UNMASKED (Incognito Book 3- Completed)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

“O, tapos mo nang i-reveiw ang lahat ng balita? Papasok ka na?”

Nag-angat ng tingin si ZD mula sa kanyang laptop, at sa tatlong klase ng brtoadsheet sa harap niya. It was Laya, ang girlfriend ng may-ari ng Cornerstore na si Evan, at isa din sa hindi niya inakalang matagal na palang matalik na kaibigan ni Charlee. One of those friends she never really saw again seven years ago, na kahit na noong narito sa San Diego ang dalaga ay hindi nito nagawang lapitan. For reasosn he already knows now.

“Yeah. Wala pa ding good news. No clue as to where those bastards are.” napailing siya, na ang tinutukoy ay ang mga Dominguez.

Tatlong buwan na simula anang umalis si Charlee, at wala siyang alam kung nasaan an ito. Maging si Laya at ang isa pang kaibigan ng mga ito na si Yani ay walang alam. All they were told is that the Angeles family are now living in another continent, and that they are safe.

Since she left, things hasn't been the same. INSU only reminds him so much of Charlee, kaya naman nag-resign na rin siya doon matapos ang first semester. Nag-full-time na siya sa law office at kapag Biyernes ay nasa PAO ng San Diego.

Maaring iniiwasan niya ngayon ang ilang lugar na nakapagpapalala lang sa dalaga ngunit hindi iyon nangangahulugan na binabalak niya itong kalimutan. Definitely not.

Dahil patuloy siyang aasa, hindi siya matatakot mangarap, at handa siyang maghintay sa pagdating ng araw na magkikita silang muli.

“Yeah, I know.” sabi ni Laya bago pumuwesto sa upuang katapat niya. “Wala rin kaming balita ni Yani. Wala siya ni email, o post sa private blog namin. Which, by the way, you should know about.” sabi nito bago itinuro ang laptop.

Nangungunot ang noong iniharap naman niya sa babae ang computer. She then began typing something, before showing her a webpage. “Ilang taon nang ganito ang komunikasyon naming magkakaibigan and so far, we managed to stay in touch, Kahit inaabot ng buwan ang bawat reply. Si Charlee ang pinakamatagal sumagot, but at least, it would be something to look forward to.”

Mataman niyang tiningnan ang babae, bago tumango. “Fire away.”

  To:  malaya612@gmail.com, montzd@protonmail.com, satrianilives@gmail.com

From: runawayspice@protonmail.com

Subject: Hello and I'm Sorry

I am so sorry if it took a year before I got back at you, guys, You must all be worried. I am doing great, though. Same goes with my family.

It's just that it took awhile to get settled, especially because this is a place where they don't really speak English, except when talking to tourists, or teaching kids at school.

I am learning so much, and I love it. I am also playing my piano a lot.
Yes, MY own piano. ;) Three months ago ko lang nabili. I also do gigs every other night at this quaint little restaurant, playing and singing whenever the chef bribes me with desserts, or a bottle of good wine.

Don't worry, you gorgeous addition to this email loop (hi, ZD!), the chef is seventy years old, and married to the woman who's teaching me their native language.

Anyway, much as this has been a good, safe enough year, I still cannot talk much. The bad guys are still at large, although their cohorts are already being put to jail one by one. Ah, but one day. I'm praying that would be soon.

  When that day comes, papupuntahin ko kayong lahat dito. Sigurado akong magugustuhan ninyo dito. Lalo na yung isa diyan na may collection daw ng pictures and videos na galing dito.

Okay, that's a clue. But don't get excited guys. One day.

Let's keep praying, hoping and dreaming.

I miss you all ;)

I will be waiting. I will be there.
Charlee