Since Nine Book 3: Shattered

Confidential

CHAPTER 35

RAMCEL

AFTER THREE MONTHS

Ramcel was awakened by urgent loud knocks. Halos hindi pa nya maidilat ang mga mata sa antok. Madaling araw na syang nakauwi kanina dahil katatapos lang nyang magshoot ng teleseryeng ginagawa nya. May parating na bagyo at lumalakas na kasi ang hangin kaya nagpack- up na sila.

She’d been busy lately juggling her time finishing her book, conducting acting and writing workshops and shooting her latest TV series. She barely had time to sleep. She was thankful that she got the time off and planned to spend the whole day sleeping. She didn’t even have time to see or even send a message to Victoria. Pupuntahan na lang nya ito kapag maganda na ang panahon. Makikipagbonding muna sya kay Eleanor, na syang dahilan kaya umuwi sya sa mansyon nito.

It was 10AM. She’d been asleep for seven hours. Napilitan syang bumangon para buksan ang pinto. Tumambad sa kanya ang medyo kabadong si Badette. Binilinan kasi nya itong huwag syang gigisingin kung hindi importante.

“Dumating po si Ma’am Liezle. Kailangang- kailangan nya raw po kayong makausap,” agad na sabi nito. “Tumawag nga po sya bago pumunta rito kung nandito kayo. Sinabi ko pong nagpapahinga kayo pero importante daw po talaga.”

Napakunot ang noo nya. Kagabi pa sya tinatawagan ng kaibigan ngunit hindi nya sinasagot. “O sige, sabihin mo hintayin nya ako sa library.”

“Sige po.”

Ramcel didn’t bother changing her plain red shirt and white shorts before going down to the library. Naabutan nyang nakatayo si Liezle sa tabi ng bintana at nakatingin sa labas. Agad itong lumapit sa kanya nang pumasok sya. Naguilty rin sya nang bahagya dahil hindi nya ito masyadong nakukumusta at nadadamayan sa kalungkutan nito mula nang mamatay ang Daddy nito.

“Liz, how are y…”

“You need to know something.” Liezle cut her off. Her face was very grave. “It’s about Victoria.”

“W-What about her?” Ramcel’s heart started beating fast.

Seeing that she was suddenly anxious, Liezle took her hand and led her to the library’s long sofa. “Umupo muna tayo.” They sat facing each other. May hawak na malaking brown envelope ang kaibigan. “You need to see this. I found it in my Dad’s safe in his room.”

Napadako ang tingin ni Ramcel sa long brown envelope na hawak nito. “Ano yan?”

“Naglilinis kami ni Mommy…” Liezle choked. Nangilid ang luha nito ngunit nakuha nitong pigilan. Tumikhim muna ito bago magpatuloy. “Anyway, nililigpit namin ang mga gamit ni Dad. Alam mo naman kung gaano kami kaclose kaya ipinagkatiwala nya sa akin ang combination ng safe nya.” Ramcel nodded in understanding. “This is top secret. I don’t understand why he took it at home. Maybe he felt like it’s safer there or he intended to let me know about it but didn’t get the chance. Anyway, may mga important files syang naiwan sa bahay and this is one of them. This file contains report regarding drugs. Isa ito sa mga operations nina Daddy way back 2010- 2011. It was on the news but it was incomplete. The information they released to the media was edited.”

“Drugs? Anong kinalaman ni Victoria sa drugs?” Confused nyang tanong.

“Not Victoria, it was Hector,” sagot nito. “This is the complete report. It was kept private because it could derail the government. Maraming involve na malalaking tao at matatataas ang posisyon including the Vice President at that time. We could be killed if this story is leaked. But it’s important for you to know.” There was sadness in her eyes. “To understand Victoria.”

Ramcel was still confused but she nodded in understanding. Kinuha nya ang envelope at inilabas doon ang isang long folder na may malaking red all caps CONFIDENTIAL sa harap.

Hawak ni Ramcel ang full report ni General Ernesto Lobregat, ang Daddy ni Liezle. Ito ang namumuno sa pagtugis sa mga drugs lords at iba pang may kinalaman sa ipinagbabawal na gamot. Karamihan sa mga nahuhuli ay pawang mga small time pushers and users.

May mga lumalabas na mga malalaking pangalan ngunit walang matibay na ebidensya hanggang sa isang nagngangalang Diego Joven ang kusang sumuko mismo kay General Lobregat at nagbigay ng mahalagang impormasyon tungkol sa lugar kung saan ibinabagsak ang mga smuggled drugs na nanggagaling sa ibang bansa.

Itinuro ni Diego ang isa sa mga utak ng drug operations sa bansa, si Hector Sebastian. Kanang-kamay ni Hector si Diego. Ayon sa statement nito, tinangka itong patayin ni Hector ngunit nakaligtas ito kaya bilang ganti, isinuplong nito sa pulis.

Itinuro ni Diego ang isla ni Hector kung saan sinamahan pa nito ang mga alagad ng batas para marating ang lugar. The police reached the island just in time to stop Hector from murdering Victoria.

The authorities found the basement where billions worth of drugs were kept. The whole mansion was searched and records of drug operations were found including list of people involved like Senators, Congressmen, Generals and prominent businessmen in the country. Even the Vice President was implicated.

The horrible secret of the island was also revealed. It was finally discovered that the charismatic model citizen, Hector Sebastian was a psychopath. That behind his handsome face was a monster with no remorse.

He hunted people in the woods. Most of the bodies were buried there. Some were buried in the garden and became fetilizer to his colorful flowers and plants. Hundreds of bodies were buried around the island.

Nahuli ang lahat ng mga tauhan ni Hector na nasa mansyon ng mga Sebastian including Hector’s father, the Governor, since he was also involved in the illegal operations. He was also questioned regarding his son’s hunting hobby.

The Governor revealed Hector was adopted when he was eight. Hindi magkaanak ang mag-asawang Sebastian kaya nagpasya ang mga itong mag-ampon. Hector was a charming handsome boy and highly intelligent too. The couple took pity on him when they learned that he was abused physically by his drunk father.

Further investigation was made. Anak ng mag-asawang magsasaka sa isang hacienda sa Nueva Ecija si Hector. Ang ina ni Hector na si Rebecca, ang pinakamagandang dilag sa kanilang nayon. Marami itong manliligaw na mayaman ngunit kay Miguel ito umibig na isang simpleng magsasaka dahil matiyaga ito at mabait.

Maayos ang pagsasama nang dalawa hanggang sa magpakita ng totoong kulay nito si Miguel. Araw-araw itong umuuwing nakainom at nasasaktan nito ang asawa. Dahil mahal nito ang lalaki, tiniis na lamang ni Rebecca ang hindi magandang ugaling iyon ng asawa. Umasa itong magbabago rin si Miguel.

Lihim namang may pagtingin ang Don na nagmamay-ari ng hacienda kay Rebecca. Isang araw na wala si Miguel, pinagsamantalahan ng Don ang babae.

Walang nagawa ang mag-asawa para bigyan ng hustisya ang nangyari kay Rebecca dahil wala silang pera at kapangyarihan. Binayaran na lamang sila ng malaking pera ng Don at saka pinalayas sa hacienda.

Kahit masama sa loob ng mag-asawa, ginamit nila ang pera para makapagsimula sa ibang lugar. Nakabili sila ng maliit na lupain na syang tinamnan nila ng palay at mais. Malapit rin ito sa kakahuyan kaya nakakapangaso si Miguel ng kakainin.

Natigil pansamantala ang pag-inom-inom ni Miguel nang magbuntis si Rebecca, ngunit naging mapang-abuso ulit ito nang ipinanganak si Hector. Dahil habang lumalaki ang bata, mas nagiging kahawig nito ng Don.

Masaya si Hector kapag silang dalawa lang ng ina nito ang magkasama sa bahay. Nakakapaglaro ito ng malaya kapag nasa bukid ang ama. Ipinagluluto ito lagi ni Rebecca ng paboritong pagkain na arroz caldo. Ngunit sa tuwing sasapit ang dilim, nagiging impyerno ang lahat kapag dumating na ang ama.

Gabi-gabing sinasaktan ni Miguel ang asawa. Gabi-gabing nasasaksihan ni Hector kung paano magtamo ng sugat, pilay at pasa ang kanyang ina.

Nang maglimang taon si Hector, matiyaga itong naglalakad nang malayo para makapag-aral. Likas itong matalino kaya nangunguna ito sa klase. Mahilig itong magbasa kaya’t magiliw itong pinahihiram ng libro ng mga guro. Alam ng lahat na advance ang angking talino ni Hector kumpara sa mga kaklase nito.

Noong pitong taong gulang si Hector, isinama sya ni Miguel para mangaso sa kakahuyan. To Hector’s bewilderment, his father asked him to run and he did, for Miguel aimed his rifle at him and started firing.

Every weekend, Hector became his father’s prey. He had to run and dodge his bullets. If his father wasn’t shooting birds and wild boar, he would hunt Hector. It went on and on without Rebecca’s knowledge.

Wala rin namang mgagawa ang kanyang ina, kaya minabuti ni Hector na ilihim ang kalupitan ng ama sa kanya. Isa pa, mula nang pagdiskitahan sya ng ama, natigil na ang pagmamalupit nito kay Rebecca. Nalaman rin ni Hector mula kay Miguel na hindi ito ang tunay na ama. Naintindihan ng bata kung bakit ganoon na lamang ang galit ng ama.

Mahal na mahal ni Hector ang kanyang ina kaya tiniis nya ang hirap na nararanasan. Habang umiiwas sa bala, tumatakbo at nagtatago sa kakahuyan mula kay Miguel, isinumpa ni Hector na makakatakas din sya kasama ng kanyang ina.

Nang malaman ni Rebecca ang ginagawa ni Miguel sa anak, nagpasya itong iwanan ang asawa. Hindi pumayag si Miguel. Dala nang matinding galit muli nitong sinaktan si Rebecca. Walang magawa si Hector para pigilan ang ama. Tumakbo sya palabas para humingi ng tulong sa barangay.

Kasama ang ilang tanod at ang kapitan ng barangay, bumalik si Hector sa kanilang tahanan. Gumuho ang mundo ng bata nang matagpuang parehong patay na ang mga magulang. Duguan ang ina ni Hector at halos hindi na ito makilala sa bugbog na nakuha nito sa asawa. Pagkatapos mapatay si Rebecca, nagbigti naman si Miguel.

Napunta sa bahay-ampunan si Hector. Ibinaling nito ang kalungkutan sa libro. He educated himself by reading all of the books in the library. He was very charismatic and intellectual kaya naman tuwang-tuwa ang mga madre rito. There were reports from other kids witnessing Hector hurting animals but all were dismissed. At that time no one believed that an adorable boy like Hector was capable of cruelty.

When the Sebastian couple adopted him, Hector was reluctant at first but he warmed up eventually because he was showered with attention and love. Napansin ng mag-asawa na hindi ito mahilig sa mga laruan. He was more interested in books and learning.

With his good looks and brilliant mind, he was very popular in school. His classmates and teachers admired him. He was excellent in both academics and sports. He was a perfectionist. His foster parents noticed that he didn’t like animals. They turned a blind eye when the family’s gardener reported seeing Hector killed then Mayor Sebastian’s favorite Labrador.

As a young man, Hector showed talent in both business and politics. Many of his foster father’s projects and political propaganda came from him. Mas nakikinig si Mayor Sebastian kay Hector kesa sa mga political advisors nito hanggang sa manalo bilang Governor.

Kilala ang mga Sebastian sa mundo ng pulitika ngunit may mga haka-haka noon pa man na sangkot din ang mga ito sa drugs. Si General Lobregat mismo ang nag-interrogate kay Gov. Sebastian, na umaming ang kapatid nitong si Marco Sebastian ang nag-umpisa sa pamamahala sa drug operation ng pamilya.

Ipinagkatiwala ng pamilya ang illegal na operasyon kay Hector nang matapos ito sa kolehiyo. Naging bagsakan ng droga ang islang pag-aari ng mga Sebastian. Maraming malalaking pulitiko, business men, professionals at maging mga alagad ng batas ang naging kasabwat. Hector became the most powerful drug lord in the country.

The thick woods on the island became Hector’s hunting ground. Everyone who opposed him were hunted and killed.

Gov. Sebastian confessed that Hector was triggered when his dream family was shattered. Masaya silang tatlo bilang pamilya. Alagang-alaga si Hector ng mag-asawa lalong-lalo na ni Mrs. Sebastian. Ipinagluluto sya nito ng mga paboritong pagkain kagaya ng tunay nyang ina. But he was enraged when her perfect foster mother destroyed his perfect family.

Nahuli ni Hector na may kalaguyo si Mrs. Sebastian. Walang nagawa ang Gobernador nang patayin ang mga ito ni Hector.

“Hindi ko sya pinigilan sa gusto nya. Ang totoo, natuwa akong si Hector na ang gumawa ng mga bagay na gusto kong gawin sa mga hayop na yun.” Yan ang eksaktong statement ni Gov. Sebastian sa report.

Hector married Monica Mendez but she died in a car accident. The vehicle exploded and she was unrecognizable.

Everyone was baffled when Monica was found on the island fighting for her life. Hector shot her but she was lucky it didn’t pierce her heart.

“Monica?” Ramcel turned to Liezle. “As in Victoria’s friend?”

Liezle nodded. “They were both found on the island. Look.” Inilipat nito ang pahina ng report. Wedding picture iyon nina Hector at Monica, na wala pang pilat sa pisngi nito. “This is Hector’s real mother.” Sunod nitong ipinakita ang black and white na larawan ng isang magandang babae na kahawig ni Monica…at ni Victoria. The three women’s likeness was uncanny.

Biglang naalala ni Ramcel ang mga sinabi ni Olivia. “Puntahan mo kaya ulit si Vi. That Hector is very shady. He reminded me of Domino.” Tinutukoy nito ang ex- boyfriend nitong psychopath.

Hector became physically abusive and Monica tried to escape but she was caught. He was enraged and he faked her death.

“Ayaw nya akong pakawalan. Pinalabas nyang namatay ako sa aksidente. Dinala nya ako sa isla at doon ikinulong. He’s crazy and gave me this scar.” Ramcel could feel Monica’s pain just by reading her statement.

Nahinto ang pagbabasa nya ng report nang magring ang cellphone nya. It was Monica. Napatitig sya nang ilang sandali bago ito nasagot. “H-Hey,” marahan nyang sambit.

“Tumawag na ba sayo si Victoria kung nasaan na sya?” Monica’s voice was worried.

“No. I haven’t talk to her for a week now. May problema ba?”

“Wala naman siguro. Nagwo-worry lang kami ni Tita Isabelle dahil sa bagyo. Hindi namin alam kung nasaan na sya.”

“Saan ba sya pumunta?”

“Sa Nueva Viscaya.” Monica mentioned about The 11 Foundation charity program. Naalala nyang nagvolunteer nga pala si Victoria. It was somewhere very remote. “Ang last nyang message ay nakababa na sila ng bundok kaninang umaga. Hanggang ngayon wala pang balita sa kanya.”

“Shit!” Fear suddenly gripped her heart but she had to calm down. “I’m sure she’s safe. I’ll call Olivia, maybe she knows something. And Monica?”

“Yes?”

“I’m coming over. Let’s talk.”