THAT MONSTER

Chapter 33

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” — Buckminster Fuller

DYLAN

NAPAPIKIT ako at bumuntong hininga bago ko sila muling hinarap.

“It's not what you think, guys,” kumbinsi ko sa dalawa.

“Yeah... Of course not. We know that you- you don't do the err-illegal things, right?” Cassy was mumbling.

I nodded at them.

Of course I won't. Alam ko kung ano ang tama at mali and I won't do such a thing that could put me in jail. I maybe a gangster or an agent of Control Bureau, but I have a goal to fulfill. Justice.

“Yes. And papa already know this,” I said with clarity in my voice.

Si Gerome na nasa kaliwa ni Cassy ay napatanong, “Who? Tito Henry?”

“No. Our dad,” walang alinlangang sagot ko sa tanong niya.

Wala na sa kanila ang nagsalita muli. They just both stare at each other. Ngumiti si Cassy kay Gerome kaya naman napaayos ako nang upo at hinintay ang magiging ekspresyon nilang dalawa sa akin. Nabigla ko yata sila dahil ngayon ko lang ulit tinawag na 'Papa' ang ama namin.

“I'm glad you're addressing him that way again, kuya. Okay na ba kayong dalawa?” Cassy asked, wondering.

Hindi ko muna sinagot ang tanong niya dahil dumating na ang mga in-order naming pagkain. We're actually here in Baron Restaurant. This is our favorite restaurant since we were child. Dito kami dinadala noon ni mama at papa dahil gustong-gusto namin ang mga german dishes nila dito. Ilang taon na ring hindi kami pumupunta rito dahil sa mga nangyari noon.

I asked them to come here to tell them who really am I and explain the things that was going around lately. I already told them everything from the start up to now. Wala akong nakitang takot sa mga mukha nila habang ikinukwento ko ang lahat. Nakinig lang sila at hindi nakipagtalo sa akin. Usually, Cassy will get mad at me kung may mali akong nagagawa. But this time is different.

Pagkaalis ng waiter ay hinarap ko muli si Cassy. “We're not exactly okay. He said he will fix things up, so I will wait for him to do that. I- I gave him a chance, that's all,” malumanay na wika ko.

Tumango silang pareho.

“Let's eat. Mamaya niyo na ako pagsabihan kung may contradict man kayo sa mga sinabi ko sa inyo.”

Habang nasa kalagitnaan kami ng pagkain ay hindi maalis sa isip ko ang mga kumakalat na balita tungkol sa amin.

Hindi na ako nabigla.

I was expecting this to happen.

Simula pa lang alam ko na kung anong mangyayari kapag mai-expose na ang Seven Shadows.

Articles, rumors, fake news. Marami ang nagtataka, marami ang nagulat, marami ang hindi makapaniwala, at marami rin ang natatakot at namamangha. Mabilis na kumalat ang balita tungkol sa amin sa D.H.U maging sa underground society.

We've been lowkey for the past 3 days after the masquerade ball and the night we revealed ourselves. Everyone is eager to know our explanation and reasons.

From being the Seven Shadows to Monster Extreme.

Seven Shadows. Kilala kami bilang isang band and role model of D.H.U. Sa kabilang banda kilala rin kami bilang the most feared gang. And now for being the new Monster Extreme.

Also, Stardust have something to do with the new name. Our group just became one and that is the reason why we choose our name to be Monster Extreme to also represent their gang name, Stardust Extreme. It was Cyrus idea and we all agreed to it.