One Last Lie (SALS 1)

Chapter 9

Nagmamadaling umalis si Charity sa village nila. It was a week after she and Enie had talked. Since they enjoyed talking, both of them had find time to bond again. Marami pa raw silang pag-uusapan gaya ng pagkahilig nila sa underground music. 

Naimbitahan siya nitong pumunta sa isang lunch date kasama si Eniessia at ang iba pa nitong kaibigan. She was ecstatic yet nervous. Ito ang unang beses na makakakilala siya ng mga kaibigan ng kaibigan niya. She was her first friend after everything. 

Hindi niya pinagsisihan ang pakikinig sa usapan ng magkasintahan noon dahil doon niya nakilala si Eniessia. She maybe mysterious but Charity is contented on knowing her name and her favorites. Kuntento na siya na mayroon siyang kaibigang kinikilala. 

Dumating siya sa Jill's Diner kung saan sila magkikita ni Enie at ang mga kaibigan nito. She is getting nervous as she stepped inside the diner. Iginala niya ang mga mata at doon niya nakita si Eniessia. 

She saw the beautiful lady wearing a typical chic look with near dark red lipstick. Unlike her, she herself is more comfortable with jeans and blouse paired with fresh look. 

Naglakad siya papalapit sa mga ito and she could hear them talking to each other. Nanginginig ang pagkakahawak niya sa kanyang clutch bag at gayundin ang heels niyang three inches. She was shivering in nervousness.

Agad siyang napansin ni Eniessia at tinawag, "Charity, come here, honey!" Hindi man lumingon ang mga kaibigan nito, she can still feel the pressure between her and them. "Sit here."

Umupo si Charity katabi ang isang balingkinitang babae na may bahagyang pagka-intsik ng mga mata. Hugis bigas ang mukha nito at may timping ngiti. Nilingon siya nito at agad na nagtingin sa sarili nitong plato.

"Go order what you want, honey." It was Eniessia. Minuwestra niya ang kamay at may lumapit na waiter. Charity ordered something at agad itong kinuha ng waiter.

"My Goodness, Chaste is not here, kailan ba natin siya makakasama?" tanong ng isang Chinitang may puffy cheeks na parang nagtatago sa likod ng kulot niyang buhok.

"Cessy, if she will hear you calling her Chaste, she will surely punch your beautiful face," Eniessia said before smiling with a bit sarcasm.

"She wants us calling her Sabrina," sabat ng isang boyish pero maganda niyang kaibigan. "It is her codename, to cover her identity."

She was listening to them. Hindi niya naman kilala yung pinag-uusapan nila, so why interrupt? Masaya na siyang kasama sila ngayong lunch kahit na medyo naiilang siya.

"I am sorry, I am late. I can't leave my clinic without a person to look after my thing." 

Dumating ang isang magandang dilag na nakasuot ng pang-doktor. She could clearly see Dra. Maddison Clemente, her doctor. Enie was right, friends nga sila ni Maddison.

Isa-isang bineso ni Maddison ang mga kaibigan niya hanggang sa makarating siya kay Charity. She was shocked seeing her there. Hindi niya akalaing makikita niya ito rito. Who knows that she was a friend of Eniessia.

"Oh hi, Ms. Locquias. You are here!" Nagtataka nitong sabi. She was in a bizarre when she saw her patient sitting next to her friends.

"Maddy, I met her in BBC. She talked to me after I talked to Jacobe." Sumabat si Eniessia sa usapan. Tumango-tango naman si Maddison sa narinig. 

"Speaking of him, how is he?" tanong ng Chinitang boyish manamit. "Bakit hindi natin siya kasama?"

"Well, hindi kami bati ngayon. Inaway niya ako dahil sa downfall niya."

'Ano iyong downfall?' she asked herself.

"It is a great no, no. Hindi ba ang usapan, bawal mag-away tungkol sa downfall? You should fix that really," payo ni Maddison.

"Sumbong ko pa siya kay Miss Red." Enie made face. "He is getting irrational. Masyado siyang apektado sa mahal niya. He is actually forgetting about himself."

Matapos marinig ang mga ito, biglang pumasok sa isip ni Charity si Esaac. Kamusta na kaya ito? She have not seen him again. Ang huling kita niya rito ay anim na buwan na ang nakalipas. After she had her own condominium, hindi na siya bumisita sa village. Ayaw na niyang makita ang madrasta niya gayundin ang kaniyang ama.

She badly misses Esaac. Gusto niya itong makita lalo na at klaro na sa kanya na mahal niya ito. She finally claimed herself that she is in love. Buti na lang pala at nagpunta na siya kay Dra. Clemente and then she was taught to accept things for her peace of mind.

She wants to see him but she does not have any guts to do so. Nahihiya siya dahil bigla na lang siyang naglahong parang bula. She wants to clearly tell him that she loves him and she did went away to make herself better. Maybe this is not the right time so she thought of making it next time.

"Gals, here are your orders!" 

Magiliw na dumating ang isang magandang dilag na may dala ng mga pagkain. Some waiters and servers holding trays of food followed her. Nagtama ang mga mata nila ni Charity at muntik pa nitong mabitawan ang dala.

"Jillian?" nagtatakang sabi ni Charity. "How come?"

Napakagat-labi si Jillian nang makita ang dati niyang kasamahan sa Engineering Newspaper sa paaralan. She was their associate editor who suddenly migrated somewhere. Pareho silang nagulat sa isa't isa sa hindi inaasahang pagkikita.

"Uhm, ahh-" nauutal na sabi ni Jillian. Hindi siya makapagsalita sa harap ng isa sa mga kinatatakutan niya noon. She was thankful for making her a part of that journalism team but she was not thankful of being under Ms. Locquias, the notorious student in the campus.

"Wait, let me explain." Nagprisenta si Cessina. Nanlaki rin ang mga mata ni Charity nang makita ito. She had the face of clueless woman in front of others on the table. She was estimating everybody on the table who seemed to know everything.

Hindi niya nakukuha kung bakit nasa harap niya ang ilang estudyante sa paaralan kung saan siya nanggaling. They seemed to be professionals but why did they still go to school? They all have titles but they still take classes in the campus.

"Jilly, umupo ka," utos ni Enie na sinunod naman nito. "So Charity, what is your question?" Naging maayos ang tindig nito sa harap ng iba pang kababaihan. She seemed to be so dominant of all.

"What is happening?" Ito na lamang ang nasabi ni Charity. She is actually shaking inside but she shows the more put up side of her.

"Let us introduce ourselves first," anito. "I am Eniessia Moriah Oliveria, a licensed Chemical Engineer. Hindi ako nakuntento sa iisang field kaya mag-aaral pa ako ng Education and Accounting for next years." Bahagyang napaawang ang bibig ni Charity sa mga narinig. She must have known Enie more. "By the way, I am 24 years old." She zipped her mouth after talking.

"Anne Lavine," anang Chinitang bahagyang pahaba ang mukha. "I am 25, the heir of Lavines, pasimuno ng Busy Normal Gals Events Planning, and the owner of Club Lavine obviously." She flew a kiss on Charity. She smiled at her crazy personality.

"I am Ally Almoena, 25, basta photography, sapat na. I love music and children so I established the Ukulele Music for Children. We perform and earn for a certain community like, charity." Inside jokes are not that funny.

"Cessina Perez, 26 years old, your ultimate gown designer for all occasions. Kapag ikakasal ka na, ako ang gagawa ng gown mo."

"Maddison Clemente, your crazy doctor."

"And Ms. Locquias, I am Jillian Spring, the owner of Jill's Diner, Chef of Busy Normal Gals Events Planning and your former associate editor at mas matanda ako sayo."

She still does not get it. Hindi niya makuha kung bakit kailangan nilang mag-aral ng paulit-ulit kahit mayayaman at matatalino na naman sila. She is really having trouble understanding their goal or what.

"But why do you still go to school? I mean, bakit?" she asked.

"Honey, we actually have a little goal," sabi ni Enie. Charity still had the clueless look on her eyes. "We came from Alpha Lohikal," she smiled.

What must be Alpha Lohikal? She does not get why everything about them has to be a riddle or a mystery ought to be solved. She remained clueless until now. She kept on looking at the other girls and waiting for them to answer her unexpressed questions.

"Fine." Enie started her speech. "Alpha Lohikal is a community where, we, the members, keeps in touch with the future alumni of that school. We protect students, especially girls who are getting bullied by others."

"We tend to get in the campus once again to observe people who are qualified enough to be one of us. We find people who are like us," sabi ni Cessina.

"We are once bullied by other groups in the campus. And now, we are back for revenge," Ally said. 

Napatingin ang lahat sa kaniya maliban kay Maddy na muling nagsalita. "Uh-oh. It is actually a revenge of protecting other students who were once like us," ani Maddison pagkatapos tumikhim ng kaniyang pagkain. "We get in the campus as students and that is how we observe people. Actually, suki si Eniessia ng mga ganitong paraan kaya marami na siyang courses."

Napabuntong-hinga na lang si Charity. She cannot believe that there are people who are ready to help students like her in coping and battling with bullying. Maybe she was destined to meet them.

"And you are one of them, Charity," sabat ni Maddison.

"Why me?" she asked.

"Because we saw how your unique traits put you in exclusion to others. They think that you are weird but the real thing, you are genuine and that is how everyone should be," Enie explained. "And that is how we should be."

Nananatiling maliliit ang mga galaw ni Charity habang nag-uusap ang mga dalaga. They accepted her as a new member of AL. Gayunpaman, patuloy siyang naiilang sa kanila. They had come so far and their friendship had gone stronger. Without her, matibay na ang naging samahan nila, but she thought of fitting in.

"Welcome to AL, Charity," bati ni Enie. "Would you mind if we invite you to the AL alumni party?"

Nauutal na sumang-ayon si Charity. She is definitely happy now. She had found a lot of new friends to be with. Napatunayan na niya na may mga nakakaintindi pa rin sa tulad niya. She must have been a very bad girl since then but she found people who understands a Mia Charity Locquias.

She went home on her own with a contented heart. Natutuwa siyang may mga taong may pakialam pa sa kanya. Her parents might have been clueless about her, but they made her realize everything. She learned having everything in process.

Katatapos lang ng praktis nina Esaac sa simbahan para sa line-up nila bukas. They were packing up their instruments when an unregistered number texted him. Noong una, hindi niya sana ito papansinin pero pamilyar ang pagkakagawa nito.

'Uhm, AL Alumni Party, next Saturday... You coming?'

It was definitely his best friend. She often puts ellipsis after a certain statement, which means she waits for an answer. Nakakapagtaka lang at gumamit ito ng unregistered number yet in fact, she has her own number in his phone. Marahil, nagpalit ito ng number for a reason.

Nagdadalawang-isip si Esaac kung sasagutin ang mensahe ni Eniessia. Kahit ilang araw na ang nakalipas, nagtatampo pa rin siya rito. He doesn't want to argue with her about Charity but she still open that topic. Hindi niya alam kung paanong makikipagbati sa kaibigan. He just knew that if he tried going to the AL Alumni Party, they would have a chance to remove the hate between them.

'Okay'

He texted so short that makes it more unexplainable on Eniessia's part. Mga ilang segundo ang lumipas at biglang tumunog muli ang cellphone ni Esaac. This time, it was a call from Essiam Oli, his code name for Eniessia.

"Esaac," she said. 

Maka-ilang segundo ring nanahimik ang dalawang linya na tila nagpapakiramdaman sila. The want to get their relationship back but their ego and pride tell them not. They both know that they need each other. They are both important with one another. Alam nilang hindi na nila kayang patagalin ang tampuhang ito. It was actually the longest time that they had a rivalry. They cannot take it anymore.

"I'm sorry-"

"I apologize-"

Sabay silang nagsalita matapos ang halos isang minutong pananahimik. Their hearts thumped in joy, hearing themselves saying and being sorry with each other. Napangiti silang dalawa sa magkabilang linya.

"I am very sorry, Jacobe. I should not have dug deeper on you. Masyado kong napakialaman ang mga ginagawa mo. Maybe I just over looked at the fact that-"

"No, Essiam, I apologize for being such a brat. You are right, nakalimutan ko na nga ang dating ako. Maybe I had forgotten to maintain the better version of me that is why I lost myself."

"Ez, I know that you are doing that for love and I believe on you. Naniniwala na akong mahal mo siya. She is very lucky to have somebody like you."

"Enie, I know that you are doing this because you also love me and I thank you for that. Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng babaeng handang awayin ako para sa tama."

"Ez, nanlalait ka ba?"

"Nope, all I am just saying is, you are a brat but you are bringing me back to who I am. I get it why you have to slap me with truth. Nagising na ako sa katotohanan Enie. I should have put myself first rather than loving so much of her. Naging mahina ako, at tuluyang nawalan ng lakas, and I think, I have to regenerate to make a better version of me."

"Drama mo." Natawa na lamang silang dalawa sa sariling kadramahan. That is how they talk. They talk heart to heart if needed. "Paano kung bumalik siya?"

Tatatlong segundong nanahimik ang linya ni Esaac. He's thinking of his decision. This might change a part of him, as well. "Of course, I will accept her." Napaubo si Enissia sa kabilang linya. 

"But Essiam, I will put limitations on everything. Hindi ko na siya bibigyan ng kung anu-ano gaya ng ginagawa ko noong first year palang tayo sa high school. I would not write her letters nor give her gifts kung ordinaryong araw lang naman. I would not give her notebooks lalo na kung trip ko lang. Like what you have said, gagawin kong puro ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya. I would not use material things just to impress her nor include my feelings in accomplishment of my mission."

"Akalain mo, natuto na ang kaibigan ko." She laughed. "But Esaac, always remind yourself that you still have yourself, our family, and friends. You do not have to kill yourself because of not having her. Marami pa namang iba diyan, kung hindi na siya bumalik."

"Baliw ka talaga."

"Oh well, yes I am. Pero Esaac, always take good care of yourself, Seth, Uncle Juan, and Grand Papi. Sila na siguro ang mga taong mananatili sa buong buhay mo."

"Eh ikaw? Wouldn't you stay?"

"Of course I will, hindi ko nga lang alam kung gaano katagal. All I am saying is, we never know what tomorrow brings so let us make the most out of it. Let us live life to the fullest by giving off love to the ones who deserve it."

"Wow, nagpapakamakata si Eniessia Moriah Oliveria."

"Mukha mo."

They both laughed. Nag-usap pa sila tungkol sa mga bagay na pinagdaanan nila. She even told him about meeting a girl in the café. They were enjoying their companies. Natutuwa silang muling mag-usap sa telepono na ilang buwan na nilang hindi nagagawa.

"Anyways, Esaac, may ipapakilala ako sayo sa AL Alumni Party."

"Sino na naman yan? I do not blind date anymore huh. Ayaw ko na. You always pair me nonsense."

"Nope, she is an opposite of you that is why I am hoping that both will fit in. Sana magkakilala kayong dalawa. You know, opposite charges attract with each other," natatawang sabi ng dalaga.

"Stupid you huh, anyway, I will be sleeping now. Just make sure that I will like her. Ayaw kong ma-disappoint, Essiam."

"Yup, promise. I also promise not to bring your ex to keep you on the ground."

"Haha, whatever," sarkastikong sabi ni Esaac. "Bye, Essiam."

"Bye, Jacobe. Sweet dreams."

"Same to you."