Set in the 1990s, 19-year-old outgoing beauty, Tin Escalante, has always had the most cliché dream ever--to live a better life.
Growing up unprivileged, she is ready to do whatever it takes to lift herself and her family out of poverty, even if she...
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"Do you know Jeffrey?"
After a week of contemplating, I finally decided to shoot a question about that one thing that has been bugging my mind since that night.
"Kilala mo? Lawyer siya tapos... miyembro din."
I watched Rio's reaction. But he just casually sipped on his iced tea and didn't look bothered at all.
"Jeffrey? I don't think so."
Binaba ko ang mga kubyertos sa plato. "Hindi mo kilala?"
Rio shook his head. "Why? You met him at the party?"
Umiling ako at ngumiti. "Narinig ko lang na napag-usapan nila Lea..."
Hanggang ngayon ay iniisip ko pa rin kung ano'ng kinahinatnan niya.
He was kicked out. Then, what happened to him?
"What about him?"
Imbis na sagutin ang tanong ay binaling ko na lang ang mga mata sa kinakaing pasta. Ilang sandali bago ko siya tinignang muli.
"Rio,"
He looks puzzled with my mood.
"Hmm?"
Pwede ka bang umalis sa fraternity niyo?
Gusto ko sanang isatinig ang tanong na iyon pero hindi ko maituloy. Nanatili akong nakatitig sa kaniya. Ilang sandali ay napabuntong-hininga siya at magaan ang mga mata pinagmasdan ako.
"May problema ba, Tin?"
Napapikit ako. Buong linggo ko nang pinag-iisipan 'to.
"Wala ba akong dapat ipag-alala sa fraternity niyo?"
Because based on what I heard? What? One of the members allegedly raped a minor? Then, they are trying to cover it up? And when Jeffrey refused to take the case... he was kicked out? At ano'ng sunod na nangyari?
Dapat pala ay hindi ko na pinatagal pa ang pag-iisip dito. Dapat pala ay tinanong ko na agad.
"I heard things, Rio. Kaya... kaya sagutin mo ako. Dapat na ba akong mag-alala sa'yo?"
Rio's eyes remained on mine. He probably never saw this coming. I never questioned his involvement in that organization. Ngayon lang.
"Wala," he answered after the long silence.
"Wala kang dapat ipag-alala."
Rio leaned closer and held my hands on the table.
"Whatever you heard is just a baseless rumor. You don't have to worry about anything, okay?"
Nanatiling mabigat ang paghinga ko, hindi pa rin nakakalma.
"Do you trust me?"
Alam niyang palaging oo ang sagot sa tanong niya. Pero hindi ibig-sabihin noon na kampante na ako.
