Chapter 5: Everything is Falling Apart

Celine, despite their situation at home, still chose to go to school. She knew that Justine would be there for her, to comfort her and ease her pain.

She drove her customized pink Mazda Sedan, which her mom gifted her on her 18th Birthday. While driving, she reminisced about her grand 18th Birthday celebration and that moment her mom gifted her the car. For her, it’s not about the material things, but the thought her mom gives to every gift. So, the car means a lot to her, and it pains her to think that it would be one of the things that could be taken away from her.

As she arrived at the campus, she hurriedly parked and got off — she badly wants to see Justine.

It is the University’s Foundation Day Celebration. There are no classes. So, she knew she wouldn’t find Justine in the classroom. She called him up several times, but he was not answering.

The festivity in the school premises is vibrant — students were dancing to the music, trying every boothin every corner, taking pictures behind colorful decorations. But despite the colors everywhere, all thatCeline can see is grey. At that moment, she just wanted to see Justine — to release her emotions and feel his warmth.

She looked for him everywhere — asked every person she bumped into who might know where Justine is. But no one knows where he is.

Celine cannot find Justine. So, she decided to rest for a while and get away from the deafening noise outside. She wants peace.

She decided to go to the library. It is one of the places on the campus she knows she could be at still and be alone.

She walked through the peaceful and quiet aisle. She went straight to the end. Finally, somewhere away from the noise. Little did she knew, the peace she expects is distress.

There, she found a man and a woman being so intimate with each other. The woman savors the moment as the man gently kisses her lips while caressing her lower back.

She could see through the shelves but cannot see clearly who the woman is. But, she knew who the man is — his back is familiar, and she recognizes every part of his back. But Celine cannot move her body — at the back of her mind, she wanted to convince herself that it’s not Justine, but it’s the truth that her eyes can see. Her tears rolled down; her heart started beating fast —she doesn’t know what to do. All she was able to mutter is, “how could you do this?”

With the silence of the surrounding, they heard her speak. They stopped kissing and looked in Celine’s direction. Justine was surprised to see Celine, but Celine was more surprised to see who the woman is. It is Lana, her best friend.

Celine turned her back and left. She was not able to do anything to them. All she knew is, right there and then, she wants to escape and disappear.

She ran like there’s no tomorrow, and as she reached her car in the parking lot. She stopped and wailed. She released all her grief — people are looking at her, but she doesn’t care anymore.

“How is this possible?”  This question lingers in her mind. She is very torn. She could not anymore handle the betrayals she has faced until today. There’s nothing left with her — she’s too empty. After a couple of minutes, she gets up and gets her car key. She went in her car, started it, and drove away.

While driving, she screamed and screamed until she released her anger. It started raining, and it’s like the clouds are crying with her. Then, She wiped her tears, trying to calm herself. But she failed.

Celine decided to pull over. She cannot drive anymore. She called up their family driver and asked him to fetch her by the road.

While waiting, a familiar grey car arrived behind her — it is Justine’s. Justine approached her, knocked on her car windows — asking her to come out and talk.

“Celine! Celine! Please come out. Please say something," He said.

Celine opened her window and shouted while crying, “Please leave, please.”

“I won’t leave until you talk to me.”

“Fine.”

Celine went out. Even though she’s angry, she cannot stand to see Justine all drenched in the rain.

“Celine, I’m sorry.”

“You can’t be sorry. You shouldn’t be saying that in the first place because you shouldn’t have done this to me.”

Celine broke out. She’s very emotional. Justine tried to hug her, but Celine slapped him instead.

“Don’t touch me, Justine.”

“Let me explain.”

“You don’t have to explain anymore. That says it all. The moment you chose to break me — that means Iwasn’t enough. I’m so fed up with the betrayals.”

“I’m sorry. It just happened. I’m just sorry for breaking your heart.”

“So, do you love her more than you love me?”

“I’m sorry.”

“That’s enough. That’s all I have to know. Let’s just end things here.”

“Celine, you cannot drive.”

“I know. Just go now. Someone’s going to fetch me.”

“Let me just wait for you until Mang Allan is here, please. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

Celine hesitated for a while. But, deep down. She wanted to be near him, just one last time.

“Okay. But, I just want silence.”

They waited inside the car. All they can hear is silence.

Celine silently cries. Celine tried not to, but she cannot hold it in anymore. Justine can see her tears rolling down her face. But he cannot do anything. She knew Celine would drive him away if he’d say a word or do anything to her.

After half an hour, Mang Allan arrived.

And everything between Justine and Celine ends there — in silence.

—

As they reached the house, she went straight to her room. There, she processed everything.

Their family’s future is at stake, and she lost not just Justine but also Lana, her best friend. All these — because of betrayal.

What will she do now? Will she be able to get back up?

The answers to her question are unclear, but all she knew is, she cannot give up.