"What are you thinking about?" bulong ni Athena kay Cyril habang patagilid na nakaupo sa hita nito at marahang hinahaplos ang kaniyang buhok.
It's been three whole days. Tatlong araw na simula ng mag usap ang Papa niya at si Cyril pero hanggang ngayon ay hindi niya parin ito makausap ng matino. Minsan palagi itong nakatulala o kaya naman ay hindi siya papansinin. She knew that something is bothering him.
Kahapon lang rin ng makalabas siya ng tuluyan sa ospital. Maayos naman na ang kalagayan niya at unting tulog na lang ay babalik na ang lakas niya.
Cyril shakes his head. "It's nothing, love. Wag mo kong alalahanin. You should take your rest." pag iiwas na naman ni Cyril sa tanong niya. Nakapulupot ang kamay nito sa kaniyang beywang habang nakadikit ang ulo sa kaniyang balikat.
Alam niyang may gumugulo sa isipan ng kasintahan. At sigurado rin siyang may konekta iyon sa napag usapan nila ng Papa niya.
'And he looks so stress and worn-out.' Athena thought.
"You know that you can tell me everything. Andito lang naman ako, mahal. Wag mong sarilihin ang problema mo. It won't be good for you." mas lalo niyang ginawang mahinhin ang boses. Patuloy rin siya sa paghahaplos ng buhok nito because she knew that he likes it. It helps to calm Cyril down.
Natigil lang iyon ng lumayo sa kaniya si Cyril at tumitig sa kaniyang mata. Malamlam ang mga yun at halatang walang tulog. Halatang pagod.
"I...I was just..." rinig na rinig ang pag aalinlangan sa boses ng kasintahan.
Sinubukan niyang pakalmahin ni Cyril sa paraan ng paghawak sa pisngi nito. "Don't force yourself, love. Andito lang naman ako palagi. You can tell me if you're ready to tell me."
"No." umiling ito. "I don't want to keep any secrets from you. Nangako ako sa sarili ko na sasabihin ko sayo lahat lahat. Your are my everything and I don't want any secret to destroy our relationship."
With that, Athena's heart soften and beats erratically. Mas lalo niya lang minahal ang binata. Mas lalo lang siyang nahulog dito.
Nawawala ang pagkasuplada niya pagdating kay Cyril. Madali siya nitong napapasunod at mabilis siyang tumiklop pagdating dito. She's madly in love with her Cyril.
"Then you can tell me, love. Kahit ano pa yan, tatanggapin ko parin. Yung ginawa mo nga sa bumaril sa akin, nakaya ko. Yan pa kaya? I know I can take whatever secret that is."
At sa wakas, his eyes lighten. "I'm still not sorry about what I did to them. They deserve it."
Hindi napigilan ni Athena ang pagtawa. "I know." she paused. "At kung ikaw naman ang natamaan ng mga oras na yun, alam ko sa sarili kung ganon din ang gagawin ko. I'm also going to make them pay. Fairly."
Natigilan si Cyril ng makita ang emosyon sa mata ng kasintahan. They are scary and dangerous.
'This is what I saw when I told Brent to investigate her!'
Nung mga panahong hindi pa sila magkasundo at nagpapansinan. Yun yung araw na nagkasagutan si Alexa at Athena. Naaalala niya pa kung paano niya titigan si Athena nong araw na yun. Her stares are dangerous.
Tsaka lang napansin ni Cyril na wala pa pala siyang kaalam alam kay Athena. Beside of her name, parents and birthday, wala na. He totally don't know her yet.
He just got out of his reverie when she speaks. "But I'm still thankful na hindi ikaw yung natamaan. Ikababaliw ko rin, Cyril. Ikababaliw ko rin pag nawala ka sakin."
Niyakap niya ito ng mahigpit. "I won't, baby. Hinding hindi ako mawawala sayo. You already got me wrapped in your fingers and I don't know how to let go. I don't want to let go." saad niya. Tsaka niya naalala ang napag usapan nila ng Papa ni Athena.
"I don't know what to do, mahal." he confessed. "Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko." pabulong na dugtong niya. Tatlong araw ng gumugulo sa isip niya ang napag usapan nila. He's exhausted and his brain doesn't want to work well. Wala pa siyang maayos na tulog, palagi siyang tulala, na pati si Athena ay naaapektuhan na.
"Konektado ba 'to sa napag usapan niyo ni Papa?" she sounds calm and well collected.
Bumuntong hininga muna si Cyril bago siya tuluyang sumagot. "It is."
"Ano ba kasing napag usapan niyo at ganito na lang ang epekto sayo?"
"Something about Underground Society." bulong ni Cyril. "Underground Society?"
Dahan dahan siyang tumango. Ayaw niyang magsekreto dito pero nagdadalawang isip naman siya kung sasabihin niya ba.
'This is not about me anymore. It's about Athena's father.'
Nanatiling tahimik ang dalaga. Hindi ito nagsasalita at parang naghihintay ng sasabihin niya.
He sigh heavily. Hindi niya alam kung may karapatan ba siyang sabihin sa kasintahan ang nararamdaman niya tungkol sa ama nito. He feels like he doesn't have a right to judge her father.
Hindi pa naman siya sigurado pero pakiramdam niya talaga na-
"My father is part of your Underground Society?" natigilan siya ng magsalita si Athena.
Nanlalaki ang matang tinignan niya ang kasintahan. "W-What?"
"Is he?" balik na tanong ni Athena. Nag iwas ng tingin si Cyril pero wala ng pagdadalawang isip na sinagot niya si Athena. "I...I think he is part of our society. In the Underground Society."
'She has to know. She needs to know.'
Ramdam niya ang paglayo sa kaniya ng kasintahan kaya itinaas niya ang tingin para makita ito. "You're still not sure. P-Paano mo nasabi na kasama si Papa? I mean... bakit naman siya sasama?"
"Yun ang kailangan kung malaman. Kung parte nga siya at kung sino siya sa organisasyon."
Natahimik si Athena at bigla na lang itong tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa binti niya.
Gone the calm and well-collected Athena.
"Don't worry, baby. Hindi pa naman ako sigurado eh. That's just my opinion."
Kung alam niya na ganito ang magiging reaksiyon ni Athena, sana hindi niya muna sinabi. Now, she's the one who's going to be bothered.
"Akala ko nagbibiro ka lang. Akala ko hihindi ka sa tinanong ko kanina. That was supposed to be a joke..."
Tumayo siya at nilapitan ito. Hinawakan niya ang magkabila nitong pisngi at hinarap ito sa kaniya. "Calm down, okay? I'm still finding the truth. It's just what I feel. Wala pang kasiguraduhan yun."
"But my father is just a ruthless business. H-Hindi niya kayang pumatay ng tao."
Para siyang napipi dahil sa sinabi ni Athena. Parang kinain ng konsensiya ang loob loob niya. He shouldn't have spoke without any evidences.
Pero nasabi niya na. Mas maganda na rin siguro yun dahil kahit papaano ay wala siyang tinatago dito. "No, baby. He's not just a business man. Your father is not just a simple man, Athena."
She stared at him, confused and puzzled. "How can you say so? Tell me exactly kung anong pinag usapan niyo ni Papa three day ago."
"Athena..."
Biglang yumakap sa beywang niya si Athena at isinandal ang ulo sa kaniyang dibdib. Her breathing is unstable. "Please, love. I need to know. I have the right to know.
Ng maramdaman niyang dahan dahan na nabasa ang kaniyang damit, mas lalo siyang natigilan. He felt his heart shattered when he realized that she's crying. Niyakap niya ito pabalik at hinaplos ang buhok nito para mapatahan. "Don't cry."
She's crying out of frustration. Nasaksihan niya mismo kung paano nailalagay sa kapahamakan si Cyril dahil sa Underground Society na yan. Siya mismo, nakita niya kung paano mahirapan at masugatan si Cyril dahil sa pakikipaglaban at pakikipagbarilan. If her father is part of that society, does that mean his life is also in danger?
'No! Hindi pwedeng mapahamak si Papa! He wouldn't!'
Naiisip niya pa lang na nasusugatan at nalalagay sa panganib ang buhay ng Papa niya, hindi niya na mapigilang matakot. Paano pa kaya kung totoo nga ang sinasabi ni Cyril? Paano pa kaya pag parte nga ito ng organisasyon nila? Baka mabaliw din siya pag nawala ang Papa niya.
"You, being part of that society and put your life in danger almost makes me insane. Paano pa kaya pag si Papa? Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko, Cyril." umiiyak na bulong nito.
He doesn't know what to say. Hindi niya alam ang tamang salita na dapat niyang gamitin para mapatahan ang kasintahan. Nasasaktan siyang makita na umiiyak ito. Nasasaktan siya para dito.
"Don't think that way. If your father is really part of the organization, I'm sure that he is not just a follower. I think, he's more than that." malambing ang boses niya habang sinasabi ang mga salitang iyon. "Siguradong hindi lang basta basta ang Papa mo. I believe that your father is strong."
"But-" she didn't finish her sentence when something rings.
Lumayo si Athena kay Cyril at kinuha ang nagriring na phone sa side table.
"It's your phone." sabi nito sabay abot ng phone kay Cyril. Bago niya yun kinuha, pinulupot niya muna ang kamay sa beywang ng kasintahan at hinila ito paupo.
"Stay beside me." he whispered. Alam niya kasing lalabas si Athena kung hindi niya hahawakan.
"Isn't it-"
"Love, stay." there's begging in his voice. Kilala niya ang kasintahan. Alam niyang plano nitong lumabas dahil nirerespeto nito ang privacy niya but he doesn't need that privacy. He wants her to know everything about him.
Nginitian siya ni Athena. "Okay. I'll stay."
Bumawi siya ng ngiti dito at sinagot ang tawag. "What do you need?" diretsuhang tanong niya.
(Iho, it's me, Kevin Lee. Athena's father.)
Nanlaki ang mata ni Cyril sa narinig. Nilingon nito si Athena na nasa tabi niya at kunot noong nakatingin sa kaniya.
Saglit niyang inilayo ang phone before he whispered, "It's your father."
"Answer it." sagot na bulong rin ni Athena.
Muling inilapit ni Cyril ang phone at ni-loud speaker.
"Why?" he asked.
(What are your plans, iho? Can you tell me what is it?)
Nangunot ang noo ni Cyril. "Plans?"
(Yes. Plans. Your plans about the Diablos.)
His phone almost fall when he heard what Athena's father said.
'He know Diablos?!' Cyril thought.
(Tell me about it. Hihintayin ko kayo sa sarili niyong HQ. Main headquarters.) and Athena's father ended the call.
"What does Papa mean?" nalipat ang tingin niya kay Athena ng magtanong ito. Confusion is all over her face. "What is he talking about? Plans? What plans? Can I come with you?" sunod sunod na tanong nito.
He nodded. "Sure, baby. You can come. After all, you deserve to know the truth."
"Thank you. I should ready myself. I'm going to meet Papa." saad niya bago ulit nagtanong. "How about the word 'Diablos'? I heard that name many times and I don't like it. But that's one of a hell scary name. Who are they?"
"Remember when I told you that there's a ranking in the Underground Society?" he asked.
"Yes."
"My team ranks first and Diablos are the second. Sila ang madalas na kakompetensya namin. I can't count how many times they tried to kill us. Kill me."
Mukhang nagulat si Athena sa sinabi niya. "Kill you? Bakit naman? Anong kasalanan mo sa kanila?"
"I don't know. It's just that, that's how our world works. They want to take our position. They want to be the most strongest team in the Underground Society. And they see us as a threat. Gusto nila kaming patayin hindi lang dahil gusto nila ang posisyon namin kundi dahil natatakot silang pag nakuha na nila ay muli naming bawian. So to end all of their fears, they wanted to kill us. Finish us."
Cyril thought that Athena will be scared but the opposite happens. Kumuyom ang mga kamay nito at matatalim ang tingin. Ilang beses ding nagtangis ang bagang ng kasintahan.
She's completely looks like a different person.
"How dare they! Anong karapatan nilang patayin kayo dahil lang sa napakababaw na dahilan. I mean, bakit kailangan pang magkasakitan? Why they can't just be contented of the power they have?!"
Nanatili siyang nakatitig sa kasintahan habang patuloy ang pagtatangis ng bagang nito at matatalim ang tingin. Mukhang galit na galit talaga 'to. She's scary.
"Bullshit!" mas lalo siyang nagulat ng tuluyan na itong nagmura. Sinubukan niyang abutin ang kamay nito. "H-Hey, baby, calm down."
But Athena keeps on shaking her head and her hands are shaking in anger. "Naiinis ako! Sobra akong nagagalit sa kanila!" tumaas ang boses nito kaya napalunok siya.
'What will I do?'
He sighed before caressing her hand. "Just take a deep breath, baby." he keeps his voice gentle and soothing. Sinunod naman siya ni Athena. She took a loud and deep breath while her eyes are close. Pero walang nagbago sa galit niya. "I can't calm myself down."
Humawak na rin sa kamay niya si Athena. "Calm me down, baby."
Nagulat siya sa binulong ng kasintahan. Hindi niya inaasahang ito ang sasabihin ni Athena sa kaniya.
But after hearing what she said, he can't help to smirk. Walang sabi sabi niyang binuhat ang kasintahan at maingat pero mabilis na inilapag sa kama.
Agad itong napamulat at gulat na tumingin sa kaniya. "W-Wha-"
"Shhhh."
Athena swallowed when he come closer. To the point that they are just inch apart.
Agad na nawala sa isip ni Athena ang galit na naramdaman niya kanina. It feels like something just remove it immediately in her mind.
Bumaba ang mukha ni Cyril sa kaniyang leeg. And to her shock, he sniffed her. "Damn, baby. You smell so good."
"W-What are you doing? I-I said, calm me down not s-seduce me." sinubukan ni Athena na matalimin ang boses niya but it ended up softly and lowly.
Cyril raised his head. Bumungad kay Athena ang nakangisi nitong mukha.
"What? I didn't do anything yet."
Umiwas siya ng tingin. "T-Tumigil ka nga. H-Hindi ba pupuntahan pa natin si P-Papa?"
Agad na bumalik ang tingin niya kay Cyril ng mahina itong natawa. "Did it work?"
Kumunot ang kaniyang noo. "I did calm you down, baby."
Doon lang narealize ni Athena na napakalma na nga siya ni Cyril. Like he manipulated her emotions all of a sudden.
"Y-You're right."
Mas lalong natawa si Cyril sa sinabi ni Athena pero hindi parin siya lumalayo dito.
"Now, why don't we continue?"
"Continue w-what?"
Cyril didn't stop himself from smirking. "You know what I mean, baby."
Athena didn't answer. Umiwas lang ito ng tingin. "G-Get up. I-I'll cook you breakfast." pang iiba nito ng usapan.
But Cyril didn't give away. Hinawakan niya ito sa baba at iniharap sa kaniya. He stared at her magnificent eyes. "Fuck breakfast. You're all that I want."
Saglit na tumahimik at nagkatitigan ang dalawa. Namamawis ang kamay ni Athena at malalalim ang paghinga niya. She keeps on telling herself to push Cyril away but her body won't move.
She's rigid until her hand move on its own, crawling up to his neck. She's gently rubbing his nape without removing her eyes at Cyril.
"Athena..."
At that moment, she knew that her mind starts to become cloudy. Parang may sarili ng isip ang kaniyang katawan at kumilos iyon upang mapalapit kay Cyril.
And she pressed her lips to him.
Cyril immediately responded and move his hand to her cheek while his other hand slide to her waist.
"Hmm..."
Cyril rolled them over, making them change their position. This time, Athena's on top while Cyril is under her.
Nagsimula ng maging mapusok si Cyril. His lips travelled down to Athena's jaw up to her neck. He nip, lick, suck and kiss her neck.
"Ohhh..."Athena tilted her head to give him more access.
"Ahhh!" malakas na sigaw ni Athena ng kagatin ni Cyril ang kaniyang leeg. But he immediately lick it to removed the sting away.
Cyril's hand creep to the edge of her shirt and starts to move, trying to remove her upper cloth.
And when he successfully removed her shirt, she can't help but to close her eyes. Bra na lang ang tumatakip sa pang itaas niyang katawan.
She felt embarrassed but totally not stopping. "Shit!" she exclaimed when she felt Cyril's hand touching her tummy. Slowly making circles.
Mas lalong lumalim ang kaniyang paghinga dahil sa ginagawa ng kasintahan. Parang unti unti nitong tinatanggal ang katinuan sa kaniyang isipan.
"Ohhh...Uhmm…"
Nanatiling nakabukas ang kaniyang bibig na parang doon humihinga pero nakapikit ang mata. Hindi niya na alam kung saan ibabaling ang atensiyon ng dahan dahang gumapang ang kamay ni Cyril papunta sa kaniyang likuran. Hinahanap ang lock ng kaniyang natitirang takip sa pang itaas na katawan.
Hindi parin ito tumigil sa paghahalik sa kaniyang leeg na unti unti ring bumababa. Until it reaches her collarbone.
"Cyril!" malakas na sabi niya ng dilaan nito ang kaniyang collarbone.
Pero hindi tumigil si Cyril sa ginagawa. He keeps on nipping and sucking every part of her. Till he finally arrived at the place he wants to go. At the lock of her brassiere.
Ramdam ni Athena ang malalalim ring paghinga ni Cyril na tahimik simula ng magsimula sila. Hanggang sa tuluyan itong nagsalita. "I love you."
Hindi niya magawang sumagot dito dahil sinubukan na nitong tanggalin ang natitirang saplot niya sa itaas pero bago niya pa iyon magawa ay may isturbong tumunog.
But Cyril didn't stop. Nagpatuloy sa pagtanggal ng bra ni Athena. Pero sadyang parang gusto silang pigilan ng nag iingay na cellphone.
"Y-your phone." Athena whispered. "Don't mind it." there's a frustration on his voice.
Gustong magdiwang ni Cyril ng tumigil ang tumutunog niyang phone pero para siyang pinagbagsakan ng langit ng muli iyong tumunog.
"C-Cyril, your p-phone." she spoke but he didn't listen. Sinubukan ng itulak ni Athena si Cyrild dahil hindi tumigil sa kaka-ring ang cellphone nito.
"Answer your phone." this time, she made her voice commanding.
Walang nagawa si Cyril kundi ang bumitaw kay Athena. He let out a loud frustrated sigh.
Umalis si Athena sa ibabaw ni Cyril at agad na hinila ang kumot para kumutan ang sarili. Doon lang napagtanto ni Athena na kung hindi dahil sa tumunog na cellphone, baka may nangyari na.
Curil pull himself up and sit beside Athena. Bago nito inabot ang cellphone na walang tigil sa kaka-ring ay inayos niya muna ang kumot na nakataklob kay Athena.
And with that gesture, Athena smile. "I'm fine. Go, answer your phone. Baka importanteng tawag yan."
"That should really be important." may talim na sagot ni Cyril bago sinagot ang tawag ng hindi tinitignan ang caller.
"What do you need?!" he exclaimed.
'Whoa! Calm down, Mark.' Brent's voice answered.
Umayos naman ng upo si Cyril. "Fuck you. Anong kailangan mo? Make sure that what you'll about to say is important because I will skin you alive if it's not!"
He heard Brent's deep sigh. 'This is important, bro.'
Ng marinig ni Cyril ang pagkaseryoso sa boses ni Brent, doon lang siya kumalma. "What is it?"
'Pumunta ka na dito ngayon sa headquarter! Ngayon na! As in, right now!'
"And why?"
'Because Athena's father is here!'
Napatayo si Cyril sa narinig. "What the fuck did you say?"
'Ang sabi ko, Athena's father is h-' he cut Brent. "I heard it!"
'Narinig mo naman pala, bakit nagtatanong ka pa?'
"Fuck you, Brent! Fuck you!" malutong na mura niya dito. 'No! Hindi tayo talo, bro! Kadiri ka!'
Ng wala na siyang makuhang matinong sagot nito ay binabaan niya na ito ng tawag at muling napaupo.
"Si Brent ba yun? Anong sabi niya?" nalipat ang tingin niya kay Athena. She's holding the blanket tightly like someone's gonna stole it from her.
He move his hand to touch her cheeks. "Get ready, baby. We're going to meet your father."
----
"I'm nervous." rinig na rinig nga ang kaba sa boses ni Athena.
They are in his car right now. Papunta silang Main Headquarter and he's trying to compose himself.
"Don't be. Andito lang ako." he whispered. Kinuha ng kanan niyang kamay ang kaliwa na kamay ni Athena. Nilapag niya yun sa kambyo ng hindi parin ito binibitawan.
Nanlalamig ang kamay ni Athena. She knew her father. She may look gently but he's actually ruthless. Especially on their business. Mahigpit talaga ito pag trabaho na ang pinag uusapan.
But she's nervous not because of her father but because of the things that she'll know.
Natatakot siyang malaman ang katotohanan. Natatakot siya sa mga pwede niyang malaman.
"Just calm down and take a deep breath. Always remember that I'm just here. I'm not going anywhere. You can always hold my hand if your scared or nervous, okay?" Cyril's voice is soothing. He's trying again to calm her down.
Bumuntong hininga muna si Athena bago siya sumagot. "Okay."
"Good."
Tahimik sila buong biyahe pero hindi binitawan ni Cyril ang kaniyang kamay. Pag muli yung nanlalamig ay nararamdaman niya ang mabagal na paghaplos haplos nito sa kaniyang palad.
And finally, they arrived.
Unang bumaba sa sasakyan si Cyril at pinagbukasan ng pinto si Athena. Inilahad niya ang kamay niya rito. "Let's go, my queen."
Hindi maiwasang matawa ni Athena sa itinawag sa kaniya ng kasintahan. At kahit papaano ay humupa ang kabang namumuo sa kaniyang dibdib. "Thank you, my king." balik na sagot nito.
Mahinang natawa rin si Cyril sa sinabi ng kasintahan.
Ng makababa ito ay isinara niya ang sasakyan at humarap dito. Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang magkabilang kamay nito at pinatitigan sa mata. "Mahal kita. Kahit anong mangyari, lagi mong iisipin na mahal na mahal kita."
Natigilan siya sa binaggit ni Cyril pero sinagot niya parin ito. "Mahal din kita. Mahal na mahal."
Cyril answered with a smile before starting to walk with her.
May inilabas ito saglit at itinapat sa detector sa may gilid ng pintong bakal.
*Black. Confirmed.*
At ganun na lang ang gulat niya ng dahan dahang bumukas ang pinto at bumungad sa kaniya ang malawak at sobrang ganda na sala. Maglalakad na sana siya papasok ng pigilan siya ni Cyril.
"Just a minute, baby."
Inilabas ni Cyril ang kaniyang phone at tinawagan si Brent. When he answered, Cyril didn't let him speak.
"Make sure to turn off every danger in our headquarter."
Tanging sabi niya at binaba na ang tawag. He needs to make Athena safe.
Binalik niya ang tingin kay Athena na halatang excited ng pumasok sa loob. "I'm done. Shall we?"
Mabilis na tumango sa kaniya si Athena at nagmamadaling pumasok sa loob.
'I didn't expect that this would be her first reaction in seeing our headquarter.'
Cyril laugh mentally before following her. At natigil siya sa paglalakad ng marating niya si Athena. Nakatayo ito na para bang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig habang nakatingin sa harapan. He looked at where she was looking and there he saw him.
Kevin Lee. Athena's father.
He's sitting comfortably but immediately stands up when he saw his daughter. "P-Princess? Anong ginagawa mo dito?"
"Don't worry, Dad. I know everything. I know that you're here."
Nilapitan ni Kevin ang anak. "H-How did you know?"
Hindi pa man nakakasagot si Athena ay nalipat na ang tingin ng ama nito kay Cyril na kampateng nakatayo sa likuran ni Athena.
"You told her everything?" he asked Cyril, coldly.
"Yes. I don't keep secrets from her." malamig ding sagot ni Cyril. He didn't even bother to remove his penetrating stare at Athena's father.
"Including the things that you have done?" mas panunuyang tanong ng ama ng kasintahan. At hindi niya yun nagustuhan. "Yes. I told her everything. Even the monstrous things that I have done."
Saglit siyang tinignan nito ng matalim bago binalik ang tingin kay Athena na nananatiling tahimik. "And you stayed with him?"
"I did, Papa. I accepted everything that he told me. I accepted him, Papa. The good side or the bad side, I accepted it."
"Then..." he stopped for a second before continuing. "that's good!"
Biglang nagbago ang reaksiyon nito sa mukha. From being cold to happily smiling.
Nangungunot ang noo na tinitigan ni Athena ang ama. "You're not angry?"
Tumawa ito. "Why would I?" sagot nito at malaks ulit na tumawa. "This is what I've been waiting for! For you to know the truth. The truth that your Mother and I kept from you for a very very long time."
Humakbang ito palapit kay Cyril at tinapik ang balikat nito. "Thanks for telling her, iho. Kahit papaano ay gumaan ang dibdib ko dahil sa ginawa mo."
There's a confusion on everybody's faces.
At mas lalong natawa ang ama ni Athena dahil sa mga hindi mabayarang reaksiyon nila. "I'm just testing them, okay?" nakataas ang kamay na sabi niya.
"Don't worry, iho. I'm on your side." saad nito kay Cyril na nanatiling tahimik.
Naglakad palayo si Kevin at bumalik sa pagkaka upo. Tinignan niya isa isa ang mga batang nasa harapan niya, kasama na roon ang kaniyang anak. "Who wants to know the whole truth? Just sit and enjoy my story."
Mabilis silang nagsi-upo. Magkakatabi sila Michael, Christian at Brent sa mahabang couch samantalang sa may carpet umupo si Athena at nasa kaniyang likuran si Cyril.
His arms are wrapped around her waist.
Mahinang natawa ang ama ni Athena ng makita niya ang pagseseryoso nilang lahat. They look like they really wants to listen.
"Okay. So the story starts when I meet my wife."
Athena's father sit back and he feels like he's brought back to the past.
"I was just 19 at that time and Althea's only 17. My family have this organization that is passed through generations and at that time, my father was the one who manages and own that organization. And of course, I'm the only son so I'm their heir. Nung una, ayaw ko talaga. I mean, I don't know a thing about what should I do, how should I manage that organization if one day I'll own it. But my father keeps on telling me that I shouldn't break our culture. Kaya wala akong lakas ng loob na suwayin ang gusto ng aking ama. And because I already accepted the fact that I'll be the one who will manage that organization, lagi akong sumasama kay Papa, sa Lolo ni Athena. I learned and learned and learned until I get used to it and starts to like it." hindi mapigilang ngumiti ng ama ni Athena habang nagkwekwento.
"And while learning, I saw this very cool woman wearing a black denim jacket, black ripped jeans and helled black highed boots. She looks so young yet so mature. She got my attention for the very first time that I saw here. Ilang araw ko siyang sinubaybayan at inabangan. Hanggang sa malaman ko na siya pala ang nangunguna sa hinahawakan ng organization namin. If in ranking, she ranks number one. Hinangaan ko siya ng sobra and after some days, I just found myself being incomplete when I don't see her. Until I realized that I fall in love with that girl. Pero wala akong lakas ng loob na kausapin siya. But then, I also realized that I only live once so I decided to go near her and ask her name." he stopped for a while. "And you know what she answered?" pambibitin nito.
"What?" they said in chorus.
"Althea Pantas." Kevin looked at Athena. Her expression is shock. "Yes, princess. It's your Mama."
"Mama is what? Ranks number one?!"
"Yes, princess. Your Mama is so cool, right?" ngiting ngiti na sagot ng ama ni Athena na para bang nasa harapan lang nito ang kaniyang asawa.
His eyes and smile looks so inlove.
"Nagkasundo kaming dalawa at mas lalo ko siyang nakilala. She's bubbly and cheerful. Hindi mo aakalaing magaling siyang makipaglaban. And because of that, I fall deeper. Mas lalo kung minahal ang Mama mo. She's already part of my life." saglit itong tumigil at napayuko habang magkahawak ang dalawang kamay. "But the time comes. Dumating ang araw na kailangan ko ng manahin ang organisasyon. At ang mas mahirap pa doon ay hindi ko pa nasasabi sa Mama mo na ang pamilya namin ang namumuno sa kinabibilangan niyang organisasyon. I have a dangerous life and I don't want her to be involved. But I didn't know that she already know. Ng minsang kausapin ko siya, doon niya lang inamin na matagal niya na palang alam. Of course, I become scared. Natatakot akong iwan niya ako dahil tinago ko sa kaniya yun..."
He stopped and raised his head. "But she didn't." tumingin ito kay Athena na kanina pa lumuluha. "Your Mama didn't left me. Inintindi niya ako. Hindi niya ako hinusgahan. At mas lalo ko siyang minahal dahil doon. She said that there are thousands of reasons for her to leave me but she will still find a one reason out of that thousands for her to stay by my side." Athena's father smiles.
"Mahal na mahal namin ni Althea ang isa't isa at nung tumungtong kami sa tamang edad, niyaya ko siyang magpakasal." namasa ang mata niya habang nagkwekwento. "And you know what, I'm the happiest man alive when your Mama said yes."
Mahigpit na yumakap kay Cyril si Athena habang umiiyak. She's not expecting any of this. Akala niya normal lang silang pamilya. Kahit kailan hindi niya naisip na ganung klase ang Mama niya. Her Mama acts and moves normal. Na para bang hindi ito nanguna sa mga ganung labanan tulad ng kwento ng kaniyang Papa.
"After we got married, your mother left the organization. Umalis siya sa kaniyang rank but she didn't know that she will become the queen. The queen of the organization. Our organization."
Pinilit ni Athena ang sarili na kumalma. She wants to listen to her father attentively. She wants to know everything.
"And the organization that we own is also the one that Cyril was talking about." her father whispered. Saglit siyang natigilan sa narinig. "D-Did I heard you r-right?" she confusedly asked.
Her father looked directly into her eyes and nod his head. "Yes, princess. You heard it right." huminga muna ng malalim ang kaniyang ama bago ito muling nagsalita.
"Your mother and I own the organization. The same society Cyril was talking about. We are the King and the Queen of the Underground Society."
Athena frozed but what her father added made her completely lost her mind. "So basically, you are our heir. You're the Princess of Underground Society, Athena."