Quest For Justice

CHAPTER 2: Stalkers Stalking

We can’t judge a book we haven’t read.

_____________________________________

Cassandra was standing outside their gate while she waited for Tony at 9 in the evening. It was late but these two had a little monkey business to do. She was wearing a Team Wang black hoodie and an XC3 black cap. Saktong outfit lang pang-stalk.

After a minute, an SUV pulled over in front of her. She immediately hopped in.

“Sh*t! It’s hot!” She couldn’t help complaining as she put her seat belt on. She felt hot because she was wearing a shirt underneath the thick hoodie jacket.

“Ok na ba ‘tong soot ko, Atty.?” Tony smiled widely, mukhang proud pa ito sa outfit nito.

She examined his outfit before she flashed a disappointed look on her face.

“Kapag nahuli ka, papatayin kita, Ton!” Pinandilatan niya ito ng mata.

Tony was just wearing a shirt and fashion glasses. As if his fashion glasses could completely hide his face.

Tony’s face saddened.

“Wala ka talagang silbi! Hindi ka man lang nagdala ng cap. Paano mo matatago ang itsura mo sa lagay na ‘yan?” She shook her head, disappointed but used to it.

“Ang harsh mo! Tsk.” Tony pouted his lips as he returned his focus on the road and stepped on the engine.

The two of them headed at a bar. Base on their source, ito daw ang paboritong bar ng panganay ng Guzman brothers na si Verno Guzman. Dito raw ito palagi nag ha-hang out, lalo na around 10 pm. Verno was famous among girls. He was a sought after play boy.

* * *

“Sorry po talaga, Ma’am, VIPs lang po talaga pinapapasok namin ngayon,” ani ng security na nakabantay sa labas ng bar.

“Kuya, naman. May kaibigan nga po kami sa loob. Sila nag-invite sa amin. Papasukin niyo na kami.” Patuloy sa pagsuyo si Cassandra sa security gamit ang kanyang pinakamalambing na tono. Pakiramdam niya siya na ang pinakamabait na tao sa mga oras na ito.

“Ma’am, ano pong pangalan ng kaibigan ninyo? Subukan ko pong tawagan sa loob para ma-confirm po kayo. Ano pong pangalan niyo, ma’am?” Nilabas ng Security ang walkie talkie nito.

“Hehe!” She turned to Tony. Her eyes wide open na parang nanghihingi ng ideya kung anong gagawin nila. Pero ang walang kwenta, nagkibit balikat lang.

She turned to face the security again, still wearing that dog smile.

“Kuya, nakalimutan ko ‘yong pangalan ng kaibigan ko, eh. May jet lagged pa kasi ako.” Sabay hawak sa ulo niya na kunwari ay nahihilo pa siya. She’s endowed with a theatrical skill. She knew that was lame anyway.

“Oo nga po, Kuya. Kararating lang namin galing Europe para lang pumunta sa invitation ng kaibigan namin na nasa loob. So pasok na kami, ha.” Tony added. He learned from her.

The two of them attempted to walk inside like they were already allowed to do so, pero naharangan sila ng security.

“Naglolokohan ba tayo dito? Umalis na kayo!” Tinaboy sila ng Security.

“Grabe naman ‘to si Kuya!” She pouted her lips.  

Cassandra thought of something. After a minute, lumapit siya sa security sabay bulong dito. “Kuya, magkano ba kailangan mo?”

If BDO could find ways, Cassandra could make ways. Wala na siyang ibang maisip pa na mabisang paraan kundi ay ‘yon na lang. Tutal sa panahon ngayon hindi lang mga paninda sa market ang nabibili ng pera. At least, makakatulong pa siya sa nangangailangan.

Hindi nakasagot agad ang security. But she could see on his face, he would accept any amount. She put out 10, 000 cash from her Chanel wallet at ipinasok ang mga perang papel sa bulsa ng security. Napalunok naman ang security.

“Shall we get in?” patuyang aniya.

When the security nodded, she gave Tony a high-five and they went in. Money could do that much convenience.

It’s very loud inside. Party background music was on. Cassandra was not used to it. She only went to bar twice with her friends when they were in college. She made sure na nasoot niya ng maayos ang cap at hoodie para hindi makita ang mukha niya. Remember, mga stalker sila ngayon at hinding-hindi sila pwedeng mahuli dahil sira ang buong plano ‘pag nagkataon.

She saw some people in suits and sophisticated girls in their expensive party outfits, partying. Pero hindi pa niya nakikita si Verno Guzman. Saang sulok kaya ng bar na iyon ito naroroon?

The two of them headed to the bar’s counter.

“Yes, ma’am and sir?” The bartender approached them as soon as they sat on a pub swivel bar stools placed in a horizontal line before the counter.

“The usual,” ani Tony.

Siniko niya si Tony at binigyan ng nananaksak na tingin.

“Sorry, sir. I think this is the fist time I see you.” The bartender replied confusedly.

Cassandra looked at Tony, smiling in gritted teeth. Then, she turned to the Bartender. “Oh, maybe you’re new here?”

She turned back to Tony and gave him a shut the f*ck up look.

“No, ma’am. Two years na po akong nagtatrabaho dito sa bar.”

“Oh, so you’re new here. We’ve been customers here for around five years already na kasi at ngayon nalang kami ulit nakabalik after 2 years. Nag abroad kasi kami. Kaya pala hindi kita kilala.” She was so elegant. The way she uttered words, the way she gestured and everything.

“Ah, I see, ma’am. Sorry po. So what’s your usual drink po?”

“Any drink,” she said without giving much attention while she glanced sideways.

“Ah, ok po.” Still confused, the bartender left them.

She faced Tony.

“Ano? Nahanap mo na?” She sounded impatient.

Tony leaned closer to her and whispered.

“On your left. Wearing plain black shirt and a faded blue jeans. Naka akbay sa isang seksing babae.” Then Tony retrieved his sight from Verno and company as he straightened in his seat.

Verno Guzman was spotted sitting on a couch with two guys and three girls. They were laughing, talking and drinking.

She slowly took a glimpse of them. Then she looked back at them, this time, examining Verno thoroughly.

He’s a womanizer. Look at that malicious hand on the girls exposed leg, while the other hand was on the girl’s waist. She saw him leaned closer on the girl and bite her ear. The girl giggled.

“Yucks!” Expressing disgust, she acted vomitting.

She returned her eyes on Tony.

“Ton, don’t ever try to cheat on your wife.” Pinanlakihan niya ito ng mata.

“Bakit ako na naman? Anong ginawa ko?” Tony frowned as she shook his head.

Nadamay pati sibilyan. Hindi niya kasi maasiwa ang mga gano’ng klase ng lalaki. Paano kaya magkaka-asawa ang mga lalaking ganyan na kung titingnan niya ay pa iba-iba ng mga nilalanding babae araw-araw. Kung ganyan lang din naman ang magiging jowa niya, kukuha na lang siya ng bato na ipupokpok sa ulo niya.

“Tsk. I can’t manage to look at them.” Humalumbaba siya at tumingin sa kawalan habang nakasimangot. Nainiinis pa rin siya dahil sa nakita niya. Ang pinaka-ayaw niya sa isang lalaki ay iyong malandi.

Ilang minuto pa silang nagka-usap ni Tony bago ito bumaling ulit sa pwesto ng sinusubaybayan nilang tao.

“Atty.?” In a worried face, Tony tapped her shoulder.

“What?” Kinabahan na rin siya.

“Don’t look back. Nakatingin yata siya sa atin.” Yumuko si Tony upang itago ang mukha nito.

Cassandra held onto the visor of her cap and pulled it lower to properly cover her face.

“Atty., what are you doing? Mahahalata tayo.” Tony said while adjusting his fashion glasses.

“Sabihin mo kaya ‘yan sa sarili mo?” She glared at him.

Tony tried to glance at Verno again, feeling nervous. This time, he saw him looked at their side, then the guy stood up.

Tony breathed heavily.

“Atty., tumayo na siya. Now walking toward us. We’re doomed.” Nagtunog duwag na naman si Tony na mas dumagdag pa sa kaba niya.

They are both feeling tensed. So Cassandra thought that the best option was to leave bago pa sila maabutan nito.

Cassandra prepared herself to escape. “At the count of three, let’s go together. 1. 2.--”

Hindi pa siya naka three ay tumayo na si Tony at mabilis na naglakad palayo.

“This jerk,” she murmured to herself as she stood up quietly and walked away.

Hindi pa siya nakakalayo ay narinig niyang may tumawag sa kanya.

“Miss! Miss, wait!”

It was Verno calling her but she didn’t dare to look back. She swallowed at mas binilisan niya pa ang paglalakad nang nakayuko ang ulo.

She just kept walking with long strides. Maybe that Verno was aware he was being stalked but the important thing was, he didn’t get to see the face of the stalkers.

* * *

“Sir Verno, kilala niyo po ba sila?” The bartender asked Verno nang makalapit na ito sa counter.

Verno was still looking at the way where the girl disappeared.

Tuluyan na ngang nawala ito sa paningin niya. He didn’t bother to run after her.

”Hindi, eh.” Verno shrugged his shoulders and turned to the bartender.

“Bakit niyo po tinawag?”

“This key chain hanging on her bag’s zipper. It fell.”

Verno showed the crown key chain to the Bartender.

“Ah, ‘yan po ba? Kasi po umorder sila ng dalawang drinks. Hindi pa po nila nababayaran.” The bartender scratched the back of his head.

Verno looked at the two cocktail glass on the counter.

“I like these drinks. I’ll pay for it.” He took out his wallet from his jean’s back pocket and inserted the key chain in his front pocket.

Verno paid for the drinks.

“Sir, akala ko po talaga kilala niyo ‘yong dalawang mga weirdo na ‘yon.” The Bartender shook his head.

“Weirdos?” Verno raised his brows.

“Sabi kasi nila 5 years na daw silang customer ng bar, eh 3 years palang naman ang bar. Hindi ko na pinansin, sir. Para kasi silang mga baliw.”

Verno smirked at the bartender’s opinion. Sa totoo lang ay sa loob loob niya ay may paghihinala kung bakit gano’n nalang ang mabilis na paglayo ng babae gayong kung hindi siya nagkakamali ay narinig naman nito ang pagtawag niya sa pangalan nito. He didn’t see any part of her face. But why did the girl walked away when he was approaching? Akala ba nito ay masamang tao siya gayong hindi naman ang mga ito ang sadya niya. He was walking towards the counter to get some more drinks.

* * *

Cassandra gasped for air.

“Damn it! I was nervous.” She held onto Tony’s shoulder who was also gasping for air. They were both tired because they ran the moment they stepped out of the bar.

Nasa parking area na sila, standing behind their SUV.

“Muntik na tayo ‘don, atty., ha,” sabi ni Tony.

“When he was calling my name, my heart raced,” she said sabay hawak sa dibdib niya.

“Wow, atty., tinawag lang pangalan mo kinilig ka na agad.” Tony teased her.

Nang walang pagdadalawang isip, binatukan niya ang assistant.

“Nananakit?” Tony crossed his arms defensively.

Two years of familiarity was long enough for Cassandra and Tony to never take their bluntness to each other the wrong way.

What Cassandra meant when she said her heart raced when Verno called her name was she was damn nervous. Akala niya kasi hahabulin siya ni Verno. ‘Yon dapat ang nangyari if he caught them stalking. Siguro ay it wasn’t the case. Pero mabuti na rin at hindi nakita ang mga itsura nila dahil mabilis silang nakalayo.

Hindi na rin sila nagtagal doon at nagmadali na ring umalis sa area. Mabilis na pinaharurot ni Tony ang sasakyan. It was already 10:11 sa gabi.

Nag-uusap sila habang nasa byahe. “Ton? Did you get the tickets?” Cassandra asked, eyes on her phone while scrolling on her f*******: news feed.

“Yes, Ma’am! We’ll watch a soccer game tomorrow. Sa anong grupo pusta mo?” Tony glanced at her.

“I’ll put the bet on myself, Ton!” She chinned up.

Sometimes Tony hated her confidence but most of the time, he adore her confidence.

Tony pulled over the car on the road kung saan may nagtitinda ng nilagang mani. Because he wanted to have some. He liked nilagang mani a lot. Kahit si Cassandra ay nagustuhan na rin ang pagkaing ‘yon dahil ito ang palaging binibili ni Tony. Sumama siya sa pagbili.

Habang sinusuklian ang buong pera nila ng tindero pagkatapos nilang bumili ay may matandang lalaki na nasa 70 na ang edad at uugod-ugod na lumapit sa tindero.

“Iho, bigyan mo naman ako niyan. Hindi pa ako kumakain.” Naglahad ng palad ang kawawang matanda habang ang isang kamay nito ay nakahawak sa kanyang gutom na tiyan.

Cassandra felt a heavy thing on her chest. She was about to approach the old man nang sigawan ito ng tindero.

“Manong, naman! Araw-araw ka nalang nanghihingi ng paninda ko! Mallugi na ako. Umalis ka na nga!” Matapos nitong nasigawan ang matanda matanda ay binalik nito ang atensyon sa pagbibilang ng isusukli kay Cassandra na parang walang nangyari.

Cassandra’s anger is on high level. Any minute ay may mapagsasalitaan na naman siya ng masakit.

“Hold your temper,” Tony whispered on her ears.

Napabaling siya sa biglang sumulpot na isang lalaking matangkad na may hawak na supot. “Singkwenta pesos nga niyan,” anito habang may hinuhugot sa bulsa nito. Nang mahugot nito ang singkwenta pesos na perang papel ay agad nitong iniabot sa tindero ang bill.

The man’s voice was too familiar sa pandinig ni Cassandra. She tilted her head on the side to see a clear view of the man’s face who was standing beside her. With both eyes wide open, she concluded she was right. He was the same man he argued with yesterday. Only the man wasn’t paying attention to her.

Kinalabit siya ni Tony. They communicated with their eyes. Even Tony recognized the man. Together, they watched as the man gave what he bought to the old man.

“Tay, tanggapin niyo po ito. Pasensya na kayo,‘yan lang po ang kaya ko, eh.” With a smile on the man’s face, he gladly offered the peanuts to the old man and left without recognizing Cassandra and Tony.

Cassandra smiled to herself. She was touched that the man who yelled at her yesterday was the same good Samaritan she just witnessed today. She was right, he wasn’t a bad person after all.

We can’t really judge a book by its cover. There is always more about a person. We can’t judge a book we haven’t read. She thought to herself.