When The Night Falls

CHAPTER 1: Insane Memory

"May I have your order, Ma'am?", Jiho asked the customer in front of him.

Nakatingin lamang nang seryoso sa maliwanag na menu na nasa taas ang customer, habang si Jiho naman ay nakatapat sa computer na pinaglilistahan ng order ng kaniyang mga customers.

"Two glasses of beer, three orders of barbeque- flavored chicken wings, and one order of spicy---."

The customer wasn't able to finish her order when her mewling friend drew near her and said that their car was being carnapped. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Jiho noong marinig ito kung kaya't lumabas siya ng pub upang tignan ang nangyari.

Jiho roamed his eyes around the place, hoping for a clue that could be found which will lead to the perpetrator of this crime. With his extreme memory, he recalled everything that he could remember. He tried to recall the memory of him 20 minutes ago when he was outside, carrying the bags of trashes.

What he could recall was that he saw a strange man standing right next to the car, dressed in an all-black suit. His acts were incredibly riddled with the fact that, since then, his eyes were wandering around the place as if he was doing something unlawful. Since it was really dim, everything was so abstract and ambiguous— and his face's shadow wasn't that noticeable. But the only thing that could contribute to the completion of the investigation was he remembered a memory of an old lady coming towards the man from the pub, handing him the car keys.

Bumalik si Jiho sa loob ng pub dahil sigurado siyang nasa loob pa ang kasabwat ng nagnakaw ng sasakyang ito. His gaze went around this place, leaving no corner unseen. Nasa gilid niya ang customer na nawalan ng sasakyan na umiiyak dahil sa matinding panlulumo.

He started walking around the pub, searching for the old woman from his memory. Nanatili ang mga tingin ni Jiho sa isang matandang babae, umiinom ng isang baso ng beer at nakikipagtawanan pa sa kaniyang mga kasamahan. He, then, immediately pulled that old woman out of her chair and confronted her.

"Hindi ako nagkakamali. Ikaw ang kasabwat ng lalaking tumangay ng isang sasakyan sa labas," Jiho's deep masculine voice echoed around the pub.

Bumaling sa kanila ang tingin ng mga tao ngunit nanatiling seryoso ang mukha ni Jiho at ang matanda naman ay tila palinga- linga dahil sa kaba at hiya.

"Ha? Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

The old lady is now pretending that everything seems fine. Nanginginig sa matinding galit si Jiho dahil itinatanggi ng matandang ito ang mga paratang niya.

"Huwag ka nang mag- maang maangan. I saw you. You stole their car keys!" Nanlaki ang mga mata ng matanda.

"What? Are you f*****g insane? Where's your manager? You don't have the right to raise your voice in front of me! You are just a mere employee."

Jiho's lips are shuddering due to extreme rage. His eyes are turning red, as well as his face. But he tried to calm himself and figured out the real scenario he remembered.

"Around 7:39 pm, nag- cr silang dalawa, the same time na lumabas ka ng pub na ito holding the car keys in your hand which you stole from their table. During that time, itinapon ko ang basura sa may labas. 7:41 pm, you approached a guy wearing a black suit at nakita ko kung paano mo ito ibibigay sa lalaking iyon." The old lady remained silent, but Jiho is now slowly unfolding the truth.

"Pumasok ako ng pub around 7:46 pm and I immediately went to the counter. Ang isa sa mga babaeng nag- cr ay dumiretso sa akin upang umorder samantalang ang isa naman ay pumunta sa kanilang table. 7:48 pm, umorder na ang isang babae and exactly 7:50 pm, doon nila napansing wala na ang kotse."

People were really amazed on how Jiho easily disclosed the truth using only his memory. They were shocked by how he remembered every detail of the scene, especially the corresponding time.

"During that time, I saw you walking towards the comfort room and right before I exit this pub, bumalik ka sa upuan mo wearing a different cloth from the one that you were wearing a while ago," he said in a calm tone. The old lady is now trembling in fear as some customers look at her so viciously.

"Three minutes akong nasa labas, and exactly 7:55 ngayon, kinakausap kita," Jiho said, then smiled sarcastically.

One customer looked at his wristwatch and saw that Jiho was right. Namilog ang kaniyang mga labi dahil sa pagkahanga rito. Hindi na alam ng matanda ang gagawin niya. Tila hindi na ito mapakali sa kaniyang kinatatayuan, samantalang ang mga kasama naman niya ay nakayuko lamang.

Ilang minutong nanatiling tahimik ang babae, while Jiho is pointing his gaze at her.

"Aamin ka na ba or gusto mo pa ipakita ko sa'yo ang kuha ng CCTV from this pub at sa kalapit na establisyemento upang makulong ka. May tatlong CCTV ang nakatutok sa'yo kung saan mo iniabot ang susi ng kotse nila," pananakot pa ni Jiho.

Hindi alam ng matandang babae ang kaniyang gagawin. Labis na ang pagkabalisa nito kung kaya kinuha niya ang kaniyang cellphone mula sa kaniyang bulsa at may tinawagan.

"Bumalik ka rito sa pub, kung ayaw mong dalawa tayong malalagay sa alanganin," the old lady said. The customers clapped their hands as Jiho successfully solved this case.

Jiho Ross Montenegro is at his fourth year of being a high school. He decided to be a working student because his father's low salary wasn't enough to suffice his studies. His mother is now bedridden due to her terminal illness— tuberculosis— which made her weak and frail. All money that his father got from his work only went to his mother's medication, that's why Jiho couldn't help but to find a part time job that will support his studies.

During his high school days, he was bullied more often by some of his classmates, especially Ruiz Zachary Leviste, the son of the CEO of Juri Company, the company where his father works.

Sa gitna ng basketball game, tinulak ni Zach si Jiho dahil sa madalas nitong pagpuntos. Iisang team lamang ang dalawa ngunit ayaw ni Zach na nalalamangan siya ni Jiho dahil siya ang kapitan ng kanilang team.

"What the f**k, Jiho. Masyado ka ring papansin eh no? A jerk like you don't belong to this kind of team," Zack shrieked on Jiho. His face turned red and some of his veins were evident on his forehead.

Natigil sa pagsigaw ang mga manonood matapos nilang makita kung paano tumumba si Jiho nang ito'y itulak ni Zach. Muling itinayo ni Zach si Jiho at pinaandaran ito ng isang malakas na sapak sa kaniyang mukha.

Napasigaw ang ilang kababaihan noong masaksihan ito, kaya inawat ng referee at ng kaniyang teammates si Zach. Jiho remained standing. Kinapa niya ang kaniyang labi at naramdamang may dugo rito kaya naman agad siyang pinuntahan ng medic upang bigyan ng first aid kit.

"Ayos ka lang ba, Pre?" tanong ni Matt, teammate ni Jiho.

Ginagamot ni Jiho ang sugat at pamamaga sa kaniyang mukha gamit ang isang ice bag. Bahagyang natigil ang laro dahil sa komosyong ginawa ni Zach sa loob ng court.

"Oo naman, huwag mo akong alalahanin," Jiho lied.

Kahit na masakit, pilit na pinagtatakpan ni Jiho ang kaniyang nararamdaman. Gusto niyang gantihan si Zach ngunit hindi niya magawa dahil batid niya kung gaano kamakapangyarihan at kamaimpluwensya ang pamilya ni Zach.

Isa lamang sa pinakamayamang kompanya sa buong Maynila ang kompanyang pinapamahalaan ng ama ni Zach. Hindi niya rin ito magawa dahil alam niyang malalagay sa alanganin ang kaniyang ama gayong nagtatrabaho ito sa kompanya ng ama ni Zach, kung kaya kinikimkim niya lamang ang lahat ng hinanakit niya rito.

During their midterms exam, Jiho got the highest point from his whole batch, garnering an average score of 98%. Some are happy for him, while some are upset.

Noong nalaman ito ni Zach, mas lalong nag- init ang galit niya kay Jiho. Sa kaniya ibinuntong ni Zach lahat ng galit niya ngunit hindi pumapalag si Jiho sa kaniya. He repeatedly kicked Jiho in front of the whole class. Walang guro ang makaawat kay Zach dahil takot sila rito. He was untouchable. It seems like he is superior above any other. Hindi siya kumikilala ng sinuman dahil ang nasa isip niya, siya ang pinakamataas.

Umuwi si Jiho nang punong- puno ng pasa ang kaniyang mukha at katawan. Gulat na gulat ang kaniyang ama at ina nang makitang ganito ang kanilang nag- iisang anak.

"Anong... nangyari diyan, Jiho?" his father asked him worriedly.

Nginitian lamang ni Jiho ang kaniyang nag- aalalang ama dahil paniguradong alam na nito kung saan nagmula ang mga sugat na ito.

"Binugbog ka na naman ba ni Zach? Sumusobra na 'yang Zach na 'yan! Kahit pa mayaman sila at trabahador nila ako, wala silang karapatang saktan ang anak ko," nanggigigil na sambit ng kaniyang ama.

His mother secretly shed tears while laying down on bed. She couldn't afford to see her son experiencing this kind of torment. She couldn't even help his son, that's why all that she can do is to cry and cry.

"Hayaan mo na 'yon, Pa. Kasalanan ko rin naman eh," pagpapalusot pa ni Jiho.

Ginawaran lamang siya ng kaniyang ama ng isang hindi naniniwalang mukha. Ibinaba na ni Jiho ang kaniyang bag at dumiretso sa kaniyang kwarto upang magkabisa ng Preamble of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Jiho only scanned his notes, because he knew that during nighttime his memories are keen. He didn't even bother to reread his copy of preamble because he was sure that he can memorize it quickly.

Pagkatapos basahin iyon, itinakip niya sa kaniyang mukha ang hawak na papel at humiga upang magpahinga. Gusto niyang dapuan siya ng antok ngunit hindi naman ito nakikisama sa kaniya.

Sa kaniyang pagpasok sa eskwelahan, nakasalubong niya si Zach sa hallway. Zach gazed at him very seriously. Kasama niya ang ilang lalaki na ginagawa lamang niyang utusan. They are on the same class, and so, Zach did everything that will make Jiho experience the worst downfall on his academics. Ayaw niyang nalalamangan siya ng kahit na sino, lalong lalo na ni Jiho.

Their teacher entered the class. And as expected, this day is the day of their oral recitation of preamble. Jiho was just sitting fine, as well as Zach, but Zach's face is strongly apparent with strain and fear. Hindi siya gaanong nakapagkabisa dahil sa matinding pagtitiwala nito sa sarili na makakapasa siya anuman ang mangyari.

"Mr. Leviste, please recite the Preamble of the 1987 Philippine Constitution," their teacher said. Zach quickly got up on his chair and marched in front of the class. Just before he recited it, his gaze shifted to Jiho and he gave him a sly smile.

"We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to... in order to...."

Zach began to stutter. Naging malikot ang kaniyang mga mata at unti- unti na siyang napapahiya sa harap ng klase. Nalimutan niya ang mga susunod na sasabihin niya, at ngayo'y nanginginig na siya.

"... in order to build a just and humane society, and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution," Jiho, in a soft tone, said out of nowhere.

Ibinaling niya ang kaniyang tingin kay Zach na nasa harap ng klase. Dahil sa matinding kahihiyan, mas lalong nairita si Zach kay Jiho. Lumapit siya rito at saka kinwelyuhan.

"Tandaan mo, you will never surpass my abilities. You don't deserve my anger and wrath. You are nothing compared to me."

Gulat na gulat ang kanilang kamag- aral dahil sa nangyaring ito. Zach couldn't control his emotions that’s why he punched Jiho on his face. He started to shout repeatedly. Punching Jiho is not enough to mend his wrath, but Jiho remained still, even though bloods from his lacerations are spilling.

Ang kanilang mga kamag- aral ay takot na takot ngayon sa loob ng klase, maging ang kanilang guro. Ang kaniyang ama lamang na si Mr. Alexander Leviste ang may kakayahang magpatigil sa kaniya.

Zach has Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), so he cannot control his emotions well and becomes angry at all times for no specific reasons. He's a troublesome, and his father almost resented him because of the embarrassment that he brought to their company.

CHAIRMAN ALEXANDER LEVISTE slapped his son on his face. Hinawakan naman ni Zach ang kaniyang namumulang pisngi dahil sa sakit ng pagkakasampal ng kaniyang ama. Tinitigan lamang niya ang kaniyang ama nang masama na animo'y gusto niya itong patayin.

"Puro kahihiyan lamang ang dinadala mo sa kompanyang ito. Hindi ka ba nahihiya sa mga tao? Putangina, huwag ka munang magpapakita sa akin. Ayaw ko munang makita ang pagmumukha mo," Chairman Leviste said angrily.

Nanggigigil si Zach sa kaniyang ama dahil wala na itong ginawa kundi ang pagalitan siya. Nagpipigil lamang siya na saktan ang kaniyang ama dahil nais niyang manahin ang kanilang kompanya. Ilang beses man siyang umarteng mabait sa harap ng kaniyang ama, hindi niya pa rin makontrol ang sarili niya sa tuwing nagagalit siya at natatapakan ang pride niya.

Pagkalabas ni Chairman Leviste ng opisina, kinagat ni Zach ang kaniyang labi upang magtimpi, ngunit bigo siyang makontrol ang kaniyang galit. Ibinalibag niya ang lahat ng nakita niya sa loob ng opisina. Nabasag lahat ng mamahaling paso, maging ang babasaging name plate ng kaniyang ama sa lamesa nito.

Sumigaw siya nang sumigaw dahil sa matinding galit. He's like a lion freed from its cage. Pulang- pula ang kaniyang mukha at gusto niyang manakit muli kaya noong may pumasok sa empleyado sa loob ng opisina upang tignan kung ano ang nangyayari, agad niya itong nilapitan at pinagsusuntok.

"Sir, tama na po," pagmamakaawa ng empleyado na pinaiilaliman ni Zach at pinauulanan niya ng suntok. Hindi mapigil si Zach at muli siyang nagsisigaw. Nang makahanap ng tiempo ang empleyado, dali- dali itong tumakbo at lumabas ng opisina.

JIHO was just sitting fine on his chair during their breaktime. Zach was gazing at him seriously. And because Zach wasn't on his mood because of what happened yesterday on his dad's office, he approached Jiho and made fun of him.

Zach easily pulled Jiho's necklace without knowing that this necklace had a sentimental value and was really important to Jiho, because it was his mother's present to him.

Pinagpuputol ito ni Zach hanggang sa tuluyan itong masira, at wala ng pag- asa pang maiayos muli. Jiho immediately stood up, and he saw his necklace, shattered and far impossible to repair.

"Oops, I'm sorry," Zach said mockingly.

Nag- init ang dugo ni Jiho dahil sa ginawang ito ni Zach. Dali dali niyang kinuha ang mga parte ng kwintas niya na sinira ni Zach at pilit na inayos kahit na imposible.

"What the f**k, Zach. Wala ka na bang magawa? Hindi mo ba alam na regalo pa ito sa akin ni Mama?"

Halos mangiyak- ngiyak si Jiho habang pilit na binubuo ang kwintas na sinira ni Zach.

"I don't care. I don't wanna give a f**k either. Wala akong pakialam kung nagmula pa 'yan sa pabigat mong ina."

"Anong sabi mo?"

Galit na tumayo si Jiho sa kaniyang kinauupuan. Humarap siya kay Zach nang buong tapang. Ngayon niya lamang ito nagawa sa buong buhay niya dahil hindi niya magawang makatingin nang diretso kay Zach noon.

"Bakit? Lalaban ka na sa akin?" pananakot pa ni Zach.

Nanginginig at nangingilabot sa galit si Jiho, ngunit nagpipigil pa siya para sa sarili niya. Ayaw niyang malagay siya sa alanganin at ayaw niyang madamay pa maging ang ama niya oras na patulan niya si Zach. Ilang taon nang nagtitimpi si Jiho kay Zach dahil sa madalas niyang pang- aalipusta sa kaniya at sa buong pamilya niya, ngunit ngayon ay tila sobra na.

Tinutulak- tulak ni Zach si Jiho sa dibdib ngunit hindi nagpapatangay si Jiho sa kaniyang kinatatayuan. Mas lalo lang nagiging matapang at nagkakaroon ng lakas ng loob si Jiho upang lumaban at ipagtanggol ang sarili.

Pinagtitinginan na sila ngayon ng kanilang mga kamag- aral. Wala ni isa ang nagtangkang putulin ang tensyon sa pagitan ng dalawa dahil alam nila kung ano ang ugali ni Zach.

Naputol ang init sa pagitan nilang dalawa nang dumating sa loob ng silid- aralan ang kanilang guro kasama ang ama ni Zach na si Chairman Leviste. Napatingin ang dalawa nang pumasok ang dalawa at tila pansamantalang natigil ang kanilang hidwaan.

"Dad? What are... you doing here?" Zach asked curiously. Nakakunot ang kaniyang noo dahil hindi niya inaasahan ang biglaang pagdating ng kaniyang ama sa kanilang paaralan.

"I'm just visiting your school. Is there any problem?" Chairman Leviste raised his eyebrow when he saw Jiho together with Zach.

"Salamat naman at bati na kayo ni Jiho. Akala ko habang buhay kayong magiging magkagalit sa isa't- isa...," Chairman Leviste said sarcastically.

Nakisabay na lamang si Zach sa agos dahil gusto na niya maging mabait sa harap ng kaniyang ama. Pilit siyang ngumiti kay Chairman Leviste at umakbay pa kay Jiho upang magpanggap na ayos na silang dalawa.

"Oo naman, Dad. Nakipag- ayos na sa akin si Jiho, 'di ba?" Tumingin si Zach kay Jiho ngunit tinanggal ni Jiho ang pagkakaakbay ni Zach sa kaniyang balikat.

"Wala akong maalalang nakipag- ayos ako sa'yo. At kung magkakaayos man tayo, ikaw mismo ang dapat gumawa no'n dahil kailanman wala akong ginawang masama sa'yo kaya... bakit ako?"

Zach's eyes widened as Jiho unveiled the real situation between them. Muli siyang tumingin sa ama niyang ngayon ay nagtataka. Ibinalik niyang muli ang tingin niya kay Jiho at tinakot ito na makisama na lang sa kaniya.

"What's happening between you two? Are you still outraged with each other? Zach, anong totoo?"

"Dad, kasi..."

"Pwede po bang turuan niyo maging makatao ang anak niyo, Chairman Leviste? Oo, mayaman kayo pero hindi ibig sabihin no'n may karapatan na kayong mang- apak ng ibang tao. He just broke my necklace which was very special to me, and he just made fun of my ill mother," Jiho said while his tears are flowing down to his cheeks.

"Bakit? Totoo namang pabigat talaga ang ina mo, ah?"

Nang marinig ito ni Jiho, hindi na siya nakapagtimpi at ginawaran na agad ng isang malakas na suntok si Zach na nagpatumba sa kaniya. Pumaibabaw siya kay Zach at pinagsusuntok ito hanggang sa magdugo ang mukha nito. Ibinuhos na ni Jiho ang lahat ng kaniyang galit at hinanakit kay Zach. Gigil niyang pinaulanan ng sunod sunod na suntok si Zach, at halos maiyak na ito sa matinding galit.