NANG MAKA-ORDER at dumating na 'yong mga pagkain namin ay nagsimula na kaming mag-usap. We let Severina or Rina introduce herself first before we proceed to discuss about Sandoval's case. She's very jolly and fun to be with. "Wait. . . so you and Jeffrey are childhood friends? For real?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko."Yeah, for quite some time." Rina answered politely. Uminom ito nang saglit ng kape niya."And you're a model?"She nodded and smiled. "Just like how Jeffrey introduced me to you, I am an investigator and a detective in a disguise of a model. Though, passion ko rin naman ang modelling kaya tinuloy ko na rin minsan.""Does that affect your job performance?" Jelsey asked while reading her paperworks. "I mean, you're too visible to everybody's eyes. How can you be a private detective and an investigator.""Did you find any article or stuffs that might lead them know that I'm in disguise?" Rina asked confidently."Well, wala naman akong nakita." Jelsey answered while lookin
"More like of." Nakatuon lang ang atensyon nito sa pinanonood namin sa laptop ni Jelsey. "Wala namang iba."Napairap na lang ako sa hangin at nagpatuloy sa panonood. It was a normal, lovely vlog from the start, even if it as a draft or their practice or something. It was like a perfect shot until Charisse was startled by Sandoval's loud chopping. "What the fvck are you doing, Anthony?""W-What fvck?" Sandoval asked calmly while removing his apron from his body."You're chopping too hard like a mad chef! You know what. . . nevermind." Tumingin ito sa camera at ibinaba 'yon. Her eyebrows were madly furrowed. "Let's just start this over again."Then the video stopped."What can you two say, Attorneys?" Rina asked while looking at us. I guess we've had to dig further. I mean, yeah, this was just the start but it was very intriguing already. We might get some more tea if we watch all of their videos.Jelsey heaved a heavy sigh and looked at us. "Charisse was an arrogant bitch." Jelsey spa
"Luh, epal!" Jelsey rolled her eyes and chuckled. Inaasar ko kasi siya na ligawan na si Jeffrey para sa kaniya na talaga. Ayaw niya raw. "Siya ang manligaw, 'no! Hindi ko nga sure kung gusto niya rin ako.""With that word 'rin', does that mean that you really like him?" I asked. Medyo malapit na rin kami sa parking lot na pinagparadahan namin ng kotse ni Jelsey."Not that much, but I somehow do." Ngumiti ito sa akin at bahagyang natawa. "Ikaw ba? Mahal mo na ba ulit si Sandoval?"Ako naman ang bahagyang natawa sa kaniyang sinabi. "Sa totoo lang, hindi ko sigurado. Minsan oo, minsan hindi.""O baka hindi mo lang maamin sa sarili mo, Christine." Jelsey seriously said. Tinapik ako nito sa balikat at ngumiti. Nandito na rin kami sa loob ng madilim na parking lot kaya medyo tumahimik na kami."Baka nga----!""TAAS ANG KAMAY MGA GAGO!" Isang malakas na sigaw ang nakapag-patigil sa amin ni Jelsey sa paglalakad. We both looked at each other with the worries in our eyes. Nang tumingin kami sa l
"Politics is politics. We can't do anything about that."'Yon ang isa sa mga salitang sinabi ni Jelsey na tumatak sa aking isipan. Well, we really can't do anything about that. Our job wasn't directly inclined to politics but here we are, dealing with one of the shitty consequences of prosecuting a congressman. Why don't they just accept the fact that he's a fvcking corrupt! Kahit naman mamatay kami ay hindi siya makalalaya at hindi rin mabubura ang katotohanan na corrupt siya.What was that for? To revenge? What a shame.Bright and I were here at the Pasig police station to send those bastards in prison. Si Jelsey naman ay dumeretso sa hospital kasama si Dark para gamutin ang sugat niya. Mabuti na lang at nadaplisan lang siya ng bala kaya mas mabilis siyang makaka-recover. I'm also thankful that Jelsey and I were strong to not be traumatized by that incident.I thought of visiting Sandoval here, since he is staying here as a detainee, but I managed to stop myself for I don't want him
"Meron na rito. Reporter na mukhang tanga. SBS News court reporter." Bahagya akong natawa sa pagkakasabi nito. That must be Jeffrey Skyler, taking care of Jelsey right now. Napangiti ako nang malamang may magbabantay pa rin kay Jelsey."Hang in there." Ibinaba ko na muna ang phone at tumingin kay Bright na usisero. "Aalis na raw si Dark do'n. Ano bang sasabihin mo?""Tell him to go straight to my condo." He replied straightly. Nginisian ko ito't makahulugan siyang tiningnan. "What's with that look?""Sa condo mo ba siya natutulog?" I asked, jeering.Hindi na ako nito pinansin at umiling-iling na lang.Itinapat ko na muli sa aking tainga ang cellphone. Dark was saying something but he stopped the moment I said, "Just go to Bright's condo and lit scented candles." nakangisi kong sambit.Pinatay ko na ang tawag at tumingin sa nakakunot-noong si Bright. "What? Mas romantic kaya 'pag may scented candles." Natatawang pang-aasar ko.He seemed so teased by what I was doing. Buti nga sa kaniya
"That will never happen.""H'wag kang magsalita ng tapos, Jelsey." Nang sabihin ko 'yon ay napatingin ito sa akin. "I mean, you two still have a lot of time. Marami pang pwedeng mangyari habang nabubuhay tayo. May tsansa pa rin kayong magkabati ng mama mo."She gave me a weak smile and avoided her gaze from me. Hindi ito tumugon sa aking sinabi."How 'bout your father?""He's doing well with his new family." she replied timidly. "Wala rin namang kwenta 'yon. Mukha pang pera. He even tried to sell my car without my permission! Nakakagago 'di ba?"Bahagya akong natawa sa kaniyang tinuran. Kahit kailan talaga'y bastos ang bunganga nito. Well, parehas naman kami. Mas madalas lang ang pagmumura niya. "Tama ka naman d'yan. How was your relationship with him?""As usual. Bigyan ko raw siyang ten thousand kada buwan para raw 'di niya ako guluhin. Gago 'di ba? Tangina. Mas gugustuhin niya pa raw ang pera ko kaysa makasama ako.""Gago nga." I seconded.She laughed a bit and looked at me intentl
"Pero kung scripted 'yon, Sandoval must know it already! Sana sinabi na niya sa atin agad 'di ba?!"Kahit papagabi na ay umalis agad ako ng bahay at sumakay sa aking kotse. I think it's already 6:00 pm. I was wearing my usual formal attire when going to Sandoval's detention room. Hindi na ako napigilan ni Jelsey dahil kailangan ko talagang malaman ang totoo mula sa bibig ni Sandoval.Kailangan naming malaman kung scripted nga talaga ang mga 'yon. If it really is, then all of that was just a bunch of waste. It wasn't a genuine vlog or a video footage. It's fake.We need to know the truth from Sandoval himself.Habang nagmamaneho, bigla na lang may tumawag sa aking telepono na nasa aking tabi. I looked at it and found out that Jelsey was calling. I pressed a button and put it on loudspeaker. "What is it?" I acquisced."Why are you in such a haste, Christine? Hindi naman makakatakas si Sandoval d'yan eh."I rolled my eyes while listening to Jelsey. "I need to know the truth right here, r
Dapat ko ba talagang bitawan ang kaso ni Sandoval?Ilang minuto lang ang nakalipas, dahan-dahan nang pumatak ang ulan. Kasabay nito ang patuloy na pag-agos ng aking luha. Bakit pati ito ay nakikisabay pa? Nakakatamad bumalik ng kotse. Siguro rito na lang ako't maliligo sa ulan nang mahimasmasan naman ako."Mukhang malalim ang iniisip mo ah?"Tumingala ako sa kalangitan nang mapansing tumigil na ang pagpatak ng ulan sa aking balat.Payong.May lalaking nagpapayong sa akin.I instinctively smirked after I found out what he was wearing. He's wearing his infamous white coat and pants, while holding a transparent umbrella for me. Nang makita ko ang mukha nito ay agad kong binawi ang ngiti ko. "Sinusundan mo ba talaga ako, Prosecutor Bright?"He chuckled and sat beside me. Hindi ko naman siya pinapaupo pero tumabi talaga siya sa'kin. Siniksik pa talaga niya 'yong pwet niya sa upuan ah! Sinamaan ko ito ng tingin na bahagya naman niyang ikinatawa. "Kapal rin ng mukha mo eh, 'no?"He just smil
OH, SORRY. I've had enough.Nang saktong pagbukas ng elevator ay bigla akong nagsalita nang malakas. The two from behind were shocked and all of the other employees couldn't even move. Si Anthony naman ay nakatingin sa akin at nagulat. "Ah, wait. I forgot to turn off my audio recorder."Humarap ako sa kanilang lahat at matalim na tiningnan ang babaeng makapal ang mukha. Pinaalis na ni Anthony ang ibang nandito sa loob pero hindi niya pinalabas ang dalawang babaeng pinagchi-chismisan ako. Nakatingin lang ito sa amin at tila natatakot sa kung anong pwedeng mangyari sa kanila.Well, as they should. Narecord ko lahat ng mga kasinungalingang ipinakakalat nila. And it's recorded."Aren't you going to say something?" I asked them, still controlling my temper. Dapat lang na mag-sorry sila dahil hindi nakakatuwa ang mga sinabi nila. I usually don't give a fuck lately, but what they have just said pushed me into this. It's not as if I'm going to make them go to jail in an instant. "I mean, I re
"Inagaw niya sa akin si Anthony, ex-fiance ko. Sigurado akong kilala mo 'yon. Kalat na yung gwapo niyang mukha sa buong Asya."Napalunok ako sa sinabi nito. "Wait, inagaw sayo noong Christine na sinasabi mo?"Tumingin lang ito sa akin at natawa. "No, just kidding. As if Anthony became mine. Hindi naging akin si Anthony. He's always thinking about that damn Christine so I became like this. My obsession towards Anthony drove me into this."Huminga ako nang malalim at sinubukang lumapit sa kaniya. Mukha namang hindi siya nananakit kaya sinubukan kong lumapit. She even held my hand and massage it. "May galit ka ba sa kaniya?""Kay Christine?" she said and smiled. Patuloy lang ito sa paghilot sa aking kamay habang nakatingin sa kawalan. I felt like she's been alone here for weeks already. "No, I'm not angry at her at all. Wala naman siyang kasalanan. Kahit si Anthony wala ring kasalanan.""But they still hurt your feelings." I said and caressed her back. Isinandal nito ang kaniyang ulo sa
"I thought we'll be on it." I heard Anthony softly complained and heaved a heavy sigh. He's still cuddling me even though I know that he's a little bit disappointed. Nakayakap din ito sa akin habang ramdam ko ang init ng kaniyang hininga sa kaniyang batok. This moment was kinda romantic even though there's no scented candles around, just the study lamp on the table beside us."Sorry." I said and hugged his arm on me even more. "I'm really not in the mood. Inaantok na rin ako."He chuckled and held my hand. "You must be very tired. I love you. Try to sleep."I really feel sorry because I couldn't make it up to him right now. When we were about to start earlier, I stopped from removing my lungeries and made him just lay down beside me. He was confused at first until I told him that I don't wanna continue anymore. We just cuddled and he agreed.Though, I convinced him.I couldn't help but smile from what he had said. Humarap ako rito't hinalikan siya saglit. We were now facing each other
"No, send that tax receipt to Michelle since she's the tax lawyer. Forget about the other legal matters there. I'm taking care of that right now."After I said that over the phone, I put it down immediately to focus on my tasks. I don't know why they want me to take care of the tax receipts when I'm not the tax lawyer.I now work as the general business lawyer and the contract lawyer of Rivamonte Hotel. Yes, I currently work for Anthony at his hotel. 2-in-1 ang trabaho ko dahil bukod sa kaya ko naman, I have to work double to gain money. Hindi pwedeng puro asa na lang ako kay Mama lalo na kay Anthony.I have to work for my needs. Ilang buwan na lang ang itatagal ng savings ko. Baka umabot sa time na wala na akong maipa-sweldo kina Kuya Caesar at Ate Sising.Kahit na nandito ako sa loob ng bahay ay nakakapag-focus pa rin naman ako sa trabaho. The room beside my bedroom, which was Jelsey's room two years ago, was turned into my home office. Everything was set up, thanks to Ate Sising an
Severina nodded and smiled bitterly while she was looking at her photos on the screen. "This was the consequence that I got after I helped you free Sandoval. Bright warned me about this. This was the piece of information that he kept on using to blackmail me until I spoke the truth to the court room that day. That son of a bitch really destroyed my modelling career.""Si Bright pa rin ba ang nasa likod ng mga ito? Nagsilutangan ulit ang mga litrato mo, Severina." I asked. Napailing-iling na lang ako't iniisip kung ano na lang ang dinanas ni Severina para malagpasan ang mga ito."Who knows? Only God knows if Bright is still the one behind this." Severina answered."Oh my God, I'm s-sorry for not being there with you back then, Severina. . .""You don't have to be sorry, Christine." she told me and held my hand which was on the table. "You did the right thing to free Sandoval. I also did the right thing just like you. The only problem here is the asshole who spreaded this photos from
Napatingin ito sa akin at ngumiti. She looked so shy even though we already met before. "Thank you! Y-You too.""Don't be so awkward in front of her, Katerina." pagsingit muli ni Jelsey pagkatapos humigop ng kape. "It's not as if you did a heinous thing behind our backs.""She must be sorry for what she did two years ago." pagsunod din ni Severina para asarin ang kapatid niya. "Well, triny lang naman niyang ilubog ang pangalan ni Sandoval sa isang bagay na 'di naman talaga niya nakita. What a bitch, right?" tanong nito sa akin.Natawa na lang ako't umiling. "Nakaraan na 'yan, h'wag mo nang asarin masyado ang kapatid mo, Severina" Tumingin naman ako kay Katerina't ngumiti. "It's okay now, Katerina. I heard that you defended yourself from the law suit filed against you two years ago, huh? Noong napatunayan mo namang inosente ka, nawalan na ako ng problema sayo."After I said that, she laughed and hugged me instinctively. Niyakap ko rin ito pabalik tapos pagkatapos ay nag-sorry ulit ito.
Jelsey nodded and went to the bathroom. Umalis na rin si Anthony pagkatapos nitong magpaalam sa akin. Naiwan na ako mag-isa kaya umupo na muna ako sa harap ng office table ni Jelsey.Speaking of Katerina, I haven't seen that girl for years. Pagkatapos ng hearing ni Anthony two years ago ay hindi na ulit kami nagkita. Well, it's understandable since we really don't know each other pretty much. Ang koneksyon lang namin sa isa't isa ay si Severina at wala nang iba.I wonder if I'll also meet Severina today. Ang sabi lang naman ni Katerina ay pumunta kami sa office nila. We didn't know if whose request is this but we have to go because she said it's important. But whatever it is, I hoping that Severina's there so we can have a little chit-chat for a while. Ang huling pagkikita namin ay yung araw na nadischarge ako galing sa hospital. All of us are quiet busy these days so we barely see each other unlike before.After minutes of waiting, Jelsey finally went out of the bathroom after changi
"That was unusual. I never thought that I would see that friend of yours wearing a smile.""We're not friends!" I argued after Anthony said that. "We never became friends.""That's cold." he replied.Nasa office pa rin kami pero lumipat kami ng pwesto. Malaki naman ang office ni Jelsey, lumipat kami sa isang malaking sofa sa harap ng TV. Nakahiga ako habang ang ulo ko'y nasa hita ni Anthony. Si Jelsey naman ay nasa paahan ko, iniinom yung kape niya.Pagkatapos kuhanin ni Jelsey ng kape mula kay Dark ay umalis na agad ang huli. It took me a minute before I moved on from that smile. "What was that behavior, Jelsey? Kailan pa natutong ngumiti 'yon?""Well, that was part of his job." Jelsey replied after taking a sip of her coffee. Kanina, sinubukan niyang utusan si Dark na dalhan din kami ng kape pero hindi ako pumayag. I just want him to get lost from my face. Ayokong bumalik pa siya para dalhan kami ng kape. "When he applied for a job, I asked him to always smile so he could get along
IT WAS ALMOST an hour after we finished eating all the food that were served to us. Pagkatapos naming magpaalam kay Mama ay agad na kaming sumakay ng kotse't nag-drive sa susunod naming pupuntahan. We have so many itineraries today.Though, ayos lang. Minsan na lang din naman ako makalabas ng bahay dahil sa bago kong trabaho."I'm nervous." I told Anthony. Hinawakan nito ang aking kamay habang nagmamaneho siya. "It's been a while since I last saw her.""It's just two weeeks ago, Christine.""It's still long." I argued, looking at him at the rearview mirror.Bahagya lang itong natawa't tinapik ang aking kamay. "Yeah, yeah, I understand you. Unlike those days, you two don't get along together pretty often.""Ahuh, we both seemed super busy right now."Mabilis lang kaming nakarating sa isang malaking building kung saan nakatayo ang pinaka-successful na law firm sa buong Luzon. Pagkapark namin sa unahan ay agad akong namangha sa building na ito. Well, the owner of it was quite famous afte