By Ardy & Dave
The house of Mary Joy’s family built out of the funds given by Gov. Art Yap, Mayor Necitas Cubrado of Pilar, Bohol and some other individuals.
I asked again, “Okay ra ka Ma’am Ardy?”
She answered, “Gidagat ko kaayo pag sudden turn sa van.”
“Sorry, ma;am:’ Randy the driver said. I could see Ruth trying to slowly massage Ma’am Ardy’s back.
Suddently Ma’am Ardy said, “Mo rest lang ta ug kadiyot. Mawala ra lagi ning akong lu-od later. Ipalayo ng imong hapas, Dave. Misamot ahong lu-od ana. Ayaw na kana dalha sa office ha? Dili ka naho pasudlon ug magdala dala ka anang hapasa. Samok ug baho. Makadagat ug samot. Mura ug hapas ug tiguwang nga ulitawo nga gasungkod:’
As Ma’am Ardy spoke with definitiveness about my “hapas” I noticed that Randy, the driver wanted to laugh. Even Ruth gave an impish smile. But I know they wanted to sympathize with the condition of Ma’am Ardy. They kept silent.
In my mind, I told myself, “Suwayi kuno ninyo ug bahakhak karon nga si Ma’am Ardy gilu-od. Tan-awon nato ug asa ra mo ilagpot:’
“Imo na nga gilabay imong hapas, Dave;• Maam Ardy again asked again.
I did not answer as I knew that my “hapas” became a scapegoat of the “sapot” of Ma’am Ardy. I also knew that my “hapas” smelled like one of those expensive over the counter lotions. But I never dared to refute the declarations of Ma’am Ardy because she was just not comfortable with the sudden turn the van made at the corner on our way to the munisipyo. This sudden turn caused her discomfort.
So we had to take some time to rest to allow Ma’am Ardy’s discomfort to subside. Meanwile, I entertained myself with some conversations between me and myself.
I convinced myself that Ma’am Ardy is right. It would be an injustice if no one is able to hear the other side of the story – the side of the suspect. Definitely, there is more to what we heard from the family of Mary Joy. This is a given. And to hear only their side of the story is a no no in the kind of work I am in as a media person.
This is a lesson that has been eternally echoing in my mind since I started my career in journalism almost 30 years ago. I started back in 1995 as a correspondent and a stringer-the positions that are found at the bottom of the journalism hierarchy. And even if I started at the bottom, the place prepared me to become a well-rounded journalist able to handle almost all facets of the newspaper business.
This was the reason that I was slowly convinced by Ma’am Ardy’s decision to visit the suspect – interview him, size him up, and do things as the situation would demand.
Then I looked at Ma’am Ardy. I saw her deeply asleep as she snored a bit. Nobody wanted to disturb her. We also wanted her to take a short nap. Ruth also followed her boss. She took a nap, too, while Randy, the driver was busy scrolling all the messages from his phone.
I took out a pair of headphones from my backpack and listened to what Mary Joy said a few hours ago during our conversation with her. I replayed her request. She was asking people, in the interview, to help her get a pair of hands. Ma’am Ardy and I were planning to air her plea over the radio programs we handle. This way, we could act as a bridge between her and some Good Samaritans who might want to pick up her story and her plea.
Suddenly the sound of the horn of a big truck jolted me from my thoughts. The sound awakened all of us. Even Ruth and Randy straightened up their seats to focus on the loud irritating sound. Whew!
And it started to drizzle! And the downpour became noticeable! And the heavy rain was in our midst. And Ma’am Ardy was already awake.
“Oy ga-uwan diay? Tana!” These were her words.
“Asa man ta ma’am moadto?” This was my question.
“Muadto lagi ta sa prisohan. Ato laging estoryahon ang gikatahapan;’ Ma’am Ardy said.
I said, “Kusog pa man kaayo ang uwan Ma’am. Unya a las 4 na kapin Ma’am. Dili kaha ta kahaponan sa dalan Ma’am. We were advised ra ba nga dili ta pangitngit:’
“Sus maguol man ka. Naa tay guardian angels. Randy, baylo ta ug lingkuranan. Akoy drive unya diha lang ka sa front seat. Tapad ka naho. Dili man gud ko dagaton ug ako ang mo drive. Ruth, tan-awa palihug sa akong wallet ug naa ba ang akong lisensya;’ Ma’am Ardy said.
“HA, Ikaw mo drive ma’am?” (Randy, Ruth and I asked in unison)
(To be continued)