Knock Again, Professor [GL• #1]

Chapter 30

After hearing the explanation and everything what happened before from Sam, I  was overwhelmed with a complex mix of pain and a deep longing for the years we had lost. It felt as if time had slipped through our fingers, leaving us both to grapple with the weight of what once was.

Nasa labas kami ng hospital sa may parking lot, tulog na rin si kuya Zaint nung dumating kaming dalawa kaya, hindi rin kami nagtagal sa loob, I don't want to associate with her grandparents so I tell her to immediately leave them. I'm glad that I didn't see her murderer mother.

"Where are we going?!" tanong ko nung mag-iba ang daan na tinatahak namin. "Akala ko ihahatid mo na ako sa bahay." I added.

"As I was saying, I want to make things right, kahit it's been so late na," sabi nya at maya maya pa ay huminto kami sa isang police station. I was surprise nung makita ang napaka raming paparazzi sa labas ito.

When they noticed Sam's car, their cameras turned towards us. "Sam, what's happening?" I asked, full of confusion as I looked at the multitude of cameras with their flashing lights. The sheer number of them was blinding.

Sam got out, and I quickly followed. They bombarded us with a barrage of questions.

"Ma'am, is it true that you were the one who had your mother, the famous business tycoon, imprisoned?!" one reporter asked, his voice loud and demanding.

I was taken aback. Numerous questions were running through my mind, but I chose to push forward despite the crowd blocking our way. I held Sam's hand tightly so she wouldn't get squeezed by the mob.

"Ma'am, how long did you keep your mother's case a secret?" another reporter shouted, thrusting a microphone towards us.

"Why did you decide to take action now? Is it related to your position in the company?" asked another, his tone accusatory.

"Is it true that you have a relationship with another woman?" a voice called out from the back, the question cutting through the cacophony.

"Is the business tycoon also involved in the mysterious disappearance of some of your investments?" an interviewer queried, eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Is your mother responsible for the accident that happened to your eldest sibling?" asked yet another, the question laden with insinuation.

"No comment, sorry," Sam gently said, trying to navigate through the relentless crowd.

"Ma'am, is your engagement to the future CEO of Sartoni Apparel CLC line, Sir Patricio Sartoni, just a cover-up to distract from these scandals?" a reporter probed, referring to Patrick.

"No comment," Sam repeated, shielding her face using her palm from the cameras.

The questions were relentless, and the flashing cameras were dizzying. The constant barrage of queries and the bright lights made it hard for me to find a way to get rid of them.  A few police officers finally approached us and helped us move away from the throng of paparazzi, providing a much-needed respite from the chaos.

"Thank you po." sabi ko nung makapasok kami sa loob, nakasunod ang mga paparazzi pero hindi na kami ginigitgit dahil may barrier nang mga police na humaharang sa kanila.

Lumapit si Sam sa isang desk chief. "Saan po si Miss Sarina Pendleton?" malumanay na tanong nya rito. Ngayon ay naiintindihan ko na, nasa kulungan na ito ang Ina nya.

I didn't know how to react to the news. Should I be happy that the woman who stole my chance to have a mother is finally behind bars? Because it feels like it's too late for her to truly pay for the damage she caused. It's far too late; the wound she left in my heart is deep and raw, a scar that will never fade.