𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘁: #2

Chapter 3

Meet Death

Sobrang paghihirap ang nakapagmulat sa'kin sa kahirapan. The moment I saw the catalyst of pain which is the training, I still think that I need the guilty inside me because I think I was the reason why my Dad died.

Iniisip ko pa din kung meron bang pangalan na Death sa buong buhay ko. Sino ba ang nagpangalan at anong dahilan ng  daddy at mommy niya para pangalanan siya non.

May nag off ng tv na pinapanood ko. “Lady, you should've been sleeping right now. Maaga pa kayo bukas,” may bahid ng katigasan ang tinig niya kaya tumayo na ako.

“Ah yes sir. I hope too that my mission turns good,” I mumbled before fixing my hair.

“How’s the training? Pagod kaba?” Tila parang investigator na sabi niya.

I sighted him, “Yes.”

“Always remember Marissa, that you did a good job. Bihira lang sa mga babae ang may kakayahan na makatalo sa mga lalaki,” he said before giving me a pillow.

“Isinusulong namin ang Organization na ‘to dahil alam naming mahirap ang walang nanay at tatay—”

Ngumisi ako. “Paano mo naman nalaman na wala ang tatay ko?” tanong ko bago tumayo at tinignan siya.

"It takes many steppingstones to know Marissa. Nalaman ko ‘yon dahil sa mga pasa mo. At your right hand, you scratched your hands and curved it as ‘Dead?’ Ano ang ibig mong sabihin doon?” tumayo din siya at nilagay yung kamay niya sa puso niya. “It's my duty to know everyone's company. Kaya ‘wag kanang magtaka.”

Tumawa ako.

“Oo nga pala.”

Tahimik lang siya hanggang sa in-open niya na naman yung TV at umupo sa gilid ko. “It’s hard—you know, for a man to rise. For me to rise. None can do it unaided,” puno ng hinanakit yung boses niya.

Pansin kong may edad na si Vic. But he's not that aged, kasi gwapo siya, kaya hindi mo masyadong mapapansin ‘yon. Gusto kong itanong sa kaniya sa edad niyang 'to bakit wala pa siyang pamilya.

“Anyways, make him fall in love. You're not allowed to fall in love. An acting will suit you. Marunong kang magcontrol sa sarili mo. How did I know that? Kasi the first time I laid my gun on you wala kang reaksyon. ‘Wag na ‘wag kang mahuhulog sa kaniya. It's dangerous and it can ruin the mission,” he laughed,

He continued. “Just make him fall out of love. Ano nga pala yung pangarap mo?”

Singer, I've always think that I should be a singer.

“Singer.”

He smiled. “Is this really a coincidence? Imagine a singer reaches out for the drummer and snuck off! Approaches and breaks his heart and glows up. Boom! Savage, R.I.P heart," Vic faked his cry.

I smiled for the first time.

I'm starting to love this family.

"So ayun na nga. I'll have the files for your birth certificate... and for Valerie too," He smiled and carries my face, “You'll have your freedom soon dear, make this mission okay."

I nodded, “Of course, I'll prove I'm not useless... but ruthless and heartless,” I said. He laughed.

I want my mission to work...

Everyone think that a woman can't fight her own life... but I'm different, and we all can be different.

*****

I was holding a guitar on my hand and a bag on the other one. Hindi ako makahinga sa kaba dahil ang daming bagong mukha ang nakikita ko. And it's like a phobia for me.

"Val, the school is beautiful ‘no?" Inusal ko nalang para hindi ako kabahan. She's still touching her forehead and ears.

Tinignan niya ako. “Yeah, oo nalang,” parang napipilitan na sabi niya.

Ang awkward talaga pag siya ang kasama ko. Ang hirap niyang pakisamahan.

“Luh, grabe naman to ang seryoso.”

Tinignan niya ulit ako at tumingin sa gate ng school. Maraming mga tao dahil pasukan na. “I’m testing the earpiece.”

"Okay. Pero classmates tayo diba?” tanong ko.

"Yeah."

We're wearing uniforms but it was shorter than other students. I don't know if this is a part of the mission. Sumunod lang ako kay Valerie at binigay yung I.D ko sa guard.

“This is your mission you should accomplish it. Wala akong kinalaman, because I am just your partner,” aniya at lumakad na.

Pumunta kaagad kami sa second building where I can heard voices. Masyadong klaro ang boses nila dahil sa earpiece na binigay sa'kin ni Valerie.

“Marissa, find him. May pupuntahan ako.”

Tumango lang ako at tinig kung saan siya pupunta. I saw Jaice smiling at me. He's a great friend when it comes to problem.

Asan naba si Patay na yon? Death... tsk.

May bigla akong nakitang lalaking nakatingin sa sahig at parang pinakamaginaw pa sa Ice. Kaya pumunta na ako sa classroom at nakitang may nagtatawanan sa gilid. May mga instruments din silang dala.

They were many... eh?

“Hoy tol! Nandyan kana pala!”

Napalingon ako sa lalaking nakasumbrero at parang nakatingin ito sa'kin. Fuck? Ano?

Tinuro ko ang sarili ko. “Me?”

Nawala yung ngiti niya at ngumiti sa'kin. “Wow...”

Napalingon naman ako sa likod ko habang nakakunot ang noo. And there, I saw that man who was lowkey looking at the floor.

“Death! Bilisan mo! Magpa-finalize pa tayo! Jusko naman oh,” napakamot sa ulo ang lalaking tumawag sa kaniya.

Is that an embarrassment to me? Should I laugh? Mabuti na nga at walang nakatingin sa amin. That was embarrassing.

Natauhan naman ako sa tinawag niya. Death?

Dumaan ito sa gilid ko at tinignan ako sa mata. “Next time, do not... Block my way. Hindi ako nakikita eh,” natawa ako sa sinabi niya.

“I'm not blocking you, sadyang iisa lang talaga ang daan na dinadaanan natin. Kung gusto mo bumili ka nang sarili mong daan. Thanks,” saad ko at umupo sa bakanteng upuan.

Damn... Is that death? Parang... hindi ko mapapangakong hindi ako mafa fall inlove.

_______________

🌋🏖️ Thank you for reading!