Episode 56: Pok Hunts Us (Part 2)

                 •|• QUEEN •|•

I WAS ABOUT to follow my g-friends out of our room just so we could prepare for school when my phone beeped.

I took it from atop the bedside table and saw Alas' name registered on the screen. I swiped it up to read his text.

Good morning, babe. Sana lagi mo akong iniisip para quits tayo. 😳

I rolled my eyes at his text and emoji.

So baduy naman this boy, but I just found myself smirking. I immediately typed a reply.

Morning.

Wow, ang sweet naman 😂

I frowned. Was that sarcastic?

Are you being sarcastic on me?

No no no, babe. Kinikilig nga ako hihihi.

Napapangiti ako sa kabaduyan niyang magtype. Ang idiota na 'to!

'Okay, enjoy your day,' was my only reply.

I don't know what to say anymore. I know it's getting awkward but hell, this is my first time having a boyfriend! And, it's not as if being in an instant relationship comes with a manual.

I don't really know what to do!

Shameful but my idea of being sweet is only limited in baking him some cookies, and take note, they're burnt. Oh, how I hate myself for being such a lazy ass in the kitchen.

I stared at my phone again when he sent me another message.

Babe, ingat ka kasi bubuo pa tayo ng pamilya 😘

Are boyfriends really required to type like this and send baduy emojis?

Stronzo

😣😣😣

What's with these three sulking siopaos?

Lol, babe 😂 They're not siopaos. Mga anak natin 'yan 😂

Napakawalang-kwentang kausap talaga nitong si Alas. I rolled my eyes and didn't bother giving him a reply. He'll just ruin my day. I guess, I'll just visit him in the café later para talagang sira ang araw ko.

I went out of the room then I made my way to the kitchen. Inilapag na ni Rum ang niluto niyang bacon at omelette sa lamesa. Si Snow na kasunod niya ay ganoon din ang ginawa sa dala nitong waffles.

"Si Tutti?" Rum asked us while looking around.

I scanned my gaze around. Si Dean nagkakape pero wala ang nuno.

"Psst! Psst!"

We all drifted our attention on her at the kitchen threshold. Nakasungaw ang kalahati ng katawan niya mula roon habang suot-suot sa ulo ang kulay green na sumbrero ng elf ni Santa. Dean and I snorted with laughter.

Matchy-matchy.

"Sa Shopeee..." she sang while slowly walking to us.

I frowned because I realized that she was singing Jose Marie Chan's Christmas jingle for Shopee. It was popular last year but I didn't expect it would still be this year.

"Pasko na..." she continued while stretching her arms, acting like a singer.

"Sa Shopee pi pi pi pi..." she went on while dancing Baby Shark this time, not removing that child-like smile on her face.

I rolled my eyes but looked at her again. She's just so cute.

Napapaindak narin si Snow. Natatawa na lang ako nang mahina.

"Free shipping ping ping ping- guys, 'yong regalo ko ha?" she smilingly reminded us before she rushed to the dining table after realizing that breakfast was already served.

"Excited? At saka bakit nandito ka?" Dean asked her while slightly tugging her hat.

"Bakit?" baling ni Tutti sa kanya na may hawak-hawak nang hotdog sa kamay.

I facepalmed. She didn't even use a fork. Rum handed her the fork which she took right away saka tinusok ang hotdog niya at sinubo.

"Dapat nasa factory ka ni Santa. Tanginang dwarf na 'to!" tawa pa ni Dean sabay upo na sa tabi ni Snow.

Our seating arrangement changed because Dean replaced Tutti just so he could sit beside his love. That's why nasa magkabilaan ko sina Rum at Tutti ngayon.

"Kung mang-aasar ka, 'wag ngayon, lods. Gutom ako at baka makain kita nang buhay."

Tutti stood for awhile to get the remote and switched on the flat screen so that she could watch the news.

"Nasunog ang mansyon ni Congressman Isidro Hermando sa Binago kanina bandang alas-kwatro ng madaling-araw. Nakuha sa CCTV ang grupo ng mga armadong lalaking sumalakay at tinambangan ang mga security nang nasabing mansyon. Ayon sa pahayag ng kongresista ay duda niyang terorista ang mga ito..."

We all watched the news intently especially when the CCTV footage was shown on the screen. There were men with weapons, rifles and shotguns to be exact, who ransacked and shot the security of the said mansion.

I felt all of us stilled when one gunman stared at the CCTV a little longer before directing his weapon towards it then he shot it.

His face was similar to that of Akhem's appearance. Very pale with dark circles under his eyes.

Undeads are indeed so haggard and stressed.

I absentmindedly cupped my cheeks. We should always take care of our skin because it's one of the body parts that will give us initial signals on the status of our health.

"Kamukha niya si Akhem..." Snow pointed out. Rum nodded.

"It must really be his father seeking vengeance for his death. Eat now, Charmings. We have to investigate further after our classes," Rum instructed us.

I groaned in annoyance and they all snickered, having fully known that my gesture means I don't want to attend my classes for today.

AFTER DOING THE dishes and cleaning the kitchen, we all dressed up for our last day of school since the most celebrated holidays are coming in the next few days.

I have convinced my g-friends to wear civilian clothes for today so that we could kiss this year goodbye.

Snow opted to wear a white midi dress with tiny black polka dots and several sunflower prints. She paired it also with a yellow cardigan and simple sneakers then her favorite champagne-colored tote bag. Kulay yellow din ang headband niyang may maliit na bow sa ulo.

Tutti, on the hand, was donning an ivory-colored oversized tee shirt which sleeves were folded and it's tucked in her olive and white check midi skirt. She had chosen a pair of ivory Oxfords as footwear and tied her hair up for a half-ponytail using a silk olive ribbon. She also brought with her her white We Bare Bears backpack.

I decided to sport a hot pink co-ords with a crop double breasted blazer with short sleeves as top and high rise pencil skirt from Chanel. I slipped my feet inside a lovely pair of white Chanel espadrilles too. I carried with me a white Chanel vanity case also then parted my hair at the center and put on two statement clips that say 'Damn'. I'm channeling a Chanel girl vibe today and I love it so damn much.

The boys were already waiting for us at the lobby when we descended. Nagkagulatan pa sina Tutti at Rum dahil matching na naman ang kulay ng mga suot nila.

Rum's wearing an olive short sleeves button down shirt tucked in his white trousers then brown Oxfords. Si Dean naman ay suot ang usual fitted black v-neck shirt and ripped jeans niya then Doc Martens.

"Mind reader ka ba, Rum?" asked the nuno. Rum shook his head.

"E, bakit matching tayo ng suot palagi?"

"That's called tadhana," I mocked them.

Naningkit naman ang mga singkit na mata ng nuno pero naglakad na lang kami palabas at sumakay na sa Jeep Wrangler so that we can all go to UP na.

While on the road, Rum recounted the things we will be doing for Akhem's funeral service.

"Gustong managot ni Akhem ang mga pumatay sa kanya sa tamang paraan. He also wants to know the informant who tipped them about his father. Lastly, he wants to talk to his father because he was sure Pok will continue to hunt everyone who made him suffer."

"Pok?" Snow curiously interposed

"His father, Hipoklito or simply known as Pok in their group," Rum retorted.

"Was he the one we saw on the news?" I asked and Rum nodded.

"We have to stop them from doing worse than the arson earlier," he told us.

"Queen, ilang taon na nga pala si Alas," he suddenly asked.

My brows furrowed.

It's not that I forgot it 'cause I don't forget things. It's just that... I don't know.

"I don't know. I don't do carbon dating," I reasoned.

The Biology student giggled at that. The nuno laughed while Rum's trying his best not to chuckle.

"Love, anong carbon dating?" tanong nang napag-iiwanan na si Dean sa joke.

"Ang carbon dating or radiocarbon dating ay isang paraan ng pag-eestimate ng mga edad ng mga artifacts at biological vestige o iyong mga marka o signs na naiwan ng isang bagay na pinapaniwalaang naglaho na sa mundo based sa relative amount ng isotopes ng carbon na present doon sa sample. Halimbawa dine ay ang pagsusuri sa edad ng specific type ng dinosaur sa naiwan niyang footprint sa lupa," explained Snow. Dean nodded as if he understood it but I know too well that he didn't.

"Doll," Rum called the nuno instead to answer it.

"Twenty-three po, mum."

"Know that I'm always here to support you with whatever makes you happy. I just want you to take care, okay? Get to know Alas more. Alam nating magkasama sila ni Tutti sa Circumdraven noon at parehong wala na roon pero mas mainam parin 'yong panatag ang loob mo sa kung sino talaga siya," Rum told me and I nodded.

He's right. Rum is always right.

When my class was done in Fashion Illustration 1, I immediately went to visit the café to see Alas. The administrations decided that classes are cut until noon since it's the final class day before the holiday begins. May klase pa ang apat and we will be going to places to fulfill Akhem's final wishes. 

I stopped dead on my tracks when I caught the same girl with ginger hair who's now wearing a red halter strap romper and red heels exited the café followed by Alas with a perpetual scowl on his face.

Before they could get to somewhere far, I tailed them right away.

"Babe!" I called Alas using his endearment. I even made my voice sound sweet. Gosh, it's so cringy.

Alas turned to me with his eyes wide due to surprise.

"Babe, what are you doing here?" he asked and quickly walked towards me.

The woman scowled at me for a split second before she smirked and crossed her arms.

"Do you know each other?" I asked him.

"No!"

"Yes."

I looked Alas dead in the eye after their different retorts in unison. His Adam's apple moved then he tried holding me by the elbow.

"How do you know him?" I asked the ginger.

A teasing smile played on her lips. "Well..."

"Well, let me tell you this, hija. I am a beautiful banker and Alas is my investment. Not yours, my investment. You should stop swindling my money, make your own bank, and paint it red to catch other customers' attention so that you can also have more kita," I cut her off using some economic antics.

"What did you just call me?" she hissed, bothered that I called her hija instead of a swindler.

"Let's go, babe," Alas held me by my elbow and we both turned our backs on her when she had spoken again. "Alas! That girl's not getting away from m-"

Alas quickly glared at her. "Don't move."

I looked back at the ginger. She stilled in her position like she'd been glued there. I noticed it from her expression and subtle movement that she's like breaking from something.

"Let's go, babe," malambing na aya ulit ni Alas sa akin, still holding my siko.

"You think he really likes you? Oh, come on, wala 'yan sa bokabularyo ni Alas. He's not gonna love you, especially with that attitude of yours."

I turned to her again then smiled at her in my sweetest before blowing her a kiss and saying, "Bye-bye, bitch."

Alas was clenching his jaw when he looked at her again then he uttered the words, "Now, you can move but don't follow us."

Pagkalayo namin doon ay mahina kong inalis ang siko mula sa pagkakahawak ni Alas. He looked at me confused.

"Babe, I'm sorry. Rolyn's just an old acquaintance. I swear, there's nothing between us. Hindi kita niloloko," he said.

"You lied to me. I hate liars, Alas."

He froze for a second then reached for my hands.

"I'm sorry, babe..." He swallowed again. Mukha siyang nahihirapan.

I diverted my eyes away from him. I feel like something's really wrong, but my stubborn rhythmical system still wants him and don't want him gone.

Totoo kaya talagang kahit anong talino mo ay maga-gaga at maga-gaga ka rin pagdating sa sinasabi nilang pag-ibig?

"You know, you're an idiota for lying and so I am for still wanting you..." I confessed and looked away when I felt my cheeks burned.

He cupped my face to pull me close to him so that he can kiss my cheek.

"I want you too. I've realized that I never truly wanted anyone before the way I want you today and tomorrow and everyday."

He kissed my cheek sweetly again. Every brush of his lips on my skin was sending me thousands of electric bolts.

I faced him and hooked my arms around his neck. He smiled before holding my nape and dipping in for a deep kiss.

"Nanlalabo na ba ang mga mata ko o talagang nakangiti ang mahal na reyna ngayon?" asked the nuno while narrowing her chinky eyes into slits while grinning at me teasingly.

"Stronzo," I grimaced and kept pace with the others as we made our way inside the police station where the three assailants of Akhem were stationed.

He didn't know their names, yet Rum made Tutti draw the details about the policemen he remembered on the night of his death. He also recalled reading the station attached to an officer's badge.

We will be searching for them here right now. Si Rum na ang kumausap sa police na nasa front desk.

"Magandang araw po, sir. Magtatanong lang po sana kami kung anong pangalan ng mga police officers na ito," he said as he laid the sketches on the table.

"Kamukha ni Chief Inspector Saarinas 'tong isa. 'Yong dalawa naman may kaso pang inaasikaso. Si Chief nasa loob lang ng opisina niya roon. Ano bang kailangan niyo sa kanila, hijo?"

"Pasensya na po sa gagawin ko pero kailangan pong hindi na kami mag-aksaya pa ng oras," ani Rum at mariing tiningnan sa mata ang pulis.

"Dalhin niyo po kami sa kanya at sabihin niyong importante ang pakay namin," he ordered him, employing some of his hypnotics.

The police who's under his trance nodded then ushered us to the chief inspector's office. We saw three other tables there but Inspector Saarinas is the only person inside the room as of the moment.

"Anong kailangan mo, Maghinay?"

From the paper he was signing, his gaze moved up to us. Shock painted his expression.

"Anong ginagawa nila rito, Maghinay?! Sino kayo?!" he growled his displeasure for our surprise visit while standing from seat.

"Makakalabas ka na," Rum told Maghinay softly who nodded in return then leave us with the chief inspector.

Dean made sure to lock the door and remained guarding it. He crossed his arms at pumuputok pa ang muscles sa fit na tee shirt that's why he's looking like a legit bouncer at the club.

Snow and I remained standing. I flipped my hair first before crossing my arms too just like Dean.

Preskong naupo naman si Tutti sa may couch at hilig pa sabay stretched ng mga braso sa ibabaw ng headboard. The nuno crossed her legs comfortably too like she's just inside her punso.

"Chief, wala bang softdrinks dyan?" walang hiya-hiya niyang tanong.

Lalong nanggalaiti ang face ni Chief Inspector Saarinas. "Anong klaseng katarantaduhan ito?! Sino kayong mga pangahas kayo?! Nasa presinto kayo hindi niyo ba naiintindihan?! Pwedeng-pwede ko kayong ipasok sa kulungan!"

"Hinga, chief. Masyado kang high blood. Huwag kang mag-alala, naiintindihan ko ang struggle nang nalalapit na pagputok ng bulkang uniform," panunukso pa ni Tutti sa matabang pulis na parang sasabog na suman na sa uniporme nito.

Rum advanced forward.

"We don't have much time anymore, sir. This is why I need you to be honest. Did you kill Akhem Ali on the night of July 30?"

The chief's expression soured. It was gross, I tell you. He looked like a scowling butete.

"Sino ka para paratangan ako nang ganyan?!" he spat.

"Tutti," Rum called the nuno as he glanced at her sideway.

Tutti subtly tapped her earpiece, a device invented by Gol, to record their voices. She then leaned forward, rested her elbows on her lap with her hands on her cheeks, and smiled at them teasingly.

Rum looked at the inspector straight in the eye. He will be hypnotizing him for sure.

"Tell me the truth, sir. Did you kill Akhem Ali on the 31st of July?"

"Oo," the policeman answered right away. His eyes have this faraway look in them.

"Why?"

"Pinipilit namin siyang umamin tungkol sa tatay niyang leader ng mga terorista. Tinuhod ko ang leeg niya noon habang sinusubukan siyang pakantahin nang maging unresponsive na siya at wala nang signs ng buhay."

"Ano ang mga basehan niyo para dakpin siya at gawin iyon sa kanya?"

"Isang informant na kakilala niya ang nagsumbong ng lahat nang nalalaman niya tungkol kay Ali. Isa pa, isa rin siyang Muslim kaya hindi iyon kataka-tak-"

His explanation got drowned by my sarcastic laughter. Fuck you, Chief Butete!

"Muslims are not terrorists!" I corrected him.

Akhem's family and fellow men who were living in the mountainous parts of the nearby province aren't even Muslims! They don't have religion and they're nonbelievers, atheists to be specific. Rum told us that Akhem converted to Islam when he started studying here in the city because he learned to love it.

The teachings of Islam are far from what narrow-minded people like Chief Butete thought to be like. Islam is against terrorism. They're promoting peace instead of war, harmony instead of violence, and respect instead of prejudice.

"Parang tanga 'tong tanginang 'to. Pulis ka ba talaga?" Dean seconded.

Hindi naman sumagot si Chief Butete because he's still under Rum's hypnosis.

"Sino itong sinasabi mong informant?" Rum asked.

Chief Butete revealed this informant's name and location. Our funeral director even made him confess his crime and named the other two accomplices he's with that night and have it recorded by the Chinese nuno.  Iyon ang gagamitin naming ebidensya para sa kaso nila. They will pay big time for what they did to Akhem.

Paglabas namin ng opisina ay parang walang nangyari. Rum brought the two people back to their normal state when we're out of the police station.

I bumped into a man while walking out. I apologized but stared at him longer when I noticed his unusual paleness. Binaba niya ang brim ng sumbrero niya nang mapansin ang paninitig ko. He nodded but didn't say anything and was about to go inside the police station when Rum stopped him by holding him on the arm.

"Dadalhin po namin kayo kay Akhem at bibigyan kayo ng pagkakataong makausap ang kaluluwa niya kung mahinahon kayong sasama sa amin," he stated.

My brows furrowed. What was Rum talking about?

Tutti gasped and covered her mouth immediately when realization dawned on her too.

"Beh, anong meron?" the ever clueless Snow asked.

"Siya si Pok, beh," she responded.

"Nasaan ang anak ko?" Pok voiced out.

"Sasamahan namin kayo sa kanya kung hindi niyo itutuloy ang plano niyong paglusob dito at sesenyasan ang mga kasama niyong umatras," Rum offered him a deal. Pok didn't say anything so my friend continued.

"Napaamin na po namin ang mga nagkasala kay Akhem at sinisigurado po namin sa inyong mananagot sila sa batas na gaya nang kahilingan ni Akhem na gawin ang lahat sa maayos at tamang paraan."

Seconds ticked until Pok slowly nodded and slightly raised his left hand then moved it twice, signalling his men who hide themselves skillfully behind concrete and bushes to abort their initial plan.

Rum talked to him. Afterwards, he called Tutti to continue conversing with him when he began speaking in his native tongue in which only the language nuno can understand fully.

Now, I understand why Rum trusted her so much even if she's alone. She's a skillful assassin.

Snow and I looked at Rum when he gently held the small of our backs, guiding us inside the backseat of the Jeep Wrangler. Tutti was left with Dean on lookout.

Rum opened the backseat door and let us both in. He pulled his handkerchief out of his trouser's pocket and unfolded it then he placed it atop my lap and covering half of my thighs. He was being conservative and protective because someone's going to be on board with us.

Snow and Tutti's dress and skirt respectively were both midi. Natatakpan parin n'on ang mga tuhod at kalahati ng binti nila kahit na nakaupo. Mine's mini and a pencil sort at that so it will really push up a little when I sit.

Rum waited for Tutti to hop in before he opened the shotgun seat for Pok then joined us at the back. Si Manong Dean, our driver, was the last to enter.

We went to the address of the informant given by Chief Butete. We pulled over a duplex building with a number of apartments in each floor.

Huminto kami sa exact number ng apartment na nasa address. Rum knocked three times. Pok was silently standing behind him. I eyed him. He was trying his best to remain calm and composed, but for how long...

Pinagbuksan kami ng isang lalaking nagbubutones ng puting uniporme niya.

"Piolo Alcatraz. UP College of Medicine."

I looked at Snow when I heard her whispered that.

"Nabasa ko 'yong nameplate niya," she explained while gesturing the breast part where nameplates are usually hanged.

"Good job, Ms. Kalabasa," I smirked, teasing her.

"Ako si Mr. Karot ha," ngisi naman ni Dean sabay akbay sa kanya. Napairap na lang ako.

Veggies, ew.

"Mas bagay sa'yo ang Mr. Kamote," singgit ni Tutti na literal na sumingit sa gitna namin.

"Bakit naman?" kunot-noong tanong ni Dean. Hayan papatulan niya na naman tapos...

"'Cause you're sweet kaso palamura."

"Oh, tapos?"

"Kaya pota-to," hagikhik ng nuno sabay takbo at kabit naman sa braso ni Rum saka awra sabay finger heart kay Dean.

Magbabangayan na naman sila...

Dean groaned but even before he could reach her, Snow gazed up at him and smiled warningly. I laughed when he dramatically rolled his eyes.

"Pero ibig sabihin niyan ay magkasama sila ni Akhem sa Med school," Snow pointed out and I nodded.

Natahimik din naman agad kami nang mapansin namin that Pok was silently clenching his fists.

"Ano pong kailangan nila?"

"Hindi na po kami magpapaligoy-ligoy pa. Kilala niyo po ba si Akhem Ali, sir?" Rum's straightforward query.

Piolo's eyes widened a fraction but he immediately covered it up with a nervous smile. "Best friend ko po siya. Bakit po?"

"Wala na siya. Gusto ka sana niyang imbitahan sa funeral niya," Rum smiled sadly at him.

"Ano?!" gulat niyang tanong. This time he wasn't able to hide it that fast.

Natulala siya at hindi agad nakapagsalita. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa amin until his eyes turned teary.

"A-Ano pong nangyari? B-Bakit wala na siya..."

"He was killed by three policemen who forced him to confess about his connection to a rebel group," Rum explained.

Lalong nagulat at natameme si Piolo sa narinig. Maya-maya pa ay tuluyan na siyang umiyak at napasalampak sa floor.

"I-I'm sorry... H-Hindi ko alam na gan'on ang gagawin nila sa kanya... H-Hindi ko alam na...na papatayin siya... Kung alam ko lang d-di sana hindi na lang ako nagsumbong..." he cried in regret.

Hinawi ni Pok si Rum saka lumapit kay Piolo at hinatak ito sa kwelyo patayo saka isinandal sa pader. Lalo siyang nagimbal when he saw his undead features.

"Nang magpaalam sa akin ang anak ko na aalis siya at pupunta sa siyudad para mag-aral at magkaroon nang mapayapang buhay ay hinayaan ko siya! Hinayaan ko siya kasi akala ko magiging maayos siya at ligtas! Akala ko... Akala ko matutupad niya ang mga pangarap niya at magiging masaya siya kahit malayo siya sa akin!"

"P-Pero mga rebelde parin po kayo... Tinutugis kayo ng gobyerno dahil mapanganib kayo... N-Natakot lang po ako pero hindi ko ginusto ang g-ginawa nila kay Akhem... Maniwala po ka-"

Idiniin pa ni Pok si Piolo sa pader.

"Aren't we going to do anything?" I asked Rum.

"Queen, he's a father. Malaking bagay iyong hindi niya pagtuloy sa plano nilang pagsugod sa istasyon. Pinapahalagahan niya parin ang huling hiling ng anak niya kaya hayaan mo muna siya. Alam niya kung hanggang saan lang ang pwede niyang gawin," he replied.

"Sa tingin mo, sino ang nagbabayad sa mga kasamahan ko para umatake? Sino ang nagsusuplay ng mga baril namin? Ang mga taong nasa katungkulan mismo para sa kapangyarihan! Ngayong nasa pwesto na sila at hindi na kami kailangan, tinutugis nila kami na parang mga animal na sumisira at salot sa lipunan!"

I then realized everything. Congressman Hermando assumed the position of the late congressman of their district. The previous congressman was ambushed by unidentified men and killed. Congressman Hermando was also showy of his support to bring forth and punish terrorists. Iyon pala, he's one of those hypocrites who used these rebel groups for their political advantage tapos maghuhugas-kamay na akala mo santong kailangan iparada sa madla.

Piolo cried harder. "P-Pasensya na po h-hindi ko alam... Nagkamali ako... Sorry po..."

"Kung kami lang ang magtutuos ay ayos lang. Pero si Akhem, 'yong anak kong may pangarap at nananahimik ang binawian nila ng buhay... Walang kasalanan ang anak ko... Naiintindihan mo ba? Kahit siya gusto niyang matigil ang lahat ng ito dahil ayaw niyang namamatay ang pamilya niya at kababayan dahil lamang magkakaiba tayo ng mga ideolohiya... Ayaw niya ng dugo, ayaw niya ng gulo..."

Nanghihinang binitawan nang lumuluhang si Pok ang binata. Piolo walked through his knees, held the man's feet, and bowed his head. He was shaking in fear and regret.

"P-Pasensya na po... P-Pasensya na po talaga... Hindi ko alam... Wala akong alam... Best friend ko po si Akhem... N-Napakabuti niya po sa akin... Sobrang n-nagsisisi na po, sir... Sorry po talaga..."

I really thought Pok will hunt everyone who made his son suffer but I was wrong. He prove us all wrong. He was willing to give up violence and bring down his weapons just so he could fulfill his son's last wish.

WEARING OUR BLACK belted long dress with cuffed sleeves and black dress shirt under a black coat and slacks for the boys, we readied for the burial of Akhem Ali.

Although Pok and the rest of their group and family are atheists, Akhem converted into Islam so the funeral and burial were done adhering to the Islamic customs and traditions.

Rum didn't embalm Akhem but autopsied him for medical evidence of his cause of death to be presented in the court to convict the three policemen. His corpse was then covered with three white sheets and Yorme had asked for his friend Imam who's also a secret beast to conduct the burial and to recite the Muslim prayer for it. His corpse was even placed lying on his right inside the casket, facing towards Mecca as part of their belief.

The Muslim mourners the Imam brought with him threw three handfuls of dirt onto his casket while saying altogether, "We created you from it, and return you from it, and from it we raise you a second time."

After that, four men from his family lowered his casket in the grave.

"Sorry, pa..." Akhem's teary-eyed soul apologized to his father.

"Proud, ako sa'yo, anak," Pok retorted smilingly as tears began escaping from his eyes too.

They hugged each other tightly for the nth time. "Promise me you will live in peace from now on and I will leave this earth and lifetime in peace too."

"Pangako ko 'yan sa'yo, anak."

We ushered Akhem to the basement where Charon was already waiting for him.

"Leave in peace with your heart and soul, Akhem. A beautiful life awaits you after this," our funeral director promised him.

Akhem smiled and nodded before saying his thanks which made us all happy.

•|• Illinoisdewriter •|•

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