OBSIDIAN ISSUE #2 : WOUNDED

THIRTY NINE

After calling the local police in the area, Quentin arrived just in time and we straight away searched for Dorcas in every corner just within the mansion premises. To no avail, we found no sign of her.

Now I'm all nerves, fidgeting in my seat and on the edge. I know I'm not one to talk when I've also done these things before but not when I was six years old! Most children her age wouldn't have attempted to wander in these hours alone. Lalo akong hindi napapakali, as I fear the dangers for her since there's just nowhere else for her to go. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay wala naman kaming mga kakilala rito na maaari niyang puntahan kaya naisip ko rin na hindi pa siya nakakalayo.

Pero kung ganito nga na hindi namin siya mahanap, ang bilis naman yata nitong makalabas ng gate? Or were her things already packed before she jumped?

Yes. Jumped! She jumped from the window! Walang ibang paraan kung paano siya nakalabas ng bahay dahil buong magdamag kami sa hapag kainan ni Sal. If she did pass through the front door, we could have had noticed her given the silence just after the contretemps. At kailan pa siya natutong maglayas nang ganito?

Misconducts indeed can't always be learned. Some were called out from the depths of a desperate situation.

Sa walang katuldukang daloy ng pag-aalala ko ay sumisilip sa pagitan ang mga sinabi niya. I shook my head as its peeking dove deeper. No, there's just no way it's possible.

I was a kid once who has longed for a friend so I intend to imagine it. Talked to, even. So I have no qualms about believing it's the same way for Dorcas who has longed for her father. Her sentiments is just fairly understandable, but not this unseemly behavior!

I get that she's upset and I want to comfort her for it once we find her. Pero hindi ko rin siya hahayaang isipin na tama ang ginawa niya ngayon!

"It's my fault..."

Nilingon ko si Sal sa tabi ko. Lukot ang mukha niya na hindi ko matukoy kung dahil ba sa nawawalang kapatid o sa iniindang sakit sa balikat.

"No, Bubs. You didn't do anything wrong," si Quentin, naupo sa katapat na sofa.

"I told her Daddy's gone. It riled her up so she ran off." He frowned deeper. "But it's true, though. She just couldn't accept it. But yeah, I shouldn't have said that."

Tahimik ko siyang inakbayan at ayaw nang dagdagan ang guilt ng bata. Since he's also been aware and now going through the distressing consequences of his words, I think that would be enough for now.

"Go to your room , Sal. Maaga ka pa bukas," I told him.

"I won't be able to sleep. I won't go to bed unless they find her."

Napahinga ako nang malalim at masyadong mahina para magpumilit. I can't even afford to get angry since I'm feeling too cold for it and still shivering with utmost worry. Hindi nakatiis, tumayo ako at mas lalong hindi napakali ang isip sa desisiyon.

"That's it! I'm going out there and search for her instead of just sitting here to wait." I turned to Quentin. "Please look after my son."

I'm tying the cotton belt of my cardigan as I hurried over to the door.

"Deirdre--"

Pagkabukas ng pinto ay kapwa kami natigilan sa natatanaw sa labas. My eyes narrowed as the lights from the car entering our premises hit my face. Iisipin ko na sanang mga pulis ang dumating pero tatawag naman siguro sila sa akin unang-una pa lang kung may balita na sa paghahanap sa anak ko.

The car now parking in front of the house doesn't appear to be from the police. It's a black Ford.

Lumalim ang pagsasalubong ng kilay ko nang lumabas ang isang babae mula sa driver's side. Sa kabila ay si Dorcas, suot sa likod ang pink bag habang bumababa sa sasakyan at nang nasa harap ay hinuli ng babae ang kamay ng anak ko para sabay na maglakad papunta sa gawi ko.