Russian Requiem (Book 2 of RR Trilogy)

Requiem #7

Chapter 7

(Date)

"What happened to you?" Walang emosyong tanong niya habang nagbabasa ng mga report. Sa harap ng kanyang office table ay nakatayo ang nakatungong si Danny.

"We fought the other day... and he injured my face."

Doon lamang siya nag-angat ng tingin rito.

"Show me your face." Direstong utos niya.

Dahan dahan na nag-angat ng tingin si Danny sa kanya. Bakas sa mukha nito ang pagkadismaya at hiya maliban sa pasa nito sa mata at sa gilid ng pisngi.

"Why did you show up to me late?" Nakahalukipkip niyang tanong. Prente lamang siyang nakasandal sa kanyang upuan.

Aambang magbaba ng tingin si Danny ngunit galit niyang sinigawan ito.

"Don't look down, you bastard!"

Umayos ng tayo ang kaharap at pilit na tumitingin ng diretso sa kanya. Ngunit alam nilang pareho na takot itong magalit siya.

"Are you going to answer my question or not?" Ngitngit ang ngipin na tanong niya.

"I-I had to cool down for a while after my encounter with Clade Ivanov before I show myself to you. I know how much of a disappointment I am." Guilty'ng sagot nito.

Umismid siya. "It's good that you know. I briefed you about him, on what he can do. But just a simple task to injure him, you were not able to do it properly."

"I was able to punch him on his face-"

"Well did he fall on the ground? Is your damage to his face big enough to make him stay in a hospital bed?" Sarkastikong aniya.

Natutop ang bibig ni Danny.

Binuksan niya ang drawer ng kanyang mesa at inilabas doon ang iilang larawang nakuha niya ilang araw ang nakalilipas. Itinapon niya ang mga iyon sa paanan ni Danny.

"Look at the injury you're talking about. Just a small cut on the corner of the lips? How do you punch, you idiot? Like how a 16-year-old would?!" Napatayo siya sa kinauupuan at galit na tinitigan ang kausap.

Nang hindi sumagot si Danny ay pilit niyang pinahinahon ang sarili. Naupo muli siya at pumikit. Sinubukan niyang huminahon sa pamamagitan ng paghingang malalim.

Makalipas ang ilang minutong katahimikan ay nagpatuloy siya sa pagtatanong.

"Did he say anything to you?"

"He wanted me to send a message to you. He said that you should show yourself to him and not be a coward. He also mentioned how you know each other which means he has an idea who you are. Lastly... my injured face is his welcome gift for you."