One Last Crime

Kabanata 14

Witness

My breathing hitched and my heart pounded non stop.

I gulped as I haze back at him. I cannot be mistaken. He's the guy who break into my house! What does he want from me?

Paano siya nakarating dito?

How did he knew I'm here?

Luminga linga ako sa paligid. Nasaan na ba ang nga body guards ko?! Bakit wala sila rito?!

They're f*****g useless!

"W-what do you want from me? Bakit sunod ka ng sunod?! You even break into my house! You almost killed me! You're a f*****g pyscho!"

Where the f**k are my body guards?! Whenever I needed them they're gone!

"Help! Help---" I gasped when he pull out the metal steel on his jacket pocket.

Long gone the knife what almost slit my throat, his tool to threaten my life became more advance.

"Wag kang sisigaw!" he said firmly.

This time I knew he would definitely kill me with one fire of his gun.

"Wag mo rin susubukan na tumakas kung hindi mapipilitan akong barilin ka."

"What do you want from me? Money is not a problem, I can give it to you but you need to let me go," I said trying to sound more calm but fear is evident in my shaking voice.

"Hindi ko kailangan ang pera niyo! Hustisya ang kailangan ko!"

"There must have been a misunderstanding. You came for the wrong person, I'm not a judge or a lawyer---" kinalabit nito ang gatilyo ng baril.

I swallowed hard. "But... I-I can help you, my cousin is a lawyer. Let me go and---"

"Hindi ka aalis!"

Nanigas ako sa kintatayuan. He firmly grip on his gun, at this point I'm sure he will shoot me whenever I disobeyed him.

"Who are you? Pinadala ka ba ng kalaban ni Dad sa negosyo? Who are you?! I didn't do bad things to anyone! Why are you doing this to me?!"

"Ambilis mo naman makalimot sa nangyari noon."

"W-what do you mean?"

A glint of hatred fired up in his eyes. "Huwag ka na mag maang maangan, siguradong alam mo ang tinutukoy ko."

"Si Mariya..."

My eyes widened. The scene flashed in my head. Her cold and lifeless body laying on the grass. Her blood dyed on my blonde hair, dripping on my dress.

My throat run dry, "I... I don't know you're talking about---"

"Namatay siya..." he paused.

He stared at me, tears pooling in his eyes. "Pinatay siya."

My chest tightened. I looked away and gasped for air.

How did he know? Did he know that I killed her?

"Naandon ka,"

My eyes turned round, mouth gaped as I face him.

"Nakita mo ang lahat."

I shooked my head. "H-hindi. Nagkakamali ka... Hindi ko kilala si Ma---" I paused, I couldn't even speak her name without the taste of disgust. If I continue he will suspect me. But what's the point? He knew I was the killer!

Im innocent until proven guilty but I know guilty with or without an evidence!

But I wouldn't incriminate myself.

"I-i don't t know that woman!"

"Kasambahay siya ng nobyo mo!"

Huminga ako ng malalim. This can't be happening he seems to know everything about me and Adrian, he shouldn't be drag into this mess.

"Pinagpaliban niya ang anibersaryo namin para mag alaga ng binatilyo... Para alagaan ang nobyo mo!"

I gasped when his gun move closer to me.

"Kinabukasan wala na siyang buhay."

Tears escaped in his eyes, it gleamed under the light of the post, the same light post where I cried after what I witnessed years ago...

"What are you waiting for Chant? Get in. We're going to the falls."

"I-im not going Ferguson."

His eyebrows knitted. "Why? I thought you want to swim?"

"Tutor..."

"Tutor? Are you talking about the Adrian guy you're Dad told you not to be friends with?"

"Oh shut it Ferguson! I'm tired of Dad telling me about that. He's one of the best students in the university and he's my tutor and I'm glad about it."

"You don't even need a tutor Chantrea." Yes I don't, but I need Adrian.

"You should stay away from that guy, Chant. He's no good for you and he's weird."

"You really sound like Dad right now, Fergy."

"You should be spending time with your future husband not with that guy."

"You're annoying."

"And you're beautiful Chantrea."

I rolled my eyes. "Playboy!"

He laughed. "Did I played with your heart, babe?"

"Eww so cheesy Ferguson, stop it!"

He burst out laughing. "You sure you're not going?"

"I'm going now. He's probably waiting for me."

"What are you doing? We're not yet done. It's too early to end the tutor---"

"We can continue this next time Chantrea."

"Huh?"

"I'm gonna leave now. See you next time."

"Wait!"

"What's with the rush Adrian?"

"I need to go somewhere."

"Where?"

"Can I go with you?"

"You can't Chantrea."

"Why?"

"Don't push this Chantrea, just stay here."

"But I want to be with you Adrian." I choose to be with you rather than my friends.

"See you on monday," tipid niyang saad saka umalis.

I watched him disappear infront of me. He's acting strange lately, some things different. I need to find out what's happening to him. The cheerful and loving Adrian is gone. He's all gloomy, serious and always occupied with things.

"This is stupid! Ano namang gagawin ni Adrian sa gubat na to?"

I asked to myself. Tinanong ko ang mga kasambahay nito at iilang kakakilala nito. Parehas ang sinasabi nila at tinuro nila ako sa gubat na ito.

I wandered on the woods to find him even though theres a lot of insect and scary things I could think of out here. I don't mind a Lt about them because of him, when something came in like a life threatening situation, I'm sure he's gonna appear and save me, that would be so romantic. Who knows maybe I'll have my first kiss in the woods under the moonlight!

I can't wait to see him!

A minutes later I found a clear path and I followed it. Its right under the moonlight, how lucky I was!

My forehead creased on the sight of a tank top hanged on the branch of a small tree. The hanged clothes didn't end there, a flat heels also on the ground, it's seems that it's taken of so fast, the one who took it off didn't mind a lot about the sandals.

I step closer and the back of Chevy truck with light candles greeted me. Adrian is facing the other side which made me stare at his back.

He throw his head back, he grunted.

I narrowed my eyes to get a glimpse of him clearly. This must be his secret place to relax and take care of himself.

I smiled at the thought of me in the back of his truck, staring above the sky and counting all the stars, that would be endless just life my love for him. I was about to step out and greet him when a familiar face rose below him. Heat rushed trough me as I found out who it was. Her head went in a bobbing motion between his legs.

I can clearly see through her from where I stand. My eyebrows knitted when she stopped while Adrian's genitals is on his mouth and she glance in my direction. She stared at me while sucking on him.

I twirled around the big tree where I can perfectly hid my thin body.

Taas baba ang dibdib ko. Hinawakan ko iyon, umaasang hindi marinig ng sino man ang lakas ng kabog noon.

I must be hallucinating, that is impossible. She's not here, im sure of that.

I peaked behind the tree.

Her eyes are still in my direction, she even winked at me!

My chest tightened. I couldn't breathe. My first balled and my knees turned into jelly.

He's here because of that Mariya! He choose her over me! Tears pooled in my eyes.

I count stand it. It hurts me so bad.

I turned around and let the tears rolled down my cheeks.

No...

I faced their direction boldly.

He is a teen! She's disgustingly old! She's using him! She's taking advantage of his innocence and loneliness!

She's a f*****g pedophile!

My heard thudded faster, it deafened me. Pang pained on my chest as I stare at her, taking pleasure out of his innocence and weakness.

I took a deep breath and trugged towards them.

I went straight to her back and pulled her hair away from Adrian. Shocked is written all over his face. Mariya laughed to mock me.

"Chantrea? What are you doing here?!"

"I'm here to save you from this pedophile Adrian!"

"Pedophile?"

"Ganyan ba ang tawag mo sa babaeng nagpapasaya sa crush mo?"

"Alam mo wala kapang alam sa ganito Nene kaya umuwi kana sa mansyon niyo at umiyak ka sa daddy at mommy mo!" she laughed.

Raged flushed trough me all I can think about is pull all of her hair of his head.

"Chantrea that's enough!"

"No! Shes a pedophile Adrian!"

"Ikaw na bata ka pedophile ka ng pedophile! Pota ka hindi ko nga alam kung ano sinasabi mo! English ka ng English akala mo ikinaganda mo! Akala mo ba ikaw ang gusto nito ni Adrian? Aba nagtitiis lang yan sa kamalditahan mo! Pasalamat ka mayaman ka kundi sinipa kana nito ni Adrian!"

"Don't talk to her like that Mariya."

"Ah sige ipaparamdam ko na lang sa kan'ya yung sakit."

With that she picked me up in my arms and pushed me on the back of the truck. The cold metal met my lower back.

I curled falling on the ground but she did not stop there she kicked me. I couldn't feel my knees at this moment.

"Mariya ano ba tama na! Sinasaktan mo na siya! Pag nalaman ni Tito Miguel ito siguradong hindi kana---"

"Ano ngayon? Nangigil ako sa malditang bata na yan! Napakaarte! Sarap sakalin!"

"Ano ha? Tinitingin tingin? Lakas ng loob mo wala ka naman pala! Sampalin kita---"

"Mariya!" Adrian pushed her away from me.

"Umalis kana!"

"Ako aalis? Hindi pa nga tayo tapos," malanding saad nito.

Blood boiled inside me. I glance around and I the moonlight shined on the metal string on Adrian's truck. I reached for it and tried my best to stand on my feet. I hide the string on my back.

Her lips touched Adrian's.

"Leave him alone your a pedophile!"

"Aba tatayo ka pa talaga ha?!" she grabbed my neck, I was catching my breath and my body went numb.

Everything went fast. My vision blurried and everything became hazy. My body felt weaked, closed to fainting. The last thing I remember, Adrian's digging a grave, blood dripping from my hair onto my dress.

Heat warmed underneath my eyes. I don't know why his pain is affecting me. Maybe because a part of me died with her, my innocence.

"Aalukin ko na sana siya ng kasal..."

"She doesn't deserve you." She's a pedophile!

"She doesn't deserve to die."

"Me neither, so let me go!"

"Sa tingin mo ganoon lang kadali iyon? Ilang taon kitang hinanap! Sa wakas makakamit na rin ni Mariya ang hustisya!"

"Ang Mariya ko, ang mabait at anghel na Mariya ko," mahina niyang saad.

"Shes no angel she's a f*****g pedophile who ruined my life!" I shouted full of hatred and pain.

Nangunot ang noo nito, "Hindi totoo yan, hindi ganyan si Mariya! Paano mo nasabi yan? Paano niya sinira ang buhay mo?"

Ang sunod sunod niyang tanong ang nagbalik sa akin sa katinuan. Kailangan kong makatakas nila sa kan'ya kung hindi ay mababaliw ako. I wont end up in jail but in asylum.

I need to escape him!

My eyes traveled on his gun painted at me. He doesn't have a silencer. If he fire his gun it would alarm the people in the mansion. They will come to save me... But Im afraid to take a risk. I don't wanna die like this, I don't wanna die running away from guilt... I don't wanna die like her.

"I-i don't know her!" I already burried her in my life and she's dead beneath the ground but she keeps on haunting me with her sister and now his crazy lover.

"Let me go please!" I pleaded.

I tried to take a step away, a loud bang stopped me, I put my shaking hands to cover my head. I stiffened from where I stood.

I turned to him full of fears.

Its over now...

It's either he killed me to serve justice and avenge Mariya or he will bring me to jail.

I don't have a choice now. Is this my punishment for doing the right thing? For protecting him from an abusive maniac?

I wouldn't survive a day in the jail. I would end up dead as well with all the agony and judgement of the people.

"Kailangan ko ang tulong mo, ikaw lang ang nakasaksi ng krimen." It's because I'm the killer.

"Tulungan mo ko!"

"I cannot help you!" Helping him means lifetime imprisonment, it will end me.

"Wala akong balak na saktan ka. Gusto ko lang kumbinsihin ka na maging testigo sa pag patay kay Mariya!"

"It's h---"

"I can't help you."

"Parang awa mo na tulungan mo akong makamit ang hustisya para kay Mariya. Tetistigo siya kinabukasan para sa isang kaso pero namatay siya. Malamang ay kasalanan ito ng---"

Tears pooled in my eyes. "Don't blame him for this!"

"She's is a pedophile! She abused him!"

"Alam ko ang nangyari, sinakal ka niya kaya naman---"

"I did what I had to do!" I screamed, tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Hindi mo kasalanan ang nangyari."

"W-what do you mean?"

"Alam kong sinisisi mo ang sarili mo sa nangyari pero may magagawa kapa para makamit ang katotohanan at makalaya sa kasinungalingan."

"Tulungan mo ako, tumististigo ka sa pagkamatay ni Mariya, tumistigo ka laban kay---"

My body stiffened at the sight of blood flowing out of his chest. He fell in the ground, Adrian appeared on the back of him, holding his silencer aimed exactly at him.

"A-adrian? What did you do?"

"W-why did you shoot him?!" I cried.

"Hes gonna hurt you!"

"No he's not!" I shouted, tears rolling down my cheeks.

"I did what I had to Chantrea, I'm returning the favor you did before. I saved you the way you saved me."

"You shouldn't have done that!"

"He's going to kill you!"

"N-no... Hes not going to kill me! He's trying to help me! He was about to tell me something! He's trying to help us Adrian! He's trying to help but you killed him!---"

He cut me off. "I killed him for you, Chantrea!"

I glance at him lying lifeless on the ground. "W-we should call an ambulance or a police! I was am accident! It was self defense! You didn't want to shoot him! Youre just trying to save me. They will believe us!"

"Let's call the police, they should know about this."

"Lendhel can help us."

"No! You're not gonna call a police Chantrea!"

"Why?! There's a dead body infront of us Adrian! Another dead body! And here's the two of us again!" I buried my face in my palm.

"Hindi dapat nila ito malaman."

I shooked my head and covered my mother to stop myself from crying buy it won't help. My head aches so much like it'll burst out any minute. I cannot contain all of this is real.

Another dead body... connected to Mariya.

He walked towards the body. "Chantrea."

"Chantrea!"

"A little help here?"

I shooked my head.

"Emory is a lawyer she can help us!" I

"She can't do anything. She will ask you who this guy is."

"And I will tell her the truth!"

"She will force you to tell your crimes!"

"Look, Chantrea. If they found his body, they will know his relationship to Mariya."

"If you report about this, your Dad's night will.be ruined including his reputation and yours! You worked hard to be in that position Chantrea! You didn't endure the pain and built for nothing for the past years! Don't waste your life!"

"I can't contain this anymore Adrian! There's another life lost in my hands!"

"Listen to me Chantrea, I'm with you all the time. You're not alone. I did what I have to do. Dont you even realized this will make us stronger. This is just a challenge for our relationship Chantrea."

"That's bullshit Adrian. He's dead!"

"H-hes dead because of me..."

He reached for my hand and pulled me to his chest. "Shhh... Its not your fault babe. Calm down..."

I pulled away.

"We need to tell the police Adrian." We need to make things right.

"So they can put you in jail? I wont let that happened Chantrea. I did it before and I will do it again, I'll stop you from ruining your life."

He pulled me closer to him. The warmth and safety he used to give me is gone.

"Come on Chantrea, if you can't do it for yourself, do it for me. You ant me to be happy right? You want me to live the best of my life with you. I'm gonna be the Mayor Chantrea. Dont burst it for me."

My eyes remained on him.

"Now listen, you need to go back to the party."

My eyes widened. "What?"

"They're looking for you Chantrea. It will be suspicious that you're not at you father's success."

"What about you?"

"Get back to the party like nothing happened. No one died. Enjoy yourself." mariin niyang saad.

I was about to take a step way when he pulled me closer.

"And don't forget to draw their attention I something else. Make everyone stay longer in the mansion." He glance at the body. "I think I can handle this within thirty minutes but or longer. Don't let anyone leave the party especially that detective your talking about. He's a bit nosy."

He grabbed my arm. "Chantrea, do you get me?"

I nodded. Once again, I walked away and left him to clean my mess. I strolled trough the cold road.