his innocence

Epilogue

"Peace cannot be kept
by force. It can only be
achieved by understanding."
— Albert Einstein

Dedicated to every YOU ♡

Epilogue

Nasapo ko ang sentido. Pinipigilan kong magalit kahit na alam kong ano mang oras ay sasabog na ako.

"I have an event to attend later--"

"But M-Miss Aurora, sabi po kasi--"

"Fuck! Sino ba yang..." huminga ako nang malalim at mariing itinikom ang labi. Nakita ko ang takot sa mukha ni Helen, ang ilang taon ko nang personal assistant nang bigla akong tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa sofa. "Tell me who is t-that complainant," I'm not losing my poise over this petty issue. Damn it.

"Noong nakaraan lang daw kasi dumating yung halos magta-tatlong buwan na nilang binili sa auction at... at sira-sira at fake item daw yung natanggap nila."

"What? Auction?!"

"Opo, 'yong online auction 3 months ago."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko at mas uminit pa ang ulo. "Fake?! All of my things in the auction are real and designer's. And how come ngayon lang nila na-receive? They should blame the shipping company not me. At aling item ba? I can just send back their money to them. Doblehin ko pa." I said to end this fast.

"Y-yung bag po kasi--"

"Worth? Get me the check, I'll write the amount immediately."

"Yung last item po, yung pinag-agawan na limited edition."

Something clicked inside my head.

"The what?" My mouth hang open. "You mean..."

Dahan-dahang tumango sa akin si Helen. "Y-yes, Miss, the fifty million pesos worth bag."

Napaupo ako pabalik sa sofa at tuluyan nang sumakit ang ulo. I groaned.

"Just send them back the money. If they demand for more... just give them."

"Y-yun nga, Miss. They don't want to deal with it like that. They said that if you don't want to do it their way... kakasuhan ka daw po ng fraud."

Napatiim-bagang ako sa narinig.

What the hell? Is this a set up? I wouldn't be surprise if they're one of those damn people who wants to bring me down.

Congratulations to them, this set up is really working.

"Anong gusto nila?" I asked as I close my eyes. This is so tiresome. This is not fun anymore. Just what the hell.

"Wala pang reply, Miss. I'll inform you immediately if I receive an email from them again." Helen said that made me want to roll my eyes. Mga paimportante.

I sighed exhaustedly for the nth time. "Alright,"

"About the event later--"

"Hindi na ko pupunta." ani ko.

"Clear, Miss." then Helen walk out of my hotel room.

Sanay na ako sa mga ganitong set-up. Sa nakalipas na mga taon, marami talagang gustong hilain ako pababa. Ito yata ang kapalit ng pangarap ko.

But at least I achieved my dream, right?

Pangarap kong habang tumatagal, mas naging nakakapagod. Mas hindi na nagiging satisfying. Damn. Peace. I want peace.

Nakatulala lamang ako sa kawalan nang marinig ko ang pag-ring ng phone ko.

It was Adi on FaceTime.

"Hey--" naputol ang pagbati ko nang makarinig agad ako ng maingay na pag-iyak ng bata.