Hidden Pleasure (COMPLETED)

Chapter 37

Chapter 37

WALKING CAREFULLY in the prison hallway is like walking in the tip of the verge that can make you fall. Tahimik namang nakasunod sa akin ang mga h-in-ire na mga body guards ni Rence. They wouldn't want to stop me from doing this. They wouldn't want to taste the hell.

Iginiya naman ako ng nauunang maglakad na Police Officer papunta sa kung saan pwedeng makausap ang mga preso. It has been a week since the judgement had been done. The Judge announces that the accused party is guilty and they were sentence of 50 years of life imprisonment. As for Joshua, for being my witness, he was sentence of 10 years of imprisonment.

Rape case has been a huge problem in the country unless, you have the money, connection and power to do what you wants to do. And that's what people with money can do. That includes me.

Sa pagpasok pa lang ay nakita ko na ang pagtayo niya sa kanyang kinauupuan. Walang ibang tao ang narito kung hindi ay kami lang. That's what I told the management. Mahirap na at baka mapahamak ako lalo na ang anak ko.

"Sit down," walang emosyon kong wika sa kanya bago dahan-dahang umupuo sa kaharap nitong upuan. "You did a great job there."

"About our deal, Iria." Hindi ko na siya pinagsalita pa.

"Straight to the point, huh?" Umiling lang ako at hinaplos ang malaki kong tiyan. "I am true to my words, Joshua. Ngayong nagawa mo ang mga sinabi mo, gagawin ko rin ang sa akin. Although, I have a proposition to make."

Kumunot ang noo nito at may pagtataka akong tinignan. "And that's it?"

"Your fiancée can stay in our house together with your unborn child." Seryoso ko itong tinignan nang nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata. "In that case, I can protect them and give them the things that you wanted me to give them after the trial."

"But..."

"If you don't want to, then I will leave your family with the money that they needed without protection from your mother's loyal people." Tumaas ang kaliwa kong kilay. "It was just an offer but if you'll decline, then I have nothing to do about it. But think carefully, Joshua. Minsan lang ako mag-offer ng ganito sa mga taong sumira sa buhay ko."

"I-I'll talk to her first. Kung papayag siya sa gusto mo, kakatok siya sa pinto niyo, isang linggo mula ngayon. Pero kapag hindi, alam mo na ang sagot." Hindi makatingin niyang wika.

I motioned my hand. Agad namang lumapit ang isa sa mga body guards ko at inilagay ang isang paper bag sa tabi ko. Pinaalis ko na ito at ibinigay sa kausap ang paper bag.

"Ano 'to?" takang tanong niya at tinignan ang laman ng paper bag. "Salamat, Marie!" masayang aniya at agad na kinuha ang laman niyon at nag-umpisang kumain.

"Hindi... ka ba pinapakain ng maayos dito?" may alanganin kong tanong sa kanya dahil sa uri ng pagkain niya na parang ilang araw siyang hindi pinakain. "You've only stayed here for a week."

"Their food is tasteless." Ang tangi lang niyang sagot at nagpatuloy sa pagkain ng mga pinahanda ko para sa kanya.

Tinignan ko ang relong pambisig at nakitang ma-li-late na ako sa meeting ko kaya tumayo na ako mula sa pagkakaupo. Tumigil naman ito sa pagkain at tumingala sa akin.

"Just think about it and talk to her. It is also for their safety. I need to go."

"Why are you doing this, Iria? After what I have done to you?" Lumingon ako sa kanya at ngumiti ng tipid.

"I sense and see the sincerity in your eyes while you were pleading in from of me. I can somehow see myself in your shoes but it was ten times more painful for me." Huminga ako ng malalim. "More or less, I can feel your fiancée"s pain even if I don't know her."