Chapter 2

ADRIANNE

Ang taas ng pinagmumulan ng tubig. Mula sa kinakatayuan ko ay nakatingala akong pinapanuod ang pagbagsak ng tubig sa mabatong ibaba na siyang nagbibigay ng magandang musika sa pandinig. Ang sarap niyang panuorin at ang sarap sa tainga.

"How did you discover this place?" I asked Red who is now almost naked wearing only her undergarments. Dahan dahan siyang bumaba sa mabatong bahagi ng talon kung saan umaagos ang malinaw na tubig pababa sa kung saan. Napapaligiran ng mga malulusog na puno. Wala kang ibang makikitang kulay kung hindi puro berde.

"Kahapon lang nasearch ko online" sagot niya nang hindi ako nililingon. Ang lapad ng ngiti niya nang sumayad na ang paa niya sa malinaw na tubig. Nilubog niya ang kalahating katawan at saka ako nilingon ng may malapad na ngiti sa labi.

"Beautiful isn't?" dumakot siya ng tubig gamit ang palad at naghilamos. Inulit niya iyon ng tatlong beses na para bang dinadama ang lamig ng tubig. Tumango ako at hinaguran ng tingin ang paligid. Inabot kami ng halos isang oras sa biyahe. We traveled from Cauayan to Roxas. Cauayan is more crowded than Roxas.

Bumuntong hininga ako at umupo sa ibabaw ng malaking bato. Pinagmasdan ang linaw ng tubig. Kitang kita ang buhangin sa ilalim nito. At ang repleksyon ng mga mata kong binabalot ng lungkot at sakit ay sinalubong ang aking mga mata. I stared at my own eyes at my reflection and there, I almost couldn't recognize myself anymore. Binabalot ng mga emosyong kahit kailan ay hindi na yata mawawala at mabubura.

"Don't worry, Lilac is watching over them. I brought you here so you could at least relax for awhile" she said staring at me. I could see her in my peripheral vision. But to be honest I am not worried about their safety kasi alam ko namang walang nagbabantang panganib simula nang unang araw ni Mis Amber dito. Hindi ko lang talaga kayang walain sa isipan ko si Asher. They must be doing something right now. Something that I don't want to see. Something a couple usually does and that brought pain in my heart by just thinking about it. Fuck it. My heart can't stop clenching at the thought running in my damn head.

Hindi ako naligo pero aminado akong kahit papaano ay gumaan ang pakiramdam ko dahil sa ganda ng paligid. Nature really calms me down. Whenever I feel stress and drained from everything,nature is my stress reliever. Kapag nasa manila ako bumabiyahe ako sa tagaytay para doon magpahinga at lumanghap ng hangin.

Pagbalik namin ni Red sa Rancho nina tita Freianne ay naabutan namin silang lima sa harapan ng malaking gate ng rancho. Nakaakbay si Amber kay Asher. Asher looked happy but gives pain in me. They look good together though. There is no doubt about that. Nakatayo sa harapan ng dalawa ang mag asawang sina tita Freianne at tita Kim kasama ang anak nilang babae na si Hanna who happened to be my cousin. Kumuyom ang kamao ko nang pumalibot ang mga braso ni Asher sa maliit na bewang ni Amber. Nagpapaalam na sila pabalik ng Manila. Dapat maging masaya ako dahil araw araw ko na muli masisilayan ang ganda ng mahal ko pero iba ang bumabalot sa puso ko ngayon.

Pinangarap ko ito eh. Matagal kong pinangarap na makita din sana ako ni Asher gaya ng kung paano niya nakikita ngayon si Ms. Amber. Sa kung paano kumikinang ang mga mata niya everytime it landed to her.

Nakasunod kami sa kanila pero hindi rin naman nakatutok para hindi kami mahalata. Lulan rin ng kanya kanya nilang big bikes sina Red at Lilac. May mga suot na kanya kanyang safety gear. Madaling araw na nang makarating kami ng Maynila. Umuwi si Amber sa bahay ng daddy niya. Si Asher ay dumiretso naman sa condo niya kung saan kinuha ko ang katabi nitong bakanteng unit.

Hinagis ko ang black leather jacket pagkahubad ko sa L-shape kong sofa sa sala. Ngayon ko naramdaman ang pagod sa halos sampung oras naming biyahe. Ang mga talukap ng mga mata ko bumibigat na rin. Dumiretso akong kusina at binuksan ang refrigerator. Kinuha ko ang pitsel at nagsalin ng tubig sa baso.

Nagtatalo ang puso at isip ko kung magpapakita na ba ako sa kanya o baka mas maiging huwag nalang. Total ay masaya na siya kasama ang babaeng minamahal niya. But what Red told me keeps running in my head. Urging me to show up to the woman I love and confess my feelings toward her. Pero isipin ko palang kung paano ko gagawin ay pinanghihinaan na ako ng loob.

Lulugo lugo akong pumanhik ng kwarto at nagpalit ng damit.Humilata at pinikit ang mga mata. Mabibigat ang talukap ko ngunit ang utak ko ginugulo at pinipilit ginigising ang buong diwa ko.

"Am sorry Uno but I think I have to.-"

"I understand Pink. But I am giving you a new assignment." I wasn't able to finish my words. Humarap sa akin si Uno at binaba ang hawak na glass sa ibabaw ng kanyang lamesa. Naabutan ko siyang nakatayo at nakatanaw sa glass wall ng kanyang opisina. Pinagmamasdan ang magulong trapiko sa maingay na kalsada.

My brows furrowed. But I remained at my composure and waited for his command. He look serious and cold. Uno looks young on his age. His body built screams power and everything beyond money. Kumuyom ang mga kamao niya ngunit mabilisan niya itong tinago sa loob ng kanyang plantsadong pantalon.

"I am sending you to St. Ericka to find the kriminal behind the killings na hanggang ngayon hindi pa nahahanap ng awtoridad. They asked for help from us and since you cannot give your full attention to your current assignment I am pulling you out and better handle this one. I need result in two weeks. You think you can do that?" he stared at me like studying the shits of me. I immediately nodded my head.

"Result in two weeks it is Uno. Consider it would be done in two weeks." I confidently announced. Taking assignments like this is just a piece of cake for me. I need this too to atleast think and distract this shits inside me these past few days.

Everything was settled. As I enter the housekeeping room to prepare everything I need to clean the building, I have notice the silence like no killings happened just the day before I started working here.

I checked my wristwatch and it's 7:00 in the morning. Still early for the first class. I can roam around and find something that can lead me to the suspect is. Binitawan ko ang hawak na mop. Nasa ika sampung palapag ako kung nasaan ang lab for medicine students. Ayon sa mga impormasyong binigay sa amin ng awtoridad ay dito raw natagpuan ang huling biktima.

Tahimik at malinis ang lugar. Wala ring nakitang finger prints na para bang eksperto sa pagpatay ang killer.

Makintab ang sahig maging ang stainless counter kung saan nakalagak ang mga nakahelerang microscope at empty bottles. Yumuko ako at sinipat ang kintab ng counter. There is no finger prints. No blood spilled on the floor when they found the lifeless body. Nothing can lead to the suspect at all. Clean like water in the drinking bottle.

I cross my arms and heaved a sigh. The killer must be good at cleaning his or her crimes but I still believe na kahit gaano pa siya kagaling mahuhuli at mahuhuli ko rin siya. Hindi lahat ng detalye ay kayang linisin ng ganun kabilis. Something might left in the corner but too hard to notice. And I will find out no matter how small it is.

"Who are you? What are you doing here this early?" a voice snapped me out from my deep thoughts. I turned my head to find the owner of that intruder from pulling me off in my thoughts.

"Bago ka rito?" a woman wearing a white suit paired with slacks. She wears all white that I can even determine what is her in this University. Hands inside her pockets. Eyes nailed at me like I am an intruder in her school. Well kinda. I am really is. Inayos ko ang face mask kong suot.

"Good morning.....po. Opo bago lang po ako rito. Kakasimula ko lang po kahapon" I wanted to slap my face for I have almost forgot to put up my acting skills. The woman eyed me from head to toe. Her eyebrows raised a bit like I was being suspicious. I cleared my throat and bow my head a little.

"excuse me po maglilinis na po ako" I excuse myself but before that ay dumaan muna ang mga mata ko sa lace na nakasabit sa kanyang makinis na leeg. Her school ID says she's a professor named Dr. Jovanna Gomez. She's too young to be a professor. Maputi. Makinis. And most of all gorgeous. I smirked when my back totally facing her. I can still feel the heat through her investigative eyes.

Bago pa dumating ang mga estudyante ay malinis na ang buong building. Sampu kaming housekeeper at bawat isa sa amin ay may hawak na palapag. I personally requested the higher floor. The admin of this school knew who I am and the reason why I am here. Tita Shanaia Asher Mendez Balt the President/owner of this school was stunned at my arrival.

Even I was stunned to see her after 18 years since I left the Philippines and live in the US. She hugged me the moment she recognized me. I didn't expect to see her here though I know that she owned this school. Not exactly her but the Yu's. Her late ex-husband

"How was your day?you know you don't have to clean like a real housekeeper here iha." she handed a glass of water which I immediately accepted. Pinatawag niya ako sa opisina niya ng magsimula na ang klase sa lahat ng departments.

Tinungo niya ang sofa na nakadesign para sa bisita. L-shape ang kulay creamy na sofa na may pabilog na glass table. She tapped the space next to hers. Enviting me to sit next to hers which I immediately obligue.

"I have to tita so no one would suspect me. I have to capture the culprit as soon as posible" binaba ko ang baso sa lamesa. Nakalahati ko ang laman. Tita Shanaia sighed and stared at me with so much care in her eyes.

"How did you ended up with this kind of job iha? Don't you think this a quiet dangerous for you? You look fragile and soft" she said eyes locked onto mine. I chuckle at her comments and remarks about me.

"Ohh believe me tita I have been through a lot already that finding a criminal like this is just a piece of cake now for me." I said proudly that makes her even more curious about my job.

She stared at me and didin't say any for a few minutes. She was examining me. Her eyes shows worries and much care. She looks young at her age.

"How long have you been working in this dangerous field then? Have you been hurt or something that you almost lost your life with your past assigments?" she asked. Nothing was registered in her eyes but care. My smile faded. I cleared my throat and nod my head once. She gasped and reach for my hand. She looks terrified.

"Ohh my god. Then bakit hindi ka pa umalis jan. You can handle your family businesses instead. Much better and safer than this. You are risking your life to save others and I get that but your life is worth living in a way na-" I caresses her hand and let out a soft chuckle. Cutting her off.

"Tita I am fine really. And I love my job. The feeling whenever we caught criminals and putting them to jail gives me satisfaction. Like I was born to be a criminal capture. It makes me proud of myself every time." I said it with my heart. Tita Shanaia stared at me. Smiling at me. Showing me proudness through her eyes. Same as before she looked at me like hers. Like I am from her own blood and flesh which brought warmth in my heart.

"How about Iana? Have you two talked already? Does she know about this?" she asked. Changing the topic and bringing up her daughters name so sudden which makes my heart clenched. I shook my head. My heart suddenly changing its beats pace. I bit my lower lip and sigh.

"She know nothing tita. And I haven't reached out yet." My voice sounds like a daughter na nagsusumbong sa ina. Tita's face softened. She reached for my cheek and caresses it softly. Other hand was in mine's. My eyes on the floor. Afraid to meet her's for I am afraid showing her my vulnerable state. The pain in me.

"She's been looking for you since you suddenly cut ties with her. I know nothing why you didn't come on her debut party and suddenly stop communicating but I don't judge you and I never did iha. But I am a mother and I want to know the story behind your sudden disappearance the second time" her voice was so soft and caring na humatak ng emosyon ko. Tears started to form in the corner of my eyes. I looked up at her meeting her lovely eyes.

"Promise me tita you won't tell her until I am ready to face her" I sounded like begging. She didn't responded immediately but then seconds went by she finally agree by nodding her head and say "If that's what you want".

I heaved out a heavy sigh.

"I was kidnapped the day of my arrival two days before her birthday and was sold at the auction in the black market". Her jaw dropped. Eyes widen. Tears flooded in the corner of her eyes. She was stunned and terrified.