CHAPTER 55

TEAM OLDIES and the first Arkhon himself were so careful not to reveal the first Arkhon's identity. Napapansin 'yon ni Happy habang nasa labas sila ng pribadong kuwarto ng ama. Hindi pa sila makapasok dahil nasa loob pa ang doktor at sinusuri ang lagay ng daddy niya.

"They're very secretive," bulong sa kanya ni Blaze.

Pasimple siyang tumango. "Napapansin ko nga."

"Why do you think?" Blaze asked.

She faced her husband as she hugged him around the waist. "I don't know, Blazey. Siguro dahil ayaw niya talagang malaman ng iba kung sino siya kahit pa sa atin? O dahil nandito lang siya para sa daddy ko. That this is a risk for him. Maybe just like Dad, he has a good life with family to protect?"

Blazey sighed. "Akala ko pa naman nandito siya para tumulong. That way you can rest."

Tumango si Happy. "'Yon din ang inisip ko nang ipakilala siya sa akin ni Uncle Vent." Bumuntong-hininga siya. "For once I want the responsibility off my shoulder. It's very heavy."

"I know, baby." Blaze kissed her forehead. "I'm here. I'll help."

"I know," she whispered.

"Doc, how is he?" Boses iyon ni Daddy Von na ikinabaling nila ni Blaze rito.

The doctor smiled. "He's responding to the medication very well. If it continues, he'll be out here in two weeks."

"Thank you, Doc," sabi ni Uncle Klaus.

Everyone was relieved, including her.

"Come on," aya ni Daddy Von. "Let's go in."

Nang hindi sila pumasok ni Blaze, nilingon sila ng unang Arkhon.

"Come on," sabi nito.

Ngumiti siya, saka umiling. "We don't want to intrude."

"No." Umiling ito. "Come on in. You should be present, and I want to talk to you later. Please?"

Tumango si Happy at magkahawak ang kamay nila ng asawa na pumasok sa kuwarto ng kanyang ama.

"Daddy..." Pansamantala siyang bumitaw sa kamay ni Blaze para lapitan ang ama at halikan ito sa noo. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel alive, princess," sabi ng ama niya na nakangiti.

Tumayo si Mommy Henreitta at hinalikan sa pisngi ang kanyang ama, saka pinisil ang kamay niya. "I'll go look for Beth."

Happy smiled. She knew Mommy Henreitta was just going out to give them some privacy.

Pinisil niya rin ang kamay ng ama bago bumalik sa tabi ng asawa niya at tahimik na pinagmasdan lang ang Team Oldies at ang unang Arkhon.

"Zachariah," sabi ng ama niyang nakangiti habang nakatingin sa unang Arkhon. "It's been a long time."

Zachariah went to his father side and they did a forearm handshake. The kind of handshake used by Team Oldies all the time and some of Blaze's friends.

"I heard what happened," sabi ni Zachariah.

Mahinang tumawa ang ama niya. "And here I thought you went off grid. You and Kennedy."

"We are." Umupo ang unang Arkhon sa gilid ng kama. "But that doesn't mean that my connections are gone. It's still there. The ten families are still supporting me, hoping that my first born will someday take my position."

"Why didn't you stay off grid?" tanong ng ama niya. "This is risky for you, Zachariah."

"You're like a big brother to me, Dominick, I couldn't stay away after what I heard." Zachariah shook his head. "I've heard that your daughter had taken over but I didn't actually believe it." Sinulyapan siya nito. "I know how much you treasure her."

Her father sighed. "I do. I wanna keep my daughter out of this as much as possible but..." Sinulyapan siya ng ama. "Our enemies are closing in. It's better that she's prepared than clueless. I don't want my princess to have the life we had but someone has to continue our legacy, Zachariah. Someone has to keep fighting for the peace even if it's a losing battle."

Umiling si Zachariah. "We have lost so many lives already, Dominick."

"I know. I lost my dad to this, remember?"

Zachariah nodded. "And we will lose more. Families and friends. For what? Battling a war, we cannot win?"

"At least we're fighting," sabi ng ama niya. "That's called hope."

Bumuntong-hininga si Zachariah. "This is the reason why I and Kennedy left the Organòsi when you renounced. Our leader was gone. Even I doubt my own decisions."

Umiling ang ama niya. "You are the first Arkhon, Zachariah. Because you and Kennedy left, the Organòsi was left in the hands of the fourth Arkhon and you know Kelleon, he's a motherfucker."

Zachariah chuckled. "This is the reason why Kelleon hates you. You always cursed him, and you don't believe in his leadership."

"Well... he had been a leader for many years and he just proved me right." Her father tsked. "That asshole. Trying to kill my daughter to be on top. He should be thankful that I'm still busy or else he will be groaning in so much pain after I'm done with him."

Natawa si Zachariah. "Well, I heard your daughter lashed him with his own whip and imprisoned him."

Her father looked at her. "I'm so proud of you, princess."

Nginitian lang niya ang ama.

Pinakatitigan siya ni Zachariah bago ibinalik ang tingin sa ama niya. "Looks like she took after you, Dominick. She radiates authority and leadership."

"Because I raised her that way," sabi ng ama niya. "Yes, I don't want a chaotic life for her but she has to be ready and equipped if worst comes to worst. Sometimes, I feel guilty because I raised her differently that causes her to think differently as well. But seeing my princess now, I don't regret it. I'm proud of her."

Happy's eyes watered hearing her father said those words. He was a chill and relax dad. Always joking but always trying his best to be better. And for him to teach her how to be who she was now, she was very thankful to have such an amazing father who taught her well.

"Though I regret one thing, telling her that gambling is bad and people go broke or sometimes kill for it." Her father sighed heavily. "I got screwed over, Zachariah! My own daughter wants to put me in a cell next to the fourth Arkhon for playing poker!"

"Well..." Zachariah shrugged. "It is bad."

Tinignan ito ng ama niya. "Oh, shush! I taught you how to play poker!"

"I don't play anymore," natatawang sabi ni Zachariah. "My first born hates any form of gambling as well. And my wife... she will gut me. You know how she is."

"Yes. Your wife hates me for teaching you how to play poker. Said I was a bad influence."

"Yes." Natatawang tumango si Zachariah, saka may kinuha itong cell phone sa bulsa. "By the way, Kennedy wants to talk to you. He can't be here because his first born is in the hospital."

"Why?" her father asked, frowning and worried.

"The Triad put a hit on his firstborn."

Her dad shook his head. "They're closing in on us, Zachariah. How's his first born doing?"

"Fine. Kennedy has been vigilant. So am I."

"That's good." Her father smiled and tapped Zachariah's forearm. "Call that motherfucker so he can have a peace of my mind. It's been so long without us communicating."

Tinawagan naman agad ng unang Arkhon ang pangatlong Arkhon, saka ibinigay iyon sa ama niya nang sumagot ang nasa kabilang linya. Pagkatapos ay lumapit sa kanya ang unang Arkhon.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked.

Tumango siya. "My husband is staying with me as we talk. I hope that's okay."

"Of course." The first Arkhon smiled at Blaze. "Von Per's son... the hippeis... a great combination... though your first born will be a Quinn."

"Still mine," Blaze said proudly.

Mahinang tumawa ang unang Arkhon, kapagkuwan ay naging seryoso ang mukha nang bumaling sa kanya. "Mrs. Quinn-Vitale, I know how heavy it was to carry that big responsibility on your shoulders right now but I can see that you have your father's will and bravery to take it on. Our family has always been allies. I just wished that my first born can take its heavy burden."

"I'm sure your first born can," sabi niya.

Zachariah smiled softly. "My first born... is very softhearted and very kind. And it scares me."

"May I say something?" Blaze interjected politely.

Zachariah nodded at him. "Of course. Feel free."

"Kindness... it's not something to be scared of." Blaze took a deep breath. "In the world we live in, where war and evil is everywhere, we need kindness because that's what people lack these days. Kindness... it changes the dark people it touches. I know someone who made the right choices because of simple kindness shown to him."

Kane.

"Thank you, Blaze Vitale," sabi ng unang Arkhon. "I'll keep that in mind."

Nginitian ni Happy ang unang Arkhon. "I know that you're not coming back to the Organòsi, I know that you're here for my father only, but we really need all the help we can get. I know I'm asking a lot but, I'm desperate for the help. We need to win this war. For everyone who sacrificed their lives and for the people who needs saving."

Zachariah's face softened as she spoke. "You're like the girl version of Dominick."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It is. Your father is a good man, but also a kid. We can't have a serious meeting before when he's around and he's always around."

Mahinang natawa si Happy. "He's still crazy and a child wannabe."

"I can tell."

Pareho silang natawa ng unang Arkhon na naputol nang magsalita ang ama niya.

"Hey! You two! Don't gang up on me!" Masama ang tingin sa kanila ng ama niya. "I know. I can feel it when someone is talking bad about me."

Napailing na lang ang unang Arkhon. "He got worse over the years."

She nodded. "Yeah. Even Daddy Von Per is giving up on him."

"Hey!" reklamo na naman ng ama niya.

Hindi nila ito pinansin.

"Did you come here alone?" she asked the first Arkhon. "You have no company?"

"My hippeis," sabi nito. "As if he would let me come here alone. He will gut me open."

"I don't see him."

"Oh, he likes being far away from me with a sniper ready."

"Von Per!" Parang bata ang kanyang ama na nagsusumbong. "Look! They're talking bad about me!"

Daddy Von glanced at then. "Please continue talking bad about him."

"Von Per! How dare you!"

Napailing ang unang Arkhon. "Dominick is still the same."

"Nah. I think he got worst," sabi niya. "He now knows emoticons and using it while speaking."

"Oh...." Then the first Arkhon suddenly laughed before facing her father. "Was that you who texted me with lots of crying emoji and the 'I miss you' beside the crying and the blowing of the nose emoji?"

Agad na tumango ang ama niya at masamang tumingin kay Zachariah. "And you didn't reply. Such an asshole. Though I was only drunk texting you so... it was good that you didn't reply."

Napailing si Zachariah. "My wife nearly killed me. She thought I was cheating on her."

"He's like that," sabad ni Sir Ruthgar. "Relationship destroyer."

Zachariah laughed. "You still haven't moved on from that joke he pulled?"

"That joke was not funny!" Sir Ruthgar hissed at her father.

Happy tugged her husband's hand. "Come on. Let's leave them to have their own personal conversation."

Pero bago pa sila makaalis, hinarang sila ng unang Arkhon.

"Do you need anything... for the war? I'm still the first Arkhon. I can help in other ways."

"I need soldiers," maikli niyang sagot.

Tumango ang kaharap. "I can provide that. How many do you need?"

"As much as you can provide."

"I can provide a thousand or so."

Her lips parted. "For real?"

"Yes."

"Oh, don't be impressed, princess," her father said in a sarcastic tone. "You can also provide that number of soldiers."

Nilingon niya ang ama. "No, I couldn't—"

"Have you talked to the ten families?" tanong nito. "Masyado kang na-busy kaya hindi mo naisip na pulungin ang sampung pamilya na sumusuporta sa atin. Naghihintay lang sila, princess."

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Tumaas ang boses niya, kapagkuwan ay agad na bumaba 'yon. "Sorry, Daddy. My bad. It wasn't right to raise my voice like that."

Her father smiled. "Forgiven, princess."

Happy took a deep breath. "So, the families can provide me with soldiers?"

"Yes. Pulungin mo sila, 'yon ang hindi mo pa ginagawa mula nang maging pangalawang Arkhon ka," sabi ng ama niya. "They're waiting for your order, princess."

Tumango siya. "Thanks, Daddy."

"I'm proud of you, princess."

Nginitian lang niya ang ama, saka hinila palabas si Blaze ng kuwarto.

Agad na yumakap sa baywang niya ang asawa. "Bakit ang daming istorbo? 'Kainis! Dapat nasa bahay tayo ngayon, magkasama at nagba-bonding."

Natawa siya na napailing. "Daan muna tayo kay Lucky?"

"They're in a secret room," sabi ni Blaze. "Pinalipat daw sila ni Dad. Hindi natin puwedeng bisitahin si baby girl sa ngayon. Give it days."

"Miss ko na si Lucky." Napasimangot siya. "Pero sige, sa ibang araw na lang," sabi niya, saka hinarap ang asawa. "So... ano'ng gusto mong gawin ngayong araw?"

Magsasalita sana si Blaze nang may tumawag sa pangalan niya.

"Happy."

Agad siyang lumingon. It was Mommy Beth and Mommy Henreitta.

"Mommies!" Kumawala siya sa yakap ng asawa, saka sinugod ng yakap ang dalawa. "How are you two?"

"Okay naman," sagot ni Mommy Beth. "We're going to the cafeteria, sama ka. It has been a long time since we three had a talk. It was fun."

She grinned. "Of course, Mommy."

"How about me?" May pagtatampo sa boses ni Blaze.

"Uwi ka na lang mag-isa, Blazey," sabi niya, saka nag-flying kiss dito. "Bye. See you later. Love you."

Ipinalibot niya ang magkabilang braso sa mga braso nina Mommy Beth at Mommy Henreitta dahil napapagitnaan siya ng dalawa habang naglalakad sila.

Hindi pa sila nakakarating sa cafeteria, nag-uusap-usap na sila. Lalo na si Mommy Beth na ang daming gustong i-share sa kanila at gustong hingin ang opinyon nila.

Isa na ro'n ang kagustuhan ni Daddy Von na pakasalan ito at legal na ampunin si Bailey para pare-pareho na raw ang apelyidong dala ng mga ito.

And her respect for Daddy Von doubled. The team oldies were not perfect, they have made mistakes, but they were good men who strived to be a better person everyday.

GABI NA NANG MAKAUWI si Happy kasama si Mommy Beth na agad na dumeretso sa kuwarto nito dahil inaantok na si Bailey. Samantalang naiwan naman si Mommy Henreitta sa ospital para bantayan ang daddy niya. At bago siya umalis, pumasok si Clev sa kuwarto ng ama niya.

Somehow, slowly, their family was getting together. Magulo man 'yon at hindi buo, naniniwala siyang mabubuo rin sila.

At nakahanda na si Happy kung may magpapakilala mang anak pa ng ama niya. Sa dami nilang panganay, hindi na siya magtataka. Tatanggapin na lang niya.

"Bakit ngayon ka lang?" nakapamaywang na tanong sa kanya ni Blaze nang makapasok siya sa bahay.

Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. "At bakit?"

"Wala naman." Agad itong ngumiti, saka lumapit sa kanya at niyakap siya. "Na-miss ko lang ang asawa ko, hindi ba puwede?"

"Ikaw yata ang buntis, eh," natatawang sabi niya. "Nasaan si Kane?"

Agad na humaba ang nguso ni Blaze. "Nagseselos na ako, puro ka Kane. Paano naman si Blaze, huh? Si Blaze ang asawa mo—"

"Si Kane ang panganay ko," she argued before leaving from Blaze's embrace to look for Kane. "Kaney? Baby? Nasaan ka?" malakas ang boses niyang tawag kay Kane. "Kaney! Kaney-baby!"

"In here." Boses iyon ni Kane na nanggagaling sa kusina.

"Baby!" tawag sa kanya ni Blaze na masama ang tingin. "Paano ako?"

"Mamaya ka na," sagot niya, saka pinuntahan si Kane.

Nakita niya itong tinuturuan ni King na magluto. Simpleng pagpiprito lang at ang husgado nito ay sina Deth, Lyf at Yrozz.

"Baby—"

"Be like Kane," sabi niya sa asawa niya na ikinatigil nito sa pagsasalita. "Tingnan mo ang panganay natin, nag-aaral na magluto, eh, ikaw?"

Blaze tsked before walking towards King who was teaching Kane.

"Turuan mo rin ako," pamimilit nito kay King.

"I don't want to," agad na sabi ni King na umiling pa. "Remember the last time we tried? We nearly burned the kitchen!"

"Eh, sino ba kasi 'tong gago na nagtuturo kay Kane ngayon ng pagluluto at ipinakita pa sa asawa ko? Oh, wait, that's you..." Blaze pointed his finger at King. "The gago."

Natatawang napailing na lang si Happy. "Have pity on him, King. Para naman hindi siya magutom kapag mag-isa lang siya."

Namimilog ang mga matang tumingin sa kanya si Blaze na may pagmamakaawa. "Hahayaan mo akong magutom? Baby?"

"Don't be a big baby," sabi niya, saka umupo sa isa sa stool na nasa gilid ng island counter, katabi ng mga hurado. "Come on, Blazey." Matamis niyang nginitian ang asawa. "Kaya mo 'yan. Ikaw pa. You can even save lives, 'yan pa ba hindi kayang gawin ng asawa ko?"

Agad namang ngumiti si Blaze at nagpumilit na nagpaturo kay King.

Umiling si Yrozz. "Blaze, may nakapagsabi na ba sa iyong marupok kang 'tang-ina ka?"

Natawa lang siya nang ipakita ni Blaze ang gitnang daliri kay Yrozz bilang sagot.

"What's marupok?" Deth asked. "I can understand your language but not that one."

"Marupok means softy," sagot niya. "Example is you're mad at someone and then that someone smiled at you and you're like, oh, I'm not mad anymore."

Lyf shrugged. "Well, he is a big baby. That's a given already."

Bumaling si Deth kay Lyf. "So, you're a marupok because you're softy to a lot of women."

Lyf grinned. "I'm proud."

Napailing si Happy, kapagkuwan ay napabaling sa pinto ng kusina ang atensiyon niya nang may pumasok doon.

It was the Team Oldies—except her father—with the first Arkhon.

"Lady Happy," sabi ni Uncle Klaus. "Is it okay if we sleep here tonight?"

Agad siyang tumango. "Sure. I don't mind. We have lots of room for all of you."

"Told you we can sleep here," sabi ni Daddy Von sa lalaking katabi nito na napansin pa lang niya.

Parang kasing-edad lang ito ng unang Arkhon pero matikas pa rin. At nang mapansin nitong nakatingin siya, agad itong nagpakilala.

"My lady, my name is Denver. The first Arkhon's hippeis." Bahagya pa itong yumukod. "It's nice to finally meet you. I have heard of your bravery. Such an amazing woman."

"Thank you." She nodded her head at Denver. "It's nice to meet you as well. Welcome to our home."

"What are they doing?" tanong ni Uncle Vent habang nakaturo ang kamay kina King, Blaze at Kane.

"Trying not to burn the house, Dad," sagot ni Deth.

"Oh..." Uncle Vent smiled. "Good luck. A piece of advice, if you don't know how to cook, don't bother learning because you might end up buying a new house."

"But I want to learn," sabi ni Kane. "So, I don't have to bother someone to cook for me."

"Aww..." Uncle Vent smiled at Kane, then glared at Lyf and Deth. "Why don't you be like Kane here? Striving to learn."

"Dad, you just said that we shouldn't bother learning," sabi ni Lyf, saka napahawak ito sa tiyan. "I'm hungry."

The first Arkhon smiled. "May I?" Iminuwestra nito ang kamay sa stove. "It's free boarding and I should repay."

Tumingin siya sa Team Oldies. "They're not paying but they'd been here for weeks now."

Zachariah looked at Team Oldies. "Shame on you."

"They have always been shameless," dagdag ni Denver.

Napailing si Sir Ruthgar, saka nagsalita na parang kinakausap ang sarili. "Remember, self, she's pregnant. You can't get be mad at her. It's hormones."

Natawa si Happy. "I didn't mean it that way. It was a harmless statement."

Hinawakan ni Sir Ruthgar ang dibdib nito, saka tumingin sa kanya na parang naiiyak. "I was harmed, Lady Happy."

"I'm sorry."

Daddy Von tsked. "Don't make my daughter-in-law feel bad, Ruthgar. I'll kick your ass."

Nag-thumbs-up si Blaze sa ama nito. "Thanks, Daddy."

"Anytime, son."

Napailing na lang siya, saka bumaling ang atensiyon sa unang Arkhon na nakikipag-agawan ng lutuan kay King. Sumuko na lang si King.

Si Kane naman ay mahaba ang ngusong lumapit sa kanya at nagsumbong. "Mom, gusto kong matuto. Bakit ba nangingialam siya?" Ang unang Arkhon ang tinutukoy nito.

Inakbayan naman ni Blaze si Kane at ginulo ang buhok nito. "Hayaan mo na. Bukas, guguluhin natin si King at tayo ang magluluto ng agahan. I'm pretty sure we can fry some eggs, yeah?"

That put a smile on Kane's lips. "Of course. Tomorrow then."

Napangiti siya sa asawa niyang tatay na tatay ang dating kay Kane. Blaze together with Kane were such a cutie.

"Okay, let's get cooking," The first Arkhon announced while his hippeis helped him cut meats and other vegetables.

While the other oldies were preparing the table, making them—the young ones—smiled and chuckled.

"Klaus, the utensils!" sigaw ni Sir Ruthgar. "Let's be ashamed because we're not paying for the boarding." Puno ng sarkasmo ang boses nito habang pasulyap-sulyap sa kanya.

Napakagat-labi si Happy para pigilan ang tawa. "I'm sorry, Sir Ruthgar."

"And I'm hurt! Really, hurt! You call everyone uncle but me!" He was angry.

Napangiwi siya. "I thought you don't like it—"

"I'm hurt! I'm so hurt—"

"I'm sorry, Uncle Ruthgar," sabi niya sa malambing na boses.

Natigilan naman si Uncle Ruthgar sa sinabi niya, saka may sinusupil na ngiti. "I'm not soft. I'm angry."

Inis na binato ng kutsilyo ni Daddy Von si Uncle Ruthgar pero mabilis nito iyong nasalo.

"You're annoying," sabi ni Daddy Von.

"I'm Ruthgar," pabirong pagtatama ni Uncle Ruthgar kay Daddy Von na ikinaani nito ng matalim na titig.

Akmang babatuhin na naman sana ng kutsilyo ni Daddy Von si Uncle Ruthgar nang makarinig sila ng malakas na pagsabog na bahagyang yumanig sa buong mansiyon.

Pagkatapos ay isa pang pagsabog na nasundan ng isa pa at isa pa bago pa sila makaalis ng kusina.

And the next thing they knew, the whole house was falling to pieces and was engulfed in a blazing fire.

CECELIB | C.C.