Echoing of Power and Passion

55 (Guilt)

Risa rushed to the hospital, trembling in fear after learning about Alicia's condition. As soon as she entered, she saw Rina and Maris watching over their older sister. They immediately hugged Risa and started crying.

"Ate, hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin siya nagigising," Rina cried on Risa's shoulder.

"Ate Risa, paano kung hindi na siya magising—"

"Kaya niya 'yun. Nararamdaman ko," Risa's tears slowly flowed. She stepped out of the room and waited outside. When she returned, she got closer to Alicia. She felt so sorry for her; Alicia's arms were covered in bruises, there was even one on her neck as if she had been strangled, and what hurt Risa the most was the bandage on Alicia's forehead and mouth.

"I'm so sorry, baby," Risa cried hard as she held Alicia's hand. "Baby, please, gumising ka na. Naghihintay na ang kambal sa'yo. Please, lumaban ka, Alicia. Kailangan kita."

Someone entered, but Risa didn’t mind them. She overheard Lola Carmen, Ma’am Elena, and the doctor discussing Alicia's condition.

"She had a minor injury, Lola Carmen, and we also found a small fracture at the back of her rib. It's not too serious, but it added to the pain she felt during the incident," the doctor explained. Lola Carmen was now crying, feeling pity for her "Waping," while Madam Elena hugged her.

"Ano bang nangyari kay Marco? Bakit siya nagkakaganyan?" Madam Elena asked herself. "Pinalaki ko siya ng maayos, tapos—"

"Elena, hindi kasalanan ng magulang kung anong gustong landas ang tahakin ng anak. Huwag mong sisihin ang sarili mo."

"I'm so sorry to say this, Lola Carmen and Madam Elena, but we also found something else," the doctor added. Risa suddenly turned to look at the doctor, anger flushing through her as she wiped her tears and stood up.

"Anong nangyari?" she demanded. The doctor was startled when he saw Senator Risa in the room, not expecting her presence. "Bakit hindi ka makasagot? Anong nakita n'yo sa kaniya?" She raised her voice in anger.

"Ahm..." the doctor hesitated and stepped back a little. "Lumabas sa test niya na may internal infection siya sa kaniyang private part. It was caused by the intense force of a man during intercourse. Wala namang internal bleeding for now, but it's her fifth day of menstruation, so we still need to observe her condition, Senator Risa."

Risa’s vision darkened upon hearing that. She couldn’t imagine what had happened to Alicia the night before. She placed a hand on her chest, feeling a sharp pain.

"Apo, tama na. May sakit ka pa."

"Lola Carmen, I have to go. I need to see Marco and let him explain what happened," Risa said, and Lola Carmen just nodded.

"Lola, aaminin ko, may kasalanan din ako kay Marco. Naging kabit ako. Pumatol ako sa isang may asawa, pero she doesn’t deserve to suffer like this, Lola," she cried, bowing her head. Lola Carmen rubbed her back to calm her. "Lola, mali ba kami na minahal namin ang isa’t isa?"

"Apo, hindi mali ang magmahal. Naging mali lang ang pagmamahalan kung paano ito ipinakita at ginamit. Si Marco, alam kong mahal na mahal niya si Waping. Nasaktan lang siya dahil sa ginawa ninyo."

"Anong gagawin ko, Lola?" she sobbed, looking at Lola Carmen.

"Masaya si Waping kapag ikaw ang kasama niya kaysa kay Marco, nakikita ‘yan. Pero sa nangyari, Apo, siguro kailangan nating protektahan si Waping at siguraduhin ang kalagayan niya." Risa nodded and hugged Lola Carmen.

---

She had a business meeting in Banawi, but she said she could handle it online. It started when they discussed ThereCia Resort. A few months ago, she and Alicia had planned to start a business in the North, and now she was meeting with the landowner and other distributors for materials.