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Huling Na-update:
2021-12-10 11:30:46His eyes burned holes at the envelope on top of his work desk. Halos isang oras niya na itong tinititigan, hindi malaman ang kaniyang gagawin dito. He sighed for the nth time in the past hour, mabilis siyang kumurap nang maramdaman ang panunuyo ng kanyang mata. He raised his hands to rub his eyes, groaning as he did so.
This has been his routine for almost a week now. As if staring at the envelope would suddenly answer his questions. He really wants to know why, ano ba ang ginawa ni Artemis sa mga nagdaang taon upang masama sa ganitong business ang kanyang pangalan. Artemis, despite being a really sweet girl is firm and opinionated. Alam niyang ipaglaban ang sarili niya. Did she accidentally anger someone with her opinionated nature again? He suddenly remembers that one time they had a date and intended to watch a movie but ended up in the mall security office.
-
Aiden reached out to put his hands on Artemis’ tense shoulders.
Kaugnay na kabanata
Target Acquired 7
The third time they met, believe it or not, was purely on accident. Apat na araw na ang nakakaraan mula nang magkita sila sa hospital, pinadalhan siyang muli ng kanyang agency ng lokasyon, as expected, but after hours of waiting, she didn’t show up. He went home feeling a mixture of disappointment and relief that day. Disappointed that it delayed the progress of his mission, at the same time relieved for the same reason.He was jogging around the small village, a habit he formed every time he’s injured so he would heal faster, when he accidentally saw her walking out of her house. They were both shocked at the sight of each other.“Oh,” ani nito.“Ikaw ulit.”Huminto siya sa labas ng bahay nito, eyes focused on her.“I didn’t know you live here,” he said. That’s partly a lie, he kind of deduced she lived somewhere near the area if his a
Huling Na-update : 2021-12-12Target Acquired 8
He stood behind the cash register, preparing for the rush hour. Sa gilid niya nakatayo si Evelyn, ang in-charge sa counter, aalalayan siya nito ngayon na mag-asikaso. Ikatlong araw na ng pormal na pagtatrabaho niya rito at maayos naman ang nagiging takbo nito. He is yet to make a move, kailangan niya munang masiguro na hindi magiging kahina-hinala ang bawa’t galaw niya.Artemis is currently cleaning tables; it seems to be her duty around the café. He tracked her every move, eyes following every movement.“Magkakilala po kayo?” he heard Evelyn ask, it’s the first time she directly talked to him since his first duty. Naputol ang pagtingin niya kay Artemis nang bumaling siya rito. Bahagya niya lamang itong nilingon. She’s a petite girl, pretty eyes hidden behind big glasses, small nose and thin lips. Her head is the same level as his shoulders, kaya naman kinailangan niya pang yumuko nang bahagya.&nb
Huling Na-update : 2021-12-14Target Acquired 9
Sa tagal ng taon na iginugol ni Aiden sa pag-eensayo at pagtatrabaho bilang isang agent, ito na yata ang pinakamaraming beses na nadala siya sa ospital o kahit clinic man lang, sa loob ng isang buwan. He works quietly, was trained for even the most extreme of extreme situations. Kaya naman talagang nakakagulat na sa loob lamang ng isang buwan ay dalawang beses na agad siyang nadadala sa ospital. Kahit sa pinakamahirap na mga misyon niya ay hindi inaabot ng ganito. Makakatamo siya ng mga sugat, ngunit hindi sapat para umabot pa rito. The next time he opened his eyes, he saw the white ceiling and his first thought was the agency, and he immediately closed them again. He internally groaned. His senses slowly came back, with a massive throbbing at the back of his head at that. He’s hearing hushed whispers from somewhere in the room, at kahit na alam niyang mahina ang kanilang boses, nakadagdag pa rin ito sa sakit ng kaniyang ulo. He groaned loudly this time.
Huling Na-update : 2021-12-17Target Acquired 10
To say that things were awkward in the café would be an understatement. Ilang araw na ang nakalipas mula nang mangyari ang maliit na aksidente ngunit tila ingat na ingat pa rin ang kaniyang mga kasamahan sa paligid niya. He doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry because of this. Nararamdaman niya ang ingat nila. Even while ordering food for their lunch.Napapailing na lamang niyang pinanood ang kaniyang mga kasamahan. It’s another lazy afternoon in the café. Artemis is once again busy at the back, probably talking to their manager, while Evelyn is walking around to clean table.Ang mga mata niya ay nanatili rito. The information he asked still hasn’t come, kaya naman pansamantalang nag-iingat muna siya sa paligid nito. Kahit na nakagaanan niya na ito ng loob sa maikling panahon, ang isang insidenteng nangyari noong nakaraan ay sapat na upang pansamantala siyang maging maingat. He doesn’t know her well afte
Huling Na-update : 2021-12-17Target Acquired 11
“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
Huling Na-update : 2021-12-18Target 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 : 2021-12-22
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
