~~
Yara asked her parents if she could go to ISM for a while to pick up the activities needed for her modules, as well as to obtain her validated school identification for the year. They consented, and her mom accompanied her to school before going to Solaire to pick up their new suitcases from Rimowa.
When they arrived at Yara's school, they were promptly allowed inside and went to the ICT department for her ID. There, they were greeted and hugged by some faculty and staff because she hadn't been there for almost three years since the pandemic began.
"Alana! Am so glad you visited today!" [hugging Yara]
Yara: Teacher Tracy!
[cheerful] "Hi Mrs. Araneta!"
Irene: [waved] Hi Ms. Tracy
" You can proceed to the ICT na po"
Yara: Oh alright, thanks, cher Tracy!
"Welcome Lana!"
"Hi Alana, You can proceed to the dressing room to change your school uniform. And, you can write your full name on the whiteboard as well."
Yara: Hola...[waving] Oh right, okay thank you!
Irene: [affectionate] Come, my love. I will help you
Yara: Okay mama! [smiles]
Irene: [proud] Napintas my little girl!
Yara: [beaming] Aww, got it from you!
Irene: I will write your name, fix your uniform first.
Yara: Thank you, mommy!
Yara: [serious] Mommy, I have something to tell you.
Irene: [attentive] What is it, my love?
Yara: [nervous] Mom, did you notice that when we arrived at the school, two strange men were staring at us, and they didn't look away until we stepped inside
Irene: [alarmed] What? Where did you happen to see them? Darling, you didn't tell me immediately...
Yara: [anxious] Because I'm not certain if they were sketchy, baka they just recognized you or were curious that there's security personnel coming in or what.
Irene: [cautiously] Possible, but we won't be complacent, because the campaign period is already underway, and we do not even know what to expect, so your dad is worried if you'll go somewhere alone, will heads up the security personnel for a while, just wait here and take your photo I'll be back, stay here! [worried]
Irene left Yara first to inform security of what her daughter had noticed and to ask questions about whether they had observed any suspicious people.
Irene: [urgently] My daughter observed two strange men. Could you please check outside and confirm?
"Ma'am, sabi po nung guard sa labas kanina pa nga daw po may mga nagpabalik-balik na sasakyan sa labas"
Irene: [bobbing] Right after we entered the school? So Yara was right?
"Opo ma'am, tapos may nagtanong din po sa kanila kung magtatagal ba daw kayo sa loob"
Irene: [alarmed] Oh my goodness, did they get the name or at least identify those?
"Naka masks daw po ma'am, umalis naman na daw po agad."
Irene: How did they know na will be here today?
Bodyguard: Na check na daw po ma'am, wala na yung dalawang lalaki
Irene: [pleading] Please, please, please be vigilant. Inform them that we will be departing soon.
"Sige po Ma'am Irene!"
Irene returned inside to fetch Yara, She didn't tell her daughter about the strange actions so she wouldn't be alarmed, but deep down Irene was seriously concerned since she couldn't verify if it was safe for them to exit the building and if they were safe or otherwise.
Irene: [gentle] Are you done, little girl?
Yara: Yes Mommy!
Irene: May I see it?
"Here Mrs. Araneta, we will just provide the soft copy via email since it requires to be signed before being given to students."
Irene: Oh, it's alright, no rush but look naman my daughter is so pretty there! [proud]
"I agree Ma'am! Pretty angelic face, ever since."
Irene: Aww, thank you! Little girl, are you ready to go?
Yara: Yes, mama! Is everything ok na outside?
Irene: Yes, my love. I already informed security as well.
Yara: Ok mom!
Yara: Thank you Ms! You take care!
" Bye Alana! You too!"
Irene and Yara have already left the ICT department and the security has also taken over its modules so she doesn't have to go to their hall to prevent her from moving inside because of the suspicious people earlier, they immediately went to their car in the parking lot surrounded by their security suddenly
A vehicle was approaching excessively fast, and their attention was drawn to it because it was exceedingly noisy.
Yara: [screaming so loud] Mommy!!Mommmmy!! Mommmmmy!! [terrified, screaming]
Everyone wasn't expecting a man to be waiting to pull Yara and attempting to bring her to their vehicle.
Irene: [frantic, screaming] Yara!!! Get my daughter!!!! [screams] Get my daughter!!!!
"Secure niyo si Ma'am Irene!"
Irene: [tense] My daughter, please!! [begging, panicking]
Only a few miles away, he couldn't get Yara, so the man pushed her so he could leave straight away because otherwise the security personnel would catch up with them and he would be shot and forcefully fired if he didn't release Yara, while Irene was crying as well as calling her husband.
"Secured!"
"Ms. Yara?"
Irene rushes towards Yara who can't properly breathe...crying
Irene: [crying,worried] Mommy's here! [hugged Yara tightly]
Yara: [gasping for air, frightened] Mama...I thought...[crying]
Irene: [comforting, weeping] Mommy is here na, shhhh [wiping her tears], you're fine now. [kissed her forehead]
Yara: [shaking, in tears] Mama...
Irene: [calm but still nervous] You're safe na, mom is here.
Greggy was on the phone listening to what transpired as Irene was calming her daughter Yara, who was still shocked. Irene didn't realize he answered her call...
Greggy: [worried, confused] Irene! What exactly is going on? Are you all right? [voice raises] Why aren't you responding to me? Irene? Is everything all right in there?
He was worried and dialed their security number to find out what had happened.
"Hello, Boss"
Greggy: [tense]What the heck is going on? Where's my wife?
"Sir, kasi...si Yara po muntik na...may nagtangkang kunin siya."
Greggy: [furious,alarmed] What!? Meirda!!! [distressed] Where's my daughter now!?
"Na kay Ma'am Irene na po"
Greggy: Is she hurt!? Tell me now! [uneasy]
"Umiiyak parin po may galos yung siko at tuhod niya po."
Greggy: [agitated] Tell my wife to go home immediately! Go home now! [fretful]
Greggy's POV
Whoever is the one responsible for my daughter's failed abduction, I will look and deal with you no matter what! It would be okay if I were the one being assaulted, and who knows what they'll be doing I don't give a damn, but just not my family, especially my wife and my daughter. I'm going to pursue this and find out kung sinong Poncio Pilato pa yan! [shuddering with anger]
Greggy was madly furious when he heard of the attempted abduction of his child, he immediately contacted his peers and their lawyers to investigate what had occurred. He also called Yara's school to seek security footage of the incident.
~~
When they returned home, Yara clung to her mother's hand, visibly distressed. Their family doctor arrived at their house to tend to her abrasions and conduct a thorough examination, while Irene and Greggy engaged in a heartfelt conversation.
Irene: [calm yet anxious] Is this somehow related to the messages you've been receiving in recent days?
Greggy: [regretting] I initially dismissed those as mere allegations. I didn't fathom the gravity of the situation, given the number of threatening texts we've received. I've already sought assistance from the NBI.
Irene: [concerned] Perhaps we should consider keeping this incident confidential. Going public could put us in jeopardy.
Greggy: [agreeing] You're right. We won't disclose this to anyone. I've informed Yara's school not to make any statements. Our lawyers will handle the situation.
Irene: [determined] Maybe we shouldn't wait until next week to leave the country. I'll reschedule our flight for tomorrow. It's crucial to act swiftly.
Greggy: [supportive] Alright. Call the airline. I'll stay with Yara and ensure she's alright.
As Greggy entered Yara's room, he found her fast asleep. He turned to the attending doctor for an update.
Greggy: [concerned] How is she, Dra?
"I administered a calming medication. She mentioned feeling sheer fright when the man grabbed her. Thankfully, the security reacted swiftly and got her back."
Greggy: [contemplative] Do you think we should arrange for her to see a psychologist?
"It might be beneficial. Speaking with someone she's close to, like you, her parents could offer tremendous support."
Greggy: [resolute] That's what we'll do, Dra.
"Alana sensed something was amiss even before the incident."
Irene: [reflective] She was the one who noticed them right after we arrived at her school...
"Alana is resilient, Mrs. Araneta. She embraces life's challenges with courage and openness. Even though she longs for normal life, she's willing to confront whatever comes her way, all for the love of family."
Irene: [blaming herself] I can't help but feel responsible for what happened today. My poor baby...
Greggy: [comforting Irene] It's alright, love. Our daughter is safe with us now. [embracing Irene] I think she should be in a different environment for a while, Dra.
"That would be a good idea, Mr. Araneta. Somewhere she can feel at ease, away from too many people."
Irene: [grateful] Thank you for coming and checking on Yara, Dra. If we have any concerns, we'll be sure to reach out.
"It's my pleasure, Mr. and Mrs. Araneta."
Irene's POV
I can't help but feel immense sympathy for my daughter and what she's enduring. Maybe we should return to California and allow her to put this behind her for a while. She was slowly getting comfortable with her surroundings here, but after this incident, safety measures will need to be much stricter.
~~
Irene nestled beside Yara, gently stroking her daughter's hair as they held each other close.
Yara: [weak]Mom?
Irene: [gently] Sweetheart, are you alright? Is something bothering you? any pain?
Yara: I'm alright, Mama. It's just that my scrapes are stinging.
Irene: Let me put some cream on them, darling.
As Irene carefully tended to Yara's wounds, Irene spoke softly to her daughter.
Irene: [apologetic] I'm so sorry for what happened earlier. I should have kept you safer.
Yara: [comforting] You don't need to apologize, mommy. None of us could have foreseen this. I was so scared, but knowing you'd come to my rescue gave me hope. I just want to leave it behind, thinking about it makes me uneasy all over again.
Irene: [reassuring] You're incredibly brave, my love. I'm here whenever you want to talk. Tomorrow, we'll be flying to California. I've adjusted our flight so we can take a step back, gather our strength, and make fresh memories. It will be good for you, for all of us.
Yara: [grateful] Thank you, mama, for doing this. Can you stay here with me?
Irene: [tenderly] Of course, my little girl...
Irene held her daughter Yara close to make her feel safe, her heart heavy with empathy for the fear her daughter had faced. She sang a soothing lullaby, hoping to bring comfort and peace to the young heart that had endured so much until she fell asleep, then gently kissed her on the cheeks, giving her a tight hug, cherishing her only daughter and wanting to shield her from any more pain.
~to be continued~