Tamed: The 8th Hiñago (HS#01)

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Gifts

"Akala ko ba manliligaw ka na?" tanong sa akin ni Fri.

The schedule of my courting got moved, pumunta ako ng Manila right after that conversation I had with Denise and Tito Paulo. Ang ending, nagpadala lang ako ng maraming regalo kay Denise, namili ako sa Maynila habang may tinatrabaho ako roon. For her whole family actually. May bagong sapatos na naman si Josue.

Denise and I had no forms of conversation yet. Ni hindi nga kami nag-cha-chat. No video calls either. Baka hindi niya sagutin kaya sa personal na lang.

"As you can see, I got busy."

I ransacked the files scattered on the floor of my tiny apartment. Nag-aaral ako, tinutulungan ko si Rahim sa kaso. I'm highlighting everything that could be used in the trial. Abala si Rahim sa pamilya niya, magulo sila ngayon lalo na at umuwi si Nowie.

"Tito Dam, what's this?" Vier poked me as he handed me a picture. Halos magitla ako nang makitang duguang picture iyon ng isang bangkay.

"Where did you find this, little guy?" tanong ko. Nakalagay ang picture sa isang plactic bag.

"Nakaipit sa isang folder." Sagot niya.

"Very good, Vier." I patted his head and smiled.

Wala namang kaso sa akin kung makita niya. I even feel like a little Rahim is helping me, kahit na nakikitingin lang rin siya.

Vier is six years old. Anak siya ni Ate Nacy at Kuya Javier. Pamangkin ko siya at madalas siyang nasa Casa. Si Frian nagbabantay sa kanya ngayon. Hindi naman kulang ng oras si Ate Nacy sa kanya, Ate nacy just want to make sure that Vier grows up to be a Mondiego-Hiñago.

I noticed that the picture and the statement has some discrepancies kaya nilagay ko iyon sa pile ng ebedensiya na pwedeng gamitin.

"When I grow up I want to be a lawyer," Vier murmured while reading my books.

"Really? Why?" tanong ko.

"Maybe I'll find out who killed my Dad."

"That is why your Tito and I are lawyers, and by your time comes. It is already solved."

"Akala ko ba gusto mo maging musician, Vier?" tanong ni Fri.

Vier pouted and crossed his arms. "Then I'll be a musician too!"

"Hey Ton, birthday ni Deo sa susunod na araw." Sambit ni Fri sa akin. "Sa Sultan Naga daw tayo maliligo. Every one is coming home for the thanksgiving too, makakaattend silang lahat ng birthday ni Deo. Rheese is home too so we have to be complete."

"Hindi na ba magdidinner sa bahay?" I asked.

"Hindi na, may worship night sa gabi kaya deretso lahat sa Sanctuary." Sagot niya. "Sasama ka ba sa akin mamaya? Worship Night.

Agad akong tumango. I need to separate myself from these papers or else, I'll lose my mind.

I turned to Vier. "What about you little guy? Sasama ka ba sa amin sa Sanctuary?"

Frian smirked. "That is not a question. Kailangan niyang sumama."

"Sama!" Vier said lively.

"How about Tito Deo's birthday? Saan ka sasabay papunta sa dagat? Is your Mom coming too?"

He shrugged. "Kay Tita Nowie ako sasabay. I don't know if Mom's coming. She's kinda busy."

He shrugged. Nagsawa siya sa kakatingin ng ginawa ko kaya pinakialaman niya naman ang rubiks cube na dala niya kanina pa. Ilang beses niya na yan na-solve. Inuulit niya lang ulit kasi wala siyang magawa.