CUP

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I can’t distinguish how am I feeling when I just see first-hand the person I’ve been avoiding from the past. I am grateful yet scared. Sir Asterio leaning on the wall of the guardhouse. I mean, if that’s what is called. He is wearing a tight green army shirt and fatigue on the lower. He has these scrutinizing eyes as ever.

“...you smell beer… we don’t accept a person who drunk drive going in here,” he said as I now a law violator. Beats me, there are who’s worst than me yet still enjoying their freedom and sipping from the taxes of every Filipino.

“yeah, and you smelled like a mint chocolate, mind your distance or I might puke,” I replied and walkway past him.

“why? You don’t like how I smell?” He sneered and equalled my pace as I head towards the office.

“As far as I remember we are not close, so keep everything you’d say for yourself.” I dismissed him and entered the door saying the desired office as instructed in the email.

I knocked three times. Then flashes the bitter memories from years ago. SHT.

Para akong sinuntok at biglang bumaliktad sikmura ko. I hand gripped my shoulders and guided me towards the empty space full of grass.

Sinuka ko lahat ng laman ng tyan ko. I coughed afterwards as if choking. The hand now are on my back, caressing, probably to ease what I’m feeling but no.

Mas lalong lumalala sakit ng tyan ko.

I grabbed his other hand on my shoulders, and grip it tightly.

“S-stop..”

“Why? I am just helping you?” He pointed out.

“M-my tummy’s rumbling. Stop caressing m-me.” I said as I vomited my stomach out.

He then stopped probably because I badly paled. But his hand on my grip stayed.

Flashbacks are coming, and the voices are telling me just to run away again. But the hand gripped mine as well. Then began the flashbacks of how I build myself in preparation of this day.

I breathed loudly.

“Here, drink this.” He said offering me his tumbler.

I accepted without hesitation and drank the whole liquid inside to satiate my thirst.

I pulled wipes on my bag and wiped my mess away from my lips.

I distanced myself as I planned on talking to him, nakakahiya baka amoy suka ako.

“Feeling better?” He half laughed as he stared at me.

What’s with this man?

“Y-yeah. Thank you for this second time around.”

“Second? I haven’t heard the first tho.” He muttered thinking. And then seconds later realizes and seems guilty teasing me about it.

“Thank you for the last time. I haven’t the heart to thank you on those times.” I said as I half smiled at him.

“Would you be okay if tell you that Abe and his sister are here as well?” He asked worriedly.

I froze in seconds.

Why anj? Didn’t you expect this?

“I’ll be okay by then. Don’t worry.” I smiled at him and turned my back heading again to the door earlier.

++

The man from the mall is sitting across from me, wearing a uniform and on his name cloth says, Chief Tojo. Darn.

I stared at him embarrassed.

He smiled admirably at me.

“I am Chief Tojo, I am on the daime or the 3^rd  generation of the Tojo bloodline. The reason I’ve approached you on the mall because I wanted to know what happened to your eyes?” He said as if he is assessing things seriously.

I stared at him blankly. How did he know at first glance that there’s something unusual in my eyes? For I have not told a single soul about it because it could open a deep wound from my past.

My left eye was then damaged and tatay did everything to find me a donor. I don’t know what happened then but I was happy because I can see things well because of this eye. And I owe tatay for that.

“Oh that sir, that’s quite impressive since no one in my life could tell the difference in both my eyes. I had an accident when I was young.” I smiled bitterly and he then nodded his head and ask me if there’s no problem right after I received the eye. I said no and he was kind of relieved.

I am confused but I shrugged it off. He congratulated me for making my mind about entering this kind of mission. And he told me to report on him if I had difficulty in training. He can lend his ears and words of wisdom for free daw.

I smiled and said thank you. I bid goodbye and withdraw myself from his office.

He seems nice.

I feel at ease.

I headed towards the quarters chief Tojo mentioned and gave me a map since the location we’re in is close to a forest.

I breathed deeply and expect I can see familiar faces now that could bring me joy or a hole in my heart.

Chief Tojo mentioned a cup earlier sample daw kung gaano kagaling words of wisdom nya. He said, empty the cup,  so if enemy or not, you should first listen before you derived on a certain decision.

++

Someone’s POV

“Angelie Bayaban, yes, do a background check on her.” Chief Tojo said on his phone.

This should be a piece of juicy information for those ching chongs. I thought as I walk towards the boy’s quarters.

All of them gave me a saute for recognition of my position in this type of mission. I better act right in order to save my family as collateral. Darn those punks.

It will be just months from now.

and this place, this country will be wiped out from the map or conquered by another country. And before that happens, mom and dad, my family wouldn't be here by then. 

++