Behind The Bars

Chapter 10

Triangle

My brows furrowed while reaching my phone on my bedside. Kanina pa ito nag va-vibrate dahil sa mga notifications, pati messages.

Ano bang araw ngayon at bakit ang aga-agang nangdidisturbo ng mga tao?

I opened my eyes and saw missed calls from Caleb and Pia. I saw few messages from Shawn and Alonzo too, greeting me good morning. Hindi na ako nag reply, tinatamad ako. I scrolled and saw Dad's message.

Daddy:

Caleb said he sent you home early last night. You should've stayed a little longer and accompanied your fiancee, Vera.

Napahilamos ako sa aking mukha at napilitang tumayo na at maghilamos.

Alas onse na pala ng tanghali.

I thought about Daddy's message. So, Caleb covered for me huh?

Pagkatapos maghilamos at mag toothbrush ay tinext ko nalang siya at sinabing nagpasundo ako kay Pia kagabi. I know Pia would lie for me if he would try to ask her so it wasn't much of a problem. I also replied Daddy saying I wasn't feeling well last night. Hindi naman siya nag reply kaya pinabayaan ko nalang.

Nag-ayang uminom si Pia mamayang gabi. Sabado naman kaya um-oo na ako, hindi naman din kami palaging umiinom. Alonzo invited me for lunch as well but I excused myself this time, I was too tired to get out. I wasn't even hungry so I slept some more.

Nagising lang ako ulit dahil sa mabangong amoy sa labas. Nagsuklay muna ako bago lumabas. Hindi na ako nagulat nang makita si Pia na nagluluto, I expected her here since may lakad kami mamaya.

Sobrang tagal kong natulog na pagtingin ko sa orasan ay alas singko na pala ng hapon.

"Puyat ka yata girl?" Mapanuya niyang tanong.

Oo nga pala, hindi niya alam ang mga nangyari kagabi. Or maybe she knows.

"So you're finally engaged to the famous Caleb Pimentel now?" Dagdag niya pa, hindi man lang nagulat.

"Unfortunately, I am." Walang pakialam kong saad at kumuha ng chocolate at tubig sa ref.

Sinulyapan ko din ang niluluto niya. She was cooking steak and a potato salad.

"Where's your ring? Your family's really serious about marrying you off, huh?" She asked and started checking my fingers out.

Wala rin naman siyang makikita doon dahil hindi ko sinusuot.

I wouldn't even be surprised if it reached the media or what.

My family's quiet known in the industry, especially as in demand lawyers. Makailang-ulit na rin namang naging lawyer si Daddy ng iba't-ibang kilalang mga personalidad, Kuya Lukas and Kuya Noah is quiet famous as well. They topped the bar and they're now two of the most hired criminal lawyers in today's generation.

Kaya hindi na ako magugulat kong pati ang pagbagsak ko sa NLE ay makaabot din sa balita, naghihintay nalang ako sa mga paghuhusga nila dahil doon naman sila eksperto.

And of course, the Pimentel's and their riches.

People would think I am a lucky woman because I am to marry a catch. Mataas ang tingin nila sa pamilyang nagmamay-ari nang pinakamalaking law firm sa Pilipinas. They think the almighty Caleb Pimentel is perfect.

"I took it off. You really expect me to wear that all the time?" I shot back. Nginisihan niya lang ako ng nakakaasar habang binabaliktad ang steak na niluluto.

Iniwan ko muna siya sa kusina para mag workout. Pagkatapos ay naligo na rin ako at nag check ng emails. I sent an online enrollment application in a review center.