Dejection (1st Installment): Vaiana

Prologue:

"Mr. Manson, it is true na ikaw ang hahawak ng kaso ni Mr. Viray?"
"Do you think he is innocent?"
"Sa tingin mo ba nagsasabi ng totoo ang complainant?"

Vaiana's heart is beating so fast, hinihintay niya kung ano ang isasagot ni Ruleon. "No, I didn't take it yet." Tipid ang tugon nito sa mga press, tila medyo nagulat si Viana sa narinig.
She always thought that he would take the case right away because of his connection to the Viray's.

Vaiana's vision is still focusing on the television, parang may nabuhay ulit na matagal ng natutulog na damdadamin sa loob-loob nito.
"Ian!! I'm home!!" She flinched at dali-daling pinatay ang TV at sinalubong ang bagong dating. "What are you watching?" Her cousin Arcienna asked her.

"Ienna, you brought so many things again." Pang-iiba niya ng usapan, she can be honest to her cousin about what she's just watched, her cousin knows she's not affected anymore (that's what they probably know) but she didn't know what actually got to her mind na huwag nalang sabihin.
"Ow, this? Galing toh sa sugar daddy ko." She then giggled like a child, making Vaiana's forehead crease.

Arcienna noticed her cousin's puzzled face. "Haha, I'm just joking don't take it seriously." Napa buntong hininga nalang ito. "Pero teka nga, you change the subject eh? Didn't I ask you what you are watching?" She then hums na parang nang-aasar pa. "Nothing important, don't mind it."
Arcienna smirked like she knew something. "Really? Pinatay mo pa agad eh, is it Ruleon?"

Vaiana's eyes widened pero na refrain niya agad.
"You are talking nonsense." Pag-iiwas niya ng tingin sabay talikod sa pinsan, but Arcienna being Arcienna just smiled widely at her. "Alam mo konti nalang talaga magtatampo na ako sayo."
"Sa lahat tayong magpi-pinsan tayo yung pinaka-close but you don't trust me?" She placed her both palm in her heart na parang nasasaktan. "No! Hindi! I mean of course I trust you, ano ka ba naman. Why would you think like that?"

"I know Ian, you are still not over him, that you are just pretending to everyone but you can't fool me. I just stayed quiet because I respect your privacy and feelings."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to keep it from everyone honestly especially to you but I am already having a hard time forgetting him on my own, paano pa kaya kung pina-alam ko."
Arcienna held Vaiana's hand and look at her understandingly.

"I understand."
"It is about the case of Mr. Viray." Confusion is plastered on Arcienna's face. "The one I'm watching kanina." She continues. "Ow then--" She cut her off.
"The press asks Ruleon if he has already taken the case."
Namilog ang mata nito sa narinig. "What?! So it's true? The rumors in the past? The reason why you two broke up?!" Vaiana sighed at the thought of the past.

"He hasn't taken it yet."
"How'd you know?" Confusion is still written on her cousin's face. "He said to the press that he hasn't taken it yet." Arcienna scowled and whined. "So, may yet? He is really planning to take it. Tsk!"
"It is still not sinking in my mind that he can do that." She then blabbered angrily.

In her mind if he is really going to take the case then good for them, kahit na affected parin siya. She wants to move on, she wants to be free from these feelings, she wants to enjoy every little thing that will come to her and if ever she falls in love again someday, she will love him dearly but yung pagmamahal na hindi ubos. Tunog selfish raw pero maybe bitbit niya na palagi ang trust issues niya.

by.ellee🍀