A Perfect Love Story

Chapter 44 [Flash of Paparazzi's Camera]

A Perfect Love story

ELIZABETH

I'm standing in front of everyone holding the microphone. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to have the most influence people in our country here despite of his busy schedule. He gave his patience to us discussing the responsibilities of youth in our society, the good governance and etcetera. And it's now open forum. I don't want to let chance pass to ask him a question.

I clear my throat.

"Good Morning, senator. We all know that our country is one of the most corrupt nation in Asia or in the whole world. Let's say for instance, you have a best friend and you saw him with your own eyes that he was stealing the money of people. You are honest and never in your entire life steal the money of people. Then, time comes their wrong doings revealed. My question is.. How can you save your best friend?" I asked.

He chuckled at my question.

"You're question is difficult but.. I'm going to save him by telling the truth. Bilang kanyang best friend siguro, ang pagsasabi ko ng katotohanan ang magagawa kong mabuti para sa kanya."

"He trusted you but you break it." I added

"Me against my best friend against people. Sa panahon ngayon mahirap ng makahanap ng tunay na kaibigan.. pero mas mahirap na ngayon ang kunin ang tiwala ng taong bayan. Once you break someone's trust, it's really hard to get it back and all I can do for him was tell the truth. Naglilingkod ako para sa taong bayan, I can't save him against the people who have given their trust to me." He answered.

Umupo na ako at ang iba ko namang kaklase ang nagtanong.

"Base on my observation lang po ang tanong ko. Ahmm.. bakit po sa tuwing nalalapit na ang election. Doon palang gumagalaw ang mga officials ng government. Doon ipapagawa ang ganito ganyan.." Tanong ni Mikka Cyrell. Natawa ulit si senator.

"I don't know.. maybe, ikaw na mismo ang magtanong niyan sa kanila kasi hindi ko alam ang dapat na isagot."

Umupo na si Mikka sa tabi ko. Tumayo naman ang isang babae na nanggaling sa may dulo. First year palang yata ito.

"Ako po si Danielle.. ang tanong ko po ay... may balak ka po bang humangad ng pagka presidente?"

"Ahmm.. wala. Wala sa isip ko ang ganyang bagay." Sagot ni senator.

"When I was in college..like you..I dreamed to be the President of our country but today.. mahirap. Hindi ganun kadali ang maging President." Dagdag pa nito.

Lumipas ang ilang oras ay dumako na kami sa pagbibigay ng certificate of recognition sa aming guest speaker and then pagkatapos 'nun ibinigay na rin namin ang ibang certificate sa mga umatend.

Eight o'clock na ng gabi ng makauwi kami ng mga kaklase ko. Kami pa kasi ang naglinis, binalik ang mga lamesa, ang bangko at iba pa.

Sa paglalakad ko.. naalala ko si Prince Zach. Nasaan kaya ang lalaki na iyon. Sabi ko kahapon hindi muna kami magkikita kasi busy pa ako. Kinuha ko ang aking cellphone sa bulsa ng aking jacket. May 2 unread messages.

*Zach

Dumating ang ama ko. Maybe, it's your time to meet my father.

WHAT?! FATHER? NIYA? Binuksan ko ang isa pang message.

*Zach

Magtext kakapagtaposna ang seminar niyo.

Nireplyan ko na siya.

*Elizabeth

Prince Zach, taposna ang seminar namin. Asanka?