Princess Of The Underground Society

"What? Can you do that, Papa?" Athena asked her father. Lahat sila ay nagulat dahil sa sinabi ng kaniyang ama.

"Of course I can." her father answered like it's nothing.

Well, after all, he's the King of Underground Society.

"Paano pag nagtanong sila bakit sila aalisin?" muling tanong niya. She's curious as hell. Gusto niya ring malaman kung paano gumalaw ang mga tao sa Underground Society.

Her father and her husband are all part of it and she's the princess. Hindi naman yata siya makakapayag na nahuhuli siya sa mga ito.

"Simple, princess. It's because they hurt you. Pinalampas ko ang unang ginawa nila sayo because at that time, you still didn't know the truth. But it's different now. Alam mo na ang lahat at ngayong kasal ka na, I can finally introduce you to our Society." he paused and smirked before he added something. "Formally."

Hindi niya nagawang magsalita dahil sa narinig. Introduce her? Biglaan naman yata yun. She's not ready yet.

Napansin ni Cyril ang pananahimik ng kaniyang asawa kaya agad niyang hinawakan ang kamay nito at marahan yung pinisil.

"Hey, I'm here. Everything's going to be okay." he comforts her. Athena looked at him with worried look. "I think I'm still not ready for it." she said.

Ramdam ni Cyril na totoo ang sinasabi ng asawa. Nanlalamig kasi ang kamay nito at halatang kinakabahan.

"It's still your choice. Kung hindi ka pa handa, then let's not do it yet. Ikaw ang bahala, love." he said then he smiled at her. Gusto niyang iparamdam sa asawa na palagi siyang nasa tabi nito kahit anong mangyari.

She smiled back and lean her head at his shoulder. "Thank you. I love you." he heard her whispered.

Hinalikan niya sa sentido ang asawa at sumagot dito. "I love you too. So much."

"Fine, Papa, I'll do it. Formally introduce me to your world. This time, I won't be scared." biglaang saad ni Athena na ikinatigil nilang lahat.

Then after a second, everyone's looking at her. "Are you sure, anak? It's okay to ready yourself first." her father asked but she keeps what she said. "I'm sure, Papa. I've decided so please do it."

Saglit na natahimik ang kaniyang ama bago siya nito ngitian ng matamis. "If that's what you want then sure, I'll do it in an instance." saad nito at agad na tumayo.

"Aalis na ako. I'll tell this to your mother and I'll just contact your husband for the date but ready yourself anytime, anak." dagdag pa nito bago siya nilapitan at hinaplos ang kaniyang ulo.

Nginitian niya ang ama. "The sooner, the better, Pa." she said na agad tinanguan ng kaniyang ama.

"I know. I'll be going now." huling anito bago lumabas ng headquarters nila Cyril.

Ng makaalis ang ama ni Athena, sunod na rin na nagpaalam si Brent at Christian while Michael said that he'll look after Coraline.

Naiwan si Cyril at Athena sa sala. The whole place is in silence hanggang sa basagin ni Cyril ang katahimikan na yun.

"Are you sure of this?" he asked his wife.

Athena looked at him and smiled at him surely. "I am, love. I want to be strong too. Ayaw ko namang ikaw na lang lagi ang promoprotekta sa akin. Gusto ko ring tulungan ka, Cyril. I want to be stronger than this. I want to be someone that can protect our family once it grows bigger."

Cyril heart's melt at what his wife said. Mabilis niyang pinulupot ang kamay sa beywang nito at hinila ito palapit. Then without hesitation, he kissed her.

Athena's eyes fall closed. Gumapang ang kaniyang kamay sa leeg ng asawa. She tilted her head to kiss him deeper. She misses this. She misses him so much.

"Hmm." she moaned as Cyril caress her waist. "Wife... you're really now my wife." Cyril whispered to her. His lips crawl down to her jaw up to her neck.

"C-Cyril..." she murmurs when Cyril slightly bit her neck and lick it to remove the sting away.

"I love you. I love you. I love you." paulit ulit na bulong ni Cyril sa kaniyang asawa. Hindi siya magsasawang iparamdam dito kung gaano niya ito kamahal.

And as they are sweet to each other, they don't know that someone's crying at the corner.

"Why can't you just be happy for Mark?" Michael whispered to Coraline at his side. "He's married, Cori. And if you really love him then learn to let him go."

"How can I?" Coraline answered in a low voice while stopping herself to be heard as she cries. "I love him too much."

"If you love him then you should make him happy, right? Sa tingin mo ba naging masaya siya sa ginawa mo?"

Coraline left speechless. She knew the truth. Alam niyang mali ang ginawa niya. And she hurt Cyril because of what she did.

"I...I just want him to see me as before. I..."

Michael sighed. "Kung iniisip mong hindi ka mahalaga kay Mark, diyan ka nagkakamali. He's worried at you when he knew that you asked for Diablos help. Everyone's worried of you...lalong lalo na si Christian. You know that he's easily to get worried and he's emotional."

Nag iwas ng tingin si Coraline sa narinig.

"Sana naman inisip mo muna ang kalalabasan ng gagawin mo. You're too reckless." Michael added.

"He's right. You are so reckless at what you've done."

Nalipat ang tingin ni Coraline sa kaniyang likuran dahil sa narinig. "C-Cyril..." banggit niya sa pangalan nito.

Cyril walks nearer to her with Athena at his side. "You are still my friend, Coraline. You are still important to me even though you tried to hurt my wife." tumigil siya sa pagsasalita ng marating niya ang harapan ni Coraline.

Kaagad na muling namasa ang kaniyang nata dahil sa narinig. Now, she's really regrets everything she have done.

Kinuha niya ang kamay ni Cyril at agad siyang napayuko sabay ng pagtulo ng kaniyang mga luha. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." she whispered with sincerity.

"You shouldn't be saying sorry to me. It's my wife who's been hurt." Cyril said. Nabitawan ni Coraline ang kamay nito dahil sa mga sinabi nito.

Itinaas ni Coraline ang paningin at tinignan si Athena na nakatayo sa gilid ni Cyril. Athena's eyes are cold and emotionless while staring at her.

Sa una, natatakot pa siyang lumapit but she should still say sorry. Kaya naman nilabanan niya ang takot at nilapitan ito. She stared directly at her eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. I regret everything I've done. Please...Please forgive me."

Pagtapos niyang magsalita, she lowered her gazed and tears are starts falling again. Sa totoo lang, natatakot siya. Natatakot siyang baka hindi siya nito mapatawad. She did so much to her that she deserves not to be forgiven-

"Let's just forget what happened. Kung talagang nagsisisi ka na sa mga ginawa mo then I think I don't have a reason not to forgive you."

Coraline looked at her in disbelief. "J-Jade..."

But Athena smiles. "Kaibigan ka parin ng asawa ko. And I know that Cyril won't be happy if he'll know that something bad will happen to you." she paused for a second and took Coraline's trembling hands. "So please, lay low for now. It's better for you to stay low because of what happened. Associating with Diablos is the biggest mistake you've ever made so you should hide for now. Wag kang mag alala, we'll guard you. Hindi namin hahayaang may mangyari sayo."

Coraline remained speechless after everything she said. She still can't believe that Athena really forgive her. Why would she forgive her?

"W-Why? I-I don't deserve y-your forgiveness."

Athena just chuckled and pulled her for a hug. "Of course you did, bitch."

Hindi alam ni Coraline kung maiinis ba siya o matatawa sa sinabi ni Athena and she did the best. She laughed and hug her back. "Thank you. A lot."

--------

"I never expected you to do that." Cyril said as he wrapped his arms around Athena.

They are both lying on the bed. Sa totoo lang dapat babalik siya sa ospital pero ayaw niya ng bumalik doon. Even Cyril pursue her to go back pero sinuway niya rin ito. She hates that place.

"Do what?" she asked. Isiniksik niya ang katawan kay Cyril at niyakap rin ito. She felt Cyril's lips on her forehead.

"You forgive her and you even hug her." bulong ng kaniyang asawa na halatang hindi parin makapaniwala.

Itinaas niya ang paningin rito and she grinned. "I'm great, right?"

Cyril chuckled and hug her tighter. "Yeah, you are."

Mahinang natawa si Athena sa sinagot nito at yumakap na lang rin kay Cyril ng mahigpit.

Kung kaya niya lang patigilin ang oras ngayon, ginawa niya. She wants to enjoy this moment. Ayaw niya na itong matigil. The truth is she's scared, tinatago niya lang ito sa asawa. Natatakot siya na baka maulit ang mangyari at baka may iba pang masaktan. She's scared of what's going to happen.

She's scared to die.

"Love..." nagulat siya ng magsalita ang asawa. Akala niya'y tulog na ito. "Why are you trembling? Are you okay?"

Ng maramdaman niyang lalayo sa kaniya si Cyril para tignan ang kaniyang mukha, hindi niya ito hinayaan. She hug her tighter as she closes her eyes. "I'm fine. Matulog na tayo."

Saglit na nanahimik ang kaniyang asawa bago niya naramdaman ang banayad nitong paghalik sa kaniyang ulo. "Don't be scared. Hindi kita pababayaan."

And with Cyril's words, she felt safe.

"I love you." tanging sagot niya rito na sinagutan rin nito pabalik. "I love you too. Sleep tight, andito lang ako."

------

It's been a week since the Coraline accident happened. Halos gumagaling na ang kaniyang mga sugat at bumabalik na rin ang kaniyang lakas.

Everything feels normal.

Sabay silang mag uumagahan ni Cyril at tsaka sila pupunta ng ospital para ipa-check ang kaniyang sugat. Ayaw niya kasing mag stay roon at pinagbigyan naman siya ng kaniyang doctor pero kailangan niya paring magpa-check up dahil hindi pa siya tuluyang magaling and yesterday was her last check up. Unting pahinga na lang daw at magiging okay na siya.

At ngayon, naghahanda na siya sa mga susunod na mangyayari. Her father called awhile ago and told them na ngayon siya nito ipapakila bilang susunod na tagapagmana ng Underground Society.

Kinalabog ng kaba ang kaniyang dibdib but when Cyril hold her hand, she knew that she'll be okay.

"Love, ayos ka lang ba diyan? Do you need my help?" sigaw ni Cyril sa labas ng kaniyang kwarto. She's currently changing and Cyril's waiting for her outside. "I'm fine. Kaya ko na to." she answered back.

"Okay. Just call me if you need something."

"Okay."

Minadali niya na ang pagbibihis. She's nervous but also excited. Ano kayang naghihintay para sa kaniya?

She took a deep breath and look at the mirror.

She's wearing a black fitted jeans, plain grey shirt and a black leather jacket at the top. Shes also wearing a black boots with a secret compartment for a dagger. Nung una, nagtataka siya kung bat may ganon sa kaniyang sapatos but her husband said that it's for emergency. Her hair is also on high messy bun.

She looks... "Magnificent." she whispered and smiled.

Naglakad siya papuntang pinto at binuksan iyon. Si unang bumungad sa kaniya ay si Cyril na titig na titig sa kaniya.

She turn around in front of him. "Love, how do I look?"

Without blinking, Cyril answered, "You look heavenly gorgeous and ravishing."

Hindi niya mapigilang matawa ng mahina sa sinagot nito. She walk towards him and gave him a peck in the lips. "You're flattering me. Tara na?"

At wala sa sariling napatango si Cyril na nagpahila sa kaniya.

Ng matauhan si Cyril, napangiti na lang siya. His wife is really unbelievable. And of course, perfect.

Matapos ang halos isang oras na pagmamaneho ni Cyril papunta sa address na ibinigay ng ama ni Athena, nakarating rin sila.

Before going out, he pulled Athena for a kiss and give her a tight hug. "Kahit anong mangyari ngayong araw, always remember that I love you and only you." he spoke in a whisper.

Kaagad namang nangunot ang noo ni Athena sa sinabi nito. "Why do you sounds like you're leaving me?"

Cyril let go of her and hold her both cheeks. "I love you." he said in a low voice.

Hindi alam ni Athena kung bakit pero kinakabahan siya sa inaasta ng asawa. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Cyril na nasa mga pisngi niya. "Cyril, what's wrong?"

But he just shakes his head and said, "Nothing."

Hindi na muling nakapagtanong si Athena dahil binitawan na nito ang pisngi niya at bumaba ng sasakyan.

Mabagal siyang bumaba ng sasakyan ng marinig niyang bumukas ang pinto sa kaniyang gilid. Cyril opened the door for her.

Ng tuluyan siyang makababa, sinalubong siya ng nakangiting Cyril. He offered her his hand. "Let's go?"

Iwinaksi na lang ni Athena ang kaba na nararamdaman. Maybe she's just thinking too much.

Tinanggap niya ang kamay ng asawa at humawak siya rito ng mahigpit.She tooka loud and deep sigh before they started walking towards the big hotel in front of them.

Ng makapasok sila sa loob ng hotel, someone's already waiting for them. Ito ang naging gabay nila papunta sa kinaroroonan ng kaniyang ama.

After a long minute of walking, natigil sila sa harap ng isang malaking pinto. The aura outside the door is already overwhelming, ano pa kaya pag nakapasok sila?

The man that is with them hold the two knob of the door and push it to open.

A group of men and women meets their eyes. Nasa gitna ang mahabang mesa at nasa gilid nito ang mga lalaki at babaeng nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa ni Cyril. Their stares are frightening ang full of authority.

Nanliliit siya sa mga tingin ng mga ito.

Pakiramdam niya'y kinain ng takot ang kaniyang loob dahil sa bumungad sa kaniya. And looks like Cyril felt her cold and sweating hands dahil marahan yung pinisil ng kaniyang asawa at bumulong sa kaniya. "Everything's gonna be alright."

Pinalakas niya ang sarili at nagsimula na silang maglakad papasok. Mabilis na hinanap ng kaniyang mata ang kaniyang ama at nakita niya ito sa kabilang dulo ng mesa. Nakatayo ito at nakangiti sa kaniya habang nasa gilid nito ang kaniyang ina na nakaupo pero may ngiti rin sa mga labi.

"Oh, there she is." basag ng kaniyang ama sa katahimikan. Naglakad ito papalapit sa kanila ni Cyril ang he guided them to go infront.

Sinundan ng mga nanunuring mata ang bawat hakbang niya. Parang kinikilatis siya ng mga titig ng nga ito. "Don't worry, anak. Hindi ka nila sasaktan." pagpapakalma sa kaniya ng kaniyang ama.

Ng makarating siya sa harapan, tumayo ang kaniyang ina at sinalubong siya ng yakap at halik sa pisngi. "You look gorgeous, my baby." saad nito habang yakap siya. Yumakap rin naman siya pabalik rito. "Thanks, Mama. You look beautiful too."

Naka up to knee fitted dress ang kaniyang ina at kulay pula iyon. Naguumapaw ang kulay ng damit nito sa buong kwarto.

"I know, my baby. Kanino ka pa ba magmamana?" saad nito ng humiwalay sila sa yakap. She finally smiled because of what her mother said.

Sunod itong yumakap kay Cyril. "You're so cool and handsome, iho." bulong nito kay Cyril. "Thanks, Mama. Your stunning." sagot naman nito para mapatawa ng mahina ang kaniyang ina.

After their greeting, hinawakan ng kaniyang amaa ng kaniyang kamay at ginaya siya sa gitna. Her mother and her husband is on the side. Parehas na wala ng emosyon ang mga mukha ng mga ito pero ng makita nilang nakatingin siya, they smiled.

Ngumiti siya pabalik at binalingan na ang kaniyang ama na seryosong nakatingin sa harapan.

"As you know, I called this meeting for a very important matter. It's not just because of the extermination of Diablos from Underground Society but also because I will finally want you to meet my successor and your next boss." malamig na saad ng kaniyang ama.

She force herself to look emotionless as she can pero ang totoo niyan, nanlalamig na talaga ang kaniyang kamay.

Pero kahit ganun, pilit niya paring sinalubong ang mga malalamig at blankong tingin ng mga tao sa kaniyang harapan.

"I want you all to meet my daughter, Jade Athena Romero. The Princess of Underground Society."

She bowed down a little and as she raised her head, she didn't expect what she saw. Ang mga nanlalamig at blankong mga tingin nito kanina ay napalitan ng mga ngiti at magigiliw na tawa. At pumapalakpak pa ang mga ito.

"Finally, Kevin! You asshole! Do you know how much I miss our little princess, huh?!" nalipat ang tingin niya sa lalaking nasa gilid at nakangiti sa kaniya ng matamis.

"Leandro's right! Oh my goodness, you've grown a lot, Athena." saad naman ng isang magandang babae sa may kabilang gilid. Mukhang kaedad lang iyon ng kaniyang ina pero sobrang ganda at puti nito.

Naguguluhan siya sa nakikita. What the hell just happened? She's really confused.

Nalipat ang paningin niya sa ama ng malakas itong tumawa. "Did we scared you, anak?" kausap sa kaniya ng kaniyang ama na mas lalong nagpagulo sa kaniya.

"W-What just happened, Papa?" pagtatanong niya sa wakas.

Pero tumawa lang ang kaniyang ama. Naramdaman niya namang may humawak sa kaniyang magkabilang balikat kaya napalingon siya roon. It's her mother.

"This is all your father's doing, my baby. Plano lahat ito ng iyong walanghiyang ama. He said that he wants to surprise you. Hindi ko naman alam na ganito palang surprise ang sinasabi niya." natatawang saad ng kaniyang ina at bumaling sa kaniyang ama. Her mother twist her father's ear, dahilan para mapaigik ito at mapatawa ang mga tao sa kaniyang harapan.

Athena look at them in disbelief? Really? Ito ba talaga ang mga taong pinakamatataas sa Underground Society? They doesn't look like one.

Nalipat ang tingin niya sa asawa na matamis ring nakangiti sa kaniya. Kaagad siyang lumapit at yumakap dito.

He hugged her back. "I told you, everything's gonna be alright."

Doon lang nagsink in sa kaniya lahat. She's scared for nothing. "Yeah." bulong niya pabalik at mahinang tumawa.

When Cyril let go of her, he kissed her in her forehead then in her cheeks to her nose and finally to her lips.

Saglit lang iyon pero sobrang laki ng impact kay Athena.

"May pupuntahan lang ako saglit. I'll be back in a minute." bulong nito sa kaniya at muli siyang hinalikan sa labi bago siya tuluyang tinalikuran at naglakad palabas ng kwarto.

She doesn't know why her heart feels heavy when she saw him leaving. Hindi niya alam kung bakit siya nakaramdam ng ganoon.

She just shrugged that feeling and go back to her parents side.

Nakipagtawanan siya sa mga ito at sa nga taong nakakataas rin pero hindi halata.

She's happily laughing and giggling with them when she heard something breaks.

Napalingon siya sa basag na baso na nahulog mula sa mesa.

Hindi niya alam kung bakit biglang kumalabog ang kaniyang dibdib sa nangyari. She felt uneasy and she feels like something's gonna happen.

Ayaw niya ng pakiramdam na yun. Kinakabahan siya at biglang nanlamig at namawis ang kaniyang kamay.

She felt her heart and it's beating so fast. She feels wrong.

Something is wrong.

Marahan niyang pinikit ang mata pero agad ring napamulat ng makita niya sa isip ang imahe ni Cyril.

Mas lalo lang siyang kinabahan ng maalala niya ang pag uusap nila kanina sa kotse at pagpapaalam nito.

She hold her trembling hand. "I hope he's alright."