Always, My Jade

Restless (51)

Nagising ako na umuungol si Althea, "Lovelove wake up" dahan dahan kong uga sa balikat niya. "Lovelove, binabangungot ka...hey" muli kong gising sa kanya she's all sweat kahit malamig ang paligid. Then she opened her eyes, looked at me and hug me tight. And felt her sobbing weakly.
"Hey Lovelove, it's only a dream." nasabi ko habang niyakap ko siya pabalik. "I'll get you some water." kakalas na sana ako pero mas lalong humigpit ang yakap niya "Please don't leave love, stay." sabi niyang nakayakap pero nakapikit pa rin.

"What is it Lovelove?" alala kong tanong pero umiling lang siya at nanatiling mahigpit na nakayakap sa akin.

"I will allow no one to hurt you, no one, Love...I promise." Tanging narinig kong bulong niya.

"Hey, Lovelove. It's just a bad dream. Walang ng mananakit sa akin." paliwanag ko pero pa ulit ulit niya pa ring sinasabi na hindi niya hahayaang may masamang mangyari sa akin. "Rest now, go back to sleep Lovelove andito lang ako."bulong ko muli sa kanya saka ko siya niyakap and gently caressing her back and arm that embraced me. After a few minutes naramdaman kong tulog na siya at malalim na ang hininga. Malaki ang epekto sa kanya ng nangyari sa akin. Naalala ko tuloy yong kwento niya tungkol kay Paul, pero hindi naman niya nakita ang ginawa sa akin ni Charlie, tanong ko sa sarili. Anong gagawin ko, hanggang kailan siya magiging ganito.

- - -

"Hello Cath, is Althea there? I'm trying to call her pero hindi ko siya matawagan."

"Hello Jade, maaga siyang nagpaalam. Daan daw ng RK, hindi sila naka schedule sa site ngayon, baka mamya andiyan na siya sa bar."

"Ok...I'll just wait for her." pero bago pa ako magpaalam kay Cathleen. May naalala akong itanong."Ah Cath, how's Althea at work, wala ka bang napapansin na unusual sa mga kinikilos niya? I mean, is she doing alright?" tanong ko.

"Well, sabi ni Max she's quiet lately na parang malalim ang iniisip. Actually, gusto rin sana kitang tanungin Jade but I'm glad na open mo na rin." Natahimik lang ako. "Are you guys alright?" tanong na ni Cathleen.

"Yes, Cath, we're good." patlang hindi ko alam kung dapat ko bang sabihin.

"Jade?"

"S-she has trouble sleeping lately, it's like she's having bad dreams or something?"

"Did she tell you what's it all about."

"Ayaw niyang sabihin eh, basta lagi niya lang sinasabi sa akin na hindi niya hahayaang may mangyari sa aking masama."

"This is not good." Sagot ni Cath na nagpakaba sa akin.

"What do you mean?"

"Just try calling her Jade, at tatawagan ko sila Batchi. Bye." Mabilis niyang sabi.

- - -

Cathleen

"Hello Tito Ramon, did Althea try calling you again about Charlie?"

"Hi Hija, no nagfollow up lang siya once then she stopped. I think she's already aware of our movements and intentionally averting the case from her."

"Do you think Tito she's making her own move?"

"I'm sure she is right now because I already asked the officers in charge to the case and they're been receiving informations of different persons asking for Charlie's case."

"What shall we do, Tito?"

"I'll try to be there to talk to her, Cathleen. If you're Dad's not around try talking to Althea first. When everything's not clear, I'll fly there anytime."