Unbinding Ties of Sloth

Kabanata 21

Lumipas pa ang mga araw na ganoon lang ang routine ko. Mag-iisang buwan na akong nagluluksa at walang tulog. Is it possible? Yeah. Nagkakape ako kapag pakiramdam ko aantukin na ako.

I tried talking to Joya's parents twice but they refused to give me answers. Every time I convince them to tell me the truth, Tita Sally would always say, "Huwag mo nang ungkatin, hija. Hayaan mo na."

I can discern them somehow. They are hiding something. When I asked Dionne for her help, she told me that her Dad stopped her from interfering in the case. Hindi na din nakikinig ang mga tauhan nila sa kanya. While his Uncle Jess is out of reach.

I am left with nothing but to start from scratch. Even the police station couldn't disclose any information about the car accident because I am not a family member.

Ang pinakamasaklap sa lahat, there is a CCTV in the area where the incident happened but when I asked about the footage, it's been hacked and erased from their system.

Someone is surely behind the scene. Parang pinagtatakpan ang nangyari. Pero bakit?

First, the fabricated report for the cause of her death. Second, her parents' constant refusal to tell the truth, and third, the missing pieces of evidence that may lead to that stupid driver behind the steering wheel!

But most of all, myself being the main culprit who made Joya went into that place at that time for that purpose.

I blamed myself for her death. And I will never forgive myself hangga't hindi ko nabibigyan ng hustisya ang kamatayan niya.

She was never careless sa pagtawid sa kalsada. I actually admire her for being alert every time na tatawid kami ng kalsada kasi sinisiguro niyang walang paparating na sasakyan mula sa kanan o sa kaliwa.

I really have to get that CCTV footage. But damn! Someone has been manipulating everything. And I promise, hahanapin ko siya. That is my No. 1 goal!

Nakasanayan ko nang kapag gumagabi na ay naglalakad-lakad ako sa malapit na parke bago umuwi. Nagpapalipas ako ng ilang oras hanggang mag-alas otso saka ako uuwi. Ganoon ang routine ko simula noong nalaman ko nang wala na nga si Joya.

Ganoon kasi kami ni Joya kapag walang klase. Kinukulit na din ako ni Mr. Ignacio about sa recommendation niya sa akin sa BCA Admin pero hindi pa ako nagbibigay ng kasagutan.

I wanted to enter PNP to bring justice to her death but I am always reminded how Joya wanted us to teach at BCA after graduation.

Palapit na ako sa bahay nang maramdaman ko ang panghihina ng mga tuhod ko at ang biglaang pagdilim ng paningin ko. But before I lost consciousness, I felt those strong arms catching me from falling.

When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by an all-white surrounding. Mula sa taas hanggang sa mga gilid. Napakurap-kurap ako para iadjust ang mga mata ko mula sa liwanag. I'm sure hindi ito langit. Kasi kung afterlife ito, I will literally be at hell for my sins while crying in misery. 

Naulinigan ko ang ilang mahihinang tinig na nagbubulungan sa paligid. Hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila.

"Should we tell her?"

"I don't think it will do good to her."

"Then, we should at least do something for her."