ch. 36 - the knowing

CHAPTER 36
THE KNOWING


Narrator: As for us two, we made it to the Cerritos Town Center as I parked on one of the sections in the parking lot with a few vehicles. I picked the spot with no cars in between. Koji and I hopped off the Kia, closed the doors, and headed toward the location of the crime scene where Erich was kidnapped. =(

We could see the familiar body forms of Maja and Sarah as they were standing beside each other. Maja’s long brown hair was quite more noticeable than Sarah’s long black hair – I’m used to seeing it in ponytail style, but generally speaking, long and straight down hairstyles make any hottie look more beautiful knowing the sexy ways of playing with their hair, especially if it means pushing it back. =)

Aside from the two girls, we also saw Erich’s friends standing together a foot away from Maja and Sarah. Denise, as I noticed standing in front of her other three friends, was first to turn her head at us. Then Nina, Brenda, Jamilla, Maja, and Sarah.

As soon as we approached them…

Denise: Jay!! (as she hugged me) Buti na lang nan dito kana. (seeing Koji as she waves at him) Hi.

Koji: Hiya.

Sarah: Jay! (as she and Maja approach us)

Jay: Paano nangyari ‘to? (frowning)

Nina: Bigla ng dating kami dito sa pag tapos yun nangyari. Ng kita namin yun isang lalaki dito, at may dugo siya sa binti niya. Sabi dawn g tinamaan sa baril.

Jay: Eh… sino naman yun lalaki?

Denise: Ibigan raw ni Erich.

Jay: Kaibigan?

Brenda: Oo, bakit?

Jay: Uh… wala lang.

Maja: Darating na yun ambulance nung nan dito kami. Ng dala na siya sa hospital.

Jay: Ah ganun?

Brenda: Tapos dalawang beces na tinawagan ko si Erich, pero di niya sagot eh. When I called her the second time, ng sagot yun isang salvahe. Wala ng sagot yun iba kundi yun maraming “Hello.” Tapos hinangup siya. Na kasora eh…

Narrator: I couldn’t help but to frown. But then I had an idea, though unsure if it would do any good to take the risk.

Jay: Teka… tatawagin ko sa cell niya ulit.

Jamilla: Ha? Ano kaba? Ng hawakan nga yun cell phone niya eh!

Jay: Well, basta. Hindi ako tatakot sa mga salvahe nayan. Kakayain ko ‘to. (as I reach out for my cell phone)

Denise: Jay, wag!

Narrator: Ignoring Denise, I took out my cell phone, dialing Erich’s number. Everyone including Koji watched me as I set the phone to my ear. The ringing sounded.

After six rings, the following message sounded in a man’s voice:

“The number you dialed is no longer in service. For information on…”

I angrily hung up, reluctant to hear the rest of it.

Nina: Ano nangyari?

Jay: (shaking my head, turning directly to her) Either na sira yun phone niya o ng off lang.

Brenda: Oh God I can’t believe this! (puts hands over her head)

Narrator: Denise held on to me, depressed. I noticed the tears falling from her eyes.