Chapter 21

Masyadong naging mabilis ang pangyayari. A cry of agony escaped from my throat when they dragged my father away while my mother cried silently. I pushed past the people and embraced my mother, while we stared helplessly at Baba who's now being attacked by the townspeople.

"O-Officer..." when my tears are dried and my hands have stopped shaking, my mother and I went to the police station, where my father is being held.

The middle-aged man in blue uniform annoyingly lifted his gaze at me. Isang beses niya lang akong tiningnan at muling ibinalik ang tingin sa computer na kaniyang kinakalikot kanina pa.

"Officer, yung tatay ko po..." naiiyak kong wika sa kaniya. He blew out an irritated sigh. Pinunasan ko ang mga luha ko. "Pwede ko ba siyang makita?"

"Hindi pa pwede. Mamaya ka nalang bumalik. Busy kami dito." Malamig niyang tugon sa akin.

I swallowed the sob that has rose to my throat. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa nasaksihan kanina. I can't believe that the police officers only took one look at my father and then cuffed him, despite his pleadings and claims that he did nothing to the little girl.

"Officer..." my hands started shaking again. We're not allowed to see him, let alone be near the station. Kanina pa kami ipinagtatabuyan ng mga pulis dito kung hindi lang naawa sa akin ang babaeng pulis kanina at ako lang ang pinapasok para kahit papaano ay makausap ko sila. "Bakit po nasa loob ang Baba ko? Wala pong ebidensiya na..." I swallowed and shut my eyes, forcing myself to be tough in front of him but failed miserably. "Wala pong ebidensiya na siya ang pumatay kay Thea."

He slammed his palm on the table, making me jump in fear. Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko siyang tinitigan. He glared at me. "Look kid, we've got so many cases to be dealt with right now. Don't strode here and tell us what to do. We know what we're doing..."

Umiling ako. "Basta niyo nalang po siyang pinosasan kanina—"

"Umalis ka na muna. Bumalik ka nalang mamaya." Wika niya sa mas mahinahon ngunit mas mapanganib na boses.

"You can't just arrest my father because he's Muslim..." I cried as agony spelled the words out of my mouth. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko. This is what exactly what they did earlier. When the townspeople dragged my father away and the officers arrived, they'd immediately cuffed him after seeing him wearing a Taqiyah. We were bad-mouthed and trash-talked by the people earlier, and some of them tried to hit us.

"Alis na." masama na ngayon ang tingin niya sa akin. "Kung ayaw mong ako mismo ang magpaalis sa iyo."

I left the station, crying silently. When I stepped outside, I saw Zeus trying to comfort my mother. She immediately pulled herself up when she saw me and run into me.

"Anong sinabi nila? Palalabasin na ba nila ang Baba mo?"

Naiiyak akong umiling. My mother stared painfully at me, before more tears spilled from her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Mama-jan..." I murmured and pulled her into a hug. Niyakap din niya ako nang mahigpit at tuluyan nang naiyak. "Ayaw po nilang makita ko si Baba..."

I hugged my mother tightly, trying to absorb the sorrow out of her but to no avail. Ramdam ko ang panginginig ng katawan niya, ang mainit na luha na nanunuot sa hijab ko, at ang nanghihina niyang yakap sa akin. She'd been just as shocked as I am.

"Ihahatid ko na po kayo sa bahay niyo..." ani Zeus nang bahagya nang kumalma si Mama-jan. He'd been with us earlier and never left our side. Some of them are trying to hit when I pleaded to let my father go and Zeus blocked his body in an attempt to protect me. He'd pull the two of us to safety from the raging townspeople and drove us to the station when they arrested my father.

We were both silent as Zeus drove us back to the house. He stayed silent but I could see the silent fury in his eyes. Hindi ko alam kung anong iniisip niya ngayon. I'm just grateful that I didn't see the same anger, the same prejudice in his eyes that have been reflected in the eyes of many people earlier.

Leaning my head tiredly against the window of his car, I stole a glance at him. Then I noticed the scratches on his cheeks and right arm. It must've been from the raging people earlier who tried to hurt me. Humapdi ang dibdib ko sa nakita.

I bit back a sigh of relief when I saw that our house is no longer crowded with people. Nawala na silang lahat. Pati ang mga magulang ni Thea ay mukhang wala din ata dahil tahimik at nakapatay ang mga ilaw sa kanilang bahay nang daanan namin ito.

Zeus pulled the car in front of our house. Lumabas ako at tinulungan si Mama-jan. I accompanied her inside the house and made her sit on the sofa. Saka dali-dali akong lumabas para kausapin si Zeus.

"Zeus..."

He was just getting out of the car when I stepped outside. I hesitated for a bit, and then stared at his scratches. Doon pa ako mas lalong na-guilty. Itinuro ko ang bahay.

"Can you stay with us for a while?"

He shoved his hands at the pockets of his jeans and stared at me.

I licked my lower lips and lowered my gaze to the ground. "G-Gagamutin ko lang sana ang mga sugat mo. Salamat nga pala kanina..."

He nodded his head, his eyes darkening with anger and fury he'd held since earlier. I opened the door wider for him.

"I'll fix you some coffee, too."

He sighed and then agreed afterwards. Wala na si Mama-jan sa sala pagkapasok naming dalawa. She's inside their room and I could hear her weeping that made my heart ache more.

"M-Maupo ka muna..." I stammered when I realized that this is the first time he's been inside our house. He run a gaze around our small living room, staring blankly at the picture frames and glared at the wedding photo that Mama-jan had hung on the wall weeks after my wedding with Malik.

My hands are itching to take the photo down because Zeus is glaring at it as if he wants to burn it. Pinigilan ko ang sarili ko at pinilit na magpunta sa kusina. I tried to stay calm. In situations like this, I need to have a clear head otherwise I won't be able to talk to my Baba or persuade the police officers that they are making a big mistake of arresting him.

I put the kettle on the stove and leaned my hip against the counter, patiently waiting for the water to boil. Closing my eyes, my heart ached at the image of Thea, bathing in her own blood, cold, and lifeless just outside our house. How can a sweet girl like her who'd just greeted me earlier be a dead body now? Hindi ko lubos maisip na may makagagawa ng ganun karumal-dumal na krimen sa isang musmos, at mas lalong hindi ko maisip na ang Baba ko ang may gawa noon.

He may have a short temper, but I know Baba is not capable of killing someone. Of killing a child. Allah teaches us to value the life of even the tiniest living creature, and my Baba is not one to disobey His will.

I jumped when the kettle sounded violently. I quickly switched the burner off and poured the boiling water to the cup, before adding two teaspoons of Arabica coffee powder and coconut sugar. When I went out with the coffee in my hand, Zeus is sitting restlessly at the sofa.

Inilapag ko ang kape sa lamesang kaharap ng upuan. I tried to smile at him. A smile, albeit weak, is enough to guarantee someone that I'm still holding on.

"Inumin mo muna ang kape mo, hahanapin ko lang ang first aid kit sa kusina." I told him and was about to go when he'd suddenly grab my arms to yank me down.

"You need this coffee any more than I do." He said seriously, and then raked a frustrated hand through his hair.

I stared at him, a bit stunned, then I shook my head. "Ayos lang ako, Zeus."

"Stop lying to me, Naia..." he said in a low voice. "Your hands haven't stop shaking since earlier."

Ashamed, I balled my hands into fists and struggled internally to get hold of myself. The last thread of my control is slipping away and I'm afraid I could do nothing about it. All that's in my mind I that my father is in a cell right now, cold and alone and wrongfully accused. And the townspeople are very angry at us. And the painful fact that an angel was lost in our neighborhood.

"Drink this coffee. I'll tend to my own wounds." He said with finality, leaving no room to argue. I open my mouth to protest but it only took one warning shot from Zeus and I was nodding my head like an obedient student. He walked away and disappeared in our kitchen.

With trembling hands, I reached for the cup and was grateful for the warmth that it offers and soothed my swollen throat. I closed my eyes and exhaled, hoping tomorrow will be a better day than this.

"Hindi namin pwedeng basta-basta palabasin ang tatay mo..." the officer said, and pushed his gold-rimmed eyeglasses to the top of his head. He is way calmer and polite than the officer who'd entertained me last time. I could see the sympathy in his pale eyes as he stared at me. "Mayroong nakakita na ginawa niya ang krimen. At isa pa, determinado ang pamilya ng biktima na sampahan ng kaso ang tatay mo."

My throat went dry. I went to the station first thing in the morning. Zeus left last night and I find it hard to fall asleep with the amount of coffee I drank and the anxiety that's gnawing inside of my chest. When I woke, I felt tired and lonely. Pinaghanda ko si Mama-jan ng agahan at nag-iwan ng note na pupunta ako sa police station upang subukang kausapin ulit sila.

"Unless the family wants to pull the case, then we'll set your father free. The investigation is still on-going but from the looks of it... I'm afraid that your father really did something to that child."

Umiling-iling ako. "Hindi po yun magagawa ng tatay ko, officer..."

"I hope so. Would you like to talk to him?"

I was so grateful at his generosity that I nearly cried as he accompanied me inside. Nasa pinakahuling selda si Baba-jan. Mag-isa lang siya at nakasandal sa pader. When I saw him, I immediately ran and gripped the metal bars.

"Baba-jan!"

He weakly lifted his head and turned to me. For the first time, I could see the raw fear in his eyes. He looks strained and still wore the robe that he had with him yesterday. Slowly, he pulled himself up.

"Where's your mother, Parvana?" he asked me calmly.

"Natutulog pa po siya sa bahay nang umalis ako..." I closed my eyes and forced myself not to cry. No. He didn't need a crying daughter in front of him at times like this. What he needs is a strong-minded girl who can help him get out of the cell. "Baba-jan, hindi naman po totoo ang sinasabi nila tungkol sa iyo diba? Hindi niyo po yun magagawa kay Thea..."

"I didn't kill the girl." He said with finality, as weak anger flashed in his eyes. "Her father did. I was only trying to help her and the blood got into my hands. Next thing I know, they were accusing me of murder."

Mas lalo akong nanginig. Nanganganib na ang pagtulo ng mga luha sa mga mata ko. "I'll try to convince them to get you out of here. Hindi po pwede ito..."

"Don't bother, Parvana." He said in a clipped tone. "Datu Kiram will hear of this, and he will help me out. Just take care of your mother."

I stared helplessly at him as he turned his back away and went to the corner, where he'd been sulking earlier. My time is up and my father just dismissed the short conversation. I was escorted out of the cell area. Nang makalabas ako ng station ay walang ibang laman ang isipan ko kundi ang mga magulang ni Thea.

Her mother. Her mother hates me so much. How can I convince her that it was her husband who did it to his ow child? Nevertheless, I need to try and talk to her. Datu Kiram will surely frown upon the news and I doubt any of his connections can help Baba out of the jail if the family doesn't withdraw the case against him.

Mabilis akong bumalik sa amin. Malakas ang pintig ng puso ko habang nakatayo sa harap ng kanilang bahay. The gate is left ajar. My heart ached at the sight of the flowers blooming softly at their garden, expecting to find the little Thea playing with it and creating little flower crowns of santan. Iwinaksi ko muna sa isipan ang matinding pangungulila sa bata at pumasok.

I raised a hand to knock at their door but it swung open, revealing a tired-looking woman with circles under her eyes. At first, she was stunned to see me. Then the surprise in her eyes is quickly replaced with anger.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"Ma'am, gusto ko po sana kayong kausapin tungkol sa tatay ko..." panimula ko sa nanginginig na boses. "Wala po siyang kasalanan—"

"Umalis kang bwisit na Muslim ka!" she roared at me and shoved me away. The impact made me stumble on the ground as she swore and called me ugly names. "Mga mamatay-tao kayo! Ikaw at ang pamilya mo!"

"Ma'am, wala pong kasalan ang tatay ko..." hikbi ko.

"Umalis ka na dito kung ayaw mong pati ikaw ay ipahuli ko! Pinatay niyo si Thea! Pinatay niyo!"

I shook my head helplessly. She wouldn't listen to me. She's too engrossed with her own anger that she failed to listen. She'd shoved me again when I tried to get back on my feet.

Lumuhod ako sa harapan niya at humagulhol. I pleaded her again and again, but she yanked me away. I was so close to kissing her feet at the tug of my desperation but nothing happened. She'd only hit me several times and dragged me out of their house, then close the gate at my face.

I sobbed helplessly. When I turned, I could see Mama-jan running towards me. She pulled me up and embraced me tight, murmuring soothing words to me before we went inside the house.

"Why did you do that?" halos naiiyak na wika ni Mama-jan sa akin.

"Wala pong kasalanan si Baba... kailangan niya pong makalabas sa kulungan."

Mama-jan closed her eyes and muttered something, a cry of plead to Allah, and then turned to me again.

"I called Malik and informed him of what happened. He's on his way here. Tutulungan niya tayo, Parvana. Ilalabas natin ang Baba mo..."

Her words failed to comfort me. The rage I saw in Thea's mother earlier... it was so intense, it was so raw that it's impossible for kind words and pleadings to change her mind. She's a mother who just lost her child and the anger made it impossible for her to think rationally. How are we supposed to convince her or her husband who'd killed his own daughter?

"Hindi pwedeng manatili nang matagal ang Baba mo sa kulungan..." my mother shook her head helplessly. Then tears trickled down her face as her body started trembling. "He'd die there, Parvana. He'd die..." she almost whispered.

"Ano pong ibig niyong sabihin?" naguguluhan kong tanong sa kaniya.

Mama-jan sobbed harder. She buried her face into her palms and cried her heart out.

"Mama-jan?" I hugged her and tried to blink back my tears. Kung nasasaktan ako sa nangyayari ay mas doble pa ata ang sakit na nararamdaman ni Mama-jan ngayon. I've never seen her cry this hard before.

"He's sick, Parvana..." she said between her sobs. Nanigas ako sa narinig. "He's sick and he doesn't want you to know. That's why he set up the marriage as soon as possible. He wanted you to be secure when he's... when he's gone..."

My arms fell boneless on my sides as I tried to absorb the information.

"I'm sorry we kept it a secret to you." She cupped both my cheeks and kissed my forehead. "You are so young and we wanted to protect you. None of my relatives are willing to take responsibility of taking care of you should anything happen to us. Matagal na akong itinakwil ng pamilya ko nang pakasalan ko ang tatay mo..."

I closed my eyes and took a shaky breath, stepping away from my mother and trying to get hold of my emotions. I remembered the finality in his words when he'd announced my marriage before, the raw desperation of trying to get me into the Kiram family, and the rush of it. Nanuot muli ang hapdi sa dibdib ko. I turned away from my mother before I could start crying again.