Ludic Selcouth #4: Panacea

Chapter 39

Breaking News: Castriel Sanzʼs biological father is an ex-convict?

Christopher De Vera, a former inmate who served a 17 years sentence inside the jail for his second-degree murder crime, claimed that heʼs the real father of the lead guitarist in the popular band, Ludic Selcouth. The named confession that originated from the well-known newspaper started to spread across the country. Fans of the big-name band are expressing their reactions for this sudden revelation. A few people are expressing their concerns for it might affect the bandʼs career and Castriel Sanzʼs image. Disenthrall Music hasnʼt disclose their statement yet, while the lead guitarist also dismissed and refused to answer the peopleʼs intriguing questions and blazing curiosity.

I had the urge to throw my phone at the wall because of what I read. My throat constricted as my eyes started to water. Christopher De Vera did what he said... Lumapit siya sa isang sikat na newspaper at willing na nagpa-interview. He revealed Castrielʼs biggest secret, and now the media is going crazy about this bullshit.

Muli kong sinubukan na tawagan si Castriel pero nakapatay pa rin ang cellphone niya. Napa-upo ako sa kama at sinapo ang noo. I just caused another problem... Kung hindi lang sana ako nakipag-deal sa taong 'yon, hindi siya mas magiging uhaw na maka-usap ang anak niya. Heʼs crossed the line... Ni hindi niya man lang inisip kung anong magiging epekto nito sarili niyang anak. Heʼs a selfish bastard.

Castriel couldnʼt handle this kind of public attention. Atleast not with issues like this. He can just barely absorb the publicʼs heated enticement in digging different information about their private lives. This is a sensitive topic... Sobrang nang-iintriga pa ang mga headline sa balita. He will go off the deep end...

Muli akong tumayo at nagpabalik-balik ng lakad sa buong kuwarto. Patuloy ko pa ring sinusubukan na tawagan siya pero walang nangyayari. I donʼt even know where he is! Isang araw ko na siyang hindi nakikita pagkatapos ng mga nalaman niya noong isang gabi. He was real mad at me. He refused to hear me, and now everything is just going south.

I held my breath when my phone suddenly buzzed. Paesyn is calling. Mabilis pa sa alas kuwatro na sinagot ko 'yon at kabadong itinapat ang cellphone sa tenga. Paesyn is already calling me... he wonʼt do this if itʼs nothing serious.

“Hello, Paesyn? Have you heard from Castriel?” agad kong tanong.

“I was going to ask you the same thing, Mackenzie. What the fuck is this? We know nothing about this matter. Well except Zath, it seems like he knows, but they completely hid this from us. Castriel is nowhere to be seen, we canʼt contact him.” nasabunutan ko ang sarili. Shit...

“Whatʼs happening to this goddamn world? Tase and Rush are still a complete mess, Castriel just added to the list,” he added on a stressed voice.

“Please... letʼs find him. He canʼt handle this alone... Hindi niya kaya... Baka kung anong gawin niya...” I already lost Mace, hindi ko kakayanin kapag pati siya ay nawala sa 'kin. Tuluyan na akong mawawala sa katinuan.

“Zath is already heading to Castrielʼs house in the middle of the forest. Tase and Rush are heading to his condo. Iʼm thinking if where I can also find him, could it also be possible that he went back to Laguna?” he asked on a hurried voice.

“I donʼt know... Heʼs not in good terms with his own family. How about on his resorts? Letʼs split. He has two. Just... call me incase you find him. And please... do something about the media. They need to shut the fuck up.”