The Shadows of Your Past

The Shadows of Your Past

Written by: DeficientPetals

When talking about life, we have different stories to tell. Others may be dark,  some are unique and the rest are unbelievable. Pilit man nating buksan ang ating mga mata sa katotohanan, may mga anino paring pilit tayong pinapapikit. Kahit pumiglas man tayo sa mga kamay nila, hawak pa rin nila tayo sa leeg. Ang tanging paraan upang makawala ay ang makinig sa boses at mensahing pilit nilang sinisigaw. HUWAG KANG MAGTIWALA.

"I, Marshan Dela Puerte, solemnly affirm that I will be loyal to the president and to the country, that I will uphold the constitution of the country and that I will, to the best of my ability, preserve the peace, prevent offenses and discharge my other duties, faithfully, impartially and according to law. So help me God." Labis ang saya na nararamdaman ko habang nanunumpa kasama ang iba pang mga bagong kapulisan. All my hardworks were paid off. After long years of studying, fighting with the waves of life and facing the demons of the future, her I am, happily enjoying the reward of success and patience.

"Congratulations." Our chief greeted us emotionlessly. Sa tingin pa lang ay mukhang mapapalaban ka na sa unang trabaho mo. That wrinkles are proof of his strictness. Palagi yatang galit.

"Stepping into this stage is never easy. If you think you'll enjoy a police officer's life, get what you want, kill who you want; think again. Sa pagpasok niyo sa larangang ito, kaagapay ang talino, pag-uunawa at tapang. Harapin niyo ang bawat pagsubok ng magkakasama upang hindi kayo pumalya. If you're lazy, unpardoning, unhappy with your job, the door is widely open for you. Hindi namin kayo kailangan. Maraming mga pulis ang katulad ninyo kaya 'wag niyo ng dagdagan. Raise your flag, raise your pride. You are police officers for a reason."

He ended his speech by a salute. It would sounds harsh but the meaning of his words were priceless.

Unang araw ng trabaho ay maaliwalas ang kalangitan. Lahat ay umaayon sa nararamdaman ko. Ang mga kasamahan ko nama'y mukhang kabado ngunit masaya. Apat na babaeng pulis at dalawang lalaki ang naiwan sa opisina habang ang iba nama'y inatasang magpatrol. Chief Ebasco, the unbothered, always lock himself in his office and disregard the world. Lalabas lamang siya kapag may iuutos galing sa taas o di kaya'y may mga insidenting dapat respondihan. Kaunti na lang ang taon niya sa serbisyo dahil matanda na ito at naghihintay na lang ng ipapalit. I want to be like him. I gazed at my badge and name tag attached on my chest pocket. "SPO3 MARSHAN DELA PUERTE". Maraming bigas pa ang kakinin ko bago makamit ang rangong ninanais ko.

"SPO3 Dela Puerte." Rinig kong sigaw ng kasama ko. When I gazed at the back, I saw Annie. Annie is my bestfriend since college. Laban kahit may hadlang ang motto naming dalawa kaya hanggang ngayon ay magkasama parin kami. Who'd thought about it? Naninibago ako sa bagong tawag saakin kaya ngumiti lamang ako. When we looked at each other, we laughed. Laugh of joy, realizing how far we've been despite of the struggle we've been through.

"Hoy, tangang 'to. Sa'n tayo maglulunch?" She asked, cutting the awkward laughs we've shared.

"Delux malamang." kunting chismis habang nagtatrabaho.

We went back to our work when Chief Ebasco went out from his valur. He looked around and seems to be confused. "Nasaan ang iba?" pagalit natanong niya.

Nagtinginan lang kami ni Annie dahil kaming dalawa na lang ang naiwan dito. Malamang ay naglunch na ang iba at ang iba nama'y nagpapatrol pa.

"Proceed to Lizares Avenue St. 06, Corner Aminda." I panicked and looked at Annie who can't be moved as well. What should we do?

"Moved!" He shouted, bringing back my entire sense.

We leave with a salute as a sign of respect. Nakalabas na kami sa opisina ngunit nakalimutan namin ang susi ng sasakyan.