CHAPTER 23

"Let's not charge Marco yet," I said. I was facing Ma'am Yolly while Tita Cecile stood a few meters away, talking on her smartphone about her job as a real estate agent. " Maya mentioned he might be struggling with an illness. Let's consider this possibility, which could influence his aggressive behavior."

"Is he mentally incapacitated?" Ma'am Yolly asked, her brow furrowing.

"It's a possibility. If Marco indeed has a mental illness, it could explain his behavior. And if that's the case, he might not be legally responsible for his actions. I want to extend a helping hand." The complexity of the situation was apparent to me.

"I can't help but empathize with Marco. If we assist him in getting the treatment he needs, he could find temporary freedom. And if we can confirm his illness, we may not have to press charges. But we must inform the chief; the women's desk might still pursue a case," Ma'am Yolly explained, offering a glimmer of hope in a challenging situation.

"Please, help me reach out to Marco. Let's meet again tomorrow," I requested, my tone respectful. "Let's have a conversation without his wife present. I'm also concerned about Maya. She's dealing with an anxiety disorder."

"I will accompany you tomorrow. I will first talk to the chief. You know, Doc Ara, I am impressed with you. The way you help your listeners, you do the same in real life."

She beamed at me, and I appreciated her small compliment. I met Ma'am Yolly because she once asked for my help regarding two children they rescued from a bad situation with their stepfather. I provided free counseling for the two children, and then we became close.

I admitted I couldn't shake off the thought of Marco de Leon. Why did he seek our help, only to be the one causing his family harm? My interest in him has deepened.

After our discussion, we entered the police station. Tita Cecile had regained her composure. She expressed her lingering concern for Maya. The truth is, we are apprehensive about the child. Even though I am not a parent yet, I understand that the experiences he is enduring with his parents will significantly shape his future. These traumas will stay with him, potentially influencing his future relationships and behavior.

When we arrived at the police desk, Maya was still crying. The police officer who was talking to her kept scratching his head. Ma'am Yolly spoke on my behalf because Maya started to stare into blank space again.

"Maya, don't worry. Dr. Clara will help you," she explained. Maya looked at me, and I gave her a sweet smile. "Your husband may not be charged. He needs to undergo treatment if he has an illness. Dr. Clara only needs your cooperation."

I reached out and held her left hand. I want to demonstrate my sincere care and am willing to assist them. "Look at your son. It's not good for him to constantly witness you crying. Stay strong. Please forgive me once again. I will help your husband with the illness you mentioned. I need to talk to him."

We exchanged glances, but she remained silent. She wiped the tears from her eyes and turned to her child. She constricted her arms to him and caressed his back.

Maya asked for forgiveness from Tita Cecile and me, and who were we not to accept it? When they decided to go home, we took them with us in my car. They were quiet during the trip, but Tita Cecile and I gave them time to contemplate things.

Ma'am Yolly stayed at the police station with her two companions. They talked to the chief about our plans for tomorrow.

I am distraught for Maya's family and cannot explain it. Maybe out of compassion, especially since they only have one child. My instinct to help them has brought me closer to the mother and child. I am serious about helping them, and I believe a solution exists to fix their family.

According to the police officer who arrested Marco, he was quiet and kept avoiding any of their questions. Do I need to apologize to him because I found out he had an illness? I just prepared myself for the help I could give him in the coming days. I also planned to tell Kuya Drei about this, but maybe not for now. I need to face Marco first.

***

The morning became drizzly due to the southwest monsoon. However, I still pushed through and went to the police station. As we had agreed with Ma'am Yolly, we met, and she introduced me to the chief.

He was a plump and stout sixty-year-old, but his face showed no aging. We spoke to him privately, and he agreed not to file a case against Marco yet.

A police officer led us to a room with a conference table and four chairs. I smelled fresh paint as soon as we walked in, yet the scent of cigarette smoke overpowered it when we were inside. Ma'am Yolly and I sat and waited while the police officer turned on the ceiling fan. Someone also opened the casement window, allowing the cool breeze to enter because the rain had stopped outside.

As Ma'am Yolly and I waited, my heart pounded in my chest, and my palms grew clammy with anxiety. I had never done this before, and the memory of Marco's face only added to my nervousness. I tried to meditate for a few minutes while Ma'am Yolly told me stories, doing her best to help me calm down. Then, out of nowhere, we heard audible voices.

"Where are you taking me? Let go of me." We heard a man's deep, baritone voice.

"Shut up! Someone wanted to speak to you."

"I need my wife!"

"Hey, buddy! Help me hold him, but don't hurt him."

I heard heavy footsteps and more angry shouts. The air grew thick with tension, and my breath hitched as I braced myself for the encounter. I swallowed a lump in my throat as the tension built around me. I kept adjusting my sitting position, so I was surprised when Ma'am Yolly grabbed my left hand. She turned to me and smiled, her eyes telling me to calm down first.

Four police officers were restraining Marco de Leon as they tried to get him inside the room. He kept screaming and calling Maya's name, complaining about a sudden headache. Suddenly, he appeared in front of us, lost his balance, and fell face-first onto the table, seemingly pushed by a police officer. Ma'am Yolly and I stood up, surprised and concerned.

"Oh! Please don't be harsh on him," Ma'am Yolly screamed.

However, something caught my attention: the man before us differed from the one I had seen weeks ago. His hair was long and unkempt, with bangs almost covering his entire face as if he hadn't had a haircut in a long time. I took a deep breath, realizing I had mistaken the guy I saw in the hallway for Marco de Leon. I wondered to myself, who was that skinhead guy I saw?

Two police officers held Marco, who was in handcuffs. When he sat down properly, two officers stood on either side, keeping watch. His head bent down, showing no interest in talking to us. Ma'am Yolly looked back at me again and nodded silently, indicating that I could start talking. We sat down again. Aside from the two male police officers, three more were peeking in outside the door.

"Hello, Marco. I am Doctor Clara Montemayor," I said, forcing a smile despite my intense anxiety. "I want to speak with you. I am currently taking care of Maya and your son."

Due to his long bangs, I couldn't see his facial reaction. I waited for him to respond until I noticed him taking a deep breath. When he lifted his head, my eyes widened. I felt like a bucket full of cold water poured over me. I could not believe what Marco's face looked like; I thought I had seen a ghost.

The hair on my body stood up as a chill ran down my spine. I rose from my seat, my chest bursting with excruciating pain. My knees wobbled, and I collapsed onto the floor, losing consciousness.