Malediction

An Ally

We stayed at home for a day and had everything we needed to incarcerate the political couple and hit big news but somehow, both of them are still holding it to themselves.  With one look at Andrea, I can see she was tired but still happy that her plan came to success despite setbacks to her mental health.  This career woman, despite the experience, got back up a day after coming back to Manila. She was her usual self again, at least at work. Ambitions really do make people emotionless at some point in their life, doesn’t it?  

Since she was our team leader, she had to explain to Boss Ricky our week long absences, in a phone call to maintain  her dignity from another scolding. Despite the fact we already filled in our desk jobs' assignments up until tomorrow, our editor was strict with the manpower's attendance. He was a traditional man. 

As she was talking to him in the living space, I obliged myself to clean up our belongings from the trip, if I can say that was what it was. Andrea's luggage was tidy, her dirty clothes sealed in plastic and was ready to be washed. I felt ashamed of my bulky, almost popping luggage but at least, I got to clean it myself. I actually will be saved from all the scolding I may get from my girl.

The washroom of the building was down stairs, in the basement but I didn't want to leave Andrea alone. I know she won't say it, but I know she's a little paranoid being alone after what happened back at Masfino. I don't have the heart to make her feel vulnerable. I sighed. Manual washing it is.

After manually washing everything in the bathroom, I included everything I wore as well. It was some kind of involuntary skill I was actually good at. I wonder if I was raised in a poor household. My past is still something vague to me.

I thought of getting a shower after this.  I was already in the bathroom anyway. Because Andrea was now in the hallway outside, far from the kitchen and washer, I wouldn't bother her with my bare cheeks when I lift the newly washed laundry and get some clothes for myself. I can still hear the phone conversation by the door. 

I wiped the steam out of the mirror. Upon having a fraction of a clear mirror, my mind tricked me. It didn't show my reflection, it was Chris for a moment, exactly like my dream long before. Shaking my head, it went back to normal. A pang of pain scoured through my right hand. There was a cut. It was the peculiar necklace from the luggage laying on the edge of the sink. 

Huh, I swore I left it on the nightstand.

My hand bled a little and it dripped on the necklace. Just to avoid staining the accessory, I  washed it. I don’t know what got in me but as long as I looked at it, I thought of wearing it. What more strange things could happen to me if I wear this? I think I experienced more than others I know. I left it to dry on a hook. That could be another thing to linger about in my sleepless nights. 

I tried to pull back my wet hair to no avail. The short locks had their own lives. With the washed clothes basket on one arm, I opened the shower with another only to see my Andrea by the door. From her sidelong glance, her expression changed from serious to provocative as she stared. I ignored her burning look and covered myself with the basket I had which barely did anything and passed by her to the next slide-door cabinet where the clothes were. Technically, she was working. It wasn’t probably not the best time to come out naked, I guess. I placed the basket beside me and pulled some clothes to wear. I heard her end the call. 

“You did those manually?” She was baffled but couldn’t contain her smile to the now-clothed man before him . “I know you forgot things but not the washroom on the basement floor right?"

"I didn't want to leave you alone so I just did it here." I mumbled under my breath. I was disappointed with myself. " I didn't want to make the same mistake again." I meant it. It was my fault it happened in the first place. I sighed as I felt that slight pain in my chest.  From what I said to her, her feisty attitude softened with realization.

"It was me who told you I wanted to be alone that night, right?" She hugged me, wrapping her arms around me. "You didn't do anything wrong. You actually saved me." Her one hand cupped my face. The warmth felt so good it lifted my spirits. I closed my eyes to feel it more. As if it wasn’t enough, I kissed her hand that held my face looking into her.  I lingered my eyes on her rich brown eyes that gleamed in the morning sun. Her smile always makes me remember something.

Like how her smile was the same every time she saw me. She was happy. I may not remember when it started, but it felt like it was always like this. Maybe I remember it like this.

“Oh!” A ring from her phone made her jump, almost clawing my face with her nails from reflex. She touched my face carefully, apologizing as she checked for a graze. The phone continued to ring. “It's okay. Answer the phone. It might be important.” I reminded her since I felt she had no intention to answer it. Sighing, she let me go and took her phone from the table where she left it. She  looked into the screen without caring for the time on the other end of the call. “Oh…” She exclaimed again, except it wasn't out of shock anymore. Her smile came back. She answered the call.  

It wasn’t just a typical call now, but a video call. Upon seeing her caller, my eyes widened with shock as my mouth hung low. Andrea shouldn’t be in contact with the person she was cheerily speaking to. 

"How and when did you start talking to her?" I whispered. She smirked.

Andrea turned her phone to me, where the caller could see me clearly. "Surprise!" They both said in unison. Sandra and Andrea were so pleased with my reaction. So, we're working with her now?

“Before you incessantly ask me questions, I would just like to say that I already returned the audio recorder to her." She explained almost immediately. "But you know, you really do have fast hands.”  She complimented. For a moment, her giggle after her words meant something different to me but I didn't give it much attention.

Andrea apparently thought of the same thing but reacted differently. Angling the camera away from her and to me, she harshly whispered, "What?" Her eyes gave me a piercing look as she placed her one hand on her hip.

I gulped. I know this look. This is the look where it felt like I was isolated with her in a dark, dingy room with one light focused on me. I love her, I know but this particular part of her is scary that I'm out of words. It's a weird kind of hot. My next words would be like footsteps I take on a field of landmine. I can't walk away, even if I avoided and never wanted to be there.

"I… She had..." I was a mess. Damn. Don't leave me Andrea. "I took your device from her because you switched, right? I just did what I could." My word choice was careful, vague so Sandra wouldn't suspect. I hope she hadn't had the time to check what was inside that audio recorder. 

"I was about to tell you but you were busy with your calls and everything." I started to say.. " I also wanted to give you some personal space." I said to Andrea. Was it enough? I actually forgot about it after focusing on navigating Andrea in her masked state of professionalism despite what happened. I focused on being her comfort, losing track of this complicated work we're in. 

Her eyes squinted a bit at me. Without a word about it, she took interest in Sandra's words. "True. Sorry for my choice of words." She backed down, her amused face plastered on the screen. "But that's actually another recorder of mine. I was about to give it to you all but James really did make it easy." 

Luckily, Andrea's attention shifted to Sandra's statement. " Amanda shares a lot when drunk and alone. She doesn't give a damn about me existing beside her. That recorder was my little collection of her demanding more of everything, confessions of corrupting people's taxes for her hidden Birkins and vintage wine." She continues, " If ever I find more, I'll tell "

"This is really great for strengthening evidence. But why are you helping us now, Sandra?"

"I thought I would be doing it alone." She said and sighed. " I was so scared. But now you're here, I know that there will be less people taking advantage of others." She smiled, but looked down. It felt sad. It was apparent to us that she just graduated from college, what kind of inspiration hit her to risk herself for this, and at that age?

Her sad smile disappeared the moment it showed. Her eyes locked onto us, lined with curiosity. "How about you? You would have reported the whole thing and went your way but here you are."

"It isn't safe to leave it as it is. It could've been labeled as a rumor despite evidence. It can definitely be shrugged off by the public without condemning evidence." Andrea explained.

"We also made sure to finish this, if they're still walking free, threats will be on us." I added. "And  Jerry isn't as good a man as he tries to be." I remembered him threatening me by the elevator in Masfino. "We can be found in a ditch the moment we just accused him of corruption in this upcoming election." I said matter-of-fact. "Who  knows what kind of mood swing he can pull?" Andrea shuddered with the thought despite knowing these possibilities. 

Sandra inhaled and exhaled deeply. She was closest to them. Her every step to this objective was critical but dangerous. This young woman full of open doors chooses this path where few cross. 

Can she survive this? Can we?

A few minutes more of Andrea and Sandra talking and clearing their little misunderstanding and the call ended. 

I left them alone, after accidentally scaring them with my morbidity. I took Sandra's audio recorder from the drawer below a mirror where I dropped every content of my dirty pants' pockets. A piece of paper caught my attention. It was an odd addition to my collection of pens, notepad and change. It was crumpled and literally looked like scratch paper ready for the trash can. I took it and opened the paper carefully without tearing. It was her name and  phone number written in a hurry. Seeing the way the ink mushed on the paper blotting some numbers, I remembered where it was from. It was the weird woman following me from the hospital and the bus. 

"Took you long enough." That eerie voice echoing was familiar, especially in my dreams. The back of my neck shivered. Only two of us were here at the apartment, and that wasn’t Andrea.