All or nothing

Chapter Eleven

Tanga

Saina's

IT hadn't dawned in me and yet I had to make decisions. Birada left after calming me down. I really didn't want to be alone right now, but I guess I needed the time to think. Kailangan kong mag-isip kasi kailangan kong malaman kung ano bang susunod kong gagawin. It's only a matter of minutes, tatayo na kami sa harap ni Uncle Gab, I wondered what he would say if he find out about this. Hindi pwedeng hindi ko sasabihin sa kanya, and I guess, he already has a clue on this. Hindi naman niya paiimbestigahan si Papa basta – basta nang wala siyang ideya kung siya ba ang mananalo sa huli o hindi.

Ayoko talagang makialam sa mga ganito, kaya lang involved pala ang anak ko at hindi ko matanggap na makakayang gawin ni Papa iyon. I already know that he is guilty, that we're just really looking for evidences pero iyong nakita ko naman, hindi ko talaga matanggap. I stood up, too the paper and left my office. I need to talk to Gabriel Consunji now, bago pa man din mahuli ang lahat. I would want him to hear it from me. Ayokong mamaya niya pa malaman.

I went to the conference room, tulad ng inaasahan ay naroon nga siya. He was talking to one of the investigators, pero tumigil sila nang makita ako ni Uncle Gab. He smiled at me – the professional smile – tumango naman ako at lumapit sa kanya, umalis sa kinauupuan niya ang lalaking kausap ni Uncle Gab, ako naman ay naupo sa pinag-alisan ng investigator at saka huminga nang napakalalim bago ko inilapag sa harap ni Uncle Gab ang papel na nagpasira ng buong araw ko.

He took the paper, read it and then looked at me.

"How do you feel, Saina?" He asked. I noticed the concern in his voice. I sighed. I shook my head.

"Alam ko naman na po ang kaya niyang gawin pero hindi ko inaasahan na idadamay niya si Haniel dito, Uncle Gab. I'm sorry. Hindi ko po talaga inaasahan ito. I had always known that he's doing something, it's just that I didn't realize that he'd be doing it to his own grandson." Hinawakan ni Uncle Gabriel ang kamay ko.

"I will take it from here, Saina. If you want, you could go home now. I'd deal with your father." Nakatitig lang ako kay Uncle Gab at sa unang pagkakataon, gusto ko siyang tanungin kung anong balak niya kay Papa pero at the same time, I can't seem to find the words to say. Tumango na lang ako sa kanya, he smiled at me again.

"I'll tell my driver to take you home."

"No, it's okay. I can drive. Thank you, Uncle Gabriel."

"Don't mention it. Just know that whatever happens, you are safe. I don't want you to experience any hardships. Masasaktan ang apo ko. I'll take care of the two of you, Saina." Naniniwala naman ako sa kanya, I know he's going to take care of me and his grandson. Mabait si Uncle Gabriel, hindi nga lang talaga siya gugustuhing makagalit ng kahit na sino. I was about to leave when I saw him give the paper to one of his attorneys. I had to stop myself from leaving. I faced Uncle Gabriel again.

"Birada..." Nakataas ang kilay na tiningnan ako ni Uncle Gabriel. "He's the one who found out. Spare him..." Mabait si Uncle Gabriel, hindi ako mangingiming sabihin iyon, pero kapag nagagalit siya, lahat damay. He sighed.

"I cannot promise you anything, Saina."

"He... he cares about Haniel." Mahinang wika ko. Noon ko nakuha ang attention niya. Halatang naguluhan si Uncle Gab dahil kumunot na naman ang noo niya. I bit my lower lip. "Haniel and his son, Joshua are best friends, Uncle Gabriel. If he... he loses something, masasaktan ang anak niya, masasaktan din si Haniel, Uncle, please..." Hindi na nagsalita si Gabriel Consunji at sa tingin ko ay wala na rin naman akong magagawa. I left the conference room with a heavy heart. Ayoko nang masaksihan ang kung anuman ang mangyayari mamaya, I took my bag, and my keys and left the company.