Kabanata 22
Solution
"How did the encounter happen?"
"We were planning to have girl bond activity. Sa restaurant pa lang na pinagkitaan namin ni Trivina, pansin ko na ang presensya nila. I knew right then that they were trying to assassinate and for goodness sake's, Cozen, I was unarmed! Nataranta ako kaya sa shooting range ko na dinala si Trivina. At least I got firearms there, with permission to shoot kaya hindi ako lumabag sa batas."
Sa likod ng pinto, dalawang boses na ang naririnig kong nag-uusap sa loob. I gasped. Pareho silang natigilan nang bumukas ang pinto para sa pagpasok ko.
I balled my fist to hide the trembling. Nagkatinginan sila, pareho pa ring tahimik. Lumakad ako patungo sa couch ng study at doon naupo.
Cozen and Davi are standing in front of me. Cozen is, as always, calm. Samantalang tensyonado naman ng kaonti si Davi.
"What happened?" tanong ko sa mababang boses.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanila.
"What the hell just happened?!" ulit ko sa tanong nang walang sumagot, may intensidad na sa boses.
"We were almost shot, Triv-"
"I know! I was there! But why were they raining us bullets?!" I trailed Davi off.
"Assassination, Trivina," tipid niyang sagot na para bang maiintindihan ko agad 'yon.
I scoffed dramatically. Kumurap kurap dahil wala akong naintindihan. Davi stared at me looking distraught now that she realized she's gotta explain things to me.
Tinampal niya ang braso ni Cozen nang natanto niyang hindi niya kayang ipaliwanag sa akin ang lahat. She's asking Cozen for a help that he smirked at her.
"Dimitrivina-"
I glared at Cozen.
"And what are you doing here, Zalderial?" marahas akong bumuga ng hangin. "I never thought I'd be seeing any of your blood in this situation!"
He smirked, but eyes with indifference.
"I saved you, Triv. I saved my girls," aniya at saglit na sumulyap kay Davi.
Ibinalik niya ang tingin sa akin.
"They were after you."
"Who?"
"Pavino Lunamovas' enemies men."
My brows shut. "What exactly is this, Cozen?"
"Well..." he made an intriguing pause and slid his hands on his pockets. "Trivina, you married a man who is a leader of a syndicate."
My heartbeat dropped that I laughed crazily.
"I appreciate that you're trying to make me calm," I then turned serious. "But I am not for shits, Cozen. Just tell me what the hell is happening and tell me the truth!"
I demanded something that he's not yet ready to give. Para akong magngingitngit sa matinding emosyon kaya tumayo ako nang hindi na halos makayanan ang pagkikimkim ni Cozen ng mga sasabihin.
"This is absurd!" I hissed and started pacing on my place.
"Let's have you rested, Trivina. Mag-uusap tayo kapag nakabawi ka na ng lakas."
Tumigil ako sa lakad nang lumapit si Cozen sa akin at sa marahang kilos ay niyakap ako. I somehow calmed. Hindi ko siya niyakap pabalik pero pumikit lang at isinandal ang noo sa balikat niya.
