Thorns of Roses

Prologue

Prologue

"General, I am asking for your high ranked officer. Why are you handing me pieces of weaklings? Should I use them as a fucking bait then?"

His thick words felt like nails. Slowly digging itself onto my heart. Hindi ko alam kung saan ko nahuhugot ang lakas ko para tumitig pa rin ng diretso sa kanya pagkatapos ng nangyari.

12 fucking years, yet it felt like forever. Hindi na siya tulad ng dati, ang marahan niyang tingin ay napalitan na ng galit. He looks more mature now, attractively mature.

"Attorney, that's our only High-Ranked available. Ang Colonel at ang Captain ay nasa South dahil sa utos ng Pangulo." Major General Theodoran adamantly said. Nakapila kami pahilera sa tapat ni attorney. "Captain Alvigoras, First Lieutenant Gericillo, Second Lieutenant Miquelle are the best in this field, Sir." Kanyang pagpapatuloy.

Iniwas ko ang aking tingin kay Attorney. Kahit kinakabahan ay nanatili ang tingin ko sa harap. Sumaludo nang itinawag ang pangalan ko.

"I need the Captain and the First Lieutenant." Marahang sabi ni atty. His eyes never leaving mine.

"We have 2 First Lieutenant Sir." Si Major. He motioned us to put our hands down and we obliged.

The setting sun of the camp hits atty's face. His hair is in a cleaner cut now, unlike before. Nasa posisyon na rin ang muscles and his biceps looks a lot better, unlike before.

Ang rimmed glasses niya ay wala na rin, at ang matang malamyos at marahan kung tumitig ay wala na rin.

Unlike before.

Sabi nga nila, we don't usually plan things out, especially if it's something related to love. That even how much we wanted to run and escape from it, we all fail miserably. That even how many times we tell ourselves na hindi pwede, or give excuses, deny or even force ourselves to close our eyes and walk away, feelings has its own ways in getting onto us. Na kahit ilang beses mo mang takbuhan alam mong sa hellhole pa rin ang iyong bagsak.

Smitten and failing uncontrollably.

That even after years of not seeing each other, alam ko sa sarili kong hindi ko siya makakalimutan.

Because I intended not to.

He became a lawyer now. His dreams finally came through. Even how much I hate to admit it, what we did is for the better. The best, if not enough.

Halo halong emosyon ang naramdaman ko. Maybe, I really like the storm after the calm. Taliwas sa nakararaming mahilig ienjoy ang bawat segundo at minutong masaya sila.

I tend to look at things at clearer view, no matter how much we love the rain, the slippery roads and wet clothes will always be a mess.

No matter how much we shove ourselves in pushing luck through it's limit, ang pagbalik nito sa atin ay mas masakit.

No matter how much we'd love to do a trick in a swift running skateboard, our land was never certain, and most of the time, we land on the ground.

No matter how pretty the rose is, its thorns can prick you.

And the next thing we knew, after being so happy and committed to something, we are already bleeding and letting go is the only way to stop the blood from draining.

"Then the 2 First Lieutenants, Major." Saad niya. Marahang gumalaw ang kanyang panga at isinandal ang sarili sa swivel chair. He's playing with his lips at kahit nasa peripheral vision ko man ay nararamdaman ko ang kanyang titig sa akin.

"Are you sure you'd like the 2 First Lieutenants, Attorney?" matigas na bigkas ni Major.

I almost hated his guts, I just knew better. Dala ang eplyidong nangwasak sa pamilya ng marami, I am actually amazed that atty is still alive and actively breathing in front of us sa kabila ng galit ng marami sa kanya rito.

"Yes." Napapaos niyang sabi, he looked at the Major General and ran his fingers through his hair.

Kahit anong gawin niya, ang attractive pa rin ng dating niya.

"There you have it, Sir. A Captain and 2 First Lieutenants." Tumingin sa akin si Major. "First Lieutenant Miquelle." Malakas na sambit ni Major.

"Sir yes sir!" I answered following a step and going back in my original posture.

"Technically, Second Lieutenant Miquelle, Atty, is a First Leiutenant. Sadyang wala lamang siya noong promotion kaya't hindi niya ina-acknowledge at sinusuot ang bagong badge." Pagpapatuloy ni Major.

Umiling na lamang si Atty. Amusement was very evident in his voice. "Miquelle.." mahina niyang banggit.

He stood up and went infront of me.

"Then bring it on Major General, I'd like to see them waste their fucking life in the expense that you vouched for them." Matigas na sabi niya nang hindi umaalis sa harap ko.

This fucking prick.

"Transfer their files and details in my office, Major. We'll be flying early in the morning." And with that being said, he turned his back and walked away.

Mahapdi. I can't deny it. How he looked at me without even blinking in pain, I knew he moved on. For the things that I have said and did unto him, pakiramdam ko hindi na ako makakaahon sa guilt habang siya'y patuloy na namumuhay nang normal.

If this is it, then so be it. We shouldn't be wasting any time dahil may nakaambang gyera sa south. Ang anak ng bise-presidente ay nagawa pang mandampot ng mga Higher Officials for his own expense.

What do I expect from him though? It's not like he's the goody-good man before. He changed, so much.

If this is his fucking way to plant another pain in me, I wouldn't mind. I'm willing to risk my life anyway. And if it's for him,

then I have more reasons to do so.

And the next thing I knew. I was already in the helicopter, with both hands on a Standard service Rifle.