Chapter 9

Chapter 9

December 30, 2020 (Wednesday)

Kakatapos lang ng kasong hinawakan ni attorney Collins. As usual, he won the case. His client proven guilty.

At the end of the day, he received a lot of compliments and recognitions  from his colleagues for doing such a great job.

No one really knows who the real culprit is. And attorney Collins successfully found him.

The turn of events is quite unexpected. It received a loud applause from the audience.

Who would think that the culprit is just one them?

Trying to fit in among them.

The evidences is successfully hidden. Mr. Vergara spend a lot of money to cover up his crime.

Walking freely amidst the people like a free man.

For days, he enjoyed his freedom walking around. While Mr. Luis suffered in his stead.

Nakayuko lamang si Mr. Vergara habang nakaposas at hawak na ngayon ng otoridad.

Nahihiyang harapin ang mga matang puno ng galit at pagka-dismaya.

Takot salabungin ang mapanghusgang  titig ng bawat isa.

He is a businessman.

In his circle of friends, most of them were businessmen.

Nakaaangat sa lahat.

His reputation is indeed praiseworthy.

When it comes to business, he nailed it!

Mr. Jade Vergara is a known business tycoon.

Kilala ito sa larangan ng negosyo. He's face is all over the news, billboards, and newspapers.

But for the first time in years, someone took his place.

He is a competitive man, that's why when Mr. Brix Joh Hilton came in view, he was threatened.

Lumala pa noong minsan ay naikumpara sila sa isa't-isa sa isang pagdiriwang ng mga kapwa nila negosyante.

Matagal na siya sa larangan ng pag-nenegosyo at ang maikumpara sa isang baguhan pa lamang ay nagbibigay sa kaniya ng malaking insulto.

He worked as a businessman almost all of his life. Bata pa lamang ito ay may sarili ng negosyo ang kaniyang pamilya na siyang pinalaking niya ngayon.

While Mr. Meldred Luis is just a beginner. Nagsisimula pa lamang ito ngunit mabango at kilala na agad ang pangalan nito.

Iyon ang nagbibigay takot sa kaniya. Takot na baka malampasan siya. Takot na makalimutan siya ng mga tao.

Dumagdag pa 'yong business deal na sana ay siya mismo ang makakuha.

Siya sana 'yon e. Kung hindi lang nakilala si Mr. Luis ng mga ito.

He felt defeated. At hindi niya natanggap 'yon. Kaya pinuntahan niya ang lalaki sa room unit nito without a prior notice.

Nakiusap siya na iturn-down ang deal at ipaubaya nalang sa kaniya. Ngunit tumutol ang lalaki. Hindi ito pumayag sa gusto niyang mangyari.

Kakatapos lang nilang uminom ng tsaa ng ilagay ni Mr. Luis ang tasang ginamit nila sa kusina.

Akala ni Mr. Luis ay okay na. Pero hindi matanggap ni Mr. Vergara na hanggang doon lang ang mangyayari. Na wala siyang napala sa pagpunta niya roon.

Dahil na rin siguro sa inggit at galit kaya naisipan niya itong gawan ng masama.

His eyes widen in shocked.

Nanginginig ang mga kamay niya ng unti-unti niyang ma-proseso kung ano ang nagawa niya.

Duguan ang kaniyang mga kamay na nakahawak sa baseball bat na ginamit niyang pampalo sa lalaki.

Naglandasan ang dugo mula sa hawak nito hanggang sa nanginginig nitong mga kamay.

He was wearing his gloves ng sandaling umalis ang kausap.

Sunod-sunod na pop-up ng messages ang nakaagaw sa malalim na pag-isip nito.

Then an idea suddenly popped up to his mind.

That's when he replied in Mr. Luis messages in Mr. Hilton's stead. And the rest is history.

He used all his money and connection to bury the evidences.

Indeed. Money is the root of all evils.

But knowing Mr. Collins, he is not just an attorney for nothing.

That's when Mr. Vergara's plan was discovered and soon he was defeated.

Mr. Meldred Luis, on the other hand, heaved a sigh of relief. Thanking Mr. Collins wholeheartedly like his life depends on it, which is partly true.

The case has been closed. The justice prevails. Indeed. All is well.

Tahimik na binaybay ni attorney Collins ang daan palabas. Binibigyan niya lamang ng isang tipid na tango ang mga taong nakakasalubong niya habang binabati ito sa pagpapanalo ng kaso.

Mabigat ang paghinga nito at pasalampak siyang umupo sa kaniyang desk pagkapasok nito sa opisina.

Pagod at gutom ang naramdaman ni attorney Collins.

Nilinisan niya lang ang kaniyang desk at nilagay sa ayos ang mga papeles bago umalis pauwi.

It is his last day of work, after new year pa ang balik nito sa trabaho.

His two colleagues —attorney Bea Alfonso and attorney Rachel Santiago already took their early holiday leave. Bukas ang balik ng mga ito.

So starting tomorrow ay libre ang oras nito hanggang bagong taon. Sa January 04 pa ang balik niya.

After his father's death, 16 years ago, his uncle took good care of him.

Attorney Collins became an orphan at the age of 14. He was too young when he witnessed his father's death right in front of his eyes.

Bata pa siya at hindi alam kung paano iligtas ang sariling ama mula sa mga lalaking nakapalibot dito.

Galing ito sa mahimbing na pagkakatulog ng maalimpungatan dahil sa ingay sa baba.

Papunta na sana ito sa kuwarto ng ama upang silipin kung gising pa ba ito o 'di kaya ay tulog na. Tumatabi kasi ang batang si Grey sa tuwing naalimpungatan ito sa gabi. Mahirap na kasi itong makatulog ulit sa oras na nagising ito.

His father will let him sleep with him on his bed while waiting for him to fall asleep again. Gigising nalang ito kinaumagahan na nasa sariling kuwarto na.

Maingat itong naglalakad habang kinukusot pa ang kaniyang mga mata. Naagaw ng kaniyang atensiyon ang ilaw ng kusina sa unang palapag.

Kaya imbes na magtungo sa kuwarto ng ama ay dumiretso nalang ito sa kusina.

'Baka hindi rin makatulog si papa.' Nasa isip ng batang si Grey.

Nagtitimpla rin kasi ito para sa sarili kung hindi rin makatulog.

Pansin ng bata ang pagiging busy ng ama, Ilang araw na ang lumipas. Palagi niya itong nakikita sa study room ng mga madaling araw tuwing papanhik ito sa banyo.

Minsan pa nga ay nadadatnan niya na kinaumagahan ang sariling ama na nakadukmo sa mesa ng sariling opisina.

Madalas na rin ang pag-tanggap nito ng tawag mula sa iba't-ibang numero.

His father has it's own study room and laboratory inside their house. His parents are both researchers. Unfortunately, he was deprived by the destiny to meet his mom while growing up. Elisha Collins— his mother died while she was giving birth to him.

Dahan-dahan itong nagtungo sa kusina at gayon na lamang ang gulat ng batang si Grey ng makitang nakahandusay na ang ama sa sahig at wala ng buhay. Naliligo ito sa sariling dugo habang pinapalibutan ng mga hindi niya kilalang tao.

They wore gloves but they weren't wearing any mask to cover their faces. Kaya malayang natingnan ng batang si Grey ang mga mukha nito.

Bago pa siya makita ng mga ito ay mabilis na itong nakatago sa ilalim ng kanilang mesa.

He's hiding beneath the table until he can no longer hear their footsteps.

Nakatago lang ito sa ilalim at hindi gumagalaw.

He was just staring on his father's lifeless and bloody body.

His mind was in total dilemma.

Minuto pa ang lumipas ng bigla itong nagpakawala ng isang mahinang hikbi hanggang ang mahinang hikbi niya ay naging isang hagulgol.

Nagtatangis na iyak lang ng batang si Grey ang namutawi sa paligid ng mga oras na 'yon. When suddenly their telephone rang. Hinayaan lang ito ng batang si Grey. Ngunit ilang minuto pa ang lumipas ay hindi pa rin tumitigil ang pag-tunog nito.

Leaving with no choice, lumabas ang batang si Grey sa pinagtataguan nito at tinungo ang tumutunog na telepono malapit lamang sa mesang pinagtataguan niya.

Sa nanginginig nitong mga kamay lumuluha nitong mga mata ay sinagot nito ang tawag.

"E-Edward!" It is his uncle —calling.

Hinihingal ito at mababakas ang kaba at takot sa boses ng nasa kabilang linya.

Naputol ang dapat sana ay sasabihin ng tiyuhin nito ng marinig ang mounting hikbi ng batang si Grey.

"G-Grey! I-Is this you? Where is your father?" kinakabahan tanong ng kaniyang tiyuhin.

Dumoble ang ka ang naramdaman ng tiyuhin ng batang si Grey ng hindi ito nakatanggap ng sagot mula sa pamangkin.

Munting hikbi lamang ang naririnig nito mula sa kabilang linya.

"Just stay there. I'm coming." The last words Grey heard from his uncle before the call ended.

Napaupo lang ang batang si Grey habang nakatitig sa kaniyang ama.

Puno ng luha ang mukha nito at basang-basa pa ang damit na siyang ginawa niyang pamunas sa sariling luha.

Nakatingin lang ito sa ama at takot na takot na lumapit dito.

The last time he wanted to remember about his father is his father's smile while doing some experiment inside the laboratory room. Not his lifeless body soaked by his own blood.

They were aware about Grey's condition. The kid was blessed with a superior autobiographical memory that made him remembers every detail of their lives.

But at that moment, Grey questioned his ability. Having hyperthemsia, is it a blessing or a curse?

From staring by his father's lifeless body, Grey's eyes wander at nothingness.

Nanatili lang itong nakatingin sa kawalan. Ang kaninang umiyak na batang Grey ngayon ay nakatulala nalang.

He was no longer crying but his eyes was still swollen.

Tahimik niyang binabantayan ang ama sa kaisipang baka bumalik ang mga lalaki at kunin ang katawan nito.

Alas onse na ng gabi. Tahimik na ang kapaligiran. It was just him and the lifeless body of his father enveloped by deafening silence.

Tahimik niyang hinihintay ang pagdating ng kaniyang tiyuhin.

Mga apatnapung-minuto pa ang kaniyang hinintay bago may marinig na paparating na sasakyan.

That's his uncle's car.

The door is already open so no need for him to stand up and walked toward the door.

Hinintay niya lang ang kaniyang tiyuhin na makalapit.

Nanatili lang itong nakaupo sa sahig habang yakap-yakap ang kaniyang mga tuhod.

Ang umiiyak niyang mga mata kanina ay napalitan ng mukhang walang  bahid na emosyon.

Bago pa makalapit ang kaniyang tiyuhin sa kaniya ay naagaw na ng ilaw sa kusina ang atensiyon nito.

Nanlaki ang mga mata nito ng makitang wala ng buhay ang kapatid nito. Napaawang ang kaniyang bibig at unti-unting napaupo sa panghihina.

Kapwa na nakaupo ang mag-tiyuhin sa sahig. Still processing what just happened.

Everything felt like just a nightmare to the both of them. But when they woke up the next morning, they were both welcomed by Edward Collins' cold body.

The death of his father was being  hidden. There's no wake that ever happened. Pina-cremate lang nila ang katawan nito at tahimik na nag-alay ng dasal.

His uncle informed his father's colleagues about his unexpected exit.

Grey Collins at the age of 14, experienced trauma.

Hindi na siya makausap at minsan ay magmumukmok lang ito sa gilid at tutulala.

He never once cried again because of his father.

Because of his trauma, his everyday living was affected. So his uncle brought him with them patungo sa ibang bansa.

He was mute for two years. Undergoes therapy and counseling.

After two years, his father visited him through his dream. Telling him to continue his life and don't bother seeking for a revenge.

In the next morning, he miraculously able to talk again.

Little by little, a progress can be seen.

Hindi pa ito tuluyang maayos ngunit masasabi nilang unti-unti ng nanumbalik ang dating siya.

But this time, the young Grey became intimidating because of its emotionless face and heavy aura.

Since then, the young Grey started to distance himself from anyone. He doesn't want to be attached to anyone, anymore.

At the age of 18, he tried living alone but still financially supported by his uncle.

Tumira ito mag-isa sa condo unit and he survived alone in that four corner of his room.

At the age of 19, he decided to go back to Philippines to face his past. Ayaw niya ng takbuhan ito. And whoever that men are, he will make sure to capture them. By hook or by crook.

His life as a Pol-Sci student is quite interesting. It wasn't easy nor hard at all. Just a mediocre. He thought that his life inside the university will be peaceful in his entire stay.

But an unexpected event happened. Someone caught he's attention. Also a Pol-Sci student. He started feeling unexplainable feeling. And it was too late when he realized that he fell in love. He was so drown to her.

At the age of 20, he was in a relationship with that girl. Their relationship lasted for five years.

Because after their 5th Anniversary, the girl suddenly left him without warning.

He was in mess. He was hurt big time. For the first time after years, he shed tears because of her. His emotions has been trigger. He was crying his heart out.

Until one day, he just stop crying about that matter and start living his life.

He became a known attorney now.

'Yon ang nasa isipan ni attorney Collins pagdating sa bahay. Naglinis lang ito sa sarili at kumain bago natulog.

His mind is overflowing with a sudden bursts of thoughts from the past. He was reminiscing things until it put him to sleep.

Kinaumagahan ay maaga itong gumising at nagtimpla ng kape. Naligo lang ito saglit pagkatapos at nagbihis ng pang-jogging.

He is planning to take a jog outside to breath some fresh air.

Naka-black short lang ito at naka-white t-shirt paired with white shoes. Nagwarm-up lang ito saglit bago lumabas.

Maaliwalas na kapaligiran at nakasilip na sinag ng araw ang sumalubong kay attorney Collins.

Naglalakad muna ito ng ilang minuto bago nagsimulang tumakbo.

He was enjoying the early embrace of a cold wind and a sound of the bird's chirping.

The atmosphere is quite relaxing. It gives him the moment of silence and peace.

Sa bawat pagtakbo niya ay siya namang paghampas ng hangin sa kaniyang mukha.

Bawat nadadaanan niya ay mga tao ring gustong takasan ang problema sa buhay kahit sa saglit at kunting oras man lamang.

They were enjoying the morning's scenery as it gives them positive vibes to start their day with.

Today is 31st day of December 2020. The last day of the year. Everyone were smiling from ear to ear. They greeted the individuals a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Another year reached its end.

Then another year started to bloom.

Napuno ng mga nagagandahang iba't-ibang kulay ng parol ang bawat saang dinadaanan ni attorney Collins.

Kasalukuyan itong tumatakbo sa kahabaan ng kalsada papuntang plaza kung saan siya palaging nakatambay ilang taon na ang nakalipas.

Saksi ang plazang 'yon sa lahat ng saya at pighati ng naranasan ng lalaki.

The plaza witnessed his fragile self and a wasted one.

Saksi ito kung pa'no niya binuhos ang daan-daang timba ng luha mula sa kaniyang mga mata dulot ng pag-iwan sa kaniya ng babae.

His mind was wandering elsewhere that it failed to recognized the presence of other people.

Nakarating ito sa plaza at umupo sa bakanteng bench kung saan naging paborito niya ring tambayan ng ilang tao.

Ito ang naging sandalan ng problema at taga-pakinig sa hinanaing niya sa buhay.

He was welcomed by the silence of sorrounding.

Ilan na lamang ang pumunta sa plazang ito.

Ginawan na rin kasi ng gobyerno ng nasa malaki pang plaza at do'n na kadalasan pumupunta ang mga tao.

Bilang nalang ang taong pumupunta pa rin sa plazang ito.

Minsan nga ay nililinisan niya ang lugar dahil napabayaan na ito ng pamahalaan at nabaon na sa limot.

This place holds a special part of his heart. It saves him when he was too close to giving up. Sharing its silence to console his broken soul.

Kaya kahit medyo abandon ado na ang lugar ay hindi pa rin ito nagsasayang pumunta rito.

The place might be forgotten, but the memories of individuals which created in that place will forever be remembered.

Nang magsawa na itong umupo ay nagsimula na itong tumakbo ulit. Nagpaikot-ikot lang 'to sa plaza habang naliligo sa sariling pawis.

He sweats a lot but he doesn't feel tired at all. Sanay na rin kasi ito sa indoors exercise.

Push-up, pull up, bangon-higa at iba pa ay sinubukan niya na.

Nang makuntento ay nagsimula na itong maglinis sa lugar, as he always do. Inuna niya munang walisan ang daanan ng mga tao. Sunod ay mga gilid nito. Nagsimula na rin itong magbunot ng damo. Pinagawan niya rin kunting lababo at C.R ang plaza. Pinagawan niya rin ng storage room para lalagyan sa mga cleaning tools na siya rin ang bumili. Nagagawa nga rin ito ng swing para may maupuan siya kung gusto niyang magpahinga saglit.

Kapag malalim ang iniisip niya ay dito ito namalagi hanggat maging okay na ulit ang pakiramdam niya.

Minsan naman kung hirao itong dalawin ng antok ay dito rin ito nag-lalagi.

This plaza became his bestfriend in scenery form. It also became his safe haven.

May kakayahan ang plazang ito na pagaanin ang mabigat nitong kalooban. The silence the plaza provides give him comforts.

Pagkatapos niyang maglinis sa paligid ay naghugas na ito ng kamay at nagbihis ng bagong damit.

Tiningnan niya muli ang plaza kung nasa ayos na ba ito bago niya iwan. Naka-locked na ang storage room nito at maayos at malinis ng naipasok sa loob ang mga tools na ginamit niyang panlinis.

He is about to exit and leave the place when suddenly a woman came in view. It has a long black hair tied in a pony tail. Pareho silang gulat ng makita ang isa’t-isa.

It's been months since the last time they saw each other. And to tell you the truth, they were not in good terms everytime they parted ways.

Attorney Collins despite the shock still  brought himself to uttered her name in a low tone manner, "Attorney Phoebe Quinn...."