Sunshine

III

“WHAT are you doing?”

Carlos never wanted to open the door, but he knew how stubborn his female colleague could be― Marie Aguinaldo will never stop knocking and will never hesitate to break the door if needed. He needed to save himself from the trouble.

“I already called. I’m taking a sick leave.”

“And were you sick? Obviously not.”

Marie took a seat on the bamboo bench slowly as it made a sound. She looked around. The entire house itself is made of wood and nipa, and the floor is made of bamboo. Not like a concrete and cemented house can only be called a home, but the entire house is literally old and rotting.

“Are you paying off a debt or something? Have this house renovated! It’s not like our pay is bad.”

“No, actually. I only have a can of sardines I had earlier for lunch to pay off.” He shrugged, and went back to lying in bed. “I don’t know what I’m actually saving my money for.”

“Then stop saving it.” Marie stepped on the cockroach that passed by her feet. It crunched. “I know it’s sad to live alone, but never live with cockroaches. It’s disgusting.”

“Sure. But will you please go? I’m not working today.”

“Do you know how much paper works I had to cover because you skipped the day? Not a chance.” she threw the paper bag she’s been holding at Carlos. It fell on his face. “Wear that. We’re going somewhere.”

“And where are we going this late at night?” Frowning, he took the paper bag off his face and pulled out what’s inside. A suit and tie showed up. It was only then that he noticed the long black dress his partner is wearing. “Why these?”

“Of course. It’s casino time!”

“FULL house!” Carlos laid out his poker hands. Grunts and growls followed soon after from the gentlemen on his table, seeing all their money go on his hands. He grinned at them, and simply diverted his gaze at Marie on the other table, waiting for the signal. A touch on the earrings.

“Confirmed.”

“Freeze!”

All uniformed forces in disguise stood up with guns in the air lead by Police Captain Rivera. “You are under arrest under Republic Act 9165! You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney.” He fired his gun to a man attempting to draw his gun. “And you are under arrest for illegal possession of firearms too.”

“Did we caught everyone?” Rivera asked. Carlos nodded.

“Yes, including the boss. But we only took from him 25 grams in powder form.”

“Then we still need to find the pills. We can’t let the youths have it we need to hurry.” With no pause Rivera gave out his orders. “You go with them Ignacio and interrogate the suspects. Wring them out you’re good at that. And everyone, remember. We need to secure the 1,115 capsules of fly-high tonight. Let no one one escape! Now move!”

They went on separate ways, as Carlos prepared himself to cut off the heads of these drug pushers.

“Benjamin Fernandez, alias Banal. You have three prior crimes on drugs too. Wow, look at that amount!” The files stated that the street value of all the drugs the police confiscated from him could total up to millions. Those figures weren’t shocking at all, but it will always be to Carlos. “How did you get out? These should be enough to lock you up for years. But don’t worry, I’ll do that for you.”

He wanted to let it pass, but he’s just so disgusted he can’t. “Banal? Holy? What a joke. You people who live off drugs are the worst of all.”

“You’re making it sound like I killed someone, detective.”

“You are as evil!” Carlos took a long deep breath. Banal’s protruding stomach is tempting Carlos’ fist but he held his self. “I don’t have the time to waste, so tell me now. Where are the capsules?”

“I invoke my right to remain silent.”

“f**k you!” he slammed his fist on the table. It created a bruise on his hand adding to the opening wound. “Who cares about your rights when you’re deliberately taking away the rights of the kids and youths to live a normal life?”

He draw his face closer to Fernandez. “I don’t care if you destroy your life since you don’t have the future to live anymore, but those kids still have. And I won’t let the likes of you to end that.”

His eyes are glaring with fire. And though that terrified Banal, he still didn’t fail to provoke him. “But, officer. Why are you getting angry at us? We only sell the goods. We did not beg them, they wanted it. Those kids destroyed their own lives.”

Carlos pulled him up through his collar. The blood from his wound dripped on Banal’s clothes. “Where are the drugs?!”

“CAPTAIN! Look for Abnoy!”

“Abnoy? Who’s Abnoy?”

Shouting, Carlos broke down the details while pressing the police car’s honk. “Remember! That junkie we captured a month ago. He was sent at a mental institution but he escaped days ago. He’s their middleman. I sent you a picture check it.”

“Okay. Good job, Ignacio.”

“Okay.”

The call already ended but the car failed to move an inch. He continued pressing his honk. “This is the police! Give way!”

“There must be a traffic accident, sheriff.”

A motorist replied. Carlos cursed while nodding the man thanks.

Philippines’ traffic could never get better.

“What happened?”

“We’re still waiting for a move.” Marie looked around. Carlos followed and caught a sight of Valencia and Dela Vega among the sea of people. “They are looking for Abnoy.”

They continued surveying the area. “It’s weird. It’s too quiet.” Carlos wondered. Marie nodded.

“You’re right.”

They stood up. The bar’s speakers blared Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk. They sang along to it.

“Girls hit your hallelujah!”

Marie replied, “Whoo!”

“Girls hit your hallelujah!”

Finally on action.

“Whoo.” Carlos blew air on the seller’s ears caught in action. He let the minor buyer go, and pocketed the sachet containing 3 pills. “Where’s Abnoy?”

“I don’t know.”

He pinned the pusher on the nearest table. “Still don’t know?”

That made him point to south, the direction of the VIP rooms. Carlos draw his gun and lead the way.

“Hands up!”

Carlos opened the first door. He found an old man with three women on revealing clothes at his lap. “Out!”

The four people went out. He then met Marie on the next room. Still no Abnoy. “The last room.”

Together they approached it. Carlos pushed the door while Marie went inside.

“Carlos.”

Carlos went inside. He met Marie’s shocked face. “What’s a 10-year-old kid doing on a bar?”

Marie approached the kid in tears terrified by the gun. Marie pocketed hers and hugged the boy. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”

“Marie, take the bag.”

She then took the black backpack from the boy and gave it to Carlos. He opened it.

“It’s here.”

“A bar in Makati was raid last night by the police authorities. A total of 1,115 capsules of party drugs known as fly-high was seized and 25 grams in powder form. The police arrested 5 people including leader alias Banal, and a certain alias Abnoy who acted as a middleman is still on the run. Please call the number on the screen if you ever see this man…”

“Is she that boy’s mom?” Carlos asked, referring to a sickly woman sitting on his desk. Valencia nodded.

“Esther Paz, 35 years old and her son Ben is 10 years old. She has HIV/AIDS and is living with medications. She worked as a s*x worker before.”

Carlos nodded and sat on his desk. He didn’t ask anything and only waited for the woman to speak.

“My son, Ben, he only did that for me. If someone has to be punished here it should be me. Please spare my child.”

Carlos looked straight at her. “Did you know?”

“I should have known, I’m his mother.”

Esther Paz looked down and continued in low voice. “I had doubts. That the money he’s bringing every night could be something from illegal. I knew he was lying when he said someone lent us money to buy medicines. Who would lend money to someone you know who couldn’t pay? But I was too scared to ask him. Because I was too thankful. I know I shouldn’t have done that.”

She cried while looking at his son sleeping on her lap. “I should have tried to know the truth. I should have been the braver one. I don’t know what to do anymore because I chose to be blind. I denied what’s happening and I regret it. I hate that all I could do is be sorry. What could apology do good?”

After writing the needed papers Carlos sent them home. Carlos watched them as they took their way out of the police station.

“Ahm, wait!”

Esther is already outside. Carlos ran to them.

“What is it, detective?”

“I don’t know this could be of help, but here.” Carlos smiled and handed her his bankbook. Baffled, Esther tried to turn it down. “No, really. Use it. I was saving this to buy a car, but that can wait.”

Of course that was a lie, but he didn’t want the woman to worry.

“T-Thank you so much, but I don’t really know how to repay you.”

“Just get well and raise your son well. He’s one brave fella. And perhaps, I think you already did.”

Esther gave him a questioning look. He shrugged and messed up the sleeping boy’s hair. “Ben just, gave me some courage. There is something I’ve been afraid to face lately too. But I think I’m ready now.”

Esther is giving her thanks until she went out of sight. Marie, who is listening from the start put her arms around his shoulders.

“I see you’re good at poker. Should we play some and get back that money you just lost?”

Carlos smiled and took off Marie’s arms from his shoulders. “That wasn’t a lost money, Aguinaldo.”

“I see you’re comfortable living with cockroaches.” Marie teased while following him inside.

“I practically live in the police station. I don’t really need a nice house.”

“Sure. Whatever you say.”

The whole team spent the entire night at the station writing the necessary reports. It was another long tiring day for them, but Marie’s smile remained on her face for a long time.