The Empire Series 5: Vanna Lei Shrewd

Chapter 40: Questions

"Klein," sambit ni Vanna habang tinitingnan ang binata. He's seated at the driver's seat. Kakahinto lang ng sasakyan sa tapat ng maindoor nila. Inihatid siya nito sa bahay. When it's her time off from her missions, she always goes home to her parents.

Napatingin ang binata sa kanya. Ngumiti siya habang tinititigan ang asul nitong mga mata. They look so sincere and serene.

"Kanina sa restaurant--" Napatigil siya sa pagsasalita nang tumunog ang cellphone nito. She wanted to tell him about seeing Clyde. Naalala niya kasing huhulihin pala dapat si Clyde noon para paaminin kung hanggang saan ang nalalaman nito tungkol sa ahensya pero nakatakas lang, kaya nararapat lang na sabihin niya ito sa binata. Cloud is still her boss after all.

Tumingin ang binata sa screen ng cellphone na hindi tumitigil sa pag-ring.

"I need to take this call," he told her after few seconds. Tumango na lamang siya. He immediately went out of the car as he took the call. Nanatili siya sa loob ng kotse at hinintay itong matapos pero ilang minuto na ay may kausap pa rin ito sa telepono. He looks at the car once in a while. Nakatayo ito sa ilalim ng palm tree sa lawn area.

Nang hindi na niya mahintay ay lumabas na siya at tinanaw ito. He glanced but continued talking on the phone. Halos limang minuto siyang nakatayo bago ito natapos sa pakikipag-usap.

"I'm sorry about that," sambit nito nang makalapit. Ngumiti siya at tumango. She was about to speak again when his phone rang. Their eyes both settled on the ringing phone.

"Sweetheart, I really need to go," paalam nito nang hindi tumigil ang tawag.

"May problema ba sa agency?" tanong niya rito kahit na alam niyang hindi nito sasagutin kapag tungkol sa ahensya ang usapan. Everything in the agency is classified and confidential. Kahit siya ay bawal mangialam sa mga impormasyon maliban na lang kung kasali siya sa misyon.

Nagkibit-balikat lang ito na naintindihan naman niya. It was an unwritten agreement.

"Enjoy your rest day," he whispered as he kissed her forehead. Tumango na lamang siya.

Cloud went inside his car right away as soon as she said take care. Gumilid siya para bigyan ito ng daan. Bumusina naman ito bago tuluyang lumabas ng bakuran. She felt a little down not being able to tell him about what she saw.

******

Nang sumunod na araw ay halos hindi na sila magkita ni Cloud. Sunod-sunod na kasi ang operasyon nila sa mga tinutugis na sindikato. Mas lalong naging kumplikado nang madamay na ang personal na buhay ng kakambal niya.

They were out targeting culprits most of the time. Kahit sa telepono ay madalang na silang mag-usap ni Cloud ng personal na bagay. Nakaligtaan na rin niyang sabihin ang tungkol kay Clyde dahil hindi naman din niya ito nakita mula noon.

After their last mission on the syndicates, things with her twin brother became more complicated. Cloud knew she also got depressed about the situation, but she had to act tough. Mabuti na lang naroon ito para umalalay sa kanya lagi.

Little by little she accepted the fact that she can never control what will happen to his brother's life and that she had to let it be.

*****

"I know it's untimely to ask, but when can we talk about our wedding?" Klein asked while they were having lunch at her pentsuite. Tinamad na kasi silang lumabas.

Napatitig siya rito. She remembered their deal, but can she get married at this moment? Paano magpapakasaya ang pamilya nila kung ang kakambal niya ay may malala pang problema?