Journey into Disaster by NOKBEW™

1.07. Violate the law?

The older woman stands in the door and strokes the heads of some boys while the five leave the chamber. Now the children are standing helplessly in the office while this strange woman excitedly talks to Ma'am Papillio. It seems Ma'am Papillio is upset. The boys look around embarrassed and at me with pity. They are sleepy and sweaty.

Aboy breaks the terrible silence. First in Visayan and then in English he asks: “Ikaw okra? You are okay?”

Jan repeats Aboy's question.

I yawn out loud: “I'm so tired! Don't worry. This is a misunderstanding. I did not know that it is forbidden to sleep in a hotel with children who are not yet twelve years old. It's my fault. It will be okay soon. We go back to Sendong City tomorrow.” I go through my sweaty hair: “Hey, you look very tired.”

“Is not your mistake,” Sam replies.

With discomfort, I try to remember the law: What did I understand? I must be in a social, moral or legal duty. What does it mean? I wanted to buy school supplies. Then the parents gave permission to the journey. Is this not a legitimate duty in the social or moral sense? I am frightened by the condition of the children. “Sorry! You are certainly very tired.”

The boys look at me with big eyes.

Ma'am Papillio and the woman notice our small talk and rush out of the chamber. The policewoman instructs the children to pick up their backpacks, which are located behind the desk where the young officer is sitting. Slowly, the children pull their backpacks over. The older woman is impatient and claps her hands.

The policewoman speaks reassuringly to the children: “You sleep tonight in the BSWD Youth Home. Ma'am Solano from the BSWD is with you. Be nice and do what she says.”

The children nod and briefly whisper to each other.

Again, it is Aboy who finds the courage to speak: “We have cell phones and want to call our parents!” His four companions nod.

“Oh my God! We cannot allow that for now,” shouts loudly the woman from the Youth Home. She stretched out the word “God” like the word “please” in the hotel when she asked me to take a look inside the cottage a few hours ago.

The children become saddened by the old woman's speech.

This is the same disgusting “Oh, my God!” as in the hotel room. After all, I now know her name: “Ma'am Solano.” She is certainly an employee of the Youth Welfare. But why was she there, why did she knock on the door in the hotel and not the police?

Ma'am Papillio again speaks calmly to the children: “Later in the morning you can call. Look, it's already late at night. Your parents are already asleep.”

The boys look even sadder than before. It seems that Aboy, Sam and Jan are thinking about how to react. I can see that in their faces. Nevertheless, they stay calm and seem to agree with the statement. The fatigue is obviously paying tribute.

Suddenly, the Youth Social worker Solano waves her arms wildly, as if to catch chickens. “Come on, come on!" she says hastily.”

She doesn't pay attention to me. Not now and not the evening. She raises her chin and enjoys the situation, her success and triumph. Her hands are now on Dan's back and head. She pushes him out to the office door. One by one, the children disappear; Ma'am Solano last.

I don't like this arrogant, weird woman.

At the moment, I have not the slightest idea that this person plays a crucial role in my life.

Officer Sarang and his colleague look at Ma'am Papillio questioningly. Ma'am Tolisan is just appearing in the office, reading the time on her golden ladies' wristwatch and not saying a word.

Ma'am Papillio turns to me tiredly: “Mr. Heger, I think you don't want to comment on the matter now?”

“Ma'am Papillio, I have known the children since they were born. Had permission from their parents to travel. What gives you the right to pull us out of the hotel? Then these caustic cameramen and the countless people in the hotel room who took hundreds of photos of the sleeping boys! Look, my injured hand!”

The policewoman interrupts me: “Please calm down, Mr. Heger. We're very sorry about your hand. It can happen once. It is very late and we will discuss everything else tomorrow morning. Officer Sarang takes you to a cell. You can sleep there.”

I protest loudly: “And why am I being arrested? I want to get out immediately! That will have consequences! You have nothing, absolutely nothing, against me. I would like to contact my Embassy immediately. Damn, immediately!”

Ma'am Papillio seems confused: “Didn't Officer Villanova declare our law Republic Act 7610?”

“Yes, yes! But that cannot be a reason! I had permission from the parents. We wanted to go back to the village this morning! So, where is the crime here, please?”

Ma'am Tolisan stands next to us and now says harshly: “Breaking the law is breaking the law!”

“It's okay!” Ma'am Papillio calms Ma'am Tolisan and silences her. She answers me: “Mr. Heger, we'll clarify that later. Now let's all sleep for a few hours.”

“I have the right to contact my Embassy!”

“At half past one at night?” Ma'am Papillio replies.

I remember Officer Sarang's words: “But the officer said that there is good news for me.”

Officer Sarang looks embarrassed at the ground.

“We will talk about that later. This has nothing to do with the legality of the arrest.”

I am defeated because I have no more arguments. As I look into the faces of the four policemen who are now standing around me, I stammer: “I can't believe it! I am arrested! I didn't do anything! Why?”

“Please calm down. We'll see later. Let us sleep.” Ma'am Papillio is in a hurry now. She instructs Officers Sarang and Pangutana to take me to a cell.

She smiles at me: “Good night, sir.”

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