All Over Again

CHAPTER 17: No One Is There

Jerwin's POV

Police Station! Police Station!

I hastily parked my truck in front of the two-story building, with its crumbling yellow paint and faded "District 9 Police Station" sign.. Sa dinami-dami naman ng station na pagtatapunan, dito pa sila talaga pinatapon sa mukha ring patapon na presinto -- no offense.. I hope no one's lurking in the shadows armed with a camera or anything like that.

I ran up the filthy stairs, taking two at a time, until I reached the inside of the station. I walked up to the policeman stationed at the desk and gave him a small smile.

"Hi... Uh, I'm here to bail out two ladies that were picked up from a club earlier?" I asked.

Policemen: Oh! Mr. Santos? Uh, sandali lang po.

He went through some papers, discussed the offense charged to my cousin and my fiancée, and then finally, he took the bail money. I walked to the jail cell and saw Venice talking to one of the detention prisoners, and Nicole listening intently..

O_O

Venice: Really?!? Nakulong ka kasi nagskandalo ka sa harap ng bahay ng ex mo??

Prisoner 1: Oo.. Disturbing the peace daw.

Venice: But they do that in the movies all the time! Paano na lang ang romance?!?"

-___-

"Romance"?

"Uh, ahem."

Napatingin silang lahat sa'kin, and Nicole immediately flew over and grabbed the bars separating us..

Nicole: Cousinnn!!!

Ako: Hello, Ate.. So what happened to the promise of not getting in trouble tonight?

Nicole: Well, yeah...About that... Venice slapped her first.

Venice: Hey!

"Venice? O_O" nalilitong tanong ko.

Nicole: Yup.. So technically, it was her who got us in trouble.

Venice: Oh, so now it's my fault?

I sighed. "Nevermind. Just come on and get out."

Binuksan ni Mr. Policeman ung jail cell and the two girls bounced out. It's good to see they're okay after spending one or two hours in jail. And nakapag-bonding pa sila nung preso. I quickly approached Venice just to make sure she's not traumatized by everything that happened. Nakaka-traumatize talaga minsan ang pinsan ko. She doesn't look shaken, but what's up with that glance she's giving me?

"Are you okay?"

Venice: Yeah.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

Venice: No.

She's still not looking at me.

Venice has always, always looked into my eyes when we talk.

It's one of the reasons I'm so fascinated with her..

She's not intimidated by the fact that there's about a thousand people out there who are screaming my name..

To her, I'm just Jerwin--just the boy she suddenly found herself engaged with.

Nicole: Yo, Jerwin! Can you drop me off at the club? I left my car there.

"Are you sober enough to drive?"

Nicole: Are you kidding me? After two hours in there and about two cups of coffee that Mr. Policeman gave me? Yea, I'm sober.

"Well, let's go then."

I followed the two of them out of the police station.. It's amusing how Venice won over Nicole that easily.. and under these circumstances.. Odd..

Nicole helped herself in the backseat, and I was just about to go the driver's side when I noticed Venice still standing on the sidewalk..

"What are you doing? Get in."

Venice: Uhmmm.. I think... Mag-jjeep na lang ako.. or taxi..

"Are you crazy? It's past midnight. Cmon, I'll just drop off Nicole to her car, and then I'll take you home."

I moved to take her hand, but to my surprise, she jumped and pulled away. Confused, I stared at her, not knowing what to say or what to ask.

Venice: I.. I can go home by myself.

She went pass me and said good bye to Nicole, who was watching us from the truck's window. After that, without even looking back, dumiretso na sya dun sa may kalye and hailed a cab.. Syempre, ako naman, sumakay na sa kotse ko.

Nicole: Why did Venice leave by herself?

"I don't know."

Nicole: Did you two have a fight?

Me: Not that I know of.

Nicole: Well.. That's weird.

Me: I know. Tell me about it.

If last night was weird, the next day was even weirder. Halos atakihin si Manager sa sobrang galit dahil sa mga escapades kagabi ni Nicole -- who, by the way, eh hawak nya rin as a talent. Lalo pa siyang na-high blood when he found out na kasama ni Nicole si Venice. Instant pyesta raw sa media, sabi ni Manager. And as usual, ako nanaman ang nasisi.. Bakit ko raw iniwan ung dalawa unaccompanied?

Mukha ba kong babysitter? -_-

Anyway, he wanted to meet with the two as soon as possible.

Preferably after class ni Venice. Kaya eto ako running at least 10 minutes late dahil sa'kin nabaling ung long version nung sermon. It doesn't even help na Venice has been acting weird the whole day.I picked her up that morning and she barely talked to me. Kung may itatanong ako, ang sagot nya puro one-syllable lang. Even now na I'm running late, tahimik lang ung cellphone ko.

Usually, one minute lang akong na-late, bobombahin nya na ng tawag ang cellphone ko -- not that I ever answer her calls unless I know I'll be more than 15 minutes late.

I parked my truck in the usual spot, and then turned off the engine. I hope she gets out soon. Manager hates waiting--

Knock .. Knock ..

I almost jumped out of my skin nung biglang may nag-tap sa bintana sa side ko. Kaka-park ko lang at may umaatake na kagad!Nung medyo napakalma ko na ung puso ko, I peered dun sa window knowing na, even though I can see the other person, the other person won't be able to see me. It's a safety issue. hahaha

Isn't that Venice's friend?

I rolled down the window, and yep, there she is, Sheena, if I remember right, standing next to Anthony......... huh..

Me: Hi. Where's Venice?

Sheena: That's what we're here for. What are you doing here?

Anthony: Venice left school right after her last class. We thought na maaga mo siya susunduin.

Me: She left? Already? Where did she go?

Nagtinginan silang dalawa, obviously unsure kung anong nangyayari.. So I don't think Venice mentioned the little escapade to the jail the night before.

Sheena: Well, I doubt she'd go home so early and I'm pretty sure she's broke so she won't go shopping.

Anthony: She might end up in a bar later on.. but.. right now...

Nagtinginan ulit sila.

Ano ba?? Psychic ba silang dalawa at nag-uusap sila through looks?!? -__-

Me: Right now..?

Sheena: Well, we're not really sure. But she's been quiet the whole day, which is totally unusual kaseh palengkera un eh.. Anyway, baka may nag-bbother sa isip niya.. And if that's true, she should be in that place right now.

I know this place. It's kinda near my house.... I pass it almost every single day... But.. why would she be here?

After giving me directions, Sheena and Anthony refused to say anything anymore.

This cemetery....

I asked the guards for directions towards the Sheen burial plot.. I walked to the west, just like they said.

Sabi nila I wouldn't miss it daw, it's right by a big oak tree.Ok.. I see the oak tree.. and a few feet to the right, there she is..

Venice...

She has her back turned to me so I don't think she realized that I was there. And she seems to be pretty engrossed with whatever she's doing.

She's barely moving, just staring down at the piece of marble in front of her.I slowly walked over to her, careful not to make any noise.

Venice: I said whatever happens, I'll just go with the flow. Even when this absurd engagement came up, I thought it's okay, it'll be over soon. I was doing okay. I had school to keep me busy.. and I came to visit you every day.. So, who cares if life wanted to toy with me by thrusting me in some bizarre situation with a guy I don't even know?? But... after what I heard... What am I going to do now, G?

I froze. Somehow, I suddenly feel like I'm intruding on a private, intimate conversation.. Even when there's nobody else there.