Deanna
"Jessica, I love you. Never forget that. Take this. Wag na wag mo to aalisin sa katawan mo hanggang di pa kayo nakakarating sa pupuntahan ninyo."
I gave her a chest bag.
Lahat ng kakailanganin niya from the moment na umalis siya ay nasa loob. Some passbook ng joint accounts namin. Yung iba accounts ko lang na pag nawala ako ay maiinherit niya. A notebook of contacts ng mga taong puwedeng makatulong sa kanya sa ilang bansa na may bahay kami. A list of places na pagaari namin abroad. Dad gave a set of keys. Kasama rin ang ilang alahas ni Mommy, including my parent's wedding rings. And lastly, the necessary documents para makalabas o makabalik ng bansa si Jessica once na okay na ang lahat.
Hinubad ko rin ang wedding ring ko at nilagay yun sa palad niya.
"Deanna?? Ano to? Di ko to kailangan! Anong pinaplano mo?"
She was about to throw the black bag but I stopped her.
"Let's be realistic Jessica. Ilang araw lang makakatanggap na kami ng warrant. Whatever that case they will file against us, siguradong hindi yun bailable. Kunin mo na ang mga to. Ang importante ngayon, ikaw. Ang makaalis ka dito.
Lilitisin kami for only God knows how long. And we will be sentenced at malamang habangbuhay na kami sa prison. Hindi ko alam kung ano na ang susunod na mangyayari.
We might never see each other again."
She's crying in my chest.
Ako?
No.
I will shed no tear for this one. Not in front of her. I had to be firm for this.
I trust Dad.
He said it is for the best.
Sorry Jessica...
"Ganun na lang ba yun? Susuko na lang tayo? Wala kayong kasalanan! Mga biktima din kayo!
Di kayo masamang tao!
Ako! Kasabwat niyo na rin ako!
Kung makukulong ka sasama din ako!"
I feel so helpless.
But I did not let my wife see it on my face.
"Do you think I would allow that? Ito lang ang paraan Jessica. Believe me. This is the only way para matapos ang lahat. Kami lang ni Dad ang may pananagutan dito. You have to leave now. Manalig ka sa akin please."
I am now hearing the chopper.
Susunduin na nila si Jessica.
She cried even harder.
This feeling of uncertainty is making me weaker by the minute.
"YM aalis na po kami. Maam J, tara n po."
Si Winston.
Daddy wants to make sure my wife will arrive into her destination safely.
I don't know kung ilang araw pa ang hihintayin namin bago kami ituring na kriminal.
It can be tonight, tommorow, I don't know.
The purest of pain.
Pretending to be strong to let her go.
