Deception (CHURCH SIBLINGS 1)

2

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko mula sa narinig mula kay Dean Santa Costudio. Masama ang ugali ko, aminado ako pero hindi ako aabot sa pagpapakalat ng dick picture ng kung sino, kasi kung gawain ko iyon ilang sikat na personalidad na ang mapapahiya.

“The University doesn’t tolerate such behavior, Miss Church. Magiging tapat ako sa iyo, if it’s on me I will expell you but because the board wants to give you another chance then be it.”

She explained to me what happened multiple times, but it still doesn’t sink inside my head. Bakit ako na-akusahan ng ganito? Of all the crime that can be pinned against me, talagang pagpapakalat ng nude picture?

“Have you investigated this yet? Or naniwala nalang kayo sa sabi-sabi? I will inform my dad about this. He knows the University administrator. We will demand for another investigation.”

“The victim—

“What victim? I am the victim, Dean!” I yelled. Suspended na rin naman ako, sasagarin ko nalang. Kaya namang ayusin ‘to ni daddy. God. I remember he’s in Romania.

“Mr. Evan’s showed us your message, threatening him that you will leak—

“He showed you how I threatened him, did he show you how he threatened me that he’ll spread malicious gossip about me if I won’t go out on a date with him? Mukha ba akong nagpapakalat ng nude picture? Sa dami ng natatanggap ko kanya pa talaga ang ikakalat ko?”

He stare at me with her bored eyes. She’s not buying my words. She doesn’t believe me.

Padabog kong kinuha ang cellphone mula sa bag. I will show her who is the real victim here. I scroll through my messages. Stupid men! They bombard me with thirsty messages. Evan’s messages were lost in my inbox. “Nasaan ba ‘yon!”

“Miss Church..” she snaps a finger. “It's a two week suspension. It’s nothing but formality. The University already saved you from legal actions from Evan’s camp. I am aware your family has tons of money that can get you out of trouble. But it will still be a long process and will probably be messy since Evan’s family owns a media company.”

“So, ganoon nalang? I will let my reputation get tainted and let people think I leak a small black dick?”

Namula ang pisngi niya, halatang nagpipigil ng tawa. She saw the dick picture. Pinakita nga niya rin sa akin kanina. And we both know I wasn’t lying with describing it. “Two weeks suspension and a volunteer to a medical mission. Madali lang. You will gain something from this too since you’re going to be a Nurse.”

I am innocent. I can easily win the case but I can’t disregard the fact that Evan’s family is influencial, too. They can make it look like they’re the real victims. Manalo man kami sa korte kaya nilang palabasin na dinaya dahil sa pera. And his father has a seat on the senate. Dad can play the who’s more powerful game but it will stress mom. Kailangan ko munang palagpasin ‘to. I need to let things cool down before I strike back. I will make sure who really did this will beg for mercy. Humanda siya— sila.

Wala akong sinabihan sa bahay na suspended ako. Magsisimula lang si mommy na pangaralan ako. Kaya ko namang sulosyunan ang problema ko na ‘to.

“Dito lang po kayo, Senyorita? Baka gusto niyo po samahan ko na kayo o kahit hintayin nalang dito sa labas?”

I hated Elias’ stoic attitude but I couldn’t stand how annoying Gregory is. Maya’t maya siya kung magsalita, walang tigil ang bibig niya at talagang nagagawa niya akong biru-biruin.

“Gregory, isang salita mo pa talaga may kalalagyan ka na.”

Tinagilid niya ang ulo, napakamot sa batok sabay may binulong. “Minumura mo ba ako?”