Kabanata 2

"Pasok ka." Sa totoo lang, napilitan lang ako sumama kay Lilith. I think I might be a pushover after all? Ang hirap talagang humindi sa kanya. Iginala ko 'yung tingin ko sa bahay niyang... medyo makalat. Ang ganda sana ng bahay niya kung 'di pakalat-kalat 'yung gamit niya. Pinaupo niya ako sa sofa niya at naglabas ng maraming San Mig. Nag-order na rin siya ng mga pagkain. Habang nago-order siya ng mga pagkain, gumala ako sa sala niya at tiningnan mga pictures niya.

May picture sila ni Elizabeth na magkayakap tapos si Lilith mukhang diring-diri. Napangiti na lang ako ng mahina. 

May picture din sila ng isang lalakeng may bigote na parang ka-edad ni Dr. Kiel na naka pang-army. 'Di pa siya nakangiti sa picture, seryosong-seryoso pa siyang tingnan... ibang-iba sa Lilith na nakilala ko ngayong araw.

Lilith might be rude, but I don't think she's bad though?

"Ano tinitignan mo diyan?" tanong ni Lilith.

"Ah..." Nakita niyang tinitignan ko 'yung picture nila ng lalake. Binaba niya 'yung picture nila ni Elizabeth na para bang ayaw niyang makita ko 'yung picture nilang dalawa. Her actions are kinda fishy?

"Siya 'yung dating commander ng District 10.. Sugar daddy ko 'yan eh." Sugar daddy? What the—

"Siyempre, charot lang! Pero matutuwa ako 'pag siya 'yung naging sugar daddy ko." 'Di ko na alam kung ano 'yung itsura ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Is that a joke or what?

"Huy, okay ka lang?" tanong niya.

"Y-you're joking, right?" I asked with wide eyes.

"Hindi, bakit?" Seryoso ba 'yung mukha niya? It's not that I'm against people having sugar daddies but... it's just weird. Like plain weird.

"W-wala," 'Yon na lang sinabi ko para 'di ako rude pakinggan. Umupo kami sa sofa tapos siya tuloy-tuloy sa paglagok ng alak. 'Di pa rin maalis sa isip ko 'yung sinabi niya tungkol sa sugar daddy. So, is that a joke or what?

"Oh, ba't 'di ka nainom? Nako, 'di puwede 'yan!" ani ni Lilith.

"May trabaho pa tayo bukas," ani ko.

"Ay, meron ba? 'Yaan mo na 'yon! Dali, lagok ka na!" sabay lagok ng alak. Natawa na lang ako sa kanya at umiling. Tapos naglabas siya ng sigarilyo at sinindi ito.

"Demon," ani kong pabiro.

"Gusto mo?" Binibigay niya 'yung cigarette butt sa'kin pero umiling ako.

"No thanks," sagot ko. Tiningnan ko 'yung beer cans na nakatambay sa lamesa. Kumuha ako ng isa at ininom ito.

"Hoy!" Nagitla ako kay Lilith.

"What?" kunot-noo kong tanong.

"Sabi mo 'di ka nainom!" Lilith exclaimed with that silly smile of hers na akala mo may binabalak na masama.

"I said I don't drink... it doesn't mean I can't drink." Napatawa ng malakas si Lilith.

"MAGALING KA KAPATID! HALINA'T IPAPASOK KITA SA IMPYERNO!" malakas na ani ni Lilith na may kasamang palo sa balikat ko. Biglang tumunog 'yung doorbell. Ang lakas pa ng tawa niya. Mukhang nandito na 'yung in-order ni Lilith.

"Chibugan time!" Tinulungan ko siyang ipasok 'yung mga pina-order niya. Ang dami pala. May chicken, pizza, lasagna, mojos at kung anu-ano pa.

"That's a lot of food you got there," I said. 

"Aba siyempre!" Linapag namin 'yung mga pagkain sa lamesa. There are pros being Lilith's partner... free food, I guess?

"Happy birthday to me, yay!" ani ni Lilith.

What? It's her birthday?

"Birthday mo?" pasimple kong tanong. I kinda felt sad because she doesn't have anyone on her birthday. Just me and herself. I kinda regret judging her this morning. What's wrong with you, Bexan?

"Oo! Kaya ikaw... lumamon ka na diyan! Cheers sa bago kong bestie." I scoffed. What a kid. I guess I don't mind being close with Lilith. 

She is pretty cute.

"Lilith," Patuloy pa rin siyang lumalamon kaya 'di siya nakasagot agad.

"Lilith," 'Di pa rin siya sumasagot.

"Lilith—"

"Ano ba kasi 'yon?! Kita mong nakain!" napatawa na lang ako ng mahina.

"Happy birthday." Tumigil siya sa pagnguya at tiningnan ako diretso sa mata.

Is there something I said?

She suddenly gave me a cute smile. I admit, she looks really cute.

"Thank you," ani niya.

"You're welcome, pig." pang-asar ko.

"ANONG PIG? BASTOS KA, AH!" Nagtawanan na lang kami parehas at nag-inuman na lang kahit na may trabaho kami bukas.

~•~

Ang sakit ng ulo ko. Siguro may tama pa ako dahil sa inuman namin kagabi ni Lilith. She's a heavy drinker, I can't even keep up with her. Ang lakas niya uminom tapos dinadamay pa niya ako sa kademonyohan niya. Pinalagok pa niya ako ng pinalagok ng alak. Sa dorm na lang ng headquarters ng Onic na lang ako nakitulog. Tutungo sana ako ng office ko para magtimpla ng kape kaso bigla kong nakasalubong si Elizabeth sa hallway. Look what we have here?

Wow, she's an early bird?

"Good morning, Bexan," ani niya. I flashed one of my brightest smiles. 

"Good morning, Lizzy," nginitian niya ako.

"Hang over?" tanong niya.

"Paano mo nalaman?" kunot-noo kong tanong.

"Halata naman sa itsura mo. Let me guess... Lilith, right?" Elizabeth chuckled.

"Nice guess." I answered. It looks like she really knows Lilith.

"H'wag kang masyadong magpakademonyo kay Lilith, alright?" binalaan niya ako. I smiled.

"Yes, I know." I answered politely. Elizabeth is kinda right though. Based on Lilith's actions, she could actually turn you into a push over. 

"I'm sure she likes you because you treated her lunch yesterday, pero binabalaan kita..." Napakunot ako ng noo.

"Why?" I felt bothered from the warning tone of Elizabeth's voice. 

"Don't spoil Lilith too much or you'll end up being a pushover. That's not too much to ask, is it?" Napangiti ako at tumango-tango.

"I'll keep that in mind," sagot ko.

"Oh, and one more thing..."

"Don't believe any useless rumors going on around here. It's not worth your time," Rumors? 

"W-what rumors?" I asked with furrowed eyebrows. That's really suspicious. 

"It's best for you not to know," I didn't quite get what she said. Her words left me curious.

"Oh, siya! Punta na ako sa office ko. Tell Lilith that I greeted her a belated happy birthday. Ciao!" sabay pumasok na ng elevator si Elizabeth papunta sa kanyang office. Nagtimpla ako ng kape para lang labanan yung hang over ko. I'm never drinking with Lilith ever again. 

Umupo ako sa swivel chair ko at binasa ko ulit 'yung personal profiles ng dalawang drug smugglers na galing sa India. I'll have to pay them a visit to get some information on their boss. Inubos ko ang kape ko at inilapag ang coffee mug ko sa lamesa.

"Let's get this interrogation done with." bigla kong narinig ang pagbukas ng pinto sa office. 'Di na ako binati ni Lilith at dumiretso na sa sofa at humiga.

"Good morning," I greeted Lilith.

"I said... good morning," I repeated in a slightly louder tone. She just responded in a moan. She looked too lazy to respond. 

"Binati ka pala ni Elizabeth," She's still not answering me.

I see... sa umaga, bastos? Sa gabi, sobrang hyper? Napailing na lang ako. Lalabas sana ako  ng office para puntahan 'yung dalawang inmate para simulan 'yung interrogation pero biglang pinigilan ako ni Lilith.

"Oh... sa'n ka pupunta?" kunot-noong tanong ni Lilith sa'kin.

"Interrogation room," I answered briefly.

"Huh? Para sa'n?" It seems like she's not paying attention to our job. 

"Para sa case natin."

"Ahh... 'ge lang." That's all she has to say? Does she even care about our case? Our case is one of the biggest cases here in District 10 and it looks like she doesn't even give a fuck about it.

"Tulog lang ako." Akalain niyo 'yon? Mas mataas sahod nito sa'kin tapos patulog-tulog lang.

I shook my head out of annoyance. I proceeded to the interrogation room and started interrogating the two. The first one who spoke is Arijit Patel, a 40-year old man with a daughter aged 10. Ginagawa niya lang daw 'yung drug smuggling para mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang anak niya. Ang tattoo na nasa leeg niya ay sumisimbolong kontrata ng amo nila na kung tawagin ay Camorra Mafia group. Kailanman ay hindi pa nakilala ni Arijit ang pinuno ng Camorra Group at madalas na ang kasama niyang si Rajesh, ang pangalawang nahuling drug smuggler ng Onic, ang nakikipagtransaksyon sa amo ng Camorra group.

Since 'di marunong mag-English si Arijit, kinausap ko siya sa lenggwahe nila. Required matuto ng more than 12 languages dito sa Onic, so it's easy for me to understand languages from different nationalities.

"Main ekh bura inshaan hoon. Lekhil main khabi bhi mera bacchi ke liye bura life nehi mangga," 'I may have been a bad man, but I've always wanted a good life for my daughter' ani ni Arijit sa wikang Hindi.

"Toh Yeh Baat Hain," 'I see' I answered briefly. 

"Main bohat sarmindha hoon ki, main uski samne ja bhi neyi shakta," 'I'm so ashamed of myself, I can't even face her' buntong-hininga niya.

"Please Uski kiyal rhakho," 'Please take care of her' Arijit added. 

"Hum uski kiyal rhakenge," 'We'll have her taken care of' I answered with an assuring tone. Arijit sighed in relief. 

"Dhannebad." Arijit thanked me in his native language. Narinig ko ang hagulgol ni Arijit. Sometimes, bad people do bad things for the sake of others. This is the harsh reality of life. I feel sorry for Arijit. For sure naman, bibigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang anak ni Arijit sa tulong ng Onic. Dinala na si Arijit sa selda niya at sumunod namang pumasok si Rajesh sa interrogation room na nakaposas. By the way Rajesh looked, he looked like a complete drug addict. I didn't like the way he walked, his actions looked really cocky. I just scoffed and shookt my head at the sight of Rajesh.

"Have a seat," ani ko. Pinaupo siya ng dalawang guwardiyang nag-assist sa kanya papasok ng interrogation room.

"You may leave." senyas ko sa dalawang guwardiya kaya agad silang umalis. Tumawa ng mahina si Rajesh.

"Sing," tapos kumanta si Rajesh ng Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star. I scoffed.

What a prick...

"Mr. Policeman!" Tapos tumawa siya na parang baliw. I'm a fucking agent, not a fucking policeman.

"I don't want to sing for you. Bring me a girl then I will sing," tumawa siya lalo. Naging seryoso pa rin ang itsura ko kahit na nandidiri ako sa kanya. Ang dami kong ginamit na techniques para magsalita siya tungkol sa nalalaman niya, pero ayaw niya talagang kumanta. Mas may alam siya kaysa kay Arijit, ngunit kulang pa rin ang impormasyon na binigay niya sa'min. Ilang araw na ang lumipas at ayaw pa rin magsalita ni Rajesh. Medyo mahirap din kasi ayaw kumilos ni Lilith. Tulog lagi inaatupag.

"Oy," ani ni Lilith.

"What?" inis kong sambit. Medyo wala ako sa mood ngayon kasi wala talaga akong makuhang impormasyon kay Rajesh.

"Ano na nakuha mo?" tanong ni Lilith.

"The inmate refuses to speak,"

"Huh? Bakit?"

"Magsasalita lang daw siya pag dinalhan ko siya ng babaeng sexy at may itsura," Kumunot 'yung noo ni Lilith.

"Ba't 'di mo sinabi?!" sigaw niya na parang galit. Why? Did I do something wrong? 

"I-I didn't want to disturb you."

"You should've asked!" Nag-walk out siya papuntang interrogation room at pinatawag si Rajesh. Sumunod ako kay Lilith papuntang control room. Napangiti ako nang makasalubong ko si Elizabeth.

"Oh, Bexan! Saan ka pupunta?" ngiting salubong ni Elizabeth sa'kin.

"Interrogation room," maikli kong tugon.

"Oh... how's everything?" Habang nag-uusap, sinamahan niya ako papuntang control room.

"Control room 'to, ah?" kunot-noo niyang sambit. Tumango-tango naman ako.

"Yeah, Lilith's doing the interrogation and I'm here to watch," sagot ko.

"W-what?" Elizabeth exclaimed as her eyes widened. Kumunot 'yung noo ko. Is there something wrong?

"Y-you know you don't have to watch. You could just wait for Lilith to finish..."

"Nah! It's our case. Of course I have to see,"

"You might not like what you'll see," nakita ko ang paglunok ni Elizabeth sa laway niya. That's weird?

"What do you mean?" kunot-noo kong tanong.

"It's starting," ani ni Elizabeth. Lumingon ako sa glass screen para tingnan 'yung ginagawa ni Lilith. Napangiti ng malawak si Rajesh at tumawa ng malakas.

"Wow! Very very beautiful!" natutuwang ani ni Rajesh habang sinusuri si Lilith. Well, Lilith is attractive after all. She's got it all except the nice attitude.

"Speak," Lilith answered with an expressionless look.

"You know... my bottom is really hard." Napangiwi ako sa sinasabi ni Rajesh. That's gross. I could just slap the shit out of this guy.

"I didn't ask for that. I asked you to speak," Lilith's face remained the same.

"I've raped lots of beautiful girls and children!"  Lalong lumala 'yung pag ngiwi ko. 

"That's fucking sick," bulong ko dahil sa diri. I feel sorry for the kids. They don't deserve to be treated that way.

"Some less than 10 and some are babies," pagpapatuloy ni Rajesh.

"I would like to see you crying in pain too, baby," Rajesh said with a smirk. Kita ko ang pasimpleng pagkuyom ni Lilith ng kanyang kamao.

"I didn't ask for that. Who's your boss?" 

"Come fuck me, beautiful lady! Then I will speak," Ngiting manyakol ni Rajesh.

"No." Lilith answered briefly. I can feel that she's starting to get really pissed.

"Then I won't speak." Nagulat ako nang sinapak ni Lilith si Rajesh gamit 'yung baso na iniinuman niya. Dumugo ang mukha ni Rajesh at napuno ng mga bubog ang sahig. What the fuck did I just witness?

"Alright... you asked for it," ani ni Lilith. Kinuha ni Lilith and metal hair clip niya at sinaksak ito sa kamay ni Rajesh. Fuck!

"AHHH!" dumaing sa sakit ang manyakol. 

"Still won't speak?" Lilith asked.

"Ugh— No!" the Indian exclaimed. Pinagbubugbog ni Lilith 'yung mukha ni Rajesh. Kitang-kita mo 'yung pagtulo ng dugo sa mukha nito.

"I see, you still refuse to speak. Alright, let's leave it that way," Umiling si Rajesh at halos mawasak na 'yung mukha niya sa pagbugbog ni Lilith. Tinulak niya 'yung upuan kaya nahulog si Rajesh sa sahig. Pinagsisisipa ni Lilith and tiyan ni Rajesh kaya napaubo ito ng dugo. Natahimik ang paligid ng ilang segundo. Isinindi ni Lilith 'yung dala-dala niyang sigarilyo at ginamit ito. Napatawa siya ng mahina.

I'm sensing such a huge murderous intent...

Kinuha ni Lilith ang kamay ni Rajesh na nakaposas. Biglang humiging ng isang kanta si Lilith.

Killing Me Softly.

"Strumming my pain with his fingers..." Kinuha niya ang kamay ni Rajesh at binilang ng isa-isa ang mga daliri niya. Pinky finger, ring finger, middle finger, index finger, and finally... his thumb.

"Singing my life with his words..." 

Fuck... this is getting too intense.

Pinagtatatanggal ni Lilith isa-isa 'yung kuko ni Rajesh gamit ang metal niyang hair clip kaya napasigaw at iyak si Rajesh ng malakas. I can feel the pain by just looking at them! My jaw dropped because of disbelief.

"Killing me softly with his song... killing me softly," she sang in a sweet tone, but the way she handled the interrogation process... it's just too brutal.

"AHH! STOP! I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING!"

"With his song..." Lilith continued.

"Eduardo Jose Cordova! He's not the leader of the Camorra group, but he's our boss!"

"Telling my whole life..." Patuloy pa rin sa pagtanggal ng kuko ni Rajesh si Lilith.

"AHH! MARCH 20! HE WILL GO HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES IN UHM UHM—" Nagtanggal ng isa pang kuko si Lilith.

"With his words... killing me softly."

"AHH! IN A HOTEL! I DON'T KNOW WHICH HOTEL! STOP! STOP! THAT'S ALL I KNOW! STOP— YOU'RE A CRAZY WOMAN!" Rajesh was clearly teary-eyed from the pain now.

"With his song..." Lilith ended her singing at sinaksak niya 'yung 'ari' ni Rajesh. Napaiyak siya ng tuluyan sa sakit at nawalan ng malay. Punong-puno ng dugo 'yung interrogation room.

"D-demon..." ani ni Elizabeth.