Trigger

50

Vincent Alexander

It has been a few months since I started camping outside the 20 feet volcanic rock walls of Imperial Grande. I had high hopes on the first few weeks and I had grown desperate as more days went by without seeing Julianne.

I was powerless. Walang silbi ang estado at pera ko sa lugar na ito. Aside from the obvious CCTVs that adorned almost every pillar of every wall, Imperial Grande's rules and security system had disabled me from entering the estate. I could force myself in like last time and try to climb over the walls but I dared not risk my life twice for it would mean not seeing my wife ever again.

I was in the hospital for a couple of days dahil nakuryente ako sa dulo ng mataas na pader. I had to regroup and ask for John's help regarding the estate and how I can find a loophole to enter it.

Imperial Grande was so private that only residents were allowed to go in. Any outsider who wished to visit must set an appointment and pass an extensive screening before being granted a temporary pass. At sa lahat ng iyon ay bagsak ako.

The Sandovals wanted nothing of me. Tanggap ko naman. Pero...I only wished... wanted, ached and needed to speak to my wife. Kahit ilang minuto lang.

After the Senator's live statement, the media had speculated and already spun Julianne's' miscarriage. Photos of the two of us together and rumors of me fathering our unborn child had surfaced the news and tabloids. I was instantly and constantly bugged by reporters to get my side of the story after that. I made no move to pacify them for it was both a punishment and an assurance of my connection with Julianne.

My only quiet amidst all that was ironically the hours and days waiting and staring at the huge thick walls of Imperial Grande. I was even hoping for a miracle that Julianne would come out, let me in and let me grovel. Pero napakaimposible.

Mas possible pang mga kapatid niya ang lumabas at gulpihin ako...o baka barilin ulit para huwag na akong magtangkang pumasok.

Third Sandoval made sure that I would think twice, thrice and maybe a hundred times coming here again when he shot my shoulder. I could have averted it pero hindi na ako umilag.

I was more than desperate and even thought that maybe they'd let me in once I was shot. Pero hindi nangyari. There was no one to who dared to help me. Dapat nga siguro tinuluyan niya na lang ako para makabayad man lang sa mga kasalanan ko sa kapatid niya.

But my death would not equalize or take anything back... so that was out of my list. Third Sandoval may shoot me all he want but I will never get tired of waiting outside these walls.

I miss her so much.

I sighed heavily before opening the plastic bag beside me and took out the egg sandwich that I had grown to crave and began eating it to pass time. Hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na pala ako pagkatapos kumain, at nagulat na lang ako ng makarinig ng mga kalampag.

It took me a few seconds to finally determine what was happening and hijo de puta. My car was being assaulted by a furious Margaery Sandoval and her steel baseball bat.

"You fucking monster! May gana ka pang tumapak dito sa amin matapos mong sirain ang buhay ng kapatid ko? Putang-ina mong hayop ka!" There were shattering noises and I knew that my windshield was next for she had succesfully dented my side mirrors already. "Lumabas ka diyan at kating-kati na akong ipalo sa mukha mo itong baseball bat na demonyo ka. You have no shame!" She cried out as hate and rage emanated from her.

It was the hard truth. Hindi lang buhay ni Julianne and sinira ko, pati rin tiwala sa akin ni Margaery at ng pamilya nila. I promised that I'd take care of her sister, but what did I do?