Rhythmic Laws (Law School Series 2)

18

Went to the airport alone to go back to the Philippines. It was an expensive flight for an unexpected trip but Seb handled everything for me.

Pagdating ko sa Manila, agad na akong dumiretso kanila Janella kahit dala-dala ko pa ang aking maleta. Wala na rin ako sa tamang pag-iisip, natataranta, at hindi rin mapakali kakaisip sa nangyari sa kaniyang kapatid.

It was brutal. And just like Janella, we all wanted revenge.

Hindi ako umalis sa tabi ni Janella. Kasama ko si Allie pati na rin ang iba naming mga kaibigan na lumuwas din papunta dito.

Kahit ayaw ni Janella na mapuyat kami ay sinamahan pa rin namin siya hanggang sa libing.

It was hard for her, it was her hardest time. I don't think I can handle that if this happens to me at this moment.

We were drained after weeks bago magsimula ang classes. Mas lalong naging busy ang schedules ko hindi lang dahil sa law school pero pati na rin sa pagrelease ko ng bagong album.

Everything was ready, the lyrics, the tuning, pero hindi ko pa rin magawang magrecord. I asked Sir Richard to give me a month, and that's the only time I begged for a rest that long. He gave me that one month, but I knew I should not mess it up if I come back.

Hindi pa rin nakakapasok si Janella at labi na kaming nag-aalala ni Allie. Habang si Allie ay pupuntahan si Janella sa kaniyang apartment, ako naman ay nagpunta sa bahay nila Allie.

I went to meet his brother, Rafael. Alam ko na malaki ang maitutulong niya sa amin para hanapin ang Tatay ni Janella na tumakas sa krimeng ginawa niya.

Kinapalan ko na ang mukha ko. Pero nasabihan na siya ni Allie tungkol dito.

Rafael reminded me that he's doing his job to find that filthy man and bring justice to us. Marami siyang connection kaya malaki ang chance na mapabilis ang paghahanap sa kaniya.

The following week, I was left floating my bed, pagod sa readings, pagod na sa lahat.

Hindi pa rin kami nagkikita ni Seb simula nang maghiwalay kami sa Amsterdam pero nagkakausap naman kami through calls.

While in my bed, I'm laying down my thoughts as another existential crisis comes in.

Papaanong nangyari ang ganoon sa batang iyon. I remember Jamie as a sweet caring child, he's like a little sunshine for Janella and for us. We saw him grow when he was an infant and I can't believe that he left us first. He's so young to feel that pain.

Then here comes Peter. I look up to my phone, seeing the old pictures that we had with him. Ganoon din si Peter, he's the energizer, the boost, the source of laughter in our group.

But the best people that I have always leave.

Tinawagan ko ulit si Seb at hindi na nagriring ang phone niya. He promised that he'll come over after finishing school stuff, pero hanggang ngayon kahit seen man lang sa messages ko ay wala.