I value friendship — much more the friendship I have with Alex. We treat each other as sisters, or maybe… it was just me who assumed that. Betrayal isn't her thing— that's the only reason that's keeping me away from the idea of her… actually betraying me. It's a hard pill to swallow. The signs are clearly showing it… and I kept myself blind enough… Wala, e. Siya lang ang kaibigan na meron ako… Hindi ko naman mapipigilang masaktan, ‘di ba? I reported my lost wallet to the police. When I asked the front desk in the company, they said they had found nothing. So, maybe it was taken outside by whoever got it from the inside. And most probably… the person who got it works under the same company…. The odds are big, and it's the most probable scenario. If not, then maybe it's a stranger… ang sama lang at mas pinili niyang nakawan ang pera roon, imbes na isauli. But I also have doubts about it, because the money is from the company. My name was used for the transfer… kaya ako ang naa
“Why did you choose to enter the 13th floor instead of going down further through the stairs?” Mr. Alvaro asked.“Why? I can't?” I asked, too.Even if I don't want to be this rude, and I should have been more recessive to the questions because, in the eyes of these people, I am the culprit. But it's not sitting well with me. The case is not about why I chose to stop by the 13th floor instead of going down further. Hindi ko lang makita ang tamang dahilan.“Answer me, Miss Aracosa…”I sighed as I heard his thundering voice. Hindi siya galit, pero sobrang lalim at animo'y sumisigaw ang speaking voice niya. “I find it hard to go down further. Napagod na ako. You don't expect me to walk down the stairs with my heels on? I came from the damn 15th floor!” He waited for my words to come out full, and I didn't buckle up. Kasi hindi ko talaga makuha ang punto ng tanong na ‘to. Unless the 13th floor is a forbidden floor for the employees… like me? “Look, I don't get why you are asking this
My body froze and the confidence I had earlier slightly buckled. Parang gusto kong umurong at mag isip. Sumigaw at magmura. Tawagan si Alex at humingi ng tulong.But no, I can't do all of that. I cannot buckle up now. Hindi puwede. I know I should have given myself a proper and enough time to think this through, but the thought that the people here are throwing me allegations and worse accusations horrified me. Mr. Almario’s laugh echoed the whole office. The look of every eye inside screams judgment and pity. I felt… embarrassed… humiliated.I looked at Mr. Almario and made myself composed as much as I could.“I hope you don't choke on your laugh and die early, Mr. Almario.” I chuckled, voice low. “I really do…” Tinapunan ko ng tingin ang iba pang katrabaho. Some are avoiding my eye contact as if they are ashamed of judging, and some are holding it in looking so proud they're judging me. I scoffed as I got the letter on my table. It was really a show cause letter. I gripped it t
Confusion and anger filled me in. Confused because she didn't answer my calls when I called her for God knows how many times already! And yet, she answered Psalm with just one call? Anger because I felt… betrayed. Kaibigan ko siya… ‘di ba? Maasahan ko siya… Kaya ko siyang pagkatiwalaan…In fact, I only trusted her, and only treated her as my only friend. My only resource. But… this?I would understand if she's busy, or that she's doing something really important. But how could he answer Psalm's call and ignore mine? Ako ang kaibigan niya, ‘di ba? “Why did she answer your call?!” I shouted after throwing his phone. Sa galit, at sa hindi ko malamang dahilan, kinuha ko ang cellphone niya at pinatay ang tawag bago iyon itinapon. I looked at him with anger in my eyes. I could burn him with my stare right now, if only I could light a fire with my anger.Nakatayo na ako ngayon. I looked down on him, he looked at me… shocked.What? “I don't know….” “Why did she answer your call and igno
Hindi ko alam ang gagawin. I feel like I'm stuck in a memory and it's playing in my head in a loop. Hindi ako makawala. Nilulunod ako ng mga alala na ‘yon.My mother's words I kept with me, I swore to abide, I made it my principle. Maybe… I was not really kind at all. But I can never commit such a mistake… more of a crime.I hate thieves. Tita Meredith is a thief. She accused my mother of her own doing. Ginamit niyang pantakip ang Mama ko para maging biktima siya sa paningin ng mga tao. At ang Mama ko, masama.I can never forget that. I despised that memory. And I made it my driving force… to not be like her. I would never be like her. “Why would they accuse you of stealing? Hindi ka nagnakaw, hindi ba?” Psalm drove us off to my condo.Ewan ko kung tama bang nandito siya gayong wala akong ibang nagagawa kundi ang tumunganga at paulit ulit na isipin kung ano ba talaga ang ginawa. Ano ba talagang nangyayari?It won't sink in to me. Hindi ko kayang tanggapin. Wala akong ninanakaw, kaya
I didn't steal anything! Hell! Bakit ako magnanakaw! I worked my ass off to finish my degree, topped the bar and worked decently to be paid well! I won't steal! Hinding hindi ako magnanakaw!I may lack morals for some things but I would never do such a thing! My mother raised me well, and even if I have ruined views about certain things I know, it's not enough for me to commit such a crime! I would never steal… especially that I'm working in this company.I dialed and dialed Alex’s number. Gulong gulo ako. Gusto kong kausapin si Ma’am Matilda pero hindi na niya ako pinagbuksan ng opisina dahil marami pa siyang online meetings na dinadaluhan. And Mr. Almario took off early and I can't even contact him! Hindi niya ako sinasagot! No one is answering my calls and queries. And even if I don't want this to go to Alex, I have no choice.I need help. At si Alex lang ang kaya kong pagkatiwalaan. Alex is not answering her phone. I don't fucking know what to do anymore! I have already rece