Caligo City had always been the hotpot of crimes. The prevalent death cases gave the city quite a stain of reputation. This however didnʼt stop the rural girl Chiomee Mendez in grabbing her only opportunity for education.
As the only qualified scho...
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CHIOMEE MENDEZ
"For this morningʼs news, the Caligorian Police concludes their investigation of the fire incident in Academia de Caligo last week. Authorities ruled out that the fire was caused by faulty wirings that were organized before the said theatre play."
Impossible.
How could the wirings be jeopardized when we initially replaced every single one of them before organizing the play?
They were all brand new! It took us three weeks to ensure that the new equipments are in excellent condition! Hindi ako naniniwalang iyon ang sanhi ng sunog sa Theatreʼs Guild!
"Chiomee, are you okay? Kanina ka pa tahimik diyan."
Nawal Valiente had a worried look on her face. Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin sa kaniya.
I wasnʼt fine.
I was one of the organizers of the theater play. My entire organization just died in a tragic incident.
How could I be fine?
"Oh sweetheart, come here."
Nawal held my hand and wrapped her arms around me. I could feel her patting the back of my head as I instinctively buried my face on her shoulders. Hindi nagtagal ay kusang rumagasa ang mga luha ko.
"Something isnʼt right, Nawal. The fire... I donʼt understand. May mali—"
"Chiomee, it was an accident," bulong ni Nawal sa akin habang hinahawi niya ang aking buhok. "It wasnʼt anyoneʼs fault."
"No! Hindi mo naiintindihan! Pinalitan namin ang wirings bago ang play kaya hindi iyon—"
"Listen, sweetheart..." Nawal cupped my face and stroked my hair. "The authorities had investigated the incident. The verdict is out. Walang may kasalanan, Chiomee. It was an accident."
"But Zen and Merwin—"
"They will be fine."
Nawal planted a soft kiss on my head like a dotting parent. Tila ba gumaan ang loob ko sa kaniyang ginawa.
"Theyʼll be discharged from the hospital soon. You donʼt have to worry about them, okay?" Ngumiti sa akin si Nawal. Wala na akong nagawa kung ʼdi ang tanguan siya.
