PRANKED BOOK 1 (published with BOOK OF LIFE PUBLICATION)

Chapter 9

"Miss Decena?" 

Pucha! Bitin! I said in my head when we heard a voice from the door of the messing hall. We stopped kissing because of that! I complained.

We both turned our heads from the origin of the voice. "Wala ata dito si Miss Decena, Ma'am." the voice added.

Aliza sharply glared at me. "What?" I asked without a sound.

Aliza started coughing louder by louder. "Papunta na'ko d'yan, Mae. Inuubo lang ako." she spoke loudly while eyes still looking at me. 

"Let's talk later." She spoke to me and left. I leaned my back on the wall and fold my one knee, foot leaning on the wall. Many times I expelled breaths. No thoughts, no words, just heavy breath rushing out my mouth. What if its just another prank?

I leave the place and went back to our vehicle. I found the driver with new clothes on. "Sergeant, saan ang mga tropa?" 

"Nagkanya-kanya nang nagkabit ng duyan, Sir."

"Bakit? Uuwi pa tayo, 'di ba?" he did not answer. Her eyes just confusingly stucked on me until I found the answer on my own. "Damn it!" Napamura na naman ako. "Oo nga pala, hindi pa tayo pwedeng umuwi. May mga activities pa tayo bukas." I said.

"Sir, wala pong bakanteng kwarto para sa inyo. Inukopahan po ng mga bisita ang officers quarters po." Napamaywang ako sa narinig. "Ang ibang company commanders po sa labas natulog." He meant about 'sa labas natulog' ay nag-rent ng private room sa labas ng kampo.

"No problem." I answered nodding. "Tulad ng dati. Titingnan ko nga kung dala ko ba ang duyan ko. Hindi naman mukhang uulan 'diba?" I asked when I am about to open the vehicle's door. 

Hindi ako sanay na magrent ng hotel room o makikitulog kung saan-saan. Duyan lang, sapat na para sa'kin. "May area na po kayo, Sir. Kinabit na po namin ang duyan niyo." he said that makes me stopped from what I am doing. I turned my head on him. "Snappy, ah." I smile widely at him. "Tara, pahinga na. Iwan mo na 'yan at bukas mo na ulit asikasuhin. Napakahaba pa naman ng araw natin ngayon." 

"Yes, Sir. Tapos na po ito."

"Pa'no, dito ba ako?" I pointed the hammock near us.

"Hindi po, Sir. Sa bandang looban po kayo, sa gitna." he wave his hand as a sign that they placed me in the distant.

"Aba, snappy talaga. Applied na applied niyo ang mga turo sa'tin, ah." I was so impressed how they care for me and how they absorbed the military protocols. "Pa'no, mauna na'ko." I feel so blessed with the people who cares for me. As a soldier, especially as an officer, it is an honor to have people that has initiative to prepare your necessities and offer protection even though you didn't ask. I promised to protect these people. I mutter while walking to my direction.

"Sa'n ka?" I read the message Aliza sent me 10 minutes after I get on my hammock. "We need to talk." she added. "This is serious."

Ting! Lightbulb!  I have an idea, then I typed on my phone. "Puntahan mo'ko. It is nearly 9, bawal na kaming gumala-gala." 

"Saan?" she replied.

"Dito sa duyan ko." 

"Saan nga? Hindi ko alam kung saan 'yan." Taray naman nito sumagot.

"Down the messing hall, there's a big military truck, I'll fetch you there."

"I'm going now." she replied.

"I'm waiting. Move faster, mahal ang oras ko." I sarcastically replied.

I slowly get off the hammock and slowly pass through my troops who are already sleeping in there own shelter.

In a distant, I saw Aliza in a floral sleeping dress coming. Parang white lady ang babaeng 'to. I smirked. I raised my hand for her to recognize me and she's running coming for me. I nearly appreciate her when I realized that this might be fake again. . . her next prank show. "We need to cancel my Certificate of No Marriage. We have to info - "

"Shhh..." I cut her off. "Dahan-dahan lang sa boses mo. Everyone is already sleeping." I whispered. "Come with me." I lead the way to my shelter. "Saan?" she ask loudly. "Nakakatakot naman dito, ang daming kuliglig." she said hearing the noise of the crickets. I turned back and cover her mouth. "Dahan-dahan lang sa boses, para kang nakalunok ng megaphone." I said restraining her.

We heard a loud snore from a distant. That makes Aliza clasped my arm, "Ano y'un?" she's now whispering. I laughed at her. "Natutulog na nga kasi sila. Ayan, oh." I pointed the hammocks scattered in the area with a hanging tent above. "Kaya huwag kang maingay." I put some of her loose hair to her ear and smiled. "Now, let's do this." 

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo?" I carried her, one hand in her leg and the other arm supporting her back. "Bakit? 'Wag ganito, Harold." She's whispering. 

"Shhh... trust me and please shut your mouth. They might wake up. Napakaingay mo." I can imagine she rolled her eyes again. I just smirked on the thought.

I heard her non-stop gasps all the way to my shelter. I put her, sitting on the hammock and get on my knees to remove her sandals. "Bakit dito?" she asked confusingly. I put her sandals on a cellophane and hide inside my bag. "Bakit diyan mo nilagay ang sandals ko?"

"Aliza. . ." I said holding her shoulders. "Ang dami mong tanong. Una, dito tayo mag-uusap dahil pagod na po ako. Napakahaba ng araw ko ngayon. Pangalawa, tinago ko ang sandals mo para walang makakaalam na nandito ka. Pangatlo, gusto kitang katabi matulog." Sumakay ako sa duyan at humiga. Wala ng magawa si Aliza nang hilahin ko siya at itabi sa'kin. 

"Christian Harold naman..." she said with a sound of protest.

I guided her head to my arm and put on her a blanket. "Now, tell me everything about your CENOMAR and I will listen."

"Hindi sa ganitong sitwasyon. Please, ibalik mo na'ko sa kwarto ko." she said begging.

"Not now." I said closing my eyes and enclosed her with my tight hug. "Just tonight, Aliza." I said whispering to her ear.

"O-okay. Just tonight."

"Magsalita ka ng pabulong lang, maririnig ka ng mga tao ko." I said.

"Okay, okay." she sounds irritated.

"Start talking now, I'll listen." Masunurin naman pala itong babaeng 'to.

"Let's cancel the CENOMAR, I badly needed to be single."

"And, why?" As if it is true. You can't fool me again. I said yawning.

"Gusto ko ring --- wait." she grabbed my hand from caressing her thigh. "Teka lang, Harold." 

"MANYAK. BA. AKO. ALIZA?" I emphasized every word of my question.

"Yes, you are Mr Molinari. I am not here to flirt with you." she said whispering. Ang taray-taray ne'to pero nakayakap pa 'rin ako sa kanya. I said in my head controlling my laugh.

"What you were saying again, Aliza." I said kissing her ear.

"Let's cancel the CENOMAR."

"Oh, is it a real CENOMAR?"

"Yes, for god's sake, Harold!"

"Shh...---" she suddenly pushed my face. "Nananakit ka na, Aliza, samantalang minamahal kita." I nearly laugh with my words.

"I am serious! Let's cancel the CENOMAR. I want to be an Army."

"You want, what?" I clarified.

"I want to be a member of the Philippine Army."

I was stunned.