"WERE you seriously thinking of calling that number, Jasper? Paano kung patibong lang 'yan ng mga Quintos?" Mama pointed out as I stared at the number given by Lauren's cellmate.
"Tama si Tita, Jasper. I don't think it's wise to believe a stranger's words. Isa pa, I tried to look up to that Tasha Ortiz, and wala akong ibang information na nakuha maliban sa on-going niyang kaso ngayon," dagdag ni Colton.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin at saglit na nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa.
"Maybe you're right." I saw how my mother sighed in relief as soon as I said that.
"But if what if it's not? Paano kung ito nalang ang natitira nating pag-asa para malabas si Lauren doon?" dugtong ko.
"Jasper—" Naputol ang sasabihin ni Colton nang bumaling ako sa kanya at mariin siyang tinitigan.
He wasn't in a great position to advice not to do this risky task. Kung siya nga ay halos isugal ang buhay niya mahanap lang ang pumatay sa babaeng mahal niya. I won't think twice risking mine if that would mean that I get to take Lauren out of that hellhole.
"We'll know if this is really a trap after the call," I announced before I sighed heavily and called the number Tasha Ortiz gave me.
Tatlong beses ko iyon idinial bago may sumagot. Hindi muna ako nagsalita at nakiramdam lang din sa kabilang linya. But no ones talking, sinilip ko ang screen para siguraduhing connected pa ang tawag and nodded in understanding.
"I was told to call this number," umpisa ko.
"Who did?" Naningkit ang mga mata ko nang ma-realize na babae ang kausap ko.
"Tasha Ortiz," sagot ko.
Colton's forehead creased as we waited for any response from the other end. I was expecting to received a location where we can meet or something like that but the call suddenly got disconnected.
Nagkatinginan kaming tatlo dahil doon.
"What happened?" tanong ni Mama.
"She ended the call," sagot ko at akmang ibubulsa na ang cellphone ng tumunog iyon.
'Let's meet up.'
Kasunod noon ay ang address ng isang private restaurant. She wanted us to meet tonight.
"Atleast she asked to meet in a place filled with people."
"I'll come with you—"
"No, Ma. If this is really a trap set by the Quintos we needed someone to prove it afterwards," baling ko sa kanya. "And you're the only one who can do that," dagdag ko.
Mama was about to say something more but stopped herself nang makita ang pag-iling ko. Binalingan ko ang pinsan at hinawakan siya sa balikat.
"I'll secretly take two guards with me, so don't worry. I'll be fine. You look after the case and Mama for now." Colton sighed and nodded.
Mabilis ko lang na hinalikan sa noo si Mama bago tuluyang umalis ng bahay para pumunta sa location ng pagkikitaan namin ng babae.
"Any reservations, Sir?" bungad ng waitress pagkapasok ko sa private restaurant.
Sandali akong natigilan at hindi alam ang isasagot. The restaurant was really private. Wala kang makikitang mga taong nag-uusap o kumakain mula sa labas. Every client was assigned a room, kaya nga kilala rin ang restaurant na ito dahil sa top notch service nito sa mga kliyente.
"Tasha Ortiz," pagbabakasakali ko. The waitress smiled and nodded at me.
"This way, Sir," ani nito at ginabayan ako papasok sa restaurant papunta sa isang room.
"Someone's already waiting inside, Sir," dagdag nito bagi buksan ang pintuan.
I sighed internally, preparing myself of what is about to come.
Pagkapasok ko ay agad ring isinara ng waitress ang pintuan.
My eyes scanned the room and I saw a silhouette of a woman by the balcony. Tahimik akong naglakad palapit sa kanya.
"How did you know Tasha?" Natigilan ako sa paghakbang nang makarinig ng pamilyar na boses.
"Russianna?" nag-aalangan kong tawag.
Dahan-dahang umikot paharap sa akin ang babae, I saw how her eyes widened as she realized who I am.
"Attorney Lopez?" gulat niyang tawag bago naglakad papalapit sa akin. She even peeked behind me as if expecting to see someone else with me.
"Bakit ka nandito?" tanong niya.
"I should be asking you the same thing."
Sandali kaming nagsukatan ng tingin bago sabay na binigkas ang pangalan ng babaeng nagdugtong sa aming dalawa. I sighed and nodded as the situation started to doom on me.
"You were really working to take down your father?" tanong ko sa kanya sa kalmadong tono nang magkaharap na kaming dalawa sa lamesa.
She stared at me for a while as if contemplating how to answer me, her eyes were squinting a bit while her arms were crossed in front of her.
"How did you get in touch with Tasha?" iwas niya sa tanong ko.
Mariin ko siyang tinitigan bago inilabas ang cellphone at pinakita sa kanya ang mapa na iginuhit ni Tasha Ortiz doon. I saw how her lips parted a few minutes after checking out the map. Namimilog ang mga mata siyang nag-angat ng tingin mula sa cellphone ko.
"H-how . . . how did you get this?" tanong niya.
"Tasha Ortiz drew it herself." She stared at me as if waiting for me to say more. I sighed and finally gave in, tutal ay napatunayan naman na niya kahit papaano ang sarili sa mga nagdaan na hearing ni Lauren kung saan siya ang nagbibigay ng tip sa amin ng mga butas na mayroon sa mga Quintos.
"She's Lauren's cellmate,"
"I know. But . . . I never expected this from her. Ang tagal ko na siyang pinipilit na magsalita pero wala siyang sinasabi," hindi makapaniwalang sabi niya habang nakatingin pa rin sa mapa.
Umayos ako sa pagkaka-upo at bahagya pang yumukod palapit sa lamesa para ipakita kung gaano ako kaseryoso sa usaping ito. I would never risk Lauren's safety. If this Tasha Ortiz is someone dangerous . . . I'll need to work on something to take Lauren out of that cell as soon as possible.
"Who is this Tasha Ortiz?" nag-angat ng tingin ang senadora paharap sa akin bago ibinaba ang cellphone sa gitna naming dalawa.
"She's my father's former secretary . . . and my best friend."
"Raymond Quintos' secretary?" ulit ko. Senator Russianna Quintos nodded before heaving a deep sigh.
"Also . . ." I waited in anticipation for her to finish speaking.
"And also . . . my father's victim."
BINABASA MO ANG
Afflicted (TLS #3 - COMPLETED)
General Fiction3rd Installation of The Lawyer Series - (COMPLETED) Lauren Ignacio was once considered a national treasure in the field of the film industry. But after being involved in a crime she was framed for, she was sent to jail and was forgotten and hated b...
