Chaining Lockets

Kabanata 26

Kabanata 26

"I'm sure that Yuzon asshole would rot in jail now." Ani Tito Zeij habang nakataas ang paa sa may lamesa, sinusubuan ng barbeque si Tito Dash na nakikipagharutan kay Audette sa kanyang tabi.

"We're actually looking for any case we could file against him beside Reclusion perpetua for your case kasi may tyansang makalabas iyon, like they said, the prick is even pretending like a model prisoner and the General's on his side." Dad said while sitting beside me, sipping on his juice.

"Akala ko ba he's using drugs?" ani Tita Zid na kararating lang, mabilis na naupo sa tabi ni Tito Dash para pagkitain si Queen na buhat niya kay Dette na kaagad nagyakapan doon.

"He is," Tito Zeij answered. "Hindi lang namin mapatunayan noon atsaka no'ng kaso ni Crest dati malinis siya kaya hindi namin napilit ni Kuya Raf."

"However, you've seen his face in our last trial, right?" Dad asked kaya napatango kami. "Just by merely looking at that face, I know he's taking that again, I saw him sometimes when I go to jail and check on cases and he's just looking at me with a smug look on his face. That asshole doesn't even have the guilt, he kept on mocking me that I almost punch him on the jail."

"Kung wala ang Mommy mo, malamang nagwala na 'yan sa presinto." Tito Dash pointed out, pinalo ang kamay ni Tito Zeij na inuubos na ang barbeque na kanina'y sinusubo sa kanya. "Hoy, napakatakaw mo, akin 'yan, ah?"

"But when you came here and told me what you remembered about Ver, parang nabuhayan ako." Dad has that smile on his face while saying that, "hanggang nitong nakaraan ay naiisip ko pa rin ang kaso, I was actually thinking of reopening the case just so I could try and prove that asshole has something to do with Veronica's death pero kulang ako sa witness and you came."

It made me smile too, hinalo ko gamit ang straw ang lemon juice ko,

"It was a sudden urge, Dad. Alam niyo po ba, napansin ko na noon na pamilyar sa akin ang damit niya pero hindi ko napagtuunan. I really thought she has nothing to do with me or nag-iimagine lang ako kasi hindi ko talaga siya maalala noong umpisa."

"I was shocked when she asked me if hypnosis is possible." Tito Thorn said, "and I said yes tapos ayon, naalala na niya 'yong nakaraan. It's possible too that she forgot about her because of the trauma she experienced since the first time she hoped is also the end of it, I am just glad you somehow remembered her and helped the case."

"How amazing the coincidence is, right?" Tita Zid smiled gently. "No matter how chaotic the world is, miracles came. Who would have thought Veronica would try and give justice to Crest but failed but years later, it was Crest who gave her justice too but this time, it's a success?"

"Fate has really ways to balance things, I guess." Tita Reah went back on our large table with my Mom and Tita Alyx, may dalang mga pagkain at refill sa juice namin. "May kapalit lahat, kapag naging mabuti ka'y, masusuklian ka sa tamang panahon. You may get away with your bad deeds at first but karma would come, sisingilin ka rin, doble pa."

"Yes naman!" Tito Zeij clapped his hand.

"That's my babe, Professor Kaia, everyone..." Tito Dash said kaya nagtawanan kami, lalo na nang mamula si Tita Reah at naiiling na nakisali, inabot na si Dette na nakikipaglaro kay Queen.

"He deserves to rot in jail tho," ngiwi ni Tita Alyx na tinulak si Tito Zeij kasi nang-aasar na naman. "We're afraid after years when he got out, he might victimize someone again pero nadagdagan ang kaso niya ng mga taon pa dahil sa ginawa niya kay Veronica."

"Aside from my daughter, he's sentenced for life imprisonment, right? For Veronica's?" Mom asked after refilling our glasses at hinila siya ni Dad para paupuin sa hita nito.