87: That man in the news.

SAM'S POV

Ten minutes. I've waited that long in my car outside Michael's building for some particular car to appear at the side mirror. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, kanina pa may itim na sasakyang bumubuntot sa'kin.

From the Café until I've dropped Suzy here at La Café Mosses, sumusunod pa rin ito sa'kin. I didn't alarmed Suzy about this matter dahil ayokong mataranta ito. Pero nang papunta na'ko rito, napansin kong nakabuntot pa rin ito sa'kin pero mga ilang sandali naman,  biglaan naman itong nawala.

I'm quite certain it wasn't Cameron dahil kabisado ko ang plate number nito.

My mind says it was nothing to worry about but my instinct as an investigator insisted that it was something na hindi ko dapat ipagsawalang bahala. Whoever was driving that car could be that same man na syang humarang sa'kin noon at syang muntikan ng lumumpo sa'kin.

And I couldn't take that risk now. Lalo na't may isang buhay na'kong kailangan ingatan ngayon.

At the thought of that, my hand protectively stroked my tummy. At kahit hindi pa lumulubo ang tiyan ko, I can still feel a life growing inside my womb now. And it's my baby. And that bastard's.

Napapangiti na lamang ako while lightly stroking my womb without taking my eyes off of the side mirror.

And just to be sure na wala ngang nakasunod sa'kin rito, I decided to wait for a few more minutes dahil baka nag-iba lang ng daan ang sasakyang 'yon and he could just be lurking around and just waiting for the right time when to pounce.

Tapping my fingers at the steering wheel, I patiently waited for a few more minutes habang hindi parin hinihiwalay ang tingin sa salamin. But after awhile when still, no suspicious black car had appeared, wala na'kong sinayang na oras at lumabas na'ko agad ng sasakyan.

With cautious eyes, I checked my surroundings and when nothing unusual happening, agad na'kong naglakad papasok sa loob ng building na'yon.

Sa itim ng mga ulap ngayon, I can tell it will rain anytime soon at bago paman sanang umulan, gusto ko sanang makahanap man lang ng munting mauupahang silid na tutulungan ko mamaya while I'm hiding from Cameron's radar. Pero dahil nandito na'ko, why not just visit Al now and just find a room later?

I just hope na on duty ito ngayon dahil kailangan ko lang makausap ito. He would've been excited with this sudden visit kung hindi ko lang sana tinapon lahat ng pagkaing pasalubong ko sana sa kanya kanina.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.. such a shame na mukha lang ni Cameron ang nakakain ng lahat ng pagkaing 'yon.

Michael our boss could be inside his office now so I have to do this visit quick. Dahil baka matunton pa'ko ng gagong Cameron na'yon kapag nakita nya'ko rito. 

At the entrance,  the familiar security guard on duty had instantly offered me a smile of recognition pagkakita sa'kin. I just answered him a small smile and a nod before I strode inside.

Pagkapasok ko, my eyes quickly scanned the familiar workplace kung saan higit isang buwan ding hindi ko nakikita and I smirked when my gaze landed on that long-haired head at the far corner na kasalukuyang nakasubsob lang ang mukha sa kung anong binabasa nito ngayon.

With purposeful strides, agad na'kong naglakad patungo sa mesa nito. With my presence being noticed, everyone instantly bid their Hi's and hellos which I just answered with a tight smile and a small nod. Surprised was visible in their faces at kahit nakatalikod na'ko, alam kong nakamasid parin sa'kin ang mga mata ng mga ito.

Of course, I've disappeared for almost two months long so it was expected.

"So caught up with your case, aren't we?"

Pagkasabi ko dun, agad na itong nagtaas ng tingin and at the sight of me, agad ng napatayo ito sa kinauupuan nito as his eyes instantly widened in obvious surprise.

"Sam!!! You're here!"

When he exclaimed that, I can't help but smiled at him in amusement. Mukhang humaba pa yata lalo ang buhok nito ngayon just a few weeks of not seeing this idiot.

"Ahuh. Ako nga'to, Al and by just looking at your reaction now, I guess namiss mo talaga ako ng sobra."

That made him grinned at me sabay lahad ng kamay nito sa'kin for a handshake which I gladly accepted it.

"Oh hell yes. Kung alam mo lang, Sam. Akala ko nga patay ka na dahil hindi maganda ang nangyari sa lakad mo ron sa Mindanao. But here you are, so alive and------"

I frowned when he suddenly paused as he gave me a weird look, as if he was closely studying my face.

"What? I'm so alive and what, Al?" I repeated when he just stayed silence and with creased brows.

"There's something strange in your face now, Sam."

When he answered that with his no nonsense face, that made me frowned more at him, wondering what the hell was strange on me.

"Ano? Anong meron sa mukha ko? Don't make me die with curiosity here, Al.." Pangungulit ko ulit sa kanya, curious to know what's on my face right now.

My brow instantly shot up when a knowing smile suddenly appeared on the side of his lips habang napapailing-iling ito.

"I don't know how to say it but I'm certain na masaya ka ngayon because you look blooming than the last time I've saw you here. May maganda bang nangyari ron sa Mindanao kaya nagkakaganito ka ngayon?"

That made my eyes rolled upward pagkasabi nya dun. Akala ko pa naman kung ano ng meron sa mukha ko. I thought the accident had pretty rearrange some details of my face pero hindi naman pala ito ang ibig sabihin nito. Tsk.tsk..

Oh yeah. Mukhang wala parin palang kaalam-alam ang isang 'to kung bakit matagal akong nawala rito. Akala nya talaga nasa Mindanao parin ako sa ilang linggo na wala ako rito.

"Malayong-malayo sa maganda ang nangyari dun, Al." Tipid kong sagot sabay hila ng upuan na nasa harapan ng mesa nya saka umupo dun. Al sat on his chair as well with curiosity marred on his face now.

"Bakit? Ano bang nangyari dun? Matagal-tagal karing nawala rito. Boss Michael said you're going to be on leave for a month or so pero hindi naman nya sinabi kung bakit. Masyado bang masama ang nangyari dun sa lakad mo, Sam?"

No doubt. Wala nga syang kaalam-alam kung anong nangyari sa'kin. Of course, Cameron the bastard was able to lock me up inside his house kaya naman kahit ako, wala ring kaalam-alam sa kung ano ng nangyayari rito. And I'm certain na may mga bagay pa'kong hindi alam aside from knowing my father.

"May hindi magandang nangyari dun, Al. Nasundan kami ng ilang kalalakihan dun at nagkabarilan."

"What??"

I just nodded at him as I leaned my forearms on his table sabay lapit sa kanya, not wanted anyone to hear what I'm going to say next. Agad naman nitong inilapit ang tenga nito sa'kin.

And with low voice, I told him what happened to Mr. Del Fuero and at the airport pati na ang aksidenteng muntikan ng lumumpo sa'kin ng tuluyan. I told him that but not about me being locked up in Cameron's very house dahil ayokong maiba ang usapan rito.

"Hell no. Kaya ba ngayon ka lang sumulpot rito kasi kagagaling mo lang sa pagpapagaling?"

"Ahuh.. Ilang linggo rin ang tiniis ko bago ako nakalakad ng maayos. At sa ilang linggo na'yon, I've lost track of what was happening around me. I didn't even get to watch a news dahil wala man lang kahit TV o radyo man lang sa lugar na tinirhan ko, Al."

Al nodded at me with an 'O' form on his lips while his face says 'condolence' to my freedom.

"So ganun pala ang nangyari.. Then I guess you haven't heard the news yet?"

That got me frowned at him.

"News? What news?"

When he smirked, my curiosity heightened dahil mukhang may alam ito na hindi ko pa alam and I'm dying to hear that now.

"Mukhang wala ka nga talagang kaalam-alam sa mga nangyayari, Sam. Sangkot nga rin rito ang pangalan ni Mr. Del Fuero so it's really a surprise for me why he himself hadn't informed you this news."

"What news, Al? And what about Mr. Del Fuero??"

With Cameron's name being mentioned, I think I'd die in no time with my curiosity kapag hindi ko pa talaga malalaman kung anong balita 'yon.

I noticed him let out a breath sabay kapa ng kung anong bagay sa ilalim ng mesa nito and then in a few seconds, he handed down a folded newspaper on his table na syang ikinakunot pa lalo ng noo ko.

"What's this? Are you going to make me read all this?"

"No. Gusto ko lang makita mo kung anong nasa front page ng diyaryong 'yan, Sam."

With creased brows, agad ko na lamang dinampot ang bagay na'yon saka binuklat ito to examine its cover page.

The newspaper was published just a month ago and----

Napatigil nalang ako  bigla when my eyes spotted the headline and the photos on that page.

'DFCS's CEO put ECC's former CEO and President behind bars for a serious crimes.'

And then below that headline, a photo of a man in his early fifties na pinupusasan ng mga pulis was being attached on it.

That man was nothing familiar to me pero isa lang ang masasabi ko, it wasn't Charles Enriquez. I don't know why I've suddenly felt relieved with that, na hindi ito ang nasa diyaryo at ibang tao ito na related sa Company nya.

Pero kahit hindi ito ang nasa dyaryo ngayon, I know for sure na umuusok ang ilong nito ngayon dahil dito. Afterall, it was his company's name being dragged into this issue and it was because of Cameron. His arch enemy.

So that was why halos hindi ko na makausap ang gagong Cameron na'yon nung una. It was because of this matter. He was busy with this issue.

"It was obvious na hindi mo pa nga alam ang tungkol dyan, Sam. Mr. Cameron del Fuero himself had made this stir to the public tungkol sa pagpapakulong nya sa dating CEO ng kompanyang kalaban nya."

"What crimes, Al? Bakit nagawa nyang ipakulong ang taong 'to ng ganun lang kabilis?"

Al just smiled at me as he comfortably leaned his back against his seat saka nagkibit ng balikat.

"Smuggling and Attempted murder. I don't know why he had filed the latter pero yong smuggling, matagal na palang may kalokohang ginagawa ang taong 'yan sa loob ng kompanya nila noong sya pa ang namamahala nito. And fortunately, Cameron was wise enough to find an evidence na syang dahilan ng pagkakakulong nya ngayon. I bet Cameron had even get a list of people which connected to this case but I think hindi nya lang ito inilalabas sa media dahil tyak maraming babagsak na kompanya kapag inilabas nya 'yon, Sam. And aside from that, tiyak maraming magagalit sa kanya." Al stated with certainty in his voice. Na para bang alam na alam nya ang ginagawa ni Cameron except the attempted murder crime.

Pero kahit ganun pa man, I don't think I could just let Al get away from here now without even disclosing everything he knew about this interesting case.

"Where do you think Cameron got that file, Al? Paano nya nagawang mahanap ang ganung bagay nang hindi ko man lang alam 'yon?"

"Bakit? Are you that so close with Cameron del Fuero now para kailangan mong malaman ang lahat ng ginagawa nya, Sam? May nangyari ba sa lakad nyo dun sa Mindanao na hindi ko pa alam? Like you being romantically attached to him now?"

That got me bit my tongue the instant he queried that with suspicious look in his eyes.

Oh yeah shit. Nakalimutan ko palang hindi ko pa nasasabi sa kanya na ang gagong 'yon ang kasama ko sa ilang linggo na nawala ako rito.

Hindi nya dapat malaman 'yon! Not now when I know how much of a tease he is!

Determined to keep it as a secret from him, I quickly put up a straight face as I shrugged at him in feigned nonchalance while crossing my arms on my chest.

"No. I'm just curious, Al. Alam mong kliyente ko rin ang taong 'yon kaya natural lang na dapat alam ko kung anong mga kilos nito. By the way, how about ECC?.. Anong nangyari sa kompanyang 'yon after this issue blew up in the media?" I tried to divert the topic, which I think effective dahil agad ng nawala ang suspetsa sa mga mata nito as he straightened up on his seat at the mention of ECC.

"Talaga ngang wala kang kaalam-alam sa mga nangyayari nitong mga nakaraang linggo, Sam. ECC had struggled so much in this crisis. Masyadong bumaba ang sales nito and lots of investors had pulled out their investments in a fear na baka tuluyang bumagsak ang kompanyang 'to. I'm sure Charles Enriquez's having a hard time now. Fixing up this mess his father had made."

Yes. I'm certain he was. Dahil base sa mukha nito kanina, he was obviously experiencing a stressful days these past few weeks. And I'm sure masaya si Cameron sa mga nangyayaring 'to ngayon.

"Napansin ko nga 'yon sa kanya, Al.. Masyado nga syang nahihirapan  sa sitwasyon ng kompanya nya ngayon.." sang-ayon ko sa kanya as I nodded my head.

"Indeed." Al agreed with a nod as well.

"Oh yeah. Maiba nga pala ako, Sam. Kumusta na pala ang kaso mo ngayon? You have almost get killed by that accident you've been in. Nakilala mo man lang ba kung sino ang may gawa nun sa'yo?"

I quickly shook my head as a no.

"Tungkol sa kaso ko, may nahanap na'kong bagay na magagamit ko sana sa paglutas ng kaso ko but unfortunately, hindi ko pa mabuksan 'yon, Al.." I answered woefully, disappointed with that topic being brought up.

"And about that car na muntikan ng pumatay sa'kin, hindi ko alam kung sino 'yon dahil nawala 'yon sa isipan ko." I continued with an exasperated sigh which he just answered with a nod.

"Speaking of accident, may ilang impormasyon pa pala akong hindi naibibigay sa'yo, Sam."

That got me frowned at him when he suddenly brought up that, lalo na't seryoso ang mukha nito ngayon.

"Impormasyon? Anong impormasyon, Al?"

I noticed him heaved in a breath and without any words, he took out some white folder from his drawer under his table saka iniabot yon sa'kin.

"What's this?" I asked in confusion as I accepted it.

"I've been meaning to give you that a day after you left for Mindanao pero dahil hindi man lang kita makontak at ang tagal mo pang nawala, muntikan ko ng makalimutan ang tungkol sa bagay na'yan.. Buksan mo, Sam." He said, motioning me to open it.

Intirgued with what was in this folder, kunot-noong binuklat ko na ang folder na'yon without uttering any words.

I know Al was just closely studying my reaction pero hindi ko na ito pinansin and just started to flip the first page.

My brows creases than ever when a few photos appeared. A photo of a familiar car. Parang kuha ito sa isang cctv camera kaya medyo hindi malinaw ang pagkakakuha nito. Pero kahit na ganun paman, the plate number of that car was still readable enough.

MNJ 6305

"Pamilyar ba sa'yo ang plakang yan, Sam?"

"Why are you giving me this, Al? Medyo pamilyar nga sa'kin ang sasakyang 'to. Parang nakita ko na ito noon but I can't point it out where." Tugon ko sa kanya as I kept studying the other photo, especially the photo na kuha pati yong nagmamaneho nito kaso nga lang, hindi ito masyadong malinaw.

"That's the photos from the cctv footages na nakuha ko mula dun sa daan malapit sa apartment mo. Sa mismong daan kung saan may muntikan ng bumundol sa'yo."

"Malapit sa apartment ko..  then does this mean----"

"Yes. Yan nga yong mismong sasakyang muntikan ng sumagasa sa'yo noon, Sam. I was able to get that cctv footages from that area at yan ang nakita ko."

Oh shit. Halos nakalimutan ko narin ang tungkol sa bagay na'to. I've asked Al to get access with all the CCTV cameras in that area right after I was discharged from the hospital at dahil sa dami ng nga nangyari pagkatapos ng araw na'yon, this matter totally slip my mind.

"I've already traced that plate number and fortunately, hindi ko makita 'yon sa ngayon pati na ang information ng may-ari nyan. Parang minsan lang ito ginagamit, Sam. Parang ginagamit lang ang sasakyan na'to for some special occasion."

"Special occasion like what, Al?" I queried out of curiosity, now being piqued with this certain information.

"Something like what happened to you, Sam? Kapag may isang misyon silang dapat gawin and it should be flawless. Or shall I say, kapag may balak silang iligpit?"

That made me gave it a deep thought as I weighed his point kahit na alam kong tama naman talaga ito.

But what's running through my head now was the possibility kung isa ba ito sa mga humahabol sa'min to get the file.

Sighing, I throw him a question again.

"Tingin mo ba isa sa mga humahabol sa'kin ang may-ari ng sasakyang 'to? After that failed attempt na sagasaan nila ako, hindi ko na naman nakita uli ang sasakyang 'yon.."

He gave it a deep thought first before he slowly nodded in agreement.

"It could be. Maaaring isa nga yan sa kanila lalo na't nalaman kong namataan ang sasakyang 'to sa Mindanao just a few weeks ago, Sam. And just recently, namataan na naman uli ito sa Tagaytay. Sounds odd right? You've been to those place as well..Was it just a mere coincidence na nandun karin sa mga lokasyon na'yon sa mismong araw na nandun din ang sasakyang 'to?"

That got me stiffened on my seat as I thought about it.

He was right. Mindanao and Tagaytay. I've been to these places just recently at sa mga lugar na pinuntahan kong 'to, may mga nangyayaring hindi maganda.

Pinaulanan kami ng bala noon sa Mindanao at halos nilumpo naman ako ng litseng sasakyang biglang humarang sa'kin sa Tagaytay.

Everything just add up. All of that wasn't just a mere coincidence at all but it was intentional. Planado ang lahat at halatang ako ang pakay ng mga ito..

And whoever owned this blasted car must have a taste of my sweet beatings kapag nahuli ko na ito.

With gritted teeth, I heaved up a deep breath as I straightened up on my seat. Al just remained silent on his seat while studying me closely under his scrutinizing stare. Probably studying how I would react to this certain information.

"Hindi lang coincidence ang lahat ng 'yon, Al. Tingin ko planado nila ang lahat. Nothing good had happened back at Mindanao at muntikan narin akong maimbalido nung pumunta naman ako sa Tagaytay. We have to atleast find this car and its owner.. nangangati na'kong pasalamatan man lang ang taong 'yon sa lahat ng mga ginawa nya sa'kin..." I utterred in between with gritted teeth, now itching to give that shit a good beatings he deserve.

"Yes. Yan na nga ang ginagawa ko ngayon, Sam. For now, kailangan mong magdoble ingat lalo na't hindi parin natin alam kung sino ang taong 'yon. It's a shame na hindi man lang malinaw ang kuha natin sa kanya rito sa mga litrato. That could've been a great help kung makikilala man lang natin ito dito."

Puno ng panghihinayang ang boses nito ngayon which made me slowly nodded at him in agreement as I gazed back to the few photos na hawak-hawak ko parin hanggang ngayon.

These photos could've been useful kung maganda lang sana ang quality nito at kung hindi lang sana nakasombrero ito. But unfortunately, it wasn't. Kaya naman kailangan ko nalang maghintay na mahanap na ni Al ang taong to.

Heaving up a breath, I forced a smile on my lips to reassure him that I'm perfectly fine.

"Mahahanap rin natin ang taong to, Al. He can hide but he can never escape from your excellent surveillance. For now, kailangan ko munang habaan ang pasensya ko rito because I have other thing to do today."

"Other thing? And what 'other thing' could that possibly be, Sam?"

I smirked at him when he asked that in confusion.

"Just something that you don't need to know, Al.... I must leave now----" I paused nang marinig ko ng nagsisimula ng umulan ngayon sa labas, raining so damn heavily.

Oh yeah shit. Talagang hindi na ito nakapaghintay pa na makalabas man lang ako mula rito..

Blowing out a loud sigh, I continued.

"Kailangan ko ng umalis, Al. I still have to find a place to stay for tonight."

Agad namang kumunot ang noo nito pagkarinig sa'kin.

"A place? Why? Lilipat ka na ba?"

"Parang ganun na nga, Al.. Alis na'ko. Thanks for this anyway." I utterred with a smile as I held up the white folder na inabot nya sa'kin kanina. Agad naman itong ngumiti sabay tango sa'kin.

"I hope the next time we'd talk, mahanap mo na ang may-ari ng sasakyan na'to, Al."

"Sana nga, Sam.. para mahanap mo na kung sino mang humahabol sa'yo." tanging sagot nito sa'kin while smiling at me...

I just smiled at him sabay tayo sa kinauupuan ko habang bitbit parin ang folder na bigay nito.

"Yeah. Para maupakan ko na-----"

"Ito na ang mga nagbabagang balita sa oras na ito... Dininig na ng korte ang kasong isinampa laban sa negosyante na si John Enriquez ng Enriquez Construction Corporation. Napatunayang guilty sa ilegal na gawain ang naturang negosyante samantalang kasalukuyan paring dinidinig sa korte ang isa pang krimeng isinampa laban sa kanya....."

Napatigil nalang ako sa kinatatayuan ko when I suddenly heard that news flashed through the TV screen at the lobby. Not that I was taken aback by the newscaster's loud voice but just because for the first time, mapapanood ko ang tungkol sa kaso na'to which made me snapped my head to that way.

And there it was, an old man in his early fifties has been flashed through the TV screen habang pinagkakaguluhan ito ng media.

I've never got to see Charles Enriquez's father in person before kaya naman di ko mapigilang tumitig sa mukha nito ngayon. He was trying to cover his face from the hungry media pero kahit ganun paman, I can still say that he was almost a replica of his son although the wrinkles in his face says he wasn't Charles.

"John Enriquez deserves that. Tama lang na mabulok sya sa kulungan dahil sa mga kagagawan nya.."

That made gazed back at Al with furrowed brows when he suddenly commented that.

"John Enriquez?" I asked with furrowed brows, just wanted to confirm if I had really heard him saying that name just now.

"Yeah. John Enriquez. Charles Enriquez's father. Hindi mo ba kilala ang taong yan?"

Instead of answering him, I've gazed back to that man's face on the TV screen and stared at him more closely. Hindi ko alam kung bakit but as his name registered on my mind, bigla nalang akong kinabahan ngayon.

John Enriquez... John...

"John? Yan ba ang pangalan nya?"

"You're right. Yan nga ang pangalan nya.."

When our conversation with my mother echoed in my head, the thudding inside my chest intensified as my hold at the folder tightened.

Is it just a mere coincidence as well na kapangalan nya ang tunay kong ama? Alam ko namang maraming ganung pangalan sa mundo but with my talk with Charles Enriquez earlier, I can't just stop myself but slowly consider that ridiculous possibility.

"Marami akong alam tungkol sa pagkatao nya. Ang gusto kong itanong sa'yo ngayon, do you want to meet him?"

This making me feel more uneasy now. Charles won't just suddenly approached me like that for nothing. Mukhang alam nya nga kung sino ang tunay kong ama. And with how he had said it earlier,  parang kilala na nya ito sa buong buhay nya. And that's making the thudding in my chest now became unbearable.

I know my mother had promised me na ihaharap nya ko sa kanya kapag magaling na'ko but why not just asked Enriquez about my father kesa bumyahe pa ito ng matagal papunta rito-------

"Sam? Are you okay? Is there something wrong?"

That question woke me up from my reverie, dahilan para lumingon ako sa gawi ni Al na takang-takang pinag-aaralan ang reaksyon ko ngayon.

"Nothing's wrong, Al. But can I ask another favor from you?"

His frown deepened at that, curiousity itched on his face. But maybe he had thought it was better to just keep his curiosity to himself kaya naman hindi na ito nag-usisa pa at tumango lang sa'kin.

"Go ahead. I'm all ears."saad pa nito.

"Do you have your extra phone with you now? Pwede bang akin nalang muna 'yon while I haven't get a new one for me? I've lost my phone back at Tagaytay nung maaksidente ako kaya kailangan ko ang tulong mo ngayon, Al." I uttered without reserving any shame in my body.

Kapalan na ng mukha ito. May kailangan lang akong tawagan ngayon and it can't be wait for the rain to stop so that I could get a new phone for me. Alam ko rin namang marami itong reserba sa mesa nya so lucky for me.

"Alam mo talaga kung anong hihilingin mo sa'kin na makukuha mo agad-agad ano?"nakangising sagot nito while shaking his head, making me smirked at him as well.

"You know I'd never ask something from you kapag hindi mo naman yon kayang ibigay sa'kin, Al."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. Here it is." Patango-tango pang sagot nito sabay hugot ng phone nito mula sa drawer before he throw it to my way na mabilis ko namang sinalo.

"I've got to go now. Thanks for this!" Paalam ko na sa kanya while waving his phone at him as I started to leave.

He didn't answered and just shook his head while still smirking at my way.