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11
Huling Na-update:
2021-12-18 19:55:45“I forgot my wrist band,” Artemis muttered from beside him in the counter.
Nilingon niya ito at nakitang itinatali na lamang ang kaniyang bandana sa kaniyang pulso. Lagi niya itong napapansin, ngunit ngayon niya lamang talaga nabigyan ng atensyon. What does she wear it for?
“What?” she asked nang makitang nakatingin siya rito. Umiling lang naman siya at saka muling ipinokus ang kaniyang atensyon sa harap.
Ever since that night, at the night market, it’s as if a switch had been flipped and suddenly, they’re closer. She now approaches him more often, starts conversations too. Iniiisip niya tuloy kung unti-unti na ba nitong natatanggap na ibang tao na siya ngayon? Na hindi siya si Owen Sebastian.
He internally sighed at his thought.
“Malapit na ang rush hour, kailangan na nating maghanda,” she said bago tumayo upang ihanda na ang mga k
Kaugnay na kabanata
Target Acquired 12
He should’ve known. No, really. Aiden should have known. Lumipas ang ilang araw na wala siyang natatanggap na response mula sa agency niya. He took it as they accepted his request, so there he relaxed. He continued his job at the café though, because although he doesn’t really need it, nag-eenjoy siya rito. Isa pa ay isa itong malaking excuse upang makasama si Artemis, especially now that the weight of his mission is lifted off of his shoulders. “Mukhang masaya ka nitong mga nakaraang araw ah,” puna ni Artemis sa kaniya isang hapon sa café. They’re both standing behind the counter again. “Hmm? Ah, wala may nangyari lang na maganda,” sagot niya. She stared at him for a moment, before mirroring the smile he has on his face. Everything was going so peaceful. Muntik na nga niyang maloko ang kaniyang sarili na isa lamang siyang ordinaryong tao na nagtatrabaho sa café at hindi isang spy na kakasuko
Huling Na-update : 2021-12-19Target Acquired 13
“Owen? Ano ba ang nangyayari?” prantikong tanong ng kaniyang ina mula sa kabilang linya.“Mom, listen—is Aaron okay?” tanong niya.Kailangan niya na agad pumunta kay Klyden.“Ano bang—”“Please just answer me.”“Okay lang ang kapatid mo! Pinapakaba mo ako, Owen!”“I’ll talk to you later, but please, ‘wag ho muna kayong lalabas nang walang kasama. I’ll call again later, I want to talk to Aaron,” pagkatapos no’n ay hindi niya na hinintay pa ang sagot ng kaniyang ina at mabilis nang lumabas ng kaniyang bahay.He ran to his car, quickly entering and driving to the address Klyden sent him.Halos mamuti na nag kaniyang kamao sa higpit ng hawak niya sa kaniyang manibela, he’s driving past the limit, he’s aw
Huling Na-update : 2021-12-21Target Acquired 14
After the long lecture Klyden gave to him, you would think Aiden would take precautions. But no, he still chose to ignore it. Sa halip na gawin ang kaniyang misyon, heto siya ngayon, nasa bahay pa mismo ng kaniyang target—ang puno’t dulo ng lahat. Of course, it’s not to kill, but rather, a hangout.Again.Yes. Again.A day after he received the threats, he went to work as if nothing happened, as if his life is not being threatened and the café itself isn’t in danger. He returned their bright smiles and served customers brightly as if his world is not being threatened to be submerged in chaos.“Tila maganda ang gising mo Sir ah,” bati ni Evelyn nang umagang iyon. Natatawang napailing na lamang siya rito. If only she knew.He spent the day paranoid. Yes. Paranoid. Contrary to what they think. Every time the café door opens, his eyes
Huling Na-update : 2021-12-22Target Acquired 15
Ang mga mata ni Aiden ay naglibot sa loob ng maliit na kainan na kanilang pinasukan. Malalim na ang gabi kaya naman halos wala ng tao, maliban sa magkasintahang nakaupo at kumakain sa isang lamesa sa sulok ng establisyimento.“Maupo kayo,” paanyaya ng kanilang manager na talagang marahan pa silang itinulak papunta sa isang lamesa. Ito ang nagyaya na kumain sila sa labas, pangbawi na raw nito dahil hindi sila mabigyan ng day-off.“Mukhang masarap dito ah,” ani ni Evelyn na gumagala rin ang tingin. Naupo ito sa tabi ni Aiden, Artemis in front of him and their manager beside Artemis.“Masarap talaga rito Evelyn, minsan na akong nakakain dito,” sagot naman ni Artemis.“Heto, heto mamili kayo,” nasasabik na ani ng kanilang manager, at saka sila inabutan ng papel na naglalaman ng menu.“Mamili lang kayo ng kung anong gusto niyo ha. Ako ang ma
Huling Na-update : 2021-12-23Target Acquired 16
“Awake now, Owen?” What? Agad siyang napabangon sa narinig. Anong nangyayari? Evelyn’s arms came up in a huge stretch, she exaggeratedly groans at the process. Nakakunot lamang ang noo ni Aiden habang hindi makapaniwalang tinitignan ito. His eyes trailed at her frail figure sitting up at the hospital bed, but her expression is a complete contradiction. Muli siyang nilingon nito, the same menacing smile present on her lips. “Stupid,” she sighed.“I did not expect the turn of events. Mabuti na lamang pala at kaunti lang ang nilagay ko.” What is she talking about? “Don’t look so surprised, Owen. Was I that good at hindi mo talaga inexpect?” Fuck. Fuck! Ano ang ibig sabihin nito? Does this mean she knows him all this time and she was just pretending? Sino ba
Huling Na-update : 2021-12-24Target Acquired 17
The door opened and a doctor entered the room. Kasunod nito ang kanilang manager at si Artemis na dumeretso sa kaniyang tabi. She stood beside him.Pinanood lamang ni Aiden na kausapin ng doktor si Evelyn. She looks bubbly, her usual self, at least in front of them. Gone are the traces of her true self Aiden had just encountered earlier. Ang pag-uusap nila ay paulit-ulit na tumatakbo sa kaniyang isipan. He tries to remember her every word and expression. Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng mga ito?He felt a hand touch his arm, he almost startled at it.Nilingon niya si Artemis na nasa kaniyang tabi.“Ayos ka lang ba?” tanong nito.Bahagyang bumalik ang tingin ni Aiden kay Evelyn na kausap pa rin ng doktor.He nodded at her.“Yeah,” he eventually said.“Pagod lang siguro.”She looked at
Huling Na-update : 2021-12-24Target Acquired 18
Aiden is suddenly so aware of Evelyn’s every move, napapansin niya na ang mga bagay na hindi niya napapansin noon. Ngayong alam niya na ang totoong anyo nito, nakikita niya ang malaking pagkakaiba mula sa pagpapanggap at totoo. She acts “normal” most of the time, but when their eyes meet, she makes a point to give him a mocking look. Kung hindi ito isang malaking dagok sa kaniyang misyon, malamang ay papalakpakan niya pa ito dahil sa husay nito sa ginagawa. Pinanood niya habang isinasara ni Artemis ang café, kasama nito si Evelyn na tinutulungan siya. Nang masigurong nakasara na ito nang maayos, she turned to look at him. “Let’s go,” yaya nito. Tahimik lamang siyang naglakad sa likod ng dalawa, habang ang mga ito ay abala sa pagkukwentuhan. He attentively pulls Artemis gently inside the sidewalk nang masyado itong napalapit sa kalsada. He walked faster to stand on her left. She gratefully smiles at him, casting him
Huling Na-update : 2021-12-25Target Acquired 19
Nang matapos silang kumain ay nanatili pa sila sa bahay ni Artemis upang magkwentuhan. Their laughs echoed in the corners of the house. Nanatili silang nakaupo sa couch matapos nilang maligpit ang pinagkainan nila.Nasa gitna sila ng pagkukwentuhan nang mahagip ng paningin ni Aiden ang orasan na nakasabit sa itaas ng pinto ng kwarto.“Anong oras na pala,” ani niya. Agad naman siyang nilingon ng kaniyang mga kasama at saka tumingin din sa oras. It’s almost one in the morning.Suminghap si Evelyn, Aiden wants to roll his eyes.“Oo nga! May pasok pa tayo bukas,” saad nito.Artemis looked at them.“I guess you guys need to go home then,” sabi niya at saka tumayo."We got distracted."They copied her example and stood up too, stretching as they did so. Getting rid of the kinks that developed from
Huling Na-update : 2021-12-25
Pinakabagong kabanata
Target Acquired 28
Monday - 10:32:04 a.m – Two months before Aiden’s flight back to the PhilippinesThe folder made a loud sound as it hit the table. Sinundan lamang ito ng tingin ni Artemis. Akala niya ay hahayaan na siyang umalis ng kumpanya. Ilang taon na siyang nahinto sa pagtatrabaho rito. Nahinto siya mula noong…at nang malaman niyang buntis siya. Alam niyang kailangan niya alagaan ang sarili niya para rito. Kaya naman hindi niya talaga inaasahan ang muling pagtawag sa kaniya ng kumpanya.“That’s your mission,” her boss said, itinuturo ang folder na kababato lamang nito sa lamesa.“Kailangan mong mapatay ang taong ‘yan sa lalong madaling panahon.”“Bakit ako?” tanong ni Artemis bago dahan-dahang kinuha ang folder. Hindi niya ito agad na binuksan, naghihintay ng sagot ng kaniyang boss.“Bakit hindi ikaw?” makahulugang sago
Target Acquired 27 (part II)
Nang muli itong bumalik sa sala, si Aiden ay prenteng nakaupo na sa sofa. Her eyes are swollen from crying but emotionless. Aiden can’t help but think, bakit ito pa ngayon ang may ganang magalit sa kaniya? Tinago nito ang anak nila! “Leave,” malamig na ani nito, ang mga mata ay determinado. “You were about to kill me, weren’t you?” mahinang tanong ni Aiden, completely ignoring her command. “Hindi ba’t ikaw din naman?” Aiden sighed exasperatedly before standing up, angry as he faced her. “May anak tayo?” nanghihinang tanong niya. “Kapag sinabi ko bang hindi siya sa’yo ay maniniwala ka?” “Artemis—” “Leave, Aiden,” matigas na utos muli nito, ang kamay ay nakaturo sa direksyon ng pinto. “That’s not my name,” he replied.“Call me by my name, Artemis.”
Target Acquired 27 (part I)
Everything seemed to stop. For the first time in years, his breath hitched as he pointed his gun at his target. Hindi, hindi siya kinakabahan. Malayo sa kaba ang nararamdaman niya ngayon.The living room where they are currently in is dark, ang tanging ilaw na nagbibigay ng liwanag sa kanila ay ang poste ng ilaw na direktang nakatayo malapit sa bintana ng sala ng maliit na bahay. Aiden’s eyes slowly trailed from his target’s eyes to the gun she is currently pointing back at him. Ano ang ibig sabihin nito? His eyes met her gaze once again. They are sharing the same wide-eyed look, both surprised at the turn of events. Ano ang nangyayari?The room felt heavy. Ang tanging tunog na naririnig ni Aiden ay ang ang malakas tibok ng kanyang puso. Gulong-gulo siya. Paano nangyari ito?Ang isip niya ay bahagyang lumipad pabalik sa planong inilatag niya sa kanyang utak. Pulido ito. Ilang ulit niya itong nirebisa upang ma
Target Acquired 26
Aiden tightened the bandage on his wounds. Uminom na rin siya ng pain killer upang makasiguro. Matapos niyang dumaan sa café ay dumeretso na siya sa kaniyang bahay upang maghanda. Tonight. He’s doing it tonight. Habang inaayos ang kaniyang mga gagamitin, Evelyn’s words replayed in his mind. Binuksan nito ang back door bago muling isinara at humarap sa kaniya. “You’re actually so funny,” anito. Kumunot ang noo ni Aiden dito. She shook her head, laughing to herself before once again opening the door. “Telling someone you’re about to kill to take care?” she chuckled.“You’re fucked up. Both of you are fucked up.” Aiden shook his head at the memory. He grabbed a gun, loading it properly before setting it aside to grab a new one. Ang pistol niya ay nakatago na sa gun holster vest na kaniyang isinuot kasa
Target Acquired 25
Nanatiling nakahiga si Aiden sa sahig. Hindi niya na namamalayan pa ang daloy ng oras. His body is aching all over, both from the fight with Mir. Suarez and the latest attack. He closed his eyes, panting. His whole body tensed when he heard another sound, it’s the sound of the door knob. He waited; senses still heightened from the adrenaline. His body relaxed when he felt the familiar presence of Klyden.“Aiden?” marahang tawag ni Klyden. Aiden wants to answer, but even speaking feels so fucking hard for him. Kaya naman hinintay niya na lamang na makarating ito sa kung nasaan siya.Aiden winced when light suddenly flooded the dark living room.“Aiden—Owen!”Maya-maya lamang ay narinig niya ang yabag ng mga paa nito papalapit sa kaniya. Klyden kneeled beside him, hands hovering over him.“What the fuck?” mura nito. Ang mga mata nito
Target Acquired 24
Natahimik si Klyden sa sagot ng kaniyang kaibigan. He sounded so sad. Nais niyang pagaanin ang loob nito ngunit hindi niya malaman ang sasabihin.Muling dinampot ni Aiden ang kaniyang mga kubyertos at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. Natapos ang kanilang hapunan na puno ng katahimikan. Pinanood na lamang ni Klyden ang kaniyang kaibigan, Aiden insisted on cleaning up, kaya naman wala na siyang nagawa.“Are you going back?” Klyden asked as they both sat down in the living room.“Hindi pa naman malalim ang gabi, pero kung nais mong manatili muna rito ay walang problema.”Aiden looked at him, almost blankly. Maya-maya ay binigyan niya si Klyden ng isang maliit na ngiiti, at saka tumango.“I want to stay,” he answered.Later, as he arranged the blankets and pillows Klyden let him borrow on the couch, his friend standing by to watch him. Nang matapos ay i
Target Acquired 23
“What the fuck happened to you?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Klyden nang mapagbuksan nito ng pinto si Aiden. Duguan ito. Blood gushing down his temple, black eyes, and bruises all over his body. Paano ito nakarating sa kaniyang apartment na ganito ang itsura? He immediately opened the door wider, letting his friend in. Aiden went straight to the sofa, dumping his body there while Klyden went to get his medical kit. Nang makuha niya ito, agad niyang tinabihan ang kaniyang kaibigan at sinimulang gamutin ang mga sugat nito. “Ano ang nangyari sa’yo?” nag-aalalang tanong niya habang pinupunasan ang mukha nito upang alisin ang mga dugo. Aiden hissed occasionally. “Went to the company,” Aiden slurred in answer. His eyes are closed as he let his friend fuss on him. “Tapos? Bakit ka nagkaganyan? Ano ang ginawa mo ‘don?” “Fought with Suarez,” Aiden chuckled. Nangunot naman lal
Target Acquired 22
Aiden stepped out of the shower. Ang tuwalyang kaniyang ginamit ay nakasabit sa kaniyang batok, catching droplets of water from his still wet hair. Dire-diretso siyang naglakad papunta sa kaniyang dresser upang magbihis. Nang matapos ay dinampot niya ang kaniyang cellphone na iniwan niyang nakacharge sa kaniyang nightstand. He frowned at the number of notifications displayed. Isang notification ang nakakuha ng kaniyang atensyon, it’s from his mom. His brow furrowed further at that. The last time he talked to her was when he made sure that his brother—his family, was safe. Ano ang dahilan ng pagmessage nito sa kaniya ngayon?Agad niyang binuksan ang message at takang-taka sa nabasa.‘Natanggap naming ang regalong ipinadala mo. Salamat daw sabi ng kapatid mo.’Ang mata ni Aiden ay napadako sa mga supot ng regalong kaniyang binili na nakatabi sa isang sulok ng kaniyang silid.Reg
Target Acquired 21
His body went rigid with tension, ano ang ginagawa nito rito?“What do you want?” he asked sharply. It’s not that he’s afraid for his safety, he knows he can take up to the man. Ngunit nasa mall sila ngayon, at kasama niya si Artemis.The man smirked at him. Ibinaling nito ang ulo pakila’t kanan, arrogantly stretching. His tattoo is peeking out, Aiden can see it clearly.“Relax,” the man cockily said. Mayroon itong nakakainis na ngiti sa labi, Aiden badly wants to wipe it off.Napabuntong-hininga si Aiden.“Ano ang kailangan mo? Maraming tao rito,” kalmadong ani niya.“Wala naman akong kailangan. Nangangamusta lang,” nag-igting ang panga ni Aiden, lalo namang lumaki ang ngiti nito.“I found it! Here—"Napalingon siya nang marinig ang boses n
