Serenade in the Daylight (Old Money #1)

THREE

03 - Beauty of an Angel

Have you ever felt so drained yet so determined on certain things? It's like losing all the energy but still managing to get things done and perfect because it is something that means a lot to you.

I guess my college life really did center on org stuff. I loved my job, I enjoyed everything I do inside of them, and still think of more ways to contribute even if I have done enough.

"Argh! I didn't know being in the student government was tiring. I'll take a short water break," Dalia exclaimed. She walked towards the long table where our tumblers were placed, it is also where I am currently sitting. "Sabi mo, kayang kaya ko ito kaya ako tumakbo. Jusko!"

I giggled. "Masasanay ka rin. It's your first time after all."

I was also taking a water break since I just ran from here going to the teacher's lounge to ask the subject teachers under our department for signatures on the project proposal of the student government. Then I ran again going back. It was a very long run that weakened my legs and made me thirsty, plus, sweaty.

"Seraphina, ano nga ulit ang middle name mo?! Hehe, nakalimutan ko!" Khiel shouted from the opposite side as me in the gymnasium. If I'm not mistaken, he is writing our names below every title page of the materials he's printing as credits.

"Juarez! Subukan mo pang kalimutan ulit!" I shouted back, jokingly.

"Juarez?" Carl, one of the new members of the organization, snorted. "Kaano-ano mo si Alejandrina Juarez?" he asked with humor.

Some of those who were near us laughed. "Gago, 'yun ba 'yung prostitute na nakulong?"

"Bakit mo alam na prostitute? Nako, nanonood ka ng mga videos niya ano—"

"Hoy! Hindi 'no! Narinig ko lang noong bata ako na pinag-uusapan iyan ng mama ko pati mga kapitbahay namin."

"Kadiri kayo!" I commented. "Of all people talaga, si Alejandrina Juarez pa ang naisip mong i-link sa akin, Carl?"

Humalakhak si Carl. "E, 'yun ang una kong naisip na Juarez! Sorry na!"

"Baka naman ikaw ang nanonood ng mga videos no'n, Carl? Alam na alam, e," one of the officers fired back.

And the rest of the student government, including me, went wild about the topic. Ang mga kaninang nakapwesto sa malayo, narito na rin malapit sa white table kung nasaan kami nina Dalia at Carl.

Ang gagaling! Basta talaga tsismis, ginaganahan ang lahat.

"Grabe rin 'no? Akalain mo 'yon. Sex worker ka na nga, mamamatay tao pa! Kung ako nga lang ay pulis, baka hindi ko na siya pinalaya," Keia remarks. We were talking about the news from three and a half years ago that Alejandrina Juarez was free from prison.

"Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against sex workers kasi… you know, there are times na 'yung iba ay hindi naman ginusto ang trabaho nila but they had to for their family and such needs for survival. Pero, si ante mong Alejandrina…" Keia made a disgusted face. "Mga drug lord pa ang piniling i-serve, like what the hell, 'di ba? No one can say that she was just a victim or she didn't have any choice, because na-witness naman ng mga parents natin pati ibang nakatatanda noong panahon na iyon paano mag-show-off si girl ng riches na nakuha niya from that job. It's like she's proud of it."

"And, ayon nga, gaya na rin ng sabi ni Keia, mamamatay tao pa. Who would've thought of killing your own child? Kulang pa nga ata ang sentence ng first degree attempted murder sa kanya kung ako ang tatanungin," I said as a matter of fact. When I heard about her, I was totally freaked out and I had to drink a glass of water to be able to continue reading the news article about her.