Puppet Town (Cold Case Series 3)

Chapter 07: Photographed Memory

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"I'm going to ask you again," sabi ni Roman. He leaned his torso toward the boy who was sitting in front of him. "When was the last time you saw your sister? Is there anything weird about her actions?" Dagdag niyang muli.

The boy gulped. He was clutching his trembling knees. Kahit anong oras ay pakiramdam ko'y maiiyak na siya. Habang hindi pa rin nawawala ang matinding konsentrasyon sa mukha ni Roman. Mas lumiliit pero ang pagitan ng mga kilay niya habang tumatagal. Halatang nawawalan na rin siya ng pasensya sa bata na kanina pa hindi sumasagot.

"Look—" Tumaas ang boses ni Roman.

"Roman, I think we should stop for a while. This is too overwhelming for a kid," I intervened on what he was about to say.

I looked at the boy and something pinched my heart. He was keeping himself together. But somehow, he still looked like a vase who was about to break at any moment.

"I understand, but Renée... he's the only lead we have. The parents won't give us any statements because we're not the police. The clock is ticking and while we're wasting our time here, someone's life is already in danger." Mabilis siyang nagsalita, tila isang bomba na napakawalan.

"Isang kapahamakan na wala pang kasiguraduhan. Roman, look, we're not even sure if these are serial killings. There were only two deaths!" Malakas kong salita.

"So, you want to wait for another death before making an action."

Napanganga ako. "W-What? No! Teka nga, nalalayo na tayo sa usapan. Ang punto ko lang naman—!"

Tumigil ako sa pagsasalita nang marinig ang mga paghikbi na galing sa batang lalaki. Napahinga ako nang malalim. Hindi ko namalayang tumaas na pala ang boses ko.

"I'm sorry..." I searched for his face, but he covered it with his hands.

I looked at Roman, whose face softened upon seeing the crying boy. "Sariwa pa sa kaniya ang lahat. So, please be patient with him."

"Ang akin lang naman—" He rolled his eyes when he caught himself. He took a sharp breath. "Okay, I guess I became too hard on you, kiddo. I'm sorry..."

Medyo tumahan na siya. He looked like he was in his early teens but Roman spoke to him like the age gap was big. Napangiti ako sa nakita dahil nagawa niyang humingi ng sorry. Hindi lahat ng tao ay nagagawa iyon.

There was only silence between us when we went outside. Galit kaya siya sa 'kin?

Nagsisimula na naman akong hindi mapakali. The way he acted earlier; it was like this case was very important to him when none of his truths were proven yet. Gusto ko siyang tanungin, ngunit nakaabot na kami sa apartment lahat-lahat ay wala pa rin akong maisip kung paano sasabihin 'yon sa kaniya.

"B-Babye," pagpapaalam ko sa kaniya. More like testing the waters.

"Bye? Magkikita pa naman tayo mamaya," sagot niya.

Gumaan ang loob ko nang sumagot siya. Salamat naman at hindi siya galit sa 'kin.

Bago ako makapasok ng kuwarto, nakarinig ako ng tawanan. Nakita ko si Tita Linda na nasa salas kasama ang ilan sa mga naninirahan dito. Naramdaman niya ang tingin ko kung kaya't lumipat sa 'kin ang tingin niya. She smiled.

It's nice to see her doing well after all the hardships she's been through. Pero kinakabahan ako sa oras na maging totoo nga ang hinala ni Roman. Ayaw ko nang makita si Tita Linda sa gano'ng lagay— na parang wala lagi sa sarili at araw-araw umiiyak.