Tainted Melodies (Ciudad de Escalante #5)

Phase 31

Maaga akong gumising kinabukasan kahit wala akong pasok at day-off ko sa trabaho. I know rest is as essential as work, but I had enough sleep last night, and I still have the energy to be productive today.

Mamaya, dadaan pa rin ako sa Conchordia para ipakita kay Tina ang mga nagawa kong draft sa panibagong kanta. Sa ilang buwan kong busy dahil sa patung-patong na projects, nasanay na yata ang katawan ko na may ginagawa araw-araw.

"Huh? Why you didn't tell me? Wala akong gagawin ngayon, nasamahan sana kita..." nanghihinayang kong sambit habang kausap si Alexius sa kabilang linya. Papunta siya ngayon sa Pueblo Blanca— a small town in Ciudad De Escalante.

"Biglaan lang din kaming nakakuha ng lead. It's not even confirmed if the nun is still staying there, so Felix and I will confirm it ourselves," aniya at nagpakawala ng hininga.

Felix is his new private investigator. This case is taking too long to solve so Alexius hired another investigator last year. Napasandal ako car seat at napabuntung-hininga rin. It's not yet confirmed? Still unsure? Buti na lamang ay naging pula ang stoplight kaya nakakapag-usap kami nang maayos.

I couldn't believe that finding someone is really hard. Yeah, it was Rory. His sister. Alexius took a quite time to tell everything to me in detailed about what really happened. Hanggang ngayon nga na tatlong taon na kami, nasa proseso pa rin kami nang pagkilala sa isa't isa.

There are really many things to know about him — painful yet inspiring stories behind his beautiful facade. And I'll never force him to say and show everything all at once. Tanggap ko kung ano siya noon, ngayon at magiging. I know he's a good and strong guy despite everything.

"If the nun is not there, I hope their neighbors knew what Rory's new name is..." Alexius said, quite hopeful.

He and Rory parted ways due to the tragic incident at Ciudad De Amores. I did some research about the fire, and it is really massive. It destroyed a lot of properties and lives. And what pains me too when I knew what Alexius' life was like before the tragedy. They are victims of domestic abuse. Pinagtrabaho sa murang edad, hindi pinag-aral at sinasaktan ng ama kasama ng kanilang ina.

According from what I heard to Felix, isang babae ang nakahanap kay Rory at dinala siya sa probinsya. She grew up there until the age of 13. That's why everyone had a tough time finding her in every city.

Luckily, Rory was fourteen when they came back at Ciudad De Amores. Namasukan na kasambahay ang tumatayong ina pero hindi nagtagal dahil nagkasakit. The woman who acted as Rory's mother died eventually. Ang tanging matanda na witness ng mukha ni Rory ay may dementia pa kaya mas nahirapan sa paghahanap. Ni pangalan ay hindi matandaan.

The only clue she gave is, after the death of woman who took care of Rory, may isang madre ang nagmagandang loob na kupkupin siya dahil bukod sa sobrang bata, hindi rin alam ang buhay sa siyudad. And that's the update of this case. Ngayon, patungo sa sinasabing tinutuluyan ng madre sina Alexius.

I hope, everything will be fine. Sana naroon pa nga ang madre.

"Let's talk later, I'm driving. Let's hope for the best, mahahanap din natin si Rory. And don't skip your meals, hmm?" paalala ko dahil kapag talaga may inaasikaso sa imbestigasyon, nakakalimutan na ang sarili. He'll overworked himself. I knew him that well.

"Sure, I'll grab something later. Drive safely, baby. I'll call you once I get there..." Alexius assured.

Tumuwid na ako sa pagkakaupo nang makita na naging luntian na ang spotlight. Nagbigay muli ako ng mga paalala sa kanya bago ibaba ang tawag. I need to focus in driving. Ayaw kong maaksidente nang wala sa oras.

By the way, papunta na ako ngayon sa Conchordia para sa trabaho. Next week, the collaboration with Haze will start. Mas magiging abala ako roon kaya mas maganda na walang masayang na oras. I'll release a new single this year. Hang your demons in your halo— that's the title. Sana gaya ng Seasons of You album ko, magustuhan at suportahan din nila.