Midnight Momento (Astalièr Series I)

MDT 11

Chapter 11

I couldn't count how many times I thank God the case was solved. My prayers are indeed answered. My heart was throbbing so hard against my chest as I marched inside.

"Ma'am!" salubong agad sa akin ni Aling anita nang makatapak ako papasok ng mansyon. Kumpulan ang mga tao at karamihan ay mga tauhan dito. Ganoon rin ang nadatnan ko sa labas kanina.

"Ma'am Cali, buti nakabalik ka agad. Ang balita, narinig niyo na po ba?" masayang lathala nito, she was standing in front of me with a wide smile pressed on her lips.

I can't help but feel warmth inside my chest. She looked delighted with the news more than I am.

I nodded. "Yes, Aling Anita. Kaya umuwi ako agad. Si Rohen po? Umuwi ba o nandito siya?" palinga-linga ako at hinahanap ito.

"Nasa opisina po ata. Nang pumutok ang balita ay panay na ang tawag sa cellphone niya, kaya umakyat siya sandali." itinuro nito ang hagdan.

"Thank you, po. I'll just talk to him." I said like I was in a hurry. I am. I want to ask him so many questions hindi na ako makakapag antay ng mamaya o bukas.

"O-O, sige... Baba po kayo mamayang hapunan. May salo-salong ihahanda para sa pagresolba ng kaso. Celebration na rin at nalinis na ang pangalan niyo."

I stopped with my tracks and glanced at her. I smiled back. "Opo. Dadalo po ako, salamat." what I said meant so much to me.

I felt like Aling Anita is the only person in this mansion who never doubted me. And she was very happy that things are going my way now. I know, I feel euphoric too but I am keeping it still to myself. Kalalabas palang ng balita, at hindi ko pa nakakausap si Rohen. So, it is too early to celebrate.

Umakyat na ako ng hagdan at nagtuloy-tuloy hanggang makaabot sa opisina ni Rohen. I don't know, the hallway feels homey and warm. But the moment his door opened I felt chills running down my spine. Like in all of the parts of the mansion, this is the most dangerous place for me to be in.

He welcomed me with a confused look and lines showing on his forehead. His right hand was holding his phone to his ear, clearly he was still talking to someone. But the moment his eyes went to mine, his expression suddenly changed to 'here you are' look. 

He opened the door more and suddenly I felt welcomed.

Medyo nahiya lang ako at sasabihin sana na pwede ko naman hintayin matapos niya ang pakikipag usap sa telepono, pero inunahan niya na ako.

My words got stuck up in the air.

"I'll call you later, bye." saad nito sa kausap at binaba na ang tawag. Umatras ito para tuluyan akong makadaan.

I stepped inside, he pursed his lips and slid his free hand on his pocket while watching me. I swallowed hard and waited for him to close the door. I felt my tension rising just by seeing him.

"Please, sit down." alok nito.

I nodded and sat down on his black leather couch. He walked closer and sat just in front of me. He put his elbows right above his knees, palms clasped together. Eyes carefully darted at me with brows softly furrowed.

I can sense he already expected me to come over and look for him. He already expected my presence, he just doesn't know how this will go. But he's up for it.

I pushed my tongue inside my cheek before I gathered my thoughts and let it out. "You did it?" I asked like it was not the most obvious thing in the world.

Malamang siya ang may kagagawan kung bakit natapos agad ang kaso. He's the only person here who has the power, name and resources to make something like a complicated process done as soon as possible. And to add that he's a lawyer so he knows the law at the back of his hand.