Chronicles Revealed

Chapter 23: Brothers

When we woke up, the first thing on our minds was a call or a text from Andre. There was no missed call or an unread text message from him.  Andre must have been pretty occupied the whole night and most likely came home early morning already.  We were so excited at the prospect of hearing everything from Andre waiting felt like it would last forever. Mama and I felt strongly Andre had something very significant to tell us. I was on the edge of calling or texting Andre but somehow I managed to hold on rather than appear inconsiderate. Andre might be like a brother to me, but it was not an excuse to take too much liberty of his time. It would be tantamount to abuse of friendship. I always believed that when you abuse friendship there is no friendship to speak of. It was possible Andre was still asleep or had just fallen asleep. Accepting that, I decided to just wait for Andre's call.

But, then again? No. Wait. Be patient, I told myself.

Let's meet at Kuya Joe's Native Restaurant tonight at 6:30 PM. We have very good news to tell you, I texted Ronald, Andy, Rowell and Navs. Almost at the same time, they replied we will be there with exclamation point. Our boys were obviously very excited to hear what we had to say. It had been sometime also since we met as a group.

To Roman and Eli, I sent the following message: Two are now in hell, the mastermind soon to follow. Justice will be fully served.

Eli replied: They deserved it. Be careful. Be vigilant at all time.

Roman replied: Very good to hear. Let me know if I could be of help. Stay safe.

Before noon time, I received a call from Andre:

Partner, sorry I didn't call you earlier. I came home almost morning already. So many things to do, Andre explained.

It's alright Andre. I understand completely. Congratulations on your successful operations last night. PNP must be very proud of you now, I told Andre in a congratulatory tone.

Thanks, partner, let's meet on Saturday afternoon. I have so many things to attend to now. I'll just finish them all before we meet. I'll call you. I would like you to know beforehand that Codina named the man who hired him to kill your son. It was a Jake Perez. Is he your suspect? He paid Roque P20,000.00 to do it, Andre disclosed.

Yes he is, Andre. I hope everything will be over soon. It is hard to accept that what you have thought all along is true, more so if it involves someone you know as a friend. I hoped Codina would say something different. It will shock and hurt Mama, I replied to Andre.

Partner, I have a meeting with the big bosses in thirty minutes. I have to go. Give my best regards to Mama. I'll see you on Saturday, Andre said as he ended the call.

Mama was there beside me while I was talking to Andre. Andre extends his best regards to you, I told her. Ma, Jake masterminded the killing of our son. She knew Jake better than me and she did not say anything for a while. She knew they were very close, like brothers. During their school days, Jake rode with them when she brought and picked up our children in school. She could see how they enjoyed each other's company in the way they talked to each other. They had a commonality between them one would think nothing could erode. The house of Jake was right behind ours at the time. I saw and understood what she was going through right there before me. It was also painful to me to know that my suspicion was right.

I read his last email to our son. Jake sent it to him three days before he was killed, Mama started to say, choking with pain and sadness over what she had just heard from me. He showed it to me. It was seething, venomous and replete of maledictions and grave threats. I didn't tell you about it because I thought the email was not worth talking about. I couldn't believe Jake could write something like that to him. I had my suspicion but I thought it was wrong. It couldn't possibly be right. How could it be when they were brothers? Even your son said the email didn't mean anything. It was just a meaningless rant of mindless jealousy stoked by drugs and the poison his brother made him drink in large dosage everyday.