Iva Escondido (Completed)

Ikalabing Limang Dugo

I opened the door of this shop.

Naglakad ako papunta doon sa pinakadulo kung saan ako naga-gun shooting.

"Iva, you're here. I've been waiting for you." salubong sa akin ni Jerrie.

"Hi." bati ko.

He smiled at kumuha narin ng gagamiting baril.

"How's your day?" he asked as he crank the gun.

"Not that okay."

I answered honestly while thinking Justin. Two days na siyang hindi bumibista sa condo.

Mahirap lang talaga pagnagbago ang nakasanayan mo.

"Why?" he asked. "Problem?"

I nodded as a response.

"Share it. You don't have boyfriend so malabong tungkol sa lalaki 'yan. Is it about your family?"

Napatingin ako sakanya.

Justin is not even my boyfriend yet. Why do I kept thinking on him. Yeah, maybe I should focus on my family's justice.

"Sort of." I lied.

Hindi narin naman siya nagtanong pa about doon. Nahalata niya sigurong wala akong ganang mag open topic about that.

"Anyways, can I ask you some questions?"

My brows furrowed.

"You're already asking."

Tumawa ito atsaka umiling-iling.

"Savage." he raised his both hands as if he was showing he was lose. "Why are you here?"

I look at him.

"Why are you here too?" balik tanong ko sakanya.

Halatang nagulahan ito sa akin. Pero agad niya iyon binawi sa pagtawa.

"I mean, para saan 'yang pagpa-practice mo ng baril?" he cleared.

"Ito ba?" I asked as I ready the H&K P30L.

"Yeah."

"Something for revenge."

I look at him trying to see if meron bang nagbago sa expression niya. I thought he will be shocked pero mukhang humahanga pa ang itsura nito.

"Really? For what?"

"Too private."

"I see."

Nag-start na ako sa pagpipindot. I look at him when he tap my right shoulder.

"Do you want to be train?"

Tumigil ako at tinitigan ito sa mga mata niya.

"I can train myself."

Nakita ng peripheral vision ko na inilapag nito ang hawak-hawak na baril.

"I'm serious. I can train you.''

Seryoso ko itong tinitigan.

-

"You need to lean your legs so you can well-balance your body."

Sinunod ko ang utos nito at ipinusisyon ang katawan.

"Use the gun's telescope in order for you to see the enemies clearly and nearly."

I tried what he say.

"Next step. Imagine that can like your enemy. Shoot them."

Walang sali-salita kong tinira ang magkasunod-sunod na lata. Medyo sanay na ako sa shooting kaya mabilis kong naubos ang 10 cans.

"Fast learner ha." he said.

"Not really."

"Hmm, so uulit-ulitin natin 'yan hanggang sa ma perfect mo na lahat. Kailangan, 1 bullet 1 can tayo. Orayt? Go."

Ilang beses akong nagkamali kaya medyo nagabihan kami ni Jerrie dito sa Mt. High Ground. Dito niya kasi ako dinala para raw makapag-concentrate sa training na ito.

I can say, he was really a good trainee. Hindi ko pinagsisihan na sumunod ako sakanya dito. I learned so much. From the moves, from different kind of position, from the gun until to the good shots.

"How is it?" Jerrie asked.

"It was fun." I answered honestly.

"That's good." I just smiled on him. "Anyways, I have something for you."

Napatingin ako sa kahong ibinigay niya.

"What is it?" I asked curiously.

"Open it."

Dali-dali ko naman siyang sinunod. Dahan-dahan ko itong binuksan.

Napanganga ako ng makita kung ano ang nakalagay dito.

"A gun." I said with unbelievable tone.

"Selling gun is my business. But for you,  wala ng bayad-bayad."

"Legal or illegal?" I asked, referring to his business.

"Sometimes legal, sometimes illegal."

Napataas ang mga kilay ko.

"Sorry, hindi ko matatanggap 'to."

Ibinalik ko ang baril sa lalagyan nito at inaabot iyon kay Jerrie.

He laughed.

"Hindi ko na 'yan matatanggap. That was already yours."

I sigh.

"Thanks."