Codename: Alpha Zero

Chapter 55

MINA

I arrived at the hideout. Nagbigay lang ng maiksing speech ang Order at nagsimula na ang selebrasyon. Kinausap ko sandali si Lenn.

Ilang sandali pagtapos naming mag-usap ay lumapit sa akin ang Order.

"We need to talk," he said in a deep, serious tone.

Tumango nalang ako. Dumako kami sa pwesto kung saan makakapag-usap kami ng walang gaanong nakakarinig.

"We want you to transfer to America along with Alphero," he said.

Nangunot ang noo ko. "Ano?!"

"We will transfer you to America. Nakaayos na ang papeles niyo ni Alphero. Nagpadala na din ako ng sulat sa mga magulang mo. Everything's settled."

"Sorry, but I can't take that. Ayaw kong umalis."

"But you need to. Alang-alang kay Alphero. Alam ko kung gaano kahalaga sa inyo ang isa't-isa."

The Order has a point. Pero hindi 'yon sapat na dahilan para umalis at iwan ang mga taong mahalaga sa akin dito! That's an absurd idea!

"Sorry po talaga. Hindi ko talaga matatanggap 'yan. At hindi ko din gugustuhing pumunta sa America. If I'm important to Alphero, he will help himself heal quickly to come back for me. He won't force me to come with him and stand by his side. That would be a childish act."

Natahimik saglit ang Order. Nag-iisip siguro siya ng ibang paraan para pwersahan akong mapapunta sa America. Unfortunately for him, there's no way I will do as they want.

"Hindi niyo na po ako kailangang kumbinsihin. Ako nalang po ang kakausap kay Alphero tungkol dito." I assured. Wala siyang ibang nagawa kung hindi ang bumuntong hininga at tumango nalang.

The first thing I did the next morning is go to Simmons Hospital. I need to talk to Alphero. I don't want to go with him, that's being too immature in his part.

Pagpasok ko sa kwarto niya ay nagsalubong agad ang mga tingin namin. Lumapit agad ako sa kaniya at padabog na binagsak ang hand bag ko sa upuan na katabi ng kama niya.

"I don't want to go with you!" agad kong sigaw.

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Al. "If you'll not go, then I would not, either."

I scoffed. "Stop being such a childish brat!"

"If being a childish brat means you can be with me, then I'm willing to do so," mariin niyang bigkas. Buo na talaga ang isipan niya.

"You're not the Al I know before. The cold Zero is gone in you."

Nag-kibit siya ng balikat. "People change. You changed me."

I crossed my arms in front of my chest. "You didn't even confessed your feelings yet you want me to come with you willingly."

Tumingin siya ng deretso sa mga mata ko. "Then I'll confess right now," napalunok naman ako sa sinabi niya. This is not what I meant with what I said. "The first time I met you, I already knew that you are a unique girl. Iba ka sa mga nakilala kong babae. Palaban at hindi aatras sa hamon ng kahit sinong tatapak sa pagkatao niya. That's what caught my attention and made me wanted to recruit you to the Alpha Fleet. That's when my feelings started to grow without noticing. Kung hindi pa ako tutuksuhin ng Decade ay hindi ako magiging aware sa nararamdaman ko. It's my first time experiencing this feeling after all. Mina Cruz, I love you to the point that I'll make war with the whole world for you."

I just looked on his eyes. I didn't say a word. I was speechless. My heart's beating fast and I can feel my cheeks getting red.

Inabot ni Al ang kamay ko at pinagsaklop ito sa kaniyang kamay. "Hindi ka ba magsasalita?"