Melting You Softly (Student Series #1)

Chapter 50

Chapter 50

"This is obviously fabricated. How could you be fooled by this video?" Tila si Aji pa ang nainsulto nang sabihin iyon sa hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses.

Matalim ang tingin ko sa kanya habang nakasandal ako sa upuan at nakahalukipkip sa tabi niya. Nandito kami sa bahay nila upang ipakita sa kanya ang video na napanood ko. Pinanood na rin iyon ni Axasiel kanina sa bahay at sinabing hindi siya iyon kaya para patunayan, ipinakonsulta na namin sa kapatid niya. The self-proclaimed technology expert.

"Stop blaming her. She doesn't have an idea. She's not an expert when it comes to..." Tumigil sa pagsasalita si Axe nang tingnan ko siya.

"This is a form of media manipulation, Miss," agaw pansin ni Aji sa akin habang panay ang pindot niya sa keyboard ng kanyang computer.

I looked at the big monitors in front of us. Dalawa iyon, magkatabi at pareho niyang ginagamit. He's staring at the matrix in one of the monitors. Sa kabila naman ay nakabukas ang isang software kung saan niya pinanood ang edited video at sinusubukang ibalik ang orihinal nito.

"Media manipulation?"

"Yup. A video manipulation to be exact. Ang mukha, katawan, at ultimo boses ng isang tao na nasa video ay puwedeng palitan o baguhin. Tatlong segundo pa lang, nakita ko nang may nagbi-blink sa mukha ni Axe. It's already a red flag to spot that it was edited. I also listened to the background noise and noticed the delay in their voices. Choppy or broken, alam mo 'yon? Gano'n."

"Well, I didn't notice it. And I didn't think it was edited because I clearly saw Axe's face in it."

He closed his eyes tightly, stopping from his typing before he leaned back his head into his seat. Kinagat niya ang labi at patagilid akong tiningnan. Para bang siya pa ang na-stress nang sobra sa aming dalawa.

"Miss, matatanggap ko pa kung mananatili kang ignorante na posible ang mga edit sa pictures at video kahit pa napakarami na niyan ang makikita sa social media... pero 'yong paniniwalaan mo na magagawa 'yan ng kapatid ko?" Umiling siya. "At isa pa, hindi ba't noon ay nakatanggap ka rin ng ganito? Who was in the video again? Ah, si Miss Harley."

I clamped my mouth shut. My eyes flew to where Axe's sitting behind us. He was intently staring back at me but his brows were tangled as if he was thinking other things. Uminit ang pisngi ko nang naalala ang nangyari sa bahay bago kami nagpunta rito. Tumikhim ako.

"Anyone can cheat," I said, bringing my eyes back to Aji.

He scoffed, swiveling his chair in his brother's direction. A mocking smile played on his lips.

"You heard that? Anyone can cheat, Axe. Even you. Your girlfriend thinks you are capable of cheating." Halos ipagduldulan ni Aji iyon. "Kawawa ka naman."

I swatted his arm while gnawing my lip. I felt guilty for thinking about it, but it won't change the fact that I also hurt Axe for suspecting him of infidelity.

"Miss Isra!" Umigting ang panga niya nang lingunin ako. "You have over five months to ask him about it or ask me to look into that video. You know it's my expertise and I won't lie to you. Pero sabagay, hindi ka nga nagtiwala sa kapatid ko, sa akin pa kaya?"

Kumuyom ang kamao ko at bumigat ang paghinga. Hindi ako makapagsalita dahil alam kong totoo naman ang sinabi niya. I wouldn't use my poor excuse when I know he would only invalidate it.

I saw in my peripheral view Axe rose from his seat. "Kuya, if I were to see a video of her—"

"Kung ikaw ang makakatanggap no'n, alam kong hindi mo paniniwalaan iyon. You trust her words more than anyone's. Kapag sinabi niyang square ang Earth, paniniwalaan mo! Ganoon ka!"