Ika-1 Kabanata

Enjoy reading!

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UNANG KABANATA

"Mommy! Mommy! I want a hug!"

She gave me a death glare. Her face is filled with disgust and contempt like I'm some kind of useless creature. Ano ba ang aking ginawa para maging ganito ang pagtingin sa aking ina? I'm just an innocent child. Wala akong ideya sa mga nangyayari sa aking paligid at kailangan ko ng gabay mula sa mga magulang ko.

"You insolent child!" Galit na sabi niya sabay hawak sa aking buhok. "Don't you dare talk to me! You're already useless and now you're demanding for something?! I shouldn't have gave birth to a useless child like you."

Her words kept running through my head. What did I do to deserve her beating? Ano ba ang aking kasalanan? Masama bang humingi ng kaunting aruga mula sa aking ina? May mali bang mabuhay sa mundong ito?

I saw tears flowing from my mother's eyes while looking at me. "If you were a boy, everything would be on the palm of my hands and that son of a b*tch wouldn't have ran away with his f*cking mistress!"

Sinampal niya ako. "Bakit ka pa nabuhay?! Just die!"

She kept on beating me. Hindi ko alam kung kailan siya huminto. When blood kept on flowing out from my mouth? When I was already covered with wounds and bruises? Or until I fainted and couldn't move anymore?

I opened my eyes and stared at the gray ceiling. Did I doze-off? Sa lahat ng pwede kong mapanaginipan, bakit iyon ba? That was such a pain in the ass memory that I don't want to remember ever again. Dahan-dahan akong umupo at nagulat ako nang may biglang sumigaw mula sa pintuan.

"Holy sh*t!" Napahawak siya sa kanyang dibdib kung nasaan ang kanyang puso. "Ano ba Emma! Don't scare me like that! I thought you were a corpse."

Inirapan ko siya. "May patay bang nabubuhay bigla? Umayos ka nga diyan."

Laven gave me a death glare. "Ikaw ang umayos diyan! There are a lot of places to lie down but you chose this place where we dissect corpses. Diyan ka pa talaga nakahiga kung saan nilalagay ang mga bangkay!"

Napakamot ako sa batok. "But is it weird that I felt comfortable while lying here? I do this every break time so why are you complaining now?"

He raised both of his hands like he surrenders. "I don't want to argue because I know I won't win anyway," Aakmang aalis na siya ngunit huminto siya sa pintuan. "Riven is looking for you."

Bumaba ako at tumayo ng maayos. "Are we handling another case?" Tumango si Laven. "What type of case is it?"

"Walang sinabi si Riven pero sabi niya magugustuhan mo daw ito. Why don't you go and find out?"

I let out a groan. "It's still break time. If it's something that I like then it would probably be a troublesome case like abuse, murder or something really violent."

Laven gave me a disgusted look."You have such an unlady-like taste."

Tinapunan ko siya ng gunting. "Just because I have a unique taste it doesn't mean it's unlady-like! Stop that stereotypes and sh*t and just let me be!"

He gasped. "Why did you throw the scissors? There are a lot of unharmful objects that you could throw at me and yet you chose that f*cking scissors! You're really something, Emma--- Sabi ko nga aalis na ako."

He left before I could throw another pair of scissors towards him. Humiga ako muli at napatitig sa kisame. Even though I'm not a forensic pathologist like Laven, I still love the smell of this room. Even though people find it creepy since this room is where they dissect corpses but I find this room comforting. Hindi naman ako minumulto ng mga patay at wala namang masama kung mananatili ako rito, hindi ba?

The head of this department saw me as a problem since I'm quite of a troublemaker and I'm too difficult to deal with but I haven't done anything wrong so they just ignored my presence. That's what I hate about corrupt people. Kung sa palagay nilang hindi ka makakatulong sa kanilang binabalak, isa ka lang basura para sa kanila. I also see them as a piece of garbage waiting to be disposed by the higher-ups if something goes wrong with their plans.

Alam ko lahat ng sikreto nila. From the moment they used the department's funds to fatten themselves with riches, they are already at the palm of my hands. Sino ba naman ang hindi makakaalam? Halatang-halata sa mga mukha nila! Parati silang naglalaway tuwing may 'ligaw na pera' silang nakikita.

I felt the vibration on my phone. I looked at the Caller's ID before answering.

"Emma-"

"Stop the pleasantries and get to the point. Ano ang kailangan mo?"

"Why are you so harsh, my dear cousin? Don't you miss me? You didn't even greet me when I arrived from Paris after two years."

I sighed in annoyance. "Stop mocking me, Dashiell. Just state your business."

"You're cold as ever. I'm inviting you to dinner later. Hindi ka pwedeng tumanggi dahil inimbita ko rin ang Board of Directors ng kompanya."

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "So? What does that have to do anything with me?"

He sighed. "The Board of Directors wants your presence during the meeting, Emma. Hindi ko alam kung ano nanaman ang ginawa mo para mapunta ang atensyon nila sa'yo. They desperately want to see you so here I am forcing myself to beg a statue."

Ano ba ang ginawa ko? Baka alam nilang nalaman ko ang mga ginagawa nilang kababalaghan kaya gusto nila akong makita? Are they going to threaten me to keep my mouth shut in front of Dashiell? Sounds interesting.

"Fine. What time is it?"

"Seven pm sharp. Don't be late, 'kay?"

Napasimangot ako. "Shut---"

Bago pa ako matapos sa pagsalita, binaba niya kaagad ang tawag.

"That little..."

I put my phone back in my pocket in annoyance. That rascal! He's so arrogant and prideful! Just because he's the CEO of the Clemonte Industries it doesn't mean he can treat me this way! I may be the black sheep of the family but hell! I'm still a pure-blooded Clemonte--- not like him! That f*cking illegitimate man.

Ginulo ko ang buhok ko nang dahil sa inis. Hindi naman sa nagrereklamo ako pero A.Y.A.W K.O S.I.Y.A! Kahit na nakapagtapos siya ng pag-aaral sa isang prestihiyosong paaralan, kahit na lumaki siyang hinahangaan ng mga babae, ayaw ko pa rin siya! Ang sama kaya ng ugali niya.

Ayos lang kung mababasa mo sa kwento na isang masama at astig ang bida na lalaki dahil nakakakilig siyang pakinggan pero hindi astig si Dashiell! Nandidiri ako sa ugali niya at hinding-hindi ako titili tuwing magtagpo ang mga mata namin!

Isa siyang asong tahol ng tahol sa iba kahit wala namang ginagawa ang tao! Sigurado akong nababawasan siya ng ligtas points para makapunta sa langit nang dahil sa ugali niya!

"Take deep breathes, Emma. You can't have wrinkles because of that brute who only knows how to annoy pretty people like you. Jusko! I already pity the woman who will be arranged to marry that rascal," Napabuntong-hininga ako. "Mabuti na lang umalis ako sa lungga ng mga Clemonte. It feels nice to be free from political marriages and inheritance!"

Alam kong pinagtatawanan ako ng mga multo ngayon dahil nagmumukha akong sira pero masama ba maging masaya? Malaya ako at walang makakapigil sa akin--- even Dashiell can't stop me. I may be a Clemonte but I already cut ties with my family ever since my grandfather, Claude, was bedridden for two years and Dashiell becoming the next heir.

I stretched my arms and legs then I felt my phone vibrated again. I didn't mind the Caller ID and just answered it.

"Hello?~"

"You're in a good mood. I'd really appreciate it if you can come to my office this instant."

Tiningnan ko ang Caller ID. Si Riven lang pala. "Now? Riven, it's still lunch time."

"What drugs are you smoking? It's way past lunch time. Sinabi ba sa'yo ni Laven na puntahan mo ako rito pagkatapos ng tanghalian?"

"Yes, he did. Pasensya ka na dahil hindi ko namalayan ang oras. I'll quickly go there! Just wait for me."

Napabuntong-hininga siya. "Ako naman talaga ang parating naghihintay diba?"

I rolled my eyes. "Stop being so dramatic, Riv."

He let out fake crying noises. "You should't hurt your future boyfriend, Emma."

Tumayo ako at umalis. "Shut it if you still want to have a bright future."

Pinutol ko na ang linya at pumunta kaagad sa opisina ni Riven. Hindi na ako kumatok at pumasok kaagad. Nakita ko siyang nakasandal sa kanyang lamesa habang nakatitig sa akin.

"Bakit mo binaba ang tawag?" His baritone voice flooded the entire office.

I scoffed. "Hindi naman malayo ang lugar na pinanggalingan ko. Anyways, what's the case that we will be handling?"

He spread his arms wide and slowly walked towards me like he's going to give me a hug. "Yakapin mo muna ako." Bago niya pa ako mayakap, ginamit ko ang aking hintuturo para itulak ang noo niya.

"Umayos ka diyan kung ayaw mong mabalian ng buto." Napakamot siya sa batok at bumalik sa pagsandal sa lamesa.

"Is this the case that we'll be handling?"

I took the files from the table and scanned it.

Ngumiti si Riven at ininom ang kanyang kape. "Alam kong magugustuhan mo ito. Read the report out loud."

"Isabella Buenafuerte, 7 years old. She weighs 22.9 kilograms and she's 121.8 centimeters in height. She was found dead in a 2ft kiddie pool? And they concluded it as an accident? Are they f*cking serious?"

A tall kid with an average weight and has no records of being mentally ill, just 'accidentally' died in a 2ft kiddie pool? There's something suspicious about this.

I kept on scanning the files. "Who found her body?"

Abot tainga ang kanyang ngiti. "Her mother."

I stopped scanning and looked at him in the eyes. "What did the mother say when she found her daughter's dead body?"

"'Nalinisan niyo na ba ang bakuran namin?'--- That's what she said. She didn't even show any remorse about her dead child. What a truly disgusting woman," He took the files from me. "The police didn't find any evidence that could lead them to the suspect. They interrogated the mother along with Isabella's younger brother and the grandparents."

Ibinalik niya ang files sa akin. "The scene took place at the backyard of their house. The mother is a widowed woman who lives with her children in that house. Ang lolo't lola ay nakatira hindi malayo sa pamamahay ng mag-ina. During the interrogation, the mother said that Isabella and her younger brother were playing in the kiddie pool at 1 PM in the afternoon. She was in the kitchen preparing for lunch just like any mother would do..."

Inirapan ko siya at tumahimik na lang.

"They stopped playing at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Isabella's body was found 11 PM in the evening. The interrogator asked the mother about Isabella's personality. They asked if she was mentally ill, if she has fears or may be she knows someone who could do this to Isabella."

"Anong sagot niya?"

Napakamot sa batok si Riven. "She just shrugged! That woman doesn't even know her own child. Ah! She also said that before they were playing in the kiddie pool, Isabella took a bath in the morning. Isabella was sweating, palpitating, trembling and she almost fainted after taking a bath. Sinabi niya ganoon daw ang reaksyon ni Isabella tuwing lalabas siya sa banyo o pag-umuulan sa labas."

Tuwing lalabas sa banyo at kapag umuulan? I closed my eyes and envisioned the information. They were playing in the kiddie pool at 1pm until 3pm. The body was found at 11pm. Ano ang nangyari sa loob ng walong oras?

"What do you think about the case?"

"Based from the information, there's a BIG chance that this isn't an accident. Murder can also be the reason but I can't conclude anything just yet. I need to go to the scene myself to understand the situation," I flipped the pages until I saw the pictures. "The red marks around her neck is like a size of a woman's fingers wrapped around her neck. May mga pasa rin sa kanyang mga katawan na parang binugbog siya. There are also red marks on her ankle and it looks like a rope was used."

Napakuyom ang kamao ko. That darn culprit. "My theory is that this happened at night time when people are already sleeping. My first question, why was the mother wandering in the backyard at 11pm in the evening? Maybe she found out that Isabella was missing,"

Tiningnan ko si Riven sa mga mata. "Or she was the one who killed Isabella. Who knows? Wala namang nagreport sa mga Pulis tungkol sa nawawalang bata, diba? A child's bed time should be around 8 o'clock or before that time so it's really suspicious that Isabella has gone missing and just found randomly in the kiddie's pool."

"Bakit mo naisip 'yan? She could've played more with her brother or she just can't sleep so she---"

"Wandered around late at night because she can't sleep? Yeah, right. Every child has fears, Riven. Natatakot sila sa dilim, multo o kahit anong maiisip nila. Her brother is 5 years old and you get sleepy easily in that age. Second question, what did they do before Isabella was found? Silang tatlo lang ang nasa loob ng bahay. Unless someone broke into the house then that will be a different story but there were no records of breaking in. Wala rin silang bisita sa oras na 'yon. According to this report, the house has one bathroom and two rooms. The first room is used by the siblings and the other room was used by the mother."

"Walang mga laruang natagpuan para sa mga bata at masyadong marumi ang bahay nila. Just by that statement, you can already think that they were neglected by their mother. Concluding this as an accident is really out of the question."

Tumaas ang kilay ni Riven. "So, what are you saying? You think the mother murdered her own daughter?"

Tumango ako. "It's not impossible. Just like I said, the red marks on her neck is like a woman's fingers wrapped around her neck. It's a sign of strangulation and it seems like her left ankle was dragged."

"The most important variable is," I smiled. "Isabella has Aquaphobia."

"She's afraid of water?" Napasapo sa noo si Riven. "Why didn't I think of that? The statement from Isabella's mother is definitely some symptoms of Aquaphobia."

"Right. So why the hell would Isabella play in a kiddie pool if she's afraid of water? It doesn't make sense. It's a given that she reacts while taking a bath. May be she's forcing herself so her mother wouldn't know about it? May mga senyas din mula sa kanyang katawan na inaabuso siya ng kanyang ina. May mga pasa rin ba ang nakakabatang kapatid ni Isabella?"

Riven shrugged. "There was no report about that."

"If this was an accident, hindi sana ganito ang impormasyon. This is so obvious but they still concluded it as an accident. How stupid. Anyways, we need to go to the crime scene. RIGHT NOW."

Napangisi si Riven. "After our work, let's have a date?"

"I can't and I'll never have a date with you. I'll be with Dashiell tonight."

Parang nabagsakan ng langit ang reaksyon ni Riven. "Y-you'll have Dashiell for dinner?"

Sinapak ko siya. "Tanga! I meant I'll be eating dinner with Dashiell along with the Board of Directors of the company."

Riven sighed in relief. "I was just kidding! Anyways, that's unusual. You said you won't do anything that has something to do with the Clemonte family. Sigurado akong hindi lang kayo kakain, diba?" Tumango ako. "I thought so. Then, just get married to me and they won't bother you ever again."

Inirapan ko siya. "Ayaw kong matali ka sa isang babae tulad ko. Riven, there are other women who would do everything to catch your attention and yet you're here trying to impress a statue."

He stood-up and lean his face towards me. "Well, you're a lovely statue."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Is that suppose to be a compliment?" Tinulak ko ang mukha niya. "You already know the reason why I can't have the same feelings as you, Riven. Since---"

"Since you already love someone who doesn't love you back? Yeah, I know. Pero," He looked at me lovingly. "Masama bang umasa ng paulit-ulit kahit alam kong wala talaga akong pag-asa? You already know me, Emma. Once I want something, I'll do anything to have it. I got plenty of money! I got billions in my bank account."

Napatawa ako. "Why are you telling me the amount of money in your bank account?"

"It's just an estimation. If you'd like, I can also give the passcode of my bank account."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. "No, don't say it. I also got plenty of money so, no thank you!"

Napatawa lang siya sa sinabi ko. We talked for a couple of minutes until we decided to go to the crime scene.

Speaking of love... Kamusta na kaya si Oscar?

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- Rivernia