Promise To A Stardust (Published Under Flutter Fic)
Kabanata 21
Kabanata 21
WALA akong maramdaman. Tila namanhid ang katawan ko, nakatulala lang sa basag na baso sa paahan ko.
"Reev?" he paused. "Fuck!"
Natauhan lang ako nang maramdamang may bumuhat sa akin paalis sa nagkalat na bubog at pinaupo ako sa couch.
"Reev! What happened, babe?" Lumuhod si Cas sa harapan ko ang sinapo ang mukha ko. "Why are you crying? Nabubog ka ba? Saan? Let me see–"
"C-Cas..." Nanginig ang boses ko.
"Saan, Reev?" He panicked. Hinaplos niya ang pisngi ko at sumulyap sa paa ko para suriin kung may sugat ba ako.
"B-balik na tayo..." I trembled.
"Balik saan?" Kunot ang noo pa rin niyang sinusuri ang paa ko. "Saan ang masakit–"
"Cas, si R-Riu..."
His back stiffened. Dagling nag-angat siya ng tingin at dumilim ang ekspresyon.
"What happened to Sirius?"
"He was k-kidnapped," mas nadurog ang boses ko't patuloy na humikbi.
"What? How..."
"P-phone," I muttered. Tumayo siya, tinakbo ang phone na nabitawan ko rin para iabot sa 'kin. I opened it and noticed the way he trembled as he watched the short clip of him.
"Who did this?" he clenched and unclenched his jaw in anger.
Umiling ako. "Dad was ambushed. They took Riu. Cas, they took Riu!"
His jaw ticked. Muli niyang binalikan ang video.
"Cheska," he uttered in pure disgust. "That bitch."
"Cas, si R-Riu..."
Ang anak natin...
"Akong bahala." Sinapo niya ang mukha ko. "Do you trust me, Reev? We'll save Riu, okay?"
I nodded, giving him all my trust.
He sighed and nodded, pressing a kiss on my forehead.
"The chopper will be here in ten minutes, kunin mo na ang mga gamit na kailangan mo." He dialed his phone and talked to someone. "Vioxx, in the island, please. Emergency."
Wala ako sa sarili na naglalakad, walang direksyon at tila lumulutang. Hindi rin nagtagal ay inaakay na ako ni Caspian patungo sa chopper.
I'm so confused.
Anak? What is he saying?
Does he mean once I adopted him or... was it biological?
Paano? Si Castor?
My head throbbed. Ipinatong ni Cas ang jacket niya sa balikat ko at inakay ako papalapit sa kanya.
He updated me on what happened. Dad and Riu are planning to go the mall. Ipapasyal daw sana ng ama ang bata nang papunta na sila'y nagkaroon daw ng aksidente kaya sa iba sila dumaan nang biglang may humarang sa kotse.
They ambushed Dad along with his men and forcefully took my son.
"These bastards," he was controlling his anger. "I hired the best fucking men to look after Riu at ano? Naisahan din sila?" He was gritting his teeth in anger.
"How... you had security for Riu?"
Tumango siya.
"Cheska is crazy, along with her whole family." He shook his head. "She's been secretly conspiring on Casa Amara's investors to work against me. 'Yon ang dahilan kung bakit abala ako, I'm sorry, Reev. Hindi ko masabi. She..." He ran his fingers in his hair in frustration. "She's using her family's connection to save herself and evade the cases I filed against her."
"Is that..." I looked at him knowingly.
He nodded.
"They set your father up for the investment, embezzled funds, and blamed it on him. They used it so they could find a way to get to you, to cover their tracks."
Napapikit ako nang mariin. Niyakap niya ako.
"I'm close to the truth, Reev. We'll save Riu and I promise, they will root and die in jail. I swear in my life, you and our son will get the justice you deserve."
Pinagaan niya ang pakiramdam ko nang impormahin niyang may mga tauhan na siyang nakaantabay kung saan dinala si Riu. They easily tracked his location, undetected.
"They're asking you to go alone," ani Cas. "They shouldn't know you told me. I can't come with you without putting Riu's safety in jeopardy so you have to trust me, okay? I got you."
"Wala bang makakaalam?" I asked. "I'm riding in this chopper. Malalaman nilang kay Vioxx 'to."
"We're landing in private airspace," aniya. "We'll be undetected. If they asked how you got there quickly, tell them you were able to fool me. Na may iba kang idinahilan."
We reached Casa Amara in no time, mabilis na bumaba si Caspian sa helicopter at inalalayan ako.
Bumaba rin si Vioxx na tinanguan ako.
"Nasa baba na rin si Lucian," ani Vioxx na sumaludo pa.
Pagbaba ay naro'n na nga si Lucian sa SUV, nakapamulsa habang nag-aantay. He's serious and when he saw us approaching, dagli siyang tumango at nanguna na.
I'm nervous the whole ride but my determination to save Riu overpowers the fear.
Cas was talking to Dad who was currently with the medics due to his injury. Pagkatapos ay ang tauhan naman niya ang kausap.
"Track Cheska and Claude, wherever the fuck they are," mariing sinabi ni Caspian sa telepono.
What? Wala sila kay Riu?
I watched Caspian and when I saw his palm was trembling, inabot ko 'yon at hinaplos.
His shoulders loosened. Bumaling siya sa 'kin. I squeezed his hand.
"Make sure the child safe," mariing sinabi niya. "Don't fuck this up again."
Iritadong pinatay niya ang tawa.
"Kumalma ka, Alcantara," ani Lucian.
"You can't tell me to calm down when Sirius is in danger!" His voice thundered. Muli kong pinisil ang kamay niya.
"Baka mapatay mo na niyan si Claude, a?" Komento ni Vioxx.
Nanatili namang tahimik at kunot ang noo si Caspian habang pinapakinggan ang pinsan.
"Calm down. Paanong mapapanatag si Polaris kung miski ikaw 'di kalmado? Calm down and don't do anything that would stir trouble. Makukulong ka na naman niyan."
I froze.
"M-makukulong?" I repeated. Natahimik ang dalawa sa harapan, nang sumulyap ako kay Cas ay nag-iwas siya ng tingin.
"It's nothing," he dismissed.
"You were jailed?!" I exclaimed.
He was about to answer but paused when he realized we were at Dad's mansion.
Pagbaba ay sinalubong kami kaagad ng mga unipormadong lalaki. Dad whose clothes are still stained with blood was talking to Warrion. Napaayos siya pagkakita sa 'kin.
"Polaris," he murmured.
Warrion nodded, lumapit si Caspian sa kanya, nag-usap ang dalawa habang ako naman ay kinakabahan, lalo na nang lumapit sa akin si Daddy na naiiyak at dinala ko sa gilid kung saan walang tao.
"Anak, I'm so sorry..." Nanginig ang boses niya "Kasalanan ko kung bakit nawala si Sirius."
"What happened? And what did you say on the phone?" I asked, panicking.
"Riu was crying, he wanted to go to the mall. Pinagbigyan ko. On our way to the mall, may banggaan daw so we had to look for another way then there... may humarang sa sasakyan. We were ambushed, Lars. Marami sila. They outnumbered my men." He sighed and shook his head.
"I didn't know Caspian hired people to look after Riu, too. Naisahan din sila. Because we changed our way, they sent a decoy for them to assume it was our car. But it isn't."
Mariin akong napapikit, hinihilot ang sentido.
"And son..." I breathed. "How is he my son?"
He swallowed painfully. In his eyes, I saw uneasiness, regret, and apologies.
"T-they were twins, Lars," he confessed.
My lips parted as my heart sank.
"T-twins?" Pumiyok ako.
"Y-yes, Polaris." He sighed. "C-Castor died but... but Sirius lived."
"Oh, God!" My knees buckled. Dad held me for an embrace.
"I'm sorry, Lars. I'm sorry. I-I just want you both safe. I'm sorry."
"Sirius is my son," I whispered. "And I didn't even k-know..."
"I'm sorry," he repeated. "Caspian had no idea, too."
I looked at him.
"He suspected it. I was informed he tried to have a DNA test with Riu pero hinarang ko." I stared at him with dismay. "I fabricated the results. He thought Riu wasn't his."
"I can't believe you did this to us," I uttered in disappointment.
"Lars..." pakiusap niya. "This is the only way I know to k-keep Riu safe. If the Estradas found out, t-they'd hurt him, too."
Umiling lang ako, natigil nang marinig ang pagtunog ng phone.
My jaw clenched when I recognized the unknown number.
"Alcantara," Dad called Caspian.
Naalarma si Cas pagkakita sa itsura ko kaya nag-iwas ako.
"Someone is calling her," ani Dad.
Bumaba ang tingin ni Cas sa phone ko. He reached for me and held me to the couch. He motioned everyone to stay silent.
Nang magtagpo ang mata namin ay tumango siya. I answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Polaris, missed me?" I gritted my teeth when I heard her voice.
"Cheska," I called her with disdain.
"Yes! How did you know, hmm?" She mocked.
I controlled my anger and kept calm.
"Where is Sirius?" I muttered.
"Oh, your nephew here is still alive. Don't worry, hindi ko pa naman papatayin," natawa siya.
"Don't you dare touch the kid, Estrada." I fisted my palms. "Ano'ng klaseng tao ka na mismong ang batang walang alam, dinadamay mo?"
"You love this precious little bastard, huh?" Tumawa siya. "You must have remembered your deceased child to him? Kawawa naman kasi 'yong anak mo, ni hindi man lang nasilayan ang mundo."
"Leave him the fuck alone!" Giit ko.
"Not too fast, Polaris." She laughed. "I will send you the location and you will go here, alone. Isang pagkakamali lang at malaman kong may pinasunod ka, I woudn't hesitate to put my bullet in his little skull."
"What do you need from me?" Nanghihina man ay nakaya ko iyong sabihin.
"Simple, your life." Magaan niyang sagot. "Ikaw naman talaga ang dahilan kung bakit nagkandapeste-peste ako ngayon, e! Caspian is mine! But you came into the picture and stole him from me!"
Nagkatinginan kami ni Caspian na nakaigting ang panga. He shook his head and massaged his temple.
"If you died, e 'di sana tapos na! But no! You came back from the dead! I thought I got rid of you and that pest of the child of yours but no! Para kang multong ginulo na naman kami ni Caspian!"
She's crazy.
"Pupunta ako r'yan," I said coldly. "Sumunod ka sa usapan at susunod rin ako. Touch Sirius and I will kill you with my bare hands, Cheska."
"Oh? Scary!" She mocked. "Poor Polaris is strong now, huh? Hindi porket na sa 'yo si Caspian ay akala mo kaya mo na. He left you remember? Baka nakakalimutan mo? Niloloko ka pa rin niyan hanggang ngayon!"
Napatingin ako kay Caspian nang abutin niya ang kamay ko. He shook his head, his eyes pleading for me to believe him.
"I know..." Malamig kong sabi.
Pain flickered in his eyes. Nagbaba siya ng tingin. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa phone.
"Don't waste your time, Polaris. Come here in exchange for your nephew or I'll kill him. If I found out that you disclosed this information to him, o kahit sino, say goodbye to your Sirius."
She ended the call, nagkatinginan naman kami ni Caspian at mabilis akong tumayo at binitawan ang kamay niya.
"Let's go," I said.
Everyone's ready, the plan's already underway. It was Warrion instructing his men with Vioxx. Si Lucian ay nasa labas, nakaabang sa sasakyan at si Wave ay seryoso habang may kausap sa phone, nakapamulsa at tumatango.
My forehead creased when I noticed Caspian's nowhere to be seen. Muli akong pumasok at naabutan siyang inaayos ang mga baril. Mabibigat ang kilos niya. I could see the tension rolling in his shoulders, he's stiff and silent.
Lumapit ako at hinaplos ang braso niya.
He stiffened. Naging mabilis ang pagharap niya sa 'kin, alerto at madilim ang tingin pero nang matantong ako 'yon ay naglaho.
"Reev..." he rasped.
I sighed. "Mag-iingat ka. Make sure Riu is unharmed, hmm?"
He nodded.
"I will. You too." Inabot niya ang pisngi ko. "Ikaw ang mauuna sa warehouse. Our men already had their way inside. They informed us Cheska just got ther."
My heart sank. "And R-Riu?"
"They have eyes on him. He will be safe, I promise."
I nodded. Nahulog ang talukap ko nang idinikit niya ang noo sa 'kin. I felt his breath against my lips.
"This is all my fault," pag-aako niya. "I promise to keep you and Riu safe. I swear in my life, R-Reev. Kahit 'di mo na ako tanggapin ulit, ipapangako kong wala nang makakapanakit muli sa inyo."
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
THEY let me ride a car disguised as a cab to the warehouse. I kept praying for my star and everyone's safety on my way, my need to protect him was so strong it overpowers fear.
Of course, I'm terrified. But right now, his safety is my priority.
I will not fail again, anak. I will protect you with my life.
Castor, please guide us. Help us get your twin brother, unharmed.
I stepped inside the warehouse where two men are waiting. Itinaas at itinutok nila ang baril pagkakita sa 'kin.
"Hinahanap ako ni Cheska," I informed.
Tumango sila at pinasadahan ako ng tingin.
"Polaris? Polaris Reyes?" Tanong no'ng kalbo.
"Yes," I nodded.
"Sige, ipasok 'to!"
They pushed me inside the warehouse, umiikot ang tiyan ko sa halong nararamdaman.
The dimmed lights and the stack of large boxes inside made it look creepier.
"Well, well, well, the bitch is here..." My jaw clenched when I heard that voice.
Nagpunta si Cheska sa gitna, sa likuran niya'y mga lalaking naglalakihan din.
"Nasaan si Sirius?" I demanded.
"May kasunod ba ito rito?" ani Cheska na binalingan ang mga lalaki.
"Clear, Ma'am," he confirmed.
"Good, sumusunod ka sa usapan." She smiled wickedly at me and raised her brow. Maya-maya pa ay nakarinig ako ng mga pag-iyak at sigaw at halos madurog ang puso ko nang makita ang pagkaladkad nila sa nagwawalang si Riu.
"Don't hurt him!" I exclaimed, horrified.
"Mimi!" Sirius was screaming. "M-Mimi! M-Mimi, help!" He cried.
"Nandito na 'ko! Let him go!" I demanded but stopped when I felt people gripping my arms para 'di ako magpumiglas.
"D-Don't hurt my Mimi!" Sirius screamed, kicking the men restraining him.
He was mortified but I could see the bravery in his eyes.
"I'm here now!" I looked at Cheska. "Kunin n'yo na ako at pakawalan ang bata! Ako ang kailangan n'yo, 'di ba?"
She looked at me with humor.
"It's really fun seeing you beg, huh? Too bad I haven't seen you getting beaten by those men with the pipe in person while you're begging for your life and son."
"You're a devil!" I exclaimed. "Wala kang puso!"
"That's my middle name." Tumawa siya.
I know Caspian and his team are here now. I was their distraction. I toughened myself.
"Let Sirius go! H'wag mo siyang idamay rito!" sigaw ko.
"Uh-huh?" Ngumisi siya. I froze when I saw her pulling a gun and placing it on Sirius head.
Doon na ako nawala sa sarili.
"Don't!" I screamed, nagpumiglas akong lalo pero tuwang-tuwa lang si Cheska, lalo na no'ng nanatiling nakatitig sa 'kin si Riu, mapungay ang lumuluhang mga mata. "No, p-please..."
"M-Mimi! Mimi, l-love ko po kayo ni Papa..." Sirius murmured, crying.
"Don't say that, Sirius!" I exclaimed. "We'll get out of here! Uuwi pa tayo, 'di ba? Uuwi tayo..." I reassured, hoping it would help.
He was terrified.
"That was heartwarming." Cheska grinned.
Nakita kong nasa ikalawang palapag ng warehouse si Warrion habang hawak ang sniper. I even saw Caspian sneaking through the back door, a gun in his hand kaya mas pumiglas ako para ma-distract sila.
Riu's eyes widened. He probably noticed his Tito upstairs. I gave him a look, he understood it as he cried harder.
"Mimi!" He was now wailing, distracting everyone.
"Let him go!" I demanded, staring intently at Cheska who smirked and pulled the gun away from my son's head.
"Alright. I want more thrill later with you too, anyway," she muttered with a satisfied grin. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag.
"Lars, tell Riu to duck now," Warrion's voice echoed in the earpiece kaya bumaling ako kay Riu at sumigaw.
"Lower your head, Sirius!" I exclaimed as my son lowered his head and used the man beside him as a shield, narinig ko ang pagputok.
"Ma'am, sa itaas!" Sigawan ng mga lalaki.
"Shit!" Cheska cursed when a bullet grazed her arm.
Everyone's panicking and he used it as a chance to bite the hand of the goon holding him. Nabitawan niya ito.
"Run, Riu!" I exclaimed.
"'Yong bata!" Sigawan nila. Sirius ran to Caspian's direction on his way to us. Napanatag lang ako nang maitago ni Caspian ang anak sa likuran niya.
It was my chance. I could feel the grips on my arm loosening kaya tinapakan ko ang paa no'ng isang may hawak kaya nabitawan ako pero nahaltak ng isa pabalik at sinikmuraan.
Pakiramdam ko'y mauubusan ako ng hangin sa lakas no'n. My knees felt weak as they grabbed me away.
"Fuck!" Cheska continued screaming when bullets rained her way.
"Reev!" Caspian's voice echoed.
You can do it, Polaris! Wake up!
Humugot ako ng hininga at kinuha lahat ng inipong lakas at inangat ang kamao. I punched the other goons face so hard I felt the pain on my fists. Hinaltak ako ng isa at nasa akmang pagsampal pero nakaiwas ako at sinuntok din siya.
This is for my son!
I caught and did my best to twist the other one's arm and aimed my leg to knee him in between his thighs. It was effective. He fell, groaning in pain. Tumilapon ang hawak niyang baril.
Napansin kong napatayo na ang isa, akmang susugod kaya walang pagdadalawang-isip na hinablot ko ang baril sa lapag at itinutok sa kanya.
"Ano? Kaya mo ba?" natatawang pang-aasar pa nito.
I looked at him darkly and pulled the safety off.
He stiffened.
"H'wag–"
I lowered the gun and aimed for his leg, pulling the trigger.
Umalingawngaw ang sigaw niya pero wala na akong maramdamang awa. It was all pure rage and survival. I don't care.
Caspian was firing a gun, using his body as a shield protecting Riu in his back, covering his ears. Nakakabingi ang ingay no'n kaya awang-awa ako sa anak.
I did my best to help, I fired a gun even if I missed a lot of times. Swerte na lang kung may matatamaan.
Cheska was injured but she is good with guns that she fought them off.
"Papa!" I tensed when Riu's voice echoed. Paglingon ko'y umawang ang labi nang makitang nakahawak si Caspian sa braso at nagkalat ang pula ro'n dahil sa dugo. His gun fell far from him.
May humatak sa 'kin habang distracted ako. I was caught off guard for a moment but found my footing and smacked his face with my gun.
Natumba siya't gumulong ang baril sa lapag. Just as he was about to reach it, I kicked it toward Caspian's direction who quickly retrieved it and aimed expertly at the other goons.
Tutulong sana ako pero may humatak sa kamay ko, paglingon ko ay nakita ko ang mga tauhan ni Daddy na pilit na akong inilalayo sa gulo.
"Si Cheska!" I exclaimed when I saw her running towards the exit in the back. "No! Let me go!"
"Ma'am, mapapahamak po kayo!" Hila sa akin ng mga tauhan at kahit anong laban ko ay nakuha na nila ako.
"Sina Caspian!" I chanted but they reassured me they'll be okay.
Hindi ako mapirmi. Nakaabang si Dad sa labas na kaagad nagliwanag ang mukha pagkakita sa 'kin.
"Nasaktan ka ba, Polaris? Ang apo ko?"
"He's still inside! With Caspian! Tutulong ako–"
"No! Stay here!"
"That's my son, Dad! Caspian is still inside!" Pilit ko pero 'di nila ako pinapayagan.
More men got inside and I couldn't stop pacing back and forth, worrying about them.
I'm very emotional. Hindi ko alam kung ilang santo na ang tinawag ko habang nag-aantay. Napaayos lang ako nang makita ang paglabas ng mga tauhan ng Dad at ni Caspian.
They're injured.
Kumalabog ang puso ko nang makita si Warrion at Vioxx na lumabas. Iniikot ko ang tingin ko at nakita rin si Lucian at Wave. Mas bumigat ang pakiramdam ko, may hinahanap ang mga mata pero wala sila rito.
"A-ang anak ko?! Si Caspian?!" I asked them with panic.
Before Warrion could answer, I saw the two people I'd been looking at going out of the warehouse.
Buhat-buhat ni Caspian si Sirius sa bisig niya.
Mabilis akong tumakbo at sinalubong sila. I saw fresh blood dripping from Caspian's head. His shirt is drench with blood, too.
"Cas..."
"H-he's safe," ani Caspian na inililipat sa akin si Sirius.
"Mimi!" Sirius exclaimed, crying. Mahigpit kong niyakap ang anak na sumiksik sa leeg ko.
"You're safe... you're safe," I chanted repeatedly, touching his back.
My gaze clashed with Caspian's green ones. Maputlang-maputla siya, nawawalan na ng kulay ang labi at nakahawak ang palad sa braso.
"Y-you..."
"D-don't worry, he's unharmed," ulit niya, akala'y tinutukoy ko ang anak.
"Ikaw, n-nasaktan ka," I breathed. His eyes glistened and that's when he melted. Suminghap ako nang lumapit siya at idinantay ang ulo sa balikat ko bago inangat ang braso, mahigpit kaming niyayapos sa bisig niya.
"W-we're safe..." He murmured on my neck. Riu sniffed.
"T-thank, God..." I trembled.
I put my hand on Caspian's nape as I held Sirius more. Mas nanghina ako at napayapa ang loob, mahigpit na niyayakap ang mag-ama ko.
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