—
I am Max, a small-time robber. Although it's against my will, it's the only way to save my mother's life. She has a stage 3 cancer and time is my enemy. Dalawa lang ang kahahantungan ko pagkatapos nito— isang paa sa hukay at isang paa sa kulungan. As long as my mother will be cured, wala na akong pakialam kung saan sa dalawa ang kabagsakan ko.
I'm willing to do it. I need to save the only thing that is left in my life. And this time we're going for a big one. I have convinced my only friend Dark. Kahit kailan hindi niya ako iniwan, mula sa pinakamasasaya hanggang sa pinakamalulungkot at sa pinakaligtas at pinakadelikadong sitwasyon.
"Sigurado ka na ba rito?" he asked me one last time.
"Oo, Dark. Kailangan gumaling si Mama dahil siya na lang natitira sa buhay ko. Sinubukan na natin lahat sa malinis na paraan, pero hindi natin makukuha ang kalahating milyon nang ganon ganon lang at nauubusan na tayo ng oras," I explained.
"Sige, nandito lang ako para sa'yo Kapatid. Hanggang sa huli." Idinipa niya ang kaniyang mga braso at niyakap ako habang tinatapik-tapik ang aking likod.
"Maraming salamat, Dark. Tatanawin kong utang na loob 'to habambuhay, yun ay kung buhay pa ako pagkatapos nito." We chuckled and got some rest before we proceed to our plan.
Kinakabahan ako pero itinatak ko sa isip ko kung para saan itong gagawin ko.
It was 4:30 pm, hinihintay nilang kumaunti ang tao sa loob at saka sila papasok. The fewer the people, the easier to get in at ayaw kong may masasaktan sa gagawin namin.
15 mins passed, we barged in the bank with two black bags and guns.
"This is a robbery! Get down, all of you!" Lahat sila ay yumuko habang ang mga kamay ay nasa kanilang batok. But to my surprised, one woman refused to obey.
"Bingi ka ba? Dapa!" Utos ko habang nakatutok sa kaniya ang baril. She doesn't seem to care and still refused to get down.
"Alam kong hindi kayo masamang tao," she said looking directly at my eyes followed by one nervous gulp. She showed her palms trying to calm me. I suddenly burst into tears, realizing what I was doing. Agad ko itong pinunasan at tumingin sa kanya ng diretso.
"Oh, yeah? Hindi mo kami kilala, kaya don't you dare to tell us that we're not a bad guy. You'll never know that." Pinipigilan ko ang sarili kong maluha ulit. again pointed the gun at her again. But instead of making her afraid, she slowly walked towards me.
"Huwag kang lalapit, ipuputok ko 'to." Pananakot ko sa kaniya but she still continued to walk towards me. I was shocked when she suddenly hugged me. Natulala lang ang lahat ng hostage namin at maging si Dark sa nakita niya. Nagkatinginan lang kami and I put my gun swinging in my hands. Nakaramdam ako ng kakaiba. That feeling that I've never felt before. It's a weird but it's a good feeling.
"Alam kong kailangan mo yung pera, kung ano man yan. I know it's not for you, it's for someone you love. Now tell me, who is it and I'll take you to the safe where you can get some money. Ituturo ko rin sayo ang exit sa likod." Ang lambing ng boses niyang ibinulong ang mga salitang iyan habang hinahaplos ang buhok ko.
"And please, don't hurt anyone of the hostage. Alam kong hindi mo rin gusto yun." Bumitaw na siya sa pagkakayakap at dinala kami sa safe kung saan nakatago ang pera.
"Here it is ,sambit" nito.
I can't believe kung paano niya ako napakalma nang ganun lang. And how was she knew what's I'm going through.
Nakasilip lang ang mga hostage sa 'min habang binubuksan ni Ms. Amnell ang safe. I read it in her I.D.. Sinimulan nang maglagay ng pera sa bag si Dark habang ako ay tumingin sa dalaga. Ang hitsura nito'y nasa mid 20's pa lang at kitang-kita ang ganda ng hugis ng katawan kahit ito'y nakauniporme ng bangko.
Nawala ang atensyon namin sa isang bantay at napapikit na lang ako nang makita ang pagtutok sa 'kin ng kaniyang baril.
"No!"
*bang*
A gunshot was fired and I knew at that moment, this will be my end. Unti-unti akong dumilat nang wala akong naramdaman. The only thing I felt was a body fell down on me. She caught the bullet for me. And that's the most heartbreaking thing I cannot explained.
All I knew was I fired back at him for shooting that woman. Dark pulled me and ran to the fire exit. We ran as fast as we can. Never looking back and carrying my guilt.
"You'll be alright, Mom." I caressed her forehead while she's lying unconsciously as tears escaped through my eyes.
"Max," tawag sa 'kin ni Dark na nasa pintuan ng kwartong iyon. Lumapit ako sa kaniya at nagpatuloy siyang magsalita.
"Remember the girl at the bank?" he told me.
"Y-Yes. W-What about her?" interesado kong tanong sa kaniya.
"I just found out. She's admitted here."
"Room 143," he said tapping my shoulders.
"You should visit her," sabi pa nito.
"I-I can't, I'm sure nandoon ang family niya. Anong sasabihin ko sa kanila?" nag-aalalang tanong ko.
"Tell them she's your friend," he suggests. Nakaisip ako ng paraan. Kumuha ako ng ballpen at kapirasong papel at nagsulat.
"Thank you for saving my life even though I don't deserve it. I hope you'll recover soon. I realized that I should turn myself in. I can't bear to carry the guilt of what I've caused you. And you're right, I'm not doing it for myself. I'm doing it for my mother. She's at room 144 in case you'll recover first before her, you can visit her. Say hello to her for me."
Tinupi ko ang papel at naglakas ng loob na puntahan kung saan naka-confine ang babaeng nagligtas ng buhay ko.
*knocks at room 143*
Pinagbuksan ako ng isang babae, it must be her mother. Siya lang ang nagbabantay dito.
"Oh, hello. Are you her friend?" she greeted.
"Y-Yes Ma'am," I answered.
"Come in, I'm glad that you visit her, she really needs it. She doesn't woke up yet but you can stay," she said willingly. I never felt so welcomed.
"Can you stay here until I came back? Bibili lang ako ng pagkain sa labas," sambit ng Mama niya sa akin.
"Y-Yes, of course Ma'am," pagsagot ko pabalik dito.
Kahit yun man lang ang maitulong ko sa kaniya. She risked her life for a stranger and the worst part is, she saved a bank robber. Umupo lang ako at tinitigan siya. Kinuha ko sa aking bulsa ang papel na naglalaman ng isinulat ko kanina at isiniklop ito sa palad niya. Ilang sandali pa, her mom came back at nagpaalam na ko bago umalis.
Kinabukasan, I decided to turn myself in. Gusto sanang sumama ni Dark pero pinigilan ko siya. Masyado nang malaki ang naitulong niya sa 'kin para magdusa pa siya sa kulungan.
Two months later...
It's been three weeks since my Mom fully recovered. She was hurt after knowing what I did, but she still believes in me when I turned myself in. Nakikibalita na lang ako kay Dark sa kalagayan ni Mom since lagi niya akong binibisita simula nang nakulong ako.
And one day, dumating na yung pinakahihintay kong araw— ang makabisita si Mom sa 'kin. Kasama niya si Dark noong araw na iyon.
"Mom!" I missed her so much lalo na nang lumapit siya sa akin at agad akong niyakap kahit na may mga rehas na namamagitan sa amin.
"Max, Anak! Kumusta ka naman dito?" tanong niya.
"Nga pala, may bisita ka pang isa," she said and I can't think of a person except Dark that will visit me in jail.
She slowly came out from Dark's behind. It was a woman, someone who's I'm familiar with.
I'm surprised as I recognized the face of that woman in my memory.
"M-Ms. A-Amnell?"
