tw: non-index crimes, crimes against humanity, government inhumanity
All events and organizations are fictional. This is not an instrument against the Philippine and local government.
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THE DAYS continued normally. Kelly would go from states to states for her long list of schedules. It was all exhausting. The only thing that can motivates her is the fact that her job is her dream for a long time. And she can't just suddenly feel sick about it.
"You didn't tell me!" Natatawang ani ni Kelly at yumakap kay Freesia. True to Freesia's words, the girl really visited her! Dito sa New York!
Kelly can't help but to feel giggly as she finally saw a familiar face again for the past month.
"I attended an auction for animal welfare somewhere near here so why not visit you, right? I texted Caleb asking for your address! Buti na lang nakita ko agad!" Oh. Freesia's usual charity whatnots.
"Saan ka ba galing noong nakaraan? You are always unattended!" Kuryoso niyang tanong dahil pagkatapos pumunta ni Freesia sa Cat Island na iyon, nawala ulit ito ng ilang araw. Freesia has so much time, huh?
"Sa Thailand lang naman. I'm so busy because it's a 3-day convention for barista. It's like a trip!" Freesia giggled.
Barista? Freesia doesn't even drink alcohol. Nagbikit-balikat na lang siya at isinaisip na lang na baka nababagot na si Freesia sa buhay.
"Anyway, I have something to tell you. But this is a secret, okay?" Sabi ni Freesia at lumapit sa kanya, akmang bubulong. Ngumiwi na lang siya dahil sila lang naman ang nasa condo kaya't kailangang ganoon.
"What is it?"
"I'm planning to adopt. I'm just processing the papers, " sabi nito, mukhang desidido.
"What? Are you sure?" Hindi niya inaakalang nasa ganoong pag-iisip na si Freesia! But wait.. "Are you adopting a pet or a child?" Wala namang sinabi!
"A child, Kelly!" Freesia looks offended with the words she used. Napatawa siya.
"Nagulat lang ako. I mean, you're pretty. You can marry if you want or something. Then have a baby!"
"I can't bear a child, Kelly. I'll have a hard time having one. So rather than going through those obstacles, I want to go to the sure way. And.. " Humina ang boses nito. "No one would like to marry me since I can't have a child. O kung meron man, baka hindi rin ako mapanatag. I'll forever be insecure. "
Napalabi siya at napatingin kay Freesia. I guess those things will be the things she will never understand. She likes kids, alright. But there's something about being ready that matters to her. Hindi pwedeng gusto niya lang ang mga bata. She needs to be ready in all aspects as it is a lifetime responsibility.
"Well.. there's always a solution, Freesia. There are many ways.. to have a child now. " She said safely, trying not to offend her.
"I want an easy way of living, Kelly. That's why I travel a lot. So I am anxious going through that many process without assurance. " Freesia smiled. "Isa pa, matagal ko nang alam na hindi puwede. Kaya't ayos na sa akin iyon. I just want a baby right now. "
Napatango siya at nag-iwas ng tingin.
"Uuwi ka ba ng Pilipinas?" Pagbabago niya ng topic.
"Oo. Bukas. Zadrick will fetch me here. "
Since Freesia's leaving for the next day, Kelly tried baking a banana muffins. Galing iyon sa recipe book na ibinigay ni Caleb sa kan'ya. She isn't a bad cook naman. There's just always uncertainty in beggining something.
For her free time, she'll bake or cook. She wanted to cook or bake for Caleb. Wala namang kaso kay Caleb kung hindi siya marunong magluto. But in her case, she wanted to learn it for Caleb and also to please herself. Isn't it fulfilling to learn a craft that is far from your interest before?
"It's good! But I suggest you put some chocolate chunks in the batter itself, not only in the top. But it tastes good!" Lumiwanag ang mata niya sa sinabi ni Freesia at napangiti. Sa ganoon ay marunong na nga siya! Hindi naman si Freesia nagsisinungaling.
"What else can I bake, Freesia? I want to try cakes. "
Napaisip ito. "Choco moist cake? Since it doesn't need crumb coat and frosting. Just can just put the cake batter in a tray, put some chocolate ganache and top it with cocoa. " Tumango-tango siya, natututo na. She's really eager to learn more. Does she need a baking class?
"Thank you for letting her stay here, " Zadrick said to her. Paalis na sila ni Freesia.
"No worries. I had fun. " Tumingin siya kay Freesia. "I'll take you to bars once I go home!" She exclaimed and Freesia nodded happily.
"Don't be a bad influence to her. " Si Zadrick, matalim ang titig sa kanya.
What did I do? I'm offended!
"Isusumbong kita kay Caleb. I'm not a bad influence!" Talaga! Caleb will call later!
"Whatever you want.. " Zadrick glanced at Freesia. "Say goodbye to your friend now. We're going. "
"Thank you. Visit my cafe once you're home.. "
Week passed again. She has a simple photoshoot today. It's actually not for work. It's a favor from someone.
"I missed you, Kazana!" Sunod-sunod na halik ang ginawa niya sa alaga.
"You won't expect what will I'll say, Kels. " Si Tito Rex, medyo natatawa.
"What? Is there still wrong with Kaza! I thought she's perfectly fine now!" Iritado niyang sabi.
"No.. no.. she's fine. Kaza's just.. pregnant. " Tito Rex grinned.
Nanlaki ang mata niya, napatingin sa alagang supladang nakatingin sa kanya. Her lips pursed. How the hell did it happen?! Hindi naman niya pinapalabas noon ng bahay si Kaza, ah!
"Tell me you're lying, Tito. She can't be pregnant, Tito! I don't see her with other cats! She's very prim and proper! Maarte rin! Paanong nangyaring ganyan?"
Napatayo na siya, frustrated na. Her precious cat is pregnant? Who the hell is the father?! There's no way that it's just a random and hideous looking cat!
"I don't know, hija. You don't expect me to stay with Kaza for 24 hours, right? Ikaw nga ay hindi ko masubaybayan, eto pa?"
Kelly glared at Kazana. Ungrateful cat.
"I refuse to finance your child, Kazana. Magtrabaho ka! O hanapin mo ang tatay ng anak mo!" Kelly ridiculously scolded Kaza. Naiiyak na siya dahil sa frustration.
"You're grounded, Kaza!" Pinagpatuloy niya ang pagbibiro.
Humalakhak si Tito.
"Naunahan ka, ano? Atleast Kaza charmed one. It's probably an American cat or something—
Kelly refused to hear anything about Kaza's secret rendezvous. Tumawa pa ang manager niya.
"Anyway, are you still with your boyfriend? Didn't see him again. I'm wondering if that's the reason why you're so down these past few weeks. " Huminga ito ng malalim. "I'm sure you're the one who broke up with him. He bought someone on that prestigious event. Kahit ako naman kung ganoon ay hihiwalayan ko din agad. "
Kumurap si Kelly at natigilan. Kailan? She didn't know about it! Is it recent? Or noon pa man at ibinalik lang?
"C-Can I see, Tito?" There's a lump in her throat but she tried hard not to overthink. Iniiwasan niyang mali ang iniisip niya. Maraming nasisira dahil sa maling akala.
"W-Well, hija.. I thought you're aware? H-Hindi ba?" Tito Rex looks scared for a moment.
Pinakita ni Tito ang isang article. From one glance, she knew it was recent because of the suit Caleb's wearing. Bigay niya iyon! Pinaabot pa nga niya kay Freesia at Zadrick!
Kelly zoomed her sight. Hindi naman physically close si Caleb sa babae. Parang nakuhaan lang yata ng litrato sa ganoong angle. Media and the way they play.
Pinaliit pa niya ang mata upang mamukhaan ang babae. Nakaside view ito at medyo malayo. Pero nang makita kung sino ay nakahinga siya ng maluwag.
It's just Freesia. Akala naman niya kung sino.
Nakita pa niya si Zadrick, Lucas at Phoenix sa malapit. Sila ang tinitingnan ni Freesia.
"That's nothing, Tito. We didn't broke up. "
Kaya nga lang, Caleb didn't tell her anything about going to a party. That's why when she's finally have a free time, she called Caleb.
Caleb immediately answer after two rings.
"I saw the pictures. Were you in a party?" Pambungad niya.
"I am earlier. But I'm home now. Just went there for formality. It's an engagement party of a friend. " He then sighed. "Are you mad? It's Damien's engagement party. It was rush. I called you earlier but you didn't answer. But I texted you tho. "
Napakurap siya at chineck ang cellphone.
Unknown Number:
Busy? You didn't answer my call.
Caleb:
Going to Damien's engagement party tonight. Call me once you read this.
Nag-init ang pisngi niya dahil kahit paano ay napaisip din siya. Hindi nga siya nakapagcheck ng phone kanina dahil busy siya magbasa ng mga comments sa article! Gumawa pa siya ng dummy account para magreply sa mga delusional na comment doon!
"O-Oh. I'm sorry. I was.. busy. "
Caleb chuckled. "It's alright. I wasn't planning to attend actually. Pinilit lang ako. Agape was also there. She's looking for you but I said you're in abroad. "
Wala naman siyang nababalitang may girlfriend si Damien pero siguro ngayon meron na. Nagbikit-balikat na lang siya.
"The election will be next week. Zumi's recovering, too. She can now walk from time to time. This will end soon. "
Kelly smiled. She's really hoping that everything will be alright. She has still two years left in contact but it'll end soon without realising it. Then everything would be fine, right?
However, the election coming near is worrying Kelly. It would be dangerous. Hindi pa nakakatulong na narito siya sa New York at nakikibalita lang kay Freesia. Caleb doesn't tell her everything especially those that make her worry.
Si Freesia tuloy ang hinihingan niya ng impormasyon. Inuutusan pa niya minsan si Freesia na magtanong kila Phoenix. Sinusunod naman nito.
Freesia:
I heard they're planning to expose first his illegal works in the local government. They wanted to stain his name first so the people will easily believe his other deeds.
Freesia:
And I also heard.. that they are helping a victim years ago? Attempted murder daw. I'm not sure. Parang ganoon.
Freesia:
Sabi sakin 'to ni Daniel, ha. Takot daw iyong biktima kaya't hindi na muling nagsumbong. Pahirapan tuloy kunin bilang witness. Kaya't natagalan. Hindi ko sure kung pumayag na o ano. I'll ask Agape! Baka alam niya!
Freesia:
Hindi na kasi sila nagsasabi sakin. Pinagbawalan ni Caleb dahil nagsusumbong daw ako sayo. Pero si Agape ang tatanungin ko! The guys tell her things sometimes.
Magaling naman pala sa ganito si Freesia. Kawawa naman at laging sumusunod kapag inuutusan. Kelly promised herself to treat Freesia once she go home!
Ako:
Thank you, Freesia! Ako na lang mag-ask kay Agape. Heard you're learning pottery so focus on that.
Nagulat siya nang agad itong magreply. Bakit ang daming oras ng babaeng ito?
Freesia:
It's fine! Nandito nga ako kila Agape, e. I'm playing with her daughter. Wine likes me hehe
Agape gave birth to a baby girl last week. Si Freesia tuloy ay parang balak na rin pasukin ang pagiging babysitter.
Ako:
Oh. Send my regards to Agape.
Days passed like a whirlwind. Kelly didn't left her eyes in her phone, watching the exclusive live news of Zumi's father getting arrested for corruption and embezzlement.
And in the next days, his other crimes were also exposed. Fraud, forgery & counterfeiting and stolen property.
His certificate of candidacy were in talks. A day before the election, he was proven guilty of violating narcotic laws and sex offenses.
Many signed to discard his candicacy. And soon as that.. the investigation for the attempted murder and child abuse started.
They prepared this much. Walang ideya si Kelly na ganito na ang preparasyon nila Caleb. Finally. Atleast people was awaken from the two-faced political figure.
Daniel will be the lawyer against the defendant. Kelly doesn't know who's the defendant's lawyer. Maybe a personal lawyer or if not.. someone brought by the civil action.
Anyway, Caleb assured that Daniel will win. Atty. Daniel Lozales with zero record of losses.
Everything's fine. Pauwi na rin siya to visit since she thought it would be safe. Not until her mother and father was taken to the emergency room.. unconscious, because of an ambush attack.
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Unedited.