The Protector

Chapter 34 - Mystery Woman

The man, the gun and who shoot who.

Walang labis, walang kulang.

"Omg, Isabel. I want to hug you right now. Are you okay? Drink some water please. I can sense that you're shaking." she said.

Nanginginig pala ang boses ko habang nagkekwento sa kanya. Ponggay is just listening intently until I finished. Huminga ako ng malalim. Kahit papano ay na-relieved ako dahil may nasabihan na ako sa nangyari.

"Alam ba ni Jema ito? How about Tito and Tita?" she asked.

"No. Ikaw lang ang pinagsabihan ko nito and I intend to keep it that way." I replied.

"Good, that's good. This is very serious Isabel, I'm not joking. Let's keep it to ourselves muna ha. Mahirap na kung may makaalam pang iba nito." sabi niya.

"Alam ko na malaking tao si Gob kaya tikom ang bibig ko basta huwag niya lang kantiin si Jema kundi magkakagulo kami." matapang na sagot ko.

"What's your next step? Sabi mo nga nakikipag break na sa'yo si Jema. May kinalaman kaya sa nangyari kagabi? Ano ang gusto mong gawin ko?" tanong niya.

"I want to quit my job Ponggay. Nakapag decide na akong mag resign as the governor's bodyguard. After what happened last night, hindi ko na yata masisikmura pa na magtrabaho pa sa kanya. He is a criminal, a really bad person and I don't wanna be associated with a killer!" mahabang sabi ko.

"I understand Bea. The question is, papayag ba si Gob. Anton? Sa tingin mo, he will easily let you go knowing that you witnessed his crime? Governor Villarama is untouchable, as far as I know. Ako ang natatakot para sa'yo." sabi niya.

Natigilan ako sa narinig. Ponggay was right, the governor must be used to killing people kaya hindi man lang siya nag dalawang isip na patayin yung tao na parang hayop. If I'm in danger, it means that Jema is not safe too.

"I'll just keep quiet then. I won't say a thing about that dead man. S-sasabihin ko kay Gob na walang makakaalam nito. You're my employer, you're the one paying my salary so I know you can help me explain to him Ponggay." I said.

"Better said than done. I am not promising but I'll do my best. You are my responsibility Bea and I can't afford to leave you hanging. If only I didn't force you to join my team, hindi mangyayari ang lahat ng ito." she sadly said.

"No, please don't blame yourself. What's done, is done. Wala na tayong magagawa dahil nandiyan na 'yan. All we can do is to resolve the problem. Just make sure that Jema is safe, she is the priority here." sabi ko.

"I know, right. For the meantime, just relax and take a rest. Tatawagan ko si sir Blue at makikibalita sa kanya. Ako na din bahala kumontak kay madam Gob. I'll let you know once na makausap ko siya." Ponggay finally said.

"Promise?" I asked.

"Yes, Isabel." sabi niya bago tinapos ang tawag ko.

I released a deep sigh before collapsing into my bed. Mabilis akong nakatulog dahil sa pagod, puyat at labis na pag iisip.

**********

JESSICA

Mabigat ang loob na in-off ko ang cellphone after messaging Bea. Alam kong tatawagan niya ako once she read it. My phone stayed like that the whole day at wala akong balak buksan ito.

Parang ang unfair naman yata, madam Gob?

I am doing this for her.

Nasa bahay lang ako buong maghapon. Anton was nowhere to be found as usual. When I turn on the TV to watch the news, he was on the news.