Ashes in the Dusk [CBS#4]

Chapter 39

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Empty coffee cups and crumpled tissues littered the table on the deck. On my phone were the news articles, their headlines proclaiming Sagorio's downfall. In the other video, the family of the victims visited the devil's grave and cursed him repeatedly as if it was possible to murder him for the second time around. My body shook with barely suppressed sobs. Tears streamed down my face. I clutched my phone to my chest, as if they were a lifeline. My breathing was ragged, shallow, but gradually deepened as the initial shock subsided. A small, almost imperceptible smile formed on my lips.

It's… it's actually over. He’s gone. Really gone. I can breathe again. After all these years… the fear… the nightmares…  They’re… they’re fading. I can feel it. The weight… it’s lifting. Oh God, the weight is lifting.

Parang kaya ko nang tahakin ang hinaharap na walang inaalala sa aking nakaraan. Ilang taon akong nagtago sa isla para hindi niya ako mahanap. Although he died at that time, I wasn't really this free. Dahil nga nakilala siya ng mga tao bilang responsable at mapapagkatiwalaang guro. After watching the news and the victims who share the same nightmare as mine, I wanted to spit on his face. He was a psycho. Ang dami niyang naging biktimang mga minors. That's why he really didn't deserve any recognition and honor. Ang kapal niyang mamatay na malinis pa rin sa mata ng iba ang pagkatao niya.

Muli kong naalala ang sinabi ni Mrs. Espiña. Rahma did all of these. Hindi lang ako ang nakaramdam ng relief na ito, for sure, the other victims felt this, too. They must have thanked him after seeing the news today.

I need to see him. I need to thank him.  To tell him how grateful I am.

Kaya naman minabuti kong ayusin ang sarili. I only wore jeans, shirts, and boots. Upon, grabbing my bag and car keys, I immediately told Hwallie I'd be gone for awhile and I might come late in the evening.

I drove my Chevrolet to Casa de Sellozzo, evening was nearing. Medyo madilim na ang paligid. Nasa gate pa lang ako, labis-labis na ang kaba ko. One man opened the gate widely when he saw my car approaching. Kilala na ang kotse ko rito dahil nga ilang buwan ding tumira rito sina Dana at madalas ko siyang bisitahin. I rolled down my window and the man flashed a wide smile.

"Gandang gabi, Ms. Syntia! Tagal niyo pong hindi nakabisita?"

I smiled back. "Gandang gabi, kaya nga po. Naging abala lang nitong nakaraan. Sa Rahma po, nandito ba?"

"Nasa loob po, Ma'am. Sakto, kakarating lang ni Señorito."

Damn. Wala yatang mapaglagyan ng puso ko ngayon. I parked my car on the spot the man guided me. Inayos ko pa saglit ang aking buhok at bumaba na.

When I entered the huge house, I was immediately greeted by their maids.

"Si Rahma po?"

"Nasa taas po si Señorito. Nasa patio ata."

I nodded and walked upstairs. My heart pounded a frantic rhythm against my ribs. I was convincing myself that this excitement was only because of relief and gratitude... Nothing more. Pagpapasalamat lang naman ang ipinunta ko rito, di ba?

Binabaybay ko ang hallway nang bigla kong nakasalubong si Rahma! He was only wearing a sweat pants, he was freaking topless. Parang gusto ko na lang mahimatay. Humahalimuyak ang kanyang bango, mukhang natapos na siyang magshower. Some wet, lock of hair fell on his forehead. His bare chest, sculpted by years of hard work, was a stark contrast to the darkness that clouded his eyes.

Kaunting ilaw lang ang pumapasok dito sa hallway kaya naman malaking parte sa kanya ang halos itim dahil sa anino. Despite that, though, I could still clearly see his alluring, dark beauty. Bahagya siyang natigilan nang nakita ako. He wasn't expecting my presence. His jaw was clenched, his lips a thin, tight line. His gaze was intense, yet there was a vulnerability in his expression.