Sam's POV
'Kimber micro 9, a pretty standard, simple concealed carry and a light handgun...'
I smiled when I was reminded with my new toy again, so happy and excited to use it. Kagagaling ko lang sa pagshoshopping ng mga kakailangan ko and I was walking towards my apartment now.
Thanks to that bastard del Fuero. Nabili ko narin ang kailangan ko without spending any cents. Though that stingy bastard would surely pester me with how I spent his money, kevs! I'll just face him and his ire tomorrow.
That if he'd even find out about me spending his precious money for some toy.
My smile widened at that thought. Hindi naman masyadong matagal mamili ng mga susuotin ko, with the help of those sales ladies and a little instruction from me, nakapili agad sila ng mga work outfits na bagay sa'kin. Just simple but with class outfits and comfy as well if I want to kick some asses.
And after that clothing shopping, of course, di makokompleto ang imbestigasyon kong 'to without buying my own gun, as promised.
With a wide smile pasted on my face, nagpatuloy na'ko sa paglalakad patungo sa apartment ko with shopping bags in my right hand and with my dearest gun under my waistband.
Pagdating ko sa may pinto, bubuksan ko na sana ito with my key in hand but I stopped when it suddenly opened on its own and then my aunt appeared wearing her serious as hell face with her crossed against her chest. Looking like a head soldier on duty, ready to sack anyone who would dare to defy her order.
"Auntie!" Gulat ko ng bungad rito, not expecting her to come all the way here.
I wonder why she's here nang wala man lang pasabi na darating ito.
"Anong ginagawa mo rito? Kararating mo lang---"
"I have something na sasabihin sa'yo, Samantha." She cut me off with his serious voice saka tumalikod pabalik sa loob.
My brows creases in confusions with how she behave right now. She had called me by my first name so for sure, alam ko na kung anong sasabihin nito.
Another sermon na naman. Hayyy...
Letting out a frustrated sigh, Pumasok na lamang ako saka inilock ang pinto bago ito sinundan papunta sa may dining table kung san ito nakaupo ngayon sa isa sa mga upuang nandun.
Mula nang pasukin ng mga tauhan ng pesteng judge na'yon ang apartment ko kahapon, I still haven't made time to fix the mess they'd made dahil tinatamad pa'ko. Medyo nagkalat parin ang mga papers at libro sa sahig at sa mesa.
This was maybe her reason kung bakit bad mood ito ngayon.
Inilagay ko na muna ang mga binili ko under the table before I sat at the seat across from her, with her still silent in her seat. So unusual for her being so cheerful every time na magkasama kami.
"What's the matter aunt? May problema ba? Kanina ka pa ba dumating dito?"
Hindi agad ito sumagot and just took some papers na nasa mesa saka ito tumingin sa'kin with eyes filled with pure anger, confusing me more.
"What's this Samantha? Care to explain what is this all about??" She asked, showing those papers in her hands with pursed lips.
"I thought inihinto mo na ang pag-iimbestiga sa aksidenteng 'yon?? My God. Hindi pa pala, Samantha?!"
I groaned and squeezed my eyes shut, now understanding why she was having that look right now.
Oh yeah, pati rin pala ang mga papers about my own case was here. But since she knows now, I think hiding from her now was pointless.
Great job, Sam. Now face your aunt's famous sermon and just make sure to get out from the pit of her hell alive.
"Akala ko ba naiintindihan mo ng aksidente lang ang lahat ng 'yon, Samantha? Bakit ba kailangan mo pang pahirapan ang sarili mo rito by digging up the whole thing??!"
Inhaling deeply, I opened my eyes and just took those papers from her hand. Better to just be calmed than argue with her.
"Kalimutan mo nalang na nakita mo ito, auntie..I don't want you to worry about this."
Her stares intensified, now looking more mad at me. Well, as expected, kaya nga hindi ko 'to sinabi sa kanya because she won't like it one bit.
"Akala ko ba inihinto mo na ito, Samantha?? Mas lalo mo lang pinapahirapan ang sarili mo rito. You have to stop this at once! That had happened too long ago and so you have to move on from that! "
My hand balled in fists as I clenched my teeth at that , suddenly felt annoyed with her ordering me to do that. Enough with calming myself!
With held breath, I stared at her, straight to her own.
"How can I bloody stop kung alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi lang aksidente ang lahat, auntie? How can I stop kung 'di ako magiging okay kapag naiisip kong hanggang ngayon, hindi parin napaparusahan ang mga taong may pakana ng lahat ng 'yon?? How can I just let them live like nothing happened when they have ruined my life???!" I growled at her as I finally lose my self-control.
She just shook her head while looking at me with tormented eyes.
"I know mahirap tanggapin na lamang ang mga nangyari sa parents mo, Samantha.. Pero kahit na sabihin nating sinadya ang lahat ng 'yon, imposible paring mahanap ang mga taong gumawa noon given na wala ka namang ibang lead sa kanila but just---"
"A ring. Yes, just a bloody ring." I said while nodding my head.
"Pero unique ang ring na'yon, auntie. At kahit magalit ka pa sa'kin, hinding-hindi ako titigil hangga't hindi ko nahahanap ang bagay na'yon! Alam kong darating at darating din ang araw na mahahanap ko ang mga taong 'yon and when I did, I will make sure..." I heaved up a deep shaky breath before I continued. "I will make sure na pagbabayaran nila ang ginawa nila sa parents ko, in ruining my once perfect life!" I firmly said with determined eyes while staring at her.
Justice is what I've been seeking for since that fateful event happened. That's the only reason why I am still living now, though I was living like a living dead.
"Pero hindi mo alam kung gaano ka delikado 'tong ginawa mo, Samantha!"
"Mali ka, Auntie." I said while shaking my head.
"Mali ka dahil alam na alam ko kung anong ginagawa ko. Isa akong P.I. kaya alam na alam ko kung gaano ka delikado tong ginagawa----"
"Pero itinutuloy mo parin, Samantha!" she cut uff sabay tayo mula sa kinauupuan nito.
"Itinutuloy mo pa rin kahit alam mong pwede kang mapahamak sa ginagawa mong 'to!"
She look so different from her usual self, looking like she was so stressed out. And I can understand her kung bakit ito nagkakaganito ngayon. I know she was just worried for me na 'di naman dapat.
I let out a deep breath and shook my head in disagreement,
"Hindi ako mapapahamak, auntie. Hinding hindi."
"My God, Samantha! Ba't ba ang tigas-tigas ng ulo mo!" Galit nitong tanong as she started pacing back and forth before me.
"Ano nalang ang sasabihin sa'kin ni kuya nito.. I have failed to raise you like a lovely lady that he want you to. I couldn't even get you marry a man!" she continued while shaking her head, now looking all so worried.
Parang mas lalo pa itong tumanda tingnan ngayon kaysa sa tunay na edad nitong 46. But I don't think susundin ko na lamang ito at isiping aksidente lang ang lahat ng nangyari when it wasn't.
I know close sila ng daddy ko mula pagkabata kaya naiintindihan ko kung bakit ito nagkakaganiton ngayon.
She was all that was left to me now. Pero kahit na ganun paman at 'di ko ito gustong masaktan sa maaaring mangyari sa'kin, I still have to do it.
And seeing her like that made me smile, dahil at least, may nag-aalala parin pala sa'kin.
"Dad will surely be proud of you, auntie.."
She stopped her pacing then glared at me with eyes still furious and with her lips pursed tightly.
"No! No, he won't, Samantha! Siguradong hindi niya ikakatuwa 'to kung kahit ako, hindi ko man lang magawang ilayo ka sa mga taong kahit siya hindi niya nagawang iwasan!"
My smile gone in a second at that as my brows furrowed in utter confusions while she continued to pace around.
Why does she sounded like she already know from the start na indi talaga aksidente ang lahat ng 'yon?
"Sinabi ko na sa kanya noon na tigilan na niya ang ginagawa niya pero hindi pa rin siya nakinig sa'kin and now he's dead because of that at muntikan ka pa niyang idamay. And now?!" She continued while pointing her finger at me,
"Ikaw na naman ang hindi nakikinig sa'kin, 'sing tigas mo talaga ng ulo ang daddy mo at ngayon--"
"What do you mean? Anong dapat tinigilan ni daddy noon?" Putol ko na rito, dahilan para matigilan ito with her eyes widened in shock.
Probably shock with her slip. And I don't think hahayaan ko nalang ito nang hindi nakukuha ang sagot na kailangan ko mula sa kanya.
"Anong nalalaman mo tungkol sa kanya, auntie? Anong nalalaman mo sa mga taong 'yon?" i asked as I got up on my feet.
"There's no point to deny that now, Auntie. Alam kong may alam ka sa mga nangyari noon."
Nanatili lang itong walang imik habang nakatitig lang sa'kin, confirming my suspicion that she indeed knows something that I didn't.
My heart leap out at that in excitemen just the thought of it. With held breath, I rushed close to her and then clutched her shoulders.
"Auntie, alam kong may alam ka.. Alam kong--"
"NO!"
i frowned when he suddenly snapped that while vigorously shaking her head saka dali-dali ng lumayo sa'kin.
"No. Wala, Samantha. A-Aksidente lang ang lahat ng 'yon..." She went on habang 'di makatingin ng diretso sa'kin, still shaking her head as if she was convincing herself na 'yon nga ang totoo.
The hell I'd believe that! Ito lang ang tanging posibleng makatulong sa'kin para matunton ang mga taong 'yon.
I swallowed hard at that possibility then heaved in a shaky deep breath.
"Just..Just tell me whatever you know auntie.. Alam kong may nalalaman kayo tungkol dun.." I plead, feeling like I was out of breath with my heart thudded abnormally.
"I-I know nothing about it, Sam.. I know--"
"Just tell me, Auntie! Just tell me! please.."
She shut her mouth when I suddenly shouted that at her habang tiim ang mga bagang at kuyom ang mga kamay na nagsusumamo rito.
Happy and at the same time, excited. Excited to kill those shits!
We don't need to kill her...She's dying after all..'
The clenching of my hands tightened when again, those words echoed in my mind. Those words that had been engraved in my memories and always ready to haunt me with the past. At kahit ilang taon na ang nakakalipas, hinding-hindi ko pa rin makakalimutan ang boses ng taong 'yon!
"Tell me now, auntie.. Alam mong 'yon lang ang makakatulong sa'kin but you just stayed silent and hid that from me!"
"Hindi ko talaga alam kung ano 'yon, Samantha.. I swear.. " She answered while looking at me with pleading eyes, causing me to feel more annoyed. Annoyed with her hiding something essential for my case. How could she!
"Alam kong may alam kayo, auntie pero hindi mo lang sinasabi dahil takot kang ipagpatuloy ko ang case na'to. So ganun nalang ba ang gusto mo?? Hahayaan mo nalang na hindi maparusahan ang mga taong 'yon sa pagpatay nila sa parents ko?? Sa kapatid mo??! Dahil takot kayo?The hell I'd allow that, Auntie! Hinding-hindi ko sila----"
"Mapapatawad? That's why hahanapin mo sila dahil ikaw na mismo ang papatay sa kanila and possibly get yourself into danger ganun ba, Samantha??! And much worse, mawawala ka naman sa'kin!"
I stopped and glared at her when she shouted that, now feeling enraged while breathing raggedly and gritting my teeth hard.
She walked towards me as her lips pursed in thin line as she looked at me with utter defiance.
"Kahit may nalalaman pa'ko na makakapagturo sa kanila, tingin ko mas mabuti ng hindi ko nalang sasabihin 'yon sa'yo dahil alam kong mas lalo ka lang na masasaktan dito kapag ipinagpatuloy mo'to, Samanthat.. And that's the last thing that I want to happen." Shesobbed and shook her head with tears started to form in her eyes.
"At ayokong mangyari 'yon sa'yo.. Ayokong pati ikaw mawala rin sa'kin katulad ng parents mo Samantha. Hindi ko 'yon kakayanin."
I just bit my lip hard and tightened my clenched hands, stopping myself to force her give me what I wanted to know. Ayokong masaktan ito physically because I know, defying her to stop this case was enough torture for her emotionally.
Well, if she really won't tell me the truth, then so be it. I'm sure malalaman ko rin naman yon.
Heaving a deep breath, I stared at her with unwavering eyes.
"Kahit di mo pa sabihin sa'kin kung ano man ang nalalaman mo, auntie.... I'll make sure na malalaman ko rin 'yon with or without your help.."
She quickly wiped her tears with her palms while sniffing.
"Tigilan mo na'to, Samantha.. Ipapahamak mo lang ang sarili mo.."
I just smiled at her, a bitter smile. There's no way I would stop all of this when I know now where to start my investigation.
"Kung mamamatay man ako dahil dito... Sisiguraduhin ko namang isasama ko sila sa hukay ko, Auntie. That way, you won't be that sad to live your life." I firmly answered saka tumalikod na rito and rushed back to the table.
I hastily picked up all those papers and books scattered all over the table then put it back to the small cabinet against the wall, just a few feet away from my table.
"Sam..Please, tigilan mo na'to..." She plead again, after a while longer of her silence. Hindi ko na ito nilingon and just continued.
"I'm sorry but I won't auntie. Not until I make them pay what was long overdue for them." Saka kinuha ko na 'yong iba pang nagkalat sa sahig.
She didn't answered and just remained silent. Probablyshe realized na 'di na talaga mababago ang desisyon ko. And she got it right there.
Kung may mga taong naghahabol sa daddy ko, I think alam ko na kung saan sisimulan ang imbestigasyon ko to find out who they were and why they have killed him.
I took a quick glance at my watch.
4:21 pm.
Just a perfect timing to visit that place.
Once I've done putting everything back to the cabinet.
I quickly turned around and then headed to the door, ignoring my silent as mute aunt on my way, crying silently. Hindi ko na ito tiningnan, not wanted to see her tear-stained cheeks dahil hindi ko ito matitiis.
"Isang file...."
I stopped on my tracks when she suddenly uttered that. With furrowed brows, I turned to her way.
I just stared at her with confused and expectant look, expecting her to continue her tale.
She heave a deep breath before she continued.
"Isang file. 'Yan ang laging naririnig ko sa daddy mo everytime he was talking on his phone kapag nagkikita kami.."
My brows furrowed than ever when I heard that.
"File?? What file?"
"I don't know kung anong file 'yon. Ang alam ko lang ay isa 'yong importanteng file that his great friend had trusted on him.." She answered which it still doesn't make any sense.
"Kaibigan niya.. Do you mean he's partner in business, auntie?"
She shook her head then sat on the seat beside her, looking too exhausted with her pale face and wrinkled with worry.
"Akala ko ba isa kang magaling na investigator, Samantha?"
My lips was pressed together when she asked that. She just smiled at me, a bitter smile precisely.
"Hindi ka ba nagtataka kung bakit walang business partner ng dad mo na lumabas after his death?"
That made me more confused, feeling so lost with her tale.
Yes, wala nga.. Kaya nga hinahanap ko rin ang taong 'yon because that person was my main suspect, but until now, hindi ko parin ito nahahanap....Is it possible na hindi talaga nag-eexist ang taong 'yon that's why I can't find him ever since I started this investigation?
My eyes instantly went round as that thought made sense. Causing me to rush towards her and stopped in front of her. Now more eager to know everything she knew.
"Are you saying na wala talagang business partner si dad, auntie?"
She didn't answered right away and just stared at me like she was studying me, probably to know if I was ready to know the truth.
The heck! I was more than ready with all of it!
After awhile, she sighed and started.
"Wala.."
Holy shit!
"How could he have a business partner kung hindi naman talaga siya isang businessman, Sam?.."
That made my eyes widened more in shock again. well probably shock was just an understatement with what I really felt right now.
"Then if that was the case. H-How---"
"I don't know kung alam 'to ni Susan dahil kahit ako, nalaman ko lang 'yon by accidentally overhearing your father talking with someone on his phone saying that he got the file at ibibigay nya yon sa tamang panahon.. kaya sinundan ko ang dad mo, a few days before the accident..."
Before my birthday... The last birthday that I've supposed to celebrate with them.
The clenching of my teeth tightened and my eyes squeezed tight when I thought about that.
Kung hindi nga talaga ito businessman and he kept mentioning that damn file to someone on the phone, then ano ba talaga ang trabaho nito? Ano ba talaga ito na kailangan pa niyang magpanggap that he was someone that I thought he was?
"What happened when you've followed him, auntie? May nalaman ka ba? Nakita mo ba kung sino ang taong kausap niya?" I asked with gritted teeth, quite desperate to know what happened.
She just shook her head, causing me to feel disappointed.
"Cafe Moss,.. Sa lugar na 'yan ko s[ya nakitang may kausap na lalaki noon, someone that I think he was very closed to... "
"Cafe moss ? And someone he was very closed to?"
She got up from her seat and let out a loud sigh before she held my hand.
She smiled for awhile although her eyes glimmering in tears was giving her away.
"Kung ipagpapatuloy mo'to, Samantha, can you please... " she swallowed hard as her hold in my hand tightened.
"Can you please atleast make sure to be safe? Alam mo namang 'di ko kakayanin na mapahamak ka.. You know that. You are all that I have now."
I just forced a smile and nodded at her. I know she just want me safe and to stay alive till I solve this case. But I just can't promised that to her and she didn't need to know that..
"I have to go now, auntie. May gagawin pa'ko." Then without waiting for her answer, I whirled around and headed to the door then opened it. Pero bago ako tuluyang lumabas, nilingon ko muna ito with a smirk.
Just wanted to give her a little reminder bago pa'ko umalis.
"May nakalimutan ka ba?" Worried na tanong niro sa'kin while wiping her tears.
"Baka gusto niyong magcheck in nalang muna sa hotel ngayong gabi auntie. I'm sure 'di nyo magugustuhan ang maririnig niyo mamaya diyan sa katabing apartment.."
Her brows creased at that in confusion and looked at me like I had grown two heads in my shoulder.
"Maririnig?"
"Ahuh..Just.... A sexual miracle.."
Her eyes popped wide when she heard that while her mouth hang agape, a horror look was all over her face.
I just chuckled and shook my head at her before I left her and headed outside.
I'm sure magsisimula na itong magrosaryo ngayon to ask God forgive those shits.