Chapter 18

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"Gusto mo ng raket, Czarina?"

Natigilan ako sa pagliligpit ng gamit at kuryusong sinilip ang kasama. Kaming dalawa lang ngayon sa locker room. My shift just ended. I decided to continue my part-time job as to not waste time since my classes are only in the morning. I already mentioned it to Rigor and he said I could balance work and school so he had nothing to worry about.

"Anong raket?" I asked suspiciously. "Baka ilegal yan, ha. Kapag ginagago mo lang ako—"

"Hindi!" she laughed and tied her black hair in a ponytail. "May malaking event sa San Isidro. Mukhang party ata. Kailangan nila ng 150 na servers. Gusto mo?"

"Kailan ba?"

"Sa susunod na linggo."

I started plotting inside my mind what my next week should look like. Maybe if I could do all my homeworks in advance, I'd be able to work on Sunday. Kaso baka biglang mag-quiz o may ibigay na activity sa natitirang araw. Nakaka-stress pa naman mag-cram.

"Sige na nga. Pakipot pa ba ako eh wala na akong pera?" ani ko.

The next day, I didn't get the chance to see Rigor. Pagkatapos ng klase ko ay kaagad na akong umuwi para simulant ang mga homeworks ko. I finished as much as I could and prepared for tomorrow's reporting. Natapos ang isang linggo na dalawang beses lang kaming nagkita ni Rigor. I couldn't blame him, though. His family started attending all kinds of events. The election is coming right up.

"San ka?"

Natigilan ako nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses. I turned around and squealed in delight when I saw Sorcha. It's been ages since I last saw her!

"Sorch!" I engulfed her into a hug. Niyakap naman niya ako pabalik.

"Busy ka ba?"

"Magpapa-rehistro lang ako. Malapit na ang election."

"Pfft." She looked disgusted and was trying to stifle a laugh. Nangunot ang noo ko.

"Bakit?"

"Don't waste your time and energy voting, Czarina. It's all planned out. Governor Roman will still win and regain his term."

Nagtataka ko siyang tiningnan. She sighed and tapped my shoulder lightly.

"Best believe me. My father is a lawyer, remember? He works with another lawyer that backs up that filthy governor. Mananalo at mananalo pa rin siya ngayong eleksyon."

Hindi ako nakaimik sa sinabi niya. There are really rumors that the governor is corrupt but I had no idea that the law is already in his control. I'm guessing even the media whose sole purpose is to praise him on print is also one of his puppets.

"Anyway, what are you up to? Malapit na ang intramurals. May balak ka bang salihan?"

Umiling ako. I could not participate in any intramural activities, even if I want to. May duty ako n'yan. Nagpaalam na ako sa mga professor ko sakaling hanapan nila ako ng attendance slip. Siguro ay makaka-attend lang ako sa huling araw ng intrams kung kailan gaganapin ang Ms. & Mr. Intramurals. Last year's winners were Shantel and Elton. I wonder what's in store for this year.

Nag-usap pa kami ni Sorcha bago kami naghiwalay ng landas. Just like Rigor, her father forces her to attend social gatherings and make an appearance in the media every once in a while. The election period must be the busiest season for the rich and elite. Everyone seems to land a page in the newspaper, boasting about their business, wealth, and privilege.

"What are you doing this Sunday?"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Rigor. After his classes ended, he waited for my shift to be over and walked me home. Binilhan niya pa ako ng ice cream nang mahalatang pagod ako galing sa trabaho. He's still wearing his school uniform while I'm on my usual black and white server uniform as well.

Deceret Series #2: Bleed for LoveTahanan ng mga kuwento. Tumuklas ngayon