Hold You Accountable Novels & Stories

Ramdam niya ang pintig ng puso niya, pero pinilit niyang gawing matatag ang boses. "If there was a failure on-site," panimula niya, diretsong nakatingin sa ‘senator,’ "then we need to know why. I am not here to defend incompetence—I am here to make sure that those responsible are held accountable, including myself if necessary. My priority is the public’s safety and the integrity of this project." Tahimik ang silid. Kahit ang paralegal na nagtatanong ay napalunok bago muling nagtanong, ngayon ay medyo mas mababa ang tono.

“Wala ba kayong puwedeng gawin, sir? Someone who can help—” “My fax machine does not work that way,” putol nito sa gusto niyang sabihin. “And that’s not what duty and honor is all about. Tayong mga sundalo, hindi tayo tumatakbo sa responsibilidad man `yan o kahit anong bagay na alam nating parte tayo niyon. Integrity and accountability—ang mga `yan ay nakakabit sa profession natin kaya sana bago mo `yon ginawa, inisip mo muna ang mga consequences,” sermon pa nito.

sagot niya, “is not demanded it is earned. And earning it requires consistency, transparency, and results. I am not asking you to believe blindly; I am asking you to observe.” Sumunod ang isang reporter mula sa isang major network. “Why appear in a mask? Is this a strategy to avoid accountability?” Bahagyang yumuko si Amanda bago sumagot. “On the contrary,” wika niya, “this is my way of taking control of the narrative. Accountability begins when you face the truth on your own terms, not when you are forced into someone else’s version of it.” May isa pang tanong, mas diretso at mas matalim. “Are you the CEO of Equinox Global Corporation? Are really behind the success of the Equinox?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing interesting, huh?” Hindi ko makita ang rason niya kung bakit niya ako kailangan. Why would I manage our company when he can’t even trust me? I won't accept his company either. I want to have my own, and have a company that I did not work for. I’m not interested in having it. “What do you need? ” I asked him. I want this conversation to end. Staying with him for so long makes me sick.

Hindi ko na-complete ang pangungusap niya. “Then I will bring you with me,” sagot niya agad. “I will not go alone. I don’t want you to carry the pain alone again.” Napapikit siya sandali, huminga, at tiningnan ako muli. “I’ll sign any paper, give you any reassurance you want. I will be accountable.” Hindi ko mapigilang huminga nang malalim. “Responsibility. Accountability. Madaling sabihin, Neil. Mahirap patunayan.”

"Bakit? Ano pa ba ang hindi ko alam, huh? Sabihin mo na sa akin ngayon na para isahang sakit na lang, Carol. Total sinaktan mo na rin naman ako, kaya lubos-lubusin mo na." Pero hindi sumagot si Carol. Nanatili lang itong nakatingin sa kaniya. Muling natawa si Brett. "Hindi ka makasagot? You know, Carol. Gampanan mo na lang ang pagiging ina mo kay Paolo. Kung inaakala mo na papakawalan kita ngayon, puwes nagkakamali ka. Hangga't hindi kita napapatawad ay hindi ka makakaalis sa bahay na ito. You know my rules, Carol. Alam mo na ang mangyayari kapag lumabag ka."

Ang bawat hakbang palapit sa kaniya ay isang paglabag sa sarili kong patakaran. “She’s not answering that,” sabi ko. May nagbukas ng bibig para tumutol. Hindi ko sila hinayaan. “She does not carry my liabilities. If you want accountability, you address me.” Tumayo ako sa tabi niya. Hindi sa harap—hindi ko siya tatakpan. Hindi rin sa likod—hindi ko siya itutulak pasulong. Katabi. Isang posisyon na malinaw ang kahulugan kahit hindi ito nakasulat sa kontrata.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Gusto ko siyang saktan. Pero kailangan ko pigilan ang sarili ko. Dahil sa ayaw ko man o gusto, kapatid pa rin ang turning ko sa kaniya. "Enought of that. Why the fuck were you holding her like that?" "Lagi talagang ako ang masama sa mata mo 'no? May kasalan ako Kiro, alam ko 'yun. Pero hindi lang ako ang may kasalanan. You should held both involved accountable. Napaka-unfair mo!"