Rescue Me, Stranger

Epilogue

Epilogue

“It’s okay. At least, everything is done now. Don’t make such a fuss over it,” Jena said and sipped her frappe.

“I can’t believe I look ugly in these articles! Sabi ko na nga ba, ang pangit ko do’n sa mugshot!” singhal ko at ibinagsak ang dyaryo sa mesa. “Isn’t this a newspaper of general circulation? Wow, thanks to Theo, I’m famous now.”

I rolled my eyes. I’ve always wanted to see my name on the television and in newspapers but not as a murder suspect. And freak, I look ugly in the photos they used in the article.

It’s been two weeks since I got acquitted, declared innocent beyond reasonable doubt. Pagkalabas ko, dumiretso kaagad ako sa apartment ko. Nag-impake na ako at nagdesisyon na umuwi sa amin. Joe, the man who pretended to be one of my lawyers before, fetched and drove me home. I learned that he’s one of my dad’s most trusted men.

I had always thought that I don’t need to be with my family to live. But after everything that happened, I realized something. It takes a home to heal from the stones the world throws at you. And family will always be your home.

“Correction, you’re infamous,” Jena sarcastically replied.

Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata, “Hindi mo ba narinig ‘yong sinabi ng judge? I’m not guilty. I was falsely accused and got acquitted. I’d be a perfect figure of justice.”

“That was just because you had a great lawyer.”

I froze for a moment.

Now that she mentioned it, I realized that I haven’t seen Law for a while. The last time I saw him was when I got released. Sana hindi ko muna siya pinasalamatan no’ng araw na ‘yon, para may dahilan pa ‘ko para makita siya.

“Shoot, Mecy!” I flinched when Jena yelled. She was looking at her wristwatch, “I have to go. Male-late na ‘ko.”

Tumayo na rin ako, “Sabay na tayo.”

Walking distance lang ang layo ng university ni Jena mula sa café kung saan kami nagkita. Parehas ng direksyon pero siya, didiretso na sa law school. Ako naman, pupunta sa parking area kung saan naghihintay si Joe.

Nang makarating sa tapat ng university, napansin ko ang dami ng estudyante sa gate. Mas marami ang papasok sa loob, kaysa sa mga palabas.

Nagpaalam na siya, “See you!”

I just smiled and waved goodbye. I was just about to go when I saw someone familiar from the crowd. Law was walking towards my direction, talking to Attorney James Hidalgo.

I turned away from him because I suddenly felt nervous. Hindi ako sigurado kung anong sasabihin ko sa kanya. Hindi rin sumagi sa isip ko kahit minsan kung anong mangyayari sa’min pagkatapos kong makalaya.

Everything was a mess back then but we managed to kiss in the consultation room. Was that something we should talk about?

“Have you been well?” I gasped when I heard Law from my behind. My heart raced even faster that I can’t face him. “I thought I’d never see you again. When did you come back?”

“J-just—“ Hindi pa ‘ko tapos magsalita nang bigla niya ‘kong hilain paharap sa kanya.

“Face me when you’re talking, miss,” seryosong sabi niya pero agad ding ngumiti.