#ChainedtothePastWP

Chapter 33
Operation

Kalcifer was already waiting at the dining room, when I woke up the next morning. Breakfast was served at the table, but I didn't find my mother.

Pagkatapos kong suyudin ng tingin ang hapagkainan ay binalingan ko ulit ng tingin si Kalcifer. He was wearing a black polo shirt. Kahit medyo malayo sa kanya ay naamoy ko ang kanyang bango.

Mabuti na lang at nagdesisyon akong maligo muna bago bumaba. Medyo naninibago nga ako na maaga siyang dumadating dito sa amin, samantalang noong nasa San Isidro kami ay lagi kaming hapon nagkikita dahil madaling araw na siyang nakakatulog tuwing umuuwi siya sa kanila.

"Good morning," I greeted him with a smile.

"Morning," he briefly said.

Pouting my lips, I sat across him and asked, "Kumain ka na ba?"

"Not yet," he answered. "I'm waiting for you."

My breath hitched in my throat. Para akong nasamid kahit wala namang iniinom. Pasimple akong nag-angat ng tingin muli kay Klacifer at naabutan ko siyang tamad na nakatitig sa akin.

"Uh... Kain tayo," sabi ko na lang at saka sumandok na ng kanin at ulam.

He did the same and scooped some fried rice and get bacon.

Tahimik kaming dalawa nang magsimulang kumain. Hindi ako nangahas na magsimula ng usapan sa pagitan naming dalawa. I was contented with the silence and peace in between us.

Usually, my mother would eat breakfast with us and would initiate to start a conversation, but that wasn't the case today.

Speaking of my mother, I suddenly wonder where she is... Is she still asleep or what?

"By the way..."

Halos mapatalon ako sa aking kinauupuan at hindi ko nalunok nang maayos ang pagkain nang muling magsalita si Kalcifer sa gitna ng nananaig na katahimikan. Kalcifer immediately pour me a glass of water and gave it to me. Agad kong tinanggap 'yon para mahimasmasan.

Naubos ko kaagad ang isang baso ng tubig. I placed the empty glass on top of the table, and then lifted my gaze back to Kalcifer. He was looking at me with concern.

"I'm sorry if I startled you," he apologized.

Nakangiti akong umiling sa kanya. "Ayos lang," sabi ko. "Ano nga pala ang sasabihin mo?"

Kalcifer shifted on his seat, at the same time as his emotions changed. He was now back wearing the same stoic and serious expression of his, like he didn't let any emotion show just a second ago.

"I'm just gonna ask you about what you want to tell me," he said and sat straight. He eyed me, curious and eager to know what was on my mind.

Muli akong tumingin sa paligid. Bahagya akong tumayo para dumuwang palapit sa kanya. "Mamaya na tayo mag-usap at baka mayroong makarinig sa atin," pabulong kong sabi. "Mom might come down to eat breakfast. Mukhang tinanghali ata siya ng gising ngayon."

"Your mother already ate breakfast," he told me. "She's currently doing yoga with my mother at the workout room. They usually take two to three hours. Also, Ate Sally went to the supermarket to buy groceries with Steffie."

"Your mother?" I almost shouted in shock.

Nang mapansing tumaas ang boses ay mabilis kong tinikom ang aking bibig at umayos ulit sa pagkakaupo.

I never thought that my mother's close with his mother. And based on what Kalcifer had just said, it seemed like our mothers usually hangout together to do yoga. Agad kong inisip kung ano ang posibleng itsura ng ina ni Kalcifer. Sigurado akong maganda 'to. I wondered if she's nice and approachable or would she be just like her son?

"Yes, my mother," he said, uninterested to talk about our mothers.

Kinagat ko ang aking ibabang labi. Tumango-tango na lamang ako.

"So..." He spoke again. "I guess whatever you're about to tell me should be kept as a secret, even to your mother?"

"Uh... Ganoon na nga," nag-aalangan kong sabi. "This is about Tito Enrico..."

His eyes narrowed as his brows furrowed. "Enrico Valderama?"

I nodded my head.

"What about him?" he probed.

"I learned yesterday that he died the same night when Arlene and I were kidnapped," I told him what I just knew. "Mom told me that he suffered from heart failure. Inatake siya at tumigil ang puso niya nang malaman na nasa kapamahakan kami ni Arlene."

"Then what about it?"

I tightly gripped the hem of my shirt, knowing that I might be falsely accusing Tita Drizelda, but I just really wanted to make sure. My gut was telling me that there was something skeptical about his death that I had to dig deeper.

"I think Tita Drizelda's behind it," I finally voiced out my thoughts.

"What makes you come up with that deduction?" Kalcifer's expression didn't change a bit. He just quietly probed, listened, and stared.

Sa tingin ko ay naiisip niya na rin ang naiisip ko, pero gusto niya rin sigurong makasigurado na parehas kaming dalawa nang iniisip.

"His death was so prompt and timely," I stated to speak out my reasons. "And I know he's a very healthy man. Kung bakit siya biglang inatake ay nakakapagtaka para sa akin. Even though he was in shock, I don't think it should've caused his death. And if it's true that Tita Drizelda was really behind the kidnapping incident before, I think it was also a part of her plan. Hindi ko man maisip kung ano ang pwedeng maging rason niya, kung bakit niya kailangang patayin si Tito Enrico, pero hindi mawala sa akin ang paghihinala na mayroon siyang kagagawan sa pagkamatay nito."

Pinagsalikop ni Kalcifer ang kanyang mga kamay na nakapatong sa lamesa at mukhang nag-iisip nang malalim.

"Kaya ko gustong sabihin sa'yo ang tungkol dito dahil alam kong kaya mo akong tulungan na imbestigahan ang nangyari noon. I don't have the means to investigate," sabi ko. "I need you to help me out."

"Why'd you choose to tell me about this?" he suddenly asked. "If you tell Tita Caroline your thoughts about his death, she can also help you."

"I don't want to trouble her anymore," I told him. "And I trust you..."

Kalcifer's lips parted a bit, but his dark and firm expression remained.

"Malaki ang tiwala ko sa'yo," pagpapatuloy ko. "I trust that you won't tell mommy anything. I trust that you will help me out."

While his eyes were closed, he inhaled deeply. For a moment, he stayed looking so calm until he opened his eyes, and it felt like I just met danger as I stared at it.

"I will help you," he stated, sounding so determined.

"Thank you, Kalcifer." Hindi ko mapigilan ang mapangiti dahil alam kong hindi ako nagkamali ng pinaghingan ng tulong. "Thank you..."

Ilang sandali pa ay nakabalik na sina Ate Sally at Steffie mula sa grocery. They bought enough goods that could last up to a month. Tinulungan pa sila ng dalawang bodyguards na bitbitin ang mga pinamili.

I quickly finished my meal to help them out arranging the canned goods and snacks in the pantry. Kalcifer also extended his help, while Ate Sally went to our mothers and brought them snacks.

"Clem, pinapatawag ka ng mommy roon sa may workout room," sabi ni Ate Sally sa akin pagkabalik.

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba. Nagkatinginan kami saglit ni Kalcifer ngunit nag-iwas din siya agad ng tingin sa akin. Nag-aalangan akong umalis ng kusina at lumabas sa may pool area. The workout room was detached from our house. Katabi nito ang swimming pool.

As soon as I stepped out, I saw my mother and the back of Kalcifer's mother. The workout room was made out of glass walls that's why I could see them right away. They were eating the snacks served by Ate Sally.

Nang makalapit ako ay agad kong nakuha ang atensyon ni mommy. She immediately smiled upon seeing me and went to the door to slide it open for me.

"Have you eaten already?" she asked me.

Tumango ako. "Sabay po kami ni Kalcifer kumain."

"That's great!" she said and turned to Kalcifer's mom who was already facing me.

Agad kong napansin ang pagkakahawig niya sa kanyang anak. Just like me, Kalcifer resembled his mother more than I expected. Ang akala ko'y kapag lalaki ang anak ay mas magiging kamukha nito ang ama, pero nagkamali ako. His eyes and lips mirrored his mother's.

"So, is she finally Clementine, Carol?" she asked my mom, while her eyes were on me.

"Yes, this is my daughter, Clementine," Mom proudly said with a huge smile on her face.

Kahit na medyo may pagkakahawig sila ng kanyang ina, magkaiba naman sila ng aura, lalo na nang siya pa mismo ang lumapit sa akin para yakapin ako nang mabilis.

"Hi, Clementine!" she greeted me, very enthusiastic, after our hug. "I'm Kalcifer's mother. Just call me Tita Antonette or Anne or Tonette. Whatever you like."

I was slightly overwhelmed by how social she was. Definitely the opposite of Kalcifer. Maybe he inherited his father's character instead.

"Your daughter's very beautiful, Carol," she told my mother, her eyes remained staring at my face. "Kaya naman pala sinisipag ang anak kong magpabalik-balik sa San Isidro."

My cheeks heated, while my mother chuckled. She was getting the wrong idea here! Wala na atang mapaglagyan ang hiyang nararamdaman ko lalo na't sa ina pa ni Kalcifer nanggaling iyon.

"You don't have to feel shy, Clementine." Tita Antonette laughed. "My son is not very good at expressing his feelings to other people. He always wants to keep things to himself. Ever since his father died when he was still a teenager, he stepped up for the both of us and avoided getting distractions until he achieves his goal."

Medyo hindi agad rumehistro sa akin ang sinabi ni Tita Antonette. Kalcifer's father was already dead?

She must had realized that I wasn't aware about the death of Kalcifer's father. Natigil siya sa pagsasalita at nilingon si mommy.

"Hindi niya pa ba alam, Carol?" tanong niya sa aking ina.

"Hindi pa nga siguro nasabi sa kanya ni Kalcifer," sabi naman ni mommy. "Darling, you already met Kalcifer's father before."

Kumunot ang aking noo. Pilit kong inalala ang mga nakasalamuha ko noong bata pa ako.

"It's just that you met him under the wrong circumstances," my mother added, sounding so apologetic.

I felt an intense feeling of agitation inside me. I had a hunch now, but I was hoping that I was wrong this time. Sana ay hindi iyon ang kanyang ama. Hindi ko alam kung paano siya ulit haharapin kung malaman kong tama ang iniisip ko.

"Agent Gregorio Alfonso Albarico," Tita Antonette's voice was filled with pride when she recited her husband's name. "He is my husband, and Kalcifer's father."

There  was a quick flashback inside my head. I could mentally hear one of the kidnappers calling the man who saved us Greg.

Was he really the man who saved us and offered his life in exchange for our freedom?

"He was the man who tried to save you and your friend," she continued, confirming my thoughts, and I was horrified to find out the truth. "To be honest, I don't want Kalcifer to get involved with the investigation, but he was hard-headed. I'm scared of losing my son, after I lost my husband a few years ago. However, I also want justice to be served to my husband, just like how your mother wants justice for you―"

"Mom."

Natigil bigla ang pagku-kuwento sa akin ni Tita Antonette nang madinig naming lahat ang pamilyar na baritonong boses ni Kalcifer. I looked behind me and saw Kalcifer who just got inside the room.

"Kal, I'm just telling Clementine about your father―"

"Can I please talk to Clementine alone?" Kalcifer didn't let her mother finished speaking and asked for permission.

He wanted to talk to me.

Hindi ko alam kung gusto ko ba ang ideya na makausap siya pagkatapos kong malaman ang kanyang relasyon sa lalaking ibinuwis ang buhay noon para sa akin at kay Arlene. Muli kong naramdaman ang pag-atake ng aking konsensya.

"Of course, Kalcifer," si Mommy na ang sumagot.

"Thank you, Tita Carol," he said, then he went closer to me, and I felt his hand gripped on my wrist. "Come with me."

Iyon lang ang sinabi niya bago ako hinatak palabas. Dinala niya ako sa isang bakanteng guest room sa loob ng bahay. My mother told me before that Kalcifer always slept in this particular guest room, whenever he stayed the night inside our house.

Pagkapasok ay binitawan niya kaagad ang aking palapulsuhan. Sinara at nilock niya rin ang pintuan.

His eyes darted at me, but I cut off our gaze immediately. Bahagya akong yumuko para hindi magtama ang aming mga mata.

"I'm sorry."

Hindi ko inaasahan na hihingi siya ng pasensya sa akin kaya hindi ko napigilan ang aking sariling muling mag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. My lips were parted as I stared at him in confusion.

I should be the one apologizing, not him!

"My mother shouldn't have told you about that," he explained.

"B-bakit hindi mo sinasabi sa akin?" nauutal kong tanong.

He had all the chance to tell me about it. Naalala ko pa noong gabi ng party na tinanong ko siya kung bakit niya tinanggap ang trabahong ito. He should've told me that night.

Now, I could finally understand the pain and anger in his eyes that night. It was for the fall of his brave father. It hurt knowing that I was somehow to be blamed for it. I couldn't help but feel guilty. If his father didn't save us before in exchange for his life, he wouldn't die. However, he risked everything just to keep us alive.

"Because I know that you'd blame and hate yourself for it―even more―if you knew that he's my father," he reasoned out and held my stare. "I know that no matter how much I tell that you did nothing wrong, you would still feel responsible for it."

Nagulat ako dahil alam na alam niya ang nararamdaman ko. But of course, he would. I already told him everything that night when I told him all the secrets I kept inside me.

"My father went an undercover operation that time," he said. "The gang who kidnapped you and Arlene before was a notorious gang who deals with drug transactions in the country, along with politicians and businessmen who are drug syndicates. He joined the gang and gained their trust. It just so happened that they kidnapped you and Arlene. He reported that they were just hired and instructed, according to their leader, in exchange for a large sum of money. That's one of the reasons why I didn't buy it when the kidnappers owned up the intentions of kidnapping and killing you."

That means his father wasn't really there to save us. He had a different task, but he went all out just to set us free from the hands of those criminals.

"My mother doesn't blame you for his death and neither do I," he assured me.

Napalunok ako. The feeling of guilt still didn't leave me, even after his assurance.

"Now, Clementine."

Kalcifer confidently stepped forward, closer to me, until he was already in front of me. I tried to step back, but he put his hand on my back to stop me from moving away. I was kept in place―but not my heart, which already started to run crazily.

"I promise you and my dad that I will discover the truth and give you both the justice you deserve." He was so determined, his eyes blazing with fire. "I will lock up the perpetrator in jail and make sure that she'll experience hell inside it until she wishes to die. But I won't let her end her life so easily. I will make her suffer."