#TPTG18

"What the hell have you done Fey?!"

I flinched when my father raised his voice at me. Nakatayo ako sa harapan niya habang siya'y nakaupo sa office niya. "I didn't do anything."

"Sinabi ko na sa'yo na h'wag kang mangielam 'di ba? Tapos ngayon, nalaman ko nalang na nireport mo si Archie sa pulis?!" he exclaimed in disbelief

"He deserves to pay for his own crime. Did you know he's a part of an illegal transaction?! He has done more--"

"I don't care what he did. This is all your fault. Gusto mong pabagsakin ang pamilya natin," he snarled

Tears began to threaten to fall from my eyes. "You're the one who's creating all this mess. Dad please, please stop this already."

"Ikaw dapat yung tumigil sa sarili mong kahibangan. You're causing too much trouble. I didn't raise you to be like this," he shook his head in disappointment

I clenched my fist. "If you try cover up Archie's crime again, I'll expose this to the media," I said and showed him a voice record from my phone

He scoffed. "Iyan ba ang makakasira sa'kin? Is that a threat? Hmm?"

"The news already spread and the people are already talking about the said issue. He is a Guevarra afterall. Wait until the world finds out that-"

"Are you blackmailing me? Going against your own father? Naririnig mo ba ang sinasabi mo?!" he growled

"Then you left me with no choice," I said coldly and played the voice recorder

"Then how do you explain the cctv footage of you and Archie talking here in the office? How he begged for your help. I watched it alright. Then I saw you two talking again at the family gathering. So this is what you guys were hiding huh?"

"Wala kang alam Fey kaya huwag kang makielam."

"I'm not stupid dad. I know you have something on your sleeves. I caught you and Archie red handed-"

"So what if I covered up Archie? Hmm? May magagawa ka ba? I just helped him clean up his mess."

His eyes widened in shock then his face turned into a deep scowl.  Ramdam ko ang namumuong tension sa'min.

"Why dad? Why did you have to do it?! Covering up a crime? Inosenteng tao ang namatay! Wala ka bang awa? Hindi mo ba naisip yung pamilya ng biktima at-"

"Wala akong pake! Wala kang karapatan pangunahan ang desisyon ko!"

I paused the voice record and looked at him. "I'm sure you don't want this to get exposed. Sigurado ako na mas may pake ka sa sarili mong kapakanan kaysa kay Archie 'di ba?"

He slammed his hand hard on his desk. "I can't believe you're doing this. You are such a disgrace to the family!"

Umiling ako. "Archie's the one to blame Dad. He's a disgrace to our family! Sa kanya ka dapat nagagalit."

"Can't you see that I'm also doing this for our family? Para sa ikabubuti niyo? I'm trying to maintain a clean reputation here and you want to expose our family?!"

"That's the point! You want to have a clean image but look at what you're doing. Dala-dala mo ang pangalan natin tapos sinisira mo lang-"

"Enough! You have crossed the line young lady," his voice thundered

"Sa tingin mo ba ikaw lang ang naapektuhan? Ako rin," my voice broke. "You're also putting a burden to all of us. Pagod na pagod na ko pa. I can't live peacefully without feeling this guilt inside me. This...this is all wrong."

He let out an exasperated sigh. "Why are you even doing this Fey? I already warned you before. Sa ginagawa mong 'yan ay pinapalaki mo lang ang problema. You never learn Fey. You should be on our side!"

"I kept my mouth shut for too long. Ang daming nang naging biktima. I'm not doing to destroy our family's name. I want to do what is right," my voice began to shake. "Please Dad, habang maaga pa. Just stop this."

I tried my best not to breakdown in front of him even if I was already desperate. Kailangan kong magpakatatag.

"That wouldn't make any difference. You should be ashamed of yourself for bringing our family's name down. You want to expose everything about us, your own family? Go ahead. You will also suffer in the end Fey. Wala kang utang na loob. You'll pay for this."

His words pierced through my heart. Tumatak iyon sa isip ko.

"Dad, I--"

He looked away and dismissed me. "Get out."

I wanted to speak but there's a huge lump forming in my throat.

Inangat niya ulit ang paningin sa'kin. His intense eyes bore unto mine. "I said get out!"

I startled. Umatras na ako palayo at tuluyang lumabas ng opisina niya.

Pagkalabas ko ay biglang nanghina ang tuhod ko. I almost lost balance so I held the wall for support and I clutched my chest to relieve my aching heart. I shut my eyes and tears slowly fall down my cheeks.

"Fey, anak!" I heard my mom called from a distance.

Maya-maya ay naramdaman ko nalang siya na inalalayan ako. "Okay ka lang? May masakit ba sa'yo? Narinig ko ang sigawan niyo ng papa mo. What happened? Did he say something to you?"

Unti-unti akong umayos ng tayo. "I-I'm okay mom."

"You don't look okay Fey. Can you tell me what happened?" she asked worriedly and held my shoulder. Hinanap niya rin ang mga mata ko.

I held her arm for support. I shook my head and forced a smile. "I'm fine mom. Don't worry. It's nothing."

I turned my face to the other side when she tried to held my cheek. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I just need to rest. Excuse me," paalam ko at nilagpasan na siya

I went to my room and locked myself there for the whole day. I forced myself to sleep to forget all my problems. I'm so tired of my life. If only I could sleep and never wake up.

I always feel that the world is against me. Problems after problems and I have to deal everything at once. I always have to remain strong and the next day, I act like nothing happened.

Just because I handle it so well doesn't mean I'm not struggling. Most of the time, I always feel like I'm in the verge of breaking down. Tao rin naman ako. Napapagod. Nauubos.

"Fey. Ayos ka lang?" asked Julia

I smiled weakly. "Yeah."

"I think you need a break." She slowly took my codal away from me

"I can't," sabi ko at binawi sa kanya iyon. "I just missed my quiz. Kailangan kong bumawi."

"Pero..."

Hindi na siya nagsalita pa. Maya-maya ay dumating sina Yuan at Agatha. "Guys. Nakita niyo na grades niyo sa midterms?"

"Oo," sagot ni Julia

"Ano grade mo?" si Agatha

"Basta above 90."

"Omg. Same sis! 92 ako, parehas kami ni Yuan," sabi niya at inakbayan ang kaibigan

"Thank you Lord talaga!" Yuan said happily

They laughed. "Ikaw Fey? Nakita mo na?"

I bit my lip and nodded. "Yeah."

"So? Care to tell us. Ay wait, huwag na pala. Baka mapahiya kami."

"Oo nga. Si Fey pa ba? sure akong siya nanaman may pinakamataas na grade sa'tin. Sa buong classroom, I mean."

"Fine! Pero gusto ko padin malaman. Masaya padin naman ako sa nakuha kong grade," si Agatha at tumabi sa'kin. "Ano grade mo?"

Nakatitig lang ako sa codal na binabasa. I pointed at my report card and she immediately took it. Lumapit naman sina Julia at Yuan sa kanya at sabay nilang tinignan iyon.

And they were silent but I knew they already saw my grade.

"I know. It's not that high," I muttered

"Ha? Hindi ah. Mataas padin kaya," si Agatha at binalik ang tingin sa report card

I sighed. "Well, 88 is not enough for me and for my parents."

Their mouths gaped open, afraid to speak.

"Ahh...eh. Bawi nalang! Pero promise Fey, mataas na rin ito. You did your best! Congrats pa rin!" Julia said and patted my back

"Yeah. Don't be sad Fey. Okay lang 'yan," said Agatha

"Baka na-typo lang o mali pagkabasa niyo. 98 pala dapat," si Yuan sabay tawa

"Nah. I missed my quiz right? That's why," I said and returned to reading my codal

"Ay, bakit ka nga pala absent nung isang arawHindi niya na natuloy ang sasabihin niya dahil biglang may dumaan na mga estudyante sa harap namin. They were all looking at me suspiciously while gossiping.

"Di ba Guevarra apelyedo niya? So, kamag-anak niya kaya yung Archie? Yung nakulong?"

"Siguro. Ang alam ko anak siya ng governor."

"Tama. Siya nga yun. Mag-pinsan ata sila eh."

"Talaga? Grabe, ang daming issue ng pamilya nila. Nagkakalat! Nakakatakot talaga ma-involve sa kanila."

We can all hear them talking about me and my family. Nagulat ako nung padabog na tumayo si Julia.

"Napaka-chismosa niyo ano? Kung wala kayong ibang magandang sasabihin ay pwede na kayong umalis," she told the students

Inawat naman siya ni Agatha.

"Ano'ng chismosa? Eh nabalitaan nga sa TV ang lahat. Baka sa susunod makita nalang din namin si Fey-"

"Aba't, sige, subukan mong ituloy," Agatha warned them

Si Julia naman ang umawat sa kanya. Bago pa magkagulo ang lahat ay pumagitna na si Yuan sa kanila.

I stood up and quickly fixed my things. Dali-dali akong naglakad palabas ng library. I heard them called me but I ignored them. I kept my head low and covered my face with a bit of my hair. As much as possible, I tried to avoid eye contact from people that I'm passing by.

Unfortunately, my car was damaged so I had no choice but to walk to the cafe near our school. I can feel their eyes on me. Ang iba ay napapalingon.

Pagkapasok ko sa cafe ay napalingon din ang mga customers sa'kin. I swallowed hard and avoided their gaze. I went to the counter and ordered a drink.

"One iced latte," I said and took out some cash from my wallet

The lady was staring only staring at me for a few seconds. Natauhan naman siya. "Ah...ano nga po ulit yun? Iced latte?"

I nodded and paid my drink. She was a bit tensed upon receiving it. Hindi siya makatingin sa'kin hanggang sa binigay niya na ang sukli.

"Thank you."

She only nodded and smiled awkwardly.

While waiting for my order, my eyes landed to the TV of the cafe. My lips parted when I saw Archie on the screen with two police on both of his sides. His hands were cuffed and being escorted to the court.

"Archie Fernandez, arrestado matapos kasuhan ng homicide. Natagpuan din sa bar sangkot ng human trafficking dis oras ng gabi. Nakumpirma na siya ang driver sa hit-and-run na naging sanhi ng pagkamatay ni Tania Ignacio. Naligtas naman ang mga biktima ng human trafficking at nakauwi na sa kani-kanilang tahanan. Ang ibang detalye ay ibabahagi ni Molly de Jesus..."

Umiwas ako ng tingin. I've already heard the news multiple times already. I'm just glad that the victims were safe and back home with their families.

On the other note, my father was silent the whole time. The media interviewed him but he didn't utter a word. They even held a press conference but he didn't show up. But what surprised me the most is that he didn't defend Archie.

I tapped my fingers on the counter while waiting for my order. A minute has passed and it was served to me. Agad ko iyong kinuha at lumabas na nga cafe.

Pagkalabas ko ay nagulat ako nung bigla akong dinumog ng mga reporters at journalists. They started to bombard me with questions.

"Miss Felicity Guevarra. Ano pong masasabi niyo sa pinsan niyo na si Archie Fernandez na nakasuhan ng homicide?"

"Isa din po ba na dahilan ay maaaring naka-drugs po siya?"

"May maibibigay po ba kayo na detalye? Ano pong statement niyo?"

"Ano pong opinyon ng governor dito?"

Kung saan saan na ako tumitingin. I tried to find a way out but they were all surrounding me. My eyes hurt 'cause of the flash of the cameras. They even pointed their mics straight to my faze.

"Excuse me."

Sinubukan kong makawala pero mas lalo silang sumiksik. They kept on pushing me. Halos magdikit na ang mga katawan namin. I was starting to get suffocated.

"Miss Felicity!"

"I have nothing to say," I firmly said

My ears hurt when they keep on shouting my name. Mas lalo akong nainis. Konti nalang ay sasabog na ko sa galit.

"Excuse me sabi eh! Bakit ba ako ang tinatanong niyo?!"

Why are they trying so hard to know my statement well in the first place, they will get nothing from me. They're just wasting their time and energy. They're just hurting themselves from pushing each other.

Nakakailang hakbang palang ako nung biglang may tumulak sa'kin kaya natapon ang kape sa uniporme ko. Some of my things dropped on the ground as well. My lips parted as I stare at my dirty uniform.

I clenched my jaw in anger. No matter how many times I tried to excuse myself, they acted like they didn't hear anything. Mas nangibabaw ang boses nila. I wanted to call Vince but I couldn't took my phone out of my pocket. Ang malas ko pa dahil wala akong dalang kotse. What an unlucky day!

I covered my face and continued to walk fast. They followed me right away so I stopped again.

"Please move or else I'm gonna-"

I wasn't able to finish my words when someone suddenly held my arm. Nagulat ako nung bigla niya kong hinila palapit sa kanya. He wrapped his arm over my shoulder and even covered my face. I wasn't able to see his face. Yumuko nalang ako at nag-focus sa paglalakad.

The reporters kept following us but he quickly shooed them away. Nagkatulakan kaya mas lalong dumikit ang katawan ko sa kanya. Because of that, he held me tighter which made me feel secure. I swallowed hard and remained calm even if I'm already panicking on the inside.

"Get inside," he said and opened the door for me

I didn't notice that we're already in front of his car. Agad akong pumasok sa loob at mabilis niyang sinara ang pinto.

I caught a glimpse of his face but he immediately turned his back on me. He walked back in front of the cafe and I saw him picked my things on the ground. Mabilis din siyang naglakad pabalik sa kotse. He opened the driver's seat and went inside.

My lips parted upon seeing his face.

"Keith?" I muttered

He didn't speak. He looked at my window where the reporters at. Kahit nasa loob na ng kotse ay sinisilip nila ako.

"Don't worry. It's tinted," he told me

Nagulat nalang ako nung biglang umandar ang sasakyan. And just like that, we got away from those reporters.

I sighed in relief and rested my back on his car.

After a few seconds, I stood straight when I realized where I'm in right now. I looked at the man beside me. Diretso lamang ang tingin niya habang nagmamaneho.

"T-thanks...for saving me a while ago."

I wasn't sure if he heard me or not. Noong hindi siya sumagot ay yumuko nalang ako.

"Are you okay?"

Napatingin ulit ako sa kanya. "Yeah."

He pursed his lips and turned the wheel. I noticed how his fingers tapped on it.

"I didn't expect to see you...I mean, you came out of nowhere and why did you help me?" I asked awkwardly

I was really shocked. He's the least person that I expected to encounter.

"Café," he simply replied. "I helped you simply because you were in a difficult situation. Nothing more."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "You were at the Cafe?"

"I'm always at the Cafe."

"Oh..."

Binalot kami ng katahimikan. It suddenly felt awkward.

"Anyway, how are you Keith? It's been years. It's nice to see you again." I tried to relieve the tension between us

The corner of his lips tilted up a little. "I'm doing good. You?"

I smiled. "Ayos lang din. I thought you were in the U.S.?" I remembered I saw him once sa Cafe together with my blockmates

"Where did you get that information?"

I pressed my lips. "My dad told me"

He glanced at me. "I was in the U.S. pero hindi ako nagtagal."

"Nagbakasyon ka lang?"

"Personal reasons."

Tumango nalang ako at binalik ang tingin sa harap.

I thought he'd be staying there for good. Akala ko doon na rin siya magtatrabaho. Maybe he just changed his mind.

"Where to?" he asked

"Ahh...balik sa school."

"Can you be more specific?"

I gulped. "My school is just near the cafe. Tuturo ko nalang sa'yo."

"Your things," he reminded and pointed at my things on the dashboard of the car

"Oh, right. Thanks for picking these up," I smiled and grabbed my things

"Wait, not that. That's mine," he stopped me

I abruptly removed my hand from one of the codals. I took the one that has the red detail on it. His was blue.

"Sorry."

Pinasok ko ulit sa bag ang mga gamit.

"So...you're taking up law?"

"Stating the obvious?"

I raised my brow. "What degree?"

"Criminal."

I nodded in response. So we're the same huh?

His expression didn't change. He looks bored or maybe that's just how he naturally looks like. Still the same old Keith.

Tumingin nalang ako sa labas ng bintana dahil baka malagpasan namin ang school. He then handed me a handkerchief.

"Uh..what do I do with this?" I asked

"Your uniform looks dirty."

I looked down at my uniform. It's still white but the coffee stain was so obvious.

"Shit," I whispered and tried to wipe off the stain using the handkerchief. My nude bra can now be seen through my white longsleeves because of the stain.

"Thank you."

Ilang sandali ay natanaw ko na ang school ko.

"Diyan nalang sa tabi," sabi ko

He stopped the car and looked outside.

"Thanks again," I said and removed the seatbelt. Agad akong lumabas ng kotsr. He must have classes to attend to and a marathon to race. This guy is strict with his time.

Pagkalabas ko ay agad kong sinara ang pinto pero nanatili ako sa tapat ng kotse niya.

"Wait! But-" I paused when the windows of the car was actually tinted. Hindi ko na siya nakita.

Napaatras ako nung bumaba ang bintana ng kotse. Tumingin siya sa'kin. "What?"

I licked my lips. "I hope we can grab coffee next time," naiilang kong sabi

I admit, I was slightly embarrassed by what I said but it was too late to take my words back.

"I'm actually very busy these days," he replied

My lips parted. "Oh, okay."

He nodded and closed back the windows. I realized I forgot to return his handkerchief. It was too late. The car already disappeared in my sight.