#TPTG31

Pagkabalik ko sa kwarto niya ay nakita ko agad si Manong Richard sa tabi niya. I walked towards them and saw Vince. He's half awake but I saw how his eyes roam around the place.

"Vince..."

Tumingin siya sa'kin. He couldn't utter a word. I smiled weakly and bit my lip.

Thank God he's awake.

I glaced at Manong Richard who's a bit teary-eyed while staring at his son.

"Attorney."

Nilingon ko si Nicholas na siyang tumawag sa'kin.

"I need to tell you something," seryoso niyang sabi

I nodded and looked back at them for the last time. I decided to give them space for a bit. As much as I want to ask Vince what really happened, I want to give them time first. Vince is still recovering and I don't want to push him.

Binalingan ko si Nicholas at sumunod sa kanya palabas ng kwarto.

"What is it?" I asked

He looks hesitant to tell me. Based on his expression, he looks serious and confused at the same time. "Someone called me from the police station and he told me that the police are searching for him right now."

"Who? Vince?" 

He nodded.

My eyes widened. "What?! Why?"

He was about to speak but I held his arm and dragged him away from them. I don't want them to hear us, especially Vince's father.

"Bakit nila hinahanap si Vince?"

"I'm not sure but he was accussed of robbery. Reports say that he's working from the government specifically the governor."

I scoffed. "What the hell? Yes he once worked with the governor but he's only a driver. Hindi siya nagtatrabaho mismo sa gobyerno. Isa pa, Vince told me yesterday that he wasn't working anymore. I don't know if he quit his job or the governor fired him."

"Look, we can't really tell. Hindi pa natin siya nakakausap. We still don't know the truth."

"Yes but what the media is stating is completely ridiculous. Those were just false allegations!" hingal kong sabi

"Whether if it's true or not. We can't stop them from making rumors."

"Who filed the report?"

"Aalamin ko palang. I'll go to the police station right away."

If I found out that the governor himself who did it then I might sue him.

I know Vince. He would never do such an immoral act. What if he was set up? Paano kung hindi naman talaga siya ang gumawa? As far as I know. He's the victim here and he's crucially injured.

I sighed in frustration. "Bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi sa'kin?"

His lips parted. "I didn't know at first. Besides, I couldn't tell you right away because you were talking about your mom...and...I didn't want to make yoy feel worse. Ayokong palalain yung-"

"My life is already worse as it can get. You should have told me sooner," I cut him off

"Sorry...I didn't mean to-"

"Are they coming here to arrest him? May warrant ba sila?" agad kong sabi

"I'll try to stop them. Don't worry," he said with a hint of worry and doubt

"No. I'll take care of them if they come here."

He nodded and looked away.

"Maybe this is one of their plans. They're distracting us by making up false allegations and accusations to cover up their crimes. Their true selves. Ganun naman sila eh. Niloloko nila ang mga tao. They're not only depriving our human rights but also deceiving us."

Umiwas ako ng tingin at humalukipkip. "Pero tayo, hindi tayo magpapaloko. We can't let this distract us from unveiling their true motive."

"What? Shit!" I heard him curse

Tumingin ako sa kanya na ngayon ay nakatingin sa phone.

"Why? What happened?" agad kong tanong

He looked at me with intense eyes. "Something came up. I have to go."

I swallowed. Bigla akong kinabahan sa sinabi niya. "What is it?"

Nilagpasan niya ako at kinuha ang jacket niya na nakapatong sa upuan sa likod ko. He wore it while talking someone on the phone. He's in a rush.

"I'll talk to you later," he immediately replied before leaving me. Pinanood ko siya habang papalayo

Magsasalita na sana ako pero huli na dahil nawala na siya sa paningin ko. It seems very urgent. I hope nothing went wrong.

Bumalik ako sa kwarto ni Vince. I saw him on the bed, wide awake. Nakasandal siya sa kama habang kinakausap ang ama. Nagtama ang mata namin. Iniwan muna kami ni Manong Richard pansamantala.

Lumapit ako at tumabi sa kanya. "How are you feeling?"

He didn't utter a word. He looked traumatized. I saw how pale and weak he is right now.

"I'm feeling...better."

I nodded. I'm not sure if this is the right time to ask him this but knowing that the cops are searching for him and they'll be here any minute. I can't waste time.

"Do you remember anything?"

He swallowed hard. "Someone...he did this to me."

Hindi siya ngayon makatingin sa'kin. His brows were furrowed while trying to remember what happened.

My lips slowly parted. "Can you tell me what happened?"

I was so careful with my words. Ayoko din siyang biglain pero wala na kaming oras.

"It's true that I'm not working with the governor anymore. Matagal ko nang gustong umalis. It was my last week of my job when you called. Tinanong mo sa'kin kung kamusta na ang mama mo," paliwanag niya

"So...you're already planning on quiting the job. Kung hindi lang ako tumawag ay..."

"Wala naman kayong kasalanan. Alam kong mahirap ang sitwasyon niyo kaya naisipan kitang tulungan. Nanatili ako ng isang linggo at binantayan ang mama mo at ginawa din yung utos niyo. Desisiyon ko naman yun kasi malaki din yung naitulong ng pamilya mo sa'kin...kahit papaano."

Yumuko ako habang tahimik na nakikinig sa kanya. I still feel guilty tho. I just don't want anyone to get involve with my family matters. Hindi ko naman alam na aabot sa puntong ito. I guess I have to make sure that I know my enemy very well.

"The day you called me was the exact day I quit my job. Kikitain ko na sana si papa nun para sabay kaming uuwi na ng probinsiya. Ipapaalam ko dapat sa'yo kaso hindi ko alam...natakot ako. Pupuntahan ko na sana si papa pero biglang may lalaking sumaksak sa'kin. Hindi ko maalala ang itsura niya. Masyadong mabilis ang naging pangyayari."

Binalot kami ng katahimikan.

I was shocked when he held his head and groaned in pain. I panicked. "Are you okay? Ano'ng masakit?"

He shut his eyes while holding his forehead. Maybe he tried to hard to remember what happened that's why his head ache so badly.

"You still need to rest," I said and stood up to fix his pillow. Bigla ulit siyang nagsalita

"Sorry ho kung hindi ko na nabantayan ang mama niyo. Ayoko nadin talagang ituloy ang mag-ispiya kay Archie dahil nakakaramdam ako na nahuli niya ko."

My lips parted. "It's not your fault. Wala ka dapat ngayon dito kung 'di dahil sa'kin. Hindi na dapat kita dinamay."

Hindi na siya nagsalita. I asked him to rest and he obeyed. I fixed his pillow on his head. He slowly lied down on his bed again.

"Hindi ko alam kung dapat ko bang sabihin sa inyo ito pero may malaki silang pinaplano. I overheard them in the office. I'm not sure what exactly it is but it's the reason why I quit my job. Mag-iingat kayo ma'am."

As soon as I got out of his room, I thought of the last thing that he said. Hindi iyon mawala sa isip ko. I peeped at the door and saw he's already asleep. I closed it again and sighed. Sinandal ko ang ulo sa pader.

Tumingin ako sa kanan at nakita ang kakapasok lang na mga pulis. I saw them asking something to the nurses on the reception. I took a deep breath before marching towards them.

"Is there a problem here? Bakit may mga pulis dito?" I asked

Tumingin sa'kin ang isang nurse. She was about to speak but one of the police interrupted her.

"We're looking for Vicente Ocoa. Andito po kami para arestuhin siya sa sa pagnakaw ng mahigit isang daang libong-"

"Do you have any warrant? I'm his lawyer by the way," I lied

They all looked at each other before looking back at me. One of them stepped forward while holding a warrant of arrest. Tumingin ako doon ng ilang segundo bago binalik ang tingin sa kanya.

I was about to speak when I heard someone yelled from behind.

"Hindi magnanakaw ang anak ko!"

I looked back and saw Manong Richard. His fist was clenched while staring intensely at the police. His hands were shaking as he walked rapidly towards us.

"Ano'n magnanakaw?! Sigurado ba kayo diyan sa inaakusan niyo sa anak ko?!" he hysterically said

"Sir. Mawalang galang na po pero..."

Hinawakan ko ang braso ni Manong Richard at mahina siyang hinila palayo. He was so close to punching the police in the face.

"Huminahon po kayo," sambit ko sa kanya. He didn't break eye contact to the police. I can feel his anger and frustration towards them.

"Ano'ng ibig sabihin nito Fey? Bakit sila nandito? Aarestuhin ba nila ang anak ko?" nag-aalala niyang sabi

I swallowed hard. I don't know how to explain things to him right now. I know he's not expecting this to happen too. He must be shocked.

"Huwag po kayong mag-alala. Ako na pong bahala," I said and tried my best to calm him down

"Hindi magagawa yun ng anak ko. Mahirap man kami pero hindi niya gagawin iyon," umiling siya

I nodded and caressed his back. I looked at the police and they're already asking the nurse where Vince's room is. Tumango sila at nagsimulang maglakad. Agad akong humarang sa dinadaanan nila.

"You still can't arrest him. He's still unconcious. Kakagaling lang nung tao sa aksidente," I firmly said

They sighed and scratched their head. One of them got an urgent call. Tinapik ng pulis ang lider nila. Hindi ko inalis ang paningin sa kanya. They told me they'll come back tomorrow and arrest him if he'll wake up.

The next day I visited him again. I saw there were two police officers standing outside of his door. Tahimik silang nagmamashid sa paligid habang binabantayan si kwarto niya.

The same day I went to the cafe to meet Nicholas. It's been twenty minutes and he still hasn't arrived yet. I checked my phone to see if he left a message. Wala naman. I drank my coffee while waiting for him.

Ilang sandali ay nakita ko siyang pumasok sa cafe. He fixed his cap and walked towards my table. He then sat on the chair in front of me.

"Sorry, I'm late."

"It's okay. Uhm. Listen, I've talked to Vince already," panimula ko

"Oh, wait. Did the police come?"

I nodded. "Yeah. They have a warrant but they didn't arrest him right away. I saw them today, they're outside his hospital room, guarding him."

He sighed. "So...what did he say?" he asked

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa lamesa. "He was stabbed but he didn't know who did it. It was intentional Nicholas. Someone tried to kill him. Pwede natin kasuhan iyon ng frustrated murder."

He nodded while listening to me intently.

"Now we need to find the culprit. Have you checked the cctv footages around the are where the crime was committed?"

He nodded. "Yes that's why I left yesterday. Inimbistiga ko ang kaso ni Vince. I checked the cctv footage and I can confirm that it's the same man who is associated with Archie. I've been tailing him for days and saw them together. Hindi ko naman siya pwedeng basta basta hulihin ng walang matibay na ebidensiya."

"But we have one right now."

"Yes. Pwede ko na siyang arestuhin."

"Wait," I said. "Hindi pa parang masyadong naging madali? I mean can you arrest him that easily? Why do I feel like he's being protected?"

"By whom? Archie?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Not only Archie but...the governor too."

My lips slowly parted at the thought. Everything is starting to make sense.

"Wait...even the governor? What do you mean?"

My head ache because of too much possible conclusions that I came up. I'm uncertain if my gut feeling is right. I'm still trying to put the puzzle pieces together. Nguguluhan pa ako sa mga nangyayari.

"Ano'ng motibo ni Joel at bakit niya nais patayin si Vince?" tanong niya

"What if Archie ordered Joel to kill Vince because he knows what they're planning? Because he once worked with the governor."

"Yeah but you said he's just a driver."

"He's been working for him for years already. He also helped me cofirm that Archie and that Joel are linked together. That they're accomplice."

"Pero bakit aabot sila sa punto na patayin siya?" tanong niya

I bit my lip while thinking hard. "Maybe he knows more. Baka may mga bagay na nalaman siya na hindi niya dapat nalaman...that's why they tried to dispose him."

His lips parted in shock. He remained silent while absorbing the things that I said. "So that explains why they accussed Vince for robbery. They filed a case to him so that they can cover up the crime they committed. Para pagtakpan na nagtangka silang patayin siya."

I swallowed hard and clenched my fist in anger. He has a point. It could be. They charged him for robbery so that they could

"Ang alam ng ibang tao ay isang aksidente lang ang nangyari kay Vince. What they all know was Vince is a culprit. Imbis na siya ang biktima ay siya pa ang naging suspect," dagdag niya

My blood boils whenever I think about it. Everything is slowly starting to make sense.

Ano'ng kalaban laban ng isang ordinaryong mamamayan sa autoridad?

Who would the people believe? Who would they stand for? I guess half of them were deceived. It's not entirely their fault. I'm certain that the media did not reveal the whole story to claim whether Vince is guilty or not. I'm guessing their hiding the truth. The government has power over the media. Kayang-kaya nila paikutin ang mga tao.

"If you're assumptions are right. If the governor, Archie, and Joel are all affliated with each other then..."

"Maaring kasangkot din nila ang pulis," he said. "Posible na kaya nila dinrop ang kaso na ipahanap si Joel dahil hawak sila ng governor."

"So all this time, the police is on his side and he's protecting them as well?" I swallowed hard

"Mga hayop sila," inis niyang sabi. His eyes darkened completely agitated.

Nakita ko kung paano kumuyom ang kamao niya sa lamesa. I still can't process everything. Sobrang lala na ng ginagawa nila. Hindi na makatao.

"What are we going to do now? Paano yung kaso ni Vince? I don't know if I can stop the police from arresting him," he worriedly asked

I took a deep breath and faced him. "This time, ako na ang bahala. I can file a search. May matibay naman tayong ebidensiya. We must use it wisely."

Hindi padin maalis ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya. I know he's doubting me. Even me. I'm doubting myself too but I have to remain strong. I'm not confident if this will work but I have to take the risk.

Andito ako ngayon sa kotse papunta sa mansiyon, ready to confront the governor. There are doubts and worries at the back of my head but I shrugged it all off.

Alam kong hindi siya madaling kalaban. We're dealing with someone who's powerful and has a lot of connections. I may not have a chance.

Habang nagmamaneho ay biglang nag-ring ang phone ko. I wore my airpods and answered the call.

"Attorney."

"Speaking."

It was Nicholas.

"Where are you?" he asked on the other line

"I'm on my way to the governor. Why?"

"Hindi mo na siya kailangan puntahan."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Bakit?"

"Inurong na nila yung kaso laban kay Vince. I went to the hospital. Wala nang nagbabantay sa kanya."

I swallowed hard. "Are you sure? How did it happen?"

"I have no idea. Nabalitaan ko nalang sa kasama ko. Maybe they couldn't find sufficient evidence to claim that Vince is guilty."

I sighed in relief. "Okay, I understand."

This is quite odd. Knowing the governor, he wouldn't easily back down. Maybe something went wrong with their plan. Hindi ko padin mapigilang hindi mangamba.

"But what if this is just a part of their plan? What if they're scheming something—"

"Relax Attorney. What's important is that Vince is safe. Wala ka na dapat pang alalahanin. I can guard him if you're not at ease. I'll double check if—"

"No. Uhm. I'm sorry. It's just...I know the governor. He's not the type of person who will let someone go that easily. I must be overthinking," I sighed. "Anyway, thanks for the report."

"I'll give you more updates soon. Drive safe," he said

I nodded and hung up. I bit my lip while holding tightly on the steering wheel. I still can't believe he withdrawed the case. It seems like he knows what I'm up to. Maybe he's using to Joel to stalk me again. Whatever his plan is, it's working but I know justice will prevail.

Kinabukasan ay bumalik ako sa trabaho. I continued to work some of the pending cases I left. Glad to know that Christan's here to help me. I received demanding calls from my clients. Hindi ko alam kung paano sila sasagutin isa isa. I'm still mentally and emotinally exhausted from what's going on with my life. I'm already losing my sanity!

When I got off work, I drove to the hospital to visit Vince. Pagkadating ko doon ay nagulat ako nung wala siya sa kwarto niya. His room was already clean. I saw a nurse entered from the room.

"Uh, excuse me but where is the patient here? Vincente Ocoa."

"Ahh...kakadischarge niya lang po dito."

My brows raised. "What? Since when?"

"Kaninang umaga lang po."

She bowed a little and excused herself. I gave her space and saw her exited to the door.

Lumabas na ako ng kwarto niya, tulala.

"Attorney!"

Lumingon ako at nakita si Nicholas. He smiled and approached me.

"Did you know that Vince already got discharged from the hospital?" I asked

He held his neck. "Oo...tatawagan sana kita para ipaalam sa'yo pero out of reach ka eh."

"Do you know where they are now? May sinabi ba sila kung saan sila pupunta?"

Umiling siya. "Hindi eh."

My eyes slowly fell on the floor. I remembered that they're actually going back to the province. Vince mentioned it to me when we talked. Well, I'm glad that they're finally going home. Naiintindihan ko kung bakit gusto nilang umalis. It's for the better. I do hope they can live peacefully away from this mess.

"Nga pala. Pinapaabot ni Vince sa'yo," sambit niya

I looked at him and saw he's holding a white envelope in front of me.

"What's this?" I said and took it from his hand

He shrugged and put his hands on his pockets. "I just came here to give you this. Alam kong bibisitahin mo siya dito."

I inspected the envelop. I decided to open it at home. I wonder what's inside of it?

"Thanks," I replied

"By the way, how's your mom?"

I was caught off guard by his sudden question.

"She's doing fine. Nasa condo ko siya nag-sstay."

I still haven't had a decent conversation with my mom when I picked her up at the mansion. Sa sobrang lunod ko sa trabaho ay hindi ko pa siya nakakamusta.

Hindi ko alam pero bigla nalang akong nahilo. I touched my forehead and I felt Nicholas beside me.

"Okay ka lang?"

I nodded, eyes-closed. "Yeah."

I noticed that I get migrains more than often than usual. Maslalo iyong lumala ngayon. I already stopped using sleeping pills so why did my body trigger?

"You should rest. You've been working all day long," he said

"Thanks for your concern but—"

"If you're worried that we might not solve this case anytime soon, you're wrong. Isa isang kaso lang muna Attorney. Huwag mong pasanin lahat. Andito ako para tumulong..."

Without his help, I might not have reach this far in solving this case. I guess I got used to take full responsibility of everything. I also have a hard time trusting people. Hindi ko basta basta binibigay ang tiwala ko sa kahit na sino. It's hard to trust people nowadays.

But he earned my trust. I hope he doesn't breaks it.

Hinatid niya ako pauwi sa condo. I told him not to but he insisted. After a long drive, we arrived at my place.

Sa sobrang pagod ay nakatulog ako sa kotse niya. When I woke up, my head still hurts but it's tolerable. I yawned and removed my seatbelt. "Thanks for the ride."

I was about to get off his car when he spoke. "Attorney."

I looked at him with tired eyes. I'm still half-asleep.

"Malalagpasan mo din 'to."

I didn't utter a word. I just stared at him. Pumikit ako at tumango. You have no idea how many times I've said that to myself. I have no choice but to move forward and pray for the best.

"Goodnight," he added

"Night," I replied and got out of his car

Mababagal ang bawat hakbang ko na para bang malapit ng bumigay ang katawan ko sa pagod. I initially planned to visit Vince again but my body won't let me. I didn't notice I was already infront of my door. Kinapa ko ang susi sa bulsa ko. I rubbed my eyes and tried to stay awake. I can't pass out here in the hallway. People might think I'm drunk well in fact, I'm just exhausted.

I was about to insert the key on the keyhole when my door suddenly swung open.

"Fey?"

I slowly lifted my eyes and saw mom. Looked like I woke her up. She's still half-asleep. She's in her nightgown. Hair all messy.

"Where have you been? Kanina pa kita hinihintay-"

I smiled as I stare at her face. Unti-unti akong lumapit sa kanya at niyakap siya. I closed my eyes and let my chin rest on her shoulder.

Later on, I felt the warmth of her hand on my back. All my weariness that I'm feeling right now suddenly disappeared.

Finally, I'm home between my mother's arms. Safe and sound.