The Sixth Girl

Cantor Adnuntiator (II)

"We're here."

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako ng pagmulat ko ay ang nakangiting mukha ni Rycen ang nasilayan ko.

Nakatulog pala ako sa byahe.

I guess it is better than the alternative.

Magkasabay kaming bumaba ng sasakyan at nakita ko ulit ang restaurant nya.

"Fat Singer's."

"Welcome back."

"Namiss ko bigla si Verna," I said nonchalantly ng maalala ko ang babaeng kapareho ko ng klase ng buhay na pinagmulan but infinitely opposite ng kinahantungan.

"Gaius told me that the moment she left Philippines, all the possible information regarding her whereabouts are cut off. Akimrea and even Hyillia is very careful on anything regarding her."

"Not kidding. Kita nyo naman ng kapatid mo kung gaano kataas ng kalibre ng baril na bitbit ng kanyang mga personal guard. Mga mukhang madagil mo lang si Verna ay hindi ka na aabutan ng buhay within the next ten seconds."

Tumango si Rycen sabay lingon sa direksyon ng parking lot kung saan huli namin nakita ang Ambassadress ng Akimre at Hyillia sa Pilipinas, "Totoo. Gaius warned me to be very, very careful that night. One wrong move and I will be lucky if I am still breathing after they are done with me."

"Pero kung alam ni Gaius na mag rereyna na si Verna in the near future, bakit simpleng location nito ay hindi nya alam?"

"He said it was purposely leaked by the Kingdom of Akimrea to certain persons of interests when Verna left their country."

Napatawa ako when it all clicked in my brain, "But of course. It is to send clear warnings to anyone who will get in her way to be aware and beware that she is not just a petty ambassadress that can be bullied much less threatened."

"The best defense against an aggressor is to let them know how high the stakes are if they choose to attack a seemingly harmless pawn in the board so they will think hard before doing something against it."

"At queen pala ang nagpapanggap na pawn."

"Checkmate," maiksing wika ni Rycen when he opened the door of the restaurant for me.

Bumungad sa akin ang pamilyar na interior ng Fat Singer's in all it's expensive and classy glory. No wonder ito talaga ang puntahan ng mga kilalang tao sa alta sociedad, mga pulitiko, showbiz personalities at billionaire foreigners to wind down, relax and enjoy world class quality food away from the prying eyes of the masses.

Napapalamutian ng mga Christmas decorations ang interior ng restaurant at nakakapanibago na wala akong makitang ibang tao sa loob pero ang umagaw talaga ng atensyon ko ay ang nakantang babae sa stage.

It's not her larger-than-life physique that caught my eye but it's her voice that made me realize that she is much more...

So much more than what meets the eye...

Ever ever after
Though the world will tell you it's not smart
Ever ever after
The world can be yours if you let your heart
Believe in ever after

As she sang that fairytale ending song that I heard decades ago I knew right there and then that she has the right to sing this tune with utmost life and belief...

No wonder your heart feels it's flying
Your head feels it's spinning
Each happy ending's a brand new beginning
Let yourself be enchanted, you just might break through

She spread her arms as if preparing to make a break through herself...

To ever ever after
Forever could even start today
Ever ever after
Maybe it's just one wish away
Your ever ever after