FLASHBACK

More than 5 years ago.


"But Papa, an accident couldn't have left my mother with these kinds of bruises on her body. Besides, I saw her when she left for the office this morning, and she didn't have those!" I say this between sobs as Papa and I stare at the woman who is on the brink of death before us in this hospital.

"The police didn't find anything, though, my dear. I would give anything to find the monster that did this to my wife, but the only thing we can hope and pray for at this point is for your mother to wake up so that she can tell us what exactly happened." Papa answers.

Just like me, he is hanging on the tiny thread of mere hope that Mama wakes up. It's been a week, and she is not showing any signs of improvement at all. The reason she is still breathing is only because of this life support machine. The heavens seem to have closed their doors on us since none of our prayers are being answered—not for my mama to get better, nor are we getting any clue about the impasse behind her mysterious accident. The only thing we have left is hope, which seems to be diminishing with every passing second.


"But what if she..."

"No, child! Don't even say that! Your mother is strong. She will pull through this. I know she will. She has to." Papa says, looking so scared, and I understand.


We both love this woman so much. She is our source of strength and joy. A strong pillar not only in our homes but also in our lives.

The sterile scent of the hospital and the constant beeping of the machines create an unbearable tension in the room. Every beep and every sigh from the machines feels like a countdown, a cruel reminder of our helplessness.

I hold Mama's hand, feeling its coldness, and it breaks my heart further. Her face, once full of life and warmth, is now pale and mercilessly bruised, making it hard to recognize her. The cuts and bruises on her body are a stark contradiction to the idea of an accident. They speak of something far more sinister, something deliberate and violent. I know I am not paranoid. This is more that we know. There is something deeper than this accident.

"Papa, we need to do more than just hope," I say, my voice trembling. "There must be something we are missing here. Someone must have seen something."

Papa nods, though his eyes are distant, lost in the same sea of despair that I'm drowning in. "I will talk to the police again to see if they can re-examine the whole issue."

I can see the weight of his words and the desperation in his eyes. We are both clutching at straws, trying to find a way out of this nightmare.

"I hope they catch the monster that did this to my poor mother. And when they do, I hope that monster suffers a hundred times the pain mama is suffering now," I mumble.

This woman was the most noble person the country knew. She had a golden heart. She had no enemies at all. She made peace and friends wherever she went. If my father were still in politics, I would have blamed this on him, thinking that it was one of his opponents. But he left politics a long time ago. Whoever the monster that did this is, they need to pay dearly. Heavens will not rest until they expose them and make them pay.

"Justice, my child, will serve its cause! Nothing is hidden under the sun, and I will not rest until whoever is responsible pays dearly for this. In the meantime, for the sake of our safety, it is better that what we know stays between us and the police. No one else should ever find out what we suspect, okay?" Papa says.

"But, pa? Wouldn't it be nice if people knew the truth? That way, they will help us search for the monster," I argue.

The father shakes his head. "I will teach you something, my dear. If you want to catch a fish, don't attack it, for it will dive deeper and disappear under the deep waters. Instead, lure it into your trap."

I was about to comment on Papa's wit, but just then, the door of this ICU unit flows openly with a bang, and a tall, fair-skinned lady badges in with another mini lady strolling behind her.

"Richard? I came as soon as I saw the news! Ooh, I am so sorry!"

Wait! I know my family is well known in the country, and being so influential, Papa is meant to know millions of people across the nation. Being her only child, I also do believe that I have met most of the people in his and Mama's circles. But with this model, I don't remember encountering her before, and neither did her miniature. And why is she acting so friendly to my father to the point of embracing him like this before me? And before even my mother? Even though she is clueless about what's happening, this still doesn't seem or feel right to me.

"And you are?" I ask, making them pull away from the annoying hug as this ostrich wipes away the crocodile tears in her eyes.

"Aah, she is..." Papa starts, but the lady cuts him off, unfurling her hand to me, which I am reluctant to shake, at least until I know who she is and her real business here.

My heart just feels awful about her!

"Gracia! Both your father's and mother's friends."

Friend, huh? How come I haven't seen her all my fifteen years of age? Anyway, here is not the place to argue.

"She...the...enemy...is..."

I didn't even get to shake her hand, as we were interrupted by the laboured voice of my mother. We all snap at her.

"Hun? Love! You are awake?" Papa's voice echoes with joy, but all of a sudden, something happens that makes him and I whisper.

Mom falls dead silent—and not just her, but the machines too. The machine goes flat. The room falls deadly quiet.

Sadly, our fears have struck us. Mom has left us.

"At least she is no longer suffering," Papa and I snap to this Gracia witch.

Yes, witch, because I don't like her at all. She adds, after noticing our questioning glares at her. "Sorry if that came out the wrong way. What I mean is, look at her; she seems to have been battling unbearable pain for so long. Let her soul just rest in peace. In a place where there is no suffering at all."

"I would appreciate it if you left us alone, Gracia. We need some family time alone! Your opinions are not helping us." I spit.

"As you wish, my dear. Rich? I am here in case you need anything, okay? Anytime!" She says, rubbing papa's shoulder, and walks out after papa nods his head.

Rich? No formalities?

And since when did Papa become this close to women?

End of flashback.