Mr. Rios, a Chief Commanding General of the US Air Force main, talks seriously to his son at their library in Texas about his wife's death. The Philippines' NBI reports didn't convince him, so he ordered him to go to that country. They need justice for his mother, who's involved in an ambush two years ago. His son Kier is also a Major Deputy General of the US Air Force at Randolph Air Base in Texas, USA.
"Here are the important files you need to know. This case is already closed, but I am not convinced, and I know you are too. I will give you all my full support for this mission and financial assistance. Just make sure that you can give me any updates from time to time. I am looking forward to your mission Kier for the sake of your mother's grave, and justice prevails. You're the only one I trust about this."
Kier just nodded in response then took the envelope with the files inside. His father's face also shows the great sadness of losing his mother. He looked at the files again, including the pictures where his mother was riding in the car and other US Embassy delegates' staff. He also feels awful and can't even accept that they'd lost someone special to them.
He arranges everything before he leaves his country and takes a flight going to the Philippines. He stayed at Makati when his mother left him a cozy type of house before she died. Tanging katiwala lamang doon ang nagpupunta tuwing linggo at wala siyang ibang kamag-anak na naroon maliban sa pinsan niyang si Third na bumisita sa araw na iyon, isang linggo ang lumipas nang dumating siya sa bansa.
"Wazz up, Dude! How's your investigation?" tanong ni Third sa kaniya habang nakaupo ito sa couch.
Hindi niya ito sinulyapan at abala siya sa pagpaskil sa bulletin board na naroon ang lahat ng litrato, iilang kilala sa lipunan ng batas-militar, Air Force Generals, at ibang mga ebidensiyang pinagtatagpi-tagpi niya. Si Third ang tanging pinsan niya na nagpaiwan sa Pilipinas dahil inasikaso nito ang negosyo ng mga magulang nito. Ito rin ang tanging nakakaalam sa imbestigasyon niya upang makakuha ng mga bagay na kakailanganin niya sa misyon sa tulong nito. It's been twelve years passed, and he's no longer familiar with the place since they migrated to America when he was ten years old. And, of course, his Tagalog language. He might not be fluent but can speak and understand.
"May lead ka na?" muli nitong tanong.
"I don't have. I still need more evidence to prove that these people are involved in my mother's case," he replied. He put a red dot on a piece of paper on the bulletin using his pen.
Lumapit si Third sa gawi niya. "You know...I was confused. Why would this General Aritana be the main suspect in throwing out his men to kill these innocent people? Dude, hindi naman basehan ang mga uniporme ng Air Force na sinuot ng mga kriminal na ito at ang ibinigay sa inyo ng intel na isang pin kung saan nakalagay ang pangalan ng heneral na iyan. We don't know, pakana lang ito ng mga kalaban nito sa hanay para madiin sa kaso. What do you think?"
"I think...you need to shut your mouth. As I said, I need more evidence. May tinitingnan pa akong isang lead na magdidiin sa heneral na ito. As of now, he's under my surveillance."
"And…Alexis too?"
His forehead wrinkled while he turned his glimpse to his cousin. "And how do you know her?" Nagtataka siya sa pinsan niyang hindi naman mahilig sa political and government issues at kilala ang anak ng sinusundan niya.
"Dude, he is the famous general's daughter. Her skills are quite best as an air force pilot, and—yeah—she's beautiful even she's not like the other woman I admire most."
"And?"
"And their place is one street away from your house. My goodness! Talagang itinadhana kayo ng panahon," wikang may halong pang-asar ito sa kaniya.
Napailing si Kier sa huling sinabi ng pinsan niya. Mula nang dumating siya, wala siyang sinayang na oras na alamin ang profiles ng mga maaaring sangkot sa kaso pati na ang mga kamag-anak nito. But he never saw the woman since he focused on her father's figure.
"And of course, she's my neighbor! Remember?" he laughed.
I almost forgot! Sa dami niyang iniisip, nakalimutan niyang mas malapit ang bahay ng pinsan niya sa mga Aritana. Hindi nga ito mahilig sa mga high rank profiles pero marami itong alam in terms of businesses and⸻women!
"I got to go. I have a dinner date tonight."
"Hey!" Pinigilan niya itong umalis. "How well do you know her?"
"Who? My date?" tanong nito sabay napangiti.
"Jeez! The general's daughter, I mean."
"Oh. I thought my date. Uhm, as far as I know, she's a busy woman. Bahay-trabaho-bahay. Mahigpit ang ama niya sa kaniya kaya madalas ko lang itong napapansin na lumalabas. Iyong ibang sinabi ko, ang source naman ay ang mga kasama ko sa bahay. Madalas kasi nilang nakakuwentuhan si Aling Caring, iyong katiwala nila. Minsan pa nga ay naririnig ko silang nag-uusap."
"Tsismoso."
"Whoa! Ako tsismoso? Kasalanan ko bang may tenga akong naririnig ang usapan mula sa kanila? At least, may lead ka na about her. Teka—why did you asked about this woman?"
Matagal bago siya nakasagot sa pinsan niya. Iniisip niyang mas maigi sigurong mapalapit siya sa anak nito. "I want to know her closer. May paraan ka bang naiisip? I mean—kailangan kong makapasok sa bakod na iniharang nila na hindi namamalayan ng mga tao sa loob or even their base premises," seryoso niyang wika rito.
"Hmm...mag-apply ka kayang hardinero nila. Wala silang taga-gupit ng mga halaman!"
Nahablot niya ang tissue holder at ibinato sa malukong pinsan sabay sabi nang, "Siraulo."
Nasalo nito ang tissue holder na hindi naman malakas ang pagkakabato saka muling napangiti. "Well, that's supposed to be a nice idea. Nasa linya ka ng high rank profiles sa Texas, do you think, her father wouldn't recognize you if you are inside that house? Pero kung kaya mong mag-disguise at itago ang identity mo sa kanila, I will support you. Kaya lang, delikado iyon. You have to take a risk."
"That's my plan to disguise so they won't recognize."
"Okay. Sabihan mo lang ako kung kailangan mong manghiram ng mukha sa aso."
Napailing siya sa kalokohan nito. "Na.. Just leave." Muli niyang ibinalik ang atensiyon sa pag-aayos ng mga papel sa bulletin board at mariing na lang pinag-aaralan. Muli din niyang hinawakan ang pin na tanging naging main lead niya sa kaso. General Alexander Aritana…same name, huh!
ILANG ARAW ang lumipas, kabisado na ni Kier ang bawat kilos ng mag-ama. Marami pa rin siyang tinitingnang anggulo lalo na at mailap sa kaniya ang pagkakataong makalapit sa mga ito. Hindi rin naman siya maaaring humingi ng tulong sa kahit sinong nasa posisyon dahil ayaw niyang ma-compromise. But he never give up on chasing the truth about his mother's death.
Saktong nag-park siya sa isang tabi katapat ng Villamore Airbase kung saan nagtatrabaho ang mag-ama. Alam na rin niya ang daily routine ng mga ito at kung anong oras ito lumalabas sa base. Namataan niya agad ang itim na honda civic ng anak ng heneral na palabas saktong alas-sais ng hapon. Ito na muna ang sinundan niya at nagbabakasakaling makakuha ng lead sa kaso.
He drove along Lawton Road where he followed the woman. There was another vehicle ahead of him, but he saw her car slowly going during traffic congestion.
A few minutes later, the woman arrived at a coffee shop. She had parked before him, so it wasn't too noticeable. After he parked, he got out of the car, entered the establishment, and just went straight to the counter. There…he saw her choosing on the food shelf.
While he is staring at the woman, he notices that she was good with her full Air Force uniform. He estimated that a woman is 5'7 in height, has boyish moves, with undercut hair, a sweet smile, and a pair of beautiful eyes. He met many women in the US, but she was the only one who feels him attracted to her. So strange! Oh, c'mon! You are supposed to be here to get some information about her, and she's under your espionage. Pinagalitan niya ang sarili.
"Hi, Sir! Good evening! May I take your order?" wika ng kahera sa kaniya.
Hindi niya namalayang wala na pala sa harapan niya ang pinagmamasdan. "Uhm...one espresso and one slice of blueberry cheesecake."
"Anything else, Sir?"
"Nothing." Dumukot na lang siya sa bulsa at nagbayad.
Kier found his place near the woman behind him and doesn't want her to notice his presence. The woman is also currently talking to someone on the phone, and it looks like she was in trouble based on her voice tone. Fortunately, there are only a few people around, so he can hear what they are talking.
"Badtrip!" Dismayado ang boses ng dalaga. "Pinagtitripan talaga ako ng tadhana sa araw na ito dahil may hindi magandang binabalak ang ama ko sa buhay ko!"
Napakunot ang noo niya sa narinig at na-confuse rin kung bakit dismayado ang boses nito. Tila may hindi pagkakaunawaan sa ama nito.
"My father wants me to arrange my marriage with Capt. Louis. Still, remember him? He's the son of General Lucio Mondejar. And yeah, he's trying to control me again. Anong alam ng tatay ko sa usaping pampuso? Ni hindi ko nga gusto ang damuhong iyon tapos ipapakasal niya ako? If it is for the sake of our wealth, control, or power, I can't entirely agree. And now, I am looking for a boyfriend or husband that will help me out of this dilemma. Baka sakaling matauhan ang daddy ko oras may maipakilala akong magpapanggap na asawa ko."
Napailing si Kier. He never expects that the woman behind her has that kind of father that controls everything, even its own life. Noon din pumasok sa isipan niya ang pagkasangkot nito sa kaso ng kaniyang ina. How rude are you, General Aritana? Is this what a general thinks about decisions for her daughter's own good? And poor woman, you have a father like him that will ruin your fate. Hindi niya maiwasang magkomento sa sarili nang dahil sa narinig.
"Here's your espresso and a slice of cake, Sir. Enjoy!"
"Thanks."
Inilapag iyon ng waitress sa mesa niya saka ito ngumiti at tumalikod habang siya ay nagpatuloy lamang sa pakikinig.
"I'm stressed, Rosie. Will you recommend me a part-time husband for me? I damn need it so badly! Kahit magwaldas pa ako ng pera, wala na rin akong ibang naisip kaya kita tinawagan."
Sumubo siya ng isang hiwa ng cheesecake sabay humigop ng kape. He feels that he was listening to a radio playing a female role love story while having dinner.
"Okay. Just send me the number of your friend. Take care, bye."
Narinig niya ang malalim nitong buntong-hininga saka nito inatupag ang in-order. Siya naman ay natapos na rin ang kinakain at naubos na rin ang kaniyang kape. Naramdaman niyang tumayo na ang dalaga at dali-daling umalis sa puwesto nito. He stood up but noticed the cell phone left in the chair. He took it, and something went through his mind. He put his hand inside his pants pocket and takes a microchip who could wiretap the phone's activities or even it can hack the phone system. He has also used the modern technology that his father gave to him before diving into his mission.
Nagawa naman niya iyon na hindi napapansin ng iba at dali-dali niyang sinundan ang dalaga. Mabuti na lang at naabutan pa niya ito sa labas na sasampa na sana ito sa sasakyan ngunit napansin din siyang paparating.
"Miss?"
"Yes?"
"Uhm, you left your phone inside." Inilahad niya ang hawak na cell phone.
"Huh?" Napatingin ito sa inilahad na cell phone. Kinakapa din nito ang bulsa saka na-realize na wala nga roon. "Oh, my god! Uhm, t-thanks!"
"It's okay," he seriously replied.
Hindi naman nagtagal ang kanilang pag-uusap saka siya lumihis at nagtungo sa kaniyang kotseng nakaparada dalawang sasakyan ang pagitan nila. Maaaring hindi naman siya agad makikilala nito kung magtagpo silang muli dahil may suot siyang sombrero at dim ang ilaw sa parking katabi ng coffee shop.
Pagdating naman niya sa bahay niya, nagmamadali na siyang nagtungo sa kaniyang study room at binuksan ang kaniyang monitor. He has access to Air Force satellites that use for mapping and internal use purposes. He puts the headset on his ear and waits for a sudden moment.
A moment later, it was working!
Nakita niya sa monitor na ginamit ito ng dalaga at may tinawagan. Mula sa pakikinig niya rito, malalaman niya ang transaksiyon nito. Maya-maya pa ay nagulantang na lang siya sa natuklasan nang may kausap itong isang dating services agent. Kumuha siya ng papel at sinulat niya ang bawat napag-usapan nito pati na rin ang perang kaya itong ilabas makahanap lang ng pansamantalang asawa. Is she desperate? Patuloy lamang siya sa pakikinig ng usapan ng dalawang babae hanggang sa natuklasan niya ang hidden business ng naturang ahensiya. RnJ Services? He wondered. Nais niyang malaman kung anong klaseng kompanya ito at kung bakit ganoon na lang din itinatago ito sa publiko tulad ng sinabi ng babaeng kausap ng dalaga. The nature of business is to provide a husband for hire service for those financially capable women in need. Wow! That sounds interesting! Mukhang hindi kaso lang ng aking ina ang matutuklasan ko, but something caught my attention. Hmm…I need to get in. If this is the way I could get inside their premises, I will take the risk to find more about this company. I want to be her hired husband with the help of the company. Hindi naman pwedeng direktang alukin ko siyang ako na lang ang maging asawa niya pansamantala. It will looks like troublesome. He got an idea and changed his plan.