Reclaiming the Stars (Agustin Series #1)

Kabanata 27

Click the link. Watch here.

Muntik ko nang mabitawan ang cellphone ni Lorenzo. The publisher was anonymous. I felt my fingers shaking badly when I clicked the link. Mayroon doong video but the screen shows an error. Hindi nagp-play. Under the video was several photos of Dim with me. Ang iba pa ay iyong sabay kaming pumapasok sa condo and so much more. I shouldn't be bothered, I know. But the word scandal is too much.

Some comments were saying:

The link's not working!

Saan makikita ang link? Hindi nagpe-play ang vid!

I knew that girl was a bitch. Mukhang bait-baitan, patay gutom din pala.

I inhaled sharply not knowing how to cope with the news. I covered my mouth with my palm, on the verge of crying. Pinakaayaw ko sa lahat, hinuhusgahan ako ng wala namang patunay.

"Priya, what's wrong?" Iniabot ko lang sa kanya ang cellphone n'ya at umalis. Pagpasok ko sa venue ay nagtinginan ang mga tao. I saw Kino holding his phone while looking at me. The man who invited me earlier gaped at me with pure disgust evident on his face.

"Excuse m-me," I said when I couldn't stand the whispers and stares.

"Let's go, Priya," may humila sa akin. I saw Ade pushing all the people blocking the exit. Sobrang daming reporters na talagang nagsisiksikan para makapasok. Dim's hunch was right.

"Architect Priyanka! Architect! Can you give us a minute?"

"What can you say about the issue?"

"Architect! Totoo po bang may nangyari sa inyo ni Mr. Dim?"

They were so loud but it was silent. Wala akong naririnig na kahit ano. Someone from the crowd went to my direction and covered me from all the media. Lorenzo was angrily trying to get me away from them. Inalalayan n'ya ako hanggang makalabas. He was mad but he was gentle towards me. Ganoon rin ang ginagawa ni Ade.

"Sa sasakyan ko nalang," sabi ni Lorenzo kay Ade. They both agreed and we went to Lorenzo's ride. Mabilis nagmaneho si Lorenzo palayo, nasa likod kami nakaupo ni Ade. She's trying to calm me habang ako'y tulala lang na hindi ko alam kung saan nakatingin.

The tranquil wild oceans of my soul are now forming massive waves, ready to take down the only thing left in me, being sane.

"It's just news, Priya, don't worry. We're trying to track down whoever posted that ugly bullshit!" I can feel Ade's anger radiating. Pero mas ramdam ko ang galit ni Lorenzo na kulang nalang ay paliparin ang sasakyan.

We parked in an unfamiliar place.

"Baka may reporters sa condo n'ya. Dito na muna kayo," pagpapaliwanag ni Lorenzo. We're outside his unit. Saka lang ako napabaling sa cellphone ko na bukas pa rin pala. Dim si still on the other line.

"Dim..."

"Priya! Where have you been? I heard shouts then the engine, I am going crazy!"

"I'm s-sorry..." Wala akong ibang masabi sa kanya. I also read in the article that the project that he's working with right now is affected. Gusto raw mag-back-out ng brand but his manager is trying his best.

"Kasalanan k-ko Dim..."

We're inside Lorenzo's unit at kahit pa gulong gulo ako sa nararamdaman ko, hindi pa rin ako tinakasan ng pagkamangha sa kabuuan ng tirahan n'ya. It's pretty neat and minimal, bagay na bagay sa kan'ya.