#TCS14: Back of the Blade

Amythee Hope's POV

We stood in there frozen, I could not believed what I am seeing. Seryoso? Nandito talaga sa bahay namin si Kellon nahalos maliitin kami sa tingin, at si Sven na halos patayin na kami sa laban?! Tapos 'yung babae pang mukhang manika pero nakakatakot ang awra.

"A—" Magsasalita na sana ako para basagin ang katahimikan at tensyon nang bigla na lang mabilis na naglakad si Theon papunta kay Sven. Dahil sa bilis nito ay hawak hawak na nito ngayon si Sven sa kwelyo.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Theon muttered with a deadly glare. Our parents started to be alarmed because of Theon's sudden change of attitude.

Sven smirked playfully. "I told you already, to welcome you home." Titig sa mata na sabi ni Sven. Damn! Not even a slight fear was shown in his eyes and expression! Akmang susuntukin na ni Theon si Sven dahil sa sagot na binitiwan nito, pero agad akong tumakbo papunta sa kanila.

"Stop." I murmured gently, then held Theon's balled fist. Theon looked at me with eyes wondering to why I am defending Sven. I saw how he gritted his teeth in anger. What really happened between Sven and I to make Theon this angry?

"Our parents, please..." Pagpapaintindi ko na lang kay Theon. He took a heavy sigh before letting Sven go. Halos patulak niya pa itong pinakawalan at saka masamang tiningnan.

"What's happening?" Suddenly a voice echoed in the whole silence.

Halos sabay sabay kami lahat napatingin sa pinanggagalingan ng boses.

"Tita Cassie." I whispered.

"Bakit kayo nakatigil dyan? Come on, let's eat." She continued, clueless about the commotion that Theon created.

Sinenyasan ko ang barkada na lumapit na sa amin at saka umupo sa hapag. Kahit nagtatakha at nag-aalinlangan ay wala rin silang nagawa kung hindi sumunod sa gusto ko.

I know, we are already full of query, but our parents are making me nervous! I'd rather deal with Kellon, Sven and the girl later, because our parents come first in this matter. We need to set our priorities right.

"Theon." Napalunok si Theon nang matalim siyang tawagin ni Tita Annicka, halos mapatalon ako sa kinauupuan ko dahil sa tingin ni Tita sa anak niya.

"Nawala ka lang ng ilang linggo, nasan na ang manners mo?" Lalo kaming kinabahan ng idugtong 'yun ni Tita Annicka. Gosh, the angelic ones are really the scariest when it comes to this! This is the top reason why I don't want to upset Nanay in any other way.

"I'm sorry, Mom." Nagbaba ng tingin si Theon, ni dahilan o kahit ano man hindi niya masabi, dahil si Tita ang kausap niya. Defeat and sincere sorry, that's the only thing that could settle her mom's anger.

Umupo na kaming lahat. Hindi ko akalain na kumpleto kami—oh, hindi pala, wala ang magkakapatid na Evans, tanging si Tito Gab at Tita Light lang ang nandito. Even Tita Cassie who's often away when it comes to reunions or get togethers is here, of course with Tito Eugene—her husband.

Walang nagtangka sa aming magsimulang kumain. The tension is freaking killing each one of us! How do we escape this awkwardness and uneasiness! Bakit pa kasi nandito 'tong mga tao na nasa school namin?

Lalo na 'tong si Sven. Ang laki pa naman ng galit nina Theon, Akira, Pierce at Thorn sa lalaking 'to.

Some of the maids served the food. Nagsimulang kumuha ang mga magulang namin.

"Mommy, I also want that!" Masayang sabi ni Blithe habang katabi si Tita Alyx. Tita chuckled and gave Blithe what she wanted.

"Dad, I miss you sooo much!" Aislynn giggled while hugging Tito Skyler.

Somehow because of the younger ones, the heavy atmosphere suddenly became light. The kids started to tell jokes and our parents were so active in conversing with them.

Kami lang yatang sampu na nakipaglaban sa grupo nina Sven ang tahimik at nag-iingat. Hindi ko pa matingnan sa mata sina Nanay at Tatay. Pakiramdam ko kasi sisilaban ako ng buhay kapag natitigan ko sila.

"I really miss your dishes, Mama." Honoka stated while smiling at her mother. Tita Shana smiled. "And I've missed you too, darling." Tita Shana retorted. Dahil sa pinakita ni Tita Shana nawala ang tensyon kay Kuya Akira at Nicholas.

"Mama, would you mind teaching me how to cook?" Nicholas asked.

"What made you curious about cooking, darling?" Natatawang sagot ni Tita. Nicholas shrugged.

"I'm in." Kuya Akira popped in. "It's not that I am interested in cooking, I just wanted to have time you, 'Ma." Nakangiting sabi nito.

"Nako, umalis na ulit kayo, nahahati atensyon ko sa Mama n'yo kapag andyan kayo." Biro ni Tito Jacob, nagkatawanan tuloy sa lamesa.

We ate peacefully. Nagkakatawanan at nagkakwekwentuhan, pero hindi namin nabanggit ang kahit ano tungkol sa school na pinapasukan namin ngayon. Iwas kami sa paksang 'yun, hangga't maari.

Luckily, our parent's let us off the hook for a while. Habang kumakain kami, hindi namin napansin na galit sila sa amin, at hindi rin naman alintana sina Kellon, Sven at 'yung babae. Parang kami kami lang ulit.

"Tita Cassie! We are so glad you are here!" Masayang sabi ni Biblee pagkaraan.

Tita Cassie exist in our memories mostly, puro kasi kwento tungkol sa kanya ang naririnig namin, imbis na siya talaga. Mas marami pa yatang kwento ang narinig namin sa kanya mula sa magulang namin kaysa sa mga panahong nakakasama namin siya.

We don't really know her, or her family, we just know some details.

"Yeah, I am happy too." She retorted with a smile.

We continued to eat happily and without any worries, up until someone's phone rang. Natigilan kaming lahat. The whole place grew quiet. The tension lingered in the air. Nagkatinginan kaming magbabarkada. Jusko! Hindi pwede 'to. Isa sa rules 'to ng magulang namin, no phones when eating!

Kabado na kaming nakakatinginan. Pasa-pasahan ng tingin. May tingin na parang nagbibintang pero may tingin na nagsasabi na inosente sila.

We were so tense.

But someone stood up.

"Sorry, M'man, but I need to answer this," Kellon said with a gentle voice.

"Aller de l'avant, fils." Tita Cassie answered in French. Okay? What was that? I don't really understand French. Spanish and Korean, yes I could, but French? Hindi ko alam.

"Pardon." Tito Eugene said with a thick French accent. God that was so... mesmerizing. Ang sarap lang pakinggan sa tainga. Maybe I should learn French.

Bumalik ang sigla sa mesa, pero ang nakapagpakunot sa noo ko ay kung bakit kay Tita Cassie nagpaalam si Kellon. Napakibit balikat na lang ako at saka bumalik sa pagkain. Hindi rin nagtagal ay natapos kami sa pagkain.

Niligpit nung mga katulong 'yung pinagkainan, Tita Light and Nanay even helped, so we followed their example. Nagtulong din kami sa paghuhugas ng pinggan at pag-aayos sa labas.

Medyo natagalan kami, pati sila Tito Nate at Tatay natulong sa gawaing bahay, samantalang 'yung iba naglalaro sa may garden. The kids are happy and excited while playing with our parents and their ates and kuyas.

After that, nagtipon tipon kaming lahat sa garden.

Tita Light and Tito Nate stood in there. Yakap yakap ni Tito Nate si Tita Light mula sa likod. Hindi ko alam pero nanubig 'yung mga mata ko habang nakatingin sa kanila. Kusa ring naglakad ang mga paa ko hanggang sa tumigil ako malapit sa kanila.

They noticed me, so they both smiled. "Halika, Amythee." Nakangiting sabi ni Tita Light. Halos patakbo akong pumunta sa kaniya at saka siya niyakap. I heard her chuckle while I was sobbing in her arms.

Hinayaan niya akong umiyak sa yakap niya, habang si Tito Nate naman ay pina-patt 'yung ulo ko at saka medyo hinihimas 'yung likod ko. "Shh, everything is fine, and everything will be alright, Amythee." Narinig kong mahinang boses ni Tito Nate. Lalo yata akong naiyak.

"Miss us that much?" Natatawang tanong ni Tita Light, tumango na lang ako at hindi makapagsalita.

All my life, after that night... hindi mawala wala sa isip ko 'yung katanungan kung buhay pa ba sila, kung humihinga pa sila, at kung okay pa sila. Pero ito sila ngayon, masaya at yakap yakap ako. God, I am just so thankful. Wala na yata akong mahihiling pa sa pagkakataong ito.

The last time I saw both of them... they were covered in blood. Kaya akala ko talaga ang liit 'nung tyansa na okay pa sila. Mabuti na lang talaga... mabuti na lang talaga.

Nang kumalma ako, hindi ko napansin na tinitingnan na pala ako nina Nanay at ng buong pamilya. Nahiya ako bigla, kaya napatungo ako, natawa naman sila sa reaksyon ko. Pagkatapos ay agad nagtakbuhan ang buong barkada para yakapin din sina Tita Light at Tito Nate.

Halos mapisa sina Tito Nate at Tita Light sa amin, pero buong puso nila kaming niyakap lahat. Katulad namin, mukhang namiss din nila kami. Sa pagkakataong 'yun, parang nakumpleto na kahit papaano 'yung munting hiling ko.

***

We are all preparing for sleep now, but our parents told us that we must gather on the living room after.

Dito kami lahat tutulog sa bahay namin. They actually have their rooms and clothes in here. Halos lahat naman kami may mga gamit sa mga bahay bahay namin na magkakatabi lang.

When we were kids we usually do sleep overs and such, and it was always chaotic and fun. Minsan puyatan, at saka laging maingay. Buti nga hindi kami nasasawa sa mukha ng isa't-isa kasi laging kami lang ang magkakasama. That's why it is really refreshing that we have Luna at the school.

Kaya nga ang bilis namin magtiwala sa kaniya at parang ang tagal tagal na namin siyang kabigan sa loob ng maikling panahon, kasi bago sa 'min 'yung merong bagong nakakasama.

Biblee and Cleon knew a ton of people, but they were never really introduced in our circle. Those people were just common acquaintances and common friends.

After a bath and wearing comfy pajama unicorn clothes, I walked to the door to go to the living room. Habang naglalakad pababa ng hagdan, nakasabay ko si Biblee na may suot na onesie na bunny.

Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko at ang initial reaction ko ay ang kurutin siya sa pisngi. "Ommmemmgiii, Ate Hopiiie." Reklamo n'ya agad sa akin, kaya naman natawa ako kaagad.

"Cutie patootie." I teased laughingly, she pouted. Inakbayan ko si Biblee, pagkatapos ay napatigil kaming dalawa 'nung lumabas 'yung kambal sa kwarto nila rito.

Cleon's wearing blue checkered pajamas. Ayos na ayos ang buhok nito na akala mo naman ay may pupuntahang lugar, kahit dito lang naman sa bahay.

"Naks, pormahan natin ah." Natatawang sabi ni Biblee, inaasar si Cleon.

"Gwapo ba?" Nagpogi sign naman si Cleon, napailing iling na lang kami ni Biblee.

Halos tumalon naman ang puso ko ng mapansin ko si Theon na nagtutuyo ng buhok niya gamit ang maliit na tuwalya. Pagkatapos ay hinayaanniya 'yung tuwalya sa may balikat niya, at medyo ginulo ang buhok na medyo basa pa.

At halos mawalan yata ako ng hininga 'nung bigla na lang s'yang lumingon sa banda ko at tinitigan ako ng husto pagkatapos ay sumilay ang tila'y pinipigilan niyang ngisi sa labi, at saka niya pinatong ang kamay niya sa ulo ko.

Nabato ako sa kinatatayuan ko.

Oh my gosh! Theon!

Sinagi ako ni Biblee sa may baiwang ko at saka ako hinila paalis sa harap nung kambal. "So ano, Ate? In love na inlove ka na naman siguro kay Kuya Theon ano?" Natatawang bulong nito.

Pinanlakihan ko s'ya ng mata. "San mo nakukuha 'yang gan'yang kalokohan ha?" Sabi ko sa kanya habang hindi bumubuka ang bibig. Ngnitian n'ya lang ako ng misteryoso.

"Wag kang mag-alala Ate, sayong sayo na si Theon, at saka wala naman akong balak gawing boypren si Cleon. Parang magkapatid lang kami no'n eh, so walang hadlang sa pagmamahalan n'yo ni Kuya Theon." She explained softly.

Napalingon ako sa likod ko buti na lang nandon si Akira at Pierce para guluhin 'yung kambal kaya siguradong hindi nila kami naririnig kasi medyo malayo na sila sa min.

"Bahala ka sa buhay mo, Snow." I mumbled, and kept a hand in her mouth. Mahirap na kung ano ano na naman sasabihin nitong magaling kong kapatid.

Nang makarating kami sa salas, nandoon na 'yung trio. Naka-night dress sila. 'Yung cute at parang pambata. Agad kaming pumunta ni Biblee sa tatlo para guluhin sila.

Hindi rin nagtagal at nagtipon tipon na kaming lahat. Ang ingay, ang gulo at saka punong puno ng tawanan. Nakakagaan ng pakiramdam at saka nakakataba ng puso.

Nakumpleto na kaming magbabarkada, at nagbabatuhan na ng unan galing sofa 'yung mga babae, at syempre halos mag-wrestling na 'yung mga lalaki. Habang nagkakagulo kaming lahat bigla na lang may nag-fake cough.

Sabay sabay kaming natahimik dahil sa nangyari. Napalingon kami sa pinanggalingan ng ingay. Biglang nagkaroon ng hindi maipaliwanag na katahimikan.

Sven and Kellon walked to sit on the sofa without uttering anything. Nakapantulog na silang dalawa. They actually... looked innocent in those pajamas. Parang hindi sila mga delinquents na nanakot sa amin.

"Hiii!" Masiglang bati naman 'nung babae. Oh, her name. Hindi pa namin alam.

"Hellooo~" Biblee answered cheerfully, tapos ay nilapitan n'ya 'yung babae. Tiningnan mabuti at saka pinagmasdan. "You seriously look like a doll, and you kinda look familiar." Biblee voiced out.

The girl chuckled. "And you look so fluffy and cute, Biblee? Is it okay if I call you Biblee?" She asked while smiling.

"Of course! Biblee it is!" Masayang sagot ng kapatid ko.

"What's your name?" Harper chimed in the conversation.

"Oh, yes. You completely forgot to introduce yourself." Honoka added while smiling. So... adorbale.

"So... how or what should we call you?" Art excitedly said.

Natawa 'yung babae. A soft one. Ang angelic lang. Hindi kaya ito si Gabby? 'Yung bunso na tinutukoy ni Tita Light at Tito Nate? Nanlaki ang mata ko sa posibilidad na 'yun!

"Hey... by any chance—" Before I could even ask her about that, it was interrupted by a voice.

"All here?" Nanay's voice echoed. Pakiramdam ko nanlamig ako. So ito na ba? Ito na ba 'yung hinihintay naming outburst nila sa pagkawala namin, tapos dadating kami dito medyo hindi pa maayos 'yung lagay namin physically?

"Nanay..." I murmured.

Umupo ang ilan sa kanila sa mah mahabang sofa sa tapat namin, ang ilan naman ay nanatiling nakatayo lang. Si Tita Dyosa at Tito Gwapo na napakadaldal pagdating sa ganito ay nanatiling tahimik.

Every second of the silence was like a count down to our death! They are killing us slowly, and these three people whom we don't know fully are calm but curious.

"So... would you mind telling us where you went?" Pasimula ni Tita Shana.

Ramdam ko 'yung tensyon sa magkakapatid na Williams. "We went to school." Akira told her mother straightforwardly. Gusto ko syang batukan sa ginawa at sinabi nya! Oh my gosh!

"Oh really?" Sarcastic naman na sagot ni Tito Jacob.

"But I heard you all dropped out from your previous school, and applied to the devil's territory." Napalunok ako sa hindi malamang dahilan. Our parents are smart... so my hunch is already right. Alam nila kung nasaan kami, at higit sa lahat alam nilang hindi basta bastang lugar ang pinasukan namin.

Devil's territory.

Yeah, I think, it fits that school.

"And why would you go in there?" Tanong naman ni Tito Skyler.

"Because..." Cleon started.

"Don't even utter any nonsense, young man." Babala nito sa anak. Napayuko si Cleon. Hindi makasagot sa tanong ng ama.

"Because we are looking for them po." Direktang sagot ni Theon, at pagsalo sa pagiging tahimik ni Cleon.

"Them?" Matalim na ulit ni Tito Skyler.

"Ilang beses na ba naming sinabi na ipaubaya n'yo na sa aming nakatatanda ang bagay na 'yan?" Tita Annicka asked calmly, but I swear that was a warning in my ears. Like... one more time we cross their lines, we will forever regret it.

"But... gusto po naming makatulong." Pierce reasoned out with a small voice.

"Do you really think that you can help us in that kind of state?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong naman ni Tito Gwapo. Ang seryoso niya bigla. Karaniwan kasi kakampi namin siya sa ganito, pero gusto ko yatang maiyak kasi ngayon... hindi niya kami ipagtatanggol.

"We need to try. We want to try." Akira told them while clenching his teeth.

"Then what? After you try, what will happen?" Tanong naman ni Tita Dyosa habang nakahalukipkip.

"Maybe... mahahanap po namin sila... maybe... mabubuo na po ulit kami... at kayo... at magiging masaya na po ulit ang lahat." Mahinang sambit ko naman habang nakatungo.

Nagkaron ng mahabang katahimikan matapos ko sabihin 'yun. Wala na yatang humihinga sa amin kasi sobrang tahimik talaga. Nakakabingi. At higit sa lahat... nakakatakot.

"Pa'no kayo nakakasigurado na magiging masaya ang mga anak namin, kapag nahanap n'yo sila?" For the first time... Tito Nate spoke, but what he told us... slowly... made my heart sunk. Parang may kakaibang kirot sa dibdib namin.

Gusto kong magsalita, gusto kong kumontra sa sinabi n'ya pero nawalan ako ng boses bigla. We did not even consider that possibility... because... we are selfish.

"Children... mahirap hanapin ang mga taong ayaw magpakita." Tita Light told us gently.

"Bakit naman po ayaw nila kaming makita?" Nalulungkot na tanong ni Honoka.

The tension became... somewhat sad. Pakiramdam ko lahat kami naramdaman 'yung kirot sa dibdib 'nung sabihin 'yun ng mga magulang nila.

"They have their own reasons..." Mahinang sagot ni Tita Light.

"The fact that you want to find them is acceptable, but the thing that is not acceptable is all of you hiding this thing from us, and you even brought your younger siblings with you?" Tangis bagang na sabi ni Tatay.

"Did you even think of the dangers, of the consequences you might face?!" Nahtitimping imik naman ni Nanay.

Napatungo kaming lahat at hindi nakapagsalita. We admit it. Mali kami sa desisyon naming dalhin sila Aislynn, at ang mga kababata pa naming kapatid. It was all wrong. Hindi naman naisip 'yung panganib na pwede nilang kaharapin.

"You need to gain our trust, will proving yourselves to us, kids, but all you did was act of selfishness, and that is not notable and noble." Tita Tiara remarked shortly.

"Yeah, you might have valid reasons, but defying us, and hiding from us, is a choice. And you have to face the consequences of that choice." Tito Kurt told us seriously.

"Are we gonna be grounded po?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Thorn.

"No." Halos sabay sabay nilang sabi.

Nalito naman kami dahil don, napakunot noo ako at ang ilan sa kanila ay napailing-iling dahil sa sinabi nila.

"But... you told us... may consequence po kami." Art reminded them.

"Lahat ba ng consequence ay may kinalaman sa pagiging grounded?" Tita Annicka asked while raising one brow.

Umurong ang dila ni Art.

"So... ano po ang parusa namin?" Pierce asked.

"We will face it, Mother... we will learn from everything we've done." Harper stated with conviction.

Nagkaron ng katahimikan, pagkatapos ay nagkatinginan silang lahat. Para bang nag-uusap usao gamit ang mga mata. Then after some seconds, they faced us with blank faces.

Goosebumps!

Napaatras yata ako sa kinauupuan ko.

Ayoko na. Gusto ko ng matulog! Bakit ba kasi ganito ang parents namin? Help!

Nagbuntong hininga si Nanay pagkatapos ay tuluyan nang nagsalita...

"Take their throne, and wear a crown." Nanay told us while smiling playfully.

Naglaglag yata ang panga ko at lumuwa ang mga mata namin sa matinding pasabog ni Nanay.

"WHAT?!"

"Is this a joke?"

"Ehhh?"

"Did I heard it wrong?"

"Anooo pooo?"

Sabay sabay kaming nagsalita at nagulat sa sinabi ni Nanay. Naglolokohan ba kami rito?! They know about that hierarchy from that school?! Oh wait... alam nga nila na devil's territory! Of course, they would know the caste system!

Nagkakagulo kaming barkada hanggang sa bigla na lang ay tawa na nangibabaw. 'Yung tawang tila nang-aasar at mapaglaro.

Marahang nawala ang ingay namin hanggang sa ang pumalibot sa lugar ay ang tawang iyon.

Kanino galing?

Kay Kellon!

"And what's funny?" Sarkastikong tnong ni Theon.

"You. All of you." Kellon did not even get a hint that we are serious about this. All we got from him was his sarcastic and mocking laugh.

Theon's fist was ready to punch him. Kaya pumagitna na ako.

"H'wag kang magsalita ng tapos, Kellon. Baka mamaya ako na ang may hawak ng koronang na sa'yo." I told him without batting an eyelid. Awtomatiko siyang natigil sa pagtawa at saka sumeryoso.

So... he knows when to take us seriously.

"Try me, Amythee." Umupo siya ng seryoso at tinitigan ako nang mata sa mata. Hindi kumukurap at walang halong takot akong nginitian ng mapaglaro.

The tension doubled because of my remark and Kellon's stares.

"I will Kellon, but don't cry to me, when you are down on your knees, bowing down, while I am taking your crown." Nakangising sagot ko sa kaniya.

Akala ko kung anong panloloko na naman ang gagawin niya, but he suddenly backed down. Umupo siya sa sandalan at nagbuntong hininga. Kumalma ang paligod dahil sa ginawa niya. Samantalang ako ay naiwang nagtatakha.

"Charming, little lion." He commented. "The blood of the Evans really runs through your veins after all." He concluded without looking at me, and just facing the ceiling.

Then another laughter echoed in the living room. The laugh was a pure one. Parang tumawa lang siya kasi natapos 'yung isang comedy skit, at hindi na niya mapigilang tumawa, kasi nakakatawa talaga.

"Masyado kayong tensyonado. You guys need to chill. Our parents are watching, just to remind you." She told us—the girl with full bangs.

Natigilan ako, kaming lahat. Nanunuod nga pala ang parents namin, pero wala akong mabasang emosyon ibang emosyon sa kanila. Iisa lang ang pinapakita nila. They just simply looked amused.

"Our parents?" Biglang tanong ni Biblee.

Napakunot noo ako.

"Ahm? Yeah?" The girl answered.

"Ikaw si Gabby?!" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ng trio.

"There's no way I am her! I'm not a little monster—oh, she's kind of tall, so tall monster would be the right one!" Natatawang sagot nito. Kahit mukhang nagbibiro siya, alam namin na seryoso siya sa sagot.

"Then who are you?" I asked.

"And you too!" Turo naman ni Biblee kay Kellon.

"And same to you, who are you and why are you here? You manipulative beast!" Theon pointed at Sven.

Napabuntong hininga 'yung tatlo.

"Hindi pa nila kayo kilala?" Kunot noong tanong ni Tito Skyler.

"They never gave us a chance." Kibit balikat na sagot ni Sven.

"Kapal mo ha! At saka 'wag na, hindi ka naman special para magpakilala!" Asar na sagot ni Biblee kay Sven.

"Solstice Snow!" Saway ni Tatay sa kaniya, kaya natahimik si Biblee.

"You are asking who we are, then you don't what us to properly introduce ourselves? Tsk, brat." Iiling iling na sagot ni Sven.

Biblee's eyes widened. "Nakakapagsalita ka naman pala ng mahaba eh!" Biglang sagot niya at saka nag-cross arms.

Gusto ko biglang matawa. Seryoso kami rito, tapos gagawin niyang comedy! Jusko, buti na lang wala si Altair dito, kasi isa pang comedy 'yun eh. At saka buti na lang hindi sumasabat si Cleon kasi, masama ang tingin ni Tita Annicka sa kanila ni Theon.

"Let's get this over with, guys, ayaw n'yo bang matulog?" The girl questioned. We agreed. Our parents gave a sigh, para bang hopeless na sila sa amin, kasi ang gulo namin. Ano pa ba ineexpect namin? Sigh.

"So... who are you if you are not Gabby?" Tanong ni Honoka.

"Ah..." She started.

"I'm Katniss." She told us.

"Katniss Everdeen?" Cleon joked. He got another sharp eyes from Tita. I silently laughed inside my head. Loko nitong si Cleon.

"Hahaha! I'll laugh at that." Then she winked at Cleon. Hindi ko mapigilan hindi mapangiti... she's kinda cool.

"So, sino nga? Pabitin nito eh!" Reklamo ni Biblee.

"Hahaha." She laughed. Then released a fake cough.

"Katniss Emeraude Cordonnier is the name." Nakangiting pagpapakilala niya.

"Then..." Harper started. "You are..." Hindi niya maituloy ang sinasabi dahil sa pagkagulat.

"Oh, yes, Harper." Katniss grinned at us.

"Oh my gosh!" Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ni Art.

"You are... Tita Cassy and Tito Eugene's daughter?" Pierce asked unbelievably.

"Oui." She answered.

Mind blown.

That's why she kind of looks familiar! Hawig n'ya si Tita Cassy na nakikita namin sa nga pictures! Gosh. I should have known! I just couldn't pin point it earlier.

Tita Cassy chuckled. "Hindi ba kami magkamukha para hindi n'yo mahalata?"

"Now that you mention it, Tita. Yeah, we should have known." Thorn said politely.

"Ikaw naman, mayabang na itlog ang magpakilala." Cleon told Kellon.

Kellon, tsked. "I am part of the Crown," Kibit balikat na sabi niya. Halos pare parehas kaming umakto na para kaming napalad ng hangin dahil sa sinabi niya. Ang yabang talaga nito!

"Tita Dyosa, hindi kaya hidden anak n'yo 'tong itlog na 'to?" Natatawang tanong ni Biblee kay Tita Alyx.

"Biblee." Saway ni Thorn.

"Could be." Biro naman ni Thorn.

"Pwedeng pwede, sa gwapo ba naman n'yan eh, at saka kuhang kuna kahanginan ni Thon Thon eh." Natatawang sagot ni Tita Dyosa.

"Kalix." Biglang sabi ni Tito Eugene.

"Okay, okay, Papa." Nanalaki ang mga mata namin dahil sa maikling palitan nila ang salita.

"Ehhhh?" Biblee reacted loudly.

"Are you serious?" Hindi makapaniwala si Harper.

"The surprises tonight are the bombs. Like ever." Art commented.

"You are the son of Tita Cassy and Tito Eugene?" Honoka queried softly. "You are siblings with her?" Turo pa niya sa katabing si Katniss. Nagthumbs up si Katniss biglang sagot.

"Kalix Etienne Cordonnier's my brother's full name, we often call him Kalix, than Kellon, where did you get that name, anyway?" Tanong ni Katniss.

So... Kalix naman pala ang pangalan. Akala talaga namin Kellon. But Kellon's a good nickname too. It just doesn't suit him, because Kellon sounds soft, while he is intimidating.

"We kind of heard Luna calling him that." Sagot naman ni Kuya Akira.

"Oh, Luna." Tatango tanong sabi ni Katniss.

Natahimik kami lahat bigla. Awkward. Kanina pa namin nilalait 'tong si Kellon—este Kalix, tapos kaharap pala namin magulang nya. How shameful of us.

"And you... how about you? Why did you call me young master?" Biglang umugong ang boses ni Theon. Mababa lang, pero seryosong seryoso. Medyo nabigla rin kami sa sinabi nito.

Young master?

"Because you are the young master." Sven retorted nonchalantly.

Magtatanong na sana ako pero bigla kaming diniretso ni Sven.

"I am Salvatore Morbelque Ferguson." Maikling pagpapakilala nito. We were jaw dropped! Surprise will be an understatement!

"What? Morbelque?" Gulat na tanong ko.

"Yeah, he is a Morbelque. He is the son of my cousin Vianca Morbelque." Sagot ni Tito Skyler sa nagpapagulo sa isip nina Theon at Cleon pati na rin ni Artemis.

"But... why am I, a young master? We are just Morbelque." Naguguluhang dahilan ni Theon.

"Yeah, you are a Morbelque. From the main bloodline. From the main root. From the main family." Tito Skyler added. Ang talim ng pagkakasabi niya. Kinilabutan kaming lahat.

"And you know what?" Biglang singit ni Sven sa usapan ng mag-ama.

"You never just the surname Morbelque." Mapanganib na dagdag nito. Na siyang naghatid ng libo libong botalhe ng tila kuryente sa buong katawan ko.

***

Third Person's POV

"Hoy, natakasan tayo!" Asar na sabi ng isang lalaki habang kausap ang isa pang lalaki sa kabilang linya. Halata mong naasar ito at nawawalan na ng pasensya. "Damn it! You should have instructed me well!"

"It's fine." The voice from the other line calmly declared.

"Fine? Are you kidding me?" He asked unbelievably, shaking his head due to disappointment.

"Bakit ka ba kasi tumigil bigla sa pagsasabi ng mga detalye sa akin ha?!" Halos ibato na nito ang helmet na hawak niya at saka padabog na sumakay sa motor na dala dala at pinaharurot 'yon.

"Because I found something... you don't want to miss." Sagot ng nasa kabilang linya. Pakiramdam ng lalaking nagmomotor ay nakangisi ito dahil sa nalaman at bagong impormasyon na nakuha

"Huwag mo akong niloloko ngayon, Justice!" Halos pasigaw na imik ni Rebel sa kapatid.

"Chill, bro. Babalik at babalik naman 'yang si Pateh, kahit takasan tayo nan ng ilang ulit." Natatawang sagot ni Justice rito. Halata mong ni bahid ng pag-aalala ay wala sa kaniya.

"Tsk!" Tanging sagot na lang ni Rebel. At saka mabilis na nilampasan ang mga sasakyan na humahara sa daan niya.

"Sabihin mo palpak ka lang ngayon." Naiinis na dagdag ni Rebel kay Justice.

"I'd rather let Pateh do what she wants, than miss this information out." Natatawang sagot ni Justice.

"And what's that information, you scam?!" Galit na tanong ni Rebel.

"Back of the blade, brother, back of the blade." Seryosong sagot ni Justice sa kapatid.

Hindi mapigilan na maipreno ni Rebel ang humaharurot nyang motor dahil sa narinig sa kabilang linya.  Tumigil siya sa gitna ng daan na tila Hari at walang paki-alam sa ibang sasakyan na dumadaan.

"Where?!" Matigas at maingat na tanong ni Rebel.

"Forbidden City. The back of the blade is back in the under world." Justice smirked while reading the news about the sudden appearance of the swordsman, who uses the back of its blade while battling other opponents.

"I'm going there!" Rebel hastily told Justice.

"No." Matigas at nagbabantang sabi ni Justice.

"And why?" Tanong ni Rebel, habang pinipitadahan siya ng mga sasakyang dumadaan.

"Dahil wala na siya ro'n, nakaalis na." Justice answered.

Nagsimula na ulit si Rebel na paharurutin ang motor niya para tunguhin ang kapatid.

"Damn it!" Tanging usal ni Rebel dahil sa mga nangyayari.

"But don't worry, now we know, that she is alive... and she is back." Kalamdong sabi ni Justice.

"Yeah, at least."

"This time, I will surely track and find Miracle's location. And she will not escape us ever again." Justice said with conviction and determination.

"Because... I am Mikael Justice Evans... and I will win this game against our very own, Miracle Silhouette Evans."

"I will win this game, whatever it takes." Justice uttered firmly, while looking at their picture. The photograph of their whole family, near his monitors.

"No, damn, fool." Natatawang sagot ni Rebel kay Justice.

"We will win this game. It will be the four of us, against our Miracle, Justice. The four of us against the queen."

***