Choosing Zamiel. [SHARDON]

2.

Lies.

This world is full of lies.

For my perspective, this world won't be complete if people don't lie. I feel like lying is already a part of people's daily survival.

People keep lying, and somehow, the society accepts it. They even branded shallow lies as 'white lies' and keep using it thinking it's not deep. As if those lies don't change anything, as if those lies don't affect anything.

But truth is, no matter how deep or shallow your lie is, it can affect someone.

And that impact can last for a very long time.

"Pinatawad mo na?" Sigaw ni Ramida na nakapukaw ng konting estudyante sa canteen.

"Lower your voice naman." Saway ko.

"Eh paano ako kakalma eh ganoon ganoon lang ay tinanggap mo na naman 'yung lalaking 'yun?" Iritado niya pa ring tanong.

Maligaya at masigla siyang kumakain ng lunch niya kanina ngunit nang banggitin ko ang tungkol kay Zamiel ay parang nawalan siya ng gana.

"Anong na naman?" Kunot noo kong tanong. "This is the first time na nag-away kami." Katwiran ko.

"I know pero alam mo naman ang palagi kong sinasabi, 'di ba? Once you forgive someone-"

"They will keep doing those same mistakes to you. I know that already, Ram." Ako na mismo ang tumapos ng sasabihin niya dahil kabisadong kabisado ko na 'yun.

Ramida is a type of person that doesn't give second chances to anyone. As in. Once na nagalit siya sa'yo, she won't talk to you again.

It's actually cruel pero ang kinakatwiran niya ay hindi naman siya madaling magalit. Magbibigay siya ng several time bago siya mapuno at kapag napuno na talaga siya, wala na. It's really over.

"Pero isang beses pa lang naman 'to-" Mangangatwiran pa sana ako pero hindi na niya ako pinatapos.

"But what he did to you is so hard to forgive for me, Bella. Imagine, he's your only friend that time and he should've consoled you even just for a little bit but what did he do? Siya pa ang nagalit sa'yo! Hindi puwede 'yan. You know I give time before I cut people off but people like Zamiel?" Hindi maipinta ang mukha niya, "Hindi magbabago 'yun. Pa-ulit ulit ka lang niyang sasaktan. I can tell." She said with finality.

I actually don't want to argue with her dahil alam kong ganito lang ang kalalabasan. Sa aming dalawa, I'm more intelligent with academics but when it comes to life, I'm no match to her. She's a queen of wisdom.

Like me, marami na rin siyang pinagdaanan. But unlike me, she used all those to stand up for herself and build herself a kingdom. While me? I don't know. I'm not strong like her, eh. I'm weak and fragile.

My pain shut me down but her pain wakes her up.

"Ram..." The only word I can utter.

"I know, Bels." Pumikit siya para ikalma ang sarili. "I know that you'll continue to forgive him and befriend with him even after this... but please, don't be so fragile. Guard you heart please." Pangangaral niya.

"I won't and I will." Sagot ko at nginitian siya.

"Promise?" She genuinely smiled.

"Promise." I genuinely smiled too.

We pinky promised each other to seal that promise. After that nagpatuloy na siya sa pagkain, ako naman napatingin sa bagong dating lang sa canteen.

It's Lauren Valeria. Her aura is really cool and light. Kung hindi ko narinig ang pagtataray niya kay Zamiel sa elevator noon ay malamang na iisipin kong sobrang bait niya at hindi makabasag pinggan. But because I heard it, I can't unhear.