CHAPTER 2

I was cut off from my trance as Public's make you mine resonated in the room. I reached my phone and a smile etched in my face.

"How are you dear?"

Warm flooded my heart just by hearing her soft voice. I suddenly have the urge to go home because I badly missed her.

"I'm fine, mom. Just quite busy with work. You know how it goes"

" Were you so busy that you can't even visit your old woman, Inspector Lorenzo Nikholai Boromeo? "

I tried to stifle a chuckle as I heard my full name.... Or the name they used to call me that day I arrived in their home- filthy, smelly and rugged.

"Okay mom, I'll visit you soon. I love you and say hi to ... Papa for me".

Satisfied with my answer, mother, or Mrs. Charity Boromeo, finally hung up. Mrs. Boromeo is such a kind and loving woman that she welcomed someone like me, a total stanger and a astray kid at that, in her home with her arms wide opened. But, of all people, the person whom I owe my life with is her husband, Mr. Lorenzo Nikolaus Boromeo. The man who took me in, clothed me and took me away from the life where I truly belong. Nonetheless, I'm thankful for the both of them; without them, I am nothing but a husk of a man- worthless and soulless.

I strip off my uniform and put on my jogging clothes. I just came from my work in the police station and I need to let off some steam. The cold six o'clock wind is gently caressing my skin. The plaza is full of people enjoying the cold breeze of the air. After a couple of rounds, I decided to sit in the nearby bench. The night's calm and peaceful, a perfect place to find solace. I look up in the sky only to bewitch me by its mysterious beauty. The blank canvass is illuminated by the tiny sparks of dots scattered beautifully. The moon is in its full blow, making the night more surreal with its beauty. The serene night was interrupted by a shrilling sound in a distance. In a second, I went where the sound come from and it lead me to a deserted, dim lot illuminated only by a faint light. Two silhouettes were on the ground, a man and a woman perhaps as I saw a pointed shoe nearby. Even before I could leave, thinking it was just a false alarm, the man with a bulky figure raised his hand and a faint glint formed as the light hit the metal. In a heartbeat, I jumped over the man and snatch the knife. Startled by my presence, he stumbled over that give me the chance to corner him.

"Put your hands above your head. Now!"

I said forcefully as I can see hesistation from the man's face. I immediately phoned our station to get the man which they responded right away. After a couple of interrogation, I look around to find the victim. She's now sitted in the far corner of the lot while some police officers are hovering over her. The corner's dark yet I can clearly outline the shaking of her body from the assault.

"I can take it from here officers. You can now go. "

They immediately left, leaving me alone with the lone woman. Taking off my hoody, I hand it to her only to keep my hand hanging as she lowered her head and distance herself. Biting my lower lip, I crouched and slowly put the jacket around her.

"Ge.. get.. a.. way from me.."

I heave a deep sigh to fight the disturbing anger surge throughout my system as I heard the woman.

" I won't do anything to you more so, touch you. I just want to lend you my jacket, the night's getting chiller. So, if you please put the jacket on."

Without saying anything, she obliged.

" I know, this is hard for you but we need your statement now. The man is in the police station as of the moment; to legally file a case against him you need to go to the police station for your statement. "

Clutching the hem of the jacket tightly, she stand up or tried as her knees buckle that put her off balance. My reflexes responded quickly and she landed right to my arms. Her heart shape face now sunken with tears made my heart clench tightly. Straight, eye to eye, I raised my hand to tuck some strands of her hair for me to clearly see her face. From horror, her expression changes to panic and finally to recognition. Her eyes went wide while mine turn to slits. She tried to free herself from me yet I didn't let go. I can't let go of her now that I finally realized who she was. My heart beat erratically as I held her close; closer until I could feel all of her. I buried my face on her neck and inhaled her divine smell. She's still the spoiled brat socialite girl I knew- her perfume, shampoo. But as I heard her heavy sobs and the shaking of her body, I know, something has changed from this night on.

"Hey? We can just do this tomorrow, if you want. You need to rest, okay? "

Bluish eyes look into mine. She shake her head, defying what I wanted for her to do right now. I roamed my eyes into her physique. Until I stopped on her skirt that is now worn out and her flawless legs now scraped. I balled my hands and close my eyes. All I can see is red and I badly want to leash this anger of mine to the right person. I lean my forehead into hers and took a deep breaths repeatedly. After a moment, I look in to the most beautiful eyes that I ever laid on. Gone was the arrogant and fiery gleam of her eyes but rather replace by fear, tiredness and wary. Gone was the fierce girl I met ten years ago.

I tried to pull my hands together but every time I tried, the sharp edge of the handcuffs would cut into my flesh, making my attempts futile. As soon as the police got me, they immediately put me aboard the police car.

"Sir, I didn't do anything. I just followed the thief to help the woman get her things. I didn't steal anything!"

My pleas fall into the deaf ears as we strode off to somewhere.

" Save your words boy. Better explain in the precinct. "

I bit my lower lip as tears flowed endlessly. I remembered Sam, Kevin and Gabo who are all waiting for me. I look up the windshield and noticed the moon shine so brightly. Its brightness made me want to hope that my future shines as bright as the moon tonight, overriding the darkness that surrounds it. But I guess, it's the opposite for me. My hope vanished as the car halt in front of the police station. I was ushered inside for the interrogation. I clasped the picture of the stranger like I'm drawing some strength from it. Questions after questions were thrown at me which I answer truthfully.

"I didn't steal anything nor participated in the incident inspector. I went there to help, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to catch the thief".

" You're innocent until proven guilty. We still need to detain you, young man, to further investigate and wait for the victim's statement".

I was detained overnight with the crime I didn't commit. For an eighteen year old boy with no parents at all, a rascal who robs people to survive, I didn't mind getting imprisoned at all. I'll rot in jail anyway, sooner rather than later. For three days, I was detained and all of my thoughts were on the boys who are waiting for me. I just hope they're okay without me for I know, the family won't get me off the hook easily.

"Boy, you have a visitor."

Confusion got me with what the police officer announced. I was immediately ushered in the visiting are without my consent. Who would visit me anyway? I'm an orphan. Both of my parents died in a car accident when a drunk driver hit my parents while selling some homemade suman in the street. My questions were answered when a hand made in contact with cheek. My cheek throb from the unexpected slap. My jaw clenched and I'm about to lash out my anger when my jaw drop. I inhaled sharply as her bluish eyes is digging into my soul. Indifference and hostility is much shown in her angelic face. With her tears brimming in her eyes, my anger turned into pity and shock. She must be...

"This is all your fault! You scumbag! If it weren't for you my mother wouldn't be in the hospital now! I hate you! Daddy will make sure you'll rot in jail."

In a blink she's gone and just like that, I fall in the deepest pits I don't even think I'll be save.

Wind blew coldy as we exit the station. She finally filed a blotter, which made me feel at ease. I look into her tired form and all I wanna do is lock her in my arms. I drew the jacket close in her body as I saw her shaking.

"Let's get you home. "

I took my car keys when she put her hand into mine. It was cold and small. I look at her confused.

"I. I.. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all the things that I said; for all the accusations for everything that I did in the past. I wronged you just because I blame you for what happened in my mother back then. Yet, despite everything, you're still here, with me. I don't know how to pay you with your kindness, I just-"

Insticts ruled than rationality. Silence ensued when my lips touched hers. The deafening sound of my heart beat is all I could hear. Her mouth went agape with my bold move; taking the opportunity of once in a blue moon. After a moment, I released her and draw her close to my body.

"I... I just... Want you here, with me Aria. My life's been tough and even if I'll go back in time, I would always do the same. I will always come back to you."

Under the starry night, I finally found the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle- love and peace, something humanity offers everyday yet people's just too blind to see.

"I loved you Lualhati Makaria Sandoval. Was, still am and will always be."