Who Did It?

/8/ Extenuate

"Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea."

The act itself does not make a man guilty unless his intentions were so.

***
Nasa loob ng interrogation room si Jameson, kasama nito ang isang private attorney as his counsel.

"Pwede mo bang isalaysay kung ano ang mga nangyari?" Tanong ng police investigator.

Huminga ito ng malalim kasabay ang pag-taas ng isang dulo ng kanyang labi.

"Everyone is a potential criminal." Sambit nito bago tuluyang ihayag ang mga nangyari.

-

"

So, are you saying that Donny is the culprit?"

"Yes. I saw him with my own two eyes. Nakita ko kung paano niya sinakal si Edward."

"Kung ganoon, ay bakit hindi mo ito tinulungan? The fact that you were there, wala ka man lang ginawa?" Tanong ulit ng police investigator.

"As I've already stated, nagpaalam ako kay Donny because I needed to pee. Medyo natagalan akong bumalik kasi I got confused on my way back, madilim na rin kasi. Nang makuha ko na ulit 'yung daan pabalik, that was the time that I saw him." Sambit ni Jameson.

Nakakatitig lang sa kanya ang police na para bang ini-eksamin ang bawat salitang lumalabas sa bibig nito.

"At first, hindi ako nakagalaw. I froze, kasi hindi ko inaakalang magagawa niya 'yun. I even witnessed how he walked away at natulog na para bang wala lang. That was the time na nilapitan ko si Edward but it was too late."

***
Donny's P.O.V.

"Hindi ka pa uuwi?" Tanong sa akin ni Kisses.

After our discussion about what happened during the camp, nagsi-uwian na sina Vaughn, Maymay, Sue, Darren and Markus.  Muntik pang mauwi sa isang heated argument 'yung usapan kanina. Everyone was pointing fingers.

"I can't leave you here." I answered.

She told me that tito Gilbert and tita Carrie went on a business trip and they'll be back next week. Wala siyang kasama dito. Aside from that, she's not in a good condition. She looked pale.

"Don't worry. Kaya ko mag-isa promise." She said not looking at me.

"Whatever you say, I won't leave. Dito lang ako." I said firmly.

Tumungo ako sa kitchen at tiningnan ko kung ano ang pwede naming kainin. Sumunod naman sa akin si Kisses.

"Uy, anong ginagawa mo?" She asked.

Hindi ko na siya pinansin at nagsimula na akong mag-prepare ng lulutuin. She went silent. Sandali siyang umalis at pagkatapos ay nakita ko siyang nakasuot ng bathrobe.

I found myself staring at her. Muntik ko nang ma-cut 'yung daliri ko habang hinihiwa ko 'yung karne.

"Ligo lang ako. I'll be back in a bit."

Tapos na akong magluto't lahat lahat pero hindi parin siya lumalabas ng bathroom. Inilatag ko na 'yung niluto kong adobo sa dining table.

I waited for 10 more minutes pero wala pa rin siya. Medyo kinakabahan na ako kaya I decided to check kung okay lang ba siya.

I headed towards the bathroom. I knocked on the door but to no avail.

The door wasn't locked so I made my way inside.

"Kisses?"

I parted the shower curtain...

"KISSES!"

My heart beat doubled when I saw her.

She was lying flatly on the floor. Nakasuot pa rin ito ng robe. I placed the back of my palm on her forehead. Geez, she's literally on fire.

I was caught between panic and fear. Agad ko siyang binuhat papuntang bedroom. Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko dahil sa pag-aalala. I don't know what to do. I was about to go out of the room para humingi ng tulong nang marinig ko siyang magsalita.

She sounded weak and the room's dim light made her look more fragile.

Dali-dali ko siyang nilapitan. She said she felt cold kaya nilagyan ko ito ng kumot.

"Don't worry, dito lang ako."

Buti na lang at may medicine cabinet dito sa kwarto niya. Pinainom ko siya ng gamot and after that, she fell asleep.

I stayed by her side hanggang sa dinalaw na rin ako ng antok.

-----
There was a man with a dagger behind me. I was running as fast as I can but he was faster. Maabutan niya na ako, ilang hakbang na lamang ang layo nito nang makakita ako nang patalim.

Kinuha ko iyon and I was about to stab him...
-----
Nagising ako dahil sa tunog ng mga nahulog na utensils.

Wait, why am I here?

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit nasa kitchen ako ngayon. I noticed na may hawak akong kutsilyo, agad ko itong nabitawan kasi I caught myself in the act na parang mananaksak na.

Things came rushing in my head. The night when Iñigo died katabi ko siya sa pagtulog at noong gabing iyon I had a nightmare. Same as when Edward died. Noong mga oras na 'yun ay nagkaroon din ako ng isang masamang panaginip. Same circumstance as to the old man's death.

My knees felt weak.

Am I the one who did all of it?