58: In a count of three!

SAM'S POV

"Hindi sya tunay na anak ng mag-asawang Romero.."

"Hindi sya tunay na anak..."

Mas lalo pang humigpit ang pagkakakuyom ng mga kamay ko when again, those words kept replaying in my head. I hastened my steps more as I walked down the road like a mad woman. Hindi ko man lang alam kung saan ako papunta with me just blankly staring at the road with my mind muddled with thoughts.

Just knowing the truth, that painful truth, tingin ko mas lalo pang gumulo ang buhay ko ngayon..

I felt like someone was clenching my heart right now, stopping me to breath normally.

Hindi ko alam kung anong nararamdaman ko... All I know is that I have to go back to Manila the soonest possible time at tapusin na ang lahat ng 'to. Dahil ito lang ang tanging alam ko na tatapos ng lahat ng 'to.

Ito lang ang tatapos sa magulong buhay ko! Dahil kung hindi, I think I'm going to be out of my mind in no time! Death is what will end everything and I'm close to killing that man now.

My eyes began to sting now, an indication that tears were threatening to fall. And I'd be a total dumb if I would even allow that.

Biting my inside cheeks hard, mas binilisan ko pa lalo ang paglalakad ko.

Alam ko na ngayon kung saan ang file na'yon.. and all I have to do now is to---

"Ms. Javier."

I groaned out in protest when suddenly, I was pulled out by my hand which made me turned around.

I glared at him when I was greeted with those familiar dark eyes who kept glaring at me. But this time, it wasn't doing that but an unknown look was glinting on it.

"Mr. Del Fuero,---"

"Wag kang magpadalos-dalos sa gagawin mo."

With how he sounded, para bang nababasa na nito ang iniisip ko ngayon. Of course, dahil alam narin nito kung ga'no kagulo ang buhay ko!

"Wala ka ng pakialam kung anong gagawin ko, Mr. Del Fuero. Pwede mo na'kong iwan sa kasong 'to at ako na mismo ang tatapos nito." Then with that, I quickly pulled my hand from his tight grasp but to my dismay, hinigpitan lang nito lalo ang pagkakahawak sa kamay ko which made me cursed out and glared up at him.

"Pwede ba! Bitiwan mo nga'ko!"

"No!"

My lips instantly thinned in line when he had snapped that. Dark eyes boring into mine with his tight jaw, looking at me like he was tormented inside. But heck! As if I even have the luxury to think about why he was having that look now.

"Hindi kita hahayaang tapusin itong mag-isa, Ms. Javier dahil kapag nalaman mo kung sino ang taong 'yon,  I know you'd be fool enough to kill that man yourself!"

"And so what now kung yan nga ang gagawin ko??? Do you think you can stop me just because you want it, Mr. Del Fuero? You think makikinig ako sa'yo?"

"Exactly! Hindi ka nga makikinig sa'kin that's why I decided not to keep you out of my sight from now on so let's go." Mariing saad pa nito before he dragged me by my hand. Causing me to just follow him with him tightly gripping my hand.

This bastard!

"Mr. Del Fuero! Pwede ba bitiwan mo'ko! Hayaan----"

"No."

The gritting of my teeth tightened when the bastard just firmly answered that as he continued dragging me without even glancing back at me.

I could really kill him for this!

With so much annoyance, I tried to twist my hand from his hold.

"Don't even think about trying some stupid trick on me, Ms. Javier. You can't get away from me."

I groaned and glared at the back of his head when he said that. So Annoyed with him so smart with everything!

"Can't you just let me do what I want, Mr. Del Fuero??! Buhay ko naman 'to kaya pwede mo na'kong iwan and just pretend like you've never known-&--"

"No."

"But this is my life! Kaya wala kang karapatan para diktahan ako kung anong-----"

"Silence, Ms. Javier!!"

My mouth clamped shut when he suddenly shouted that sabay harap nito sa'kin with his nostrils flaring out.

"Alam kong magulong-magulo ang utak mo ngayon at wala nga along karapatan ng pigilan ka but can you atleast try to think straight, woman?"

I gritted my teeth and glared up at him.

"Tingin mo ba ganun lang kadaling gawin 'yon, Mr. Del Fuero? Tingin mo ba talaga ganun lang kadali 'yon when my mind and my life is a total mess right now! How can you expect me to do that then?" I shouted back at him, unable to stop my mouth now.

"Dahil ikakapahamak mo lang ito kapag nagpatuloy kang ganito."

"So anong gusto mong gawin ko? Na magpanggap na okay lang ang lahat at hindi ko man lang narinig na hindi ko tunay na mga magulang ang mga inaakala kong magulang ko? Ganun ba ang gusto mo??"

I quickly wiped my eyes when I felt my eyes began to swell up with tears now, wanted to stop it this instant.

There's no way I'd let him see me cry. I'm tough and he should never see me crumbled down.

"Hindi mo alam kung anong hirap ang dinanas ko just to find that man and now that I know where to find that damn file, hindi mo ko mapipigilang gawin ang gusto ko so never try to stop me!"

His face darkened in a second when I spat that, looking like he was almost ready to strangle me for defying him.

"And do you think I'd just let you kill yourself after killing that man, Ms. Javier? Didn't I tell you last night that I'll always try to stop you from now on?"

That made me stiffened and looked at him with puzzled look.

"Anong pinagsasabi mo, Mr. Del Fuero?" Kunot-noong tanong ko sa kanya, wondering why in the hell he had known that!

Yes. Killing myself is one of my plan but heck! I've never disclosed that to anyone!

I frowned more when he just scoffed at me.

"Nakalimutan mo na ba ang mga sinabi mo sa'kin kagabi, Ms. Javier?"

"Anong sinabi ko?"I snapped at him, now curious with that.

Oh God! Mukhang may sinabi nga'ko rito kagabi!

My gaze narrowed in a sharp glare at him when his brow shot up.

"Don't tell me nakalimutan mo na ang lahat ng 'yon? Are you that too wasted to even remember what happened last night?"

Last night! Blasted last night! So may iba pa'kong mga kalokohang nasabi kagabi!

At the thought of me divulging everything to this bastard made me suddenly forgot the situation at hand.

"Ohh. So wala ka ngang maalala..."

Mas lalo pakong nagiging aburido when he said that with raised brow and voice sounding like there was really something na nangyari kagabi na kailangan kong isiping mabuti at matandaan.

But when I remembered nothing, I can't help but let out an exasperated sigh.

"Wag mo ng piliting maalala 'yon, Ms. Javier. You'll just torturing yourself if you'll force your mind to remember that."

That made me narrowed my eyes at him again, suspicious with his voice and a small knowing smirk peeking through the side of his mouth.

May nangyari nga kagabi na kailangan kong maalala!

"At tungkol nga pala dun sa sinabi ni Mang Doming kanina tungkol sa pagkatao mo...." he trailed off and stared at me, now with no nonsense in his face, making my curiosity about last night's event suddenly forgotten.

"I'm sure your parents had treated and loved you as their own dahil hindi mo naman gagawin ang ganito kadelikadong kaso if they had treated you the opposite, right? That itself was enough reason why you have to focus on this case, Ms. Javier. Don't get those news swayed you. Pull yourself together so you could think straight."

I didn't give him any answer and just stared at him in awe. Because he was right. My life back then was so perfect because of them. Dahil kahit kailan, hindi nila ipinaramdam sa'kin na hindi nila ako tunay na anak. And that was why I had lived almost half of my life seeking for justice because I had treasured them like how they had preciously treasured me before.

At kung may kailangan man akong kamuhian ngayon, yan ay yong mga iresponsableng taong nagluwal sa'kin at ipinamigay ako.

I breathe in when I felt him squeezed my hand, pulling me out from my thoughts.

"Enough with thinking so much. Let's find that book now and that man together. Come on."

Then with that, hinila na naman nya'ko without even letting me answer.

Hindi na'ko nagsalita pa and just followed him on his steps. Dahil kahit na ayoko mang aminin sa sarili ko, may point naman ito. At hindi ko akalaing marunong din palang magseryoso ang taong ito. Nakakapanibago lang that a bastard himself can shut me up just saying those comforting words.

And speaking of 'comforting words'...

.."Didn't I tell you last night that I'll always try to stop you from now on?"..

When again, naalala ko na naman ang mga salitang 'yon, I can't help but throw a suspicious glare at the back of his head.

I wonder if he really said that last night.

Napapailing-iling na lamang ako nang maisipan 'yon.

In just a few minutes, tuluyan na kaming nakababa sa matarik na daan at mga ilang metro nalang mula rito ay tanaw na namin ang bayan ng San Isidro.

Pero kahit ilang minuto na kaming naglalakad, my mind was still wandering about last night's event. 

I guess banging my head to his granite head would be best para matapos na ang amnesia kong 'to..

Blowing out an annoyed sigh, pinili ko nalang na magsalita..

"Kung anuman ang mga sinabi ko sa'yo kagabi, kalimutan mo nalang 'yon, Mr. Del Fuero. Nasabi ko lang 'yon dahil lasing ako."

I groaned when the bastard himself just continued walking na parang wala man lang naririnig at mas lalong hinigpitan ang pagkakahawak sa kamay ko. He just kept dragging me with his back stiffed as a stirring rod.

"Mr. Del Fuero, nakikinig ka ba?"

Again, no answer came from him na syang ikinainis ko pa lalo.

Eh kung sipain ko kaya ang gagong 'to?

I halted with my steps when he suddenly held up his other hand sabay tigil sa paglalakad.

He just stayed like that for a few seconds, confusing me more with his sudden behavior.

"May problema----"

Hindi ko na natapos ang iba ko pang sasabihin nang bigla na lamang nya 'kong hilahin uli, now with hasty long strides. Dahilan para halos tumakbo na'ko just to keep up with him.

Now I think he's out of his right mind!

"Mr. Del Fuero, ano bang problema mo?" Naaasar ng tanong ko rito, not having the time to play with his game.

But the bastard just ignored me again at nagpatuloy lang sa kahihila sa'kin na para bang wala itong naririnig. Dragging me like someone was after us.

Nang maisipan 'yon, I looked over my shoulder and frowned when I found no one was behind us.

"Mr. Del Fuero? Ano bang nangyayari sa'yo?"

"Tingin ko may nakasunod sa'tin.."

When he suddenly said that with low voice, It wasn't long for me to understand kung anong ibig sabihin nito. And it wasn't long for me to be aware with my surrounding as my full senses came back in an instant.

Mga kaluskos ng dahon at mga mahihinang tunog ng yapak ng tao. Kahit mabilis ang mga yapak namin, alam na alam ko parin kung anong kaibahan ng mga tunog na'yon sa nagagawa naming tunog.

It was distant at hindi tunog ng yapak ng dalawang tao lang but more than that.

All the muddled feelings inside me suddenly forgotten as I became more alert around us.

Someone---was indeed tailing us.

Knowing that, hindi na'ko nagsalita pa at mabilis nalang na sumunod dito. Mind aware with the danger around us and the possibility of what will happen next.

So tama nga ang sinabi ni Mang Doming... Nasa paligid lang ang mga ito at nakabantay lang sa mga kilos namin.

"Ms. Javier .."

"Hmm.."tanging sagot ko rito when he called my name with low voice.

"In a count of three, alam mo na ang gagawin mo."

Without any words, I just prepared myself for it, understanding what he was saying.

"One.."

I heaved a deep breath at mas lalo pang binilisan ang lakad ko. I could hear their steps hastened up as well. Mukhang nararamdaman narin ng mga ito na alam na naming may nakasunod sa'min.

"Two."

The steps behind us became more loud, dahilan para humigpit ang kapit ko sa kamay niya at sa bag na dala-dala ko.  Heart hammering against the inside of my chest as my breathing became ragged.

"Three. Run!"

When he shouted that, I quickly sprinted for a run with him na hindi man lang binibitawan ang kamay ko. Running so fast for our dear life.

At tama nga ito, may ilang kalalakihan ngang nakasunod sa'min because the moment we've sprinted for a run, a few suspicious men in black appeared out of the bushes at nakipaghabulan narin sa'min.

"Habulin sila!" I heard one of them shouted that order which caused us to run towards the houses at patungo sa direksyon kung saan ang sakayan ng jeep palabas sa lugar na'yon, alarming the few people na madadaanan namin.

"Mukhang alam narin ng mga 'to na alam mo kung nasaan ang file na'yon, Ms. Javier." Narinig ko pang saad nya without looking at my way.

Napapamura na lamang ako sa bagay na'yon. Ngayon mukhang mabubulilyaso pa yata ang pag-uwi namin nito!

These shits!

Hindi na namin pinansin ang mga taong nadadaanan namin who were looking at us with confusions in their yellow eyes. Probably thinking we were too old enough para maglaro ng habulan.

Oh yeah right. Habulan nga talaga. Ang kaibahan nga lang, posibleng ikakamatay namin kapag magpapahuli kami sa mga pesting humahabol sa'min ngayon.

The moment na makarating kami sa gilid ng hindi sementadong daan palabas ng San Isidro, tagaktak na ng pawis ang noo ko while gasping for air. Whereas Mr. Del Fuero himself, parang hindi man lang ito pinagpawisan at hinihingal sa takbuhan namin.

The thing that I really envied from him.

"Bweset! Wala man lang jeep!" Rinig ko pang mura nito when we found no jeep there.

I heaved a lump of air saka lumingon sa likuran namin and there they are, just approximately 30 meters away from us. And in one look, walang dudang armado ang mga ito dahil sa mga baril na nasa mga tagiliran ng mga ito. The fact that made me wonder kung bakit hindi parin kami pinauulanan ng bala ng mga ito. They're here for that anyway. To kill us kapag nakuha na nito ang gusto nito sa'min.

Huh! That if I'd even allow that to happen.

"We have to move now, Mr. Del Fuero. Wala tayong maaasahan na masasakyan rito." Then without waiting for him to argue with me, hinila ko na ito patakbo sa gitna ng mabatong daan.

Good thing I had decided to wear my combat boots for this trip at hindi rin masyadong mainit ngayon kahit na ang alam ko, tanghaling tapat pa lang ngayon. Dark clouds were starting to form up above the sky kaya tingin ko rin, mukhang uulan ito mamaya.

Kung siniswerte ka nga naman ano!

"Bilisan nyo!" I heard one of the men behind shouted that.

"Kailangan nating humanap ng paraan para makaalis rito, Ms. Javier. Hindi pwedeng magpatuloy lang tayo sa katatakbo!"

All I did was just gritted my teeth hard when he growled that beside me. Because he was right. We can't just keep running the whole day dahil tingin ko, hindi ako mamamatay sa mga 'to kundi dahil sa pagod while running like a mad woman sa gitna ng mabatong daang ito.

I took a quick scan at each side of the road pero wala akong ibang makita sa gilid ng daang 'yon kundi mga puno at mga damo lang and nothing else.

I gulped another lungful of air saka tumugon rito.

"Why don't you call, Mason? Baka naman may signal na rito!" Saad ko rito habang hinihingal na.

"Wala. Hangga't hindi tayo nakakaalis sa lugar na'to, wala tayong maaasahang tulong sa kanya---"

He wasn't able to finish his talk nang may marinig na kaming ugong ng sasakyan sa likuran namin, causing us to look over our shoulder, hoping that it could be a help but holy shit! it wasn't a bloody help kundi isang lumang jeepney type na sasakyan na papunta na sa direksyon namin ngayon with those armed men na humahabol sa'min kanina.

"Holy shit!" I heard him cursed out under his breath.

Holy shit indeed! Nalintikan na talaga!

"We have no choice now. Let's head to that way!" He barked out sabay hila sa'kin sa direksyong tinuturo nito, sa kakahuyan sa gilid ng daan.

"Papunta sila sa direksyong 'yon! Bweset!!!"

I heard one of them cursed out and then followed by the screeching sound of wheels. Sinyales na biglang huminto ang mga ito, probably seeing us taking this way. Sa masukal na direksyon 'to. Damn it!

We just kept doing that, running from those enemies behind us without an exact direction on where to go. Mas lalo naring umiitim ang kaulapan habang lumalakas at lumalamig naman ang hangin sa paligid as rain was threatening to fall anytime.

My feet were starting to ache now as sweats kept falling on my forehead. My breathing was heavy and ragged, making my steps to slowdown.

Sa sumunod na punong nadaanan namin, hinila ko na ang kamay ko mula sa kanya saka huminto na ng tuluyan while gasping for air with bended knees, gasping like a rabid dog out of breath.

"We have to move now, Ms. Javier. Alam mong delikado rito!"

When he hissed that, I couldn't helped but throw him a glare.

"I'm tired, Mr. Del Fuero!" I spat in between my gritted teeth.

He was heaving with deep breaths as well, halatang napapagod narin ito. Pero tingin ko hindi pa ganun ka pagod dahil agad na tumalim ang tingin nito sa'kin.

"Just save that for later! Kapag wala na ang mga taong 'yon!"

Kahit na gustong kong murahin ang gagong ito for telling me that, mas pinili ko nalang na hindi magsalita, too tired to even talk.

"Nandun sila!"

I cursed out again when I heard those shout from a distance saka tumayo na lamang.

"Give me your bag now!"

When he barked that out, ibinigay ko na agad 'yon sa kanya which he quickly snatched it  before we ran again.

Buti nalang talaga ginawa nya 'yon dahil parang gumaan ang pakiramdam ko ngayon.

"Can't we just fight them one-on-one?? Napapa--"I heaved a breath saka nagpatuloy.

"Napapagod na'ko sa letseng takbuhang 'to, Mr. Del Fuero!" Inis kong sigaw while trying to keep up with his meter-long strides.

"Alam kong magulo ang utak mo ngayon, Ms. Javier but I didn't expect you to even come up with that stupid idea. Alam mong marami sila!"

My scalp instantly prickled up when he had mockingly answered that.

He was at it again!

"Oh how nice of you to call me stupid, bastard!" Inis na sagot ko rito and elbowed him to his side which made him grunted.

"Akala ko ba pagod kana, Ms. Javier?"

"Oh yes, I'm tired but I can always spare some energy just to beat you up!" Sarkastikong tugon ko rito kahit hingal na hingal pa'ko.

"Then why don't you use that energy then for--this!"

I groaned in protest nang bigla na naman niyang hinila ang kamay ko patakbo, as fast as my aching legs could afford.

"M-Mr. Del Fuero! Bitawan mo--"

My mouth snapped shut nang may bigla na lamang umalingawngaw na  mga putok ng baril sa likuran namin that made us quickly ducked down to the ground to avoid being hit.

"Oh jesus! They're using their guns now!!" I exclaimed, horrified with the certain fact na wala man lang kaming laban sa mga ito.

I could hear him just cursed out beside me, probably thinking the same as me.

"Wag kayong tumigil hangga't hindi nyo sila nahuhuli!"

When we heard that, mabilis pas alas kwatrong tumayo kami saka mabilis na namang tumakbo. Other than the loud beating in my chest, deep heavy breathings and our footsteps were the only sound that can be heard from us now habang tagaktak ang mga pawis. Just running through the forest na tingin ko wala ng katapusan.

Then again, another gunshots rang through our heads kasabay ng malakas na kidlat. We' are really in deep shit now!

And then not long, bigla na ngang bumagsak ang malakas na ulan para palalain pa lalo ang sitwasyon namin ngayon!

Kapag hindi pa kami makakahanap ng paraan para makatakas rito, tyak tigok kami nito with my legs starting to get numb now. Drenched with the rain and with bullets flying everywhere.

"I swear I'd kill them myself kapag may pagkakataon na'ko!" I grumbled in short breath while wiping off the sweats and the water droplets from my face.

"That if you will even get a chance to do that, Ms. Javier."

My glare instantly shifted to his way when he commented that. Alam na alam talaga ng gagong 'to kung paano painitin lalo ang ulo ko!

"Alam mo? Kanina ka pa huh! Anong gusto mo? Magsuntukan nalang tayo rito??!" Inis na hamon ko sa kanya as I took my hand from his grasp, taking no heed with the bunch of armed mongrels after us.

"Nasa gyera tayo ngayon, Ms. Javier at  hindi sa ring.  Let's just do that kapag makaligtas na tayong dalawa rito. We can even do that in bed with so much pleasure."

That made my eyes widened in surprise, shutting my mouth to spat back. And seeing me unable to make an argument now, he just smirked at me and pulled my hand again for a run.

The hell with this bastard!

When I finally recovered from his words, I was about to lash at him but I  was stopped when a few gunshots were being fired out again.

"Those shits! A gun would've been really handy this time! Kung hindi mo lang sana kinuha 'yon mula sa'kin!!"

"Oh yeah. Now that reminds me of something.."

"What something??!!" I yelled out at him when he calmly answered that.

"Something na dala-dala ko kahapon pa."

"Ano nga 'yon??!" Bulyaw ko na rito, now losing the little patience I have for him.

"Mamaya.. I'm gonna tell you later."

This shit! Mukhang inaasar talaga ako ng gagong 'to!

"I swear uupakan talaga kita kapag hindi mo------"

"Dapa!!!"

That made me shut my mouth nang bigla na lamang nya'kong itinulak padapa sa maputik na lupa and then a few gunshots rang out behind us.

"Argh!" I heard him cried that out pero hindi ko na nagawang tanungin ito kung napano ito dahil agad na kaming gumulong gulong sa putikan.

Okay lang sana ang lahat.. pinakain nya'ko ng putik para makailag sa mga bala pero 'yong gumulong-gulong kami sa putik pababa sa' malabanging bahagi ng gubat na'yon? Well, that's another story to tell!

Good thing he was kind enough to tightly hug me as we rolled down to that part of the forest.

Rolling down as in pababa sa mas maputik at mas masukal pang mga damo sa baba.

"Holy shiit!" I cursed out at the impact when a few torns had fortunately pricked my back and my arms.

I swear I looked like hell right now with all the mud I have all over my body. When I tried to get up, I grimaced when I felt like a hundred needles pricking into my back.

And this was all his fault!

"Mapapa----" bigla na lamang akong Napatigil sa pagsasalita when a hand suddenly clamped my mouth, alarming me with it.

"Hmmm---"

"SShhhh.... "

I glared at him beside me when he signaled that with his index finger on his lip, telling me to shut up. With gritted teeth, pinili ko nalang munang tumahimik habang matalim lang na nakatingin sa kanya.

Basang-basa narin ito ngayon with his hair in disarray and a smudge of dirt was on his face. Mukhang giniginaw pa nga yata ang gago dahil parang namumutla ito.

"Nasan na sila???""

"Bigla nalang pong nawala, boss!"

When I heard those voices mula sa itaas, I felt like my breathing suddenly halted, not wanted to even let them hear my breath and catch us here.

Sa sobrang masukal na nalandingan namin, we were able to hide our butt inside this large bushes and from those mongrels.

Mukhang hindi naman pala kami ganun ka malas.

Maputik nga talaga ang mga taong pinagpala..

"Boss! Ang lakas na ng ulan!"rinig ko pang reklamo ng isa sa mga ito.

"Walang uuwi hangga't hindi nahuhuli ang dalawang 'yon! Dun tayo sa direksyong 'yon! Kayong dalawa naman dun sa kabila! Go now!"

Agad naman tumalima at nasipag-alisan ang mga ito, much to my relief.

I was able to let out a long sigh pagkaalis ng mga ito, relieved with them finally out of our tails.

Hindi parin tumitila ang ulan and just continued pouring on us and drenching us.

Agad namang humiga sa putikan ang gago, lying down on his back with his eyes closed. I could see his chest slowly heaving up and down kaya alam kong buhay pa ito.

For a while, nanatili lang rin akong nakahiga sa putikan with him not even uttering any words beside me.

Pagod na pagod ba'to para hindi man lang magsalita? At saka pinakaayaw nito ang magsayang ng oras so why is he doing that now?

"Mr. Del Fuero? Wala ka pa bang balak tumayo dyan?"

I frowned when I only received a groan from him habang napapangiwi ito. He didn't even opened his eyes to glare at me with his face turned more paler than ever.

I think Something' was wrong with him!

Kahit na alam kung palaging may 'something' ang utak nito, parang may iniinda lang ito ng kung ano ngayon. His white shirt had completely turned brown dahil sa putik.

Dali-dali na'kong bumangon and then  sat down beside him,

"Mr. Del Fuero??" Tawag ko rito sabay yugyog sa kanya.

Umungol lang uli ito and then slowly fluttered his eyes.

"May tama ako.."

My brow shot up at that.

"May tama? Saan? Sa utak ba?"

A low growl escape from him habang bigla namang tumigas ang mukha nito when I asked that.

"We are not in a situation para mang-asar ka, Ms. Javier!" Napapangiwi paring saad nito habang pinipilit na makabangon with his left hand tightly clutching his side.

"Ano ba kasing nangyayari sa'yo? Nakaalis na'yong mga kalaban pero namumutla ka parin."

"Wala. Daplis lang 'to."

Pagkabigkas nya sa mga salitang 'yon, my eyes instantly bulged out in understanding as it quickly shifted down to his side, to where he was tightly clutching it.

And yes! Ang tanga ko! Mukhang may tama nga talaga ito---hindi nga lang sa utak kundi sa tagiliran nito! I noticed his blood was starting to mix with the mud on his shirt now. But still, dugo pa rin iyon na syang ikinataranta ko.

"M-May tama ka nga!" Tarantang saad ko with my wide eyes just glued to his side.

Hindi ko man lang napansing natamaan pala ito kanina.

Agad namang bumangon ito while still grimacing, probably in pain. But as egotistic as he was, hindi lang nito pinapahalata.

"Wala 'to. Malayo lang 'to sa bituka." Hambog pang saad nito as he picked up our bags beside him. Puno narin ito ng mga putik ngayon.

"Kailangan na nating umalis ngayon, we're still not sure kung nakakalayo na ang mga taong 'yon so we have to move now." He continued before he attempted to get up on his feet with difficulties.

"Let me atleast check your wound bago man lang tayo umalis dito."

Agad namang tumigas ang mukha nito as he glared at me when I insisted that.

"I said I'm fine, Ms. Javier kaya---"

Without letting him finish his talk, hinila ko na ang kamay nito paupo which made his eyes widened in surprise.

"M-Ms. Javier!"

"Shut up! Madali lang 'to so let me!" I yelled back at him before I quickly pulled his shirt up on his side, revealing his abs--- no, I mean that deep long cut in his flesh much to my horror.

Oh no.

"Hindi lang 'to daplis, Mr. Del Fuero! Malalim ang tama mo!"

The bastard just groaned saka tatayo na naman sana ito but heck! As if I'd even allow that!

Before he could even got up on his feet, hinila ko na naman ito paupo then pulled up his muddy shirt, revealing his abs again. Shit!! Focus Samantha! Hindi ka maniac para paglawayan mo sya ng ganito! Focus!

"M-Ms. Javier! What--- argh!" He suddenly cried out in pain when I unceremoniously poked his wound, just to avert my malicious gaze from his skin.

"MS. JAVIER???! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING???!!"

I just shrugged at him when he had hissed that with gritted teeth, eyes ready to murder me with his veins ready to pop out from his temple while deeply breathing.

"Oh.. Akala ko ba daplis lang 'to, Mr. Del Fuero? Ba't parang naiiyak kana yata?"

"I AM NOT CRYING!!"

"Yeah, yeah.  Hindi nga.." Tugon ko agad rito with a nod then quickly took out some clean shirt from my bag before I ripped it. Basang-basa na ang lahat ng gamit ko sa loob pero malinis parin naman ito.

There's no time to waste here. Malala ang tama nito at malayong-malayo sa daplis na sinasabi nito.

"Anong ginagawa mo?"

"Oh, hindi ba halata? Pinupunit ko ang damit na'to para takpan yang bibig mo..Akala mo daplis lang 'to. Pwes! Nagkakamali ka! Nabaril kang gago ka!"

A deep growl instantly came out from him when I sarcastically answered that.

I just ignored him and just focus on what I have to do with his wound. Dahil walang tigil na ang pagdurugo nito ngayon, dahilan para mas lalo pang mamutla ito.

When I'm done ripping my shirt, I quickly wrapped those cloth around his waist to put some pressure onto the wound and to temporarily stop the bleeding. Wala naman akong kaalam-alam sa panggagamot pero dahil napapaaway ako minsan dahil sa klase ng trabaho ko, natututo na rin ako kahit papaano. Pero dahil malala ang sugat niya ngayon, kailangang magamot agad ito para hindi maimpeksyon.

He just remained silent throughout the process and only his heavy breathing was the only thing na maririnig ko mula rito. A good indication na buhay pa rin ito.

Nang matapos na'ko, I let out a sighed saka ibinaba na ang damit nito.

"Temporary lang ang bendang 'yan kaya kailangan na nating makaalis agad dito lalo na't lumalakas pa lalo ang ulan. Your wond must be tended immediately so it won't be infected." I informed him saka tatayo na sana pero siyang gulat ko nalang nang bigla na lamang niyang hilahin ang kamay ko paupo uli malapit rito.

An action which made my eyes widened surprise as our faces was just an inches away from his own.

H-holy shit!

"W-What are you doing, Mr. Del Fuero?" I stuttered without even blinking my eyes while staring at him.

His drenched hair kept dripping some water on his face as the heavy rain just continued.

My eyes widened more when his face leaned more closer to my own while smirking at me. Just leaving only an inch gap from me.

"Gusto mo bang maalala lahat ng nangyari kagabi, Ms. Javier?"

That made me blinked a few times when he suddenly asked that.

Oh yes of course! I'm really dying to know that but if he won't take his face away from me, baka hindi na'ko mamatay sa curiosity ngayon kundi dahil sa heart attack with my heart kept thumping wildly inside my chest!

"A-Anong nangyari? May kailangan ba kong maalala kagabi?" Pigil ang hiningang sagot ko rito, staring at him straight on his playful but weak eyes.

This time, I swallowed hard at the possibility that he's going to kiss me with how close our faces right now.

He just smiled at me and tightened his hold in my hand.

"Wala lang naman, Ms. Javier. I just want you to remember how I'd kissed you last night. Gaya nito." Then without giving me a heads up, bigla na lamang nyang hinila ang mukha ko and then slammed his mouth against mine for a kiss.

A sudden action that made me remember something. Something na katulad na katulad sa nangyayari ngayon.

"I have to do this and no one can stop me from that! Not even my Aunt and not even you, Mr. Del Fuero! I had swear to myself that I'm going to kill him! I'm going to-----"

And then a memory of him kissing me followed.

A memory that was no doubt happened last night.

...."No one's going to disappear, Ms. Javier. Kung may kailangan mang maglaho sa huli, it should be that man and not you. Naiintindihan mo ba'yon?"....

.."I know it's impossible for me to change your mind now but... just mind that from now on, there will be me that will always try to stop you from doing that. Remember that.."...

When I remembered that, everything what happened last night flooded through me.

Oh my God! So we had kissed last night????!

Gusto ko sanang komprontahin ito but before I could even do that, bigla na lamang nya'kong hinila palapit pa lalo sa kanya, drawing me closer to his body as his kisses deepened.

And yeah shit! I didn't know he could kiss like this!

And I would be a complete dumb if I'd even let this chance to slip from my grasp. When I felt him nibbled my lips and grazed his teeth on my closed lips, I quickly opened my mouth for his entrance and kissed him back. Heavy breathings were in tempo and ignoring the heavy rain.

If I'm going to die in the end, why not just atleast seize this moment kahit ngayon man lang? Minsan lang naman 'to and succumbing with my desires to this man won't be something as sinful as killing people.

Mga ilang segundo lang ang itinagal ng halikang 'yon before he stopped and leaned his forehead against mine with closed eyes.

Heavily breathing with his face still pale. I didn't moved and just stared at him until he opened his eyes and meet mine.

Nanatili lang akong ganun habang ang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko. Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko sa kanya. Kung tatanungin ko ba ito kung bakit niya ginawa 'yon o dapat bang tumayo na'ko ngayon and just run away from him.

But I frowned when a weak smirk appeared on the side of mouth.

"I guess you remembered everything now..."

I swallowed hard and then quickly  leaned my face away from him.

"W-Why did you do that?"

"Hindi ko alam."

"What?"

My lips pursed in tight when I only received thay from him with a shrug.

"Niloloko mo ba'ko, Mr. Del Fuero? Anong hindi mo alam?" Inis ko ng  bulyaw rito, not expecting him to just give me that answer. Na para bang wala itong pakialam at nagawa niya lang 'yon dahil sa gusto nito.

This shit!

He just gave me another weak smile with his eyes started to droop down, looking like he was some drunk.

"Hindi ko lang talaga alam---"

I muttered a curse under my breath when he just suddenly fell on his back to the muddy ground with closed eyes. Freaking the hell out of me.

"Mr. Del Fuero!!" Tarantang tawag ko agad rito sabay yugyog riti pero syang pagkadismaya ko na lamang when I received no response from him.

Goddammit!!!  Don't tell me he was going to let me save his ass again? After I saved him in Canada, eto na naman! Peperwisyuhin na naman nya'ko!!

Oh my God! Pa'no ko ba kakargahin ang gagong 'to ngayon???

Dahil sa inis, niyugyog ko naman ito ng malakas, wanted him to wake up.

"Gumising ka dyan gago! Hindi pwedeng yon lang ang magiging sagot mo!!!" I yelled at him as I kept shaking him. But in my utter annoyance, hindi man lang ito nagising to alteast give me an acceptable reason!

With shaky hands, I made another attempt to wake him up pero kahit ilang malalakas na sampal at yugyog  pa ang gawin ko rito, he just stayed unconscious and unresponsive.

This time, mas lalo pa'kong nag-alala rito. Kailangang magamot agad ito before his condition would get more worse. Add to the fact na hindi parin tumitila ang ulan, making our situation more worse.

Ano bang dapat kong gawin? I was good at surviving from any situation like this pero hindi ganito.. hindi ganitong wala itong malay at may mga kalabang posibleng nasa paligid lang! Waiting for us to come out para paulanan na naman kami ng mga bala.

That's why you have to find a way out, Sam. Think of any way to get yourselves out of this!

When my mind commented that, agad na'kong tumayo mula sa putikan. I have no other choice now anyway kundi 'yon lang.

With that, I quickly picked up my bag and his from the ground. Kung aalis man ako rito, then a weapon is a must for me. We never know, maling tao pala ang mahahanap ko.

Rummaging through my bag, I searched for my precious dagger that I had brought with me for this trip. And when I found it, I quickly slid it in my pocket under my jacket. Pagkatapos ng sa'kin, isinunod ko na'yong sa kanya. I just hope he had brought some weapon with him as well.

Konting damit nga lang talaga ang dala nito sa trip na'to kasama ng iba pa nitong gamit. Just that. But what really caught my attention inside his bag was those heavy thing that were carefully wrapped with a dark cloth.

Out of curiosity, agad ko ng inilabas 'yon mula sa bag niya. And taking off that cloth, syang gulat ko na lamang when two shiny dark weapons appeared before me.

As in two shiny dark guns. And I'm sure as hell the other gun was mine!!

Holy shit!

So all this time may tinatago palang ganito ang gagong 'to sa bag nito?? This shit! Pinaulanan na kami ng bala kanina pero hindi man lang niya inilabas ang mga 'to kanina!

This time, I throw him a dirty glare.

So these was what he meant earlier na kanina niya pa dala-dala..

Huh! He better prepare for my ire later kapag nagising na ito! Dahil sisiguraduhin ko, ipuputok ko 'to sa ulo nya mismo kapag hindi nya'ko bibigyan ng magandang paliwanag mamaya tungkol sa halik na'yon!

~~~~~~