Published under 8Letters Publishing House
"Sino ang tunay na may sala sa pagkamatay mo? Sino? Sino ba sila?"
Five years ago, Eury Genehuges' sister went missing and was brutally murdered. After a storm of devastation, she began to investigate about...
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"Bingo!"
Eury heard her mother's naughty chuckle. Nagising na lamang ito nang maalimpungatan sa boses ng ina na kanina pa nakatutok sa computer.
"Kanina ka pa ba gising, 'Ma?" tamad nitong bangon sa kama. "Something's good is happening right?" dagdag pa nitong sambit.
"I just found out something interesting about seven capital vices. One more piece of information, makikila na natin ang isa..." Desiree's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Napatayo kaagad si Eury. "A-anong nakita mo, 'Ma?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Arevalos? 'Di ba may kaklase kang may ganyang apilyedo, 'nak? Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, ang ama niya ay isang senador," dagdag ni Desiree.
"Si Simone Arevalos, siya nga siguro ang tinutukoy mo, 'Ma."
"Tama, si Fortunato Arevalos nga! He is also known as Luste Evergreen, according to my research at kung pagbabasehan natin ang seven deadly sins, that person could represent 'lust'-someone with excessive and inappropriate sexual desire who also highlights desires without restraint, which leads to moral and spiritual corruption."
Umigting ang panga niya sa kanyang narinig. For Eury, lust is the worst. She considered it as the worst sin because it leads to moral and ethical transgressions, such as infidelity, objectification of others, and unhealthy or exploitative sexual behavior.
It became her nightmare. Hindi niya halos maisip no'n na ang hinahangaan niyang ama ay makakagawa ng karumal-dumal na pagkakasala. Ang pagnanasa para sa sekswal na kasiyahan.
"I despise them the most," diing sambit ni Eury.
"I know what you've been through, anak."
"People like them should rot in hell. Walang kapatawaran ang mga taong tulad nila."
She breathed heavily as she clenched her fist, tears welling up in her eyes. Her emotions surged within her. It was a moment of relentless pursuit of justice for Eira, a promise she was willing to keep no matter the challenges ahead.
As she wiped away her tear, Desiree placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and said, "Justice will be served."
With a renewed sense of purpose, may biglang sumagi sa kanyang isipan.
"What if Eira got raped before she died? Baka may kinalaman si Senator Arevalos." Napabuntonghininga si Eury.
"Kailangan nating patunayan 'yan, 'nak. Subukan mo kayang kaibiganin si Simone Arevalos," mahinang suhestiyon ni Desiree sa kanya.
Friend. That word used to be meaningful until it became distorted with hatred. Its essence has been diluted in Eury's mind. The warmth and trust that friendship once signified, now seem overshadowed by the scars of betrayal, deception, and a bitter sense of abandonment.
The painful experiences of being let down and betrayed have left her questioning the authenticity of the friendships she once held. It ruined her past.
"Susubukan ko para kay Eira, 'Ma," mahinang sambit niya.
"Huwag mong subukan, gawin mo. Gusto mo ng ebidensiya, 'di ba? Ipagsiksikan mo ang sarili mo sa anak ni Senator Arevalos, that's the only way. Malayo pa ang lalakbayin natin, Eury," payo ni Desiree sa kanya bilang isang magulang.
"Susubukan ko ring magtrabaho kay Mayor Rio Sentimiento pagkatapos kong grumaduate. Isang buwan na rin naman ang hihintayin ko."
"Sigurado ka na ba talaga diyan, Eury? I know you're all grown up, huwag ka munang magpadalos-dalos sa pagdedesisyon."
"'Ma, as you have said, I am all grown up. This is what I wanted; all I ever wanted was to know the truth. Basta't tutulungan mo lang po ako, and everything will be in place."
"Nag-aalala lang, anak. Hayaan mo, tutulungan kitang makapasok sa kuta ni Mayor Rio Sentimiento. Don't worry, you have me."
"I really have to work there. Gusto kong manmanan ang mag-amang Sentimiento. They could be the key or something."
"Unahin mo muna ang anak ni Fortunato. Jowain mo na rin para dama, 'nak," may halong birong sambit ni Desiree kay Eury dahilan para mamula ang pisngi nito.
"Mama naman, e! Nagagawa n'yo pang magbiro."
"Ang seryoso mo kasi, kagigising mo pa nga lang."
"Ikaw nga 'yong hindi nakatulog diyan, pero paano n'yo pala nalaman na si Fortunato Arevalos ay isa sa miyembro ng seven capital vices?"
"Well, I have connections. Alam mo na 'yan." Ngisi nito kay Eury, nagpapahiwatig ng mas marami pang lihim na maaaring mabunyag. "And what's more interesting is... They even used verses to gain attention from people-how funny!" dagdag pa nitong sambit.
"A-anong verses ma? You mean Bible verses? What?" Nanlaki lamang ang mga mata ni Eury dahil sa kanyang narinig.
"Mga hipokrito," wika ni Desiree na parang nang-iinsulto.
"Why do you keep laughing? Care to share the Bible verse?" Eury asked as she raised an eyebrow.
"Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes."
Matapos niya iyong marinig, patuloy lamang na umaalingawngaw sa kanyang isipan ang katagang iyon.
"No way they'd be using that verse!"
She truly remembered that one person who used to tell her about that verse. Cautionary reminders against giving in to lustful desires, especially when it comes to someone's physical appearance, allow the seductive allure of another person's beauty to captivate or control one's thoughts and actions.
