"Klein," sambit ni Vanna habang tinitingnan ang binata. He's seated at the driver's seat. Kakahinto lang ng sasakyan sa tapat ng maindoor nila. Inihatid siya nito sa bahay. When it's her time off from her missions, she always goes home to her parents.

Napatingin ang binata sa kanya. Ngumiti siya habang tinititigan ang asul nitong mga mata. They look so sincere and serene.

"Kanina sa restaurant--" Napatigil siya sa pagsasalita nang tumunog ang cellphone nito. She wanted to tell him about seeing Clyde. Naalala niya kasing huhulihin pala dapat si Clyde noon para paaminin kung hanggang saan ang nalalaman nito tungkol sa ahensya pero nakatakas lang, kaya nararapat lang na sabihin niya ito sa binata. Cloud is still her boss after all.

Tumingin ang binata sa screen ng cellphone na hindi tumitigil sa pag-ring.

"I need to take this call," he told her after few seconds. Tumango na lamang siya. He immediately went out of the car as he took the call. Nanatili siya sa loob ng kotse at hinintay itong matapos pero ilang minuto na ay may kausap pa rin ito sa telepono. He looks at the car once in a while. Nakatayo ito sa ilalim ng palm tree sa lawn area.

Nang hindi na niya mahintay ay lumabas na siya at tinanaw ito. He glanced but continued talking on the phone. Halos limang minuto siyang nakatayo bago ito natapos sa pakikipag-usap.

"I'm sorry about that," sambit nito nang makalapit. Ngumiti siya at tumango. She was about to speak again when his phone rang. Their eyes both settled on the ringing phone.

"Sweetheart, I really need to go," paalam nito nang hindi tumigil ang tawag.

"May problema ba sa agency?" tanong niya rito kahit na alam niyang hindi nito sasagutin kapag tungkol sa ahensya ang usapan. Everything in the agency is classified and confidential. Kahit siya ay bawal mangialam sa mga impormasyon maliban na lang kung kasali siya sa misyon.

Nagkibit-balikat lang ito na naintindihan naman niya. It was an unwritten agreement.

"Enjoy your rest day," he whispered as he kissed her forehead. Tumango na lamang siya.

Cloud went inside his car right away as soon as she said take care. Gumilid siya para bigyan ito ng daan. Bumusina naman ito bago tuluyang lumabas ng bakuran. She felt a little down not being able to tell him about what she saw.

******

Nang sumunod na araw ay halos hindi na sila magkita ni Cloud. Sunod-sunod na kasi ang operasyon nila sa mga tinutugis na sindikato. Mas lalong naging kumplikado nang madamay na ang personal na buhay ng kakambal niya.

They were out targeting culprits most of the time. Kahit sa telepono ay madalang na silang mag-usap ni Cloud ng personal na bagay. Nakaligtaan na rin niyang sabihin ang tungkol kay Clyde dahil hindi naman din niya ito nakita mula noon.

After their last mission on the syndicates, things with her twin brother became more complicated. Cloud knew she also got depressed about the situation, but she had to act tough. Mabuti na lang naroon ito para umalalay sa kanya lagi.

Little by little she accepted the fact that she can never control what will happen to his brother's life and that she had to let it be.

*****

"I know it's untimely to ask, but when can we talk about our wedding?" Klein asked while they were having lunch at her pentsuite. Tinamad na kasi silang lumabas.

Napatitig siya rito. She remembered their deal, but can she get married at this moment? Paano magpapakasaya ang pamilya nila kung ang kakambal niya ay may malala pang problema?

Cloud stared at her and waited for her answer.

"Our family is still in a huge dilemma. Do you think it's right to party at this point in time?" mahinahon niyang tanong. She doesn't want to offend him.

"Yeah, I thought so," he nodded in agreement. He doesn't look disappointed so she presumed it was okay with him.

They both eat silently after that.

They are supposed to go out for dinner after watching two movies while cuddling each other but Cloud had to go out for an emergency.

Naiwan siyang mag-isa sa suite. Ayaw rin naman niyang umuwi muna. She planned to order food at the hotel's café but she changed her mind. She opted to go for a walk outside. Magti-take out na lamang siya sa madadaanang café.

Hinigpitan niya ang hawak sa leather jacket nang maramdamang parang may nakasunod sa kanya. She continued walking. Hindi niya ipinahalatang napansin niya ang presensya ng mga nakasunod sa kanya.

Lumiko siya sa gilid ng isang building kung saan kaunti lang ang nagdaraang tao. Most of the people in that avenue drives their own car. Medyo palayo pa kasi ang sakayan mula roon. 'Yong iba sumasakay lang sa coaster ng mga kumpanya nila.

Pakiramdam niya ay mga holdaper ang nakasunod sa kanya kaya lumiko ulit siya sa kalye kung saan wala na talagang taong naglalakad sa sidewalk. Gusto niyang hulihin ang mga ito.

Tumigil siya sa medyo madilim na parte kung saan may puno sa tabi kaya hindi naiilawan ng streetlight. Pinakiramdaman niya ang paligid.

She was taken aback when men appeared out of nowhere. Nakaitim ang mga ito at tanging mga mata lang ang walang takip. Kailan ba niya huling nakaengkwentro ang mga lalaking naka-ninja mask?

She didn't have time to recall because the men already tried to capture her. Mabilis nga lamang siyang nakapanlaban kaya hindi siya nahawakan ng mga ito. She brought out the knife from her pocket. Lahat ng lumalapit sa kanya ay inuundayan niya ng saksak sa leeg saka mabilis na tinatadyakan na sanhi para tumilapon ang mga ito sa kung saan.

Wala ni isang nakakalapit sa kanya dahil mabilis niyang natatadyakan palayo pero kinabahan na siya nang dumami ang mga ito. She fought hard. Kapag may nakakahawak sa kamay niya ay mabilis niyang iwinawasiwas pabaliktad. Napasuka siya nang maramdamang may tumadyak sa tiyan niya. Napakurap pa siya sa tindi ng sakit. Before she could even breathe, she got kicked on the side.

Nang may sumipa sa panga niya ay tuluyan na siyang tumilapon sa semento. Pero pinalakas niya ang loob at pinilit tumayo. Pero sinalubong siya ng tadyak sa tiyan na sanhi para mapaupo siya sa semento ilang talampakan ang layo. She shook her head to get some air. Pinilit niyang tumayo sa kabila ng kirot sa katawan. Nakipagsuntukan siya at tadyakan.

She was panting and her head was still spinning when she made a hard blow on the man who attacked her. She felt so tired with that last one. Pakiramdam niya ay papanawan na siya ng ulirat kung lalaban pa siya.

She rested her hand on her knees. Then, she remembered touching her pendant to catch Cloud's attention. Alam niyang kapag makikita nito na kahina-hinala ang lokasyon niya ay agad itong pupunta. Her gadget is on, so he can always track her.

Alam niyang marami pang lalaki ang pasugod sa kinaroroonan niya pero yumuko na lamang siya. She's too tired to fight. She closed her eyes.

She heard rustles and bustles around. Pakiramdam niya ay may nag-rescue na sa kanya. Mariin siyang pumikit at ilang beses na huminga ng malalim. Pinalakas niya ang loob. Somehow, she regain some energy. Tumayo siya nang maayos.

She was surprised to see around thirty men in ninja masks lying on the ground unconscious. Nakita niya ang bulto ng isang lalaki na papalayo sa direksyon niya.

Pakiramdam niya ay nawala ang pagkahilo niya nang makilala ang lalaki.

"Wait!" she yelled as she walked towards his direction. Tumigil ito sa paglalakad pero hindi lumingon. From the light of the lamp post nearby, she could see no trace of change in his built.

"Clyde," she muttered when she stopped five feet away. She saw how he slowly turned around. It was really him.

Then, she remembered the masked men in front of the apartment unit 5 years ago. May isang lalaking lumalaban sa mga ito. It may be Clyde who fought them.

"Kilala mo pa pala ako?" sarkastiko nitong saad. Her forehead creased when she heard a glint of resentment in his voice.

"Bakit naman kita hindi makikilala?" balik-tanong niya rito. Clyde smirked at her which puzzled her more.

"Well, I thought so. Ang dali mo lang din kasi akong pinalitan," wika nito bago muling naglakad palayo.

Her jaw literally dropped. She was lost for words. Ni hindi siya nakagalaw. Why would Clyde sound that way? Ano ba sila noon matapos nitong malaman na hindi Lacy ang totoo niyang pangalan?

She tried to recall their last conversation at the hotel before he disappeared but there were only vague memories. Umiiyak lang kasi siya noon at hindi naman sila nag-usap ng tungkol sa kanila.

She shook her head as she turned around. Nawala na kasi sa paningin niya ang binata.

Mas lalo siyang nagulat nang makitang wala na ang mga lalaking nakahandusay sa semento. Was it just a dream?

Imposible, ramdam pa niya ang sakit ng katawang nabugbog kanina. Hinawakan niya ang pisngi, may dugo pang dumikit sa kamay niya.

Sino ang nagligpit sa mga lalaki? Bakit hindi man lang niya namalayan?

She remembered the men in the restaurant. Halos tatlong minuto lang din ang pagitan ng pagdating ni Wind noon pero nawala na ang karamihan sa mga lalaking nakahandusay sa parking area.

"What happened, sweetheart?"

Napatingin siya kay Cloud na agad umibis mula sa sasakyan.

"Are you okay?" Agad siya nitong niyakap at hinalikan sa tuktok. Cloud cupped her face and stared at her. She suddenly felt weak. Parang bumalik ang pagod niya kanina.

"There were men, around 30, masked like ninjas. They attacked me," nanghihina niyang pahayag.

"Katulad sa restaurant noon?" kunot-noo nitong tanong. She nodded in response.

"Clyde was here. He helped me. Tapos paglingon ko after a minute or so bigla na lang nawala yung mga nakahandusay diyan." Kuwento niya sa binata. Hindi naman ito nagsalita. Cloud only stared at her. He let go of her face.

"I am more than sure some of them were dead. Mostly are unconscious," she added.

"You saw Clyde?" was all he muttered.

Hindi siya agad nakapagsalita pero kalaunan ay tumango na lamang siya.

Cloud didn't speak. Inakay lang siya nito papunta sa kotse.

"What were you doing outside?" tanong nito nang nasa daan na sila. He's driving his way to his house.

Hindi siya agad nakapagsalita.

"You said you'll just order food at the hotel's café. Nakipagkita ka ba sa kanya?" tanong ulit nito.

"No," iling niya. May mga nararamdaman siyang sakit sa katawan pero hindi niya matukoy kung saan nanggagaling.

"I decided to walk outside. Parang may sumusunod sa akin. Akala ko hold-upers kaya pumunta ako sa walang tao para sana turuan sila ng leksyon," paliwanag niya rito.

Cloud's eyes were focused on the road. Hindi niya alam kung naniniwala ito sa sinasabi niya.

"Kailan pa kayo nagkikita?" muli nitong tanong.

She was a bit disoriented. Saka lang niya naisip na inaakusahan siya nitong nakikipagkita kay Clyde.

"Were you not listening to my story?" salubong ang kilay niyang tanong rito. She felt exhausted and all. Hindi pala nito pinapakinggan ang mga sinasabi niya.

"I was listening. Ninjas attacked you. He helped tapos hindi mo namalayan na niligpit yung mga tao sa likuran mo. Just few feet away from you. I was listening!"

Nagulat siya sa tono at lakas ng boses nito. She felt insulted.

"Bakit parang galit ka?" inis niyang tanong rito. Muntik pa siyang napasubsob sa dashboard nang bigla itong nagpreno at tumigil sa gitna ng daan. Hindi kasi siya nakapagseatbelt. Some cars even blew their horns on them.

"I was listening!" Galit nitong pinalo ang steering wheel. His jaw clenched.

"What happened after he helped you?" he asked accusing.

She inhaled deeply to calm her nerves before answering.

"U-umalis din siya kaya lang humabol ako. We just talk for a minute or two."

Cloud smirked at her answer.

"A minute or two? Or you were just oblivious of time?" he asked gritting his teeth. She wasn't able to answer his accusation.

"OR you were so focused on him, hindi mo napansin na binubuhat na paalis yung mga lalaking nakalaban mo at isinakay sa kung anong sasakyan," galit nitong wika.

She felt like her cheeks flushed. Kahit alam niyang mali ang mga paratang nito. She can't help but think twice. Bakit nga ba hindi niya napansin ang mga lalaking niligpit? But it was the same thing that happened in the apartment before. Ilang segundo nga lang 'yon noon, paglabas niya malinis na ang paligid.

"Why can't you answer, Vanna?" galit pa rin nitong tanong. She saw how he balled his fist.

"Hindi ko alam basta bigla na lang silang nawala. I'm tired, Klein. The last thing I want from you now is to have an argument," tugon niya rito. She felt some pain on her stomach, but she didn't mind it. Na-focus kasi siya sa ipinupunto ng binata.

"Was he the reason why you can't entertain the idea of marrying me?" giit pa rin nito. Pakiramdam niya ay sumobra na ang mga paratang nito. She felt insulted. Doesn't he trust her feelings for him? They've been together for five years. Ngayon pa ba ito magdududa sa kanya?

"The answer is no. I want to marry you, but if you keep on arguing with me like this, I might discard that idea," saad niya nang hindi na makapagtimpi.

"Don't give me that crap, Vanna. If you wanted to marry me, matagal na sana," balik nito. There was anger and resentment in his voice.

That hit a nerve, but she inhaled deeply to calm herself. Cloud have never been this hard before.

"Please stop arguing with me, masakit ang buong katawan ko. If you won't stop, I'd rather go out of this car," mahinahon niyang saad.

She closed her eyes and leaned on the headrest. She's goddamn tired. Masakit pa rin ang tiyan niya na natadyakan kanina. She could feel her swollen lip. If he keeps on pushing his argument, she'd rather go home.

"Tinatakot mo ba ako?" tanong ulit nito.

Agad siyang nagmulat.

"I said I do not want to argue with you," inis niyang saad. Tuluyan na siyang nainis sa pagiging irrational nito at wala sa lugar. She opened the car door and immediately went out. Ibinalibag niya ang pinto nang marinig ang pagtawag nito sa pangalan niya.

She'd rather be alone than to explain all night. She turned off her gadget. Binilisan niya ang paglakad hanggang sa naging takbo na ang lakad niya. Her stomach is still flipping in pain. Masama yata talaga ang tama niya roon. She can't recall how many times she was kicked on that part. Naalala lang niyang nagsuka siya nang mapuruhan.

Sumuot siya sa eskinita at naupo sa gilid isang burger stand. Her necklace keeps blinking. Kaya't itinago niya ito sa suot na jacket. She felt like collapsing. Bago pa man umikot ng tuluyan ang paningin niya, tinawagan na niya si Cristina.

Hindi niya sigurado kung ilang minuto siyang nakaupo sa gilid nang huminto ang motor nito. Doon na tuluyang pumikit ang mga mata niya.