Chapter 2 - Remorse

Solange Raviea Cervana.

The black B275 shooting target automatically came in front of me after shooting multiple times. I lay down the FNS 9mm gun and quickly remove the shooting earmuff along with the safety glasses. Napatingin ako sa likod nang maramdaman kong kinalabit ako ni Avril.

“Nakita mo na ba ‘to?” She lent her phone to me. I removed my tactical gloves before I held it.

Just in: Following the hot issue; Sariah Villarica was found dead in her apartment. According to the investigation, the apartment was intentionally set on fire as it did not spread throughout the building. 

Nabitawan ko ang hydro flask ko at mabilis na kumalabog ang puso sa nakita. I couldn’t utter a word nor move from my position.

“It was on the news an hour ago.” Kinuha niya ang cellphone niya at makahulugan akong tiningnan. “I don’t know what happened that night, Seia, but I hope my instincts weren’t true.”

“What do you mean, Avril?” Bumalik ako sa huwisyo sa kanyang sinabi.

“You know what it is. You definitely know it.” Naglakad siya papalayo hanggang sa magsara ang pintuan ng shooting range. Hindi pa ako lubusang natauhan sa nakita nang pumasok si Shantal sa loob.

“Oh my God, Seia! You’re marrying Vernon Alejo?” She held my wrist. Hinarap niya sa akin ang cellphone niya. I saw an article about an engagement between me and Vernon. Hindi ko alam kung saan nakalap ng mga tao ang bagay na iyon. I am honestly so confused about what I should feel. Natagpuan ko na lang ang sarili ko sa harap ng opisina ni Papa sa mansyon. The maid opened the door for me. Naabutan ko pang may kausap siya sa telepono kaya hindi agad ako nakapagsalita.

“I’ll call you again. Yes, thank you, bye.” Agad siyang lumingon sa akin nang maibaba niya ang telepono. “What’s the matter?”

“Sariah’s dead,” I stuttered. “She’s dead, Papa…” 

“What about it?” He fixed his eyeglasses and continued signing the documents in front of him. 

“Papa! She passed away! Don't you feel bad about it?” Tears started to fall on my cheeks.

“Feel bad about it? Why should I, Seia?” Kumunot ang kilay niya. “As if I killed her?”

“No, Papa. You don’t understand…” I sobbed. “She lost her life after people started to attack her. Don’t you feel horrible about it? Because I do! I feel horrible about it!” I shouted, almost protruding veins on my neck.

“Don’t you dare shout at me, Solange!” He stood up, pointing his finger at me.

“I’ll be making a press conference, I’ll apologize to her. Lalo na sa mga taong naniwalang siya iyong babae na nasa video. Kailangan kong aminin ang kasalanan ko.” I turned my back on him. I was about to open the door but Papa stopped me from doing so.

He tightly held both sides of my cheek. “If you don’t want to end up like her, shut your mouth. Hmm?” Muling bumagsak ang luha ko dahil sa takot na naramdaman. Agresibo niyang binatawan ang mukha ko. “Pack your things, you’re moving out with Vernon tomorrow.”

Vernon Thobias Alejo.

Silence filled the whole room. My parents were thinking of something to protect Sariah from the hate she was receiving. She has been loyal to us ever since my family took care of her and seeing her getting hate because of that family makes me lose my temper.

“Chill down, Vaughn.” She slightly chuckled while caressing my shoulders. Hindi ko alam kung bakit parang hindi siya apektado sa nangyayari. She remains calm, habang ako ay hindi mapakali kakaisip. 

Muli kong kinuyom ang kamao ko nang maalala ang kahayupang ginawa ni Sergio Cervana. He fucking put the spotlight on Sariah, so that he could clean his daughter’s name. Ngayon, ay hindi siya tinitigilan ng mga tao. I hate them for putting the blame on Sariah, she should be out of this mess. They didn't even know she was living with us. That’s the family’s most confidential secret. No one knows about it. That secret only circulates within the family. 

“Why don’t we fake my death?” she uttered after a long silence. 

Matalim akong tumingin sa kanya. “Sariah, do you think this is a fucking joke?” 

“Do I look like I’m joking?” She raised a brow.

“No, I won’t agree with that.” Umiling ako. “Mama? Papa?” I glanced at my parents but they remained silent. “Don’t tell me, you’re agreeing with her?”

“Vernon, let her speak.” My mom uttered, muli akong bumaling kay Sariah. I calm down a little bit when she formed a small smile, assuring me that this would be a good plan.

“Fake my death, spread it all over the media. Let them mourn for me. Sa ganoong paraan, mahahawakan natin sila sa leeg. They’re gonna receive a lot of hate knowing this old heartless Sergio Cervana literally made me the villain.” She brushed her short hair using her fingers. “And that Solange, she’ll prolly be showered by the hate I’ve been receiving.”

“And if they let it pass?” I replied.

“That’s the goal, they should let it pass. We can make a better plan after that, nang sa gayon ay magulat sila na buhay ako. Besides, do you think I can walk peacefully on the street? Definitely, no. So we should cool it down by faking my death.” She gazed at my parents. “My mom received a lot of hate, too. People only stopped when she died.” She gritted her teeth. 

“Do you really think people will give a fuck once they realize you’re dead? You almost got harassed, Sariah! Sa tingin mo ba makukuha pa rin nilang magdusa pagkatapos ng ginawa nila sa ‘yo? They won’t do that! They will only continue with their lives and act as if they didn’t hurt you.” Madiin kong sambit. “That’s the harsh truth, Sariah,”

The discussion ended after an hour. I stayed in the garden area to calm myself. I didn’t agree with her and the fake death she just said kahit na alam kong itutuloy nila iyon. I know that I shouldn’t let my feelings interfere with this matter, even if I only want her to be safe. I only want the best for her.

“What were you thinking?” I heard her voice from behind. I quickly breathe out the smoke from the cigarette. Tinapakan ko ang upos ng sigarilyo bago humarap sa kanya.

“Nothing,” 

She smirked and went beside me. “I thought you stopped smoking already?”

“The issues stressed me out, so I had to, I’m sorry…” I stopped smoking ever since I knew she had breathing problems. Muli kaming natahimik nang ilang segundo bago ako magsalita ulit. “Why did you think of that?”

“Ang alin?” Tumingin siya sa ‘kin. Her hair was slightly swaying because of the wind.

“The fake death,”

“I wanted to regain my peace. Death is peaceful, don’t you think?” I glanced at her, I only gave her a deep sigh. “I am going to be fine, Vaughn. Just trust me with this, hmm?”

“I hate to say this, but I hope you’re not getting away because of what I told you—” she chuckled. “I am serious, Sariah…”

“God, Vernon! I am not getting away because you like me.” She looked down and held my hand. Her dimples protruded, making me want to hug her and just stay with that forever. I wish I could do that even after this issue we’ve been facing ends. “You should visit—no, you must visit me, okay? Promise me that,”

“I promise,” I smiled at her.

Sariah left the town the same day. I should be guilty for making her leave without knowing the real truth why my parents let her leave. She doesn’t know about the arranged-marriage. I wanted to make them hold accountable for what they did to Sariah, and if this is the only way to do that, I would.

“Kuya.” I was fixing my necktie when I heard Theiana’s voice.

“Hmm?” 

“I heard Mom and Dad talking. Are you going to marry Ate Sariah, already?” I quickly looked at her. Hindi ko malaman ang totoong nararamdaman niya tungkol doon dahil sa natural niyang awra. She has always been serious and rarely smile.

“Anong narinig mo?” 

“They’re talking about your marriage and all that shit—” Nahinto siya sa pagsasalita nang matalim ko siyang tiningnan. “That’s so sudden, I mean—okay, I’m fine if that’s between you and Ate Sariah. But I just wanted to clarify if it's true…that you’re marrying her?”

“You shouldn’t be eavesdropping on someone else's conversation, Yana.” I put my hand on her shoulder.

“You didn’t even prepare an engagement party and Ate Sariah just left. I’m confused, who are you going to marry?” Tinalikuran ko siya at nagpanggap na inaayos muli ang necktie ko.

“Hindi mo maiintindihan kahit na sabihin ko pa sa ‘yo,”

“Make me understand it, then?” Umismid siya bago magsalita ulit. “Never mind, you just gave me the answer. Congrats, then?”

“Vaugh, Yana! The driver is waiting, let’s go,” Mom called us. I glanced at Theiana again but she just gave me a meaningful smirk before she left my room.

“The news is about to spread, maybe three days from now it’ll be on the news,” Dad said while taking a glance outside the car. 

I looked at my watch. We’re on our way to Cervana’s mansion but I can’t help but to think of Sariah since Dad didn’t let me accompany her to Siargao. My parents let her hide on one of our private islands in Siargao. I should have visited her sooner since she wasn’t allowed to take phone calls or even watch the news. 

“Griffin and Solange were in the same modeling company. Alam mo na ba?” he asked.

“Hmm, and what about it?” Patuloy lang ako sa pagtingin ng mga sasakyan sa labas.

“Nothing, maybe you can have his help since they frequently see each other,”

“I can do it alone. Hindi ko kailangan ng tulong niya,” I clenched my jaw.

“Maybe for now? But, in the future you’ll surely be asking for his help.” 

“I won’t definitely ask for his help, Dad,” mariin kong sambit bago lumabas ng sasakyan dahil huminto na ito sa harap ng mansyon ng mga Cervana.

“Sir, kakarating lang po ni Miss Solange, dumiretso po siya sa opisina ng Senyor. Makakapaghintay po ba kayo?” The maid poured juice on my glass. The day after, my parents asked me to give Solange a ring.

“There she is,” Agad na umalis ang maid nang makita siya. I quickly gazed at her again. She’s wearing gym attire so I’m guessing she’s been there. Mariin ko siyang tiningnan nang mapansin ang pamumugto ng mata niya.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. Napansin ko na agad ang inis na bumabalot sa loob niya kaya napangisi ako. I was supposed to give her the ring we both should wear but I had an idea of making her more mad. 

“I was about to give you the ring, turns out you're crying about it that fast.” I chuckled and offered her the small red velvet box. Kinuyom niya ang kanyang kamay bago iyon kinuha. She threw it on the floor before she walked away. Kinuha ko ulit ang singsing bago siya sinundan muli. “Did you hear about Sariah Villarica’s death?” Patago akong tumawa nang mapahinto siya.

“Don’t start, leave me alone.” Ramdam ko ang galit sa bawat salitang kanyang binibitawan.

“I feel bad about her. She received a lot of hate before dying… without people knowing.” Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa pwesto niya. “Are you?” I uttered, testing her patience even more. “Do you feel bad about it?” Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin nang bigla niya akong sinampal nang malakas. 

“I hate you, I fucking hate you!” She tightly held my collar, shaking it a little bit. I saw how her eyes were filled with nothing but tears and remorse before she turned her back and immediately went away.