P.I.BOX

Man In The Box

Duguang dumilat si Nombre habang inuupo ng dalawang prison guards sa harap ng isang naka salaming lalaki. Payat at may matulis na ilong, abala ito sa pagbabasa ng mga nakalatag na dokyumento sa lamesa. Ang malalim nitong mga mata ay halata sa likod ng suot na reading glass.

"Savages aren't they..." malumanay na sabi habang binababa ang papel. "Hindi ka manlang nila nilinisan." Hindi alam ng hitman kung bakit siya andito. "Given the look, you've been through a rough welcoming committee." Nagsindi ng sigarilyo ang lalaki. "I will assume that you already learned your lesson..." bumuga ng usok paharap at saka inilapit ang kaha ng sigarilyo sa kausap. "You want one?"

Alok.

"It's been a month. That's pass welcoming stage. Plus the fact that I don't know who you are." Habang hinahawi ang usok sa mukha. 'Di mapigilang maubo. Masakit sa mata ang usok. "Ngayon, iniisip ko, why do I get to have the privilege of inhaling your shit? Care to tell me kung bakit ka andito?"

"Yeah, about that..." umayos ng upo ang bisita habang tinutuwid ang kurbata, "My employers' been watching you and the instruction was to get rid of you the moment you were arrested, because you know..." mwestra sa kamay, kumukuha ng response sa kausap.

"I failed?" dugtong ni Nombre.

"Yes you did..." pag sang-ayon. "And my employer hires only the best... but thanks to me, you are spared."

"So what? Am I supposed to say thank you?"

"Exactly!" nakangiti. "And you are welcome by the way!" habol nito.

"Why would I? I don't even know kung sinong employer ang pinagsasasabi mo? As far as I know, my employer is already behind bars..."

"Ah, you mean the campaign manager? Yes, and thanks to two brats, you two are behind bars."

Sumandal si Nombre. "Yeah, you can say that. But what if I didn't fail? What if I choose to be here?"

"Of course Mr. Nombre! Of course!" nakatawang sabi. "Your M.O. says you are most unlikely to get caught that is why it boggles me kung bakit ka andito." Hiniwalay ang ilang pahina ng kanina pa binabasang papel saka inayos at inilapag sa harap ng hitman. "You are far more important and useful, Mr. Nombre... Imagine your skills put to use. If I may put it lightly 'no... We have heard and read stories about your works and they are quite impressive! We wouldn't want such talent go to waste."

Dahan-dahang yumuko't sinulyapan ang papel.

"We have big plans as you can see..." pagpapatuloy ng bisita. "And we want you to be part of it obviously." Tumindig ito't kinuha ang attache case. Inayos uli ang kurbata't salamin. "Anyway, if you agree, sign away and you will be released asap." Tumango lamang ito bilang pagpapaalam at saka akmang lalakad na palabas ng visitors area.

"What if I don't sign?" habol na pahayag ng hitman.

Malumanay na huminto at lumingon, nakangiting sinagot ang tanong. "Well, put it this way... you have already seen the document and read part of it, so if you don't agree, you will be liquidated. As if nothing happened. As if I was not here."

"You talk as if hindi mo alam kung nasaan ka. You are inside Metro Prison. Sandamukal ang pulis dito."

"Ah you mean itong mga 'to?" Sabay turo sa dalawang maskuladong prison guards na patayo-tayo sa may automated door habang ngumunguya ng bubble gum.

"They have all been paid off. Everyone's under our payroll. They will never even care if I slap you in the face right now. CCTVs can easily be erased nowadays by the way... like I said... like I'm never been here."

Pinawisan si Nombre sa kanyang kinauupuan. May mga matang sa kanya ay nanonood. Tumingin siya sa cctv camera. Inilapag ng isang pulis ang ballpen malapit sa kanyang kamay. Doon huminto ang oras. Pipirma ba ako o hindi? Sino man sa loob ay konektado sa lalaking ito at sa kanyang amo. Sino nga ba ang kanyang amo? Walang mapagkakatiwalan maliban sa kanyang sarili, hinawakan niya ang ballpoint.

"Hindi ko nakuha 'yung pangalan mo..." sabi niya habang inuumang ang kamay.

"Most people call me Amadeo... You may do the same."

"Ano ka? Attorney?"

"Nope, ano kaba? I'm not that evil." natatawang sabi. "I'm an Executive Assistant working for my employer. Most trusted."

"Annndd... who is your employer again?"

"Oh you will know... soon."  kalmadong sagot. "This city needs people like you Mr. Nombre. People who asked questions... people who can make a difference. Do it, if not for yourself... I suggest for your family. I'm telling you, you won't regret it."

'Yun lamang at ibinakat ni Nombre ang kanyang komplikadong pirma sa dokyumentong nakapatong sa lamesa. Pinagsama-sama at saka iniabot gamit ang dalawang nakaposas na kamay. Maingat na hinawakan naman iyon ng E.A.; tiningnan at saka inilagay sa loob ng kanyang case. Nilabas ang maliit na panyo sa kanyang bulsa at pinampunas sa kanyang salamin.

"Grazie..." bulong. "Sarà un piacere lavorare con te... Tuklaw."

Matagal nang hindi narinig ni Nombre ang pangalan niya na yun.

* * * *