CHAPTER 42

HAPPY WAS THE KIND of person who wanted to fight for peace without going to war and bloodshed if she could avoid it... but looking at King now, it was a lesson learned. To have peace, she had to go to war. To keep her family safe, she had to fight and kill her enemies so they wouldn't come back to haunt them.

She had to forget the meaning of mercy and kindness.

Hindi na uli masasaktan ang kahit isa sa pamilya niya. Hindi na.

Masuyo niyang hinawakan ang kamay ni King habang wala pa rin itong malay na nakaratay sa ICU.

When King flatlined, Blaze didn't stop performing a CPR while administering a medicine until King came back.

Blaze was sweaty and frantic, but he didn't let go of King even when King's heart stopped beating a couple of minutes. He didn't give up on King. Like he promised.

And when King's heartbeat came back, Blaze's hands were shaking from exhaustion.

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ni King. "Masuwerte tayo kasi mayroon tayong Blaze to take care of us," sabi niya. "He's amazing. Dapat alagaan din natin siya."

No response from King.

Bumuntong-hininga si Happy habang hawak pa rin ang kamay ni King. "Gumising ka na, King. We need you. Blaze is worried of you. Palagi kang inaaway n'on pero ang totoo importante ka sa kanya."

No response.

"Baby..." Boses iyon ni Blaze mula sa likuran niya.

Agad niya itong nilingon at nginitian nang makitang naka-doctor's robe ito. "Hey... hmm, my husband is the hot and dirty doctor."

Nakangiting lumapit ito sa kanya, saka umuklo para halikan siya sa noo. "How's my baby?"

She tried to act like she was okay. "I'm fine."

Blaze's lips thinned. "Don't lie to me, baby."

Happy lost her smile. "I'm worried of King."

Namulsa si Blaze sa suot nitong robe, saka tinitigan si King. "Gusto kong sabihin sa sarili ko na magiging okay lang siya pero hindi ko magawang lokohin ang sarili ko."

Tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo, saka masuyong pinaharap sa kanya ang asawa habang pinagsasalikop ang kamay nilang dalawa. "Magiging okay lang si King."

Blaze nodded before hugging her softly. "I'm exhausted, baby. I have so many patients since I came back. Wala na akong oras para sa asawa ko. Sorry, baby."

Happy could feel his heavy heart and she wanted to lighten up his mood. "Do you want a kiss from your baby?"

"Hindi pa ako nagtu-toothbrush," sabi nito habang pahigpit nang pahigpit ang yakap sa kanya.

"Do you want to make love with me?" she asked while encircling her arms around his neck.

He buried his face on her neck. "Hindi pa ako naliligo. Mabaho pa ako."

Mahina siyang natawa. "Mabango ka naman, ah."

"Nagpabango lang ako."

Happy chuckled. "Ano ba'ng gusto mong gawin para kahit paano ay gumaan naman ang pakiramdam mo? Do you want to go to the chapel and pray?"

Dahan-dahang pinakawalan siya sa pagkakayakap ni Blaze para titigan ang mukha niya. "Nakita kitang pumasok sa chapel kahapon, pagkatapos kaninang madaling araw, halos araw-araw... Are you okay? I don't think this is just about King. It's more than that."

Bumuga siya ng marahas na hininga bago nagbaba ng tingin at sumagot. "I went there to pray for King and to ask for forgiveness."

"Why?" She could sense a frown on Blaze's voice.

Tumingin siya rito. "I just ordered someone to kill for me," sabi niya sa mahinang boses. "Alam kong it's for justice... and I know that it's the right thing to do to keep my family safe but... taking lives, it's still a sin, Blaze. And the end doesn't justify the means so I asked God to forgive what I had done, and for what I did and for what I will do in the future."

Blaze nodded earnestly. "Killing someone... it takes away a piece of your soul, trust me, I know." He looked at her in the eyes. "It's not easy, especially in your position right now."

Huminga siya nang malalim. "What do I do, Blazey? I can't stop... not now."

He kissed her temple softly. "We cannot say that what we do is right but this is what we believe in, baby. We believe that if we take down an individual, the world will be a better place to live in, for people who can't fight for themselves. And to do that, we need to sacrifice a piece of our soul. I know that this isn't what you signed up for when you wanted to become an Arkhon, but it's part of the job and nobody said that it's gonna be an easy job. It's a burden on your shoulder. The weight might be too much for you but that's why I'm here, to help you carry the burden. Baby, I'm not just your hippeis anymore, I'm also your husband. Talk to me. I might be able to help."

Tumango si Happy, saka mahigpit na niyakap ang asawa. "Mahal kita, Blaze. Love na love kita."

"Mahal din kita," bulong nito sa kanya at niyapos ang katawan niya. "Mahal na mahal."

Ilang segundo pa silang nagyakapan bago naghiwalay ang katawan nila dahil tumunog ang cell phone niya.

"I have to take this," sabi niya kay Blaze at sinagot ang tawag at lumabas ng ICU. "Nysza, you have good news for me?"

"The fourth Arkhon's hippeis had been disposed," wika ni Nysza sa kalmadong boses. "Sir Chaos made sure that Orlando experienced excruciating pain before death took him."

Happy felt bad but she needed to do this for the safety of her loved ones. "Thank you, Nysza. May balita ka ba sa akin tungkol sa ikaapat na Arkhon?"

"He hasn't been seen yet," sabi ni Nysza. "But if he make even just a little mistake, even just a shadow of himself, I'll be there to end his existence."

Lihim na napabuntong-hininga si Happy. "Okay... thank you. What about Kane?"

"My men just caught him," sagot nito. "He's on his way to the Philippines' HQ. We took necessary precautions in dealing with him. He is after all a monster. We cannot let our guards down."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Paano n'yo siya nahuli?"

"I think he let us catch him," sagot ni Nysza. "He's planning something, Lady Happy. And I'll bet my life that it's not good."

Hinilot ni Happy ang sentido. "Thank you for the warning, Nysza."

"You're welcome, my lady," sagot ni Nysza, "It's nice to finally have a woman as an Arkhon. I'll support you all the way. I will have your back, that I promise."

"Thank you, Nysza." 'Yon lang ang sinabi ni Happy bago nagpaalam at pinatay ang tawag.

After what Kane did to them—to her, she already lost the capability to give her trust so easily. She had to be vigilant. This life was not for softhearted.

"You look stressed." Boses iyon ni Blaze mula sa likuran niya.

Humarap siya sa asawa. "A little."

Her husband smiled. "What can I do to make you feel better?"

Ngumiti siya nang may pilyang ideya na pumasok sa isip niya. "Be my Channing Tatum in Magic Mike?"

Blaze chuckled. "Sorry, baby, I'm not good in dancing."

Happy pouted. "Maybe I shouldn't have said yes. Dapat pinasayaw muna pala kita as a requirement. Nami-miss ko nang humiyaw dahil sa lalaking sumasayaw at naghuhubad."

Pinaningkitan siya ng mga mata ni Blaze. "Ang sama mo, mas gusto mo ang stripper kaysa sa akin. Hindi ako magaling gumiling o sumayaw na magpapatili sa iyo pero nasisiguro kong kaya kitang pasigawin sa ibang paraan at hindi lang 'yon ang kaya kong gawin." He took a threatening step towards her. "I can make you scream, moan and beg."

Happy smiled before she tiptoed and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "Kaya asawa kita, eh. You're very skilled and talented. No wonder pinakasalan kita."

Ang seryosong mukha ni Blaze ay bigla na lang tumawa. "You're very naughty."

"You taught me well."

Blaze laughed a little. "That's my wife."

Natawa na rin siya pero agad ding nawala 'yon nang makita si Yrozz na tumatakbo palapit sa kanila.

"What is it?" agad niyang tanong ng makalapit ito sa kanya. "Something happened?"

Agad nitong ihinarap sa kanya ang screen ng laptop. "We lost twenty men in Singapore and ten in Thailand. The Triad got them and beheaded them in front of the camera and they sent it to the Org."

Yrozz played the video and the monstrosity made her question humanity. May mga tao talagang kayang gawin 'yon sa kapwa nila. Para sa ano? Para sa anong ipinaglalaban?

Napapikit si Happy nang makitang pinugutan ng ulo ang miyembro ng organisasyon na nakaluhod at nakatingin sa camera. Katatapos lang makiusap ng mga ito na alagaan niya ang iiwan nitong pamilya.

"Declaration of war," Blaze whispered.

Nagsitaasan ang mga balahibo niya kasabay ng pagtatagis ng mga bagang.

"Hindi ito bago," sabi ni Yrozz. "Gawain na talaga 'to ng Triad sa mga nahuhuli ng mga itong kasapi ng Organisasyon."

Nanlalamig ang kamay na isinara niya ang laptop ni Yrozz at tinawagan si Knight. "Those men in the video, make sure that their family are safe and well taken care of. Those countries are under your command, Knight, if this happens again, I will hold you responsible."

"I understand," sagot ni Knight na nasa kabilang linya. "It was my fault, Lady Happy—"

"Walang may gustong mangyari 'yon. Ang mahalaga sa akin ay hindi na 'yon maulit pa at wala nang pamilyang mawalan ng minamahal nila. I'll give you one week to fix this. And what I mean by fix it is blow their headquarters until there's nothing left. If it's still not done in a week, you will not like what I will do."

"I'm taking care of the heads first—"

"Leave those monsters to me," sabi niya sa kalmadong boses pero kumukulo naman siya sa galit. "I don't care how many they are, Knight. You will kill every member of the Triad that you can find here in Asia together with Chaos. We will leave no survivor. We will not give them a chance to retaliate, you understand me?"

Natahimik si Knight ng ilang segundo. "Okay ka lang ba? You don't sound good."

"Nothing." Her lips thinned. "May mga tao talaga na kailangang patayin para matahimik tayong lahat."

What she said silenced Knight.

Pinatay niya ang tawag pagkatapos magpaalam sa kausap, saka tinawagan si Nysza. "I will send you twenty names," sabi niya. "Kill them all before the next week ends."

"Yes, my lady."

"Thank you." Pinatay niya ang tawag, saka humarap kay Yrozz. "Magpadala ka ng dalawampung pangalan kay Nysza na nakalista sa Asya. And monitor her and Knight's movements. I want to know what they do under my order."

Blaze frowned at her. "You wanna spy on your own people?"

Happy frowned back. "Bakit? Hindi ba puwede? Kung wala naman silang itinatago hindi problema 'yon."

Tinitigan siya ni Blaze na para bang nag-aalala ito sa kanya. "Baby, something is not right with you. May kailangan ba akong malaman? Sa inaakto mo kasi ngayon parang wala kang tiwala sa sarili mong tauhan—"

"The last time I trusted someone so easily, he burned me." Her teeth gritted.

"Baby, not everyone is like Kane—"

"You don't know that." Her anger was building again. "Tinrato natin siyang pamilya, minahal na parang nakababatang kapatid, pinakisamahan nang maayos, pero nagawa niya pa rin tayong traydurin. Ano pa kaya ang mga taong hindi ko gaaanong kakilala? They could betray me—us—anytime they please. So why would I trust them?"

Lumambot ang mukha ni Blaze. "Baby, not everyone in the Organization is like Kane."

"That's not how I see it now," mahina ang boses niyang bulong. "After what happened, I learned one thing from it, be careful who you trust," sabi niya, saka pumasok uli sa ICU.

I will not make the same mistake by trusting someone so easily again. Hindi niya hahayaang magbayad ang pamilya niya sa kahinaan niya.

PINAKATITIGAN NI BLAZE ang asawa na nasa loob ng ICU na titig na titig kay King. That look in her eyes earlier—he knew that look. Doubt to everything that was being offered to her. He'd been there and it wasn't a good place to be.

"She's not all right," sabi ni Yrozz na nakatingin din kay Happy mula sa labas ng glass wall ng ICU. "Something is definitely wrong with her. Since when she started doubting people around her?"

Blaze sighed. "What Kane did... it messed her up and she lost her trust."

Yrozz sighed too. "Napansin ko nga. She hasn't been right since that day. Nag-aalala ako sa kanya. And King being in a coma is making it worse."

Blaze nodded in agreement. "Napansin ko rin. Hinahayaan ko lang siya pero mukhang kailangan ko na siyang kausapin."

"Maybe talking to her is a good idea. By the way..." Yrozz cut him off. "Malapit ko nang matapos 'yong encryption ng file ni Midnight. Just two codes left."

Tumango siya. "Thank you."

Tumango si Yrozz at nagpaalam na aalis na para gawin ang inutos ni Happy. Siya naman ay bumalik sa loob ng ICU at nilapitan ang asawa, saka hinawakan ang kamay nito.

"Baby, can we talk?" malambing niyang sabi.

Agad namang tumango si Happy pero parang wala ito sa sarili. It was like she was there, but not really there.

She's really messed up.

Iniyakap niya sa likod ng baywang nito ang braso niya, saka iginiya ito palabas ng ICU, patungong rooftop.

And as they leaned in against the rooftop's railing, she glanced at him.

"What is it?" Happy asked.

Tumingin siya sa mga mata nito. "Are you okay? Something bothering you?"

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay nito. "What do you mean? I'm fine."

Umiling siya. "You're not. I can tell. It's been a week since King's operation and I understand that you're having a hard time but... something is different with you, baby. It's like you're changing."

Happy looked down to the street. "Change is the only constant thing in this world... and death."

"Baby—"

"I have to change, Blaze." Determination glistened on her eyes. "Because if I don't, the people I love and treasure will be hurt because of my stupidity, my recklessness and just for being me. Just like what happened to King. Hindi 'yon puwedeng mangyari sa iyo o kay Yrozz o sa kahit sino sa pamilya ko. And if changing can keep you all safe, I'm willing to do it."

Napatitig si Blaze sa kalangitan. "Change is okay, baby, but don't force it to you, let it work through you."

"I have to force myself to change, Blaze." Happy looked down. "Because if I don't, I will get you killed and everyone I love."

Blaze looked at Happy. Hinawi niya ang ilang hibla ng buhok na tumatabing sa mukha nito dahil nililipad iyon ng hangin. "I know that change is the only constant thing in this world but you don't force change. You let it soak you and let it work through you... not force it to you because you'll end up adjusting and it'll be hard for you."

Happy bit her lower lip as she nodded. "I'm not used to adjusting because I was raised not to adjust to anyone... but, this is different, Blazey. This is not just about me anymore. This is bigger than me. I have to adjust because the situation will not adjust for me. It's not easy, but I have to. I now have a responsibility to other people, I now have people depending on me. And because of me, because of this war, there are women who doesn't have a husband anymore. Mother who lost their sons. Kids who lost their dads. People who lost their friends. It's all on me."

"It's not your fault—"

"But it is..." Happy whispered. "They are my responsibility and I failed them, like how I failed King. Ayokong dumating ang panahon na pati ikaw mabigo ko. I'm not gonna fail you, Blaze. I'm not..."

Blaze sighed. "This is happening because of what Kane did... That motherfucker messed you up."

Umiling si Happy. "He opened my eyes, Blazey. He opened my eyes to the real world."

"Baby..."

"I'm fine. I will be fine." She smiled. "I have to."

Bago pa siya makasagot kay Happy, tumunog ang cell phone niya. Kinuha niya iyon sa bulsa ng doctor's robe at sinagot nang makitang ang ICU ang tumatawag sa kanya.

"Dr. Vitale speaking. What is it?" he asked.

"Mr. Zabat is awake, Doc," sabi ng nurse na nasa kabilang linya.

"I'm coming." Pinatay niya ang tawag, saka pinagsalikop ang kamay nila ng asawa. "Come on. King is awake."

Agad na nagliwanag ang buong mukha ni Happy sinabi niya. It was like a piece of her soul came back to her eyes as it glistened in happiness.

Yep. Even if she changed, she would always be the Happy he met and fell in love with.

Nang makasakay sila sa elevator, agad niyang niyakap ang asawa nang mahigpit.

"Blaze—"

"I'm sorry," sabi niya, saka isinubsob ang mukha sa leeg ng asawa. "I'm sorry because I doubted the changes I saw in you. I was afraid that it'll change who you are and I was being selfish for thinking that way."

She hugged him back, then caressed his back lovingly. "Changes are scary, but I want to change for the better. Ako pa rin naman 'to, may pagbabago lang ng kaunti, and hopefully, para 'yon sa ikabubuti ko at nating lahat. I will not fail you, Blaze. I will not fail the people who trusts me because I know what it's like to feel betrayed by the person you trusted."

Blaze kissed her wife's neck. "I love you."

"I love you too," she replied.

A smile stretched his lips as his heart had beat faster than normal.

"Malapit na tayo sa floor natin," wika ni Happy na itinutulak siya para pakawalan ito sa pagkakayakap. "Mas sasakay yata."

"Hayaan mo sila," sabi niya habang yakap pa rin ang asawa. "Asawa naman kita."

"Kahit na—"

"Let them be."

Hindi niya binitawan si Happy kahit pa may sumakay na mga bantay ng pasyente at mga nurse.

"Pasensiya na," hingi ng tawad ni Happy sa mga kasama nila sa elevator. "Stress lang ang asawa ko."

Kinagat-kagat niya ang balat sa leeg nito at pinaglandas ang dulo ng dila pababa roon.

"Bakit ang bango mo?" pabulong niyang tanong.

Kinurot siya ng asawa bilang sagot.

He licked her neck again and whispered, "Bakit ang sarap mo?"

Kinurot ni Happy ang tagiliran niya. "Tumahimik ka."

He chuckled. "Bakit ang ganda mo?"

"Nasa lahi namin," sagot ni Happy.

"Bakit ang guwapo ko?" tanong niya.

"Kasi asawa kita," sagot ni Happy, saka kinurot uli siya bago nauna nang lumabas nang bumukas ang elevator sa floor nila.

Natatawa na lang siyang sumunod dito. Kapagkuwan ay bumilis ang hakbang niya patungong ICU.

Nanatili lang sa labas si Happy habang siya ay dumeretso sa loob ng ICU para tingnan ang lagay ni King. He was still weak, but the motherfucker was awake.

"Good to have you back, jackass," sabi niya bago sinuri ang lagay ni King.

Blaze performed a series of test to make sure that King was physically and mentally okay by testing some part of his body and testing his memories of what happened and his brain capacity.

So far, so good. Thank God!

"W-what h-happened?" Namamalat ang lalamunan ni King at halos wala iyong tunog.

"I had the worst wedding reception ever," sagot niya.

King frowned. "Y-you didn't r-realize that s-sooner?"

Blaze tsked. "Dapat talaga hinayaan na lang kitang mamatay," sabi niya na napailing pa. "Your heart stopped beating and I did a CPR on you for five fucking minutes, you motherfucker, and this is how you repay me?"

King grimaced. "P-please t-tell me that you d-didn't give me a m-mouth to mouth r-resuscitation."

"Fuck you," sabi niya.

King grunted. "P-please g-give me a p-peace of m-m-mind."

Blaze chuckled. "I won't tell you then."

"Y-Your H-highness!"

"You'd been out for a week by the way," imporma niya kay King. "Akala ko nga hindi ka na magigising na 'tang-ina ka. Ipapalibing na sana kita, eh."

"D-dick," King groaned.

Natawa siya, saka sinenyasan si Happy na pumasok.

Halos tumakbo ito papasok at sinugod ng maingat na yakap si King.

"Thank God you're okay!"

Blaze held Happy's shoulder to pry her away from King. "Jealous husband here."

Agad namang pinakawalan ni Happy sa pagkakakayap si King at nginitian ito. "Pinag-alala mo ako," sabi nito. "Don't do that to me again. Akala ko mawawala ka na. I keep on begging to God to save you."

King gave Happy a weak smile. "I'm okay n-now I g-guess but did you find out w-who bombed the house?"

Tumingin sa kanya si Happy bago sumagot. "I will fill you in once you get better." Nginitian nito si King. "Get well soon, okay?"

Tumango si King. "Thanks for taking care of me." Then he looked at him. "I will assume that you're my doctor, so thanks, Your Highness."

Blaze nodded. "Ako pa? Magaling ako, ano."

King actually snorted before someone caught his attention from outside the ICU's glass wall.

King smiled. "Even when I'm in the ICU, that fucker still has emotionless eyes."

Sabay silang napatingin ni Happy sa tinitingnan ni King.

Blaze saw red when he saw who it was. His teeth gritted, he was livid and his blood boiling as he spoke his name in so much disdain.

"Kane."

CECELIB | C.C.