Sunshine

XLIII

THIS just came in. Kahilom City Mayor Romualdo Costales is reportedly at the hospital in a 50-50 state. As to where and why is still unknown. This is a developing story. Please stay tuned…

As soon as Romualdo Costales sigh was heard a remote control was immediately lifted up to turn off the TV set. The hand that was lifted up also immediately went down then brought behind a broad back, the remote control camouflaging itself on the black dress pants. All movements were done in a trained snappy way, almost making a sound with the wind. It was amusing to Romualdo’s eyes in some ways.

Romualdo Costales who is currently “50-50” (was, but then he must have worked harder then the devils they’re still not dragging him to them in legit fear they might get demoted) at the “hospital” (which in this instance is a special treatment room somewhere on the Costales mansion with on-call doctor and two nurses) is being treated with bodyguards who stood as straight as their well ironed suit and tie. The one who is the nearest to the TV was the one who had the remote on his back. All his three bodyguards had almost identical stern faces it was hard to tell them apart. Though there wasn’t really an intention to learn on their existence in the first place.

“What did the doctor said again? I have to let myself be shown on the public again and pretend that was fake news.”

“You’re back still won’t let you stand straight, sir. You still have to give your wounds ample time to close.”

Someone from the three said which Costales failed to recognize who. He still nodded, closing his eyes as a sharp pain just passed on his spine confirming what was just said. He groaned on it.

It is probably rooted from past oppression on press freedom especially during way back Martial law that could be dated back almost 5 decades ago that Filipinos started to take care of it and took special pride on their courage in the name for press freedom. While some of it took off in a form of blind items just to simply give people who have nothing else to do to gossip about or probably for the website traffic to actual name drops, which lead to either or both social media disputes to lawsuits, though most lawsuits were dropped along the way. While probably the bravest form of it is actual expose reports backed up with investigative journalism.

Though those journalists are in some ways rare now, still there are ample number of them that could still instill fear to anyone who has all the world to hide.

“Damn. It’s always been the reporters I have to be most worried about.”

Romualdo managed to croak in the middle of his groaning. He then positioned himself to the sleeping position his doctor recommended to him.

“They’re scary. Reporters are damn scary in some ways and more.”

But then he immediately went back to his sitting position earlier when a growing ticking of heels from outside the door was heard, gradually growing louder like a palpitating heartbeat. The other people present in the treatment room had their breath held in, heads bow down just right their heads don’t fall. Finally the door swung open.

“You can now all leave.”

All three men in suit went out. As their eyes are on their feet they noticed it paced way too fast, almost running. The last who came out last closed the door for them.

“Stephanie.”

Romualdo called, trying to hide his wincing face by faking a smile. But it all failed miserably. He stopped pretending altogether and winced and groaned occasionally.

“This time I’ll do what you say. Since you’re the one who almost died.”

Romualdo froze for a moment. He stared at his daughter, letting her words echo on him.

“Then let me take care of it.”

Stephanie only nodded to that then left. Romualdo watched her as she walked away, his thoughts wondering. He knows his daughter will keep her words. She will keep it to the best possible. But he will never cease to worry. Because he also knows his daughter will do something to tend to her anger somehow. And angers are hard to deal with in nature.

Romualdo crawled his fingers on the table, reaching for his phone. He pressed on it quickly and brought the phone to his ears.

“Yes, b***h. I’m alive.”

THE Kahilom Police Station went on with its usual busy day. The breaking news on the incumbent Mayor also became a talk over morning coffees or quick breakfasts. Of course it will never be new to talk over a news in a police station like how neighborhood aunts would talk over a gossip. After all gossips for policemen and women all came in flash reports, progress reports, case files and testimonies and simple tips and might as well let’s include prank calls in this lists. It could come off as an occupational disease, actually. How they still talk about work outside work― but then it must have been always the case if the nature of your job is to protect. No break and vacation is allowed since danger will never cease.

“You think the Mayor’s sick?”

“Who knows, he might got attacked or assassinated.”

“If that’s the case then police report would have been made by now? Since they have to catch the culprit.”

“But if the reason behind the attack would tarnish the Mayor in any way then they might opt to stay it hidden.”

“Is that even possible? The Mayor is known to be a good person.”

“But there’s always a possibility in everything. Who knows the Mayor only succeeded in making himself look like a good person. After all for what is his strategic planning team for? Establishing good public image will always be part of the job description.”

“You’re right. And Mayor Costales is almost regarded as the patron saint of Kahilom. And politicians could never be saints.”

Theories were made left and right over muffled and distinct conversations. Those ifs and what ifs were said in a very casual way like they don’t really matter. These conversations actually look like casual friends conversation in its surface. In this sense gossips on police stations might actually be the most interesting gossips you’ll ever hear. At least they don’t talk about celebrities’ private lives like it actually mattered to them. Only happenings that could become a lawsuit is the only thing worth gossiping to them.

With last sip on coffees and last munch on light meals those conversations ended, all proceeding to actual work related conversations and discussions while quickly brushing teeth. All meeting rooms slowly got filled.

“These… are actually good evidences.” Captain Rivera said, clutching the papers where everyone’s eyes are nailed to hard. Those papers shook gently on his hands. “If we’re careful enough this could put him behind bars.”

And that was right. The evidence they have is crucial, finally. But knowing how courts could be sensitive and manipulative and could be manipulated, they still have to ensure they will not lost everything again. Evidences and how they were obtained, testimonies and the witness themselves should never lose their credibility to be proven true in court. This credibility, no matter how big or small they were should never lose even an ounce of it or they will never help the case at all. And that was all depend on the hands that could grip, touch, or brush them. After all it is the people that will make everything move. In God’s grace.

Justice will always be hard to serve.

“Carlos, good job.”

Carlos immediately shook his head no. “It was Olivia, Capt.”

Captain Rivera nodded. “Tell her I said thanks. We said thanks.”

Juan there then was heard sighing loudly. All eyes flew to him. He cleared his throat. “It’s just that I’m worried. Magbanua might suffer more if something will go wrong.”

And that was true. But then with the promise they always give to individuals who chose to trust them and to be brave with them, though the promise may not be made in full of confidence but with most sincerity and conviction. “We will protect her.”

And with that, they all made the promise together.

“If we will get this right, we will finally secure an arrest warrant for Romualdo Costales.”

Their meeting was put on hold when a knock on their door interrupted it. Carlos, who was near the door stood up to open it.

“Alex…”

“AM I interrupting something perhaps? I’m sorry.”

“No, of course. Would you like some more?”

“No, thanks. I’m already full.”

Carlos nodded and tore the one last piece of bread and sipped all remaining on his coke. With that they finished eating.

Alex and Carlos are now on the sari-sari store across the Kahilom Police Station. Alex initially came to talk but Carlos suddenly dragged her to eat. When asked why, Carlos only said. “Because I’m hungry. And it seems you too” which was true. Both were hungry who skipped breakfast and only had coffee just because.

They already finished eating and also already had water. Their mouths are not busy anymore but no words came out from anyone, still. It’s always been like this for this two since they met again. They see each other to talk, but silence were more than the actual talking. But silence would never do the talking for them again. There was nothing in silence anymore. That mutual understanding and deep connection they established within each other that ables them to communicate even in silence was already long gone. Evaporated within the air together with the time they lost.

Things have changed. Somehow they always get reminded every time they share the same space and breath the same air.

“You somehow look different today.” Carlos commented under his breath. He stood up to return the coke bottle they just had. “I mean, your clothes don’t look like the usual. But they look good on you.”

“It’s Olivia’s. I sometimes wear them. They are always comfortable though they always seem a size smaller.

“No wonder. I had this vague idea they could not be yours.”

That made them laugh. Carlos went back to sitting next to Alex.

“You seem like you know a lot about clothes, though. Why you always wear the same thing?”

“Because I’m trying to live the busiest life out there?” was what Carlos wanted to say, but he just went with “A policeman don’t need to dress up.”

“But men needs to.” Alex immediately answered. “Actually everyone does. It’s for the different kind and level of confidence every good clothes gives.”

It’s silence again between them.

“I’m actually contemplating. I’m afraid I’m just being paranoid.” Alex finally got into her trouble. Carlos listened attentively, though eyes were fixed on the road.

“I mean I know I should be worried because this has been making me worry ever since. But I’m extra worried today. I’m sort of scared.”

“What do you mean?” Carlos looked at her to examine her face. Her emotions are so mixed he don’t know what to do with it.

“Olivia disappeared again.”

“What did you say?”

That question was supposed to come from Carlos, but it was Juan who asked it now standing in front of them. Though quite perplexed Alex still went on with her explanation.

“I’ve been aware with this since we’re together for 3 years now but I almost went crazy when it happened for the first time. They say it’s a thing on artists but Olivia sometimes disappear, not letting anyone around her know where she is. On most times she’s only out for 3 days, but the longest one was for about two weeks. But then she always comes back with new sketches and new ideas for Love Lingerie. That’s why I tried not to get too worried sick about it anymore.”

The next explanation was about how Alex feels so scared this time despite being “used” to it, but Juan already went off running without saying a word leaving behind two now more confused individuals who took quite some time to recover and went on with the conversation again.