Deceived Heart

CHAPTER 32

Chapter 32: Trust

Natulala ako.

What does it all mean? Who is behind this unknown number?

Those questions flooded my mind.

"Chi," I heard Kuya Jim call from a distance.

He then ran towards us with a confused look. He must be wondering why we are out here.

"Anong mayroon? Where's the birthday boy? Bakit hindi niyo kasama?"

His smiles slowly faded because no one dared to answer his questions. The silence was so loud that we could even hear some birds chirping.

Hindi ko alam kung nasaan sila Tita at bakit hindi niya kasama ang mga ito. Siguro ay pumasok na sa loob..

I explained the whole situation to him first. Then we showed him all the messages we got from an unknown number.

His brows were furrowed all this time. Mukhang malalim ang iniisip. He pursed his lips and combed his hair backwards.

"We can report this to the police..." He suggested.

"Uhuh? I don't think it would work, baka nga lumaki pa ito at madamay ang mga hindi dapat madamay-"

Daphne cutted Zairis off.

"What? That's the point! Kailangan ngang malaman ng iba ito at hindi natin alam kung saan siya hahanapin."

"In short, we didn't plan it. No location detector attached to his body, no clue as to where he was... we didn't know this was coming..." Megan exlaimed.

My heart twinge. I knew it was coming...Eljey knew. She warned me! But what did I do? Wala. I just messaged Kuya Isaac and that's fucking all! But according to him, Avison won't attack anytime...so did...he lie?

"Try to decode the message..." Kuya Jim then started to massaged his forehead.

"MNSN, Mansyon 'yan panigurado!" Ani Joaquin, nakatitig sa cellphone ni Alli.

"So maybe..." Via's eyes grew bigger. "...These messages are where Raib can be found?"

"Right!" Oliver second the motion.

"Mansyon?" Tanong ni Kuya Jim. "May iba pa bang Mansyon dito bukod sa mga Laveridad?"

"Wala..." sabay na sagot ni Rael at Dea. Then Rael continued. "Middle class houses na 'yung iba..."

"Sa karatig bayan, baka mayroon?" Si Kuya ulit.

"Wala rin." Si Aldrin naman ang sumagot, nagtitipa sa kaniyang cellphone.

"This is Avison's planned, for sure." Malamig na turan ni Rexan.

"If your conclusion is correct, then Raib might be in their hideouts!" Ani Isaias pagkatapos ay humalukipkip.

"Palawakin niyo kaya'y isip niyo!" Inis na ani Eljey. "For example, if I'm the leader of Avison and I know that some people around Raib knows where I'm going to take him, then do you fucking think that I'll still hide him in my hiding place where he can be easily found? God!"

"Chill..." Nathan said huskily, hiding his smirk.

"Chi, why are you silent?" Biglang tanong ni Zai.

Everyone looked at me kaya agad akong napayuko, hindi malaman ang gagawin.

"Wala siyang magawa..." rinig kong natawa si Eljey. "Ganiyan siya palagi kapag may napapahamak na tao sa paligid niya. Pero kapag siya ang ililigtas, we almost risk our lives just for her."

"Elj!" Sigaw ni Jen.

Dahan-dahan akong napatingala muli sa kanilang lahat. Specifically kay Eljey. Walang emosyon ang mga mata nitong nakatingin sa akin. May guhit ng maliit na ismid sa labi.