Chapter 17

Shizuka"Welcome to USA!" Serena greeted me merrily after I arrived here at the airport."Thanks," I simply said. "Where are we going next?" I asked her habang hila ko na ang mga maleta ko.Serena invited me here to watch an archery tournament and to have a reunion with them.She was my opponent in archery back in the day. I was about to decline din kasi babantayan ko pa ang mahal kong si Uji pero mapilit din kasi si Riko na pumunta rin ako since bihira lang din naman daw ang mga ganitong happenings and mag-enjoy muna raw ako while waiting for my Uji to wake up."Shizuka! It's been a while!" then he hugged me. It was Thomas, an archery player na kasama rin naming nagtrtraining before."Let's go!" and we got in his car. Serena was sitting beside me."How's your life? It's been 20? 23 years since we met. That was so long and I missed you so much, Shi!" and she clung on my arm. "I heard that you're single," and she smiled playfully. I looked at her with disdain at binawi ko ang braso ko sa kanya."I'm engaged already. And you?""Just got heartbroken now. Why gonna be so rude Shi? Hearing those words...omg I can't. Who's the lucky girl?"This bitch is getting into my nerves.Tama talaga ako na dapat di na ako pumunta pa rito.I knew that I'm always right."It's a guy. He's handsome, tall and everything a woman could wish for a man." Lying is the best option here para tumigil na si Serena. Ang landi masyado."What a serial liar. You're not into men. You like girls and I know it.""Where are we heading at?" pag-iiba ko. I don't like where this is going."Just let her, Serena. She can love whoever she wants. It's her happiness after all," Thomas defended me.I raised my eyebrow in agreement. "Where are we heading now?" I asked steering away the topic."At my flat," masungit niyang sagot habang nakahalukipkip. Disappointment is evident on her face."Why? I need to find a hotel to stay-"You'll stay in my flat for a week. That will save you time and money. Don't worry about the expenses. I got it all covered," she answered with authority and she looked at me intently."I'm rich. I can find myself a hotel but thanks anyway."Lalong dumilim ang mukha niya."If that's the case, then let's go find a hotel and let's eat in Thompson's! They also have Japanese cuisine there!""Better if the hotel is near the aiport, Tom."Di na kami gaanong lumayo and meron ngang mga hotel near the airport."I'm good with Sheraton Hotel.""Got it," Thomas replied and we headed there.I checked in while Thomas was helping me with my luggage. Serena was quiet simula nang tumanggi akong tumuloy sa kanya.I got my room number at 26 and I want to take a rest pero mapilit si Tom na kumain."Shi, let's eat first before you take a rest. We're hungry!""Fine," and we left for Thompson's.As soon as we arrived, I sighed in relie dahil mangilan-ngilan lang ang tao."Your treat?" pagpaparinig ko kay Serena na ginatungan din ni Tom."Who are you? My girlfriend? And you know Thomas, I'm not your sugar mommy," maarte niyang sabi at nagkatinginan kami ni Tom. Natatawa na lang kami kay Serena."That's why you're single! You're acting like a granny!"I let them then I ordered a simple omurice."You calling that lunch, Shi?" pukaw sakin ni Tom while they were having seafood, roasted chicken and steak.They offered me some but I refused. Di naman ako gutom. Sakto lang.I scrolled on my phone to pass time while they were busy chatting about archery and some American stuff that I don't care about.I took a photo and I was about to send it to Riko when an unknown number was calling me.I ignored it baka wrong number lang."Shi, when is your wedding?" Tom asked at kumunot naman ang noo ni Serena."I don't know yet.""You don't know yet coz you're not really engaged. C'mon Shi, you only said that so that I can't flirt with you. I believe that you're into women only," ayaw pa rin paawat ni Serena."Stop it Serena. No matter how much you love the person if she loves someone other than you, you can do nothing but to accept it." Sumasakit na ang ulo ni Tom dahil kay Serena. Bilib talaga ako kay Tom dahil he's always on my defense."Fine, you win. I hope you won't regret it and I'm praying that it's the wrong person," and she smirked at me.After our lunch ay nagyaya pa silang gumala so sumama na lang ako kahit bored na bored ako."Shi, let's buy couple shirts! Souvenir to your fiancé," sabay hila sakin ni Tom sa isang stall."Sure."I tried to look for some unique designs until I saw a black shirt with a red dragon design."Do you still have this?" I asked the old man."That's the only one left, miss. We have Hawaiian designs here and many more. You can check it out."Di naman ako mahilig sa Hawaiian shirt but it reminds me of someone.Someone who looks innocent yet powerful and dangerous."I'll buy it." I also picked a black shirt with New York on it para pair kami ng color ni Uji ko then isang blue Hawaiian shirt."You good? Or are you going to buy some more?""I'm good with these. Serena, do you want to go somewhere?" I asked her. Bigla siyang ngumiti."Shi, are you asking me on a date now? I don't mind having a secret affair with you," sabay kapit sa braso. I tried to put her hand away but ang higpit ng kapit niya so sinamaan ko siya ng tingin but nginitian lang niya ako nang pagkatamis-tamis."I'm going to stroll around and you can also go around here. Spend your time together since it's been decades since the last time we met. Enjoy and do whatever you want. I'm gonna go now Shi, Serena," and he left."Where are we going?""What do you want to do, Shi? There's a lot going on in my mind. Do you want to know? I want s right now.""Bitiwan mo nga ako Serena!" asik ko sa kanya. I don't like where this is going."Ayoko." Nagulat naman ako na nakakaintindi pala siya ng Tagalog."Didn't expect that I could speak Tagalog? Let's go to my flat now. It bores me. I want to have some fun with you but not here," malandi niyang sabi."No! You're crazy!"Tumawa lang ang bruha."I'm crazy in love with you, Shi. Please? Kahit ngayon lang.""Anong oras bukas ng tournament?""Agree first before I tell you.""I'm leaving then. I don't have time to play games with you, Serena.""I won't let you unless...""Unless what?!"Bigla na lang niya akong pinosasan."The archery tournament will be 8am tomorrow, baby. Let's go to my flat now."Pagpasok namin ng apartment niya ay marahas niya akong itinulak pahiga sa kanyang kama kaya nahila din siya pabagsak sa ibabaw ko dahil nakaposas kami sa isa't isa."Serena! What are you doing?! Let me g—She shut me with her lips on mine.No!She's kissing me torridly when my phone rang. Someone's calling.I tried my best to push her but she pinned both my arms. Her grip was tight.I tried to resist and then she sucked my neck hard, left and right pababa pa."Stop resisting Shi. You are mine now. If you only said yes to me in the first place, this wouldn't happen and you gave me no choice, baby."And she began to unzip my pants.***"Shit!" I groaned nang magising ako and all of a sudden, nangalay bigla ang braso. To my despair, nakayakap siya sakin habang nakahiga sa braso ko."Fuck! What have I done!" I cursed myself nang mapansing hubad ang katawan niya. Napasilip ako sa loob ng kumot ko at nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang may suot pa akong pants pero wala na akong pantaas."Baby," mahinang ungol niya at sumiksik sa leeg ko at lalong hinigpitan ang yakap sakin.Tinulak ko agad siya at itinapis ko ang kumot. Naligo na agad ako.Binilisan ko lang at lumabas na agad ako.I saw Thomas in the living room."Your luggages are here. Serena asked me to get it for you. She said that you were going to stay with her."I grabbed my clothes at nagtanong kay Thomas."Where's the archery tournament? I'm going now.""Let's go. I'll drive."Inihatid na niya ako and 15 minutes before the game ay nakarating na kami.I thanked him at pumwesto na ako. Marami na rin ang nanonood.When it was finally 8am, umalis na ako at lumipat sa kabila.There's a tennis tournament.Doon na lang ako manonood.Luckily, nakaupo ako sa medyo harap.How I wish nandito rin si Uji ko para nanonood kami together. I know she'll love it here."Who told you that you have the right to relax? I thought that you are protecting my daughter?"I was terrified with that very familiar voice. Di ko magawang makatingin. He was sitting beside me."B-Big Boss," was all I could mutter."Look at me, Kira. Ba't nandito ka sa US? Ba't ka nagrerelax?"I gulped hard.I was about to face him nang biglang dumating si Serena sabay kandong sakin saka ako hinalikan sa labi."Mornin' baby. I miss you," panlalandi niya sa'kin but I dismissed her ASAP.I saw in my peripheral vision that he was wearing his Hawaiian shirt. Hawaiian shirts are his favorite."Excuse me miss, can I talk to her for a sec?" pakiusap niya kay Serena. He was smiling at her.Serena agreed and she smiled back at him."Follow me." He stood up and I followed him.I remained calm habang nakasunod na naglalakad sa kanya. Kung saan-saan kami dumaan hanggang napadpad kami sa isang abandoned building."Who is that girl?" he asked in his sweet voice. Something's wrong.Gusto kong sumagot pero walang lumalabas sa bibig ko. Sobra akong kinakabahan."T-That's S-Sere—"I said who is that girl?!" at mabilis niya akong hinila saka marahas na isinandal sa pader."S-Stop. I-I can't breathe..." He's choking me hard and I tried to loosen his grip on my neck but I couldn't. He was too strong."And those red marks on your neck, what are they? Don't tell me that they are rashes. Alam ko ang pinagkaiba ng rashes sa hickeys. Sa babaeng yon ba galing ang mga yan?"Sobra na akong namumula dahil sa hirap at init. I closed my eyes."Y-Yes."He loosen his grip."Anong yes? Na hickeys yon o siya ang may gawa niyan? Or...both?"I didn't answer. I looked into his eyes, begging for mercy and he only smiled devilishly.I only have one chance left.This is only a matter of right or wrong.Life or death."I-I, uh—"Are you two dating? Mukhang enjoy na enjoy ka pa sa pagkandong niya kanina.""N-No b-big boss."His face went dark. Nanlilisik ang mga mata niya sa'kin."Mukhang nakalimutan mo na ang deal natin. Alam mong galit at pumapatay ako ng mga taong manloloko," at bumalik ang higpit ng grip niya sa leeg ko. Para na akong madudurog.Hirap na hirap na akong huminga.Uji."I entrusted my daughter to you. To watch over her and protect her at all costs yet only to find out you're having an affair with another girl. Nagsawa ka na si—"No!"He tightened his grip once more and I couldn't fight anymore.Hindi na ako makahinga."Ang sarap sa pakiramdam nang mamatay 'di ba? If you only kept your promise, hindi mo pa sana makikita ang papatay sa'yo ngayon. Hindi naman malalaman ng anak ko kung patay ka na. Magaling akong magbaon ng katawan.""My Lord! Hinahanap na po kayo ng kambal. Start na po tennis competition. Nasaan na raw po—ano pong nangyayari rito? Papatayin niyo na po ba 'yan? Kami na po ang magtutuloy.""Remember this, Kira. Walang puwang sa mundo ang mga taong manloloko at traydor lalo na sa Fujiwara clan," and he let go of me.Nanghihina akong bumagsak habang habol ang hininga na hirap na hirap."Busalan at itali niyo ang basurang 'to. Pakiayos ang lahat. Ayokong magkaroon ng problema. Hintayin niyo lang akong matapos at iuuwi sa Japan 'yan. Doon ko siya papatayin.""Yes, Our Lord. Doon din po ba sa kwarto niyo gagawin ang pagpatay sa kanya?""Yes and prepare everything."Hinawakan niya pa ako sa kwelyo. "In a few hours, magkikita-kita na kayo ng pamilya mo. Mabubuo na rin kayo sa wakas. Isn't that your wish? Forget about my daughter. Hindi ka na niya kailangan."He smiled once more at me then he walked away leaving me with his 8 bodyguards."Kaya mo bang tumayo?" concerned na tanong ng isang kalbong bodyguard. I ignored him.Dahan-dahan akong tumayo nang maramdaman kong may malakas na pumalo sa likod ko. Tiniis ko ang sakit at pinigilang humiyaw kahit sobrang sakit at hirap na hirap na ako.I love you, my Uji.Goodbye.