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Chapter 11
Ransom
With my troubled breathing, I garnered all my strength to shout.
"Help! Help!" I continued shouting and banging the car windows until I couldn't anymore.
I'm so scared. I've never been this scared all my life.
Agad din akong nanghina hanggang sa naging itim na ang buong paligid.
My head hurts a lot and my eyes felt heavy.
I slowly opened my eyes, it was dark and the room was very unfamiliar. Fear suddenly consumed every bit of me upon remembering what happened earlier. I rode an SUV, Jax said it was the wrong one, then I tried to open the door but it was locked, I shouted non-stop until I couldn't and now I'm here.
This is kidnap for ransom. I'm sure of it. I've seen many cases on the news. These people want money!
Ngayon lang nag-sisink in ang lahat. I-I was kidnapped... Iyong ikinakatakot ko, ng buong pamilya namin, ng mga kaibigan... Ito na. It's happening to me and I'm so scared. Tears pooled my eyes.
I tried to calm myself as tears started to flow down. I need to think. I need to think carefully... Jax. Jax?
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. H-He's here? He's here too? Agad akong pumunta sa nakahigang si Jax.
"J-Jax?" I tried to wake him up. Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko habang sinusubukan siyang gisingin ng dahan-dahan para hindi makagawa ng ingay.
When he opened his eyes, his mouth formed a circle upon seeing me. Ang mga kamay niya ay agad na pumalupot sa akin. "Salamat, salamat okay ka," he whispered while hugging me.
Mas lalo akong naiiyak ngayon. Paano siya nakasama rito? Paano siya nakuha rin?
"W-Why are you here? How?" I asked in between sobs.
Kumalas siya sa yakap. "I saw an exact same SUV fast approaching, kaya sinubukan kong habulin. Nagulat ako no'ng huminto tapos biglang may malaking lalaki na lumabas. Sobrang bilis, bigla na lang may isa pang lalaki sa likod ko tapos ito na."
Nasaan sila Manong Anton at Manong Robert? Alam na kaya nilang nawawala kami ni Jax? Hinahanap na kaya nila kami? I hope so. I really hope so.
They want money, I know it. That's what they do. This organization or whatever is this wants a damn ransom money. They want a big amount of money from the largest companies here in the country and the only way to do it is to kidnap their sons and daughters.
Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nalalaman ang tunay na dahilan at ang puno't dulo. Pera? Kapangyarihan? Some said that it's a Hierarchy War, that the masterminds are also the same people in the industry who wants to be number one in the ranking field. Some said that they are just syndicates who needs money for a living.
Napahawak ako sa bibig ko para pigilan ang paghikbi.
"Hindi mo na dapat hinabol, Jax!" I cried. "Hindi na dapat!"
Naninikip na ang dibdib ko at sinubukan akong pakalmahin ni Jaxith. Hindi! Hindi niya naiintindihan! Natatakot ako para sa sarili ko pero mas natatakot na ako mgayon para sa kanya!
These people won't hurt me because they need money from my parents! Papaano si Jax? Anong gagawin nila kay Jax? They will hurt him! They will kill him if he can't give them anything!
"Bakit hinabol mo pa ako?"
He shouldn't have... If something bad will happen to him because of me, I would never forgive myself.
He looked at me straight in the eyes. "Dahil mahalaga ka sa 'kin, Cali."
My heart throbbed. Parang gustong sumabog ng puso ko ngayon sa napakaraming dahilan.
Panay na ang iyak ko. "They need ransom. They need ransom, Jax! They will just hurt you!"
He held my face softly. "Ako bahala. 'Wag kang mag-alala... Ako bahala," he tried to assure me as he wiped my tears away using both of his thumbs.
Hindi ako makakalma dahil papaano? Anong gagawin niya? What if they demand money from him?
"Cali," he called me in such a soft tone.
Bakit ganoon? He looks so worried too. I can see it in his eyes but he is trying his best to be strong for me. Oh my God, Jax.
"What?" I asked him with my trembling lips.
"Anong tawag sa bampirang mahirap?" he asked.
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Nag-jojoke ka pa? Bakit nag-jojoke ka pa?" I said while tears were still flowing down my cheeks.
He laughed a little. "Ano ngang tawag?"
"Ano?"
"Bam lang, walang pira, eh..." he said and tried to wipe my tears again.
Imbis na matawa ay mas lalo akong naiyak. "Wala ka ring pera, Jax! They will hurt you! They will hurt you, Jax!" I cried.
"Shh," he smiled and tried to calm me once again. "I got this. I got this, Cali. Please don't cry."
Ang kanyang mga kamay ay hinawakan ang mga kamay ko na tila ba sinisugarado ako na magiging ayos din ang lahat. Na gagawa siya ng paraan.
"'Wag ka nang umiyak, sige ka, iiyak din ako."
Sobra akong natatakot ngayon. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin. I'm scared for myself, but I'm more scared for him. If they will find him useless, they won't give shit and will just hurt him. I don't want Jax to get hurt.
"I don't want them to hurt you," I honestly said.
"Basta 'wag lang ikaw," aniya.
Mas lalong bumigat ang nararamdaman ko at sinubukang 'wag nang umiyak kahit na mahirap. We need to think critically. Pag nagpadala kami ngayon sa emosyon ay baka mapahamak kaming dalawa.
I was about to ask Jax regarding his plan when the door suddenly opened. Agad binalot ng takot ang buong katawan ko, mas doble na ngayon.
Two masked men with huge built came inside the room with trays in their hands.
"Gising na pala, par!" the other man said. "Lagyan kaya natin ng busal ang mga bibig? Baka magsisisigaw!"
"Bobo mo talaga, par! Papakainin nga 'yang mga 'yan! Sige nga, kumain ka nga ng nakabusal? Bobo amputa!" sabi naman no'ng isa.
"Ay, oo nga..." Natatawa pa iyong isang lalaki na para bang joke lang ang lahat ng ito.
They kidnapped two people and he can still laugh? Anong klaseng conscience ang meron 'yan? Buhay pa pero malamang ay nasusunog na sa impyerno!
"Oh, kumain na kayo!"
Ibinaba nilang pareho iyong tray malapit sa amin. Isang plastik ng kanin at karampot na ulam na hindi ko maintindihan kung ano. Ew, ayaw kong kainin!
"Walang lason 'yan! Peperahan muna kayo ni boss. Baka sa susunod na pagkain n'yo, meron na," humalakhak iyong lalaking kanina pang masaya.
I can feel both of my hands shaking because of fear. Anong gagawin namin? Baka hindi na kami makaalis dito... Daddy... Mommy... Kuya.
"Mga par, magkano ba bayad ng boss n'yo sa inyo?" Jax asked and I was shocked.
Napatingin ako sa kanya. Why is he asking that now?
"Malamang maliit lang, kumpara sa perang makukuha niya sa ransom..." dagdag pa ni Jax.
"Manahimik ka!" the taller man said. "Ang babae lang ang kailangan namin, baka gusto mong tuluyan na kita ngayon?!"
Mas lalo akong kinabahan sa banta no'ng lalaki kaya naman hinawakan ko ang braso ni Jax, pinipigilan siyang magsalita.
"I have an offer. Babayaran ko kayo ng isang milyon kapalit ng kalayaan namin. Walang pulis pulis," Jax said and my eyes widened.
Bumaling ako sa kanya. "What are you doing, Jax?" I asked, my voice was small.
Ano ang sinasabi niya? Babayaran niya ang mga ito ng one million? I can't comprehend any of this!
"Think about it–"
"Tahimik! Puntangina!" sigaw no'ng matangkad kaya naman napahinto si Jax.
"Pero par, ten kiyaw lang ang bayad ni boss! 10 thousand versus 1 million! Mag-isip ka, tarantado!" giit no'ng isa.
I am now getting Jax's plan, we can play them... But where can we get the money? How will we pay them without contacting anyone and without involving the police? I wanted to ask Jax so bad but these two evils will hear his plan!
"I can transfer the money now..." Jax offered. "Ililipat ko ang kalahati ng bayad ngayon mismo at ang kalahati naman ay pag nahatid n'yo kami kung saan n'yo kami nakuha kanina."
Gulong-gulo na ako ngayon. H-How can he transfer money? And that large amount? Saan siya kukuha?
Nagtalo pa iyong dalawang lalaki bago bumaling ulit sa amin.
"Eh, sino ka ba? Itong babae ang may pera!" Bumaling iyong lalaki sa akin at pinandilatan ako ng mata. Mas lalo akong natakot dahil doon. "Ikaw ba ang magbabayad ha?"
I can only see his eyes but I'm really scared by it.
"Ako ang magbabayad," Jax said clearly. "I'm a Pereira."
My forehead creased.
"Putangina! 'Yong sa Airlines?!" the shorter man said.
Umuwang ang aking bibig. It suddenly hit me.
Pereira Air Philippines... Oh my God.
"Give me a phone and your bank account. I can transfer the money now," Jax said.
Nanatiling nakauwang ang aking bibig. Bakit hindi ko manlang naisip 'yun?
He's an heir! He's a freaking heir! But why was he classified as a Cornflower Blue Sapphire? I don't understand... What is he hiding? Sigurado akong may eksplanasyon siya para rito.
"Walang pulis?" naninigurong tanong no'ng isa.
"Wala, basta ihatid n'yo kami at maaari na kayong umalis ng may isang milyong pera."
"Babarilin kita pag nagsisinungaling ka," the tall man said.
Mabilis naman na ibinigay no'ng isang lalaki ang phone niya at maiging pinagmamasadan iyong ginagawa ni Jax.
"500 thousand pesos, there..." Jax said and handed the phone back.
Sobrang bilis lang niyang nagtipa!
"Tangina! 500 kiyaw! Tangina talaga!" tuwang-tuwa iyong isa.
He can transfer a large amount of money that fast? My head is now spinning like crazy.
"Tara na," the taller man said.
Hinila nila kaming dalawa ni Jax patayo.
"'Wag kayong gagawa ng kahit na anong ingay kung gusto n'yong makatakas," dugtong no'ng matangkad.
"'Wala naman 'yung iba, par! Sumibat sa isang warehouse ni boss! Alam ko busy ang mga iyon dahil may bagong impormasyon galing doon sa anak anakan. Iyon ang tinututukan nila at hindi ito," sabat naman no'ng isa.
Hindi ko alam kung dapat na ba akong kumalma. What if they are just fooling us? What if pagdating sa lugar at pag-transfer ng huling pera ay kunin nila kami ulit?
"Sakay!" utos no'ng isang lalaki at tinuro iyong itim na SUV.
Jax and I hopped in quietly.
"May gawin talaga kayong dalawang kalokohan, babarilin ko talaga kayong dalawa!" sigaw no'ng matangkad sa amin.
Naninikip ang aking dibdib. Gusto kong kumalma dahil kung ano man iyong plano ni Jax, gumagana siya. Pero natatakot pa rin ako ngayon.
"Tama na 'yan at magmaneho ka na! Magiging milyonaryo na tayo, dami pang dada!" iyong isa naman.
Napatingin ako kay Jax at agad naman niyang hinawakan ang mga kamay ko. I looked at him with questioning eyes. Ang dami kong mga tanong, pero hindi ako makapagsalita.
I was surprised when he started writing morse codes using his finger onto my palm.
•-• / ••- / - - - -•-
R U OK. Those were the letters that he wrote. I immediately nodded to him. I'm really afraid, but I trust him and his plan.
The car started to move. We can't really see through the windows because it was heavily tinted.
Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal ang binyahe. Bawat andar ay siya ring bilis ng pagkabog ng dibdib ko. Paano kung hindi sila sumagot sa usapan? These people are evil people! Walang mga konsyensya! Pero sana ay masilaw sila sa pera. Ang gusto ko lang ay makaalis na kami rito.
"Nandito na tayo," the other man in mask said and rolled down the windows a little bit so we can see.
Intramuros na nga ito... Nasaan na kaya sila Manong Robert at Manong Anton? It already passed my curfew hours and for sure my parents are really worried right now. Hinahanap na kaya nila ako ngayon? Ano na kaya ang nangyayari?
Inabot ulit no'ng lalaki ang cellphone kay Jax para sa last money. Jax grabbed and did a quick transfer. Para bang nag-tatransfer lang siya ng 500 pesos! It's 500 hundred thousand for crying out loud!
"Baba bilis!" the man who's driving shouted upon unlocking the door.
Halos tumalon kami ni Jax bago mabilis na nagmaneho ang mga ito paalis.
"Tara, baka bumalik!" Jax said and quickly grabbed my hand so we can run.
Mabilis kaming tumakbo sa kung saan saan. Panay ang lusot namin sa mga eskenita. Wala nang masyadong tao. Sobrang dilim na ngayon.
Nang makakita ng taxi ay mabilis iyong pinara ni Jax. Agad din kaming sumakay. Hingal na hingal kaming dalawa.
"Sapphire Academy po," Jax said.
"Ay naku, Hijo! Malayo 'yon! Baka wala na akong pasahero pabalik, sayang naman ang gasolina–"
"We'll pay you double the meter price, Sir..." Jax said.
Malaki iyong ngiti no'ng driver at agad nang pinatakbo ang taxi.
Money really talks. People will do anything and everything for it. It's scary... It's really scary.
"I-I need to go home, Jax. My parents... T-They need to know... We should go to the police station instead," my voice broke.
"Sir, pwedeng pahiram ng phone? May tatawagan lang po?" Jax asked the driver.
Pumayag naman ito. Jax quickly dialed a number.
"Mom, Calixta Gonzalez and I will go to Sapphire Academy now. Please call her parents and the police," Jax started.
Unti-unti na namang nag-sisink in ang lahat. We were kidnapped. Kidnapped! Jax offered the kidnappers a money and they quickly agreed. Gano'n gano'n lang. Gano'n kabilis.
Siguro nga, para sa kanila ganoon lang iyon... But to me, I will never ever forget this day. I will forever remember the fear. How my body trembled, how the tears kept falling, and how my heart jumped mercilessly...
My tears started falling again remembering how scary it was. Mabilis kong pinalis ang mga iyon.
"I transferred huge amount of money using my savings from Dad, ask the police to trace it. Two kidnappers, a black SUV, and a warehouse. I have no idea with the location," Jax added.
I can feel the driver's questioning eyes but he continue to drive anyways.
My heart keeps on pounding. Napahawak ako roon sa aking dibdib.
Jax... He saved me. Kung hindi niya hinabol iyong sasakyan, malamang ay nandoon pa rin ako ngayon. He was so serious... Like a different person. Like someone who will protect me no matter what.
Pagdating pa lang sa academy ay sobrang daming guards na ang sumalubong sa amin.
I even saw our Headmistress fast approaching. Why is she still here in the middle of the night?
"Son!" she shouted and hugged Jax.
Napatigil ako roon. H-He was the headmistress' son? Sudden realizations rushed in and it immediately drained every bit of me.
The security guided us inside and through Mrs. Yrreverre's office. Hawak ng headmiress si Jax. Lumayo na lang ako before he can reach me.
Jax Y. Pereira...
Blaze Jaxith Yrreverre Pereira.
Nanuot ang pait sa lalamunan ko.
"I already contacted your parents. They will be here anytime soon, don't worry..." our ever beautiful and sophisticated headmistress said.
Why I am only seeing the resemblance now? This is unbelievable.
"Cali!" my Mom's voice echoed to the whole room as she ran towards me and hugged me really tight. Panay ang iyak ni Mommy.
"Anak," Dad called. He looked so angry and worried all together. Dinaluhan niya kami ng Mommy.
"I was really scared, Mommy... Daddy..." I cried.
Everything happened so fast. There are suddenly a lot of policemen. I heard that they already traced the bank account where the money was transferred and they're now chasing the two kidnappers.
We can't provide them any description since they are wearing a mask. We only told them about the SUV without a plate number.
"Thank you, Mrs. Yrreverre."
My mom hugged the headmistress and then she turned to Jax.
"Thank you, Jax. Thank you so much..." I was surprised when my Mom hugged Jaxith too.
Jax looked surprised too. "Wala po 'yun. I did what I have to do po," he said with so much respect.
Kinamayan naman siya ni Dad. "Maraming salamat. We owe you a lot. Name anything and we'll give it."
Pauwi na kami ngayon at yakap yakap pa rin ako ng Mommy at Daddy. Ayaw nila akong bitawan. Tila ba pagbinitawan nila ako ay may mangyayari na namang masama.
"If anything bad happened to you, I will kill them, anak. I will kill all of them," Dad said.
My heart warmed. I know that my parents will do everything for us.
"Thank God you're okay my Cali-bear," Mom said and kissed my head.
She cried so much earlier.
"Magaan ang loob ko sa batang 'yun..." dagdag pa ni Mommy and I'm sure that she's talking about Jax.
Ni hindi na kami nakapag-usapan dahil sa dami ng mga nangyari. My mind was clouded with so much thought about him. His status... Him as a Pereira. Him as an Yrreverre. Him being the son of the headmistress...
"Siya ang kasama mong lumabas, Calixta?" Dad asked and his voice was very serious.
"Y-Yes, Dad... We're just friends," I told him right away.
Tumango-tango lamang siya. "Buti na lang at siya... He was so quick to think of something. I like that boy."
My Dad is a type of person who's very hard to please. Him liking Jax was extraordinary...
"I like him too," Mom said.
Bakit pakiramdam ko ay gusto nilang ampunin si Jax? Kung alam lang nila na ang daming tinatago no'ng tao na 'yun!
I can't remove it to my head. I wanted so bad to not think about it but I cannot help myself.
Totoo ba iyong results niya sa Placement Test? Or did they manipulate it because he is the headmistress' son? Kaya siya ang Rank 1? It all make sense now kung bakit siya rin ang Master Sergeant! It was bias all along!
And he have the audacity to lie about his status? Na nagtitinda siya para sa allowance niya? Bakit niya iyon ginagawa kung may milyon milyon siya sa bangko? He's a complete fraud!
My Mom insisted to consult a Psychiatrist, so that I would be able to overcome the fear and the trauma. I believe that I need it too.
Hindi na kasi ako nakatulog kinagabihan. Natatakot na akong mapag-isa ngayon. The experience is very traumatizing. I think I should get a puppy.
I told my parents not to tell Kuya Kairon about it. He'll get worried and I don't want that to happen.
"I'll fire Kuya Anton and Kuya Robert," Dad said.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko roon. "No, Dad!"
Alam ko namang hindi nila ito gustong mangyari sa akin. And by now, I think both my tito manongs think that it was their fault when it's not! Walang may ibang kasalanan dito kung hindi iyong mga kidnappers na 'yun!
"No, they're a family! Magdagdag na lang tayo ng security!" si Mommy naman. I agreed with her.
Manong Anton and Manong Robert were both drugged. Nadali raw no'ng nagbibigay ng free taste! Pakiwari nila'y kasabwat din iyon dahil nanghina sila at nawalan ng malay pagtapos.
"Fine! I'll triple the security and I'll make sure that none of them like free taste!" Dad stormed out of the room.
Ang dami ring message ni Jax pero hindi ako nag-rereply sa kanya.
Jax Pereira:
Cali, how are you?
Okay ka lang ba? Do you need someone to talk to?
I hope you're okay...
Can I call?
I ignored all of it because I don't want to talk to him. He's... He's a liar.
Monday morning, four new body guards ang naghatid sa akin papuntang Sapphire Academy. My hands were shaking all throughout the ride. Panay ang tingin ko kung may kotse bang sumusunod. I am so scared that it might happen again.
None of the Star Sapphire Class new what happened aside me and Jax. Ang napagkasunduan ay 'wag na itong sabihin kahit kanino at hayaan ang mga pulis na gawin ang job nila.
Papunta na ako sa room ko to settle my things when I saw Jax in front of my door. Why is he there? Is he waiting for me?
Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin and I saw how his eyes twinkled when he saw me.
"Kumusta, Cal?" he asked and my eyes darted to his light blue ID lace.
Hinawakan ko ang dark blue ID lace ko. Ganito rin dapat ang kanya... Royal Blue Sapphire.
"You should change your lace and stop pretending anymore..." I said.
Kitang-kita ko iyong gulat sa mga mata niya.
I was just pissed, but mostly disappointed. "Stop lying to us."
"Cali... I don't want to lie. It's just that–"
"What? Afraid that we'll find out that you are manipulating the whole school because you're the headmistress' son? Were your Placement Test results even real?"
Kumunot ang noo niya sa akin. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that it was biased! Sobrang daya mo!"
It was pissing me off because I studied really hard and here's him getting all the credit because he's the owner's son! This was unfair to me!
I knew he's smart. I'd seen him in class. Magaling siyang sumagot. Pero bakit kailangan niyang itago ang lahat ng ito? There's a reason at ito iyon!
Kung hindi pa nangyari iyong mga nangyari ay hindi ko malalaman!
Maybe may kopya siya ng mga questionnaires! Worst, iyong answer keys mismo! Malapit na ang Prelims! Baka meron na rin siyang kopya ng mga iyon galing sa mga Professors namin?
Jax looked at me with pain in his eyes. "This is the exact same reason why... I know people will discredit me once they find out that I'm the headmistress' son... I just didn't expect it from you. Ang sakit naman nun, Cali."
His voice was soft, almost fragile, as if it and his heart would break any minute.
I tried so hard to keep a straight face.
"'Di naman ako mandaraya. Nag-aaral din naman ako, Cal... Ang sakit mong mag-salita. Ganyan ako kasama sa paningin mo? Grabe naman," he said and walked away.