Find me, Detective

CHAPTER 3 - HIM

It's already 7:36 in the evening at paalis palang ako ngayon sa aking office. Over time nanaman, dapat talaga pag nag retired ako malaki ang makukuha kong pera. Aba hindi ata biro ang ginagawa kong pag oover time. Buti nalang talaga malapit lang ang condo ko dito.

I grabbed my car key and jacket. I'm so tired today. Feel ko anytime babagsak ang katawan ko dahil sa ilang oras akong naka upo sa upuan. Mapapa aga talaga ang pag tanda ko nito.

There are still few people here in our building but most of them are handling a cases like me. Kulang nalang talaga maging tahanan na namin ang opisina dahil sa sobrang tutok sa mga kasong hawak-hawak kaya hindi nakaka uwi sa tamang oras.

"James" someone called me on my back. I turned my head to see who's the person is.

"Yes?" he's one of the officer here. Minsan ko lang ito nakikita dahil sa first floor ito naka pwesto, while me dito sa second floor. Mahinhin rin kasi ang isang 'to, hindi tulad ng iba naming mga kasamahan na kahit ang baba pa ng rangko mas tinalo pa si sir Bato na kung umasta ay heneral.

Ano palang ginagawa ng isang 'to dito?

"Uuwi ka na?" I slowly nod at him because of his sudden question.

"Yeah. Ikaw? ano palang ginagawa mo dito?" I asked.

"Sir Daduy called me at saktong pababa na ako ng makita kita." Ah. Inutusan siguro ito ng matandang 'yon. I remember, one of my coworkers resigned because of him, ikaw ba naman gawing utusan ng ilang buwan. I'm sure ang isang 'to ang papalit doon. Mukhang uto-uto pa naman.

"Ah, I see."

Katahimikan ang namuo sa aming dalawa. Nang maka baba kami ay nag paalam ito para mauna na. Buti naman hindi ito madaldal gaya ng iba, wala pa naman akong mood ngayon para makipag plastican.

I went at the parking lot kung saan naka pwesto ang kotse ko.

While driving, hindi ko maiwasan na sabayan kumanta ang ng gagaling na musika sa stereo ko. It's NVMD by Denise Julia.

Oh, back to where we started
Back to where we started, oh
Oh, back to when
Hey, baby

It's been 45 minutes you been blowing my phone
I mean, shit, situation is outta control
My bad, I been so fired up in here
So when the coast is clear
I'm moving far out of reach
What I got on my mind
Is that I'm hurt and you like it
This ain't chess I ain't no side piece

It feels relaxing. The night wraps the city in a bright blanket of lights as tall buildings stretch up, their windows sparkling like stars. The streets hum with energy as streams of cars zoom by, their headlights cutting through the darkness. Neon signs blink and shine, throwing colorful reflections on the road, while distant sirens wail and laughter fills the air. In this lively setting, the city vibrates with life, a rhythm of dreams and chances that awaken when the sun goes down.

Driving at night in a loud city is one of my hobbies. I don't know why, but I can see myself enjoying this chaotic place.

Ilang minuto ang nakalipas ay narating ko na ang building na tinitirahan ko. I have a house. It was a gift from my parents, they bought it for my 18th birthday. The house is far from my workplace so I don't have a choice to buy a condominium. I have plan to live there, pero hindi muna ngayon.

As I reached the parking lot, I grabbed my things and went up. While searching the key of my condo I noticed the door was opened. I'm sure nilock ko 'to bago umalis. Unti-unti ko 'tong binuksan at sumilip ng bahagya, baka mamaya may kung sinong poncho pilato na pala ang nasa loob tapos bigla akong binaril. Nang makita ko ang hall na walang tao ay tahimik akong pumasok. I went in the living room, bakit ang ingay? ano 'to nood muna bago lumayas?