31: Justice You Deserve
ALEXID
Kailangan kong maging matapang sa mga oras na 'to.
Walang naging sandali na hindi ako nag-alala para kay Allison. From the past months that I've known her, she had shown glimpses of her vulnerable side. Pero kahit pa ganoon, I still find her brave.
And I really admire her for that.
Noong ibaba kami ng police officer na iyon sa may tapat ng ospital, walang anu-ano'y pumasok kami doon at nagpagamot. Hindi naman malala ang mga sugat namin, sadyang malalaki lang ang mga sugat na natamo namin at hindi na iyon kakayanin ng mga first-aid namin sa bahay.
Tsaka ang panget naman kung uuwi kaming parang taong grasa sa bahay nila Daryll.
Agad kong tiningnan ang group chat, na napuno na nga ng mga mensahe galing sa mga natitira pang tao sa bahay.
4:12 am
marchaprilmay
@gangsta @sassyb*tch @alli-gator @jerkface
guys nasan kayo
kanina pa nilalandi ni aira si cosine dito
grabegirl
hoy march di yan totoo
Friendly lang naman ako
Bestfriend kita @marchaprilmay
Pero grabe sinisira mo image ko ha
marchaprilmay
p*nyeta anong image?
gangsta
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
grabegirl
Hoy @gangsta
yung jowa mo pagsabihan mo
may topak yata ngayon
marchaprilmay
Ayan nanaman tayo sa 'jowa card' mo
"aNoNg GuStO mOnG kAiNin? PaGlUtO nA kItA!"
Friendly pala ha
grabegirl
Oy syempre baka gutom siya
Gusto ko siyang paglutuan e
marchaprilmay
Ano ka? Nanay?
sassyb*tch
GJFHAHGDAHARWHAHAHA
marchaprilmay
Nasan ka alexid?
sassyb*tch
hospital
a lot happened
Its not good news btw
nerdboi
assuming you can use your fingers to type
and you are able to think to reply to our messages
you are fine
how about the rest?
sassyb*tch
not really
something happened to allison
she got stabbed
marchaprilmay
what the f*ck?!
sassyb*tch
sabihin namin sa inyo ang lahat pagdating diyan
stay lang kayong tatlo sa bhaay
marchaprilmay
so kayong lahat nasa ospital?
sassyb*tch
di naman magtatagal
babalik kami agad
sugat lang naman mga ginagamot
grabegirl
pano yung mama ni daryll?
jerkface
She isn't going home
business stuff
Agad kong tiningnan si Daryll na nakaupo sa isa sa mga hospital beds ng emergency room. Mukhang okay na rin ang isang 'to, dahil nakakapagtype na ito ng maayos sa phone. Si Enrico ang nakahiga sa kabila, at mukhang nakatulog na nga.
Umupo ako sa kama kung nasaan si Daryll. Nabalikwas naman ito at ulat na napatingin sa'kin. "Hey, are you okay? Does your knuckle hurt?"
Ngumiti ako, sabay hampas sa braso nito. Napahiyaw pa ito sa sakit!
"Oo naman p*nyeta ka pero mas okay sana kung hindi mo nilayasan si Alli doon sa kwarto mo!"
Agad namang nanlaki ang mga mga nito, "She told you?"
"Ay hindi, tsismosa kasi ako e!" Inirapan ko siya, "Hindi ako nagagalit sa nangyari sa'tin with Dexter. Mas bothered ako sa inyong dalawa e. At ikaw may pahalik-halik pang nalalaman!"
"Look, I lost control okay? I'm sorry!"
"B*tch, you should be! 'Pano na lang kung hindi pala si Alli hinalikan mo diba? Baka wasak na yang mukha mo!"
Rinig ko ang buntong hininga niya, at umiwas ng tingin sa'kin. Agad akong napangiti.
Seryoso ata 'to ah?
"Alam mo, kung masaya ka diyan, edi go! Good influence sa'yo si Alli, tsaka minsan lang 'to mangyari sa'yo kaya why not? Pero may tanong ako ah..." agad sumilay ang ngisi ko sa kabila ng pagod na naramdaman ko kanina.
Agad tumaas ang isang kilay niya, nag-aantay ng taong ko. Ako naman 'tong inilapit ang bibig sa tenga para ibulong ang tanong ko.
"So, is she a good kisser?"
"Why the f*ck are you asking about that, Alexid?!"
"B*tch, I'm curious! Sa mga babae mo, open na open ka sa'kin! Ngayong kay Alli, may pa-sikretong malupet ka pa! Baka mamaya, pinapantasya mo pa siya gabi-gabi!"
"No I don't! That's just f*cking disgusting, Alexid!"
Napahalakhak ako sa mga sinabi niya, "Disgusting? Ang sabihin mo kamo, mas disgusting ka kapag nanonood ng p-"
"Alright! Fine, you win! Just shut the f*ck up and let me rest." Agad niyang tinakpan ang bibig ko, his face, telling an expression that says 'calm the f*ck down Daryll, just put up a smile'.
Kahit paano, nakahanap ako ng mga positibong bagay mula sa kaguluhang ito. Binabagabag ako ng pagkawala ni Alli, pero alam kong babalik siya. Dahil sa mga nangyari kanina, biglang sumagi sa isip ko ang mga dahilan kung bakit nga ba kami isang grupo. There's definitely no time to waste.
Kaya pagpasok muli ng eskwela, ay mas naging determinado ako sa aming plano. Kita ko kung paano ako binigyan ni Dexter ng ngisi pagpasok ko sa room. Pinilit kong hindi magalit at kaawan ang mukha nitong may kaisa-isang bandage sa ilong dahil sa suntok ni Alli.
Ha, flat na nga, mas magiging flat pa!
Inalala ko ulit kung ano nga bang pag-uusapan namin mamaya.
Thea's case.
A victim of Dexter. Na binalewala lang. Hindi tinulungan. Naexpel pa. Probably just like how they disregarded Evan. Pero may bumabagabag pa rin na kaisipan sa'kin: bakit nga ba siya nagsuicide?
Iyon yata ang hindi ko maintindihan sa lahat ng ito. Sa mga kwento ni Alli, lagi kaming naka-pokus sa nakalipas, forgetting the fact that he was too, a victim. It's like Alli doesn't want to relive the pain she felt from what happened.
A pain that is surely, unbearable for her to take.
Pagkatapos mismo ng subject bago mag-lunch, agad kaming nagkita-kita sa main college lobby para doon kumain at mag-usap. Hindi na kami nag-abalang bumili sa canteen at napag-usapang magbaon na lang kami para mas matagal ang maging usapan.
"According to what we currently have to re-open the case, we have to have another witness. Weird enough, yung mga pinakita ni Alli na papeles ng mga fake na tests are legit. In short, masasangkot rin sa kaso yung mga staff na nagsagawa ng testing." pauna agad ni March sa'ming lahat.
Napakagat ako ng labi. Nakaramdam agad ako ng bigat sa dibdib. Hindi ko kasi naisip na sa gagawin namin, ay may madadamay na ibang tao. Malay ba namin kung binayaran lang sila ni Dexter at ginawa iyon dahil takot sa kanila? But the fact that they did it is illegal.
"Did your father arranged the papers already, Cos?" March turned her head to Cosine, who returned a nod.
"Judging by the facial expression while reading the given document, I could tell that he might be skeptical about where we got it, but he's fine with what we have. I'm just curious as of why he wasn't questioning me about this. I find it very weird of him to act like that."
"Maybe he knows you're telling him the truth?" suhestyon ni Enrico.
"Oo nga, Cosine. Tsaka syempre yung pamilya na mismo ni Thea ang lumapit sa kanya. For sure, hindi iyon tatanggi ng kliyente." Aira assured.
Pero pansin ko ang mga mata niyang wala sa mesa namin, kung hindi nasa malayo.
"Cos, okay ka lang?" ako na ang nagtanong sa kanya. Napatingin naman ang lahat sa'kin. Wait, siya ang hindi okay, ba't lahat sa'kin tumingin?!
"For the past few minutes, I have noticed how there are a few noticeable 7th grade students here around the lobby. There is one that has been keeping an eye on us."
Bigla akong kinabahan. Ako mismo ay lumingon-lingon at pansin ko nga ang iilang mga grade 7 na nandito sa college lobby. Sure, I would not care about them, estudyente rin naman sila. Kaso lang, knowing that Strikers, Dexter's group mostly consist of freshmens like them and the fact that hindi pinapayagan ang mga lower grade like them to stay here makes me nervous all of a sudden. They're spying on us. The gamechangers literally has eyes on us.
Napapikit sa inis si March, at minasahe pa ang ulo. "Ano ba yan?! Spying on us?! Really?"
Daryll only shrugged, "I mean we did the same to them, but by the looks of it, they are serious."
"Kaya nga kailangan na natin mabuksan ulit ang kaso. We only need another person as witness to testify." paliwanag ni March.
Agad napataas ang kilay ko, "Who?"
"The Norwegian guy, Eldar Haugaard. He is a witness. May recording si Allison noong pag-uusap nila noong pumunta tayo party ni Dexter sa Jack '97..." March cleared her throat before continuing, "Kaya niyang I-confirm na may drugs nga yung drinks. Pero ang problema, ayaw niyang magsalita. Takot siya para sa pamilya niya."
Of course, if Dexter had the capability to stab Allison without warning, 'pano pa kaya yung mismong pamilya niya? They are powerful as long as nasa pulitika si Secretary Mariano!
"But we need to push it as soon as possible! Like f*ck, nagulat ako sa ginawa niya kay Alli! Like dude, he stabbed him! At hanggang ngayon wala parin siyang text o update man lang kung okay lang siya!"
"Hey, hey calm down-"
"How can I calm the f*ck down, Daryll?! It's been f*cking days and they're here literally scaring us pero galit ang nararamdaman ko! I swear, if something bad happens to Allison, he's gonna f*cking pay!"
Agad ko pinunasan ang mga luha na kanina ko pa nailabas. Ang alam ko, hindi kami aabot sa ganoon. Kaya siguro ganoon na lang kaseryoso si Allison sa lahat. Kaya siguro hindi niya nagawang magtiwala sa'min kaagad-agad o kahit pa sa sarili niya, dhail siguro alam niya ang capabilities ni Dexter.
Bigla ko namang naalala ang sinabi niya sa office bago kami ma-suspend ni Daryll...
There's a possibility that Allison already knows the dirt behind his family. If her own family had a past with them, then it's safe to say that they are not in good terms. And probably, after Evan died, Allison had done her research. Dahil nga may naging relationship naman siguro ang pamilya ng dalawa, hindi naging mahirap sa kanya na kumuha ng impormasyon tungkol sa lalaki.
Oh f*ck, I'm so proud of myself for figuring it all out!
"Grabe ka naman Alexid! Iiyak ka 'tas bigla kang ngingisi! Baliw ka na ate!" biglang sambit ni Aira, kasabay ang tawanan mula sa mga kasama ko. Agad akong napairap!
"Aba! At least maganda parin!" sagot ko sabay hair flip!
Kahit pa puno pa rin ako ng pag-aalala at pangamba sa kondisyon ni Allison, nandito naman sila para sa kanya't para sa'kin. P*nyeta, ang corny pakinggan, Alexid!
Lumipas ang ilang araw na wala pa ring balita kay Allison. Mas tumindi pa ang pangambang ramdam ko ngayon. Kahit pa hindi iparamdam iyon ng ibang mga miyembro, ay napapansin ko ring nababahala na sila sa kawalan ng presensya ni Alli. Especially Daryll.
"Sinong may alam sa bahay ni Ms. Carpio? She's absent for almost week already." tanong ng English teacher namin noong mag-attendance siya.
Rinig ko ang mahinang bungisngis ng intsik na iyon na malapit sa likuran ko. Ngising-ngisi ito kahit pa nasa notebook na hawak ang tingin. Pero mas nanibago ako kay Phoenix na mukhang nasorpresa sa tanong ni Sir.
Kung siya ay nasorpresa, mas ako ang nasorpresa dahil ngayon ko lang nalaman na talagang walang nakakaalam kung na'san siya. At dahil walang kumontak na kahit anong relatives sa teacher namin, means that they even her relatives have no idea where she is, or wherever she is.
What if... What if she's gone?
No, f*ck no! Stop being so paranoid, Alexid!
"Pwede ba nating puntahan yung bahay nila Allison?" suhestiyon ni March nang sabay-sabay kaming lumabas ng school after dismissal ng last subject para sa araw na iyon.
"Dude, I don't even know where she lives."
Hindi ko naman kasi naging kaklase si Allison noong grade 7 kami kaya wala talaga akong ideya. Syempre, kapag grade 8 kana't higher, 'di na kailangan ng introduce yourself sa harapan dahil magiging magkaklase naman siguro ang lahat sa apat na taong junior high namin dito. And even when we became classmates this year, hindi siya specific with the address of her house kapag may nagtatanong sa kanya.
"Naalala niyo ba yung mga student profiles na hinack ni Allison noong naprank niyo sina Dex? Pinakuha ko kay Enrico yung sa kanya with Dean Mendez's permission. Now, I know where she lives." sabi nito sabay tingin kay Enrico.
"'San naman?"
"Basco subdivision. Dalawa lang ruta natin papunta don, either isang sakayan ng jeep na dumadaan ng Basco street, diretso tayong ibababa mismo sa entrance, o kaya taxi."
"'Pano kaming may mga dalang sasakyan? Sa sasakyan ko na lang para isahan na." suhestiyon ko dahil naalala kong dala ko ang Toyota Corolla ko ngayon, tsaka dala rin ni Daryll yung motor niya.
Nagtinginan kaming lahat, hanggang sa tumango na nga sila at pumayag na sumakay na lang sa sasakyan ko. Tumungo kami sa likurang banda ng eskwelahan, kung nasan ang parking space.
Pero imbes na salubungin ko ang sasakyan, sinalubong kami ng isang grupo ng kalalakihan na humarang sa daanan namin. Hindi lang sila dalawa, lima, kung hindi sampo silang nandoon! Sh*t!
"Mga pre, alis na kayo-"
"Kulang yata kayo ng isa?" isang malalim ngunit mapaglarong boses ang pumigil sa pagsasalita ni Enrico sa mga lalaking nasa harap namin.
Tumalikod kami nina March, at sabay-sabay na bumungad sa amin ang nakangising si Dexter, kasama ang mga alipores nito. Mabagal itong pumalakpak, mabagal ang mga hakbang patungo sa'min.
This f*cking bastard!
"Kulang din yata kayo ng isa, e?" I heard Enrico say, proudly wearing a smug look, as it caught my attention na wala si Phoenix.
"Pakealam mo." sagot nito, burado ang kaninang ngisi sa labi. "Boys, lampasuhin niyo na yan!"
Sinalubong kami ng mga estudyanteng humarang sa'min kanina. Sa sobrang bigla ko, ay hindi agad ako nakagalaw, at nakatanggap ng isang suntok mula sa kanila. Naging mabilis sina Daryll, Cosine Enrico sa pagsangga, ngunit tulad ko, mukha ring nabigla ang dalawa pang babaeng kasama ko nang makitang nakaupo rin sila sa sahig.
Pero walang patawad ang mga ito noong simulan nilang pag-sisipain sina March at Aira. Kita kong kung paano yakapin ni March ang kaibigan na nakapikit at parang iiyak na. Agad akong sumugod sa kanila, pero para akong nasa isang stampede ng madapa sa dami nilang sumugod sa amin.
Humiyaw ako sa sakit nang maramdaman ko ang yapak ng iba, bago ko maramdaman ang braso ni Cosine na iniupo ako. Tiningnan niya 'ko na parang sinisiguradong okay lang ba ako, kahit puno na siya ng pinagsamang buhangin at duko ang pisngi nito. Ngumiti ako sa kanya, ngunit niyakap lang niya ako.
Hindi ko nagawang umiyak, dahil na rin sa mga nararamdamang sakit mula sa mga sipa't suntok ng mga tropa ni Dexter. Rinig ko pa ang iilan na pinagmumura kami. May dumudura. May nananabunot. May sumipol pang isa, at dinig ko nanaman ang panlalait sa pangalan ko dahil nga sa reputasyon ko dito sa Asplund.
Kahit pa ganoon, walang umiyak sa'ming anim. Pinili kong ipikit ang mga mata ko kahit pa sobrang sakit na ng mga sugat namin.
'Pano kaya kung nandito si Allison?
Malalabanan ba namin sila pabalik? Ano kayang gagawin niya? Baka magwala siya tulad noong nangyari sa mansyon ng Mariano?
I admire you for being brave Allison, kaya I'll do my best to prove that you will get the justice that Evan deserves. That you might deserve.
ALLISON
I got unconscious in the middle of the ride. After the three got out of the vehicle, the atmosphere became quiet. If I'm gonna be honest, I don't actually know who is the police officer. All I know is I needed the help to get healed quickly as possible, and get rid of the knife that is stabbed near my stomach.
I thought I was done. I can't be gone at that moment. I still have so many things to do. I can't just leave them.
The aforementioned officer was somehow an angel, who in particular, knows me. I had questioned her intentions as soon as she got off from the vehicle, and persuaded us to come along with her.
But knowing my maiden surname, it isn't really a mystery.
The Arguello's are a word of mouth to certain people.
I had expected to wake up inside a hospital room, but instead, what I first saw, are green glow-in-the-dark stickers scattered on the brown ceiling. Raising both my hands to see, one had tape on it that connects to a dextrose that was beside me.
I took the time to glance at my surroundings. The room wasn't really something fancy. It had peach-colored walls, an air conditioner and a green single sofa just beside the bed.
I had rose from the bed, and slightly felt dizzy, probably due to fatigue. Unlike the events that happened, I feel fine now, noticing I was only in my bra and shorts that I wore the last time I was in Daryll's house.
How are they?
I remember Alexid crying beside me, holding my hand while I struggled to catch my breath, fighting off the pain from the stab below my stomach. At that moment, I wanted her to stop crying, but I couldn't feel my own body anymore Slowly, I felt like floating off the air.
Daryll and Enrico were also there to help me. They were careful enough to carry me inside the vehicle.
I couldn't cry. Not after knowing their stories. Not after being somewhat the leader of the group. The pain was already going unbearable by the minute, but I kept quiet, gritting my teeth.
Now, the stab wound that I got was already covered with bandage. I was quite surprised on how clean I look.
"How are you?"
I haven't noticed the door opening until a voice started me. It was the same police officer. This time, she was now wearing a black jumpsuit, gloves covering her hands, and a mask covering her face. Her medium-length black hair cascaded down her shoulders, and side bangs fell over her mask, that it was scarily similar to mine.
"I'm fine."
"That's nice." she sat on the single sofa, clasping both her hands. "I'm sure you'll ask for my name, rather my identity."
"But you won't tell."
"But... I might, after what happened back there." I couldn't quite figure if she was sarcastic, as her face was covered. All I know is, this person is a she.
"Let's start by knowing what you think of me. Who I might be, before the big surprise."
I bit my lip, smiling a little, leaning my head a little to take a closer look at her set of brown eyes that were the only ones that was left uncovered.
"Judging by the room I'm in, you have a decent job. The job however, is something you'll decide whether to use for something good or bad, without anybody knowing. You were able to use a police car without anyone suspecting you, so I'm also going to assume that you have certain connections to people who yields power. And by that statement, you must know me, or my family for that matter."
I heard her click her tongue, "Oh my god... so, the gossips are actually true... You are really, a one of a kind. A different kind of Arguello. I actually admire you."
My face scrunched at the confession. It's like Alexid saying that I was a hero all over again.
"With what exactly?"
"Your views," she leaned back on the sofa, "your agenda, your actions, your rage. You're also someone beautiful. The hair, the skin, the smile... reminiscent of Amparo Arguello, yet you bear the very eyes and mind of Alexander Martin Carpio. You hold the promises of an Arguello, but somehow, dishonor them with your own."
I sat still, and listened to everything she said.
"Probably it's time to say who I am. You probably remember the one-eyed man right?"
I got confused for a second. Not until the face of the one-eyed man flashed right in front of my eyes. His long scar over his right eye, his gritted teeth, and his rather cold and venomous voice. Of course, how could I forget?
8th grade. September 26. It was already dark, walking back home from school. My physical education uniform was drenched with sweat, after the 3-hour practice of badminton after school. The actual performance was due tomorrow, we didn't have any PE classes today but the leader of the group that I was in, suggested we practice since we wanted to win as a group so we'll get high scores as equivalent.
I couldn't care less, since I have a certain dislike on the subject. If I was on my own, I wouldn't even think about practicing, let alone practice for hours.
The day wasn't particularly bad, but it was one of those days where you want to just laugh at the ignorance of your classmates, due to the fact that they act indifferently towards introverts. Fortunately, Evan was there to balance things. He bought some free chocolate cake for us over lunch. He also offered me his new playlist for me to listen.
I stopped when I heard the sound of the scratching of pavement. I had noticed how unusually quiet the street was, but there was no one in front of me. I continued my journey, not until I turned behind me and saw two people. I sighed, turning around to continue walking.
"Manahimik ka kung ayaw mong barilin kita!" I heard a man yell behind me, forcing me to actually turn around.
The man was still behind me, and from the posture, It looks like he was holding someone at gunpoint!
I took the chance to land a kick on his nape, forcing him to fall on the ground. That's when I saw the presumed victim of the certain man, curled up on the ground. My eyes quickly searched for the gun that he got loose hold, and even before he got hold of it, I quickly kicked the gun away from his direction. He snarled, and pounced at me!
I fell on my back, add to that, his weight on top of me!
Unlucky to him however, I managed to flip us both, and landed hard punches on his nose. He was quick enough to cover his face with both his arms, however, the sudden adrenaline in me overpowered his tactics. I had managed to make his eyes and lips bleed.
Even with that, I did not miss the seething rage from his eyes. Or one of his eye.
I only stopped when I felt a pair of arms pulling me up from the man. I turned around, and it was the victim. Even before I could speak, she grab hold of my hand, and pulled me with her, running away from the man I just beat up.
We stopped inside an unknown building to catch our breaths.
"Are you-"
I was cut off when the girl had given me a sign to shut my mouth. Seconds later, we hear running footsteps outside. The girl was looking from the window, while I stood in front of the double door.
After a few minutes, I hear her small voice answer my question earlier. "I'm fine."
I shook my head, looking at the already dark sky.
"Thank you." she muttered even before I could open the door. I whipped my head to the side, meeting her eyes.
"Just be careful out there."
"I know. It's my job."
I could sense the seriousness from her tone alone. She wasn't just any person, then?
"That's good to know."
She cleared her throat. "Hey, I'll repay you for this deed. The man out there saw your face, and he might start hunting you for beating him up, but I'll catch him for you. You can ask for me help anytime. By the way, it's Marie."
I did not answer and instead, left the building with no words, and went home.
"You're Marie..." the girl in front of me chuckled from my realization.
After the incident, she did not lie when I would always feel someone following me every school dismissal. I was fortunate that I didn't encounter him again though. A month later, the same man showed up on my TV screen: handcuffed, sentenced to life-long imprisonment with a murder case.
The same day, I received a text from an unknown number.
Unknown Number:
You're welcome.
She slowly lifted off her mask, a smug smile playing on her lips. "It's nice to see you again Allison. So, how's Royals going?"