Code Name: Mercy

CODE NO. 04

R A I N

“Good morning, Rain!” bati sa akin ni Korina nang magtagpo kami sa supply room ng dorm namin. Nasa iisang room lang kasi ang mga assistant ng Lexus.

“Morning,” malamig ko naman na sagot sa sobrang antok ko pa.

Hindi lang talaga ako masanay-sanay sa napaka-aga na wake up time ng mga staff ng Lexus.

“Anong gagawin natin ngayon?” Lian suddenly scooted over while I was collecting the shampoo and soap that I needed to bath. She was still yawning and was obviously tired as well.

“I’m not sure,” I replied as I went out of the supply room, sumunod din naman siya sa akin. “Korina, I’m sorry but do you know the schedule today?”

May mga panahon lang kasi na nakakalimutan ko na isa nga pala akong assistant. Before coming here, it was my schedule that’s always on top priority at hindi sa ibang tao. I always have my own assistant reminding me of what I have to do next, where I go next, and more. But here, it’s the other way around.

Tumitig na muna sa amin si Korina na nagspe-spread ng palaman sa toasted bread niya. She looked at me after looking behind to see Lian who is still half asleep.

“Ah! Oo nga pala!” Bigla nitong bulalas sa likod ko.

Agad naman akong lumingon para tingnan kung ano ang nangyayari sa kanya.

At first, I thought na nakatulog siya at nanaginip habang nakatayo (kind of impossible but it’s Lian we are talking about here she could fall asleep anywhere). Pero mukhang kabaligtaran ang nangyari at nagising ko ata ang diwa niya sa tanong ko.

She then told us in full alert, “May guesting ngayon ang Lexus sa isang sikat na idol show. Korina! It’s that idol show. They are doing that today. Wake them up, quick! I was wondering why I set the alarm early. Ngayong araw pala ‘yun.”

Kung saan-saan na naglakad si Lian sa taranta niys. Nagmamadali siyang kumain ng toasted bread na ginawa ni Korina tapos ay naghilamos at nagsipilyo. She did all that in a flash na para bang kani-kanina lang ay hindi siya naghihikab.

Lumabas din naman agad ng dorm namin si Korina para sundin ang utos ni Lian na gisingin ang Lexus.

As she leaves, she just keeps mumbling about, “Mr. Efrhain will definitely be furious!”

Ang dami na nilang nagawa sa loob ng dalawang minuto pero ako, nakatayo pa rin sa tapat ng banyo. I am still debating if I should take a bath. Ang lamig pa rin kasi ng panahon. I mean even their summer here is relatively colder than the summer in our country. At dahil mas malamig naman talaga tuwing umaga, every morning is a challenge for me.

Good thing that the style team has already done their part. They were all done preparing the outfits Lexus will wear. Ang kailangan na lang gawin ay ang pag-aassist sa mga ito. And yup, that’s where I should enter the scene.

You see, the fact that I am an artist myself is a big advantage. Dahil bilang artist, I was hands-on to everything my management was doing for me. Alam ko rin kung ano ang mga susuotin ko because there are some times that I would choose it myself. At matanong din ako, I wanted to know where my belongings are, para mas madali ko silang palitan if ever I change my mind of what look I should rock in a certain day.

What I am trying to say here is that I am quite knowledgeable so I wouldn't need to be told what to do next.

“Oh, you’ve prepared this already, Rain? Great. Thanks for the initiative,” sabi sa akin ni Mr. Efrhain nang makita ako na nilalagay sa van ng Lexus ang extra clothes.

Napag-alaman ko kasi na may games ang idol show na bibisitahin nila. Hindi pa man ako gaanong katagal sa bansang ‘to but I at least know that their shows are quite extreme.

When we arrived at the building where the idol show will be held, there were a bunch of Lexus’ fans waiting outside.

“Hey! Hey! Out of the way! Out of the way!”

Hindi na kami sumabay sa paglalakad sa kanila. Mga dalawang metro o mahigit ang distansya naming tatlo nina Korina at Lian mula sa Lexus at napapalibutan sila ng malalaking guards. But despite this, natatangay pa rin kami ng mga tao sa paligid sa dami ng gustong dumikit.

“OMG! It just so happened that I was walking in front of the BGC Network. Guess who I ran into? It’s Lexus! OH GOODNESS! I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M THIS LUCKY!”

Naiipit na kaming tatlo, idagdag pa itong babaeng nasa gilid ko na grabe makatili. Not everyone is as noisy as her, but with how crowded the entrance is, any noise would add up with the tension.

Ligtas naman na nakapasok ang lahat ng staff sa building, lalo na ang Lexus. As soon as we entered the building the crowd following them were also left behind the entrance door.

“Which studio are we now?” tanong sa akin ni Ethan.

I was busy wiping sweats when he talked. Pinawisan kasi sila kaiiwas sa mga fans kanina.

“I heard it’s studio three,” sagot ko bago pasimple na lumipat ng parte na pupunasan ng mukha niya.

“Dude! I’m very excited to see George!”

Not too far away from us, Liam is making a fuss of how much he wants to see a certain person. Apparently, that person is a former idol himself and Liam looked up to him so much. I’m not really sure, but one thing is clear, Liam will be enjoying this show.

“Are everybody here?” tanong sa kanila ng floor director ng show na saglit na sumilip sa backstage to check on us.

“Yeah, they’re ready to go!” Mr. Efrhain replied with much enthusiasm. Sunod siyang humarap sa amin na nakangiti. He clenched his hands into a fist as he said, “Okay! You can do it, boys!”

“Yes!” Masiglang sigaw ni Liam.

Among the five he is the most excited.

“He’s really excited,” Ethan chuckled. “Well, I am also excited to meet George. Are you also excited, Rain?”

I’m not really sure what he’s talking about. Basta abala lang ako sa pag-tatouch up ng gel sa buhok niya so, I replied absentmindedly.

“Yeah, sure.”

Patapos na ako nang marinig ko naman siyang magsalita. “You know Rain, you’re really weird.”

“Excuse me?”

Hindi ko naman na inaasahan that it would seem weird to him. I mean, who cares about an assistant?

Ano ba ang pinagsasabi niya?

Can’t he just not talk to me and prepare for the show’s opening? He’s so talkative that I wanted to cover his mouth.

Wala akong balak na makipagkaibigan sa iba or kahit kanino dito. If my job is to be an assistant, I will do that without doubt. Kaya naman sana ay tumahimik na itong alaga ko.

“Hmm, nothing. Thanks for fixing my hair.” Ethan smiled at me before leaving. Kailangan na ata nila mag-standby for the airing.

 The only time I get to relax is during the airing. Ito kasi ang mga sandali na makakaupo na kami sa wakas. And it is also one of the rare moments that there will be no attending to do for the members.

Ramdam na ramdam ko na ang break na ibinigay sa akin ng show, at patapos na ang Lexus sa pagpapakilala nila sa mga sarili nila nang nag-vibrate ang phone ko sa bulsa.

“An emergency call?” tanong sa akin ni Mr. Efrhain.

Magkatabi lang kami sa upuan kaya malamang naramdaman niya rin ang pag-vibrate ng cellphone ko sa bulsa ko.

“It seems so, sir,” sagot ko sa kanya kahit na hindi ko pa naman nakikita kung sino ang tumatawag. Pero dahil nga originally ay wala namang may alam ng cellphone number na ginagamit ko sa South Kisoka automatic na ata na isa itong important call.

“Alright, get back as soon as possible. There will be a three minutes break later after the game’s announcement.” Binigyan na ako ni Mr. Efrhain ng pahintulot kaya hindi na ako nagpadalos-dalos pa na lumabas muna ng room.

Hindi pa man ako tuluyang nakakalayo ay agad ko nang sinagot ang tawag.

“Did you receive the profile?”

Ah~ Who’s voice might this belong to? I hate how demanding this person sounds.

“Yup. Do you need anything?” I replied to him using my actual voice and speaking manner.

I am not sure if it's obvious or not but I tend to change tones when I am speaking with my co-workers here. I am more on guard when talking with my colleagues in  the company. And kind of lazy when talking with my father’s employees.

I guess it’s my nature to stay on guard when I am around the people I am not close with. At kung sa show business naman ang pag-uusapan. I think it’s also natural for me to project the superstar image and the main character's speaking manner. ‘Yung tipo na pa-importanteng tao?

Anyway, the person on the phone reminded me about the mission I received from father yesterday night. Isa ito sa dahilan kung bakit hindi ako nakatulog ng maayos kagabi.

Bumalik na ako sa studio pagkatapos kong kausapin ang employee ni Daddy. I went back na parang walang nagpa-alala sa akin na pumaslang ng tao. An hour later the show was concluded. At kagaya nga ng hula ko ay basang sisiw ang mga alaga namin dahil sa palaro ng idol show.

They were playing with water gun on the stage. Kaya naman pala may ibang equipment sa stage na nakabalot ng plastik.

“Let’s go back, guys. Pack up! Pack up,” utos sa amin ni Mr. Efrhain.

“Anong sunod na schedule?” Tanong ko habang inaayos ang basang damit ni Ethan.

“There’s a contract signing. Break muna tayo niyan, si Mr. Efrhain na ang bahala dyan.”

Nice! It’s a free time. Iniisip ko pa lang ang pahinga ay para na akong lilipad sa langit. Kanina pa kasi ako nakatayo.

Sunod-sunuran na naman ako kay Ethan noong nasa building na kami ng agency ng Lexus. The whole time, he was busy listening to some sort of music on his headphones. I bet it has something to do with their comeback.

Mabuti naman. Nasa sariling mundo niya si Ethan, it means less interaction.

“Oh, Rain! Samahan mo naman ako,” aya sa akin ni Lian, pero bigla siyang natigilan at natulala saglit habang nakatitig sa likuran ko.

“What?”

“Bakit andito pa si Ethan? Nasa cafeteria na ang mga kasama niya. Pakainin mo na ‘yan, one o’ clock ang signing nila.”

For some reason ay nahawa ako sa pagkataranta ni Lian at agad din na umikot para kalabitin si Ethan. But before I even get the chance to call him ay umikot na rin siya, sanhi para magka-salubong kami. At dahil I am many inches shorter than him, and he has a bigger build so I lost control of my balance. Sunod ko na lang naramdaman ang dahan-dahan na pagbagsak ng paningin ko at ang matigas na braso sa likod ko… wait what?

“Are you okay?”

What… What just happened?

“Oh, gosh! Rain, you almost fell!” Rinig kong sigaw ni Lian sa likod ko. Habang inaalalayan naman ako ni Ethan na tumayo ulit ng matuwid.

I just… did I just get saved with this guy?

“I’m sorry. I didn’t notice you,” sabi niya sa akin.

Kahit na malapit lang kami sa isa’t isa, his words just seem to come from far-away. Medyo hindi pa nag-register sa utak ko ang nangyaring katangahan ko. Luminga-linga ako sa paligid in case someone saw what happened, pero mukhang abala rin ang mga tao sa agency.

Phew! That’s great.

“Y-Yes. I’m fine. Uh, you better go to the cafeteria for lunch. The others are already there.”

Ibinaba na ng tuluyan ni Ethan ang suot niyang headphones. “Yeah, sure. Sorry again, Rain. And thanks.” He said with a cool attitude.

Habang si Lian naman ay hindi pa rin inaalis ang tingin niya sa akin.

“What?”

“Uhm, excuse me lang, ha. But you guys painted a beautiful picture together earlier.”

“Anong pinagsasabi mo dyan?”

“Alam mo, Rain maganda ka. Bakit hindi ka mag-artista?”

Pinanliitan ko lang siya ng mata. Artista naman talaga ako.

“And you somewhat have a resemblance with a certain child actress. Hindi ko lang matandaan ang full face at pangalan. Matagal-tagal na kasi akong hindi nakakauwi ng Pinas. Artista pa rin ba ‘yung batang ‘yun?”

I wanted to answer her question; yes, she was right about that child actress na kamukha ko, yet she’s currently on hiatus and… yes, that child actress is me.

But of course, nanatili na lang na tikom ang bibig ko.

Bumalik na kaming dalawa sa dressing room to do the official work. Ang mag-ayos ng mga gamit ng alaga namin. Ten minutes ago, noong pumasok kami ng silid ay kung saan-saan pa nakalatag ang mga gamit ng Lexus at iilang make up equipment na ginamit ng style team kaninang umaga. But after a while ay naging maayos na rin ang dressing room matapos kaming maglinis.

Naglilinis na ako ng round table kung saan madalas kinakausap ni Mr. Efrhain ang Lexus tungkol sa mga endorsement nila nang may nakita akong mga papeles.

“Hm?” Sa palagay ko ay mga kontrata ito. I really don’t care kung para saan ang mga kontrata na ito. I was about to put it under the manager’s folder when I found a familiar name in one of the papers.

“Marco S. Torres”

“Oh, do you know him?”

“Huh?”

Did I read it out loud?

Lumapit sa akin si Lian. She must have noticed I stopped moving around. I gave her the contract and let her read it. “He’s the producer of a kid’s show. Do you know the Shining Star?”

“No?”

“’Yan ang title nung kid’s show niya. Lexus is also popular to kids these days kaya pinadala niya ito kay Mr. Efrhain. He wanted our boys to be a guest in his show.”

Kita mo nga naman. Sinong mag-aakala na magiging madali ang paghahanap ko sa lalaking ito?

“Ano sa tingin mo? Dapat bang mag-guest ang Lexus?” Lian continued to ask me habang nasa ibang lumalop naman ang isipan ko.

It just so happens that this guy whose name is Marco na sinasabi nilang producer ay isa ring criminal. He is a human trafficker. Teka, mas maganda ata na maging direkta… he is a child trafficker. Now that I knew about this kid-centered show na pino-produce niya, I guess it’s making sense now kung saan galing ang mga biktima niya.

“Rain?”

“H-Huh? Uh, in my opinion, I don’t think it would do any good if Lexus got involved with this man.”

“Hm? Bakit naman? Balita ko mabait si Mr. Torres.”

“Lian, the world is a jungle, we better be careful with the wolves pretending to be charitable rabbits.”

Nilagay ko na sa ilalim ng folder ni Mr. Efrhain ang mga papel, maliban na lang sa isang ito.

“Can I borrow this one?”

“What? I guess… kung ibabalik mo siya kaagad?”

“Ibabalik ko naman agad,” I said then did a quick snap to take a photo to the contact number and address that’s on the paper. “See? Binalik ko na.” I tucked the paper along the others under the folder at bumalik na sa paglilinis ko.

Marco S. Torres, a producer by profession and a child trafficker by hobby. Siya lang naman ang sadya ng employee ni Daddy na tumawag sa akin kanina. He was reminding me that I should start moving para patayin ang lalaking ito. Ang sabi ay nagsisimula na naman itong mangulekta ng mga bata.

Right. I do sound like a killer dahil sa mga sinasabi ko. But I am actually someone people call an assassin. Still a killer but with a cause.

My father owns a business… a one-of-a-kind business where we assassinate messed up guys like that ped*phile Marco Torres. We provide service internationally and we have a pretty decent reputation in this industry.

My twin sister got to be unlucky for inheriting our father’s hobby of assassinating bad guys. And yes, this led to her death. Now, I have to do the same dahil nga ito ang family business namin. With Laura gone, ako na lang ang maaasahan ni Daddy. I have no other choice.

Isa na namang araw bilang assistant ang natapos. The sun has fallen and the moon is up in the night sky. Tapos nang kumain ng hapunan ang lahat at patulog na. Habang ako naman ay may isa pang dapat gampanan… Yes, it’s that job.

Akala ko nga ay magiging assistant lang ako. My side job pa pala.