Teach me how to Mafia

35

"Naming ceremony? That's bullshit, Lucio. I'm telling you." Grim blurted when tandang 69th announced the reason for today's... Uh-- meeting?

"Watch your mouth, Grim." I heard Evzen said in a threatening tone. That was the first I heard him since our conflict with Barone.

His voice sounds tired, I wonder how he is doing.

"Oh really now, how? 'my mouth is on tv or something?" Grim mockingly replied and made face at Evzen. Oh these two, noong nakaraan lang nagtatawanan sila sa harap ko, ngayon naman ay kulang nalang magsaksakan sila.

Lucio cleared his throat certainly to get everyone's attention and to cool down Evzen and Grim from quarrelling.

"Why do you think so?" some old guy seated to dine asked, pertaining to Grim's comment. Evzen shut his head down and wipe his mouth with a cloth. He then looked at Grim and waited for a reply as eager as I did.

"The naming ceremony has been passed down to the 69 generations of this family. You know that, didn't you?" he added when Grim doesn't seem to be willing to give an answer.

I looked at Grim and she brought down her utensils before wiping her mouth with a napkin. She then smiled at old man and answered, "Traditions make you weak."

Everyone kept quiet while most of us continue to eat and wait for them to continue their unusual conversation, well, certainly unusual especially during a meal... and I have just finished my breakfast!!!

"That naming ceremony, it's like telling all your enemies who to kill first, who is this family weakest point." Grim added, now that hurts. Thanks Grim!

"Then you do your job." my father said, challenging her, "That's why you're their guardian, you protect them until they're ready."

"I really don't understand this ceremony at all, as well. I don't need to be named, if there is a need for me to be acknowledged by the members of this family, then I'll make it happen without someone's blessing. " I blurted out unconsciously.

I lift my gaze and see everyone's eyes looking at me. Damn.

"You heard her. You heard the boss." Said Grim in a winning tone.

"The family needs to know you, Priam." Evzen told me casually.

"And what? Protect me because I'd be the enemies' target? I've had enough people dying for me just because I'm boss. I don't want to create fuss and let people kill each other when I haven't even done anything to prove myself worthy of people's lives. Spare me the hassle." I rant and roll my eyes heavenwards.

"The naming ceremony needs to be done." My father said firmly. Sapakin kita Pa e.

We all looked at Lucio when he put his utensils down and wipe his mouth. We all knew he was about to say something, something we will not be able to change. 

"I understand your concerns, but as Riva said, the ceremony needs to be done, due to the concerns of the family that's taking over, I will be limiting the attendees to the leader of the houses, and the family of all your guardians, I believe that is enough resolution we can come up with to address everyone's concern." he stated and  then stand up, "You can plan the rest on your own, I need to go now." Lucio said and he went out.

He walked from the back of my chair and pat my head. My father went after him without even looking at me.

Everyone was silent for a couple of minutes after our current boss left. No one dared speak a word, not even me, not even Grim.

I cleared my throat and put my utensils down. I'm not hungry and I'm fed up with the silence in this room. "Everyone else who will be organizing the event can stay, I'll be leaving with my frien-- people. You can take care of the details." I stood up and we went out. By the time I had my foot stepped on the other part of the huge goddamn door, I let out a heavy sigh.

"Tangina, gusto ko na umuwi samin."


"Are you okay, boss?" Andela came to me and asked, gusto kong sabihing hindi pero nakita ko si Grim na nakangisi sa akin na parang nang aasar.

I stand up straight and cleared my throat before answering "Yes, I'm fine."

"Really? I thought you want to go home?" Grim snickered.

"Shut up, Grim!!" and she laughed. "Do you want us to go to your room?" she asked, I nod in response and she led us to my room.

I did some catching up with my friends about a couple of things. Jilad must go and talk to Papa. As much as I want to do the same, I'm thinking that he should be approaching me since he was the one who left. I'll leave him alone, for now.

Di na namin napansin ang oras at hapon na pala. My friends went to their respective rooms, only Evzen and Grim were left with me. The silence feels so awkward, none of us want to start a conversation but I badly want to ask Evzen.

Hindi siya nag react at nagsalita kanina.

We turned our heads to Grim as she faked a cough and said "I think you two need to talk so I'll pretend to get something in my room. Byeee~" this devil is ghastly playful. One time she's scary as hell, other times she's gonna act naughty.

The door was shut down and we were still silent. What to do? What to ask? My gosh Priam, speak!

"K-Kamusta ka na? You hurt your shoulder, right? Magaling ka na ba?"

Evzen turned his gaze at me and smiled lightly. "Yes, I'm fine now. How about your leg?"

"It's healed. Thanks for asking" I answered.
"I am sorry about your loss, Ev." I added.
"Thank you, and I'm sorry for suddenly leaving your side back in Blevins. I was summoned here the next day and you were still unconscious that time." Paliwanag niya.

"It's okay, I understand."
"Priam." This is the first time he called me with so much warmth in his voice.
"Yes?"
"Please do the naming ceremony. I'll always stay by your side to make sure you're safe. I promise that you're always safe." He said with sincerity.

I don't know what to respond. I am happy he told me that, but no words come out of my mouth. Damn it.
"Is that how you confess your love? How cute." The silence broke when Grim entered the room again without us noticing her.
"Shut up, Grim." Evzen said.
Bigla namang tumawa si Grim at namula si Evzen. He walked out of my room and left Grim with me.

"So you're really doing that forsaken ceremony?" Grim asked trying to open a conversation.

"Grabe ka naman sa forsaken." Then I chuckled. I thought about the ceremony and what Evzen said.

"Yeah, I think I will."

"Why?" she asked again.

I smiled at her and answered "I have great people protecting me. I have lesser worries about getting killed."

"Corny." She sarcastically replied. She stood up and went for the door. She grabbed the knob but before she was completely out, she told me "Evzen's love confession is so pathetic, by the way. You should just tell him you miss him too. You both are young, enjoy! We never know when we'll all die." And she exits laughing while I was left astounded.
"Love... confession?"

What the actual fuck?