EP.25
1148 Words
"Christopher?" tawag ni Caroline sa kinakasama. Matagal na niyang napapansin na palaging tahimik ang lalaki na waring napakalalim ng iniisip. "Is there a problem that we should talk about?" asking him, while looking concerned.
"Huh?" gulat nitong sambit. "Problem? I don't have a problem. Why?"
"You've been acting weird lately. I was thinking that maybe something is bothering you that I'm not aware of," aniya.
Naglumikot ang mga mata ni Christopher na waring tinatantiya ang mga pangyayari o kung sasabihin ba sa nobya ang nasaksihan niya nang gabing mamatay si Veronica.
"Come on, did you forgot our number one rules in our relationship? No hiding under the sleeve, right?"
"Okay, I can tell you about it but please, promise me to keep it as a secret, will you?"
Napanguso si Caroline sa narinig, tila mabigat ang bagay na sasabihin nito sa kanya kaya ganoon ang lalaki. "Of course, I'm not a kiss and tell kind of a person, and you know that!"
"Okay." ani ng lalaki sabay buntong-hininga ng malakas. "Remember Veronica?" nakatitig ito sa kanya ng matiim.
Sa mga mata nito ay naghahalo ang pag-aalangan, takot at pag-aalala. Kaya naman labis siyang nagtaka sa inaasal nito na tila ba life and death situation ang sasabihin nito.
"Of course. I can never forget that lady." sagot niya. "But, what about her?" dagdag niya, humihigop pa siya ng bagong gawang papaya shake with freshmilk sa harapan ni Christopher.
"I know who killed her." mahina ngunit malinaw na wika ng lalaki.
Dala ng pagkabigla ay naibuga ni Caroline ang papaya milk shake sa mukha mismo ng lalaki. Inahit pa siya ng ubo dahil pumasok yata sa kaloob-looban ng ilong niya ang iniinom. Kaagad naman siyang tinulungan nito para maging okay siya. Pagkatapos ay kumuha ito ng basang bimpo para linisan ang sarili at ganoon rin siya. Kapagkakuwa'y muli silang nagharap sa living room. Muli niyang inusisa ang nobyo tungkol sa isiniwalat nito.
"W-what did you say? Did I heard it right or I should have both of my ears get check?"
"You heard it right, I saw who killed her. Remember that night, I'm a little upset because we've got an argument? I told you I'm going to catch some fresh air and all I want is to stay in the garden. But I've found Veronica there, she was being strangled-"
"With who?" hindi makapaghintay na tanong ni Caroline.
"Mr. Cheng."
"What?!" malakas na sagot niya. Napatayo pa siya dahil sa pagkabigla. "I beg your pardon?"
"Look, even I, was shocked to the core when I saw him strangling Veronica. I was like, what's going on? Should I save her or should I walk away and save my ass."
"And you choose the later, right?" nanlalaki ang mga matang wika niya. She is totally shocked!
"I have no choice, I'm already upset at that time and I-"
"You're what?"
"I passed out. Next thing I knew, I was being carried by Dylan in our unit."
"Dylan? That creepy young man who resides next door?"
"Yes. Who else?"
"Why did he pick you? Do you think, he is also a witness?"
"I don't know because I passed out, remember?"
"Oh my God, that is scary... Who would have thought that he is capable of taking somebody's precious life like that. I mean, she's not a friend but she is someone else's daughter, wife and a mother."
"I don't know what to do, Caroline. I've been racking my brain for too long just to find out what's gonna be my plan."
"Aren't you gonna report it to the police? I mean, you're a witness and you could have give Veronica the justice that she deserves."
"Then, what? Aren't you scared of Apollo? He is billionaire and for sure, he has connections. Don't you think we're trying to break a strong wall with an egg?"
"There must be something that we can do without ruining our life, let's figure it out together." ani Caroline.
"I'm scared that this will bring us bad luck. Giving her the justice will surely help her and her family. But, what about us, after this? I am sure, we are going to suffer big time and I don't want that to happen."
"So, you're trying to tell me that you're going to turn a blind eye on this matter?"
"Yes. At least for now."
"But what about her family?"
"You know what's strange? It seems like Stephen never bother to give justice to his late wife. He is just living like a normal guy who hadn't lost his wife. You know what I mean?"
"He doesn't look like he is mourning. I bet, he is happy right now with his aura. It appears that he is at his happiest when Veronica died, as though he was being release from his prison cell."
"Exactly! But his daughter Cyla is different because I saw her standing at the garden almost every night, crying her heart out. That poor lady sure breaks her heart in two after losing her mom."
"Do you think he is sleeping with another woman?" ani Christopher.
"I don't know, if that is true, who is his mistress?"
"Forget it, we still have a lot of a mess to be taken cared of."
Caroline hugged her man. She knows how difficult it is to decide and she can't help him much either. "This will passed, one day." aniya.
"Don't worry, one day I will have the courage to tell the truth to the world. Just give me some time and I will definitely do it. I just can do it now, too scared for our life and safety."
"I won't force you this time. I understand, you are just thinking about our welfare. But you know what, do you think we have to move out?"
Napabaling sa kanya ng tingin si Christopher at nagsalita, "We can't, we invested our money to Apollo. And moving out from the crib isn't a good idea. We have to stay still if we want our business to thrive. Admit it or not, Apollo did a good job on helping us out."
"If only he has a golden heart,"
"Forget it, maybe it's true that humans will never be all black or white. Everyone must have stains on each of their own."
"God never creates someone so perfect, rest assured that I will help you get through this. You got me, honey!" ani Caroline, niyakap niya ang kinakasama at hinalik-halikan ito sa buhok.
Hindi niya masisisi kung nagpasyang itikom ng lalaki ang bibig at mata nito sa trahedyang sinapit ni Veronica. Maraming madadamay kung sakali lalo na ang kanilang negosyo. Isa pa, hindi pa sila handang kalabanin si Apollo lalo na at sila ay isa lamang hamak na acolyte nito.
Sa ngayon ay kailangan muna nilang isipin ang sarili at protektahan ang kanilang mga personal na interes dahil iyon ang mas mahalaga.
- Writer
