As Callie spoke, Mr. Salazar's smile grew wider and wider, until it seemed to take over his entire face. It made me feel uneasy It seemed to hover between genuine amusement and something darker.

"It's nice to see you again," Ani Mr. Salazar.

Alam kong magkakilala silang dalawa at hindi na ako magugulat doon dahil nasa iisang indutriya lamang sila. Pero bakit lumalabas na . . . hindi maganda ang namumuo sa pagitan nilang dalawa?

Mariin akong napapikit, hindi maiwasang hindi malito sa nangyayari. I don't understand anything. Ang sakit sa ulo. Bakit ba ako nadamay dito? Hinahanap na ako ni Ayang doon!

"I don't give a shit, Mr. Salazar."

Inilapat ni Mr. Salazar ang kaniyang hintuturo sa labi at sumenyas kay Callie na 'wag maingay. Napatingin ako kay Callie upang tingnan kung ano ang kaniyang naging reaksyon.

It was like a switch had been flipped inside him, and Callie could feel the anger rising up, pulsing through him body like an electric current.

"You don't give a shit? Really? Even if I kill Lyndzey?!" He was fuming, and I wanted to rip off my ears because of how his voice matched the demons.

"Just kill me instead!"

Bumulaslas ng tawa si Mr. Salazar, tila ba isang baliw.

"You're in the same boat as I am," Huminto ang matandang lalaki. He slowly stopped and pulled out the gun from his pocket. "Gusto mo malaman kung bakit?!"

"Why don't you just accept that we lost?!" Callie roared.

Talo? Saan?

Ano ba ang nangyayari? Hindi ko maintindihan . . . wala akong maintindihan.

Mr. Salazar shook his head. "Natalo? O pinatalo?!"

"Just accept the fucking fact na ang anak mo ang pumatay kay Zafinah!"

A sharp pain shot through my heart, and I felt a lump form in my throat as the hurt sank in. Unti unti nang pumapasok sa isipan ko kung tungkol saan ang pinagu-usapan nilang dalawa.

And this involves Zafinah's case...

"Hindi mamamatay tao ang anak ko!"

"She is! Bakit ba takot ka sa katotohanan?!"

"I'm not afraid of the truth!"

They are roaring like tigers. Bakas sa mga mata nila ang pagkagalit sa isa't isa.  

"Then accept that Sharon is guilty!" Umigting ang panga ni Callie.

"You should also admit that you betrayed us just so Lyndzey wouldn't go to jail!"

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, and my eyes grew wide as saucers. I was speechless, my mouth hanging open in shock.

Ngayon ko lang nalaman ang tungkol dito . . .

Callie's jaw clenched. "Okay then, I'll admit it. Gusto niyong mag-laro 'di ba? so, I played it nicely."

Isang mapanlarong ngisi ang gumuhit sa labi ng matandang lalaki. He caught his breath and pulled the trigger of the gun he was holding.

Every time I hear a loud noise that sounds like a gunshot, my trauma is triggered and I feel like I'm right back in the moment of the shooting.

"You killed Sharon! You killed my daughter!"

Callie smirked. "I didn't kill her. She killed herself!"

Naiwang bukas ang labi ko nang marinig ang nakakagulat na balita.

Sa mga nagdaang panahon, hindi ko na muling nakita si Sharon. Wala na rin akong balita kung anong nangyayari sa kaniya sa loob ng kulungan. I don't go see her in prison. Pakiramdam ko kasi, hindi ako makaka-raos sa tuwing makikita ko siya.

Am I a bad friend?

Minata ko ang paglikot ng mata ni Callie sa buong lugar na tila ba may hinahanap. At agad na napahinto nang mapunta ang tingin niya sa direksyon ko. I could sense his growing concern as soon as our eyes met, his face reflecting the worry he felt.

Sinenyasan 'ko siya na okay lang ako at umalis na siya. I'm sure he was aware of it, but he ignored it.

Kailan ba siya nakinig sa akin?

"Tatlong buwan lang ang tinagal ni Sharon sa kulungan, right? and as far as I know, she is talking to herself. Kaya ko rin 'yon," He said, just teasing Mr. Salazar.

"Fuck you!"

"I don't fuck old guys,"

Nakita ko ang pag-daan ng galit sa mukha ni Mr. Salazar. A voice interrupted him as he was ready to speak.

"Boss, Wala po talaga si Lyn!" Naagaw ang atensyon naming lahat nang sumulpot galing sa likuran ni Callie ang kaninang lalaking humahabol sa akin. Hinahabol niya ang kaniyang hininga at tila ba suko na sa ginagawa.

"Why are you searching for. . ." Callie stopped and looked at my direction. 

"Lyn," Tawag niya sa pangalan ko.

Gets ko 'yon.

An awkward smile came to my face as a joke entered my mind.

"Drive my car," Nakita ko ang pag-senyas ni Callie sa akin.

Mr. Salazar frowned. "What else are you trying?"

"Talking to myself as your daughter did before she committed suicide." Asar ni Callie sa matandang lalaki na nagpatiim rito ng bagang dahil sa sobrang galit na nadarama.

Nahulog ang panga ko at naiwang hindi maiproseso ang mga naririnig.

Ibig-sabihin ba no'n... nag-pakamatay si Sharon sa kulungan? 

Bakit hindi ko alam? 

"I want to kill you, but killing you using this gun will not satisfy me."

"Gamit ano? Using your own hands? Like what your daughter did to Zafinah?"

Callie teases to death. 

"Stop that bullshit!" Tila nahi-hipnotismo ang matandang lalaki sa galit. Mabilis niyang tinutok ang bibig ng baril sa ulo ni Callie.

"You are the bullshit here, asshole!" Callie roared.

I trembled with anxiety at the sound of his accent.

That was simultaneously attractive and terrifying.

Napabalik ako sa katinuan nang makita ko ang pag-senyas niya sa akin.

This is it . . . will face my fear.

Humugot ako nang malalim na hininga at ilang segundong bumwelo. Sobrang bilis ng pag-tibok ng puso ko dahil sa kaba na nararamdaman.

Hindi naman masiyadong malayo ang kotse sa akin. Its door is open even the engine.

Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko!

All I can do is trust myself!

"Run!"

I got up as soon as I heard him scream and started running as quickly as I could. Nakita ko ang reaksyon ng mga lalaking nakaitim, they were all shocked, especially Mr. Salazar. Mabilis kong sinara ang pinto nang makapasok.

I gripped the steering wheel tightly and quickly u-turned the car.

Nakita ko mula sa bintana ang pag-palag ni Callie sa kanila. I was so anxious that I thought my heart could burst. He got the gun that Mr. Salazar was holding.

Mabilis kong binitawan ang manibela upang takpan ang ang dalawang tainga nang makarinig ng putok ng baril. I knew my trauma had been triggered. My heart was pounding and I was shaking uncontrollably.

Para akong nabibingi.

Ang sakit sa tainga. Nakakangilo.

Not this time, Please. Lyn, kahit ngayon lang, Please.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself for what was to come. I knew I needed to be strong.

"C-Callie, sakay!" I opened the car door, hoping to get out of this situation. But I'm wrong.

Isang tili ang kumawala sa aking bibig nang kalabitin ni Mr. Salazar ang trigger ng baril. As I caught sight of the blood on Callie's arm, everything else around me seemed to fade away. It was like time had stopped and the world had gone silent.

Callie was shot in the arm, again!

Nakita kong nabitawan ni Callie ang hawak niyang baril dahil sa pag-inda niya sa kaniyang natamong tama.

As far as I know, Callie is always hiding a gun in his storage compartment.

Right.

Agad kong binuksan ang storage compartment ng sasakyan at napatigil nang bumungad sa akin ang baril. I don't know how I will react. Nagha-halo halo ang emosyon sa katauhan ko, ngunit mas angat ang kaba.

That was the same gun that dad had used on Mom.

I c-can't!

I cursed in my mind three times. I can't but I have to! Mapapatay nila si Callie!

A tear trickled down my face, betraying the fact that my eye had started to water. I tried to blink it away discreetly.

Hindi ako nagdalawang isip kuhanin ang baril. It was heavy but I didn't care. Hindi ko alam kung paano ang tamang pag-hawak ng baril. Maski pag-kasa nito ay hindi ko alam!

Damn you, Lyn!

Just pretend!

Mabilis kong inangat ang armas at itinutok ang bunganga nito sa ulo ni Mr. Salazar. Nakita ko ang pag-atras ng mga lalaking naka-itim at maging si Mr. Salazar.

I'm shaking so terribly as I opened my mouth, "Callie, bilis!" and Callie quickly got in.

I started the car quickly. Nararamdaman ko ang mga bagay na tumatama sa kotse ni Callie ngunit hindi ko ito pinapansin. Because they are chasing us, which made me even more nervous.

"Okay ka lang, Lemerie...? May tama ka ba? Sinaktan ka ba nila?" nag-aalala niyang tanong sa akin dahilan upang tuluyan akong mapalunok.

Ang sabi niya sa'kin, lumayo ako sa kaniya at h'wag nang magpapakita pa. But look at him, alalang-alala sa'kin...  

Mabilis akong tumango bilang sagot at binuka ang aking bibig sa sobrang taranta.

"Saan tayo pupunta, Callie?!" I shouted, not knowing what to do.

Bahagya kong sinilip si Callie na mukhang kalmado habang tinatakpan ang kaniyang tama sa braso gamit ang tela sa pinunit niyang damit.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit sa kabila ng nangyayari, nagawa niya pang maging kalmado!

Singkwenta na ang takbo ko. At kapag nawala ako sa kontrol, paniguradong babangga ang sinasakyan namin sa kung saan. 

fuck!

"Callie, saan?!" Piyok ko. 

Nag-angat siya ng tingin at mukhang nag-isip ng lugar na malapit sa dinaanan ko.

"SM parking lot,"

"Huh?! Bakit hindi sa... okay!" Taranta kong niliko ang kotse patungo sa direksyon na tinutukoy niya.

Nasa likod lamang namin ang sasakyan ni Mr. Salazar. At kung mabilis ang takbo namin, mas mabilis ang takbo nila.

60 speedometer . . .

Para na akong nililipad sa sobrang bilis.

"Bakit ba kalmado ka lang?!" I shouted at him. 

Sa kinikilos niya ngayon, tila ba binibigay niya sa'kin ang buhay niya. He is calm and seems to have a lot of confidence in me. 

"Natatakot ka ba, Lemerie?" Tanong niya sa'kin.

Tumawa ako. "Sino bang hindi?! Tingnan mo kaya! Hinahabol nila tayo!"

"Just be calm when I'm around you."

75 speedometer. . . fuck! 

I felt my knees go weak and my hands start to shake as I realized what had just happened. I was in a state of shock.

Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko. I am speechless, eyes remain ahead.

"Ihinto mo riyan... I will drive."

Dumaan ang pag-aalala sa mukha ko. I looked at his arms. Nakabalot na iyon ng damit, pinipigilan ang labis na pag-dugo. 

"Hindi na, ako na..." Pagmamatigas ko. 

"Stop the car, Lemerie. Ako na." 

Inis kong hinigpitan ang pagkakakapit sa manibela. "Nahihibang ka na ba, Callie? Hindi pa nga magaling yang—"

"Move."

Napapikit ako kasabay nang pag-taas ng puting bandila. Hininto ko ang sasakyan at mabilis na nakipag-palit ng pwesto sa kaniya. At nang makasakay, halos mapamura ako dahil umabot ng isang daan ang pagpapatakbo niya.

I put on the seatbelt and held on tight to the car. 

Halos lumabas ang puso ko sa mula sa katawan.

"C-Callie..." I closed my eyes tightly.

Sobrang bilis na nang pagpapatakbo niya sa sport car na gamit. At nararamdaman ko na rin ang pag-ikot ng sikmura ko, ang pakiramdam na nasusuka. 

"If you are afraid, just close your eyes and tell me stories." Aniya.

Hindi ko na maramdaman ang sarili ko sa kinauupuan. Dalawang kamay ko na ang nakakapit sa hawakan ng sasakyan pero pakiramdam ko ay anumang oras ay makikita ko na ang liwanag sa kalangitan.

Nanghihina ang mga tuhod ko dahil sa kaba na bumabalot sa sikmura pero sa kabila ng iyon, sinubukan kong imulat ang mga mata. Mabilis kong nahagip si Callie na kalmado ngunit seryoso na nagmamaneho. 

Na para bang sanay na sanay na siya na ganito ang takbo sa sasakyan.

Katulad nang sinabi ni Callie, mariin kong pinikit ang mga mata, habang patuloy na hinahabol ang hininga. 

"T-Totoo bang..." I bit my lower lip. "I mean... bakit mo pinatalo yung kaso?"

I couldn't see his face, but I knew he glanced at me. "I told you... Even if we are not together at all, I will prove your innocence. That's all, Lemerie. No explanation."

Does that mean it's all because of me?

"I hate you!"

"Alam ko na, Lemerie. H'wag mo nang ulitin... nasasaktan ako." Biro niya.

I could feel the moisture starting to collect under my arms and around my neck. My nervousness was making me sweat so much that I was beginning to feel self-conscious about it.

"Stop joking, Callie!"

"I am not joking, Lemerie. Totoo na nasasaktan ako, kaya 'wag mo na ulit sabihin 'yon, alam ko naman na." He chuckled and shifted his gaze. When I overheard his confession, I was taken aback. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Tila ba binubuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig.

"Ikaw, do you have anything to say?" He asked me.

Kunot noo kong tiningnan ang repleksyon sa side mirror upang tingnan kung nakasunod pa ba sila sa amin. And yes, they are still behind us! Bakit ba ayaw nila kaming pakawalan! 

"Hey, I'm asking you,"

"Ano?!" I shouted.

"Do you have anything to say?" Ulit n'yang tanong sa akin.

I furrowed my brow and frowned at him disapprovingly. "Do I have?"

"Yes, you have,"

I was so clueless.

"Like what?"

"Sa anak natin."

Kasing tulin ng pagpapatakbo ni Callie sa sasakyan, ganoon din kabilis ang pag-tibok ng puso ko. 

"Anak ko ba si Ayang, Lyn?"

115 kilometers . . .

Bahagyang bumagal ang pagmamaneho ng lalaki nang sa paikot na parte kami ng parking lot dumaan. 

 Alam ko ang isasagot ko pero parang ang hirap sabihin.

I was about to answer when I felt his cold hand on my forehead as he screamed.

"Lemerie, baba!"

Tumama ang sasakyan sa gather ng paikot na daanan. At para hindi tumama ang ulo ko sa salamin, dala ng malakas na pwersa, inilagay niya ang kaniyang palad sa aking noo. 

But as soon as I noticed the blood on Callie's fist, I couldn't help but worry.

I attempted to extend my hand to him to see if he was alright, but he pulled it away from me and signaled that he was okay.

Lyn, Kalma!

Tumango ako sa lalaki at nagma-madaling bumaba kahit na ramdam ko ang sobrang pagkahilo. Nakita kong hinintay ako ni Callie makababa at inalalayan ako sa daan. Kahit kung iisipin, siya ang dapat kong alalayan dahil siya ang mas may tama sa amin.

"This way. . ." He said, supporting me.

Walang imik kong sinunod ang lalaki.

This place is abandoned. At sa pagkakarinig ko, ipapasunog na ang lugar na 'to para mapalitan at matayuan ng bagong establisyemento. Kami lamang ang tao sa tahimik at malawak na lugar na ito.

And we have no one to ask for help.

"Lemerie, dito," Tawag sa akin ni Callie, tinuturo sa akin ang maliit na espasyo sa pagitan ng dalawang pader. Hinintay niya akong makapasok sa looban at mabilis siyang sumunod, sinisilip ang kaliwa at kanan.

I'm nervous. Sobra.

Natatakot ako na baka . . . may masaktan sa amin dalawa. Mr. Salazar can kill us anytime he sees us. Sa sobrang gusto niya maipag-higanti si Sharon, hindi siya magda-dalawang isip kumitil ng buhay.

And I'm afraid he might kill Callie!

"Nakikipag-tagu-taguan ka ba, Attorney?!" Napapikit ako nang marinig ang kaniyang sigaw na mabilis na umalingawngaw sa buong lugar. "Lumabas ka! Puro na lang ba tago ang alam mo?!"

Gusto kong murahin si Mr. Salazar pero hindi ko magawa! Ano naman kasing laban ko roon?!

Mula sa likuran, nakita ko ang mariin na pagpikit ni Callie kasabay nang pag-igting ng kaniyang panga. I grabbed his hand as he was about to go, which led him to halt and turn to face me.

"Dito ka lang..." I whispered as I shook my head in rejection of what he wanted to do and signaled him not to make any noise.

"Takot ka ba sa akin, Callie? Bakit mo ba ako laging tinataguan? Do I look like a ghost?!" His voice echoed in my ear like a haunting melody, impossible to forget. "Alam ko kung nasaan yung batang lagi mong pinupuntahan. Still wanting me to take the child so you may go out?!"

Si Ayang?!

"Fuck!" Callie groaned.

Sinubukan niyang kumawala sa pagkakahawak ko sa kaniya pero mas lalo ko lamang hinigpitan ang hawak ko sa kaniyang braso upang pigilan siya. He turned to face me, tears streaming down his cheeks, his emotions raw and unfiltered.

"I'm sorry if you experience this type of chaos, Lyndzey,"

His body shook with each sob, tears streaming down his face as he cried.

"Let's make a pinky swear,"

"Callie-" He held up a hand to silence me, his expression grave and serious.

"Alam ko na," Bumaba ang tingin niya habang patuloy na mahinang humihikbi. " . . . Na ang sarili mo lang at ang anak natin ang inaalala mo rito, at hindi ako. And I don't care about that."

"Callie-" I tried to explain my thoughts for the second time, but he interrupted me again, his voice overpowering mine as he made his own point.

"I promise that I will get you off this chaos. Hindi madadamay si Ayang, hindi kayo madadamay. But promise to me: leave this area safely. Magpapahabol ako para makalabas ka. P-Please."

I looked at his bloodshot and swollen eyes, a sign of sorrow.

You are always like that, Callie.

Para lang maligtas ako, nilalagay niya ang sarili niya sa trahedya. Nang hindi iniisip kung anong pwedeng mangyari sa kaniya, dahil tutok siya sa kaligtasan ko.

We swear by pinky.

"I'm so lucky to have you in my life, Lemerie . . ." As he leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on my forehead, I felt the weight of all my emotions come crashing down, and tears began to stream down my face. "You mean everything to me, Lemerie . . ."

"C-Callie,"

Bakit parang ibang mensahe na ang pinaparating niya?

"Shh," He was at a loss for words, struggling to articulate the emotions he was feeling.

"Magi-ingat ka," Malakas akong napahikbi na naging dahilan upang takpan ko ang aking bibig gamit ang dalawa 'kong kamay. Callie stopped and his hold on my hand grew more firm.

Narinig ko ang mahina niyang tawa. "Nag-aalala ka ba?"

Tuluyang bumuhos ang luha ko.

Is he teasing me now?

Callie chuckled as continuous tears streamed down his face.

I don't know what I should feel.

"I didn't mean to make you cry," Mahinang hikbi ang kumawala sa kaniyang bibig. "I love you now, and I always will, Lemerie."

He said as he took a step back, his face wearing the most stunning smile I've ever seen.

Agad na nanghina ang tuhod ko at napa-dapa, ang luha ay tila ba wala ng bukas sa pag-tulo. My heart felt as though it was being ripped apart, the pain spreading through my chest like wildfire. It hurt so much that I could barely stand, my body wracked with sobs as I tried to find some relief.

I clench my fists and gritted my teeth, trying to bear the pain that was coursing through my body thinking of the smile that he gave me even when he felt like dying.

"Happy birthday, L-Lemerie..."

^_________________^