Simula
Simula
⋆⭒˚ 𓍝｡⋆
Dura Lex, Sed Lex.
My eyes flickered upon reading the words, mula sa hawak kong libro ay umangat ang tingin ko kay Dad na nakatitig sa akin.
"Have you read it, Adi?" he asked excitedly and when I nodded, he smiled more. "Do you get it?"
I blinked again and my Mom's laughter filled the room as she smacked Dad's arm.
"Silly, Iñigo. It's a Latin word and your daughter's just in high school!" she uttered in amusement. Dad stopped upon realizing it pero bumilog ang bibig at biglang natawa.
"Oh, right. I forgot," he said and shook his head.
"You want her to take law, too, Dad?" My brother, Kuya Chiel, asked. May hawak na tray ng snacks, kasa-kasama niya si Ate Crest na may dalang sketch pad at nakasuot ng pang-alis na damit.
My eyes fell on her foot and saw her wearing heels too–like Mom na parang nasa mall kami.
"Ate, hindi sumasakit ang paa mo?" I asked.
"Hmm?" she glanced at her feet and grinned, walking closer to me. "Nope! It's comfy, why don't you try one, too? I bought you some, alam mo ba? Nasa kwarto mo na, three inches 'yon."
Namilog ang mata ko, mabilis akong umiling at lumayo kay Ate na tinawanan ako.
"It's color silver–"
"You bought heels again, princess?" Dad cut her off kaya tumango si Ate, malaki ang ngiting mas yumakap sa sketch pad niya.
"Yep!" she said proudly.
"Hmm?" Dad's brow raised. "What did I tell you about buying unnecessary things, princess?"
"Ih..." Ate sat beside me while whining. Sa kabilang upuan naman magkakatabi ang tatlo. Si Kuya ay ngumunguya na ng pagkain habang nakahalukipkip sa tabi ni Mommy na nakatitig kay Ate Crest at kumikislap ang mata.
"Crest Veronica..." Dad warned.
"It's on sale kasi, Dad." She pouted more and glanced at my Mom. "Mommy, it's on sale. Can you please tell Dad it's okay?"
"Iñigo..." Mom immediately glanced at Dad, who licked his lower lip.
Isang salita lang niyan, wala nang panlaban ang Daddy kaya s'yempre, palaging panalo si Mommy.
"How much is it, then?" he asked my sister.
"Hmm, it's just ten thousand sixty-five but I bought it with one percent off, so naka-save ako ng 100 point sixty-five pesos." She even smiled cutely.
Dad heaved an exasperated sigh, napatawa si Mommy at si Kuya ay napainom ng juice, pinapaypayan pa ang sarili.
"Thallia Josephine..." Dad called my Mom, who only laughed and touched his arm.
"Just let your daughter, Iñigo," gatong ni Mommy. "At least naka-save ng one hundred?"
Huling-huli ko ang pag-ngiwi ni Dad doon pero nailing na lang at tumango kay Ate na nagpapa-cute pa sa kanya para hindi pagalitan.
"Alright, just for today, hmm?" Dad reminded her. "And stop buying unnecessary things. Marami ka pang heels diyan at ang kapatid mo, hindi mo 'yan mapapasuot ng heels."
I immediately nodded, agreeing with my Dad.
"She should!" Ate groaned. "Dapat fashionista–"
"Ayos na ako sa flat shoes, Ate," I said and when she pouted more at me, ngumiti na ako ng malambing at yumakap na sa kanyang baywang. "Sorry na...maybe sa future?"
"Sige na nga!" tunog pa siyang malungkot. "Basta ba, papayagan mo akong ayusan ka sa future. Deal?"
"Opo, deal," sagot ko at napangiti na nang tuluyan dahil tumango-tango si Ate.
"Great, I'm excited." She beamed. Inabot niya ang hawak kong libro at binuklat ang page na binabasa ko at malakas siyang nagsalita.
"Dura Lex, Sed Lex," she read out loud. "What's this? Incantation ba 'to?"
Natawa sina Dad at Kuya Chiel, hindi ako natawa kasi 'di ko rin gets kaya para kaming lutang ni Ate roon na nakanganga sa kanila.
"Sorry... sorry, princesses," Dad said, a small and amused smile carved on his lips. "This is about law, actually..."
"Oh..." Ate Crest nodded and glanced at it again. "What does it mean?"
"The law is harsh but it is the law." It was Kuya Chiel who spoke kaya sabay kaming napatingin sa kanya.
"Hmm..." I nodded. "Dad, Kuya? Can I ask a question?"
They nodded, nasa akin na ngayon ang atensyon.
"What made you interested in law? I'm curious po since I've been thinking what career path I'd take if the time comes," sabi ko. "Bukod po sa dahil abogado si Papa Jer, ah?"
"The truth is, Dad didn't force me to take law. I just did," Dad told us. "I saw him working. When I was a kid, Mom and Dad were talking about things–kung gaano kawalang hustisya ang mismong hustisya."
Ate Crest sighed upon hearing it, nodding.
"Well, I saw the news, and the crimes and corruptions are alarming," she uttered. "Kanya-kanya silang bulsa ng kaban ng bayan."
"That's one. The injustice in justice itself," Kuya said. "'Yon din ang nagtulak sa aking mag-abogado and Dad's talking to me about it. Why don't you share what you've been telling me, Dad?" aniya bago bumaling kay Dad na tumango at ngumiti, sumimsim pa muna ng juice at sumandal ng bahagya kay Mommy.
This is what I've been looking forward kapag free kami lahat from work and studies, just a simple bonding time with my family, usap-usap lang pero masayang-masaya ako.
"You kids could choose any career paths you'd like to take," Mom started. "Your brother's pursuing law, your Ate Crest's venturing about finding what she likes."
"I actually like travelling lang, Mommy." Ate smiled a little. "Can I? Can I travel po? Or shop?"
"Of course." Dad nodded. "But please watch your spending limit, Crest Veronica. Only buy things you actually need. If you're happy with that, then go but I won't tolerate it if you get out of hand, okay?"
"Yes! I promise I'll be a good girl!" She said happily. "You're the best Dad ever!"
Dad shook his head, amused at her but at the same time, halatadong nagpapalakas ang Ate para 'di pagalitan.
"Asus, lalambing para 'di pagalitan. H'wag ako, Crest Veronica," Kuya teased. Ate just scoffed at him and glanced at our father.
"Don't mind him, he's pangit." She smiled. "What is it, Dad? Kwento ka ulit," aniya at napangiti ako nang yumakap siya sa akin.
Dad nodded, muli siyang sumimsim ng kanyang inumin at bumaling kay Mommy na humahaplos sa kamay niyang nakahawak sa hita nito. Doon na ako napangiti.
My parents are my good example of an ideal relationship. May chance kayang may ganyan sa future?
"I know everyone's watching the news. Everyone's aware of the injustice our country has, correct?" Tumango kami. "When I was a kid, I kept on overhearing Mom and Dad talking about it kaya noong nakakaintindi na akong lalo, tinanong ko si Dad tungkol doon. I asked him why he chose to pursue law. Sabi niya'y gusto niyang makatulong in a way and how can he do that if he doesn't know where and how it was coming from? What's the root cause of the poverty of this country?
"Justice, by its very nature, should live up to its name—Just, but I rarely see that happen. These days, as you can observe, those in power—the very people most familiar with the law—are often the ones most capable of violating it." He smiled, though I caught the uncertainty in his eyes, as if the truth he carried weighed heavily on him.
"'Di ba po, Daddy, dapat ang mga nasa itaas ang magtanggol sa mga nangangailangan? 'Di ba po dapat sila ang tutulong? Nanumpa sila sa kanilang tungkulin kaya dapat ay tapat?" I asked curiously.
"That's how it should be, princess. But sadly, people don't always get what they deserve. Those who swore to serve and protect are often the first to abuse that power." He shrugged. "That's why I chose to follow in Dad's footsteps—to help. I may not be the best yet, but I'm working on becoming a better lawyer, one who stands for justice and truth. I hope that, in my own way—even if it seems small to some—I can bring justice to those who need it most."
"Justice isn't small," ani Ate Crest na may maliit na ngiti. "It's big, Dad. A lot can be changed with justice."
"You're right." Dad agreed. "I am fortunate to get the privilege of knowing law and the least thing I could do was to help those who needed it but didn't have the power or money for it. Sinong tutulong sa kanila kung hindi ako kahit papaano'y susubok, 'di ba?"
"I remembered your Papa Jer told your father before, Adi," Mom said gently. "He said ang pera, hindi 'yan madadala sa libingan pero ang prinsipyo at katapatan? Iyon ang madadala mo kahit saan ka magpunta."
"That's true..." Ate Crest nodded, hugging me tighter now.
"I was inspired by Dad, that's a factor kung bakit ako nag-abogado," ani Dad. "And I do hope I inspired your brother too to choose the same path as mine, did I?" baling niya kay Kuya na ngumisi at sumaludo.
"Masakit sa ulo pero masaya naman," he chuckled lowly. "And yes, you inspired me, Atty. Sandejas."
"That's good to hear but my main purpose is to tell you kids to always stand for the truth and know nothing but the truth. Some truths may be harsh and hard to take in but it is what it is. We should embrace it and learn from it, gaano man kahirap. No matter what paths you choose to take in the future, your Mom and I will always support you three but it does not mean na sa gusto n'yo lang kayo. Doon tayo sa tama, okay?"
We all nodded, my heart felt calm listening to my Dad preaching.
"If ever in the future, you–Adi." He glanced at me. "And Crest, whatever you do, do it for yourself but keep in mind. Do not aim to rise if you're stepping on other people. Always be just. Always be kind."
"Opo..." I nodded, smiling.
"Dad, how about if may naibigay sa 'yong kaso tapos mali ang side niya, ayos lang ba 'yon?" Ate asked kaya napaisip ako at bumaling kay Dad.
"We can't always say no, princess. Everyone has the right to exercise their rights. And it's a lawyer's duty to protect their client. But it's up to you how you'll handle that duty. Will you tamper with evidence for money just to free criminals, or will you fight for them using only the facts and evidence you have—even if it means risking a possible win?"
"What would you choose then, Dad?" I asked.
"I'd choose to help my client with everything I could, without tampering with the truth—even if I lost the case. Winning in court is not a competition, Adi; it's about standing for what is right. Matalo man ang panig mo o hindi, iyon ang tunay na hustisya. At kailangan natin itong palakasin para manatili ang integridad at ang tiwala ng mga tao sa batas."
He shrugged. "That's why I chose a private practice, we have our own firm. I don't want to be associated with people like that."
"Tama!" My sister said with conviction but stopped when we saw the house help approaching.
"Ma'am Crest, may delivery ka raw po. COD. Thirteen thousand," aniya kaya namilog ang mata ko at bumaling kay Ate na napalunok na.
"Ikaw ang tatamaan sa akin," ani Dad at tumayo. "Nasaan na ang hanger ko?"
"D-Dad, magpapaliwanag ako–" but Ate screamed and ran away from Dad para 'di sila magpang-abot ng magic hanger na lumilipad na ngayon papunta kay Ate.
Ever since we got the chance to have that talk with my family, I have been inspired to become a lawyer. I have watched people getting wrongfully convicted, I saw women getting silenced, I saw people harassing other people and even killing them pero sa huli'y nakakalayo na parang walang ginawa dahil sa koneksyon, pera at kapangyarihan.
My family taught me a lot of things and one of them is not to be satisfied easily with things as they stand. Na as is lang. Na 'yon na 'yon at wala ng magagawa.
Hindi iyon totoo. May magagawa tayo. If we stand up and speak, even when we are not heard by everyone, it will change something. Basta may taingang nakikinig.
We cannot accept the world as it is. It is cruel. Law is cruel.
Justice is not just anymore.
I want to make a change–or I might die trying but at least I did something.
Pinagbutihan ko ang aking pag-aaral. I did my very best to excel academically on my own, as I'm not the kind of person who enjoys interacting. I'm always shy, I guess.
I don't know, hindi lang kasi talaga ako makasabay sa mga tao sa paligid. I find it awkward to talk to them about things or hang-out, nahihiya ako at baka masabihang feeling close kaya nasanay na akong mag-isa lang. Malapit lang ako ng sobra sa mga pinsan ko, I never felt out of place with them at ang madalas kong kasama ay si Sibyl. Magkaiba kami ng ugali pero pareho kaming madalas tahimik kaya kami ang nagkakasundo.
Well, siya naman kahit papaano'y may circle of friends sa iba tapos ako'y wala talaga, as in. Hindi ako sigurado kung intimidated sila sa apelyido ko o ayaw talaga nila sa akin dahil masyado raw akong subsob sa aral. KJ at nerd.
Mukha ba talaga akong nerd?
Napamulat ako ng mata bigla at malakas na napatili at bumalentong paalis sa upuan nang makita ang mukha ni Sibyl sa tapat ko, nakabusangot at walang emosyon.
"Sibyl Timothea!" sigaw kong gulat.
"Good evening din sa 'yo." She said coldly and smirked a bit, offering her hand to me.
"Ano ba!" Ngiwi ko na, inaabot ang kamay niya at inalalayan niya akong patayo sa sahig. "Ang creepy mo naman, kitang nag-aaral 'yong tao bigla kang bubungad malapit sa mukha ko na mukhang dragon na bubuga ng apoy!"
"Oh, it's just my face." She even smiled a bit pero mukha pa ring malamig. "See?"
"Hay naku..." I sighed, gasping. Pinagpagan ko ang pajama ko at namaywang. "Bakit ka nanggugulat?"
"I'm not?" She shrugged, umupo sa upuan ko at sumulyap sa mga hand-outs na binabasa. "It's not my fault you got shocked and you're not studying, Adi. You are sleeping. Soundly, perhaps."
Nasapo ko na ang mukha, natantong nakatulugan ko nga pala ang pag-aaral kaya ako bangag ngayon.
"Oh gosh..." Singhap ko na at naupo sa kanyang tabi, sumasandal sa balikat ng pinsan. "Nakatulog pala ako?"
"Hmm..." She nodded, checking my highlighters. "Paubos na itong highlighter mo, may binili akong bago para sa 'yo."
My face brightened, kaagad akong umayos ng upo at namangha.
"Really?!" I gasped in excitement. She nodded boredly, tumayo at inabot ang bag sa gilid ng kama at may inilabas na plastic, inaabot sa akin.
I took it, excited about the colors she bought me but my forehead creased when, instead of highlighters, I saw a compact powder or something. Color brown.
"Huh?" I asked in confusion. "Sabi mo highlighter?"
"Oo nga, face highlighter." She pointed to the thing. "That's used to enhance your complexion and give your skin a prettier, brighter, dewy glow. As well as making cheekbones look more prominent and bold–"
"Hoy, bakit may bold?!" sigaw ko at tinampal ang bibig niya. "Bastos ka-"
Ngumiwi siya, natahimik ako nang itulak niya akong bahagya paupo at kinuha sa akin ang hawak ko.
"Baliw, ikaw napaka-inosente mo mag-isip pero green-minded ka pala inside." She scoffed. "It means para mukha kang matapang tapos walang kinatatakutan. Not literally that lewd thing you're thinking!"
Napakurap-kurap ako, nag-init ang pisngi ko sa hiya roon.
"Sorry na..." nguso ko.
"You're hopeless, Adi." She sighed. "You should have friends and enjoy. 'Di 'yong nakakulong ka lang sa library kakaaral."
"I have friends kaya, 'no! Ikaw!"
"Ako lang?" Tumaas ang kilay niya.
"Pati si-"
"Eh, magkaugali lang kayo no'ng abong 'yon, ah? Puro lang din aral."
"E 'di BFF goals?" I said and smiled at her pero tumitig lang siya, tila pagod na sa naririnig sa akin.
"Pag-untugin ko kayong dalawa, eh." Humiga na siya sa kama ko, ayaw na ata magpaliwanag kaya natatawa akong tumayo at tumalon sa kama para makatabi siya.
She was frowning, kunot ang noo niya at nakapikit ang mata, panigurado'y galing pa sa rehearsal niya sa ballet recital nilang nalalapit na.
"Sib..." Nguso ko. "Galit ka?"
"No." She opened her eyes, "I was just annoyed at you because you were caging yourself in your own world and-"
"Sus..." Pinisil ko na ang ilong niya kaya tumalim ang tingin niya. "Akala mo siya ayaw mapag-isa? Madalas ka nga ring nakakulong sa mundo mo, you're friends with other people pero not that close, right? Ayaw mo lang mapag-iwanan?"
I saw something shift in her eyes. She sighed, pushing my hand away from her face and sat on the bed, staring at me.
"What I mean is... h'wag kang gagaya sa akin, Adi," she said seriously. "You should go out and have fun. Alam mo naman ang nangyari sa akin noon, 'di ba? It's different."
"But I'm happy with what I do. Study and go home. Eat and have movies with you and our cousins."
Lumambing ang malamig niyang mata. "Totoo ba? Baka mamaya sinasabi mo lang 'yan para damayan ako?"
"No..." I shook my head and took her hand. "Dito talaga ako masaya, Sib."
"Alright then..." Bumaba ang tingin niya sa kamay ko. "I'm glad you're having fun."
"Iba-iba naman ang ways ng mga tao para malibang at maging masaya. 'Yong ways ko baka hindi masaya sa iba, ang ways mo baka 'di masaya sa akin kaya it's okay," I told her. "And don't be sad, happy ka na dapat, mas gusto ko pang inaaway mo 'yong mukha ko kaysa sa ganyan ka."
She chuckled lowly, pinisil niya ang kamay ko bago kinuha ang highlighter powder niya at pinakita.
"You actually have a point, Adi." Her face lit up, parang kinabahan naman ako nang ngumiti siya ng maliit dahil mukha iyong evil smile at may plano.
"H-huh?"
"What's fun for me might not be fun for you." She raised her brow.
"Y-yeah?" I chuckled nervously.
"So...let me have fun, Adi. With this." She showed me the compact powder thing kaya kumalabog ang dibdib ko at nag-iwas ng tingin.
"Hala, ten na pala. Bihis na ako, may pasok pa ako-"
"Nope!" Hinila niya ako pabalik at tinakbo ang bag niya para halughugin ang make-up kit niya kaya doon na ako medyo naluluha.
"Sib..." Lumunok ako. "Sibyl, baka p'wede naman nating pag-usapan 'to-"
"'Di ba, gusto mo akong maging masaya?" she asked me coldly, nawala ang ngiti. Her black eyes are fierce and scary kaya napalunok ako.
"S-Sib–" She eyed me coldly kaya nakangusong tumango-tango ako, pinipigilang umiyak na. "O-okay..."
Once she started making me her doll, she won't stop.
Sibyl Timothea, my cousin-slash-bestfriend na hindi ko alam paano ko naging BFF dolled me up. She let me wear a thin make-up and a blush-on. My hair is in wavy curls at habang nakatingin ako sa salamin ay 'di ko alam kung iiyak ako kasi mi-nurder niya ang mukha ko o matutuwa kasi feeling ko, gumanda ko.
"See?!" she exclaimed while pointing at me. "Bakit mo tinatago ang gandang 'yan, Adira Venice?"
"Uh..." I chuckled nervously. "Nakakahiyang mag-make-up sa university–"
"Who told you that? Sasampalin ko lang." She said in an irritated tone at ako lang ang nagsabi kaya umiling na lang ako sa takot na baka ako ang masampal.
"N-nakalimutan ko na, eh." I uttered and she shrugged it off, even combed my hair at tuwang-tuwa pa siya noong natapos na siya sa akin at tinulungan pa akong magpalit ng damit para makapasok na.
Akala ko pagkatapos niya akong ayusan ay malaya na ako pero hindi pa pala. My parents and siblings weren't here so when Sibyl offered to drive me to the university so I couldn't say no. Ibig sabihin din, hindi ko matatanggal ang make-up dahil paniguradong bubugahan ako ng apoy.
She only left when she made sure I got inside, gusto ko mang takbuhin ang banyo para maghilamos sa hiya ko na naka-make-up ako pero nawala iyon nang makita ko ang lalaking abala kakatuhog sa gilid ng kwek-kwek.
"Aba't..." Nag-martsa ako palapit sa kanya. "Hoy, bakit hindi ka nag-aaya?!" reklamo ko sabay batok sa kanya.
He choked on his food, nanlaki naman mata ko roon at napatakip ng bibig.
"O-oh my God! OMG! I'm so sorry!" sigaw ko at kumaway kay manong. "K-kuya, isang palamig po!"
Mabilis pa si Kuyang nag-abot sa akin at kaagad ko iyong inabot sa huli na kaagad na kinuha iyon at ininom.
He shifted his gaze at me, his intense chocolate brown eyes widened upon staring at my face at nagulat ako nang bahagya niyang mabuga ang juice kaya napatakip siya ng bibig.
"Ashford?!" I called, and his eyes widened more, mahina pa siyang nauubo at natahimik.
"A-Adi?" he called, napapatulala roon.
"Oh?" I asked. "Okay ka lang? Nabulunan ka pa! Gusto mong tubig–"
"Wow..." he suddenly uttered, stopping me. Tila nawala naman ang pag-panic ko at kumunot ang noo.
"Why?"
"Tao ka na, boo," he suddenly said and straightened his back. His brown eyes suddenly filled with amusement.
"Huh?" nagtataka pa ako noong una pero nang biglang maalala ang mukha ko ay napatili at tinakpan ito ng palad ko. "Oh my God! H-h'wag mo akong tignan, h'wag!" eksaherada kong sigaw, hindi alam kung tatakpan ang mukha o ang mata niya.
"Adira–"
"No!" I whined. "D-don't look at me, don't look at me!" hiyang-hiya kong sabi, nag-iinit ang pisngi at nangingilid na ang luha sa kahihiyan.
"Hey, Adi..." he called, his husky voice soothed and I felt chills pero 'di ako kaagad gumalaw.
"No...maghihilamos ako-"
"Look at me," he said lowly, his voice washing my embarrassment away kaya unti-unti ay sumilip ako sa pagitan ng daliri.
"H-hmm?"
"You're beautiful," he said and that made my heart unsteady. Hindi ako kaagad nakasagot at nakagalaw kaya mabilis niyang naabot ang kamay kong nakatakip sa aking mukha at ibinaba iyon paalis.
His intense yet genuine sexy brown eyes stared at me. I saw how the wind blew his hair, dancing with it gently. Matangos ang kanyang ilong at makapal ang kilay, ang mapulang labi ay bahagyang nakaangat ang labi para sa ngiti.
He gently cupped both of my cheek with his calloused palm, tila bola lang sa liit ang mukha ko no'ng hawakan na ng palad niyang sakop ata ang buong pisngi ko na.
"Maganda. Sobra." I saw how his tongue rolled on his lower lip after saying that.
"Taluguhhh?" halos pumilipit ang dila ko roon at natanto lang nang tumawa si Ash at tumango, ang mapuputing ngipin ay lumitaw sabay pisil ng pisngi ko.
"Talaguhhh." He even mimicked my tone kaya hinampas ko na at mas natawa siya, ang kamay mula sa aking pisngi ay bumaba sa balikat ko, kasabay ng pag-akbay sa akin at hatak palapit sa katawan niya kaya naabot lalo ng ilong ko ang pabango niya.
Nag-init lalo ang pisngi ko, tila biglang may theme song na tumutugtog sa paligid.
"Manong..." hindi pa ako matatauhan kung hindi siya nagsasalita. "Look at her. Ganda ng bestfriend ko, ano?"
Sinampal ko bigla ang kumakanta sa imagination ko kaya nawala sila.
Bestfriend. Ha-ha.
Saksakin n'yo na lang ako.
"Oo naman! Maganda ka na noong 'di ka palaayos pero ngayong nag-ayos ka mas gumanda lang!" Napangiti ako, natatawa na.
"Talaga ba? Baka mamaya inuuto mo lang ako para bumili ako sa 'yo ng fifty pesos na tuhog-tuhog, ah?" I teased.
"Hindi, 'no?" Naaaliw niyang sabi. "Maganda ka talaga, hija. Hawig na hawig kayo ni Madame Thallia pero mas malambing lang ang mukha mo."
"Si Kuya bolero..." Tawa ko. "Sige na nga, pabili po ng fifty pesos na kwek-kwek."
We ended up laughing, mas umakbay sa akin si Ash at inangat ang kamay na nasa balikat ko, inaabot ang pisngi ko bago ipaling ang mukha ko kaya napaharap ako sa kanya.
"Hmm?" I asked when I realized our faces were only inches away from each other. He remained staring at me, smiling a bit before ruining my hair.
"Ganda mo, tinamaan ako." He clutched his chest dramatically kaya sinipa ko na at natatawang lumayo.
"Ewan ko sa 'yo, gutom lang 'yan," I said and took the stick, nagtuhog ng isang kwek-kwek at pinakain sa kanya na kaagad niyang kinain.
"Thanks, boo," he said and smiled, inabot ang palamig niya bago inilapit sa akin kaya natatawang kinuha ko iyon at uminom.
"Thanks too, boo." I even winked playfully, making his lips pursed naughtily.
I smacked his arm, natatawang hinuli niya iyon at hinila ako palapit para muling akbayan.
"Ang kulit n'yo talagang dalawa, kung hindi ko lang kayo kilala iisipin ko magkasintahan kayo." Doon na kami natigilan, sabay kaming napatingin kay Manong.
"We're bestfriends," we said in unison and Manong had that suspicious look on his face pero natawa sa amin.
"Sige, sabi n'yo, eh. Pero bakit kayo may tawagan? Naririnig ko palagi ang tawag n'yo kapag nag-aasaran kayo Boo. Ano 'yon, sige nga?" hamon pa niya kaya nagkatinginan kami ni Ash at tinaasan niya lang ako ng kilay kaya ako na ang humarap at nagsalita.
"Boo po, Manong. As Boo-ang." I said at napatawa nang muntik na niya matapon 'yong palamig na hinahanda.
We spent half an hour talking and eating at noong pagkapasok namin ng university ay nahihiya na naman ako dahil narinig ko na napansin nilang nag-ayos ako ngayon. Their eyes were on me and it was bothering. I was embarrassed and shy–afraid they'll say like hindi sa akin bagay ang make-up o ano.
"Maganda ka, Adi." Ash's voice cut me off from thinking, mabilis akong bumaling sa kanya at nakita ang titig niya sa akin.
"Don't mind them, boo," he said. "You're pretty, trust me."
My heart thumped. I felt at ease but I was still confused and shy.
"Come here." He reached for my hand, touching my wrist and gently caressed it. "Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sa 'yong hindi mo kailangan ng opinyon ng iba para maniwalang maganda ka?"
"Ash..." My voice softened.
"You used to tell me that before, that I don't need their opinions pero bakit ikaw naman itong walang confidence?"
"Maybe...because puberty happened to me late?" I asked. "I have pimples na, oh." I pointed my cheek and he shook his head.
"Nah, maganda pa rin," he dismissed. "No one can tell me otherwise. Come on, cheer-up. You are beautiful, okay? Maganda ka palagi. Akin na nga 'yang bag mo, kamahalan. Dadalhin ng taga-sunod mong kagaya ko."
"Loko..." Gumaan na ang pakiramdam ko at ngumisi. "Thanks, Ash. For...for saying it."
"That's the truth," he said and pulled me. "Hey, I heard Attorney released the roles he had chosen from the class for the mock trial."
I was immediately excited at that, naisip kong aral na aral ako nitong nakaraang linggo dahil may assessment sa roles at talagang nagsubsob ako dahil gusto kong mapili ako.
Siksikan ang mga tao sa bulletin board pero nakasingit pa kami ni Ash doon at sabay napatawa si Ash nang makita ang role niya.
Ashford Matthias Guerrero - Defendant
"Wow! Ash, isa kang kriminal!" I teased when I saw his name, natatawa at muling nagbasa at halos mapatili ako nang makita ang pangalan ko.
Adira Venice Sandejas - Prosecutor
"Oh my God!" I exclaimed loudly, wala nang pakialam sa naririnig at nang magkatinginan kami ni Ash at nakita ko ang ngisi niya ay kaagad ko siyang niyakap.
"OMG, Ash!" I said happily. He hugged me back.
"Congrats, Adi." He chuckled. "You did great."
Of course, every blessing has a backslash. A professor called Ash kaya nauna ako sa classroom at pagpasok ko pa lang ay nakita ko na kaagad ang iritadong tingin ng mga tao sa loob.
I was used to not minding them but one of my competitors–well, that's what they call themselves stood.
"I wonder what the professors saw in you to choose you as the prosecutor," Judson pointed out, matangkad siya at ako'y sakto lang ang height kaya nakakatakot ang dating.
"Excuse me," I said, ayaw ng away sana, aalis na pero hinarangan niya ako.
"Hindi, binayaran ng tatay mo mga professor, ano?" he scoffed, annoyed.
I was honestly offended and shocked of his accusations, walang nagtangkang lumapit dahil takot kay Judson pero ako'y hindi at naiirita sa kanya.
"What?"
"Why did they even choose you to be the Prosecutor, huh? You weren't that good, actually! May pangalan lang ang pamilya mo!" he exclaimed at akmang hahablutin ako pero may tumulak sa kanya palayo.
"Don't touch her." Ash's irritated and annoyed voice echoed. Bahagyang humawak siya sa akin para 'di maabot ni Judson.
"What? Kinakampihan mo?" Tumawa siya. "Why would I even be shocked? You two are bestfriends because you're both losers. I felt bad for the mock trial, actually. Choosing a mere woman like you. Prosecutor, huh? Babae ka lang!" he hissed.
It made me more irritated.
"You asshole–"
"Ash..." I said, pulling him gently away to stop him from fighting.
"Adi..." he said impatiently but I shook my head, gently pushing him away. Hinarap ko si Judson na may nang-uuyam na tingin sa akin kaya malamig ko siyang tinignan.
"Come again?" I asked.
"I said...kawawa naman ang mock trial kung ikaw ang pipiliin nila kaagad na Prosecutor." He smirked. "You are a weakling, a shy rich kid. May pangalan lang ang pamilya mo! Why would they even choose a mere woman like you–fuck!"
Binayagan ko siya. Turo sa 'kin ni Sibyl.
Napatalon-talon siya bigla at napasapo sa gitna ng hita niya at dinig na dinig ko ang ang singhapan pero tumaas ang kilay ko at nagsalita.
"My apologies, Mr. Bautista but let me clear this up for you." I smiled coldly. "Babae ako. Hindi babae lang."
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