Hello To Kharen Joy Tandoy.

CHAPTER 40

IT WAS ONE of those weirdest weddings but Happy couldn't help smiling. Her and Blaze's parents were both present, Luther was also there, so were Lucky and Blaze. Hindi nga lang personal, kundi sa video call lang.

Yrozz set it all up so their family could witness their union without travelling for so many hours. At ayaw ni Blaze na ipagpaliban ang kasal nila kahit ilang araw lang.

So they settled with video call. Together with some of Blaze's friends. Knight who came with Valerian and Shun. Nate came but only to deliver the cake. May emergency daw kasi ito. At sina Titus naman at Phoenix, nasa malayong lugar dahil nagbabakasyon na naman kasama ang pamilya ng mga ito. At hindi nakarating si Khairro dahil duty daw ito at napapagalitan na dahil palagi raw nawawala.

"Kane," sabi ni Knight nang makita si Kane na nakatayo sa tabi ni Yrozz. "It's been a long time. How have you been?"

Kane nodded. "I'd been well, Your Highness..."

Knight sighed before looking at Kane questioningly. "Bakit nandito ka pa, Kane?"

Kane looked down. "It's my job, Your Highness."

Napailing si Knight, saka humarap kay Blaze. "Vitale, you do realize that it's way pass midnight already?" sabi nito na napapailing pa. "Kailangan na ba talaga n'yong magpakasal ngayon?"

Agad na tumango si Blaze. "I can't wait."

Shun tsked. "Welcome to the club, bud."

"Yeah. Welcome to the understanding fuckable club," sabi ni Valerian na mukhang maayos na ang lagay ng likod.

Akmang magsasalita uli si Knight nang may makakuha sa atensiyon nito. Ang laptop ni Shun kung saan nakakonekta ang tawag nila sa ama niya.

Knight's lips actually parted like he was mesmerized at what he was seeing.

Her father.

"Knight, you're getting fucking creepy," sabi ni Valerian na napailing pa. "It's like you're seeing a high almighty."

Itinuro nito ang ama niya. "It's the former second Arkhon... wow... fuck... fuck..."

Natawa siya. Seeing Knight's face... he really adored her father.

"Sir..." Bahagya itong yumukod sa harap ng laptop, sa harap ng ama niya. "It's nice to see you again. Wow... it's such a pleasure to meet the legendary Arkhon."

Nangingiti ang ama niya. While Tito Von had a deadpan expression on his face as he looked at his father.

"Thank you, Knight," sabi ng ama niya na may sinusupil na ngiti.

"You're a legend," sabi ni Knight nang buong paghanga. "Your accomplishments... it's amazing..."

Tito Von snorted. "Have you forgotten that I was there with you? Saving your jackass ass?"

Her father tsked. "You're such an attention whore, Von Per."

"Says the guy who's blushing."

Her father glared at Tito Von. "Because I'm a legend. Gago!"

Napailing na lang si Happy at napabaling kay Blaze na kinakausap ng judge. At laking gulat niya nang hanapan ng judge si Blaze ng mga requirements para sa civil wedding nila at may naipakita ito agad.

Napatanga siya kay Blaze. "Seriously?"

Blaze shrugged. "I'm a boy scout, baby. Noong pa lang pumayag kang maging girlfriend ko, inasikaso ko na 'to."

Nakatanga pa rin siya rito "Wow... masyado kang in love sa akin, Blazey-baby."

Blaze chuckled. "Yeah. That's true."

"Fuck! This is weird!" reklamo ni Luther habang inaayos ang tie ng tuxedo na suot habang karga naman ng asawa nitong si Amethyst ang anak na si Logan. "I'm actually dressing up to attend a wedding via video call. This is fucked up, Blaze! Fucked up!"

"At least, inimbitahan ka," sabi ni Blake.

Agad na tumalim ang mukha ni Luther. "Kung nasa harap lang kita ngayong 'tang-ina ka, ginilitan na kita."

"Please don't hurt my Blakey-baby," sabad ni Lucky sa mahinang boses na parang pagod. Medyo halata na ang tiyan nito.

"I'm happy for you two," nakangiting sabi ni Tita Beth sa kanila habang katabi nitong nakaupo si Bailey na kumakaway sa camera.

"I am honored to be invited," sabi ng ama ni King na pilit na namamagitan sa ama niya at kay Tito Von.

"I'm letting you marry my daughter, you dumbass, because she loves you!" pagdadrama ng ama niya na may paduro-duro pa sa camera. "But your first born will not use your surname. It's gonna be a Quinn to continue the family's legacy. If you're okay with that, then say I do. If it's not okay with you, I will assassinate you!"

Tito Von tsked. "Stop threatening my son, you dick. I'll assassinate you too if you even dare." Then he looked at the camera and he talked to Blaze. "It's the law, son. If the Arkhon is a woman and had a child, the child will take on the surname of the mother, but only the first born. The rest will all be Vitale."

"Okay lang ba sa iyo?" may pag-aalalang tanong niya kay Blaze.

He nodded without hesitation. "The child is still mine, baby. My surname or yours, I'm still the baby's daddy. No one can change that."

That made her smile. "So, you really wanna marry me?"

Blaze grinned. "Badly."

Napailing si Happy. "Palagi kang ganito, pini-pressure mo ako. When you proposed, nasa car tayo at you got shot. 'Tapos noong nagpa-engagement ring tattoo tayo, nanggulat ka rin. And now this. You're always catching me off guard."

Blaze's grin widened. "Kasi hindi ka nakakapag-isip nang mabuti kapag ginugulat kita. That's the key. At oo, sinasamantala ko na mahal mo ako." Pagkatapos bumaling ito sa judge na kanina pa nakatayo at handang umpisahan ang kasal nila. "Mag-umpisa na tayo, judge. Baka magbago pa ang isip nitong mapapangasawa ko. Pikot 'to."

Malakas siyang natawa, saka napailing. "You're such a gago."

Tumawa lang si Blaze at pareho silang natahimik na dalawa at pangiti-ngiti lang habang nag-uumpisa na ang seremonya ng kasal.

Yrozz, King and Kane were present, together with Knight, Valerian and Shun. 'Buti napigilan pa niya si Kane na papaalis na para gawin ang inutos niya. Gusto niyang kompleto silang pamilya sa kasal nila ni Blaze. At kasama si Yrozz, King at Kane sa pamilya niya.

"I do," sagot ni Blaze na pumukaw sa pag-iisip niya.

Kapagkuwan ay siya naman ang sunod na tinanong ng judge at "I do" din ang sagot niya. Walang pag-aalinlangan, walang pagdadalawang-isip.

"Ang singsing?" sabi ng judge.

Sabay silang bumaling ni Blaze kay Kane na siyang may hawak sa singsing nila dahil si King ang may hawak sa camera na nakatutok sa kanila.

Tahimik namang ibinigay sa kanila ni Kane ang singsing. "Thank you for letting me be a part of the ceremony."

Masuyo niyang nginitian si Kane. "We're family, remember?"

She could see Kane smiling softly. He was still wearing his leather mask but his mouth down to his chin had no cover so she could see clearly when he was being happy.

Isinuot ni Blaze ang singsing sa kanya. "I actually wanted to make a vow like Blake's. I want to make you cry in happiness because you deserve it, but this is an impromptu wedding and there's only one thing in my mind right. And that is I vow to never let you go. Magiging magulo at mahirap ang buhay natin dahil sa posisyon mo, pero handa akong harapin 'yon at hindi kita bibitawan kahit gaano pa kahirap."

Nanubig ang mga mata niya. "I'll hold on that." Isinuot niya ang singsing sa daliri nito kung saan naka-tattoo ang pangalan niya. It was like they have two rings on their ring fingers.

The first ring, the tattoo ring, was branded to their very soul and the wedding ring was for their hearts to beat as one.

"I vow to love you," sabi niya na nakangiti kay Blaze. "That's it. I got nothing. All I know now is you're worth risking for and there's no regret."

Malapad na ngumiti si Blaze at hinalikan siya bago pa magsabi ang judge na puwede na siya nitong halikan.

Natawa na lang ang judge at hinayaan sila, saka pinapirma sila sa marriage certificate, pagkatapos ay sunod na pumirma ang witness nila.

Sina King, Kane, Yrozz and Knight.

"So... does this make you four our ninongs?" Happy asked, uncertain.

Blaze chuckled. "Ang mga ninong daw ang magpapakain sa mga tao sa BV. Mga hayok ang mga tao roon, parang hindi mayayaman."

Nagtawanan sila at humarap siya sa camera na hawak pa rin ni King.

"I love you, Daddy. Love you, little sis. Love you all."

Umaakto na naman ang daddy niya na umiiyak. "My babies! They're both married to the same family!" Tiningnan nito nang masama si Tito Von. "You planned this didn't you?! My daughters! My babies!"

Tumawa lang si Tito Von, saka kinausap sila. "Marriage is not a joke you two. Always hold tight. Never let go of each other."

Her dad nodded in agreement. "Because if you let go of my daughter, Blaze Vitale, I don't care if I owe your father my life, I will kill you."

Niyakap siya ni Blaze, saka hinalikan sa gilid ng noo. "Your father is really scary."

"Yes, I am!" sigaw ng ama niya at magsasalita pa sana nang takpan ni Tito Von ang bibig nito.

"Klaus..." tawag ni Tito Von sa ama ni King. "Help me with this jackass and tranquillise him. He's so noisy!"

Tumawa naman ang ama ni King, saka bahagyang yumukod sa camera. "Congratulations, Mr. And Mrs. Vitale. May you have a prosperous life. And, King?"

"Yes, Dad?" agad na tugon ni King.

"Take good care of them. And remember what I told you before you went there."

King nodded. "They're my family."

"Good." Uncle Klaus smiled. "Congratulations again."

Nagpaalam na si Uncle Klaus at tinulungan si Tito Von na hilahin paalis ang ama niya na ikinatawa niya.

Looked like her father teammates before were also weird. Hindi lang naman pala siya ang may mga abnormal na kasama. Pero parang ang abnormal yata ang daddy niya at hindi ang mga kasama nito.

"Nadagdagan na naman ang anak kong babae," wika ni Tita Beth. "Congratulations you two. Masaya ako para sa inyo."

"Love you, Ate Happy," sabi ni Bailey.

"Love you too, baby. Love you, Tita Beth."

"It's mommy now," pagtatama sa kanya ni Tita Beth.

Napangiti siya. "Mommy... I like it. Thank you and ba-bye po."

Nakangiting kumaway ang dalawa bago nagpaalam.

"Congratulations!" sigaw naman ni Luther na ikinatawa ng asawa nito. "Blaze, you owe me a reception, man."

Amethyst chuckled. "Pagpasensiyahan mo na, Blaze. Pinapakain ko naman 'yan dito pero hayok pa rin."

"Take it back, baby," Luther demanded from Amethyst.

Amethyst answered Luther with a glare and Luther immediately smiled and became a softy.

Nang makapagpaalam ang dalawa, sina Blake at Lucky naman ang nakausap nila.

"Finally," sabi ni Blake. "You used your balls."

Natawa si Blaze. "Kumusta ka na riyan?"

"Ayos lang. kayo? Ikaw? Kumakain ka ba nang tama?" May pag-aalala sa boses ni Blake.

Blaze smiled. "Baka nakakalimutan mong may dalawa akong cook, 'yong utusan ko at ang aking..." Inakbayan siya nito. "Mahal na asawa. Mas masarap pa siyang magluto sa iyo."

Kumunot ang noo ni Blake. "Who you? Sino ka na nga? Oh, my God, why do we look-alike?"

Mahinang natawa si Lucky. "I remember Blaze saying that to you, Blakey-baby."

Blaze tsked before ending the call.

Sunod na nagpaalam sa kanila sina Knight, Valerian at Shun. Hindi na nagtagal ang mga ito. Magmamadaling araw na raw kasi at baka hinahanap na ng kanya-kanyang asawa. Bukas na lang daw babawi dahil magpapakain si Blaze sa BV. Pero bago umalis ang mga ito, kinausap muna ni Knight si Blaze.

Nang makaalis ang tatlo, nagulat si Happy nang halikan siya ni Blaze at bumulong ito sa tainga niya.

"Honeymoon?"

She chuckled. "Hmm... sa tingin mo makakalusot ka ngayon dahil asawa mo na ako? Nope. Guestroom ka pa rin."

"Baby!"

Tumawa siya, saka sinalubong si Kane na sinamahan ang judge na makalabas ng bahay. Sa bahay kasi ginanap ang kasal, sinundo lang nila ni Blaze ang judge sa bahay nito.

"I'm leaving now to hunt down Orlando, Lady Happy," paalam sa kanya ni Kane.

Tumango siya, saka niyakap ito at tinapik ang balikat. "Mag-ingat ka. Tawagan mo ako kapag nagawa mo na."

Tumango si Kane at yumukod ito kay Blaze. "I'll leave now."

Lumapit si Blaze kay Kane at tinapik ang balikat nito. "Ingat ka. Bumalik ka agad."

Tipid na ngumiti si Kane bago malalaki ang hakbang na lumabas ng bahay nila.

"Bakit ganoon?" Mahaba ang nguso na humarap siya kay Blaze. "Na-miss ko agad siya?"

"Palagi mo kasing bini-baby," sabi ni Blaze na napapailing.

"Selos ka?" nangingiting tanong nito.

Blaze chuckled. "Oddly, I'm actually not. He is twenty-eight years old but he is naïve in a lot of things. Alam mo bang hindi pa siya nalalasing sa tanang buhay niya? That guy needs a lesson on how to be confident with me and King. He is a grown man who knows nothing but fight and kill."

Napatango-tango siya. "That's true."

Napailing si Blaze, saka humarap sa kanya. "Knight told me something about Kane. Matagal na pala silang magkakilala. He told me that Kane is one of the dangerous ultors ever, and that he's unstable and he could snap anytime."

Kumunot ang noo ni Happy. "Ano'ng sabi mo sa kanya? You know Kane is not like that. Please tell me you defended him."

"I know." Blaze sighed. "I did. I told him Kane is just you know, kid at heart."

"And? What did Knight say?"

"Knight said that Kane is connected to the fourth Arkhon."

Happy froze and her heart pounded. "W-what?"

Blaze nodded. "He was the fourth Arkhon's soldier before his name was chosen by the system to be your ultor. Knight is worried that Kane might betray us."

Happy felt her heart sink but she took a deep breath and smile. "He's Kane, you know him, and he's my ultor. He will not betray us, Blaze. He will not do that to us. He's a good guy."

Blaze sighed. "I sure hope so, baby, because it will be very hard for me to kill a member of my family."

Her face saddened. "He's a good guy. Kane is like a kid in a lot of things. Maybe nagkakamali lang si Knight. Ipa-recheck mo kay Yrozz to get the facts straight. Kane will never betray us."

Tumango si Blaze, saka pinagsalikop ang kamay nilang dalawa. "Cheer up. I didn't mean to sadden you."

"Young Miss, Your Highness, the food is ready," kuha ni King sa atensiyon nila.

Pumunta naman agad sila ni Blaze sa kusina at handa na nga ang pagkain na puro fastfood lahat.

Kinunan iyon ng picture ni Happy, saka isinend kay Kane.

To: Kane

Kung hindi ka pa nakakalayo, bumalik ka. Let's it first. We got your favorite pizza.

Kane just "seen" the picture and her message and didn't reply.

To: Kane

Come back safely, okay?

Hindi uli ito nag-reply at seen lang.

To Kane

Have a safe trip.

The usual. Seen lang at hindi nag-reply.

Paulit-ulit na nagri-replay sa isip ni Happy ang sinabi ni Blaze sa kanya tungkol sa sinabi raw ni Knight dito. Na sundalo ng ikaapat na Arkhon si Kane noon. Na baka traydurin sila nito.

Marahas niyang ipinilig ang ulo, saka nagpadala uli ng mensage kay Kane.

To Kane

We're family, okay? You're family. Don't forget that. Have a safe trip and come back unscathed. Don't make me worry. I'll buy you three boxes of pizza and lots of iced americano kapag bumalik ka na, okay?

Kane just "seen" her message and didn't reply.

She blew a loud breath and stilled when Blaze kissed her temple before he whispered.

"Let's enjoy this night, baby," sabi nito. "He's family and he'll be back."

Tumango siya, saka ngumiti at kumuha ng isang slice ng pizza. "To us. Team Inseparable."

Dalawa ang pizza na hawak ni King, tig-isa sa bawat kamay at nakaangat iyon sa ere. "To us. The other one is for Kane."

Natawa siya pero lahat ay natigilan nang tumunog ang laptop ni Yrozz na para bang nagbibigay iyon ng babala.

"That's odd..." sabi ni Yrozz habang kaharap ang laptop nito at nakakunot ang noo. "The system that Phoenix installed for security purposes is picking up something."

"What?" Blaze asked while sipping fresh mango juice.

"Imposibleng magkamali ang system ni Phoenix." Yrozz looked at them with fear and worry in his eyes. "It's picking up explosive and it has just been activated. We have fifteen seconds."

"Fuck! Go!" sigaw ni Blaze at mahigpit siyang hinawakan sa kamay at hinila patakbo, palabas ng kusina gamit ang pinto sa likuran. Deretso silang tumalon sa swimming pool kasama sina Yrozz at King.

Kahit sa loob ng swimming pool, naramdaman ni Happy ang pagyanig ng lupa dahil sa malakas na pagsabog.

From the bottom of the pool, she could see the house burning!

Hawak pa rin ni Blaze ang kamay niya nang makaahon sila. Pinangko siya nito habang mabilis na umaahon sa swimming pool.

"Come on! Hurry, Yrozz! Hurry up, King!" sigaw ni Blaze habang buhat siya paahon ng swimming pool. "Come on!"

Nang umapak ang mga paa niya sa semento, nakaahon na si Yrozz habang yakap nito ang basang laptop.

"King! Come on!" sigaw ni Blaze. "We have to go! Come on!"

But no King.

Nagkatinginan silang tatlo at sabay-sabay na bumalik ang tingin sa swimming pool.

And there he was. Floating on the pool with his own blood surrounding him.

"King!" sigaw ni Yrozz.

"Fuck! King!" May pag-aalala sa boses ni Blaze.

And when King didn't move, when his body remained unmoving, Happy felt her world fell and crashed as Yrozz and Blaze went back to the pool to get him.

"No..." Her body was shaking in anger to whoever did this and fear of losing someone she already considered a family. "King!"

CECELIB | C.C.