The Purger

“You’ll take a cab to go to Wenzo’s house before you all meet with the culprit, right?” Ravael woke up early as his usual routine, but I woke up at the same time as him for this event.

“Yes,” I confirmed.

We were standing outside the compound, enjoying the fresh air, waiting for a cab, when a private car stopped right in front of us. The driver stepped out to meet us.

“Good morning, Ma’am.”

Sir Lorenzo stepped out as well. “Hi, Shamikha.”

“Hello, Sir,” I responded, sounding confused as to why they were here.

“We got here in time.”

“Why are you here, Sir?”

“To pick you up. We’ll go together to meet the person of interest.” He paused for a while. “Oh, you haven’t read my text?”

I reached into my shoulder bag and pulled out my cellphone. That's when I noticed Sir Lorenzo's unread latest message. I must have missed it earlier because I woke up so early and spent all my time getting ready for this special day.

The driver helped me get into the back seat, while Sir Lorenzo and Ma'am Rowena sat in the second row. I waved goodbye to Ravael, who was still standing on the sidewalk. He followed us with his eyes until I couldn't see him anymore in the distance.

I am uncomfortable being inside the car with Wenzo’s parents. My mouth couldn't seem to find any words that would matter to them as they discussed their businesses. Everything I thought of saying felt too small or too silly, so I stayed quiet instead.

“We were way earlier than usual, dear.” Sir Lorenzo glanced at me. “Because Elana currently lives in the countryside, but the good news is it's not too far from the city. A moderate drive away and we’re good.”

Gladly, Sir Lorenzo is hyped, which made the atmosphere more tolerable.

“Is it okay, Sir, to leave her at that place, being a suspect?”

This kept me questioning. Isn’t she supposed to be in jail?

“If you’re wondering why she’s not in prison, we chose not to, at the moment.”

It was unexpected that Ma’am Rowena answered me without looking at the back.

“We kept her under surveillance while living freely in her house so she couldn’t escape us, no matter how long we wanted to.”

Wait, is that even legal?

“Are we authorized to do that, Ma’am?”

I’m concerned about what’s going on here.

“You don’t, but we do.”

That was her straightforward answer, which made my forehead crease. Why does she mean by it?

“Dear, to put it in simple terms, we negotiated with Elana to keep her for a while until we asked for your permission.”

“What if you were not able to reach out to me?”

They may have been looking for me, but they can be unfortunate not to run into me at the right moment. Timing can be so tricky.

“Then we’ll still proceed with it. Asking you was just for the formality. Our son was involved in this case as much as you are.” Ma’am Rowena responded.

“How about working with the police, Ma’am? Aren’t they supposed to be involved with this as well? How certain are we that she’s the suspect?”

We’re literally apprehending a suspect here. And it’s worse if she’s indeed the person we’re looking for. My heart is racing from the thought of it.

"The police proved useless. They made an effort, but as usual, it took them far too long. We took the initiative ourselves. The result was faster and far more reliable than anything those public servants could deliver."

As usual? When and in what cases did they work with the police before?

“Hon, they helped us with finding Elana.” Sir Lorenzo added. “The superintendent also gave us some referrals to whom to contact for professional help.”

"And that is all they could manage for what our money is worth," she scoffed. "Professionals, they claim to be, yet not one of them could meet my standards. Scoundrels, the lot of them. Just leeching off people."

“Calm, Hon.”

“Can’t help but be mad with their services.”

She basically admitted they were bribing the police to actually take this case seriously. It's kind of shocking, but also… they're being way more efficient than them. The way Ma'am Rowena scoffed at those officials made it so clear. She's had enough of dealing with their failed work. You could hear it in her voice. She was tired of pretending to be patient with them.

“Don’t overthink yourself, dear. We’ve handled this.” Sir Lorenzo assured me.

It took a few more minutes before I finally drifted off to sleep. I didn't really sleep well last night. My mind wouldn't quiet down.

“Shamikha, we’re here.” Sir Lorenzo woke me.

They helped me get out of the car with my wheelchair. The driver pulled my wheelchair.

The car parked outside the simple, yet neat two-storey house looked strangely familiar. There was a scratch on its front end, a mark, but somehow it stood out to me right away. Something deep inside me whispered this was the same white car. The same one that bumped into me that day.

My heart suddenly felt so heavy, as if something was pressing on it. My breathing became deeper without me even noticing, and my heartbeat… it was louder and heavier than before. It was trying to warn me or remember something I'd rather forget.

Ma'am Rowena opened the house using the keys she pulled out from her purse. We stepped inside through the main entrance. The moment we walked in, it felt… empty. There was no one there. The whole house was dim and quiet, so the driver reached over and turned the lights on.

The interior was plain. There was dust everywhere. It seems no one had been home in a while.

Then they started walking toward a bedroom on the ground floor, right next to the powder room. With every step they took, I found it harder to breathe. My chest felt tight, and I couldn't bring myself to ask what was happening. I followed them, too nervous to speak.

“Elana, good morning. We’re with Shamikha to visit you.” Sir Lorenzo talked to the door in front of him.

Ma’am Rowena unlocked the doorknob, and the door swung open.

There, sitting on the bedroom floor, was a woman in her early 40s. She was leaning against the side of the bed, her back slumped like she didn't have the strength to sit up straight anymore. Her chest-length curly hair was completely uncombed, messy and tangled, with some strands falling over her face and covering her left eye. Right beside her on the floor was a tray with a plate on it. A half-eaten rice meal, sitting there, barely touched. It looked like she hadn't moved much all day.

Then slowly, she raised her head.

Her eyes looked tired and lost. For a moment, no one said a word. My heart felt so heavy, looking at her.

“What do you want from me?” the woman named Elana muttered with a blank look.

Did they lock Elana here all alone?

“Get her,” Ma’am Rowena mumbled.

The driver assisted Elana to stand and walk towards the living room, where we seated altogether.

“Shamikha dear, it’s not what it seems, but let’s keep this to ourselves, okay?” Sir Lorenzo said. “She’s stubborn, and we couldn’t get a hold of her if we give her special treatment. This was the only way to make her abide with us.”

He actually wants me to stay silent about them kidnapping this poor woman?! I can't believe it. Their son hurt me, yes, but now they've gone and committed a crime against someone else, too. It makes me think their son did take after them.

“She’s the culprit who crippled you.” Ma’am Rowena stated. “The same woman who fled from you to avoid getting caught by the police, but we managed to do it.”

“Why are you doing this much?” I asked them both.

“Wenzo’s actions caused you this, but this woman was also involved, so she’s at fault too.” Ma’am Rowena answered.

“Just get your business done with me,” Elana murmured, not looking at us. She’s staring at a distance with a scornful look.

"This is what happens when you escape. We would have resolved this matter properly with the police, but you chose to be as naughty as Wenzo. Consider this a lesson. You learn to be accountable and behave the way you were meant to."

Is this their way of punishing her? By agonizing her mentally? If it is, then something feels wrong about all of this. I mean, yes, she may have done something bad, but shouldn't this be handled by the authorities instead of them taking matters into their own hands? What they're doing might even be considered kidnapping, and that's something I really don't want to be a part of. It doesn't feel right in my heart.

Elana laughed, which alerted me. “Y’all are a bunch of sick people!”

Ma’am Rowena stood, walked towards her, and clenched her right hand holding Elana’s cheeks. “You are in no way to talk to us like that.” She let go of her face, twitching firmly.

“We don’t tolerate how you treated a poor girl after you ran into her, whether it was an accident. You’re an adult to know what’s good and not.” Sir Lorenzo uttered. “You should ask for Shamikha’s forgiveness because of what you have done to her.”

Elana stared at me from head to toe. We waited for 5 minutes, but she said nothing.

“That says a lot about your attitude.” Ma’am Rowena commented. “Your apology is worth nothing. You’ll atone for your sins by facing the law.”

Her intimidating and heavy aura defines how she brings herself to face everybody. I couldn’t imagine what it’s like living with her as my mother. Wenzo must be frightened by his own mother.

“I’ve talked to the police and our lawyer. They’re ready to settle this next week.” Sir Lorenzo announced after he checked his phone. "If there is anything you wish to say to her personally before we reach the court and hand her over to the authorities, now is the time. Once you stand before them as both the victim and a witness, it may become intense for you. Speaking your emotions now may help steady your emotions before we proceed with the hearing." He said in a calming voice.

I turned my gaze to Elana, our eyes met, and it sent shivers down my spine. This is what it feels like to face the woman who hit me.

“I…”

Uhm… I'm out of words.

I don't even understand why they wanted me to meet Elana where she was some kidnapped woman tied to a room. Why couldn't we meet at the court or at the police station like normal people? I can't deny that part of me did want to see her face-to-face, to finally look at the person who changed my life that night… but I never expected it to be like this. It's all so confusing and messy.

I forced myself to shrug everything off and took a deep breath. My cheeks were all wet. Tears were flowing from my eyes without me even realizing it. My heart felt everything before my mind could catch up.

“Ms. Elana,” I sobbed with a sincere heart. “I forgive you.”

***

“How was it? Is the culprit going to be imprisoned? What happened after you met?” Ravael’s consecutive questions after he arrived.

“Sorry, I ate dinner with them, but they gave us a take-home.”

I pointed out the take-home food in a plastic container for Ravael to eat. We’re in the living room, and he sat on the sofa.

Ravael accompanied me to the hearings. It was the last day, and we won the case.

“We did it!” Sir Lorenzo clapped his hands when the judge declared that the odds were going with us. “Hon!” He hugged his wife tightly.

Ma'am Rowena stayed so calm and composed, as she had already predicted how everything would turn out, or maybe she had already made sure we would win no matter what. Her signature nude matte lipstick added to her whole aura. It made her look so put-together and untouchable. She speaks as if nothing could ever go wrong when she's around.

Ravael, who was seated on my right, breathed a sigh of relief. “Congratulations, Shamikha,” his voice lingered.

The judge continued discussing the case briefly. I didn't even bother listening well. It was getting noisier in my head, and my heart was too busy fluttering. I've been holding back.

I glared at that woman. She’s distressed, mad, and almost trembling. I slowly moved my gaze down to my own legs. My injured legs. Still sitting here in this wheelchair while she gets to stand. She deserved to be jailed, but I don’t deserve to be impaired.

“Your death will also come for you, Elana. This is the beginning of your end. You can jump and run, but not anymore. You cannot jump and run away from the prison cells, the hell that was made especially for you. We’re now equally suffering from the hell we brought to each other.”

“Shamikha?”

I turned to my right. “Huh?”

“What did you say?” he asked.

“Did… Did I say something?”

“You were whispering something just now.”

I blinked twice, avoiding his eyes.

“It’s getting loud. What you heard wasn’t me.”

“Okay”

Elana was given the sentence the law decided for her. As the victim, I couldn't work anymore because of what happened. The driver was charged under the Revised Penal Code, with penalties depending on how serious the offense was. Since no one died, the charges weren't as severe. For a hit-and-run that caused serious injuries like mine, where I couldn't even move for more than 30 days, the driver's license can be revoked for up to four years. She was also charged with Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Serious Physical Injuries, and the court said she has to pay for my medical bills, the income I lost during the months I couldn't walk, and other damages. In the end, Elana was sentenced to two years in prison.

What surprised me was that even though formal charges weren't filed right away, the suspect wasn't kept in jail during those first few hours after detention. But Sir Lorenzo and Ma'am Rowena found another way to catch her. They made sure to get a medico-legal report immediately to prove how badly I was hurt.

And… I remembered Wenzo. He hurt me, too, and he never even apologized. But maybe the heavens found their own way to punish him… like what Elana is facing now.

“Why don’t you join us for lunch? I had a reservation at one of our favorite restos in town. How does that sound? This calls for a celebration!” Sir Lorenzo invited us, grinning.

“We would like to take a rest after this, Sir,” I answered, declining him politely.

“I understand. This case has been taking too much toll on you. Job well done, everyone!”

“Thank you, Sir, for everything.” I glanced at Ma’am Rowena. “Ma’am, I truly appreciate your support for me.”

“We did what we could and what we think we should,” she replied. She looked at Ravael. “You have a good support on your back all this time.”

“Anyway, don’t stress yourself anymore. We’ll stay in touch, okay?” Sir Lorenzo was reassured.

“Definitely, Sir,” I smiled.

They dropped us in front of the compound before they go to their lunch. Ravael helped me with my wheelchair.

“That’s it for now. Take care, both of you.”

“Thank you.” I waved goodbye to them. Sir Lorenzo did as well.

We went home, seeing the kids in the compound playing outside.

“Hi, Shamikha! Where have you been?” A kid ran towards us.

“Hello there!” I greeted them with a big smile and fluttering heart. “We went to visit some friends. And you? Why are you still playing with your shirt wet from sweat?”

He chuckled. “We were playing hide-and-seek, ahhh!” the boy screamed as another boy of his age tagged him as the next seeker.

“I got something for all of you.”

I handed them a box of doughnuts. Sir Lorenzo insisted on giving us take-out food because we refused to eat lunch with them.

“Yay!”

“Whoa”

“Can I have one?”

They all giggled in excitement.

“Okay, kindly fall in line and get one doughnut each,” Ravael instructed them.

All six of them got one each. They munched it in seconds. Seeing their big warm smiles made my heart skip.

“When are you going to give me my birthday gift?” A sweet girl asked Ravael.

“Hmm… In two months is your birthday, right?”

She nodded, shyly with a grin.

“I’ll surprise you, okay?”

The girl hugged him. Ravael has become close with them as well. After I started working, he assisted me in taking care of the kids in the compound. I didn’t know he was fond of kids, too. He sometimes brings them snacks and toys they request from him.

“What will you say when you receive a blessing?” I asked the kids.

“Thank you!” They responded in chorus.

I smiled, looking at their innocent faces. Nathan’s lips have chocolate.

I wiped the mess on his lower lip. “Careful”

Ravael patted their heads before they came running again to play hide-and-seek.

We both entered the house and fixed ourselves.

“I won’t eat anything until tomorrow morning. Will it be alright for me to spend some time alone in my bedroom?”

“Sure, but why?”

“Just want to contemplate what happened today.”

I stayed in my room the whole day and didn't leave, even when night came. I couldn't sleep, so I left the lights on. At one point, I glanced at the wall clock in front of me. It was already past 10 PM, my usual bedtime.

I closed my eyes and interlocked my fingers. My forehead was creased as I started to pray.

"Thank You for all the blessings and for the justice that has finally come to me. Thank You for sustaining my needs, for supporting me from the very beginning, and for always watching over me. It hasn't been an easy journey, but You showed me mercy by bringing people into my life who could help. I speak strength, resilience, provision, and protection over myself. No matter what challenges come, I know You're here inside my heart, guiding me. Nothing formed against me shall prosper.

And to finish… I pray Elana will meet her end soon. She will finally understand all the unrighteous things she has done, and repent for every sin she has committed. In Your mighty name, Amen."

A moving shadow, two little feet below the door sill, caught my eye.

thud

A soft thud, like something leaning against the door. Barely audible, but I heard it.

I stood up with the help of my crutch and opened the door. Ravael wasn't there. And all the lights were turned off. Wait… that doesn't make sense. If I saw a shadow, the lights should have been on. Maybe I was just seeing things. Maybe Ravael had finished getting something from the kitchen or living room and walked away. I closed the door and sat back on my bed. That must have been nothing.

***

It's been two days since we won the trial. Right now, I'm preparing my work to submit to my boss tomorrow, Monday afternoon. Ravael got home after meeting up with a friend.

"You're late," I greeted him from the window. The rain was falling even harder than it had been an hour ago. "And soaked."

“Oh,” he looked startled. “Our conversation went longer than it should have. And I forgot to bring my umbrella. It was over there,” he smirked, pointing to the umbrella he had left on the sofa. He took off his outside shoes before going in.

“What is your friend like?” I interrogated him after he had a change of clothes.

“It’s going to be a long story.” He scratched his wet head and shared stories about his bonding with a friend.

I was grinning the whole time he was telling his story. I'm glad Ravael is spending time with friends other than me. To be honest, I'd feel guilty if I were the only person he ever socialized with. I hope his world grows bigger because I don't want him to feel stuck with me because of my condition. I really hope I'm not burdening him with responsibilities he never even asked for.

“That’s so funny,” I laughed at his story.

cellphone vibrates

My phone is vibrating, and I read Sir Lorenzo’s name on the screen.

“Go ahead.”

“Excuse me.” I tapped my phone. “Good evening, Sir.”

“Shamikha? Do you hear me?” He clarified.

It seems he cannot hear me well. Maybe because it was raining and the interception got interrupted.

“Yes, Sir, I hear you.”

I heard Ma’am Rowena’s voice in the background, but I couldn’t hear clearly what she was saying.

There was no response for about 2 minutes on the other line.

“Hello? Sir? Are you still there?” I followed up.

“Uh, yes. This was horrible news, but you should know about this immediately.”