HYEORAEK

Part 46: Self Defense

----

After our intense training in shooting range we gather up again for our hand-to-hand combat training. It's three pm right now and I can really see how the General persistent on helping us to be prepared on our mission.

"Zombies are attractive to sounds. Kaya kung maaari ay gamitin ninyo lang ang mga baril ninyo kapag hindi ninyo na sila kayang labanan ng pisikalan. Use silencers," General Dela Rosa instructed us but my attention is not on him but at the man in front of me.

He looks cold. He's still cold until now and hours had already passed but the real Ali that I know is still missing. Nasa ibang ground ulit kami ng Evacuation, isang hindi kalakihang covered court at kaming mga volunteers at mga kasama ng Heneral ang nasa loob lamang ng area. Pinapila kaming lahat habang sa tabi namin ang kapares namin sa hand-to-hand combat training. General stated that it's important for us to atleast we know how to defense ourselves since we can't have our weapons everytime. At hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman nang si Ali ang ipares sa akin ng Heneral habang si Drew naman at Thea at Salvador kay Gwyn. Lahat kami ay naghihintay na lang ng Go signal ng Heneral.

"Ang hand-to-hand combat at Self defense ay magiging backer ninyo kung sakali mang maubusan na kayo ng bala pero huwag ninyo pa ring hahayaang magkaroon ng close contact sa mga infected. Masyadong delikado," he advised us and start to train us on defending ourselves. Dahil na-enroll na ako noon ni Kuya Erros sa isang martial art club ay magiging madali na lang sa akin ang gayahin ang itinuturo nila pero sa taong kaharap ko ngayon ay nagdadalawang isip akong gawin iyon sa kanya.

"A-Aray! Huwag mo naman akong sakalin!" I heard Drews complained and saw how Thea strangled Drews neck. Our training started already. He can't complain and blame the woman, tho at ginagaya lang naman niya ang itinuturo ng Heneral sa amin.

"Are we gonna stare each other the whole time?" I blinked many times until I finally processed of what the man in front me had queried. I glared at him and move a bit. Stare? He's the only one who staring at me while I'm busy looking on my surroundings. Everyone's busy on their hand-to-hand combat while we're still here, standing and doing nothing.

"The childish Ali is the one who I need right now. You don't need to train yourself at this," I coldly told him and we remained our distance from each other. My words are partly true, Ali the one I know who only wants to play around and hide on my back really need this kind of train. And I would be glad to teach him some Self Defense para naman maprotektahan niya ang sarili niya. Habang itong nasa harap ko naman ay mukhang alam na ang lahat kaya hindi na niya kakailanganin pa ang mag-ensayo. Why he's still here, anyway?

"Then I apologize to disappoint you because I'll be here until tomorrow. I'm not going to allow anyone understate me. No ones going to cross Ali Madrigal," he snapped using his deep kind of voice. I gazed him and frown. Until tomorrow? Is he crazy?!

"Bakit parang tuod kayong dalawa riyan? Kayo pa naman ang inaasahan kong matututo agad sa mga ganitong bagay dahil sa pinakita ninyo kanina," General Dela Rosa commented after his eyes landed on our side. I almost rolled my eyes, here we go again with his expectations. "Kaya mo pa lang magseryoso bakit hindi mo iyan gawin palagi para naman seryosohin ka rin ng mga kapwa mo volunteers?" puna ulit ng Heneral nang makitang seryosong nakatitig lang sa akin si Ali. I glared him again and caressed my brows.

Tumaas ang kaliwang kilay ng lalaki kasabay din ng simpleng pagngisi nito sa akin. He's eyes light up like he's telling me 'see?' while not removing his grinning lips. I breathed deeply to control my irritations before I faced him wearing my questioning eyes. "Are you out of your mind? Both of us knows that everyone's only recognize you as a gullible and childish man and not the one you are right now. Do you want to confuse people on your persona?" mahina kong tanong dito nang tuluyan na kaming nilubayan ng Heneral.