Mountains To Cross

Chapter 13

WARNING: This chapter contains depiction of violence, verbal and non-verbal. It contains death threats and blackmailing. Read at your own risk.

Chapter 13

"Manang?" Riley called in the morning after the fiasco at home and in the hospital. Labis ang pag-aalala dahil si Red lang ang nanatili sa tabi nilang dalawa ni Tala. Risela did not text him and he won't be relieved until he knows that Risela is at home, "Pakibigay nga po ng telepono kay Risel. May ibibilin lang ako."

A pre-mature baby came to the world last night. Inilagay si incubator si Bless at hindi sila pinayagan na mabuhat manlang. It's a protocol because she's pre-mature and very sensitive. Ang tanging gagawin nila ngayon ay maghintay sa development ng baby.

"Ho?" Manang asked, "Wala ho ba diyan sa ospital?"

Riley's heart thumped. Tumingin siya na natutulog na asawa at anak bago tumayo sa kinauupuan at lumabas sa kwarto. He walked towards the fire exit, hands sweating.

"Manang, hindi ba umuwi si Risela?" He asked.

"Sir, hindi ho umuwi. Hindi ko sinabi dahil ang akala ko, diyan rin siya matutulong. Wala rin pong kotse na umuwi kagabi. Kahit si Kuya Sergio." Sagot niya.

"S-Salamat." Riley answered. Ibinaba niya ang tawag at nag-dial ng mga bagong numero.

Tain. He's the first person that came to mind. She must be with Tain, right?

Right?

Riley dialed Havriel's number, pabalik balik ang lakad dahil hindi mapakali. Jungwon immediately answered, "Hav..."

"Riley. Tangina... I'm sorry." Havriel said, "I will never justify what Tain did. Tangina talaga-"

"Is Tain at home?" He asked.

"Nasa kwarto niya." Havriel said, "Don't worry. I won't let him go and talk to Risela. Pasensya na. Alam ko na hindi-"

"Risel isn't there?" Mabilis na ang paghinga ni Riley, "Havriel..."

"No... Tain came home last night alone..." Sagot ng kaibigan, "I talked to him last night in his room kaya alam ko na wala siyang kasama sa kwarto..."

Cold sweat started dripping down Riley's face. He started dialing other friends. He started dialing the number of her friends. Hanggang sa hindi na niya alam kung saan hahanapin si Risela. Hanggang sa naubusan na siya ng mga taong pwedeng tawagan.

He said something he shouldn't have, last night. Napangunahan siya ng galit. Hindi naman siguro galit si Risel at umalis dahil doon, hindi ba? Hindi ba? He's trying to convince himself because he knows that Risela will never do something like this. She won't leave in her own accord. Most especially, she will never not go home.

"Dito ka lang, Red." He said. Kakagising lang ni Red at nakakunot ang noo, "I just... need to go."

"Tangi..." Tala called, "Where are you going?"

What will he say to his wife who almost lost a child? That her eldest daughter is missing and he doesn't know what to do right now? What is the right decision? To tell the truth? Or to consider Taline's condition and lie?

Riley made up his mind, "May emergency lang sa office. I will be back soon." He kissed her goodbye before rushing outside the hospital.

And outside, his phone rang before he could even get a cab. An unknown number calling him. Sinagot ni Riley ang tawag.