Sa Wakas

Chapter 8: Brewing Storm

tw// mentions of blood & violence

Napaangat ako ng tingin mula sa binabasa kong documents ng may kumatok sa pinto.

"Come in." Tipid kong sagot saka hinintay magpakita kung sino ang tao sa likod nito.

Kaagad akong napatayo ng makita kung sino ang bumisita sa akin.

"Mr. Jimenez." Inilahad niya ang kamay niya sa akin nang makalapit siya sa lamesa ko. Malugod kong kinamayan siya. "Please take a seat." Pinaupo ko siya sa visitor's chair at lumapit sa pinto upang i-lock ito, bumalik ako sa swivel chair at naupo rin ako habang inilalabas niya ang mga papel sa brown envelope. "Sana hindi kita naabala at bigla akong naparito sa opisina mo."

"I know you wouldn't have gone here personally if it weren't that important and urgent, Inspector Morales. So, what's the matter?" I asked straightforwardly kahit na nangangatog na ang tuhod ko sa kaba.

"Our investigation regarding the paper you have sent us traces no fingerprints and the blood is not collated from a human being but rather came from an animal." Inspector Morales revealed while showing me the papers he kept inside the brown envelope.

Napatigtig ako sa resulta na nasa kamay ko at napailalaim sa malalim na pag-iisip.

I just lied last night to Christine to not let her worry.

From the moment I have seen the notice on the paper with its bloody ink kagabi, I knew it has something to do with my past. It could be from my rivals, but since they are many in number. My mind could not eliminate the possible culprit behind this scheme. But no one knew besides the Robredos, Gab, Tita Lily, Christine, and Inspector Morales that I am here. I did not announce my coming back here in the Philippines like I am some sort of VIP person that needed to be celebrated. 

But the culprit left his or her code name. With the letter 'J', there are only a few people I knew that start with the name letter J. Like Janine, si Tricia but it would be too impossible na siya ang magpadala ng message na yon, I cannot fit her in every aspect kahit na hindi kami gaano close but the probability of her being the culprit is not that high, but as they always say, always leave a room for doubt but I know Tricia, she would not do this at isa pa wala siyang alam.

Manapa si James but this letter is way too subtle, this is not how they work. I know their ways. 

Is it possible na may nakakaalam na iba? 

I have been careful with every move I make ever since nasa LA ako, lalo na ngayon na andito sa Pilipinas, I made sure no one can detect my location. But si James lang at si Tricia lang alam kong letter J ang nagsisimula ang pangalan. It would be too obvious and it doesn't make any sense talaga. Lalo lang sumasakit ang ulo ko kakaisip kung sino pa ang kilala kong J ngunit I am stuck with James and Tricia. 

Could it be na indenial lang ako? Could it be na nililito lang ako ng tao sa likod na ito para pagdudahan ko ang mga tao sa paligid ko?

May nalalaman na kaya si Tricia?

"We already double-checked the area for any CCTV footage but luck is not on our side, Bossing. Walang available na CCTV that could pinpoint the person." Inspector Morales added, while I still scan the papers in front of me, my eyes focusing on the letter J. "It is not also helping how the person is hidden as what Ms. Gonzalez pictured him. He is—"

"It could be a she." I corrected him.

Inspector Morales raised his brows. "How did you know?"

Hindi ko siya sinagot sa halip ay ibinaba ko ang mga papel sa mesa saka binuksan ang drawer ko upang kuhanin ang nais kong ibigay sa kaniya.