Del Rico Triplets #2: Retracing The Steps

Kabanata 35

Not ready

I cannot sleep that night. Ang isiping nakalabas ng kulungan ang kriminal na iyon ay hindi ko matanggap. Sinasabi ko na nga ba at bulok ang sistema ng hustisya sa bansang 'to. Palaging pipiliin ang pera kaysa katotohanan.

I cried and trembled in fear with the thought that Maximus Hijazi almost get to my skin again. Troi said, Hijazi is still not over the fact that he was proven guilty of multiple rape case. Na ako ang pinakasinisisi nito dahil sa pagkasira ng buhay.

Hijazi's are pretty influential specially that they're allied with the government. Malabong hindi mapalalaya si Maximus kahit gaano pa kalaki ang nakapataw na parusa dito. At ginawa nila ang lahat para walang lumabas na kahit anong impormasyon sa paglaya nito. That even the Del Rico's are not informed about it.

My fear and doubt started haunting me again. Kahit pa nangako si Troi na gagawin nila ang lahat para hindi na makagawa pa ng kahit anong hakbang si Maximus at ang tauhan  nito. They are also trying to negotiate with the Hijazi's to surrender him in exchange of keeping him alive. Pero mukhang matigas ang mga ito at hindi sumang-ayon.

It's been days since Troi dropped the news. Ilang araw din akong hindi makausap nang matino dahil malayo lagi ang tingin ko. I wasn't comfortable with everything now. Pakiramdam ko, sa bawat kilos ko ay may nakamasid. Not to mention that my emotions are getting out of hand.

Victor is calling me again from time to time to monitor my status. Siya kaagad ang tinawagan ko. Yanna on the other hand has been out of reach since the day I called for help. Isa pa iyon sa dumadagdag sa isipin ko.

A lot is in my mind these days. At puro negatibo iyon. Katulad na lamang ng paano kung nalaman nila na kay Yanna ang unit na ginagamit ko. I was saved and now guarded. Maximus cannot find me and I'm sure, they know that someone is helping me.

"Are you sure hindi nila mahahanap si Yanna?" I asked Troi one time he delivered my lunch.

Mataman itong nakatingin sa akin at tila pilit binabasa ang kung anong tumatakbo sa isip ko. He let out a deep sigh before nodding.

"She came from a wealthy family, too, love. Her family will protect her at all cost."

I dropped my utensils after he said that.

"Fuck!" pumikit ako nang mariin.

Nararamdaman ko ang mabilis na pagpintig ng puso ko dahil sa kaba. Yanna... where are you? Why aren't you answering any of our calls? It's been three weeks. Victor and I had been worrying about you.

"Troi..." nanginginig ang boses na tawag ko sa kaniya at nang magmulat ay binanggit ang gumugulo sa isipan ko.

"Yanna's alone. N-no one know where she is..." Umiling ako at naramdaman ang kakaibang klase ng kaba para sa kaibigan.

"Her family is also oblivious of her whereabouts. After she left that night, sa dapat ay kasal nila ni Bjorne, wala ng kahit na sinong nakaaalam kung nasaan siya."

She might be in danger. O baka nahanap na siya ng mga Hijazi? Baka hawak na nila si Yanna? I shivered with that thought. No... Hindi ko kakayanin kapag si Yanna ay nadamay. She's been nothing but a good friend to me. Siya ang tumulong sa akin na walang hinihiling kapalit. She's my first and only girl friend. I cannot bear to lose her because of me. I cannot take it if I lose her.

I felt Troi's hand pulled me for a hug. I cannot do anything with that. Hinayaan ko lang siyang aluin ako hanggang kumalma. Yanna didn't leave my mind even after Troi assured me that he's going to tell Bjorne about it. God knows how much I wanted to tell Troi that Yanna is sick so that Bjorne would know. But its's not my story to tell. It'll never be.