One Last Crime

Chapter 3

Stupid

"Chant, mamaya ka na mag-cellphone, magsaya ka muna!" sigaw ni Rich saka tumungga ng alak.

Hindi ko na muna siya pinansin. Kailangan kong malaman kung ano ang nangyari. Binalik ko ang tingin sa cellphone at muling nag-type.

Ako:

Adrian? Where are you?

"Rich's right, Chant. Have fun! Kababalik mo lang kaya siguradong miss mo na mag party dito sa Pilipinas,” aniya ni Crizel

Hinayaan ko lang siyang magsalita. Muli akong nag-type. Hindi ako makampante ng hindi nalalaman kung bakit kailangang kausapin ng mga pulis si Adrian.

Ako:

What happened? Who's the dead body? Did they find it? Should I see my attorney? Adrian, please text me.

Paano kung natagpuan na nga nila ang bangkay? Anong gagawin ko? Tatakas ba ako o haharapin ang magiging kaso sa akin?

"Anong miss? Gabi gabi nga kami niyan sa bar sa America! Punong puno na ng alak ang baga nitong batang to!" si Rich.

I don't usually use my phone when I'm in a bar because I always like to socialize. If we are still in America I would talk to everyone, even strangers. But right now is different. I can't keep my hands off it. I need to know what's going on.

Malay ko ba kung natagpuan na nga talaga ang katawan ng babaeng 'yon? Baka habang nagsasaya ako dito ay nagdurusa na sa kulungan si Adrian at inako ang kasalanan hindi niya ginawa.

Adrian:

No need for an attorney. It's not her. Wag ka mag-alala, Chant. Matagal ng nangyari iyon. Impossibleng may makakita pa ng katawan niya.

Ako:

Kung hindi siya ‘yon, bakit pinuntahan ka ng mga pulis?

Adrian:

I'm running for mayor Chant. They need to report it and I need to do something about the dead body, it's for my city. It's good for publicity.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng malaman na hindi katawan ng babaeng 'yon ang natagpuan. Kung iisipin, sa tagal na nga no’n at baka bulok na iyon o naagnas. Kaya bakit ako masyadong nag aalala?

My God, Chantrea. Calm down. They're not gonna find it. You're not going to jail. She already brought that secret to her grave.

Tama. Masyado nga siguro akong nag-aalala. I'm over thinking so much and it's not good. It's like a growing tree of regrets and mistakes that I keep on thinking and the branches lead to another until I cannot even go back from the very first thought that made me over think like this.

Nothing bad can happen. No one can ruin everything for me. No one can take what I have now. Not even the dead or ghosts.

"Kulang ‘yan! Dapat umapaw ang alak sa baga mo Chant!" natatawang saad ni Crizel.

I sighed. I need to loosen up a little. I glanced at them who's smiling widely at me. We are all seated on the sofa where we can all see each other's faces.

Magkakatabi sa sofa sina Danica, Denise at Crizel na nakaharap sa akin habang si Rich naman ay katabi ko. Sila ang mga kaibigan ko bago umalis ng bansa, mayroon pa rin kaming komunikasyon kahit na umalis ako ng bansa, minsan ay binibisita din nila ako doon, kaya nakilala rin sila ni Rich.

"Yeah right! We missed you so much!" si Danica.

"Every party is not the same without a Callejo!"

I don't need to think about that dead evil girl anymore. She's gone and I'm alive.

Dahil wala na siya kailangan kong gawin ang lahat para maitago ang nangyari dati. Hindi dapat ako nagkaganito. Walang dapat mag-ungkat ng nakaraan. Walang pwedeng makaalam.

I need to be me again.

"Tell us everything, Chant. Ilang taon din tayong hindi nagkita kita!"

I gave them the widest smile I could ever give. "I'm better than ever. America is such a great place to study and live but I can't stay that long. I mean, I went there to study but now I'm back here and it's time to take over my family's company."

"Yes girl! The heiress of Callejo Corporation,” saad ni Denise.

"Bagay na bagay kay Chantrea!"

"Ipinanganak siya para pamahalaan ‘yan kaya bagay na bagay talaga!" sabat naman ni Rich.

"Born to be the ruler of Callejo empire!" Tama sila. Ipinanganak ako para pamunuan ang company namin kaya dapat ko ‘yong gawin.

"Wait!" Crizel said.

"Let's cheer for this!" We raised our glasses.

"To the most beautiful heiress in the world!" natatawang saad ni Denise.

We cheered, then drank the alcohol.

"Did I hear someone say my name?"

"Panina!!"

Sinulyapan ko ang bagong dating na babae. Nagtama ang mata naming dalawa. Pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin. Wala paring pinagbago, mukha pa rin siyang patpating tingting.

"So how's the fashion show?" she asked.

"The fashion is the best. It's tiring but you know me it's my passion." I smiled.

"Good to hear Chant. I'm happy that you enjoyed your last runway,” nakangising saad niya.

My right eyebrow raised as I tilted my head. Oh! Panina, nothing's really changed huh?

"Anong ibig mong sabihin Panina?" saad ni Denise.

Umupo muna siya saka sinagot si Denise. "Well, she's going to take over the company. Business is a lot of work. She's going to be busy and she will not have time for runways and shoots."

"And?" si Danica.

"Kaya naman ako na ang papalit sa kan’ya. Baka nga maungusan ko pa siya sa ranking ng highest paid model," she smirked.

I still can't believe it. May mga tao pa lang hindi talaga nagbabago kahit ilang taon na ang lumipas. Inggiterang ting ting pa rin pala itong si Panina.

"You're right, You're always my replacement whenever I turn down a cheap brand."

The smirk on her face faded away.

Bata pa lang kami ay ramdam ko na ang inggit ni Panina sa akin, sa lahat ng bagay ay nakikipag paligsahan siya.

My father always told me that I'm Callejo and I can do anything that I want. I can win in everything, so I did. That's why she became more jealous. I know that she's not my real friend.

I know I can't trust her. I didn't exclude her from our group even though I know she's a b***h, because where's the fun in that right?

I get entertained when she compliments me like she doesn't hate me at all.

Siya iyong kaibigan na hindi ka lang sasaksakin patalikod pati sa harap ay kaya niya.

But that won't work on me, Panina. You don't know what I can do.

"And I don't think so, Panina. If you want to be included in the highest top paid models in the world, you need to be a famous international model... But you're not. Business is a lot of work if you're not a Callejo but I am. I'll make time for my passion." I smirked at her.

I'm back Panina, you're not the queen you thought you were, because I am, the queen.

Rich giggled beside me while others were silent. She looked at me with dagger eyes while greeting her teeth.

Hindi na napigilan ni Rich ang pag hagalpak ng tawa. "Takte ka Panina napatawa mo ako!"

"Kayo talagang dalawa!" natatawang saad ni Denise.

Everyone burst into laughter. They all know that were always like this. Lagi ko siyang pinapahiya sa harap nila, hindi ko naman kasalanan ‘yon dahil siya ang mga gusto no’n, pinagbigyan ko lang siya. Nasanay na rin naman sila sa akin.

Panina's a brat b***h but I'm a spoiled bad b***h.

After what happened we drown ourselves in alcohol. Panina went to another table while Danica and Denise were dancing.

Sumunod na rin ako sa kanila. Parehas kaming napagod ni Rich kaya naman umupo muna kami.

"Wala na tayong alak!" aniya.

"Let's have the expensive hard liquor!" I screamed.

"Takte ka basta ikaw mag babayad Chantrea, alam mo namang may pinapaaral pa ako!" natatawa niyang saad.

"Sure thing!" I winked at him before standing up.

Ginala ko ang tingin sa paligid habang hinihintay ang alak. Dumapo ang mata ko sa pamilyar na katawan ng lalaki. Nakatalikod ito sa akin, may kausap siya hindi kalayuan sa kinatatayuan ko.

Pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin. Iyon pa rin ang suot niya katulad kanina. Hindi bat sinundan niya si Adrian kasama ang pulis? Bakit siya andito?

Umalis ang kausap niyang magandang babae, nanliit ang mata ko ng makita siyang lumingon diretso sa direksyon ko dahilan para mag tama ang mata naming dalawa.

His face is serious now but his eyes remained cold just like a while ago.

Dumating na ang alak kaya naman inalis ko ang mata sa kan’ya ng balingan ko ulit ang pwesto niya ay wala na siya doon.

Mariin kong pinikit ang mga mata.

I don't know if that is really him or I'm just too drunk that I'm having delusions.

Bumalik na ako sa pwesto namin, nasa sofa na rin sila Denise at Danica na pagod kasasayaw.

I checked my phone to see Adrian's text again.

Adrian:

I can't, Chant. I have something to do, I'll make it up to you and I'm sorry for ruining your night. I'm glad you're back. I promise I'll make it up to you.

I asked him to go here, that's his reply.

Ang utak ko ay may binubulong sa akin pero alam kong hindi magagawa iyon ni Adrian. Pinuntahan niya pa nga ako kanina, marami lang talaga siguro siyang ginagawa.

He loves me so much, I know that. He's successful now because of me, he won't do stupid things right?