Once In A Lifetime

Chapter 31: More Lies

"I don't know what's worse: people who lie, or people who think, I am stupid to believe their lies."

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Manang Pacing was busy in the kitchen washing the dishes when she heard the dogs were barking frantically from the backyard. She peeped through the kitchen window and saw an approaching figure. Right away, she called Crispin and said nervously,

"I think I saw a man at the back yard." She said nervously, wiping her hands from the kitchen towel hung at the counter.

"You better go upstairs, make it sure Denise won't notice anything. Im sure, it's one of those guys looking for her." Crispin said alarmed as he examined through the window the possible presence of an intruder.

"What are we going to do if he comes knocking?" She said frightened.

"Don't worry, Nay. Leave it to me. I know what to do. Just don't make any sounds." He assured her while securing the doors and windows.

The old woman went upstairs. Cautiously, she checked the kids inside their rooms avoiding any noise. They were already sleeping. Then, she proceeded to the next room where Denise was. She was relieved seeing the girl was asleep, too. She looked at the sleeping child, and took pity on her.

How she wish to go back in the past and undo some things she did. Maybe, just maybe, fate would be a lot better for all of them. And for the first time in many years, she felt the remorse of being who she is.

Looking at the young woman bruised and helpless, she was not seeing Denise, but could see Linda, the very kind-hearted woman she had known all her life and treated as her own child. But with one act of betrayal, Linda's life was claimed untimely, changing what had been destined for the only child she bore.

The regrets she had to live for many years were too cruel that even in her old age, heaven's vengeance kept coming back.
She knew Linda had forgiven her already, only she had never learned to forgive herself after all these years...

She was resolved this time to keep Denise protected from the tyranny of some people, even at the cost of her own life. Anyway she's old and before she die, heaven's forgiveness is all she ever wanted to achieve.

She sat by the bedside, careful not to awaken the girl, cleared some strands of hair away from her bruised face and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. Then, slowly she walked away.

Something inside of her was telling her to lock the room for the meantime. The same voice who warned her many years ago to leave the house immediately with Linda because something horrible would happen, but she did not listen to the warning. Until the fire broke out and both of them​ were trapped inside the burning house.

"I'm sorry Denise. This is for your safety. " She closed the door behind her and locked it for the meantime. This time, following the prompting of the inner voice within her.

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Crispin waited for the intruder to advance. He could hear the dog continuously barking, with a riffle on his hand, he's ready to defend the people and the property within his care.

Then, unexpectedly, he heard someone calling outside from the front door while the dogs were becoming wild.

"Hello!? Is anybody home?" Mr. Aragon shouted at the tip of his voice outside the fence. He was securely holding the close wooden gate, lest it would give way, giving opportunity for the three dogs to feast on him.

Crispin examined the man standing in front of the gate through the window. Obviously, the man was not an intruder. By the looks of him as his image was illuminated by the flickering lamp on the gatepost, he's probably a police in civilian attire.

Crispin, holding the riffle down on his hands, went out and asked,

"What can I do for you, sir?"

"I'm from the NBI. I lost my way from the woods and ended at the river. I'm not sure on my way back because it's quite dark in the woods. And my car is on the highway. Maybe you can help me back in the right track." He explained, hoping he would offer some drinks.

Crispin came closer to the gate, drove the dogs away and let the man in.

"Your dogs got into my nerves. Nice breeding."

"They're good boys actually. Not much of a biting kind."

"I'm​ glad to hear that."

When they reached the porch, Mr. Aragon introduced himself saying,

"By the way, I'm Wilfredo Aragon from the NBI," then from his pocket, he showed him his chapa. "And you are...?"

"Call me Crispin, sir. I am the caretaker here." He extended his hand for a shake as he kept the gun down.

"Nice gun." He said.

"I need it here around sir. You know, bad guys are everywhere." He explained.

"Sure...you alone here?" His eyes roamed curiously, inspecting.

"My mother is already asleep with her grandchildren."

"Your kids?"

"No, sir. No woman will give me a kid, I guess." He said smiling.

"Can I ask you some questions about the accident?"

"Yeah, sure. What about it, sir?"

Mr. Aragon took out from his jacket a picture and handed it to the man. "Have you seen that girl?"

Crispin looked at the picture and said,
"No, sir. Who is this girl?"

"She is supposed to be in one of the cars involved in the accident, but until now, we don't have lead where she is."

"You mean, she's missing?"

"Right. She's the reason why I was in the woods. I was hoping to see her or her dead body. But until now, she's never been found."

"Do you think, she can come this far, with the cliff and river and she is injured? I doubt, sir." He said shaking his head.

"Yeah, you're right. I had a hard time making it myself."

"I wish she's just somewhere else, enjoying life." He returned the picture to him and continued,

"Maybe, I can drive you to your car now, sir."

"That would be a great help. Can I ask for a glass of water first?"

"Yeah sure. Just wait here." He stood up and went back inside the house.

Few minutes later, Crispin was driving with Mr. Aragon to where the guy left his car.
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We are now rank #6 in Spiritual this day, April 15, 2017. Thank you so much to all of you dear readers.