Different from modern houses common downtown, Manaloto's household built in nipa hut resides on the far side highlands of Aurum . It was enough for a big family to live wherein it contains three separate rooms, dining area & kitchen in one space, average living area and single bathroom. The family did not own much material possessions. Instead of TV, they have a radio and an outdated cassette player. The only decoration hanging on their wall is a family picture along with the several certificates and medals bagged by Eli and his siblings over the years. Regardless, their tidy home's simplicity pleases the eyes of spectators.
The outside was a refreshing sight. Ornamental plants in flower pots beautify their front lawn and the old-fashioned hand water pump still in use was always the number one subject of visitors. Passersby also see it first thing considering the knee height slatted bamboo fence around the lot served more as boundaries rather than barriers.
Although people perceive them poor, the Manaloto couple owned a considerably large portion of land where their home lies and were able to send their five children to school.
"What's bothering you, young man? I always catch you staring at the distance these days." Mrs. Manaloto said.
The rustic wooden chair creaked as she sat beside her son.
"Nothing important. I'm just..." he paused mid sentence, unable to form the right words to reply.
"Still at loss, aren't you? I am proud of what you have become but Eliseo… Unlike your Papa, I prefer if you won't treat everyone as your responsibility. You always walked an extra mile for other people and those ingrates often never return the favor." She pointed out with a wry smile.
Tears blurred her vision while feeling her chest tightened up. As a mother, knowing you gave life to a remarkably compassionate person brings unmeasurable joy to your life. Even so, she also learned this could cause her sorrow. Eliseo's kindness nearly cost his life!
What value do praises such as 'you raised him too well' or 'you are blessed with the nicest son' do good to her if her precious eldest is gone?
"Ma, forgive me for worrying you all the time. It's just.. I --- I cannot look past whenever somebody needs help. When I see them I think about what if the same thing happens to my siblings. I won't act oblivious because it's the easy way. I could not stomach it! Sorry, Ma. I trust you know me best to guess I can't promise it never happens again."
"Oh my golden boy! I didn't raise you to become a saint so don't be one. I am only saying proceed with caution, k? I'm afraid you'd eventually get hurt beyond repair."
She stood up then patted his shoulder.
"And stop doting Lady Caress already. She's fine! You don't need to add to the number of people who worry for her. There are more girls out there, more suitable… reachable. Thrust that on your thick skull so you'll have a goodnight sleep." She advised before jogging back to their house in a hurry.
"Ma, I am not! It's not like that!" he shouted too late.
His mother was already out of sight.
Yes, he is in deep thought but not because he worries about the entitled queen. What actually concerns him is Arnaldo Aragon's official statement broadcasted in the evening news yesterday. He denied any affiliations of the offender to their family whereas Care considered him a dearest friend. Eli heard her say it. In fact, she cried for Ramses!
"Then, why the bad blood?" he thought out loud.
Ramses was also his childhood friend thus he wants to know what pushed him to do such atrocity. He saw no hesitation nor guilt when Ramses plunged his dagger to his stomach. Ramses decided to kill him and Eli believes he just got super lucky none of his internal organs were harmed. Simply recalling the incident, his stab wound itches.
The night it happened, he shouted her name from the crowd without thinking of the consequences first. All he had was a gut feeling that something was wrong by the way Ramses acted backstage. His right hand remained inside his pocket as if he held something beneath which he could not afford to lose that turned out to be the dagger.
No---
Now that Eli thinks about it, he suspected it was much earlier, a few days before Gala. The head of the orphanage injured his leg because of tripping himself on the stairs. Then, one of the organizers strangely suggested Ramses as a substitute. Everyone agreed it was more appealing because he represents the youth that the orphanage sheltered. Besides, it causes no harm because the awarding of money is merely a public display not the actual transfer of funds.
The next day, he visited Ramses in jail. He needed clarity or rather peace of mind. It is not an everyday occurrence that your friend tries to kill you. However, upon seeing him, the weight his heart bear grew heavier. Part of him regretted going to the station. It might be his karma for not telling his parents about it.
Ramses Cooper looked forsaken. His eyes that lost delight in the world conveys so. The dark circles under them are pretty evident, too. Even his body grew thinner when barely two weeks had passed.
"Why?" Eli said.
The accusations he planned to throw at him are tossed straight to the window. He realized he was facing a stranger more than an old friend.
"You wouldn't understand even if I told you." Ramses replied in bored undertone.
"Ram---"
Ramses suddenly slammed his cuffed hands on the table, cutting him off.
"Don't call my name so casually! We're no longer friends. The moment you saved that bitch, you already turned your back on me! You should've let me do the deed! I was simply giving the punishment befitting to a monster that she is."
"Justice isn't served by shedding blood on your hands!"
His hysterical laughter boomed in the visitation room. Eli's spine felt the chill and thought by that second how close Ram's mind was. Never did he experience this helplessness before... just today. He wanted to help Ramses drowning in his self created pit of misery but how do you help a person who chose to drown himself there in the first place?
Even the righteous Eliseo Manaloto cannot save someone who refuses to be saved.
"Quit imposing your principles on me!" Ramses lashed out.
He shoved the table then nearly grabbed his collars. Thankfully, police barged in first subduing him.
"Go, Eliseo! Move forward to the path you choose and so will I. But heed my advice, stay away from Caress Aragon. She shall only use you for her gains then discard you next like a ragged toy." Ramses warned as police dragged him out forcefully.
He just stood there, replaying in his head what just happened while searching for the traces of his old friend somewhere in those harsh words he spouted.
"What drove you to this madness?" He sighed.