By Ardy & Dave
“What’s going on? Naunsa na pod ni? Ngano pabalikon na man pud mi sa balay? I thought we are going home or to the munisipyo man kaha – wherever it is. I already want to go home and call it a day.” These were some of the statements I kept to myself.
As a good soldier, they say, I just carefully traced my steps back to the house of Mayor Cubrado and followed what the voice said.
I later learned that it was Ma’am Ardy who called us back into the house apparently because the mayor asked for souvenir photos with us. We obliged to the photo opportunities as Mayor Necitas Cubrado was very kind and hospitable. We had much fun having our photos taken. Mayor Cubrado was such a good and doting host. Despite the fact that she was not really feeling well, I saw that she tried her best to make all of us feel comfortable and well taken care of. And the sumptuous meal we just had was more than enough to brace us up to where we were heading next – which I was not anymore sure of. I also did not ask.

After the photo session, I could hear these statemes,
“Salamat, Mayor!”
“ Salamat gyud kaayo.”
“ Busog gyud mi oy.”
“ Magkita ta sa Tagbilaran ha.”
“ Dili sa ta mag beso beso tungod sa Covid ha.”
“Okay, see you soon.”
These were some of the parting words exchanged between our team and the mayor. How I wish the parting time was extended as it subsided my feeling of anxiety.
Indeed, my stress level subsided. Honestly, it was still hanging whether or not we were to proceed straight to Tagbilaran or go to the munisipyo and see the suspect of the crime against the family of Mary Joy.
I was all smiles during the photo session we had but some butterflies in my stomach kept disturbing me especially when I would remember our next destination. Muadto ba gyud mi ug dili na ba? I realized that not knowing your directions is indeed disastrous to one’s peace of mind.
Are we still meeting the sustpect? I asked myself, again. As we were already seated inside the ASHIRA van, I noticed that Randy, the driver, looked at me meaningfully. I know he wanted to ask me where we were heading to. And the last to hop into the van was Ruth, Ma’am Ardy’s personal secretary.
Ruth, Randy and I were silent and we three were all waiting for any sound to come from Ma’am Ardy’s voice. We never dared to ask her where we were going next. Ruth signaled to me not to say anything nor ask anything. She hinted that we would just wait for Ma’am Ardy to lead.Ruth knows best. She knows Ma’am Ardy from head to toe, as she has been working with her for almost a decade now.
But just like what I said earlier, I was ready for anything.I know that God will protect us as we continue with this assignment. It is just a pity that with this trip of mine in Pilar, I did not have the chance to really explore the place.
This is my second time in Pilar and the first one was way back in 2004. Back then, I spent time travelling to the different towns of Bohol – even to the remotest areas. Of course, from the looks of everything, lots of things have changed. I was toying with the idea that, perhaps, when the pandemic is gone or at least minimized, I would have a chance to tour the province, especially Pilar town – without any restrictions and without any thought of seeing an alleged criminal or whatever and whoever.
Somehow, as I managed my stress level at that moment, I could not help but think again of Ma’am Ardy’s decision to meet the suspect. How I wished we could just miss that part of the trip. How I wish she would change her mind since it was already getting late.

“Tana!” I was startled and scared by the voice who said this word, “Tana”. It broke our silence! It was very definite and it was not asking our opinion where we were going. It was a declaration that we were going somewhere.
“Asa man ta, ma’am?” This was the hesitating question of Randy, the driver.
Ma’am Ardy said speedily the following: “Larga na ta. Padung ta sa munisipyo kay sayang atong pag-anhi ug dili nato mahinabi ang suspect. Dili ma kumpleto atong estorya ug wala tay mahagdaw gikan niya. Besides, usa man gyud siya sa atong tumong pag-anhi di ba? Mao nga larga na. A las 3 na hapit. Dili ko muangay nga mahapunan ta kay dili ta kaayo familiar sa lugar. Sige, go!”
“Yes, ma’am, go!” Randy answered.
“Go Randy,” Ruth said.
I never spoke a bit. I just kept silent and the moment seemed eternal.
“Unsa man ka, Dave? Kumusta man ka?” I heard Ma’am Ardy asking me the question.
I said, “Ako ma’am? Kumusta ko ma’am? Naa lang ko’y isulti nimo ma’am ha! Ayaw lang kasuko ma’am kay importante ni ug makatabang gyud ni nato.”
“Ha?” Ma’am Ardy said.
(To be continued)