Monasterio Series #5: Risks and Chances

Kabanata 39

Kabanata 39

Give Up

Bagsak ang balikat ko nang makababa mula sa kotse. Dire-diretso akong naglakad papasok sa building hanggang sa makarating ng elevator. Pakiramdam ko ay bigla akong nawalan ng lakas gumalaw matapos malaman ang katotohanang si Trish ang dahilan kung bakit naaksidente si Ania.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman. She used to be the woman who I let my world revolved around with, and now... I only feel nothing but hatred and anger.

I reached the top floor. The secretary on the desk smiled at me.

"Good evening, Mr. Trajano." she greeted and I just nodded at her.

Binuksan ko ang pintuan. Naabutan ko si Tito Zion at Tito Daniel, nakatayo sa tabi ng salamin ng dingding habang seryosong nag-uusap. They both looked at my direction as soon I entered the door.

"Alas," Tito Zion called out.

Lumingon ako sa gilid nang makarinig ng boses doon. I saw Zadriel and Dashiel sitting across from each other on the black couch. Nasa akin na rin ang atensyon nila. They both nodded at me.

Dumiretso ako sa gawi nila at pabagsak na iniupo ang sarili sa bakanteng couch. I leaned the back of my head against the couch and shut my eyes.

"What's up?" I heard Dashiel ask.

Huminga ako ng malalim saka nagmulat ng mga mata. Natanaw ko sila Tito Zion at Tito Daniel na papunta na sa gawi ko. We are all wearing our business attire that made us look like we're having some business meeting.

Umayos ako ng pagkakaupo. I leaned my elbows against my legs and looked at Tito Zion.

"Kilala ko na ang bumangga kay Ania nung gabing 'yon."

Tito Zion had no reaction but I witnessed how storm passes his eyes that made him look even more dangerous. Hindi ko maiwasan hindi maaalala si Ania dahil sa tuwing magagalit ito ay ganoon na ganoon ang dating ng mga mata niya.

"Who was it?" he asked.

Yumuko ako, bumuntong hininga saka nag-angat ulit ng tingin sa kaniya. ,

"It's Trish, my ex girlfriend."

Tito Daniel sighed and sat beside Dashiel. Si Zadriel ay nakatitig lang sa akin habang pinaglalaruan ang labi.

"What's your plan?" it's Tito Zion.

"To do the right thing."

"And that is?"

"I want her to be in jail, Tito. Ania deserves justice. Alam kong kulang pa ang makulong si Trish para mapagbayaran ang ginawa niya kay Ania—"

"We don't put justice in our hands, Alas. Besides, we already knew who did it just before you told us.  Hinihintay ko lang na ikaw mismo ang makaalam at magsabi sa akin."

"You knew?" I asked, a bit suprised.

Tumango siya at naupo sa bakanteng couch sa harapan ko. "Nobody hurts my family and gets away with it. When I found out that you're connected to her—"

"I already cut my connection with her for a long time, Tito." putol ko sa kaniya.

Tumango siya sa akin. "But she still became a huge part of your life, Alas. I also found out that she has Lupus. Naisip kong ikaw na ang hahayaan kong magdesisyon pagdating sa kaniya. People can do worst when it comes to love. I, myself, can attest to that."

My respect for this man even became huge hearing him saying these words. Kayang-kaya niya ipakulong si Trish ng walang kahirap-hirap pero mas pinili niyang ako na lang ang magdesisyon dahil may sakit ito. Pero hindi no'n mababago ang katotohanang sinubukan niyang patayin si Ania. She needs to face the consequences of her actions. She needs to pay for what she did to Ania.