I caught our dark silhouette on the ground slowly vanished as the place were shrouded by darkness. The sky turned dark apace than usual.

It didn't took me awhile to catch on what's happening. An eclipse. Sooner or later, the light will come.

"Don't look up, kiddo." My eyes darted at Prestin as I heard him stopped my son who's trying to look at the dark sky.

He cupped my son in his arms as he slowly lowered Rye's head while we're walking side by side towards the airport.

Napalabi ako nang nagtatanong ang mga matang bumaling sa akin ang aking anak.

I didn't regret naming him after his dad 'cause he looks just like him. He got his dad's tamed eyes. Far from mine who always looks smoldering. And my arched brows are not a good help on my sharp features. Rye's nose, even his lips, he got it from his dad. Kulang na lang ay ang perpektong hugis ng panga ng kanyang ama. But I know soon, as he grew up, he'll also have his dad's jaw shape.

"Listen to your uncle, baby." Bahagya kong ginulo ang kanyang buhok at matamis na ngumiti. "It might damage your eyes. You can look at it later."

But it'll be gone before he can finally look at it.

I was tempted to glanced at the sky but I didn't risk it.

Sumilay ang ngiti sa aking labi nang unti-unting bumalik ang liwanag ng kalangitan.

Napatikhim ako nang tuluyan kaming makapasok sa airport. I tour my eyes around the place to looked for something suspicious but I saw nothing.

"What happened to the bad guys, mommy?"

I glanced at my son when I heard him asked.

Napalabi ako at bahagyang napailing. "They're gone. We're now safe, huh?"

I hope we really are. I can't risk my son. I'll be insane if I lose him.

"Look at what Cosmos did to you," matalim na sambit ni Prestin at agad na napakunot ang aking noo.

"Let's not talk about that, Prestin. Besides, we're still not sure if everything behind what happened is really because of Cosmos."

I don't know what I'd do if it's really them. I hope not. 'Cause I can't stand the fact that they tried to kill not just me but also my son. I hope that's not Cosmos.

There's still a part of me who's telling me they can't do it. I still have faith in them, I trust them.

Though it's been years, I'm not sure if I can still trust them. After what I did, hindi na dapat.

On the second thought, naisip ko lang naman na Cosmos ang mga iyon dahil sa mask na suot nila. Hindi nila ako kilala kaya imposibleng sila iyon. Unless, they already know who I really am.

"Auriese!"

My smile froze as I heard a familiar voice called my name. Maging si Prestin ay napahinto dahil sa narinig. Bumaling ako sa aking likuran at nakumpirma kung sino iyon.

"Tito Ryker!"

Mariin akong napapikit at pinigilan ang sarili na mapahilot sa sentido.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" Hinarap ko siya ngunit hindi niya ako pinansin at dumiretso sa aking anak.

Kinuha niya si Rye mula kay Prestin at wala siyang nagawa kung hindi ang hayaan iyon dahil kusang sumama ang aking anak.

"Saan mo dadalhin ang anak ko?" Bungad niya.

Nahihiwagaan ko siyang tinignan at sarkastikong napatawa. "It's been four years, Ryke. When you learned about my pregnancy, you started claiming Rye as your son. But my answer's still the same. He's my son, mine alone. Hindi sa'yo," mariing sambit ko.

I'm tired of his shits. I was in first year college when we broke up. He cheated and that's enough, we're done. When we broke up, I thought I'll never see him again but I was wrong. He's everywhere, asking for a second chance.

But I don't believe in second chances, that's a waste of time. Then four years ago, everything messed up, then Rye came. A mess that I planned. A mess I would gladly repeat.

Accidentally, Ryker found out that I'm pregnant. Rye's born three years ago  yet Ryke's still here. He became close to my son while claiming Rye as his. Wala na akong nagawa dahil habang lumalaki si Rye, bukod sa kakambal ko ay si Ryker ang nasa tabi ko. We've already driven him away for I don't know how many times but he still stayed.

Hinayaan na lamang namin ni Prestin. As long as he's not doing anything that can harm my son, we're good.

"Rye's my son," mariing sambit niya.

One thing I hate is he keeps insisting that Rye's his son. Una pa lang ay sinabi ko na sa kanya na hindi niya anak si Rye, paulit-ulit na lang kami sa bagay na iyon.

I heaved a deep sighed. Kinuha ko si Rye mula sa kanya at mataman siyang tinitigan. "We're going," pinal na sambit ko at walang pagaalinlangan siyang tinalikuran.

"I told you, I know a place where you two can stay. I'll make sure you're both safe."

I was about to answer when Prestin interfered. "They're safe with me."

"You sure?" Mapanuyang sambit ni Ryker. "Rye almost die-."

Hindi ko alam kung saan niya nalaman iyon.

"Tama na, tumigil kayo," banta ko ngunit parang walang narinig ang dalawa.

"That doesn't mean-"

"That means you're irresponsible!"

My eyes widened when Ryke cutted Prestin's words. Ibinaba ko si Rye at pumagitna sa dalawa. "'Wag niyong sabihing magpapatayan kayo sa harapan ng anak ko?" Mahina ngunit may diing sambit ko.

Matapos ay hinarap ko si Ryke. "What happened is not Prestin's fault."

His eyes softened as he tried to reach my arm. "I know... I'm sorry. It's just that, my son almost died-"

"Rye's not your son!" I shrieked at Ryke's face. I know frustration is now evident in my face.

"Priscilla Auriese Gallardo?"

Napatigil kami dahil sa boses na iyon. I looked at the voice's direction and stilled when I saw policemen.

"Y-yes?"

"May warrant of arrest ka," the police announced, he handed me the warrant but I have no strength to read it. What the hell?

"For what?" Tanong ni Prestin sabay kuha ng warrant na para sa akin. I saw his expression became cold while reading it.

"Murder, Calvin San Sebastian's case. She's the prime suspect."

Nanlamig ako sa sinambit ng pulis. Calvin died?

"What? She won't kill that fucker!" I heard Ryke but the police ignored him.

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you." Things flooded on my mind as he read me my rights. The beat of my heart raced as he started handcuffing me.

I felt my son hugging me from my leg.
"You should arrest the bad guys, not my mom!"

"Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?"

"Talk to me instead. I'm her lawyer." Prestin's cold voice hoarse, it made me gain back my consciousness.

I immediately shook my head on him. "No, leave the country. Make sure my son's safe."

"I'll clear your name and we'll leave after," may pinalidad na sambit niya na agad kong inilingan.

The police started pulling me towards their car. Ryker carried my son, habang si Prestin ay sumunod sa amin.

"Careful! Don't harass her, she'll come with you."

Pilit kong nilingon si Prestin at mariin siyang tinitigan. "Listen, contact an attorney for me and leave the country. Susunod ako, I-I didn't kill him."

"I know, I know. We'll clear your name-"

"Preston Austin! I told you to leave."

Ibinigay ni Ryker si Rye kay Prestin. "I'll come with Auriese. Just leave, make sure Rye's safe."

Calvin died? Paanong-

I shook my head. Imposible 'yon. I didn't kill him. I left him unconscious but he's still alive. Hindi siya mamamatay dahil lang sa vase na binasag ko sa ulo niya.

"But the main cause of his death is the bullet who pierced his heart."

My lips parted a bit as I leaned on the chair. All I can hear inside the interrogation room is the beat of my heart and the police's voice.

"I didn't kill him," I whispered, almost inaudible.

Mataman akong tinitigan ng pulis sa aking harapan, hindi kumbinsido sa aking tinuran.

"You and your son were living in Attorney Preston Gallardo's condo. Today at eight in the morning, where are you, Ms. Gallardo?"

Nang hindi ako sumagot ay muli siyang nagpatuloy. "You need to cooperat-"

"I assume my brother already sent me an attorney. I need to talk to my lawyer first," kalmadong sambit ko kahit na naghuhuramentado ang aking kalooban.

"San Sebastian died in Attorney Gallardo's condo. Attorney's in his office. Ikaw lang ang naroon at ang anak mo. San Sebastian was caught in the CCTV, coming inside that unit at exactly eight in the morning. Twenty minutes after he came, you went out of that unit with your son, rushing. A few minutes after, the CCTV suddenly broke down. Kaya hindi na nakuhanan ang mga sumunod na nangyari."

Napalabi ako nang ngumisi siya at napailing. I sarcastically looked at him when he tsked. "Kapatid mo 'yong Calvin 'di ba? At ikaw ang pumatay?" Mapanuyang sambit nito.

"He's not my brother." Prestin is my only brother. Not that fucker, and I didn't kill him. I'm sure of that. Lalo na at bala ng baril ang nakapatay sa kanya.

Mapanuya pa ako nitong inilingan bago tuluyang tumayo sa kinauupuan. Maybe to finally call my attorney.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance when I heard the door closed in a forceful way.

Ilang sandali lang ay narinig ko ang muling pagbukas noon. Nag-angat ako ng tingin, akmang lilingunin ang kung sino mang pumasok ngunit agad ako nitong naunahan.

Nabitin ang aking salita kasabay ng pamimilog ng aking mga mata nang tumayo siya sa aking harapan.

My lips parted. I almost fell on my seat as my heart started ramming my ribcage.

His presence's demanding attention, screaming authority in his suit as he stood in front of me. I look at his eyes and searched for an expression but I saw nothing but coldness. I almost shiver as I look at it. Agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin, hindi matagalan ang mga titig niya.

What's with his cold stare?

"Attorney Fonacier," he extended his hand and continued. "Your brother called me, I'm your lawyer."

What the hell, Prestin? He's the last person I want to be my lawyer.

I heaved a deep breath and cleared my throat. I rose from my seat. Ilang ulit pa akong tumikhim bago nagsalita dahil pakiramdam ko ay mangangatal ang aking boses. "Priscilla Gallardo," I said as I accepted his hand and gently shook it.

Ilang segundo lang ang itinagal noon dahil binawi ko ang aking kamay. Akmang uupo ako ngunit agad na natigilan nang marinig ang sinambit niya.

"Aurie."

"Huh?" Namimilog ang mga matang bumaling ako sa kanya. I blinked, matamang iniisip kung tama ba ang aking narinig.

"I mean, shall we talk about your case."

Kunot noo ko siyang tinignan at marahang bumalik sa pagkakaupo.

"Can I talk to my brother first?" I bit my lower lip.

His eyes narrowed but still nodded his head. He handed me his phone. Sa una ay nagtataka ngunit rumehistro sa akin na wala ang aking phone.

Marahan kong inabot iyon. I glanced at it and saw he already entered the password.

I typed my brother's number and blinked when I saw it was registered under the name Atty. Gallardo.

They're not close, right?

Akmang pipindutin ang numerong iyon nang may pumasok na tawag. My eyes widened. Natataranta ko iyong ibinalik na agad naman niyang tinanggap. Muntik pang mahulog ang kanyang phone.

Hindi ko maiwasan na naeeskandalo siyang tingnan. Honey one? Means there's honey two and three and so on? Baka meron pang babe, baby, at love? Palihim akong napahilot sa aking sentido. My God, Attorney!

I heard him cleared his throat. Patay malisya akong bumaling sa kanya.

"I'm sorry for that. Here, you can call your brother."

Muli niyang iniabot sa akin ang telepono. Agad ko iyong kinuha at nagmamadaling tinipa ang numero ng aking kakambal, takot na may makita na namang hindi kaaya-aya.

I heaved a deep breath to calm myself. If I am lucky enough, Prestin can still answer his phone. If not, they're already on their flight.

I almost squealed when I heard his phone over the phone. "Attorney Fonacier-"

I immediately rose and went on the corner of the interrogation room. "Prestin!"

"Auriese? What are you doing with Attorney Fonacier's phone?"

I rolled my eyes, as if he can see me. "Get me a new lawyer, why would you even call this man?" I whispered in an almost inaudible tone.

"What? I can't understand-"

"I told you to get me a new lawyer-" I shut my eyes closed when he cutted my words.

"They're already calling our flight number, I'll call you later," pinal na sambit nito bago tuluyang tinapos ang tawag.

Lapat ang mga labing bumalik ako sa aking kinauupuan.

"Shall we start?" Attorney Fonacier asked.

I stared at him, remembering his features like what I did the last time. Bahagya akong yumuko at pinakiramdaman ang sarili. Tipid na ngiti ang sumilay sa aking mga labi. It's been years, but my little friend inside my chest's still giving me the same reaction.

I heard him cleared his throat and realized I was lost in reverie. "L-let's talk about my case."

He slightly nodded his head. Matapos ay direkta siyang tumingin sa akin. "What's your plea?"

Napalabi ako. What crime? If it's about the murder case, "Not guilty, Attorney." But if it's about loving you, I'm already convicted. I'm willing to serve a life sentence but not with you, Attorney. I can't be with you.

__________