The Naked Truth

2

"You think you're raped?"

Nakayuko, nananatiling walang eye contact. "Opo sir."

I leaned forward to approach her, "Can you tell me more about it?"

"Pero sir, magkano po ang rate niyo?"

"To be honest, P2500/day ang rate ko. Until ma solve natin ang case mo."

Hindi siya nagsalita, nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata at namutla.

"Can I ask you a question Miss-?" I gestured for her name.

"Carpathia." Sagot niya.

That's a very rare name.

"Okay, Carpathia. Here's the thing. Hindi naman sa kinukwestyon ko kung bakit ka nandito pero kung possible rape ang case mo, dapat sa mga pulis ka dumiretso."

"I'm only 19 sir. College student, graduating next year. Don't you think hindi ako pagkakaguluhan kapag pumutok kaagad sa balita ang case ko? Plus, hindi alam ng mama ko."

"So you want me to investigate your case privately?"

Tumango siya, "Pero sir, wala po akong sapat na pera para bayaran kayo."

Here we go again. Lumalambot na naman ang puso ko sa mga rape cases.

Three years ago, my sister was raped. Luckily for her, nakayanan niya lahat ng nangyari sa kanya. And the good thing was the suspect was sentenced to death.

Carpathia has my sympathy.

"Okay, let me just help you. After then, we'll just talk about the monetary issues."

Ngumiti siya and she's about to hug me but I stand up.

"So Carpathia, what exactly happened?"