a coat and tie attire.

And Knight... well... he's in a Santa Claus costume.

In the eyes of the truck driver, they're all not normal looking.

"I'm Khairro Sanford," pagpapakilala ni Khairro sa sarili sa driver saka lahad ng kamay. "Ako ang naka-assign para i-check ang laman ng truck."

Nagtataka pa ring nakipagkamay ang driver kay Khairro bago nagpakilala. "Ako ho si Edwin. Nandito ho ako para i-deliver ang laman ng truck. Si Sir Pierce Muller ho ang sender."

Khairro checked his notes on the clipboard and put a check beside Muller's name then he asked the driver to sign beside the check mark.

"Okay, guys!" He called out to the four lunatics. "Take it all out. Vasquez, start the documentation."

Reigo started the video recording while Dark, Terron and Knight checked Muller's gift.

It was a truckload of soft drinks with every possible brand and flavor anyone could think of!

It was a good thing that the orphanage's staff helped them to haul out the boxes from the truck to the orphanage storeroom.

Although it was also a strange scene.

Aside from the orphanage staffs in uniform, there was also a man in formal wear, a man in a leather jacket and a man wearing a Santa clause costume carrying boxes after boxes like baggage boys.

"Buti na lang taga-video lang ako." Ani Reigo habang naghihikab at kinukuhanan ng video ang mga "kargador". "But who would have thought that Muller would send lots of drinks. I wonder how much all this costs."

Khairro, who was standing besides Reigo, answered while noting down the assumed amount of Muller's gift. "Based on the price I saw on the internet just now and the number of boxes, I think a hundred thousand more or less."

"Here comes another truck." Reigo announced when he heard the orphanage gate opening again.

Tamang-tama lang na kababalik lang ng mga kargador sa unloading area ng tumigil ang truck.

Khairro immediately got to work and found out that the truck this time was sent by Cali Sudalga and it's a truckload of sacks of rice.

"I think we need lots of help." Ani Knight ng makita ang napakaraming sako ng bigas. "Hindi 'to kakayanin ng orphanage staff at pangalawang truck pa lang 'to."

"Let's call the gang?"

"Nah. They're all busy with work. It's year-end after all." Sagot ni Terron. "It's the reason why we played Rock Paper Scissor in the first place."

Dark blows a loud breath. "So? How are we going to get help?"

"Leave it to me."

The four looked at Knight who was already calling someone. They didn't even know where he stuffed his phone in that Santa costume of his.

They were wondering who Knight was going to call and they got the answer thirty minutes later.

Two vans arrived containing ten people each. And all of them were muscular men who easily carried the sack of rice as if it was a sack of cotton.

"Your people?" Terron asked and the three immediately know what he meant.

"Yeah."

This was the side of Knight Velasquez they seldom see because he's always being crazy. The side that could kill anyone for everyone's safety.

And with Knight's people helping them out, it was easy to transfer Cali's gift to the orphanage's storeroom.

Then in the next two hours, trucks arrived one after another.

The Coleman twins sent two truckloads of brand-new clothes ranging from newborn to teenagers.

Ymar Stroam sent a small truck full of boxes of over-the-counter medicines since the orphanage had their own physician to monitor them.

Calyx Vargaz sent baby formula, diapers, baby bottles and baby wipes. And seemed like it had been made to order because above the expiration date was the date when it was made, and it had been just a few days.

"For a stingy man, he did good." Terron commented with a smile after checking Calyx's gift.

Valerian Volkzki sent two trucks of canned goods and other consumable goods.

Tyron Zapanta sent a truckload of hygiene products—from toothbrushes to shampoo.

Lander Storm sent different kind of toys for children and outdoor sport equipment for teenagers.

Train Wolkzbin sent a truckload of chocolates.

Lysander Callahan sent a truck full of pair of shoes in different sizes from newborn to teenagers.

And Iuhence Vergara—as stingy as he was—sent a truck full of groceries.

"Did he buy a whole grocery store?" Khairro was stunned when he saw what Vergara sent. "Damn. I'm actually shock and amazed."

Terron chuckled at the sight of Vergara's gift. "Kuripot lang naman 'yon sa'tin."

"Kinausap ko ang driver," ani Knight ng makalapit sa kanila. "Vergara indeed bought a whole grocery store."

"Well, I'll be damned." Dark commented in surprise.

The next truck they opened and inspected was from Thorn. It was filled with food for the Christmas party later tonight. It was too many and needed to be carefully handled that it took them a long time to bring it to the hall where the party will be held. Good thing Thorn sent four five of his employees to help set up everything.

Khairro let out a tired sigh as he unbuttoned the first and second button of his uniform. "Fuck. Being a secretary is tiring."

Walang emosyong tiningnan ni Dark si Khairro. "Nakakahiya naman sa'ming kargador."

Reigo remained silent and didn't complain. He was doing good anyway.

"Guys! This truck is from Furrer!" Knight called out to them. "It's full of beddings and sleeping stuff. Then that sixteen-wheeler ass truck is from Morgan and Martinez." It was the largest truck that arrived. "I think they bought five supermarkets to fill this truck. Oh, and Hunt's truck is filled with different kinds of fruits."

"Dumating na ba ang regalo ni Salazar?" Tanong ni Khairro na siyang abala sa paglilista ng mga regalong dumating.

"Yep. That one." Reigo pointed the truck filled with school supplies.

"Nate sent a truckload of cakes." Knight informed everyone while eyeing the truck as if he wanted to covet it. "And Valcarcel sent desserts for tonight's party."

"Teka, anong regalo ni Shun?"

Kumunot ang nuo ni Khairro. "Kailangan pa ba? Sobra-sobra na ang naitulong niya sa mga bata rito."

"Busy si Singkit sa paggawa ng palaro mamaya sa mga bata." Ani Knight. "He also bought all the items in the raffle entry for later."

"Oh." Khairro looked at the four. "So? What are your gifts? Mine is prizes for later games."

"I'm donating money." Dark answered. "Yilmaz is doing the same."

"Same for me as well." Terron said.

"Same with me. I have my parents' donation as well. It's money and some jewels." Ani Reigo.

"And you?" Khairro asked Knight.

Knight glanced at the teenagers helping around the orphanage and responded with a smile. "College scholarship for two thousand students. It's mine and SM's."

"Speaking of, I heard the Amazonas are celebrating their Christmas in Berry's foundation?"

"I heard that from my wife too." Sabad ni Reigo. "I think their Christmas project this time was to provide a small business to help the abused victims. The focus is to help them start over again."

Dark heard about that as well from his wife, Anniza. "I think they're also coordinating with the Police." Then he glanced at Khairro. "Evren is also working with Berry's foundation I think."

"Yeah." Khairro answered since he had been closely working with Berry's foundation. "They needed a trusted Law firm, so Yilmaz offered his help. Although, he's not personally involved. Pagkatapos ng mga nangyari sa biktima, ang iba takot sa mga lalaki. That's why for safety purposes, Yilmaz only allowed female lawyers to help same in our side. We didn't want to scare and inconvenient the victims."

Knight leaned against the back of the truck. "Last time I spoke with SM, they're pushing a housing project for the survivors." He crossed his arm. "I think it was a great idea so I'm helping. You should tell the other lunatics as well. Callahan already provided the Amazonas a free land."

Everyone looked at Knight who turned serious all of the sudden. Hindi sila sanay na seryoso si Knight. Palagi kasi itong maingay at sakit sa ulo, kaya kapag nagiging seryoso ito, napapatigil talaga ang lahat para tumingin dito.

"Although," Knight murmured, "they don't need to collaborate with the Police. I can just take care of those bastards who abused their wives and children."

Napangiwi si Dark. "Take care as in...?"

Without an ounce of hesitation, Knight answered. "I'll kill them."

Kaagad na nagbingi-bingihan si Khairro at umaktong walang narinig. Ini-off naman kaagad ni Reigo ang video camera at napailing naman si Terron.

"Sometimes, I forget that you are Minrod." Ani Terron.

Knight lost his serious face and smiled before changing the topic. "I think we should let money rain tonight."

Khairro's phone rang. It was Shun.

"So? How are the gifts?"

Khairro blew a loud breath and turned the speaker on. "It was tiring, you asshole."

Tumawa lang si Shun. "Is everything ready for tonight?"

Khairro looked at everyone around him who were busy with wide and excited smiles on their faces. "Yeah. They're looking forward to it."

"... thank you." Shun's voice was solemn. "Those kids deserved happiness and love this Christmas."

Dark, Terron, Reigo, Khairro and Knight looked at each other and smiled before simultaneously answering Shun. "Hell, yeah!"

Ending the call, Knight went to get something from the back compartment of his taxi. It was a long ass tarpaulin.

"Come on! Help me hang this!"

Hindi alam ng apat kung anong nakasulat sa tarpaulin pero tinulungan pa rin nila si Knight.

After a few minutes of struggle, the tarpaulin was finally hanged on the entrance to the orphanage's hall, and they all read it with a proud smile on their faces.

"Merry Christmas. From the lunatics!"

CECELIB | C.C.