Chapter 37

Eli has his own version of an operating room. Not only that, but there's a small clinic too. According to him, people at the nearby town visits him for check-ups.

He doesn't charge them, but he accepts their modest donation at times. He still has his license; however, he doesn't practice as he used to.

The room is simple. Cream walls, not peeling or dirty, just cream. Wala rin masyadong dekorasyon. When I entered earlier, the only noticeable thing around is the intravenous drips, monitors, a sink, a box of rubber gloves, hand sanitizer, and soaps. There's also a small room for patients to change, and the smell of chlorine surrounds the air.

It almost feels normal. Almost.

"It's my way of repenting," he says, I'm laying down on the surgical bed. I glanced at him, he's now done wearing his operating gown with his blue gloves and face mask, "I don't think I can be a doctor again. I'm helping the townsfolk because no one else would."

And I understand, we all have our own ways of repenting after all.

I didn't ask Eli about my mother. I don't think I am ready to ask questions, although there are many things in my mind.

Why did she change her name to Amelia? Did she run away from the Costas? If she did, why? How does Eli know my mom? What is my Uncle hiding from me?

I wanted to ask these questions to Eli, but I don't think I am ready. Then when? When will I ever be prepared if I don't ask these questions now?

Lumapit siya sa surgery bed, "It'll be quick. Are you ready?" I lay there on the bed, and closed my eyes, matching my breaths with the beeping of the machine around the bed, a sign of my existence. I felt a slight pain when the needle pierced through my skin. "See you later."

My mind became foggy, like the time when I drunk vodka. The world became a blur, and it was so comfortable, I can feel myself lose consciousness, and the last thing I remember was how the ceiling is so gray it's depressing. 

"Auntie, Calista stole my toy again!" A girl wailed. Her voice is so sharp it could cut glass. She's my cousin, I think, but I don't like her as a cousin. She's very rude.

"Calista? Is that true?" Her voice was soft and comforting.

"But Mama, I didn't," my lips were pouting. Why is she lying to my Mama? I didn't steal her toy. I only asked if I could borrow it for a bit because I don't have a toy like hers.

Mama didn't get angry at me, she grinned at me. I knew then that she believes me, I always knew that. "I know, baby. Do you like that toy? We can ask your Papa to buy one for you."

I do like it, it's a doll with beautiful golden hair. I heard it's the most famous doll now, but then I remembered how Papa works too hard for us, and he's always tired. I sniffed, "It's okay, Mama. I don't want a doll."

There's sadness in her eyes when I said that, and I hate it when my Mama is sad. I don't like seeing her sad, because my chest hurts. "Are you sure, baby?" she asks.

I nodded, "Yes, I am a big girl now, and dolls are for kids." I stuck my tongue out to my cousin.

She frowned, "I am a big girl too!" she stomped her foot on the wooden floor as her voice shake, "I am a big girl too!!" she shouted.

"Alright, both of you are big girls, okay?" My mama says, I know she's trying to make her stop crying. My mama gathered us on her arms, she leaned close to my ears, and I heard her whisper to me, "But you're my favorite big girl, Calista."

I grinned at my mama and promised myself that I'd be the best big girl for her.

"A dream. I haven't dreamed in a while."

'Who is Calista?

I thought to myself when I opened my eyes. The first thing I noticed was the white ceiling, the plasters could fall any moment. 

I feel the heaviness of my head and the bandage wrapped around my neck. I raised my right hand to let it travel on my neck, a smile broke my lips. 

'It's successful. I'm partially free now from my Uncle.'

I don't know how long I was out, but I'm just too happy to care. I heard the door open, "You're awake." Eli said. He's now back with his regular clothes, "You'll recover for about a week or two. I find it odd how they chose your neck as a location for the microchip. In most cases, the chips are planted at the back." he added.

He brought a tray with him, it contains soup, bread, and water. Pinilit kong bumangon pero hindi ko magawa, "Don't force yourself. It will take a while for your strength to come back."

I watched Eli grab a stool. He sat on it and smiled awkwardly at me, "You must be hungry?" I tried to speak, but no voice came out, "You'll get your voice back in a day or two."

He cut the bread into pieces and soaked on the soup to soften, kinuha nya ang kutsara at unti-unting pinainom sa akin ang soup. I hesitated for a moment, but my stomach is complaining. I opened my mouth and allowed Eli to feed me.

"I asked Detective Michaels to destroy the microchip tracker. Once it's destroyed, your last location won't show up on his device. Your Uncle won't find you. For now." Eli explained to me. He's calmer now than when I first saw him. Now that I have a good look at him, he looks maybe about 2-3 years older than Detective Michaels.

For now. That's better than nothing. Masaya ako na pumayag si Eli na tanggalin ang microchip na nasa loob ng katawan ko. Maybe he decided to help me because of what I said, and he felt guilty, or is it because he knows my mom?

"You have to stay here for 2 weeks for your recovery," Eli added.

2 weeks? Totally fine by me. Ayoko rin namang makasama si Kev Conti sa apat na araw na conference. Baka masiraan lang ako ng bait. I guess this my answered prayer.

He continued to feed me. Wala na siyang sinabi. The silence is a bit uncomfortable but bearable. Hindi ko alam kung sino sa aming dalawa ang hindi komportable.

Siya ba? o ako? He probably finds it painful to be with me.

Si Eli na rin ang nagsabi na hindi maganda ang mga nangyayari sa kanya sa tuwing nauugnay siya sa mga Costa.

Or maybe it's me. Perhaps I find it uncomfortable to be with anyone right now knowing the Costa's blood is running in my veins. The truth can be surreal at times.

I'm sure my mom still has a family; it could be her parents or maybe a sister or a brother. None of them visited me. Not even once.

Wala akong kilala sa family side ng aking ina. Did they assume I died when the car accident happened? And that is if totoong may car accident nga na nangyari at hindi ito foul play.

According to the note I received, someone killed my parents. I still have to mention that to Detective Michaels when I recover. I have to discuss a lot of things with them, questions I want to ask, and answers they can only provide.

I finished the soup before I could even realize it. "Do you want more? I can cook some." Eli offered, but I waved my hand, signaling him to not bother. I'm full anyway.

"Oh, okay. I'll leave you then to rest." I gave him a thumbs up. Eli stood up and walked to the door, but before he left, he says, "I can help you."

Makahulugan ang mga tingin sa mata ni Eli. I do not know what he means by helping me. I do not know what kind of help he is offering, but there's determination in Eli's eyes.

I only give Eli a smile as an answer.

Nanatili lamang ako sa loob ng kwarto sa mga sumunod na araw hanggang sa lumipas ang isang linggo. Lumalabas lang ako pag kailangan ko pumunta ng banyo. Matulungin si Eli at siya ang nag-aalaga sa akin habang nagpapagaling ako. Matapos ang ilang araw mula noong operasyon ay bumalik na ulit ang boses at lakas ko. I told Eli my thanks right away.

Bumibisita si Detective Michaels pag may oras siya. I glanced at the clock; it's 7 pm now. Detective Michaels said he will arrive at Eli's place around 8:00 or so. At ngayon ay hinihintay nalang namin sya ni Eli.

Hindi kami masyadong nag-uusap ni Eli. Sadya atang wala kaming masabi sa isa't-isa. At first, it was awkward pero nasanay rin ako. May mga pagkakamali si Eli pero hindi naman siya masamang tao at ang mahalaga ay may ginagawa siya para bumawi sa mga naging kasalanan niya. Who am I to judge?

I haven't checked my phone yet at mag-iisang linggo na mula noong operasyon. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari sa labas. I know for sure that Alexavia and my friends will look for me, but I won't show until I completely heal. Ayoko rin makita si Uncler Bern, Anthony, at idagdag mo pa si Kev.

Once I get back, I will make an apology letter to Aoede and Tyrone. Ngayong araw ang alis dapat namin ni Kev para sa conference. Kami sana ang magkasama ni Kev ngayon pero hindi iyon natuloy dahil sa sitwasyon ko ngayon, but I am happy. I don't think I can deal with him, although I miss the chance to observe him on a closer view. I just hope another opportunity will present itself.

I wonder how Uncle Bern and Anthony reacted when they discovered that the microchip tracker inside my body is gone. They're probably asking now how I found out. The memory of Severin and Ivo flashed in my mind. I owe them both for telling me, but I can't shake this sadness in my heart.

Ivo

Remembering how our last conversation went upsets me. But what could I do? He will leave anyway. Inunahan ko lang. At saka sa mga pananalita ni Polina noong gabing iyon ay tama lang din ang ginawa ko. Ayoko maging pabigat kay Ivo.

Napatingin ako sa pintuan dahil narinig ko ang pagbukas nito, "Yo!" Detective Michaels says casually. Hindi ko alam kung paranoid lang ako pero pakiramdam ko ay may tinatago siya pero hindi ko alam kung ano iyon.

Suot niya pa rin ang uniporme niya, "Hello, Ms. Vielle" tumango siya sa akin at saka dumiretso sa bakanteng upuan na katapat ko. "Nasaan si Eli?"

"Good evening, nasa kusina si Eli. Kakatapos lang namin kumain ng hapunan at naglilinis siya pero patapos na yun ngayon." ani niya. Saka niya nilatag sa lamesa ang brown envelope na binigay niya sa akin nakaraan. Pinatong niya rin sa ibabaw ng envelope ang isang pulang flash drive.

"Michaels, is that you?" Eli yelled from the kitchen.

"Yeah!" sigaw pabalik ni Detective Michaels.

Binalik niya ang tingin niya sa akin, "Okay na ba ang pakiramdam mo?" tanong niya sa akin.

Tumango ako, "Oo, kaso madali pa rin ako mapagod. But I'll manage."

"Okay, that's good to hear, but I want to apologize in advance, we have a lot of things to talk about tonight." sumeryoso ang expression ng mukha niya.

"About what?" I asked, umayos ako ng upo.

"It will be about Costa Mafia." I can feel myself flinch when he said 'Costa'. Hanggang ngayon kasi ay hindi ko pa rin alam kung anong dapat kong maramdaman na may dugong Costa ako. Does that make me a bad person automatically? I tried not to frown, but Detective Michaels still caught on.

"I know how you feel, Ms. Vielle, and I understand, but you have to remind yourself that their mistakes and crimes are not yours. Ibang tao ka sa kanila." he offered me a kind smile, which comforted me for a bit.

"Thank you, Detective." I smiled at him.

Eli arrived at the living. He brought with him a projector and a laptop. "Are we going to watch a movie?" I jokingly asked. Umupo si Eli sa sofa na nasa gitna, I'm sitting on the right side, and Detective Michaels is sitting on a stool at the left side.

"Ms. Vielle, open the brown envelope, please." tumango ako at kinuha ang envelope na nasa lamesa. Pagbukas nito ay litrato ng limang lalakeng hindi ko kilala ang bumungad sa akin.

Napakunot ang nood ko. Sinuri ko ang mga litrato. These men are ages 35 – 70 if my hunch is right. "Who are these people?" I asked as I scan the pictures. They look somehow ordinary, but something about these pictures screams danger.

Biglang namatay ang ilaw at ang tanging liwanag na meron ay galing mula sa projector. Eli opened a powerpoint presentation and the photos of the man I am currently holding flashed on the wall. Napatingin ako kay Detective, "Treat this as your Mafia orientation, Ms. Vielle." sabi niya. Ngumisi siya sa akin.

"Is that how we call it now? Mafia orientation? More like an orientation about we get ourselves killed." I can't see much of Eli's expression because of the darkness, but I can tell he is scowling. Hobby niya ata ang magalit o kaya sumimangot.

"Shhh, Eli. Wag kang party-pooper." Detective Michaels chuckled and Eli only grumbled. "Anyway, Ms. Vielle, you have to remember the faces of these men."

"Why? Who are they?" tanong ko habang pinagmamasdan ang litrato ng limang lalakeng hindi ko kilala.

"They're the important members of the Costa Mafia," he replied nonchalantly.

My mouth fell open at what he declared. These 5 men are from the Costa Mafia?

Detective Michaels then explains, "The Mafia has controlled everything from the street corner drug trade at minsan ang pinakamataas na sektor ng gobyerno. You might have heard stories, rumors, or gossips about the Mafia, but money has always been their core. However, just like any other crime organization they also have their own customs, tricky rules, and twisted webs of family loyalty and drama."

I heard the click sound of the keyboard and the PowerPoint slide changed. I glanced at the photos I am holding and back at the slide. Sa bawat larawan ay may pangalan sa baba nito. "The Mafia has its own family tree. These 3 men here namely Bowie Gallo, Aksel Romano, and Xavi Pravo are the Costa Mafia's Capo. Basically, a Capo functions like a lieutenant leading his own group or section from the family." Detective Michaels explains.

Bowie Gallo has black hair, green eyes, and a fair complexion. He's smiling on the picture without a care on the world while chatting to someone. Siguro kung hindi ko alam na miyembro siya ng Costa Mafia ay baka napagkamalan ko siyang University Professor.

Aksel Romano has a dark brown hair na abot hanggang balikat niya. May sigarilyo sa gitna ng bibig and his expression tells me he's angry. He looks pretty intense if you ask me.

Xavi Pravo looks younger than Bowie and Aksel. He looks around 25 – 29 years old. His black hair is disheveled. Parang kakagising niya lang sa picture and he's staring directly at the camera na para bang alam niya na may kumukuha ng larawan niya.

"In addition to that, the key to being a successful Capo is you have to make a lot of money. Lahat ng perang kinikita ng mga nasasakupan niya ay napupunta sa kanya and kung ano man ang matitira ay ibibigay niya ito sa Underboss at Boss."

The slide changed, and a photo of a man probably around his early 50's came to view. "Dante Rossi, he's the Underboss of Costa Mafia. He ranks higher than Capos, and technically, he's the second in command. Minsan ang mga Underboss ang papalit sa Boss kung matanda na ito o kaya naman kung nakulong ito. They can resolve disputes without involing the head of the family."

Hindi ko na alam kung kaninong boses iyon. "Lastly, we have the highest person in the family. The boss."

Another man came to view, he's probably around his late 50's or early 60's. "Lorenzo Costa. The leader or at times, people call him Don Lorenzo. All major decisions are made by him, and money earned by the family ultimately flows to him. He solves arguments in the family and makes sure that everyone is in line."

Lorenzo Costa looks like a normal grandpa, but there's something about his eyes. Something sinister. Kahit na larawan niya lang ang hawak ko, I wouldn't want to meet him in person. His hair is a mixture of black and white. He has a subtle beard on the photo and his smile is something I want to wipe off.

I'm in awe. Hindi ko akalain na ganito pala ka-structured ang Mafia. I also can't deny the power they hold. It is fascinating pero nakakatakot pa rin.

"Lastly, we have the associates and soldiers." ani ni Eli.

"Meron pa? Just how big is this mafia family?" gulat kong tanong.

Detective Michaels chuckled at my tone then he says, "The soldiers, they do all the dirty work. Sila yung pinakamababang rank. They are a member of the family, but they hold a little power and money. The number of soldiers given to a Capo varies. Yung mga associates naman, hindi sila miyembro ng mafia pero nagtratrabaho sila para sa mafia for their own personal reasons be it money, women, drugs, or power."

I rubbed my temples. Pakiramdam ko ay tataas ang blood pressure ko dahil sa mga nalaman ko. "Wow, that's one heck of information." sumandal ako sa couch.

"I'm showing you their pictures for you to know our targets. According to one of my men, Aksel and Xavi visited the coffee shop where you were working for the past weeks, but you couldn't meet them because you have gone to school by then." ani ni Detective Michaels. "Costa Mafia's crimes include drug trafficking, slavery, and prostitution."

Eli has turned the lights on now. I had to blink a couple of times to adjust at the brightness. "Are you sure about this, Michaels? It's too dangerous. Matalas pa sa aso ang pang amoy ng mga hayop na iyon." Eli says, habang palipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa akin at kay Detective. He sighed, "Are you sure you're a Detective? Why are you allowing this?" tanong niya kay Detective Michaels.

I understand what he's trying to say. I'm putting myself at risk and Michaels is a Detective he should not be tolerating me and my request.

"I needed someone who is not associated with the men of justice. Ms. Vielle offered her help and I'm helping her in exchange. It's a win-win situation, but once it gets dangerous. I'm pulling her out of the mission." paliwanag ni Detective kay Eli.

"I'm still against this. You don't know what those men are capable of." giit ni Eli sa akin at kay Detective.

"I asked for this." I whispered, "I volunteered for this undercover job to find out the truth of my parents' death. Walang pumilit as akin. I did this on my own will." I can feel Eli's eyes on me. "Maybe learning all this information today and doing the undercover job will help me understand a bit of myself, and learn about my parents'. I'm willing to take the risk."

Tinignan ko sa mata si Eli pero sana kung ano man ang nakikita niya ngayon sa mga mata ko ay maging sapat na. I wouldn't back down on this.  

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