The Heiress' Revenge (SPG)

Kabanata 5

Nakita kong nagkuyom siya ng kamay. Nakita niya na ang kama. Nalibot na ng mga mata niya ang buong kwarto. He saw the blood and my bathrobe on the floor. Is he disgusted of me now? I’m not me anymore.

Here I am, emotionless and still clueless.

“I’m trying to get hold of the management of this hotel. Also, the CCTV and everything. Don’t worry about anything.” Kuya said.

He just stood where he was. He wanted to ask many more questions. He wants me to just spill them all at once, but I remained still. So, he didn’t try to reach me nor ask further question.

I couldn’t response. I don’t know what to say.

“I will get you out safe, okay? About your celebration—" before he could finish, I cut him off.

“Let’s still proceed what is programmed. I’m okay.”

His facial expression changed suddenly. His jaw tightened. He’s somehow confused why I wanted to proceed whilst in this position right now. I want to save our faces. I don’t want to disappoint everyone. Hindi pa naman siguro huli ang lahat hindi ba? I’ll figure out everything later.

I have a long-awaited debut celebration to do.

“Does anyone from the outside knows?” I hope not yet.

“You mean the media? No. It happened outside private rooms, it kind of created a scene but I made sure none of them will speak. Their families are also covering it in order to save themselves.” Anito.

I have no idea what he’s talking about. What I meant is my short disappearance. What happened last night? Whose families? Now, I’m agitated. Wala pa rin akong maalala kagabi. Wala pa rin akong sagot kung bakit ako nandito. I couldn’t start. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako magsisismula.

“Get me out of here first please.” Nasabi ko nalang.

Tumango si kuya na parang alam niya kung ano ang kailangan ko at handa siyang gawin lahat para makuha ang gusto ko. Ngayon ko pa napansin na may dala siyang jacket. Pinasuot niya ito sa akin at sinuotan din ako ng sombrero. Alam na alam na niya agad ang gagawin. Hindi ko man sabihin o iutos.

“Let’s go.” Aniya.

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinayaan siya.

Pagkalabas naming ng kwarto, walang tao. Wala siyang ibang kasama at umalis din agad ang staff na sumama sa kaniya kanina.

I’m trying to maintain myself calm. Then I remember…

“Si Rence?”

Huminto kami sa harap ng saradong emergency stairs. Para maiwasan na makasalubong o makasakay na guest, dito kami bababa.

“Nasa ospital.” Sagot ni kuya.

Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kaniya.

“Clarissa too.” Dugtong niya pa.

He opened the door and led me inside. Nasa level 10 kami kaya aabutin kami ng ilang minuto para makarating sa baba. Nanghihina pa ang katawan ko at mahapdi pa rin ang gitna ko. Napalunok ako, sana’y kayanin ko hanggang sa makalabas dito.

“W-why?” I enquired.

May kung anong kirot sa ulo ko. Wala pa ring bumabalik sa aking alaala. The only thing I remembered was going to the bar with my friends, and Rence. Paanong napunta sila sa ospital. At ako? Paano ako napunta sa kwartong iyon? I just don’t understand.

Napaisip tuloy ako. Hindi ba ako hinahanap ni Rence? Bakit kami nagkahiwalay? He was with me the whole time, right? Hindi niya ako hinahayaang malayo sa kaniya. Mabagal ang pagbaba namin dahil nga paika-ika ako. Kuya was patient with me and slow down his phase too.

“H’wag ka munang mag-isip ng kahit ano, Gab. Focus now with the stairs. Pag-usapan natin ‘to pagkababa.” Kalmado nitong sabi.

“I can’t remember.”

“There’s a possibility that you were dr*gged. R*pe dr*gged.” Ang huli niyang nabanggit ay parang pinagbabawal na mga salita. There was a depth on it. Angst too.

I stopped, almost frozen. What?!

“Continue…” mahina niyang sabi.

Napasunod niya naman ako at nagpatuloy na lamang din.

Level 8. Nahihilo na naman ako. Lumalala ang sakit ng ulo ko at hirap ulit ako sa paghinga. I feel like I’m going to collapse in no time. Ang layo pa namin at nagpapahina pa sa amin ang paika-ika kong umusad.

I got too much information. Clarence and Clarissa being at the hospital right now. And the possibly of r*pe dr*gged? Is this why I’m in this place? Of course, I’m not dumb. The blood and this feeling right now. Something happened to me, and I have no idea who did this to me.

Who was I with if not Rence?

“Kaya mo pa ba?” He asked when at level 6.

I didn’t want to stop now. I’m struggling to find air and I’m still sore. I have to get out of here and find out what the hell happened to me. It felt like I’m having an exam right now. Hindi ako nag-aral, walang review, kaya walang maisagot sa mga tanong na nasa harapan ko lang.

I’m hopeless until I recall everything.

I kept silent until we were able to reach the basement. I couldn’t say this is a motel for having a basement for parking. Pagkalabas namin sa exit ng emergency stairs, may nakaabang agad na sasakyan. The hazard lights are on. Walang akong makitang tao sa loob dahil tinted ito at wala ring umaaligid.

It’s kuya’s car.

He made sure I’m comfortable with my seating when he closed the door. He rushed to get into the driver’s seat and wear his seat belt. Agad niyang pinatay ang hazard lights button at pinaharurot ang sasakyan.

Naalala ko na hindi masyadong ginagamit ni kuya ang sasakyan na ito dahil bawal ang overly tinted na sasakyan. He uses this when he’s trying to hide his girls. Now, I’m one of his girls, huh? Huminga ako ng malalim, I should try to recollect now my memories from last night.

I need to know what happened to me. Paano ako nakarating sa kwartong iyon at kung sino. If not Rence, who? Paano ko iisipin kung sisimulan ko pa lang sumasakit na ang ulo ko. Tila wala itong maibigay sa akin. It’s like a file that’s been deleted.

Ano na ang gagawin ko ngayon? Clarissa is in hospital, Clarence too.

Napatalon ako sa malalim na pag-iisip dahil sa ringtone ng isang phone. Kuya tried to reach his pocket and when he saw who called, he look at me.

“Who’s calling?” Tanong ko.

His attention went back to the road whilst his left hand is showing me who’s calling.

“He’s been calling a lot. He’s been looking for you. Hindi pa ‘yon natutulog.” Ani kuya.

It’s Clarence Hidalgo, my boyfriend.

Kinuha ko ang phone at tinignan lang ang pangalan niya sa screen. Since when lang siya nagkokontak? I don’t know things about them. They’re not in a bad relationship neither good. I mean, I’m Rence’s girlfriend and Kuya Daevan’s sister. Mutual decision to be mutual? I don’t know.

Ano ang sasabihin ko? Sasagutin ko ba? I want to answer so bad, but my tears and trembling came first.

Takot agad ang naramdaman ko.

“I want to f*cking punch him for loosing you…” Kuya Daevan said.

Nilingon ko si kuya. He was just seriously driving. His grip on the steering wheel tightened.

“I still don’t remember everything kuya. I’m confused. It was just last night, why does it feel like days or weeks?” Sabi ko habang inaalis ang luha.

“It’s been 3 days, Gab.”

Nanatili ang paningin ko sa kaniya.

“W-what?”

Hindi niya inalis ang mata sa daan pero mas bumilis ang takbo nito. I was missing for three days? That means, I was asleep for three f*cking days? That was too long for me to find. Three days! Kung hindi ako nagising at humingi ng tulong sa staff, may posibilidad na hindi ako mahahanap sa araw na ito.

“Mum and dad are worried. No one knows where you went. Everyone was too preoccupied to the commotion that dawn. It was really hard to find you. Everything was planned. Naiwan mo ang bag mo, the CCTV was off. ALL OF IT! f**k!” Ang huling sinabi niya kuya ay pasigaw na kaya napatalon ako sa kinauupuan.

“Wala pa rin ang maalala kuya.” Nasabi ko nalang.

Mahigpit kong hawak ang phone ni kuya. It stopped ringing too. I feel like I don’t want to talk yet to anyone. I’m fine now being with my brother. I feel safer. I hope he didn’t tell anyone.

“Clarissa was dr*gged too. And…”

And? Mariin niyang tinikom ang labi at nag-aalangan pang magsabi sa akin. Well Daevan Montenegro, now is not the time to zip your mouth! And, what?

“Calvin died.”

Natahimik ako. I was too stunned to speak. I swear I thought I was ready to remember everything, but hearing this from kuya makes me want to just shutdown my system. At first, I thought I was the target but Clarissa? And even Calvin?

He died? Ang hirap tanggapin. Wala akong maalalang may kaaway kami. Clarissa and Calvin are not even that close. There’s no motive. If it was pre-planned like what kuya deducted, then who the f*ck did this? I’m sure I was devirginized. Clarissa is now at the hospital probably recovering. But Calvin was murdered? Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Ano ang gustong mangyari ng mga may gawa nito. Kung ano man ang gusto nila sa amin, nagtagumpay sila.

Hindi nagsalita si kuya ng ilang sandal. Hinayaan niya lang akong mag-isip o baka ipasok sa system ko ang mga binunyag niya na hindi katanggap-tanggap.

“I-is this a dream? I-I’m not understanding any of this.” I DO! Naiintindihan pero ang hirap ipasok sa utak ko. Ang hirap tanggapin na totoo ang lahat ng ito.

Nakakapangilabot.

“May nadakip ba?” I asked a dumb question, as if I wasn’t listening to him the whole time.

Clarissa and I was dr*gged. Maybe some of their plans failed because Rissa was not taken away but whoever the targets are someone died. Calvin, a good friend. I’m thinking about Fin right now.

How is he? Saan ito nakahimlay ngayon? I want to see him off. But I’m definitely not showing up to everyone’s eyes.

Not now.

After my disastrous party.

Kuya changed his plan. Iuuwi niya sana ako para makita nila mommy at daddy pero sa tingin niya, dapat muna akong lumayo. Dudumugin ang bahay namin ng mga taong gustong malaman ang buong pangyayari. Calvin’s death is under investigation. He took an enormous amount of cy*nide which led to his death.

Kuya narrated that Clarissa was really high and her recovery was slow. Kailangan siyang bantayan ng kapatid niya dahil matanda na ang mga magulang nila para sila ang magbantay. Kapag nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon, tumutulong din ito sa paghahanap sa akin.

My belongings right now are in the hands of the authority for further investigation but as of now, dead end. No primary suspect. Not even me.

Rence and Kuya are communicating in most times. Kahit anong lead or maling impormasyon na matanggap nila, tinatanggap nila. Marami na silang pinuntahang hotel sa buong Manila. Ma 5-star o ma 2-star lang ito. Kahit ano, panghahawakan nila, mahanap lang ako.

That’s why he was able to find me. Hindi niya alintana kung panloloko lang ito. Kahit ano basta lang makita ako.

Here I am, running away from everyone.

“Mas mabuting malayo ka sa lahat. Mas maalala mo ang lahat.” Aniya habang patuloy sa pagmamaneho.

“Don’t tell Rence yet. He will leave Rissa for me. My best friend needs him right now.” Sabi ko at binaba ang phone niya.

Kumunot ang noo ni kuya.

“Maghahanap pa rin siya. Hindi titigil ‘yon, Gab.”

“I will call him when I have the strength.” Sabi ko nalang.

I’m actually scared. Kapag nalaman ni Clarence ang nangyari sa akin, baka hindi niya ako tanggapin.

But I still need to tell him. I have to.

Now, I want some quiet time to pray for Calvin. My heart goes to his family. Mabait na tao si Calvin. Wala akong maisip na may kaaway siya. He loved to party. He loved drinking. Simple lang ang pangarap no’n, ang matanggap ng magulang niya na nagmamahalan sila ni Fin.

His parents accepted he’s gay but not his relationship with Fin.

Magkaaway ang pamilya nila sa Negosyo, that’s why.

I love you, Calvin.

Sana mahanap na kung sino ang may gawa nito sa atin. Magbabayad sila sa mga ginawa nila sa atin.

Halos tatlong oras ang naging byahe bago makarating ng Batangas. Kuya said no one knows this mansion but him. It’s one of his properties but the documents are not done so this place is not yet known to everyone.

I will be safe until then.

“Can I at least tell mum and dad?” Tanong ni kuya.

Ilang sandali kaming natinginan ni kuya bago ako tumango.

I don’t want my parents to worry too much. I wanted to call them since I got to the car, but I received too much information that I missed it.

“I will call them myself,” I said.

No one inside in this big mansion. I don’t why he bought this place but I don’t have time to ask him about that. Hindi pa buo ang puzzle na ako lang ang nakakaalam, ngunit hindi ko rin alam kung kailan ko matatapos.

Walang nag-ti-trigger sa memories ko so far.

I’m still clueless after all.

Whilst I was talking to my parents on the phone, kuya Daevan was instructing someone outside. Wala akong dalang damit at hanggang ngayon ito pa rin ang suot ko. Hindi matahimik ang kalooban ko dahil sa tuwing nakikita ko ang sariling suot, nayayamot ako sa sarili.

“Gab, anak, okay ka lang ba talaga? Saan ka nahanap ng kuya mo? Give me full details please…” sunud-sunod na tanong ni mum.

“We’ll go there now.” Si daddy naman.

“No dad! Please… they will follow you too.” Sagot ko agad.

They told me, I have nothing to hide. They will protect me no matter what. I’m a victim and no matter what they will find who did this horrible crime to us. Inamin nila na nahihirapan sila sa paghahanap dahil walang may alam kung sino ang mga gawa. Lahat ng mga nandoon sa party, natanong na ng mga investigators.

May separate din na investigator na nag conduct din ng questioning pero wala pa ring importanteng detalye silang nakuha.

Everyone’s in a huge shock. Clarissa and I are the missing puzzle to them. Akala nila may alam din kami. They can’t question Calvin anymore. Wala silang nahanap sa mga personal possessions namin. That’s making my parents frustrated.

For now, they’re contented I’m found.

Hindi rin naman ako magtatago ng mataaal. Kailangan kong harapin ang lahat ng ito at mahanap ang totoong nangyari sa amin. I’m hoping I will find some answers…

Kuya Daevan entered the house again with a bag. It says Oober Eatz.

“I’m sure you’re famished.” He smiled.

“Yes, I am. Hindi mo man lang ako pinakain kahit tinapay lang.” Biro ko pa.

“I can’t afford to stop. I’m sorry…” nilapag niya ang paper bag sa lamesa at sinilip ang loob. “Are you okay with fast food?”

“Anything kuya.”

Whilst eating, kuya informed me, he called someone to buy us clothes. Wala pa siyang masyadong gamit sa bahay na ito. Pansin kong may ilang part pa ng bahay na hindi pa tapos. Under renovation ang kusina niya at maging ang banyo. I had to look for a room to find a decent toilet.

Wala siyang papasukin sa bahay hanggang nandirito ako. That means, kami gagawa lahat ng chores. Wala kaming katulong na magluluto o maghuhugas ng pinaggamitan naming pinggan. I’m fine with it…

I can live with that.

Patuloy lang kami sa pagkain ng tahimik nang napatingin ako sa malaking TV. Kanina ko pa gustong buksan ito pero hindi ko magawa. Natatakot akong makita ang sarili ko. I could be in the news right now. I’m sure nabalita na ang nangyari sa gabing iyon.

Impossibleng hindi.

I can’t watch myself or any of my friends. I resolve to just rest for the day.

Tumunog ang phone ni Kuya Daevan. Pangalan na naman ni Rence ang nandoon. Halos nahirapan akong lunukin ang fried chicken. Naiiyak na naman ako. How I wish I can answer. I don’t have the confidence.

Not now.

Nagkatinginan kami ni kuya bago niya ito dinampot at sinagot.

“Any leads? Babalik ako sa bar. I may find something.” Diretsuhan nitong sabi.

Ni-loud speak ni kuya at nilapag sa harap ko ang phone.

“Wala ka nang makikita doon. That would be your 10th times…” kalmadong sagot ni kuya.

Bumuhos agad ang luha ko. Mabilis akong mapatakip ng bibig at baka humagulgol ako. Maririnig niya nandito lang ako at nagtatago sa lahat, maging sa kaniya. Gustong-gusto ko na talagang magsalita. Sabihin sa kaniya na narito lang ako at nagpapasalamat sa effort niyang hanapin ako. I want him to know how much I love him. I want to stop looking for me. That I'm safe and I will see him again soon.

I want to ask so many things. If he's blaming himself about what happened to me, he shouldn't be thinking about it. Who knew this would happen? Kuya kept saying Rence lost me whilst helping out his sister. I understood. Clarissa was in danger too. The last thing he knew I was gone and was in danger too.

“We could be missing something. Hindi ko alam. Papatayin ko kung sinong kumidnap sa kaniya. Baka manghihingi na ‘yon ng ramsom! Makakapatay talaga ako!” Galit nitong sabi.

Rence, I’m here. Okay ako sa ngayon…

Sana hintayin mo pa rin ako. Sana hindi mo ako pandirian kapag nalaman mo ang nangyari sa akin.

“I will kill whoever did this to my sister. I swear.” Si kuya Daevan.