Reclaiming the Stars (Agustin Series #1)

Kabanata 25

Kabanata 25

Blame

You know you got a good heart when you feel bad for doing what's best for you. But what if I don't feel bad at all?

"Una na'ko sa sasakyan, Ade," pagpapaalam ko sa kanya. She's one of the last people to leave, including Lorenzo and Jewel kaya nakikisabay nalang ako. Nauna na ang ibang heads.

"Sure. Go ahead," she said while fixing her bag.

Naglalakad na ako papunta sa sasakyan, smiling after a fruitful presentation. Sa sobrang saya parang buong katawan ko nakangiti. I was ecstatic not until I saw my flashdrive dangling in someone's bag. I wasn't the type to point fingers and easily conclude but she pushed my buttons.

Nandilim ang paningin ko. It's rare to see me mad but when I do, it gets really hardcore.

"Jewel," I called. Magkasabay silang naglalakad ni Lorenzo. Sabay palagi silang umuuwi but it wasn't my concern.

"Yes, Priya?" maarte s'yang lumingon at pinagtaasan ako ng kilay. I was following them from behind dahil nga sabay sabay ang pag-uwi namin.

"I think you dropped something," pinulot ko ang flashdrive kong nasa sahig. I saw how her eyes widened pero agad din niyang binawi sa pamamagitan ng pagtikhim.

Kitang kita ng dalawa kong mata ang buong pangyayari. Mangiyak-ngiyak na ako kanina sa paghahanap, sa pagtakbo, sa pagkuha ng laptop ko tapos malalaman kong nakasabit sa bag n'ya. Magician ba s'ya?

"Traveler pala yung flashdrive ko, may sariling paa. Naglalakbay?" puno ng sarkasmo kong pagtatanong. Nakakunot ang noo ni Lorenzo na parang nanonood ng hindi maipaliwanag na palabas.

"What do you mean? Anong naglalakabay ang sinasabi mo?" inosenteng tanong n'ya. Galingan mo pa Jewel, nahihinaan ako. Nahihinaan pa ako.

"What is this about, Priya?" Lorenzo asked, weighing the whole situation. I might appear like I'm talking nonsense in front of him.

I have become every bad thing but I would never be a liar. Alam ko ang nakita ko.

"Anong nangyayari dito?" nakasunod pala sa amin si Ade. Kami nalang apat ang natitira.

"Well, hindi ko alam kung kailan at saan natutong mag-scuba diving ang flashdrive ko, Miss Mendez. Nahulog sa bag," hindi ko nilubayan ng titig si Jewel. Her eyes stayed on the side and her hands are scratching her neck, her head, showing signs of being blameworthy. Pero binawi n'ya iyon sa pamamagitan ng pagseseryoso at pagmamaang-maangan.

Girl, if I were you, well I don't want to be you.

"What?!"sSi Ade. I spiraled my flashdrive on my hand and waved it in front of them.

"How can you be so sure that it was from my bag?!" giit ni Jewel.

"Wala naman akong natatandaang sinabi kong sa bag mo galing, ah," kita ko ang pagkurap-kurap n'ya.

"I know! But it feels like you're blaming me," she angrily spatted.

"I'm not blaming anyone. Only those who feel guilty," prente kong sinabi. Truth be told, wala naman sa'kin kung gusto n'yang kuhanin ang flashdrive ko. My only concern and worry is why would she do that? Sa oras pa talaga ng presentation ko. I she trying to sabotage me?

"Do you have evidence that it was from her bag?" tanong ni Lorenzo na seryoso akong pinag-aaralan. I faked a laugh at him. He's a joke. And wow, why are they so easy to presume that I'm putting the blame on them?

"I don't," matapang kong sagot. "Wala akong ebidensya kaya hindi ko inilaban. Even if I would state what I see, no one would still believe me. Tama naman ako hindi ba, Engineer Lorenzo?"