PRANKED BOOK 1 (published with BOOK OF LIFE PUBLICATION)

Chapter 7

"Hello?" I confusingly asked after picking up my phone and answer the number that keeps calling me.

"Hello, Christian Harold?"

"Huh? How did you know this number?"

"What the f---! What have we done?!"

"What?! And who are you?!" Sino kaya ito? Bakit ako sinisigawan nito?

"Please, wha-what have we done?" I heard her sniffing and her voice is cracking.

"I'm sorry, I don't know you." I turned off the call. The voice is someone I can't recognize because... I guess the woman is crying. Pranked call. Tss. Pranked. No one can fool me.

I leave my phone in my jungle pack as I continue to fire with my rifle and pistol in the camp's firing range. Today is our competency test in handling rifle and pistol. 

It was exactly eight months ago when I was assigned in the combat field. I changed my phone numbers, I deleted my social media accounts, and cut off my ties to my friends. My family and the people in my unit assignment only knew my contact details. Even my mista don't know my new phone number. There's no other anymore.

Firing a gun gives me excitement, especially when the target is in 100% hit. The heat of the sun is no amount on me. I can handle the heat with determination to accomplish this activity. This is my calling. I said in myself. "Sir, congrats!" One of my personnel, Sergeant Corme greeted me. "No amount, Sergeant." I replied enthusiastically. I gulp from my canteen water bottle that was hanged in my side when I heard my phone buzzing. Why, of all time, this person keeps calling me?

"Sir, pinapatawag na po tayo ni Commander. Boodle fight po ang lunch." My trusted personnel, Staff Sergeant Salgado told me. "Pasuyo naman, paki-direct na ng mga tropa na magproceed na tayo du'n kay Commander." Utos ko. Tumango lang siya bilang sagot 

I am aware that my phone is continuously ringing but I did not pay much attention. I fixed all my firearms and proceeded to the boodle fight area where the camp's people is waiting for us. "Lieutenant Molinari, good job! That's my boy!" Brigadier General Gazluan welcomes me. I replied in salute but he didn't pay attention. He tapped my shoulder and embraced me with his one hand. He guided me to the table with the leaves of the banana, with food on it. "Magaling ka palang bumaril. Sayang lang at hindi tayo makakapagtournament ngayon dahil may mga conferences ako." 

I shyly replied while nodding my head many times, "Ah, okay lang po, Sir. Maybe, next time po." 

"Oo naman, Mol!" He called me with shortened last name. "I can't join you to eat dahil aalis na ako ngayon. I have so many things to do. I like your performance and the result of your firearms competency, keep up the good work." He said facing me. Before he left, he tapped my shoulders twice with his both hands. I replied in salute but he didn't replied. 

The operations officer of the camp lead me to the table and we started eating. It was the happiest time. Sanay naman akong kumain ng nakakamay at sanay din akong kumain na may kasalo sa plato ko pero kakaiba ito. Masaya at magana ang kainan. Puno ng tawanan at usapang hindi makakalimutan. As I look at my people, I am satisfied that they are happy.

We quickly loaded all our firearms in the vehicle to return in our area of responsibility. "Uwian na ng tropa!" one of the privates said. I just listen to them talking. 

"Bilisan na 'yan dahil magagabihan na tayo ng uwi."  Staff Sergeant Salgado directed his juniors. They loaded the big boxes where our firearms are safely rested in the vehicle and we left the said camp.

"Kapag tinamaan ka nga naman ng kamalasan." I uttered.

"Security, bilis!"

"Tawagan niyo ang brigade at battalion! Impormahan niyo ang sitwasyon!"

"Standby ang iba, maghanap ng safe na pwesto."

I heard my troops directed each other to keep us safe. I am proud how responsible they were. There were no other officer than me and we do not have escort vehicle with us. "Sir, flat po ang gulong sa harap [ng sasakyan]." the driver reported. "Palitan na kaagad para 'di tayo gabihin dito." I ordered. 

It was four in the afternoon, and the vehicle we are using is the two and a half ton military truck. One of the biggest cargo truck our unit has. Hirap na hirap ang mga tropa sa pagpapalit ng gulong dahil sa bigat ng mga karga namin. Tulong-tulong na kami sa pagpapalit ng gulong para hindi kami gabihin sa daan dahil napakadelikado ng lokasyon namin mula sa kalaban.

Forty-five minutes have passed we finished the replacement of the flat tires and we immediately fled. I can feel the tension from my driver. He rushed driving to keep us safe. Our way back to our base is a war prone area. Many soldiers had faced disgrace from the enemy on this area. "Relax lang, makakauwi tayo ng maayos." I uttered.

Napangiti ang driver ko. "Nakakakaba po talagang gabihin sa area na ito, Sir." he replied nervously.

"Tiwala lang sa taas." I faced him with certainty that we can return safe - no casualty and no firefight engagement. "Yes, Sir." He replied then his phone rang. 

"Yes, Sir." He answered while driving. "Kasama ko po, katabi ko siya ngayon, Sir." He's referring to me. "Kakausapin niyo po ba, Sir?" 

"Sir, si battalion commander." sabi ng driver habang inaabot ang telepono niya sa'kin.

"Sir, good afternoon. Second Lieutenant Molinari speaking."

"I am calling you but I can't reach you! Report to me now!"

"Yes, Sir." 

"Be sure to report to me before you go to your company."

"Copy, Sir." and he hung up. 

Malas naman! Okay na sana. I said in my head. I return the cellphone to the driver. I grabbed my cellphone inside my bagpack. I got more than 500 missed calls including my mother and majority from an unknown numbers. 

I remember I set my phone to vibrate mode because some pranksters were calling me. I almost fell my phone when an unknown number is calling. "Hello?" I answered.

"Harold... please naman, oh. Kausapin mo naman ako." I can recognized the sweet bothered voice. "Let's stop the pranking game, Aliza. I am not in the mood right now." I hanged up.

My phone vibrates again. Hindi pa ba ito nagsasawang tumawag? I said in my head, ignoring her calls. 

I was about to block her number when my phone vibrates again. It's a message from Aliza. "I just received my Certificate of No Marriage and the result is negative. Your name is on my record."

"You're my husband now."