Chapter XXI: Mensaje
As Christine and Benigno exit the cathedral, the cool evening breeze brushes against their faces. Their minds whirl with thoughts of the miraculous encounter they just had. Both remain silent, letting the solemnity of the moment linger. However, just as they near the large iron gates of the cathedral grounds, a familiar voice calls out to them.
"Christine! Benigno!"
They turn to see Fr. Crisostomo, the parish priest, walking toward them. Dressed in his simple black cassock, his presence exudes calm and warmth. The priest's eyes, though gentle, quickly notice the tear-streaked faces of the couple.
"Magandang gabi po, Father," Christine greets him, attempting a smile but failing to hide her distress.
"Magandang gabi rin, Christine," Fr. Crisostomo replies, his voice full of concern.
"Mukhang mabigat ang dinadala niyo ngayong gabi. Ano ang nangyari?"
Benigno takes a deep breath, his voice steady but tinged with emotion.
"Father, gusto po sana naming makipagkwentuhan, pero… may mas mabigat na bagay kaming kailangang ipaalam."
Fr. Crisostomo nods, his expression turning serious.
"Sige, sabihin niyo. Narito ako para makinig."
Christine clasps her hands together and begins to recount the events of the past few days.
"Father, si Isko… siya po yung batang kinuha namin mula sa lansangan ilang taon na ang nakalipas. Akala po namin… mabibigyan namin siya ng mas mabuting buhay. Pero kagabi, dalawang armadong lalaki ang pumasok sa bahay namin. Sinubukan nila kaming saktan. Kung hindi dahil kay Isko…" Her voice cracks as she remembers the horrifying moment.
"Ano ang ginawa niya?" Fr. Crisostomo asks, his brow furrowing.
"Sinugod niya ang mga lalaki kahit wala siyang armas," Benigno continues.
"Pero sa kasamaang-palad, nabaril siya sa ulo. Ngayon, nasa ospital siya, unconscious."
Fr. Crisostomo's face darkens with concern.
"Napakadelikado ng sitwasyon niya. Ano na ang sabi ng mga doktor?"
Christine shakes her head.
"Wala pa po kaming malinaw na balita. Ginagawa nila ang lahat para mailigtas siya."
The priest pauses, taking in the weight of their story.
"Napakabuti ng ginawa niya para sa inyo. Ang sakripisyo niya ay isang malinaw na tanda ng kanyang pagmamahal at malasakit. Hindi lahat ng tao ay may lakas ng loob para gawin ang ginawa niya."
"Kaya po Father, gusto naming ipagdasal niyo siya. Alam naming marami na siyang pinagdaanan sa buhay, at hindi niya deserve ang mangyari ito," Christine pleads, her hands trembling.
. Crisostomo places a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Oo, ipagdarasal ko siya. Ang mga taong tulad niya, na naglalagay ng kapakanan ng iba bago ang sarili, ay may espesyal na lugar sa puso ng Diyos. Huwag kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa."
"Maraming salamat po, Father," Benigno says, his voice thick with gratitude.
Fr. Crisostomo nods solemnly.
"Ngunit may isa akong tanong sa inyo. Kamusta naman ang inyong nararamdaman tungkol sa lahat ng nangyari?"
The question lingers in the air, and for a moment, neither Christine nor Benigno knows how to respond. Finally, Christine speaks.
"Masakit po, Father. Hindi lang dahil sa kalagayan ni Isko, kundi dahil… may mga bagay kaming natutunan na hindi namin inaasahan."
"Tungkol saan?" Fr. Crisostomo prompts gently.
Benigno hesitates, then admits,
"Father, sa ospital, napansin namin ang isang bagay. Si Isko… may marka sa kanyang batok na parehong-pareho sa anak naming si Regie. At higit pa doon, nagkaroon kami ng… karanasan kanina sa loob ng katedral."
The priest's eyebrows raise slightly.
"Anong klaseng karanasan?"
Christine takes a deep breath and recounts their encounter with the Santo Sepulcro. She explains the miraculous events they witnessed and the truths Jesus revealed to them about Regie's life, his pain, and the mistakes they made as parents.
Fr. Crisostomo listens intently, his face remaining calm despite the extraordinary nature of the story. When Christine finishes, he sighs deeply.
"Ang mga himala ay paraan ng Diyos upang ipakita ang Kanyang presensya at gabay. Ang nakita niyo ay isang biyaya, ngunit ito rin ay isang paalala. Binibigyan kayo ng pagkakataon upang itama ang inyong pagkukulang bilang mga magulang. Mahalaga na gamitin niyo ito nang maayos."
"Oo po, Father," Christine says, her voice steady with resolve.
"Gagawin po namin ang lahat para bumawi kay Isko… kay Regie."
"Mabuti kung ganun," Fr. Crisostomo says, his tone firm yet encouraging.
"Ngunit huwag niyo rin kalimutan na magtiwala sa Diyos sa proseso. Ang bawat sugat, gaano man kalalim, ay kayang pagalingin ng pagmamahal at pagpapatawad."
Benigno nods solemnly.
"Salamat po, Father. Kailangan talaga namin ng gabay niyo ngayon."
The priest smiles faintly.
"Nandito lang ako. At higit sa lahat, narito ang Diyos. Manalig kayo sa Kanya, at gagabayan Niya kayo sa tamang landas."
As they part ways, Christine and Benigno feel a renewed sense of purpose. They know the journey ahead will not be easy, but with faith, love, and determination, they are ready to face it. For Isko, for Regie, and for the family they hope to heal, they will take each step forward with hope in their hearts.
Christine and Benigno, still shaken from their conversation with Fr. Crisostomo, decide to postpone their visit to the hospital. Instead, they head to the Vigan PNP, seeking answers and justice. Upon arriving, they are greeted by the watchful eyes of officers and the hum of activity in the station. Christine holds Benigno's hand tightly as they approach the front desk.
"Sir, maaari po ba kaming makausap ang mga suspek?" Benigno asks the officer on duty, his tone firm but polite.
The officer looks at them for a moment before nodding.
"Saglit lang po, tatawagin ko ang hepe."
They wait for a few moments until the suspects are brought out, handcuffed and flanked by guards. Christine and Benigno immediately feel a surge of anger. They step forward, their emotions spilling over.
"Ano bang iniisip niyo?" Christine demands, her voice trembling.
"Bakit niyo nagawa iyon sa bahay namin? Anong kasalanan namin sa inyo?"
One of the suspects, his face impassive, looks away, refusing to meet her gaze. The other tries to smirk but is quickly silenced by a guard's glare.
"Ang kapal ng mukha niyo," Benigno adds, his voice rising.
"Wala kayong konsensiya!"
As they berate the suspects, an authoritative voice interrupts them.
"Ma'am, Sir, maaari ko ba kayong makausap?"
They turn to see a tall man in uniform approaching them. His badge gleams under the fluorescent lights, and his demeanor exudes calm authority.
"Ako po si PNP Chief Amistad," he introduces himself, extending a hand.
"May nais sana akong ipaalam sa inyo."
Benigno shakes his hand, albeit hesitantly.
"Ano po iyon, Chief?"
Chief Amistad gestures for them to step aside to a quieter corner of the station.
"Una sa lahat, gusto kong ipahayag ang pakikiramay ko sa nangyari sa inyo. Alam kong malaking trauma ito para sa pamilya niyo. May dala rin po akong gamot na makakatulong kay Isko habang siya'y nagpapagaling."
Christine's eyes well up with tears as she responds,
"Salamat po, Chief. Hindi namin alam kung paano kami makakapagpasalamat."
The chief shakes his head lightly.
"Walang anuman po. Alam ko rin po ang kwento ni Isko. Alam niyo bang bago siya napadpad sa inyo, siya'y naging palaboy dito sa katedral?"
Christine and Benigno exchange surprised glances.
"Sa katedral?" Christine asks.
Chief Amistad nods.
"Oo. Matagal siyang nanatili sa labas ng katedral bago siya inampon ni Fr. Crisostomo. Isa siyang mabait na bata, kahit pa hirap ang pinagdaanan niya. Ang daming nagkakandili sa kanya dito sa Vigan."
Benigno looks down, guilt washing over him.
"Hindi ko alam na ganoon pala ang pinagdaanan niya," he murmurs.
"Huwag kayong mag-alala," Amistad continues.
"Kami na po ang bahala sa mga suspek. Ako mismo ang mag-iinterrogate sa kanila. Sisiguraduhin namin na mapapanagot sila sa batas. Ang importante ngayon, mag-focus kayo sa paggaling ni Isko at sa pamilya niyo."
Christine's voice cracks as she replies,
"Maraming salamat po, Chief. Napakalaki ng utang na loob namin sa inyo."
"Hindi po kayo nag-iisa," Amistad assures them.
"Ang PNP ay narito para protektahan kayo. Kung may kailangan kayo, huwag kayong mag-atubiling lumapit."
The couple bows their heads in gratitude, overwhelmed by the chief's kindness.
"Maraming salamat po talaga," Benigno says earnestly.
As they leave the station, Christine clutches the medicine tightly, her heart heavy yet somehow lighter knowing they have support. Walking toward their vehicle, she looks at Benigno and says,
"Benigno, hindi natin puwedeng balewalain ang lahat ng ito. Kailangan nating ayusin ang relasyon natin kay Isko."
Benigno nods solemnly.
"Oo, Christine. Gagawin natin ang lahat para maitama ang pagkakamali natin."
With newfound resolve, they head toward the hospital, ready to face whatever lies ahead with Isko, and hopeful that they can mend the fractures in their family.