"You... was it you who really killed Kyle Lumasan? Did you really do it? A college student like you, did you really kill one of your schoolmates?" nanginginig na tanong ni Ella.
Hawak-hawak ni Ella ang kaniyang hininga habang iniintay ang sagot ni Marion. The aloof guy was just staring at her and Peter. Seconds passed and Marion heavily sighed, knowing that the two strangers were really curious and interested about the whole ordeal. Mukhang hindi sila titigil nang hindi nasasagot ang kanilang katanungan, lalo na ang babae.
With his hands still in his pockets, Marion answered. "What if I did? What if I really killed that guy? So what?"
It was the guy who pushed Marion who reacted instantly to what Marion said. He charged forward with his right fist closed and quickly closed the gap between him and Marion. However, Peter was faster in taking action. He stopped the guy's attack by forcefully confining him in his place. Nagpumiglas pa ang lalaki ng
"I'm sorry, Ella. But no."Everyone watched the scene unveiled slowly in front of them. It was a scene where Sean Lawrence ran towards the unbothered Marion who was even casually picking his nose. Right before Sean was able to land his big punch on Marion's face, everything stopped. It felt awfully familiar like it was a scene she already once encountered in her life. She was right, though. Because right there and then, Eric cooly appeared once again in the scene. And just like before where she was a hostage of the burglars in the Sweeties Cafe, the time has seemed to stop in front of her, and she was the only one among the normal people inside who can move and talk like it was a normal thing in a frozen time."Miss Ella, you seem to be interested in being involved with life-threatening situations, huh?" pagtatanong ni Eric kay Ella. He has still the same looks and he was still wearing the same clothes he had always worn."Eric?! Y-you're here!
"Yes. Before Sean Lawrence could even land a cm of his fist on Marion's face, the latter was quick enough to pull his gun swiftly and shoot his head. You were right about the second part, though. Marion was a lunatic and he did what he was supposed to do as a crazy human being who was possessed. He killed all of you in seconds. He will shoot his two other friends that were alive first, and then your friend, Peter, and then, he will shoot you. No mercy was given. No second thoughts happened in the whole situation."Doon na lubos nanghina si Ella. Muntikan pa siyang mapaupo sa sahig ngunit nasalo siya ni Eric sa tamang oras."Ayos ka lang?" tanong ng lalaki rito. Nag-aalala niyang itinayo si Ella at marahan na hinawakan ang kaniyang mga braso upang gabayan ito sakaling hindi kayanin ng kaniyang mga paa ang pagtayo nang maayos.Ella was breathing heavily, almost panicking at what she heard. Parang mas malala pa ang pagpalpitate ng kaniyang puso ng
"Anyway, Ella, let's talk about what will happen after I continue again the flow of time. More than enough time has passed. I also need to do my duty as a grim reaper." Sinang-ayunan naman ito ni Ella at nakinig sa kaniya matapos. "To prevent the misfortunes and tragic deaths that will occur, I cut in the flow of time. Now, the main concern here is the avoidance of your death. In order to do that, the death of Sean Lawrence will be ceased. What will happen to Marion will be the same as what happened to the burglars before when you were locked in the cafe as a hostage. In that way, you won't be incapacitated. With regards to the guy who was already shot before I interrupted, he won't be saved. Sobrang limited na lang ng kaniyang oras at wala naman ako sa posisyon na pagalingin ang isang malapit nang mamatay na kaluluwa. Maililigtas niyo pa siya kung aabot kayo, ngunit hindi ko masisiguro ang kaniyang kaligtasan," mahabang paliwanag ni Eric kay Ella na siya
Natapos ni Ella ang kaniyang kuwento nang punong-puno ng luha ang kaniyang mukha. She was hurt. Deeply hurt that she wasn't capable enough to help someone, let alone Kyle whom she knew might have had bad experiences in his life already. She was disappointed in herself for forgetting the moments she had with him. But she was even more disappointed in herself that she didn't follow up anything in his life. Maybe, if she asked more if she talked more, maybe she could have learned more about him. Maybe, something would have changed and maybe, he could have been saved.Ella felt a hand touch her left shoulder for a second. It was Sean Lawrence with tears also running down on his face. He was pursing his lips as though he was trying to prevent sobs from coming out of his mouth. Both of them were crying by themselves but they both have the same intentions and realizations. The "what ifs" could have been true if only they did more of what they were supposed to do as people who
"Bukod doon, his family is here. Santaana pala ang pamilya nito. Galit na galit ang kaniyang mga magulang pati na rin ang kaniyang lola at lola. Sinisisi tayong mga nakasama ni Marion kung bakit daw namatay ang kanilang unico hijo. Tumakbo ako rito upang ibalita na kakausapin daw tayong lahat ng kanilang angkan mamaya at tayo pa ang iimbestigahan gayong ipinabatid ko na sa kanila na wala tayong kinalaman sa biglaang pagkamatay ni Marion."It was Sean Lawrence who stood up and reacted first. "Ano po?! Papaimbestigahan pa tayo?! Ni wala ngang kahit na anong sugat siyang natamo! Siya pa nga itong nanakit eh! Ung kaibigan ko, pinatay niya at ung isang kaibigan niya ay ngayon namang nag-aagaw buhay. Tapos sasabihin pa ng pamilya niya na tayo pa ang papa-imbestigahan at papalabasin na may sala?! What a load of bullcrap!"Nabahala si Ella sa kinikilos ni Sean Lawrence. Panay ang pagbilis ng paghinga nito at talagang nanlilisik ang kaniyang mga mata. He was really
"Pasensya na, Sean. Forgive my rudeness. My name is Raphaella Morales, you can also call me Ms. Ella. I used to be a teacher in Sentiniente High. I just recently resigned and now I am currently unemployed," maikling paliwanag ni Ella.A little background about Ella's tendency to forget things. Makakalimutin si Ella hindi lang sa mga bagay na kaniyang ginagamit sa pang-araw araw o kaya ay sa kaniyang mga nakaatas na gawain ngunit pati na rin kahit na sa simpleng pagpapakilala ng kaniyang sarili. Ever since she was a kid, this has already become a habit of hers. Napapatanong na lang ang kaniyang mga magulang kung bakit napakamakakalimutin ni Ella. Napakahirap pa noong bata siya at isang child actress. Halos kung saan-saan na lang nila hagilapin ang kaniyang mga nawala at naiwang gamit. When she was 5 years old, she would forget to wear slippers wherever she went. Her birthdays came and she turned 10 years old where she kept on forgetting her personal items. At 15 up until
Sean Lawrence gulped at what Ella asked her. He promised Kyle that he wouldn't tell anyone about his situation and he was afraid of what Mrs. Lumasan might accuse him of being a useless friend to her son, but he was determined to bring justice to Kyle. Even if he receives a 360 degree upend in life."Yes, Ms. Ella. I'll meet with you tomorrow."It was only then that human noises were heard outside of the room they were currently staying in. Loud voices boomed within the periphery of the area. Hurried footsteps were heard as well and it seemed to arrive at their room as the destination. It was only a matter of time before people barged inside the room. There were five of them who were leading the pack and the rest were men who were dressed in black suits as they were assigned to be the bodyguards of the Santaana Family. There was a doctor, an investigation officer, and three of Marion's family members who were wearing glamorous and extravagant clothes and ac
Sean Lawrence gritted through his teeth but couldn't do anything much. He knew for sure that what Marion's father said was true. The same goes for Peter. Kahit gaano pa kataas ang kaniyang posiyon, kung hawak-hawak naman ng pamilya Santaana ang kaniyang institusyon na pinagtatrabuhan ay wala ring ganap. Unless he contacted his family.If he contacted them, the situation will turn around at their favor and the Santaana family can even be erased. Ngunit matagal na siyang umalis sa kaniyang pamilya. Now, he was conflicted what to choose. The angry noises made by Sean Lawrence and Peter died down. The private investigator smiled at the two who were still glaring at him. Wala naman siyang takot dahil alam niya na nasa likod niya ay isa sa mga makapangyarihang pamilya sa bansa. He was offered safety, security, and tons of money by Freya Santaana, the grandmother of Marion, just to make sure there will be someone appointed to be responsible for Marion's death