The Queen of Shields

Part Three: Agent Macario Sandejas

MACARIO Sandejas saw Armida Mananquil's mouth flew open. He let his words sink in. 

Hindi rin nagsalita sa Director Bongcales at si Senior inspector Gungab. Hindi siya nahirapan na mapapayag ang dalawa sa special assignment na iyon sa isa sa mga kadete ng mga ito dahil una, "mistah" o batchmate ni Director Bongcales sa PMA ang boss niyang si NBI Director Ignacio. Habang si Senior Inspector Gungab naman ay nakasama na niya sa isang joint operation ng NBI at PNP na related sa human trafficking. 

Ang tanging kailangan ni Mac na makuha ang buong tiwala ay ang kadeteng nasa harapan niya, na ngayon ay nakaawang pa rin ang mga labi at hindi pa rin nagsasalita. Mabilis at malalim ang paghinga nito na parang nahihirapang huminga, kahit na imposible namang nakatagal ito ng dalawang taon bilang kadete sa academy kung hikain ito. He knew their schedule. And no one with a weak physical, mental, even psychological state of being could last inside this academy for even a month.

"Cadet Mananquil," may bahagyang diin niyang banggit sa pangalan nito na mukha namang nagpabalik dito sa kasalukuyan.

"Yes, Agent Sandejas, sir."

"Here's the thing. Sa ngayon, walang existing asset, o agent ang NBI na pwedeng isali sa isang beauty pageant. It just so happened that your school organ had an article about you being one of the muses in the last sportsfest. I suppose you know the paper's EIC Harold Marcelo?" 

Tumango ito bilang sagot sa kanya. 

"His dad is an NBI officer,"  aniya na ang tinutukoy ay ang kapwa kadete nito na si Harold. 

Muli lamang tumango si Armie. 

He sighed. "Ano'ng iniisip mo?"

Saglit itong mukhang nag-alinlangan at sumulyap sa gawi nina Director Bongcales bago siya nito sinagot. "Sir, hindi ko alam kung kaya kong gawin ng one hundred percent ang binibigay n'yo sa 'king assignment, sir. Ayokong ipahiya ang academy at sina Director Bongcales, sir."

"What hindrances are you talking about? You're beautiful, you'd fit right in." Napansin niya ang pamumula ng mga pisngi nito dahil marahil sa sinabi niya. He took it as a good sign. "Think about it, Cadet Mananquil. You're perfect for the job. While your class are here sitting down on lectures, you're outside the academy learning about the realities of police work. And don't worry, we'll give you a new identity. We'll give you someone that would help you in pageant-related stuff. We'll be with you during the assignment. Hindi ka pababayaan ng Bureau."

Tumitig si Cadet Mananquil sa kanya bago nito inilipat ang tingin sa dalawa nitong higher-ups na nasa loob ng billet. Ilang saglit pa ay ibinalik nitong muli ang tingin sa kanya."Sige, sir. I will do my best para maging matagumpay po yung assignment na 'to. Kelan po ba magsisimula yung training ko?"

He sighed inwardly. Finally. "I already have the Director's approval on this, 'cause I'm taking you in tonight. I'll meet you in front of the administrative building in fifteen minutes. If you have further questions, we can talk about it while in transit." Pagkasabi noon ay tumayo na siya at nakipagkamay kina Director Bongcales at Senior Inspector Gungab. "Thank you, Director Ignacio appreciates what you have considered and extended for his daughter's safety." Nilingon niya si Cadet Mananquil na mabilis na sumaludo naman sa dalawa. "Let's go, Cadet Mananquil. Let's not further keep the Director up this late."

"Mag-iingat ka, Armida," he heard Senior Inspector Gungab tell Cadet Mananquil before they stepped out of the billet.

"Yes, Ma'am," sagot naman nito.

When they were finally outside of the director's billet, Mac called out to Cadet Mananquil. "Armida?"

She winced probably at the sound of her first name being called. "Armie na lang, sir."

"Armie, then. Pack your bags quickly. We still have a long drive ahead."

"Yes, sir!" nakangiting sabi nito sa kanya bago pabirong sumaludo. Pagkatapos ay patakbo na itong pumunta sa direksyon marahil ng barracks nito.

"Take care of her, Mac."

He spun around and saw Judith at his back. Ngumiti siya rito. "Don't worry. I'll personally make sure to keep her safe."

"Ninety percent ng mga kadete namin ang may crush d'yan kay Armida. Kapag hindi siya nakabalik dito, marami-rami ang kukuyog sa 'yo."

Natawa siya. "I'm sure the boys here adore her."

"That's affirmative. So, make sure to get her back here in one piece. Buo ang katawan, buo ang puso."

"Of course. Buo ang katawan at buo ang... puso?" He said, quite confused about the last part.

But Judith just answered him with a mysterious smile, something that he just shrugged off as a random thought that he shouldn't mind.