Apollo's Crib: A Sinister Fate

EP.11

Do you think you can hide your secret with me?!" Angil niya kay Stephen.

"What are you talking about, you fool!"

"I know that you had an affair with Connie Liu, you idiot!" Sigaw niya.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Stephen sa narinig gayunpaman ay nagkunwari pa rin itong walang alam.

"Who told you that fabricated stories?" Maang na tanong nito.

"Don't try to play safe, Stephen. I know everything, and if you run into the police right now to report what had happened with your wife. I'll assure you, your secret will be out and the whole world will think it is your doing to become a free man."

"I know for sure that I didn't do it, you cannot manipulate me with that!"

"I wonder how your daughter will react if she found out that you're sleeping with another woman. And maybe, it's you or Connie who did the crime. Once the police are involved, sure thing my crib will be dragged too. But I will make sure that you and Connie will suffer the most."

Napasalampak ng upo si Stephen, ang dating malakas ay tuluyan nang nanghina. Bakit nalaman ni Apollo ang bagay na pinakaiingatan niya?

"Since when did you know about my affair?" Tanong ni Stephen.

"Ever since you moved here, the week after, Connie moved too. I had all the evidence from your affair. If you make unnecessary movement against my back. I am sure that I can fight you back. I will let you lose everything, your daughter, your money, your status and your life. You can never enjoy it again, because you will live in hell, as soon as you stab me in my back." Turan ni Apollo. "Think about it, don't waste your life for someone who you are planning to dump anyway."

Muling napaangat ng tingin si Stephen at tumitig kay Apollo. "So, you also know I was filing for divorce."

"I know everything about my acolyte, Stephen. I am warning you, don't make it hard for both of us because in the end, you'll gonna lose more than I do." Aniya. Sinulyapan niya pa ang lalaki bago lumabas sa silid.

Pagkakita sa kanya ni Eddie ay agaran itong lumapit sa kanya para magtanong kung ano ang plano niya kina Stephen at pamilya nito.

"Tell him that his wife peacefully died in her sleep. If Veronica's parents asked further, give them money to silence their mouth. I've heard they're poor as a rat. Help them as long as you can, and never let this thing bother me again." Makapangyarihang sabi niya.

Sigurado siya na kayang ihandle ni Eddie at Carla ang mga ganitong bagay. Kaya panatag ang loob niya.

"How about the witnesses?" Tanong ni Eddie.

"Everything can be sealed with pennies, that is the least of our problems. Don't let the media knows, or even the authorities. This must be handled peacefully." Aniya.

Pagkatapos ng kanilang pag-uusap ay bumalik siya sa kaniyang unit. Hindi niya pinansin si Sinica na naghihintay sa kanya sa salas. Dire-diretso siya sa kanyang study room at doon niya pinakawalan ang sarili.

Nanginginig ang buo niyang katawan dahil sa matinding takot at kaba. Tinitigan niya ang magkabilaang kamay na ginamit niya para sakalin si Veronica nang gabing iyon. Nasabunutan niya ang sarili nang maalala kung paano lumungayngay ang ulo ni Veronica sa kanyang mga kamay.

Samantala, isa si Caroline sa nakasaksi ng pangyayari kung saan na-retrieve ang bangkay ni Veronica. Labis ang takot at pagkabigla nito kaya nagmamadali ang ginang na umuwi sa kanilang unit.

"Honey! Did you know that Mrs. Wang died last night?" Ani Caroline sa kinakasamang si Christopher. Nasa unit pa rin sila ng 88th floor dahil hindi sila nakalipat dahil pinigilan ni Veronica.

"Oh really? Karma sure did its job." Anito na parang hindi man lang nagulat.

"Hey, don't say that... She lost her life just recently, and according to what I've heard. It's not a natural death," saway ni Caroline.

"What do you mean?" Curious na tanong nito.

"According to one of the staff, if I'm not mistaken, she was murdered. Her body was found hanging in the ceiling. Can you imagine that?!"

"How can you guys, concluded it as murder? Sounds like a suicide to me," ani Christopher.

"She's not the type of person who will do that to herself. You know, if one day there is a formula drink who can make you immortal once you drink it, for sure she's first in line."

Habang nagku-kwento ang kasintahan ay tahimik lamang na nakatitig si Christopher. Napaka-inosenteng tsismosa naman ng girlfriend niya.

"Stop mending with their business, this is a serious matter. As much as possible, don't get involve."

"Of course! I won't stick my nose to them. I was just in total shock with what I've heard. What a poor lady. Life is indeed short, what a pity."

"We have to be careful, and let's not move to 90th floor. Let's just stay here honey, we're safer in the bottom than trying to soar high near with the Cheng." Ani Christopher.

"Okay, I understand but come to think of it, if this isn't suicide and it's really a murder case. Then who is the killer? And is there any witness?"

"Never mind, prepare for our breakfast, I'm starving." Ani Christopher. Ayaw niyang maiugnay silang magkasintahan sa kaso ni Veronica. Lalo na at isa sila sa huling nakausap nito bago pumanaw.

At kung sinuman ang may gawa niyon ay nakakatiyak siyang balang araw ay magbabayad ito ng mahal.

Habang nagkukulong sa kwarto si Apollo ay kausap naman ni Sinica si Laura.

"Did you notice something last night?" Usisa ni Sinica.

"No madam, I sleep early last night because I'm feeling like under the weather. I was in shocked this morning when that scary thing happened."

"This crib is newly built, my husband shed his blood and tears just to have this building in Neihu. I won't let anyone destroy our place just because somebody died here."

"I understand madam, I think, Mr. Cheng already handle this matter. Don't worry too much, your husband knows what he is doing." Ani Laura.

"Yes, he sure does... He has to clean this mess once and for all."

"Being too proud and arrogant is never a good thing," ani Laura.

Napatingin si Sinica sa helper kasabay ng pagtanong, "I beg your pardon?"

"I saw how she treated you, and I also heard complaints about her eith the other tenants. She is too proud and nosy, maybe the person who killed her surely had a deep grudge."

"I see, you can go back to your chores. I want to be alone..." Utos niya.

Tumalima kaagad ang helper at iniwanan siya mag-isa. Malalim ang iniisip niya habang nakatingin sa nakapinid na pinto ng study room ng kabiyak. Batid niya ang ginagawang pangha-harass ni Veronica kay Apollo. Pero hindi niya kayang maniwala na isa si Apollo sa mga suspek.

Kahit anong mangyari ay kailangan niyang masiguro ang kaligtasan nilang mag-anak. She was afraid that Veronica's untimely demise is the beginning of an end to Apollo.

"Is there something wrong, mom?" Ani Agatha. Kakagising lang rin nito at nakasuot pa ng makapal na tshirt at naka underwear lang ng lumabas.

"Never mind that, Agatha, let the adults do there job. It has nothing to do with you or your siblings." Sagot niya.

"Cyla message me asking for help. My phone keeps ringing, so I was force to get up."

"Turn off the sound, then. Problem solved."

"Mom, don't be sarcastic please. I'm starting to get worried."

Tumayo si Sinica st nilapitan ang anak, niyakap niya ito ng mahigpit at nagsalita, "There's nothing to worry honey, get some extra rest."

Dahil sa pagtataboy ng ina ay walang nagawa kundi bumalik ng kwarto ang dalaga. Nadaanan niya pa si Audrey na lihim palang nakikinig sa usapan nila.

"What a creep! Go back to your room, stop listening to someone's conversation." Ani Agatha.

Sa pagtataka nito ay walang kibong sumunod si Audrey sa kanya. Halos pabalibag nitong isinara ang pintuan kaya naman nagulat siya. Kung hindi lang siya naghahabol ng pahinga ay susugurin niya ang kapatid at sisitahin. Inis man ay pumasok na lang din siya sa kanyang kwartopara bumalik sa pagtulog. Ini-off niya ang phone para hindi siya maistorbo.

"Sydney, are you free tonight?"ani Audrey. Tinawagan niya ang kaibigan dahil gusto niyang maglibang.

"I think so, why?"

"Let's party tonight!"

"Party? We don't have plans tonight, right?" Takang tanong nito.

"Then, let's make one... I really need to unwind right now."

"Are you in trouble with your mom?"

"No."

"Alright, i'll call Cecil to join us, too."

"Good. Just give me a beep whenever you guys are ready."

"Noted."

Tapos na silang mag-usap at nabalot na naman ng katahimikan ang buong paligid. Hula niya ay pumunta na ng opisina ang mga magulang. She sneaked out of their house and she found herself sitting in the garden nearby their unit. Her heart and mind is a mess and she does not know what to do. She felt like she had the worst nightmare yesterday when she saw her dad strangling Veronica to death. She's not even sure if it's indeed a nightmare or just a product of her illusion.

"Hello, beautiful!" Ani ng isang tinig.

Paglingon niya ay nakita niya ang lalaking presko sa party noon, si Dylan.

"What are you doing here?" mataray niyang sabi.

"I just saw you alone, I thought you need someone to accompany you. I'm afraid, you'll gonna jump at any time," pabirong sambit nito sabay ngiti.

"I don't need anyone to bother me. Please leave."

"Or maybe you need someone to share your problems with, it would be nice to let go some of your worries."

"I said, I want to be alone! Get out! I don't need you here and don't even try to approach me again, you're freaking me out!" singhal niya.

Parang nabaghan naman si Dylan sa naging reaksiyon niya. Ang palangiting mukha nito ay napalitan ng pagkalukot.

"Okay, I will leave you now. But please, drink this coffee. This might help you a little bit, thank you!" anito, sabay lapag ng dala nitong kape sa tabi niya.

Ibabalik niya sana iyon sa lalaki ngunit nakatakbo na ito papalayo sa kanya kaya hinayaan niya na lang. Hindi naman siguro ito naglagay ng kung ano sa kape o lason kaya safe iyon na inumin.

Walang kamalay-malay ang dalaga na habang sinisimsim niya ang kape ay tahimik naman na nanunuod si Dylan. Nasa labi na ulit ang mga ngiti nito na tila ba may ibig sabihin.

"Drink up, Audrey... until to the last drop. That will help you a lot." anito.

Matapos inumin ng dalaga ang kape ay nakaramdam nga siya ng kaunting relief. Naging kalmado na siya at gumaan ang kanyang pakiramdam. Tama ang sinabi ng pakialamerong kapitbahay. Coffee will make her more relax and peaceful. Hindi na namalayan ng dalaga na unti-unti siyang nakaramdam ng matinding pagka antok hanggang sa tuluyan siyang nakatulog.

Walang inaksayang sandali si Dylan at maingat na pinangko ang walang malay na dalaga. Malaki ang mga hakbang na tinungo nito ang unit ng mga Cheng at nagmamadaling doorbell.

"Hello, I think this lady passed out at the garden." ani Dylan kay Laura nang pagbuksan ito ng pinto.

"Oh my God, what happened to her? I thought she was in her room,"

"I don't know, please help me show her room. I will send her to rest." ani ng binata.

Hindi naman kumilos si Laura na waring nag aalangan.

"Unless, you can carry her?"

Wala nang nagawa si Laura kung hindi hayaan si Dylan na makapasok at i-guide ito patungo sa kwarto ng dalaga.

Pagkalapag ng dalaga ay inutusan ni Dylan si Laura na kumuha ng maligamgam na bimpo para punasan si Audrey.

Hindi na rin nag-usisa pa si Laura, bagkus ay nagmamadali itong nagtungo sa laundry area para kumuha ng malinis na bimpo at maliit na batya para sa maligamgam na tubig. Pagkatapos ay patakbong bumalik sa kwarto ng alaga.

Ngunit sa pagtataka ng ginang ay wala na roon ang ginoo na naghatid kay Audrey. Marahil ay umalis din ito kaagad bago pa man siya makabalik.