December 12, 2011

23:12

"Okay, you're done." Wika ng nag-aayos sa akin. "You look so poor and... cheap." Dugtong pa nito.

I rolled my eyes as I heard once again her sharp mouth. Buti nalang at sanay na ako sa mga ganitong may matatabil na dila.

I stepped down on the pedestal where I'm standing from and touched the clothes that this woman had given me.

A simple jeans, and a normal white t-shirt with a statement written: Fuck me as long as you want.

I mentally rolled my eyes again as I remember her stating it to me since hindi ko iyon mababasa. Damn this woman, hormonal stage has been extended to her being even she's already on her twenties.

"I couldn't imagine wearing this fuckable t-shirt even if I have my sight. Is this your casual clothes' theme, Claude?" I asked even if I don't even need to ask it.

"C'mon, Asia, I just want to see you how fuckable you are wearing my casual shirt. And damn girl, I might decide to put some p*nis on my thighs right now 'cause you are totally hot!"

Napailing iling na lamang ako sa katabilan at kabulgaran ng pananalita ng babaeng ito.

Claudette Dizon is my personal maid in need. It's her idea actually. Even her costume-- maid, was her idea.

"Crazy," iyon na lamang ang nasambit ko. She immediately handed over my walking stick and as soon as I started to make it long, Chizo, my dog ran towards me.

"Are they ready?" I asked Claudette as soon as we started to walk outside of the Mansion.

"Certainly, they're just waiting for your orders." Claude answered. Her tone of voice seemed to know when we should place playtime and be serious when it is time for business.

"Good." I replied with dominance.

As soon as we arrived at our destination, Claude guided me to get out of our car. Then Chizo wiggled his tail on my legs as a sign that he's ready as well for helping me out.

My heart swell in so much sweetness of Chizo. He really knows how to do his task. A very reliable dog.

We entered a certain bar. A bar for low class people. Tamang tama lang ang pagbaba namin ng kotse ilang kilometro ang layo upang hindi makaagaw atensyon ang sasakyan ko.

Smokes, liquors and sex. Those are the smells lingered on my nose. Chizo snarled as we heard a lot of whistles coming from these low-life people. I gripped the stick and Chizo relaxed as I did that.

"Your dog is possessive, huh." Claude whispered in my ears. I smirked as an approval.

Chizo has been my dog and guide for almost five years now. I heard him menacingly hurting from a pet shop when I was roaming around the metro. Hindi ko makayanan ang ungol ni Chizo noon habang paulit-ulit itong pinapalo palo ng tindero. If ever I have my sight that time, I might broke down. That's why I decided to help the poor dog out. I killed the owner of the shop by my bare hands and grabbed the dog out of the place.

Since then, I trained Chizo, actually, Xyrene and Vera was the one who helped me to train him out as to be my guide and how to fight back once I'm in need of protection.

"Let's get going. They have guns. I can smell it." Claude held my arms and pushed me to walk as soon as she warned me that.

I obliged to follow since all we need to do was to just passed through. As soon as we got out from the back of the place, I heard Claude sighed deeply.

"Hooh! Gosh, ang babaho. Buti nalang at walang nagtangkang sumunod." Anito at habang nakahawak sa dibdib.

"Let me remind that we need to look for a better place for him. Naiirita na rin ako sa tuwing diyan tayo dadaan." Wika ko at saka nagpatiuna na ng paglakad.

We need to find that trash container. I sniffed the whole area. As soon as the smelly and stinky container lingered my nose, agaran ko iyong nilapitan.

"Open it." Utos ko kay Claude.

Claude tapped the container three times and magic happened-- kidding. Tech happened. Bumukas iyon at tumambad ang tambak na basura. I heard some mechanical sounds inside of it hanggang sa nawala ang masangsang na amoy at isang tunog na tila elevator alarm ang bumungad sa aking tainga.

"Bangis nitong lungga ni pakyu." Bulong ni Claude at nagpatiuna na ng lakad sa loob. The trash container turned into a metal door.

Sumunod kami ni Chizo sa loob. Sobrang tahimik ng hall at mga tulo lamang ng tubig ang maririnig mo.

Nang makarating kami sa dulo'y tumigil kaming tatlo.

"We're here. I just hope na naayos na ni Pakyu ang mga mata mo." Wika ni Claude na nagpabuntung-hininga sa akin.

"Oh hello there papel!" Masayang bungad sa amin ng tinatawag ni Claude na pakyu.

"Austin Altamirano! How many times do I need to tell you na tigil-tigilan mo iyang ka-jeje-hang rhyming mo na iyan?!" Iritadong sigaw ni Claude.

Napangiti na lamang ako ng tipid habang nakikinig sa dalawa.

"Ano na namang ginawa ko?" Maang-maangang tugon ni Austin. "Isa lamang iyong pagbati."

Kahit hindi ko nakikita ang itsura ni Claude ay nakakasiguro akong napapikit ito ng mariin sa lalim ng tagalog ni mokong.

"Mapagtitiisan ko iyang tabas ng dila mo sa tagalog. Huwag na huwag lang iyang kinginang rhyming mo."

"Kinalulugod kong malaman na mas nanaisin mong marinig akong magsalita ng malalim na tagalog, Binibining Dizon."

Pagak akong natawa sa sagot ng binata at pinakinggan ang sunod na sinabi ni Claude.

"Pwedeng bawiin?"

Naramdaman ko ang paggawi ng tingin sa akin ni Austin. "Ah, alam ko ang inyong rason ng pagbisita sa aking lungga mga binibini."

I smirked on his side just to challenge him to continue speaking.

"Were you able to fix it?" I asked.

"Oo naman. Ako pa ba na tinaguriang maestrong imbentor?" Anito at biglang bumulong. "Ayos sa rhyming fuck."

Naramdaman ko na napahawak sa aking balikat si Claude. "Labas muna ako. Mababaliw ako sa mga pinagsasasabi niyan. Call me once you are done."

I responded a nod then she went outside. Pagkalabas na pagkalabas pa lamang ni Claude ay nasa harapan ko na kaagad si Austin at may isang bagay na nakalahad sa kamay nito.

"Iyong kunin kamahalan ang pinaayos ninyong mata."

"Dadaliriinin ko ang contact lens? Iyan ba ang nais mong gawin ko?" Pagsakay ko sa trip nitong magmalalim na tagalog.

"At papapaanong paraan ninyo pa ba ito kukunin kamahalan? Tititigan?"

Aba't pilosopo po siya.

"Marunong ka nang mamilosopo ah. Parang hindi mo kilala ang kausap mo." Asar ko rito.

"Ay g-grabe! 'Di na agad mabiro. Joke lang naman palaman."

"Help me." Wika ko sa kanya at ibinigay ang walking stick kay Austin. I handed over my pointing finger. "Put it here. Ako na ang maglalagay."

Sinunod niya ang inutos ko at agad iyong inilagay sa aking mata. Nang mailagay ko'y I waited over before I opened my eyes.

I felt the Apollo's curse has been deactivating as I put this contact lenses.

Austin Altamirano is one of the great scientist in the Philippines as well as one of the promising inventors of weapons and gadgets. He created this anti-curse lenses for me to use again my sight. The lenses has the contents of the negative charge of Apollo in which it reciprocates its effect. Nasira lang ang unang ginawa ni Austin nang mangyari ang Fourth Wave. The Wave crushed the lenses as it happened. At ang pagkwento kung ano'ng nangyari sa ikaapat na bugso ay sadyang hindi ko pa kayang ikwento. Masakit sa puso at sigurado akong kakamuhian ako ng mundo kapag nalaman nila iyon.

Kinurap kurap ko ang aking mata as a light started to illuminate my eyes. Ilang kurap pa at mas malinaw pa sa salamin ang aking nakikita.

Damn it, my sight has finally back even if it is for temporary.

I looked at Austin in which has a very impressive masculature but covering by his baggy clothes. He has a strong and visible jaws. Total hunk na sana kung hindi lang pang-sinauna ang buhok nito't salamin.

I sighed as I realized that Austin hasn't been changed even for a bit. Still a shy type person na mababa pa rin ang self-confidence.

"Naiirita ako sa ayos mo." Mahina kong usal sa kanya bago dahan dahan pinatitigan ang paligid ng hideout ng binata.

Colors. Sizes. Shadows. Architectural dimension. Iyan ang nakikita ng mata ko. It was really refreshing to see again. Para akong bagong laya mula sa madilim na kulungan.

"Nice to see you too." Rinig niyang sarkasmong tugon ng binata na nagpangiti sa kanya ng bahagya.

She was a bit shock when there's something happened on her lenses. Her vision suddenly zoomed as she tried to look vigorously to the notes posted on the wall few meters away from her.

"Did you upgrade something on my lenses?" I asked Austin just to verify.

I've seen in my peripheral vision that Austin moved his eyeglasses a bit-- just to show that his proud, before started to speak. "Yeah, since you're a long range shooter. I took the advantage to put it on your lenses instead. Whenever you're going to concentrate your vision to a small thing from your point of destination, the lenses will zoom aggressively depending on the level of your concentration to view the subject."

I smirked on his innovation. I like it. He's right on one thing, I'm a long range shooter. I never did a face to face combat whenever I have someone to kill.

"Anything else?" I asked once again.

"Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. Those lenses are connected to the Stolen Satellite of Vera's father in which was my idol. So technically, you are not a blind anymore. You are more than that. Can you imagine that you can see everything? As in everything through the help of Mr. Cox's satellite invention? That was wicked cool! As in... very cool!"

"You are that happy?" I asked him as I noticed his excitement explaining everything to me.

"Not really... so much, actually!" Napailing na lamang ako sa reaksyon nito.

"Y'all done?" Rinig naming tanong ni Claude nang muli itong pumasok.

Tinaasan ko ito ng kilay nang dapuan ko ito ng aking tingin. Gosh! Nakakapanibago.

"Ay ang taray oh, nakakita lang uli nangtataas na ng kilay. Bakla ka ng taon!" Wika nito sabay hampas sa aking balikat. "Anyways, everything's settled now. Even your favorite weapon... Queen."

I just gave him an evil grin before I tapped Austin's shoulder. "Good job, kiddo. Now, go back to your station and we're now going to work."

Austin made a salute sign and said, "Aye captain!" Then he quickly jumped to his throne in his laboratory and wore his high-tech eyeglasses.

Binigyan niya lamang ng mabilisang senyas si Claude at nagpatiuna na rin sila ng lakad.
❧
EDSA Twin Tower

1:40 AM

I was busy preparing the Barret M98D-- one of my favorite sniper guns, when I heard Claude had spoken through our earpiece communicator.

"The fucking members of that company are already here. And wow, they're all looked like a piece of shit in a swamp of wasted river of stink." Claude said.

I wasn't able to stop myself from grinning. Papaano bang hindi? She did that to them. I made them look like a fool.

Those are the board members of Don Valero Broadcasting Company. I am planning to Assassinate them... particular reason?

Most of them has a connection to the Privus Trata-- The Underground Society wherein composed of three Houses: The Gangsters, Assassins and the Mafia. As I've mentioned before, tinayo ang Broadcasting company na iyon to implement justice and to show the truth behind crimes. Though, hindi na talaga iyon ang purpose ng kompanya ngayon, still, nakilala at naging tanyag sila sa bilang mabuting istasyon.

Tapos dudungisan ng mga walang'yang ito ang dahilan kung bakit itinayo ang kompanyang iyon?

"Move the targets." Utos ko kina Claude.

I narrowed my eyes to activate the lenses' zoom function. I saw Claude nodded to give instructions to her subordinates.

Napangisi ako nang matanto kung sinu-sino ang mga bata ni Claude. Ang mga security personel ng bawat Board Members.

The folks tried to move the targets in a way na hindi mahahalata ng mga tao. I'm not sure kung ano ang sinabi ng mga lalaking iyon but they managed to move the targets in a very clear view.

As soon as they've done their job, I started touching the trigger. I doubled my concentration to shoot.

Pero kakalabitin ko na sana ang gatilyo nang natigilan ako.

There's something wrong.

"Claude, get out. Now."

Nakita ko kung paano napakunot noo ang kasama ngunit mabilis na sumunod sa utos ko.

Ngunit napamura ako ng malakas nang magdilim ang buong function hall.

"Fuck! The Elites are here." Rinig niyang wika ni Claude sa earpiece habang rinig niya ang paghahabol nito ng hininga.

I didn't react when I heard her saying that. I was a bit shocked hearing that.

So they're here? Bakit nakakapagtaka naman yata?

The Elites are the top performing students of Vexigo-- the school of Privus Trata. Eskwelahan ng mga anak ng mga miyembro. In which ay malapit ko nang puntahan.

Have they known that I have a plan of killing those stupids?

"Austin, did they know that I have a business here?" I asked him.

"I-I d-don't know as well. Nagulat rin ako na nandiyan sila."

I am not part of the Privus Trata. I'm a freelance killer. Though they invited me to be part of them but I refused. Why? I just don't feel like someone who will get a hold of me. Pakiramdam ko ay sasakalin ako. Mas gusto kong magsolo kesa sa maging part ng isang walang kwentang Organisasyon.

Yeah I treat them as if they're just nothing.

Mabilis kong ibinalik ang sniper na dala ko habang iniisip ang dahilan kung bakit narito ang mga Elites.

When I refused their invitation I believe I also mentioned not to meddle with my business or else makikita nila kung sino ang binabangga nila.

And yes, I think they really backed-off. Or so I thought.

Or have they've known that I'll soon be with them in their school?

I hissed as I questioned myself. Why am I thinking the reason why they're here? Kung ano man ang rason, it's not my business anymore not unless ako ang business nila.

Mabilis akong bumaba ng building. I used the exit area. However, natigilan ako nang marinig 'di kalayuan sa akin ang pagbukas ng pinto at ilang ingay ng yapak.

Fuck! I am their business.

I immediately went back to the rooftop and find a thing that I could use to escape. I opened up my bag and found a rope.

Ayos na ito.

Nang marinig ko na malapit na ang mga taong iyon para tugusin ako'y mabilis akong tumakbo patungo sa harandilya ng rooftop. I jumped right away. Mabilis kong naikalyo sa pinagkakabitan ng lubid ang kabilang dulo kung kaya't nakita ko na lamang ang sarili kong bumangga sa isa sa mga salamin at tuluyang makapasok sa kwarto ng kung sino mang may-ari.

I landed gracefully and put my mask on so that no one will recognize me.

"Sorry," anas ko sa pamilyang kasalukuyang nakanganga sa akin habang takang taka kung sino ang bisitang dumaan sa bintana nila.

Nagmadali akong nagtungo sa hallway ng kung ano mang floor ito. Good thing I prepared two Arsenal Firearms AF1 "Strike One" hand guns for this kind of moment.

Inilabas ko ang dalawang baril at mariin na itinutok sa magkabilang panig ng dulo ng hall. Nang ma-secure na walang tao'y dumiretso ako sa kanan at pumasok sa isang exit door. I immediately went back to the hall when I noticed a lot of gunmen at the area.

No choice.

"Austin, activate lenses' connection to the Stolen Satellite."

"I'm on it." Tugon nito.

Pumasok ako sa banyo ng babae at doon muna naghintay. I locked the door and looked myself in the mirror. I removed the eye mask on my face and try to concentrate myself sa binibigay na information ni Austin.

Almost surrounded na ang ibabang bahagi ng building at halos nakaantabay ang ilan sa mga gunmen sa bawat area na maaari kong paglabasan.

Did they use the Board of Members to lure me?

"What's your plan, Premiere? Nasa malapit lang ako nagtatago. They really know that you're here. Iyong mga bata kong nagpanggap na tauhan ng mga target mo, mga patay na."

Pinakatitigan ko na lamang ang sarili ko sa salamin. Contemplating what I need to do in this kind of situation.

And so I come up with something ridiculous.

"They trapped me here. There's no way of getting out."

I heard the gasped and hissed of Claude and Austin. Bago pa ako mairita sa mga sasabihin nila'y tinanggal ko na ang earpiece at inayos ang sarili. I removed my black leather at kinuha sa dala kong bag ang pamalit.

I changed my get up from my Assassin look to a normal one. A very normal get up.

Wearing the t-shirt that Claude had given me, lumabas ako sa CR at normal na naglakad patungo sa elevator.

Pinindot ko ang down button. Gano'n ang katabing elevator.

Ibinalik ko ang earpiece sa aking tainga at mabilis na nagbigay ng babala.

"One word from the both of you and I'll rip your necks once I saw you."

Wala akong narinig na salita kina Austin at Claude. Good.

"Austin, control the other elevator. Isabay mo ang pagdating sa floor kung nasaan ako sa katabi nitong isa pa." Utos ko.

Naghintay akong bumukas ang hinihintay kong elevator at nang tumunog ang hudyat na magbubukas na ang pintuan ay blangko kong tiningnan ang mga gunmen na nasa loob.

Walang atubili kong pinagbababaril ang mga ito. Not minding the blood spurt on my shirt ay sumakay ako sa katabing elevator.

"Clear the CCTVs. I hate cameras." Wika ko pa.

"Done." Ani Austin.

Nang magbukas muli ang elevator na hudyat na nasa ground floor na ako ay doon ko nadatnan ang karumaldumal na pangyayari.

The Elites... torturing my targets.

"Please maawa na kayo! Hindi talaga namin inaasahan na gano'n ang mangyayari."

"Nalinlang kami. Tama! Naloko kami ng babaeng iyon."

"Iyon dapat ang pinapatay ninyo. Hindi kami! Kaya utang na loob! Bigyan niyo pa kami ng isa pang pagkakataon!"

Napailing iling ako sa ginagawang pagmamakaawa ng mga Board Members na naisahan ko kanina. They're all kneeling, begging to be spared by someone.

"Austin, deactivate my lenses. Now."

"W-What?" Takang tanong ni Austin.

"Ano na naman iyang binabalak mo bruha ka?!" Rinig niyang impit na sigaw ni Claude.

"Just do it, Austin."

Bago pa man niya makitang sabay sabay na lumingon sa kanya ang lahat ay nilamon na siya uli ng dilim at wala na uling makita.