A Child's Best Interest (Completed)

29

Once Bea heard about Thirdy's acquittal, she decided to move on with her life. She started to pack her things and left a letter for Maddie and left.

As soon as Thirdy arrives home inasikaso nya agad si Aston but they were disturbed by a knock on the door.

"Sir, nasa labas po si Sir Anton, gusto daw po kayo makausap." Sabi ng Yaya ni Aston.

Thirdy sighed heavily.

"Pakibantayan muna si Aston." Bilin nya sa yaya.

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo dito?"

"Gusto kita makausap."

"What for? Wala na tayo kailangan pagusapan! Huwag mong isipin na mapapatawad kita just because you saved me. Hindi na tayo magkakaayos kahit kelan."

"Pwede ba makinig ka sa akin, ang dami mo sinasabi. Hindi naman talaga ako na coma." Anton admitted.

"What's the sense of telling this? Wala naman ako pakialam." Sabay talikod but had to stop as soon as he heard Bea's name.

"Bea has made me realize a lot of things. Lahat ng nangyari these past few days ay plano ko lahat. I planned it all. I had someone take those pictures after I drugged her. Walang nangyari sa amin ni Bea. I was just too blinded by my grudge, ung kagustuhan kong masaktan ka, kaya ko nagawa lahat un. And I can't accept the fact na ikaw ang pinili nya. Siguro nga I don't deserve her. I let her down and used her trust. I'm not expecting her to forgive me, the least I can do is to tell you the truth. She has never stopped loving you. Sana paniwalaan mo ako because I'm telling you the truth."

Thirdy felt it was too much for him. Napaupo sya, umiiyak, thinking what he has done. How could he have not listened to his wife.

He just nodded.

Anton placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Kasalanan ko ito lahat. Sana mapatawad mo ako.... Kuya." Anton said.

After Thirdy and Anton explained to their parents ang nangyari as admitted by Anotn, Thirdy and Anton  immediately went to Maddie's house para sunduin si Bea.

"Mads, anjan ba si Bea? Iuuwi ko na sana sya."

Zoilo was surprised to find Thirdy.

"Wala na dito si Bea, umalis na sya."

"Pasok ka muna." Zoilo offered.

Maddie gave the letter Bea left.

"Umalis sya, dahil sa'yo, kasalanan mo lahay yan. Kung naniniwala ka sa kanya, hindi dapat nanyayari ito. bakit hindi ka naniwala sa kanya? Bakit? Sinasabi ko sayo pag may masamang nangyari sa kaibigan ko makikita mo!"

Thirdy didn't speak anymore and immediately left.

"Asan na sya?" Anton asked Thirdy paglabas nya.

"Umalis na daw." Sagot ni Thirdy sa kanya.

Dumerecho sila sa bahay ni Mozzy where the oldies were waiting for them.

"Ano'ng balita?" Mozzy asked.

"Kasalanan ko. As her husband I failed to protect her. I've got to find her no matter what."

For days, Thirdy always checks with the police stations, ung iba pinupuntahan nya and gets the same response. He struggles to make the business steady and make sure that he finds his wife.

"Thirdy, you need to listen, umuwi ka at magpahinga or your body will give up."

Pag uwi, pinatulog nya si Aston.

Anton dropped by.

Napagkasunduan nila to merge their businesses para lalong lumakas ang kanilang negosyo. They were all happy sa naging desisyon na ito. 

But Aston has another thing in mind.

"Papa, I miss my Mama."

"Kasalanan ko ito, I was wrong about her. May nakuha na ba kayong balita about her whereabouts?" Sagot ni Mozzy.

"Nagtanong na ako, wala pa makakuha ng leads where she is." Anton replied. "Para tayong naghahanap ng karayom sa isang haystack. Makikita lang natin ata sya if she shows up herself."

Hindi na din alam ni Thirdy kung saan hahanapin si Bea, he took the liberty of making an appeal para mahanap si Bea. It was shared by many people that gave them so much hope na malapit na nila makasama ulit si Bea.

While he was in an important meeting, bilang pumasok si Ivan at binulungan. Thirdy looked suprise and quickly took off.

Thirdy arrived at the hospital with Anton.

Mortuary. 

"According po sa initial investigation namin, the female corpse resembles the woman you're lookin for, medyo nag deteriorate na nga lang ang katawan kaya po gusto namin ipakita sa inyo to properly identify and bangkay ng babae. If you can't identify, then we'll have to wait for the DNA test results." The police explained.

"Ako na ang titingin." Anton offered.

"Ako na papasok." Thirdy replied.

Kahit hinang hina at ayaw humakbang ng binti, he forced himself papasok sa loob ng mortuary. Sa pintuan pa lang sunod sunod na ang agos ng luha nya.

Sa harap nya ang isang bangkay, balot ng puting kumot. Punong puno ng kaba.

Pls, Lord, huwag nyong gawin sa akin ito. Hindi pwedeng maging si Bea ito. Para syang masisiraan ng ulo.

Dahan dahan nyang itinaas ang kumot na nakatakip sa mukha.