AGS 4: The Best Man's Wedding

Chapter 33: Prodigal

"Phone lang ho ba ang nakuha sa inyo?"

"Phone lang ang meron ako, of course, wala nang iba."

I was glancing at the officer's table. He was manually writing the reports and my statements, although may girl na mukhang baranggay volunteer na nagta-type ng statement ko sa super old model nang computer.

May nagpa-patrol na baranggay sa main road when they caught me shouting and asking for help. Hindi na nila nahanap ang snatcher, and they said na "imposible" na raw mahanap, then followed by "Marami na 'tong nabiktima. Madalas talaga 'to sa seaside."

And I was like, how can you fucking say that it was impossible to see that fucking culprit when you yourself can tell me that madalas pala sa area yung snatcher! What the fuck?

"Tsip, nandiyan na raw ang guardian niyan sa labas," sabi ng matangkad na manong mula sa glass door ng police station.

I was expecting Mum's endless scolding of how stupid I was for taking my phone out in a dangerous street, but my thought suddenly shifted when I saw Tita Ali, walking toward me after his personal aide na naka-barong.

Mukhang wala siyang office today. Well, more like galing siyang golfing. Casual pink polo and white pegged pants lang din ang suot niya.

One thing I like about El Sokkary's genes is the strong Egyptian traits, and their skin is in between light cream and white. Super tangos ng ilong ni Tita, deep ang eyes, perfect angle ang kilay (na originally makapal, so she has to trim that every week), and the angle of their faces ni Mum are crafted symmetrically. Kaya kahit wala silang retoke, mukha pa rin silang bata. Because that's how their faces look even without makeup on. And well, she's just 17 years older than Kuya. Kapag nagtabi sila, although Tita's superior vibes can speak for herself that she's older, but it was a rare occasion na may nagkakamaling tita siya ni Kuya. Most of the time, older cousin talaga.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin kay Tita nang ngitian niya ako nang matipid, yet my eyes shifted to everyone inside the police station, craning their neck at Tita Ali and her overflowing presence. Even her floral perfume wandered across the room and created an alternative fragrance of sweet nectar other than the station's coffee and old paper smell.

"Good morning ho, ma'am," an officer in tucked uniform greeted Tita as she approached the table where I was sitting. The male officer offered his hand to Tita, which she gladly accepted.

"What happened?" Tita's deep female voice asked. "Ang sabi sa call, na-snatch ang phone ng pamangkin ko, tama ba?

"'Yon nga ho, ma'am," naiilang na sagot ng kausap ni Tita. "Wala hong malapit na CCTV sa area kasi along the road, talahiban pa ang kasunod pagkatapos doon sa mga puno ho ng niyog. Wala naman hong madalas na dumaraan doon kasi malayo ang sakayan. Baka sinundan lang ho ang pamangkin ninyo kaya natiyempuhan."

I was waiting for Tita's response when his aide talked to me. "Ma'am Sab, doon na raw kayo sa kotse."

Wala na akong choice. Tita Ali is a better option than Kuya and Mum right now. The aide guided me sa coach ni Tita na naka-park sa harap ng station.

Tita's coach feels like home—spacious with a round glass table in the middle and a white couch around it. Nakasara ang window curtain pero nakabukas ang interior lights. The aide gave me a lime juice from the mini ref beside the door and opened the speaker playing mellow music. It was Audrey Hepburn singing Moon River.

Wala akong phone. I could ask for Tita to buy me a new one pero kailangan ko munang ipa-lock ang device kong nakuha para hindi na ma-access ng iba.

A few minutes later, dumating na si Tita Ali. Naupo siya sa kaharap kong side ng couch saka ako tiningnan na parang nakakaawa akong bata.