Chapter 6: Preparation

Chapter 6

Preparation

* * *

Gracious Grace Moncatar

“ACE, IF YOU want to assassinate Don Victorino badly, I have a deal for you.”

Napalingon ako sa aking likuran dahil doon nanggaling ang boses. Nasa main office na ako ng Monca, hindi ko napansin na sinundan niya ako rito.

“What kind of a deal?” I asked curiously. Kinakabahan ako sa sobrang seryoso ng hitsura at boses niya.

Kinakabahan ako sa magiging deal niya pero hindi ko pinahalata. Nanatili akong matapang na sinalubong ang seryoso niyang titig sa aking mga mata.

“If you failed to assassinate Don Victorino… the pillar of Black Eagle Organization will be fallen forever.”

Halos tumigil ang oras ko dahil sa narinig. Pabalik-balik lang sa utak ko ang sinabi niya at hindi na mawawala. Napakagat ako sa aking pang-ibabang labi, nakakuyom na rin ng aking kamao dahil sa sinabi ng aking ama.

Hindi ako makapaniwala na gamitin niya ang organisasyon para i-blackmail ako. I love the organization we built. I treated it as my second home and the members are my second family. How could he use the organization just to stop me from assassinating Don Victorino?

Bakit pilit niya akong pinapalayo sa mga Sabio? Wala man lang siyang sinabi tungkol sa pamilyang ito kahit alam niya ang lahat. He never shares his secret with me.

“W-What? A-Are you crazy, Dad? H-How could you use the name of the organization we built?!”

“I will risk the organization for your safety, Ace.” Humakbang siya papalapit sa akin na nagsusumamo ang mga mata na huwag kong ituloy ang mga binabalak ko.

No. Hindi p’wede ito. He can’t do this to me.

“You’re so selfish, Dad…” kagat-labi kong wika para pigilan ang aking sarili na hindi umiyak sa harap niya. Kahit nangungulap na ang aking mata ng luha ay pilit kong pinigilan na huwag tumulo sa aking pisngi.

Mabilis ko siyang tinalikuran para hindi niya makita ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Nanginginig ang labi ko, hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko sa kanya.

“Yes, I am. Because… I’m just protecting you. I already failed to protect your mother, Ace. Please… obey your father. Let Amir handle the mission. Magpalit kayo ng task. Please…”

So, may alam na siya. May nagsabi ba sa kanya sa mga task na binigay ko sa kagrupo ko? How dare they spill the tea with my father?

“You thought your group mates spilled the tea on me? No, Ace. I heard it. I have a record.”

Agad akong humarap sa kanya, nakita kong may itinaas siyang voice recorder gadget.

Oh, I see. I never thought that he put a tap wire inside the convention. Naisahan ako roon. Alam na naming lahat na hindi kami p’wedeng mag-record ng aming pinag-uusapan dahil baka kasi mag-leak ito. Pero ang lider, p’wede siyang maglagay ng recorder at hindi ko iyon naunahan.

I cursed my brain because of my stupidity and sluggishness.

I let out a long breath through my nose. Since he already knew it. Wala na akong magagawa kundi suyawin siya.

“I am not afraid of losing the organization, Dad. I will take this mission. No one can change my mind and plan… even you, Dad,” seryoso kong wika.

Naningkit ang mata ng aking ama sa aking sagot. “You’re stubborn like your mother. I hope that you won’t fail, Ace. Good luck.”

Hindi niya na ako pinilit. Alam niya na kasing hindi ko na bawiin ang sinabi ko. Yes, wish me luck, Dad… and I’m sorry if I’m stubborn like my mom.

Ipapangako ko sa sarili ko na nagawin ko ang lahat para ma-accomplish ko ang misyong ito… para hindi masira ang organisasyon dahil sa aking makasariling desisyon.

Binuksan niya agad ang sekretong pinto patungong B.E.O headquarters. Tinalikuran niya na ako at dumiretso sa bukas ng pinto na nasa sahig. Hindi na ako binigyan ng tingin.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” mahinang bulong ko nang mawala siya sa paningin ko.

SWEAT ALL over my body after I trained myself at the training ground in the backyard. The training ground was surrounded by green and not-so-big trees and oval-shaped green carabao grass on the ground that served as a carpet on the training ground. I felt nature’s energy when I trained myself here. Additionally, birds and crickets chirping harmoniously everywhere served as graceful music to my ear that I could sway the weapon I held gracefully like a dancing queen assassin.

Hinihingal akong umupo sa malapad at pahugis bilog na berdeng damuhan. Napangiti ako sa aking na-achieve sa loob ng anim na oras. Nagawa kong mapatumba ang animnapung manikin gamit ang dalawang baril sa loob ng diyes minutos, bulls-eye pa lahat. Nagawa ko ring patumbahin ang iba pang manikin gamit ang mga balaraw at sinabayan ng karate sa loob ng kinse minutos.

Sa anim na oras, ginugol ko iyon sa pag-e-ensayo. Lahat ng weapons ay ginamit ko na tulad ng iba’t ibang baril, blades, at iba pang tradisyonal na sandata na maaring makakitil sa buhay ng tao. Walang lider na nag-train sa akin ngayon. I can manage anyway. I did everything just to train myself harder.

Hindi ko alam kung nakarating na ang aking ama sa bahay. Pagkatapos kasi ng meeting kanina ay dumiretso akong umuwi sa bahay. Naiwan ko siya roon sa headquarters.

Napapikit ako nang maalala ko ang sinabi ng aking ama, hindi bilang lider ng Black Eagle Organization kundi bilang nag-alalang ama. May sinabi siya sa akin na ikasira ng konsentrasyon ko.

I never regretted my decision anyway. Bahala na. Gagawin ko ang lahat basta makamit ko ang hustisya para sa aking ina.

Sa ngayon, kailangan kong mag-ensayo dahil nakasalalay ang buhay ng organisasyon sa kamay ko. If I fail, the organization will turn into ashes.

I admit, I am afraid to risk the name of the organization but I need to. This is my first and last chance to assassinate one of the family members of Sabio. Finally, I can give justice to my mother.

I never questioned my father about the Sabio family. Tinikom ko na lang ang aking bibig kahit may alam na ako. Hindi ko na sinumbatan ang aking ama. Ako na lang ang gagawa ng hakbang para makamit ang hustisya. Ako na lang.

Nanunuyo na ang lalamunan ko sa sobrang pagkauhaw. Uminom ako ng maraming tubig, binawi ko ang pawis na nawala sa akin sa pamamagitan ng pag-inom ng malamig na tubig. Napahiga ako sa damuhan pagkatapos kong uminom ng tubig. Bumalik na rin sa normal ang tibok ng aking puso.

Agad akong nagpagulong-gulong para iwasan ang nagliliparan na balaraw sa kinahihigaan ko. Bumalik din ang mabilis na tibok ng aking puso dahil doon. Limang balaraw ang itinapon sa akin ni Daddy, lahat iyon ay naiwasan ko.

“Dad! Are you insane? I am resting, can’t you see? What if your daggers were tucked in my body, huh? The heck!” sigaw ko at inis na bumangon. Nagkasalubong ang bawat kilay namin nang magkatitigan kami.

Mabuti na lang naiwasan ko ang lahat ng atake niyang iyon. Hindi ko talaga i-ni-expect na aatakehin niya ako ng gano’n.

“What’s the use of your training if you can’t sense someone’s attack, huh?” Lumapit siya sa kinaroroonan ng dagger na tumusok sa lupa. He squats his legs to get his customized daggers on the ground.

“Damn your unexpected attacks, Dad.”

“Be aware and cautious because not all the time you’ll know who will attack you. Maybe it’s your trusted friends, your beloved family, or your enemies. Also, not all attackers will attack behind your back. Sometimes they will attack you in front and you’re too blind to defend it.”

He stood up after picking up his daggers. He threw all the daggers up high then he caught it all using his bare hands like the speed of lightning. Humarap siya sa p’westo ko pero hindi buo ang atensyon niya sa akin kundi nasa balaraw. Nililinisan ito gamit ang panyong kulay itim na palagi niyang dala. Binigyan niya ako ng tingin paminsan-minsan.

A rain of silence poured between us. Wala akong may maisagot sa kanyang sinabi kaya nanahimik na lang ako. May punto naman siya. Anong laban ko sa mga sinasabi niya na puno ng kahulugan? Wala, eh.

Walang gana akong umupo sa damuhan. Tulala akong tumingin sa kawalan. Nakaramdam na rin ako ng pagod sa aking katawan. Naramdaman ko na umupo rin sa damuhan ang aking ama, hindi kalayuan sa kung saan ako nakaupo.

“What are you thinking right now? You have plenty of time to exchange your tasks with Amir, Ace. You have a time, Ace.”

Yes, Dad… I have plenty of time but I don’t have a chance if I miss this mission.

“Dad, what if the rage of darkness will consume you? What will you do?”

Hindi ko alam kung bakit iyan ang lumabas na salita sa aking bibig. My rage consumed me and I can’t vomit it all. Matagal ko nang gustong gumanti. Ngayong may alam na ako na may kinalaman pala ang Sabio sa pagkamatay ng ina ko, hindi na ako titigil hangga’t hindi ko makitil ang buhay ng mga Sabio. Kabayaran sa ginawa nilang pagnakaw sa buhay ng aking ina.

“I won’t let it consume me. If it will happen, I will find the light to fight the raging darkness.”

“What if you can’t find the light?”

“I will make myself a light and defeat the darkness. You’re the one who can defeat your demon.”

Tumango-tango na lang ako. Hindi ko alam bakit hindi ulit agad ako makabawi ng salita. Maraming bumabagabag sa isipan ko ngayon. Kinakabahan ako sa possibleng mangyari.

What if I failed? Tama kaya ang desisyon kong ito? These questions kept bothering my mind and even I couldn’t answer those simple questions.

My brain woke up in surprise when my father attacked me using his steel-like arm. He hit my stomach which made me groan in agony. I laid my back on the grass because of his surprise attack. Hindi ko ininda ang sakit, ang ginagawa ko lang ay iniiwasan ko ang lahat ng atake niya dahil atake siya nang atake gamit ang kanyang balaraw at mala-bakal na braso.

He’s good at martial arts. I am good too. However, if I compare my martial arts to him, I’m just a cloud of dust that can be swept off by him. Yes, only him.

“T-This is what you called training?” I asked between our fights. I’m still avoiding his attacks. Habol-habol na namin ang aming paghinga.

“Nope. This is my warning. If you missed one of my attacks I’m sure your bone will crash and you’ll be hospitalized–maybe months?”

He’s damn crazy. As if naman hayaan ko siya. I will fight you, Dad.

I smirked. “Sorry for being rude but I won’t allow you to do that.”

When he opened his defense, I kicked him hard on his chest. Napaatras siya dahil doon, agad akong tumayo at hinanda ang sarili sa susunod niya atake. I sharpened my senses, but I didn’t move my gaze, especially in his eyes to know what his next move was. Dahil kung hindi ko tingnan ang kanyang mga mata ay maiisahan niya ako.

He smirked, and I saw amusement in his eyes after what I did.

I let my tongue out to wet my dry lips while waiting for his next attack. Hindi magkalayo ang agwat naming dalawa pero tumigil ito sa pag-atake. I knew his next attack would be a dangerous one and if I missed it, I’m sure I would be doomed.

He didn’t warn me, just a second he threw all the daggers in my direction, and all I could do was parry. But I missed one dagger and left a cut on my right shoulder. I cursed because of it. My breath was hefty like the metal armor of a warrior, and slow like a slug climbing the highest peak of the tree.

I hardened my muscles. This time I moved and attacked him. I swayed my legs to kick his firm legs to cut his balance, extending my hardened arm to hit his critical point but he dodged it all swiftly. I tried to give him multiple punches but he dodged it all again. Flying kick won’t work always but I hit him multiple times using this attack.

Hindi lang ako ang umatake, maging siya rin. His serious flying kicks and punches made me stumble on the ground and vomit blood. He hit me multiple times but not a critical hit. I’m sure I'd end up in the hospital if I let him hit my weakest point.

Tumutulo na ang pawis ko sa buo kong katawan pero ang ama ko ay walang katiting na pawis sa kanyang mukha. Lahat ng tama ko sa kanya ay hindi umubra.

Horror was written on my face when he cornered me. Pinulupot nito ang kanyang braso sa aking leeg. Ang isang kamay nito ay may hawak na balaraw na nakatuon sa aking tagiliran.

Nahawakan ng kaliwa kong kamay ang kanyang kamay na may hawak na balaraw na gusto niyang i****k sa aking tagiliran habang ang isang kamay ko ay pilit na kinukuha ang malaki niyang braso na pinulupot sa aking leeg. I can’t breathe. I’m struggling, trying to escape his grip but I can’t escape.

Napadaing ako sa sakit nang idiniin nito lalo ang pag-ipit sa aking leeg. My breath was heavy and sluggish. He’s still choking me using his steel-like arm. Damn!

This is damn hard. Anong laban ko sa bilis at galing niya? Pero gagawin ko ang lahat para makatakas sa mga kamay niya. This is part of my training and I need to endure all the pain.

* * *

EVEN MY body is aching like hell, I tried to get up on my bed. Early in the morning, Amir called me to that he already sent the plan and all the data I needed for assassinating Don Victorino.

Yesterday my training was rough and tough yet it paid off. I learned many techniques on how to escape if you’re cornered. My father taught me well yesterday. I’m grateful because of that. He hates my decision but he helped me… a lot.

Nag-inat ako ng katawan nang nakababa na ako sa kama. I exercised all my body parts to lessen the pain I felt right now. Thank God, it works. Medyo nagawa ko nang igalaw ang aking katawan na walang masyadong sakit na naramdaman.

Dumiretso ako sa mesa kung saan nakapatong ang laptop ko. Pagbukas ko ng laptop, nakita ko agad ang mail ni Amir sa akin. I read the data first. Napataas ang kilay ko nang mabasa ko ang ugali ni Don Victorino. He’s an enterprising, boastful, and arrogant man. He cast his mother out of her life. Trending nationwide ang ginawa niya sa ina niya.

After reading all the personal kinds of stuff about Don Victorino, I grabbed my phone beside my laptop. I dialed Amir’s number. Gladly, he accepted my call quickly.

“Where did you get this data?” I asked, curiously. Nakakapagtaka lang dahil detalyado ito. Pati ang mga ginagawa ni Victorino tuwing wala siyang trabaho ay nandoon. Alam kong hindi galing kay Amir ang data na ito.

“From my investigation. Of course, I did everything just to get those data.” I heard his long deep breath after speaking. He’s tense. Halata.

“Really? Even if he does something personal shit, you investigated it? Oh, come on. I know you’re not telling the truth.”

Kahit ang pagbabawas ng naturang Don ay nabasa ko. Gross.

“Okay. Okay. You got me. That personal information was from the requestor. He gave that information to our tracer.”

The one who requested to assassinate Don Victorino? Wow. What a thoughtful requestor.

“Woah. When did the requestor help us with the information we need? This mission is very suspicious. Like...” I paused, and let out a heavy sigh. Hinagod ko ang aking leeg gamit ang aking kaliwang kamay dahil nakaramdam ako ng pangangalay.

... someone manipulated it. I added through my mind.

“Like what, Ace?” Amir asks innocently over the phone. I know his forehead has waves of confusion right now.

“Nothing. I’ll resume my doings. I’m dropping the call. Thank you. Bye.”

I dropped my phone on the table lightly. I closed my eyes and massaged my temple slowly. Maraming naglalaro na salita sa utak ko at hindi ko mailabas sa bibig. Hays!

“Always fathom every thought of your mind before you act. Because if you act rashly, you’ll end up inside the cage that is full of thorns and you can’t escape.” The words of my father bother me so much. He said this after I won against him yesterday at the training ground.

Damn! Ano ba ang tinutukoy niya? Trap? Warning? Huge problem? Bloody hell?

Iniwaksi ko ang mga iniisip ko. I should focus on my mission. Baka binigyan lang ako ng aking ama ng destruction para masira ang focus ko o magbago pa ang isip ko na hindi ituloy ang misyon.

I decided to read Amir’s plan, tips, and techniques. Tapos kong basahin at i-absorb lahat ng utak ko ay tumayo ako. Amir’s plan is good.

“I almost get the justice, Mom.” Kinuyom ko ang aking kamao na nakatingin sa labas ng bintana.

Sa gabi, gawin ko na ang misyon. I will assassinate Don Victorino Tinsmith Sabio. I will let him taste the pain that I feel every single day.

Hindi rin maiwasan ang kaba at takot na naramdaman sa aking dibdib. Mabilis ang tibok ng aking puso na para bang hinahabol ni kamatayan. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ito. Dati kahit dilikado ang misyon ay hindi ako kinakabahan.

Why I feel nervous now?

Magtatagumpay kaya ako? What if I fail? Will my father wreck the organization we built?

No. I won’t allow it. I will do everything to accomplish this mission. I swear.

* * *