"Deal"
ALEJANDRO
Matapos ang matagumpay na operasyon at nakatanggap sila ng liham sa Capitol White Palace. Nais ng pangulo na parangalan sila sa kanilang nagawa.
Isa sa pinakamalaking problema na kinakaharap ng bansa, ang child exploitation, ang sunod-sunod na kidnappings na nalutas nila kaya gayon na lamang galak ng pangulo.
They found out that the head of the syndicate was a chinese national named Franklyn Lim. They rub and kill people. They smuggle drugs and guns. They kidnap women and sell in the market. Good thing they caught the criminal before it gets worst. Balita sa Pilipinas ang naging tagumpay nila kaya naman gusto silang anyayahan ng presidente at bigyang parangal.
Nawala na rin ang mga kuro-kuro, ukol sa pagkawala ng mga bata. Naging panatag ang mga tao. Now every parents will able to sleep at night without worrying for their children's safety.
Ang mga bata naman na nasagip at sumailalim sa counseling. Kasama na ang apo ng senador. Wala namang nasaktan ng physical sa mga ito bukod sa trauma na naranasan ng mga ito.
"Inspector sikat ba sikat ka na oh!" Ivan blabbering around while holding newspaper. Pinagmamalaki nito na na-diyaryo ang nakaraan nilang operasyon. "We also received invitation from the president of the Philippines Inspector...excited na ako! Ano kayang susuotin ko mamaya?"
He don't want an acknowledgment. He always do his works not expecting anything in return. What he hates most, is to be the center of attention. He just contented to know that he save and help people, sapat na sa kanya 'yon. Hindi niya kailangan ng kahit anong papuri o parangal.
He doesn't want to go with his team, but after considering things he thought he have to come with his team.
He just give Ivan a blank look and sigh in the process.
"Hindi ka na masaya Inspector?"
"What do you expect Ivan? Magtatalon sa tuwa si Inspector?" pambabara ng kadarating lang na si Kath kay Ivan.
"Am I talking to you?" sagot ni Ivan.
And the two back to pestering each other. Napailing na lang s'ya at binalik ang atensyon sa ginagawa.
ALEXIS
Holding a newspaper, Alexis smiled. Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala sa mga nangyayari. Balita sa buong Pilipinas ang pagsagip nila sa bata mula sa isang grupo ng mga sindikato. Even the president wants to meet them. She also received an invitation from the palace. Akala niya ang police team lang ang imbitado kaya nagulat siya nang makatanggap ng imbitasyon.
The president wants acknowledge the good work they did. But Chief Asaytuno refused to have a grand celebration but the president insisted so, they settled to have a close door dinner, para lang sa kanila.
"Uy Alexis sikat ka na ah!" Trinity barged into her office. She just gave her a sweet smile bago ibinalik ang tingin sa hawak na dyaryo.
Honestly she feel nervous in the idea that she will going to meet the president, but on the contrary, happiness also filled her senses. Pangarap niyang makatapak sa palasyo ng Capitol, isa na rin marahil 'yon sa dahilan.
"Mag pa parlor ka mag-kulot ka, you have to look presentable. Hindi basta-bastang tao 'yong ka-dinner mo president 'yon."
She also wants to look presentable pero ayaw rin naman niyang nagpaka-OA. Meron naman siyang maayos na damit kahit paano. Magpapaayos na lang siya kay Ena. Tama na siguro iyon, she don't need to wear a shinning shimmering splendid gown for pete's sake.
"Sige, I have to go."
"Mag-beauty rest ka!"
Nagpaalam siya kay Master George na uuwi ng maaga. Kailangan niyang maghanda para mamaya.
Pagdating sa apartment nila at hinalungkat niya ang aparador para naghanap ng susuotin. She smiled when she saw a perfect gown.
The night has come and she prepare herself. She asked Ena to do her hair and make up dahil kung s'ya lang ang gagawa suguradong walang mangyayari.
She smiled when she get satisfied with her looks.
" 'Yan Alexis ang ganda mo in-fairness mukha kang babae tonight," Ena did a light make up and let her shoulder-length hair flaunted. Isang black asymmetrical dress lang napili niyang suotin.
"Oh sige na aalis na ako."
"Oy 'wag ka magmomotor ha?!
"Oo naman noh!"
Dumaan muna siya sa presinto, of course she doesn't want to go to Palace on her own. Mas mabuti nang kasabay biya ang mga ito. Nakausap naman na niya si Kath at sinabi rin na sumabay na s'ya sa mga ito. "Alexis nand'yan ka na pala?" Kath happily greeted her as she walk inside. "Ang ganda-ganda mo!" puri pa nito sa ayos niya.
Kath wear yellow tube dress and Ella look stunning with her blue royal gown. Niel look dashing with his tuxedo and Ivan maintained his boyish look with his amerikana, his pink tie highlights his looks.
"Si Inspector nasa loob pa susunod na raw s'ya," Ivan said as he fixing his tie.
Alejandro came out of nowhere. They're all awed when he appeared in front of them. He's wearing gray polo shirt, the sleeves of his shirt was pulled up on his elbows giving him a hunky appearance.
"Inspector ang pogi-pogi naman," Kath said as she admire the looks of their inspector.
"Inspector, hustiya naman naka-todo porma na kami tapos ikaw polo shirt lang pero tignan mo naman... Grabe! ang lakas ng dating mo talaga," sabi naman ni Ivan.
"Ivan 'di ba sabay tayo?" mayamaya ay sabi ni Kath.
"Ah, oo tara!"
"Ella isabay na rin kita. Inspector isabay mo na si Alexis," Niel said. Obviously, they want her and Alejandro go together.
Alejandro looked at her but did not commented so she left there asking herself kung kanino ba siya sasabay.
"What are you waiting for? Hop in!"
"Ah... oo sandali lang."
Hindi na siya naghintay na pagbukas siya nito ng pinto. That sweet gestures only happen in the movies, she thought. But she was stunned when Alejandro secured her seatbelt. Their face was few inches to each other. His aftershave cologne tickled her nostrils. She close her eyes savoring his smells.
"Bakit ka nakapikit?"
Kahit kailan talaga panira ng moment ang inspektor. "A--h wala--wala!"
She don't know if it just her or she really saw him smiled?
He drive quietly alam niyang wala itong balak makipag-usap sa kanya kaya nilabas na lamang niya ang kanyang phone at nagpasyang makinig ng music.
Iang kanta lang ang natapos ay pumarada na ang sasakyan. Tinanaw niya lang labas. Napakaganda ng Caputol White Palace. Alejandro got out from the car, she sigh before following him.
ALEJANDRO
White Palace looks just like the picture of it she saw at the back of the old 20 peso bill. The entrance hall looks majestic, with its beige wall and the paintings hanging on it. There's a door that leading to the grand staircase.
The grand staircase itself is a masterpiece. It's made on the finest Philippine hardwood. At the top of the stair is a landing that serves as a vestibule at the reception hall.
They we're escorted by the palace guard. Camera flashes greeted them when we reached the venue and there were news reporter covering for the event.
Napag-usapan na nila na magiging private lang pagtitipon but the President hired a news reporter to cover the event. Pero mas mabuti na ring isa lang, kaysa sa mas madaming press.
"You must be Inspector Alejandro
Garcia," ani President Danilo Fernando. He just nodded in respond. "And who's this lovely lady beside you?"
"I'm detective Alexis Mendoza po," pagpapakilala ng kasama sa kanyang sarili sa presidente.
Very approachable ang president. There's a smile plastered on his face. Magiliw din itong nakipagkamay sa kanila. He don't know if it's genuine or maybe because there's a camera in front of them.
Natanaw niya sila Ivan na nasa harap ng lamesa at kumaway ito sa kanila
"Join them on the table, I'll wait for Chief Asaytuno here."
"Sige po Mr. President," sagot ni Alexis at ngumiti rin.
"Enjoy yourselves!" nakangiti ring sagot ng President.
They join his team to the table. The hall was well decorated. There was a long table where the food was served. Nasa gitna ng lamesa ang mamahaling wine.
"Inspector, ang ganda dito noh?"
"Oo nga Inspector, ang ganda 'di ba bawal bang magselfie dito?" tanong ni Kath at nag-ambang maglabas ng cellphone.
"Hindi naman yata," sagot ni Niel.
As if on cue Ivan and Kath take a lot of selfie photos.
Later on the President and their Chief joined them in the table. Kasama ring pumasok ng mga ito si General Lambert, na imbitado rin sa selebrasyon. The photographer keeps on taking photos. Bawat angulo at galaw nila at kinukunan nito.
He frowned. Napansin naman agad ng presidente iyon.
"Are you not comfortable with camera around?" tanong nito sa kanila.
"I don't think it's necessary," he always say what's on his mind. Wala siyang pakialam kahit sino pa ang kaharap. If a certain thing he think is not right he will always disapprove that.
The president waved his hand on the air as if giving the photographer a signal to stop. "Tama na muna 'yan," anito na nakangiti pa rin.
Tumigil naman sa ginagawa ang photographer at dumistansya sa kanila.
Again the President snapped his finger on the air at lumapit ang mga waiter sa kanila. Sinalinan ng wine ang mga kopita at tinapat isa-isa sa harap nila.
Kinuha ng Presidente ang kopita sa kanyang harapan. Tumikhim ito bago nagsalita. "Please do allow me to have a short speech," eeryone was looking at the President and wait for his speech. "First of all I want to thank you for making it tonight, a lot of people say that you are lucky to meet me but they don't don't that it's such and honor for me to meet the outstanding policeman in our country. I want to thank you personally for bringing the criminals in jail. Just continue the good job. Philippines needs more police officers who's willing to risk their lives just to perform their duties, katulad n'yo. So, for that... let us all Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Itinaas nila ang mga hawak na kopita at sabay-sabay na sumimsim roon.
"Thank you Mr. President, for inviting us here. It's such an honor to all of us," Chief Asaytuno said putting down his glass, after taking a sip on it.
"I would also like to thank you Sherlock Capitol team for a job well done!" bati rin ni General Lambert at ngumiti sa kanila.
"Thanks General Lambert, and also thanks President," their Chief said.
Tumango naman ang presidente at ngumiti. "Oh let's drop the formality...let's have dinner. Enjoy your dinner sleuth's!"
Niel and Ivan assisting their partner. Ang dalawang lalaki ang naglagay ng pagkain sa mga plato ng dalawang babae. He felt obliged so he do the same to Alexis.
"Thanks," nakangiting bumaling sa kanyang ang dalaga. Hindi niya sinagot ito at naglagay ng pagkain sa sariling plato.
They savoring their dinner when the president speak again.
"As the leader of your team Inspector Garcia, I want to be your genie and grant one of your request. Just tell me what it is?"
He chunk the food on his mouth. "It's an honor for me Mr. President but for now, it's hard to think just one request. Please let me to think about it,"
"Of course, take your time Inspector, " the president wipe his mouth using a table napkin and smile afterwards
Nagpatuloy sila sa pagkain habang nagkwewentuhan.
"Mr. President hindi naman po bawal mag-selfie dito 'di ba?" tanong pa ni Kath sa President.
"Of course not, I personally allow you to take selfie inside the palace. But if you're going to post it in your social media account and you received a negative comments, just delete the photo."
The hall filled with laughter with the President joke. Magaan namang kasama at kausap ang presidente. He made everyone feel welcomed.
The desserts was served. It a signed that the dinner was about to finish. He think of the president offer. He should request the most important thing. Hindi niya pwedeng sayangin lamang ang ganoong oportunidad sa ibang bagay.
"Mr. President," kuha niya sa atensyon nito.
"Yes Inspector Garcia?"
"I think, I know what's my request."
"Yes, what it is? Tell me?"
He lean his back on the chair and look straight in the eye of the president. Kumurap ang kaliwang mata nito at naghintay sa kanyang sasabihin. "I want to handle RDV's case. I want to personally handle all the cases related to him. From now on, gusto ko po ako na ang opisyal hahawak sa kaso ukol sa kanya."
"But we have---"
"Just tell me if you can grant my request or not Mr. President...?" madiing aniya. He's determined to hold RDV's case. He will do everything to make it possible.
"Of course I can,"
"Thank you Mr. President."
"But promise me that you can bring him to jail."
"I will!"
And their dinner end with a deal between him and the president.
👮👮