AS Alden walked in the firehouse, he looked around to see all familiar faces but did not see the only face he always wanted to see. Maine wasn't anywhere. It's been three months that she hasn't been in but she shows up if there's any rescue or alert.

Today is one of those days. He sat on his desk not far from Maine's staring at her desk. Leo came up and tapped his shoulder.

"She's not here. She's taking care of her daughter." Leo said hushly. He looked up and stared at his eyes. "You're looking for her, right? She's not here. She hasn't been here." His brows furrowed. He didn't get what Leo was trying to say.

"So? Who cares?" He replied. Leo's brow arched then shook his head

"I love that song, Bro." Cisco yelled across the room. He turned to look at the guy with brows still furrowed. "Tulak ng bibig, kabig ng dibdib. That was one of my older sister's favorite songs." He added.

"I don't know if you're dense or you're dumb, Richards." Big Mike cooed with the two. There's only four of them today and two dispatch personnel, Bill for the whole week and Mayette for the weekend.

"Chief, I think he doesn't know what he's missing." Bill said with a big toothy smile behind Leo.

"What the hell are you guys talking about?" He asked annoyingly. He's not missing anyone at all. "Missing who?" He then added.

"MAINE!" All four men chorused. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. He did not say a word as he turned on the computer monitor in front of him. Yeah. Her. I miss her.

"You know what, you need to slow down on the glaring and start the loving." Bill chuckled, shaking his bootie as he was going into the dispatch room. Big Mike and the others laughed at what Bill said but went to their own corners afterwards.

Alden was left alone, thinking. He still hasn't fulfilled his promise to his mom yet and things are starting to change, not where he wants it to be, but where he is afraid to be.

His mind is not liking it but his heart is loving it. What the F... He shook his head, he still needs to fulfill his mother's dying wish or else, he may not be able to sleep at night. You can't sleep at night anyway thinking of her lips, stupid.

His heart teasing him in protest. When did his mind agree to what his heart was saying? He's losing his mind, he needs to get on it.

"Big Mike!" He called out to their chief as he was about to get in his office.

"What?!" Big Mike asked with his big echoing voice. Their building does that all the time. It sounds hollow and echoey like it is an empty building but not really.

"What do you know about the accident that happened at the tenement nearby about three-four years ago?" He asked. Mike stared at him. Cisco heard it, sat up straight and looked at Big Mike, meaningfully.

"What do you want to know about it?" Big Mike squinted his eyes, sitting on Ruben's desk. Trying to see the real reason as to why he wanted to know.

"Nothing really. I heard from a few people there about that accident." He's hating himself to go along with other people's words.

He knew what his mom said. It wasn't an accident at all because a lady pushed his brother off the ledge.

"Oh, you mean the 16 year old kid that slipped and fell off the fourth floor ledge? That one who stole a lady's bike and made her chase it? The one where there were four boys who went up alive and only three came out alive? Why don't you go down to Emerald PD and ask for the police report. And when you're done with that, check with the library for their news archives and some neighbors." Cisco went on from one sentence to a whole novel reply. Alden stared at him. He knew some things.

"While you're at it, interview a few more people, they will tell you exactly what happened." Leon replied from the back desk, giving him a straight but sizing eyes. "While you're at it, check with the Emerald Medical Center for the records." He added on. Yeah, they not only knew some but a lot.

"I have only one advice, Alden. Whatever you find out from those you formerly believed in, make sure that nobody gets hurt anymore." Big Mike gave him a stern and meaningful look where he met it with the same intensity and understanding.

"I was just curious about that story. It seems famous around here  from what I've heard." He tries to keep up a straight face. And by the look of it, he is succeeding, if only Big Mike believes what his face says but his eyes were flat out lying.

"It happened a long time ago. The kid might have died but that girl was traumatized and will live everyday with that sight drilled in her brain and ours, if that's not enough torture, then I don't know what." Cisco got up. "Chief, I'll be outside." He added on, not really asking for permission.

As soon as Cisco walked past him, Leon stood up too to follow Cisco. It made Alden think of their reactions. Mike just turned his back and went into his office without any other word.

Damn! What really happened that day? Alden's brain is on hyperdrive. A lot of scenarios coming in left and right and none of it makes sense.

He is getting frustrated because Maine's loving demeanor and soft lips keeps haunting his waking thoughts... and in dreams. He pledged to go down the station as soon as his shift is over.

The day went dull and slow, so as the previous day. It feels like everyone was dragging their feet to get to where they needed to be. Every tic and toc of the clock makes him look at it, makes him check it every second, it is driving him to the brink of insanity. Is it time yet?

Finally, the time has come. He was quick to pull his jacket off the chair and book out of there. He saw Big Mike at the corner of his eyes staring at him intently. He did not turn to look at his chief. He wants to get to the station. He needs that police report as soon as possible. He stopped by the time clock and punched in his code and left.

He put in a request for that incident. He wasn't able to get it since they still have to look for it. He has to go back three days after. Again, he's not liking it but he doesn't have a choice. After leaving the station, he went to the city library to get as much information as he could about the incident. I'll get you your justice, Vinny.

At the library, he asked for that specific day. Since there's a story telling time. He was told to come back some other time for his request. Since he couldn't get what he needed for the day, most of the staff are assisting children and making sure they are sitting down to listen to the storybook time. The guy just told him to leave a contact number and he'll keep in touch with him as soon as all the kids and parents leave. He agreed and left.

He left the library empty handed. He was about to get in his car when he remembered Aling Alita. She can tell me where I could find Vinny's friends.

With the new plan, he got in his car and drove back to the direction of the post straight to Aling Alita's home not far from the tenement. He was pulling in when he saw Molly and Sonia walking to a sari-sari store. He parked his car.

"Molly! Sonia!" He called their names out. Both ladies turn to see who's calling them. They both smile seeing him.

"Hi, Kuya." They said in unison. He smiled. Molly is about a year older than Vinny, 20, if only Vinny is alive and Sonia is 21. They are just a year apart from each other.

"Where are you guys heading?" He asked. The walk a little closer towards him as he was walking towards them, too.

"Nanay, had asked Ate Sonia to get something at Aling Miling's, I just went with her so she won't be by herself." Molly explained. He smiled.

"Good. There's power in numbers." He said. Sonia just frowned. She's friendly but not as friendly as Molly. She smiles but only for a few seconds. She'll greet you but don't expect a sentence worth of conversation from her.

"I'll walk with you." Molly just smiled and Sonia just tilted her head. Both girls are beautiful and if one is not careful around them, he will find himself in love over heels with them. Each has a unique beauty suited only individually.

"Kuya, why haven't you visited Periwinkle?" He was caught off guard by Molly's question. He turned to see what kind of expression she has but saw Sonia's crooked smile. He shook his head. Fishing, that's what she's doing. She's fishing. He chuckled.

"Why would I visit her?" He asked. Playing safe? You may call it that way.

"Why wouldn't you?" Molly sounded a little confused. He just shrugs his shoulders off.

"I'll go see Aling Miling." Sonia said before going on the other side of the sari-sari store and left them outside to talk.

"Well, for one, I don't have a reason to go there. Two, I am not close to her." His jaw flinched and tightened. He then heard Molly giggling. "What? Why are you laughing?" He asked. Molly faced him and looked him straight in the eye.

"For one, yes, you do have a reason to go there, the same reason why I ended working there. Two, you are closer to her than you think." Molly said with determination and conviction. He winced, because she hit it. She got him.

"How is she?" He asked. Molly smiled.

"Which she?" She asked with a teasing smile. He pushed her with his shoulder and smiled. "See Kuya, you are handsome when you smile. Your lone dimple shows and it brings life to your eyes and we are not even talking about her yet." Alden shook his head again. He heard the emphasis on 'her'. Is he happy just thinking of Maine?

"Whoever you want to talk about." He answered. Playing safe again, Alden?

"Okay. To start, Periwinkle is doing great. She said her first word two months ago from then on she has been saying few complete words. Mind you, she's saying it like it supposed to be, not baby talk." Molly's face lit up as she was telling Alden about Periwinkle.

"Really? What was her first word?" He sounded so eager. Well, because he is. He is excited to know about Periwinkle.

"Mommy." Molly's one-word reply.

"Mommy?" He looked at her, puzzled. "Seriously?" She nodded.

"You should have seen Ate Maine's reaction. It was priceless and touching. She was in tears and overjoyed. I was in tears, too." There's the happy-go-lucky, upbeat and carefree Molly. But then again, as quick as he was the real Molly, Maine's beautiful face flash in his mind. Damn!

"She got on the phone to call Dr. Jessica right away. She was crying and laughing as she was talking to her about our little discovery. Kuya Alden, Periwinkle called Ate Maine, Mommy. Isn't that great?" She faced him almost hugging him. He didn't say a word, he doesn't want to embarrass her.

"How is she to you? How does she talk to you.?" He has to ask.

He's the one that recommended Molly to Big Mike and Luisa. They went to all the applicants to make sure Periwinkle gets the best care she needs.

"Oh Kuya Alden, I don't know what I'd do if I leave her when I go for my review. Ate Maine is loving, kind and tender. She's very sweet to me. Just like last weekend when she took Periwinkle to the mall to buy her more stuff, she bought me a couple of pants and some blouses. She told me that I am very pretty, that I need to start looking presentable and nice so I can get myself used to it when I apply to schools someday. She taught me a few things about mixing and matching mismatched clothes. It was fun." Molly was so excited with her story. She didn't even realize that Sonia was back and they are walking towards their house now.

"I bet she taught you how to wear makeup, too." Look who's fishing now, Alden. His mind is teasing, too. She saw Molly sort of frown. He took a second look at her. "What's with the face?" He asked.

"She got none." Sonia uttered. Molly turned to give her a deathly glare which Sonia just shrugged off.

"Oh Alden. You're here." Aling Alita greeted them. They are at her house now. It is small but not too small.

"Good evening, Aling Alita." He greeted her back.

"What brought you here?" Aling Alita asked as she moved the fabrics that were in the table and chairs. She's making potholders, placemats, aprons and selling them to the market.

"Many things." He replied. Aling Alita looked at him with loving eyes, took a deep breath and sat in front of him.

"How's Leck-leck?" He took a deep breath before smiling.

"He's doing good. Alicia asks me if he can spend time with her and Tita Olivia." His sister is a very stubborn girl. She fought tooth and nail with their father to have Aleck around her. Good thing his mother was okay with it. Aleck is only 13 years old, he was ten when Vinny and Nancy, their mother, passed away.

"That's good that your father is okay with Leck-Leck being around his daughter." He knew what Aling Alita exactly meant. His father wasn't Mr. Congeniality to anyone. He's more of a walking brick wall, no emotions at all. He's the opposite of Olivia, whose personality is bubbly and high spirited. He's so thankful Alicia got her mom's attitude and not their Dad.

"Aling Alita, do you know where Vinny's friends live?" He asked. Aling Alita's eyes says bad news.

"They're not here anymore." Alden felt his body numb with Aling Alita said. "After the accident, Liit had done so many drugs that ruined his dispositions and later on his sanity. He's in the mental facility at the moment." He felt his chest tightened as he listened to Aling Alita's narration.

"He's been there for almost three years now." Sofia butted in as she sat down next to her mom with a big platter of rice and a bowl of adobo.

"After almost a year, Egay went with his grandfather to Davao Del Norte to get away from the memory of Vinny's falling off the ledge as the lady tried to get him to save him." This time it was Molly who spoke up. She was laying down plates, spoons and forks for them.

"What are you saying she's trying to save him?" Alden is a little unhinged at what he heard. She's the fourth person to say that.

"Before Liit went crazy, he told me the whole thing." Sonia answered. "From the time they devised a plan to confuse that lady who owns that stupid bike to get it because Vinny wanted it so bad. They started talking to the girl, actually I saw them talking to her before the accident." Alden moved his hand so Aling Alita could put rice and adobo on his plate.

"Well, Utoy told me that when the lady realizes that her bike wasn't there anymore, that's where they all scrambled to confuse her more. What they didn't realize, the girl was some kind of ninja. Utoy said she was quick to immobilize each of them just using her thumb and forefinger. He was lying on the other side of the piled up boxes and crates. He heard the whole conversation between the lady and Vinny. What made him think more is when Vinny called the lady Ate." Molly stopped for a while to chew the food she put in her mouth.

"Egay told me that it was him and Liit that egged Vinny and Utoy to get the bike. Liit was the one pushing your brother to not be such wuss. Vinny is such a good kid, he just hung around the wrong crowd like Liit. Egay and Utoy don't want to be around Liit but they can't just leave Vinny with him. Egay is a better choice of friend, if anything." Sonia picked up where Molly left.

"Liit is a lost cause even when he was a young boy. He was good when he became friends with your brother. He started going to church, picking up good grades, helping his sick mother, even with that, being bad is still in him." Aling Alita cooed in. Alden is intently listening to their stories between eating. He's trying to absorb everything, trying to swallow some but still spits the idea that it was an accident.

"That day was a dare from Liit. He dared Vinny to do it. If Vinny can pull a simple vehicular theft, keep the motorcycle for a bit before giving it back, he will stop doing what he's doing. That didn't go too well." Sonia continued on with a sour face.

"When they were on the fourth floor, Liit rushed to get your mother, Aling Nancy. Utoy was trying to stop him but he didn't listen. Instead of helping Vinny off of that ledge, he chickened out. He got too scared after seeing Vinny up there. He wasn't there when Vinny slipped and fell, he did not see the whole thing." Molly said, her voice is shaking.

"I hope you all realized that everything you are telling me was against my Mom's story." Alden said in a serious tone.

"We know, Alden. We are not forcing you to believe what we are saying. Your mother was a dear friend of mine, my loyalty is with her. She's all I got when my husband died. She was the only person left to help us out when nobody did." Aling Alita said. It was a heartfelt admission.

"We also know that Liit told your Mom his version of the story. When Egay and Utoy got to her to tell her the whole truth, her mind was locked in that belief that that lady killed your brother." Sonia stated. "Like I told you, before he went crazy, we are here in front of our house. It was the night before Egay left to go with his grandfather, Liit told us everything in tears, which is nothing really." Molly continued on.

"Liit admitted to us that he didn't see everything because he coward under the stairs. Egay and Utoy saw, heard and felt everything. Vinny was about to get down. The lady was finally able to calm him down to get down those boxes. She was helping him when his feet slipped and he lost his grip on the loose rope. As soon as Vinny hit the ground, the lady came running down and turn out to be a nurse. She called the ambulance when all the fireman on duty was so shocked to see what happened. The lady was so angry at all of them, but it is what it is, she tried resuscitating Vinny. That I saw. She was crying. She was begging Vinny to keep breathing. She was telling him that she will fulfill her promise,but he needs to be strong to get through it, she will buy him his motorcycle given that he will change his ways and go to school. Kuya Alden, that lady doesn't know your brother but she shed tears like he was her own." Sonia stopped talking for a bit and wiped down the tears that escaped her eyes.

"D-do you know the lady?" He asked. Sonia shook her head. He was proud of Sonia. For a person who doesn't speak much, she did a lot right now and somehow shed some light on some things that puzzles him.

"No. I didn't get the chance to really look at her. I was distracted when Aling Nancy came with Liit, crying. More like wailing and screaming. We have to hold her down so the lady can at least keep Vinny alive till the ambulance came." Sonia is full of tears.

"I came home from school and saw the tail light of the ambulance and Utoy came to me and hugged me. He keeps on telling me I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. He keeps on repeating that. It wasn't till the following week after Vinny's funeral that he came to me and told me about everything. I saw Egay a few days after and he said the same thing, but Liit insisted on his version that the lady pushed Vinny with no reason." Alden sat straight when he heard the last part of what Molly said.

"Who comes to a person and just pushes them to their death with no apparent reason? Who does that?" Sonia's demeanor was a mix of perplexity and devastation as she was speaking. He was annoyed by the mere fact that Liit's statement is not doable let alone believable.

"He was crying that night as he was saying it all. He also said that if he can turn back the time, he will just listen to Vinny and don't dare him at all." Molly was crying, too. They become so close with Alden's Mom and half siblings.

"I just wished Utoy was here to tell you the whole details." Aling Alita wished.

"Molly."

__________
End of TPA 17: Turn Back Time

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💖 ~ Ms J ~ 💖
04.25.20

The Periwinkle Affair
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August 26, 2019