Ashteroh Alexeev
"What the fuck are you thinking, Ashteroh?!"
This is probably the first time Zakarius raised his voice at me. But I don't care anymore... I have to kill Xeon to have peace of mind. Pakiramdam ko kusang nagalaw ang katawa ko para puntahan siya at patayin.
"Let me go, Zakarius! Kung ayaw mong pati ikaw madamay sa galit ko!" asik ko saka itinulak siya palayo.
"Let him be, Zak. Let's just kill them all," Remor said and chuckled while playing with his gun.
"I said calm down, Ashteroh! We may be strong but we're not invincible! ORB is a strong group too, you shouldn't go there without a proper plan!" Zak said and grabbed my collar.
"I don't need a fucking plan, Zak. I don't give a shit if I will be killed there. All I want is to kill that asshole!" I shouted and held my gun tightly.
My hands are itching to kill Xeon. I need to do this. I really want to kill the shit out of him, right now... If something happened to her... if something happened to Nathalie, I don't know if I can still continue living... I will just kill myself too.
Natigilan kami nang tumigil ang pamilyar na kotse malapit sa amin. Cadence got off from that car and walked to our direction while holding two guns. He's smiling widely, like an idiot.
"Ay thank you, hindi pa 'ko late. Let's go mga pare, let's party!" he said and raised his guns.
"Let's just stop this nonsense talk!" Dravis shouted and fired his gun at ORB's hideout door, causing a loud noise.
"Tangina, ito ang gusto ko," nakangising sabi ni Eron at sunod-sunod din na nagpaputok ng baril sa hideout ng ORB.
"I said fucking stop!"
Napatigil lang sila nang muling magtaas ng boses si Zakarius. They just cleared their throat and scratched their nape. They went silent and stopped firing their guns. Zakarius is always calm, but he can be scary when he's mad.
Cad whistled and played with his gun. "Yan nagalit na tuloy, kayo kasi, e," napapailing na sabi pa nito.
"Ikaw ang pasimuno!" asik ni Xceron saka binatukan si Cadence.
"Damn, I don't even know why I'm here," Arken hissed.
I don't know why Xceron, Cadence, Arken, Eron, Remor, and Dravis are here. Kay Zakarius ko lang naman sinabi ang tungkol dito. Marahil tinawag n'ya sila para pigilan ako sa plano kong sugurin ng hideout nang mag-isa.
"We're not here to fucking cause a fight! ORB is our ally, you stupid assholes! We shouldn't be causing a fight with our allies just because of some personal reasons," Zakarius said.
I didn't say anything. I just stared at him... His words won't change my mind. Hindi ako matatahimik hangga't hindi ko napapatas si Xeon!
"I'm quitting then. You don't have to concern yourself with my business. From now on, I'm no longer a part of feroci. So don't stop me, Cavalcante, because you don't understand... Binaril ng gagong 'yon ang babaeng mahal ko! Kung ikaw ang nasa posisyon ko, hahayaan mo lang ba?!" galit na asik ko.
Zakarius stared at me for a moment. I don't know what he's thinking right now but I don't give a shit anymore. I will kill Xeon whether he likes it or not... Wala akong pakialam kahit ikamatay ko pa.
Zakarius took his gun from his leather jacket and sighed. "We will infiltrate ORB's hideout. They are no longer our ally," sabi n'ya saka kinasa ang baril.
"Yes naman, lodi! Ito ang gusto ko! Marahas na patayan time!" hiyaw ni Cad saka sunod-sunld na nagpaputok ng baril sa hideout ng ORB.
"Yes, baby!" Dravis shouted and fired his gun too.
I looked at Zak, I'm confused. "What are you doing, Cavalcante? Akala ko ba ayaw mong kalabanin ang ORB?" nakakunot-noong tanong ko.
"Well, if someone did that to my angel... I will fucking kill him too, mercilessly," he said in a cold tone and tapped my shoulder. "Let's go."
Hindi na namin kinailangan pumasok dahil kusa ng lumabas ang miyembro ng ORB.
"Damn you, Xeon," I mumbled when I saw Xeon came out too. My blood immediately boiled with anger... I want to kill him now!
"What brings you all here, feroci? It seems like you're not here for peace talk or something like that," Hellion Marcodov, ORB's leader, said and put his hands in his pocket.
ORB is a seven-member band but that's just their facade. They are actually a group of elite assassins. They are one of the best and the most skilled assassins. Just like what Zakarius said, they formed a pretty strong group too.
"Ah, we just came here because my friend here..." Zak tapped my shoulder, "wants to kill Xeon. I'm his leader so I'm here to support him if something goes wrong for him," Zak said and laughed with no hint of humor in it.
"So feroci is no longer our ally then... What a shame," Akuji said and chuckled.
Agad kong kinasa ang baril ko at itinutok 'yon kay Xeon saka pinaputok. Napamura ako nang agad siyang nakailag at nadaplisan lang. Putangina. Hindi ako matatahimik nang hindi siya napapatay.
"Ay, tangina sayang, p're. Assassin 'yan kaya asahan mo ng mabilis kumilos," napapailing na sabi ni Cad.
"Wait, wait!" Hellion raised his hand, trying to stop me. "Let's talk first, hmm? How about that, Cavalcante?"
"Well, I don't mind. But Ashteroh seems really eager to kill your fucked up member," Zakarius said.
"We're still allies. Let's just let them two fight. Let's watch them and enjoy ourselves... Xeon is my ORB's best assassin, Ashteroh is feroci' best fighter. Who do you think will win? Aren't you curious?" nakangising tanong ni Hellion.
"Will you be able to win against Xeon?" Zak asked.
"Don't underestimate my anger, Zak. I will kill that jerk immediately," I said as my jaw clenched in anger. When will this nonsense talk will be stopped?! We're just wasting time.
"Okay, then. But guns are not allowed. They should fight using knives... For a better entertainment. Kung may mamamatay man sa kanila... no hard feelings na lang," nakangising sabi ni Hellion.
Inabutan ng kutsilyo ni Hellion si Xeon. Hinagisan din naman ako ng kutsilyo ni Remor. Naiinis na ibinigay ko ang baril ko kay Zak... I'm better with guns, but I don't mind using a knife to kill him. I will torture the fuck out of him before killing him.
"What the fuck? Manonood lang kami? Nagpunta ako rito para pumatay!" reklamo ni Dravis.
"Oo nga, tangina. Hindi pala tayo kasali. Sad life," segunda pa ni Cadence.
Lumayo na sa amin sina Zak at pumwesto sa malayo-layo. Naiwan kami ni Xeon habang nagtititgan nang masama sa isa't isa. Tinitingnan ko pa lang siya, kumukulo na ang dugo ko sa galit.
"I was right, you were just playing with Thalia right from the start! Kung hindi ko pa binaril ang babae mo, hindi pa lalabas ang tunay na kulay mo," Xeon grinned and played with his knife.
"You will fucking regret what you did, Xeon." My jaw clenched.
I ran to his direction and tried to stab his heart but he immediately held my hand and kicked my stomach. He was about to stab me to but defended myself with my knife and grazed his cheek with it. I cursed and gritted my teeth... I admit, this asshole is skilled.
"Go, Ashteroh! Kaya mo 'yan, lodi! Durugin mo ang kalaban na parang shit!" narinig kong sigaw ni Cadence pero hindi ko na lang pinansin.
I kicked Xeon's knee making him kneel. I took the opportunity to stab him on his neck but he immediately held my wrist and kicked the knife in my hand... Damn, he's more flexible than me.
Sinipa ko siya sa mukha. Napaigik siya at napahiga sa sahig. Agad akong pumaibabaw sa kanya at kinuha ang kutsilyo mula sa kamay n'ya at akmang isasaksak 'yon sa leeg n'ya pero agad n'ya 'kong nasuntok sa mukha... Tangina.
"Damn you, Alexeev!" Xeon shouted and took the knife on the floor and ran to my direction.
He tried to stab my heart but I immediately defended myself using my arm. Napamura na lang ako nang maramdamang nahiwa n'ya ang kanang braso ko.
"You're still an amateur, Ashteroh. You are no match for me." Xeon gritted his teeth.
Sumugod siya sa akin. I immediately kicked his waist as hard as I could and tried to stab his chest when he lost his balance... but he tried to avoid it immediately.
Napahawak siya sa balikat n'ya nang dumugo iyon. Mukhang nahiwa ko siya sa balikat. Narinig kong napahiyaw sina Cadence.
I threw my knife at him like how I threw a dart when he lost his focus on our fight because of his wound. He tried to defend himself with his hand. He grunted in pain when the knife pierced through his palm. Kumalat ang dugo sa kamay n'ya pababa sa siko n'ya.
"Yes naman, pare! Ashteroh lang malakas! Para sa pag-ibig!" hiyaw pa nina Cad.
Sinugod akong muli ni Xeon. Pilit n'yang hindi ininda ang dumudugong kamay. Ako rin naman ay hindi ko na ininda ang dumudugo kong braso. Ang mahalaga lang sa 'kin ngayon ay ang mapatay siya.
"Go to hell, motherfucker!" I shouted and punched him on the face.
Xeon kicked my stomach. I groaned in pain but I immediately grabbed his feet and pulled him closer. I didn't waste time and tried to stab his chest. He's really agile, he still managed to avoid fatal wound from my knife. But it still caused him a huge wound on his chest.
Xeon punched me on my face. I grunted and stepped backwards away from him. I held the side of my lips and cussed... Damn this man.
"Ashteroh! Tapos na raw ang operation ni Nathalie!" sigaw ni Cadence.
Natigilan ako at napatingin sa kanya. Nawala ako sa konsentrasyon. Muntik pa akong nasaksak ni Xeon pero agad na binaril ni Remor ang kutsilyong hawak n'ya dahilan para tumalsik 'yon.
"I'm feroci's best sniper by the way," Remor said in a cold tone and raised his middle finger.
"Tol, kausapin mo si Thalia," sabi ni Cad saka lumapit sa 'kin at ibinigay ang phone n'ya.
I took a deep breath. "Hello."
"A-Ashteroh, please don't kill him. P-Please, I'll do everything... just please, please don't kill him. Please," Thalia said on the other line, almost begging.
My jaw clenched. "Binaril n'ya si Nathalie! Bakit ko pa siya hahayaang mabuhay?!" galit na asik ko.
"N-Nathalie is safe now. The doctor said she'll be fine. So please, please don't kill Xeon. P-Please, I'm begging you. I-I will tell him not to bother you and Nathalie anymore. Please, give him another chance. Killing him won't make Nathalie happy."
Natigilan ako sa huling sinabi n'ya. Napabuga ako ng hangin at hindi na sumagot. Basta ko na lang inihagis kay Cad ang phone n'ya.
"Cad, nasaang ospital si Nathalie?" tanong ko.
I removed my blazer and used it to cover the wound on my arm.
"Bakit? Hindi n'yo na itutuloy ang laban n'yo?" Cad asked and pointed Xeon.
I looked at Xeon. He remained emotionless while looking at me.
I sighed tilted my head before I answered his question.
"I can't kill him now."
AGAD KAMING nagtungo sa ospital kung nasaan si Nathalie. Kahit sinabi na ni Thalia na ligtas si Nathalie... hindi pa rin maalis sa dibdib ko ang kaba.
"Mr. Ashteroh Alexeev."
I froze when I saw Nathalie's friends. They are all outside of Nathalie's room. I still remember their faces... I had them investigated before. Apat sila, tatlong lalaki at isang babae na sa pagkakatanda ko ay Gina ang pangalan.
"Ano'ng kailangan n'yo sa 'kin?" malamig na tanong ko.
I don't have time for their shit. I need to see Nathalie now.
"P-Pwede bang h'wag mo ng parusahan si Nathalie?" tanong ng lalaking nakasalamin.
"K-Kasalanan namin kaya napilitan si Nathalie na nakawan ka noon. Ayaw n'ya talagang gawin 'yon. Naipit lang siya sa amin. Kailangan na ng tulong ng mga kapit-bahay namin noon na nagkasakit at nawalan ng tirahan. P-Pinilit namin siyang nakawan ka kahit ayaw n'ya... pinili n'yang iligtas kami kahit labag sa loob n'ya. Wala na siyang ibang nagawa dahil isang araw lang ang ibinigay namin sa kanyang makapag-isip ng araw na 'yon. Ayaw n'yang mamatay kami sa mga kamay mo kaya pinili n'ya kami. S-Sana h'wag mo ng pahirapan si Nathalie. K-Kami na lang. Sobrang nahihirapan na si Nathalie. Gabi gabi n'yang iniiyakan at pinagsisisihan ang ginawa n'ya sa 'yo. H-Hindi n'ya talaga ginusto 'yon. T-Talagang mahal na mahal ka n'ya," naluluhang sabi ng babae.
I sighed and laughed bitterly. My mind couldn't process what I've just heard. I don't know what to react or say. They just looked at me waiting for my respond.
I bit my lower lip when my vision became blurry. I just took a deep breath, trying to stop myself from crying... My heart... it feels heavy.
"Tutulungan ko naman kayo."
Natigilan sila sa sinabi ko. Mapait na napangiti na lang ako nanghihinang isinandal ang likod ko sa pader. Nanginginig ang mga kamay na napahilamos ako sa mukha ko.
"S-Sana hindi n'yo na lang inipit si Nathalie. Sana hinayaan n'yo pa siyang makapag-isip at makahingi ng tulong sa akin. Tutulungan ko naman siya, e. Kahit ano'ng kailangan at gusto n'ya, ibibigay ko. Handa akong ibigay lahat ng meron ako sa kanya... Kahit ano'ng sabihin n'ya, gagawin ko 'yon. Kahit ano para sa kanya. S-Sana... Sana hinayaan n'yo pa siyang makapag-isip," tila nanghihinang sabi ko.
They remained silent. They looked at me with disbelief in their eyes... Maybe they didn't expect that I'm this crazy about Nathalie that I'm willing to do everything for her.
"But who am I to blame all of you? I am to blame too. I should've trusted her. I should've trusted her heart and intention. I saw how kind and selfless she was. I thought she chose her nature over. I thought she chose money over me... I should have known that she didn't do that for her own gain... I was foolish and close-minded." I smiled bitterly. "Damn, I don't deserve her now," I mumbled hopelessly and gripped my own hair.
Napaiwas ng tingin sa 'kin ang mga kaibigan ni Nathalie. Namumugto rin ang mga mata nila at mukhang kagagaling lang sa matinding pag-iyak.
I just smiled bitterly and took a deep breath. I should work hard to deserve Nathalie. I need to do my best and make myself worthy of her again... I'll do everything, I'll give her everything, and I will love her selflessly just to be deserving of her again.
I opened her room's door with my shaking hands. I was taken aback when I saw her talking with the hotel owner. They stopped talking and looked at me. Nathalie avoided my gaze and bit her lower lip.
I was taken aback when the hotel owner threw a huge bag at me.
"Iyan na, dalawampung milyon 'yan. Pwede mo ng lubayan si Nathalie," sabi ng lalaki habang nakatingin nang masama sa akin.
I didn't listen to him. I focused my attention to Nathalie. I sighed and threw the bag back to the hotel owner.
"N-Nathalie... Are you alright?" I asked, my voice is trembling.
Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi ko nang kumirot ang hiwa ko sa braso. Medyo malalalim ang pagkakahiwa ro'n at talagang masakit... pero wala akong pakialam do'n ngayon.
Nathalie looked at me. Her face is pale, maybe because she had just gone through operation. She gave me a faint smile.
"Lubayan mo na 'ko, Ashteroh. Bayad na ako sa utang ko... Sana tantanan mo na ako at h'wag ka ng magpapakita sa akin ulit,"