The Mistake

Chapter 14

"Did you heard? Rio's girl was arrested earlier."

"Talaga?" Ian poked me. "Alam mo na ba 'yon?"

Tumango ako habang nagtatype ng reply.

"Bakit parang wala kang pake?" He asked again.

I sighed and look at him. "Huwag mo 'kong disturbuhin."

"Wow! Pagkatapos kitang sundin na idelete bawat video sa social media, ito lang isusukli mo?" He dramatically gaped.

Umiling na lang ako at tumingin sa cellphone nang magvibrate 'yon.

From: Jean

Yeah. I got your back. But I think she has to spend several days inside.

From: Jean

I did what you told me to.

From: Jean

Tangina, akala ko abogado lang ako pati rin pala pagiging tagahatid trabaho ko. Ayos na kakapasok lang niya, satisfied?

A small smile crept on my lips before putting my phone back in my pocket. Kinuha ko ang bote ng beer at nilaklak 'yon.

"Wala ka bang balak na bisitahin si Carli, Rio?" Gab asked me. Nasa club niya kami, sa second floor, umiinom.

Sumandal ako sa backrest ng sofa habang nakatingin sa kanya. "Why would I?"

"Babae mo 'yon, gago ka ba?"

Muli akong uminom sa bote at hindi nagsalita. Girl? Si Carli? She hated me to the core, why would she be my girl?

"Gusto yata ng moral support e."

"Samahan ka namin. Puntahan na'tin baka umiiyak na 'yon."

Bumaba ang mga mata ko sa beer na iniinom. What I learned about her was she's tough.

She's very tough... outside.

Tigasin si Carli pero may mahinang damdamin. Yes she can hold in her emotions but it'll break through her grip. At iyon ang pinakaayaw niya sa lahat. Alam ko. Alam kong umiiyak na siya ngayon.

Iyakin 'yon e. Hindi kita pero iyakin ang babaeng 'yon.

I stood up after finishing the bottle of beer, making them look at me. "I gotta go. See you tomorrow."

Tumalikod ako at dire-diretsong bumaba sa first floor. Lumabas ako sa exit at tinungo ang kotse ko bago pumasok.

I started to maneuver the car.

"MEUNIER, may tawag ka."

Walang ganang lumabas ako nang bumukas ang rehas. She led me to the table then another police officer gave me the phone.

"Yeah?" I said while holding the phone in my ear.

The line was silent kaya kumunot ang noo ko.

"Who's this?"

I heard a ragged sound from someone who's on the other line. Bago pa ako makapagtanong ay nagsalita na ang nasa kabilang linya na siyang ikinagulat ko.

"Are you ok?"

I bit my lip and stopped myself from crying. "Y-yeah." Boses lang niya ang narinig ko pero nanghina agad ako. Paano pa kaya kapag mismong nasa harap ko siya?