Chapter 1
Blood
Five months had passed since my father passed away, many things have changed. May mga taong nawala sa aking buhay, at mayroong mga dumating.
I smiled bitterly as I remember my family. I knew that life isn't permanent. Life is short, it says. But I didn't expect it to be that way.
I closed my eyes and my tears escaped from it. Memories from the past months suddenly flashed on my mind.
"Rosé! Napaaga ka?" sinalubong agad ako ng yakap ni Marga, ang aking pinsan. I smiled weakly.
She sighed and held my hand. "Let's get inside. Mag-breakfast muna tayo." Tumango ako at sumunod sa kanya habang hawak-hawak niya ang aking kamay.
Naabutan namin sa hapag ang kanyang mga magulang. Wala ang dalawang kapatid ni Marga, siguro ay natutulog pa ang mga iyon.
"Dad, Rosé's here..."
"Good morning, Tito, Tita..." Napatingin sa amin ang mag-asawa. Binaba ni Tito Gabriel ang kanyang dyaryo habang si Tita Marian naman ay nagtitimpla ng kape. Tito Gabriel is my father's younger brother.
"Oh, umupo ka, hija. Mag-almusal ka muna, sabay nalang kayo nitong pinsan mo dahil tapos na kaming kumain ng Tita Marian mo," si Tito Gabriel.
Tumango ako. "Opo, Tito. Salamat," sabi ko bago umupo. Bumaling naman si Tito Gabriel kay Marga.
"Marga, pakitawag nga si Manang Lita. Sabihan mo na magdagdag pa ng isang plato rito. Ipaghanda mo ng makakain ang pinsan mo."
"Yes, dad," si Marga sabay bitaw sa aking kamay para tawagin si Manang Lita sa kusina. Nagsimula muling magbasa si Tito Gabriel sa hawak na dyaryo habang si Tita Marian naman ay lumapit sa akin.
"Hi, Rosario..." hinagkan ako ni Tita Marian at niyakap. Ngumiti ako at hinawakan ang mga kamay niyang nakapulupot sa aking balikat. "How are you, darling?" malumanay na tanong ni Tita habang hinahaplos ang aking buhok. Ngumiti si Tito Gabriel nang sumulyap siya sa amin ni Tita Marian.
Dumating naman si Marga dala ang isang plato at kubyertos, magkasama sila ni Manang Lita na may dalang isang pitsel ng orange juice. Imbes na sasagutin ko si Tita Marian ay si Marga na ang sumagot para sa akin.
"Naku, mommy! Hindi 'yan okay!" si Marga sabay lapag ng plato at kubyertos sa aking harap. Umupo siya sa aking tabi.
"Hmmm. About your dad again, darling?" Binitiwan ako ni Tita Marian at bumalik sa kanyang upuan upang maharap ako.
"Yes, po. Uhm... yesterday, we received a complain from a person Daddy has encountered in gambling. Many, actually. Someone even came to our home saying that he'd sue my dad for all of his debts."
Nagulat sila sa aking sinabi. Naibaba ni Tito Gabriel ang hawak na dyaryo habang si Tita Marian naman ay nasapo ang kanyang noo.
My father has been like that since the day my mother had passed away. He lost himself the moment his lover, my mother, died. It has been four years already and he's still morning for her.
My mother died because of Leukemia. She had a cancer and she did not survive. She suffered a lot. She left us. I didn't understad, but my father didn't understand more. Siguro ay dahil hindi lang talaga namin matanggap na bigla nalang nawala si Mommy. We love her so much.
Simula nang mawala ang aking ina ay wala akong ginawa kundi ang umiyak gabi-gabi. Pero isang araw, naisip ko na walang mangyayari kung iiyak nalang ako. Hindi maibabalik noon ang buhay ng aking ina. I needed to be strong. I need to be strong for myself, for my mother, and for my father who is not in his usual self anymore. Seeing my father mourned so much for my mother broke me into pieces. It fucking hurts everytime I see him in pain.
"What? How come Tito Ferdinand have so many debts?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Marga. She sighed and held my left hand.
Tito Gabriel took a deep sigh. "I've warned Kuya so many times about it. I told him to stop gambling! Bakit ba ang tigas ng ulo niya? He's not even thinking that she has a daughter whom he should take care of!" tumaas na ang boses ni Tito. Umiling-iling ito.
"Calm down, Gabriel." Bumaling sa akin si Tita Marian. "Hija, you let those strangers go inside your house? Paano kung masasamang tao ang mga iyon at napahamak ka? Oh, God! And what about your securities, wala ba silang ginawa para harangan o paalisin ang mga 'yon?" Nabalot ng pag-aalala ang mukha ni Tita.
"I'm going to fire all your guards!" si Tito Gabriel.
Iyon na nga, e. We don't have guards anymore. Pinaalis na silang lahat ni Daddy dahil wala na kaming maipapasahod sa kanila. Even our maids, he also fired them. Sa sampung katulong namin, ang tanging natira lamang sa kanila ay ang aming mayordoma, si Manang Letty.
"Actually, Tito, pinaalis na po ni Daddy 'yong mga guards namin noong isang araw. We don't have enough money to pay for them anymore. And our company is also not in a good state," I said weakly.
Napapikit si Tito Gabriel at sumandal sa kanyang upuan. He massaged his temple. "Kapag may nangyaring masama sa'yo, Rosario, malalagot 'yang ama mo sa'kin!" I can already sense his frustration as he said those words. Parang may humaplos sa aking puso dahil sa sinabi ni Tito Gabriel.
"I'll try to talk to Dad again, Tito. Pagkauwing-pakauwi ko po mamaya, kakausapin ko agad siya. And I am also planning to sell our mansion, Tito. It's a big help to pay for my father's debts kaya h'wag na po kayong mag-alala."
Bumuntong-hininga si Tito at umupo ng maayos. "You're going to sell your mansion, are you sure?" Tumango ako. He sighed again. "Okay. If that's what you want... And about your company, don't worry about it. Let me handle that. Stop stressing yourself too much."
I smiled sadly. I felt Marga's hand, squeezing mine. Napatingin ako sa kanya. "Why don't you just sleep here tonight?"
"Oo nga naman, hija," marahang sinabi ni Tita Marian kaya napabaling ako sa kanya. "Mas mabuti kung dito ka muna matulog mamayang gabi, para naman mapanatag kami. Lalo na ang Tito Gabriel mo..."
"Stay here just for tonight, Rosario..." si Tito Gabriel naman.
Agad akong umiling at ngumiti. I truly appreciate their care for me pero ayaw kong maiwan si Daddy sa bahay. He's lonely, at mas malulungkot 'yon kung hindi ako uuwi.
"Huwag na po. Walang kasama si Daddy mamaya. I mean, nando'n naman si Manang Letty sa bahay pero malulungkot 'yon kapag hindi ako nakauwi."
Kumunot ang noo ng mag-asawa. "Si Manang Letty lang ang naroon? Nasaan ang ibang kasambahay niyo?" kunot-noong tanong ni Tito Gabriel.
"Pinaalis na rin po ni Daddy," mahina kong sinabi.
Tita Marian and Marga looked at me sadly while Tito Gabriel let out a heavy sigh.
"Your lives are in danger. I'll send some of my men with you. Maybe ten will be enough," Tito Gabriel said.
Bahagya akong nagulat sa sinabi ni Tito. "That's too much, Tito. And... I don't think we need that," agap ko.
My Uncle glared at me. "Of course, you need security! We are talking about you and your father's safety here!"
"Dad is right, Rosé. Just accept his offer, please?" si Marga.
"Just accept it, darling..." si Tita Marian naman sa malambing na boses.
I sighed. "Okay po. But I think, two will be enough?"
"No. Ten bodyguards," Tito Gabriel said in a deep voice.
"Three?" sagot ko pa.
"Rosario!" matigas na sinabi ni Tito.
I chuckled. "Fine, Tito."
"Pareho talaga kayo ng ama mo. Ang titigas ng mga ulo!" si Tito sabay iling pa nito. Tumawa naman si Tita at Marga sa sinabi niya kaya natawa na rin ako. Siguro nga ay namana ko kay Daddy ang katigasan ng aking ulo.
Matapos kaming mag-usap ay umalis na rin ang mag-asawa. Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Marga na hindi pa rin nakakapagsimulang kumain.
"Let's eat, Rosé. I'm hungry!" Marga said and started putting some bacon and egg on my plate. Sweet. Ngumiti ako at nagsimula na ring kumain.
"Where are your siblings, by the way?" tanong ko pagkatapos uminom ng juice.
Napatingin siya sa akin habang ngumunguya. She swallowed it first before answering me. "Upstairs. As usual, tulog pa..." Tumango ako at nagpatuloy na sa pagkain.
Pagkatapos naming kumain ni Marga ay dumiretso na kami sa kanilang sala. Doon namin pinagpatuloy ang pag-uusap.
"Hmm. Why don't you just marry? For convenience!"
I laughed and shook my head. "No way, Marga! I'm still nineteen! At wala pa sa isip ko ang pagpapakasal. At higit sa lahat, magpapakasal lang ako sa lalaking mahal ko."
Damn. I really am a sucker for true love.
She rolled her eyes and leaned her back on the couch. "You're already in legal age! You know, you will no longer think about your debts, financial or whatever if you marry someone rich! And eventually, you will also learn to love that person. That's for sure!"
"In my situation now, do you really think someone's willing to marry me?" I raised my eyebrow.
She rolled her eyes and sat properly to face me. "Rosé, you're pretty. Not just pretty, you're also sexy!" Bumaba pa ang tingin nito sa aking katawan. "Maraming maghahabol sa'yo, no!"
My lips protruted. "I know I'm pretty and all that, Marga. But my point is, we are suffering. You get it?"
"My cousin's still willing to marry you, though..." she smirked.
Napasinghap ako sa sinabi niya. Why would she bring up Ephraim here?
"You're crazy, Marga! Dinadamay mo lang si Ephraim sa kalokohan mo." I rolled my eyes and grimaced.
She laughed and shook her head. "I'm not! I just know that he's still inlove with you."
Umiling ako at sumimangot. "Stop it. It's been what... two or three years since we broke up. At ang bata pa namin no'n. Malabong may nararamdaman pa siya sa akin ngayon."
Ngumuso si Marga at nagtaas ng kilay. "Well..." nagkibit-balikat siya.
Magaan ang pakiramdam ko nang makaalis sa bahay nina Marga. Mabuti nalang at nand'yan palagi sina Tito Gabriel na talagang maaasahan kapag may problema kami. At gaya nga ng sinabi niya, kasama kong umalis ang sampung guardya.
Pero hindi ko maiwasang mangamba tuwing naiisip ko ang mga utang ni Daddy. Paano kung... paano kung mga masasamang tao pala ang mga naka engkwentro niya? Maybe Tito's right, we really need to secure our safety.
I kissed Daddy a good night before I went to my room. "Sleep now, hija. I love you..." he smiled. I could see sadness in his eyes when he said those.
I was awakened by the noise in the middle of the night. It was not just a simple noise. Someone fired a gun! And not just once, many!
Agad sumibol ang kaba sa aking dibdib. I quickly got out of bed. The first thing that came to my mind was my father. I hurried out of my room and ran the distance towards my Dad's room. Naabutan ko si Daddy na kakaalis lang sa harap ng kanyang computer. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang makita ako. Agad siyang lumapit sa akin at niyakap ako. I hugged him back.
"Veronica! What were you thinking? Bakit ka lumabas ng kwarto mo?" nag-aalalang sinabi ni Daddy nang kumalas sa yakap.
Napatili ako nang may pumutok ulit. Nanginginig ang aking mga kamay nang humawak ako sa braso ni Daddy.
"D-Dad, what's happening? P-paanong..." napatalon ako nang may nagpaputok ulit.
"Listen, Veronica! You need to keep this..." Inabot niya sa akin ang isang flashdrive. Nanginginig ang aking mga kamay nang tinanggap ko iyon. "Here is all the evidence that Menandro Vasquez is a syndicate. I lost in gambling and with my huge debts I could not pay for it. And now, I want you to be safe. He's looking for you and I want you to stay out of it. Understand?" mahina ngunit mariing sinabi ni Daddy habang hawak ang aking magkabilang balikat.
"But Dad—" I cried.
I couldn't process it all. Syndicate... that means, our lives are in danger!
"Veronica!" medyo tumaas na ang boses ni Daddy. Niyugyog niya ako. "Listen to me, I want you to be safe!"
"Then how about you, dad? I want you to be safe, too!" Napahagulgol na ako. I don't wanna lose my father. Oh God, please, not now! Not yet.
Daddy was about to answer me when someone knocked on the door. I wiped my tears away. Napasinghap ako at napatingin sa pintuan. Daddy told me to keep quiet before he went to a drawer and he took something there. I gasped when I saw the gun he was holding. He carefully went to the door and slowly opened it.
Daddy prepared his gun and aimed it at the door as he opened it. I breathed a sigh of relief when one of Tito Gabriel's trusted bodyguards exposed himself to us. He raised both of his hands and Daddy lowered his gun when he saw who the person in front of us was.
"Sir, napasok ho tayo at marami sila. Two of our colleagues are dead. Kailangan na nating umalis dito bago pa nila maakyat ang mansion. May alam ako roon sa likuran ng mansion na pwede nating daanan para makatakas, sir," the bodyguard said. I can still hear the gunfire outside. "Tinawagan ko na rin ho si Sir Gabriel. He'll send more back-ups at susunod rin siya."
Daddy took my left hand and led me out of the room. "Let's go!"
Tumango ang bodyguard. "Just follow me, Sir," aniya at nagsimula nang maglakad. Sumunod kami ni Dad sa kanya ngunit napahinto ako nang makarating kami sa labas ng aking kwarto. Tumigil rin si Daddy at ang bodyguard.
"Dad, I need to get something in my room."
Umiling si Daddy. "We need to leave, Veronica!"
"No, Dad. Please, it's Mom's necklace. Please! Sandali lang..."
Daddy sighed and I saw a single tear in his eyes. "Fine. Bilisin mo!"
I quickly took Mommy's necklace and went out. Mabilis ang paglalakad namin hanggang sa pababa kami ng hagdan. The gunfire I heard became even more clearer. We were about to go downstairs when two bonneted men entered the mansion. The three bodyguards immediately came to cover us.
"Go!" Pinauna na kami ng kasama naming bodyguard patungo sa kusina kung saan kami dadaan palabas.
Nataranta ako nang biglang maalala si Manang Letty. Oh, my God! Paano kung may mangyaring masama sa kanya? I need to save her!
"Dad, we need to save Manang Letty! Puntahan natin siya!" I stared to cry.
Even before Daddy could answer I heard Manang Letty screaming, asking for help. My eyes widened as I looked at her, another man wearing a bonnet was holding her.
"Manang!" I cried.
I shouted and cried when I saw how the man mercilessly shot the old woman. The bodyguard immediately shot the man twice. Halos mawalan ako ng lakas nang humandusay sa sahig ang matanda na wala ng buhay.
Lalapit pa sana ako roon kung hindi lang ako kinaladkad ni Daddy. We were accompanied by a bodyguard who picked us up and the two who covered us earlier. My tears flowed unceasingly until we reached the back gate of the mansion.
Their back-ups have arrived and the others will pick us up outside this wall. Hindi pa rin tumitigil ang putukan. Napakapit ako sa braso ni Daddy nang makita na napasok na ang mansion namin at nakita kami ng iba!
"Sir, you need to go!"
"Send my daughter first. I want her to be safe!" si Daddy at tinulak ako papunta sa isang guard.
Agad akong umiling at humawak sa magkabilang braso ni Dad. "What do you mean, Dad? I'm not going to leave you! Sabay tayong aakyat sa pader na 'yan!" I cried.
"Veronica, please listen to me! You won't leave me, okay? Susunod ako, anak..." Daddy said in a shaky voice.
I closed my eyes firmly and shook my head. "I don't want to lose you, Dad. Please, Dad! Promise me na susunod ka, Dad, please..." I pleaded. My tears just won't stop from falling.
I cried more when Daddy hugged me. I hugged him back, tightly. "I promise, anak. I love you so much. Now, please, go first..." kumalas ako sa yakap at tumango.
I screamed and closed my eyes when someone fired at us. The two bodyguards immediately covered us while the other one held and scooped me. Inalalayan niya ako hanggang sa makarating ako sa taas ng pader. I saw five men waiting for us across this wall. There are also two cars near them. Sandali akong tumigil at nilingon sina Daddy na ngayon ay nakatago sa mga halaman. Nagsimula na ring magpaputok ang mga tauhan ni Tito Gabriel.
"Dad!" I cried.
"Ma'am, susunod agad si Sir sa inyo. Just go!" ang bodyguard na parang nauubusan na ng pasensya.
Tumango ako. "Dad, be safe! Please!"
Nilingon ako ni Daddy at tumango ito. He mouthed a 'Go!'.
"Go, Ma'am! Susunod kami ni Sir Ferdinand!"
I nodded as my tears continued to flow. I looked at the five men below across this wall, waiting to catch me. Naglahad ng kamay ang isa sa kanila. Inabot ko iyon at sinalo niya ako.
"Thank you. Please do everything to save my Dad..." sabi ko nang maibaba niya ako.
"Yes, Ma'am. Ihahatid ko po muna kayo sa sasakyan..." malapit lang naman ang sasakyan ngunit inalalayan niya parin ako papunta roon.
Hindi pa nabubuksan ang sasakyan nang hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili na lumingon sa pader kung saan pababa na rin sina Daddy kasama ang tatlong bodyguards.
My face lit up when I saw my father approaching me. I hugged him immediately when he got close to me. "Daddy, you're safe!" He chuckled and hugged me back. He also stroked my hair.
I frowned slightly when I noticed the oncoming car and my eyes widened when armed men came out of it. Our bodyguards were immediately alerted. Natatarantang kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap kay Daddy.
"Oh, shit! Move!" he ordered.
Nagsimula na silang magpaputok. Our bodyguards covered us. Binuksan ng isang bodyguard ang pintuan ng sasakyan upang makapasok kami. Tinulak agad ako ni Daddy papasok sasakyan at nang makapasok ako na ako ay agad ko siyang nilingon. I saw how Tito Gabriel's other men fell to the ground. They hit the remaining three armed men and knocked it down one after another.
"Dad, come on!" natataranta kong sigaw at nilahad ang aking kamay sa kanya.
Daddy reached for it but it was too late when one of those who fell earlier shot him twice. One of the guards caught him and shot the man three times. Inalalayan nila papasok sa sasakyan si Daddy at mabilis itong sinara. Umandar agad ang sasakyan nang makapasok na ang lahat.
"Let's go to the nearest hospital, please!" I cried. Oh, God. Please save my Dad!
With my trembling hands, I reached for Daddy's chest where he was hit. I was full of fear and trepidation as I watched my father covered in blood.
"D-Dadd-y... please, d-don't leave me y-yet. I l-love you so m-much, daddy..." I couldn't stop crying so hard. I love my Daddy so much.
"I-I'm sorry for e-everything, a-anak..."
Umiling ako ng paulit-ulit. "No, Dad. Wa-Wala kang kasalanan. Just please... please Daddy, s-stay with me. D-Don't leave me, Daddy!" I pleaded. Namamaos na ang boses ko sa kakaiyak.
Even without strength, Daddy still tried to reach for my cheek. I close my eyes as he gently caresses my cheek. "I-I just want y-you to kno-know that... I w-was the ha-happiest man alive th-the m-moment you w-were born... I-I love you, Veronica... I l-love you and your m-mother so... m-much... Always re-remember tha-that..." nahihirapang sinabi ni Daddy. He managed to smile and tried to wipe away my tears.
"M-My poor baby, stop crying..." My tears flowed even more.
Habang tumatagal ay mas lalo siyang namumutla. I shook a few times and sniffed. "Daddy, please, don't close your eyes..." garalgal ang aking boses nang sinabi iyon. Using my left hand, I held daddy's right hand on my cheek.
He smiled weakly. "M-My princess... r-remember this... you n-need to be s-strong... Your m-mom and... I-I will a-always guide y-you..."
"D-Don't say that, please, Dad!" hagulgol ko. "Kuya, please we have to save my Dad!"
"E-Everything will b-e o-okay, m-my princess... I-I love you..." I started to hysterical when I saw Daddy's eyes closed slowly. Tears flowed from his eyes.
"No, no, no, no, no, Daddy! You're not leaving me. This is not true, Dad! Open your eyes, please! Daddy, I love you so much, please!" I wailed and hugged his lifeless body, covered with blood.