CHAINED

CHAPTER 21

What someone calls “hell” is heaven for someone else.

“Please have a sit.” anang pulis kay Yael kaya naupo naman siya sa harap ng lamesa at panay ang pagluha. “I understand that this is a very hard time for you, but I really need you to answer a few questions for us to help your friend. Is that okay?”

Yael nodded. “Of course, I’ll do anything just please find Cayle, find my friend.” pagmamakaawa niya.

“I promise you that we’re doing everything we can to find him,” anang pulis kaya naman tumango siya. “now, yesterday, you made a claim that Hacov was the one behind this. What makes you say that?” tanong ng pulis sa kaniya.

Nanginginig ang mga kamay ni Yael at panay ang pagpapawis niya pero gagawin niya ang lahat maging ligtas lang si Cayle. “He came over to my apartment before Cayle disappeared, he was looking for him,” sagot niya at pinahid ang mga luha. “nung sinsabi ko sa kaniya na wala si Cayle at he’s with someone else, I think that’s what made him mad.”

“Mad enough to kidnap?” the police aske him while writing something on his paper.

“Hindi niyo kilala si Hacov,” ani Yael at huminga ng malalim habang pinupunasan ang mga luha sa mata niya. “he’s capable of doing bad things, when he wants something, he’ll do anything to get it.”

Tumikhim ang pulis at tumingin ito sa kaniya. “Parang marami kang alam tungkol sa kaniya, kilala mo ba si Mr. Hacov Revolli?” tanong ng pulis sa kaniya.

“He’s Cayle’s ex,” napakurap-kurap siya at lumunok. “and my cousin.”

“Well, Mr. Yael Revolli Martinez.” anang pulis at naglapag ito ng litrato sa lamesa at ipinakita sa kaniya. “Do you know this guy?” tanong ng pulis sa kaniya.

Kumunot ang noo niya. “Oo,” tumingin siya sa litrato. “that’s Valerian, Cayle’s boyfriend.” sagot niya.

“Boyfriend?” patanong na saad ng pulis at may isinulat ito sa dalang papel.

“Yeah, uhm,” suminghot siya at tumikhim. “A month ago, Cayle went on a vacation and when he came back he was with him, with Valerian. I once drive them home, to Cayle’s apartment.”

“Are you sure?” the police asked him.

Yael nodded. “100% sure officer, he’s also the one who helped me file a report to you guys about Cayle’s disappearance. You need to find my friend, please!” he begged.

“I understand your frustration, Mr. Martinez but, listen to me,” the police said and Yael stared at the policeman blankly. “we have reason to believe that Mr. Valerian Volkrolov has Cayle right now.”

Halos matawa si Yael sa narinig mula sa pulis. “Ano? Imposible ‘yan, kasama ko lang siya kanina bago ako pumunta dito.” sagot niya at inilabas ang telepono. “What is this? Some kind of joke? My friend is missing! So, instead of wasting our time talking nonsense here, why don’t you just go out there and find Cayle!”

“Mr. Volkrolov is a serial killer and stalker,” anang pulis na nagpatigil sa kaniya. Kumunot ang noo niya at hindi maisalpak sa utak niya ang sinabi ng pulis. “matagal na namin siyang pinagmamatiyagan pero hindi namin mahuli dahil wala kaming matibay na kaso. At ang pagkawala ni Mr. Cayle Satrian ang susi para mahuli na siya.”

Ngumisi siya at napakurap-kurap. “Wait, sinasabi mo ba sa’kin na nakipag-relasyon ang kaibigan ko sa kriminal?” tanong niya at napailing-iling. “Atsaka, kilala mo ba si Valerian? That guy is as soft as a pillow, he won’t hurt a soul.”

“He didn’t hurt a soul, be broke a soul.” anang pulis at nagpakita sa kaniya ng mga litrato ng pamilya ni Hacov, ang mga magulang at kapatid ng pinsan niya. “Kilala mo sila ‘di ba?” tanong nito sa kaniya.