The End of His Story

Adonis' POV

Agad kong pinauwi si Enola matapos kong maibigay lahat ng impormasyong kailangan niya para sa kasong iyon. Umuwi naman ako sa bahay ko ng may magkahalong lungkot at sayang nararamdaman.

Masaya ko dahil alam kong sa huling pagkakataon natulungan ko pa din siya ngunit may kalungkutan sa puso ko dahil alam kong hindi ko na masasaksihan pa ang kaligayahang maidudulot ng katotohanang itinago sa kaniya.

Tiwala ako sa dalagang 'yon. She was the next him and that is not surprising at all. I already added her name as my heiress in my will and testament. Alam ko naman kasing anytime pwede akong mamatay and I have to leave that agency to the rightful one, and that is Enola.

I remember the time when I first met her back 14 years ago. She was just 11 years old that time but I saw the future on her.

                            * * * * *

14 years ago

I was now on my way to the funeral of an old friend, Eduardo, he, together with his daughter and son-in-law was killed last night fortunately his granddaughter survive the tragedy. 

"You must be Enola." I asked a child who is standing near the coffin of Eduardo with a blank face.

"Yes, I am. Does it bother you?" 

I refrained myself from laughing though I can't stop the smile to slowly draw onto my lips. Is she really just an 11 years old girl? I feel like I am talking to a grown up lady. Mukhang hindi nga nagbibiro si Eduardo nang mabanggit niya noon na matalinong bata ang kaniyang apo ngunit may pagkamasungit nga lang.

"Oh so your grandfather is telling the truth about you. I see. How are you iha?" I asked as we both stared at Eduardo's coffin.

"Mukhang alam mo naman na po ang sagot dyan. Namatayan ako alangan naman pong masaya ko hindi ba?But please huwag niyo ng subukang pagaangin ang loob ko kaya ko naman po ang sarili ko and besides I don't know you at all. Malay ko ba kung mapanganib ka pala."

This kid surely has a trust issue.

"Yeah that's right and wrong. It is right not to talk to strangers but I'm not here para pagaangin ang loob mo iha. I am here to fulfill my promise to that old man that I will guide you" I answered.

"Excuse me but who are you?"  She asked, raising her right eyebrow.

"I'm Adonis Del Rosario kaibigan ako ng lolo mo and I don't like kids especially those who do not listen to the old ones and accused them easily." I said to tease her.

"What a coincidence? You know what? I don't like old people who keeps on commanding children what to do, I think magkakasundo naman tayo tandang Adonis." She finally gave me a smile and offered for a shakehand which I gladly accepted.

"Yeah. Just call me if you need anything." I said as I handed her my calling card and a phone.

"I need a scholarship can you help me?" 

She get the phone and calling card in my hand and stared at it for a moment and sighed.

I can't believe that a child would ask me this questions and talk to me like that. I can see something on her, something that I haven't seen for a long time. Passion, courage, commitment. 

"Yes I can, ofcourse. I will."

I know for a fact that Eduardo keep her for a reason and love her because she is special but why do I feel like there is something he did not tell me? What is it? Who is this child? Why did you died and she lived?

We just sit the whole night and talk about life and her plans. I can't believe that a kid on her age already have a great plan on her life. I left the place as she fell asleep.

                           * * * * *

Present

"I see it coming that Enola will turn out to be a great and strong lady back then. I know her longer than you. I know her more than you do but we are both aware of her capabilities as a detective and you are so afraid of that truth." I said as a shadow approach my direction.

"Nag-uulyanin ka na ba tanda? Hindi ako si Boss. Dapat mong malaman na hindi niya dudungisan ang sarili niyang mga kamay para lang sa tulad mo," sabi nito.

"Sinabi ko yon hindi dahil inakala kong ikaw siya. Sinabi ko yon para iparating mo sa kaniya, consider it as a death wish from an old man." I answered with a smile as I walked passed through him. 

"Hindi mo pa din ba ibibigay ang mga kailangan namin? Pwede ka pang mabuhay kung susunod ka lang kay boss at titigilan mo ang pagiging pakialamero mo. Pwede kang maging asset niya, afterall matagal ka naman na niyang inaawitan na kumampi sa kaniya hindi ba?" 

Tama, matagal na nga pero hindi niya ko makukumbinsi. May sinumpaan akong tungkulin at mananatali akong tapat dito hanggang sa huli kong hininga.

"I dedicated my life for solving crimes. I dedicated my life to be a truth seeker and to reveal all the lies that people are trying to impose to this society. I didn't marry anyone nor have a child because my life only revolved around that agency. Dapat mong malaman na hindi ako tumatalikod sa anumang sinumpaan ko. You are here to kill not to negotiate so let's stop talking non sense here."

Isa na lamang akong matanda na handa ng humarap sa kamatayan, lumipas na ang kabataan ko at nais ko na ding magpahinga. Iiwan ko ang mundong ito ng walang pagsisisi, lilisan ako ng alam kong nagawa ko ang lahat ng kailangan kong gawin. Mamamatay akong may kaligayahan dahil naranasan kong maging ama dahil sa batang yon na nakilala ko sa burol ng isa sa mga matalik kong kaibigan. 

Naupo ako sa silya na binili ni Enola para sa akin noong una niyang sahod bilang isang detective at muling sinariwa ang mga araw na nakasama ko siya at ang mga taong nagbigay ng kulay sa aking buhay. Mahaba na ang tinakbo ng buhay ko at oras na para bumaba sa huli kong destinasyon.

Dahan-dahan kong naramdaman ang pagbutas ng bala sa likuran ng aking ulo hanggang sa tuluyan nitong wakasan ang buhay ko. Kasabay ng paglabas ng aking huling hininga ay ang pagguhit ng isang ngiti sa aking mga labi, ngiting hindi nakuha ng mundo kahit pa ng kamatayan ko.