R A I N E
Fuck! I don't know what to do. I can't lose her! I can't lose Rosa!
"Hey hey. Mas mabuti pa sigurong hayaan mo muna syang mag isip. Give her space, Raine"
Awat sa akin ni Pat nang makita nyang palabas ako ng restroom.
"Fuck! I can't lose her, Pat. I can't. Mahal na mahal ko sya please help me, please"
I am literally begging Patrice and Sid to help me.
"She's with Arthur and Leslie. They left together so you shouldn't worry about her safety."
Napalingon ako kay Sid nang mag salita sya.
"I'm a rapist, I am a monster. Tang ina!!!!"
I threw a chair to I dunno where. I just threw it.
"Shhh. Raine. You were high. You were not in your right mind at that time. You shouldn't blame yourself for acting that way."
I do not understand anything that Sid is saying right now. But I am appreciating how she's making me feel that she's my friend. Ni hindi sya masyadong nag salita kanina. But now, she's the one making me calm.
"Raine, tell me what happened."
Utos ni Pat sa akin sabay hatak ng bakanteng upuan at humarap sa akin. Si Sid ay naglakad papunta sa restroom habang si Pat ay nakatitig sa akin.
"Come on. I am your friend. Alam mo yan, Raine. So if you want me to help you, tell me everything that's happened that night."
She said in full authority.
"I--I can't remember everything. I-I didn't even know that,-- that day existed until tonight. I completely had no idea all this time. Nung nag kwento si Arthur, it jogged my memory."
I kept stuttering out of disappointment, pain, guilt, anger, and fear of losing my girlfriend. Nevertheless, I told Patrice everything I can remember. Everything.
"Okay, that's it?"
Tanong ni Pat na halatang sinusukat kung nag sasabi ako ng totoo.
"Yes. Please help me Pat, anong gagawin ko? I can't lose her. Ayoko. Hindi ko kaya please help me Pat, Sid. Guys what should I do?"
I took a big sigh.
"You know what? I'm gonna go to Arthur's and fetch her--"
They grabbed my arm as soon as I stood up from my seat.
"No, you are not, Raine. Trust me, she needs time, space away from you."
Pat looked at me, desperately persuading me to not go.
"We are going home. There is no way I would sleep without her tonight."
I took my arms from them at mabilis na tumakbo papuntang parking lot.
"Rosa! Please! Please talk to me! Baby! Please!"
Hindi ko na mabilang ang daming beses kong kinatok ang pinto ng condo na nirerentahan ni Arthur.
"Rosa! Please! Talk to me! I can't lose you, baby! Pag usapan natin to! Please! I'm really sorry! Please! Baby!"
Natigilan ako nang maramdaman ko ang marahan na pag bukas ng pinto. Mabilis na iniluwa nito si Arthur at lumabas saka ni lock ang pinto.
"Hey, Arthur please please please just let me talk to her please."
Pilit kong inaabot ang doorknob pero nakaharang sya and he won't even let me near the door.
"Raine, listen. I know it was my fault for slipping it on your drink but, you were better than that. You raped my sister and now, I don't know y--"
"Okay, I'm sorry, Okay? I really am. I'm not blaming you for what I did. But, come on. Just let me in"
Mabilis kong inabot ang doorknob pero mabilis nyang naiharang ang katawan at kamay nya na parang bouncer sa bar na itinataboy ang isang minor.
"You are not allowed to talk to her. She doesn't wanna see you. And, she said we're leaving as soon as we get her visa."
Ngumiti ako kahit na luhaan parin.
"Good. So you need to call me, immediately kapag nakuha nya an, and then I will pack my bags."
He took a big sigh.
"When I said 'we' I meant me and Rosa. She doesn't wanna talk to you nor see you. So, please leave. Before I call security."
"Arthur come on. We are friends, right? Please let me--let me just fix it. Please. Let me fix it! Goddamn it! ROSA!!!!! I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE! PLEASE BABY COME HOME! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU ROSA!!! PLEASE COME WITH ME!!! PLEASE!"
I am sobbing. Loud.
"Alright, that's it. I'm calling security."
I couldn't care less about what Arthur's talking about.
"Rosa! Baby please mag usap naman tayo. Nagmamakaawa ako sa'yo please mag usap tayo mahal na mahal kita eh! Ayokong mawala ka! Please!"
Hinaharangan parin ni Arthur ang doorknob.
"Please Raine, you are making this very very hard for me."
I still hear it but I do not care about Arthur. He won't listen to me, why would I?
I kept banging on the door, calling Rosa's name.
"Sir right here"
I knew that securities are coming my way so I had to make a quick and louder bang on the door.
"ROSA!!! PLEASE COME HOME! PLEASE! PAG USAPAN NATIN! AYOKONG MAWALA KA SAKIN! WAG MO KONG IIWAN! ROSA! PARANG AWA MO NA!"
Sigaw ko. I saw some other tenant's doors opened. Nabulabog dahil sa lakas ng boses ko.
"Ma'am tara na po"
Hinawakan ako ng isang lalaki sa kaliwang braso.
"Please kuya wag nyo po syang saktan. Just escort her. Hindi po sya nananakit."
Narinig kong bilin ni Arthur sa security staff.
"Wait lang, Arthur. Please--"
I took off my long necklace. I intentionally hid it under my dress. The necklace has a ring pendant. I was planning on proposing to her all this time. I just couldn't get the timing right.
"Please give it to her."
Nang tanggapin ni Arthur ang necklace na may ring pendant ay marahan akong naglakad paalis. Napapalibutan ng tatlong security staff. Bago ako sumakay ng elevator ay tinitigan ko ang nakasaradong pinto ng condo ni Arthur. Up until the last second, I am hoping that she will come out, and go home with me. But I was wrong.
For the past four days I stopped taking calls that's not from her. Even from business, and suppliers. I just do not care about anything at all. I couldn't sleep, I can't get up in bed. I haven't had a shower since that night. I stopped caring at everything else but only her. Her call. Her, coming back home.
"What the heck Raine. Napaka gulo, Ang dilim. Ang kalat!"
Binuksan ni Pat ang ilaw ng kwarto. Napaka liwanag at nasisilaw ako.
"Come on! Gym tayo!"
"Kaw nalang wala akong gana."
"Do you really think na magugustuhan ni Rosa na ganito yung uuwian nya?"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi ni Pat.
"Really? Uuwi na sya? Kelan? Nag kausap kayo?"
Mabilis akong umupo sa kama mula sa pag kakadapa.
"Hindi. Hindi pa sya talaga makikipag usap sayo. Pero dude, ayusin mo naman sarili mo. Yung buhay mo. Wag ganyan. Talo ka dyan. Yung negosyo mo sino nagpapatakbo? Kabubukas mo lang palugi na? Bakit? Kasi pinababayaan mo. Hayys I didn't know you're such a loser. But it's way better than Janice, at least hindi ka suicidal."
Daldal nya habang nag dadampot ng mga kalat sa kwarto.
"You know what, Just get out. I don't need you lecturing me. Do that to your poor pathetic students."
Nanahimik sya bigla.
"Okay, first of all, fuck you. Fuck you for degrading my students. Second, I am here to help you and that's what I get? It's way better if you didn't open your fucking mouth. Third. You want me to get out? Okay, I'll get out for now but you gotta rethink your life choices and directions. Sa tingin mo gugustuhin ni Rosa na kausapin ka if you look like a loser zombie?"
Maya maya pa ay lumabas sya ng kwarto at ibinagsak ang pinto. I just shrugged my shoulders and continued to sleep.
"Just kiss already! Ughh!"
I am so upset with this movie I am watching I have to yell at my TV. I took my beer at the nightstand and took a sip when suddenly I received a text message from Leslie. I basically ignored every call and text from them. I only want Rosa.
But my eyes widened nang makita ko ang text message nya.
"Rosa and Arthur are leaving now. We're at the airport. If you still want a chance to fix it, I think it's your chance."
I texted her back that I am coming and try to hold them. Mabilis akong bumangon sa kama. Not really caring how I look, I brushed my teeth and then took off. I want to try and call connections to delay the flight but I dunno their flight details. So I focused on driving and did everything I can to get there before they depart.
"Rosa!"
I yelled her name in the middle of the crowd. Trying to get her to stop wherever she is. But all I got is every single eye, look at me. I know, I look fucking terrible but I don't care.
"Rosa please stop wherever you are. I need to talk to you please I am begging you!"
I am getting all these kinds of attention that I hated before.
"Wait, I know who that is. That's Lorraine Alcavar!"
Narinig ko ang bulungan ng mga tao.
"Rosa please let's talk! I can't lose you! I don't want to! Please I'm begging you. Please"
I gathered all my strength and yelled once again. I slowly got on my knees I am getting weak. Nakakapanghina yung pain. Yung thought na iiwan na nya ako. Yung thought na kahit anong gawin kong pag mamakaawa sakanya, ay hindi parin sapat para makipag usap sya. Alam kong deserve ko 'to. She's being nice pa nga eh. Kasi she could file a case against me for what I did two years ago. Napatingala ako nang may humintong sapatos sa harapan ko.
"Ikaw ba si Miss Lorraine Alcavar?"
Napatayo ako bigla at nagpunas ng luha.
"Yes, chief ako nga po. B-b-bakit po? Ano pong nangyari?"
Napatingin ako sa tatlo pang pulis na nasa likod nya. Lumapit sa akin ang isang pulis at hinawakan ang kanang kamay ko at pinosasan.
"Miss Alcavar, inaaresto ka namin sa salang Estafa. May karapatan kang manahimik. Anumang sabihin mo ay maaaring gamitin laban sayo."
I am so confused. I just stared at the paper he is holding in front of me.
"Teka lang, anong sinasabi nyo? Wala akong kinalaman dyan! Damn it! Why would I do that to our company!?"
They escorted me at wala akong magawa.
"Rosa! Please! Talk to me! Chief wait lang po please may kakausapin lang po ako please"
Hindi nakinig sa akin ang mga pulis kaya nag lakad kami palabas ng airport. I kept looking around trying to find her when my eyes caught a glimpse of someone familiar. When I looked back, he is smiling like a devil.
"You! It was you! You set me up you motherfucking asshole from hell! You are gonna pay for this! You have nothing against me Victor! Go to hell!"
I yelled and kept making a scene like a lunatic. Everyone is looking at me like I'm some kind of a sicko. But I'm not. Nang dumating kami sa presinto ay tinawagan ko kaagad ang family lawyer namin at mabilis syang rumesponde.
"Raine!"
Mabilis na sinalubong ako ni Pat at mahigpit na niyakap.
"Raine are you okay?"
Tanong sa akin ni Sid.
"Yeah."
Umupo sya sa harap ko. Nasa bakanteng office kami pero may mga pulis sa labas ng office at ang lawyer ko naman ay abala sa pakikipag usap sa abogado ng AGC. It's my dead parents' company that's suing me. How ironic.
"Anong nangyari? Bakit ka daw nila dinala dito? Ano daw kasalanan mo?"
Nag aalalang tanong ni Pat.
"They said I stole millions from the company. Including the last one, I invested in the stock market na nalugi. I dunno how they're doing this. But knowing Victor, he's gonna make sure I will rot in here."
I shrugged my shoulders nang bitawan ko ang huling mga salitang binitawan ko.
"But, did you--"
Nagtinginan ang mag asawang Mendez. Bago binitawan ni Pat ang tanong nya.
"Did you do it? Hindi naman, 'diba?"
Marahan nyang inilapat ang tanong nya. I scratched my forehead that's itching because I cannot believe what I just heard.
"Hahaha Do you think I am capable of doing this? You are hilarious, Patrice Mendez.--"
I laughed at it dahil lumaki ako sa marangyang pamilya.
"--But, to make it clear to you, I didn't need to work my ass off twenty-four-seven just to buy things I want; even those expensive ones. So bakit ako magpapaka sakim sa pera? I have all of it. Why would I need that kind of money? I got myself some already."
She's caught off-guard by my answer.
"O-oo alam ko. Gusto ko lang manggaling sayo. Kasi alam kong hindi ko magugustuhan yung mga susunod na mangyayari at ang mga ibabalita sa news. There's tons of reporters outside. We barely made it in here."
She took a big sigh.
"Hey, Raine. If you need anything, or literally anything you need help with, just tell me. Tutulungan kita."
Sambit ni Sid. I saw how Pat suddenly reached for Sid's hand.
"T-talaga mahal? Gagawin mo 'yun para kay Raine?"
Ngumiti si Sid at nagpapalit palit ng tingin between me and Pat.
"Of course. Raine is our friend. She's been a really good friend. Saka she was there when you needed her. And now, I will do whatever I can just to reciprocate that kindness she did for you, for us. When she didn't let you down, she also didn't let me down. So, yes. Raine. Tell me anything I can help you with."
Tumango ako bago nag salita.
"Thanks"
I mouthed.
"Pwede ka raw ba mag piyansa Raine?"
Tanong ni Pat sa akin.
"I don't know. Mag kakaroon pa ng hearing about that kung papayagan ako ng court na mag bail. But for now, I have to sleep in a cell."
"Did you even eat dinner? Shit. Wala kaming dalang food. I told you daan tayo sa shop"
Paninisi ni Sid kay Pat.
"I'm sorry Raine di na kami nakadaan sa shop kasi sobrang nag alala ako when I heard the news."
Tumango ako.
"It's okay. I have to get used to this."
Napakunot ang noo ng dalawa.
"What do you mean?"
Tanong ni Pat. I looked at the ceiling.
"Knowing my half brother, Victor. He's a psychopath. He's gonna make sure that the court will see no reason to let me make bail. They're gonna freeze all of my accounts and assets. Maids will be fired. Sila Nanay Linda! Holy Shit. I should take care of them. Guys. Please do this for me."
I reached for Pat's hands habang nakaposas parin.
"Please go to Palawan, sa Mansion. Please find a house or a good and safe place for Nanay Linda, Tatay Karding and Celine to stay. They're my family. Please take care of them. They're so important to me. I love them. They're the only family I have please. Please"
"Shhhhh yes. I will take care of it, Raine. Wag kang mag alala. I will make sure they're safe. Okay? So now. Ang isipin mo is how you're gonna fight back. You are being falsely accused. You are innocent. You have to find a way out of it. Kahit may mga fake evidences sila."
Tumango lang ako sa sinabi nila. I am still inside the office pero sinabihan na silang kailangan na nilang umalis kaya walang nagawa ang mag asawa kundi ang umalis at nagsabing babalik sila.
Unang gabi sa kulungan. Napaka init. Maingay. Nakatingin lang sa akin ang mga babaeng naka dilaw. Ang papayat nila pero mukhang hindi naman sila delikado.
"Ikaw yung nasa balita diba? Yung Alcavar?"
Tumingala lang ako sa babae mula sa pagkakatitig ko sa sahig saka tumango.
"Big time ka na nag nakaw ka pa. Iba na talaga mga mayayaman ngayon. Pa sakim ng pa sakim. HAHAHA!"
Sabat naman nung isang babaeng panay ang angal na mainit daw pero naka jacket.
"Anong kotse ang minamaneho mo? Sigurado ako mamahalin. Kasi mayaman ka diba?"
Sabat ng isa pa.
"Rolls Royce."
Maikling sagot ko.
"Oh alam mo ba yun?"
Bara sa kanya nung babaeng naka jacket.
"Hindi. Sa sobrang yaman nya, mga mayayaman lang nakaka alam nun! Hahaha"
"Bobo ka kasing tangina ka! Inuna mag shabu kaysa mag aral ang putangina! HAHAHAHA"
Nag tawanan ang mga babae sa loob ng selda namin. Sa palagay ko ay nasa katorse kami dito sa loob.
"Ulol! Manahimik ka nga dyan gusto mo ng round two?"
Pikon na tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa sahig ang babaeng nag tanong kung anong kotse ang dinadrive ko.
"Ah putang ina ka gusto mo umulit!? Ha?"
The next thing I know ay may commotion na at naalerto ang mga pulis at pinukpok ang mga batuta nila sa rehas para patigilin sila. Ako naman ay nakaupo lang sa sulok at sinusubukang hindi mapag initan ng kahit na sino. I am just trying to be brave. But I am so fucking scared inside. I am so scared.
Kinabukasan ay court hearing na para sa appeal namin na mag bail. Surprisingly, pumayag ang court na mag bail ako with an un-fucking-believable amount of 2.3 Billion Pesos.
"What!?"
Angil ko sa lawyer ko. He just shrugged his shoulder saka dinampot ang bag nya na nasa paahan nya kanina.
"Well, that's the best I can do. The court made its decision."
"But all my accounts and assets are fucking frozen diba?"
Tumingin sa akin ang lawyer kong walang kwenta at halatang tinatamad ipaglaban ako sa korte. Of course, he's being choked by Victor.
"Yes. I'm sorry that's all I can do for you. I quit as your lawyer. I'm sorry"
The cops escorted me out.
"Wag kasi kayong magulo! Mga punyetang to eh!"
Narinig kong bumubulong ang isang babae.
"Gago baka magising yan ah"
Nang bumangon ako sa pagkakahiga sa sahig ay nakita kong pinagkukumpulan nila si Myrna. Yung laging kaaway ni jacket girl. Hindi ko alam kung anong gingawa nila pero wala akong pakialam. Bahala sila sa buhay nila.
"So, are you gonna plead guilty, or not? Simple lang naman ang sinasabi ko sa'yo. You plead guilty, bababaan nila ang sintensya mo. You could even find your--"
Kinabahan ako nang huminto sya sa pagsasalita.
"--Rosa."
Nakita ko ang maliit at demonyong ngiti sa labi nya.
"Fuck you! Don't you dare threaten me, Victor."
I can feel my blood running to my head dahil sa galit.
"Fuck you. You let her stay out of this. This is between you and me you fucking asshole"
Pabulong pero madiin at puno ng galit ang nararamdaman ko.
"Hahaha okay. Okay. But just so you know, Raine. I am above the law now. So, you're gonna have to bail for that 2.3 billion pesos, and file a case against you, with evidence."
He left a cigarette infront of me and a lighter but I quit smoking a long time ago.
Days have passed by. I still didn't take a shower. I still don't feel like it. Pero I did it anyways to freshen up my thoughts and my mind.
"So, how's it going?"
Tanong ni Pat nang makaupo kaming tatlo mula sa pagyayakapan.
"Ayun, shitty, stinky, loud and crazy. But I--I need to put you know, I need to put up with it kasi 'I am a criminal. Magnanakaw.'
Napakunot ang noo nilang dalawa. Mabilis akong hinawakan ni Pat sa kamay.
"No. You're not. Inosente ka. Iniipit ka lang ng kapatid mo."
Natawa ako sa sinabi nya.
"Yeah haha. And he can getaway with it. Kasi ayon sa kanya, he's above the law. Unbelievable."
Napailing iling ang dalawa.
"He's the worst"
Sabat ni Sid.
"Yeah, he is. And aside from that, my lawyer just quit and left me hanging."
"Oh, we can get you a lawyer Raine. I'm gonna talk to her."
Sabat ni Sid nang marinig nya ang sinabi ko.
"No, uh, Listen. I don't have anything in me. Everything I own or Alcavar owns is frozen. So I can't pay your lawyer"
Diretsahang sagot ko naman.
"You don't need to worry about it. I'll take care of it, Raine. Just please help yourself."
Pakiusap ni Sid sa akin.
"I-- I can't, Sid."
Kumunot ang noo nito saka nag salita ulit.
"Why is that?"
"Because now, I'm just a dumb, broke, and falsely accused loser who lost everything I have."
"Hey hey hey"
Pat snapped me out of that thought.
"You're still you, Raine. We know you are innocent and we support you. We know you're gonna fight back for your sake."
Ngumiti ako at umiling.
"No, Pat. I lost Rosa, I lost freedom, I lost everything including my self-worth. So, without Rosa in my life, I don't wanna fight back. There's pretty much nothing for me outside. Baka nga maswerte pa ako dito kumakain ako ng hindi gumagastos"
Once again, Pat snapped me out of it.
"This is not about Rosa now. It's about you. You need to let them know that you are being framed up. You n---"
Uminit ang ulo ko sa sinabi ni Pat.
"How could you say that!? I thought you were my friend!? Of course, it's about her! Always has been and will always be! I'm sorry but without her, this is who I am!!"
I stormed off the visitation area bitbit ang mga dala nila para sa akin.
I am nothing, without her.