CHAPTER 46

HAPPY WAS BUSY in front of her laptop, conversing with Yrozz who was in the other side of the world with Kane, fighting the Triad. It had been two weeks since she arrived in Pennsylvania and she gave all her time on taking down Triad's HQs. From Asia to North and South America.

She never stopped working. She focussed all her time on her goal, to defeat the Triad and make a difference. That, and to keep herself sane.

"The Triad's HQ in Taiwan had been destroyed, members had been disposed of and some were on jail. We already have the control in Knight's domain while in Chaos' domain, we're having a hard time controlling the other countries. But we'll get there, Boss."

Tumango siya. "Good. As much as possible, dispose every high ranking official in the Triad. Don't leave any survivor, only the lower ranks. We're also making progress here in North America. In the South, it's a bloody battle."

"We can do it," sabi ni Yrozz, saka ngumiti. "How are you, by the way? You okay, Boss?"

Tipid siyang ngumiti. "Yes. I'm okay."

Yrozz's face softened. "You're not a good liar."

"That's because I hate lying." Mahina siyang natawa, saka napailing. "But I'm okay. How's Kane?"

"Sleeping," sagot ni Yrozz. "Mamaya namin papasukin ang HQ ng Triad dito sa 'Pinas. Kailangan niya ng pahinga."

She nodded. "That's good. Keep Kane safe, okay? Ingat ka rin."

Tumango si Yrozz, saka pinakatitigan siya nito sa camera. "We talk everyday for two weeks, but you haven't asked me about him."

Happy took a deep breath. "Would it change a thing?"

"Do you wanna know what he's been up to lately?"

Hindi na hinintay ni Yrozz ang sagot niya. Nagsalita na ito at nagkuwento.

"Sa barn siya ni Lysander natutulog. At wala siyang ginawa kundi ang uminom. Oddly, he only visited Cassie once. Hindi na siya bumalik. Then he went back to the penthouse to take some stuff. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng kinuha niya sa kuwarto n'yo. Basta umalis na lang siya at umiinom lang siya nang umiinom hanggang sa malasing siya. Knight and Shun visited him and tried to take away his wedding ring for prank purposes. Guess what happened to Knight and Shun? He broke Knight's arm and sent Shun to the hospital. And Blaze barely eats or sleeps. He's always drinking and it's not right anymore."

Nanatili siyang tahimik.

"Boss—"

"It's his life," sabi niya sa walang emosyong boses. "If he wants to spend it that way, I have no control over it. He knows where I am, Yrozz. Hindi ako nagtatago sa kanya. Kung gusto niya, puwede niya akong puntahan pero siguro sinisisi pa rin niya ako sa mga nangyari. Maybe it was my fault but I'm done wallowing with my guilt, Yrozz. Wala na akong magagawa kahit magsisi pa ako sa mga nangyari. It's already done. Cassie is already dead because of me. All I can do is make my life worth it of Cassie's death. Hindi ko sasayangin ang buhay ko. Cassie died because of me and I wanna say thank you by spending my life in important matters like defeating the Triad who violated and killed her." Her lips thinned. "Next time, don't tell me anything about him. If I wanna know, I'll ask."

"Yes, Boss."

Pinatay niya ang video call, saka napabaling sa pinto ng kuwarto nang may tumikhim doon.

"Hey, princess—"

"I told you to leave me alone," agad niyang sabi.

"Princess—"

"Please... I need space."

Umiling ang ama niya. "I've given you two weeks of space. Hinayaan kitang hindi ako pansinin. But not anymore. I know my fault, princess. I know what I did was wrong but I only did it because I love you."

"The end doesn't justify the means," sagot niya. "You taught me that."

Lumapit sa kanya ang ama, saka lumuhod ito sa harap niya habang nakaupo siya sa gilid ng kama. "I'm sorry," sabi nito habang mahigpit na hawak ang kamay niya. "I was desperate to save you. To keep you safe. It was just a precaution in case something went wrong. I know it was bad. I know my fault, princess. But I would never let anything bad happen to you."

"Please don't kneel." Her eyes watered. "Someone died because of me... nothing can change that."

"I know I can't change that. But If I have to do it again for you or for Lucky, for my daughters, I will, in a heartbeat. I will not hesitate."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. "Dad!"

"I'm serious, Happy. That's how much I love and treasure you and Lucky." Hinalikan ng ama niya ang likod ng kanyang kamay. "Your mom left when you were two years old but she came back when you were four. Busy ako sa Organisasyon no'n. Iniwan lang kita sa bahay with your nanny. I was busy protecting the innocent that I forget to protect my little princess at home. Your mom bombed our house while you're inside. Everyone died, except you but you were severely injured. You were dying when I saw you. My princess is dying. I called all the good doctors in the world to save you. More than fifteen surgeries later, they did. The fixed you up but you were in coma.

"I was in hell. Ang dami kong pinrotektahang tao pero ang sarili kong anak hindi ko naprotektahan. I was angry, as years passed, I got angrier. I started to stop believing on what I believe in, what I'm fighting for. Because every time I look at you, I can see my failure. I failed my princess. My own flesh and blood. My family. So, when your mother strikes again, in the hospital you were in, and she nearly killed you, that's when I came up with the plan to trick the Triad. I trusted your mother with everything that's why my safe houses aren't secured. Nothing is secured. Everything has been compromised. I know my plan to use another girl to trick the Triad was bad, but I was only thinking of you. Ikaw lang ang nasa isip ko. It's selfish, I know, but I will do anything for my daughters. I will kill and die to protect you."

"Daddy..." Namamalisbis na ang luha sa mga mata niya.

"So, I went on with my plan, however bad it was. I continued it. I used another girl to fool the Triad. A mistaken identity while I keep you safe in Berkshire. I didn't see you for years since you were transferred to Berkshire, afraid that the Triad can tail me. They have eyes everywhere. I didn't see you for more than three years. And when the Triad was closing in on Cassie, I told her to pack up because I'm taking her somewhere safe. She already agreed to leave with me but she didn't arrive in our meeting place. Akala ko ayaw niyang iwan si Blaze. And then I found out what happened to her, I went to every HQ the Triad has in the Philippines, I was trying to save her but I was already too late. She was already dead. An innocent girl died because of me. Natakot ako na sapitin mo ang sinapit niya, so I renounce my position without telling anyone and hid myself with you. So, I can immediately rescue you if something went bad.

"And when you woke up, when you looked at me and saw me as a perfect loving dad, I was so afraid to tell you the truth. Kasi alam kong mangyayari 'to. I don't want to lose that look in your eyes when you look at me. Love. The look in your eyes when you arrived here two weeks ago, the hatred in your eyes, it was killing me, princess. Every time you look at me with hatred, it's like I'm being murdered again and again and again.

"Bilang ama, bilang magulang, walang mas sasakit pa na makita ang pinakamamahal niyang anak na galit sa kanya dahil sa kasalanan niya. Please, princess, I'm begging you... please, patawarin mo na si Daddy. Nagmamakaawa ako, prinsesa ako. Ngitian mo na si Daddy. Miss na miss na kita. Miss na miss ko na ang prinsesa ko."

Namamalisbis ang luha na niyakap ni Happy ang ama, saka isinubsob ang mukha niya sa balikat nito. Hindi siya nagsalita, basta umiyak lang siya nang umiyak hanggang sa humapdi ang mga mata niya.

She let all the pain go through her tears and painful sobs while hugging her father who just hugged her without saying a word.

Hinahagod lang nito ang likod niya habang umiiyak siya nang walang patid.

Hindi alam ni Happy kung ilang minuto o ilang oras siyang umiyak nang umiyak habang yakap ang ama. Nang kumawala siya sa yakap nito, mahapding-mahapdi ang mga mata niya. At agad na tinuyo nito ang luha niya bago umupo sa tabi niya, sa gilid ng kama.

"Your sobs... I can feel your pain. I'm so sorry, princess."

She sobbed again. "Bakit hindi mo sa akin sinabi ang tungkol kay Cassie? If I have known what happened to her, I wouldn't have entangled myself with Blaze."

Tipid na ngumiti ang ama niya. "You liked him the moment you saw him. Nakita ko 'yon sa mga mata mo. Kahit sabihin mo sa akin noon na gusto mo lang siya, I know, deep down, you already love him. Hindi mo lang alam kasi unang beses mo 'yong naramdaman."

"But Cassie... she died because of me."

"At kasalanan ko 'yon, hindi sa iyo kaya huwag mong akuin. The burden and the guilt should only be carried by me. Mine alone. Hindi mo alam ang ginawa ko. Wala kang kasalanan. Desisyon ko 'yon."

"That's not how Blaze sees it," she whispered.

"He's just mad, princess," her father said whole caressing her damp cheek. "Imagine him knowing the reason of the death of the woman and his unborn child whom he loved for eleven years. It's not easy to accept. And I know it's not easy for you too, hearing him blamed you. King told me. I'd put you two in a very painful experience but this, take this as a test on your relationship. This is a test if he really loves you as you or if he's still carrying a torch for Cassie."

Happy's heart ached. "It's the latter, Daddy. Wala nga siya, 'di ba?"

"Princess..." Hinaplos nito ang buhok niya. "Distance makes the heart grow fonder."

"Is that even true?"

Her dad smiled. "Princess, 'yong distansiya raw, nakakabaliw, lalo na kapag mahal mo ang isang tao. Siguradong nababaliw na si Blaze ngayon."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Bakit parang sure na sure ka?"

"I have my ways." He grinned. "I know what he'd been doing for the past weeks. He visited Cassie once to give her a cyclamen. That flower means good-bye. And then the stuff he took from your room are his clothes and yours." He sighed. "Look, princess, kasal kayo. Kung ayaw na niya talaga sa iyo, madali lang namang itapon ang wedding ring n'yo. 'Yon ang ginawa ko sa wedding ring namin ni Helena. But Blaze still wore it and even tried to murder his friends who tried to take it away from him. That's not the act of man who hates his wife."

"Does he love me?"

Pinakatitigan siya ng ama. "That's for you to find out. But give him time. If he loves you, he'll come here and beg you to take him back. What happened to him, what I did, is not something that someone will take lightly, princess. Alam kong oniisip mo na baka ginawa ka niyang rebound, but trust me, I'm a man. I can tell. It's not a rebound. I'd been there and what he feels for you is not like that. He just feel betrayed by the situation, he just didn't lose Cassie, also his unborn child, that he lashed out on you. But it'll pass and when it does, that's when regret comes in. And trust me, regret can kill a man, especially if that regret involves hurting his beloved."

"But I'm not his beloved."

"Hmm... are you sure?"

"Daddy—"

"As far as I can remember, he cleaned his face for you. Malaking parte ang tattoo na 'yon sa mukha ni Blaze sa pagmamahal niya kay Cassie. At nang ipinabura niya 'yon, ibig sabihin handa na siyang ibigay sa iyo lahat-lahat. Masakit lang talaga ang nangyari para sa kanya. At ikaw ang pinagbuntunan niya, 'yon ang hindi tama sa ginawa niya. Ang isisi sa iyo ang lahat kasi ako naman talaga ang may kasalanan, hindi ikaw. Though sometimes we become irrational when angry. We lashed out and say what's on our mind without thinking. Hindi nakakapag-isip nang tama ang taong galit."

Happy breathed out. "Bakit mo sinasabi sa akin 'to? Are you siding him?"

Umiling ang ama niya. "No, I'm not. I'm actually mad at him for blaming you, but I don't have the right to be. May kasalanan ako sa kanya, siya ang dapat magalit sa akin. Saka opinyon ko lang naman 'yon, princess. You can take it as a reference, to help you understand the situation better. Pero ikaw pa rin ang masusunod sa gusto mong gawin. Susuportahan kita, kahit ano pa 'yon."

Nagbaba siya ng tingin. "If he needs time, I'll give it to him. But if he takes too much time, I will not wait for him. If he wanted to honor Cassie's memories by not being with me, then I won't stop him. Kapag hindi niya ako pinuntahan dito sa loob ng isang buwan, then it's the end. Because it's like déjà vu again, him, choosing over me or Cassie. But this time, I will not tell him or force him to move on. If he loves Cassie more than me, then all I can do is accept it and be mature enough to move forward with my life without him in it."

A tear fell from her eyes. "Masakit nga lang kasi binuo ko na sa isip ko ang magiging kinabukasan namin. Naiisip ko na kung paano kami magsasamang dalawa hanggang sa pagtanda namin. I have plans, but now it's all gone like a snap of a finger. Expectations really leads to disappointment and heartaches. It's a lesson learned. A very painful lesson that I have to endure for the rest of my life."

Masuyo siyang niyakap ng ama niya, saka hinalikan sa noo. "Just always remember, princess, Daddy is here for you. Always will and always have been. You can always count on Daddy. I may not be perfect but I'll make sure to save my princess' day. Anytime... anywhere."

Napangiti si Happy sa tinuran ng ama. "This is why I can stay mad at you for a long time. You always know what to say and what to do to soften me."

Mahinang tumawa ito. "Anong hindi matagal? Two weeks mo akong hindi kinikibo. And of course, I know. Anak kita. Ikaw ang prinsesa ko. Kilalang-kilala kita."

Napasimangot siya. "Kilalang-kilala ko rin ang pagkatao mo, Daddy. Alam kong nagsusugal ka na naman."

"I was stressed," pagdadahilan ng ama niya.

Inirapan niya ito. "Ewan ko sa iyo... But anyway, thank you, Daddy, for doing everything you can to save me and keep me safe. I didn't like the way you saved me but I'm still indebted because you didn't give up on me."

Her father smiled. "I'm still awesome?"

She nodded.

"And you still love me?"

She nodded again.

"And you will not bully me again?"

Umiling siya.

Her father's shoulders fell. "Princess!"

Tumawa siya, saka niyakap ang ama. Kahit paano ay gumaan ang pakiramdam niya. Dahil siguro nagpaliwanag ito kung bakit nito nagawa ang mga nagawa.

His father's explanation didn't change the fact that someone died because of her but he was her father, and she couldn't stay mad at him for being desperate to save his daughter.

It was very wrong, Happy would admit it, but her dad was her dad. And she loved him. No matter what he did, he was her father.

"Young Miss?"

Kumawala siya sa yakap ng ama, saka tumingin sa pinto kung nasaan si King. "Yes?"

"It's time to take down the Triad's HQ in Cuba."

Tumaas ang dalawang kilay ng ama niya. "Cuba?"

She nodded. "We're sweeping off the Triad's HQ here in North America so we can focus our attention on the South next month."

Napatango-tango ang ama niya. "Don't you need hippeis for that sort of thing?"

Natigilan siya. "Dad, as you know, he's busy blaming and being angry at me."

"Well, ahm..." Her dad shrugged. "I'm sure we can provide you with a replacement."

Her eyes widened. "Who?"

"The sons of my personal ultor before. They're settling in Russia now though, but they can help and they can be trusted."

She frowned. "Names?"

"Deth and Lyf Romanov. They're brothers. One year apart from each other."

Her frown deepened. "There names are really death and life?"

"No. It's D-E-T-H and L-Y-F but yes, it's pronounced as Death and Life," sagot ng ama niya.

"Oh." Napatango-tango siya. "Well, I can't wait for them. Maybe some other time—"

"Actually, I already called Deth. They're coming over," nakangiting sabi ng ama niya na para bang napaka-big deal ng ginawa nito. "And they just landed in Philadelphia International Airport an hour ago."

Natigilan siya. "Oh. Okay."

Her father nodded with a smile. "Yes. They're good fighters."

"Of course, they are," sabad ni King. "They are generals in ultor battalions in battlefield."

Tahimik siyang tumayo at kahit namamaga ang mga mata at mahapdi, ipinagsawalang-bahala niya 'yon.

Kinuha ni Happy ang dalawang thigh holster sa closet niya na may nakalagay na Beretta 92 na baril, saka agad iyong inilagay sa mga hita niya. Pagkatapos ay sunod niyang isinuot ang waistband dual two-gun OWB holster para sa dalawang Glock 17 niyang baril. Ang huli niyang isinuot ay ang shoulder gun holster niya kung saan naroon ang dalawang 9MM na baril sa magkabilang gilid.

Then she took a black leather coat from her closet to cover of her guns and simple top with leather shorts. Then she wore the lightest boots in her shoe closet.

"Come on, let's go," sabi niya pagkalabas ng walk-in closet.

Napasipol si King. "Nice."

Pabiro niya itong kinindatan, saka malalaki ang hakbang na lumabas.

"I'm proud of you, princess!" pahabol na sigaw ng ama niya.

Napailing si Happy. Nang makababa sa sala, may dalawang matikas na lalaking naroon at tumango kay King nang makita ito.

"Young Miss..." King introduced the man with a brown-blonde hair—Mixed—with his baby blue eyes, pointed nose, tan complexion and his slightly cleft chin. "This is Deth Romanov. The eldest."

Yumukod si Deth sa kanya na para bang isa siyang nakakataas na tao sa sinaunang panahon. "It was nice meeting you, Lady Happy."

"And this is his brother, Lyf Romanov. A year younger than Deth."

Lyf was different from Deth. His hair was a combination of black and blonde. And his eyes were much darker shade of blue than Deth.

Lyf also bowed down at her. "It's nice meeting you, second Arkhon."

"Likewise," sagot niya. "Ready to go to war?"

Lyf smiled showing his set of dimples. "I love killing bad guys. It makes me feel like I'm a good guy sometimes."

Deth snorted. "Says the guy who fucked five women last night."

Lyf grimaced. "It was for fun. Try it, you might like it."

Deth serious face never faltered. "Not interested."

"That's because you're virgin."

Deth checked the magazine on his pistol before answering. "At least I'm not a manwhore like you."

Lihim siyang napailing sa dalawa, saka malalaki ang hakbang na lumabas ng bahay. Kasama sina King, Deth at Lyf na nasa likuran niya.

Nang makasakay sila sa kotse niya, si King ang nagmaneho patungo sa HQ ng Organòsi kung saan naroon ang helicopter na sundo nila at maghahatid sa kanila sa Cuba.

This war was bloody, she already got used to it for the past two weeks that she'd been hands on in taking down the Triad's headquarters here in North America. She was always with the crew in every attack and raid, to show them that she was not afraid to stand and fight for what she believed in.

Hindi lumapag ang helicopter na sinasakyan nila, nag-rappel lang sila pababa at nang umapak ang mga paa nila sa lupa, agad na nabalot ng putukan ang loob ng compound na 'yon kasama na ang putok na nanggagaling sa baril niya.

Happy ran as she pointed her guns at their enemies.

"Young Miss! Take cover!" sigaw ni King sa kanya.

Happy didn't listen. Patuloy siyang nakipagbarilan hanggang sa maubusan ng bala ang baril na hawak.

"Shit!" She put her guns back on her holster before pulling her two guns from her shoulder gun holster.

Hinawakan siya ni Deth sa balikat, saka hinila paikot, para hindi siya tamaan ng bala. Binaril nito ang lalaki sa likuran niya.

Nang pakawalan nito ang braso siya, umikot naman siya habang nakadipa ang kamay niyang may hawak ng baril at kinakalabit ang gatilyo n'on.

Back-to-back. She and Deth fought. Shielding and taking care of each other's back until she used all her bullets.

But no worries, Lyf, from the helicopter hovering the warehouse was doing his job splendidly. Taking down men who were gunning for them with his riffle and he didn't miss!

One bullet per enemy! In the head! How is that even possible?

"Shit!" she hissed as she put back her 9MM on her shoulder holster, then grabbed the gun on Deth's side before blowing the enemies' head off.

Oddly, she didn't feel a thing. She was used to it. Sumuka siya noong una siyang makapatay gamit ang baril, pero dahil wala nang Blaze na magliligtas sa kanya at busy si Kane sa ibang panig ng mundo, kailangan niyang matutong ipagtanggol ang sarili.

Happy fired the gun at closed range to someone's head. Blood scattered everywhere but she just wiped it off using Deth's shirt.

Deth looked at her flatly. "Seriously?"

"What?" She chuckled. "I'll buy you a new one."

"It's my favorite shirt."

"I'll still buy you a new one." Happy returned the gun on Deth's holster and she picked up the bad boy rifle on the ground by diving towards it because of the bullets aimed her way.

Napadapa siya sa lupa pero mabilis niyang pinulot ang baril, saka iginulong ang katawan patihaya at binaril ang lahat ng nakikita niyang kalaban.

She did a front back flip to get up and landed perfectly on her feet.

Nang tumingin siya sa paligid, kontrolado na ng Organòsi ang paligid ng warehouse. Nakikipaglaban pa rin si Deth kasama sina King at Lyf na nasa helicopter pa rin kaya naman mabilis siyang pumasok sa loob.

Only to see a bomb ticking.

Five seconds before it detonates!

Happy quickly turned around to run. But before she could fully leave the warehouse, the bombed exploded. Sending her body flying unto the air and dropping heavily on the the large piles of tobacco.

And before she lost her consciousness at the impact, she heard another explosion and saw a large fire spreading towards her, ready to engulf her body in flame.

CECELIB | C.C.