Forbidden Relationship (Forbidden Series #3) (Completed)

Chapter 12

A few days after exam week ended, the issue of Flint and Steffi obtaining an answer key remained fresh. Sparking discussions that echoed throughout the buildings.

To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about the current situation. Since the day Steffi and Flint were caught, the bullying toward me has gradually lessened.

It shifted toward them instead—but that didn’t stop them from mistreating me. As rumors swirled about their involvement, their hostility seemed to intensify and turn in my direction.

I choose to ignore them because I know the sting of cruel words all too well. There are moments when I feel the urge to lash out in anger, but I find myself with no one to confide in.

Sometimes, I wonder: Is it my silence—my inability to confront—or my perceived weakness that makes it so easy for others to exploit me?

"Tulala ka na naman," pambubulabog sa akin ni Sovie habang nakaupo ako sa ugat ng punong mangga rito sa garden ng building namin.

I let out a sigh before flashing a smile at the individual beside me. "I feel relieved now. It's only Steffi and Flint bullying me, and even that has lessened," I remarked with a smile.

"Sabihin ko na ba sa kanila?" tanong niya. Kunot noo ko siyang binalingan. Tinuro niya kaming dalawa. "Na matagal na tayong magkaibigan. Para masampal sila sa katotohanan na hindi lang sila ang may kakayahang mang-gamit."

"Mang-gamit? Paanong ginamit?" tanong ko.

Natawa siya nang bahagya bago sumagot. "Wala naman talaga ako sa kanila. Kinaibigan lang nila ako dahil sa dating school namin ay maraming bully. Takot sila sa mga bully noon, pero tingnan mo naman ngayon, sila na ang gumagawa ng kinakatakutan nila," naiiling niyang sagot.

"Matagal na kayong magkakaibigan?" tanong ko ulit.

"Since grade 9," sagot niya. "Tumigil nang pag-aaral noon si Kuya Zhack, syaka si Kuya Yhael. Magkaibigan na sila simula mga bata pa. Malapit lang kasi noon ang bahay ni Kuya Yhael sa bahay namin noon."

"Naging magkasabayan kami nina Kuya Zhack, at Kuya Yhael. Kaya nakilala nina Steffi at Flint sina Kuya. Noong high school bully talaga silang dalawa, pero ngayong taon tumino si Kuya Zhack, ewan ko lang kay Kuya Yhael," pag-kwento niya.

Nasagot din 'yung tanong ko rati kung kailan niya nakilala si Yhael. Magkakababata pala sila ni Kuya Zhack.

"Dahil bully sina Kuya, walang nag-tangkang mang-bully ulit sa akin noon. Tampulan kasi ako ng bully noong elementary pa lang ako. Kaya ayun, ni-recruit ako ni Steffi. Parang naging shield lang tuloy ako noon."

"Si Flint kasi, binu-bully 'yan dahil marami talagang problema ang mga tunay na lalaki sa mga bakla noon. Si Steffi naman, na-bu-bully dahil sa marami niyang nunal. Maganda naman siya, tanggalin lang 'yung mga nunal niya." Natawa siya sa kaniyang sinabi.

I averted my gaze from her—there was nothing amusing about what she said. While it’s true that Steffi may not fit conventional beauty standards because of the moles on her face, mocking someone’s insecurities is never right.

No matter how unkind people can be, we all carry our own insecurities.

I believe that when the Lord created us, He ensured that what one person possesses, everyone possesses in some form. In that sense, we all bear insecurities—each with our own share.

As the afternoon rolled in, Manong Miren came to pick me up. Like we do every afternoon, before heading home, we stopped by the café where Yhael works.

Yhael expects our visit by now—it has become a routine for my driver and me to drop by before going home.

Si Sovie ay sumasabay na sa apat na kaibigan ni Yhael. Hindi na siya madalas sumasama sa dalawa kahit minsan pinipilit siya ng dalawa para makatakas sa pam-bu-bully.