#TPTG33

"You are way better than this Atty. Guevarra. Hindi mo ba alam na ang daming tumatawag sa'min na clients na nagrereklamo. They keep on asking for you."

My eyes remained on the ground while my señior is scolding me. I just stayed silent while listening to him.

"My apologies Attorney. I just had some important matters to take care of and-"

"Still, you could have contacted or informed us beforehand. Hindi yung bigla bigla ka nalang hindi pumapasok."

I took a deep breath. "I'll learn from my mistakes sir. I deeply apologize."

He sighed in frustration. "Irresponsible lawyers like you don't deserve to be in my law firm. I hope this won't happen again or else...you'll get fired."

Pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon ay nilagpasan niya na ako at iniwan sa opisina. I swallowed hard and shut my eyes.

This has been one hell of a week. Hate to see myself slacking off like this. I am such an irresponsible human being. This isn't me at all.

Pagkalabas ko ng opisina ay pinagtitinginan ako ng mga tao. I ignored them and walked straight towards my office. As soon as I got inside, I saw my client waiting for me. He sipped his coffee while glancing at his watch. Ilang sandali ay nagtama ang paningin namin.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Where were we?" I said and sat on the chair in front of him

"That's okay. Attorney. I understand," he formally replied

I smiled weakly. We discussed about our last meeting. It's been a while since I last had a conversation with a client. Unfortunately, I don't earn a lot of clienst unlike before. Because of the rumors about me and my family, it somehow affected my work. Some won't take me as their lawyer anymore.

I'm glad that I'm still not fired from this law firm. I hope not. If that happens, I don't know if the other law firms would accept me.

I spent the whole day until night at work. Nagbabad ako sa trabaho. I felt tired but I have to grind more. I've already missed a lot of days.

"Oh, Fey. Andito ka na pala. Nag-overtime ka sa work?" bungad ni mama

"Why are you still awake?" pagod kong tanong. I saw her sitting on the couch while watching tv.

"I was waiting for you of course. Besides, I sleep in the afternoon that's why I'm wide awake," she said and stood from the couch

"It's already past 12," I said and removed my coat

"Really? Parang kanina alas diyes lang. Ang bilis ng oras."

I smiled weakly. "You should have rest. You don't have to wait for me every night."

"I can't sleep when you're still not home. I get worried," she replie

"Thanks for the concern but seriously mom, no need to wait for me. May dala naman akong susi."

She stared at me for a few seconds. I flinched when she held my cheek. Bigla akong nagising sa ginawa niya.

"You look so tired. Kailangan mo ba talaga laging mag-overtime sa trabaho?"

I held her hand and removed it from my cheek. "I have to."

She smiled weakly while observing my face. I saw pity on her eyes and I didn't like it.

"Pahinga na ko," sabi ko at nilagpasan na siya

Pumasok ako sa kwarto at nagbihis ng damit. I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. When I got out of the bathroom, I saw mom peacefully sleeping on the bed. There's only one bed in the condo and we share it. I sighed and walked towards it.

I took the blanket on her legs and carefully wrapped it on her body. I made sure I wasn't making any noise. I then turned off the lamp beside the table before crawling to bed. Tumabi ako sa kanya. I stared at her face. It wasn't long when I felt my eyes turned heavy until I fell into a deep sleep.

The next day I woke up by the sound of my alarm. I tried searching my phone on the bed while my eyes are still closed. Ilang sandali ay nahanap ko iyon. Pinatay ko ang alarm at muling pinikit ang mata. It was not long until I noticed that mom is not beside me anymore. Napadilat ako at unti-unting bumangon sa kama. I tried to look for her. My condo is not that big so I can easily spot anyone but she's not here...

I removed the blanket off my legs and stood up. I'm still sleepy while I look for her. I went to the bathroom but she wasn't there either. Pumunta din ako sa kitchen pero wala siya. I ran my fingers through my hair while thinking where she might have gone to. Napahinto ako sa tapat ng lamesa. May nakahandang pagkain doon.

I took my phone from my pocket and called her. After a few rings, she finally answered.

"Hello mom?" I asked

"Fey. Gising ka na pala. Kumain ka na? I cooked breakfast for you. It's on the table."

"Yeah. I saw it. Uhm. Where are you?" I asked and placed my hand on my hip

"Uhh...I'm out. I'm looking for a job," mabagal niyang sabi na mukhang hindi sigurado kung ipapaalam ba niya sa'kin o hindi

My forehead creased. "What? A job? This early?"

I glanced at my watch and it's just 7 in the morning. I can't believe that she woke up earlier to find a job.

"Yes. You know I've been staying at your condo for almost a month now and I don't want to be a burden for you. Gusto ko din kitang tulungan sa mga gastusin...so I thought of finding a job."

"Why didn't you tell me? Pwede kitang samahan."

"No! You have work and you're always busy. Ayoko nang dumagdag sa iisipin mo. I can do it on my own."

I sighed. "And besides, you don't need to work mom. I am already working for us."

Hindi ko alam pero hindi din ako panatag sa desisiyon niya. I just feel like she's not safe.

"Hindi pwedeng ikaw lang ang nagtatarabaho. Besides, I'm not that old. I can work. Malakas pa ang katawan ko."

I bit my lip. "It's not that...I just. I'm just worried. Hindi ka naman sanay ma magtrabaho eh."

It's quite amusing how our life turned upside down. It felt like it was just yesterday where we live in a mansion surrounded by maids who all do the work for us and now...we're the one's working...working hard to make a living. It's true that there is no permanent thing in this world. Lahat pwedeng mawala sa'yo ng isang iglap.

Fame, fortune, and wealth? Those are just temporary things. There's a big adjustment for me because I'm back to sqaure one but all those things didn't matter to me. Oo mahirap yung sitwasyon ko ngayon pero mas pipiliin ko padin ang pamumuhay ko ngayon kaysa noon. I'd still choose this kind of living over and over again.

I don't care if I have to work harder as long as I know that the money I earn came from my own blood, sweat, and tears.

"I can handle it Fey. Don't you trust me? I just want to help you. Besides, bored nadin ako sa condo mag-isa. Wala naman akong ginagawa."

I sighed. She's so stubborn. I know that she won't listen to me kahit ilang beses ko pa siyang pagsabihan. Besides, I still have work today. Baka malate pa ako kapag humaba pa itong usapan namin.

"Fine...just inform me first kung ano at saan yung trabaho na papasukan mo," I firmly said

"Of course! Sige na. Kumain ka na muna. May trabaho ka pa. Don't worry about me."

I was about to speak when she suddenly hung up the call. "Hello mom?" sabi ko pero huli na

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. Umupo na ako sa upuan at nagsimulang kumain. After eating my breakfast, I went to the kitchen and washed the dishes. Pagkatapos ay naligo na ako. I wore a gray trousers paired with a gray coat. I tied my hair in a ponytail before applying minimal make-up. I stared at myself at the mirror before getting my bag and leaving the house.

"Can you tell me further details about what happened ma'am?" I said while jotting down notes

"So yun nga po, naglalakad po kasi ako nun sa kalsada ng biglang may humablot ng bag ko. He took all my money and my phone. Isn't it consodered robbery?"

"What time is it again when the incident occured?" I asked

Tumingin siya sa taas at nag-isip. "Around nine o'clock in the evening. Wala masyadong tao sa area nayun. I took the route because it's the fastest way I can get to my house."

I nodded. "Did he use any form of violence? Perhaps, did he point a gun at you to intimidate you?"

Umiling siya. "As far as I can remember, there's none."

"Then it's not considered robbery but theft. There's a difference between the too ma'am."

"Can you elaborate po?" she asked

"Both robbery and theft are the most common crimes against property. Both are intent to gain, take personal property of the owner and thirdly, without the owner's consent. The main difference is that robbery is done through violence and intimidation against another person and second by using force upon things but in theft, on the other hand, these elements are not present."

Tumango-tango siya habang nakikinig sa'kin ng mabuti. "Kung ganoon ay hindi-"

She wasn't able to finish her sentence when we suddenly heard a phone ringing. At first I thought it was hers then I realized that her phone was taken.

Napatingin siya bigla sa phone ko sa tabi. I glanced at my phone and chuckled nervously. Hindi ko na tinignan kung sino iyong tumatawag. I turned it upside down and diverted my attention back to the woman.

I cleared my throat. "Uh...sorry about that. Where were we?"

"Asaan na nga ba?" her forehead creased. "Oh right...so yun na nga po."

After our long discussion, the meeting finally ended. I accompanied her at the door. Nagpasalamat siya sa'kin at nakipagkamayan kami sa isa't isa.

I closed the door the door at my office and went back to my desk. Kakaupo ko palang nung biglang may kumatok sa pintuan ko.

"Yes? You may come in-"

I was surprised when Christian suddenly barged into my office.

"Fey. Have you heard the news?" he asked. I saw panic and shock on his face.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What news?"

"Check it now," agad niyang sabi at binuksan ang tv ng opisina ko

I rose from my seat and looked at the T.V.

"Archie Fernandez II was found dead inside Governor Guevarra's office. According to the reports, he was shot dead by a former housemaid of the governor."

My lips slowly parted upon hearing the news. My ears started ringing in a long and uncomfortable sound. I swallowed hard as I try to process eberything.

"That's not the worst part yet. Listen to this," he said and raised the volume even higher

My eyes widened when I saw the governor being interviewed. He looks shocked and depressed. It's like he still couldn't believe what happened.

"I don't know exactly how it happened. As soon as I walked inside my office I immediately saw his lifeless body-duguan. But what shocked me the most is that I saw the killer. Nakita kong may hawak siyang baril. It's only the two of them inside. Sigurado akong siya ang pumatay sa pamangkin ko."

"So kayo po mismo ang nakakita ng sarilin...By whom you mean?" tanong ng reporter

"It's Maria Cecelia Cervantez."

Mom?

My heart stopped beating for a millisecond. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Please tell me he's lying. Please tell me, I misheard him.

The media were shocked. "Isn't that your wife sir? A former housemaid?"

He shook his head in disaggrement. "No. She's not my wife. We are not legally married."

Maslalong nagulat ang mga tao. The governor expression changed in an instant. Bigla siyang nalungkot habang nakatingin sa press. "I hope I can find justice by the death of my nephew. Sisiguraduhin ko na pagbabayaran niya ang ginawa niya," punong puno ng galit ang boses niya

The camera zoomed on his face. "If you are watching this Cecelia. Don't you dare run away sa ginawa mong krimen. Magkikita tayo sa korte," mariin niyang sabi

"And to all the viewers, if you know where she is right now. Please don't hesitate to reach it out to us. Immediately report it to the police. Ayokong may mangyari din na ganito sa inyo. Mamatay tao siya at kailangan niyang pagbayaran ang ginawa niya. I have no mercy to murderers like her. A murderer deserves to die in jail!" he declared

Nakita kong may tumulong luha sa mata niya. Umiwas siya ng tingin sa camera at mabilis na bumaba sa entablado.

The media and journalist shouted his name. They kept on asking more questions at the same time, they are also taking pictures of him.

"I apologize to everyone but the governor does not accept any follow-up questions. Huminahon po kayong lahat," sabi ng isang lalaki na sa tingin ko ay kanang-kamay ng governor

Hindi ko padin inalis ang paningin sa T.V. My mind turned blank.

"This is not real. He's lying. Walang kinalaman ang nanay ko dito..." sabi ko at tumingin kay Christian

Hindi siya ngayon makatingin ng diretso sa mata ko. He just stood there, eyes on the ground.

"Please tell me you did not just believe that," I swallowed hard

"Fey...I-"

"Bullshit! He's fucking lying. The governor is crazy! Hindi niya alam ang sinasabi niya!" I shouted

I clenched my fist anger. "Archie may have died but my mom is not responsible for his death. Hindi ako naniniwala," I firmly said before storming out of the room

There must be a much bigger and clearer explanation behind all this. My mom would never kill anyone. They must have set her up. They must have framed her or something.

I heard him called my name but I ignored him. When I got out, people were throwing death glares at me. They were all acting suspicious. Ang ilan ay gulat. It appears that they already have heard the news before I did.

Hindi ko sila pinansin at agad na kinuha ang phone sa bulsa ko. I went to the contacts and dialed my mother's number. My footsteps are getting heavier as I walk. I bumped into few people but I continued to walk.

I started to get anxious when she wasn't picking up her phone. I swallowed hard and tried my best to calm myself.

"Pick up the goddamn phone mom!" I yelled

Kinagat ko ng mariin ang pang-ibabang labi habanag sinusubukan ulit tawagan siya. I didn't notice that I was already at the parking lot. I quickly took my keys put from my coat and went inside the car. Binuhay ko ang makina at nagsimulang magmaneho.

"Mom!" I exclaimed when she finally picked up

The line was silent...mas lalo akong kinabahan

"Hello mom? Are you there?" ulit ko

I heard muffles and soft whimpers from the background. I felt my heart stopped for a second.

"Fey..."

I gulped. "Mom...w-where are you? W-what happened?"

She didn't answer right away but I can still hear her soft cries. Humihikbi din siya ngayon.

"Asan ka ngayon ma?!" sabi ko sa mas malakas na tono

"I-I don't k-know what happened. It w-wasn't my fault," I can hear her crying from the background

I cursed underneath my breath. "What are you talking about? What w-was not your fault?" kahit ako ay kinakabahan nadin. I can sense something bad behind her voice.

"I'm s-sorry. I'm so s-sorry. It was an a-accident. Hindi ko sinasadya Fey... Hindi ko...hindi ko s-sinasadya," she sobbed

Nanginginig ang kamay ko habang nakahawak sa manibela. Huminga ako ng malalim at pinakalma ang sarili.

"Calm down mom. Just...calm down for a second," I told her even if I myself can't calm myself

"I killed him but it was just an accident...Nabigla lang ako at—" nanginginig ang boses niya habang nagpapaliwanag

"Stop...just tell me where you are right now? Pupuntahan kita. Just wait for me please and...don't go anywhere else," sabi ko at pinabilis ang takbo ng kotse

"Fey...I'm scared. I don't want to go to jail," she sobbed

I swallowed hard."You won't mom. I won't let that happen. I p-promise," nanginginig ang boses ko habang binibitawan ang mga salita

Eventhough, I'm already panicking on the inside, I still tried my best to comfort her.

My stomach turned. Mas lalong ding bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. I still can't process everything but my goal is to find her first.

"I d-don't know where to go. The police might searching for me right now. I don't know w-what to do," she stutter

"Listen to me mom. I"m here. I won't hang up okay? Just go back to the condo. I'll meet you right away."

Hindi na siya muling sumagot. My phone is still on my ear. None of us dared to speak. I try to find the right words to lessen her fear but I couldn't think straight at the moment. Ang nasa isip ko ngayon ay makita siya agad.

"You're still there mom?" I gulped

"Yes...I'm...I'm here."

I sighed in relief. I pressed hard on the gas. Mas binilisan ko ang pagmaneho. Just when I was about to enter the villa, I already saw mom. She's limping and there was blood dripping down her thighs. Nanlamig ang buong katawan ko.

"Mom!" I yelled when I saw her entering the guard house od the condo. "On your right!"

Nakita kong lumingon siya sa'kin. I maneuvered the car and stopped in front of her. Agad akong bumaba ng kotse at inalalayan siya.

"Oh my God mom! What happened to you? You're bleeding!" I panicked. I held her arm and put it around my shoulder. She's limping while walking. I opened the door of my car and carefully helped her inside. Sinara ko agad ang pinto at tumakbo sa driver's seat.

Agad kong pinaharurot ang kotse palayo sa condo. I drove as far as possible away from it. I don't know where to go...basta diretso lang akong nagmamaneho sa gitna ng kalsada.

My hands is now covered in blood. I have a phobia whenever I see blood...but it's more terrifying because it came from my own mother.

"W-who did this to you?!"

Hindi siya sumagot kundi humagulgol siya ng iyak.

Maslalong humigpit ang hawak ko sa manibela habang pabalik balik ang tingin sa kanya. "Hold on a bit longer mom. I'll bring you to the hospital."

I glanced at her and she's still in shock. I saw spots of blood on her clothes. Napamura ako dahil doon.

"F-fey..." nanginginig ang boses niya na parang kinakapo na siya ng hangin.

"It's okay mom. I'm here. Kasama mo na ako...just calm down," I gulped

I saw her hands shaking excessively. I held her hand and focused myself on driving. Panay ang busina ng mga kotse sa'kin dahil paiba-iba ako ng daanan.

I slowed down and parked my car on the side of the road. I removed my seatbelt and faced her. I saw blood dripping down her thighs.

She's holding it while groaning in pain. Napapikit siya sa sakit. Nakita ko kung gaano siya nahihirapan. Her breathing was heavy. I immediately removed my coat and put pressure on the wound. It was deep, like it has been stabbed with a sharp knife. "Can you hold this for me mom? Malapit na tayo sa ospital. Konti nalang. Just...hang on please."

Agad siyang tumango. She's sweating profusely. I saw beads of sweat falling from her forehead down to her face. My eyes widened when I saw that she also has a wound on her forehead. Parang natamaan iyon ng malaking bagay.

Bumalik ako sa pagmaneho. I pressed the gas and exceeded the speed limit. I need to get to the hospital as fast as I can bago pa siya maubusan ng dugo.

"Stay with me mom. S-stay with me," I stutter. "We're almost there."

My heart is beating wildly inside my chest. Gusto ko siyang tanungin kung sino ang may gawa nito sa kanya pero hindi ito ang tamang oras. I must bring her to the hospital. Her life depends on me. It may sound overreacting but the woman beside me is my own mother for Christ's sake!

I glanced at her to check if she's okay. Namunutla ang labi niya at nagbabadya nading bumagsak ang mata niya. I used my free hand and held the coat to put more pressure on the wound. My hands is already covered by her blood.

"Fey..." mahina niyang tawag

"I'm here mom. I'm here..." I said and wiped the tear that fell from my eye. I tried my best to focus on driving while checking her.

"I'm s-sorry," she sounds so weak. Ramdam kong hinang hina a siya ngayon

Umiling ako. "No mom. You don't have to apologize...Ako d-dapat ang humingi ng tawad sa'yo. Don't leave me please..." I begged

Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko kapag pati siya nawala sa'kin. She's my only family. I can't afford to lose her. I'll die if that happens.

I almost jumped out from my seat when I heard a police siren from behind me. Nanlamig ang buong katawan ko. I glanced at the side mirror and it was following me. The police are already here, following us.

I aggresively ran my fingers through my hair and stepped on the gas. Hindi ko alam kung ilan silang sumusunod sa'min. Hindi ko din alam kung paano nila kami agad natagpuan. Paulit ulit akong napamura. I'm so screwed. I won't let them take my mother away from me. Hindi nila agad siyang pwedeng arestuhin.

My phone suddenly rang. Agad ko iyong kinuha sa bag ko at nakita ang pangalan ni Nicholas sa caller I.D.

I was about to answer it when I realized something. Could it be that...No. He wouldn't...He wouldn't betray me like that.

My phone still kept on ringing. I looked at the side mirror of my car and we're still being followed. The police siren, the continuous ringing of my phone, the fast beating of my heart, the blood on my hands, my mom, Nicholas. I'm starting to lose my mind!

Maslalo kong binilisan ang pagmaneho. I badly want to throw my phone away because it kept on ringing. It only made me furious!

I shut my eyes and answered the call. "Fuck you Nicholas! You traitor! Katulad ka din nila—"

Ano pa bang inaasahan ko sa isang pulis tulad niya? They're all the same! Mga hayop sila!

"Attorney! Calm down. It's not what you think! Ngayon ko lang n-nalaman ang lahat at nandito ako para tumulong—"

I scoffed. "Really? Well guess what? I don't need your help anymore. You're under the control of the governor anyway."

"No! I never once on his side. Believe me. Kapag hindi mo pa hininto ang kotse mo ay mahuhuli nila tayo."

My lips slowly parted. Agad akong umiling. "You're lying! You're following us to arrest my mom. You can't fool me anymore—"

"I'm on your back Attorney. I'm always on your side."

Napahilot ako sa sentido ko at pumikit ng mariin. I looked at mom to check if she's alright. Thank God she's still breathing!

Huminga ako ng malalim at hinigpitan ang hawak ko sa phone. "I'm on my way to t-the hospital...my mom...s-she's badly injured. I have to get t-there as soon as p-possible," I explained while looking at my mom

"Okay...just calm down. Stop the car first," he calmly replied

I shut my eyes tightly and pressed on the breaks. Pinarada ko ang kotse sa tabi. I removed my seatbelt and faced my mother.

"Mom," I called and tried to wake her up. "Mom, please stay with me."

Tumingin ako sa likod at nakitang huminto din ang kotse ng pulis. Nakita ko siyang bumaba doon at mabilis na tumakbo palapit sa kotse namin.

"Attorney!" lumingon ako at nakita si Nicholas sa labas ng bintana. He knocked on the window and I opened my car

Nanlaki ang mata niya nang tumingin kay mama. He ran to the other side and opened the door. He checked my mom's pulse before carrying her. Bumaba din ako at tinulungan siya.

"Get in. I'll drive," he commanded and carefully put mom on the backseat

I nodded and gave him the keys. I went inside the car and held my mom. Agad ding sumakay si Nicholas sa driver's seat at pinaharurot ang kotse.

I diverted my attention back to my mom. I held her cheek and her eyes were still closed.

"Hurry up Nicholas...please!" I begged

He pressed on the gas and speed away.

Inayos ko ang posisyon ni mama sa tabi ko. I keep on checking her pulse. I held her hand and squeezed it tightly. "You're gonna be fine mom...you're gonna be okay," I sniffed. Hindi ko na pinansin ang damit ko na may manstsa ng dugo.

God please help us...

Please let her live.

Please don't take her away from me.

***

I suddenly woke up when I felt someone tapped my shoulders.

"Mom?!"

Bumungad sa harap ko si mama. She's sleeping peacefully on the hospital bed. I sighed in relief.

"Attorney..."

I heard Nicholas called beside me. Unti-unti akong umayos ng upo.

I thought I was just having a bad dream...turns out it's real. Bumalik lahat sa'kin ang mga pangyayari kanina.

"Kumain ka muna." He gave me a sandwich and a bottle of juice.

"How long...how long was I asleep?"

"About an hour."

Binalingan ko ulit si mama. "She still hasn't woken up?"

I saw bandage on her forehead and some wounds on her face.

"My mom didn't do it..." I muttered

"I know."

"I don't know what happened but I know that she didn't do it."

"Attorney..."

"Mga hayop sila," I hissed and slowly clenched my fist in anger

Agad akong tumayo at dumiretso sa pinto pero bigla niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko. "Where are you going?"

Hinarap ko siya. "I'll call you. Bantayan mo nalang muna siya sa ngayon." I opened the door but he called me again

"Wait—"

"I trust you that you'll look after her."

We stared at each other for a brief moment. It's like he's trying to read my thoughts in my eyes. In the end, he slowly nodded and released his grip on me.

"Be careful," he said

Lumabas na ako ng ospital. Dumiretso ako sa kotse ko at sumakay doon. I decided to go to the mansion. 

I clenched my jaw in anger while trying my best to focus in driving but my fingers were itching to punch something. I have a strong feeling that this is just a set up. Fury and hatred gushed through me making me held the wheel tightly. I pressed on the gas hard and speed away. 

After fifteen minutes, I've finally arrived at the mansion. I got out of my car and walked towards the entrance. I saw some police officers and bodyguards lurking around. Bago pa nila ako makita ay agad akong pumasok sa loob ng mansion. Pagkaliko ko sa may living room ay bigla akong napahinto sa nakita. Nanigas ang katawan ko kasabay ng pagbagsak ng balikat ko.

Never in my wildest dreams will I get to see the two of them together in this house. They're sitting across each other on the sofa, face to face. From his back view, I already knew who the governor's with. 

My heart began to raise. Biglang nanuyo ang lalamunan ko. Napako ang mata ko sa kanilang dalawa.

I hope I'm wrong. Sana hindi siya iyon. It can't be. My eyes can see it but my mind refuse to believe.

The governor smirked at me when our eyes met. It sent shivers down my spine. I diverted my attention back to the man in front of him.

He slowly turned his head and we immediately made eye-contact. At that moment, I felt my world stopped. All the courage and confidence that I've gathered to get here were completely shattered the moment our eyes met.

I can't believe he's here. 

I can't believe he's with the governor.

Keith.