RADIO NEWS: It was past ten in the morning when the body of a young girl was found in a local eatery. Passersby initially thought she had simply fallen asleep due to intoxication. But when one of the establishment's waiters approached her, it was discovered that she was already lifeless.
Monday, 6:40 A.M.
Ara's P.O.V.
It's Monday and I woke up late. When I opened my eyes, I realized I was still in my school uniform when I fell asleep last night. I can't quite remember the details of what happened. I bolted upright and quickly searched for my red doll shoes—the ones Nana, my mother, gave me as a gift.
Goodness! I don't want to be late today because I might get another lecture from my best friend's thick-lipped mother, who also happens to be our teacher, Mrs. Ocampo.
Anyway, I need to focus on finding my red shoes. Oh! I forgot to mention, last Saturday was my birthday. No! I mean, it was last Friday. Therefore, it's been three days since I received those red shoes from Nana. Well, the gifts I receive from her are always red.
Sigh! I still can't find them, so I quit. I'll just look for them next time; I might get even later knowing I don't even have any idea what time it is already. Maybe I'll just wear different shoes for now.
I hurried out of my room and went downstairs, though I tried to be quiet. I planned to head straight to school since I was already in uniform. I didn't smell anything strange on myself and my clothes still looked clean, so it's fine to go straight without bathing or changing. It's not obvious that I didn't shower or that I slept in this uniform.
I packed my things, checked my wallet, and I'm ready to go. But before I could reach the door, a sticky note on our refrigerator caught my eye. 'ARA, you're grounded!'
Upon reading the note, I could do nothing but close my eyes while continuing to walk softly. I forgot to mention, again, that I hadn't come home for three days since I left last Friday, which happened to be my birthday. But I was with Uncle Roli, Nana's brother, so I wasn't too worried.
Moments before I finally stepped out, I caught sight of Nana quietly washing the dishes. I cleared my throat to announce my presence while slowly adjusting the bag slung over my shoulder. She momentarily stopped what she was doing and bowed her head slightly. I took a small step closer to where she stood. Even with her back turned to me, I could feel her anger.
"N-Nana..." I said tremulously. "I-I'm sorry." I kept my head down as I spoke.
She didn't utter a word; not even a huff. I received no reaction or response from her. She returned to what she was doing, and only the clatter of plates filled the silence. I know Nana; when she's mad at me, she ignores me. If she has something to say, she just writes it on a piece of paper and sticks it to the fridge for me to read. And as what I've read—I'm grounded.
"I-I'm leaving for school, Nana," I said with full respect. I slung my bag back on and stepped out of the house. I didn't have to walk far because the jeepney stop for my school was right in front. Shit! Until now, I still have no idea what time it is.
I chose a jeepney with only a few passengers. Once inside, I took a seat near the exit. Before I could even settle in, I immediately noticed a strange smell. It stank! That's when I noticed all the passengers were covering their noses. When I looked toward the front, I saw a passenger carrying a winnowing basket full of what looked like spoiled fish. No wonder the stench was so pungent.
There were only a few passengers in the jeep. The movement was a bit slow because we were near the market area. People were crowded and everyone seemed to be in a rush, causing a chaotic flow of vehicles. During the ride, Nana wouldn't leave my mind. I knew she was upset. I admit that it was all my fault. After my birthday celebration at home, I left that night, and if I'm not mistaken, I only got back early this morning.
After a few minutes of thinking about Nana, I shifted my attention to other things. I decided to observe the other passengers.
At the front of the jeep, near the driver, was a woman who looked to be in her mid-thirties. She was chubby and wearing a simple house dress. Across from her sat a man and a woman. The woman was leaning against the man and seemed to be fast asleep, though I could only partially see her face. Sweet!
I looked again at the man the sleeping woman was leaning on. He was a large man, probably in his 30s, wearing a white hat with his very curly hair seemingly racing to peek out from under his cap. He wore only a black tank top and rugged denim pants. Even if I couldn't see his face clearly, I was sure he was handsome.
But the woman leaning on him captured more of my attention. She was hunched over, her face buried against his chest. I couldn't see her face well because she was draped with a large towel covering her head. Since the back of her head wasn't covered by the towel, I could see her long hair, which was about the same length as mine.
I scrutinized the woman who seemed so tired she didn't even move. The man had his arm around her, almost embracing her. She was wearing skinny jeans topped with a black jacket. But what was puzzling was that she wasn't wearing anything on her feet. Her feet were filthy, and her nails were yellowing and turning black.
The man accidentally turned toward my direction but didn't look at me. Oh my God! I couldn't be mistaken—he's Uncle Roli, Nana's brother.
My heart suddenly began to pound. I couldn't help but lift my bag to hide my face. Is this real? Who is that woman with Uncle Roli? Does he have a girlfriend?
I suddenly felt a tightness in my chest. I couldn't explain the feeling. It was as if I had been doused with freezing ice water. I couldn't accept what my two eyes were witnessing.
Yes, something is going on between me and Uncle Roli. They might say it's wrong or accuse me of being crazy, but no one can stop what I feel for him. I can't help it. And I think it's not just a crush because I'm sure I already have feelings for him. On the other hand, he isn't Nana's biological brother because, as far as I know, Uncle Roli was just adopted.
Uncle Roli was also the reason why, even though it was late, I left my own birthday party just to meet him. He said he had a gift for me. But it wasn't an object; it was a very happy event in my life.
He took me to the province where he and Nana grew up together. I know it's stupid because I didn't manage to ask Nana's permission. But it was my birthday, and I knew they would understand. Besides, I was with Uncle Roli, so I thought at the time that they probably wouldn't worry about me too much. Since I was little, I've always been super close to Uncle Roli because he was very affectionate toward me.
Perhaps that's the reason why I eventually fell for him. But no matter how happy we are with each other, we know that in the eyes of others, our relationship is a huge mistake. That's why Nana and Daddy Roger must never find out about us. Aside from him being my uncle—even if only on paper—the age gap between us is also unacceptable. I'm only 18, and Uncle Roli is more than ten years older than me.
One day, I was surprised when he confessed that he wanted me to be his girlfriend. Even now, I remember every detail of how he confessed, and whenever I recall it, I still feel the butterflies. He hugged me so tightly and then whispered the words, 'I love you... Ara.'
At first, I thought it was just the love of an uncle for a niece, so I didn't pay much attention. But when he kissed my lips that day, that's when I proved he really had feelings for me that weren't just familial.
To be honest, it isn't hard to like someone like him. He's a quiet person. Beyond that, I can say he's handsome by my own definition. He has a sharp nose, long lashes, and his thin lips are naturally red. He has the looks of an actor despite being shy and reserved. He also has a great physique.
Some of our relatives say Uncle Roli has a mental illness, but I don't believe that. I know and believe that he is in a normal condition and can think clearly. He has a short temper sometimes, but I can say he's kind to me.
Since he confessed to me, we've kept our relationship a secret, especially from Nana. I'm not sure if what I feel for him is true love, but one thing is certain—I don't want him out of my life.
That's why my heart felt like it was revolting as I watched him and the woman he was with.
Who is this filthy woman that he seems so unwilling to let go of? I know the woman is roughly my age based on physical traits, but my style is far better and I'm ten times cleaner than her.
After a few moments, I noticed the older woman sitting across from them was also staring at them. She focused her gaze specifically on the woman leaning on Uncle Roli.
"Mister, is your companion okay?" She couldn't hold it in and asked Uncle Roli.
Uncle Roli shifted slightly to adjust the towel covering the woman's head. "She's fine, she just had a bit too much to drink."
"Are you sure? She looks pale. Her color is off," the older woman pointed out again. The hand of the woman, who seemed fast asleep and unconscious, slipped from the cover of her jacket. She was right! Her skin color was indeed different.
Uncle Roli moved again and adjusted the woman's arm to cover it back up with the jacket. He leaned his mouth close to the face of the woman covered by the towel and whispered something only they could hear.
"Maybe you should remove the towel from her head so she can breathe," the woman suggested.
"She said she's fine," Uncle Roli replied with a smile. "She just has a headache."
The driver stopped the jeep and looked back at them. "You might need to take her to the hospital. Your companion's color is turning." He looked to his left and pointed in that direction. "Across the street here, son, at the tricycle terminal. Just take a ride there and they'll bring you to the hospital inside."
Uncle Roli looked toward the direction the driver pointed and eventually decided to get off. He led the woman out, his arm around her as she remained unmoving and unconscious. But because Uncle Roli is a large man with a brawny build, it was easy for him to get the woman down. Both the driver and the older woman shook their heads while watching the two of them.
When Uncle Roli passed my seat on his way out, I bowed my head so he wouldn't notice me. It was a good thing his attention was on the person he was assisting, so there was no doubt he didn't see me.
"Probably sick and still hasn't been brought to the hospital," the driver muttered before turning back to the steering wheel after Uncle Roli and his companion finally got off.
"Her skin was already turning black," the woman near the driver added with a light laugh.
I felt like the world was crashing down on me because of what I witnessed. I was restless. I didn't know what to do. At that moment, my brain couldn't process what was happening. Only one thing was on my mind—I have a right to him because I am his girlfriend, so I need an explanation.
So I didn't hesitate any longer. As the jeep was about to move, I quickly hopped off. I don't think the driver noticed me because he was busy chatting with the passenger next to him. It was a good thing the driver didn't notice—I hadn't paid yet.
I looked around to find Uncle Roli. I summoned my courage. The pain I felt was different—intense jealousy. I needed to know what his relationship was with the woman he was with.
I saw them enter an eatery. Just like the scene in the jeep, he still had his arm around the woman, and his hand was around her waist. He was practically carrying her, almost needing to hoist her up because she looked like a drunk who had passed out. Even the woman's feet couldn't take steps, and her head hung limp from extreme "intoxication." I ran across the street to follow them.
In front of the eatery was a tricycle terminal. This was likely the one the jeepney driver mentioned for the hospital. But contrary to my expectations, I didn't see Uncle Roli at the tricycle stop. Instead, I saw them head into the eatery.
I immediately entered the eatery to follow them. The entrance was open with no door, and the large windows were prominent. I know this place. This is where Uncle Roli and I often eat.
My blood boiled even more at the thought of him bringing another woman to the place we frequented. Because of this, I couldn't help but feel that I meant nothing to him anymore—that perhaps his relationship with that woman was deeper than whatever was between us.
I also remembered the several times I had rejected him in bed. I thought I was too young for sex. And one more thing, I was afraid of getting pregnant because Nana would surely kill me, especially if she discovered Uncle Roli was my partner. That was often the cause of our fights, which sometimes led to him hurting me.
But despite everything, my feelings for him remained. I don't know, but it seems I really am crazy for his love. Perhaps because I'm young... or maybe the attention Uncle Roli gives me is just truly intoxicating.
I scanned the room to see where the two had sat. This eatery was very spacious, so it was a bit difficult to track them down. Before long, I found their spot. I secretly sat behind them. As determined as I was earlier to find out what was between them, my heart grew just as weak now that I had the chance to approach them. For now, I would just wait for the right moment to learn the truth.
They were both sitting side by side, but the woman remained slumped over the table. Her hair was still down, serving as a veil for her face. The towel that was previously over her head was gone. She seemed to be in a deep sleep, still unconscious.
After a while, Uncle Roli stood up and went to the counter area. I looked at the woman again. She was still hunched over, silent, and not moving at all. I looked at her feet again. Why didn't she even have slippers? A moment later, I noticed the jacket now draped over her back. Those scoundrels! That was the jacket I gave him as a gift when I said yes to him. Why am I only noticing it now?
I can't help it anymore. I stood up angrily to confront the woman with him, but I stopped myself because Uncle Roli suddenly returned to their seat. I immediately sat back down while trying to hide my face behind my bag, which I was clutching tightly. This wasn't the right time for him to see me.
When I glanced at him again, I saw him holding the towel that was previously on the woman's head, now using it to wipe his sweat. Moments later, their order arrived. Goto with meat and egg and soda—the same thing we always ate whenever we went on dates and stayed out until dawn.
Their order had arrived, but the woman remained slumped on the table, unmoving. Uncle Roli quickly finished his food even though it was hot, then chugged the soda. His movements were normal; he seemed calm.
Before long, Uncle Roli stood up from his seat. He leaned down slightly to bring his face close to the ear of the woman still slumped over asleep, and then he whispered.
Oh my God! I heard it! I heard what he whispered.
After Uncle Roli did that, he quickly walked away from the place. He left the remaining food, even the woman he was with. Though my knees were shaking, I forced myself to stand up from my seat nearby to approach the abandoned woman.
When I reached the woman, I covered my mouth and tears began to stream down my cheeks. My God! I fell to my knees and sat in front of the woman. Oh God, why? I looked up, my eyes filled with tears. After that, my gaze accidentally shifted to the wall clock above the table where she was slumped.
It's almost 10:15 A.M.
I looked down and stared at the woman again. To my great shock, I caught sight of her chest. Tucked inside her clothes near her chest was an object. A shoe—my red doll shoe! The other half of the pair was folded and stuffed inside her mouth.
And as what I've said earlier, I heard what Uncle Roli whispered to this girl before he went out.
'I love you... ARA.'