Genius in Distress

Chapter X: Reprimand

Malapit ngmapuno sa inis si Gabriel kay Aia. She was just stubbornly irritating. Wala sa amo ng mukha nito ang katigasan at katabilan ng dila nito. She was intelligently opinionated and always asking for arguments. He himself couldn’t believe that the girl was merely a kid. She spoke as if she was older than him, well informed than him. Her remarks really stung but sadly they were all facts. There were issues alright such as she mentioned and the interference of the government. There was also an issue on corruption that even the budget for uniforms was cut in.

Gabriel could still remember when she rained him opinions and advises the military should do.  He could say she opposed to war and bloodshed. But heck, who wouldn’t?

In a perfect world diplomacy would be ideal means to resolve conflicts, but diplomacy could only go so far in our world. Everything was possible but world peace.  People had different principles and beliefs.

She was also against the use of gun, that it signifies violence and killings. With a serious tone, she said “why don’t you use sleeping guns instead. That way, you could avoid killing and hurting people especially the innocent ones. During operations, targets couldn’t run away once hit because they’d be sleeping in just a second. Unlike, firing using a real bullet, the targets could still have opportunity to flee unless killed on the spot.”

“If we put it that way, what about us, the military forces or ang Pulisya, I’m sure the bad guys would not be using sleeping guns in their offense. We’d be wiped out for sure,” he responded as if talking to an overly-idealistic-seventeen year old.

Aia just shrugged. “That’s where your training will put into good use.

His jaw dropped in disbelief. She’s impossible!

Gabriel was busy in his thoughts when he heard commotion not so far away from him. He turned to look for Aia but she was nowhere in sight. Then he heard someone calling his name.

“Sir Gabriel,” it was Baldo talking. “Si Miss Aia ho nahimatay!”

“What?” they hurriedly went to her. Pinalilibutan ito ng mga kapwa niya sundalo. They parted to get him through. There she was, lying on the grass, pale as paper. Tiningnan niya ng masama ang mga sundalo. “Why didn’t you do something?”

Napakamot ang mga ito sa ulo, “Ah, eh Sir Gabriel, mag a-apply na sana kami ng first aid kaso nagising na siya eh.

“Bakit nakahiga pa rin siya?” He examined her face and scowled. Hindi maipinta ang mukha nito. A picture of someone experiencing a great pain. “Miss Trinidad, are you okay? May masakit ba sa’yo?”

Umiling ito. “Let me lie down for a while Lt. Castellejos. I feel like dying.” Aia said her eyes half close.

“Baldo, please tell the general about the incident. I’ll bring Aia to her room.”

“No I’m ok—

Gabriel scooped Miss Trinidad in his arms and stalked towards her room. She stiffened in his arms. He tightened his hold and growled, “Be still. I know you can’t even stand in your feet.”

Aia stood five feet and ten inches tall but she didn’t weigh much. She was thin. She was wearing an oversized hoodie that covered most of her face since they went out of the General’s office.

She was not the one he expected. Gabriel expected a girl, a typical teenager, wearing and talking about the latest trends and fashion but he was surprised she talked matters about the military with interest.

She was not badmouthing the Armed forces, she was just trying to get information to weigh in the things she learned from the outside sources and from him being a member of the force. Quite unpredictable and that made her all the more a trouble for him. Hindi niya mabasa kung ano ang iniisip nito. Kung ano ang sasabihin nito sa susunod.

Gabriel glanced down at the girl she was carrying. Why was she hiding her face? Was she hiding something?

Tucked up close against his chest, he couldn’t help but inhale the scent of her. She smelled fresh. Not a trace of perfume or cologne, just her natural scent. She also sounded foreign. Not American, even she spoke the dialect as if it was her native language; her accent was of European countries.

Gabriel kicked the door open and walked across her room. He set her down to her bed; her room was just across to his. “I’ll leave you here so you could rest. You’ll things will be here shortly.”

“Salamat, Lieutenant.”

Gabriel nodded. “I’ll be back at six to take you down to dinner.” He turned abruptly and went to the door.

Aia woke up to the loud voices outside her room. She dozed off after Lt. Castellejos deposited her to her room thirty minutes ago. She rose to bed and walked closer to the door to listen to the conversation.

“What happened to Aia?” It was the General. So it was a no-brainer whom the General was talking to.

“She fainted, Sir. Dala siguro ng init at pagod,” said Lt. Castellejos in a firm voice.

“Aia’s in delicate state right now, physically and mentally. Iwasan mo sanang bigyan siya ng stress o makapag pasama sa loob niya. I chose you because I know you can do the job. Alam ko din na mahirap. Hindi dahil sa trabaho kundi ang pakisamahan siya. But she needs our help. Trabaho nating proteksyunan siya.”

“I’m sorry, Sir.”

Aia heard footsteps slowly fading. Nanghihinang naupo siya pabalik sa kama niya. “Mahirap pakisamahan”. The words kept ringing on her ears.

“Ganoon ba ang tingin nila sa akin, mahirap pakisamahan? Even until now?” himutok niya sa sarili. They only just met.

Wala naman siyang ginawa for them to dislike her or para mahirapan ang mga ito na pakisamahan siya. She was being herself. Kung na offend man ang mga ito sa mga opinion niya, well she was entitled for it. Wala namang masama siguro kung sabihin niya kung ano ‘yong nasa isip niya. Hindi siya plastik na tao. She was not also the kind of person na yes lang yes. 

To forget the conversation, Aia studied her room. It was small. A typical military barracks. There were just a single bed, a cabinet, study table and en suite bathroom. Surprisingly, the room was air conditioned.

Should she celebrate to that?

No.

Aia wanted her life returned to normal. She promised herself she was going to be freed from this predicament. It was just a matter of time.

Lt. Castellejos returned to her room some time later and knocked on her door. “Dinner will be served in twenty minutes. Do you want a tray sent up or you’d prefer to come down?”

She opened the door, “No. I don’t want to come down,” and closed it again. She was feeling down all right. New identity and all, people still dislike her.