fake news | wooseok

thirty-seven

Sunday morning.

But there is no rain falling. Hindi rin naman matirik ang sikat ng araw. A perfect day for some but not for all.

Nakita na ni Anne si Midam na nakatayo malapit sa isang bench pero hindi niya tinawag ang pansin nito. Instead, she walked towards his direction and sat on the bench near him.

"Anne," naupo narin si Midam sa tabi ni Anne pero umiwas ito at umupo sa dulo ng bench.

Midam heaved a sigh and nod his head saying "I understand."

"Marami akong lakad ngayon kaya kung pwede lang pakibilisan ng sasabihin mo."

Ito yata ang unang beses na maging ganoon ang tono ng boses ni Anne kay Midam. They do fight sometimes but over petty things only. Most of the time si Anne pa ang may kasalanan.

The last time they fought was when Anne did not go home after failing their midterm exam. Hindi sinagot ni Anne lahat ng tawag ni Midam when the guy was freaking worried about her. Iyon pala nasa gate lang ng bahay ni Midam si Anne at umiiyak.

Perfect friendship, sabi ng nakakarami. Some would think they are couples or siblings by how close they are.

But seems like gap is starting to make its way between them.

"Remember when I told you about the  culprit, victim, and cop?" Binasag na ni Midam ang katahimikan.

Anne looked at him.

"Turns out ako ang victim, tama ba?" Midam slightly nod his head while Anne rolled her eyes in disbelief. Hindi siya makapaniwalang matagal na pala siyang niloloko ni Midam.

"And you're the culprit, Midam. Until when are you planning to fool me?" Midam looked at her.

"Tama ka. I am the culprit. Totoong ako ang gumamit ng account mo at nagpakalat ng fake news na iyon. I asked Sihoon to hack your phone for that picture and uploaded it myself with the fake caption. I am the culprit."

Ramdam ni Anne ang sakit sa dibdib niya na gusto ng sumabog. But she still forced herself to say something.

"Don't you think it's too late to admit what you have done now? Alam ko na lahat, Midam. Niloko niyo ako ni Sihoon. Niloko mo ako!"

Umiling si Midam. It hurts him seeing Anne crying becasue of him. Pero kung gusto niyang maayos ang lahat, it's now or never.

"Hindi mo pa alam ang lahat, Anne." Pinunasan ni Anne ang luha niya.

"Ano pang hindi ko alam? Tell me."

"All you know is that I am the culprit."
A bead of tear fell from Midam's eye.

"But I am also the cop."