Jailed With You (Architect Series #4)

Chapter 19

"You need to know something, Lyk."

My sight stayed on the other side watching other prisoners seriously talking to their families. It's been 7 years now... running 8 since the tragedy happened. Pitong taon akong walang pamilya sa aking tabi but despite that, I was able to reach my dreams. I became an Architect on time.

"Lyka, nakikinig ka ba?"

Those years with darkness and cold nights are frosting without anyone beside me. And in a single snap, Nicole suddenly appeared telling me she killed someone.

"Architect!" Crisa shouted in my front. I slowly divert my gaze at her and stared at her coldly. "This is not easy for you, I know... but I want to help you. I want you to get out of this freaking jail."

"Yes, I know..." I whispered.

"You know what?" Her brows shut up and looked at me curiously.

"Hindi ko na alam, Cring... I don't know my sister anymore. She's not my sister I used to know anymore."

"Ano pa ang alam mo?" si Zack na hindi ko man lang namalayang naka-upo na sa harapan ko sa tabi ni Crisa.

"She's not the one who killed Engr. Calve. There is something cringe behind."

When I entered the house of Engineer Calve, I saw footsteps by many people. Iba-iba ang mga yapak na naiwan kaya malabo ang kapatid ko lang ang gumawa noon sa boyfriend niya. She was set up. I am sure of that.

"Pero bakit ka idadamay ng kapatid mo sa ganitong gulo, kung ganoon?"

"She was so mad at her," ani Zack at seryoso akong binalingan. "Apparently, she was forced to tell you because they know that you will do everything for your sister."

Naikuyom ko ang mga kamao sa ibabaw ng mesa sa sinabi ni Zack. He has a point. Nicole and her madness went too far to do this to me. Bumuntong-hininga ako at pinaling kay Crisa ang paningin.

"I need you to check where Nicole and who she was with for the past 7 years. Kailangan kong makasigurado sa mga na-iisip ko tungkol sa kanya. Kung pwede ay pakitawagan si Carlo, I need him with me."

"Architect." Napapikit ako sa iritasyon sa paraan nang pagtawag ni Zack sa akin.

"I need my damn friend, Attorney."

He clenched his jaw and nodded.

"Kahit anong mangyari, bantayan niyo ang bawat galaw ng kapatid ko. Possibli siyang balikan ng mga nasa likod nito kapag malamang gumagawa tayo ng hakbang laban sa kanila. Don't let my sister be part of this, please."

"She knew everything about this, Lyk! What do you want us to do to you here? Pagkatitigan lang? hahayaang mabulok na lamang?!" tumaas ang boses ni Crisa sa akin. "Kahit ngayon lang, sarili mo naman, Lyk!"

"We've been separated for years, Crisa!" I yelled at her. "I want to protect her at all cost," I almost beg to them.

"She was never been a sister to you, God, Lyka! I know how much you value your sisterhood but please, hindi lahat magagawa mo para sa taong mahal mo. Hindi lahat ng nasa iyo kailangan mong ibigay sa kapatid mo na nimalasakit ay wala... Lyk, magtira ka naman sa sarili mo, oh! You have your life to breathe in, you're not a superwoman."

Tears endlessly coursing down my face. Alam ko lahat ng iyon pero hindi ko kayang may mangayri sa kapatid ko. For once, I want her to live a day without hatred in her heart.

"By now, you should accept the fact that not everyone we treasure, treasured us too. You should stop crossing oceans for someone who can't even sail with you in a broken boat," she added and stoop up just to dry my tears.