Chapter 43 | Sorry

I didn't fully understand what Eros meant. He only warned me of our father without explanations. Hindi ko rin siya napilit magsabi sapagkat agad siyang umalis sa aking harapan nang araw na iyon.

Instead of seeking for him, I did my part as the owner of the hospital. Kung hands-on na ako noon ay mas mahigpit na ngayon. Hindi lamang pangalan ng hospital ang nakasasalay, pati na rin ang mga pasiyente at taong nagtiwala sa aming serbisyo.

The hospital was doing good as if nothing happened after the sudden attack of issues, maybe because the other officials did their best to maintain its image to the media... yet the families affected were still knocking on our door for expanded answers.

Sa araw na ito ay walang tigil ako sa pag-imbestiga kasama ang iilang mga propesyunal na tauhang kinuha ni Fred.

"Tol," bulong sa akin ni Fred na hindi ko naramdamang nandito na pala.

I excused myself sa discussion upang maka-usap ang kadadating lamang na kaibigan. He wore his casual clothes, bilin ko kasi'y huwag mag-uniporme kung sa hospital ang punta. I secretly let Fred investigate an important matter.

"Bakit?" I approached.

"Ako muna ang papalit sa 'yo. I found some traces but I'm still not sure... titingnan ko kung may connection ba sa mga nakalap na nitong nakaraan," he answered.

"I'll explain to you once sigurado na. I don't want to mess things-"

"May kinalaman ba ang Zorron?" I asked out of the blue.

He sighed and answered, "Mayroon... but I'm still not sure. You have a big trust on Mia, ako rin naman, I know she isn't capable of... breaking you again," he trailed off.

"Tangina," komento ko na lamang, "but Eros warned me of my father. May nakalap ka bang nagpapatunay doon?"

"Iyon nga, e. Your father's team is on the other level... pakiramdam ko ay hindi lamang sila natural na gago, they're like assholes with unreachable power. Do you know any background of his life? Nakuwento mo sa akin noong pamilya niya ang pumatay sa grandparents mo," he told me.

"Paano nila iyon naisagawa nang walang sablay? Doon pa lang, duda na ako," he added.

Hindi rin iyan naka-alis sa aking isipan mula noong ibahagi sa akin ni mama. Kung iisipin ngayon ay tila nga may malaking misteryo pa sa likod ng kanilang pamilya.

"Hindi na ako magugulat kung may illegal din silang gawain," Fred hissed, "the Entel is triggering my curiosity."

"But Eros is working for the Zorron, iyan ang sinabi niya sa akin noon pa man," I mentioned.

"Iyon nga, e. Bakit na sa Zorron si Eros gayong malakas naman ang pamilya niya?" natatawa niyang tanong.

"These people are fucking chaotic," he commented.

"Tungkol kay Gareon?" I asked.

"His family is still living poor, sabi nila sa akin ay hindi na raw muling umuwi si Gareon nang nag-nurse," he answered.

"Naghagilap pa ako kung saan siya nakituloy kung hindi sa pamilya niya. Sa mga napuntahan kong lugar ay wala na siya, I interviewed the owners yet all of their answers didn't help, hindi rin nila totally kilala si Santos," he explained.

"Alright, let's talk later, I'll quickly take a break. Hindi pa ako kumakain," I said.

"Sige, pasimple muna ako roon sa loob," he said back.

We parted ways yet the details he said didn't leave my head. Para pang hindi sapat ang ginawa naming imbestigasyon dahil walang makuhang accurate na detalye, it seemed like everything was purposely hidden to stay unknown.

Hinayaan ko ang aking sarili maupo sa malaking sofa ng opisina. The wall clock informed me of the time, I skipped lunch and it was already six of the evening.

I wanted to order online or ask my secretary to order from the hospital's cafeteria but my body was too tired to do such task. I unconsciously closed my eyes for a couple of minutes.

I was finally feeling relaxed when someone opened the door. Tamad 'kong sinilip ang pumasok at laking gulat ko kung sino.

"Sorry, nagising ba kita? Bakit ka kasi riyan natutulog?" Mia asked me.

Saka niya lang sinara ang pinto at naglakad patungo sa akin. Napansin ko ang kanyang dalang eco bag at mukhang alam niya ang aking inisip.

"Pagkain 'to para sa 'yo... uh, niluto ko," she told me.

Wow.

"Hindk ka pa kumakain mula kanina, anong oras na. Tinanong ko ang secretary mo kaya alam ko, okay?" she explained.

I was now smirking.

"Kung kumain ka na, ayos lang, akin na lang 'to-"

"Hindi pa ako kumakain, tinatamad ako kanina," I told her.

"Ito na, promise masarap 'to," she convinced me.

Mia excitingly sat beside me and started arranging the foods. Separated ang kanin sa ulam at may dala talagang drinks, handang handa.

"Effort naman," I whispered near her ear.

"Maliit na bagay," she proudly said.

"Gaano 'yan kasarap?" I asked.

Bahagya niya akong tiningnan habang nilalabas ang mga kubyertos mula sa isang lagayan.

"Kasinsarap mo," she joked.

I chuckled and said, "Mga biro mo, Mia... nakabibigla."

She smiled and didn't say anything. I took the moment to stare directly at her. She seemed calm, innocent from the accusations my mind was telling and just pure happy of meeting me. I bit the inner skin of my lip as I observed her.

Tiwala nga, sabi niya.

"Bakit ganyan ka kung makatingin?" sita niya sa akin.

I swayed my head and answered, "Just shocked of your sudden arrival."

"I'm just concerned of your health, you know. Mukhang nakalilimutan mo kasi ang sarili kapag na sa trabaho," she said.

I nodded, totoo naman kasi.

Hinayaan niya akong kainin ang dalang pagkain. I'd be lying if I say it wasn't delicious.

"Masarap?" she asked, hopeful.

"Oo, sobra," I answered honestly and swallowed, "kailan ka pa natutong magluto?"

She chuckled and answered, "Noong senior high lang din. Sa simula sobrang bad cook ko. Imagine, tinola ang niluluto ko tapos hinaluan ko ng sinigang mix."

I bursted a laugh and she continued, "Ang nakatatawa pa roon ay noong tinikman ni mama, tinanong niya ako kung ano ba talaga ang niluluto."

"Gulo rin siya sa lasa, e. May asim sa dulo ng lunok," pagkuwento ni Mia at natawa na rin.

"Bakit mo kasi hinaluan ng sinigang mix?" I asked.

"Akala ko kasi applicable sa lahat 'yon," she reasoned, "alam kong ang bobo ng dating. Aminado naman ako."

Humalakhak muli ako at nagsalita, "Kaya nga sinigang, e. Nako."

"At least natuto naman, 'di ba?" she pointed out, "at nakapagluluto na ako ngayon ng tama."

I nodded to agree.

"Noong na sa America ka, sinong nagluluto para sa 'yo?" she asked me.

"Ako lang pero madalas nag-aambagan kaming roommates para magpa-deliver," sagot ko.

"Gusto ko rin noong mag-aral sa ibang bansa para sa profession ko kaso may dumating na magandang offer from UP... kaya ayon," kuwento niya.

"Then susubukan kong mag-seek oppurtunities sa ibang bansa para mas matuto pa," she answered, "actually naghahanap na ako ngayon."

"I have some contacts, I'll help you," I shared.

"Aw, helping each other. Aren't we goals?" she teased.

Ngumiti lamang ako at hindi nagsalita. Kunwari'y busy ako sa pagkain gayong malalim naman ang iniisip.

A part of me wanted to trust and hold onto her words yet the other part kept telling me to stay away to be safe... as if Mia would hurt me if I let myself open and close to her.

"Sarap na sarap sa luto ko," she commented.

Iyon lamang ang nagpabalik sa akin sa reyalidad. I slightly tilted my head to hide my raw emotion.

"By the way, nakuwento ko kay papa 'yong mini visit mo noong nakaraan! He wants to meet you again this time," she said happily.

Kabado ako imbis na matuwa.

I nodded and responded, "Okay... kailan ba ang puwede?"

"Kung ngayong gabi puwede ka dumalaw sa bahay, nandoon siya. Kahit light dinner lang," she answered.

"I hope he isn't busy," I said.

"Hindi naman," she insisted, "ano? Tonight?"

Sige, ngayong gabi, para mapanatag din ako kung tunay bang maayos na ang tungo sa akin ni Dominiko Zorron.

"Sure."

She clapped her hands out of excitement, smiling from ear to ear.

"Nasabi mo pala sa akin noong lasing ka na... they lied to you about his sickness," I brought up the topic.

Her smile shook yet she tried to act normal.

"Talaga?" she asked, "maybe I was just gibbering words."

Umiling ako at mas pinanindigan ang sinabi, "You really said that to me."

"I can't remember," she reasoned.

Why did she have to lie?

"Lasing ako no'n, Lukan," natatawa niyang sabi.

"But is it true?" I asked, "totoo bang nagsinungaling lang sila sa 'yo about your father's health issue that time?"

She didn't answer.

"Bakit kinailangan nilang gawin 'yon?" I asked yet I got nothing but a blank expression.

"Fine, I'll tell you later... sa bahay namin kasama si papa," she finally spoke.

I sighed, I knew it.

"But please believe me, wala talagang galit sa 'yo si papa noon pa man," she convinced me.

"Confusing," I commented.

Wala pa lang galit, bakit tinrato akong gano'n?

"Sa isang pangyayari lang siya nagalit sa 'yo... 'yong noong birthday ko," she trailed off.

"But before my last year of senior high school started, I confessed to him the truth... na kasalanan ko," she added.

I didn't say anything.

"Basta... let's talk about this with my father later," she assured me.

"Sige," tipid kong sagot.

"I'm sorry," walang sigla niyang sabi.

"It's fine, I mean, I'll probably understand later. Mas gusto ko na ngayong makita si tito Dominiko upang linawin ang aming ugnayan," I told her.

She was about to say something when someone knocked from outside.

"Lukan?" boses ni Fred.

"Pasok ka," I shouted.

Agad naman niyang binuksan ang pinto at laking gulat nang napansin si Mia sa aking tabi.

"Mia, good evening!" bati ni Fred.

"Good evening," Mia greeted back.

"May... pag-uusapan sana kami ni Lukan but since nandito ka, okay lang ding sa susunod na lang," Fred nervously said.

"No, Fred puwede namang-"

"Lukan, aalis lang ako saglit, may titingnan. Baka hindi na ako bumalik ngayong gabi at bukas na lang ng umaga," he told me as if he was running out of time to stay.

"Ah, sige," hindi ko siguradong sagot.

Why was Fred acting weird?

"Hala, uh, Fred-"

"Okay lang, Mia. Alis na ako, Lukan," he immediately went out after what he said.

"What's wrong with him?" Mia asked me.

"I don't know," sagot ko.

"About work ba ang pag-uusapan ninyo? Anong kinalaman ni Fred sa hospital?" natatawang tanong ni Mia.

Shit.

Kaya ba kabado si Fred?

"May... sugat siyang pinagamot," I lied.

"Oh? Okay na ba siya? Maybe that's the reason why he looks in pain," Mia innocently said.

Or maybe he found out something.

"Yes," tipid kong sagot, "anyway, Mia, we can now go to your house. Seven na rin and I don't want to stay up late."

"Sure ka?" she asked, "wala ka na bang gagawin?"

"Wala na. Magbibihis lang ng casual clothes sa bathroom," sagot ko.

"Okay, sige. Hintayin kita rito. Ako na ang mag-aayos niyang pinagkainan mo," she told me.

I agreed on Mia's words, wala na rin kasi ako sa tamang pag-iisip upang kumilos pa ng normal. What was Fred about to say? Tangina. He seemed tensed when he saw Mia, I didn't want to conclude but maybe his news had to do with her.

The water never felt cold mixed with my thoughts. Halos hindi ko nga napansing tapos na ako. I was folding my used clothes, already wore casual clothes, when my phone near the sink lightened up.

I received a message from Fred, I immediately opened it.

Fred:
Gago! It's a trap!

My brows almost met each other due of his message.

Lukan:
What are you talking about?

Fred:
Mia is there, right? Umalis ako dahil may na-receive akong urgent call sa opisina pero wala naman daw'ng tumawag sa akin.

Papunta na ako riyan, huwag kang umalis kahit kasama mo si Mia!

Lukan:
Bakit? Anong trap?

Fred:
They distracted me so that Dominiko's men can get inside!

Lukan:
Paano mo iyan nalaman? Iyan ba ang dapat mong sasabihin sa akin kanina?

Fred:
Oo, huwag kayong aalis. Hintayin ninyo ako. Putangina. Someone's manipulating the cameras and security inside your hospital, hindi ko sigurado noon pero ngayon ay alam ko na. DON'T TRUST HER.

"Lukan? Ready ka na ba? Tara na!" Mia called me from outside.

God damn it.

Gusto kong sundin ang bilin ni Fred ngunit wala akong maisip na palusot kay Mia para hindi umalis.

"Mia? Puwedeng maya-maya na tayong umalis?" paki-usap ko nang lumabas.

Her face questioned my statement.

"Uh, hintayin ko lang si Fred bumalik," I reasoned.

"Why? Akala ko ba bukas na kayo mag-uusap?" she asked.

"Babalik daw siya ngayon, dumugo raw muli ang sugat niya," I answered.

"I'm sure the nurses can handle him just fine. Tara na, excited na ako," she begged.

Tangina naman, Fred! I never felt this nervous in my entire life!

"Tara na," she grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the door.

"Mia kasi-"

She fully opened the door and no one was there... opposite of what I expected. Akala ko ay may mga nakasalubong ng mga tao ni Mia ngunit wala!

"Why do you look awkward?" natatawang tanong ni Mia.

"Ah, just my," turo ko sa aking tiyan.

"Masakit?" she asked.

"Medyo," I lied.

"Hala? Baka epekto ng niluto ko? Baka hindi naman talaga masarap," she worried.

I swallowed and didn't say anything.

"Kakayanin mo ba hanggang bahay or you want to go home na?" tanong niya sa akin.

I seriously wanted to go home and let Fred explain to me what he meant.

"Mia," Eros came from nowhere.

Why was he always showing up from the shadows? I didn't even see him walking.

"Eros," tawag din ni Mia.

Eros did a signal I wasn't familiar. Everything happened quickly as if planned.

I didn't have a chance to fight back. Rough hands strongly held both of my wrists and pinned against my back. I felt a cold metal bracelet-like being locked around.

It was then I realized... Mia's men surrounded us.

I disappointedly looked at Mia who was now beside Eros, staring at me too.

"I'm sorry," she mouthed.

I let my tired eyes look down and let them secretly drag me out of the hospital. Mia and Eros went on the other direction I didn't know where to.

Lahat ng kanilang dinaanan ay tila ba tagong lugar sa hospital na kailanman ay hindi ko napuntahan. How was it possible? I had no idea.

Funny how I felt betrayed for the second time... from the same person.