SN 4: The Law of Lust

11

            I had just settled into my swivel chair in my office and grabbed the white folder. I began reading the articles because they were part of the case I was currently handling when suddenly... my phone rang. I quickly reached for my phone, which was resting on my desk, and checked the caller ID. I couldn't help but frown a little when I saw Zeid's name on the screen. He's Zeidhon Callycx Imperial, one of my closest friends... we share the same attitude and principles in life, which is why among our other friends, we get along so well. Oh, I almost forgot... Caerus too.

I frowned slightly, wondering why he was calling me today, but I answered the call without much thought.

"Hello. What do you need?" I asked immediately while still looking at the article that I was holding.

[I don 't need anything in particular...] Zeid replied in a disdainful tone. Halata rin ang pagkawalang gana roon. [Simply put, they're using me and my number to contact you. Mukhang alam nila na kapag ako ang tatawag sa'yo, sasagutin mo agad.] Hindi nagtagal ay narinig ko na nga ang konting ingay sa may background; para bang pinagkakaguluhan nila 'yung phone ni Zeid sa kabilang linya, hanggang sa maya-maya pa ay may nagsalita na.

This time, it wasn't Zeid's voice. [Wassup, Ferrer!]

The voice greeted me, and I instantly recognized it as Alexander's. Napairap na lang ako sa hangin. Siya pa naman ang ayaw kong makausap ngayon dahil siya pinakamagulo at pinakamakulit sa aming lahat. Jeez!

"What do you need, d*ckhea?!" I responded flatly. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang kunot na kunot na noo ko.

"We just need some updates, bro. Are we right in assuming that the woman with you earlier, the Leigh girl... is your ex-girlfriend? Huwag mong sabihin na mali ako.]

Fuck! Bukod sa siya ang pinakamagulo sa amin, siya rin ang pinakapakialamero at tsismoso. Did he call me just to ask that? Seriously? What the fuck, right?

"It's none of your business, Fraz! Just go to hell, okay? Mind your own business!" I snapped.

[Oo nga naman, Alexander. Huwag ka na ngang mangialam pa sa lovelife ni Wayne. Huwag mo nang pakialamanan pa ang girlfriend niya.] Rinig ko wika pa ng isang lalaki sa kabilang linya, at kung hindi ako nagkakamali, si Vince Francisco 'yon—the most kind and responsible one.

"No, she isn't! What the fuck! She's not my girlfriend! You're really starting to get on my nerves!" I exclaimed. Ang hirap talagang paliwanagan ng mga lalaking 'to. Pinapakulo talaga nila ang dugo ko.

[Woah, woah. Chill! Masyado ka naman yata diyang defensive, Ferrer?] Boses na naman 'yun ni Alexander. [Aminin mo na lang, may tinatago ka talaga sa amin, 'no?]

"Like I said, just go to hell, d*ckhead!" Nang tuluyan ko na sanang ibaba ang tawag na 'yun, bigla na naman siyang nagsalita ng mabilis na naging dahilan kung bakit hindi ko natuloy ang pagbaba ko ng tawag. Nabanggit niya kasi ang pangalan ni Denise na ikinatigil ko.

[Wait. Alam ba ni Ate Denise ang tungkol diyan?]

Naging seryoso na ang tono ng boses ni Alexander ngayon. Wala na 'yung halong kalokohan at pang-aasar kaya naman medyo naging seryoso na rin ako. He knew everything. He was aware of the misunderstanding between Denise and me because of Leigh. Sa bahay kasi ng parents niya ako nag-stay ng halos isang linggo dahil nga sa pagtatalo namin ni ate dati noong fourthyear high school kami.

And I knew he was only concerned about me, that's why he brought up this topic.

Hindi ako nakasagot sa kaniya agad, kaya nagsalita na naman siya.'

[And now that you've gone quiet, Wayne, it means... Denise doesn't know yet. Baka gulo na naman niyang pinapasok mo... o gulo na naman niyang pinapasok mo ulit sa buhay mo. This may be hard to hear, but she may try to hurt you again. Hindi ba at iniwan ka na lang niya bigla ng walang paalam noon?]