Eyes, Nose, Lips

03

Deputy Chief
_________

"Sir Colado mentioned to us that Deputy Chief Eva Colado is her daughter right? But according to my research, Sir Colado never mentioned one, not even in his statements on his interviews." I rolled my eyes bago sunod na tiningnan si Shyra na nakahalukipkip at nakatingin sa labas ng bintana.

"Nagulat nga ako nang sabihin niyang anak niya si Deputy Chief, akala ko kasi namatay ang asawa niya sa panganganak kasama ang anak nila." Hinay-hinay nitong sambit saka ngumuya pa ng tinapay.

As the usual routine, I woke up earlier than my usual preparation time. Shyra also came to my apartment early. I’m used to skipping breakfast, but since she brought bread, napilitan na lang din akong kumain nito.

"We've known Sir Colado for so long but he never mentioned to us about her daughter." I said like I knew him as close person.

"Maski naman ako nagtataka,"

I've known Sir Colado for almost four years. Not even a single talk I heard about her daughter. I only know she had a wife but not Deputy Chief Eva Colado.

Shyra and I were both hired because of Sir Colado. He was the one who introduced to us the San Condejas Police Station where expertly managed by two highly police chiefs— Police Lukas Colado and Erino Mundano.

We both quickly learned the ropes under the guidance of Chiefs Colado and Mundano. Police Chief Colado instilled us a sense of duty and purpose. Chief Mundano, on the other hand, pushed us to think critically and act decisively.

We became involved in various community outreach programs, handled murder cases and serial killings. For almost four years, we learned many things about being a police officer.

"Something's bothering me, something's not right." May diin kong sabi rito.

"Maybe Deputy Chief Eva Colado is adopted?" aniya na payak kong nginitian.

"I don't know, hindi ko 'yan masasagot. I'll be out today since it's Saturday. I'll be buying groceries." Saad ko rito saka ngumiti at tahimik na lumabas. ng bahay.

"Aalis ka na ngayon? Agad-agad?"

"Yeah, see you later."

___

TAMA LANG ang paglabas ko ng bahay. Tila tumatagos sa mukha ko ang sikat ng araw. Ilang araw na rin akong hindi naiinitan dahil maaga akong pumapasok ng opisina sa police station. My body is used to the aircon there that's why my skin is pale.

I walked in a grocery store near our apartment wearing my black hoodie. As I moved through the inside, I noticed that the store seemed quieter than usual.

I immediately looked for the canned goods. The cans of sardines and tuna were the first ones I found, but I couldn’t remember anything specific that I needed— but anything quick to eat and cook would be fine. I almost forgot that I needed some noodles ang water. 

I quickly grabbed a few packs of noodles and a couple of bottles of water. I also double-checked the list in my head, making sure I hadn’t missed anything. I added some crackers and chips to the cart, just in case.

I quickly exited the grocery store after paying the cashier. Pauwi na rin sana ako nang biglang mahagip ng paningin ko ang isang pamilyar na mukha.

It was Deputy Chief Eva Colado.

I heaved a deep sigh and slowly followed her. As I anxiously waited for the right timing, binilisan ko na ang paglakad ko. Despite of the unsure thought in my mind, I was desperate and helpless.

Ilang minuto na ang lumipas, bigla akong napadpad sa isang lugar. It was an unfamiliar basement.

Napakurap ako ng ilang beses. Ang umaalingasang mabahong amoy ng kinakalawang na metal at ang pinaghalong amoy ng alikabok na tanging naamoy ko sa lugar na iyon.

Pagkapasok ko sa basement naramdaman ko ang ginaw ng hangin na nakapalibot, mabuti na lang at may kunting ilaw sa loob.

Dahil na rin sa sobrang kyuryosidad, pumasok pa ako sa pinakaloob ng basement. Pagkarating ko roon, narinig ko ang boses ng isang babae.

Pagkasilip ko, nakita ko kaagad si Deputy Chief Eva Colado who is now talking to a man. I was about to intervene, but after hearing their conversation, I decided not to interrupt.

"Wala bang nakakaalam ng pagkatao mo? Are you sure that no one suspects you? We cannot fail this, Eva. Alam mo na 'yan."

Rinig kong sambit ng lalaking kausap nito, hindi ko makita ang mukha nito dahil sa suot nitong mask at cap.

"I'd make sure everything was completely okay. No one knows and they will never know." her voice is defending.

Kitang-kita ko kung gaano siya sa kaseryoso nang sabihin niya ang mga salitang iyon.

"May balita na ba sa pinagagawa kong trabaho? How will you catch the murderer?"

"I'm still working on it, you don't have to worry, I will catch the murderer with my own hands." Rinig kong sambit niya, kalmado pero determinado.

Who are you? Who are you working with? I don't even know what you're up to, Eva.

Matapos kong marinig ang usapan nila, kaagad akong umalis sa kinaroroonan ko. When I was about to leave the basement, nasagi ko ang isang pirasong lata sa paanan ko dahilan para mag-ingay iyon at marinig nila.

"W-who's there?"

Nang marinig ko iyon, mabilis akong naglakad palabas ng basement.

"Sigurado ka bang walang nakasunod sa'yo?"

"Of course, this place is unknown. . ."

Nabigla na lang ako sa narinig kong bakas ng pagtakbo ng paa ni Eva kaya binilisan ko na rin ang pagtakbo ko. Kahit nakalayo na ako ay rinig ko pa rin ang mga boses nila. Tila umaalingawngaw ito sa taenga ko.

I was breathless when I was finally outside the basement.

I just laughed at what happened. Hindi ko na rin alam kung saang lupalop ba talaga nanggaling si Deputy Chief Eva Colado. Sino ka ba talaga? Ano ang pakay mo?

Ang daming tanong na sumasagi sa isipan ko, pero wala akong makitang sagot. I didn't even realized I was already at the apartment.

"Anong ginagawa mo diyan? Bakit kanina ka pang nakatayo diyan?" rinig kong tanong ni Shyra na siyang ikinagulat ko.

"S-Shyra? Kanina pa ba ako nakatayo rito?" pasimpleng pagkamot ko sa ulo ko.

"Saan na ang mga pinamili mo? Hindi ba't galing ka sa grocery store?" pagtatakang tanong nito sa akin.

Napatingin naman ako sa hawak ko, tanging cellophane na lang pala ang natitira. Nahulog siguro kanina ang mga iyon habang tumatakbo ako.

"Uh? What am I even doing? Where did the grocery go?" pagkukunwaring tanong ko sa sarili.

"Ewan ko na lang sa'yo, Cy!" natawa na lang din ito sa akin.

Damn! I dropped my wallet, too at the basement.

I sighed, frustration washing over me. I couldn't believe I had lost both my groceries and my wallet because of that damn conversation.