CHAPTER 15

BUMAKAS ANG GULAT sa mukha ni Happy nang makitang humahangos na pumasok si Blaze sa ER kasama ang mga kaibigan nito. At nang makita siya nito, puno ng pag-aalala ang mukha nitong tumakbo palapit sa kanya.

"Happy! What happened?" tanong ni Blaze habang sinusuri ang katawan niya. "Are you okay? Are you hurt? Are you hurting somewhere? Where's the wound? Please tell me you're fine—

"I'm fine," sabi niya para kumalma na si Blaze. "Daplis lang."

Blaze stilled and blew a loud breath before looking at her. "Okay ka lang ba talaga? Ano ba'ng nangyari? Saan ka tinamaan?" He looked stricken.

"Nag-grocery ako, 'tapos when I got out from the grocery, bigla na lang may tumamang bullet sa sasakyan ko and the next thing I knew..." Bahagya niyang itinaas ang laylayan ng suot na blouse para ipakita rito ang tagiliran niya. "May dumaplis sa side ko."

Humaplos ang daliri ni Blaze sa gilid ng gauze na nakatakip sa sugat niya. "Are you really feeling okay?"

She nodded and smiled. "I'm fine. Daplis lang naman. Sa skin lang."

Blaze let out a relieve breath before looking at Khairro Sanford who was typing something on his phone. "Mahahanap mo ba ang may gawa nito?" tanong niya. "O kailangang ako ang gumalaw?"

Khairro looked up from his cell phone to Blaze. "The investigation is still on going but it was a sniper gun."

"So, it's long range," sabad ni Pierce Muller. "What's the tallest building in that area?"

"Let me," sabi ni Shun Kim, saka umupo sa bakanteng higaan na malapit sa kanya. Binuksan nito ang laptop na dala at mabilis na tumipa ang mga daliri sa keyboard. "It's Pearl Casino and a condominium. Which one?" Tumingin ito sa kanya. "Napansin mo ba kung saan galing ang bala?"

Napakurap-kurap si Happy, saka napatingin sa mga kaibigan ni Blaze. "It's okay. The police is handling the case. They're already on it. Saka ayoko kayong ipahamak because you're all civilians—"

Khairro raised his hand. "I'm the captain of that precinct. Those are my men who brought you here."

Happy lips parted. Really?

Shun raised his hand while his eyes are glued on the screen. "Retired FBI here."

It was Pierce Muller who spoke next. "Professional sniper."

"Ex-Navy Seal," sabi ni Phoenix Martinez.

"I was in a mafia," sabi ni Titus na ikinataas ng kilay niya. "Retired."

"Civilian," sabi nina Beckett Furrer at Cali Sudalga.

"Spaniard Count," sabi ni Knight Velasquez na hindi na niya ikinagulat. Alam niyang isa itong conde dahil ito ang kumausap sa kanya tungkol kay Lucky at nagpakilala kung sino talaga ito noon.

Ang mga mata niya ay tumuon kay Valerian Volkzki.

Parang sumusukong itinaas nito ang kamay sa ere. "I'm just a pilot, Miss."

"Blaze, see her wound," utos ng Conde kay Blaze. "And do your thing."

Agad namang sinuri ni Blaze ang sugat niya pagkatapos nitong bahagyang inalis ang gauze na nakatakip doon.

Then he looked up at her and asked. "Which direction are you facing when you get shot?"

Happy frowned and shook her head. "I'm not sure. I can't tell."

Blaze glanced at Shun Kim. "Saan nakaharap ang exit door ng grocery?"

Shun Kim started typing again and then. "East."

Sinuri uli ni Blaze ang sugat niya bago ibinalik ang gauze sa pagkakatakip n'on. "Based on Happy's bullet wound, if she's facing east, the trajectory of the bullet using a thirty-two-point compass rose is EbN. That's my rough calculation. Give or take."

Gulat na napatitig siya sa lalaki. "And you get all that from my small wound? How?"

Blaze winked at her. "Because I'm a badass doctor."

"Shun," sabi ni ng Conde. "Can you pinpoint a location?"

Shun nodded while his eyes were still glued on his laptop's monitor. "If it's thirty-two-point compass rose east by north, there's only three tall building near the area. Perfect range. A tech company, a condominium building and a five-star hotel."

Sa narinig na sinabi ni Shun, kumunot ang noo niya. "If it's a perfect range, why did that sniper miss?"

"The weather messed with him," sagot ni Pierce. "To do a perfect shot, the wind speed should be in your favor and a lot more. It's not just pulling the trigger. It's either that or he's not a professional."

"Oh." Was all she could say.

And then someone called the Count's phone. Parang tiningnan muna nito kung sino ang tumatawag at mabilis nitong sinagot 'yon. The Count immediately looked serious and... agitated?

"Si'känd Archōn..." sabi ng Conde sa kausap sa kabilang linya. "Yes. Don't worry. Yes. That person is safe." He glanced at her. "Yes, I understand, si'känd Archōn." Then he ended the call and spoke to her. "You should go home and rest, Miss Quinn. You look pale."

Tumango siya, saka bumaling kay Blaze na tinititigan pa rin ang sugat niya. "I'm okay," pagkausap niya rito. "Sabi ng doktor kanina, puwede na akong umuwi. There is no complication or something like that."

Blaze sighed. "I'll drive you to your hotel."

Happy smiled and nodded. "I would like that, thank you."

Bumaling si Blaze sa Conde at akmang magsasalita nang maunahan ito.

"I'll deal with it. Get her home," sabi ng Conde. "Shun will settle the bill."

"Thanks," sabi ni Blaze, saka inalalayan siya patayo. "Feeling better?"

Tumango siya. "I'm fine. I can take the pain. Hindi naman masyadong nakaka-hurt."

Nagpaalam sila sa mga kaibigan ni Blaze at inalalayan siya ng lalaki habang naglalakad.

"Blaze, ayos lang ako," giit niya rito.

"I don't care... I'm worried."

Happy sighed. "But I'm really okay. Stop worrying."

Hindi umimik si Blaze pero nagdilim ang mukha nito habang inaalalayan siyang maglakad palabas ng ospital at patungo sa parking lot.

And while Blaze was driving, his jaw kept tightening and his fist was clenching.

He was that worried of her?

"Who would do this to you?" Sa wakas ay nagsalita na rin ang lalaki. "I can't think of anyone who would want to hurt you. You're a good person!"

Isinandal ni Happy ang katawan sa likod ng upuan, saka nagkibit-balikat. "Maybe napagkamalan lang ako? You know, mistaken identity. It happens sometimes. Maybe it was a mistake."

Blaze cussed. "Nabaril ka at 'yan lang ang rasong maisip mo? You got shot, Happy! Shot!"

"What do you want na sabihin ko?!" she snapped back at Blaze before sighing. "I never hurt anyone. I don't have a kalaban. Wala silang makukuha kung ihu-hurt nila ako. I'm just a jewelry designer and my dad is just a businessman. Our life has been uneventful since I can remember and this is the first time that it happened. So yes, that's the only reason that I can think of because I'm not a bad person, so is my father. Wala akong atraso to anyone."

Blaze blew a loud breath. "Then why were you shot?"

"I don't know." She was beginning to get irritated at Blaze's question because she didn't really know. "I don't know, Blazey..." Pinagsalikop niya ang nanlalamig na mga kamay. "All I know is that I'm scared, really scared of what will happen to my dad if something bad happens to me again. I don't want to put him through hell again. He'll be in pain. And then Lucky, she'll be devastated."

"So am I," sabi ni Blaze na ikinabaling niya rito.

"Blazey..."

"If something bad happens to you..." He blew a loud breath. "I don't know what I'll do and what will happen to me. I'm not gonna lose you again."

Blaze's last word made her still. Again?

He was thinking of Cassie—he was referring to her as Cassie and she didn't think Blaze notice that.

And here I thought he sees me as me because that's what he told me.

Happy just took a deep breath to calm herself. She didn't comment on what Blaze's said. She and Blaze compromised. No jealousy.

Tumingin siya sa labas ng bintana ng sasakyan. Easy to say, so hard to do.

Nang makarating sila sa inookupa niyang hotel, hinatid siya ni Blaze hanggang sa labas ng kuwartong inuupahan.

"May kasama ka ba sa loob?" tanong nito.

She nodded. "My dad is inside."

"Stay inside your room," bilin nito. "Don't go out unless it's an emergency. Kami na ni Mommy ang bahala sa iba pang gagawin para sa kasal nina Blakey at Lucky. Dito ka lang. May duty ako ngayon pero bukas wala kaya pupuntahan kita rito para samahan ka."

Tahimik lang siyang tumango.

Blaze frowned at her. "Are you okay? You look bothered."

She forced a smile. "I'm okay. Medyo tired lang."

"Then go in and rest," sabi nito.

Tumango siya, saka binuksan ang pinto ng kuwarto gamit ang card key.

"Take care," pahabol na sabi ni Blaze bago niya maisara ang pinto.

She was exhausted, she was scared and a little bit in pain. Wala siyang oras para mag-isip ng kung ano-ano. What she needed to do was rest so she would recover soon. Sa makalawa na ang kasal ng kapatid niya. She wouldn't ruin it by not being there for her sister.

Daplis lang naman 'to. I'll be okay—

"Are you okay?"

Nabitin ang paa niyang hahakbang sana papasok sa kuwarto niyang kabubukas lang nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses ng isang lalaki.

She looked at her bed and there he was... sitting pretty and leaning on the bed's headboard.

"What are you doing here?" Happy asked while she walked towards her closet. "I thought you were in Cuba doing whatever you were doing that you won't tell me."

Midnight chuckled nonchalantly. "I messed up."

Napatigil siya sa paghahanap ng pantulog na damit, saka ibinigay ang buong atensiyon sa lalaki. "What happened?"

"The usual." He stared at the ceiling.

Naglakad siya palapit sa kama, saka umupo sa gilid niyon at pinakatitigan ang lalaki. "What happened?" ulit niyang tanong.

Midnight remained silent. Secretive and mysterious as ever.

She'd known him for nearly a decade now, but she still didn't know what he really did for a living.

Well, she knew that he was a martial art instructor— her martial art instructor— but that was it. She knew nothing of him, but they still ended up being friends. Maybe because he was there for her, like her dad, when she was having a hard time coping after she woke up from her coma.

Midnight was there, assisting her and being good to her, like a brother.

"I saw your brother today," sabi niya nang nanatili itong tahimik.

That got Midnight's attention. "Where?"

Bahagya niyang itinaas ang laylayan ng damit, saka ipinakita ang sugat niya. "I was shot today and the Count was with Blaze when he came for me in the hospital."

Biglang bumalikwas si Midnight, saka sinuri ang sugat niya, tinanggal pa nito ang gauze. And he looked relieved when he saw that her wound was not deep. "Fuck." He looked at her worriedly. "Are you okay? How's the wound?"

Ibinaba niya ang laylayan ng damit, saka bumuntong-hininga. "I'm fine."

"Who did this?" nakatiim ang mga bagang na tanong ni Midnight.

"I don't know." She sighed. "The police is still investigating. How about you? How did you mess up?"

Sa tanong niya bumalik ito sa pagkakasandal sa headboard. "I made new friends," pagkuwento nito. "I mean, they're my friends before but we became closer these past few months." A smile stretched his lips. "And I did something for them, messing up my life in the process."

"Was it worth it?" she asked.

Midnight nodded. "Yes. They're good people. Well..." His eyes glared at her. "Until I saw you with one of them doing God knows what."

Her eyes widened. "Are you referring to Blaze Vitale?" she asked in shock.

"Yes." Madilim ang mukha nito.

"Oh." That's why he was in Blaze's house.

"And you acted like you don't know me." Midnight tsked. "You even introduced yourself to me. I'm your brother from a different parent, Happ, and I'm hurt." He tsked again. "Pretending that you don't know me... shocking me in the process... irritating the hell out of me."

Hindi siya makatingin sa lalaki. "Sorry... what I did was an impulse and I know it was bad. But I texted you, remember?"

"Yeah." Midnight looked at her boredly. "To pick you up because you're lost."

"And you didn't come," nakasimangot niyang sabi.

"Oh, maybe because I saw Blaze running like hero in a movie and I saw you two being annoyingly sweet. It's gross. And I know you'll be safe with him. And you look happy, so I let you be."

"Oh." Was all she said.

Midnight looked at her suspiciously. "What were you two doing that time? Mabilis kang tumakbo kaya hindi kita napagalitan."

She bit her lower lip. "Running from you."

"Because? Ano ba ang ginagawa n'yo kasi?" Masama na talaga ang mukha nito habang nakatingin sa kanya. "And don't lie to me, Happ. You know I don't like being lied to."

Napangiwi siya habang nagsasabi ng totoo. "Kissing."

A string of curses escaped Midnight's mouth. "Remember what I told you about men? They will take advantage of you!" He hissed at her, clearly not happy. "How many times did I tell you to take care around men? Blaze Vitale is not an exemption to that! Hell, he's the worst!"

Napasimangot siya. "He's not the worst! He's a good man!" balik niyang singhal dito. "And stop this. Mas malala ka pa kay Daddy when it comes to my dating life."

"Malamang, masyadong malambot ang daddy mo pagdating sa iyo." Humalukipkip ito. "And I'm your brother—not by blood—but I'm your brother and it's my job to protect you from alligators!"

"Alligators?" she asked, confused.

"Men," sabi nito, saka bumuga ng marahas na hininga. "Just make sure that Blaze wouldn't hurt you because I'll hurt him too."

"I thought he is your friend," she pointed out.

"He is, but you're my sister that I never wanted to have but here you are, so I have to suck it up."

Siya naman ang tumingin nang masama at matalim kay Midnight. "You're not my sibling."

"Says the woman who calls me hermano."

Umirap siya. "That only happen once! And you forced me to say it!"

"Whatever. I'm still your brother from a different parent."

Inirapan niya ito. "Then act like a brother."

"I am." Midnight puffed a breath. "I'm in a beast mode right now. That motherfucker! How dare him date you!"

"We're not dating," sabi niya, saka mabilis na nag-iwas ng tingin.

That made Midnight still. "Then why the fuck are you two kissing?"

"We're friends," lihim na nakangiwi niyang sabi.

"Friends?" Midnight looked at her flatly. "What do you take me for? An idiot?!"

Napaigtad si Happy sa lakas ng boses ng lalaki. Midnight was always like this, but since she had always wanted to have siblings, she tolerated him.

"I like him," mahina niyang pag-amin. "A lot."

Midnight finally sighed in surrender. "Fine. Just make sure he won't hurt you, or else I'll be very, very mad at you for being a fool."

Hindi na siya nakasagot dahil may kumatok sa kuwarto niya at bumukas 'yon. Sumilip sa loob ang ulo ng daddy niya.

"Ah, I thought so," sabi nito habang nakatingin sa kanila at napatango-tango. "Sabi ko na, nandito si Midnight. You do realize you two are shouting at each other again?"

Napalabi siya.

"Sorry," sabi ni Midnight. "I was just scolding her for kissing a man."

Nag-thumbs-up ang daddy niya. "Thank you, Midnight. Please don't stop scolding her in my expense. I always wanted to scold her but you know her... she always bully me."

Happy glared at her father. "That's because you were gambling again."

Agad na tumalilis ng alis ang daddy niya.

Napabuntong-hininga siya, saka ibinalik ang tingin kay Midnight. "Nagsabi na ako ng truth sa iyo, ikaw naman. Tell me the truth. What happened? And don't tell me your okay. I know you you're not okay."

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Midnight. "My brother..."

Agad na sumama ang mukha niya. "Ano na naman ang ginawa niya sa iyo?"

Midnight looked down. "He won't take me back. I begged, Happ."

Agad niyang hinawakan ang kamay ng lalaki at pinisil 'yon. "Then go back to Spain or to Cuba or Colorado. Hindi ko alam what's happening with you and your brother but this has to stop, Midnight. Whenever you mention him to me, you're always sad and a mess."

Umiling si Midnight. "I can't go back."

"Why not?"

"My father took my passport. I have no money, no connection. Nothing."

"I'll help," agad niyang sabi. "Magkano ang kailangan mo? Tell me who I need to pay to get you out of here."

Napatitig sa kanya si Midnight, saka tipid itong ngumiti bago umiling. "You don't know my father. Kapag tinulungan mo ako, mapapahamak ka, kayo ng daddy mo. It's okay. Thank you for the offer though. It means a lot to me that you'll go to that extent to help me."

She smiled back at Midnight. "I'm just here, okay? If you need anything, anything at all, call me or come to me. I'll help you in any way I can."

Midnight nodded. "Thanks."

Napatitig siya sa lalaki, kapagkuwan ay masuyo niya itong niyakap. "I'm just here, hermano. I'm here, okay?" sabi niya. "Don't you ever forget that. If you need anything, I'm willing to help."

Midnight nodded while hugging her back. "Happ, If the time comes that I'll stop visiting you, don't come looking for me, okay?" Kumawala ito sa yakap niya, saka masuyong sinapo ang mukha niya. "Don't look for me."

Umiling siya. "No—"

"Happ, listen to me." Seryosong-seryoso ang boses nito habang nakikiusap. "Huwag mo akong hanapin, huwag na huwag mong gagawin 'yon."

"But—"

"Please?" he begged. "My father is coming for me. Whatever will happen to me in the next few days, turn a blind a eye. If I go missing, don't look for me. Promise me."

Tiningnan niya nang masama si Midnight. "You're always like this. Mysterious and secretive. Can't you trust me? Akala ko ba ako ang sister mo kahit ayaw mo sa akin?"

Midnight chuckled before messing her hair. "You and your father is the closest thing I have for a family. I won't let anything bad happen to you and your dad. So, promise me, don't look for me."

"No!" galit niyang sabi habang nanunubig ang mga mata. "If you went missing, I will look for you. I will do it even if it cost my life."

Umiling si Midnight. "Happ, there are some things that is not worth dying for."

Happy glared at him. "You're not a thing! You're my family! You're my brother! You are worth dying for!"

Midnight smiled at her and kissed her on the forehead. "Always the hardheaded. I like that about you." Pinakatitigan siya nito. "But not this time. listen to me. Don't look for me. You might not like what you will find."

"Ano ba kasi ang gagawin sa iyo ng daddy mo?" may takot sa boses na tanong niya. "Para makapaghanda ako ng plano, para alam ko ang gagawin ko, namin ni Dad. We can take you in. We can fly you to Pennsylvania."

Ngumiti lang si Midnight. May kinuha itong flash drive sa bulsa at iniabot iyon sa kanya. "Here. Itago mo 'to. And if I went missing, open that."

"I'll just open it now," she impatiently said.

Midnight chuckled. "Sorry, little sis, even if you open that now, you won't see even a single file."

Tiningnan niya ito nang masama. "Then when will I see it?"

"Three months from now."

That made her heart sink. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Someday, you'll understand," sabi ni Midnight, saka inayos ang buhok niyang ginulo nito. "After you opened the flash drive and saw the files, I hope it change your mind. Don't look for me. I beg you, Happ. Don't put your life on the line because of me, okay?"

Titig na titig siya sa flash drive na hawak. "Will you be okay? Kahit mawala ka?" Siguro magtatago ito sa ama kaya ayaw nitong hanapin niya ito. "Will you be fine? Really fine?"

Midnight smiled and nodded. "I'll be in a far away place and I'll be fine there. Ako pa ba?"

Ngumiti na rin siya. "Call me, okay? Even just once a year, maybe? Siguro naman kaya mo 'yong gawin kung saan ka man pupunta?"

Natigilan siya nang masuyo siyang yakapin ni Midnight at hinalikan sa gilid ng noo. "Be happy, Happ. I'm serious. Don't be like me, okay? Don't let anyone dictate you what to do. Don't let anyone hurt you and put you in misery. If someone makes your heart ache, let go immediately because you don't deserve that pain. My little sister don't deserve that pain. As you always tells me, you deserve more, because you're worth it. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise."

Happy nodded while silently crying. Midnight was saying his good-bye. She could feel it. That one call per year she asked wouldn't happen.

"Take care, always, Kuya," naiiyak niyang sabi.

"You too, lil' sis, you too." He hugged her tighter one last time before pulling away and smiling at her. "Sa labas lang ako, kakausapin ko ang daddy mo. Anyway, you want something?"

She nodded and forced a smile. "Cheese tart, iced americano and Hawaiian pizza."

Midnight grinned. "Duly noted. Be back later."

Nang makalabas si Midnight sa kuwarto niya, maingat siyang humiga sa kama, saka sapo ang sugat na napatitig sa kisame.

Why am I having a bad day?

She got shot, Blaze was still seeing Cassie in her and Midnight... even when he was sometimes annoying, he was saying good-bye for some vague reason.

Happy closed her eyes. Please, please, be a good day tomorrow.

CECELIB | C.C.