Panandaliang lumabas si Harika mula sa backyard garden ng mga Ishida. She sought for the trees, plants, and flowers grew there. Malinis ang buong bakuran lalo na iyong pebble pathway na nakadaragdag ng gaan sa paglalakad niya. Nakahalukipkip siya mula roon habang napapansin niya ang unti-unting pagdilim ng kapaligiran. It's quarter to six o'clock in the evening, and the sky will likely darken in the next minute or so.

Ilang sandali pa ay nahagip ng kanyang mga mata ang pagdapo ng isang itim na ibon mula sa tuktok ng punong nasa harapan niya. Sumaglit lang iyon doon, humuni at agad ding lumipad paalis. A black bird has a different meaning to her like a black cat, which represents bad luck. At hindi naman iyon itim na pusa para paniwalaan ang pamahiing iyon.

She sighed deeply and smiled as she walked and sat on the backyard's vacant bench. Pinagmasdan niya ang katabing maliit na pond kung saan banayad na lumalangoy roon ang mga koi fish, may maliit na water falls din na mapapansin doon. Masarap din niyang napakikinggan ang marahang lagaslas ng malinaw na tubig. That was the kind of backyard that easily curve her a happy smile. Totoong nakagagaan sa pakiramdam ang buong paligid. A sense of calming sensation slowly lingering through her.

Muling nag-vibrate ang cell phone ni Harika para muling pukawin ang kanyang pansin. She knew who it was all along—it was Slayter, who had never stopped calling and texting her. Ano ba ang gusto nito at ayaw na ayaw siyang tantanan? Imbes na kalmado lang siya dahil sa ganda ng paligid, muli na naman siyang nainis sa pangungulit ng dating nobyo. Should she answer his calls and shut him up? Kahit ano'ng gawin niyang hindi pagpansin dito ay hindi pa rin ito titigil hangga't hindi niya sinasagot ang tawag nito.

Sa pagkaasar ay nagawa na niya itong sagutin ng hindi bukal sa loob, "Slayter, would you please stop calling me?! Huwag ka nang magsayang ng oras na magpapalit-palit ng numero para lang tawagan ako. I'll never tire of blocking your phone numbers and calls. This will be the last time I answer your call; otherwise, I will report—"

"Harika, please listen to me first..."

Harika's jaw tightened. Matalim ang mga mata niyang nakatitig sa isang direksyon at nang muli niyang marinig ang boses ng nobyo noon, nagngingitngit ang mga ipin niya sa inis.

"I know you're not going to listen to my explanations for what happened to me and Jessica, it was just a dare! I realize it was my fault for doing shitty things behind your back. Hindi ko hinihiling na pakinggan mo ako o balikan, oo, inaamin kong naging gago ako... I should not have attempted what I was dared to do; I knew it was wrong. I just wanted to apologize for everything I've done wrong to you. I know you've already decided... but right now, all I want is our full closure to put an end to what we are. Could we please talk in person one more time?"

Slayter seemed to mean it. Harika heard his voice several times and knew he was speaking from within. Ngayong narinig niya ang nais sabihin nito, nagdadalawang-isip na siya kung pagbibigyan niya ito ngayon. Hindi nito hinihiling na magkabalikan sila o patawarin niya ito sa nagawang kasalanan. Slayter was requesting a favor in order to discuss the closure they both need. Should she give him a chance for the last time?

"Kung 'yan ang gusto mo, fine, pagbibigyan kita. Let's put an end to whatever the fuck this is! I don't want to be with you anymore," Harika said decisively and finally accepting what Slayter wished after all. Para din naman iyon sa ikabubuti nilang dalawa. Kung ayaw na niya, kailangan na niyang tapusin ang kung ano mang namamagitan pa sa kanila.

Harika heard Slayter's muffled sigh. "Okay, meet me in..."

Ibinaba na ni Harika ang kanyang cell phone nang marinig ang lugar kung saan sila magkikita at binuo na niya ang kanyang desisyon na makipagkita ulit kay Slayter sa huling pagkakataon. He wanted a formal closure to end everything between them.

"Harika, dinner's ready!"

Nakatulala si Harika sa isang banda matapos ang pag-uusap nila ni Slayter sa telepono. Even though she's had enough of him, she was still moved by the call. Buong akala niya ay binura na niya si Slayter sa puso't isipan niya, bakit ngayon ay naaapektuhan pa rin siya at nagagalit dahil dito?

Footsteps moving closer to her. "Everything's fine?"

She looked at the person who came and posed as happy. "Y-yup!"

"You look not," Waki said, looking at her with worried eyes, alongside her, he sat.

Harika let out a sigh. She explained, her face showing stress, "Just had a bad call." When she did, she turned to face Waki. "Don't you worry about me... I'm really okay."

Waki agreed to her with bows. "Halika na, pumasok na tayo sa loob. Mom prepared so many dishes, tiyak lahat ng ihinanda niya ay magugustuhan mo." He then grinned infectiously. He has always smiled that way; it has become an inextricable part of him and with those pretty courageous smiles, it subtly lessens the weight in her chest.

"Hija, do you still remember when was the last time we had dinner together? Noong birthday pa yata ng congressman? And I'm glad it happened once more today. I'm also grateful you're with us, Harika," Melanie said as she poured a delicious sauce over the steak.

Harika couldn't believe she enjoyed her dinner with the Ishidas so much once more, ang kaibahan lang ngayon ay kulang ang mga ito. She's sharing dinner with Melanie and Waki only, Joseph's gone and Jed was busy in his out of town job.

"Tita Melanie, kayo po ba ang nagluto ng lahat ng ito?"

Waki gave her a lovely lip arc as he looked at her. He was certain Harika enjoyed every food.

"Of course with the assistance of our helpers, and with my very own recipe. Naging espesyal ang hapunan na ito dahil dumating ka. Having a gorgeous visitor to cook for made it so much more enjoyable to prepare."

May kahabaan ang mesa na pinagsasaluhan nila. Maraming pagkain ang nakahain at para sa kanila, sobra-sobra ang mga iyon. It was an overwhelming table of food for the three of them. Hindi naman iyon masasayang since the Ishidas had bunch of helpers to share the dinner with. Walang matatapon at masasayang.

"Nagustuhan ko po ang lahat, tita. Lahat po masasarap," Harika praised Melanie for the dinner she prepared.

Maamong ngumiti si Melanie sa kanya. "Maraming salamat at nagustuhan mo ang mga pagkaing inihanda ko para sa iyo. Prior to the dishes being brought out, the congressman called me to talk about you. Sinabi ko sa kanya na naririto ka upang hindi na siya gaanong mag-alala. When you're here, I'll do everything in my power to look after you."

Tahimik lang si Waki na nakikinig sa pag-uusap ng dalawa. Melanie and Harika had a lot of things to talk about, particularly school, the busy congressman, and what's keeping them occupied these days. Nagkuwentuhan sila na parang mag-ina, nagkumustahan at inimbitahan ang isa't isa sa paparating na mangyayaring events.

Natapos ang dinner kasabay ng paglalim ng gabi. Nagpaalam na si Harika sa mga helper at kay Melanie na hinalikan niya sa pisngi bago siya tuluyang nagtungo sa foyer ng bahay.

"Mag-iingat ka sa pag-uwi, hija. Do you want me to call Liro to pick you up?" Tulak-tulak ng isang helper ang wheelchair na inuupuan ni Melanie patungo sa kanya.

"I'm okay, Tita Melanie." Bigla niyang naalala si Slayter at makikipagkita siya rito ngayong gabi upang pormal na tapusin ang kung ano pang mayroon sila. "Magco-commute na lang po ako at maghihintay ng masasakyan sa pinakamalapit na bus stop."

"Are you sure, hija? Malalim na ang gabi."

"Yes, tita. I can take care of myself. Maraming salamat po sa dinner at bibisitahin ko po ulit kayo kapag may free time po ako."

Dumating si Waki at sumingit, "I'll drive you home."

Kapuwa napalingon si Melanie at Harika sa iginiit ni Waki.

"I'm okay, Waki. Magpahinga ka na lang at magpagaling para tuluyan ka nang makapasok sa lunes. Anyway, I'm heading out..."

Hinayaan na ni Waki si Harika na lumabas at mag-commute na lang. She's always saying 'no' to him, and if he continues to resist, he'll never win her over. May isang salita si Harika, kapag tinanggihan niya ang alok nito, paninindigan niya ito hanggang sa dulo. Ayaw naman ni Waki na pagmulan pa nila ng away ang tungkol sa bagay na iyon.

To Slayter:
Where the hell are you? I'm on my way.

As soon as Harika entered the bus, she texted Slayter. Tayuan sa loob at muntik pa siyang mabuwal nang muling umandar ang sasakyang lulan niya.

The phone dinged a minute after.

From Slayter:
I'm here at my place... patiently waiting for you.

Umirap si Harika nang mabasa niya ang reply nito. Hindi na niya nagawang sagutin pa ang mensahe nito pabalik at nagpahinga na lang sa byahe nang makaupo siya.

Bumaba si Harika at pumasok sa isang gated community kung saan naalala niya ang bahay ni Slayter noong nagtutungo sila roon noon. Malamang ay wala ang mga magulang nito ngayon dahil hiwalay na ang mga ito habang nagtatrabaho ang ina nito sa malaking siyudad ng Bellmoral. Naglakad pa siya ng halos kalahating kilometro habang tinatahak ang bahay na tinutuluyan ni Slayter. Nakaramdam siya ng kaunting takot nang makita niya ang daang tutunguhan na may kadiliman. Nahimas-himas niya ang kanyang mga braso at nagpatuloy.

Nang makarating ay pinasok na niya ang bahay nito dahil nakabukas nang bahagya ang pinto.

"Slayter, I'm here."

When she entered and started to look around, the lights had been turned off and the TV was playing a news report so loudly. Nobody was in sight. Mas lalo siyang kinilabutan sa nadatnang dilim sa loob. When she finally got the remote, she turned down the TV's volume.

"Slayter? Are you here?"

Dinampot niya ang cell phone sa kanyang bag at sinuri ang mga mensahe ni Slayter. Hindi na ito muling nag-text sa kanya simula noong natanggap niya ang mensahe nito sa bus. Wala rin itong missed calls na iniwan habang nasa byahe siya. Nothing seems to be right. Kinukutuban na siya ng masama.

Bago pa siya tuluyang balutin ng takot sa loob ay tangkang naglakad siya palabas ng bahay. Kung wala roon si Slayter, uuwi na lang siya at kalilimutan na ang lahat kahit pa wala silang formal closure na inaasam nito para sa kanilang dalawa.

Following that, she was shoved against the wall after someone grabbed her hand.

"Where are you going?" in front of her, somebody said. He was powerful, and his voice was extremely terrifying.

The area was completely dark. She was unable to identify the person standing in front of her. He is only a faint silhouette in the night. Tanging ang ilaw lang na nanggagaling sa street lights sa labas ang nagsisilbing liwanag ni Harika sa loob. He then pushed his arms against the wall to corner her. Nakakalang ang braso nito sa leeg niya dahilan para hindi siya gaanong makagalaw at makahinga nang maayos.

"Get off me!" pagpupumiglas ni Harika. Hinihingal siya kasabay ng malakas na kabog ng kanyang dibdib sa kaba at takot.

"You were still the Harika Levantine I knew and always falling into my traps. A girl who never learns!"

Habang tumatagal ay napapamilyar na siya sa boses ng lalaking ito at napatutunayan niyang totoo ang hinuha niya nang magsindi ito ng sigarilyo sa harap niya. It was Slayter, and he was in a state that she had no idea he would become. Ibang Slayer ang nasa harapan niya, punung-puno ng lakas, pagnanasa at pag-aasam. Parang isang demonyong handang kumain ng laman.

Tears started to fall down her face. "Get away from me! Kung ano man itong pinaplano mo, Slayter, itigil mo na at hayaan mo na akong makaalis!" Pumapalag si Harika, ngunit kahit anong puwersa ang gawin niya, balewala lang ito para dito na iniipit lang siya sa pader.

Slayter looked at her like a spider staring at a fly struggling from its web.

And then he started to tie her arms and almost pasted her through the wall. Maging ang mga hita niya ay tinali nito para siguradong wala na siyang takas.

"Why would I do such a thing? Harika, this is my chance to fuck it up! I haven't tasted you yet after six months of being together. Ganoon ka ba talaga kahirap tikman? Besides being a Levantine and the congressman's fucking granddaughter? If you had given me what I wanted when we were in love, we wouldn't be in this kind of situation. Pinahirapan at pinasabik mo ako nang husto. Now, look what you made me do..."

In the shadows, Harika saw the reflections in Slayter's eyes; it was sly, foxy, and devious. It caused her to urinate in her underwear. Her lower neck warmed as a result of his smoky, warm breaths. While he maintained his strength to prevent her from moving even a little, she felt vulnerable. Slayter recognized that this was his chance to accomplish everything he had originally planned.

He began by smooching Harika's cheeks. His hands played with her breast while slipping under her blouse.

"Slayter, don't do this! Hindi mo magugustuhan ang gagawin ni Lolo Dad kapag nalaman niya itong ginagawa mo sa akin! You won't like what will happen to you, I can assure you of that! He's going to kill you."

According to what Harika told him, Slayter bit her neck. She cried out in pain. Pinaaalalahanan na ito ni Harika sa posibleng gawin ng congressman kapag nalaman nito ang panghahalay sa kanyang pinakamamahal na apo.

"I don't fucking care! Fuck the congressman! Fuck the Levantines! Gano'n naman talaga ang gawain ng congressman, ang pumatay gamit ang pera. I've had my reasons for doing this to you, and I'm merely seeking retribution for my parents' lives! Malas mo at tumapat sayo ang galit at paghihiganti ko."

Harika's cheeks are still covered in hot tears. Her ribcage was being constantly pounded by her beating heart. She choked up and said, "You told me that your parents were divorced and that your mother was in Bellmoral, so you were lying to me all this time?"

"Because I fucking can, Harika! Ano mang kuwento kaya kong likhain para lang paniwalain ka at makaganti sa inyong mga Levantine. The congressman will never tell you about everything he did. Pinalalabas niyang mabango at mabuti siyang tao sa harapan mo. Think of it, Harika, he's never been a good guy... he never was!" halos maputol na ang litid na sigaw ni Slayter sa mukha niya.

He began to unzip her skirt. Naramdaman niya ang malilikot na kamay nito na dumapo at marahang humihimas sa maselang parte ng kanyang katawan. Nagpupumiglas si Harika at binusalan nito ang bibig niya nang tangka na itong magsisisigaw upang humingi ng saklolo.

"No one will ever hear you from here." Slayter's voice, look and actions were like a murderer. "Matatagpuan ka na lang nilang walang malay at binaboy na gaya ng pagbaboy at pagpaslang ng congressman sa mga magulang ko. Malas mo, ikaw ang magbabayad sa kahangalang ginawa ng butihin mong lolo!"

Harika sobbed helplessly because her muffled screams, groans, and cries to call a help were ineffective. Slayter can do whatever he wants to exact revenge and satisfy his manly desires.

Pinupupog na nito ng halik si Harika, halos lantakin na niya ang buong katawan nito na parang isang hinog na prutas sa mesa. Halang na ang kaluluwa nito at gagawin ang lahat para gamitin, paglaruan at galawin ang birheng katawan ni Harika. She's never been touched by anyone—except the kiss she and Waki had shared before.

Ilang sandali pa ay naghubad na si Slayter sa harapan niya. Agad na napapikit si Harika dahil iyon ang unang beses na makikita niyang hubu't hubad ang nobyo niya noon dahil sa repleksyon ng ilaw na nanggagaling sa labas mula sa blinds ng bintana.

Mas nakadagdag iyon ng takot sa kanya at trauma.

Wala nang nagawa si Harika kung hindi ang umiyak habang dahan-dahang tinatanggal ni Slayter ang bawat damit na nakabalot sa kanya.

He's really into it.

Slayter licked his lips like an apparent intention to eat the food in front of him. Bago pa tuluyang galawin nito si Harika ay isang malakas na suntok tumama sa panga ni Slayter dahilan upang matumba ito sa sahig mula sa panghaharas nito kay Harika. The hot tears that were streaming from her eyes clouded her vision. Sa pagdating ng lalaking ito, agad siyang dinamitan at kinalas ang mga taling nakapulupot sa kanya, saka ito umaksyon upang bugbugin si Slayter na nakahandusay mula sa sahig.

Harika wept on the floor, sobbing in exhaustion and trauma. Naririnig na lang niya ang magkakasunod na suntok na tumatama kay Slayter na halos lantang gulay nang nakahiga sa sahig, duguan at iniwanan ng maraming pasa sa mukha.

Kahit nanlalabo ang paningin, sinubukan pa ring pagmasdan ni Harika kung sino ang lalaking dumating. He was the last thing she remembered before she was saved, aside from his tall stature, elegant suit, and wolf mask.

Kalaunan ay nawala ito na parang anino sa dilim at ilang sandali pa ay narinig na niya ang wangwang ng pulisya mula sa labas.

"Harika! Harika!"

She was feeling unconscious when someone approached her and began shaking her shoulders. Nang muli niyang buksan ang kanyang mga mata ay tumambad sa kanya si Waki na nag-aalala sa kanya nang sobra. Before her eyes closed, she felt relieved and secure with Waki by her side... and then everything faded away.