The Heavenly Card

3. Ambush

Eurydice Dianne

Nasa harap ako ngayon ng malaking bintana, nakabukas ito at hindi ko alintana ang sinag ng araw na tumatama sa mukha ko. This is the only thing that I look forward to when waking up.

"Dianne, get ready, we have brunch with your aunts and cousins." I sighed.

"I'm almost done, Mama," I muttered before slamming my window shut. I started picking out my outfit for the day, which took me a full hour. If it weren't for the yelling to hurry up, I probably still wouldn't have decided.

"Ilang oras kang namili only to wear. . . that?" My sister pointed at my clothes, tumingin naman sa amin si Cain at umismid.

"You have a shitty style, Liene, so don't say that again." He said before turning on his heel and walking away.

Our parents is in another car, ayaw nilang sumama sa amin dahil maingay si Liene.

I figured it out when she wanted to ride with them dahil magka-away sila ni Cain and our mother made so many excuses just to make sure she wouldn't ride with them. Sirang aircon daw, sinamahan ko pa si Dad sa sasakyan dahil naiwan ko 'yung bracelet ko and the car was completely fine.

"Don't ever dare to make a noise, Marliene." Cain threatened Liene, his voice low and menacing. Moments later, his phone rang, and he answered the call without another word.

"Hello-" He was cut off by a loud explosion that shook the ground beneath us, kasunod no'n ang sunod-sunod na putok ng baril. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko at naiyak na lang ako nang tumalsik sa akin ang dugo ng driver sa harap dahil natamaan siya, para akong nawalan ng hininga.

Mabilis kaming hinila ni Cain pailalim at yinakap kaming pareho ni Liene.

The car was still moving, and I braced myself for the impact, but it gradually came to a stop. "T-thank y-you, S-sir C-cain." My tears flowed even more upon hearing the trembling voice of our driver.

Kahit sa huling hininga ay ligtas pa ring naihinto ni Kuya Janro ang sasakyan.

"K-kuya... what is happening?!" I was already crying like Liene, who was shedding silent tears, and that surprised me.

"Fuck, this is an ambush," He whispered before picking up his phone. I expected him to make a call, but instead, he opened the secret compartment beneath the chairs and retrieved a gun. With a swift motion, he shattered his phone.

"A-are you stupid? That's our only communication outside!" Hindi maiwasang mag-panic ni Liene. Our phones were confiscated last week because she almost broke Dad's favorite vase, thinking I took her precious shoes! And now, our phones are in the house, and Cain is the only one with a phone right now.

"My phone detonated the bomb when I answered the fucking call, I can't risk using that phone again." Nanlumo ako sa narinig ko.

It detonated the bomb. . . But, where is the bomb?

"We stay here no matter what happens." My brother said as he picked up the gun, gripping it tightly. Cain, Liene, and I still held each other close, clinging together.

"You're so stupid, Cain. Hindi ako mamamatay dito." Liene whispered.

Seriously?

"Mamamatay ka na nga lang, mamamatay ka pang walang respeto." Sabi ko, nakita ko nag pagtaas ng kilay ni Liene.

"Excuse me? Kung gusto niyong mamatay ay bahala kayo, basta ako iiwan ko agad kayo." My mouth went agape, hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ganito kasama ang ugali ng kapatid kong 'to.