Chapter 7 - Mikaela & Rake Story

HINDI MAIWASAN NI RAKE NA TAWANAN ANG KAIBIGAN. Kasing edad lang kasi niya ito pero kung gumawi ito'y parang asa early 20's lang.

"Grow up bro," sabi niya at lalong tumawa.

"I am a grown up dude. Hindi lang ako kasing boring niyo. I wanted to bring Arqui with me pero ayaw niyang sumama," sabi nito.

"You knew the score! Don't be mean!" Sabi niya rito.

"I know. Might as well don't bring Jean and Mario so I can bring Arq?"

"Hindi rin naman makakarelate si Mario," dugtong pa nito.

"You're both my friends and you're in trouble for telling me these things!" Bawal niya sa kaibigan.

"I know you won't talk. Minsan lang nagtatampo ako kasi si Mario pa rin ang kinakampihan mo kahit alam mo namang si Arq ang mas bagay sa pinsan ko," sabi nito at nakita niya ang isa sa mga ebidenya kangina.

"You're being unfair with him. He's doing his best. He's on top of our profession," sabi niya.

"Kung hindi lang dahil sa'yo hay nakoo ewan ko," sabi nito at parang nanghina na.

"Wag kang kj sumama ka bukas it's high time you spend few of your stored cash. Para makilala mo pa ng mabuti ang girlfriend mo. She's a lucky star," sabi nito kaya napipilitang umoo siya.

"Alright I'll come with you. I don't think Mario will come but if Jeanella will insist for sure he will. Wag mo ng banggitin sa pinsan mo," sabi niya.

"Yes sir!" Sabi nito kaya napatikhim siya.

"Don't be a pain, Joshua. Hindi ako mapipigil ng girlfriend kong disiplinahin kayo kapag nagkagulo namaman kayo," sabi niya na natatandaan ang away na kinasangkutan ng tatlo.

"I promise to behave this time okay? I don't think Elle will allow a fight within her reach. Ayaw kong masampulan. Have seen her get mad once," sabi nito.

"Mas takot ka sa girlfriend ko kesa sakin?" Tanong niya.

"You don't know how powerful your girlfriend is Rake. She's a markswoman. Have background with martial arts. Can do a little of everything and has a huge amount of assets," sabi niya.

"Why do you know so much?"

"She's my business partner. Of course, I have to know. She looks simple but she really knows the ins and outs, dude. But don't worry she's clean. Hindi siya sindikato or something."

"She's been targeted by NPA because she's clean. Walang pumoprotektang sindikato sa kanya. Though she has a general uncle hindi siya masyadong nag papatulong. It was just recent ng humingi siya ng tulong. You were given the private assignment right?"

"Yes," sabi nito.

"It's a big case, Rake. If you solve this you will be promoted. Make sure to brief her to avoid complication," sabi nito sa kanya.

"I know dude. I am more concern about her welfare than my promotion. I could give up the job for her. My businesses are enough to support the family I will build for us."

"Let's talk about this some other time. Just ready some cash because I am going to max that out," mayabang na sabi ni Josh.

"Really?" He challenged him.

"Yes dude. I'll see you tomorrow." Sabi nito at nawala na sa kabilang linya.

PAGBALIK NI RAKE SA LOOB AY NAKASANDAL SA HEADBOARD NG KAMA SI MIKAELA AT GISING ITO.

"Who called Rake?"

"Si Joshua. Mag dinner at poker daw tayo bukas with Marven and his fiancee."

"Really then I could sleep for the rest of the day?" Nakangiting tanong nito.

"Yes sweetheart. Matulog ka na ulit how are you feeling?" Tanong niya.

"I feel dizzy. Can you do me a favor? Call Andrew tell him I am home. Baka gising pa 'yun at naghihintay sa tawag ko," sabi nito.

Calling Andrew...

"Ate Mik, asan ka na?" bungad agad nito.

"Si Rake ito. She asked me to call you. We're home. Medyo nalasing siya," sabi niya.

"You let her get drunk!" Sabi nito at medyo tumaas ang tinig.

"Hindi ko siya pwedeng bawalin when I knew those were the only times she can bend a little and have fun," sabi niya kaya natahimik ang nasa kabilang linya.

"Just take care of her please. If only I can come with her anywhere. I can only stay for a couple of days I can't leave the businesses behind."

"I will, do your thing don't worry about her and I want to talk with you in private. Can you travel here or let's meet half way. I will meet you for lunch," tanong niya.

"I can travel of course it's just a two hours drive."

"Should I tell ate Mik about this?"

"No. Not yet," sabi niya.

"Alright. I'll see you later. 10am?"

"Sure. Let's meet at Yats," sabi nito.

"I'll make the necessary reservation," sabi nito.

"Alright. Reserve it under my name," sabi niya.

"Major Rake Silva right?"

"Yes," sabi niya and disconnected.

MAHIMBING NA ULIT SI MIKAELA NG PUMASOK SIYA SA SILID. Nahiga na siya sa sofa sa kanan nito. Gusto niyang bantayan ito. Nakarinig siya ng kaluskos at bumukas ang pinto. Niluwa nuon ang ina niyang may dalang unan at kumot.

"I knew you'll stay here. You can't get your eyes off her," sabi ng ina niya.

"I care about her mom," sabi niya kaya tumango ang ina niya.

"I know hijo. She's so much different with the girls you dated. Not even close to Jane," sabi nito.

"I will be somewhere later mom. Take care of her for me. She'll have hang over," sabi niya sa ina.

"Saan ka pupunta?"

"Clark mom. May kailangan lang akong gawin para sa assignment ko."

"Akala ko nakaleave ka?"

"Importante lang mom. Please don't ask me. Alam mo namang di ko rin sasabihin at ayaw kong magsinungaling sa'yo," sabi niya sa ina.

Lumapit siya sa ina upang halikan ito sa noo.

"Be safe hijo," sabi nito.

"Yes mom," sabi niya at nagpaalam na itong babalik sa silid.

Maagang bumangon si Rake. Nang bumaba siya'y may nakahanda ng kape't toast. He took his time. Alas sais palang he can still fly to relax. Flying relax his nerves.

"I am going to fly, mom." Sabi niya sa ina at nagpaalam ng maghahanda na sa pagpasok.

He did a fast shower and fixed himself. Matapos ay dumaan siya sa silid ni Mikaela. Nakahiga pa ito pero gising na at mukhang busy na sa cellphone nito.

"Hi gising ka na," sabi niya sa nobya.

"Yes. May pasok ka?"

"None but I will fly, may meeting rin ako ng brunch. Mom will take care of you while I am away. I'll see you later," sabi niya at hinalikan ito sa labi bago humakbang paalis.

AYAW MANG UMALIS NI RAKE SA TABI NI MIKAELA AY HINDI PWEDE. Hindi siya pwedeng madestruct sa ngayon. Nasa ramp na siya ng masalubong niya si General Alonso.

"What are doing here hijo? You're going to fly with who?" Tanong nito.

"Si Lt Carantes sir," sabi niya.

"I'll fly with you. Sabihan mo si Carantes na ako na ang kasama mo," sabi nito kaya tumango lang siya.

They're on air ng iopen ng heneral ang topic tungkol kay Mikaela.

"Have you talked to her?" Tanong nito.

"Not yet sir. I'll talk with her secretary first. I need to know his loyalty first. If his loyalty belongs to Mikaela then I can squeeze him to help us. He can feed me information I need ng hindi ko masyadong iniinvolve si Mikaela."

"I will protect her at all cost sir," sabi niya.

"Hindi ko akalain na ganito mo siya kamahal hijo. I know how dedicated you are with your job. Sa loob ng maraming taon hindi kita nakita na ganito kaseryoso sa isang babae."

"I want to tell you that she's a powerful woman and she can take care of herself. Mas makakabuti pa ring directly kang makipag usap sa kanya tungkol sa bagay na ito. Don't delay it baka magkaroon pa kayo ng misunderstanding," sabi nito kaya napaisip siya.

"Thanks for everything sir. You've my pillar of salt since my career started here," sabi niya sa heneral.

"You're welcome hijo. Let's go back," sabi nito and they headed to the base.

Kinuha niya ang semi casual wear niya sa sasakyan at dumiretso sa opisina kasama ang heneral. Nagbihis pa muna siya sa banyo bago hinarap ang heneral.

"These are the files you asked from me. Pero may isang kasangkot na baka kilala ni Andrew. Just be careful kasi hindi ko talaga alam kung asan ang loyalty niya. Mas okay kung pinaalam mo muna ito kay Mikaela hijo."

"From what I've heard from her he's very loyal. Kinupkop siya ni Mikaela 5years ako. Pinagaral at ginawang parang tunay na kapatid. I trust her words," sabi niya.

"Watch your back if you want to solve this alone. Double time hijo. Dapat solved na ito bago bumalik from Hong Kong ang mag asawa," sabi nito at tumango lang siya.

Sinipat pa niya ang sarili sa repleksyon sa sasakyan. He's wearing a navy green long sleeves tuck in his black slim fit slacks. He's wearing an original black leather belt and shoes.

He'll pass for a young bachelor model if only he opted for that profession.

Mag-aalas dyes ng marating niya ang Yats. He parked and double checked the files bago bumaba ng sasakyan. Nakilala siya ng matre d at agad itong nagradyo.

"Bro!" Bati ng may-ari ng restaurant na nakilala rin niya sa chamber of commerce na naattendan niya last year.

"Ms. Del Mundo's secretary made reservation under your name. Are you doing business with her? She's quiet powerful with good reputation on business."

"She's my girl bro. It's all personal to me," sabi niya kaya tumango ito and lead him sa private room.

Nandoon na si Andrew sa silid at naghihintay sa kanya. Nakita niya ang impatient look nito na kagaya ng mukha ni Mikaela nung naiinip ito kay Joshua. When he saw them natabunan iyon ng worried look. Agad silang iniwan ni Wendel.

"May nangyari ba kay Ate Mik? She's stubborn ayaw pumirmi sa bahay," sabi agad nito ng mapag isa sila.

"Nothing yet as long as she's under my roof. Gaano katagal na ito?" Tanong niya.

"Been a year pero may lead na kami. They will be arrested soon. I've been collecting concrete evidences that will send them to jail," sabi nito kaya napatango siya.

"I knew about this and I want you to see the evidences I have. Ito rin ba ang mga ebidensyang meron ka?" Sabi nita and handed the envelope.

"Yes but what are these?" Sabi nito at hawak ang mga larawan ni Bernadeth kasama ang ilang NPA. Si Bernadeth ang dating kabet ng tatay ni Mikaela.

"Ang hinala ko'y siya ang nagfefeed ng info sa NPA about Mikaela," sabi niya kaya tumalim ang mata nito.

"She've done enough damage to our family especially to mommy and ate. I could shoot her with my bare hands!" Sabi nito at kung hindi siya sanay sa mga ganoong usapa'y baka pinanindigan siya ng balahibo.

"You can't do that. We have to legalize all our operations. Kung manlalaban siya that's the only time we can shoot her. You can't participate. But you can be the witness," sabi niya kaya tumango ito.

"I'll have her arrested kumpleto na ang ebidensya ko. Ito nalang ang hinihintay namin. She's the root. Alam na namin ang kuta ng NPA. I am sending you the pieces. Nasend ko na 'yun kay general Castillo. Please tell ate that you already know. Baka isipin niya nakipaglapit ka lang sa kanya dahil dito."

"I am expecting you to meet with her but not this soon dahil na brief na ako ni General Castillo. I can see that you care for her and she loves you so much. Don't break her heart again, I might break your face! Oh not just your face but your whole business and career!" Banta nito.