DWS III: The Vixen (UNDER REVISION)

35

Days before the party in Greece, all of us became really busy as we thoroughly prepared and furnished our plan for the event. It would be a cease-fire on that night, but that doesn't mean that we won't make a move. Lady Kaye wanted to track the Miyahasis so we could find her daughter. They have been keeping her for almost 4 years now, and it's been 6 long years that Anais has been far from her real mother. Sobrang nangulila at nasira noon si Lady Kaye sa pag-aakalang patay na talaga si Anais, and now that Liah burst the truth, hirap naman kaming hanapin at kunin ang bata dahil na rin sumama si Liah sa Miyahasi.

Now, we're on our way to Greece. We are currently on the plane, waiting for us to arrive. Kasama ko rito si Leila sa may sleeping quarter na busy sa laptop niya. She's currently checking everything on her end while I am reading a book that Kean gave me. The book is about coding, ciphers, and other programming related stuff. He knows how much I love these things, which is why he bought me this one.

"I'm done," Leila announced as she closed her laptop and put it back in her bag. She yawned and lay on the bed. Ibinaba ko nalang din ang libro ko at humiga sa tabi niya.

Mabilis namang humarap sa akin si Leila at yumakap. "Aki, do you think we'll succeed on this plan?" Leila's question made me think thoroughly. I am so sure that our plan will go well. Just one tracking device, and we can hunt the Miyahasi down and save Anais. Isang tracking device lang ang mailagay namin sa isa sa Miyahasi ay paniguradong mananalo kami.

"We will, Leila. I can feel it," I said, closing my eyes. I trust Lady Kaye's plan and how well it was furnished.

But all along, I thought that the plan would go well; I thought that we would succeed in pulling the Miyahasi's down to their graves, but then, on the last move... they brought out their ace, which made us lose.

Napabuntonghininga nalang ako nang maalala ang ginawang panlilinlang sa amin ng Miyahasi kaya kami natalo. We thought we were so close to winning, but then, it was a trap. I cannot believe that we fell into their trap. Ang planong pagkahulog nila sa hukay na ginawa namin ay nabaligtad. Imbis na sila ang mahihila pababa ay kami ang napunta roon.

Ipinikit ko ang mata ko nang mariin bago napatitig sa batang natutulog sa gitna ng kama. Bahagyang kunot ang noo niya at halatang hindi maganda ang mga napapanagipan. Bakas ang lungkot, pagod, at sakit sa mukha niya. I thought everyone in their sleep would look peaceful, but then there was chaos on her face.

"M-Mommy..." she whispered as a tear fell from her eye. Umiiyak siya ng tulog at halatang hindi na maganda ang napapaniginipan. Agad naman akong lumapit sa kanya at hinaplos ang mukha niya.

"M-Mommy... M-Mommy, no!" Anais shouted in between her sleep which made me tap her cheeks. Agad na ginising ko siya dahil sa pagsigaw palang niya at pagluha ay halatang binabangungot siya.

"Anais... Anais sweetie, wake up." I said that and tapped her cheeks. Agad namang napamulat siya ng mata at bumangon. Lumapit ako sa kanya para bigyan siya nang mahigpit na yakap. Doon tuluyang lumakas ang iyak niya habang nakayakap pabalik sa akin. I caressed her back and let her cry.

I remembered the times that I comforted her mother. I told Lady Kaye that it was not bad to cry your heart out, as it doesn't mean that you are weak. Crying will help someone lessen the pain and heaviness in your chest, which is why like I did to her mother before, I let Anais cry on my shoulders also.

Nang bahagyang mahismasmasan na siya at tumahan ay bahagyang inilayo ko siya sa akin at pinunasan ang mukha niyang hilam ng luha.

"What happened, Anais?" I asked.

"Na-napanaginipan ko po si M-Mommy. P-pinatay raw po siya nila Ma'am Liah! H-hindi naman po totoo 'yon, Tita A-Aki, 'di ba po? Buhay pa ang mommy ko! Buhay pa s-siya!" Anais said in between her sobs as her tears started to pour from her eyes again. Bakas ang takot at sakit sa mga mata niya. I sighed once again as I pulled her in and gave her a warm embrace as I caressed her back again.