I have no strength to cut the call so I left it that way. Hindi rin pala ibinaba ni Jelsey kaya nanatiling nasa tainga ko ang cellphone. "And I know that you're not okay, Christine. Let's talk about it when you got home."Nang patayin na niya ang tawag ay pinatay ko na rin ang cellphone ko para wala nang makaabala sa akin. Sumandal muli ako sa bintana ng kotse habang nakatingin sa traffic sa labas. Bakit ba ganito dito? Walang katapusang traffic! Kahit malapit lang ang Manila sa Pasig ay napatatagal pa rin dahil sa traffic na ito.Napapikit na ang mata ko dahil sa sobrang pagod na rin siguro. Hinayaan ko na lang na iduyan ako ng kotse at ng nararamdaman ko. Sumandal ako sa aking upuan at hinayaan ang sarili kong makatulog. Wala rin naman akong gagawin. Mas mabuti nang makatulog kaysa mag-isip pa ng mga bagay na ikaiiyak ko."Are you my lawyer?""I'm on the defense side, Charisse. Your fiancé's counsel. Dahil ipinakulong niyo lang naman ang inosenteng si Anthony.""Are you here to kill
"Severina's here."Bahagya kong inayos ang buhok ko nang may ilang media nang nagsidatingan sa labas ng mansyon. Binuksan na kasi ang malaking gate nang dumating ang mga pulis kanina. May mga detectives din sila para imbestigahan ang motibo ng pagnanakaw.Pero hindi naman siguro pagnanakaw 'yon. Pangunguha 'yan ng ebidensya para sa sarili nilang interes. These damn prosecutors."Hey, Christine. Nandito na si Severina." Napatingin na ako kay Jelsey nang ulitin pa nito ang kaniyang sinasabi. Saktong paglingon ko sa kaniya ay nakita ko na rin si Rina na papalapit na sa amin. "She came over as soon as she heard about what happened."Umupo na sa tabi ko si Rina sa kaliwa samantalang nasa kanan ko naman si Jelsey. Si Jeffrey naman ay nasa kanan rin ni Jelsey. We were sitting here now at the utmost side of the garden. This was a huge empty space in front of the main door. . . we sat here to not feel suffocated in the crime scene.Hinaplos ni Rina ang likod ko at ngumiti. "Kumalma ka na ba?"
"No, it's okay." Rayver acquiesced and smirked."But for us, it's not okay." sabat pa rin ni Jeffrey sa likod. "We can't trust a police like you, Rayver. I saw you receiving a bribe from someone you maliciously saved—!""That wasn't a bribe. It was a gift—!" sasabat pa sana si Rayver pero nagsalita muli si Jeffrey."—a gift that is not allowed in the police protocol, Rayver. Siguro'y inilakad ka lang talaga diyan sa posisyon mo, 'no? Police must not receive a gift, could it be tangible or intangible benefit, because it can be considered as bribery. Yung kaso mo, sure na bribery 'yon, Rayver."Umigting ang panga ni Rayver na ngayon ay parang napikon na. "I can sue you with slander for stating false information against me." he said in his composed manner.Ngumisi lang si Jeffrey na napatingin kay Jelsey. "That was slander if I stated a false info." He clicked her tongue and looked at Rayver intently. "But it wasn't if it was true. I have my evidence.""That was slander if I stated a fal
Tuluyan na nga itong umalis at naiwan muli kaming apat na nakatayo dito. Napatingin kami kay Jeffrey nang tumikhim ito. "Sorry, but I have to go now to the SBS News Center. Pinatatawag na talaga ako ng boss ko." nakangiwing paalam ni Jeffrey.Ngumiti at tumango kaming dalawa ni Rina samantalang si Jelsey ay inihatid na si Jeffrey sa labas. "Ihatid na kita." sambit ni Jelsey at nagsimulang maglakad paalis kasama si Jeffrey."Shall we start our investigation?" Rina asked as if she was excited.Ngumiti na rin ako dahil wala naman akong magagawa ngayon. After this, I swear, I'll sleep 'til afternoon tomorrow. "Let's go."Pagpasok namin ng bahay ay bumungad pa rin sa amin ang gulo-gulong mga gamit. Nakita ko na ito kanina pagkadating ko pero nanghihina pa rin ako kapag iniisip na aayusin pa namin 'to. We have to do this fast. Gusto ko na talagang matulog."Check your vault first, Christine." Rina ordered as soon as we reached the sofa. Napatingin naman ako sa kaniya hindi dahil inutusan ni
"It was odd that I didn't notice it the moment we entered this house. Gano'n na ba ako kapagod?" Rina commented and chuckled.Gano'n rin si Jelsey na napahawak sa noo niya. "I think we should check on this now." Jelsey glanced at me and nodded. Alam kong signal 'yon na ako na dapat ang magbukas ng laptop ko.Ngayon ko lang na-realize na dapat dati ko pa nilagyan ng password itong laptop ko para hindi nabuksan ng kahit sino. Pag-angat ko ng monitor ng laptop ko ay napansing nakabukas pa pala ito. I was about to not say something but a notification called my attention. "One tab is not closed yet?"Binuksan ko agad kung ano ito at bumungad sa akin ang isang file mula rito. It was a video scenes of. . . "What the hell?"Nagkatinginan kaming tatlo at napasapo sa aming mga noo. "Patay na."Nakuha ng prosecution ang video na sinasaktan ni Charisse si Sandoval. Marami ito kaya siguradong nakuha nila ito lahat. They can use this against Sandoval."They'll say that there's a motive that can pro
"Nag-utos ka lang naman ng mga tao para magnakaw ng ebidensya na maaari niyong magamit laban kay Sandoval." Kumuyom pa rin ang kamao ko sa sobrang inis kay Bright. "You instigated a theft, Bright!"Napakunot ang noo ni Bright at parang naguguluhan. "Ano? Anong sinasabi mo d'yan, Christine?"Lalong nag-puyos ang galit sa loob ko pero napigilan ko pa rin ang sarili ko na sampalin siya. "HINDI KA TALAGA AAMIN?""WHAT DID I DO, CHRISTINE?"I was about to talk back, but a man in full black suit barged into our conversation. Lumitaw ito sa likod ni Bright at papalapit na sa amin. Lalo akong nagalit nang lumapit ito nang nakangisi. "Prosecutor Dark." I murmured in grim."What did we do, Bright?" Dark asked, but it was more like of a statement. Lalong nandilim ang paningin ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Nagulat pero napakunot ang noo ni Bright kaya siguro, wala itong alam sa ginawa ng kasama niya.So Dark is behind this incitement of theft. Naningkit ang mga mata ko't binawi muli sa pagkakahawak ni
Ilang minuto lang ako nagbihis dahil hinanda na pala ni Mama ang pambahay na susuotin ko. Ngayon din pala ang araw na mag-i-stay siya rito. Dahil once a week na lang ang uwi ni Mama dahil nagbabantay siya kay Jayron ay wala namang problema sa akin. Bukod sa maaalagaan silang dalawa ng mga doktor doon ay nakapagpapahinga rin siya doon.Pero gaya nga ng palagi niyang sinasabi sa akin, gusto niya rin akong maalagaan kahit isang araw man lang. Nagpapasalamat ako dahil hindi niya ako kinalilimutan kahit na nahihirapan na siya.Lumabas na ako ng kwarto at nakitang tahimik na sina Rina at Jelsey sa ibaba. Pagkababa ko'y nakaupo na pala sila sa lamesa at hinihintay akong kumain. I smiled at them then raised my eyebrows. "Tapos na ba kayong magbangayan?"Jelsey rolled her eyes while Rina grinned. "Inagaw ni Rina 'yung ice cream ko. Sa susunod talaga, banned na 'yan dito sa bahay ko." Jelsey acquiesced and glanced angrily at Rina.Parehas kaming natawa ni Rina sa sinabi nito. "Bahay mo talaga a
Si Rina naman ay napahawak agad sa phone niya at nag-tipa. Hindi na ako nakialam sa kaniya dahil ayokong makialam ng business ng iba. "Bakit hindi mo agad nasabi sa amin, Christine?" Rina asked while busy typing at her phone."Maraming nangyari noong isang araw, Rina. Nakuhanan tayo ng ebidensya tapos sobrang pagod pa natin noong umaga. We were physically and mentally drained. Hindi ko na nga namalayan na nawala rin sa isip ko 'yon pati kahapon." paliwanag ko sa kanila.Pagkatapos mag-tipa ni Rina ay tumingin ito sa akin at ngumiti. Itinabi na niya ang cellphone niya sa kaniyang bulsa."So anong nangyari sa usapan ninyo?" pag-u-usisa pa ni Jelsey na mas dumikit pa sa akin. Nasa gitna kasi nila akong dalawa.I frowned and looked at them. "I tried to convince her to testify for Sandoval, against the prosecution. Kaso nakipag-matigasan pa siya at siguro dahil nauna na ang prosecution na kumausap sa kaniya, specifically Prosecutor Dark. I didn't win her. Tumanggi siyang kumampi sa atin."
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