Into the Wild Woods (Isla Puerto #1)

Kabanata 22

Kabanata 22

Without you

Patakbo akong pumunta sa bahay nila Unique. Era shouted my name but I didn't bother to look at her. Muntik pa akong malaglag sa hagdan sa pagmamadali. I immediately searched for Unique but I didn't see her. Naalala ko iyong Aling Marichu na sinasabi niya. Tinawagan ko ulit ang numero. I was so glad when they answered my call immediately.

"Unique? Nasaan ka ngayon?"

"Malapit sa may tindahan s-sa amin. A-Ate Reese, natatakot a-ako."

"Diyan ka lang, okay? I'll look for you."

I turned on my flashlight and searched for the nearest store in their house. Meron nga ngunit sarado naman ito. I knocked the door three times bago ako pinagbuksan. Si Unique ito at bakas sa mukha ang takot at lungkot.

"U-Unique? Anong nangyari?"

"P-Pinatay sila Nanay at Tatay. P-Pinatay sila, Ate Reese."

I wiped the tears in her face. Nasa likod niya marahil iyong nagngangalang Aling Marichu. Nanginginig din ito sa takot at may hawak na telepono sa kabilang kamay.

"Nasaan sila Unique?" Lumuhod ako upang mapantayan siya. She still a mess and crying ngunit pinipigilan nito ang kaniyang paghikbi.

"P-Pinatakas ako ni Nanay. Nakita ko kung paano nila p-pinatay si Tatay. Nakita ko, Ate Reese. Nakita ko! Nakita ko kung... kung... kung paano nawala si Tatay at si N-Nanay! Dapat... Dapat hindi ko iniwan si Nanay! M-Masama akong anak, Ate Reese. Pinabayaan ko silang m-mamatay. Ate Reese..."

Nanginginig ang mga kamay nito kahit ako ay hindi naiwasang mapaiyak sa nakita kong itsura ni Unique. She look devastated. She looks so tired and all worn out. Hinaplos ko ang kaniyang buhok at binalingan si Aling Marichu.

"Natawag ninyo na po ba ang pulis?"

"K-Kanina pa, iha. Paparating na sila marahil."

I fished my phone out of my pocket. Sunod-sunod ang ring nito. It's Adriel. Bago ko pa masagot ang tawag ay nakarinig na ako ng wangwang ng mga pulis. There's a stretcher too and a medic. Napasinghap ako ng makita ang sinapit ng mag-asawa. Unique ran toward her parents body.

"Nanay! Tatay!" I heard her screamed.

I saw a lot of blood... A lot of b-blood. Napapikit ako ng malaglag ang kamay ng Nanay ni Unique. It was full of blood covering her hand. Tumutulo pa ang dugo mula rito. The medic immediately return her hand inside the stretcher at tinabunan ng maayos. They were declared dead on the spot.

Unique mother died due to multiple stabbed wounds. Her father received the most painful death. Hindi ko maatim na isaisip iyong muli. I saw how devastated Unique is. Nanginginig ito sa takot at hindi makausap ng maayos ng mga pulis.

The police searched the whole area. Sa may hindi kalayuan ay may nakita silang dalawang t-shirt na puno ng dugo and it probably came from the culprit. Naiwan din ang hawak na patalim at tsinelas ng may sala. The police said that they can easily traced the suspect because of the evidences they left behind. Even though with the good news, hindi magawang ngumiti ni Unique nang iabot ng police ang balita. She didn't flinched a bit at wala ding makuhang statement kung anong itsura ng suspect.

"Maybe you can talk to her tomorrow, Sir. Mukhang hindi pa kaya ng bata sa ngayon."

"Bukas po ang opisina namin para sa testimonya ng bata. We'll wait, Ma'am."

Tango lang ang naisagot ko. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Iyong dugo... Hindi ko malimutan ang dugo. I remember my parents death... The blood... The blood that covered their hands and face. It was... It was all I can remember. My parents death before my eyes.