He's My Gangster

Chapter 1: Back To Philippines

"Death!" Nanunuod ako ng TV dito sa living room nang biglang dumating si Blood na mukhang tuwang-tuwa.

"You don't need to shout, Blood. I'm just right here in front of you." I said in monotone.

"I'm sorry. I'm just really excited to show you this." Sabi niya at ipinabasa sakin ang isang news article sa tablet niya.

Headline: Philippine Gangster Society will be holding a nationwide gang fight on January to find the next gang to rule the country.

After reading the headline, a smile formed in my lips and looked into Blood's eyes.

"Go and call the other members. Tell them to pack their things now and we're going to Philippines tomorrow."

"Aye aye captain!" Masayang sagot ni Blood at nagsimula ng tumakbo palabas.

Nationwide gang fight huh? That sounds exciting.

By the way, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Ace Haley Demison, currently living here in Los Angeles, California. I am the leader of the infamous gang named Dark Angel that is composed of 7 girls including me. Well, that's it for now.

***

"What did you say? Philippines?" Gulat na tanong sakin ni Mama at itinigil muna ang pagpirma sa mga papeles sa table niya. Tumango nalang ako bilang sagot.

"But why?"

"Nothing. I just missed the country. Besides, it's been years since the last time I saw our relatives there." I want to call that a 'white lie'.

"Is that really the reason?" Tinitigan niya ako sa mata.

Tumango nalang ulit ako. I don't want to be detailed regarding this trip. We all know we're not planning to be good girls there and about that 'white lie', hindi kasi ako papayagang umalis ni Mama kapag sinabi kong gang fight ang ipupunta ko dun. Not that mapipigilan niya ko kung gusto ko mang umalis, pero mas okay kasi kung makukuha ko yung permisyon niya. Ayaw ko rin naman na mag-alala siya. Besides wala rin si Papa para pakalmahin siya kapag nalaman niya yung totoong rason ko dahil may inaasikaso itong business sa Korea.

"Are you sure about this? I mean, you're going back to that country again... where it happened." Sinabi niya ito sa akin ng may nag-aalalang mata.

"Stop it, Ma." Heto na naman kami sa topic na yan.

"I'm just making sure, honey."

"It's been 3 years for Pete's sake, Mom! I'm over that." I replied in an irritated tone.

"Okay, okay. Just asking." Sabi niya habang nakataas ang dalawang kamay na para bang sumusuko na. "Go now and rest. You still have a flight tomorrow."

Tumayo na ako sa upuan at iniwan si Mama sa library.

I really wish those words I just told you, Mom, are true because to tell you the truth, I'm still not over it. I will never be over it.

Philippines.

I still need to go back there even it may bring back the pain. Because I could fight there. And through fighting, I could escape from this pain and this fucked-up reality.

***

"Diba sabi ko sayo huwag kang pumunta dito? Ang tigas talaga ng ulo mo!" Hinihingal nitong sigaw nang makalapit sa akin.

"Wala namang nangyari saking masama ah? Sorry na." Sandali niya akong tinitigan ng masama ngunit sa huli at ngumiti rin at ginulo ang buhok ko.

"Buti nalang talaga. Kung hindi, hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko."

Biglang umikot ang ginagalawan ko at nakita ko nalang na nakikipaglaban na siya.

"Huli ka!"

"Aaah! Pakawalan mo ko! Clyde, tulong!"

"Bitawan mo siya!"

"Clyde!"

"Takbo na Haley! Takbo!"

"Ayoko! Hindi kita iiwan dito!"

"Haley, hindi! Tumakbo ka na! Takbo!"

"Babalikan kita Clyde, promise! Hihingi lang ako ng tulong!"

"AAAH!"

"Hey Death, wake up!" Naramdaman ko ang bahagyang pagyugyog sakin kaya napamulat ako ng mata.

Tss. Dream.

"Why?" I asked Shadow, one of my members.

"We're now here in the Philippines."

Tumingin ako sa bintana ng eroplano at nakita ang dahan-dahan naming paglanding sa airport.

I'm back, Clyde.