Tumambay ako sa gang building at nag-ikot ikot. Kailangang kong makahanap ng paraan para malaman kung anong nangyari noon. Pero hindi ko alam kung sino kakausapin ko.
Sumuko ako at lumabas ng building. Umupo ako sa harap ng university grounds at nagpahangin. "Ms. Pineda?" Lumingo ako at nakita si Ma'am Lea. "I heard what happened, your wounds are not yet totally healed, is it okay that you're here?"
"Opo, I also have to submit some papers po." Tumabi siya sa akin.
"Why did you pretend?", tanong ni Ma'am Lea. "Come on, I know na hindi naman kayo talaga ni Josh. I know his intentions maybe to convince lolo that he's changed, believable. Pero ikaw? Bakit ka pumayag?"
"He has something that belongs to me.", sabi ko.
"Oh, as expected he's using that against you." Tumango ako. "For how long?"
"Three months, it will end soon ma'am so it'll be okay. After three months, we will act like strangers again.", sabi ko.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Yes, he made it pretty clear." Huminga ng malalim si Ma'am Lea. "He's 22 years old and still acts like a child.", sabi niya nang nakangisi.
"Ma'am, to be honest, I'm kind of confused about what I know and what is happening right now. I'm not sure if you know something but, it's still worth asking. Uhm, do you know anything about Kaye?" Tumingin siya sa akin na parang nabigla.
"Why?"
"I have a lot of questions in my mind and I can't think straight because everything's not making sense." Kinwento ko sakanya yung alam ko.
"I am a mere observer of what's happening in their lives but based from what your knowledge, I think you have to know something about the story of Kaye.", sabi niya. "But these are purely from a third person perspective. You have to validate these with them yourself."
"I understand."
"Three years ago, Josh's dad hired a part timer to help clean around their house. She was the eldest daughter of one of their maids but was fired not long after because she was sleeping with their married driver. Ayaw ni Tito ng mga immoralities pero naawa siya kay Kaye kaya pinag part time niya parin si Kaye para lang may pang-allowance siya. Dito sila nag-meet ni Josh."
"Ah kaya pala."
"Contrary to what Josh see, Kaye is a cunning and manipulative woman. I only observe people but I observed enough to come up with that conclusion. Tito and Lolo didn't know that Kaye went after Job, in fact he was the first. After Job, she went after Josh and left Job for him. This caused a huge fight between them."
"Yeah, I heard."
"Job is not who you think he is.", sabi ni Ma'am Lea. Nagulat ako. I changed my mind, mukhang biased din si Ma'am Lea. "He acts calmly but inside he's already beating Josh up. That's how Job is. He lived his whole life bottling up everything inside." Wala akong nakitang hint na ganoon si Job. He is always forgiving and understanding. Maybe he's also misunderstood because he's not part of the family. "And Josh is not who you think he is."
"I think ma'am Lea, Job is always the one misunderstood here."
"No, Josh is. Why do you think Josh is so mad at Job? Because of what happened to Kaye? No. He's pissed off because no matter how much he wanted to reveal Job, he couldn't because he's not that type of person."
"You sound like Josh sent you here to defend for him."
"Cassie, let me remind you, you asked me the question. You said you wanted to know the truth but it turns out you can't handle it.", sabi ni Ma'am Lea. Tumayo siya. "I understand, it's not easy to change what you know, but please be careful and look at the signs. You'll see." Iniwan niya ako.
I can't believe this. I'm searching for the truth but all I get is another biased argument. I need to ask someone much more reliable!
Tumayo ako at nagulat ako nang nasa likod ko si Job. Niyakap niya ako. "I missed you so much." Parang biglang hindi na naging kumportable ang presensya niya. Naapektuhan ba ako doon sa sinabi Maam Lea?
"Job, can you be honest with me?", tanong ko.
"Why are you courting me?"
"Isn't it obvious? It's because I like you.", sabi niya na may sincerity sa mata. Eto bang mga matang 'to nagsisinungaling, kung nagsisinungaling siya, parang hindi ko na kayang pagkatiwalaan lahat ng mga matang nasasabing totoo ang mga salita nila.
Hindi ako matahimik. Parang may mali.