AS 01: Agent Uno | Cathleen Valecerina

12

"ARE YOU sure? Hindi ka pupunta sa libing?" Zea looked at me with complete seriousness while staring at me, lying lifeless on my bed.

"Love, we've talk about this, paulit-ulit na lang ba?" I answered and looked at him, but he showed me how unhappy he was about my decision.

"Is that okay? Do you think I can't hear you crying all night? That I can't see how lifeless you look? You often beg your brother to let you join the investigation, but they still won't approve. You've stopped working and just stared at your bedroom's walls. I watched how devastated you are for the past 5 days." tuloy-tuloy na ani niya na parang hindi man lang ito huminga.

What he said slapped me. I pretended again, pretended to be okay but now his senses are sharper to recognize that I'm not fine at all. That moment, all I could think of is to run to him and once again cry myself out. Parang hindi ako napapagod umiyak, humikbi, humagulgol dahil sa sakit, sa pagsisisi, at sa kawalan ng kakayahang panatilihing ligtas ang buong grupo ko.

"I told you, you don't have to pretend in front of me. Hindi mo kailangang magpanggap na malakas sa harap ko. I'd prefer you being weak before me than watching you fake it all." He softly whispered while hugging me tight and dropping kisses on my head.

 

I've been crying out for the past five days, but the pain doesn't disappear. I'm still disoriented, true to my brothers' words, because, in this state, I can't help out with the ongoing investigation. Pano nga naman kasi makaktulong sa imbestigasyon ang nasa ganitong kalagayan diba?

Just like the other days, Zea doesn't want to leave my side but I've been pushing him away. I'm indirectly telling him no to see my state because I know he'd be devastated seeing me like this. Minsan nahuhuli ko siyang natutulog sa labas ng pinto ng kwarto ko o di kaya nangangalay na siya sa paghawak ng tray ng pagkain at nawawalan na ng boses kakakulit sa akin na kumain na.

"I'm, I'm so sorry f-for faking it." Humingi ako ng tawad sa kanya habang humihikbi at mahigpit na nakayakap sa kanya.

"Just don't fake it on me my love. I can clearly read your eyes even you try so hard to hide it." Paalala niya bago niya ako bahagyang binitawan para matitigan niya ang mukha ko.

"Still not going to the funeral?" he asked and I shook my head at him. Napabuntonghininga siya sa nakita niyang mukha ko pero bahagyang napangiti sa pag-iling ko.

Ayokong pumunta sa libing dahil hindi ko pa kayang tanggapin na wala na si Mirina pero kailangan. I have to gather my shit and be back to my senses now because I know Mirina is counting on us, counting on me, to serve justice on her death. Hindi ko matatakasan ang bangungot na ito kaya oras na para harapin ito at bumalik sa pagiging Agent Uno.

I quickly took a bath and wore my agent outfit together with the necessary gadgets. Nang lumabas ako sa walk-in closet pagkatapos makapagbihis ay nakita ko ang kislap ng pagkamangha sa mukha ni Zea. It's his first time to see me in this outfit kaya pagbibigyan ko ang mukhang yan pero gaya ng sinabi ko kay Graciel noon, walang nakakamangha sa ganitong trabaho.

"Sorry to say this but you just look so hot and sexy on that badass outfit." Aniya habang titig na titig sa itsura ko. Hindi ako umangal sa komento niya at tumango lang bago ko binuksan ang earpiece ko.

"Team, the dagger is ready to pierce someone's flesh. I repeat the dagger is ready to pierce someone's flesh." I said, and just like I expected, my team immediately gathered around because I heard noises from Patz and Graciel.

"Your eyes are wide open." Sagot ni Patz nang mukhang naisaayos nito ang sistema niya.

"Your hands are ready to work." Ani naman ni Graciel na mukhang kakatapos lang din mag-ayos.