Wreaking Havoc

trīgintā quattuor

"Do you really want to face him, Isla?" I asked as I help my sister fix her curly hair. Isla paused for a while as she looks in front of the mirror before letting out a faint smile. It was Felix's cross-examination, and Isla was needed for the Prosecution to understand why she got involved in the case. I know how much trauma Felix caused to my sister kaya kung ako lang sana ang magde-desisyon, I wouldn't even let her near that guy.

But Isla nodded her head as she holds my hand, "I need to face him so I can finally move on," Isla uttered, her voice cracking with every single word as tears brimmed on the corners of her eyes but she fought through the tears. "I need to see with my own eyes that he'd get convicted for Mary's death."

I smiled and kissed her forehead.

"I always knew you'd grow into someone strong," I whispered. "Thank you for being strong, Isla."

Isla smiled.

"Thank you for being strong, ate..."

I remained mum for a while when we were finally done fixing her hair. Lalabas na sana ako sa kwarto niya dahil tutulungan ko pa sana si manang na maghanda ng almusal pero nagulat ako nang bigla niya akong tawagin.

"Ate..."

"Hmm?"

"Do... Do you want to hear what happened that night?"

I bit my lower lip and sat at the edge of her bed, tapping the empty space beside me, "Do you think you can?"

Isla nodded.

"I... I just came from school that time. You know, exhausted because I didn't know anyone there. I was just watching sa entertainment room when I suddenly heard muffled screams... I knew it was Mary so I went there fast..." I closed my eyes when I saw my sister's tears fall. Mabilis kong hinawakan ang kamay niya at pinisil iyon.

"If you can't tell me any more, then don't Isla... You don't have to force yourself."

I opened my eyes and looked at Isla, "I still have a lifetime to listen to you."

Isla shook her head, "I've been... I've been wanting to tell this to you, ate..."

I nodded.

"Okay... I'll just listen."

"When... When I was at the jail, Felix actually visited me. I asked him to help me because he was my only chance... but he confessed to me that he did it... that he drove Mary to death, and... and if I didn't plead guilty he'd come for you... I didn't want that. Ate, I know how much you've been through, and if pleading guilty was the only way to protect you then I'd do it over and over again..."

I immediately pulled my sister into a hug and let her cry. Ni hindi ko na rin mapigilang mapaluha knowing Felix... Felix actually visited my sister and even blackmailed her just so he wouldn't be exposed.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm really sorry, Isla..."

Isla shook her head, "You didn't deserve any of that ate..." she whispered. "The only thing I'd wish right now is for Felix to get the punishment he deserved."

I sighed, "He will," I uttered. "He will."

When Eli came to fetch Isla for the cross-examination, hindi na rin kami nag-usap masyado at ipinabaon ko na lang 'yung calming pills ni Isla dahil kailangan ko ring pumunta ng ospital. Nahihiya na nga ako kila Astrid kasi kahit naman sa family nila 'yung hospital, pakiramdam ko masyado na 'yung special treatment kaya ang sabi ko na lang sa head namin na kaya ko naman nang tumanggap ng surgery cases.

"Take care of her."

Eli smiled and nodded.

"Do you have a plan this evening?"