Deepest Secrets Of Gangsters {On Going}

[02] Punishment

NAGISING AKO NG bandang alas kwatro ng umaga dahil tumunog ang phone ko. Sinagot ko iyon nang hindi tinignan kung sino ang tumatawag.

"What?" tanong ko habang kinukusot ang mata.

"Jez." Si Tito Kent pala.

"Yeah?" Bumangon ako mula sa pagkakahiga.

"Nabalitaan ko ang nangyari dyan kagabi."

Fudge.

"Ano naman ngayon?" walang gana kong tanong.

"You killed a lot of assassins with your gang and you will say 'ano naman ngayon?' Have you ever thought of the possibility na pwede kang mapahamak? Look, that's not even part of our plan or your mission." Mabigat ang pagkakasabi niya. Problemado talaga.

"What do you expect me to do? Let them kill us?"

"Of course not!" Nawala na tuloy ang antok ko.

"Look, Tito. You trained me for this. I can perfectly take care of myself. You don't have to worry every time something like this happened."

"Yes. I know that, darling. What I meant was, why didn't you inform me about this sooner? Why haven't you reported it to me?"

"I didn't have time for that. Also, I already took care of it."

"Still, you didn't tell me. Nalaman ko pa sa iba. Things like this has been happening for the past two years. The elders think that your gang is getting out of control and they're getting restless about it. That's why they requested to teach you a lesson. We decided to send you back to Philippines. Your gang will be staying there until you finish your studies."

Wait. What?!

"But—" Hindi na ako pinatapos.

"It's final. You will have your flight today. I'll send you the details."

I sighed.

"Okay." No choice. It's him talking. I couldn't do anything about it.

"By the way, you will be the one to provide your home and other things that you'll need. We'll send you 35k a week as your allowance. That's the only support you'll get from the organization for your living expenses. Also, you'll be attending at Verin University. I already arranged everything for the three of you. I'm sorry Jez, I'm not the only one who decided this."

"It's okay, Tito Kent. I understand."

"Please take care, okay? Stay safe on your flight. Bye."

And with that, I ended the call. Nakakainis. Kung hindi sumalakay ang mga assassins na iyon, hindi kami mapaparusahan. Bakit ba naman kasi ganoon ang parusa? Sa Pilipinas pa kung saan nangyari 'yon.

But maybe... it's time for me to face it. I have to face my weakness.

Nag-ayos muna ako at nag shower. Pumunta ako sa kwarto nila Rizina at Czerina. I told them everything. They didn't like the punishment, as well. But it's not like we have a choice.

I left them after that. They'll be preparing their things now. I should, too.

Dumiretso na ako sa kwarto. Kinuha ko isa-isa ang mga gamit ko at inilagay sa mga maleta. Pagkatapos ko ay nagpakawala ako ng isang malaking buntong-hininga. Mga seven na ng umaga ng matapos ako.

Tumayo ako at dumiretso sa pintuan papuntang balcony. Nilapag ko ang mga kamay ko sa railings at pinikit ang mga mata. Dinama ko ang preskong hangin na sumasalubong sa akin. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam nito. Nakakaramdam ako ng kapayapaan kahit saglit lang. Kasi pagkatapos nito, isang magulong buhay na naman ang sasalubong.