Phoenix vs Janna

Chapter 34

Janna studied Phoenix seated on the bamboo floor across from her inside the tiny hut.

She secretly checked if he was okay, given the rough treatment he received from the men earlier. He looked fine, all in all.

"Rich Boy, bakit ka kasi nandito? Ano na naman 'to!" She then snapped at him.

Phoenix silently inspected her. He was relieved to see she looked well and healthy, but he was very furious with her.

"I should be the one asking that, Hellcat! Bakit ka nandito! Ano na naman 'to!?" He snapped back.

"Phoenix... nagne-negotiate lang ako. Malapit ko na sanang makuha ang suporta nila! Ngayon nagka-leche-leche na!"

"You're such a naive idealist. Gumising ka nga, Janna. Nakakulong tayo, o! They're armed and dangerous. Even your Carlo doubted you kanina and didn't hesitate to throw us in here!"

Janna sighed.

"I-try na lang natin magpaliwanag. Hindi naman sila masasamang tao."

Phoenix shook his head.

"Shit, Janna. The mess you put us in! Tingnan mo nga ako? Paano mo nasasabing hindi sila masamang tao, eh nakatali nga ako dito!" Phoenix said, gesturing to his hands still tied behind his back.

Janna went to him and untied his hands. He massaged them to get the numbness out.

"Kung hindi ka na lang kasi sana pumunta dito!" She said, but her tone was wracked with guilt.

"Hellcat, dalawang beses na akong nabaril trying to bail you out of trouble." He said, still glaring at her.

"Anong kinalaman nun dito?" She asked.

"Sayang naman ang mga near-death experiences kong yun kung hayaan ko lang na may mangyari na naman ngayon!"

She was silent for a while, trying to digest what he said.

"Rich Boy, pwede ba? Walang mapapahamak at hindi ito tulad ng dati, okay? We'll get through this."

Phoenix looked at her threateningly.

"All I know is, Hellcat, if we ever get out of here, you are so fired!"

-o-

The bahay kubo was cramped, without any furnitures whatsoever. After coming to a stalemate on their arguments, they spent the time in silence in their respective corner of the hut staring sullenly at each other.

The hut was in darkness when Carlo arrived that evening, telling them that the leaders would see them now.

"Carlo..."

"Huwag ka na munang magsalita, Jang-jang. Halika na."

"Ang ganda naman ng trato ng childhood friend mo sa 'yo, Hellcat!" Phoenix said sarcastically.

"Phoenix!"

Carlo frowned but said nothing. He merely looked with interest at Phoenix.

In front of the circle of elders, the once-cordial group assessed the two coldly. They felt betrayed by Janna and wanted an explanation of how Phoenix knew of their location.

"Masasagot ko kayo kung ibigay niyo muna ang backpack na kinuha ninyo kanina sa akin." Phoenix replied curtly.

They asked why it was needed, saying that it may contain a bomb or something that could be dangerous.