Kabanata 14
Kabanata 14
"Stop dragging me!" I exclaimed loudly when I felt pain.
"Magnanakaw ka kasi kaya dapat lang sa'yo tinutulak!" Jellie even hissed and I sighed loudly, irritated.
I was just looking and enjoying window shopping for that damn jewelries and this is where it'll take me? Damn it!
I glanced at Jiggy and saw him busy contacting someone and it irritates me a lot, knowing that I am a long-time customer in their store and he can't even vouch for me!
Kinalma ko ang sarili para hindi magwala sa galit pero hindi na ako nakapagpigil nang makita kung saan nila ako dinala.
"Are you fucking serious?!" I exclaimed loudly, pilit na kumawala pero mas hinigpitan ng guard ang hawak sa braso ko at halos itulak na ako. "Jiggy?!" I glanced at my "friend" who only looked away, as if judging me.
"Is this freaking serious?" I whispered irritatedly. "This is against my rights, you know?" I tried reasoning out pero bingi sila para pakinggan ako.
"And why am I in a precinct? Can't we settle this on your shop? Wala ba kayong CCTV?!" Iritadong sabi ko na pero napailing lang sa akin si Jiggy.
I closed my eyes tightly, I saw how Jellie followed us again with Samantha. The audacity of these bitches?
I can see their smirks and it irritates the hell out of me. Halos matapilok pa ako habang papaakyat sa may hagdan patungo sa may pintuan at kahit napadaing na ay wala silang paki.
I was embarrassed for myself, thinking I worked in this precinct for months and now, I am here...bilang magnanakaw.
I am so frustrated I felt like crying but I don't like them to see me like this...lalo na sina Sam na wala atang hinihiling kung hindi ang kamiserablehan ng kapwa nila.
I immediately saw how Carol stopped on her steps when she saw me being dragged inside the precinct, her forehead creased, mukhang nagtataka noong una.
"Hala, Ma'am Crest?!" I heard one of the policeman called.
"Oh, you knew her?" Jellie answered. "She's here for theft, million dollar jewelry."
"I didn't!" I exclaimed loudly but no one listened, nakita ko ang pagtataka sa ibang pulis na naroon pero si Carol ay pumormal ng tayo at kaagad na ngumiti.
"Oh, theft?" I can sense the hidden mockery on her voice and to my disappointment, Jiggy nodded. "Oh, that's good. This way." Carol smiled sweetly, glancing at me sideways bago nauna pa sa paglalakad sa amin.
"Ano ba? It hurts!" I hissed but the guard's grip didn't loosen even a little bit.
Carol pointed an empty chair in front of the desk and I was dragged there, forcefully making me sit on the damn chair.
"Fuck..." I cursed silently when my waist bumped the chair, napapikit ako ng mariin at napasinghap sa kanila.
I heard a familiar laugh, sa paglingon ko ay nakita ko sina Adam, Brent at Earn na magkakasama, may pinagkekwentuhan at sa hiya ko ay mabilis kong iniwas ang tingin at nagbaba ng ulo.
"Oh, boys! Here you are! Come here!" Carol called and I almost cursed, gusto kong tumayo at sabunutan siya para manahimik but I was too late, pumunta na ang tatlo roon at nakita na ako.
"Madame?" I heard Earn gasped.
"Hala, Mama?!" Adam and Brent exclaimed in shock and I lifted my head and smiled nonchalantly at them.
"I didn't do it." I said and they were all shock.
"Oh, she did, right?" Carol glanced at the people behind.
"Yes, Ma'am. Nahuli siya bago makalabas. Ako mismo nakakita ng alahas sa bag." Ani ng guard doon.
"We're the witness," I heard Jellie said and I felt the embarrassment more. I glanced at the boys, thinking how disappointed they are to me right now. They looked up to me before and now...
"That's impossible," ani bigla ni Earn kaya kumalabog ang puso ko.
"Madame Crest would never do that." Ani Adam na kunot ang noo kaya mas nanlaki ang mata ko.
They...believed me.
"We have our evidences here, right?" ani Carol.
"Yes, Ma'am." Jiggy answered and placed my bag on the desk.
"Oh, see?" Carol smiled at the boys pero mas naging mukhang inis lang ang tatlo.
"Let me call Lieutenant." Ani ni Brent doon.
"Oh, you should...so he could see..." Carol glanced at me sideways and smiled sweetly again.
Brent left, si Adam ay sumulyap sa akin ng mabilis bago nagmamadaling umalis at si Earn naman ay mabilis na lumapit.
"Madame..." I saw his eyes soften when he walked closer to me, bumuntonghininga naman ako roon at nagsalita.
"I didn't do anything," I told him.
"Oh, stop lying, Crest!" I heard Sam said, "you're a klepto, right? Simula pa noon, cheater ka tapos magnanakaw-"
"Be careful of accusing, Miss. She can sue you for that." A baritone, strict voice stopped her and my heart jumped, mabilis akong nag-angat ng tingin at kaagad na naramdaman ang magkahalong kaba at pagkahiya nang makita si Locket.
Nakita ko ang pagtahimik ng dalawa roon, Locket's forehead creased as he coldly looked around and glanced at me.
"Crest..." he called.
My heart thumped loudly and I lowered my head, mabilis siyang nagtungo sa tabi ko at akmang hahawakan ako pero bigla siyang natigilan nang makita ang kamay ko.
"Why is she cuffed?" I heard the hardness on his voice.
"Uh...kasi Sir, kumakawala-"
"I did not!" I exclaimed, bumaling na sa guard na nagsalita roon. "I was just telling everyone that we could settle this there instead of dragging me here!"
"Bagay lang sa kanya 'yan, officer! She's a theft-"
"I respectfully not asking you, Ma'am." Locket said coldly, stopping Jellie.
Jellie's forehead crease, si Sam ay umirap sa akin at si Jiggy ay napabuntonghininga lang doon at may tini-text na naman.
"The keys." Locket showed his palm to the guard who shook his head.
"Officer, baka tumakas-"
"She is in a police station, Sir." Locket said seriously, bakas ko ang galit sa mata niya pero pilit siyang pumopormal.
"Kahit na, officer! Nagnakaw ang babaeng iyan sa jewelry shop namin! Paano kung nakatakas? Kami ang nawala ng trabaho!"
"She's innocent until proven guilty, Sir." Locket said seriously. "And do you have enough evidences?"
"We've seen it in our eyes! Kung paano siya nahuli at nakita sa bag niya 'yong alahas!" ani Sam doon at nakita ko ang pagbasa ni Locket sa labi niya at bahagyang tumango, sinusuklay ang buhok ng daliri.
"Yes, other than that? CCTVs?" Locket asked them coldly and they all got quiet, sabay-sabay silang napalingon kay Jiggy na nanlaki ang mata at sumulayap kay Locket. "Are you the store owner?"
"M-manager, officer." Jiggy smiled a bit.
"Alright, any CCTVs?" malamig na sabi ni Locket at nakita ko ang panlalaki ng mat ani Jiggy at pagsinghap.
"Uh, pinapatignan ko pa lang po. Wala kasi 'yong technician namin kanina-"
"Then Miss Sandejas should still be considered innocent, Sir." Locket said seriously, mas lumalim ang gatla sa noo.
"Locket..." Carol called, "we have eyewitnesses kaya suspect na-"
"I don't consider someone as suspect if there is no further evidences, Captain." Locket stopped her.
"But-"
"In this precinct, we treat everyone fair, Captain. I hope you could apply it to your station too." Locket said seriously.
"Locket-"
"It's Lieutenant, Captain. We're at work." Locket said coldly and I saw Carol looked away and cleared her throat.
"The key." Locket lifted his hand again at mukhang ayaw pa ibigay ng guard noong una. "I said the key, Sir." Mas dumiin ang boses ni Locket at nakita kong siniko ni Jiggy ang guard kaya mabilis nitong inabot ang susi kay Locket.
I saw the boys watching us silently, kita ko ang seryosong mukha nina Brent at Adam, mukhang galit, si Earn ay nakikipag-irapan kina Jellie.
"Please sit here," biglang sabi ni Carol at pinaupo ang iba sa ibang mga silya roon.
Locket knelt in front of me, kaagad kaming nagkatinginan at gumilid siya bago marahang inabot ang kamay kong nakaposas.
"Are you alright?" I heard him asked me gently and I sighed and didn't say anything, afraid they could see how scared I am right now.
I don't want them see how weak I am because they will use it against me...Jellie and Sam would probably do anything in exchange of seeing me suffering like this.
I felt how he caressed my wrists when I got freed from the handcuffs, naramdaman ko ang hapdi roon at bumuntonghininga lang si Locket, nakadukwang pa rin sa gilid ko at marahang minasahe ang pulsuhan ko.
"Are you hurt?" he asked again and I glanced at him sideways.
When I saw that gray eyes, I felt stronger. I didn't know how but with Locket and my babies here with me and believing me, I felt a lot more confident.
"Medyo," I muttered softly.
"I should call Attorney," aniya pero mabilis akong umiling at hinanap ang mata niya.
"No!" I gasped, "ayokong mag-alala sila. We can solve this here, right?"
"We need the CCTVs for now, Pinga and yes, we can resolve it here."
"Please don't tell Dad." I said softly, "he'll be mad for sure."
"But Crest-"
"Uh...actually natawagan ko na." Adam cut us off kaya natahimik kami. My eyes widen and glanced at him.
"You..."
"Uh...I think you need them kasi 'di ba, lawyer kaya ano...on their way na raw." Ani Adam at napanganga lang ako. "Peace, Madame. Hehe." He laughed awkwardly kaya napasinghap na lang ako at sumulyap sa pulsuhan ko.
Namumula na iyon, tumingin ako sa kanila at nakitang kinakausap ni Carol sina Jiggy at sina Sam. I saw Brent standing there, watching the two suspiciously at si Earn ay nakapamaywang pa, kulang na lang ay um-attitude kina Jellie.
"Ayaw mo maniwala, nakita ko nga kasi!" Jellie hissed.
"Hindi ka sure," tumaas ang kilay ni Earn pero biglang natanto ang attitude niya kaya tumikhim at may pahabol, "...Ma'am."
"Adam, can you please get some water for your mother." Ani Locket kaya mabilis na tumango si Adam at umalis.
Nagkatinginan kami, I was so embarrassed that he has to see me like this kaya hinaplos ko na lang ang pulsuhan kong nananakit at namumula na.
I heard him dragged a chair, nang magkalapit kami hinuli niya ang kamay ko kaya nakagat ko ang labi.
"What happened?" he asked and touched my wrist, napangiwi ako roon kaya mas naging maingat ang kanyang daliri.
"I didn't do it..." I muttered and glanced at his eyes, waiting for his reaction but he nodded without second thoughts.
"I know." Aniya kaya nakagat ko ang labi at mas kumalma ang puso.
"You...believed me?" I asked and he nodded, mas hinaplos pa ang pulsuhan ko.
"You won't do that. You'd never do that, Crest. I know." Aniya kaya mas lumakas ang loob ko. "Tell me what happen so we could help you."
I sighed, ayaw ko mang maalala ay kailangan kong magsalita dahil ayaw kong dungisan nila ang pangalan ko.
"I was just looking around the jewelry shop and Jiggy and the attendant showed me the jewelries around tapos nandoon sina Jellie at Sam, I tried some necklace and I promised I took it back to the attendant, wala naman masyadong nangyari kasi wala naman akong binili tapos ayon, no'ng nagpaalam na akong paalis tapos papalabas na biglang tumunog 'yong scanner...they searched me and found the jewelries in my bag and I promise, Locket. I promise I didn't take it!" I explained.
"I know and I believe you, okay?" he said reassuringly and I sighed in desperation.
"I just...I don't understand how did that happen, Locket. I will never take it pero paanong napunta sa bag ko?" I sighed. Dumating si Adam na humila rin ng upuan bago inabot sa akin ang tubig.
"Thanks," I muttered and drink it.
"How about anything suspicious? May lumapit ba sa'yo? Someone who could plant an evidence or what..." Locket said.
Pagkababa ko ng baso ay inabot din ni Adam ang isa kong pulsuhan, he massaged it too, kagaya no'ng ginagawa ni Locket pero nahuli siya ng huli at kumunot ang noo.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Uh, nagma-massage?" Adam said as a matter of fact.
"What? Bitaw. Ako ang magmamasahe." Locket hissed and Adam's eyes widened.
"Ayoko nga! Mama ko 'to, ah? Ano ka, chicks?" He sneered.
"Isa. Bibitawan mo o puputulin ko 'yang kamay mo." Locket warned, his eyes in daggers and Adam's eyes widen and slowly lowered my hand.
"Tss, napakaarte...mamassage ko lang Mama ko! Masama? Akala mo talaga...pangit mo, Lt. Pigsa!" Adam glared at him back at habang nagsasamaan sila ng tingin ay biglang may pumasok sa utak ko kaya suminghap ako.
"OMG!" I gasped and the two almost jumped in shock.
"W-what?!" Locket asked, panicking. "May masakit ba? Did I squeeze too hard?"
"No...I..." napasulyap ako kay Jellie na nakikipagbangayan na kay Earn na nakapaymang sa harapan niya. "Yes, I remembered Jellie bumping me on my way out. It was too quick but she definitely bumped me."
"Fuck." Locket cursed and before he could even say something, nakarinig ako ng mga pagbati at halos manliit at magtago nang makita kung sino ang dumating.
My father, Attorney Iñigo Rafael is in his formal black coat and white dress shirt, katabi niya si Chiel na nakasuot din ng pormal at itim na dress shirt, taas noong naglalakad papasok. Beside them is my mother wearing her green dress and my sister on her sleeveless top and skirt, looking for me.
Napatayo sina Locket, miski ang mga nagdala sa akin dito ay napatayo samantalang ako'y natatakot lang at nahihiya sa nangyari sa akin.
I remembered again how proud my parents were because my siblings brought them to the stage for oath takings, for awards and speeches samantalang ako...kung hindi sa guidance ay sa presinto naman.
What an embarrassment are you, Crest Veronica?! Your family's a bunch of respected lawyers and here you are in a freaking precinct because of alleged theft!
My father's cold blue eyes met mine, kaagad na kumalabog ang puso ko sa kaba kaya nagbaba ako ng tingin, sinusulyapan ang pulsuhan ko.
"What's the matter here?" I almost shivered when I heard his serious voice. Sumulyap ako muli sa kanila, si Mommy at Adira ay kunot ang noo at nang magkatinginan kaming tatlo ay nakita ko ang paglambot ng mata nila.
"Attorney..." Locket called and saluted and Dad nodded at him, inayos niya ang suit niya bago sumulyap sa mga tao sa gilid at sumulyap sa akin.
"What is my daughter doing here, Lieutenant?" Dad said seriously at napatayo na rin ako roon.
"Attorney, your daughter stole something from the jewelry store. Kung hindi nakita'y paniguradong natangay na niya." Jellie said with conviction and I scoffed.
What the hell?
Nakita ko rin ang napapantantiskuhang tingin ni Chiel sa dalawa at sinuklay pa ang buhok niya ang daliri.
"What? My daughter could never do that, Miss." Malamig at mariing sabi ni Mommy at si Adira ay pinagmasdan din sila.
"We've...we've seen it, Ma'am." Ani Jiggy na dahilan para kumuyom ang kamay ko. "Nakita po ng guard ang jewelry sa bag niya."
Dad stared at him intently, his forehead creasing, sumulyap sa akin si Dad at kaagad akong kinabahan doon. It was as if I am in the court and he's ready to give me my verdict.
"Is that true, Crest?" ani Dad sa akin kaya marahas akong umiling.
"No!" I gasped. "I'd never do that, Dad. I swear...I didn't."
Mom and Adira nodded, si Chiel ay tumaas ang kilay at humalukipkip habang pinagmamasdan sina Jellie na hindi na makatingin but I wasn't too nervous of them, mas kinakabahan ako kay Dad na pinagmamasdan pa ako kaya umiling ako at nagbaba ng tingin.
He probably won't believe me...
"I believe my daughter, Sir. She won't do that." Mabilis akong nag-angat ng tingin nang marinig si Daddy na nagsalita, "tell me everything that has happened, I need evidences."
My heart hammered inside my chest and I bit my lower lip, halos maiyak na na naniniwala sa akin si Daddy.
He believes me...my father freaking believed me!
"Attorney, we are an eyewitness. Nakita po namin kung paano nakuha sa bag ni Crest ang jewelry." Lakas loob na sabi ni Jellie.
"Miss Ramirez, right?" Dad asked and she nodded, glancing at me.
"Yes. Nakita po namin...kami ni Sam, right?" siniko niya si Sam na nagitla rin at napatango-tango, hindi na makatingin. "We saw na nilabas sa bag niya, kasama si Kuya guard at si Jiggy."
"So...you've seen the jewelry from her bag, right? Na kinukuha mula roon?" Dad asked and they all nodded.
Kumalabog na naman ang puso ko, si Mommy ay mukhang iritado na. Nakataas ang kilay at tinititigan ng mariin si Sam na nakatungo na.
"Yes po." Jellie answered.
"Ako po 'yong kumuha sa kanyang bag." Ani ng guard kaya tumango si Dad at malamig na tumingin.
"You've seen the jewelry from her but...has anyone saw how the jewelry got into her bag?" Dad asked kaya natahimik na sila. "Anyone?" but no one answered and Dad's forehead creased more.
"No?" Dad asked and everyone shook their heads.
"But aren't eyewitnesses enough reason to convict her, I mean sana po'y h'wag niyo kakampihan porket anak niyo-"
"Crest is my daughter, Miss Ramirez, but I am a lawyer and I am playing fair." Malamig niyang sabi at nang hinila na niya ang necktie niya ay kinabahan na rin ako. "I need further evidences and eyewitness isn't enough for me."
"But-"
"CCTVs," Chiel said. "I assume there are CCTVs in your premises, right? Knowing you have million dollar jewelries?"
Jiggy nodded.
"Yeah, then where is it?" Chiel asked and Jiggy gasped.
"Uhm, the technician is sending me the footage. Sorry po, wala kasi siya kanina kaya hindi namin nakita kaagad-"
"And yet you dragged my daughter here?" Dad asked coldly and Jiggy sighed and nodded.
"Pasensya na po..." Jiggy said.
Si Locket ay sumulyap sa akin at marahang hinaplos ang balikat ko kaya bumuntonghininga ako, kinakabahan pa rin. I felt his other hand softly massaging my wrist and it helps me ease the pain.
"I need evidences and the full details about what happened, Sir." Dad said. "CCTV footage, specifically her taking the jewelry and putting it on her bag. I needed more from your eyewitnesses..." Dad glanced at the two at si Jellie ay taas-noong tumango.
"I can." She said.
Mom walked towards me with Adira, si Locket ay kaagad na tumungo at umatras nang makitang papalapit na sina Mom para hayaan sila sa akin.
"Princess..." Mommy called when she saw me and I smiled at her, mas hinaplos ang pulso kong nananakit.
"Mommy, 'di ako...'di ko po magagawa 'yon." I said gently and she nodded, lifting my wrist and sighed. "What happened? Did they cuffed you and dragged you here?"
"Ay, opo, Madame..." biglang sumingit si Earn na ngumiti. "Hi, Madame, I'm Earn."
"Hi, Earn." Mom smiled softly. "Can you tell me what happened? Why is my daughter here? Is she cuffed and hurt?"
Saglit na lumayo sa akin si Mom para kausapin sina Earn at Adam at naramdaman ko ang yakap ni Adira sa tagiliran ko kaya ngumiti ako.
"Adira..."
"Tss, sayang kasi at wala pa ang results ng bar ko, ako mismo susupalpal sa kanila." She sighed. "I don't trust those girls, Ate Crest. They're fishy, how dare them hurt my sister?"
My heart melted at that and she touched my wrist and sighed.
Sumulyap ako kina Dad at nakitang nasa tabi na niya si Locket at si Chiel naman ay tahimik na may tinatanong.
"And I wanted to talk to your company lawyer to further elaborate this. I also wanted to talk about your way of handling this case. Una, I was informed you took my daughter her forcefully, dragging her and she was physically hurt. Pangalawa, you took her here and accused her without further checking the evidences. Pangatlo, how come that large jewelry shop doesn't have a present CCTV operator?"
"Sorry, Atty." Jiggy explained. "But may magpatunay po na klepto si Miss Sandejas."
"What?" Dad frowned and I froze. Nakita ko ang galit sa mata ni Chiel at si Locket ay umigting na ang panga sa narinig.
"Her friends here po, Atty." Jiggy explained. "Noong nakita ang alahas sa kanya, they told me that Miss Sandejas has a history of theft and cheating."
"What theft?" ani Locket na seryoso.
"Na nagnakaw daw po siya ng wallet." Jiggy explained at mas lumalim ang gatla sa noo ni Dad at nilingon si Locket na umiling.
"That's a false accusation, Sir. Miss Sandejas helped us in finding the snatcher that time, she's a witness in that case and not a suspect." Locket explained and I saw Jiggy's eyes widen.
"But she's a cheater-"
"My daughter isn't and will never be a cheater and a theft, Sir and Ma'ams..." Dad licked his lower lip and fixed his suit. "She's not a klepto, who told you that?"
Tinuro ni Jiggy ang dalawa at si Sam ay mabilis na umiling.
"Hindi po ako kasali!" Sam gasped.
"Totoo naman po, she's a-"
"Always be careful of your words and accusations, Ma'am." Dad said coldly. "False statements, accusations without proper basis that could damage someone's reputation can be labelled as slander."
"Defamation," Adira said, stopping me. "Any maliciously written and spoken statements that could taint a person's good image is a crime punishable by law so beware of your words, people."
"Everyone here heard what these girls claimed, I am not scaring anyone here but if ever my sister, Miss Crest Veronica didn't do this and this is how you treat and speak of her...we'll probably see you in court." Chiel said and they were all silent.
Luckily, the CCTV footage were sent to Jiggy and it was Locket who took the phone for further investigations. Earn and the boys checked the jewelries; the evidences they have against me.
Dad was silent, I saw him observing everyone and Mom is beside me with Adira.
"Can you please come to the office?" Locket called, stopping us. Kaagad akong hinawakan ni Mom at sabay-sabay kaming pumunta sa office ni Locket.
When I got there, Carol is frowning and looking so annoyed. Nagkatinginan kami ni Locket and I knew he can read what's on my mind and he smiled at me and nodded, telling me it's gonna be alright.
We all sat on the chairs, nang sumulyap ako kina Sam ay nakatungo na siya. Si Jellie naman ay mariing kagat ang labi niya.
"This is the CCTV footage sent by the store's operator." Locket said and played the video and my heart hammered inside my chest when the video started playing.
It was me after I got out of the restroom, diretso ang lakad ko palabas pagkatapos magpaalam pero mabilis na sumunod sa akin si Jellie. My forehead creased and I saw how Jellie bumped me from behind.
Locket paused the footage and glanced at us, "we'll zoom this." Aniya at ilang pindot lang ay nailapit na iyon at kitang-kita roon kung paano nangunot ang noo ko at nilingon si Jellie.
Everyone saw how she slipped the jewelry inside my bag before smiling at me pero hindi ko siya pinansin at diretsong lumabas papuntang exit.
Tahimik ang buong opisina matapos iyon, kung hindi lang umiyak si Sam ay matutulala na lang kami roon.
"S-sorry po...sorry po!" Sam exclaimed, "n-nadamay lang po ako kay J-Jellie! Sabi po niya'y nagnakaw si Crest. I-I didn't know..."
I glanced at Jellie and she biting her lower lip hardly.
"Planting of evidences and false accusations is punishable by law, I hope you two knew that." Ani Dad at humahagulgol lang si Sam at si Jellie ay naiiyak na.
"S-sorry po, Attorney. C-Crest is our friend and we wanted to joke around-"
"Joke?" Dad's voice almost raised at napatayo na ako. Si Mommy ay humawak sa braso ko, mukhang galit na. "What are you, huh? Mga bata para mag-joke? There is a limitation of things you should joke around and treat seriously."
Jellie stood and lowered her head.
"S-sorry po..." she began sobbing. "W-we're just fooling around, Crest is our friend-"
"Ex-friends, Miss Ramirez." Malamig na sabi ni Dad at mas hinila ang necktie niya. "I don't accept such bad influence, bratty girls who treats everything as a joke as my princess' friends."
"A-attorney, we were j-joking-"
"Yes, Miss Ramirez." Ani ng kambal ko. "That's just a joke...and jail's just a room."
They sobbed more, si Samantha ay lumapit pa sa akin at tumungo.
"C-Crest...sorry! Sorry! Nadamay lang ako! Jellie said...said na nagnakaw ka kaya...kaya..."
"No wonder my cousin broke up with you." I said coldly and Sam sobbed more.
"S-sorry...sorry...please, don't file a case." She muttered and I saw Jellie walked towards me and lowered her face.
"S-sorry, Crest..." she sniffed. "H-hindi na ako uulit, I-I thought of it as a joke-"
"If I slap you hard now tapos sasabihin kong joke, ayos lang?" malamig kong sabi at mas napahagulgol lang siya.
"S-sorry...sorry..." she sobbed. "Sana, sana h'wag mo kami kasuhan. H-hindi na ako uulit. H-hindi ka na namin guguluhin, p-promise..."
While they're crying in front of me, I remembered how they treated me as their friend before...
Sumulyap ako kina Dad na inaantay ang desisyon ko, si Chiel ay seryoso na at nakahalukipkip. Si Locket ay tumango sa akin, pinapahiwatig marahil na magdesisyon ako ng tama.
I glanced at the two girls begging for my forgiveness and I sighed. I treated them as friends and I assumed they treated me like one before but now...I don't think so.
Kung kaibigan ka, hindi ka gagawa ng ikakapahamak ng kaibigan mo.
"P-please, I'm sorry..." they cried and I licked my lower lip and tilted my chin up.
"I am filing a case against you two." I said coldly and they cried loudly now.
"C-Crest! Crest, bawiin mo!" Sam sobbed. "M-magagalit ang Daddy ko sa'kin-"
"That's not my problem anymore, Sam." I said coldly. "Sana naisip niyo 'yan bago niyo ako ganituhin."
"S-sorry..." Jellie tried taking my hand. "H-hindi na ako uulit-"
"Damages has been done, you tainted my reputation in everyone's eyes. Hope this could serve as your lessons. Aside from the case my lawyers would be filing against the two of you, I will be demanding a public apology."
"Crest!" Jellie sobbed but I pulled my hand, I saw Mom's proud smirk at si Adira ay hinawi lang ang buhok niya.
I saw Dad walked closer to us kaya gumilid kami nila Mom.
"You heard my client, Misses." Dad said and took a business card from his suit and placed it on the chair nearby. "I wanted to talk to your lawyers about your case, defamation, false accusations, public humiliation and planting of evidences. Like what my client has stated, we'll be demanding a public apology."
"A-attorney..." Jellie sobbed, "b-baka p'wede pong pag-usapan-"
"We don't talk here, Miss. We take action. This is a lesson why you should never make fun of the law. A crime is a crime, Miss and you should take responsibility. If your lawyer asked who Crest's lawyer is...tell them it's Atty. Iñigo Rafael Sandejas." Dad smiled coldly and I felt chills all over.
"Oh, your father is so hot..." Mommy giggled a bit kaya nanlaki ang mata ko at ngumisi siya sa akin at kumindat.
"Excuse us..." aniya at naglakad na palapit sa amin.
I don't know but I felt so proud and happy, habang papalapit sa amin si Dad ay nakagat ko ang labi ko.
He placed his hand on my Mom's shoulder, si Chiel ay humawak sa braso ko at si Adira ay nakakapit sa akin. We walked closer to Locket and the boys and the three smiled at me, si Earn ay kumaway pa kaya tumango ako bago ngumiti.
Nahuli ko ang titig sa akin ni Locket kaya kumalabog ang puso ko at tumikhim.
"Thank you..." I muttered and looked at them, "salamat sa tulong."
They nodded, si Locket ay nanatiling nakatitig lang sa akin, kung hindi lang siya sinipa ni Dad ay hindi matatauhan.
"A-attorney?" he asked, blinking.
"Anong tinitingin-tingin mo sa anak ko?" Dad asked sharply and Locket cleared his throat.
"Sorry, Attorney." He said, medyo namumula pa.
"Well, alright. I wanted you to look over these girl's cases, okay? Please advise their lawyers about their cases, okay?" Locket nodded obediently.
"Yes, Atty. We will." He said and glanced at me again kaya kinagat ko ang labi at nag-iwas ng tingin, kumakalabog ang puso.
My father thanked the boys too, habang papalabas ay humabol pa sina Jiggy para humingi ng tawad sa akin.
"Crest, I'm sorry..." Jiggy sighed, "hindi namin sinasadya-"
"I was your long time customer, Jiggy." I said coldly. "And I never once did that and you knew it yet you believed them."
"I-I'm sorry..." Jigs sighed, "babawi ako-how about...how about jewelry discounts-"
"We don't need discounts, Sir." Mom said kaya napasulyap sa kanya si Jiggy.
"Madame, sorry, hindi po namin-"
"We will have to talk to your shop's lawyer too, okay? As Crest Veronica's mother, I would never forget how you treated my precious daughter. We will be suing your branch for your poor service, poor customer safety and harassment." Mom said coldly. "Alchiel will talk to you."
"Madame-" but Mom left hastily with Dad, nakagat ko ang labi at ngumuso sa akin si Adira at ngumisi.
"Sa susunod, Ate. Atty. Adira naman ang haharap at ipagtatanggol ang Ate Crest na super ganda." Ani ng kapatid ko na kumindat pa kaya natawa ako sa kanya at tumango.
"Of course, little princess. You'll be the great Atty. Adira Sandejas. Papasa ka sa bars, malay mo at topnotcher pa?" I smiled and messed with her hair.
When we got into the car, I felt shy and still embarrassed na instead na diretso na kami sa ancestral house ay sa presinto kami nauwi.
"Pasok ka muna, anak." Ani Mom na inilalahad sa akin ang upuan pero umiling ako at nahihiyang napasulyap kay Dad na papunta na sanang driver's seat.
"Sa...sa likod na lang po, My." I smiled. "Pagod po kasi, gusto ko po sana matulog muna." I muttered.
"Huh?" Mom asked but hindi na nakapagsalita nang mauna na ako papasok, umupo ako sa may likuran at naupo naman si Mom at Adira sa ikalawang linya ng upuan at nilingon ako.
"Princess, are you okay there?" Mom asked and I nodded, smiling.
"Okay lang po, My." I said, "medyo antok lang kaya rito muna." I muttered, hinawakan pa ang balikat dahil medyo nilalamig na.
"Alchiel, take the wheels." I heard Dad said kaya nagtaka kaming lahat. I saw Chiel chuckled and nodded, tinapik pa ang balikat ni Dad at kaagad akong natigilan nang umakyat siya sa sasakyan at tumabi sa akin.
"Sleepy?" he asked and I nodded with my wide eyes.
"Dad-"
"Chiel, pakihinaan ang aircon at nilalamig ang kakambal mo." He said and Chiel saluted, chuckling. Mabilis niyang hininaan ang aircon at nakita ko si Dad na tinanggal ang suit.
My heart hammered and I almost cried when he lifted his suit, placing it on my shoulders to keep me warm.
"Come here, sandal ka sa akin, anak. Rest." Dad said and I gasped and nodded continuously.
"O-opo..." I muttered and I was almost shaking. I saw Mom smiling while glancing at us, niyakap niya rin si Adira na malaki ang ngiti sa amin.
Slowly, I hugged Daddy's waist and rested my face on his chest. Marahan siyang sumandal at hinayaan ako, I felt him placed his hand on my shoulder and made sure I was comfortable.
My heart is pounding with utmost happiness I can almost cry. Mas sumandal ako kay Dad at narinig ko ang buntonghininga niya at ang halik sa ulo ko bago marahang haplusin iyon.
"I'm sorry, princess..." Dad whispered after a while. "I love you so much."
"I'm sorry too, Dad. I love you too..." I whispered and felt the tear at the side of my eyes na mabilis kong hinawi at mas yumakap lang sa Dad ko.
Nakatulog ako sa sasakyan at nagising na nasa loob na ng guest room ng ancestral house nina Papa Jer. I yawned, akmang tatayo sana pero natigilan nang napansing may nakahawak sa kamay ko.
My eyes widen and my heart thumped when I realized my father is holding my hand tightly while he's sleeping. Nakaupo siya sa lapag, nakapatong ang ulo sa gilid ng kama, ang kamay ay hawak ang kamay ko ng mahigpit.
My eyes watered, I bit my lower lip na instead of going up, nahiga akong muli sa kama at lumapit kay Daddy na malalim ang tulog sa ibaba ng kama.
I saw my wrists and it has an ointment now for the redness, ganon din ang kabilang kamay ko dahil sa posas at sa may side table ay nakita ko ang lagayan ng ointment.
I moved closer and saw his phone screen lit, carefully, I took it and saw that it was an email notification from a client. Ibabalik ko na sana iyon nang makita ko ang lockscreen.
My chest pounded when I saw that it was the three of us. It was the selfie with me, Chiel and Adira on his screen, sa pag-swipe ko ay nakita kong picture ng second wedding nila ni Mommy and wallpaper kasama kaming tatlo. Nakaformal wear kaming lahat...noong panahong nasa highschool pa lang kami ni Chiel.
I glanced at Dad and smiled, almost crying. Habang hawak niya ang isang kamay ko at malalim na natutulog ay pinakialaman ko ang phone niya at nakita ang mga nakakatawang pictures sa kanyang gallery.
It has photos from our childhood until now, may mga picture din sila ni Mommy and I smiled when I saw how silly Dad looked when he's making faces kapag nagpipicture sila ni Mommy. I saw his albums at nandoon ang iilang picture nina Chiel at Adira, kaunti lang dahil hindi naman pala-picture ang dalawa.
My smile widened and I almost blushed in embarrassment when I realized his gallery has a lot of photos of me. Sa aming tatlo ay ako ang pala-selfie at pala-post sa facebook at nakagat ko ang labi sa tuwa nang makitang lahat pala ng mga picture ko na pinost sa facebook ay sine-save niya.
We have our own albums on his gallery and mine was named as: My Kikay Princess 💖
Dad...Dad loves us so much. Dad loves me so much.
His phone rang, nanlaki ang mata ko at mabilis na binaba ang phone niya sa gilid ng kama at mariing pumikit.
"Tang...ina." Dad hissed in shock, nang maliit na sumilip ako sa kanya ay bangag pa siyang umayos ng upo sa lapag, napamura nang tumama ang tuhod niya sa side table.
Nabitawan niya ang kamay ko at dali-daling inabot ang phone niya at mas napamura pa nang makita ang tumawag.
"Oh? Tang ina mo ka, Zeijan, kitang natutulog ako!" he hissed and hindi man naka-loudspeaker, dinig na dinig ko ang halakhak ni Tito.
"Nasa guest room." He said, "Binabantayan ko ang anak ko-oh, gago ka, anong inuman?" he hissed.
"Fuck you. Ako papainumin mo?" he asked and then listened, "okay, basta akin 'yong mani, ah? H'wag mo 'kong ubusan ng pulutan! Gago." Humalakhak si Dad.
I closed my eyes tightly when the call ended. I can feel my Dad stares and then he stood, I felt how he gently took my hand and placed it on my side, carefully lifting the comforter up to my chest.
I pretended to be asleep and I felt him kissed my forehead before brushing my hair.
"Rest well, Thallia-liit." He said and sighed. "Sorry, princess..."
Hindi kami nakapag-usap ni Dad no'ng gabing 'yon dahil nilasing na naman siya ng mga Tito kong bibo but I felt a lot more relaxed and happy. I had fun with my cousins that night, nanuod ng mga horror movies na dinownload ko at si Clyte ay hindi ako iniwan kahit sa pagkain ng mga handa kahit late na ako.
The next morning, unfortunately, my parents had to go out of the town again for a case kahit bangag pa ang Dad sa dami ng nainom. Chiel had an important case and Adira's fixing her school paper dahil any day from now ay lalabas na ang results ng kanyang bar exam.
I went to the precinct the next day to do my remaining work and brought some thank you muffins for the boys who helped me yesterday. They were so happy to see me and I am too, they were a big help. It made me happy that they supported and believed me.
Jellie and Sam called me but I didn't answer it, nasabi sa akin ni Dad na kapag balik niya ay kaagad niyang aasikasuhin sina Jellie. He said they might experienced jail time, penalties and my public apology request once the case was filed against them.
Wala si Locket at Carol dahil may meeting daw kasama ang mga nakakataas para sa general assembly and right now, the three are all confused sinong magdadala ng files ni Locket na naiwan.
"Gagi, may urgent case ako ro'n sa masungit na instik!" reklamo ni Adam.
"Ako naman binyag ng pamangkin ko kaya half-day lang." Nguso ni Brent.
"Ako may spa session..." nguso ni Earn kaya natawa ako habang nagtatalo sila.
"Teka, saan ba 'yan?" I asked and they all stopped and told me the location.
"Kasi si Pigsa! Naiwan 'yang files na ibibigay niya, lutang ata. Ang nasa isip kung papasok ka raw ba ngayon kaya 'yan, ayaw sana pumunta sa meeting para masulyapan ang Mama Pinga namin pero napilit ni Caroline kaya pumunta kaso wala sa sarili. Betlog lang ang nadala, 'yong files iniwan." Simangot ni Earn.
It made me chuckle, binatukan din siya nina Adam na natatawa.
"Gago ka, kapag ikaw narinig ni Pigsa yari ka." Brent muttered.
"Kung..." Earn smirked. "Kaso hindi."
Napailing ako, "sige, ako na ang magdadala." I smiled at them and they were all happy kaya napangiti na rin ako.
I rode a cab to the location they told me, pagkarating sa malaking opisina ng PNP ay ngumuso ako at lumapit sa may desk para magtanong.
"Ma'am, upo po muna kayo. Tapos na rin naman po ang General Assembly, pababa na po ang officers." She smiled at me kaya tumango ako.
I fixed my skirt when I sat on the couch while waiting, hawak-hawak ang envelope kung nasaan ang files ni Locket. I saw some high-ranking officers going down the stairs from the second floor, hinawi ko ang buhok at inikot ang tingin para mahanap si Locket at nakitang pababa na rin siya.
He has the strict cold face, as always. I saw how Caroline tried clinging on him on their way down pero tinatanggal ni Locket ang kamay nito sa braso niya. He's frowning and telling her something pero ngingiti lang si Caroline kahit mukha namang iritado.
Desperate...
I stood when I saw him approaching, pagkababa niya ay kaagad na nagsalubong ang mata naming dalawa. I saw how his eyes brightened when he saw me, si Carol ay napasulyap ay kumunot ang noo sa akin pero hindi ko na siya pinansin.
"Pinga..." I heard him called and walked hastily towards me, I showed him the envelope pero hindi niya iyon pinansin, sa halip ay mabilis akong niyakap kaya namilog ang mata ko.
I saw the stares people gave us, si Carol ay kumunot ang noo at bumilis ang kalabog ng puso ko nang lumayo na sa akin si Locket at mabilis na hinawakan ang kamay ko.
"Lieutenant, ito na 'yong files-"
"Nilagyan mo ba ng ointment ang pulso mo? Does it still hurt or-"
"It's okay," I smiled. "Dala ko 'yong files mo, oh. Busy kasi 'yong tatlo kaya ako na lang." I said and he nodded, still staring at me.
"Sabi nila, ito raw ang importante." I opened the envelope to show it to him when someone called him.
"Locket," I heard a voice na tinawag si Locket. I felt Locket placed his arm on my waist, nanatili naman akong nakatungo at naghahanap no'ng sinasabi no'ng tatlo.
"Lieutenant Colonel," I heard him greeted coldly and I felt him saluted.
I heard the man he's talking too laughed, "masyado naman pormal, Locket. Akala mo walang pinagsamahan, call me by my name. May kasama ka pala?"
Nakita ko ang file kaya nag-angat ako ng tingin para sana bumati sa kausap niya pero natigilan ako nang makita ang kanyang mukha.
He's smiling too but froze when he saw my face. His smile faded like mine.
"Uh, Lt. Col., this is Crest." Locket introduced us, I can hear the coldness on his voice. Mas humaplos si Locket sa tagiliran ko kaya dumiin ang hawak ko sa envelope, nagsimula ng kabahan.
"Crest, this is Lt. Col. Eugene." Locket introduced.
We were both silent, bumibilis na ang paghinga ko at natulala na.
"Oh...Crest? What a cute name. Hello, Miss Crest, nice meeting you." I saw how Eugene flashed a smile and offered me his hand but I immediately took a step back.
I saw how Eugene's smile widened, mabilis akong pumunta sa may gilid ni Locket, ang isang kamay ay humawak sa kanyang uniform.
I saw how Locket stopped, mabilis niya akong sinulyapan pero mas humigpit lang ang hawak ko sa uniform niya.
"Why?" I heard Eugene asked and chuckled, "your friend looked scared-"
"Shut up, Eugene." I heard Locket said, mas sumeryoso na. Nilingon na ako ni Locket at kunot na ang noo kaya inabot ko sa kanya ang envelope bago nagsalita.
"U-uh...mainit, Locket." I muttered and smiled. "L-labas muna ako, kuha ng hangin." I said, I saw how Eugene stared at me darkly and it sent me shivers kaya dali-dali akong lumabas ng building.
I was hyperventilating when I got outside, mabilis na ang paghinga ko at malakas ang kalabog ng puso.
I rested my back at the concrete when I saw one and heaved a deep breath.
"C-calm down..." I whispered. "C-calm down...matagal na 'yon..."
I was shaking, almost crying when I caught a glimpse of Locket running outside the building, looking all over the place and when he saw me, his eyes widened.
Kumuyom ang kamay ko, mas bumilis ang paghinga at nang makalapit siya ay mabilis na akong lumapit.
"Crest..." he called worriedly and touched my cheek, his eyes full of concern and worry. "What's the matter? Are you okay? Why did you go out-" hindi na niya natapos ang sasabihin nang bigla ko na lang siyang yakapin.
He was stunned with my sudden move but didn't say anything at nang yakapin niya ako pabalik ay mas nanghina lang ako.
"Pinga..." he called softly, "hey, baby...what's the matter..."
"L-Locket..." I muttered and started shaking, natigilan siya nang marinig akong umiiyak. I felt him touched my nape and pulled me closer to him.
"Sshh, what's the matter?" he whispered and hugged me more. "I'm here...I'm here..."
"I-I'm scared..." I whispered and sobbed more on his chest, my heart thumping hard. "L-Locket..."
"I'm here, okay?" his soothing voice said. "I will protect you, I'm here...it's okay, I'm here..." he calmed me down but I was shaking violently, gripping his uniform more.
"S-save me, Locket..." I muttered. "S-save me, please. H-h'wag mo 'ko ibibigay sa kanya..." I cried loudly and desperately, remembering the horrible smile from the black eyed man...that monster I did my best to forget, Eugene.
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