Sunshine

XIV

A car running at a right speed parked right in front of the building read Bahay-Bahay Real Estates. The car wasn’t new, but its regular car wash and maintenance succeeded in making it look decent enough only trained eyes could differentiate it from the new ones. The car’s engine almost sounding like just went out from the factory died gracefully. The last sound it made was the sound of the key taken out from the ignition, and the gentle slamming of the door as the gentleman clad in well-ironed shirt and slacks went out of the car.

The sun is scorching hot sweating his newly bought shirt but he didn’t complain. This is Philippines’ everyday weather and he saw this coming. Though it was a shame.

Adrian Dela Vega fixed his sunglasses and entered the premises. A warm smile from a woman in her 40s, the kind of smile one gives to a loaded potential costumer welcomed him. Her smile approved Adrian’s effort dressing up for today’s occasion.

“Please come in, sir. How may I help you?”

Without much words Dela Vega dropped the bag he’s holding on the table. The woman gasped after seeing what’s inside, which was later on replaced by a big smile, if it still could get any bigger.

“Where, sir?”

He fished a piece of paper from his breast pocket and handed it to the woman. Only a number combination was written on it. “Star Subdivision, nearest to this house as possible.”

DELA Vega stopped the car right in front of the gate of the house lent by the real estate broker earlier. He stayed inside and checked the location. A black gated American-style house is standing proud across. It owned the number 3567.

Dela Vega went out of the car and quickly opened the gate to let his car pass. He parked it quickly on the garage and took a white suitcase from the car’s trunk and took it with him inside the 2-story flat. He immediately went to the second floor bedroom and didn’t bother to check out the small yet decent enough house. He placed the suitcase by the bed and opened it. Equipment showed from it.

“Vision?”

He pressed on his earpiece and talked. “Perfect.”

“Okay. Keep alert and report everything to me. Carlos will follow you after a short while.”

Adrian nodded without saying anything. Though that came as silence to Captain Rivera, he took it as a yes and ended the conversation with “And don’t act alone. We are a team.” and went completely silent. Though the line wasn’t disconnected.

Adrian took the binoculars from the suitcase and used it to peek at the window across. The couple he’s supposed to watch over are both in their bra and panties and making out, much to his surprise.

“Ops, sorry.”

He immediately stopped watching and put back the binoculars on the suitcase. He started worrying for his colleague who’s coming in a later while.

“Will he be fine?”

THE classes has ended but the other side of the school remained lighted and alive. It was the 3-story building on the east wing---the school dormitory.

The hallways are filled with students accompanied with loud talking. The ones in their senior years just came from their classes while the freshmen busied themselves agreeing where to eat and which club to go afterwards. With the way one is dressed, its easy to determine which group one is.

A senior Business Management student passed between a group of females in flashy clothes. They didn’t bothered to look at him, and simply tilted their heads when he passed between them to went on with their loud talk. He expressed his envy on the nightlife with a sigh, and inserted the key he barely managed to fish from his pocket to the knob. Its clicking sound delighted him as he staggered himself inside the dorm. He threw everything he’s carrying on the floor and kicked off his shoes. He grunted out the entire tiredness from the day and went to the shower hoping it will help.

The night is still young but for a student who’s chasing a lot of deadlines, it is only meant to spend in front of numbers, papers, and on the computer.

But, well, maybe not when the girlfriend came over.

“You’re here?”

He greeted her as soon as he went out of the shower. His backpack and other “bags” he threw earlier are now placed carefully next to her on his bed. He mouthed her “thanks”.

“You mentioned earlier your roommates are out and you’ll be alone here tonight. I took it that you’re asking me to come over.”

“Well, I guess I really meant it that way.”

Alex stood and went to the kitchen. That’s when only Carlos noticed the grocery bag by the sink. Carlos watched her cutting the ingredients from the bag still drying his wet hair with a towel. Looking at the ingredients present, Carlos assumed Alex is cooking menudo.

“Do you want me to help you?”

“Just please stay still. I’ll take care of this.”

Carlos shrugged and sat on the bed. He left Alex to her work and didn’t disturbed her. They both agreed not to interfere with each other when one’s busy. The other can stare, though. But tonight, Carlos’ eyes are nailed on the opened window and the flying curtain gently blown by the night breeze. Thanks to it, the house was kept cool.

“What’s so interesting about that curtain?”

That made Carlos pull his stare away from the window and looked at her still busy at the kitchen. He threw the wet towel on his hands at the laundry basket.

“Nothing? I was wondering if there’s a way I could see the breeze blowing it.”

“What are you saying? Come and set the table. This is almost ready.”

Carlos prepared the folding table just like Alex asked him to do. True to her words, Alex served the menudo straight from its pot the moment Carlos was done with the table setting. The two shared the pork stew seasoned with a nice talk. Afterwards, they watched a movie from Carlos’ laptop while hugging each other at the top of his bed.

“What do you like about me?”

“Everything?” Though the question came out of the blue, Carlos managed to answer it immediately like he was prepared. “I like you just the way you are. And even if you change to the point of being unrecognizable, I will still like you.”

“How come you know the exact answer I’m looking for?”

Carlos felt Alex’s hug on him tightened. He smiled.

“I guess we’re really soulmates.”

“HOW’S the situation?"

“They just finished.”

“Finished what?”

“I don’t know. Maybe a movie?”

“You know that’s not what I’m asking about.”

Carlos went straight to the window after dropping his backpack next to Adrian’s suitcase and took the binoculars from him. Adrian stayed quiet and let Carlos use it. The two across is only watching TV, though.

“How are you feeling? Watching them.”

“What am I supposed to feel? They’re not doing anything.”

Adrian snatched the binoculars from Carlos. The latter grunt as he was still using it. “Parental guidance. I will check first before you can watch them from now on.”

“What are you saying?” Though annoyed, Carlos just shrugged it off. He went on asking, “And how did you get this place? You bought it?”

“No. I rented it.”

“They let you?” Carlos mouth formed woah. Carlos is also fully aware that the subdivision where Alex and Olivia’s house resides don’t allow rents, and is only for sale and should be paid in full cash and also cost a fortune. Adrian tried to stay indifferent about it. “I mean they let you when we will only use this for days? Amazing.”

“REALLY nothing? No one came, and they didn’t go anywhere else aside work? But why?”

Carlos and Adrian sighed almost at the same time. They are currently hearing the Special Task Force Team’s meeting at the station through each other’s earpiece.

“We never put out an eye on them for 3 days. There’s really nothing,” said Carlos. “We staked out here in hope we will catch them red-handed. But I think we were too hopeful. Anyone could get them if it would be that easy.”

“You could be right. But don’t you think its because they were not the culprit all along?”

“Shut it, Juan. I’m trying hard to brush away that idea.”

Silence took over. While too much frustrations and disappointments filled the team, no one had enough energy to let it out on words.

No movements, no visitors came, and 3 days passed like that. Nothing happened from what they wished.

“Then what should we do? Tomorrow’s the D-Day.”

Behind the drawn curtains Carlos looked at Olivia and Alex. They are busy preparing for the day. “We only need to stop them from doing anything.”