Gunned Down

CHAPTER 36

“Kasabay ng pagdiriwang ngayong gabi ay isa pang mahalagang bagay at napakagandang balita.”

Nakatayo ang lahat ng mga tao habang hawak ang kanilang mga champagne glass. Ganoon din sina Danelle at napansin niya ang humihigpit na hawak ni Pion sa kanyang baywang. Tumingin siya rito ngunit nakatuon lamang ang atensyon ng lalaki sa unahan kung saan nagsasalita ang kanilang Brigadier General.

“One of our Special Forces is offered an special training together with the Berets of the United States of America. This is such a rare opportunity and they’ll have months of training. Congratulations, Throttler Rangers Special Forces!”

Naghari ang palakpak at sigawan ng mga tao. Samantala, tila nabingi naman si Danelle sa kanyang narinig. Kinakabahan siyang lumingon dito at nakita niya ang bahagyang pagyuko ng ulo nito. Lumuwag ang hawak ni Pion sa kanya saka siya tiningnan. His looks were saying sorry to her but she can’t utter a word.

“Captain Pion Pzarova! May we have your attention please!”

Pion licked his lips and nodded before dropping his wine to the table beside them.

“Go.” Maikling sabi ni Danelle.

Walang nagawa si Pion, tumungo siya sa unahan upang magsalita. His hands are just on his pocket. He glanced once to Danelle’s direction but he saw nothing in their but their glasses.

“In behalf of my team. I am saying thank you for this chance. We’ll do good and with this training, we’ll serve much better to our beloved country. Thank you, once again.” he smiled a little

Lumapit sa kanya nag Brigad. General saka siya nito binigyan ng isang baso ng wine. “Let us cheer for this beautiful offer!”

People raised their glasses and drank it together. They clapped their hands after and Pion immediately went off from the front and he started looking for Danelle. He hardly breathes for minutes that he hasn’t found the woman yet not until he reached the outside of the mansion. She can see her back while sitting at the bench located in the garden.

He sat there quietly and glanced at her but she did not even flinched nor looked at him. “I’m sorry.”

“That’s the second time this day you told me that words. How long will you be keeping this from me? Kapag nakaalis ka na? O kapag nakabalik ka na dahil bawal kang gumamit ng cell phone kaya hindi mo’ko matetext ng kahit isang beses?”

Pion sighed. “No, I have no plans like that. Pagkatapos lang namin umuwi galing Visayas, doon lang sa’min sinabi. Naghahanap pa ako ng tamang oras para sabihin sayo ng hindi ka nagagalit.”

Tumingin si Danelle sa kanya. “Kaya ba tahimik ka kanina? Kaya ba nagdadalawang isip ka kaninang pumunta rito? Because you knew this will happen and you’re not ready for me to know this? Pion naman! Lahat nalang ba malalaman ko on the spot? Damn it.” she stood up

Tumingala si Pion para makita siya dahil nakaupo pa rin ito. “I’m sorry. Don’t be mad.”

“Paanong hindi ako magagalit? Hindi mo sa’kin sinasabi!” she toned her voice down. “How long will you be staying there?”

Tumayo si Pion saka binasa na naman niya ang labi. Kinasanayan na talaga niya ang ganoong gawain at sanay na rin si Danelle na makita siyang ginagawa iyon. Kinuha niya ang kamay ng babae.

“Eight months.”

Pagak na napatawa si Danelle saka siya napabitaw sa hawak nito. “Eight months? Kulang nalang isang taon kang mawawala tapos hindi mo pala sinasabi sa’kin? What am I to you, huh?”

“You’re my girlfriend.”

“Then why are you keeping things like these from me? And what? Walong buwan kang mawawala, what about our relationship?”