Billionaire Diaries #1: Gray Pereira

Chapter 26

tw: rape, violence, death

AGAPE stared at the news blankly. The announcement about her husband's missing spread in rapid speed.

Agad na pinatay ni Clare ang telebisyon.

"Why are you watching that? Ang sabi diba ni Abuela 'wag muna tayong manood ng gan'yan?" Clare sat beside her.

Agad na lumandas nanaman ang luha sa pisngi niya. "It's been a week, Clare. Bakit wala parin siya?" she asked weakly.

Dad and Abuela hired private investigators. Kahit media, ginamit na nila. Pero hindi pa rin siya makita. Isang bagay lang ang kinakatakutan niya sa ngayon. Na baka sa paghahanap nila Abuela, may makita itong hindi dapat. She's afraid of the fact that one day would come, she'll stare at his cold body. Ayaw niya 'nun. Hindi puwedeng gano'n.

"They're tracking the taxi's plate number. Pero ang sabi sa imbestigasyon, the taxi was carnap. Ibig sabihin, naisakay siya sa iba. At ang sasakyang 'yun ang hindi makita. Iniwan lang ang taxi sa kung saan. His friends are helping too. Huhulihin nila si Veronica, " Clare assured.

Kumalma siya ng bahagya dahil doon. Maybe, maybe if they caught Veronica, aamin ito kung nasaan ang lalaki.

"Kuya is good in martial arts too. He can defend his self, " dugtong nito.

Napatigil siya, mas lalong sumagana ang luhang lumalandas sa pisngi niya. Agad nabahala si Clara at natatarantang hinawak-hawakan siya.

"A-Ang sabi mo magaling siya, but he's still not here? Nasaan siya kung gano'n? Natraffic? Ano 'yun, one week siya sa lansangan?"

Nanlaki ang mata ni Clare at tumahimik na rin sa tabi. "N-No.. Maybe he's just.. " Kahit ito ay hindi rin naman alam kung anong sasabihin.

Napapikit siya. Kapag may mangyaring masama sa asawa, hindi niya magagawang patawarin ang sarili. Kung sana nagising siya ng maaga. Siya sana ang susundo sa lalaki. Sana, hanggang sana na lang.

Napatakip siya ng mukha dahil sa labis na pagkasiphayo. "I-I'm sorry... I-It's my fault. K-Kung hindi dahil sakin.. he might be here.. "

Kahit saang anggulo tingnan, siya ang may kasalanan. No one blames her, except for herself.

Clare hugged her. Mas lalo siyang naging emosyonal dahil doon. "Hindi mo 'yun kasalanan. It's Veronica's. Hindi lang 'yun basta-bastang aksidente. She planned it. She's the only one who's at fault, not you, " Clare caressed her back. "Sa tingin mo ba magugustuhan ni Kuya na sinisisi mo ang sarili mo? Don't ged mad at yourself. The only thing Kuya wants is to see you welcome him, right? Let's wait.. we only need to wait. "

Her heart throbbed in pain. Wala naman siyang pakialam kung ilang linggo, buwan, o kahit taon pa siyang maghintay. Ang inaalala niya ay kasalukuyang kalagayan nito. Paano kung habang naghihintay siya, naghihirap naman ang lalaki?

The thought of it lingers in her mind. Who cares about waiting? But I hope, he's fine, he's safe and breathing.

VERONICA stared at her with stoic expression. Walang guilt sa mata nito. Walang kahit ano. If only she can slap her.

"You need money, right? Ibibigay namin! Just tell us where is my grandson!" Inalalayan ni Red si Abuela. "You're just a fucking bitch who ruined her life just for money! Are you happy right now? Are you happy that you took him away from us?!"

Clare held her hand. She was thanking her bestfriend inside. Hindi na niya alam ang gagawin kung wala ito sa tabi niya. She doesn't want to breakdown. Hindi puwede. Ayaw na niyang ubusin pa ang luha. She wants justice! That's the only thing that can make her alive and in sane.