Fragmented Rhapsody

Fragment 37

37
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Ilang beses kong sinubukan na tawagan ang number ni Papa para makausap siya pero nagri-ring lamang ito at hindi niya sinasagot. On my 5th  try, I decided to stop and let it be. I do understand if he cannot answer any call right now because of the situation. I was just too shocked to see the news over the television, but not really of the arrest.

I didn't expect the news to circulate at this evening hour, or more so to release a warrant of arrest today!

Matagal ng point of investigation si Miguel Arthur Santillan sa ambush case ni Papa. It was like an untold tale, never broadcasted but was secretly known by few people. Even the public speculated a lot of theories about him – that he might be the one responsible for what happened to Papa 2 years ago.

Even Octavian, he also agrees at some point that his father might just be the perfect mastermind for it. He felt sorry about it but decided to keep the guilt and loneliness all by himself. Of course, he was affected too. Apektado siya dahil ama niya ang isa sa mga suspek sa ambush case ng ama ng girlfriend niya.

But it didn't matter to me that he is his son. What matters to me is the justice that my father deserves, and that the only person who should be convicted is Miguel Arthur – not Octavian or any other person.

Huminga ako nang malalim at pilit na pinakalma ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso. Tumayo ako mula sa couch at banayad na naglakad papunta sa kusina. I was gripping my phone so bad even when I reached my fridge. Binuksan ko ang aking ref at kinuha ang pitchel ng tubig, sabay abot din ng baso sa gilid.

I drank the growing lump in my throat down. Hindi ko alam ang mangyayari bukas o sa mga susunod na araw, but I'm sure that Miguel Arthur would want to plead not guilty and that would open a couple of trials. I don't know that much about the law but that is the basic thing that happens in cases like this.

I've always known he wouldn't let everything flow without putting up a fight. Pakiramdam ko rin ay matagal na niyang alam na darating ang araw na ito at ang tanging ginawa niya sa loob ng dalawang taon ay ang paghandaan ang mga posibleng mangyari.

My mind took me into places when the phone in my hand rang, bringing me back to reality. Agad ko itong dinungaw at nakita ang pangalan ni Caitlyn. Huminga ako nang malalim bago ito sinagot.

"Where are you?"

"I'm home, Cait..." I answered, leaning against the kitchen counter. Rinig ko rin ang buntong-hininga niya na parang magandang balita iyon sa kaniya.

"Stay where you are right now, okay? Make sure na naka-lock din ang pinto mo. I already saw the news and Niko told me that his father already sent body guards to guard your perimeter."

"Tito didn't have to do –"

"It was your father's call, Natalia...si Tito Alejandro ang nag-utos at hindi ang Papa ni Niko. He was the one who ordered every single thing to be done to guard you," maingat niyang sagot.

It took me a while to understand what she said. Gusto kong maiyak dahil sa sinabi niya. Papa still cares, he cared for me and he still cares!

"H-How about, Papa? Is he safe right now?" Halos hindi ko na maisaboses ang tanong dahil sa kaba para kay Papa.

"I'm sure he is, Natalia," she uttered reassuringly. "How about you? Where were you when you heard the news?"

"Nakabukas ang TV ko kanina. It was just in time when the news rolled out. Hindi ko inaasahan na sa oras at araw na ito sila maglalabas ng warrant of arrest...this day seemed normal to be honest."