Wattpad Originals Announcement

Hello Vayoii,

I’m very thrilled to announce that

Ruthless 3: The Lord of Law

has officially been selected as part of Wattpad Originals!

Words can’t express how thankful I am to all of you from the very beginning. I truly wouldn’t have made it this far without your endless love and support. My heart is filled with gratitude.

For now, Ruthless 3: The Lord of Law will be placed under draft status for editing purposes, but it will return soon.

I hope you continue to support me as I write more stories.

Once again, thank you so much.

Love, Vesper

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Stay tuned for more updates, and in the meantime, you can learn more about Wattpad Originals here:

Wattpad Originals 101 [Filipino]

PROLOGUE

Papalabas na sana ako sa likod ng café para itapon ang basura nang bigla akong hilahin pabalik malalakas na kamay, biglaan, at kinaladkad ako papasok sa stockroom.

He slammed me against the wall.

“Why the fuck are you working here, huh? Are you planning to rob her café, Fabro?” He pinned me to the wall and wrapped his hand around my neck.

“D-Dom… wala. H-hindi …… Nagtatrabaho lang ako…” His grip tightened on my neck. I couldn’t breathe.

“You think I’ll fucking believe you now? Really, Fabro?” His eyes were sharp. “You did that to me, to my family, a long time ago.”

“Ipakulong mo na lang ako kung gano’n… Lawyer ka naman. Madali na lang ’yon sa ’yo,” I whispered.

He laughed bitterly.

“Ipakulong? Hell no. I’ll torture you the hardest way I know. Even if it means killing you just to make you pay, you fucking cunning woman.” The words came out like venom, sharp, shaking, almost broken.

I stared at him, tears lining my eyes but not falling. Not yet.

Then I said it, slowly, clearly.

“Ipapatay mo lang ako. Hindi ako pipikit. Ako pa mismo ang kakalabit ng gatilyo para sa ’yo.” Something flickered in his eyes, I cant name it.

“You think I’m fucking joking, Fabro?” His grip tightened again. My knees buckled.

“You don’t get to talk like you’re the victim, because you’re fucking not.” He said it like he wanted me to feel every word.

I close my eyes. Hindi na ako makahinga, But I still talked.

“A-and you don’t get to talk like you didn’t make love to me, Castellon. You were wild for me like an animal in heat. Y-you wanted every part of me. Even that night, when you fucked me in the ass.” His eyes flared red. His breath came hard and sharp like he was holding back a scream.

“That’s something I want buried six feet underground, Fabro, along with you.” His eyes burned not just with rage, but something darker. Regret. No love, like he used to.

So, I held his hand on my neck, not to pull it away, but to push it, to make him grip it harder. Because pain was the only thing I could still feel.

Palagi namang ganito. Hindi na ako nagtataka kung bakit nasa ganitong sitwasyon na naman ako. Kung papatayin niya ako ngayon, tutulungan ko pa siya.

I am tired of myself too. Just kill me, Dom.

CHAPTER 1

Napabuntong-hininga ako nang matanaw ang bahay naming gawa sa kahoy. May mga halaman sa harap, marami-rami rin, dahil mahilig si Mama sa mga tanim. Our yard looked like a mini jungle. Kung hindi mo kilala ang bahay, you might think it’s a small ornamental plant shop. Meron din kaming langka, bayabas, rambutan, at kahit mangga, pero wala pa itong bunga. Sariwa ang hangin dito sa amin dahil maraming puno, tahimik, at malayo sa ingay ng lungsod. That’s why no matter how far I am from here, I will always come back.

Papalapit na ako nang mapansin ko si Kiko, naglalakad habang kumakain ng mangga. His eyes widened when he saw me, as if a ghost had descended from the city.

Napangiwi ako naman dahil mas mukha pa siyang maasim kaysa sa manggang hawak niya.

“Emiliani—” bungad niya, pero hindi pa siya nakakalahati nang nagsalita ulit ako.

“Gusto ko ng tahimik na buhay, Kiko. Kaya utang na loob, tumahimik ka.” At sa isang iglap, para siyang nakalunok ng buto ng mangga. Nanigas siya, tumango, at hindi na umimik pa.

I grew up together with Kiko here in our village. Matangad siya pero patpatin. Ako na nga ang natatakot kapag tumatakbo ’to, dahil parang lalagpak siya bigla sa bawat hakbang niya.

Nakita ko si Dodong, ang nakababata kong kapatid, umuupo sa duyan na parang may hinihintay. Pero nang makita niya ako, agad nanlaki ang mata niya at tumakbo papalapit sa akin.

“Ate Emiliani! Ate kong astig!” sabi niya sabay yakap sa binti ko. I smiled secretly.

“’Wag ka nang magkunwaring miss mo ako, Dodong!” biro kong sabi habang sinuklay ang buhok niya.

It has been a year since I last visited this place, and I truly missed it. This is where I grew up, dito ako namulat. This is where I first realized how hard life can be at a young age, na kailangan mong magsakripisyo kahit kasiyahan ang kapalit, kasi kung hindi, gutom ang aabutin.

But sometimes, hard work is not enough. You also need to be wise and endure the pain until it no longer hurts. This is where I learned to smile even when my eyes were filled with tears at a young age. At kahit gaano pa ako katagal mawala, I know I will always find my way back here.

“Na-miss po kita, Ate ko,” aniya habang mas hinigpitan ang yakap sa binti ko.

Napahinto ako sa pagsusuklay ng buhok niya nang makita ko si Mama sa may pinto. Suot ang isang lumang bestida, basa pa ang laylayan nito na parang galing lang sa paglalaba sa ilog.

“E-Emiliani, anak,” tawag ni Mama sa akin habang lumuluha. My eyes suddenly became teary too, but I blinked to stop the tears.

“Ma, aalis ako kapag umiyak kayo,” takot kong sabi sa kanya. Pero imbis na matawa ay napahikbi siya, kaya nilapitan ko na at niyakap nang mahigpit.

Napapikit ako.

Home.

Feels and smells like home.

“Nasaan si Papa?” tanong ko habang yakap siya at hinalikan sa ulo.

I don’t know why, but Mama’s scent is something I crave. Purong natural, kahit yata hindi siya naliligo ay gusto ko pa rin siyang yakapin. It’s very comforting.

“Nasa palayan pa, anak.” Tumango ako at niyakap siyang muli bago bumitaw at naglakad papunta sa kusina.

“Wow, Ate! Lechon manok po iyan?” ani Dodong.

“Oo, para sa amin lang ito ni Mama,” biro ko sa kanya. Pero nang makita kong papaiyak na siya, humalakhak ako at ibinigay sa kanya ang paborito niyang parte, the wing part. Agad naman siyang nagtatalon at tumakbo palabas ng bahay.

“Anak, hindi kami naka-attend sa graduation mo. Kinapos kami sa pera. Alam mo namang mahal ang pamasahe, ’di ba? Kahit pa nagdoble-kayod na ang papa mo, hindi pa rin sumapat ang pera,” malambing na sabi ni Mama habang dahan-dahang yumakap sa likod ko.

And suddenly, there’s a lump in my throat.

I remember how I had no one to walk me to the stage during my graduation. Everyone pitied me that day, but it didn’t matter. I learned to be strong because, in the end, I only had myself.

Tumango na lang ako, dahil hindi pamilya ang kalaban ko rito, kundi ang hirap ng buhay. Mahirap kontrahin ang kahirapan. Kahit anong sipag mo sa pagtatrabaho, minsan parang hindi pa rin sapat.

“Bakit pula na naman ang buhok mo, anak? Noong unang taon, kulay asul ’yan!” she said while gently combing my hair with her fingers.

After I graduated, I put a red color on my hair as a highlight.

“Ito po ang maswerteng kulay ngayong taon, Ma,” I simply replied. I even got a double helix piercing and a belly button piercing.

“K-kumusta ka naman doon sa ama mo? Maayos ka ba doon?” Natigilan ako, pero marahan din akong tumango kalaunan.

Ayaw kong magsalita. Kapag nagsalita ako, siguradong basag ang boses ko… at iiyak ako.

Ayaw kong umiyak.

Ayaw ko nang umiyak.

Nakakapagod.

She doesn’t know that Dad abused me physically. For years, ever since I moved there, sa mansiyon ni Governor Emilio.

I was in my third year of high school when Dad took me in and started paying for my education.

I remembered that Mama asked me to stop for a while, because we couldn’t afford the expenses for my education. Kulang na kulang ang perang kinikita namin araw-araw. Kahit maglako pa ako ng sandamakmak na kangkong, hindi pa rin sapat.

Mahirap. Napakamahirap maging mahirap.

Kaya noong nagpakita si Dad, sumama na ako agad. Ayaw kong huminto. Gusto kong makapagtapos. Gusto kong maahon ang buhay namin sa hirap.

Pero tangina! Kung alam ko lang na mauuwi sa ganito, hinding-hindi ako sasama sa demonyong ’yon.

I ran up the stairs as fast as I could so he couldn’t hurt me. His voice gave me shivers. My whole body trembled as I ran. Nahagip ko pa nga ang isa sa mga kasambahay, pero hindi ako lumingon. Tuloy-tuloy lang akong tumakbo papunta sa kwarto ko.

“Emiliani, open this door!” Dad shouted, banging hard on the other side.

I wanted to keep it shut. Pero alam kong mas masasaktan ako kapag hindi ko binuksan

.

So when I opened the door, he immediately slapped me. It felt like my face had turned 36 degrees from the force of the slap.

Napaiyak ako sa sakit.

“’Di ba sinabi ko sa ’yo, ’wag kang didikit sa ’kin kapag may ibang tao? Nagkaka-issue ako dahil sa ’yo!” He grabbed my face and forced me to look at him. “Ilang ulit ko ba kailangang sabihin sa ’yo, Emiliani? Napasimple na n’on, hindi mo pa rin ba naiintindihan?”

“Yes po, Dad… I’m sorry po, n-nakalimutan ko po.” Pero mas hinigpitan niya ang hawak sa baba ko.

“Itatak mo ’yan sa kukote mo. Pinag-aral kita kahit wala kang utak, kaya lahat ng gusto ko, sundin mo,” gigil na sabi niya, kaya napahikbi akong tumingin sa kanya.

“What? Lalayas ka na naman? ’Pag nagtangkang tumakas ka ulit, ipapapatay ko si Fred. You know I don’t joke around, Emiliani.” His voice was sharp, filled with rage.

No… I shook my head again and again, and the tears fell even harder. Mas lalo akong nanginig sa takot.

Hindi puwedeng madamay si Papa… Hindi siya.

“After you graduate, I’ll send you to a prestigious university to take Paralegal Studies. Be good there. Kahit bobo ka, I know I’ll make use of you someday,” he said coldly.

“Once you disobey me, you know what will happen to Fred.” Then he walked out of the room.

I sat on the floor and sobbed. Hindi pa nga okay ang mga pasa ko noong nakaraang araw, at madadagdagan na naman.

Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na pinagbuhatan niya ako ng kamay. Dapat sanay na ako, pero hindi ko alam kung bakit nanginginig pa rin ako.

He’s the mayor of our city. Ayaw niyang lumapit ako sa kanya because his reputation will be ruined if people find out he has an illegitimate child.

My thoughts were cut off when I felt Nanay’s gentle touch on my face. Dahan-dahan niyang inayos ang buhok ko, tinabi ang isang hibla na tumabing sa mata ko.

“Mabait ba ang ama mo sa ’yo, nak?” she asked softly. Napapikit ako. A sudden ache bloomed in my chest.

I miss her.

I miss her so much.

Her voice was like home.

I’m not affectionate, and I don’t voice out sweet words, but God knows how much I love them and the things I can do for them.

“Opo, Ma. Mabait po siya… sa akin,” I whispered as I clenched my fists. “Mahal niya po ako.”

“Mabuti naman, anak.” She gently stroked my face. “Noon pa man ay maalaga na talaga ang ama mo sa ’yo. Ipinangalan ka nga sa kanya.”

I mentally smirked. Emiliani Fabro.

“Papag-aralin niya daw ako para maging lawyer, Ma,” mahinang sabi ko, sabay pilit na ngumiti habang iniiwas ang tingin.

“Talaga? Eh mahirap daw iyon, anak. Pero matalino ka naman, kaya mo iyon.” Ngumiti siya at napatawa. “Matalino ka kasi hindi ka nagmana sa akin.”

Ngumiti na rin ako at tiningnan siya nang maigi. I examined her face, her eyes, the same brown color as mine, her nose and her… wrinkles.

Then it hit me… She’s not getting any younger anymore.

Tumatanda na si Mama.

Hindi ko hawak ang oras pero sana hintayin niya akong makapagtapos at maiahon sila sa hirap.

Sabay kaming napalingon sa pinto nang may dumating.

Si Papa…

Ngumiti ako at tiningnan ko siya nang mabuti. Maputik ang pantalon niya, basa ng ulan ang laylayan ng suot niyang damit. Tagaktak ang pawis sa noo niya, at ang buhok niya ay dumikit sa balat.

“Emiliani?” Napaawang ang labi niya habang tinatanggal ang sombrero niya sa ulo.

“Papa…” I whispered.

“Mahabaging Diyos… ang panganay ko,” masayang sambit niya at tumawa. He eyed me with so much love. He always called me panganay , kahit alam namin pareho na hindi niya ako tunay na anak. Hindi niya ako kadugo.

Kinuyom ko ang kamao ko para pigilin ang mga luha ko.

Naglakad ako papunta sa kanya at magmamano na sana ako nang bigla siyang umatras.

“Wag na, ’nak. Maputik ako at mabaho.” At tumawa ulit siya. He wiped his hands on his face towel and got something from his old brown bag.

“Saktong-sakto! May inday-inday ako dito, Emiliani. Dalhin mo patungong bayan. Alam kong miss mo na ’tong inday-inday ni Aling Tasing!” sabik niyang sambit, halos tumatalon na sa tuwa.

My eyes became blurry all of a sudden. Napapikit ako sandali. Nanginginig ang labi ko, pero niyakap ko siya kahit ayaw niya.

“Nako, anak, nagkaputik ka pa tuloy,” sabi niya, pilit na tumatawa pero ramdam ang pag-aalala sa boses.

“Okay lang po, Papa,” mahina kong sagot habang hindi ko binibitawan ang pagkakayakap.

This kindness… is something I won’t bargain with. Kahit pahirapan pa ako ni Dad, kahit maghirap ako nang sobra, kakayanin ko. Magtatapos ako ng pag-aaral kahit gawin niya pa akong punching bag araw-araw. Itataya ko ang kaligayahan ko para sa kanila.

Even if it means losing myself, my happiness as a young adult. Even if it makes my life miserable and never at peace… it’s all okay. Because they’re more than worth it.

Kailangan kong magsakripisyo, dahil pamilya ko sila.

At kahit hindi ako buo, basta buo sila—ayos lang.

Kahit hindi ayos sa akin, pipilitin kong maging maayos.

CHAPTER 2

I just rode a taxi from the mansion to the university. Umabot ng mahigit isang oras ang biyahe bago ako makarating. I even fell asleep from exhaustion. There was chaos in the house again last night. Dad went wild again because of his drunkenness.

“Salamat, Kuya Manong,” sabi ko nang makarating ako. Iniabot ko ang bayad at agad kong sinukbit ang malaking backpack ko sa balikat. Pag-angat ng tingin ko, agad kong napansin ang malaking karatula sa gate.

“Western University of Excellence,” I whispered under my breath.

I wondered how much tuition Dad had to pay for a prestigious school like this. It’s so big… so grand… Suddenly, I felt small.

I didn’t go straight to the school at first; I walked for five minutes to my small apartment. Dalawa pa nga kami rito, naghahati sa renta. I heard from the landlord that she’s studying the same course as mine.

Dad didn’t know about this, though. He told me to look for a condo, but I didn’t do that. I couldn’t afford it, and there’s no way in hell I would spend his money from corruption.

Nang makita ko ang apartment, pumasok ako agad. I roamed around my dormitory room. May isang double-deck bed—occupied na ang itaas, so I guess sa ibaba ako? May isang estudyante na naroon nang dumating ako. Nanlaki pa ang mata niya nang makita ako.

Maybe because of my red hair? I get that a lot. I’m used to it.

Tumikhim siya at pilit na ngumiti.

I liked her already. She seemed quiet and simple.

“H-hi. Agnes ang pangalan ko,” mahinang sabi niya. “Malani,” I said shortly using my cold voice.

I walked to my bed and sat down. Pagod talaga ako, wala akong tulog. Gusto kong magpahinga, kaya nang sumenyas siya na lalabas muna, tuluyan akong humiga at nakatulog.

Morning came and I just wore a white T-shirt, black leggings, and sneakers. Tangina! Five minutes na lang bago magsimula ang klase, kaya tumakbo na ako. Late na akong nagising—kung hindi pa nahulog ang kutsara ni Agnes habang kumakain siya ng almusal kanina, hindi pa talaga ako nagising.

“Gago,” bulong ko.

Students looked so intelligent when I got inside the school. Parang ako lang yata ang pipitsuging utak ang nandito. Unlike me, parang future tambay sa canteen ang pormahan. I feel like I only ended up here dahil nadulas ako sa kapalaran.

Pagdating ko sa room, the seats were arranged upward like a mini courtroom. Luckily, the class hadn’t started yet. I sighed in relief, at lahat ng mga mata ay parang nakatutok sa ’kin. Pinagmasdan nila ako mula ulo hanggang paa.

I just shrugged my shoulders and walked straight to the very back row, the safest place for a confused soul like me.

I sat down and glanced at the girl beside me.

Agnes?

Nanlaki ang mata niya nang magtapat ang aming mga paningin, then umiwas agad siya ng tingin.

I closed my eyes and sighed. Damn. I still need to look for a part time later.

At exactly 8, someone arrived.

The room was immediately filled with whispers.

“That’s Dominick, right? He’s so hot and look at those masculine arms underneath his white polo. Gusto ko na lang magpa-choke. Kahit mawalan ako ng hininga at maging kulay blue… okay lang!”

Napangiwi ako sa narinig.

“Why is he here? He’s already in his fourth year of Paralegal, isn’t he?”

“I’ve heard he’s really good at debates… Even the professors admire him. Some say he’s also brutal in bed. Sophia, his girl, must be very lucky.”

I followed their gazes and saw a man walk in. Tall, calm, and serious-looking, like he was born to be in a courtroom. Nakasuot siya ng white polo at black slacks.

His sleeves were slightly rolled up, exposing strong forearms and a black leather watch. His jawline was sharp. His hair was neatly in place, but his face showed little emotion.

Maginoo, pero medyo bastos.

He roamed his eyes around the room slowly, like he was scanning for threats. Then his gaze landed on me in an instant.

“I guess dying my hair red was a bad choice, huh?” I whispered.

His eyebrows drew together. Parang may nakita siyang hindi karapat-dapat na naroon.

Hindi naman talaga ako dapat nandito. Buhok ko pa lang, para akong manok na pulang panabong.

I was about to roll my eyes, kaso naalala ko… baka mapunta ako sa guidance. Dad would probably hit me again.

So I gave a small wave, barely moving my hand, and forced a polite smile. But he didn’t smile back. He just stared for a second longer, then looked away.

“Akala mo kung sinong gwapo,” I muttered under my breath. But when he talks…

“Good morning.” He’s cold and authoritative, ruthless enough to make the whispers shut. Yung parang wala siyang ginagawa pero ang lakas ng dating.

“I, Dominick Mercir Castellan, will be your substitute teacher for Criminal Law since Atty. Corpuz is currently on leave for the rest of the term,” he continued, roaming his gaze around the room.

Gwapo nga, pero hindi masyado. Sakto lang na maigala sa parke.

Tinukod niya ang kamay niya sa mesa, at ang mga mata ko ay parang naka-telescope. Kahit malayo, I could see the veins in his hands.

Hmmm… This man likes to masturbate?

Agad akong nabalik sa ulirat nang magsalita siyang muli.

“Suppose a person moves to a new city and, without knowing it, carries an item that is illegal there, something that is perfectly legal in their previous city. When they are caught, they claim they didn’t know it was against the law. In this situation, can ignorance of the law ever serve as a valid excuse for committing a crime? Why or why not?”

Para akong na-comatose bigla.

Bakit tanong agad? Wala bang introduce yourself man lang? O kahit hobby, favorite color, o paboritong ulam?

“Any volunteers?” he said authoritatively, and our eyes met again.

Agad akong napayuko. Halos tinawag ko na lahat ng santo sa langit, pati si Santa Claus natawag ko ’wag lang akong matawag. I slowly looked up again.

Damn!

He scanned the paper he was holding, probably looking for our names.

“Ms. Bayubay,” tawag niya.

Napasinghad agad ang katabi ko, si Agnes. So she’s Bayubay, huh?

“S-sir?” nauutal niyang sabi habang tumatayo.

“P-pwede pa po i-repeat?”

Nagpa-repeat question pa talaga.

Kung nasa high school lang sana ako, tumawa na ako nang malakas. Pero hindi ko alam kung bakit, hindi ako makatawa. Pati ako ay nahahawa sa mukha ni Agnes, na para siyang matatae na ewan.

“Imagine someone relocating to a new city and unknowingly bringing an item that is illegal there, even though it was allowed in their previous city. If they are caught and argue that they were unaware it was against the law, can not knowing the law ever justify committing a crime? Why or why not?” he repeated.

“Uh… why or why not?” bulong niya habang yumuyuko. Nagtagpo ang mata namin. She’s obviously begging for help, eyes all wide like a lost puppy.

Pero umiling ako at pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata. Kahit anong piga ko, wala. Wala talaga akong makuhang sagot. Naka-out of service yata ang utak ko ngayon.

“Mag-yes ka na lang para matapos na,” pabirong bulong ko sa kanya.

“Y-yes po, Sir,” agad na sagot niya.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin, parang gusto ko na lang magtago sa ilalim ng desk.

“I’m sorry?” Sir Dominick said, frowning as he tilted his head, parang pilit niyang kinokonekta ang yes na sagot ni Agnes sa tanong niya.

“Uh… I mean, pwede po b-bang call a friend, Sir?” aniya.

’Pag ako tinawag nito, I swear hindi ko talaga siya papapasukin sa apartment mamaya—subukan lang niya.

Sir Dominick actually nodded. Hesitantly.

“Si Malani po.”

“Mamaya ka sa akin,” I hissed at her lowly.

Sir Dominick immediately scanned the paper he was holding again.

“Ms. Emiliani Fabro?” he read aloud.

Binanggit pa talaga ang buong pangalan ng katawang lupa ko.

He roamed his eyes across the room, but the moment I stood up slowly… he froze. He looked at the list again, and I could see his mouth silently mutter my name. He nodded and looked up at me longer, like he was examining me, his stare laser-sharp, checking if naka-shabu ba ako o naka-marijuana.

“Should I repeat the question?” he said coldly. I shook my head.

I started mentally digging up what I had learned back when I was studying Philippine Politics and Governance.

I tilted my head slightly, trying to recall it.

“Ignorantia juris non excusat,” mahinang sabi ko.

I even heard someone say, “Yes,” so maybe I got it right?

“Ignorance of the law excuses no one,” I added again.

I thought he was going to praise me for giving such a concise yet correct answer, but he only nodded and moved on to call another name.

CHAPTER 3

“Some acts are immoral, but not all immoral acts are criminal. How do lawmakers decide which immoral acts should be punished by criminal law?” That’s what Dominick asked right after he greeted us good morning. Ni hindi niya kami pinayagang huminga man lang.

Sa ilang araw siyang nagle-lecture sa amin, napag-alaman kong hindi uso sa kanya ang how was your day o kaya’y how was your weekend.

He’s very serious in class, and while lecturing, he doesn’t even bring books, unlike our other professors. Parang kabisado na niya lahat ng kanto ng criminal law.

He roamed his eyes around like a hawk, and when no one spoke or voluntarily raised a hand to answer, he immediately looked at our names on the list.

“Mr. Ramirez,” tawag niya. Jing Ramirez confidently stood up and delivered his answer thoroughly. Without a doubt, he could answer. He’s the most intelligent in our class. Of course, this guy always reads, like he couldn’t spare even a breath for anything else, which I cannot do. Halos hindi pa ako nakalimang pahina ay hindi na ako makahinga, siguro ’pag buong libro ang binasa ko ay malalagutan na ako ng hininga.

Dom just nodded at Jing’s answer and looked at the list again.

“Ms. Bayubay.” I’ve heard Agnes’ pen fall on the floor.

“S-sir,” nauutal niyang sabi. Dominick took three steps forward as he delivered his question.

“If you steal bread to feed your family, should the law punish you the same way as a thief who steals luxury goods for personal gain?”

Agnes slowly stood up from her seat, as if she was taking her time.

“S-Sir, I can’t relate po. Hindi po kasi ako kailanman nagnakaw,” manihang sabi niya. I shifted my gaze to the window when I heard her answer. It’s the dumbest answer I’ve heard in my entire life. Bakit pa siya nag-paralegal kung ganoon siya? Sana sinabi na lang niya na wala siyang maisasagot.

I even heard one of the boys laugh lowly. It’s probably Danny. Siya lang naman ang medyo may pagka-bully dito.

“Come again?” Dom said. I shifted my gaze at him and noticed his brows knitting together.

“Uh… call a friend po? Malani wants to answer voluntarily daw po.”

Gusto ko na lang sabunutan si Agnes dahil sa sinabi niya. Anong answer voluntarily? Ni halos iwasan ko na ang tingin ni Dominick para hindi ako tawagin. I could barely catch my breath from all the nerves. But I acted like nothing had happened and stood up as I tried to recall his question.

“It’s still a crime,” sagot ko.

“Explain further.” His eyes were fixed on me. I couldn’t hold his hawk-like stare, so I looked away. Minutes later, I still couldn’t back up my answer.

Damn! Why is it a crime, Malani?

“We shouldn’t joke around during class,” he said, eyeing Agnes as if his words were directed at her, but Agnes just bowed her head.

Pwede na siguro akong umupo? Uupo na sana ako nang tiningnan niya ako nang mariin.

“We should make it a habit to read and study regularly, or else it would be a shame to attend a top university without achieving excellence ourselves.”

Did he just… indirectly call me dumb?

After that, the class went on. He just called someone else, until break time came. Agnes pulled me into the cafeteria.

“Gusto mo ng empanada?” tanong ni Agnes.

“Kahit bilhan mo pa ako ng house and lot o kaya’y iharap si Jungkook sa akin, hindi ko malilimutan ang ginawa mo kanina, Agnes,” ani ko. I also don’t know if she has a birthmark on her butt kasi palagi na lang siyang natatawag ni Dominick.

“Eh, wala kasi akong maisagot,” mahinang sabi niya sabay kamot sa ulo.

“At ano’ng akala mo sa akin, may maisasagot?”

Kung noong first day ay halos tinawag ko na si Santa Claus, kanina halos pati si Satanas ay naisipan ko na ring tawagin. Damn, Dominick. Mas mahirap pa siyang magbigay ng tanong kaysa sa mga terror professor namin!

“Nakasagot ka naman kanina. Ang galing mo nga,” aniya. Napailing na lang ako. Ni hindi nga ako nakasagot, at hindi nga yata siya nakikinig. If she keeps that up, we’re definitely taking summer classes together.

“Aling Melody, limang empanada po.” sabi niya kay Aling Melody na nagbebenta ng empanada. I immediately frowned.

“Isa lang sa akin, bakit ang dami mong binili?” malamig na tanong ko.

“Pinabili kasi ako ni Jera ng apat na empanada, isa sa ’yo at apat sa kanya,” sagot niya. Nalaglag ang panga ko sa narinig.

Jera? Iyong nagpi-feeling maganda sa section namin? Eh kung pektusan ko kaya siya sa mukha nang malaman niyang mas maputi ang mukha niya kesa sa leeg niya?

“Bakit ka naman inutos-utusan noon? Aso ka ba?” singhal ko. She looked around and bowed her head a bit. Pinagtitinginan kami dahil sa napalakas ang boses ko.

“H-hayaan mo na. Gusto ko din namang gawin ’to,” aniya, nagkamot ulit sa ulo niya at umiwas ng tingin. May garapata ba ’to sa ulo?

Agnes and I became close. Hindi ko alam kung paano dahil simula noong tumungtong na ako ng high school ay wala na akong naging kaibigan pa. I just like the idea of being alone rather than faking yourself just to please your ‘friends’. And I have a strong personality, as they say, so they didn’t even dare. Kung ayaw nila sa akin, mas ayaw ko rin sa kanila.

Pero itong si Agnes, kung gaano kahina ang boses niya, ganoon din kalakas ang loob niyang para kaibiganin ako. Halos ipagtulakan ko na siya palayo pero ngingiti lang siya at kakausapin ulit ako.

“Ito, suka,” aniya at dahan-dahang nilapit sa akin ang sukang may sili para sa empanada. I tied my hair, which had red highlights, into a bun before I dug in. I swayed my hand as I savored the vinegar in my mouth. Manang Melody’s vinegar is really good. I suddenly wonder ilang kilong betsin ang nilagay niya rito.

“Kunin mo yung isang empanada na para kay Jera. Bibili na lang ulit tayo ng panibago mamaya,” ani ko. Ngumiti na naman siya at umiling.

“Hindi na, busog pa ako—”

“Ako ang magbabayad mamaya, sige na.”

Walang pag-aalinlangan niyang binuksan ang paper bag at kumuha ng dalawang empanada. Ang lakas ng loob niyang manlibre sa akin, eh sakto lang naman ang pera niya.

Ang alam ko, scholar siya rito sa paaralan. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano siya naging scholar dahil palagi naman siyang ‘call a friend’ sa klase.

We stood up and walked out of the cafeteria, only to realize we still had 10 minutes before our next class. Kinuha ko ang maanghang na suka at sinimulang inumin nang paunti-unti.

“Ang ganda talaga ng piercing mo sa tainga, Malani. Ang astig! Hindi ba iyan masakit?” she asked out of curiosity.

“Hindi, parang kagat lang ni Barney,” ani ko. “Why are you asking? Would you like to have one?” I added. I heard her small giggles and nodded.

“Sige, saan mo gusto magpalagay?”

“Sa kiffy ko,” bulong niya.

Wait… what?!

I looked at her with widened eyes, still walking. I never knew she would say that; it’s not for her personality. ’Pag siya seryoso, baka i-persona non grata ko siya sa apartment namin.

“Are you even serious?” I asked shockingly and didn’t realize I bumped into someone.

“Oh my gosh!” she exclaimed.

I heard Agnes’ cute gasp as she looked at what was in front of us, kaya tumingin na rin ako sa harapan.

“Dominick! Look at what she did to me!” She looked at Dominick with teary eyes. “I smell so sour, God!”

So this is her girlfriend that our classmates are talking about? I never knew mala-hyena ang tipo niya. I examined her face silently and slightly frowned right after.

Is she a baker? Ang kapal ng harina sa mukha niya.

“I’m sorry,” sabi ko. Hindi ako tumingin sa dinadanan dahil sa sinabi ni Agnes sa akin. It’s my fault. I should say sorry.

“Dominick!” her girlfriend called him again when he was busy… staring at my helix piercing? Nangunot pa ang noo niya habang nakatingin doon, na parang bang hindi siya makapaniwala sa nakita.

“Do it sincerely,” he said concisely.

“Do it sincerely daw,” bulong ni Agnes sa akin nang hindi ako nagsalita at walang emosyong tiningnan ko lang si Dominick.

“He’s the student council. Mag-sorry ka na, Malani,” parang bubuyog na bulong ni Agnes sa tainga ko.

He’s not just intelligent, handsomely neat, and skilled, he’s also the student council president? Maybe that’s the reason why he’s staring at my helix piercing?

I admit he’s handsome, and that’s a conclusion supported by objective evidence and factual observations.

I inhaled heavily before I spoke.

“Sorry,” tipid kong sabi. I heard Agnes’s small laugh beside me.

“Do it again,” malamig niyang sabi.

I looked at her girlfriend and smiled, forcibly. “I’m sorry,”

I looked at Dominick, whose lips were now slightly parted like he couldn’t accept that I did not follow his command.

“Iyon lang ang kaya ko,” sabi ko at nilampasan sila.

Hindi niya ako matatakot sa mga paganyan-ganyan niya. Nasuntok na nga ako, nasampal, at natadyakan ni Dad, tapos titig lang ni Dominick ay matatakot ako? That’s not gonna happen.

Pagdating ng uwian, dumeretso na ako sa apartment. Hindi ko na hinintay si Agnes dahil may importanteng gagawin pa raw siya, pero noong naglalakad ako palabas ng gate, nakita ko na lang siya na parang tutang sumusunod na naman kay Jera.

Hindi ko alam kung ano’ng trip niya sa buhay, kung lesbian ba siya o crush niya si Jera, o siguro may atraso siya kay Jera kaya ganoon na lang siya makasunod. Wala na akong pakialam. Basta uuwi lang siya sa apartment na meron pa ring 206 bones sa katawan niya, it’s all fine with me.

“Malani,” tawag sa akin sa may sala.

She’s already here? Anong oras na ba? She usually arrives at 8 PM. May spare key naman kami isa’t isa dahil may mga lakad siya na hindi ko alam, at may part-time job din ako sa isang café malapit sa paaralan. Ngayon lang wala dahil day off ko.

I shouldn’t be working my ass off since Dad is the current mayor, but when I found out that he’s the same as other political officials who steals money and acts corruptly evil, I’d rather be hungry than use the money he sends to my bank account every week.

“Malani,” tawag niya ulit.

“Ano! Nasa banyo ako, naglalaba, bakit ba?” sigaw ko mula sa banyo. She didn’t respond. I just heard her steps coming, then she slowly opened and peeked through the bathroom door.

“Naghapunan ka na? May isaw akong dala.” It’s very tempting, but..

“Ilan ang binili mo?” tanong ko habang nagsasabon ng pantyshort.

“Isa lang. Mahal kasi, bente pesos isang piraso. Hati na lang tayo,” aniya.

I knew it! I didn’t know if she was teasing me or if her brain just doesn’t function properly.

“Tapos na akong kumain kanina sa labas, Agnes. Iyo na ’yan,” sabi ko na lang kahit wala pa naman talaga akong kain.

“May marami namang sauce. Dinamihan ko ang paglagay ng toyo at suka,” dagdag niya pa. I just stared at her coldly. “O-okay, sabi mo eh.” aniya at dahan-dahang sinarado ang pinto.

Nang matapos ako ay agad ko na lang iyon sinampay sa loob na lang din ng banyo. Mga underwear lang naman iyon. I went outside and saw Agnes studying Criminal Procedure for the Paralegal. Ganyan ’yan siya. Ang sipag magbasa pero hindi makasagot sa tanong ni Dominick.

Napailing na lang ako nang bumagsak ang libro sa mukha niya dahil sa antok. My stomach suddenly growled so I decided to go outside. Agnes’ isaw was very tempting so I decided to buy one.

“Ate, dalawang isaw po at saka isang betamax,” ani ko. Agad namang tumango si Ate at isinalang iyon. Walang masyadong bumili dahil 9 PM na. Habang naghihintay maluto, nag-scroll lang ako sa Facebook. Bahagyang nangunot ang noo ko nang may nag-friend request sa akin.

MiNa Hal kIta sent you a friend request

Who the fuck is this?

I clicked the profile picture and realized it was Kiko from our province. I nearly dropped my phone when someone spoke behind me.

“Ate, walong pork barbeque po at dalawang rice. Pabalot na lang po. Thank you.” Nagtaasan ang balahibo ko sa leeg dahil sa bigat ng boses niya.

I didn’t dare to look back because I already knew it was him. Though his voice was more polite now than the one he used at the university. I looked at the isaw and the betamax. Nang makitang malapit na itong maluto, naghanda agad ako ng pambayad.

I felt him take one step forward, so I took one step away and went to where Ate was grilling. Halos magkandaubo na ako sa usok pero pinigilan ko lang. I stayed composed and calm.

“Mausok diyan,” aniya. Alam kong ako ang sinabihan niya dahil kaming dalawa lang naman dito, pero hindi ako lumingon o nagsalita man lang. I acted just like I didn’t hear it and ignored him.

“I said it’s smoky over there—” he repeated it and raised his voice even more.

“Gusto kong magpausok. Kung gusto mo, magpausok ka rin,” I said between my gritted teeth.

Bakit ba nangingialam siya? Dumistansiya na nga ako sa kanya. It’s not like I’m scared of him dahil ginigisa niya ako lagi sa klase; it’s just that I’m not comfortable around him lalo na’t sinabihan niya akong bobo.

Sakto namang nabalot na ni Ate ang isaw ko at iniabot sa akin, kaya agad ko itong kinuha at nagbayad. Tuloy-tuloy akong naglakad palayo, hindi na lumingon pa. But I don’t know what got into me when I stopped and hid in a huge plant. Madilim na parte ito ng kalsada kaya ay sigurado akong hindi niya ako makikita.

I squinted my eyes when I saw him walk toward a car… not just a car, but a Mercedes-Benz. He took something, maybe a wallet and walked back to the barbeque stall. I couldn’t help but wonder what his parents’ jobs were. Ang mahal niyan. He’s still wearing a polo and pants. Ngayon pa ba siya uuwi galing university?

“Wala akong pakialam,” I whispered as I looked down.

“Damn!” I hissed then slapped the part of my foot where the mosquito bit me. When I looked up again, I found out that Dominick wasn’t there anymore but his car was still there—

“I don’t know what’s gotten into your mind, that you’re hiding there like a stalker, but you forgot your change.”

CHAPTER 4

“I don’t know what’s gotten into your mind, that you’re hiding there like a stalker, but you forgot your change.” I closed my eyes for a second, swallowing the embarrassment burning inside me. How did he even know I was here?

As much as I wanted to disappear, I slowly stood up to face him. I didn’t even flinch when a mosquito bit my leg this time.

“I wasn’t stalking you,” I said, taking my change from his hand.

“I never said you were,” he replied. I just shrugged my shoulders and walked past him. “You didn’t even say thank you—how thoughtful of you.”

Napahinto ako. Akala niya naman ay isang libo ang sukli na nasa kanya, eh 10 pesos lang naman, but still—

“Thank you,” mahinang sabi ko, sakto lang para marinig niya, at naglakad ulit. Nang makalayo-layo na, mas binilisan ko pa ang lakad ko.

Pagdating ko sa apartment, agad akong pumasok at sinarado ang pinto. I tried to shake off the embarrassment I felt since earlier. Dahan-dahan akong naghain ng kanin sa pinggan dahil natutulog na si Agnes, nakaawang pa ang labi. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi niya nilalagyan ng kurtina ang pwesto niya para sa privacy. Sa akin kasi, naglagay ako ng kurtina.

After I ate, I forced myself to read Criminal Procedure for the Paralegal, the same one Agnes read earlier. Pinilit ko talagang intindihin at ipasok sa utak ko ang binabasa ko, kulang na lang ay halikan ko na ang libro. The book fell on my face a couple of times kasi inaantok na talaga ako, but I tried to stay awake. Mahirap nang masabihan ng “bobo” indirectly bukas.

When I couldn’t take it anymore, I stopped reading and tried to open my phone, scrolling on Facebook para mawala ang antok. Itutuloy ko na lang ang pagbabasa ko mamaya. Out of curiosity, I typed Dominick’s full name in the search bar. But unfortunately, I couldn’t find it, so I tried to rearrange his name and search again.

“Gotcha,” I whispered after I typed Mercir Castellan, just Mercir, no Dominick. I carefully tapped his profile, careful not to click the friend request button. His profile picture was him, wearing just a plain white shirt with a Ralph Lauren logo on it. Behind him was the Eiffel Tower. Filthy rich.

That’s the only picture he had; he had no cover photo as well. I exited the Facebook app but opened my Instagram. I searched his name there and… viola. 150K followers. 1 following.

I tapped the person he follows. It was Malrick Valtar III. He’s studying medicine, I guess? He’s wearing a white coat.

“His friend, maybe,” bulong ko.

I was too focused stalking him on Instagram when Agnes suddenly sleep-talked loudly, making my phone fall on my face.

“Shit,” ani ko, at napabangon ako nang wala sa oras nang makita kong naka-following na ako. I put the phone down on my legs and just stared at it. I didn’t know what to do anymore. When my phone vibrated, I picked it up immediately. Only to find out…

Mercir Castellan followed you back…

I turned my phone off at agad na nagtalukbong ng kumot. I screamed at the top of my lungs—pero walang lumabas na boses. Hindi ako nakontento kaya kinuha ko ang unan, tinakip sa mukha, at doon ako sumigaw hanggang sa mapagod ako.

Kinabukasan ay napamulat ako dahil nahulog na naman ang takip ng rice cooker ni Agnes. Wala na yatang umaga na hindi ako nabubulabog niya, but somehow, I was also a little grateful dahil kung hindi, baka halos araw-araw akong late.

“Bakit ang aga mong nagising? Mamayang 8 AM pa ang klase natin,” ani ko when I saw it was still 6:30 in the morning, pero siya ay bihis na bihis na.

“Pupunta kasi ako ng hospital,” sabi niya habang naglalagay ng kanin sa tupperware. She even topped it with two hard-boiled eggs.

“Sino’ng nasa hospital?” hindi ko mapigilang tanong.

“Pinsan ko.”

I suddenly felt sad when I remembered my family in the province. I remembered how panicked I was when Dodong got a high fever. They had to run to the nearest hospital, which was almost an hour away from the house, and I couldn’t help but cry over the phone kasi hindi ako pinayagan ni Dad na lumabas noon dahil angat ang election. Kaya noong tumawag si Mama ay iyak lang ako nang iyak.

Ewan ko ba, kahinaan ko talaga kapag pinag-uusapan ang pamilya.

“B-bakit? Ano’ng sakit niya? Malala ba?” tanong ko. She shook her head and turned her back to me para lagyan ng tubig ang pink water bottle niya.

“Nursing student kasi siya.”

The sadness in my chest suddenly vanished, gone as quickly as a flash of lightning. Halos batuhin ko na siya ng tsinelas ko na sout ko. Minsan talaga, hindi ko maintindihan ang takbo ng utak ni Agnes. I’ll just pray that we survive this sem.

When Agnes left, as much as I wanted to sleep again, I couldn’t. I didn’t even have the courage to open my phone because of what happened last night. So, I just took a bath and got dressed. I wore my usual black leggings, a plain white t-shirt, and the black Nike shoes that Manang Banban gave me as a graduation gift months ago.

Sa bahay ni Dad, si Manang Banban lang ang nagmamalasakit sa akin, but unfortunately, she resigned two weeks before I came here.

I arrived on campus a little bit earlier than usual so I just went to the canteen and grabbed breakfast. I stayed there for a minute before heading towards my first class which is the Introduction to Law & Legal Systems. I just got in when everyone was already busy reading their books.

May test ba?

Wala naman akong natandaang sinabi si Mrs. Marida tungkol sa test. My gaze went to my usual seat, and I raised my eyebrows when I saw Agnes already there, but what really caught my attention was Jera sitting beside her, busy putting on lip gloss.

Ano’ng ginagawa niyan dito?

She usually sits on the third row, but now she’s right next to Agnes, who’s too focused on her book to even notice me sit down beside her. Napagitnaan namin si Agnes.

“Malani, may long test daw sabi nila. At si Sir Dominick ang magpo-proctor.” Tiningnan niya ako saglit, tapos bumalik ulit ang tingin sa librong binabasa niya.

Napapikit ako sandali nang maramdaman kong may pumitik sa ulo ko. Damn, I didn’t even get a good sleep, and yet I need to read again? But do I even have a choice?

I got my Introduction to Law & Legal Systems book from my bag and hurriedly started reading, pero ni hindi pa nga ako nangalahati sa topic ay nandito na agad ang proctor. Dominick, wearing a black polo shirt na may tatak ng university logo, at sa kaliwang bahagi niyon ay nakaburda ang buong pangalan niya, kasama ang titulong President of the Student Council.

“Good morning. I’ll be your proctor today. You have 70 items to answer in one hour. No phones, no talking, no funny business. Keep your eyes where they should be.” He roamed his stares around and our eyes met again. I didn’t budge. I mean, I realized he’s been our substitute teacher for Criminal Law, so there’s no malice if I follow him on Instagram, right? For educational purposes, maybe? In case I have questions about Criminal Law?

Kahit mas malinaw pa siya magturo kaysa sa ibang professor namin.

“Any questions or clarifications?” he asked, his voice calm but firm. “You know the rules and their consequences,” aniya bago ibinigay sa pinakaunahan ang test paper. Pinagpasa-pasahan iyon hanggang sa umabot na dito sa likuran.

I immediately checked it and damn, not even a single multiple choice. Halos puro enumerations! I turned to the next page; may true or false nga pero kailangan pang i-justify ang sagot.

“Start answering now.” Dominick’s voice thundered inside our room.

I started answering right away. Nasa pangalawang paniha na ako nang magsimulang magbulungan sina Agnes at Jera. But I didn’t mind, not even a glance. It’s one of our rules.

“B-bawal nga kasi, Jera,” I heard Agnes whisper. I secretly kicked her foot without even glancing up when I felt Dominick’s steps coming toward where we were seated. Agad silang natahimik.

“Ten minutes more,” Dominick announced.

Agnes and Jera started whispering again, and I couldn’t concentrate on answering.

“Agnes!” I warned and looked at her.

“What’s the commotion all about there?” Dominick said. I looked at him, and our gazes met. Agad akong napayuko, pero naglakad siya palapit sa amin.

“Explain this,” he said coldly.

Is he talking to me? I slowly turned my head, only to realize—no, his eyes were locked on Agnes. His gaze was burning as he looked down at the paper he was holding.

Shit. Agnes got caught cheating.

“Continue answering, everyone. Time’s running,” aniya, malamig ang tono.

I tried to look back at my paper and started writing, though my hand was slightly shaking.

“Explain this, Ms. Bayubay,” he said firmly. Agnes didn’t even try to defend herself. I glanced at her through my peripheral vision, and she sat there with her head down, nervously playing with her fingers.

“She’s been cheating since kanina pa, Sir Dominick. I told her it’s bawal, pero ayaw niyang tumigil,” sumbong ni Jera.

I saw how Agnes pinched herself and her tears fell on the test paper, smudging the ink.

I tried my best not to defend her. Ayaw kong magpaka-hero, alam kong ako na naman ang madedehado, especially when it comes to Dad. He will know for sure. Kahit gusto kong tumulong, mas mabuti nang manahimik kaysa ako ang masunog sa huli.

“You know the drill. The university’s strict, and so am I. Cheating is one thing I’ll never turn a blind eye to.”

A small sob escaped from Agnes. That’s it. Before I could stop myself, I stood up.

“That came from me. I used it, and I told her to cheat too, so we could pass the exam.”

Nanigas ang panga ni Dominick habang nakatitig sa akin na para bang kaya niya akong gawing yelo sa isang iglap. I wanted to look away, but his gaze pinned me in place. But I’d rather be punished than watch Agnes fall apart in front of everyone.

I guess this is my bad habit, protecting and saving others from their misery, huh?

CHAPTER 5

Cheating is one of the gravest sins in the Western University of Excellence. Students caught cheating face punishments such as community service, suspension, or, worst of all, expulsion, depending on how strict the professor is, of course.

Agnes knew that. She knew she might get expelled from the university, pero hindi ko pa rin maintindihan kung bakit siya nag-cheat sa test. Or maybe… did she even really cheat?

I hadn’t finished the test because Dominick took my test paper back. Agnes didn’t even dare look at me, nakayuko lang siya the whole time. After class, Dominick instructed me to follow him to his office, which I did… silently.

Habang sumusunod ako sa kanya, hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin sa kanyang malapad na likod. His broad shoulders and defined triceps clearly said, Don’t joke around with him . He maintains those muscles through regular gym visits while keeping excellent grades.

Marami ang gustong kumustahin siya, pero tinangnan niya lang ang mga ito. Marami siyang kakilala sa bawat building na madaanan namin; some even hand-bumped with him. Well, no doubt, he really is the president of the student council.

“Mercir, baka magalit na naman si Kimberly niyan!” sigaw ng isang lalaking naka-white shirt na may tatak na Scales of Justice sa may bandang dibdib. I guess it was one of his close classmates.

“Back off, Cabunillas.” Umiling lang si Dominick at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Na-bore ako sa pagsunod sa kanya, kaya pagdating namin sa parte na puro lupa at bato na lang, sinipa-sipa ko ang mga bato para maibsan ang pagkainip ko.

My eyes became small when I noticed the white stone. Sinipa ko iyon, at hindi ko alam, napalakas pala ang sipa ko kaya tumama iyon sa paa ni Dominick. Agad siyang napahinto at marahas na lumingon sa akin, kaya napahinto rin ako.

“Can you just behave for one minute? You cheated on the exam, and here you are, casually kicking a stone,” he said harshly to me.

But I just looked in a different direction, slowly appreciating the otot-otot flower not far from us. I knew that plant because Mama once planted it in our province, not knowing about its disturbing smell.

“Do you hear me?” aniya, nang hindi ako nagsalita. Binalik ko ang tingin sa kanya at tumango na lang.

“Really? Do you even understand the words I just said?” he asked again.

“Uh… me behaving for a minute?” ani ko, sabay turo sa sarili.

“Jesus!” I heard him whisper before turning his back to me and starting to walk again.

We stopped in front of a room where a sign reading President of the Student Council hung on the door. Ito na siguro ang office niya, I thought. Nang binuksan niya ang pinto, bumungad sa akin ang simpleng opisina… at isang magandang dilag? Dali-dali itong tumayo sa black sofa at ngumiti kay Dominick.

Sino na naman ito? She looks a little familiar.

Iba yata ito sa natapunan ko ng suka. This girl is decent compared to the one I bumped into in the cafeteria. She’s wearing the same shirt as what Dominick wore today, so probably, she’s an officer too?

“Dominick,” mahinhing sambit niya at ngumiti nang matamis.

“Kimberly,” Dominick acknowledged her politely.

Oh, so she’s Kimberly, the girl the guy was talking about earlier, na magagalit daw? Ito yata ang totoong jowa. Kaya pala nagagalit kasi noong nakaraang araw lang din ay may ibang kasamang babae rin siya.

Hindi ko alam kung papasok ba ako o hindi kasi nag-uusap pa sila. Parang kailangan nila ng privacy kaya nang napahagikhik si Kimberly, dumistansya na ako. Naglakad ako nang kaunting distansya mula sa pinto at nag-squat dahil wala namang maupuan. Kinuha ko ang phone ko at sinimulang tingnan ang mga litrato ko kasama si Dodong.

“Fabro,” tawag agad ni Dominick sa kin, ni hindi pa nga ako nakakatitig pangatlong picture namin ni Dodong.

Dahan-dahan akong tumayo at naglakad pabalik sa may pinto. I saw him holding the door handle as he eyed me irritatedly. What? Galit siya? Binigyan ko na nga sila ng privacy ng jowa niya. He should be thankful.

“What were you doing there? Trying to escape, huh? Get inside,” he said firmly when I stopped in front of him. I took a step and went inside. Kimberly wasn’t there anymore. Ang dali lang naman nilang nag-usap, ni hindi man lang umabot ng tatlong minuto.

I looked at his table. I could see a MacBook and a stack of law books on it. Agad akong napangiwi, ang kapal n’on. Even the shelves behind the table were full of books. Though I’m fully aware law books are mostly thick, I couldn’t help but frown. Ayaw kong mag-law… gusto kong maging guro.

He closed the door. Nilampasan niya ako at naglakad patungo sa aircon, turned it on, and sat on his swivel chair right after.

“You cheated,” walang patumpik-tumpik niyang sabi. I just blinked and didn’t say anything.

“You can call your parents now,” he said as he opened his MacBook and started typing. Parents? Hindi ko pwedeng tawagan sina Papa at Mama, mag-aalala iyon. I can’t call Dad either; I don’t have his number. I only have the number of the mayordoma at home.

“I can’t… I can’t call them,” ani ko.

“Oh, you’re scared?“His eyebrows raised “Give me their number instead. I’ll talk to them,” he said lowly, still typing on his Macbook.

“I don’t have their number,” I muttered.

His gaze snapped up, eyes darkening like storm clouds ready to break.

“Are you fucking with me?” galit niyang sabi. He looked ready to explode on what I said.

“I… am not.”

“Give me your parents’ names,” he said like that was his last resort.

Umiling ako. I can’t just say I’m the mayor’s illegitimate child. Hindi lang siguro sampal ang matatamo ko kay Dad, baka bugbugin pa ako hanggang mag-black and blue.

Maybe I can talk directly to the Dean? I will tell her about my family situation. I will face the punishment, kahit limang punishment pa? just don’t let my parents know about this.

“Can I talk to the Dean instead—”

“Are you questioning me? You think I’m that weak? You think I can’t handle this?” He smirked arrogantly. “I can’t believe an ordinary freshman like you would belittle me.”

“No, it’s not like that—”

“Alright.” He grabbed his MacBook and put it in his bag.

“Ang yabang mo. Let’s see where your courage takes you, Fabro. Go to the Dean’s office at 3 PM.”

Those were his last words before he went outside. I even held my breath as he walked past me. When I inhaled, his manly perfume hit my nose. I just silently went out of his office and proceeded to my next classes like nothing happened. Hindi dumalo si Agnes sa mga susunod na klase, kaya noong oras ng tanghalian, mag-isa akong kumain sa cafeteria.

I raised my eyebrows when I saw Jera and Kimberly at the entrance of the cafeteria. No wonder Kimberly looked familiar. She resembles Jera. Maybe they’re sisters? Or cousins?

After I ate, I read for an hour in the botany garden, then went to my next class. When 3 PM came, I went to the Dean’s office. I hope they haven’t called Dad yet. I’m sure they have the records since Dad was the one who enrolled me here.

Kung sana ay nandito lang si Manang, kanina ko pa siya tinawagan. But when I got near the Dean’s office, my hunch was right. Dad was already there, and his bodyguard was outside. I just ignored him and stepped inside.

And why is Dominick here again? Great. Mapapahiya ba ako sa harap niya?

I took a deep breath before closing the door and sat next to Dad, pero may malaking distansya sa pagitan namin.

“I will command my team to donate to this university. Mrs. Bendijo. I hope what we talked about in this office stays in this office,” Dad said, smiling sweetly to Dean and stood up.

Nagkausap na pala sila? I wonder kung ano’ng pinagsasabi ni Dad sa kanila.

“Let’s go, Emiliani,” mahinang sabi niya, sakto lang para marinig ko. I bid a formal goodbye to the Dean.

My gaze went to Dominick. Nakapamulsa lang siya sa gilid ni Dean. I slightly bowed to him, making him feel that I didn’t belittle him nor question his ability earlier.

Kahit na may klase pa ako, hindi na ako nagsalita at sumama na lang kay Dad pauwi. Tahimik lang ang mahabang biyahe hanggang sa makarating kami sa bahay. Unang bumaba si Dad at naglakad papasok.

“Ma’am, sumunod daw ho kayo kay Mayor sa library niya po,” bungad agad sa akin ng katulong. Tumango ako at nagtungo roon.

As soon as I opened the door and stepped inside, Dad slapped me hard.

“You cheated?!” sigaw niya. Hindi ako nagsalita at nanatiling nakatingin lang sa ibang direksyon.

“Gaano ba kahina ang utak mo, Emiliani, para gawin ’yon? Talagang pinatunayan mong mas bobo ka pa sa lahat ng bobo!” He grabbed my face roughly, forcing me to look at him.

“Nakakahiya ka!” he said through his gritted teeth. “Kung ipapahiya mo ang sarili mo, sana sinigurado mong hindi madadamay ang pangalan ko!”

“Ano? Kailangan ko pa bang saktan yang tatay mo para magtino ka? Ha?”

“Dad—” Before I could finish, he slapped me again, harder this time. I suddenly tasted blood on my lips. Pumutok ang labi ko.

He gripped my arm tightly, then shoved me away. Malakas ang pagkakatama ng katawan ko sa center table niya. Napapikit ako sa sakit.

“Ano? Lalaban ka?” he shouted, his voice shaking with fury. “Pinahiya mo ako! Binahiran mo ang pangalan ko!”

I just closed my eyes and mentally let out a faint, bitter smirk. No matter how much he hurt me physically or screamed at me, not a single tear came out this time. Maybe I’ve cried too much before, so much that now, even pain feels empty.

Hindi ko alam, pero parang manhid na yata ako sa sakit. Nasanay na ako. Years ago, I prayed to God to help me with my situation, but nothing happened, kaya binago ko ang dasal ko. Hindi ko na hiniling na mawala ang sakit… hiniling ko na lang na masanay ako rito.

Hindi ko alam paano iyon natapos dahil parang robot na lang akong sumakay ng taxi at nagpahatid sa apartment. I opened the door and saw Agnes with her back turned to me, setting the food on the table.

“Malani… I’m sorry— Hindi dapat gano’n, uli-ulit…”

I raised my brows. I silently closed the door and leaned on it.

“Malani… hindi ako ang nag-cheat sa exam. Kay Jera iyon galing—ay, Por Dios por Santo!” Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang lumingon siya sa kinaroroonan ko.

“K-kanina ka pa?” nauutal niyang sabi. I walked toward the table and checked what food was there. Agad akong natakam. Adobong atay ng manok .

Agad akong umupo at nagsandok ng kanin.

“T-teka… ano’ng nangyari sa ’yo? Bakit ang dami mong pasa, Malani?”

“I was practicing driving a motorcycle. Natumba ako, kaya ganyan,” pagsisinungaling ko.

“M-may alcohol ako sa b-bag,” sabi niya, at akmang tatalikod na sana pero pinigilan ko.

“’Wag na, nagamot ko na kanina,” pagsisinungaling ko ulit. “Para sa akin ba ito? Peace offering mo?”

Tiningnan niya ako at dahan-dahang tumango.

“Tikman mo. Masarap ’yan,” aniya at umupo sa tabi ko.

I prayed first, then tasted the adobong atay ng manok. Napapikit ako habang nalalasahan ito—may pagkamaanghang ang lasa. Dang, I haven’t eaten this for a while! This is one of my favorites. I stopped eating when I saw Agnes had not touched even her spoon.

“Bakit hindi ka kumain—” I saw how her lips trembled as her eyes turned red.

“Hindi ako nag-cheat, Malani,” bulong niya, at dahan-dahang pumatak ang luha niya.

“Alam ko, kilala kita. Alam kong hindi mo magagawa ’yon,” ani ko. Akala ko ay okay na pero mas lalo siyang umiyak at nagsimulang magsumbong sa akin na parang bata.

“Stepmom ni Jera ang mama ko. A-ayaw nila sa akin, Malani.” Tiningnan niya ako at ngumiti nang mapait.

“S-sabi ni Mama, pakisamahan ko raw sila dahil kapatid ko na sila kaya palagi akong sumusunod na parang alalay ni Jera. Hindi alam ni Mama na nagre-rent ako ng apartment—ang akala niya, nasa condo ako nina Jera.”

Huminto siya at napahikbi.

“Pinalayas nila ako doon. T-tinapon nila ang mga damit ko sa labas.” Umiling siya, halos hindi na makatingin sa akin. “Ayaw… ayaw kong magsumbong kay Mama dahil malulungkot siya. Ayaw kong maging malungkot si Mama, Malani. Kaya sorry… I’m so sorry. Kaibigan kita pero—”

Hindi na niya natapos ang sinabi niya. Nagdahan-dahan akong tumayo at niyakap siya.

CHAPTER 6

Pumasok pa rin ako kinabukasan kahit masakit ang mga pasa ko. I just wore a jacket and a face mask dahil putok ang labi ko. Si Agnes ay maaga na naman umalis, pumunta na naman siya sa hospital kung nasaan ang pinsan niya.

Nang nasa room na ako, sinabihan ako ni Jing na dapat daw akong pumunta sa Dean’s office. Minabuti kong pumunta agad dahil hindi pa naman nagsimula ang first period. Natapos din agad ang pag-uusap namin ng Dean. She just told me about an additional punishment: I need to clean the library and its hallway. Nabugbog na nga ako sa bahay, maglilinis pa rin ba ako ng library?

“Hanep, dala-dalawa punishment, hindi tinipid,” bulong ko nang makalabas ng Dean’s office, pero agad na lang akong napahinto nang nandon si Dominick sa labas. I stopped for a second, baka kasi may sasabihin siya. But his eyes just frowned when he saw what I was wearing a jacket and a mask. Maglalakad na sana ako nang biglang nagsalita siya.

“So that’s why you’re so bold and daring… Anak ka pala ng mayor sa bayan niyo,” aniya at nilampasan ako.

I just sighed heavily. Kung alam mo lang, Dominick, mas pipiliin ko pang maging anak ng magsasaka kaysa maging anak ng mayor.

I went back to class and sat beside Agnes. Jera sat with her friends now in the third row. ’Pag may gagawin ulit siyang kalokohan kay Agnes, hindi ako magdadalawang-isip na magpabugbog ulit kay Dad, para lang masampal siya.

Nang mag-lunch time, isang putahe lang ang binili namin ni Agnes dahil binaon niya pala ang natirang adobong atay ng manok, kaya iyon na lang ang kinain namin. We were enjoying our lunch when a shadow appeared in front of us.

Jera.

What does she want this time?

“Agnes, can you order me a glass of tubig there sa counter?” maarteng sabi niya. My hand froze mid-air, stopping just short of my mouth. Is she serious? Eh, ang lapit lang ng counter.

“You’re not disabled, nor paralyzed… so what’s stopping you from getting your own water, Jera?” tanong ko. Jera gasped.

“Malani, huwag na,” bulong ni Agnes at akmang tatayo nang pigilin ko siya. Pero umiling lang siya, tuluyang tumayo na at naglakad palayo.

Jera and I locked eyes, each of us daring the other to blink first. I even raised my eyebrow at her. Umirap siya kaululan, tumalikod, at bumalik sa mesa niya kung saan nandoon din si Kimberly.

Kimberly looks so kind, decent, and innocent… yet she let her sister Jera get away with all of this?

Umiling ako habang sumusubo ng isang buong malaking atay. I even had a hard time eating kasi maya-maya ay tatakpan ko ang labi ko ng handkerchief na dala ko bago ako ngumunguya.

I looked around when I felt someone was staring at me. I saw Dominick frowning, unbelieving that I ate the whole chicken liver in one bite. He was wearing a different shirt now, a plain black polo with a Puma logo near his chest. Kasama niya sa table ang mga kaibigan niya, pati na rin yung kahapon na tinawag niyang Cabunillas. Sa itsura ng mga kaibigan niya, masasabi mong hindi sila basta-basta.

“Tsk!” At bumalik na ako sa pagkain.

Nakatatlong subo na ako when Agnes came back after a minute, pero nanginginig ang noo ko nang may parte sa pink shirt niya na basa.

“Binuhusan ka ng tubig?” tanong ko agad nang makaupo siya sa tabi ko.

“Hayaan mo na. Hindi rin naman ako naligo kanina,” mahinhing sabi niya.

“I won’t be minding your business because it’s your choice, Agnes. But I hope one day, you’ll know how to fight back.”

Hindi siya nagsalita pang muli. Noong nag-ring ang bell, bumalik na kami sa next class period. Exactly 6 PM, natapos lahat ng klase namin ni Agnes.

“Sabay na tayo umuwi,” aniya at hinawakan ang braso ko.

“Hindi ka magsususunod kay Jera?” Ngumiti siya at umiling.

“Malapit na Socratic method. Sabay tayong mag-aral ngayon.”

“Mauna ka na. May importante pa akong gagawin,” I said and gently removed her arms. Pero agad niya ring ibinalik iyon.

“Sama ako.”

“Maglilinis ako ng library. Iyon ang punishment ko, kaya mauna ka na.”

Napasinghap siya.

“Nag-guilty ako,” bulong niya.

“Sige lang… Ma-guilty ka lang,” tipid kong sabi.

“Ang maldita mo talaga!” aniya at natawa nang kaunti.

Wala na akong nagawa dahil nagpupumulit siyang sumama kaya sabay kaming pumunta sa library. Pagtingin ko roon ay maayos naman, hindi marumi ang sahig. The books are neatly arranged too. Wala yatang masyadong gumamit ng library ngayon. Papalapit na rin kasi ang intramurals, kaya naging busy na rin ang mga estudyante sa pag-practice.

“Legal terminologies naman tayo,” aniya habang nakaupo sa sahig na natapos ko nang i-mop at tuyo na. Nagpumilit siya kanina na siya na lang ang mag-mop, but I didn’t let her. I knew she’s slow as a turtle, baka maabutan kami ng hatinggabi kaka-mop ng library hallway. Kaya naisipan na lang niyang mag-review kasama ako.

“What are three common types of courts in the judicial system?” tanong niya sa akin. I stopped mopping and thought of an answer. I think I already read this part last night.

“RTC, MTC, and… CA.”

“And the definition?” aniya.

“Ikaw na.” Napaayos siya ng upo at nag-isip.

“Regional Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court, at… uh… Court of Assist?”

Umiling ako sa sagot niya. “Court of Appeals iyon.”

“Talaga?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya sa akin, at dali-daling binuksan ang libro at may binasa ro’n.

“Hala! Appeals nga! Sige, next na.” She closed the book and thought again for another question. That’s how she reviews—she makes her own questions without looking at the book.

“Sa Legal Procedure ito. Define subpoena.”

A sly smile crossed my mind. It’s easy—but I’ll act like I have no idea.

“Subpoena? It’s a legal procedure, right? Na-discuss na ba iyan ni Mr. Vertudazo?”

“Oo, two days ago. Basta tandaan mo na lang, subpoena ay legal document iyon galing sa court that requires a witness to attend and testify at a hearing or trial. May dalawang form nito, ano iyon? Alam kong alam mo iyon,” aniya at tinuro-turo pa ako gamit ang lapis na hawak niya. I’m glad she’s trying her best, para naman hindi na siya parating napapagalitan ng ibang instructors at magko-call friend sa klase ni Dominick.

“Subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum,” sagot ko. I raised my brows and stopped mopping. I leaned on the railings and eyed her intently.

“Differentiate the two,” ani ko sa kanya.

Nanlaki ang mata niya at napatayo. “Hoy, mahirap ang tanong mo! Madaya ka!”

Napangisi ako at nagsimulang mag-mop ulit.

“Ang dali lang n’on, Agnes. Subpoena ad testificandum makes someone come to court to speak as a witness, and subpoena duces tecum?”

“Uh… making someone bring another witness?” hindi siguradong tanong niya. Agad akong umiling.

“No. It requires someone to show important papers or items for a legal case.” Marahan siyang tumango na parang pilit niyang iniintindi ang sinasabi ko.

“Baba muna ako, nauuhaw ako bigla sa tanong mo. Ano’ng gusto mo? Tubig o Minute Maid?”

“Tubig na lang,” sagot ko.

Kinuha niya ang sling bag niyang nasa sahig at naglakad palayo. I was stretching my arms and shoulders as I looked at her hanggang sa lumiko siya at nawala sa paningin ko.

Hindi pa naman masyadong tahimik ang university kahit gabi na dahil may maraming athletes na nagpa-practice. Dito banda lang sa library ang medyo natimik at wala nang tao.

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagmomop nang may nadinig akong papalapit.

“Basta, Ate, gagawin ko lahat para mawala sa buhay natin ang mag-inang ’yon,” tinig iyon mula sa isang cellphone na naka-loudspeaker. I knew that voice. The footsteps kept getting nearer, pero hindi pa rin ako lumingon. Nakatalikod ako sa banda niya.

“Ako rin naman, Jera. Iyong susunod natin na plano? Kumusta? Napapayag mo nang ipagkalat ang scandal ni Agnes? Ise-send ko na ba sa iyo ngayon? I already edited Agnes’ face.”

The fuck?

My chest tightened from what I’d heard. How could they do that to Agnes? Ang bait-bait ng tao, ni hindi nga iyon nagsasalita kahit pa natapakan mo ang paa n’on.

“Oo, Ate, payag na siya. You can send me the scandal later. I’m still preparing myself—magba-bar kami nina Frelly.”

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko ka hinablot ko ang cellphone ni Kimberly. Nanlaki ang mata niya sa ginawa ko.

“Hey!” sigaw niya. “Give my phone back to me!”

Her attitude now was completely different from what I saw in Dominick’s office. I eyed her intently.

Kimberly Jane Fuentes - Vice President of the Student Council. Iyon ang nakatatak sa blue shirt na suot niya. Vice President pala ito ng student council, tapos ganito ang ugali? Ang galing naman niyang magbalat-kayo. Clearly, this wasn’t the same timid girl I thought I knew. Hindi naman pala disente.

“Why would I?” tipid kong tanong sa kanya.

Maybe she didn’t recognize me or remember me since I was still wearing a mask and a black jacket. Namamaga pa rin ang labi ko at may mga pasa pa rin ako sa braso.

“Aba, pakialamera ka!”

She tried to get the phone, but I was taller than her. I raised it para hindi niya maabot and went straight to the photo library on her phone. Luckily, there was no password. I immediately deleted the video without watching it till the end. Porn with Agnes’s face edited on it. Disgusting.

I tried to open other photo files to check if there was a copy of the video, but there was none. Para masigurado, sinaksak ko sa bag niya ang iPhone 17 niya.

“You deleted the video!” sigaw niya, sabay hinablot ang buhok ko nang malakas. Tangina. Ang sakit sa anit!

I held her hands, trying to pull them away from my hair. Damn. I tried my best not to fight back, baka ano pang magagawa ko sa kanya ’pag gumanti ako. Ayaw ko nang mabugbog ni dad

“Bitch!” sigaw niya. “Pakialamera ka kasi!” Sinampal niya ako sa bandang labi. Napapikit ako dahil sa sakit.

Damn this stray cat!

It left me no choice but to grab her long hair, twist it around my hand, and pull it hard.

“Argh! Hey! Stop! Stop!” sigaw niya. “It hurts!” At kinalmot niya ako sa leeg. She kicked my legs with her black heeled shoes. Hihilahin ko na sana ang buhok niya nang biglang may tumulak sa akin nang malakas. The force was so strong that I lost my balance and was thrown against the wall. My bruised arm slammed into it, sending a sharp wave of pain through my body.

I instantly squeezed my eyes shut, feeling a ringing echo in my ears because of the pain. I suddenly touched my arms, especially my shoulder, and slightly massaged it. Tumingala ako para tingnan kung sino ang tumulak sa akin, ang lakas ng pagkatulak niya.

“Dominick! My head hurts. Oh God!” naiiyak na sumbong ni Kimberly sa kanya. Dominick’s furious eyes locked on me.

“Just because you’re the mayor’s daughter doesn’t mean you can make a mess here. Know your place, Fabro. If you were the queen bee back in senior high, that won’t work here.”

I looked at him.

Queen bee? Ni wala nga akong kaibigan kahit isa, walang nagtangkang lumapit o kumaibigan. I even had to eat lunch in the bathroom because I was embarrassed to be alone at first, but I eventually started to love it in the long run.

Hindi ko alam pero sa unang pagkakataon, dahan-dahang tumulo ang luha ko dahil sa ibang tao, dahil kay Dominick. I bit my lip to suppress my sobs. Hindi ko mawari kung bakit… bakit mas masakit pa ang ginawa ni Dominick kaysa sa pambubugbog sa akin ni Dad.

“M-Malani!” I saw how the water bottle fell from Agnes’s hand as she ran toward me. Agad siyang lumuhod sa harapan ko.

“Ano’ng nangyari? B-bakit may d-dugo ito?” Ramdam ko ang panginginig ng kamay niya habang tinanggal ang mask ko. I held her hand, trying to stop what she was doing, but I didn’t know she was so hard-headed. Tinanggal niya talaga ang mask. I closed my eyes in embarrassment.

“M-may panyo ako dito—t-teka.” Aligaga siyang kinuha ang panyo sa loob ng bag niya.

“Tara na, Dominick. Let’s report them to the Dean tomorrow,” mahinhing sabi ni Kimberly.

Report sa Dean? Bubugbugin na naman ba ako ni Dad? Another set of tears fell, and a small sob escaped this time. I hated myself for being vulnerable in front of them… of him.

“P-punta t-tayo sa clinic, d-dumudugo pa rin. B-baka taob ang dagat ngayon, Malani,” ani ni Agnes. I could already sense the fear and nervousness in her voice.

“Dominick, tara na,” pagpupumilit ni Kimberly kay Dominick.

I opened my eyes because I thought they had already turned away, but Dominick seemed frozen where he stood, his lips slightly parted as he stared at my bloodied face. I could see regret and fear in his eyes, as if he wanted to speak but he couldn’t.

CHAPTER 7

I opened my eyes because I thought they had already turned away, but Dominick seemed frozen where he stood, his lips slightly parted as he stared at my bloodied face. I could see regret and fear in his eyes. His lips parted, snapped shut, then parted once more as if he wanted to speak, but he couldn’t.

“T-tayo na, Malani,” ani Agnes at inalalayan akong tumayo. Pero bigla akong umatras, napaluhod ulit, nang maramdaman ko ang matinding kirot sa aking shoulder blade.

Dominick ignored Kimberly and rushed to help me, but I pushed his hand away from me.

“Huwag mo akong hawakan,” mahinang sabi ko. Nabitin sa ere ang kamay niya. Huminga ako nang malalim at sinubukan ulit tumayo, pinipilit tiisin ang kirot. Lumapit pa rin si Dominick, inabot ang kamay niya para tulungan ako, pero agad ko itong inalis.

“Huwag mo sabi akong hawakan, Dominick,” pagalit kong sabi at humawak kay Agnes.

Damn, even my legs, where Kimberly kicked earlier, hurt now.

“Please, just… let me take you to the clinic,” he said with pleading eyes.

“Hindi ko kailangan ng tulong mo,” malamig kong sabi at nilampasan siya.

Dahan-dahan kaming naglakad ni Agnes patungong clinic. I even groaned due to pain noong pababa kami sa hagdan.

“Nag-away kayo ni Kimberly,” marahang sabi ni Agnes habang inayos sa balikat ang dalawang bag na dala niya—sa akin at sa kanya.

“Hmmm,” I just hummed. Huminto siya sa paglalakad kaya napahinto na rin ako.

“Ako na naman ba ang d-dahilan?” naluluhang sabi niya.

I didn’t speak. There’s no way in hell I’ll tell her na malapit na siyang mag-viral dahil sa kagagawan ng step-sisters niya. She held me tightly and guided me to walk again. I bit my lips as I heard her small sobs. I let out a small chuckle. Ang iyakin naman ng nag-iisang kaibigan ko sa mundo!

Kaibigan .

I want to say it out loud pero baka lalaki ang ulo ni Agnes kaya ’wag na.

“Malani?” maingat na tawag niya sa akin habang naglalakad kami.

“Hmmm?” I hummed again.

“Malakas ka ba?”

I smirked, despite the pain in my shoulder. “As a carabao.”

“P-pwede bang maging m-malakas ka muna habang… habang mahina pa ako? Pangako, ’pag malakas na ako, ako naman ang m-magtatanggol sa ’yo.”

“Maliit na bagay,” ani ko.

Napatawa siya habang humikbi. “Maldita ka talaga.”

Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto kami bago nakarating sa clinic. Siguro nga matagal-tagal din, lalo na’t habang papalapit na kami, napansin kong pabalik-balik ang lakad ni Dominick sa labas ng clinic. Mas nauna pa siya rito? Akala ko’y umuwi na sila ni Kimberly. When he saw us, his eyes widened as he hurriedly went inside. Seconds later, the doors opened again, revealing the nurse with him.

“Please check Malani, Nurse Benamira,” rinig kong sabi niya.

Malani… not Fabro.

He opened the door wider for us, as if it might hit and hurt me. The nurse helped me lay down on the bed. Agnes just stayed on the sofa. She couldn’t see me because the nurse closed the curtain.

“This might hurt a little,” bulong ng nurse, at dahan-dahang nilinis ang sugat ko sa labi. I closed my eyes and clutched my jacket because it really hurt lalo na’t may alcohol iyon.

“Nurse Benamira, I think we need to use anesthesia to lessen the pain she feels.” Napamulat ng wala sa oras ang mga mata ko dahil sa narinig. The rough, grumpy side of Dominick vanished. He’s now gentle, soft, and full of worry. Nandoon lang siya sa paanan ko habang tinitingnan ang ginagawa ng nurse, na parang siya pa ang nasasaktan kaysa sa akin.

Kailan pa ito nakapasok rito? And what? anesthesia?

He was even hovering over the nurse. He had no right to say anything, not even if he were the student council president. The nurse knew exactly what she was doing. Buti na lang hindi nagalit o nainsulto ang nurse dahil tumawa lang ito. The nurse seems friendly, though; she’s around her 30s.

“There’s no need for us to use anesthesia, Dominick. It’s just a small cut—”

“But why does it bleed a lot, Nurse Benamira? Can you check it again?”

Hindi pa siya nakontento, mas naglakad siya at mas lumapit sa amin, checking what the nurse is doing. Kulang na lang ay kunin niya ang trabaho ng nurse at siya na ang gumawa.

“Nurse, can you check her shoulder blades and arms too, if there are bruises?”

The nurse didn’t ask any further questions about what happened, which is new. Baka sinabihan na ni Dominick ang nurse tungkol sa nangyari.

“Would you mind taking off your jacket…” She stopped.

“Malani,” paos kong sabi. She smiled warmly and nodded.

“Would you mind taking off your jacket, Malani?”

Marahan akong tumango. I’m at the edge of hesitating, though I have a shirt beneath it, but it’s a sleeveless white crop top. Maybe the nurse saw it kaya…

“Dominick, can you—”

“Tatalikod ako,” mabilis niyang sabi.

“Dominick—”

“Look, it’s all my fault, and I won’t go outside. Sure, she has a shirt underneath it. Tatalikod ako, hindi ako titingin hangga’t hindi pa siya handa,” tuloy-tuloy niyang sabi sa nurse. I never knew he could be as stubborn as Agnes too. Namumungay ang matang tinitingnan niya ako. I saw how his Adam’s apple moved before he spoke.

“Please, Malani,” bulong niya.

Nang hindi ako nagsalita, tumingin ulit siya sa nurse.

“Nurse, I did all of these to her. It’s all my fault, and I want… I want to be here when you check her. She’s stubborn and might pretend nothing’s wrong, so I need to see for myself.”

Napakaingay ni Dominick. Gusto ko iyon isigaw dahil siya lang ang putak nang putak dito sa clinic, nakakairita na! I know for sure Agnes is now smiling from ear to ear.

Dominick never shows this side in our class nor in this university. He’s always calm, strict, and composed. Even when you meet him for the first time, you can easily tell he’s a man of principles and incredibly intelligent. The way he carries himself says it all.

Kahit pilitin mo pa ang sarili mong huwag siyang pansinin, mapapansin mo pa rin siya. You don’t just notice him, you really feel his presence, and of course mapapansin mo talaga siya dahil kahit ayaw ko mang aminin, his genes are no joke. He’s dangerously handsome and hot—

I closed my eyes for a second because of the weird thought running through my mind. Damn! Nabagok ba ang ulo ko?

I sighed and nodded. The nurse helped me get up. That’s the cue for Dominick to turn his back on us. Dahil sa pagtatalikod niya, nakita ko ang malaking ugat sa braso niya. Palagi nga itong nagdya-jakol. Of course, he’s a man of needs.

I mentally shrugged and slowly took off my jacket. When I raised my hand, I groaned a little bit when I felt a spurt of pain.

“Why the hell are you groaning? Are you okay?” mabilis pa sa kidlat niyang sabi pero nakatalikod pa rin. He’s cursing! Nahihibang na ba siya? I saw how the nurse smiled secretly because of his reaction. When the nurse saw that I was looking at her, she winked at me. Teasingly.

“Malani, answer me.”

Malani again… not Fabro.

“She’s okay, Dominick. No need to be worried,” the nurse answered instead of me.

“Can I look now?” aniya. I immediately put my hand on my belly where the piercing was.

“Yes, Dominick. You may—” Hindi niya pinatapos ang sinabi ni nurse at agad siyang humarap.

I saw how his mouth slowly parted as another flicker of pain crossed his eyes. His eyes roamed around—from my neck scratches from Kimberly, which are very visible, to my arms where bruises are. His jaw tightened as he shifted his gaze to another direction, as if hindi niya kayang tingnan ang mga iyon.

“Did something happen prior to today?” marahang sabi ng nurse sa akin.

Dominick’s eyes harshly went through me, like he was daring me to lie and would throw me out of the clinic.

“I got into a motorcycle minor accident,” tuloy-tuloy kong sabi, ni hindi ako nauutal.

Agad na nagkasulong ang kilay ni Dominick, na parang hindi siya naniniwala sa mga salitang lumabas sa bibig ko. Nang magtagpo ang mata namin, hindi ako lumihis ng tingin para hindi niya mahalata na nagsisinungaling ako. But what caught me off guard… as our eyes locked in battle, his eyes suddenly softened… almost tender.

“I’ll check your bruises,” ani ng nurse, getting my hands. Dominick followed my hand, and I saw his stare darkened. His Adam’s apple moved, betraying the tightness in his throat as his eyes landed on my white belly with piercing. Without a word, he stepped out from behind the curtain. I even heard him curse for the last second before he fully disappeared.

Nang matapos kami, sinabihan ako ni Nurse Benamira na magpahinga ng three days. She will be the one to inform my instructors through email. Binigyan niya rin ako ng mga gamot.

“Thank you po, Nurse,” ani ko at dahan-dahang sinuot ang jacket.

Nurse opened the curtain. Nakita kong nagbabasa nanaman si Agnes ng libro tungkol sa Constitutional Law. Baka malampasan niya ang grades ni Jing niyan kakabasa niya. I nodded and smiled at her.

“Your piercings are gorgeous, by the way. So gorgeous, just like you. Kaya pala ang pinakamasungit na Dominick ay halos mabaliw na kanina kakahintay sa inyo.” And she chuckled.

Halos mabaliw? Si Dominick? Sana ay matuluyan na lang siyang mabaliw kong ganoon. Kung makatulak, akala mo’y ako ang may pananagutan sa lahat. He should also teach his girlfriend a lesson.

“Tapos na?” tanong ni Agnes habang papalapit sa akin.

“Hindi, ooperahan pa daw ako bukas. Isn’t it obvious?”

“Maldita ka talaga kahit kailan,” bulong niya.

“I’ll leave you two, excuse me,” Nurse Benamira said as she went back to her table.

Agnes opened the door for me. I rolled my eyes at her. Hindi naman ako baldado, pero napangisi lang siya sa akin. Kukunin ko na sana ang bag ko kay Agnes nang sabay kaming napalingon sa may gilid ng clinic.

“Malrick, you fucking idiot! I am serious here!” mahina pero may diing sabi ni Dominick sa cellphone niya.

Malrick? I remembered him, the only guy he actually follows on Instagram.

“What do you mean, herbal? You’re fucking dumb. Iyan ba ang natutunan mo sa med school? Then Don Valtar messed up trusting and investing in you, you dimwit.”

“Don’t you dare laugh at me,” pagalit pa na sabi niya. “Fuck no! I’m not panicking. I just… I can’t give Malani a herbal. She’s… damn! Bruises are all over her arms, dude.” His voice sounded so problematic and… worried?

Nangunot ang noo ko sa narinig. Ano’ng drama niya sa buhay? Nakokonsensya ba siya? Eh, ang layo nito sa bituka. Normal na lang sa akin ang may pasa. And what he did was normal too—it would actually be weird if Kimberly were her girlfriend and he defended me.

“Tayo na, Agnes,” mahinang sabi ko kay Agnes, at nauna nang maglakad. I didn’t want Dominick to know we were leaving.

“Uh… Dominick, Sir, President? Hindi ko alam kung ano’ng itatawag ko sa ’yo, pero… mauna na po kami ni Malani,” tawag ni Agnes.

Lahat yata ng dugo ko ay tumakbo sa utak ko. Gusto kong sumabog. Dominick immediately ended the call and walked towards us.

“Ang sarap mong ibulsa, Agnes,” pagalit kong bulong.

“Huh? Nagpapaalam lang ako kay… uhh, Sir Dominick—”

“Just Dominick, Ms. Bayubay. No need for formalities,” sagot niya kay Agnes, pero ang mga mata niya ay nakatitig sa akin. Ano? Ipapa-X-ray pa ba niya ako? Tsk. Hindi naman ngayon eleksyon para sa student council, pero bakit bigla siyang bumait?

“You’re heading home? I’ll give you a ride.”

Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi ko.

“Bahala ka diyan, Agnes,” sabi ko, at nauna nang maglakad palayo. Mas binilisan ko pa ang hakbang ko para hindi nila ako maabutan. Noong nasa may gate na ako, narinig ko ang boses nila sa likuran ko. Hindi ko alam kung paano sila nakaabot, knowing Agnes is with her, and that woman is very slow—parang pinag-iisipan pa nga niya kada hakbang kung left foot ba o right foot ang uunahin.

“Uh… President na lang po ang itawag ko sa inyo. Nakakahiya po kasing Dominick lang.”

I rolled my eyes at what I heard. Dominick nga lang tawag ko diyan.

Dominick said something that I couldn’t even hear properly.

“Si Malani po? Nako, President, maldita po iyan.”

Napasinghap ako. Please remind me to pinch her later in the apartment.

“Pero mabait po iyan, kapag bagong ligo,” dagdag niya pa. I even heard Dominick chuckle lowly.

Damn, Agnes. Mamaya ka sa akin. Mamaya ka talaga sa akin.

I quickened my pace, dahil ayaw ko nang marinig ang mga pinagsasabi ni Agnes.

Nauna akong makarating sa apartment. I hurriedly took a shirt and shorts and went to the bathroom to change. Saktong paglabas ko ng banyo ay ang pagbukas ni Agnes ng pinto ng apartment namin.

“Tuloy po kayo, President.”

Pinapatuloy pa talaga?

“Agnes,” tawag ko sa kanya. I really showed my disagreement the way I called her name.

“Thank you, Ms. Bayubay. I better go dahil gumagabi na rin.”

Buti alam niya. I went to my bed and closed the curtain.

“Maldita po talaga ’yan, President. Pasensya na po. Sige po, bye po.”

Nang marinig ko ang pagsara ng pinto, ipinikit ko ang mga mata at pinilit matulog. Ayaw kong kumain. Wala akong gana. Gusto ko na lang magpahinga, pero mukhang nananadya si Agnes dahil nagluto siya ng chilimansi na Pancit Canton. Agad kumalat ang amoy sa buong apartment. Kaya nang tawagin niya ako, wala akong choice kundi kumain. Pagkatapos naming kumain, nagbasa at nag-aral lang kami saglit bago humiga na.

Patay na ang lahat ng ilaw, handa na akong matulog pero ang kaluluwa ni Agnes ay ayaw matahimik.

“Malani?” tawag niya sa akin mula sa higaan niya.

“Ano?” nakapikit kong sagot.

“’Wag kang magagalit, ha?”

“Ano nga iyon?” Agad nangunot ang noo ko.

“Basta, ’wag kang magagalit.”

“Bakit naman ako magagalit?” singhal ko.

“Bobo ba ako?”

“Pick-up line ba ’yan? Matulog ka na, masakit katawan ko,” ani ko at tumagilid para matulog na, pero nagsalita ulit siya.

“Bobo ba ako kung sabihin kong parang may crush si President sa ’yo?” aniya sabay hagikhik na parang kinikilig sa sariling imahinasyon.

“Hindi man ako makatama sa mga tanong sa criminal law, pero alam ko ngayon, tama ako.

CHAPTER 8

Exams done, finally. That’s what I said mentally after studying non-stop, sleepless nights, and crying. Of course, that’s for Agnes. I couldn’t forget how she cried so hard because she really couldn’t understand what she was reading. She kept on sobbing while going through her notes, habang ako kay tumatawa lang.

Jera didn’t touch or bully Agnes anymore. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, at ayaw ko na ring gustong alamin pa. Kimberly, on the other hand, was dismissed from being the Vice President of the student council after the incident. Hindi ko alam kung paano nangyari ’yon, o kung posible ba talaga.

“Intramurals na next, next week. Required daw ang mga freshman na dapat sumali,” ani Agnes. I swallowed the food in my mouth first bago nagsalita.

“Naniwala ka naman? Sino ba’ng nagsabi niyan?”

“Si Mrs. Fuentes. Ibabagsak daw tayo sa subject niya ’pag hindi tayo nag-participate, kaya magpalista ka na kung anong sport ang gusto mo.”

“Wala akong sports.” Napangiwi siya sa sinabi ko. Wala naman talaga akong sport na alam. I don’t have any talents either.

“Paano ’yan, bagsak ka?”

Sasali na lang ako sa pep band. Ayaw ko namang mabagsak. I joined the pep band way back when I was in senior high school due to boredom, but eventually, I started to love it. Though it’s kinda tiring at first.

“Sa banda na lang ako,” ani ko at sumubo ng malaking kanin at chicken. “Anong sport ka sasal—” I got cut off mid-sentence when a water bottle suddenly appeared in front of me.

“Eat slowly, Malani,” he said lowly and went straight to the counter to order food. Napaawang na lang ang labi ko habang tinitingnan ang likod niyang papalayo.

It’s been more than three weeks. My bruises are now gone, and my swollen lips are okay as well. I’m all good now except Dominick keeps pestering me like a hungry pest. Ano ba’ng pabang gusto niya?

Don’t tell me he still can’t sleep because of the guilt he felt? Noong una, oo, naiintindihan ko, pero iyong halos magti-three weeks na siyang sumusunod, hindi na iyon tama. Parang may iba na siyang motibo na hindi ko mawari.

I can’t just forget how he acted so weird a few days after I rested for three days.

Atty. Corpuz is back already kaya hindi na si Dominick ang nagle-lecture sa Criminal Law. At kahit hindi ko man aminin, mas malinaw magturo si Dominick kaysa

kay Atty. Corpuz. Dominick teaches like a pro, well, of course, he is. He provides sample cases and connects them to the topic, unlike Atty. na kulang na lang ay matulog siya sa klase namin.

Kaya nagulat na lang kami nang makita ulit si Dominick sa harapan, may dala siyang bag this time, which he normally doesn’t do.

“Ang sabi, galing daw siya sa isang national debate competition,” bulong ni Agnes sa akin, pero hindi ko na lang pinansin. Patuloy pa rin siya sa pagbubulong.

“Tapos, ang sabi pa, nanalo raw siya! Hindi mo nakita? Nasa labas ng university ang mukha niya sa tarpaulin. Ang swerte mo, Malani.”

And why would I be lucky?

The lecture started, and for the first time, I couldn’t even concentrate not because Dominick kept looking here, but because Agnes kept buzzing in my ear about how smart Dominick, and then giggling right after .

Kaya wala siyang maisasagot kapag tinanong siya ng mga instructor namin, kasi hindi siya nakikinig at kung saan-saan na lang lumilipad ang isip.

Natahimik lang siya nang naglakad si Dominick dito sa pwesto namin. And since I am now at the end of the row, damang-dama ko ang presensiya niya. Not just that, I can also smell his manly perfume.

Damn, bakit siya nandiyan? Dapat ay nandoon siya sa podium, hindi rito.

Buong klase ay nandoon lang siya sa tabi ko, nakatayo at nagle-lecture. Hanggang sa natapos, nandoon pa rin siya.

“Everyone, please kindly read Crimes Against Persons under Title Eight of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). Atty. Corpuz told me that you will be having a recitation two days from now about that topic. Thank you, and class dismissed.”

Agad nagsitayuan ang mga kaklase ko. Normally, Agnes would invite me to the cafeteria to eat lunch, but now she didn’t.

Ni hindi man lang siya lumingon sa akin habang tuloy-tuloy na lumabas ng classroom, leaving me with Dominick alone.

“Are your bruises okay now?” paos niyang sabi.

Tumango lang ako sa kanya at kinuha ang libro sa loob ng bag ko para magbasa.

“Glad to hear that.” I heard him sigh heavily.

Namayani ang katahimikan sa aming dalawa bago siya muling nagsalita.

“I was gone for a few days because I had a debate competition.”

I arched a brow. What’s that supposed to mean?

Would he like me to congratulate him because he won?

“Aren’t you hungry?” tanong niyang muli. Umiling lang ako at patuloy sa pagbabasa kahit wala naman akong naiintindihan. Hindi pa ba siya aalis?

I heard him sigh heavily again before walking away. I tried to focus on the text in front of me, but the sound of his steps returned, calculated and slow, making it impossible to ignore. I couldn’t help it, so I turned to look at him irritatedly.

I was about to spat at him angrily when he took something from his bag and placed it on my table.

A gold necklace that had a scale of justice as a pendant. I didn’t take it; I just stared at it.

“I know what I did is unforgivable. I hurt you not just emotionally but physically too,” he paused.

“What I did was an insult to your well-being. You’re… a woman.” The shame etched on his face.

“I am sorry, Malani,” he admitted.

“I am so sorry…” His eyes were filled with regret, like a lost child searching for a way to make things right.

Pero tumango lang ako, yumuko at muling nagbasa ng libro. Kunwari gets ko ang mga text pero hindi kahit paulit-ulit ko itong binasa.

“Can you talk for at least just… three words?” nahihirapang sabi niya.

“Ge, walang problema,” sabi ko na lang at kinuha ang kwintas na ibinigay niya para matapos na.

I closed my book and put it again in my bag. Nagsasayang lang ako ng oras sa pagbabasa, wala akong naiintindhian. Kaya nang tumayo ako ay umatras siya. Nilampasan ko siya at naglakad palabas ng room.

Pero hindi pa ako nakakalayo sa room, may naramdaman akong sumabay sa paglalakad ko.

Dominick.

Damn! Agnes, nasaan ka ba? Bakit mo ako iniwan dito?

“You’re hungry now? You’ll go to the cafeteria?” sunod-sunod na tanong niya sa akin.

Tumango lang ako.

Maraming bumabati sa kanya, pero tinatanguan niya lang. The girls from the other department eyed me as if I had done something wrong. What? Is walking with Dominick a crime now? Should I crawl then?

“Lumayo ka sa akin,” pagalit na sabi ko, sakto lang para marinig niya. Baka sabihin pa ng ibang estudyante na hindi ko siya nirerespeto.

Pero parang wala siyang naririnig dahil mas lumapit pa talaga siya sa akin.

“I’m hungry as well. Let’s grab some lunch,” aniya, at biglang hinawakan ang backpack ko.

“Is this heavy? It might hurt your shoulders.” Agad akong umiwas para mabitawan niya ang bag ko.

“’Wag mo nga akong hawakan,” sabi ko, sabay layo sa kanya.

“What? I didn’t even touch you—Malani!” He didn’t even finish his sentence dahil lumiko ako sa ibang daanan.

Ayaw ko nang pumunta sa cafeteria. Pumunta siya mag-isa roon.

I decided to take a nap in the botanical garden. Pagkarating ko roon, agad akong pumunta sa usual spot ko. Humiga ako sa malapad na upuang kahoy at ipinikit ang mga mata.

I really like to be there, hindi lang dahil sa mapayapa at walang tao, it also reminds me of Mama. She really liked to plant flowers, vegetables, and fruit.

’Pag nagkasahod ako sa part-time job ko at may mahabang oras, uuwi ako doon. Dadalhin ko si Agnes, irereto ko siya kay Kiko.

I mentally smirked. I couldn’t help but smile as I imagined Kiko and Agnes.

“Why are you smiling?”

Napabangon ako nang wala sa oras.

Fuck. What’s he doing here? Sinusundan niya ba ako?

“Why are you here, Dominick?” naiiratang tanong ko. Agad na nagkasalubong ang kilay niya.

“Don’t answer my question with a question.”

Napailing na lang ako at humiga ulit.

I even covered my eyes using my arms. Bahala siya sa buhay niya. Ang hirap makipag-usap sa matalino.

“Good afternoon! I’d like to order two wangyu beef steaks, medium rare, with mashed potatoes. Please also add some rice—” Iyon lang ang narinig ko mula kay Dominick bago tuluyang nakatulog.

Siguro ay aalis din siya pagkatapos niyang kumain. Mabuti naman kung gano’n.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras akong nakatulog dahil bumangon agad ako nang mapagtanto kong napatagal ang aking pagtulog.

“Shit!” bulong ko habang tinitingnan ang oras sa cellphone ko. Halos dalawang oras pala akong natulog.

“You’re awake now.”

Agad akong napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Nakapamulsa siyang naglakad palapit sa akin. Para siyang kabuteng kung saan-saan sumusulpot.

Bakit nandito pa siya? Hindi ba dapat umalis na siya kanina pa?

“Nasaan ang bag ko?!” singhal ko kaagad nang makita kong wala na ang bag kong ginawa kong unan kanina, napalitan na iyon ng maliit na throw pillow. Saan na naman ito galing?

“At saan ito galing? Sa ’yo ba ito? Pwede ba, Dominick? Tantanan mo na ako. Pinapatawad na kita, ’di ba? Kaya okay na,” dagdag ko.

“Why are you always angry? Are you on your period or something?” nakakunot noong tanong niya.

I drew in a breath and released it slowly.

“Akin na ang bag ko, Dominick. Late na ako sa klase,” marahan kong sabi at tumayo na ako.

Pero umiling lang siya sa akin, tumalikod, at naglakad patungo sa… kabilang mesa na may pagkain?

“Tangina,” bulong ko.

“Dominick!” tawag ko at sumunod sa kanya.

“Dominick, ano ba! Hindi ka ba nakakaintindi—”

“There’s no class, okay? Everyone is preparing for the intramurals,” he said and looked at me softly. “Now can you stop shouting, please? Take a seat and we’ll eat our lunch—”

I hurriedly sat down in front of him. Lunch lang naman pala. Walang problema. Siguro naman sa susunod, hindi na siya lalapit pa sa akin. Gusto ko lang mag-aral nang tahimik, iyong paglabas ko ng room ay walang tingin na nakakasunog galing sa ibang estudyante.

“Eat slowly, Malani,” aniya nang makita niyang nilantakan ko agad ang pagkain. So the food he ordered earlier was for us. I see.

“Here, water. Please drink it, baka mabulunan ka,” marahan niyang sabi. Wala akong sinabi at ininom ko iyon para lang matapos na. Baka may makakita pa sa ’min ito.

Nabigla akong nabalik sa ulirat nang magsalita si Agnes. Ni hindi ko man lang napansing matagal na pala akong tulala.

“Kung sa banda ka, parang kay Julie ka yata magpapalista. Saxophone ang tutugtugin mo?”

Saxophone? I smirked. Way far from saxophone, Agnes.

“I will sit here.” Biglang sumulpot ni Dominick, at walang hiyang umupo sa tabi ko. Ni hindi man lang nagtanong kung puwede ba siyang umupo.

This wasn’t the first time he’d done this. Kahapon, binigyan niya ako ng tsokolate. He told me it was from Dubai. When I looked at the name, it was none other than Pistachio Kunafa. He even offered me his old notes and a book about criminal law. Tatanggihan ko na sana, pero si Agnes ay kinuha agad ang mga iyon.

“May gagawin pa pala ako, Malani. Mauna na ako, President. Enjoy po kayo dalawa,” sabi ni Agnes at dali-daling tumayo.

Enjoy? Anong enjoy ang pinagsasabi niya?

“Tapos na rin pala akong kumain,” sabi ko at akmang tatayo na, nang hawakan ni Dominick ang kamay ko—na agad ko ring tinanggal.

“’Diba sabi ko ayaw kong hinahawakan mo ako?”

“Is your bruise on your shoulder blade okay?” balewalang tanong niya.

Hindi makapaniwalang tiningnan ko siya.

“Dominick, it’s been almost a month. Seriously?”

“That’s cool. Let’s eat, then.” He pulled his tray closer, then casually placed one of the meals in front of me. I quickly looked away the moment I noticed how effortlessly gorgeous his hand was, those gorgeous veins, the way his fingers moved and that black leather watch.

Damn! Why does he have to look that good doing absolutely nothing?

“Tapos na nga akong kumain,” I said between my gritted teeth.

“I know you eat a lot. Eat again. This one’s pretty tasty.” At inilagay niya sa harap ko ang isang beef steak.

Wala sa isip kong kinurot ang braso niya dahil sa sinabi niya. Napasinghap ako at napaayos ng upo.

“I’m sorry. Nabigla lang ako,” sabi ko at umiwas ng tingin.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips.

“It’s okay. You can pinch me anytime you want,” aniya at inilahad ang maputi, malaki, at maugat niyang braso.

CHAPTER 9

“Agnes, mauna ka na. May practice daw kami ngayon sa band,” ani ko kay Agnes matapos ang last subject namin ngayong araw. She placed her books inside her backpack before turning to me and speaking.

“Sige. Bukas pa raw ang practice namin sa table tennis. Magsasaing na lang ako ng pandalawahan,” mahinang sabi niya.

I’m glad Agnes cut her connection with her mom. It made her happy. Noong una, iyak siya nang iyak, pero kalaunan ay naging maayos na rin.

For a while, I covered most of our expenses since she hadn’t landed a part-time job yet. Hindi naman iyon problema. Helping her never felt like a burden. As long as I could do something to make things a little easier for her, that was enough. But now, she already has a part-time job. I don’t know what it is, but she said Dominick helped her get it. Tinanong ko kung anong klaseng trabaho, pero ang sabi niya, assistant daw sa isang law firm.

Pagdating ko sa gym, nandoon na ang lahat. Maingay, puno ng tawanan at kalansing ng mga instrumento. I walked towards where Julie was, the band lead. I told her na ako ang sa large marching bass drum. Napalingon siya agad sa ’kin, halatang nagulat.

“Ha? Ikaw? Sigurado ka?” she asked hesitantly. Ngumiti lang ako at tumango, kahit alam kong iniisip niyang mabigat para sa tulad kong maliit.

“Sige, may kapalit ka naman, si Derick,” aniya at nilibot ang tingin.

“Derick!” tawag niya sa isang lalaking may malaking katawan. Agad itong naglakad palapit sa amin, dala-dala ang drum mallet.

“Malani, he’s Derick. Derick, she’s Malani. Siya ang kapalit mo sa large bass drum.” Derick turned to me with that easy, confident smile. The kind that said he knew he looked good. He extended his hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Malani.” And he winked. I mentally frowned because of that. Tinanggap ko ang kamay niya at bahagya akong ngumiti pabalik.

Pagkatapos ng ilang minutong pag-uusap, nagsimula na ang practice. Derick, of course, didn’t waste time. He kept talking about how he used to play drums in high school, about his engineering course. He’s fine, though—just a little too… talkative and feeling close, I guess?

In the middle of me hitting the drum, kahit nasa pinakalikod kami, kitang-kita ko ang isang bultong naglakad sa harapan, akala mo’y siya ang trainor namin.

The one and only, Dominick with his cold aura.

Even from afar, he stood out. Like a lion, calm but commanding, his eyes scanning the crowd as if he was searching for something… someone?

The moment his eyes met mine, agad umigting ang panga niya. Umirap ako at nagpatuloy sa paghampas sa drum. Kahit may aircon ang gym namin, pawis pa rin ang patuloy na tumutulo sa noo ko.

When I looked in front again, he was now talking to Julie, and he kept pointing in my direction. Not even a second later, Julie announced a water break. Kaka-break nga lang namin a few minutes ago. He’s insane. I know for sure siya ang nag-utos n’on kay Julie.

“Gago,” mahinang bulong ko nang makita kong naglakad siya papalapit kung saan kami naroon.

All the students in the gym who were practicing secretly kept their eyes on his every step. Some greeted him, but he only gave them a brief nod. That was enough to make a few of the girls blush.

Derick approached him, probably to say hi, and so I seized the moment to escape. I walked away silently and headed toward the gym exit. I even made sure na hindi siya nakatingin sa akin. But when I was just a few steps away from the door, he called me.

“Malani, come here,” tawag niya. Hindi lang iyon basta tawag, nag-echo iyon sa loob ng gym, at alam kong dinig iyon ng lahat dahil walang kahit anong ingay mula sa mga instrumento.

I immediately turned back to see him. When I saw him walking toward me this time, I shook my head, signaling for him to come near me. But he spoke, which only drew more attention.

“You’re thirsty? I have a water bottle here for you,” he said naturally. It made my stomach twist. My face burned, and I wanted the ground to swallow me whole, especially when he opened the water bottle and handed it to me.

Great. Now everyone’s watching us.

I slowly took the water bottle he’s holding. Para matapos na. Kung hindi lang nag-announce si Julie na magsisimula na ulit kami, hindi ako tatantanan ng mga matang kanina pa pumapatay sa akin.

Derick and I switched turns whenever I got tired. Whenever Derick approached me, Dominick’s face would turn grumpy. Klarong-klaro iyong makapal niyang kilay na nagsusulubong mula rito. And when it was my turn to hit the bass drum, his face would frown. I pretended not to notice him sitting on the bleachers whenever it was Derick’s turn to hit the drum and I wasn’t doing anything.

But honestly? He was impossible to ignore. Dominick looked effortlessly composed. Nakapatong ang mga siko niya sa tuhod, nakatutok ang mga mata sa amin.

God, he’s just so handsomely, gorgeously, unfairly attractive.

“Gago! Delikado ’to,” I whispered to myself, shutting my eyes for a second, hoping my heart would calm down. But the moment I opened them, our eyes met.

“Are you okay?” he mouthed, his eyes softening. Without any hesitation, a smile slowly formed on my lips as I nodded at him,

“I’m fine,” I mouthed back.

Damn! I guess I’m also one of those women who can’t resist him, huh?

Nang matapos ang practice, agad akong lumabas ng gym. I didn’t even say goodbye to Derick. I held the strap of my bag tightly and started walking down the hallway, my steps echoing softly against the tiles.

I was happily wondering what Agnes cooked tonight when I smelled a familiar perfume then a cold voice popped up behind me.

“You’re sweating,” he said at sinabayan akong maglakad. “Do you have an extra T-shirt? You should change,” dagdag niya pa.

“W-wala akong dala,” mahina kong sabi. I blinked twice because I didn’t even recognize my own voice. Damn! Bakit… bakit biglang naging pabebe ’yon?

He sighed, then gave a small nod. “Let’s go to my office quickly.”

Quickie?

M-magku-quickie kami sa office niya?

Agad nanlaki ang mga mata ko at natigilan sa kinatatayuan ko.

“I’m sorry! I won’t do anything wrong to you,” agap niya. I stared at him for a moment and hesitantly nodded.

Tahimik kaming naglakad patungo sa office niya. When we reached the door, he opened it and gestured for me to go in first. I looked around for a moment before sitting down on his sofa. He closed the door behind us, the soft click of the lock.

Bakit niya ni-lock?

He walked towards and opened a cabinet and took something out… a shirt.

“It’s kinda big for you, but we have no choice. Go and change in the bathroom. I’ll wait here.”

“O-okay,” I managed to whisper.

I walked toward the bathroom, quickly closed the door, and leaned against it, exhaling a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. I just quickly changed my shirt and when I looked at myself in the mirror, I almost groaned. Damn , I looked so haggard. I tied my messy hair into a bun and turned around. I bit my lip as my face turned red.

“Cas.te.llan,” dahan-dahang bulong ko habang binabasa ang maliit na letra sa likod ng T-shirt. I slightly slapped my cheeks para maging mamula-mula ito. I checked myself in the mirror once more bago binuksan ang pinto.

Paglabas ko, nakita kong nakaupo si Dominick sa sofa habang nagse-cellphone, pero nang maramdaman niyang lumapit ako, inilapag niya iyon sa center table. iPhone 17. Rich kid nga ito.

“It suits you very well,” aniya habang tinitingnan ako nang maigi. I blinked, caught off guard.

“Your shirt?” mahina kong tanong, halos hindi ko marinig ang sarili ko.

What happened to me?

“Castellan suits you very well,” he murmured, then slowly stood up and walked toward me. I didn’t even move a muscle when he stopped just inches away from me.

“Malani,” he said hoarsely, trying to catch my gaze, but I kept looking away, afraid he might notice how fast my heart was beating. When he couldn’t catch my eyes, he took my finger, ,just one, and played with it for a moment before finally looking straight into my eyes.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” marahang tanong niya pero nakakunot ang noo.

For a moment, the world fell silent… My world fell silent.

“May magagalit ba? Kapag lumalapit ako sa ’yo?” dagdag niya.

I swallowed hard. “Lapit lang ba? Wala naman sigurong magagalit—”

“Hahawakan din… tapos, liligawan.”

He’s now holding two of my fingers. Babawiin ko sana dahil nanlalamig iyon, but he closed the distance between our palms and slowly intertwined our fingers together.

“Ganitong hawak sa kamay, may magagalit ba?”

My lips parted, trying to find the right words, but I couldn’t so I just shook my head instead. He chuckled and tightened his hold on my hands. Our faces were just inches apart. Only now did I notice how hazel his eyes were. Wala yatang hindi maganda sa kahit anong parte ng katawan ng lalaking ito. Even his breath, every time he spoke, smelled faintly of mint.

“How about you? You won’t ask me if I have a girlfriend?”

Even though I was stunned by his sudden actions, I tried to gather the smallest bit of courage I had in me and finally spoke.

“Why would I ask? And why are you being like this to me?” My voice trembled slightly, but I forced myself to keep going.

“I told you, my bruises are fine now. I’m all fine. You don’t have to feel guilty—”

“I’m not guilty anymore,” he cut me off.

“I just can’t sleep… at night,” nahihirapang sabi niya. Agad na nangunot ang noo ko sa narinig.

Eh gago pala ’to!

“Bakit parang kasalanan ko pa ngayon kung hindi ka makatulog? Inaano ba kita?” I snapped. He let out a low, frustrated groan.

“Damn, you make this even harder for me, Malani.”

I suddenly felt a sting in my chest. Maybe he was just feeling guilty. Maybe that’s why he couldn’t sleep peacefully at night. Maybe that incident kept replaying in his head over and over again. Lalo na’t alam kong hindi siya ’yung tipo ng taong nananakit.

Maybe he just acted on impulse… to protect his girl, Kimberly. The name alone felt heavier than I expected.

I exhaled deeply, forcing a small, tired smile before finally meeting his gaze.

“But seriously, Dominick, I’m all fine now. For the ninth time, my bruises—”

“I like you.” His voice thundered through the office, like he’d been holding it in for so long and could no longer contain it.

Napahinto ako sa kinatatayuan ko, at kusa nang nabuka ang bibig ko sa gulat. For a second, the room fell silent again.

“I fucking like you, Malani.” he repeated sharply. “In case you still don’t understand, I can’t sleep because I always think of you.”

His eyes suddenly grew darker, as if he’d just remembered something that stirred up his anger.

“And in case I still need to explain it further just to make it clear, I like you and I’m fucking jealous of that clown you’re always with whenever you study.”

Clown?

I blinked twice, processing his words. I’m always with… when I study?

Wait… Was he referring to Jing? It was Agnes’ idea. She told me na dapat ay didikit daw kami sa matalinong kaklase namin. Kaya halos araw-araw ay magkakasama kami nina Jing at Agnes.

“Hindi clown si Jing. Ang talino nga n’on—”

“I’m more intelligent than him,” he snapped before I could finish. “I can explain those cases to you better than he ever could. Tell him to have a debate with me tomorrow.” At binitawan niya ang kamay ko at dumistansiya nang kaunti sa akin.

Napakurap ako sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung maiinis ba ako o matatawa. Was he actually being serious right now?

“Jing is not like that—”

“So you’re talking now to defend him? And you’re ignoring the fact that I just confessed?” His jaw tightened. I looked at him in disbelief.

“You’re overreacting, Dom!”

He froze, like the sound of that nickname I said caught him completely off guard.

“What did you just call me?” Nakita ko kung paano dahan-dahan siyang napangiti. He even bit his lower lip, as if that would hide it, but failed miserably.

“Dom?” nagtatakang tanong ko.

“I never knew Dom suits me,” he murmured, smiling like a crazy man. He reached for my hand again and intertwined his fingers with mine.

“I’ll take you home. It’s getting late,” he said with a grin.

I let him drive me to my apartment. Alam kong kapag tumanggi ako, maglalakad siya pauwi kasama ako, tapos babalik pa ulit sa university para kunin ang sasakyan niya.

I looked at him—one hand on the wheel, the other still refusing to let go of mine. Napailing na lang ako. ’Pag kami nadisgrasya…

“You heard what I confessed earlier, right?” Pangatlong tanong na niya iyon. Nakakairita na. Hindi na lang ako sumagot hanggang sa huminto ang sasakyan niya sa harap ng apartment namin ni Agnes. The lights were still on, siguro nagbabasa na naman si Agnes. Mas masipag pa siyang magbasa kaysa sa ’kin, pero ewan ko ba, ’pag tinawag na ang pangalan niya sa recit, hindi naman makasagot.

Dominick coolly went out of the car and opened the door for me. I just rolled my eyes when he smiled again. Hindi pa ba nananakit panga niya? Kanina pa siya ngiti nang ngiti.

“I’ll court you tomorrow,” he said, still smiling like an idiot. It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.

Hindi na ako nagulat. Of course.

“Hindi ako nagpapaligaw,” sabi ko na lang at nilampasan siya, hoping he’d finally take the hint, but knowing him, he probably wouldn’t.

CHAPTER 10

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CHAPTER 11

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CHAPTER 12

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CHAPTER 13

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CHAPTER 14

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CHAPTER 15

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CHAPTER 16

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CHAPTER 17

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CHAPTER 18

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CHAPTER 19

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CHAPTER 20

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CHAPTER 21

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CHAPTER 22

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CHAPTER 23

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CHAPTER 24

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CHAPTER 25

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CHAPTER 26

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CHAPTER 27

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CHAPTER 28

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CHAPTER 29

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CHAPTER 30

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CHAPTER 31

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CHAPTER 32

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CHAPTER 33

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CHAPTER 34

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CHAPTER 35

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CHAPTER 36

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CHAPTER 37

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CHAPTER 38

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CHAPTER 39

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CHAPTER 40

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CHAPTER 41

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CHAPTER 42

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CHAPTER 43

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CHAPTER 44

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CHAPTER 45

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CHAPTER 46

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CHAPTER 47

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CHAPTER 48

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CHAPTER 49

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CHAPTER 50

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CHAPTER 51

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CHAPTER 52

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CHAPTER 53

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CHAPTER 54

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LAST CHAPTER

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EPILOGUE

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SPECIAL CHAPTER

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