Consequences

Consequences 003

Flint’s POV:

10 years later…

“Hep! Bayad muna!” I groaned and faced the woman behind me who pulled the collar of the long sleeves I’m wearing.

“Ma! Para namang ‘di mo ‘ko anak!” Nakasimangot na saad ko at inabot ang 50 pesos sakaniya.

“Anong anak? Sinong may anak?” Tila naguguluhang tanong niya at talagang luminga-linga pa. I rolled my eyes at her and stuck my tongue out.

“Whatever mom. I’m going out. You be safe here, okay? Mabilis lang ako.” I bid her goodbye and took my bag. She just said I too should be careful. I only nodded and went out.

I graduated 3 years ago. I took BS Crim and served the military for 7 years before I got discharged. I put my fighting skills into good use, but then I was discharged after something happened at the camp. So now, I’m helping mom with her little karinderya business while still trying to look for a side hustle or maybe, a stable job.

When I was in the military I had zero contact with anyone, even my mom. I didn’t know anyone at the camp either. I was a complete loner, but that was fine as I’m used at being alone. What’s not good was I always got the like someone was watching my every move. Hindi ko alam kung paranoid lang ba ako or baka meron talaga. But it could be from the team, or the other commanders. Hanggang sa makaalis ako sa lugar na iyon ay palagi ko pa rin nararamdamang may nakamasid saakin. Kagaya nalang ngayon.

Pasimple akong lumingon sa likuran ko at nakitang may nakasunod saakin na lalaking naka hoodie. Hindi ko nalang iyon pinansin dahil baka pareho lang kami ng dadaanan. Nasa sidewalk naman ako ng main road so I shouldn’t be worried. But I guess I spoke too soon.

Nang lumiko ako sa sumunod na street ay napansin kong nakasunod pa rin saakin ang lalaki. Nangunot ang noo ko at mas binilisan ang lakad ko. I think he felt that I’m now aware of his presence and he instantly vanished. Paglingon ko muli sa likuran ko ay nawala na siya. Huh. Weird.

I sighed and continued walking towards my destination. I acted like nothing happened while still observing my surroundings just in case.

“Ah, I thought you’ll never come, Ms. Nevah. Please, have a seat.” As I entered the diner someone approached me almost immediately and led me to our place. The man in front of me gestured the empty seat in front of us. “I already ordered for us. I take that you’re not a picky eater, right?”

“You didn’t have to, Mr. Santos.” I replied with a smile. He waved his hand dismissively and sat on his seat. I took the one across him and waited for him to speak but his phone suddenly rang. He excused himself and answered the call.

Habang hinihintay kong makabalik ang kliyente ko ay inilibot ko ang aking paningin. The atmosphere in this diner is nice and calming. Maganda siya kung gusto mong magpahinga at kumain at the same time. The piano music matches the ambience and theme of the whole place. Maganda rin siyang meeting place with clients. Pwede ring pang date.

“I’m sorry, I had to answer that call.” Nginitian ko si Mr. Santos at sinabing ayos lang. Muli siyang naupo at tumikhim, pero hindi nagsalita. Pasimple akong sumulyap sa relo ko at ibinalik ang tingin sa nasa harapan ko.

Mr. Santos, a 59 years old businessman. He owned a car dealership company and a bank. He has two sons, one of them is 25 and the other one 20. The eldest will inherit the car company while the youngest will get the bank. Everything was set, he already prepared all of the documents needed as he planned this event his entire life. The problem is the relationship between his two sons isn’t as great as he thought it would or should be. At least that’s what my information tells me.

“I know that you know why you’re here.” He started. Tumango lang ako at hinayaan siyang magsalita. “I just need someone to look after my youngest, Edrix. Just until he turns 21 at makuha nang buo ang pamamahala sa bangko. Hindi sa pinagdududahan ko ang panganay ko, pero alam kong hindi maganda ang relasyon nila sa isa’t isa.”

“Mhm.” I hummed, gesturing him to continue.

“I’m not saying that he can do it, but let’s be real. With their situation, it’s impossible that they would keep each other safe. Instead of protecting each other, I think they’d do the exact opposite. My Edrix is still learning, and between the two of them, si Edrix ang mas maaasahan when it comes to business.” He explained. “I need someone to protect him. My friend said he’d give me someone he knows I can count on.”

Dumating ang pagkain namin kaya sandal siyang natahimik. Nginitian ko lang ang nagserve saamin at inintay itong makalayo nang tuluyan bago muling humarap kay Mr. Santos. He moved towards the table and leaned, so I copied his movement.

“I need you to protect him at all cost. You know what I mean by that, right?” He says. I nodded, so he continued. “Protect him from our family, and his brother. Especially his brother, Edward. Once I retire, don’t leave his side. Please.”

“Protect him at all cost. And if someone tries to get into his way?” I asked. I wanted a clear answer, a clear go signal.

“Kill. Kill anyone who tries to go into his way.” Mr. Santos was dead serious. He said it with no remorse, he didn’t even stutter as if he really wanted that to happen. I sighed and nodded. “Will you do that?”

“I will.” With that, he smiled once again and leaned back to his seat.

“Costa is right. Mukhang maaasahan ka ngang talaga. Ah, that man.” I gulped at the mention of his name. My former commander’s name. I clenched my fist to stop it from shaking. “Matapos ba naman ang nangyari sa kampo, alam na niyang maaasahan ka sa ganitong sitwasyon. Kaya ka siguro pinalabas nang hindi nawawala ang honorary title mo.”

Umiwas ako ng tingin at ipinikit ang mata ko. Malalim ang pinakawalan kong buntong hininga, pilit na pinapakalma ang sistema ko. I’m scared, guilty, but most of all, mad. I’m mad that he had to bring that up to Mr. Santos when he was the one who made everyone swear not a word would come out.

“Thank you for your time, Mr. Santos. I’ll be leaving now.” I said coldly and stood up. Mukhang napansin naman niya ang biglang panlalamig ko at tumango na lamang.

“I’ll send you the rest of the information’s you’ll need.” He says. I only nodded and left the diner with big steps.

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako dinadala ng paa ko hanggang sa mapansin ang maliit na tindahan sa kanto. Awtomatikong napangiti ako nang makita ang matandang babae na nakikipag-usap sa isang college student. Dahan-dahan ang lakad ko palapit sakanila upang hindi maka-istorbo sa kanilang pag-uusap. Nang tuluyan na akong makalapit ay sakto namang nagpaalam na ang lalaki. Narinig kong tinawag niya itong nanay bago naglakad palayo. Sakto namang napalingon saakin ang matanda. Mga ilang segundo rin kami nagkatitigan at siya na ang unang bumasag ng katahimikan.

“May kailangan ka ba, iha?” Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin nagbago ang tono ng boses niya. Katulad ng dati ay malambing at malumanay pa rin siya magsalita.

“Nay Celia naman. Sabi ko ‘wag mo akong kakalimutan eh.” Natatawang sagot ko. Nang marinig ang boses ko ay mukhang naalala na niya kung sino ako dahil nawala ang pagtataka sa kaniyang mukha at napalitan ng tuwa.

“Flint! Naku, ang laki mo na! Jusko, saan ka ba nagsusuot at bigla kang nawala? Teka, ilang taon ka na nga ba uli?” Sunod-sunod na tanong niya.

Si Nay Celia ang madalas kong bilhan ng pagkain kapag nago-over the bakod ako noon. Madalas niya akong pangaralan at bigyan ng mga life hacks, just in case raw na mapabayaan ko ang pag-aaral ko dahil sa palaging pagc-cutting ko. Kilala rin siya ni mama dahil dati siyang nakatira malapit sa amin hanggang sa makapag abroad ang anak niya ay ilipat siya sa bahay niya ngayon.

“I’m 27 na po, Nay. Nag-serve ho kasi ako kaya nawala ako.” Ani ko. Kung ano-ano pa ang tinanong niya saakin kagaya ng kumusta na raw si mama, kung ano na ang trabaho ko at kung may nobyo na raw ba ako.

“Nak hindi ka na bumabata. Aba hanggang ngayon ba ay iniiwasan ka pa rin ng mga lalaki? Baka naman kasi mas brusko ka pa kumilos kesa sakanila.” Aniya at tumawa. Natawa nalang din ako sa sinabi niya at umiling.

“Hindi naman nay. Sadyang ayoko lang po, at wala pa naman kasing sumubok. Tsaka okay na po akong single. As long as nariyan si mama, okay na okay na po ako.” Sabi ko nang nakangiti. Tumango tango nalang ito. Kung ano-ano pa ang napag-usapan namin hanggang sa mapansin ko ang oras. Alas-tres na pala nang hapon.

“Oh siya, mag-ingat ka sa pag-uwi ha. Dumalaw ka uli kapag may oras ka at ipagluluto kita ng paborito mong kusilba.” I waved my hand and walked away.

Nang malapit na ako sa kalye namin ay naramdaman ko nanamang may sumusunod saakin. When I peeked past my shoulder I saw a black Honda City that’s driving slowly as if it’s matching my pace. Maya-maya lang ay bumilis na ang takbo nito at nilampasan ako kaya nakahinga ako nang maluwag. Akala ko naman…