Seventh - Purpose

"If that's the case, you don't have anything to bother about.."

I let out a sigh and stare at Crizeliah.

We're here in the Jershey's Café De Letá infront of my apartment building. Here is where we both decides to meet up tonight, aside that it's favorable in my part that it's way nearer than any other place she could think, it's also way on private so we could had a privacy in ours.

"Do you think she dropped out because of me?" I asked.

"Why would she? Sino ka ba?"

"Alam mo ikaw, napaka ano mo. Editor-in-chief ka na niyan?" I rolled my eyes.

She sipped in her coffee.

Are we friends? Well, I don't know.

"Why, do I suppose to act so formal infront of you? In additional, where outside the university,"

I let out a sigh and pressed my lips together. I was really bothered for receiving a news that the previous vice-chairperson really dropped out. I was thinking if that was because of what happened towards her position in the campus, I loop either the fact that I'm aware of anything that are happening.

"Don't think about that. Besides, she have no any other option but to dropped out dahil maeexpell rin siya sa University as of those things she does," She said when she noticed my expression.

I sigh.

"I've read in your article na matagal nang mayroong defection na nangyayari sa accounts. Bakit ngayon lang siya nahuli?" I asked.

It's real that base on the article of news Crizeliah has been written content in the University's news paper that the accounts been use by the previous vice-chairperson were already had a lot of defections since last year when the vice-chairperson was elected. I was partly confused why'd all this exposed just now.

"No public audits were submitted. Aside that she's the vice-chairperson, she's also the one conducting the audits to some accounts,"

I look at her confusedly behalf of surprise.

"Was that even possible?!" I asked.

Crizeliah nodded.

"It was just strange that when we checked her account, iyong mga nawawalang ibang pera sa accounts ng Univ ay wala sa account niya. We're thinking if there's someone protecting her or whatsoever," she took a bite in her chocolate bread.

Her statement made me nod.

"Let's not talk about her, we have more in ourselves to discuss with. So, have you called him already?" She asked.

"Hindi pa. Wala akong load,"

Crizeliah rolled her eyes.

"Pati ba naman iyan ay ako rin ang mag s-sponsor?" She said on condemning tone.

"May sinabi ba 'ko?" I rolled my eyes too after gasping.

Crizeliah breath after we have ate by a silence of sharp stare to each other.

"So, I want you to call him and offer him the same thing I offered to you. He only have a two options. It's wether he'll join us or not." she said.

Join US? Ano to recruitment agency? And speaking of 'us', she's not even helping. She have paid me to to tryna find out the person behind that website, not even clarified cause I'm not yet agreeing but I've started it already so we end up like this. Tss.

"What if he don't want to join?" I asked.

"If he hesitate, tell him to meet me in person." She uttered.

I look at him with a sudden perplex.

"Don't tell me, susuhulan mo rin siya?" I asked amusedly to Crizeliah. Crizeliah just glared on me after letting out a gasp.

"Just do what I've said and we're all good," She said after leaving her seat. She look around to assure that no one have heared our conversation.

Naalala ko tuloy iyong dalawang nab uusap na narinig ko kahapon. If they just think wiser where to have their discourse and chose this spot, I've probably haven't heared their discourse and I've probably jot over thinking 'bout it. Sucks.

"That's for tonight. I better get going," She said and lightly tilted her head.

Crizeliah was just about to walk passed by me but I held her wrist making her stop to look me back. Eyes were sharp and brows were raised.

"You have never answered me before when I asked you why you're so persisted to know the person behind that website,' I said.

Crizeliah stared at me.

"I want to know." I uttered intently, staring in her buffling eyes fixed in me.

Crizeliah swallowed before softly pulling her wrist from me. She stand straight and faced me. Her eyes were all serious and screaming of the same authority she has in the University she brought till here.

"That website is exposing the government shits. Let me say that I want to know who's the person behind that because I want to know who are those other officials just playing around," She put her both hands in the table and look into my eyes. "They must be expose and receive a punishment. They deserve those,"

Crizeliah stand straigtly and crossed her arms.

"But you won't waste a hundred of thousands just for that," I said with an ambiguous.

Eversince, this plan of Crizeliah is really fishy for me. Who crazy person would waste a big amount of money just for that kind of site in that kind of reason if that was really? In that case. I do believe that she has deeper reason. Deep reason which she don't want me to know.

"A hundred of thousand is not a waste if that would help us point out who's corrupt in the government or officials having illegalities. A hundred of thousands would never be a waste if the corruption would be vanished and the fund would gone in it's lawful place in exchange, Asthreittle," she answered confidently. After that, we ate by a silence.

I was speechless and astonished in her answer to me, it just prove me how Crizeliah's principle works. She didn't become the University's first even woman editor-in-chief for nothing

"If you have any other words to asked, shot it now." She said calmly but cold.

"How could I leave the commitee?" I asked.

Crizeliah's eyes dropped fix on me. She sigh before rolling her eyes as of by sudden change of topic.

"You need to show off to the whole list of the University Committee first," She look at me.

"Can I just don't? Besides, you have put me in that position without showing off in them, maybe you could remove that without me, showing off?" I suggested. Inerlly hoping that it would work out.

In instance. The reason I really want to let go of that position is I don't want Xheidan to think that I'm still investigating him because I've accepted that position. However, I have really no plan of being part of the Committee and no interest of having an obligations in that damn committee rather. I would like to spent my year freely and just the study occupying my whole mind. Just that.

"Yeah. But you still need to attend to one of committee meeting, in that case, submit a resignation letter and have a word with the President. Do those and after that, you're free."

I went back straight to my apartment after having a talk with Crizeliah and before sleeping, I went up to the rooftop like what I have used to do. I wasn't stunned anymore to see Xheidan standing at his usual spot in the rooftop, looking up to the moon and having an deep stare with the moon. When he noticed my presence, he lightly glance to me which the one made me stunned.

Wow, that was first time.

"Ang ganda talaga ng langit," I uttered while staring at the sky when I'm already standing right beside him.

"Indeed."

I look at Xheidan with an astonish for the second time.

Wow, sumasagot na siya!

Xheidan noticed the way I look at him making him look at me too. He raised his right brow as if asking 'what'.

"Bago 'yon ah?! Sumasagot ka pala ng maayos? Iyong walang irap tapos singhal?! Hahaha!" I laugh as of absolute astonishes.

Well, he don't even have to include a gasp and eyes rolling everytime he speaks, right? Alangan namang isang salita nalang ang isasagot niya ay gagawin niya pa iyon?

"Tss," He gasped.

I zipped my mouth and lightly bit my bottom lip. I looked up to the sky the same as what Xheidan have done. I glance at him and then stare at the moon which exactly what Xheidan is looking at.

"Why do you keep on staring the moon? Well, yes the moon absolutely looks so stunning but why are you looking at it? Every time I see you here, iyan lang ginagawa mo. Selenophile ka 'no?"

I sideways my glance to Xheidan from the moon but I was startled as seeing him staring at me. The way his eyes stares, it's the way he stare at the moon to. His eyes were inseperable by softness, afar from the usual eyes of him.

"H-Hoy..." I light elbowed him.

Xheidan rolled his eyes and gasp.

"Why are you staring? Crush mo ba 'ko?" I asked with definitely full of surprised. My eyes were widened while looking at him.

Xheidan let out a hard gasp showing how he opposes my words.

"Assumera..." He whispered but I  clearly heard it.

ASSUMERA???!!!! HAAA?!!!

I'M DEFINITELY OFFENDED!!!

"P-Psh!" I tried hard to gasp as hard as his to show how irritated I was but my freaking lips just keep on curving into a smirk! What the fuck?

"Don't stare, then! Psh," I rolled my eyes.

"That's why I'd rather stare at the moon than a real person. Aside that they feel intimidate, they were also assuming like you,"

I almost dropped my jaw and left my lips parted for awhile. My eyes were bugged and I could feel my cheeks heated up!

"Selenophile? That's not even existing in dictionary," He added.

I looked away with full of disbelief in my system. Pakiramdam ko ay pinaulanan ako ng kahihiyan!

"A-Alam mo, ikaw... napaka ano mo!" I humurously greeted my teeth at inambahan siya. Xheidan just look at me coldly.

"Bakit ka ba nandito?" He knitted his brows.

"Why? Am I not allowed here?" I mocked how he knit his brows.

"Tss,"

"Tss," I mimicked, halfly laughing.

The next day went nice, I haven't get that much interaction with Crizeliah or either a talk, we've just seen each other during our math class and nothing more.

If exerting today's happening, I could tell that there's nothing much important that happened except that Xheidan just received a freaking hard punch from one of our classmate!!!

LIKE BRO, THAT WAS SO UNEXPECTED!!!!

"What the fuck is your fucking problem, idiot?!" Xheidan asked to the guy who punch him.

OH!!! HIS RIGHT CHEEK IS NOW REDDISH AS TOMATOE!!! THAT WAS HARD BRUHHH!

"You deserve that asshole!" the man shot again and tried to freak out Xheidan again but a couple of security entered our classroom

My mouth went 'O' after that. Around the whole room, everyone were suprised and amaze after filming that thing! Nag katinginan pa kami ni Crizeliah at sabay na umirap.

DUHHH????

The first thing I did as I gone in my apartment is to definitely rest, when remembering what happened to Xheidan, I'm stuck with two main things to feel. Would I laugh because of that or would I worried about him? Well, Xheidan's face wasn't even laughable awhile ago 'cause nothing even change, still cold, but the way he got burst out, BRUH THAT'S WHAT LAUGHABLE THERE!!!

I'm not saying that it's nice that he got punched, ha?

I sit infront of my laptop and took Marcus's calling card, staring at it for a meantime. Shall I call him now?

"May load na naman ako, eh," I muttered.

I let out a sigh and lean on my chair, typing Marcus's number over my dial, just a few minutes of await, he picked up the phone.

"Hello?" His hard baritone voice comes out.

I rolled my eyes. Hindi naman ganiyan katigas ang boses niya nang makausap ko siya sa Café.

"Hello, Marcus.." I said.

"Who's this?"

"Asthreittle..." I answered after having a hesitance if I'll tell him my name.

"Oh.."

TANGA!

I suddenly closed my eyes. Come on Asth, that's not a moan. Come on.

"Hey, I thought you have no plan of calling me..." he said softly before chuckling. The hard baritone voice he have used earlier ago just varied and got replaced by a soft tone.

"Kumusta?"

I closed my eyes. Why am I asking this? Lol.

"Ayos lang, haha. Miss me?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Hindi."

"So, why did you call?"

Cause you asked me to call you if I'm free? IDIOT.

"I have something to off-"

"Wait-What the hell?!"

Bahagya kong inilayo ang phone ko sa tainga ko dahil doon. I grimaced over the phone and put it back to my ears when the loud is gone.

"Sorry. Are you watching news?"

I opened my online news centre.

"Just... now,"

UNDERGROUND ILLEGAL CASINO SA ISANG CAFÉ, BULILYASO!

I squinted my eyes and continue watching the newscaster's report.

"Ayon sa pulis na humawak ng kasong ini-report nitong martes ng umaga, ang Jershey's Café De Letá na makikita sa aking

likuran ay mayroong underground illegal casino kung saan daan

daang

politiko at kilalang

mayayamang tao ang bumibisita. Napag-alam din na ang Café ay isa sa pinag babagsakan ng mga drogang

natimbog sa nakaraang transaksiyon..."

"So it was..." I muttered while my eyes were fixed at the newscaster keep on reporting.

"...was the documents content," Marcus continued my words.

"I was there yesterday.." Wala sa sarili kong usal.

"So, what were you saying again?"

I suddenly get back to my senses when Marcus spoke up again. I atteched my phone near to my ear.

"Ahm... I have an offer for you," I bit my pointed fingers. Still thinking 'bout the news.

"What..?"

"It's about the website.." I breath.

Crizeliah owe me this. She must be the one who's talking with this guy.

"Oh.. the website," I could feel him nodding. "What about the website?"

"It's ahm.."

Paano ko ba sasabihin ito.

"You have to.. ahm..."

I heared a breath in the other line.

"It was just... ahm.." I scratch the back of my head.

Shoud I tell him now?! Gosh! Ofcourse I should tell him now!

"G-Ganito kasi-" I was already dedicated to explain the offer to Marcus but he immediately cut my words making me made a face.

"I think we should just talk about this personally?" He said with a serious tone.

"O-Okay.."

After that call ended, I just look at it with my protruded lips. I hope he wasn't annoyed as of my so freaking tense words.

Without any other words as I lay on my bed, sleepyness immediately pull me.

Marcus and I have decided to meet up to the nearest mall in my location in sunday. We both made those out so it wasn't hassle infact that we're both free that day. I wore a pair of jeans,  light blue hoddie, and a robber shoes as ootd. I also tied up my hair so it won't let out as messy.

I stare onto my reflection through the mirror for the last time to check myself if I look good—not that nag papaganda ako ha? I just don't want to look a mess infront of Marcus.

Before leaving my apartment, I put a lipbalm to hide how pale my lip was. I just ride a public jeepney to went on my destination and as I arrive in the main entrance of the mall, I head my way going to the Ice Cream House we have decided to met.

I looked around as I entering the Ice Cream House yet I didn't met any of Marcus' appearance. I just protruded my lips and went to the nearest unoccupied table and patiently wait for him to arrive.

"Babae pa talaga ang mag hihintay. Tsk, tsk, tsk.." I whispered to myself.

While waiting, I just keep on running Crizeliah's words in my mind. I just had a words with her this friday, I've told her that I'll be meeting up Marcus in weekend. She told me what I have to say so I won't look dumb and stupid infront of Marcus. That ended that way as of the reason that I have mentioned to her how stutter I was on phone call with Marcus.

Aba, kasalanan ko bang ang komplikado ng offer niya?! If it's just a piece of cake with her, why won't she do it?! DUH.

"Sorry. Late. Traffic,"

Marcus, wearing a light blue polo, seated infront of me. Nag katinginan pa kami nang mapagtanto ang kulay ng mga suot namin.

What a stupid shitty coincident.

Marcus's mouth went circle as he tom the seat infront of me. I just pressed my lips together not to feel awkward.

"So.."

"Let's order first, I guess?" Marcus said before calling out for a waiter.

I nodded for a respond while she's ordering some things from the menu. The thing I'm bothered at is us, wearing a same color of clothes. Baka isipin ng mga makakakita saamin ay couple kami.

Marcus have known the menus here so I won't feel uneasy. Not having a long time of await, Marcus's orders arrived.

"Thank you," Marcus says to the waiter.

I looked at him, he assembled the food and desserts on the table and put the same amount in my front. I just let him do whatever he want and patiently waited. Kanina pa ako nag hihinatay, ha?

"So, what you were saying?" He looked at me.

Marcus is tall, even though he's already sitting, his height won't condemn. I couldn't deny how got this  perfect appearance. His nose were placed at the right place and lawful angle while his lips scream how soft it it. I just looked away to stop my mind from praising the beautiful man infront of me.

Saan nga ulit kami nag kakilala? Ah, dahil sa hacking.

"Ahm." I look at his polo once again "I have an offer for you," I said.

Bahala na. Coincident lang naman. Who even cares?

"Yeah?"

"It's not actually from me. As a matter of fact, it was also offered to me and I'm currently working through it. The person who offered me this offer wants me to offer you the same offer I had which is-"

"So how many times you mentioned the word 'offer'?" Marcus chuckled.

My eyes widened for a couple of seconds but pulled back from it quickly to replace itnby an awkward laugh.

Hindi ko napansin iyon!

"So, it is to find out who's the person behind the website."

Marcus suddenly raised his brows and freezed himself for a moment.

"Pardon?"

"The person who offered me this, wants you to join us. Ahm, actually, I was offered a big amount of money just to find out who's the person behind that website and my f-friend wants to offer the same to you in exchange of finding out who's the person behind that website," I finally said it.

Marcus stared at me for a while. Eyes were baffling and deep. Parang pinag iisipan niya kung ano ang mga sinasabi ko.

"You mean, you're paid to find out who's the person behind the website?"

I slowly nodded.

"And your friend wants me to join you finding out who's behind it?"

I nodded again.

Marcus put down the utensils he was holding and leant on the chair. He look at me intently and crossed his arms.

Why does he look so attractive?

Nevermind.

"Is that the reason why you're in that website? And when you saw me, you thought I'm the person behind it?"

I slowly nodded.

Marcus nods as well. He rerouted his eyes and cupped on his mind. I was currently hoping that he'll agree. Bru, it's way better to be with someone than solo.

"I need a reason."

I look at him with perplexed. I knew it.

"If he asked why, tell him exactly what I told you when you asked me that question.."

Crizeliah's words beverberate in my mind.

Kaonti nalang ay iisipin ko nang tuta ako ni Crizeliah. Tss.

"That website is exposing the governments illegalities, right? And the purpose of finding out who's the person behind that website is to know who are those other official doing crimes in hood,"

GOSH, SANA NAINTINDIHAN NIYA.

Marcus's brows suddenly knitted.

THE HECKKK!!

"Yes,"

Bahagya niyang itinungkod ang parehong siko sa mesa at pinag saklop ang mga daliri habang nakatitig saakin. He was like watching an interesting film that can bring a fire anytime.

"But you can still know who are these officials without knowing the person behind that website and just stay tuned with that website's updates right?" Marcus uttered.

I suddenly think.

Right!

"A-Ah-"

"Give me time, I'll think about it," He nodded to me.

Napatango tango nalamang ako. Somehow, what Marcus have said is such a fact. We could still know who are those official if we would just stay in track in that website's updates, knowing the person behind it was totally useless if that's the case.

Deeper, Asth. Crizeliah has a deeper reason for this.

Marcus seperate his way from me after we finish eating those food he have ordered for us, I was a bit enjoyed dahil masasarap ang naorder niya. I just gave him a thanks before he could leave dahil hindi niya ako hinayaang mag bayad ng kahit pisong bill kanina.

It's still early to go home infact that's were still morning. I decided to went to the near bookstore to look for some books. I was walking around giving a books soft touches. When I saw the book I was looking for, I immediately take it and brought to the counter but I wasn't taking a step going to it, napahinto na ako kaagad.

She's wearing black.

Her face is pale.

Her hair is messy.

She slowly walked towards me.

I was stunned by her her presence with eyes lightly bugged as of a her.

A chills suddenly went down to my spine as she get closer to me. The dark aura she brought around us mesmerize and leer the whole me.

I was stunned, I couldn't move because of startle. I didn't expect to see her here. The way her eyes stare on me, the coldness around just quietly hugged me.

The previous vice-chairperson who dropped out in the University, lean into my ear closer. I was rooted stucked in my spot as her body brought more chills to me.

"Don't be blind. Everything were in purpose. You won't knew it for nothing.."