Chapter 20: Apology 2

The roommate continued.

Roommate: “I was so angry. I’m a woman too, and putting myself in her shoes… I wouldn’t be happy at all. I might even do something stupid. Since she confided in me and she’s my friend, I decided to help her get justice. So I took matters into my own hands and sent the story to a blogger I knew. She posted it, and I paid her. That’s how you started trending.”

Ann: “Why didn’t you call me to verify? We were roommates for two years. If I hadn’t moved out, we’d still be sharing a room. We never had any major misunderstandings.”

Roommate: “Ann, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight. I should have checked with you at least we weren’t fighting.”

Ann: “But you didn’t! Do you have any idea how deep this cut? Do you know the emotional damage you caused? The impact on my relationship? Everywhere I went, people pointed fingers. They mocked me. Girls laughed at me. I felt like a clown. There was even a day I didn’t go to school because I couldn’t face them. And now you have the guts to come here and confess? What am I supposed to do with your confession? Will it erase the trauma of being laughed at? Or mocked?”

Roommate: (Kneeling) “Ann, I’m sorry. I was angry so angry I wasn’t thinking. In fact, when the truth came out, I even paid the blogger to push the correction to trend, because I saw how much the netizens insulted you and your boyfriend. I know that’s not enough to make up for it, but I’m sorry. I just realized my friend was using me. I don’t know her purpose, but she must have an agenda. Even if she’s not your man’s ex, she must be a friend or something. Please be careful. Her name is Nancy. Watch out. She’s the one who sent me pictures of her with your man they were blurry, but you could still recognize them if you knew them. I don’t know how she got them.”

Ann: “You said her name is Nancy?”

Roommate: “Yeah, Nancy. I knew her when she still lived here. She was a good girl, but I guess she’s changed.”

Ann: “Why are you telling me all this?”

Roommate: “Because my conscience won’t let me stay quiet. You were one of the reasons I came back to school early.”

Ann: “I’m sorry… I’m not a saint. I can’t forgive you right away just because you confessed. Please give me time to digest this.”

Roommate: “I understand. Take your time.”

Ann: “Thanks then, Toodles.”

Ann came to meet me when they finished talking, and we went to class.

During lectures, my instructor asked to see me afterward, so I dropped Ann off at her friend’s house. Guess who the friend was?

The hijabi girl.

Yes Ann’s best friend is the hijabi girl!

Whoosh. The girl was beautiful. She still is. Thank God I never got to talk to her all those times I looked for an opportunity. Thank God she doesn’t even know me.

I kissed Ann, told her I’d pick her up later, and left.

When I entered my instructor’s office, he wasn’t there. I called him no answer but he texted saying he was in a meeting and would be out in thirty minutes. So I waited.

While waiting, his assistant asked if I wanted tea or coffee. I said just water was fine, and she left to get it.

I was browsing through tabloids on the table when she returned. Her top had changed into a cleavage-showcasing corset her breasts barely covered.