Hush Louder

#HL25

"WHY aren't you asking the most important question, Professor?" Venge raised his brow along with the corner of his lips, as if challenging the genius professor. "Is it because you know her already?"

Professor Xildius was not rattled at all, still composed and sitting comfortably on his sofa. "That's just a mere speculation, Attorney."

"A mere speculation that you still haven't denied," the attorney quickly countered.

Tumayo ang propesor at nagpamulsa. Naglakad siya palapit kay Venge hanggang magtama ang mga paningin nila. "Sometimes it's better to stay away from the truth than to seek it."

"Kahit na 'yon ang magbibigay linaw sa'yo?" pasinghal na sagot ng abogado. "Ang magpapatahimik sa utak mo?"

"Truth doesn't always bring clarity. Sometimes, it invites chaos." Malalim na ang boses ng propesor, seryoso na ang kaniyang mga mata. Tila ba may halong pagbabanta ang kaniyang tono. "Something that not just your mind, but also your heart won't be able to handle."

Magkahawak-kamay na kami ni Fifteen. Kaming dalawa ang natatakot sa kakaibang tensyon sa pagitan ng abogado at propesor. Si Vougan ay biglang pumalakpak, natutuwa sa kaniyang nasasaksihang debate. "Wow, Ninong and Daddy fighting!" hirit nito.

"Miss reporter, tara na. This visit is over." Pagtalikod ay agad niyang kinuha ang braso ko, hinatak ako palabas hanggang sa makarating na kami sa kaniyang kotse.

"Venge, saglit! Bakit uuwi na tayo?" apila ko sa kaniya nang pagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan ng sasakyan. "Tiyansa mo na 'yon para makipagsundo sa mga Vouganville, pero tila gumawa ka pa ng away!"

"I think you got the wrong impression, reporter. I'm not here to make friends with them. Hinding-hindi ko sila makakasundo," sagot niya sabay tulak nang marahan sa akin para pumasok na ako. Sumakay na rin siya mula sa kabilang pintuan saka pinaandar ang kotse. "I don't belong in that house. After all . . . I'm not really a Vouganville."

I opened my mouth but only a short sigh came out. Hindi ito ang inaasahan kong mangyayari sa pagpunta namin dito. I pictured us having afternoon snacks with the professor's family. I imagined us saying goodbye with hopes to see each other again soon.

I wanted Venge to meet more people, to have more friends other than me. Hanggang ngayon, ako pa lang ang nasa phone contacts niya. I want people to know that he's a good person despite what he appears to be—and I'm sure they will if only he would let them!

Venge deserves to be surrounded by people. He deserves to be surrounded by love.

"We're here." Pinarada na ni Xalvenge ang kotse sa tapat ng unit ko. Hindi siya tumitingin sa'kin pero kapansin-pansin ang lungkot sa mga mata niya.

"Venge. . . please don't close your heart to people," mahina kong bulong. Nakahawak lamang ako sa seatbelt habang nakayuko. "Bigyan mo sila ng tiyansang makapasok sa buhay mo."

"Para saan pa?"

Sinandal ng attorney ang likuran ng kaniyang ulo sa headrest. Nakita kong bumaba saglit ang kaniyang lalagukan habang siya'y nakapikit. "I'm not a Vouganville, reporter. I'm just borrowing the doctor's surname. . . just like how I'm only borrowing his body, like how I'm borrowing his time. . ."

Kumuyom ang puso ko nang bigla akong tingnan ng kaniyang mapupungay na mata. "And even you, reporter. . . Right now, I'm just borrowing you from him."

I shook my head firmly and held his arm. "Venge, listen. You're not borrowing the doctor's time, you are sharing. You own that body too! Kaya rin kayo nag-set ng schedule—dahil may karapatan ka rin sa katawan niyo."