Shipwrecked Hearts

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Hinawakan naman ni Mermaid ang aking kamay at sabay kaming lumabas. I unconsciously smelled the weather, it'd be a nice night—no trace of clouds nor rain. Just a clear starry night.

Nang nasa labas na kami ng palasyo, nakita ko ang daanan pababa ng bundok, the city lights seem to be fairy lights sparkling, then there's the vast sea, colored with different shades of lights omitted by the ships. It was breathtaking, something I can never get used to. "Ate Kira, dahil mas matagal ako sa inyo dito, alam ko ang mga pinakamagagandang puntahan!"

"Then I'll let you lead." Sagot ko naman sa kan'yang habang pababa kami.

Nang nasa Jolly Roger na kami'y kumislap ang aking mga mata. I see carriages around, horses neighing, people interacting, booths, trading shops, boutiques, lights. The city was so lively compared to the day!

Hinawakan ni Mermaid ang aking kamay, "baka mawala ka, Ate." Ngumiti siya sa akin habang nakatingala sapagkat maliit pa siya. "Dito tayo, Ate Kira." Saad niya sabay hila sa akin papasok sa loob ng isang shop. I never got to read its sign.

"Oh, Mermaid." Tumingin ako sa nagtitinda. Recognition seems to hit his eyes and he bowed, "Kira." Aniya. "Upo po kayo." He ushered me and Mermaid towards a round table. I can see that we're not the only customers around, nakita ko ang mga tao na tumingin sa akin. I felt giddy by all the eyes around locked at me and well, there's this thought that they only recognize me because of Maximo and not because of who I truly am. "Here's the menu." Lahad ng lalaki sa akin. "Ako nga po pala si Bartholomew." Why the hell is no one in this town who isn't gorgeous?! I mean, this guy, he's appealing! He must be around his early 30s.

Tumango ako sa kan'yang. Kumislap ang mata ko nang makita ang laman ng menu, ice cream! Oh, my gosh! Gusto kong um-order ngunit naalala ko na wala pala akong pera.

"Huwag kayong mag-alala, Kira. Libre ito. Hindi ako makakapagtinda ng kakanin kung hindi dahil sa inyo, lahat ng pirata ay libre dito."

"Thank you." I smiled. Wait, did I just blurt out loud what I was actually thinking that I have no money with me? Speaking of money, I have no idea what money they use. Ngumiti lamang si Bartholomew sa akin. I looked at the menu and read the flavors—vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, cheese, mango. Ah! I was having a hard time picking.

"Do you want all the flavors?" He asked.

My eyes twinkled, "yes please."

"Okay. Noted." He looked at Mermaid, "I'm guessing you'd settle with choco-banana?"

"Opo! Galing n'yo, kuya. Lagi n'yong nahuhulaan kung ano ang gusto ko. Libre ulit, 'di ba?" Mermaid pouted.

"Yes, yes." Bartholomew patted Mermaid on her head and excused himself to prepare the ice creams.

Tinignan ko si Mermaid.I was curious about the things I found out about her. It was shocking. "So, you're an assassin?" She nodded as if it was nothing. "And you're six?"

"Opo, sinabi ko naman na sa inyo noon, Ate Kira."

"When did you first kill?" Takang tanong ko sa kan'yang.

"Noong apat na taon po ako."

"How?"

"Kasi po, 'yong mga nag-ampon sa akin ay galing sa pamilya ng mga assassins. Tinuruan akong pumatay." She told. Nakinig naman ako nang mabuti sa kung ano mang sinasabi niya. "Ayon nga po." Tumango-tango pa siya.

Nang dumating ang aming orders ay agad naming nilantakan iyon. It was delicious. Its taste cannot be compared to all the ice creams I've tasted before.

Tumingin ako kay Bartholomew, he was just standing beside me. He raised an eyebrow when he saw me giving him a glimpse, "is there anything you want, Kira?"