Kabanata 29
Dead
Pumayag sina Mama at Papa na umalis ako. But they were not very happy about it. They want me to work in our company and stay here. O kahit huwag na akong magtrabaho basta dito lang ako.
I insisted. I want it for my professional growth and also their safety. I still believe that it can happen again.
Hindi ko kakayanin kung maulit pa iyon lalo na't hindi pa nakikita si Sean. Ayon kay Leo, determinado daw talaga si Sean na gumanti sa akin at may pakiramdam siyang hindi ito titigil hangga't hindi ako napaghihigantihan.
She didn't have the means. It was obvious. At ayon kay Leo, maaaring nagtatago raw ito sa mga liblib na lugar sa Maynila dahil dito lang daw siya kumikita.
Going abroad was safe. I don't want to compromise the security of my family. Kahit pa sinasabi ni Mama at Papa na hindi na mauulit iyon. Doble na ang security namin at talagang nakaligtaan lang ang araw na iyon dahil walang threat at napakaimposible na may mangyari pang ganoon sa lugar.
I didn't trust their words, though. I guess I would only be completely off guard about her if she's found. Natatangahan nga ako na hindi pa rin siya nahahanap! It's just one girl and she didn't have any means to hide in a safe place for herself!
"Baka tinutulungan siya ni Uriel," si Leo nang bumisita ako.
He was being rehabilitated but he's doing fine, according to his family.
"Tumutulong si Uriel sa imbestigasyon."
"Baka palusot niya lang 'yon?"
"Para saan?"
Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba iyon sa galit ko kay Uriel o ano pero kinokonsidera ko lahat ng paninira sa kanya. He has explained his side but because I was angry, it was easier to believe these things.
"Kaya nga sinabi ko, hindi ba? Gusto siya ni Uriel."
"Hindi niya raw gusto si Sean."
"Tingin mo mababaliw si Sean ng ganoon, kung hindi totoo?"
"Oo," giit ko kahit na kinonsidera nga ng kaunti ang sinabi niya. "She was a slut from the very beginning so it's not out of character if she's this desparate to get Uriel Mercadejas, Leo."
Tumayo ako sa iritasyon.
"Magpagaling ka. Aalis na ako."
"Tutulong ako sa imbestigasyon. Pangako 'yan."
I want to say that my family can handle that but I didn't. Any help will be good. Iyon nga lang, wala rin akong tiwala kay Leo. How sure am I that he will not help Sean now that he's under his family's money?
Mabuti na lang at narinig ko pinabantayan siya ni Uriel. Pati ang pamilya niya. Pero sa sulok ng isipan ko, may sumiksik at bumubulong na ideya.
Baka pinabantayan ni Uriel para masigurado niyang hindi magkita ang dalawa at sila lang talaga ni Sean ang magsasama?
It was irrational. I shook my head but I was fuming mad when I left the facility.
I was abroad after a few weeks but the scenes haunted me. Minsan madaling araw nagigising ako sa bangungot. Sa mga bangungot na iyon, namatay si Papa at punong-puno ng dugo ang kamay ko.
Naaalala ko noon na ganito rin ang nangyari. I was haunted by what happened to Orianne, now my father. This time, it's just different and more intense.
Araw-araw akong tumatawag sa amin para i-check si Mama at Papa. Nakikibalita rin ako sa imbestigasyon. Tuwing naririnig ko na hindi pa siya nahuhuli, lagi akong naiirita kay Uriel.
