TRACE DIMAGIBA (Wild Men Series 1)

007

CHLOE

I continued watching the arrogance of the fat guy flaunting all his connections and whatever 'power' he has on the city. The poor old Pedicab driver, probably in his sixties or seventies, kept on apologizing with his shedded tears.

The fat guy continued complaining about what the older man did, even though it was an accident. I wanted to interrupt and stop the arrogant dude from his endless humiliation to the poor man but Harriet stopped me.

I wanted to meddle and talk civilly to the fat guy. Gusto kong sabihin sana na ako na ang bahala sa repair ng sasakyan niya. Para matapos na at para tigilan na niya ang matanda ay ako na ang bahala sa payment. Sobrang nakakaawa na kasi ang matanda.

"We must not do anything with that, Chloe." Harriet squeezed my wrist she was holding. "Let them talk and handle whatever issues they have. Besides, traffic police will be here any moment. So, don't worry for the older man. He will be fine."

I nodded but not convinced. I understood Harriet's concern. She's right though that I can't meddle. I have no rights nor authorities, so... I sadly breathed in and out. The injustice is all around. This is all wrong.

"Harriet, balik na kayo sa sasakyan ng pinsan mo," Manong Gil suggested.

"Mamaya na po, manong. Kumukuha pa po ako ng video." Harriet showed her phone to Manong Gil.

Napatingin ako sa video recording na kanina pa pala nasimulan ni Harriet.

"I will post the video later," Harriet informed me. "This is the only way we could help, Chloe."

"But that older man may be hurt any moment, Harriet," I replied, concernedly.

"And that's where we need the netizens. We are in the Philippines, Chloe. Usually, social injustices here were taken care of once it went viral first."

I almost rolled my eyes at Harriet's reasons, but what else can I do?

Tumingin ako sa paligid, hoping someone will intervene. But just like what Harriet was doing, most of the people encircling the scene wanted to do nothing aside from filming the scene.

Oh, my... the audacity and the paradox of helping! God! This is society's illness!

"Someone should call a police officer, right?" tanong ko kay Harriet. "Someone must stop them. Someone need to help the old—" I stopped talking. Someone's voice got into me. Thinking that someone will help, napatingin ako sa kanila ng kasama niya.

Ang lalaking narinig kong nagsalita ay nakatingin sa lalaking katabi niya at kinakausap, na nakatingin naman sa akin. I blinked. Gulped next. There was something in the guy who was staring at me.

The two guys were both ruggedly handsome, but the one with messy wavy hair was staring at me... I think he looks like... a dream.

I quickly averted my eyes from that guy. I shook my head while removing the butterflies in my stomach. He and his friend were tall and had a good body. They could meddle and help the older man. And I hoped they would, but... but I was wrong. I frowned next as I heard one of them talking, he was telling his friend they must go.

They might look capable, but they probably like this fat dude who doesn't care at all. Sayang ang—

I gasped. The fat guy slapped the older man and how... How nasty he is! How could he hurt someone who was apologizing humbly?! He's sick!

I pursed my lips in anger. And I can't stand watching only, I need to do something. I was about to stop the chubby man when I saw the handsome man with messy hair approach the two. Oh... I thought they left already.