CHAPTER 20

"HOW MANY times in the past few months since Happy left have you visited Cassie?" tanong ni Blake kay Blaze nang makapasok siya sa sala. Kagagaling lang niya sa sementeryo. Doon siya dumeretso pagkatapos ng duty niya ngayong umaga. He was on the night shift.

Blaze threw his doctor's robe on the couch. "Maraming beses."

"Bakit ba pabalik-balik ka sa puntod ni Cassie?" puno ng kuryosidad na tanong ng kakambal sa kanya.

"I like talking to her," sagot niya.

"Why? Because she doesn't talk back?" Blake joked.

Blaze just sighed and continued walking towards the kitchen. Kumuha siya ng beer sa ref, saka binuksan iyon at akmang iinom nang marinig ang boses ng kakambal sa loob ng kusina.

"I'm curious..." sabi ni Blake. "Ano ba'ng sinasabi mo kay Cassie na hindi mo kayang sabihin sa akin?"

Bumuntong-hininga, siya saka humarap sa kakambal. "Everything."

"I'm hurt and insulted by your answer."

Blaze blew a loud breath before explaining himself. "Sabi ni Happy ako lang ang makakapagpalaya sa sarili ko na ikinulong ko sa nakaraan, kaya 'yon ang ginagawa ko. Walang makakatulong sa akin kundi ang sarili ko. And when I chose happiness, I promised myself I'm not gonna use someone anymore to make me feel okay. And seriously, I'm fine."

"Are you really?" Tumiim ang titig sa kanya si Blake. "Look at me and tell me you're fine."

Blaze looked at Blake, deep into his eyes before saying, "I'm fine, Blakey."

Ilang segundo pa siyang tinitigan ng kakambal bago ito nagbawi ng tingin. "I can't see lies in your eyes. Good."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "And you can see lies in my eyes before?" nagtataka niyang tanong.

"Blaze..." Lumapit sa kanya ang kakambal at tinapik ang balikat niya. "Kakambal mo ako, kilala kita. I would know and I would feel it. Kahit nga utot mo, kilala ko."

Natatawang uminom siya ng beer, saka tinitigan si Blake. "Eh, Ikaw? Kilala rin kita. Something is bothering you. Noong isang linggo pa. Akala mo hindi ko napansin?"

Blake sighed before getting a beer for himself. "It's Lucky." Uminom ito ng beer, saka bumuga ng marahas na hininga. "I'm worried. Ayaw niyang uminom ng gamot niya. Nag-away kami kanina."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Bakit naman hindi siya iinom ng gamot niya? It's for her own good. Ano ba'ng nangyari?"

Blake let out a loud breath before staring up at the ceiling. "Lucky... she's pregnant."

That put a smile on his face. "Hell, yeah!" Sumuntok pa siya sa hangin. "That's a good news! We should tell Mom—" Natigilan siya sa pagsasaya nang makita ang mukha ni Blake na parang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa. "You're not happy."

Umiling ang kakambal. "Paano ako sasaya kung isinasakripisyo ng asawa ko ang sarili niya? Ngayon pa lang ayaw na niyang uminom ng gamot baka raw mapaano ang bata. Hindi ako makakapayag na mawala siya sa akin, Blaze."

"Oh." Hindi agad pumasok sa isip niya ang sitwasyon ni Lucky. "Big deal nga 'tong pagbubuntis ni Lucky. Why don't you talk to her? Talk her out of it?"

Blake looked at him helplessly. "She told me that if I said something about hurting the baby, she'll hurt me."

"Mom's instinct."

"Yeah. And I'm afraid. Kaya kong harapin kahit isandaang bala pa 'yan, kahit ilang beses pa akong mabaril, kaya ko, pero ito ngayon? Hindi ko kaya. Matapang ako pero natatakot ako sa puwedeng mangyari. Paano kung may mangyaring masama kay Lucky habang nagbubuntis siya? Paano ako? I should have been more careful! This is my fault!"

"Talk to Lucky. I'm sure you two can figure something out."

"You think?" Blake asked, hopeful.

He smiled at his twin. "Hindi ka naman basta iiwan ni Lucky. I'm sure she has a plan. Kausapin mo lang. Nasaan ba siya?"

"At school... working."

Napailing siya. "That's not helping. Kung seryoso siya sa pagbubuntis niya, hindi puwedeng pagsabayin niya ang pagtuturo at pagbubuntis, lalo na't ayaw na niyang uminom ng gamot. It's a big risk, Blakey. She needs to rest. Her body will need it."

Napasabunot sa sariling buhok si Blake na parang hindi na nito alam ang gagawin. "I don't wanna lose her, Blaze."

"And she doesn't want to lose your baby," sabi niya. "Talk to her. Figure something out. Magaling ka naman diyan."

Blakey hopelessly nodded before stepping out from the kitchen with his head hanging low.

Napatitig siya sa papalayong likod ng kakambal. Blake had all the reason to be worried. Lucky's heart was just months old and she would stop her medication? That was suicide!

Pero hindi rin niya nakikita si Lucky na uunahin ang sarili kaysa sa batang nasa sinapupunan nito. He could see Lucky keeping the baby safe for delivery. And who knew what the consequences of Lucky's pregnancy would be.

Napailing si Blaze, saka nagbukas pa ng dalawang beer at dinala iyon sa kuwarto niya. Inilapag niya ang beer sa bedside table, saka inilabas mula sa drawer ang sulat ni Happy para sa kanya.

Maingat niya iyong binuklat at binasa uli.

It had been his routine to read Happy's letter everyday and every time he came home from work. To keep himself motivated and to do it right, and he was succeeding. And his trips to see Cassie was a big help as well. Talking to Cassie, telling her what and how he felt and how he was dealing with it... how he was coping and moving forward. And how he missed Happy so much.

It was enlightening, even if Cassie didn't talk back.

It gives him a new perspective in life... It showed him a new way to live.

Itinupi niya ang sulat ni Happy, saka ibinalik iyon sa drawer. Pagkatapos ay hinubad niya ang lahat ng damit habang umiinom siya ng beer. Pagkatapos maligo at magbihis, lumabas siya ng bahay at binuhay ang makina ng sasakyan.

"Where are you going?" tanong ni Blake nang maabutan siyang papaalis.

"To my session. You?"

Itinuro nito ang nakaparadang kotse. "I'm going to fetch Lucky. Pinayagan daw siya ng head niyang hindi muna pumasok para makapagpa-check up."

"Her heart?"

Blake nodded. "And her pregnancy."

Napatango-tango siya. "You gonna be okay? Gusto mo samahan ko kayo?"

"Nah, we'll be fine." Blake gave him a tight smile. "Uuwi ka ba agad?"

"Mamayang gabi pa siguro."

Blake frowned at him. "Why? I'm cooking for lunch."

"After my session this morning, I have an appointment in InkArt."

"New tats?"

Blaze nodded with a small smile. "New tats."

"Sige, ingat sila sa iyo," pabirong sabi ng kakambal bago ito sumakay sa sariling kotse.

Siya naman ay pinaharurot ang sasakyan patungo sa palagi niyang pinupuntahan kada ikatlong linggo.

It would his last session today. Thankfully.

HAPPY WAS ALONE in her private work room, just finished using the laser to cut the diamond she was working on in the past three days. She had to cut five pieces of diamonds to combine it into one to make a star shape. And because it was urgent, she used the computer software to analyze the cut and precision to shape the diamond into a perfect circle so she could polish it into the shape and design she wanted.

A billionaire ordered it to be shaped like a star. And star it is.

Happy took a deep breath before she started working again.

Akmang uumpisahan na niya ang pagdidisenyo nang bigla na lang pumasok sa isip niya ang guwapong mukha ng isang lalaki na ilang buwan na niyang hindi nakikita.

She actually stilled and stopped what she was doing as her mind reminisced her memories with him. The good and the bad. Their kisses and their embraces.

Kumusta na kaya siya?

Mariin niyang ipinikit ang mga mata at marahas niyang ipinilig ang ulo. Si Midnight naman ang sunod na pumasok sa isip niya.

Is he in a good place? She hadn't seen him for months now.

Happy blew a loud breath and forced herself to not think of anyone that could make her lose her focus like what she had been doing these past few months.

Dahil masyadong focus at abala sa ginagawang engagement ring, hindi niya namalayan na gabi na pala. Nang tumingin siya sa orasan, malapit nang mag alas-nuwebe.

"Shit." Mabilis niyang iniwan ang ginagawa, saka pinulot ang cell phone na nasa mesa na medyo malayo sa kanya.

It was on silent because she didn't want anyone disturbing her while she worked.

Two missed calls from her dad. And one text.

From: Dad

Dinner is ready, princess. Be home before nine.

"Oh, shit..." mahina niyang sambit, saka nagmamadaling lumabas sa pribado niyang work room. Siniguro niyang naka-lock iyon at ini-on niya ang security alarm system. Tinungo niya ang opisina niya para kunin ang bag niya. Sa likuran siya ng gusali lumabas tulad ng nakasanayan dahil doon nakaparada ang kotse niya.

Akmang pipindutin ni Happy ang buton sa susi ng kotse para buksan ang pinto ng kotse nang bigla na lang may tumutok ng kung ano mang bagay sa likuran niya habang may nakatayo ring lalaki roon.

It was either a knife or a gun.

Natulos siya sa kinatatayuan at bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya.

"Scream and I'll kill you," sabi ng magaspang na boses ng lalaki. "The boss wants you alive, be thankful. So don't make a move that'll make me kill you here and now. I wouldn't mind ending your life."

Agad na pinagana ni Happy ang isip niya. Her car was not bulletproof, and the man grabbed her keys away from her! She couldn't escape using her car. What she could do was to weaken her assailant and make a run for it.

A hell of run.

Happy took a deep breath before turning around in a blink of an eye, catching the man off guard. She didn't hesitate. When it came to men, Midnight taught her one thing, they had one sure weakness.

Malakas niyang tinuhod ang pagkalalaki ng lalaki, saka deretsong hinubad ang heels niya at tumakbo nang mabilis.

"Shit! Shit!" Hindi niya mapigilang magmura nang habulin siya ng bala habang tumatakbo siya palabas ng iskinita.

Malakas na napahiyaw si Happy nang tinamaan siya ng bala sa gilid ng hita pero hindi niya hinayaan ang sarili na matumba.

She pushed herself to run as fast as she could until she was out of the alley, bullets still running after her.

Nagmamadaling kinuha niya ang cell phone sa bag. Pabagal na nang pabagal ang pagtakbo niya, nag-uumpisa na siyang umika at hinahabol pa rin siya ng lalaki.

Wala itong pakialam kung may mga taong nadadamay sa pamamaril nito, basta panay ang paulan nito sa kanya ng bala hanggang sa tamaan naman siya sa balikat.

"Shit!" she hissed. She pushed herself harder.

Habang tumatakbo, tinawagan niya ang ama at hinihingal na kinausap ito nang sagutin nito ang tawag.

"Princess, why are you still working—"

"Daddy! 911!" sigaw niya sa ama na nasa kabilang linya at ibinigay kung nasaang street siya. "911!"

Pagkatapos ay pinatay niya ang tawag dahil nag-uumpisa nang magdilim ang paningin niya. Itinuon niya ang buong lakas at atensiyon sa pagtakbo dahil papalapit na nang palalapit ang lalaki sa kanya.

Happy was getting ready to turn right when she heard a screeching sound of car tires and a car stopped meters away from her.

The backseat opened and the passenger seat window rolled down.

King was inside.

"Young Miss! Get in! Faster!"

But it was too late.

Naabutan na siya ng lalaking humahabol sa kanya. Hinawakan siya nito sa buhok para hilahin pabalik.

"Young Miss!" puno ng pag-aalala na sigaw ni King sa kanya at nakita niya itong naglabas ng baril.

Pilit na nagpumiglas si Happy sa pagkakahawak sa kanya ng lalaki sa buhok. Nagtagis ang mga bagang na inikot niya ang katawan paharap sa lalaki at malakas itong sinuntok sa dibdib. Nang bahagyang mapaatras ang lalaki, iniigkas niya ang isa pang kamao at tumama iyon sa panga nito. Nagpakawala pa siya ng dalawang suntok na tumama sa magkabilang gilid ng kili-kili nito dahilan para mabitawan nito ang buhok niya. At saka lang niya ito tinuhod nang malakas uli.

Habang namimilipit sa sakit ang lalaki, tumakbo siya patungo sa minamenehong kotse ni King.

When she heard a gunshot, she fearlessly dived towards the open backseat door of the car as she heard another couple of shots being fired.

And then they were off.

"Young Miss, were you shot?" Puno ng pag-aalala ang boses ni King.

Mahina siyang napadaing habang iginagalaw ang katawang nakadapa sa backseat nang patihaya bago sumagot. "Legs... and shoulder."

"Just hang in there, Young Miss. We're near."

Happy just grunted as she tried not to move because it caused her too much pain. Ipinikit niya ang mga mata habang dumadaing.

"Don't sleep," sabi ni King na nagpamulat sa mga mata niya uli. "Keep your eyes open, Young Miss!"

Happy groaned. "S-stop shou—ting, King... I'm fine."

"Yes, Young Miss."

But her eyes started dropping again.

"Wanna hear a joke, Young Miss?" tanong ni King. "It'll make you laugh, I swear."

Her eyes cracked open a little as her forehead furrowed. "W-what?" She liked a good joke to pass the time.

"What did Batman say to Robin before they got into the car?" King asked.

She slowly breathed out while her consciousness was slowly fading.

"Batman said, Robin, get in the car," King joked.

But Happy was already lost in oblivion. She just regained consciousness again when King was carrying her.

Not towards the hospital, but towards their mansion.

"H-hospital..." she whispered.

"You'll be safer here, Young Miss," sabi ni King na parang tumatakbo papasok.

Happy's eyes closed, and she was drowning in oblivion again. And in her state, her mind called one name before she got succumbed into the darkness.

Blaze.

WHEN HAPPY regained her consciousness, she was in her bed, her wrist was connected to an IV fluid and her legs and shoulder were both aching but the pain was bearable.

She pushed herself to get up and leave the bed. Dala-dala niya ang IV pole habang dahan-dahan at paika-ika siyang naglalakad palabas ng kuwarto.

Pagkabukas niya ng pinto, nakasalubong niya ang isa nilang kasambahay.

"Young Miss." Nanlaki ang mga mata nito.

"Dad... where's Daddy?"

"Young Miss." Pilit siya nitong inaalalayan. "Please go back inside your room. Your wound, it will bleed. I will call Master Dominick."

"T-thanks," nakangiwing sabi niya, saka naglakad uli pabalik sa kuwarto niya. Ginawa niyang alalay sa bigat niya ang IV pole na hila-hila.

Nang makaupo sa gilid ng kama, tamang-tama naman na humahangos na pumasok ang ama niya sa kuwarto at nakasunod dito si King.

"Princess!" Agad siyang nilapitan ng ama at maingat na niyakap. "You made worried! Are you feeling okay?"

Sinubukan niyang ngumiti para sa ama. "I'm feeling fine, Daddy. I can take the pain."

"Of course, because you're in pain reliever," sabi ng ama niya, saka hinaplos ang pisngi niya. "Your wound..." Tiningnan nito ang mga sugat niya, saka napabuntong-hininga. "It wasn't deep but still, you need to rest, princess."

"I will... later." Umayos siya ng upo.

"What happened out there, princess?" tanong ng ama.

Huminga muna si Happy nang malalim bago nagkuwento. "I was going to my car when this man came behind me and his gun was on my back. I, ahm, made a run for it after I kicked him in the jewel, but he immediately catches up and he keeps on shooting me."

"Did you know why that man did that?" her father asked.

Umiling siya, kapagkuwan ay natigilan nang may naalala. "He said, ahm, his boss wants me alive or something like that. He wants to kidnap me, I think. Kidnap for ransom, maybe?"

Tumango ang ama niya, saka nilingon si King. "Go get the chief of police. We will find the boss of that bastard."

Tumango si King, saka nagmamadaling lumabas ng kuwarto.

"Don't worry, princess." Inalalayan siya ng kanyang ama pahiga, saka kinumutan. "I will not rest until whoever did this you is apprehended. You can count on your old man, you know that, right?"

Tumango siya, saka tipid na ngumiti. "Thank you, Daddy, for keeping me safe."

Bumakas ang lungkot sa mukha ng ama niya. "But I failed this time, princess..." sabi nito habang hinahaplos ang pisngi niya. "You got shot. I'm the worst dad."

Mahina siyang natawa sa pagdadrama nito. "Dad, when it comes to keeping me safe and unharmed, you're good at it. But I have to agree with your last statement that you're the worst because King told me two days ago that you were gambling again."

Her father stilled. "That is... not entirely true."

She looked at him. "Do you want me to get angry at you, Dad?"

Napangiwi ito. "Ahm... I won?"

Happy sighed. "Dad, stop gambling."

Her father sighed. "Fine. I love you, princess." Hinalikan siya nito sa noo. "You rest, okay? I'll make sure you'll be safe the next time you step out in this house."

Tinitigan niya ito, saka napailing at napabuntong-hininga, "Dad, I know that glint in your eyes."

"Princess—"

"You are not going to get me a bodyguard." Nalukot ang mukha niya. "Midnight didn't train me for nothing. I can protect myself—"

"Like what happened tonight?" Sumeryoso ang mukha ng ama niya. "This bodyguard that I'm going to get you, he's not gonna be an annoying bodyguard like the last one when you were in college. You won't even know he's there and he will take the bullet for you."

Kumunot ang noo niya sa huli nitong sinabi. "Take the bullet? Who would do that? Even if you pay him thousands of dollars, no bodyguard is on his right mind to take the bullet for me. It's like asking someone to die for me."

Her father smiled triumphantly. "I already have someone in mind."

"Who?"

"Secret," her father said in a singsong voice. "Anyway, you rest. I'll take care of everything. Ang daddy mo na ang bahala sa lahat."

Hearing her father spoke in Tagalog, it made her smile. "I miss that language."

Mahinang tumawa ang ama niya. "Hindi ka ba tina-Tagalog ni Lucky kapag tumatawag ka?"

"Iba naman si Lucky kasi sa phone 'yon."

"Still..." Kapagkuwan ay bumakas ang lungkot sa mukha nito nang parang may naalala. "By the way, I forgot to tell you because I was busy. Blake called me last week. Buntis daw si Lucky at ayaw nang uminom ng gamot."

"She told me too." Bumuntong-hininga siya. "What are we going to do, Dad? I'm worried."

"I'm already contacting everyone who excels in the medical field. Hindi natin pababayaan ang kapatid mo. She will deliver the baby safely without sacrificing herself. Hindi ako makakapayag. Nakakasama pa nga lang natin siya. I will do everything I can, princess, don't worry."

"Thanks, Daddy. I miss Lucky," sabi niya, saka napasimangot. "I miss Philippines."

Nanunudyo ang tingin sa kanya ng ama. "Pilipinas ba talaga ang na-miss mo o 'yong lalaking nakatira sa Pilipinas na ang pangalan ay Blaze Vitale?"

Mahinang natawa si Happy. "Akala ko ba you're angry at him?"

Nagkibit-balikat lang ito, saka bumuntong-hininga. "Still no news of Midnight by the way."

That saddened her. "Can't we look for him?"

"Do you want me to?"

Napatitig siya sa laptop niya sa study table kung saan naka-insert sa USB port ang flash drive ni Midnight at hanggang sa mga sandaling 'yon ay wala pa ring laman. "I'm still waiting for something. Maybe next week, I'll get my answers."

Tumango ang ama niya. "Just tell me, okay?"

Tumango siya. "Thanks, Daddy."

Hinalikan siya sa noo ng ama, saka nagpaalam na. Pero bago ito makalabas ng kuwarto ay humarap uli sa kanya.

"Princess, how about getting a matching tattoo for my birthday?"

Napangiwi siya sa tanong nito. "Dad... no."

"Come on." Her father was acting like a kid again. "'Yon na lang ang regalo mo sa akin."

"No."

"Please? For me? You love me, right? Just one tattoo, for me? It'll make me very happy to have a matching tattoo with you. As father and daughter. I really want one when I saw this guy on TV. It's so beautiful and they're really close and we are close. Please, princess?"

Napabuga na lang ng marahas na hininga si Happy. "Fine, but just a small one. When?"

"This week. Hopefully."

Happy sighed again. "Okay."

Her dad grinned at her. "Thanks, princess," sabi nito bago lumabas ng kuwarto niya at isinara ang pinto.

Nang siya na lang mag-isa, napatitig siya sa kisame.

A tattoo, huh? Her father was getting crazier and weirder every day. But if it would make him happy, she would sacrifice a small part of her skin for him.

But a tattoo, really? It reminded her of someone.

Blaze Vitale.

CECELIB | C.C.