Bay of Strangers (Manila Girls #2)

Kabanata 36

Kabanata 36

Roof

Tulala, ni hindi ko napansin na halos alas diyez na ng gabi. Dumating sina Ate Nene kanina para sa pagliigpit sa ospital. Sa loob ng isang linggo ay nanatili ako roon. Maraming naantalang plano, at nag-aalala rin ako dahil nagsabi si Zina at ang ang PR head ko na hinahanap na ako nina Sir Philips at ng board of executives. Wala akong naging balita sa labas simula nang nagising ako. Ni hindi nga nakapagpapasok ng kahit na sinong bisita at pinagbawalan din ako ni Zina na mag check ng social media accounts kahit pa marami naman akong nakitang magaganda at mabubuting articles tungkol sa akin.

Ngayon, pinapanood ko ang madilim na daan pabalik sa Binondo. We are escorted by Lieutenant Gaisano's unit.

It still feels surreal to call him that. And I couldn't be more shaken with the fact that after years of not seeing him... And trying to forget and heal, I am still admiring him. I still like his air despite his changes. And his eyes? It never gets old.

"Apparently, he's under the Police Security and Protection Group. He's a Lieutenant Colonel. Still a bachelor... He's good at his job, Lei so... it's easier for him to advance to his rank. Do you remember the shoot out in Mendiola?"

Umiling ako. Apparently, Zina did her research, huh? At kailangang isama na bachelor pa si River?

Hmm, hindi na rin kataka-taka. Noong bata pa kami, ramdam ko naman na hindi siya puwede at hindi niya gusto ang seryosong mga commitment, ngayon pa kaya?

Now, I wonder... Bakit kaya hindi siya nag culinary? Iyon ang gusto niya, hindi ba?

"Well, he's the one that escorted the delegates and the Burmese princess out of the shoot out. It made him favorable in the eyes of his superiors."

Hindi ako umimik.

"Narinig ko rin silang nag-uusap ni Senator kanina bago ka madischarge na baka ma extend pa ang pagbabantay sa'yo."

I sighed.

I really don't get it.

Hindi na umakyat si Papa kanina para i-check ako. Tumawag lang siya at sinabing susunduin niya ako at uuwi kami sa bahay namin sa Makati. For him, it's safer there. Mas high-end ang security at hindi masyadong intimidating ang dala-dala naming escort.

"But I really don't get it-"

"I know right!" Bulalas ko dahil iyon din ang nasa isipan ko.

I don't want to assume things. I don't want to conclude anything. River Osvaldo Gaisano won't waste his time on me. He won't sacrifice his own time just to look after me. I'm sure there's more impossible job and cases he must be eyeing.

At anong ginawa ni Papa para mapasunod siya? He's a policeman... Dapat tapat siya sa tungkulin, hindi sa tao.

"You're just a local private individual, Lei... So probably it'll take one month and a week to ask for an availment of service from the PSPG... It's only a week since the accident happened so..." Napatigil si Zina, malalim ang iniisip. "If Senator expected your accident to happen already... Maybe he asked for a protection in advance? You know, maybe he filed it earlier?"

Natahimik ako. Malalim ang iniisip. Kung inaasahan nga ni Papa na mangyayari ito, hindi kaya may banta nga sa mga buhay namin dahil sa bali-balitang koneksyon niya sa mga sindikato? O dahil ba ito sa kontrobersyal na tinatalakay nila sa Senado? Malalaking korporasyon din kasi ang kalaban nila doon and most of that corporations are backed by certain prominent politicians as well!

"But then again, we're in the Philippines...your father is a senator, Lei. He has the means, connections, and the power. And our police force—no offense, can be easily controlled and manipulated. Ano na lang naman ang makiusap siya at humingi ng pabor para bigyan ng proteksyon ang anak niya."