Eighteen years ago: Ariara Island, Philippines...
Tumanaw si Teyl sa baba ng chopper na kinalululanan.
Nakikita na niya ang malaking islang sinabi sa kanya ng tiyuhing kinaroroonan ng Chronos Union, ang Ariara Island.
It took her two years to convince her Uncle to let her in on the organization. Na ito naman pala ang nagtayo.
Before they left home, she asked her Tito Von to keep their relationship a secret. Ayaw niyang tingalain dahil lang pamangkin siya nito.
Iaangat niya ang sariling pangalan.
She's too young for such thoughts but she doesn't feel like it so she doesn't care.
Pinatay ang mga magulang niya. Wala siyang panahong maging bata.
Ayaw na niyang maging bata.
"Malapit na tayong l-um-anding, Teyl," anang tiyuhin sa tabi.
Nilingon niya ito at nginitian. "I won't let you down, Tito Von..."
Hinaplos nito ang buhok niya. "I know. But you also have to remember the number one rule of the Union. You can't leave just anytime you want. Unless you'll allow yourself to be killed or have someone take over your place."
Tumango siya. "I have no plan of leaving you alone in the Union, Tito."
"But you don't want to be known as someone related to me," may tampo sa boses na sagot nito.
Umabresete siya sa braso ng tiyuhin. "It will keep us both safe from unnecessary issues, Tito Von. Ayoko rin pong mapalusot sa mga training dahil pamangkin mo po ako," sagot niya. "Mas mate-train po ako nang maayos kung ituturing din po nila akong ordinaryong trainee."
"Okay. But just say a word and I'll give you a special permission and pull you out the Union."
"Tito..." tutol niya.
"Fine, fine... Whatever my lovely niece wants..." anito't hinalikan siya sa ulo.
The chopper finally landed on the helipad of the mansion.
They hugged one last time before they became strangers for the years to come.
"Ingatan mo ang sarili mo," bilin ng tiyuhin bago siya pakawalan.
"Opo, Tito Von."
The door of the chopper slid open.
They pulled away from each other.
Wala pa namang ibang tao sa helipad pero mas mabuti na rin ang nag-iingat.
Pinauna siya ng tiyuhin sa pagbaba.
Naamoy agad niya ang mga bulaklak sa paligid ng mansyon nang umihip ang hangin.
"Follow me, Teyl," bulong sa kanya ng tiyuhin.
Tumango siya't pinauna na ito.
She walked behind her Uncle.
Naglakad ito palapit sa elevator sa isang sulok ng helipad. He walked slowly so her tiny feet could catch up.
Nang makarating sa harap ng elevator, hindi na sumabay sa kanila ang piloto ng helicopter.
Pinigilan niya ang sariling magpasalamat sa lalaki pagkapasok nila sa loob.
Kabilin-bilinan ng tiyuhin niyang h'wag makikipag-usap sa ibang empleyado nito.
Nang magsara ang elevator, hindi na rin sila nag-usap na mag-tiyo.
The elevator went four floors down.
"Ihahatid muna kita sa quarters niyo. Then, later today, someone will pick you up with the other new recruits and will introduce you to the life inside the Union."
"Opo, Tito. I mean, copy, Chronos," aniya't tumikhim.
Bahagya siyang nilingon ng tiyuhin pero hindi na rin ito nagsalita.
They stopped in front of a door at the end on the hallway.
"This is where you'll be staying," anang tiyuhin at hinawakan ang seradura. Not to push the door open but to prevent someone from opening it from the inside. "You can still back out, Phinex," anito gamit ang binigay na codename sa kanya.
She shook her head and removed her Uncle's hand.
"This is my new life now, Chronos," bulong niya. "Teyl was left in Brazil," she said and pushed the door open.
She was greeted by a huge high-ceilinged room.
May hilera iyon ng mga higaan sa magkabilang gilid na may katabi ring mga locker.
She's expecting a buzzing quarters but she was greeted by silence.
"I guess everyone's out and having a look around," anang tiyuhin sa likuran.
Nilingon niya ito.
Dahil wala namang tao, niyakap niya ulit ang tiyuhin. Pero mabilis lang.
Just to give him her final goodbye.
"Thank you po sa lahat, Tito..."
They stood inside the empty room for several moments, looking at each other.
Then, Chronos smiled and walked towards the door.
Sinundan niya ng tingin ang tiyuhin.
Alam niyang desisyon niya ang pumasok sa Chronos Union pero nakaramdam siya ng lungkot sa pagtalikod sa dating buhay.
All of a sudden, from being a carefree child, she felt the demand to be a more mature one now.
Chronos slowly closed the door while staring at her.
Parang nararamdaman nilang pareho ng tiyuhin ang pag-aalangang bitawan ang dating relasyon at buhay.
BINABASA MO ANG
CUS #5: Into You
Mystery / ThrillerThe downfall of the Chronos Union led Phinex to fall under the hands of Detective Lauder of the Luxirr Investigation Bureau. To save her ass, she bit the deal to use her skills in Psychopath hunting to catch one of the Bureau's persons of interest...
