REVALAUN

"It's a miracle your sister's still alive. Falling from that height will lead you straight to death's door but your sister managed to survive."

The doctor told me about Katrina's injuries and the blow on her head that led her into a coma. He also told me about the stab wounds Katrina has on her back, the cuts on her face and the broken bones in her body.

I didn't know how to process everything he just said. Hindi ko na naintindihan ang sunod niyang sinabi tungkol sa kondisyon ni Katrina. Ang alam ko lang ay may posibilidad na hindi na siya magigising.

Tinitigan ko ang aking kapatid at ina na nakahiga sa kanilang mga kama, tila mga anghel na mahimbing na natutulog. Nag-request ako na ipagsama sila sa iisang kwarto para mas mabantayan namin ang kalagayan nilang dalawa. Sa totoo lang, wala na akong pambayad sa hospital bills sa buwan na 'to.

Napatingin ako kay Penelope na siyang kasama ko ngayon. Sa sitwasyon namin ngayon, sa tingin ko hindi ko na rin mababayaran ang tuition niya, at maibigay ang iba pang pangangailangan sa med school. 

Penelope's eyes were puffy, and her face flushed from all the crying she made in the comfort room. I heard her cried in the comfort room, and I didn't have the heart to knock and ask her if she was okay. She wasn't only crying for her sister and our mother, it's also because she knew where our situation will lead her to. She knew we didn't have enough money to pay for anything.

"They're going to wake up soon, don't worry too much," she said, forcing a smile which I couldn't return. With the way her eyes glistened with tears, I knew she wasn't convincing me, she was trying to convince herself.

Napakuyom ako ng aking mga kamay. Bakit kailangan humantong ang lahat sa ganito?

Ilang writing contests, mapa national man o local, ang naipanalo ko na siyang nagdala sa'kin sa Magdelene. Nakapag-publish ako ng libro, naging sikat at kilalang manunulat, at maraming naging promotions at endorsements. Akala ko patuloy na ang suwerte na dumadating sa'kin at sa pamilya ko pero nagkamali ako ng akala. Bumalik sa kadiliman ang buhay ko simula nang napagbintangan ako na nagnakaw ng manuscript, plagiarized it and published it under my name.

Sa mga oras na 'yon, wala na akong naisusulat na libro kaya siguro kinuha nila 'yon na oportunidad para siraan ako. Isang manunulat na nawalan ng kakayahan na sumulat ay nagnakaw na lang ng gawa ng iba. Sa tingin nila ginawa ko 'yon para maisalba ko ang aking pangalan bilang isang mahusay na manunulat.

Napatunayan na wala akong kasalanan, at naparusahan na ang mga taong pinagbintangan ako. Ngunit bakit hindi ko pa rin nahahanap sa sarili ko na magsulat ulit pagkatapos ng insidente? Kung sanang hindi ako tumigil sa pagsusulat, may pera sana ako ngayon dahil may naibenta ako sa ilang buwan na lumipas pagkatapos ng insidente.

"Penelope, do you think I shouldn't have given up being a writer?"

Penelope responded. "It's been months since you last wrote, Kuya. What's the point of becoming one if you hadn't been writing at all?"

Lumapit siya sa kama ni Katrina at pinagmasdan ang maamong mukha ng kapatid namin.

Pareho kaming napabaling sa pinto nang sumilip sa loob si Gavin. Nang makita kami, pumasok siya't sumunod naman si Taylor na walang emosyon na napatingin sa'min salungat sa ekspresyon ni Gavin. Magkasalubong ang kilay niya, namumutla at pawisan ang noo. Naramdaman ko na kung anong klaseng balita ang dala nila.

"She got away," I said rather than a question but a statement. The look on Gavin's face confirmed it, and I felt a slight pang of pain in my chest.

Penelope stormed towards them, aiming for a punch. Gavin effortlessly caught her fist in his hand, and stopped her leg from kicking him in the groin by blocking it with his own leg.

"You had one job and that is to catch the criminal. Bakit hinayaan niyong makatakas siya?"

"That's enough you insolent brat." Taylor grabbed her by the shirt and pulled her back.

"Do you really think it's that easy? Chasing after a serial killer is a difficult task. Why don't you try it sometime?" Gavin asked, obviously taunting her.

Binitawan ko si Penelope nang makitang sinusubukan niya nang pakalmahin ang sarili. Based on the frown on her face, she's deeply annoyed at the fact that she's defeated. A while later, Penelope's expression softened, the angry lines between her eyebrows disappeared completely.

"Bakit ba kasi pinalabas pa nila ang babaeng 'yon?" tanong ni Penelope, nagkasalubong ulit ang kilay niya sa inis. 

Gavin responded. "Riley Hyde no longer showed signs of aggression and hostility. Hyde's doctor, Dr. Tammy Corazon, recommended to send her to Rise Institute saying she's finally showing progress."

"If they thought Hyde was finally getting better, they're fucking idiots," Taylor commented with an annoyed look, brows furrowing and lips curled in an unflattering grimace. "Riley Hyde could easily put on an act, and those idiots fell for it. Hyde used her transfer as an opportune to escape, which she did at Infinity Bridge."

"And that wouldn't have happened only if you did your jobs right." Penelope interrupted.

"Maybe you should leave, Penelope," sabi ni Taylor.

"Oo nga, Penelope. Shoo!" Gavin seconded with a wave of his hand.

"Fine, whatever. I don't want to be part of your gang anyway."

Nang dumaan siya sa harap ko, bumulong ako sa kanya. "I'm sorry, Pen. We'll get to the bottom of this, I promise."

Penelope left, slamming the door behind her rather too angrily. I could swore it was loud enough to wake the neighboring rooms.

"I didn't expect you to tell her off like that," I commented, giving Taylor a side-ward glance.

"That was supposed to be your job as her brother."

Natawa ako. "Yeah, you're right. But we can't blame her for reacting like that. She's as frustrated as we are."

"I'm just glad she's out of our hair," singit ni Gavin. "Baka mapaaway naman ako di sa oras nito eh."

"Lahat naman kaaway mo," said Taylor, who rolled his eyes.

"Ha? Kailan ako nagsimula ng away?"

Napailing na lang ako. Sa aming tatlo, si Gavin ang palaging napapaaway dahil madaling uminit ang ulo.

Tuwing nag-aaway si Gavin at Penelope, si Katrina ang laging pumapagitna sa kanila. I remembered when she both gave them knives and challenged them to 'rip each other's' throats since they always kept on threatening each other with that empty threat.

I remembered the horrified look on their faces and dropped the knives, marking the end of their childish bickering. Of course, Katrina's intentions weren't to get them to kill each other but to realize how stupid their fighting was.

Katrina. I felt a pang of pain on my chest when an image of Katrina flashed before my eyes. Napapikit ako at pilit na iniwawala ang imahe niya sa isip ko. I can still remember the painful look on her face while she lay on top of that police car. Her glassy eyes looked at me in forlorn and the emotions within its depth made me feel a thousand knives ripping my chest into pieces.

Gavin gave me a wary look. "I'm sorry about Davis by the way. Tumatanda na kasing dalaga kaya mainitin ang ulo."

Ah, that detective.

Walang gustong maniwala sa sinabi ko. The police blamed me for the commotion.

Gavin Marco's father, Chief George Marco, argued that it's impossible that Riley Hyde would come all the way here.

Wala silang makitang 'connection' kung bakit mapapadpad si Hyde dito.

"Riley Hyde is behind all of this. She was here, Chief. I saw her."

Napabuntong-hininga si Chief Marco at itinuro ang bangkay ng doktor na natagpuan sa loob ng elevator. Natabunan na ang bangkay ng puting tela.

"We were able to identify the victim through this name plate," sabi niya. Hinubad niya ang salamin para punasan gamit ang panyo niya. "Hindi ba at kasintahan 'to ng kapatid mo?"

Sinenyasan niya ang isa sa kanyang mga tauhan at ibinigay ang plastic bag na may maliit na rectangular na name plate sa loob: Dr. Jason Hernandez. Hindi ako nakasagot agad dahil sa nakitang bahid ng dugo sa name plate. Agad na binawi ni Chief Marco ang plastic bag, siguro nakita niya ang reaksyon ko.

Napabuntong hininga siya. "I heard from the nurses that they broke up."

Napakunot-noo ako sa sinabi niya, totoo nga na hiwalay na sila pero ano ang kinalaman nito sa nangyari?

"Her friends," pagpatuloy niya at itinuro ang isang grupo sa tabi. Nakilala ko agad sila dahil madalas ko silang nakikita na kasama ni Katrina. The three of them looked equally worried. "Ayon sa kanila, may pinag-awayan daw ang dalawa kaya nauwi sa hiwalayan. Sa tingin mo ba may kinalaman ang pagtatalo nila sa nangyari ngayon?"

"Don't tell me..." napatiim-bagang ako at matapang na hinarap si Chief Marco, "... na pinagsususpetyahan niyo ang kapatid ko?"

"Hindi malabong isa 'tong crime of passion." Biglang sumingit ang partner ni Gavin na si Detective Blythe Davis, hinubad nito ang gloves na suot at ibinigay sa naghihintay na tauhan. "Your sister might've been infuriated by the break up. Base sa paraan ng pagpatay, matindi ang galit ng salarin."

"How could you say that? Hindi niyo kilala ang kapatid ko. Hindi niya magagawa ito!"

"This is not the matter on whether we knew her or not. It's about the facts," she argued, her eyes glaring at me. "Katrina Gio has a motive for killing him. She came running out of that elevator with blood on her body according to some witnesses, and then she jumped off from the rooftop of this building as a means to an end."

Napakuyom ako ng kamao at matalim na tiningnan si Detective Davis.

"Knowing this, you as her brother, is trying to cover up for her sin, and you made up a story about an escapee coming here. I know you're a writer, Revalaun Gio, but this is reality not a fiction novel!"

"My sister did no such thing!"

"Hey, Davis," Gavin called, appearing behind her. "Your missing a few facts."

Nagulat si Detective Davis nang akbayan siya ni Gavin. Si Taylor ay nakasunod sa kanya at nang makita ang ginawang pagsingit ni Gavin sa usapan, napailing siya't tahimik na tumabi sa'kin.

"How can you explain the several stab wounds on her back, hmm? Do you think she could do that to herself?"

Natahimik ang babaeng detective at umiwas ng tingin.

Napangisi si Gavin sa reaksyon niya. "You forgot that little detail. And yet you already concluded that Katrina Gio committed murder, and attempted suicide? My, my, Davis, you're starting to lose your spark."

Detective Davis looked at me. "I wouldn't be surprised if one of the Gio siblings commits a murder. After all, it runs in their blood."

Nagpantig ang tenga ko sa narinig. Akmang magsasalita ako pabalik ngunit pinigilan ako ni Taylor, hinawakan niya ang braso ko at  umiling sa'kin.

May lumapit na tauhan at hiningi ang presensya nila sa loob ng CCTV room. Tahimik akong sumunod sa kanila, kahit nasa may entrada lang ng CCTV room ako nakatayo, kitang-kita pa rin ang mga computer screens sa loob. Pinapanood nila ang isang clip na nakadirekta sa parking area ng Saint Hospital. Doon, nakita namin ang paglabas ni Riley Hyde sa isang sasakyan at nakangiting kumaway sa camera.

"I told you," sabi ko dahilan ng paglingon nila sa'kin. "Riley Hyde was here."

Someone snapped a finger in front of me, pulling me out of my own train of thoughts. Napakurap ako ng mata kay Gavin dahil sa ginawa niya. Napailing ako, hindi ko napansin na nalulunod na ako ng mga iniisip.

"Are you listening? I said the police found a dead body inside the car."

"A dead body?"

Gavin shook his head, sighing. He knew I wasn't listening. "Ang nakita nating sasakyan na ginamit ni Riley Hyde sa footage ay ninakaw niya mula sa babaeng 'to." He took out his phone and showed me the image of the dead woman in the backseat, with a pair of scissors was stabbed in between her breasts.

"Hyde's prints are all over the car, on the body, and on the scissors. This proves Riley Hyde really did come to the hospital "

Si Taylor ang nagpatuloy. "Your sister put up quite a fight, too. Nagawa niyang kalmutin si Riley Hyde. Blood and skin cells got inside her nails, and the DNA result confirmed it's Hyde's."

My sister is innocent.

Ngumiti sa'min si Gavin.

"Plano ko palang pumunta sa Psyche Hospital para mag-imbestiga, tutal doon nanggaling si Hyde, naisip ko na baka may naiwan siya na maaaring magtukoy kung saan niya balak na pumunta."

"I'm coming with you!"

"You're both coming with me!" Gavin exclaimed. "Ayaw ko kayang pumunta mag-isa sa lugar ng mga baliw."

Taylor frowned at him. "They're not crazy, Gavin. They're sick."

Palabas na kami ng ospital. Nahagip ng mga mata ko ang isang pamilyar na babae. Patungo ito sa direksyon namin, with her heels clicking on the marble floor, corporate attire and a chignon. The woman's physique was all too familiar I couldn't help but smile.

Lumawak ang ngiti ko nang magtagpo ang mga mata namin. She scowled at me.

"Mushroom!"

Napalingon sa akin ang dalawa nang napasigaw ako sa tuwa.

Nilapitan ko si Ms. Sy na nakasimangot dahil sa pangalan na itinawag ko sa kanya. Napatingin siya sa likod ko at nang makita ang dalawang kasama, napanguso siya.

"Bagal mo maglakad." Bilang pang-asar kinurot ko ang tungki ng ilong niya na agad niya naman hinawi. "Bakit ka nandito? Na-miss mo ako 'no?"

She snorted, "In your dreams, Gio. Miss Magdelene told me to come. We heard what happened to yoir sister."

Ha, mabilis talagang kumalat ang balita.

Tinagilid niya ang kanyang ulo, at itinuro gamit ang kanyang mga mata ang isang itim na kotse na nakaparada di kalayuan.

Bumaba ang salamin sa backseat at nakita ko si Miss Magdelene na itinatago ang mukha sa ilalim ng suot niyang malaking sombrero. Tumango siya bilang pagbati.

"Hindi na siya bumaba para personal na kamustahin ang kapatid mo. Here, take this." Inangat niya ang kanyang kamay kung saan may hawak siyang basket na puno ng mga rosas at mga prutas.

"Hope she'll wake up soon."

Napangiti ako sa simpleng gesture na pinakita nila.

"Thank you."

Tinalikuran niya na kami pagkatapos kong magpasalamat. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa makarating siya sa itim na kotse kung saan naghihintay si Miss Magdelene, and right then and there, I knew she was watching me.

Naramdaman ko ang pagtabi sakin ng dalawa habang sinusundan ng tingin ang papalayong sasakyan.

"Who was that?"

"Miss Magdelene's executive assistant."

Nagkatinginan ang dalawa sa sinabi ko, bumaba ang tingin nila sa hawak kong basket.

"Magdelene Rice. She's a very mysterious woman, don't you think?" Gavin blurted out.

"Indeed." Taylor replied. My only reply was a shrug, everyone's been saying that.

May tinawag akong nars para utusan na iakyat ang basket sa kwarto ng mama at kapatid ko. She politely took the basket from my hand. I muttered a thanks and bid my goodbye to the nurse. Nabasa ko ang name plate niya: Daphne. What a pretty name.

"Jacqueline Paige worked for her two years ago. You should've asked your boss about what happened to Jacqueline Paige," Taylor said after the nurse left with the basket.

Napakunot noo ako. "Mukhang wala naman siyang kinalaman sa Ripper Murders, Taylor."

"What if she helped Paige hide her secret as a murderer because she knew it's going to ruin her company's name?"

"Maybe not. Kasi kung ayaw niyang masira ang reputasyon ng kompanya niya, she shouldn't have asked me to write a book about Jacqueline Paige." I argued.

"Nope. She's just using your weakness," Taylor accused, glaring into my eyes.

There was a brief silence before I could muster up the courage to speak up.

"What do you mean?"

"She knew you'll take it like a fool," he spat at the words, angrily. "Gusto mo umangat muli at alam mong makakakuha ka ng maraming atensyon kaya kinuha mo ang pagkakataon na ito para makabalik ka sa tuktok."

"Wala kang alam, Taylor." Where is his anger coming from?

"You just wanted the attention. You're not sympathizing with the victims at all. You don't even care what they would feel, right? As long as you deliver the results -"

I cut him off by sharply turning to face him. Natigilan siya at sinalubong ang tingin ko. Nakita ko ang panandaliang emosyon na kumislap sa mga mata niya at napangisi ako nang mapagtanto kung ano iyon.

"At ano ang masama doon?" Pinandilatan ko ng mata si Taylor na hindi man lang nagpakita ng emosyon, "Sino ang gugustuhin na manatili sa lupa at hindi na mangarap na lumipad? I refuse to stay on the ground with one wing broken."

"Whoa, guys. Kumalma kayo." Galit na sumingit si Gavin at tinulak kami palayo sa isa't isa. "If you want to kill each other do it some other time."

Napalingon ako kay Taylor na umiwas ng tingin at nanguna na sa paglakad papunta sa kotse ni Gavin.

"What was that about?" Gavin asked, his eyes transfixed on Taylor's retreating back.

"I don't know," I admitted, shrugging at the anger balancing on my conscience. "He's sprobably stressed out, and he's putting it out on me."

***