Hi Flower (part 2)

Chapter 141: Mathrica did it first.

REINA JOY

"Saan mo 'to nalaman Mr. Vice?" I asked curiously.

"I have wide connections," he answers with a soft smile.

"What's the connection of his issue with the School?" I asked again.

"Mathrica, Donna and her boyfriend Keith..." sagot ni Mr. Vice. 

Napatingin ako kay Carlo na nakayakap sa akin habang umiiyak. I know he can now hear our conversation well. I hope it'll help him.

"I'm still not sure, I asked the school guidance about Donna Mae Kakailanganin involvement with Carlo's case but she only said that Mathrica did it first." My brows frowned again.

"What do you mean?"

"Mukhang may sabwatan na nangyari," Mr. Vice mumbled. Napatingin kami kay Carlo na nakayakap sa akin ng mahigpit.

"Between, Mathrica, Donna, and her boyfriend?" Mr. Vice nodded his head once.

"I want to ask your brother about this but I'm kind of scared that he'll refuse to share his statement with me. So far, yun pa lang ang alam ko," sabi ni Mr. Vice. There's a hint of disappointment in his voice kaya hinawakan ko ang kamay niya ng mahigpit.

"Thank you..." I mouthed.

Mr. Vice smiles rubbing the back of my hand softly. "I'm glad to help,"

Umayos ng upo si Carlo para punasan ang mukha niya. I smiled at him bago ko binawi ang kamay ko kay Mr. Vice para tulungan si Carlo sa pagpupunas ng mukha niya. He even pouted his lips while I'm helping him. Carlo's been good to me. In my darkest time— In my good time, he's always around.

"Okay ka na?" tanong ko sa kanya. Dahan-dahan siyang tumango habang humihikbi.

"Kukuha ako ng tubig." Tumayo si Mr. Vice galing sa pagkakaupo sa sahig at pumunta sa kusina para kuhanan ng tubig si Carlo.

"Sabi ni Papa bago siya mawala, tinuring niya daw ako na anak. Tawag ko sa kanya dati, Tito lang pero sabi niya.... siya daw totoo kong tatay at dapat ko daw siya tawaging Papa," sabi ni Carlo habang pinupunasan ko ang mukha niya. "Hindi ako naniniwala pero may binigay siya sa akin na papel.... DNA test-result daw-"

"And you start calling him, Papa?" I cut him off to ask a question. Tumango si Carlo ng dahan-dahan.

"Pero, Ren... hindi ko siya kayang patayin." I nodded my head.

"I know,"

"Pero sabi ni Ate Donna, ako daw gumawa nun sa kanya. Pati daw sa totoo kong magulang... Ren, sabi niya kasalanan ko daw kung bakit namatay ang mga magulang ko...." I hug him as he starts crying again. 

"Ren, hindi ko yun kayang gawin..." I keep on caressing his hair and nodding my head.

Hearing Carlo's sobs broke me down.

"I know, I know..." 

Humikbi si Carlo kaya hinimas ko ang buhok niya para patahanin siya but he didn't stop crying. "Hindi ko alam kung bakit sila galit sa akin, Ren. Sa dati kong school may naririnig ako na binobosohan ko daw sila kaya lumipat ako ng ibang school. Hindi naman ibig sabihin nun guilty ako e, lumipat ako para umiwas ng gulo tapos pagdating ko dito, may nagsasabi na binobosohan ko daw sila...." Niyakap ko ng mahigpit si Carlo. 

My back shirt is getting wet because of his tears.

"Hindi ko yun magagawa, Ren..."

"I know," I whispered, trying to stop my tears to fall.