where were u?

Chapter I

where were you?

"Where were you?"

"I don't remember at all..but uh.."

"I'm listening." Kyle said.

"I went home at 6 pm. Called my dad about Brook."

"Brook who?" my hands started to wet as they're both looking at me straightly in the eye.

"Oh. Would you like some coffee? Beer? I kind of wanted to drink."

Both agreed on having water. When I went to the kitchen I can pretty much see that they're arguing.

"You're too harsh on her! Goddammit!"

"I'm just doing my job!"

I don't know who spoke, but one thing's for sure..one of them thinks I am the murderer.

Bumalik ako dala ang isang tray na may dalawang tubig at isang kupita nang wine para sa akin.

"Now, uh George. Where were you again?"

"Yeah." I paused. "Was on work. Mom called because according to her, dad was so upset that I didn't told him that I'm dating this guy..Brook."
Both looked alarmed at my response.

"But you just said. You called your dad. About Brook." Kyle said mimicking a well-known investigator. Every pause of his was meaningful.

"Uh-huh" I nodded. I did after mom called. But my dad's line is off."

"Interesting." said Kyle. He checked his phone and said his goodbyes. "I still have papers to be done. I am very sorry for your loss..George." then he left before I was able to reply.

Minutes passed and Jimmy is still here with a question on his head. I was about to take a sip on my wine when he stopped me.

"Why?" I curiously asked. "What's wrong?"

"Where's the bathroom?" he asked as if he badly needs the answer.

"I thought it was something." I laughed. "Left. Second floor."

He then left after a long bathroom break.

Kinabukasan, I got a call from my mom.

"Bobo ka ba George? Anong sinasabi ng pulis na to na tinawagan raw kita tungkol kay Brook?" rinig sa tawag ang galit at inis nya sa akin.

Before she can even continue her rants, pinatay ko na ang telepono ko at nagabala sa paghahandang pumasok sa trabaho.
Ilang linggo na ang nakaraan at wala pa ring pinal na suspect ang mga nagpoproseso ng kaso ni Dad.

Brook hasn't called me yet since the funeral. Ayon sa kanya it'll be better for me to be alone.

And now I'm having my dinner at home. Alone. Until I heard a knock.

Mom.

"Bakit sayo nakapangalan ang lahat?!" paninimula nya pagkapasok pa lang sa bahay. "Hindi ako makapaniwala, hatian mo ko sa bahay, at sa insurance na yan. Hindi ako makakapayag, ako ang--"

"Kahit sayo na Ma. Yun lang ba ang pinunta mo dito?" tinignan ko siya at kita ko ang bagong pakulay nitong buhok at mga alahas. Lalo na rin ang designer bag na ngayon ko lang nakita. "Wala ka na talagang ibang inisip kundi pera."

"Anong sabi mo?" aniya at dahan dahang lumapit.

"Wala ka na namang makuha sa bago mong boyfriend?"

Sinampal ako nito. "Wala kang alam sakin o samin ng tatay mong tanga. Anak lang kita. Nanay mo pa rin ako kaya ako ang masusunod."

I was crying all night. Buti na lamang at naisipang umuwi ni Brook at sya ngayon ang sandalan ko.

Brook is a nice man. Laging may sagot sa lahat ng problema ko. Medyo weird lang at ako ang nagbibigay sa kanya ng pera, but he said he'll look for a job sooner or later. Yun ang ayaw ng Dad sa kanya.

"I missed you." sabay hawi niya sa buhok ko. "Let's go out of town, on me." nangingiting sabi nito.

Umaga ng Sabado at andito sya. Masayang masaya ako.

I made a face making him laugh. "I finally found a work that suits me. And guess what?" excited na sabi nito."I got you gifts!"

Tuwang tuwa kong tinitignan ang mga binigay nyang bag at sapatos. This is not the first time he did this. He was always sweet.

Gaya nga ng paanyaya niya andito kami sa LA. Nasa isang hotel kami nang may natanggap akong tawag.

"Hello. Is this George Smith?" nagkatinginan kami ni Brook.

"Yes, speaking."

"This is Jim. Jimmy. We had gathered enough information and evidences..regarding your father's death." he trailed off. "Are you in New York?"

"Uhm. No, but I'll be home soon--"

"You should be Miss George. Because from all of the evidences we had.. it was all leading to your mom, Corazon Lopez-Smith."

"We needed to tell you this before we arrest her. Anyway, we had the warrant readied yesterday. It was your mom." dagdag pa niya. Nanginginig akong hawak ang cellphone.

"But how? Why?" I cried. "Yes they fought but my mom would not do such thing! And even if she needed money."naalala ang bagong bag nito at mga gamit.

"She already did, George. I hope we can discuss this when you get back. She's after your father's insurance policy, but turns out, she wasn't on the list to have the insurance..all on you." pinatay ko ang telepono bago pa niya dagdagan ang mga sinasabi.

It was my mom. All along.

I can't believe it was her!