The Hater 3: Hated to Love You (The Hater Trilogy #3) [SPG]

13 [Part 1] | Torn Between

"BAKIT MAY biglang pagtawag ng depensa?" tanong ni Allen habang abala sa paglalagay ng bala sa kaniyang baril. Kaagad niya rin itong kinasa nang malagyan ng bala ang magasin nito. The car he used has just came while the attack of the enemy is ongoing. His team is not the primary target; they were just summoned as backup. "The enemy attacked us this sudden?"

Habang nagtataka ay rinig na rinig ni Allen ang tunog ng mga putok ng baril na sumasakop sa buong lugar. "Biglang umatake ang kalaban na kampo, Allen," sagot ni Alvin habang panay ang pagtatago sa likod ng pader ng abandonadong ospital na nagsisilbing kuta ng third platoon made men ng ANG. "Ubos na ang lahat ng third platoon member bago tayo dumating. Even the last living member who called us was headshot."

Napailling na lang si Allen bago huminga ng malalim. "This war will never really end..." Allen gripped the gun with his two hands as he sighed once more. "However, I can't just remain silent and let them conquer us."

Kaagad na nilingon ni Allen ang pader na tinataguan at inakma ang kalaban na kapwa nagtatago rin sa pader. The enemy was not prepared when Allen turned so he was shot killed immediately. He gave them his best shot a shooter could give. Allen really is the best sheep ANG has had. No doubt their boss never wanted to lose Allen.

Holding his automatic revolver pistol, he was able to shoot almost half of the attackers. From left to right, death was visible on the scenario, mostly caused by Allen's eagle eyes and fast fingers who pulled the trigger. Kahit na halos marami-rami na rin ang napatay ni Allen, tila hindi mauubusan ng kalaban dahil may mga made men pa rin na patuloy na dumadating. Kahit nakikita nilang hindi natatapos ang pagdating ng mga kalaban, hindi pa rin nawawalan ng pag-asa si Allen na makakaya nila itong tapusin.

Kita sa mukha ni Alvin na nawawalan na siya ng pag-asang makalabas sa abandonadong ospital. "Allen, tumakas na lang kaya tayo?" tanong ni Alvin kay Allen na abala lang sa pakikipagpalitan ng bala sa mga kalaban. "They planned this undercover attack really well. Napaghandaan nila ito habang nandito tayo nakikipaglaban na hindi alam ang mangyayari."

"Sinimulan nito 'to kaya ako ang tatapos," madiing ani Allen habang patuloy pa rin sa pagputok ng kaniyang baril. Kita sa mga ugat na naglalabasan na sa leeg ni Allen ang pagpupursiging matapos ang labanang nangyayari. "I will never accept defeat as an option, Alvin."

Nagtago si Allen sa likod ng pader nang maubusan ng bala ang gamit niyang baril. Tinapon niya ito bago kinuha ang shot gun na nahulog ng kasamang nakahandusay na rin sa sahig dahil sa kawalan ng buhay. He checked if that gun still has bullets and fortunately, it has, fully-loaded. Kinasa niya ang baril at kaagad na sumabak sa pagpapaputok sa kalaban na tila hindi maubos sa dami.

"What shall we do then?" tanong ng nag-aalalang si Alvin sa kasamahang si Allen na patuloy lang sa pagpapaputok ng baril. "There are only little value of ANG made men fighting for our camp. The ratio is not proportional, Allen. Wala tayong kalaban-laban sa kanila."

Allen looked at his allies who are slowly losing hope and patience. "Is that how I trained you all? I did not train foolish motherfuckers who only do terrible job," he shouted. The though lingers between a threat and boosting their confidence. He looked at Alvin who was looking at their co-members who are already lying on the floor. "Alvin," he called the one on his right.

The one who was called turned his gaze to Allen who called him. "Do you finally have thought of it? Then, good thing. We still have time in retreating. Come on, Allen, your life is more important than finishing this fight."

"Get those wounded made men and bring them to our clinic. Notify Cera upon bringing them all and tell her that there will be a big wave of emergency. Bilisan mo na, their life are important as well, Alvin," Allen was focused on shooting the made men of the opposing gang while telling the one he's talking his statement. "I'll stay here and end this. Worry not, I'll come back safe."

Alvin shook his head, getting worried at how Allen's competitiveness will end up. Losing or being defeated is not in Allen's vocabulary. Kahit sa lahat ng bagay na ginagawa niya, iniisip niyang hindi dapat siya magpatalo sa iba. For him, getting defeated means being weak which is not just right. He is not seeing defeat as a sign that he should improve more.

Hindi na lang inintindi pa ni Alvin ang pagiging competitive ni Allen at sa halip ay kaagad na tinulungan ang mga sugatang kasama. Panay sugat galing sa tama ng baril ang mga natamo ng kanilang mga kasama. Ang iba naman ay nasawi sa ginawang pagpapasabog ng kabilang kampo.

Habang patuloy na nagpapaputok ng baril si Allen ay unti-unti nang umaalis ang kanilang mga kasama. Halos maiwan na lang na mag-isa si Allen sa abandonadong ospital na 'yon kasama ang mga walang buhay nang mga kasamahan sa gang. Alvin, nevertheless, stayed with him but only behind the wall.

"Allen, let's just stop until here," Alvin muttered while signaling the drivers of the truck that they will use to bring the wounded teammates back to their original camp. Nauna nang umalis ang mga truck na may dalang mga sugatang kakampi, samantalang naiwan ang kotseng ginamit ni Alvin at Allen papunta doon. "They are continuously increasing. I know you're a sharp shooter but you will not take it. Palaging talo ng marami ang iisa."

Allen never gave a damn. "I promised to protect my gang until the end of my life, Alvin." He was still shooting the bullets of his gun towards his enemy. This time, he is being driven by his own emotions. And when it happens, no one can stop Allen. "I feel like I already failed them. My made men have been slain. I feel like it's my fault..."

"No, Allen, it's not your fault. Bakit mo naman iisipin 'yan?" Alvin knows that when Allen starts to claim the blame, nothing won't stop him. As a friend, he always tries to boost Allen's confidence by saying... "You have already done a great job, Allen. Minsan, kailangan rin nating sumuko. Let's take vengeance for the next time."

"I will finish this, Alvin," Allen answered with timid voice, fully stubborn and determined. "You can go, leave me behind..."

Alvin sighed upon thinking the best asset he can use to push Allen from being so stubborn. It is Cera and his best resort to stubborn Allen. "Allen, think about your family. Pa'no na lang sila kung wala ka? They need you, especially your mother." Allen was moved, the worry was visible in his face. However, he continued to shoot bullets, killing the opponents. "If you're still not moved, think about Serim. What will he do without you?"

Realization struck Allen upon hearing the name of the guy he loves the most right now. Nowadays, what he's thinking is Serim. The guy who loves him without knowing his real self. The person who is patiently waiting for him.

Allen paused shooting for a while upon gathering his thoughts. He was about to get shot by a bullet, fortunately, he was pulled by Alvin. "You're right," Allen muttered after seeing light on his sight. "Maraming nakaasa sa 'kin at marami ring naghihintay. I can't fail them..."

"Totoo 'yan, kaya halika na, habang maaga pa." Alvin went first to the car while Allen is trying to divert the opponents' reaction to him. While he was doing it, he continuously fired bullets as an exchange. "Tara na, Allen!"

Nang marinig ang sigaw ni Alvin ay kaagad siyang tumakbo papunta sa loob ng sasakyan habang patuloy na iniiwasan ang mga balang pinapaulan ng mga kalaban. The sound of bullets hitting the car is oddly audible that the people inside the car can still hear it.

The door was closed upon Allen entering the car. The driver furiously drove the car, avoiding the opponent's attacks. Nevertheless, the attacker still continued to throw bullets but there were none of them who was hit as they are protected by the bulletproof window glass.

Every one of them breathed in relief upon thinking that they already have escaped with the attacks. They were all smiling and cheering each other as if nothing traumatic happened and as if there is none who was killed. This is the way the process in the gang circulates, the made men are just sacrificial lamb and at the same time are the front liners. None of them actually remembers someone who was just a mere made man when they die, they are being forgotten; even the way they sacrificed themselves was also forgotten.

Meanwhile, leaning his head on the tinted window while looking outside, Allen was still gathering his thoughts. He was torn... torn between his job and his personal agendas.

He's thinking as if he failed in protecting and defending the gang but on the other side of it, he was safe and sound going back to all his loved ones. His competitive side and loving side are totally arguing that time. Sa isip niya ay parang mali na parang tama ang desisyon nila na sumuko na lang muna sa pakikipaglaban sa kabilang kampo. It is a battle between his pride and his safety.