Chapter 02- Home

The whole town knew my closeness with the Sze family. To Tandang. And my friends, they knew how much I mourn right now. It is heavy for me to accept the reality that he is gone. No more hugs, no laughs, no smiles, and no more Tandang in my eyes. It is very strange to start a day without him.

I used to visit his office at the municipality. Madalas din kaming mag-bonding sa mga public parks, museums, and malls. We are seen always publicly. It is either I am his guide, or he is mine to me. It could be anywhere in this beautiful and peaceful town of Lucena.

Yet, I wonder where at those times, are the killers trying to spy on us? Matagal na ba nila kaming sinusundan? Kaya ba hindi lang nila mapatay-patay si Tandang dahil nandoon ako, kasama siya sa mga lakad niya? Were they knew that I will disappear for days that without someone beside him they can shoot the target whenever they wanted to?

I got angry. I want to shot and scream my emotions where I am the only one can see. Bakit hindi na lang yo'ng oras na magkasama kami? How was the crime incident looks like? Was it a hostage-taking case? An accident made by them? What the hell! I want to know the truth desperately!

So, they knew me too!

I grasped on my own thoughts. It is killing me. Malakas ang tibok ng puso ko habang nakatingin sa kanila. No freaking way. So, my hint is right. I was not the target, they knew me. Pero si Tandang lang ang kailangan nila at malinis na nagawa ng mga kalaban.

Should I get a sense of relief now that I was not in the incident too? That I am still alive by now?

"But how?" my curiosity's killing me.

I was always with him the whole time every time we went outside. No bruises out of his name as a politician, where all are seen and properly guided. That is why there must something about the assassination of an innocent man! Where the people he's served believe from all of these spreading lies?

Why is no one's crying for justice! For God sake, he is a clean man!

But if I was beside him, kaya ko ba s'yang protektahan? Or it might be the other way around? Makakaya ko bang makita na mamatay s'ya sa harapan ko? To witness how he was shoot or... worse--- kill right in front of me? But were the killers took advantage of the moment while I was out of the province?

I groaned in pain. I cannot hide the pain in my chest. It aches, deeply. Napapikit ako at binuksan muli ang mga mata. Almost taking my breathe away, I do not know if I can still handle my emotions sa mga susunod pang mga istorya. Mariin akong nakatitig sa glass wine sa harapan habang nakayukom ang mga kamay. Trying to blow off some steam out of my senses.

"W-Well, si Papa at si Mommy lang naman ang nagkwento sa akin. Our families are also in the same parties so, it would really look like we were allies... Even if we don't."

Oh.

Muntik ko nang makalimutan na hindi pa pala tapos ang gabi. We are still in the middle of the night, with my friends, while Piola, also having a hard time in telling her side story about the family against political and business matters. I do not want to sound biased however, her story might corrupted everything just because we have deep connection.

She is my friend, and beyond that. Matagal na ang pagsasama naming magkakaibigan. Even if Rio and Piola were friends at first before we met four, malalim na rin ang naging pagkakaibigan naming apat.

I also want to know about the story of the other side. No. I want to know exactly what the truth behind. Rationally, if the both sides were wrong and if there is someone it. And I'd rather be the one to do it in my own investigation.

Bhea looked at me, then Piola in confusion. She may noticed na biglang nagbago ang ekspresyon ko sinabi niya.

"Anong ibig sabihin no'n Piola?

"I do not want to spread lies, but involving the party where my father now is what alarming... to the Sze family. Papa were forced... na pumanig sa kanila dahil tinatakot nila kami. Especially our business. During the election campaign, kung alam n'yo lang. T-They manipulated the electoral votes to win the election."

Umiiling ako. How so? I am a bit nervous--- shaky, while holding the glass wine to my mouth for a drink. I sighed, heavily. I don't know if hearing this takes so normal for politics. To destroy images and such, but what was my friend's purpose in telling this to us?

Hearing the dark side of campaign now, I couldn't process everything. Halo-halo na ang mga naiisip ko sa mga nagyayari. Well, not even new to many election stories in the country. Obviously, how dirty the politics in the country, napapailing na lang ako.

My thoughts are puzzled and noisy. Though, even if she is one of my closest friends, I cannot tell the accuracy of her story since... Totoo man 'to o hindi, wala s'yang pruweba para sabihin iyon kahit pa sa amin.

"But why is he killed?" Rio asked.

"W-We don't know. Papa did not even know about their plan. Not even a single thing. They do not trust us, guys. Pero bakit pati kami ay nadadamay na."

Bhea on her side, giving Piola a hushed on her shoulder. We do not want to cause a scene like there is a tragic moment happening. I stopped Rio on her plan to give her a hug.

"We could be filmed. This is not the right place to talk about this."

"Yeah, she's right." Bhea agreed. Piola nodded.

"And then, all they want to do... Mom told me na ang gustong iparating lang ng mga kakampi ng bise-gobernador ay siraan ang pangalan nila. Kahit pa..."

"Kahit pa buhay ang maging kapalit."

She nodded to my statement, then looked at me.

"Believe me, guys. I had been once on their meetings. They so much hate the Rios. Doon ko na lang din naisip na dumating na nga ang gusto nilang mangyari. Like now, we do not know where our Congressman is. Probably, hiding."

"Hey. Don't say that, Piola."

Piola sounds a bit defensive on her last conclusion.

Napatikhim muna siya bago magsalita. "I am not, Rio. It is a fact. Oh, eh 'di nasa'n ngayon si Rios? He's absent on their brunch. He cannot even face now the public because of what he---"

"...Because of what's happening." she then calmly said.

Napatingin s'ya sa akin. Lumipat ako ng couch at tumabi sa kaniya.

"Rios has nothing to do with this."

Then, my expressions might a bit obvious when suddenly the topic changed. It suddenly began uninteresting. Yet, they still talked about the missing guy whom I did not know.

I went home after days. Occupied and filled with negative thoughts. Wala akong ganang kumain. I was always irritated--- and I don't know.

Matapos kong malaman ang iilan pang detalye tungkol sa pagkamatay ni Tandang, hindi ko na gugustuhin ang manatili sa rancho. Feeling ko anytime pwede akog lusubin at barilin nang walang armas.

Damn. Should I hire bodyguards for my protection this time? Hindi ko alam pero feeling ko madalas na akong naghahallucinate sa mga bagay-bagay. And to hire bodyguards--- Maybe, I should. To stop myself from these overthinking.

It was all in the news for consecutive days. A scene flashed on the screen of his family mourning and seeking for justice. They are all in black outfit, wearing black shades except the councilor, Tandang's wife. She was interviewed by the reporter asking her questions related to the case.

"We want justice. Tandang has a family. So, why him? And the people... they are waiting for my husband to serve," said the councilor-elect in her teary-eyed. Now that Tandang needs people, where are they now?

May mga hearings din akong napanood online from a credible source. Kalaunan ko na lang din nalaman na private ang naging libing para raw sa proteksyon said the councilor in a featured interview.

I am lying down on the couch. Ramdam ko ang biglang pagsakit ng likod. I realized I spent my days before coming home for a thorough investigation. What I need right now is a body massage for my backaches in sudden.

Naabutan ko silang nasa hapagkainan habang naghahanda ng mga pagkain ang mga kasambahay. Lumapit agad ako kay Daddy para makipagbeso at sa kay Mommy. She then praised me after she glanced on my outfit.

I missed being home. It has been two and half a week since I stepped myself into this large mansion.

"We missed our little kiddo being here in the table. Well, unlike tonight na nandito ka ngayon. You look lovely, Lili."

"As you are, Mom. Galing po kayo saan?" then we both chuckled and sat down.

"Hindi na bata 'tong little princess natin. What'd you expect, darling?"

"Tama ka," Mom carressed me on my shoulder beside. "Well, just got home from Davao de Oro, hija. We had this little chitchats with your ninongs and ninangs. They might visit Lucena soon."

Then we started eating quietly. I nodded and smiled at her. I think that is a good news for me. Or might happen na pati ang buong pamilya nila ay bumisita na rin ng bayan. The more, the merrier.

"Baka sumulpot na lang sila..."

"Baka nga. Eat, honey," si Mommy at tinanggap ko naman agad ang binigay niyang isa sa paborito kong main dish for tonight.

The househelps stopped putting dishes served on the table. Dahan-dahan akong ngumunguya ng pagkain nang may bigla akong napansin. Then, I looked up to Dad. Because I noticed his glances every twenty seconds away, which left me a question.

"Are you okay, hija?" saad ni Daddy habang hindi ako tinitingnan.

"Yes, Dad."

Touching sounds of curtlery saved the table to distract the unneccessary glances and heavy stares. We are. Glad that I am wearing my eyeglasses at hindi naman masyadong halata. Unlike kina mommy at daddy. I do not why is it weird. How I wish of my sisters were here right now to save our asses off.

Bumaling lang ako nang tingin kay Mommy ng diretso nang binigyan niya ako na paborito kong seafood dish. Well, my mom is my mom. She is like this every time she gave me my favorites.

"Oh, I didn't know they cook your favorite. Here."

"Thank you, mommy."

Agad ko namang tinikman at masarap. Well, 'di rin nagbago ang lasa dahil sa simula ay hindi naman kami nagpalit ng cook. Cooked at served well. This can really pass to those fine dining restaurants somewhere in Manila. Kahit papaano may bigla naman akong namiss sa pagiging city girl ko noong college life.

"It's still delicious, Mom! Well, hindi naman po talaga pumapalya si Manang sa pagluluto," I chuckled after giving half joke about our cook.

Dad looked at Mom, worriedly. Napansin ko 'yon or baka naghahallucinate lang ako. Sumubo muna si Mommy bago magsalita. Dad found Mom's hand and held her hand. She then smiled at me.

"Umm, how was your trip, hija? We heard about something from you that I thought we need to celebrate. Right, hon?"

Dad smiled as he glances at me sweetly.

"Hija, we heard you closed a deal to a big client. We must throw a party for that, huh. I want to see you having a smile in your face."

I tried to maintain how happy I am. Pero mukhang hindi yata nakikisama sa gabing 'to.

"Are you okay?" tanong ni Mommy, with her sad eyes.

"Y-Yeah, Mom." I cleared my throat. "And about the deal, it is still ongoing pa naman. I do not want to rely just on their signatures. Maybe, after the exchange of accounts? I would love to!"

"Little Felicity they say."

I looked at her in confusion. Little Felicity, what?

"But yeah. Then, settled! You know, Mommy loves party in the house. Just tell me about the details. Is that okay?" masayang sambit niya matapos akong halikan sa gilid ng ulo ko. Tumango naman ako at ngumiti sa kanya.

Nakailang subo pa lang ako ng seafood sa binigay sa akin ni Mommy. Nawalan na yata ako ng gana na kumain. Hindi ko mapigilang mag-isip ng mga nangyayari matapos marinig ang balita. Because why am I not getting an update from my parents? Or they just don't want to butting in a bad news things in behalf of my recent achievement?

I let my finger slide the mouth of the drinking glass. Thinking about something I wanted to figure out myself. I want something more. That this juice right in front of me has nothing to do against the thing on my throat. Ngunit, kalaunan ay ininom ko na rin ang juice na hindi ko pa nangangalahati. Someone is shouting in the living room, loudly.

They knew it already.

"Welcome home, sister!" they shouted in chorus.

I almost forgot about theme earlier. I really thought that they are in vacation or just in another nightouts. Tumayo agad ako para yakapin at halikan sila sa pisngi isa-isa. Kaya lang ako nagising nang bigla akong hampasin ni Ate Drea sa kaliwang braso. Masakit 'yon ah.

"How are you, my lovely sister? Miss ko na mga malalakas mong tawa rito sa bahay." Ate Drea hugged me again before she and Amanda sat down in the other side, facing us with Mom beside me..

"Ouch."

"Are you getting a love of your life na ba? 'Pag magtatanan ka isama mo naman kami ni Ate." si Amanda.

"Kailan ba 'yan magkakalovelife ha?" Ate said while picking up some finger foods on the table.

"Not getting one, Ate." I said.

"See?" Amanda just rolled her eyes to Ate Drea.

Umiiling sa harap si Ate Drea. Kumuha na rin s'ya ng pagkain na nakahanda nang biglang tumayo na si daddy sa upuan n'ya habang nagpupunas sa kanyang bibig. Natigilan kami ng lahat at napalingon sa kanya.

"Where you going, daddy?"

"I am done, girls. Kausapin n'yo yan si Lili at mukhang kanina pa wala sa mood," then looking at my sisters in a meaningful look. "Looks like your sister needs a little perk of blind dating again." Dad slightly laughed.

Huh?

Napailig na lang ako. Here we go again. I have totally feel the most annoying emotion I can gave today. Ubos na ubos na ako sa inis.

"Daddy.." banta ko kay daddy dahil sa sinabi niya.

Why is everyone hungry for me in getting into a relationship? Kaya pati ako naguguluhan na rin eh. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin. Ramdam na ramdam ko na inaabangan ng lahat na mangyari 'yon. Nang makita silang excited kung sakali man ay baka magpagrand party ang mga magulang ko. Parang lahat sila gano'n ang walang ineexpect sa akin for the remaining half of the year. Or probably around December. What am I thinking? ---Oh!

Then Ate Drea looks at me confused. "Oh, why?"

"Yes, Drea." Bahagyang tumawa si mommy. Tumayo na rin s'ya ilang segundo bago nakaalis si daddy.

"I think she needs it. Your dad is probably right."

"Mom..." almost pleading to her.

I heavily sighed. Mom laughed and smiled before leaving us three. Ate Drea and Amanda looked at each other, then looked at me meaningfully. Looks like they agree something. Or probably planting a plan for me again.

I just nodded and took a sip on my juice. Letting them win in a silly argument. I wanna out of this table.

Now.