The Assassin

2 - Well, hello there

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we arrived at Palawan. Thank you so much for flying with Riyo Air! Enjoy your stay here."

I took a deep breath as I step out of the airport. Iba talaga ang ihip ng hangin sa probinsya. Napaka linis, unlike sa manila.

"Renè?"

I smiled as I saw Ior. I welcomed him with a hug.

"Ior!" I eyed him from head to toe. "Look at you! Grabe, binata kana."

He smiled back, showing his perfect white set of teeth. Aba at talagang napaka gwapo nito. Napaka tangos ng ilong, singkit ang mga mata, naka push back ang itim na itim na buhok.

"Uy, makapag salita ka naman! Hindi nag kakalayo ang edad natin."

I chuckled. "Sorry if nakikita ko parin ang maliit na payat at iyakin na bata."

Ngumiti lamang ito at kinuha ang mga bagahe sa kamay ko. Iniligay nya ito sa likod at pinag buksan ako ng pinto ng kotse.

"So.. how's life on the other side?"

Ior was one of the kids that I grew up with at the orphanage. Katulad ko ay isa siya sa inampon at ti-nrain ni Madam. And by the age of thirty-two he obtained his freedom. She's given him an impossible task but fortunately, he succeeded.

He smiled. There's a hint of relief in his eyes.

"It's good, peaceful. It's more than I deserve actually," he glanced at me. "In fact, hinihintay kita. I thought you're joining me already."

I shook my head. "Nah, masyado pang maaga para mag retire. My life's gonna be boring if that happens. Besides, I enjoy punishing people."

"Hindi ka pa rin talaga nag babago, René."

I smirked. "Of course not. Why would I?"

Hindi ako mapapagod kumitil ng buhay na alam kong deserve nila. I guess mag kita-kita nalang kami sa impyerno.

We arrived at the port. From there we rode into a private boat and got to an exclusive island.

A large smile crept into my face when I felt the sand on my feet. This is why money is happiness people. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want and however I want.

"Feels good, huh?"

I looked at Ior. Still with a smile, "Yes. It feels very relaxing."

"C'mon, I'll show you where you'll stay."

Namangha ako ng makita ang bahay na pag sstay-an ko.

It's just a small white house pero napa ka ganda nito. Pag pasok mo palang, bubungad na agad sayo ang living room at mini kitchen.

It also has wide glass windows that creates a tapestry of space and experience that opens up to the spectacular scenery and breathes freely with it.

Sa labas naman ay may platform na kahoy. Napa-ngisi ako ng makita ko na may maliit na jacuzzi sa isang tabi.

"Well, isn't that fancy?"

Nag pakawala ng mahinang tawa si Ior. "What can I say? I like spending money."

"Amen to that, brother."

"Here." Iniabot neto sakin ang susi ng bahay. "I'll let you settle in. If you want to enjoy night life, just go there," itinuro niya ang pinaka dulo ng isla na kitang-kita ko ngayon kung nasaan ako. Nasa mataas na lugar kasi ito. Bukod doon ay medyo malayo ito sa mga bahay-bahay. And I like it more that way.

"Or if you get lost, you can just ask the local people. They're really nice."

"Oh, that's no problem. I like getting lost." I winked at him.

Nakita kong namula ang mag kabilang tainga neto. Napakamot ito sa ulo. "I'm really sorry.. 'di kita masasamahan ngayon. Unfortunately, they need me at the restaurant."

Kung titignan mo si Ior ay hindi mo aakalaing kaya netong pumatay. Sobrang amo ng mukha niya na animo'y ni lamok ay hindi kayang patayin.

"It's ok. I'll come by later.. or tomorrow. Thank you for letting me stay here, by the way."

Ngumiti ito. "It's nothing. Just buy me a drink and we're even."

Still smiling, I waved him goodbye. It's been a long time since I smiled. Well, of course I smile when I kill bad guys but.. I can say that Ior is the only human on earth that I care about.

Kami ang laging mag-kasama at mag-kakampi nung nasa orphanage palang kami. We also became partners as assassins.

But when he dies, I'll be sad for about a week and after that I'll be fine. Cold hearted, huh?

Over the years I became like this. I need to be like this to survive. I have no space for weakness nor emotions.

Pumasok na'ko sa loob ng tuluyang nawala na sa paningin ko si Ior.

I took a quick shower and then changed my clothes. I wore a red dress, it's showing my bare back. I put my long, blonde, wavy hair on a ponytail. Nag-lagay lang din ako ng lip tint at powder sa mukha.

Isinukbit ko ang itim na shoulder bag at sinuot ang pares ng itim na flip flops. Isinara ko muna ang lahat ng bintana bago tuluyang lumabas ng bahay.

After about 15 mins of walk, isa-isa nang nag sisilabasan ang mga bahay, tindahan at mga restaurants. There's like a night market along the beach. I'm guessing that this market is all over the island.

I looked around and saw people smiling, laughing. It somehow irritated me.

"I'm so over this shit..." I whispered to myself. Tinanggal ko ang aking mga tsinelas at binitbit iyon.

I sighed in contentment as I felt the sand on my feet. I breathed in deeply. I really love the smell of the ocean. Hearing the sounds of the waves, the peacefulness.

My peace was taken away when I heard someone crying.

My eyes wandered and I saw this man sitting on the sand while holding something.

Lumapit pa ako ng kaunti at nakitang hawak neto ay... singsing?

Napataas ang kilay ko. So, I guess he got rejected, huh?

"The break-up, it's that bad?"

Gulat na napatingin ito sa'kin. Nag-punas ito ng mga luha.

"...uh, what?"

I smiled. Well, hello there.