Visual of Elysian (Abstract Series #2)

Chapter 19

"I spent the entire week in jail."

My mouth gaped as I glanced at him, who, despite his exhausted expression, smiled at me. Bumuntong hininga siya at sumandal sa couch habang nanatili akong nakatingin sa kanya, hindi makapaniwala sa narinig.

"Nalasing kasi ako sa Batangas. Nadala ako sa mga alak nila. I had no idea what I was doing and had to be apprehended by the cops when I went berserk. It's the most humiliating experience I've ever had."

Hearing the reason, my jaw dropped. When he saw my look, he laughed grudgingly.

"I know. I am really sorry. Kinuha kasi ang phone ko kaya hindi ako nakapagtext," he told me. "Three days lang naman daw pero umabot ng one week. Wala akong ibang nagawa kundi maghintay."

"Are you dumb? You could have pledge a lawyer! At anong iniisip mo? You are alone in that town, Aid! Tapos nagpadala ka sa alak? Paano kung may nangyari sa 'yo?" singhal ko sa kanya.

He smiled. "Alam ko naman 'yon. I was preparing to get a lawyer when I observed an elderly man reading a Bible. Kasama ko siya sa selda." He went near me and laid his face on my shoulder. "Nakulong siya kasi napatay niya 'yong rapist ng anak niya."

His remarks caused my eyes to widen.

"What could possibly be so unfair? Bakit parang mas naging biktima pa 'yong rapist? Sure, killing someone is a sin, but how can you pass judgment on a parent who merely sought justice for his daughter?" His fist tightened. "I realized that the Philippines' legal system is a friend to the wealthy and a foe to the poor."

Kumirot ng bahagya ang puso ko. His eyes are filled with pain and hatred, which I can see. Ngayon ko lang din narealize ang privilege ko bilang tao na pinanganak na mayaman. Lawyers, doctors, and other professionals are among my father's circle of acquaintances. Kung may mangyari man sa kahit anong sitwasyon, siguro ay madali lang akong makakalusot. That, however, does not apply to the impoverished.

"Ang weird ko, Sian. Tuwing nakakakita ako ng mga mahihirap na may sakit, parang gusto kong maging doktor. Nang nakilala ko ang matandang lalaki iyon, gusto kong maging abogado. The world is so messed up that all I want to do is acquire all professions and assist people who are in need."

I locked my gaze on Aid for a little longer than usual. Agad naman niya iyong napansin kaya humalik siya sa pisngi ko.

"Your heart is so pure," I told him.

He shook his head. "Hindi naman. I have done numerous sins in the lifetime. Pero hindi naman iyon ang magsisilbing batayan ng pagkatao ko. Never pass judgment on another person based on their sins. You can only assess their character by looking at how they completed their redemptions."

"How about a man cheating on his partner? Deserve niya bang mabigyan ng second chance?"

Nagulat ako nang umiling siya. "A guy can change for the better, but he will never be worthy of his partner again, no matter how hard he works. You forfeited your chance once you cheated. Walang kahit anong excuses ang magiging validated once na magloko ka. You were the one who picked that road in the first place. It's never a coincidence; it's always a deliberate decision. No woman has the right to cry and doubt her own worth just because of a man."

My lips curved into a smile. Gosh, ano bang nagawa ko sa past life at naging ganito ako kaswerte kay Aid?

"So, hindi kita bibigyan ng chance ulit kung sakaling magloko ka?" I teased him.

His forehead creased. "Hindi naman ako magloloko. When I courted you, your heart was whole; now it's my obligation to keep it that way."

"Damn," I whispered as I felt my heart pounding so fast against my chest. "Magpahinga ka na nga!"