PENTA BROTHERS SERIES V - The Love of Zeus (RAFFY)

Chapter 5 - Assignment

3 years ago...

Lawn Tennis Tournament.

Raffy turned out to be the champion in that yearly tournament. Kasalukuyan siyang naglalakad patungo sa kotse niya kung saan naghihintay na ang driver niya nang bigla siyang hinablot ni Clint sa kamay.

"Come with me," anas ni Clint.

Bigla silang hinarang ng may limang katao. Ito ang mga bantay ni Raffy. Natigilan si Clint.

"No need to do that, this is Clint. You know him," malamig ang boses na sagot ni Raffy.

"Pero--"

"Please," ani Raffy.

Natigilan naman ang lima at isa-isang naglaho.

"What's up, Clint?"

"Dylan," pagsisimula ni Clint.

Agad na kumunot ang noo ni Raffy.

"What's with that clumsy woman?"

"Dylan got into a fight and a motorbike accident, an hour ago..." mahinahon na saad ni Clint.

"Whaaaat?! Bakit hindi mo sinabi agad?"

"I'm not stupid. This is your nationals tournament, and she told me never to tell anyone, especially you."

"At bakit mo naman sinabi sa 'kin ngayon?"

"Because I know you'd find out later."

Raffy looked at Clint.

"Let's go."

And when they reached the hospital, Dylan was nowhere to be found. Eventually, Raffy knew the reason of Dylan's accident. And it was for...

Napabalikwas ng bangon si Raffy. Sunud-sunod na tumatagaktak ang mga pawis mula sa kanyang noo. He wiped it. He heaved a sigh. Napatingin siya sa paligid. Wala sina Osmond at Clint sa pagkakataong 'yon. Then he remembered nasa kanilang bahay siya.

That dream again. He looked at the table near him. Nandun ang profile ng babaeng pakakasalan niya. He hates remembering that. He looked around and searched for his phone.

He dialled a number. A few rings, then the person answered it.

"Hello?" saad ng nasa kabilang linya.

"Where are you?" tanong ni Raffy, his voice raspy and desperate.

"Huh? Teka, sino 'to?"

Napahawak sa kanyang sintido si Raffy. Shoot.

"Where the hell are you, Mavis?!" inis na tanong ni Raffy.

Matagal na sumagot ang nasa kabilang linya.

"What—wait! Is that you, Raffy?"

Marahas na bumuntung-hininga si Raffy.

"Asan ka ba, Mavis?"

Raffy's voice was now pleading.

Napatingin si Dylan sa cellphone niya. Napakunot-noo siya. What's wrong with Raffy? Bigla-bigla nalang siya nitong hinahanap, when in fact ayaw nga siya nitong makita? At isa pa, how did he get her number? Napatingin siya sa LED watch niya. It's 3:21 in the morning.

"B-Bakit gising ka pa?" tanong ni Dylan.

"I asked you first, where the hell are you?" inis na tugon naman ni Raffy.