DARK TERRITORY: THE BATTLE

Chapter 22

Zell POV

"We are in."

Ang tinig na iyon ni Sabrina ang siyang nakapagpadagdag ng hangin sa aking katawan. Nawiwili man akong kausap si Israel ay hindi pa rin noon maiibsan ang pagkabalisa ng aking mga kalamnan. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko pakikitunguhan ang mga taong naririto ngayon sa mesa.

"Have you seen him?" I replied. Forgetting that I am talking with someone and I am surrounded with the people who thought that I am a target for abduction.

"Huh?" I recognized confusion on Israel's voice. I am agitated with Sabrina's voice that I didn't notice that I stopped listening to Israel's stories.

I even heard Sab's chuckles thinking how awkward my situation right now.

"I mean...You have been saying that... we've already met. So, I am asking myself if I already met you. Yeah, that's it."

Gosh, so troublesome. Buti na lang at naalala ko pa iyong tanong niya sa akin kanina. He has been insisting that we have met before and that I already forgotten about it.

"Relax, Z. Exhale. Inhale." Natatawang utos sa akin ni Q. Magpaganoon pa man ay sinunod ko ang utos niya.

Magsasalita na sana ulit ako ng may tumapik sa aking balikat ng pagkalakas-lakas. Handa na sana akong patumbahin ang taong iyon ng marinig ko ang boses nito. Mas lalong lumuwang ang paghinga ko dahil sa wakas ay may nadagdag na naman na pamilyar na mukha sa aking paningin. Napayakap tuloy ako kay Mico para makaganti kay L. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin habang yakap-yakap ako ni Mico. Nakita ko ang paghaba ng kanyang nguso at pagkalukot ng kanyang mukha.

"Target Spotted." It's D. "Enjoy my queen. The mission is on us." Kahit hindi ko nakikita ang pagmumukha nito ay nakikita ko ang kaangasan isinisigaw nito.

"Good job everyone. We are secured." Nakangisi kong sinasabi iyon sa aking mga kasama habang nakatingin pa rin kay L na abala ngayon sa pakikipag-usap sa mga kasamahan namin sa mesa.

"Are you her boyfriend now?" Israel's grumpy face and possessive voice made me move my body away from Mico.

I looked at him with disbelief. I was triggered by that question that I looked at Mico. His face shout for excitement and amusement towards the young man.

"Hey, young man. Not her boyfriend but mine." May diing wika ni L. Iniwan ang mga kausap nang marinig ang tanong na iyon. She even pulled Mico closer to her.

I want to roll my eyes at L's childish behavior but a laugh skip on my mouth rather. Everyone look at our direction and I wanted to curse myself for that. I captured their attention. My laugh caught them.

I stopped myself from laughing more and focus on how I introduce my friend because that the right thing to do. But before I could introduce them, I was interrupted when one of my brother's friend stood up and walks towards Mico and give him a brotherly hug followed by my brother and Danill.

I move a bit so they could have their small reunion. That gives a chance to my sister to walk towards me and pull me on a careful embrace. A tears rolled down on her face when she hug me. "I thought you already forgot to laugh. You scared me little sis. It really freak me out." It is a whisper intended only for the two of us. She quickly wiped her tears when she release me.

I search for L and she is already having a talk with Israel. My sister joined them after she compose herself. I looked for the boys and they are already walking their way to get some drinks. I noticed that Israel's brother didn't join the group so I try to scan his face looking for reason. Yet, his eyes were already on me when I look at him.