We reach the EAH Law Offices as what is planned. One word to describe the building? Rich.

Paano ko nasabi? Outside the building, you can see the big and shining name of it. And inside the four story building law office, una mong mapapansin ang kumikislap nilang sahig na talaga namang mapapaisip ka kung aapakan mo ba o hindi.

Nakangiti ring tumatanggap at nagwe-welcome ang mga nasa front desk dito sa lobby.

"Let's ask if they are accepting for OJT," tumango naman ako sa suhestiyon ni Ria. Lumapit kami sa babae na nakasuot ng formal attire na nasa front desk din.

"Good day, miss." Pagbati sa kanya ni Ria. Agad namang bumaling ang atensiyon niya sa amin.

"How can I help you, ma'am?"

"Are you accepting interns right now?" Deretsahan na tanong ni Ria.

"About that ma'am, we are currently accepting applicants for OJT. We are accepting until monday. You can hand me your resume if you are interested, ma'am." Tuloy-tuloy ngunit nakangiting sambit ng babae sa amin. Sakto lang pala kasi pwede na kaming kumuha ng letters sa Monday.

"Thank you. We will surely apply here on Monday." Ngiting sabi ni Ria at gumanti din ng ngiti ang babae.

"We're looking forward for that, ma'am. Have a good day!" Ngumiti kami sa babae bago kami umalis doon sa front desk.

Naupo muna kami sa waiting area nila para magpahinga mula sa paglalakad namin kanina at para na din makapag-obserba.

You can't just enter a place without knowing that place.

While we are observing the place, a man suddenly entered the building and all the crews bowed down to him.

Oh, what a scene. Is he the owner of this law firm? I wonder how rich he is, if he is the owner.

"Good afternoon, Attorney Hariskhi." Sabay-sabay nilang bati. People are also looking at him.

Wait, he's the man I saw in the coffee shop! The one who ordered decaffeinated Americano too!

"You know the man, Alexa?" Napansin siguro ni Ria ang reaksiyon ko kaya siya nagtanong.

"No, not actually. But I saw him a while ago in the coffee shop where I spent my time."

"Oh my gosh," Napa-huh naman ako sa kanya.

"You didn't talk to him?" Umiling naman ako. Ano na naman bang tumatakbo sa isip ng babaeng to?

"You should tried!" The heck?

"What for?" Taas kilay na tanong ko sa kanya.

"Oh my gosh, he's so gwapo kaya! Plus he is an attorney!" Impit na tili niya habang niyuyugyog pa ang braso ko.

"So?" Tanging sagot ko sa kanya kaya napasimangot naman siya.

"Basta! The fact na nakita mo siya sa coffee shop kanina tapos ngayon ulit, oh my gosh!" Impit muli na tili niya tapos nakahawak pa siya sa pisngi niya na animo'y nagdi-daydream pa.

What is she really thinking? Na alien na naman ba ang utak nitong kaibigan ko?

"Tsk. Let's go. I want to sleep already." Mas lalo siyang napasimangot sa sinabi ko. I miss my bed already. It's just three in the afternoon but I really feel so sleepy. Pagod din kasi ang utak ko dahil sa exams.

"Okay, fine. Makikita pa din naman natin siya kapag naging intern na tayo dito." And she giggled tapos nauna na din siyang lumabas. Napailing naman ako bago sumunod sa kanya.

---

Today is Sunday and we both decided to go to church today.

I wear a simple A-line type of skirt that reaches above my knees and a white long sleeve button down shirt paired with my white flats.

Hinayaan kong nakalugay ang buhok ko na hanggang bewang ang haba.

Lumabas na ako sa kwarto ko matapos kong makuha ang quilted bag ko na regalo sa akin ni Ria last christmas.

Hinintay ko naman sa sala si Ria. After five minutes, she finally walk out from her room wearing a mauve color Adriana dress.

A pretty woman like her looks like she's attending a gathering. But I know that Ria is just good with her clothing that's why she's the one whom I'm asking about my clothes when her family wants me to go with her, sometimes, in their parties.

"Let's go?" I nodded as I stand up from sitting in the sofa.

Nakarating naman kaming matiwasay sa simbahan at agad kaming pumasok sa loob. Nagsindi din kaming dalawa ng kandila. At gaya ng nakagawian, lima ang sinisindihan kong kandila. Para kay mama, papa, ate, sa kuya ko, at sa akin.

Naupo na kami sa loob matapos kaming magsindi ng kandila. Sakto naman na simula ng misa.

I said all the thoughts that's bothering me even before. I still can't drive away the thought of my Kuya, being sentenced as murderer even though he ain't.

My Kuya will never kill our own family. He loves mama and papa. She treasure me and Ate so much. He did not even dare to shout at us. He sacrifice his study just to let my Ate Benise be enrolled in high school.

So I'm certainly sure that Kuya Ashtonn will never do it to our family.

And me, being a human as I am, part of me wants to seek revenge to those who really did it to our family. I know, it's bad to take revenge but I just couldn't just sit here and let them enjoy their lives while my Kuya Ashtonn and me, being cage in our murderous past.

They are enjoying every minutes of their lives while my Kuya is paying for a sin that he did not even committed.

Please, help me with my decisions.

Life really loves to play. One time you're happy and then one moment, you're crying already. What worst, you got afraid to be happy thinking what would be waiting after that happiness you've feeling.

I immediately wipe the tears run down to my cheeks before Ria could see it.

The mass ended and we decided to stroll in the mall. We ate at Tokyo Tokyo as I requested.

Matapos kaming kumain ay nagyaya si Ria na maglibot-libot kami bilang pampalipas oras.

And her, as a fashionista, hindi niya napigilang bumili ng mga bago niyang damit. She still has a lot but she's buying again. Well, she's rich and it's not my money though.

"Choose what you want. I'll treat you." Gaah, is she serious?

"It's fine. My clothes are still fine." She glared at me so I raised my hands up and choose some clothes as she said. Mahirap na, baka mabugbog pa niya ako dito sa mall ng dis oras.

In the end, I am holding one paper bag while she's holding three. At dahil nilibre niya ako, it's time for me to do something for her too. But you know, hindi naman ako mayaman tulad niya kaya simple lang ang maibibigay ko sa kanya.

"Let's go to grocery store," I look at her.

"Bakit? Naubos na ba stock natin?"

"Kaunti nalang ang nasa refrigerator kanina." She nodded before we enter in the grocery store inside the mall.

"I'll pay." Inunahan ko na siya bago pa man niya maibigay ang card niya sa cashier. She look at me and I just shrugged.

"Excuse me, can you take a look at my cart for a while?"