The Fall of Holden Hidalgo [Completed]

Chapter 21 - Headache

Chapter 21 - Headache

(POV Holden)

HEADACHE. My headache is killing me right now. A mixture of stress, fear, anxiety and adrenaline makes me want to shoot my head.

Kausap ko ngayon ang manager ng club at ipinaliwanag ko na ako ang kasama ni Keisha sa private lounge. I don't fucking care kung makita niya ang malaswa naming ginagawa ni Keisha. All I want right now is to find Helena. I am worried about her and at the same time, I am frightened.

Hindi naman ako natatakot kay Helena kung totoo nga ang mga speculation ni Leon. Natatakot ako sa maaring maramdaman ko kapag nalaman ko na ang totoo.

Will I hate her for her vicious crime? Or will I hate myself for overlooking her wickedness?

"Mr. Hidalgo, it is pretty clear to me that you are outside the club's premises when the murder happened."

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag dahil sa sinabi ng manager sa akin habang tinitignan namin ang video footages sa kanyang laptop. Mahigit isang oras na din kami nandito sa loob kami ng manager's office sa loob ng mismo ng club. Kung madalas ay puno ang lugar na ito ng ingay, ngayon naman ay pawang katahimikan.

"But I believe I need to stay here for some questioning. Am I right?" tanong ko sa manager sabay tingin sa lalaking kasama namin sa office.

Based on his coat and his poker face, ito marahil ang detective na in charge sa kaso ni Keisha. Kanina pa masama ang tingin niya sa akin. He is looking at me as if he studying if I am lying or not.

"Detective Duran may need to ask for your statement and your relationship with Keisha. He is handling this case now," the manager said as he motioned the detective to take a vacant seat.

"That's not a problem, detective. I will be more than happy to help you locate Keisha's murderer."

Lumapit ang detective at umupo sa bakante na upuan sa harapan ko. Hindi naman ako ang pumatay kay Keisha, pero kinakabahan ako sa presensya niya. Siguro dahil walang emosyon ang mukha niya at hindi ko din alam kung ano ang tumatakbo sa isip niya.

"Mr. Hidalgo, how are you related to our victim?" tanong ni Detective Duran.

It is not a simple question, but I think he is asking for more underneath his inquiry.

"With all honesty, Keisha is not even my friend. I met her a few years back in a party hosted by my brother."

"And how is your brother related to Keisha?"

"I guess she was a friend or acquaintance of my brother. I am not really sure, but they are both into music. If I am not mistaken, Keisha was a songwriter and my brother was a musical artist. His name is Harland Hidalgo."

"The rock star who died in a car crash?" the detective asked with no concern for my feelings.

"My brother has been dead for more than three years ago. He is irrelevant in this case. What is your point, Detective Duran?"

"Mr. Hidalgo, Keisha is a regular client in this club. You, on the other hand is a new customer according to the manager. Is it possible that you are the real target here?"

"Yeah, possibly. Magkamukha kami ni Keisha. Baka napagkamalan ng killer na si Keisha at ako ay iisa," I answered sarcastically.

"I don't need your sardonic answer, Mr. Hidalgo."

"Then, get straight to the point, Detective Duran."

Detective Duran looked at me with his soulless eyes. Kung wala akong alibi, I think he will pin me for this murder so he can close this case right away. Akala ko ay magtatanong pa siya, but he politely ask me to follow him outside the manager's office.