✔ 03 | Point of Exposure

CAPITULUM 23

When they exited Night Sparrow's Tea House, inaasahan ni Nova na mangungulit pang sumama sa kanila si Dan. Base sa personality nito, mukhang hindi ito basta-bastang mapagbabawalan sa pakikialam sa mga kaso. 

'Pre-requisite ba ang pagiging mayabang sa mga DEATH agents?' She thought in irritation. But to her utmost surprise, kusang-loob na itong nagpaalam sa kanila dahil may kailangan pa raw itong "gawin".

"BYE-BYE YUKI! BYE MISS BRIAN!"

With this, she turned her suspicious eyes at her partner who casually walked with his hands in his pockets.

"Ano ba talagang pinagawa mo sa kanya?"

"Secret."

"A-Anong 'secret' ka dyan? Argh! Seriously, Yukishito, if it affects our case---"

"It doesn't. Or at least for now I don't it directly affects us," pagpapaliwanag nito. Nang maramdaman ni Nico ang matalim na tinging ipinupukol niya rito, he finally stopped walking and turned to face her. "You'll find out soon, sweetheart. Just be patient. Okay?"

Nova rolled her eyes. "Fine."

But before they could continue their journey, nahagip ng mga mata ni Nova ang pagkilos sa 'di kalayuan. Agad siyang naalarma at mabilis na hinila si Nico sa kabilang direksyon.

"What's wrong?" He asked but let her lead the way.

"I don't know. But I have a feeling we'll find out soon."

She quickly dragged him along the streets and pulled out her compact powder with her free hand. From the small mirror, Nova eyed the reflection of the man still following them. Mahina siyang napamura nang mapansin ang hulma ng baril sa bulsa nito.

"Nico, may kanina pa sumusunod sa'tin. In fact, I think he's the same guy who followed me to the ice cream parlor yesterday."

"At bakit ba ngayon mo lang sinasabi sa'kin 'to?"

"Does it really matter?! Gosh! And you know what the bad news is?"

"He's armed?"

"Yup."

"Shit."

Ilang sandali pa, sinenyasan siya nitong tumakbo. On the count of three, they broke into a sprint and crossed the busy streets of Eastwood. Naalarma ang mga sibilyan nang makilala ang dalawa at nagmamadaling tumabi. Nico and Nova jumped over the hoods of the cars stuck in traffic and dashed around a corner.

'Morning exercise? Check!'

Umalingawngaw sa paligid ang ingay ng mga busina habang patuloy pa rin ang nakabibinging pintig ng kanyang puso sa kaba. For a moment, she mentally thanked herself for choosing to wear flats today. Sandaling sinulyapan ni Nova ang salamin at mahinang napamura.

"Nico, nakasunod pa rin siya!"

Nico gritted his teeth in frustration. "Damn Sherlock!"

She watched him scan the area. In a split second, he motioned her to follow him.

Wala nang nagawa si Nova at hindi na rin siya nakapagtanong nang biglang pumara ng taxi si Nico. He quickly opened the backseat and pulled her along. To her surprise, when the door closed, Nico hurriedly took out cash and threw it at the driver.

"Do us a favor and just drive like this is some shitty emergency."

Bago pa man makaimik ang driver, binuksan ni Nico ang kabilang pinto at hinila siya palabas. Nang tuluyan na siyang malabas ng taxi, they hid behind several large garbage bins on the sidewalk and waited.

Humarurot naman papalayo ang taxi.

Nova struggled to catch her breath. Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala sa ginawa nito. 'Does he think that man will fall for a simple trick like that?'

Pero sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, nang matanaw ng lalaking nakasunod sa kanila ang papalayong taxi, he quickly retreated and took out his cellphone.

Hinintay nilang maglaho na ito sa nagkukumpulang mga sibilyan bago nagsalita ang kanyang kasama.

"Works like a charm."

She raised an eyebrow. "Akala ko ba ayaw mo ng mga tricks na ginagawa nila sa movies?"

Nico smirked and helped her stand up. "Well, sometimes foolish people can be deceived by equally foolish tricks, Nova. Kailangan na nating umalis. Hindi magtatagal at malalaman niyang inuto natin siya."

Ilang sandali pa, pumara ulit ng taxi si Nico.

"Totoo na 'to?" She asked and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Maybe," he teased and got in the backseat.

Napapailing na lang si Nova. 'Still an airheaded emo. Tsk!'

Pero sa huli, wala rin naman siyang nagawa kundi sumunod sa kanyang hampaslupang partner. Nonetheless, throughout their ride to the resto, hindi maipagkakailang parehong okupado ang mga isip nila sa nangyari.

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