Random Shots

Madam President [Irn]

The muffled sound of her heels striking the marbled floor echoed in the presidential palace’s hallways, growing louder as Imee stormed towards Irene’s office. She pushed the doors open without knocking, her eyes blazing with fury. Irene, who was seated behind her desk, looked up with a startled expression.

"Ano na naman ba yang ginagawa mo?!" Imee’s voice boomed across the room, startling even the staff outside the office. “Irene, alam mo na presidente ka ng Pilipinas! Malaki ang gagampanan mo! Malaki yang imahe mo sa publiko! Alam mong pwede kang mapinsala dahil sa politika! Ano itong nalalaman ko?! May nakita ka lang na dalaga, kinaibigan mo na agad?! Irene, matagal ng patay si Arabella!"

Irene was invited to a university as a guest speaker for a event. After her talk, as she was heading home in a convoy that included the presidential office and even the president, a black SUV appeared on the road. On her way back, Irene noticed a young girl who seemed strangely familiar. The girl was thin, had milky skin, and striking features—her eyes were almond-shaped. But what really caught Irene's attention was that this young girl was an activist, fighting for democracy. The girl held a placard that read, "Wagsik na sa mga trapo!".

[so shady]

At another event, Irene finally had the chance to speak with the girl during a youth convergence conference for SK officials. To Irene's surprise, the girl, whose name was Yana, turned out to be quite nice and approachable. Over the course of several months, as they continued to talk, Yana grew closer to the President, but in a way that went unnoticed by those in power or the upper. All anyone knew was that the President seemed to frequently disappear without explanation, that made her sister-a senator snapped in time to time. Yana herself didn't even think twice to befriend with the President but it just happened so fast that even she's a activist, and a student from Ateneo. She was intended to hate Marcoses, but the youngest of them caught her.

Irene closed her eyes briefly, taking in a sharp breath. She knew this was coming. Ever since she allowed herself to get close to Yana, she anticipated Imee's wrath. But this… this wasn’t about Jessi, or Yana, or anyone else. This was about Imee’s relentless hold over her life.

"I know that, Manang!" Irene’s voice cracked as she spoke, trying to keep her composure. "Ano bang mali sa pakikipagkaibigan? Hindi mo pa lubusang nakikilala yung tao!"

"Eh ikaw? Kilala mo na ba yan?! Ilang araw pa lang kayong nagkakilala, Irene! Apat! Apat! Apat na araw pa lang! Marcos ka Irene at aktibista siya" Imee’s voice was sharp, her tone unforgiving.

"How did you know?", Irene trembled, she must forgotten that her sister is Imee Marcos, everything is under control meaning to say that in no time, Imee already did her investigation.

Imee continued to banter her sister, "How did I know? I have connections Irene, hindi ako tanga at bulag",

Irene stood up from her seat, hands shaking slightly. "Bakit ba ganyan ka? Ayaw mo ba akong maging masaya, man lang nang panandalian? Manang, you know what I went through! Nawalan ako ng anak!"

Her voice broke on the last word, the pain of losing Arabella still fresh despite the years. Irene’s hand came to her chest as if she could physically hold the shattered pieces of her heart together.

"Irene! Nandiyan si Jessi!" Imee spat, her tone icy, full of reproach. "Nandiyan yung taong palaging nandiyan para sa’yo! Ano, nagpapaka-duwag ka kasi gusto mong maramdaman yung pagmamahal ng isang anak sa ina? Anong tingin mo d’yan kay Jessi, ha? Laruan lang? Panakip-butas?"