#LGS2chapter21 #LaGrilla2 #LGS2Edit

MONDAY.

Mosa came to schoollooking composed and strong, but her gaze reflected how obviously cold anddistant she had become. Ni hindi nga niya masyadong kinakausap ang mga tao sakaniyang paligid. Ang mga bumabati sa kaniya ay tila nangingilag, at halatangnadismaya dahil hindi niya tinutugon ang mga ngiti o pagbati ng mga ito.

She knew they wereeither trying to get some material from her to gossip about in relation to thesex video; or just genuinely wanted to check on her because they sympathizewith her. Yet, Mosa was not in the mood for any of those. She didn't wantanyone's sympathy or plasticity.

She just wanted to moveon.

Mosa braced herself forher first class of the day, but to no avail. Because apparently, Freya did notattend any of her classes at all. Marahil, dahil sa pananahimik at pagigingmalamig niya kaya wala sa mga kaklase niya ang naglakas-loob na lumapit sa kaniyao nagtanong tungkol sa nangyari noong Valentine's Ball.

On Mosa's two-hourvacant period, she decided to go straight to the Student Council Office. Totake her mind off of her problems, she planned on catching up with the outcomeof the Valentine's Ball. She was hoping that the ticket sales were enough tocover for the expenses with a little extra to fund some student councilprojects. Kahit dito man lang sa pagiging student council officer niya,makaramdam man lang siya ng tuwa.

But before getting tothe SC office and before she could even exit the school building where herprevious class was held, Destiny already blocked her way.

"Oh, thank goodness, Ifound you," she panted and gave her an apologetic smile.

"I'm going to the SCoffice. Tara, sumabay ka na sa 'kin."

Marahang umiling ang SCVice President. "I don't think I can do that."

"If that's not thecase, bakit parang natuwa ka na nahanap mo ako?"

"Not really happy. I'mrelieved, but I don't think you'll like the reason why I'm looking for you."

"Is this about lastFriday night?"

Nag-aalangan man aymabilis na tumango-tango ito.

"Pati ba naman ikaw?"Tumalim ang mga mata niya rito. "Tsismosa ka na rin ba?"

"Presi, that's notexactly what I'm here for. You have morning classes, kaya kami ang naabutan ngguidance councilor sa office kanina. Pinasusundo ka niya sa akin ngayong vacantperiod mo dahil kailangan ka sa guidance office."

Napalunok si Mosa.Mabuti at mabilis niyang naitago ang kaniyang kaba. "Why are they asking forme? If this is about the video, I'm as shocked as all of you are."

"I know. Pero siyempre,gustong malaman ng councilor ang panig ng lahat. Hindi lang ng mga involvedkundi pati ng mga apektado sa nangyari. Lalo ka na."

She could not helprolling her eyes. "Is that even relevant? It's just a love . . . No. It's justa relationship problem. Kailan pa naging big deal sa academe ang love life ngmga estudyante rito?"

Destiny lowered hereyes. "I don't think I should be spilling this confidential matter, pero paramakapaghanda ka at dahil love kita, sasabihin ko na, Presi. . . ." Nag-angatito ng tingin sa kaniya. "May gagawing imbestigasyon tungkol sa nangyaring eskandalo,Presi."

Saglit na tumigil siMosa sa paghinga. 'I-Imbestigasyon?'

"Nagsumbong si Freya saparents niya. She's been bombarded by hate calls and messages all weekend. Italarmed her parents because she seemed to almost lose her mind. Kaya, iyon,nakipag-usap nitong umaga lang ang parents ni Freya sa school admin. They wantan investigation about the sex video. They even want to check how legitimate itis, kasi baka gawa-gawa lang daw para siraan si Freya ng kung sino. But beforethat, nakiusap ang councilor na kung puwedeng sila na muna ang mag-asikaso ritodito sa loob ng school. That's why, they are talking to every person connectedto the scandal. Kahit ikaw na lubos na nasaktan doon, Presi, kailangangmakausap."

Mosa slowly averted hereyes from Destiny. Napahigpit ang pagkakayakap niya sa kaniyang sketchbook.

'Oh,no.'

***

MOSA carefully answeredall the questions at the guidance office. She managed to get through herone-on-one conversation with the guidance counselor wjile maintaining the guisethat she was clueless as to how that sex video got a public viewing.

But being able to gothrough the interrogation without arousing suspicion did not bring her relief.

She may be able toescape other people's suspicion, but never her own conscience and fears. . . .

Never the truth.

Bago ang Valentine'sBall, inayusan siya ni Bridgette sa kaniyang bahay. Lingid sa kaalaman ng lahatna inabot niya rito ang compact disc na naglalaman ng video na kinopya niya sakaniyang laptop noon mula sa digicam ni Curtis.

Bridgette enjoys makingfun of boys, especially the bad ones, so she took the pleasure of handing overthe disc to the sound system operator. Being the queen of makeup and stylingthat she is, she managed to dress up without anyone recognizing her while doingthat. She probably disappeared immediately to the ladies' room or to her owncar that night to get changed into better makeup and getup before returning to the party.

Ang gusto lang naman niMosa ay matuldukan na ang lahat ng panlolokong ginagawa sa kaniya ng tatlongmalalaking ahas sa buhay niya. She did not expect this to escalate to this rate,to the point that a simple justified revenge could lead her to jail!

Mosa should be savingmoney. Malapit na kasi ang nakaambang paglipat nila ng bahay at ang posibilidadna karamihan sa mga pera na mayroon sila at kikitain nila ay mapupunta sa ganidna pinagkakautangan ng kaniyang magaling na ama. But old habits truly die hardfor she hailed a taxi instead of a jeepney and asked the driver to take herhome.

Pagbaba sa tapat nggate, naglakad pa siya nang kaunti para marating ang main door ng bahay nila.Each step felt heavier and her heart was pounding harder as the sight of a carand a motorcycle grew clearer for her.

Isang kotse lang ang nakahintosa tapat ng kanilang bahay, posibleng kadarating lang at wala ring balak namagtagal dahil hindi ito pumarada sa parking space kung nasaan ang dalawangsasakyan ng tatay niya. Nasa likuran ng kotse—ilang hakbang ang layo—ang isangpamilyar na Harley-Davidson.

'Hindi pumasok angmga 'to. Akala ko, dahil sa wakas ay mga tinablan na ng hiya! And of course, I'mwrong! Mali talaga ako ng pagkakakilala sa mga Saavedra!' galit niyang isip habang nagigingpadabog na ang bawat pabagsak ng kaniyang mga paa. 'Humanda sila sa 'kinonce my parents get involved into this!'

Mosa slammed the dooropen and hurriedly stormed to the living room. Tama nga ang kutob niya na ritomadaratnan ang kaniyang mga magulng at ang mga bisita.

"Finally! There sheis!" Claudia blurted yet she didn't seem pleased at her arrival. As usual, shewas dressed in a suit. This time,  shirtless blazer was white and her slacks weremaroon. Mabilis na lumipat ang matalim nitong tingin sa kaniyang mga magulang."Siguro naman, puwede na natin 'tong pag-usapan ngayon!"

She shifted her gaze onthe two brothers who sat on either sides of their mother at the sofa. Claudewas sporting his bad boy look in a black shirt, tattered jeans, combat shoes,and black leather jacket. He was so heartbreakingly gorgeous, fueling her heartwith fury for him, for Curtis . . . and for herself who shouldn't be admiring acheater.

Meanwhile, her mother,Linda, sat on a one-seater sofa close to Claude, and her father, Harold, wassitting on the arm rest of the same one-seater sofa. Her parents were stilldressed to the nines, and possibly just got home from their important daily appointments.

"Mosa," tayo ng tatayniya mula sa kinauupuan nito. "Halika rito."

She quietly obeyed. Asshe walked, she never let her guard down, lalo na at wala pa siyang ideya kungano ang nangyayari at kung ano ang napag-usapan ng mga tao sa silid na ito bagosiya dumating. "What's going on?"

"How's school?" hermother asked, worried.

'Are they baitingme? They want me to speak without knowing what's going on just to see if myside of the story parallels with these liars?' pasimpleng irap niya kay Claude nakumunot lang ang noo.

Pagkatapos ay lumaktawang tingin niya kay Claudia para mairapan si Curtis.

Curtis' pleading eyes caughther gaze, and a sense of shame came splashing down on her. She shook in thechilly embarrassment she felt at the thought that she had sex with him daysago.

Mosa feigned confidenceand swiftly turned back to her mother. "You all gathered here just to ask meabout school?" she replied in a sarcastic tone as she smirked.

Claudia spoke, "Yourparents don't believe me. I told them that someone in your school has defamedmy son."

Nanlalaki ang mga matana napatitig siya kay Claudia.

"I just came here toknow your thoughts about the sex video, Mosa. Do you really think, anak ko angnasa video na iyon?"

Nakaramdam siya ngpanginginig sa buong katawan. Hindi lang siya dismayado, pakiramdam niya aykumukulo ang dugo niya sa galit.

'What makes youthink that your son can't fuck women? That he's an angel? Don't tell me,palalabasin mo pang inosente 'yang manlolokong 'yan!' galit na palipat-lipat ng tinginniya kay Claude at sa nanay nito.

"Bakit ho ba talagakayo narito? What is the point of asking me if I believe in that video or not?Bakit pati parents ko, kailangang isali n'yo rito? I already dealt with this atschool! Hanggang dito ba naman sa bahay?"

"I should know personallywhat you think about the video. You're friends with Freya, right? And you're myson's girlfriend," mariing patuloy ni Claudia. It was as if she was testingher.

Napailing siya. "Bakithindi ninyo itanong sa anak n'yo, kung ano ang tingin ko sa video na 'yon?"

"And you trust theanonymous source of that video than my own son?"

"Why not? When your sonhas already admitted to me that he did that lewdness that the whole campushas seen that night?" she exploded.

Tila inasahan na niClaudia ang sagot niya. She remained staring at her, unfazed. "I said trust,not believe."

"What do you mean?"

"It should not matterif you believe that the video is real. If you still love and trust myson, despite what happened . . . take him back."

Napamaang siya saglitbago napailing dahil hindi siya makapaniwala sa kaniyang mga naririnig. Then,she could not help a sarcastic laugh.

Meanwhile, Curtisstraightened in his seat and gave his mother a protesting look.

"Are you fuckingkidding me?" Mosa spat mocking at Claudia. "Mrs. Saavedra, what makesyou think I'll take back that cheater!?"

"Fine." Claudiashrugged. "Don't take him back. But tell everyone that you don't believe thatClaude is in that video."

"What?"

"Testify for Claude andFreya. Just clear their names."

"The audacity to askthat from me, Mrs. Saavedra! Ako na nga ang niloko nila, ako pa ang gagawinninyong panakip-butas sa mga hayop na 'yan?"

Claudia replied calmly,her eyes were lifeless. "That's the best I can offfer, Mosa. Because you see,once Freya's parents pursued an official investigation about this matter, Iwill cooperate with them. Binibigyan na kita ngayon pa lang ng pagkakataon na magkaroonng leverage kung sakali. Dahil sa oras na ikaw ang maiturong nasa likod ngnagkalat na video . . ." She cocked her head to the side. "You'll be spendingthe next years of your life undergrad and unemployed . . . in jail."

Napalinok siya. Ito angkauna-unahang pagkakataon na nakatikim si Mosa ng negotiation skills niClaudia, and damn, she was a ruthless businesswoman indeed!

Mosa shot Curtis afurious look. 'Bakit gano'n magsalita si Mrs. Saavedra? Parang may idea nasiya na ako ang may pakana sa paglabas ng video na iyon. Did this snake rat meout?'

Her eyes went back toClaudia who spoke. "Your parents here are quiet, because they agree with me aswell. Ikaw man ang nagpakalat ng video o hindi, kailangan mong tumulong sapaglinis sa pangalan ng anak ko. Iyon ay kung ayaw mong ikaw ang pagsuspetsahanna nagpalabas ng video. After all, ikaw ang may pinakamabigat na motibo paragawin iyon."

Gigil na naikuyom niMosa ang mga kamao. The moment her lips shook and her eyes stung, she took thatas her cue to immediately leave.

She ran away, up to thestairs, and into her room.

She had to hide becauseshe didn't want everyone to witness her cry.

To witness what kind ofa loser she already was.

***

"MOM, this is not whatwe discussed," nagtitimping pahayag ni Curtis nang makasakay na sila ngkaniyang ina sa kotse.

Naunang humarurotpaalis ang motorsiklo ni Claude. Marahan namang nilisan ng kotse ang driveway.

Curtis continued,frustrated and passionate. "At bakit mo naman naisip na dapat magkabalikan sinaMosa at Kuya? Mom, he cheated on her!"

Claudia kept a straightface like the driver who seemed to mind his own business. But her voice couldnot hide her irritation.

"Ang usapan, I'll dosome damage control for this situation, Curticito."

"Damage control, yes, butby setting things right!"

"Is that really yourposition in this matter? O baka dahil gusto mong sulutin ang babaeng iyon kayanagrereklamo ka riyan?"

Umurong bigla angkaniyang dila.

"Isn't she your bestfriend, Curtis?"

"Yes." He lowered hishead and slowly looked away from his mother.

"Then stay in yourlane. Huwag mo nang uulitin ang kapangahasang ginawa mo."

"But mom . . ." Huminaang kaniyang boses. "I love her. . . ."

"But does shereciprocate the same feelings?"

"Mom . . ." he groaned.Pakiramdam niya ay sumakit na naman ang ulo niya.

"No? Then shut up."

"No, Mom! Not now thatI can see the possibility that she'll eventually learn to look at me assomething more than just her best friend!"

"The only way to clearyour brother's name is if that best friend of yours stay with him,Curtis!"

"Ah, fuck my brother'sname! Why don't he just take accountability for what he did?!"

"Oh, sure! He'll beresponsible for being a cheater, but who's going to be responsible for thatvideo?"

Natigilan siya atnapatitig sa ina.

Sa pagkakataong ito ayhindi man lang siya tinatapunan ni Claudia ng tingin.

"Sa tingin mo ba,basta-basta akong susugod sa mga Ocampo nang hindi impormado? I have gatheredinformation during the weekend, Curtis. And from what I found out, it gave methis conclusion that it's more likely that you and that Mosa are both behindall of this."

He feared that hewasn't as equipped as his cunning mother when it comes to debates, but thedesire to speak in Mosa's defense consumed him.

"I can't believe you,Mom. Kinukunsinti mo si Kuya para lang magbalik-loob siya sa 'yo. That's notright, lalo na kung hindi na makatarungan ang ginagawa mo. I can't digest thefact that Mosa, who is the victim herselfby your cheater son, is being forcedby people like you to defend the very same person who has hurt her!"Hindi na niya napigilan ang mainit na pagbugso ng kaniyang damdamin. Habangtumatagal naman ay padilim na nang padilim ang anyo ni Claudia. "Or maybe, youare just projecting yourself into this situation, huh? Maybe, you're justthinking that if Kuya made it through this, you'll feel better about yourself! Youdon't care if this will hurt your friend, Tita Linda or Mosa who looked up toyou! You don't care if it will be unfair or if it will hurt me, your own sontoo, because you don't love me! Because I'm just a reminder that you're such a cheatingass! You only think about redeeming yourself and justifying your cheating bywinning Kuya's favor back, because you cheated on your own husband once ormaybe twice!"

Napailing na lang siCurtis nang tumama ang isang malutong na sampal sa kaniyang pisngi.

***

IT was alreadydinnertime when Mosa heard a knock on her bedroom door. She did not open it butit was useless tin stolling anyone from coming in since it was left unlocked.

Pagbukas ng pinto aysumilip muna si Linda bago dahan-dahang pumasok. Napansin niyang nakapagpalitna ang ginang ng simpleng pajamas at spaghetti-strap cotton top. Wala na rinitong anumang makeup sa mukha.

Matapos umiyak aynaligo si Mosa at nagbihis. Hindi niya namamalayang matagal na pala siyangnakatulala sa kaniyang silid at pilit na pinagtatagpi-tagpi sa isip niya anglahat ng mga nangyari at ang resulta ng munting paghihiganti na dapat sana aymagsilbing gamot sa nagdurusa niyang puso. She took note of the things that shedid not get right, and of the things she could have done better.

"Pasensiya na kungngayon lang kita pinuntahan dito, anak. I thought you might need some time allby yourself to cry or . . ." Linda could not finish her sentence and justreleased a surrendering sigh.

Umupo ang kaniyangnanay sa gilid ng kaniyang kama at pinag-aralan ang kaniyang mukha.

Samantala, nanatilingwalang-kagalaw-galaw si Mosa sa kaniyang pagkakaupo sa kama. Mariing nakasandalang likod niya sa headboard at nakayakap siya sa kaniyang mga tuhod nanakataas. She was already dressed in her white satin nighties and pulled up ablanket that covered her from her lap to her toes.

Linda sighed. "Puwedena ba nating pag-usapan ang tungkol sa nangyari kanina?"

Hindi siya sumagot.Nanatili lang sa harap ang kaniyang tingin.

"We have to talk aboutit rightaway, Mosa. This is a vey delicate matter. Your future is at stakehere."

"Isn't it already atstake when Dad drowned us in debt? When he sold all our sources of money? When yougot complacent and so trusting with him with all our money that you did noteven notice as early as possible na winawaldas niya 'yon sa sugal?"

"Don't talk like that,Mosa," mariing saad ni Linda. Gumuhit ang iritasyon sa mga mata nito.

"Why can't I? Iyon namantalaga ang nagyari! At bakit gusto mong pag-usapan ang nangyari kanina, Mom?Umupo lang naman kayo ro'n ni Dad at tinanggap nang tinanggap ang mgapinagsasasabi ng mama ni Claude sa akin! You did not even defend me!"

"I'm sorry, anak—" Lindawas frantic for a second, "—but we can't defend you without knowing everything!Claudia said one thing, pero naghihintay ako na klarohin mo ang lahat!"

Galit na ibinalik langni Mos aang tingin sa harap para iwasan ang mapatitig sa mga mata ng kaniyangina.

"And you have no rightto judge your father's mistake because it isn't as terrible as yours, anak. Angpera, puwede pang kitain. Ang utang, puwede pang bayaran. Pero itong ginawa mo. . . Anak, makukulong ka!"

"Why are you sayingthat? Na para bang sigurado kang ako nga ang may kagagawan kaya na-expose angkagaguhan ni Claude?!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata niLinda sa gulat. "Y-You . . ."

"Nagmumura ako, oo. So?Ngayon mo lang narinig kaya gulat na gulat ka, Mom?"

Her mother's lipsquivered for abit before she got back her courage. "Fine. Let it out on me.Para kapag nagpunta na tayo sa hapag ay maayos ka na naming makausap ng ama motungkol dito. Nagpapatong-patong na ang mga problema natin kaya ngayon pa lang,bawasan na natin. We will solve this—"

Mosa scoffed and lookedaway. "No. This is not your problem to solve. Just leave me alone."

Frustration was allover Linda's face. "Mosa—"

Nagtitimping binabaanniya ang boses. "Mom. Just leave me alone, I said. Hirap na hirap nga kayongi-solve ni Dad iyang problema ninyo sa utang, so what makes you think you canhelp me?"

"Kung makapagsalita ka. . ." inis na buwelta ni Linda bago nito maagap na pinigilan ang sarili. Galitlang itong tumayo at iniwanan na siya sa kaniyang silid.

Mosa did not leave herroom since then.

In her isolation, shefound the solution to her problem before falling asleep.

***

TUESDAY, early morning.

Tahimik na pinanood niMosa ang pagtsetsek ng broadcasting student sa mikropono sa loob ng kanilanguniversity broadcasting room. The broadcasting room worked like a radio station,and urgent announcements were aired through this medium aside from theirbulletin boards and scheduled university events. Ginagamit din itong praktisanng mga estudyante na kasama ang radio broadcasting sa kanilang curriculum.

Sa loob-loob ni Mosa aylabis na nagwawala ang kaniyang damdamin. Pakiramdam niya ay na-out of stockang Diyos sa hustisya dahil wala siyang nakuhang gano'n mula sa paghihiganti nakaniyang ginawa. Worse, she was going to use the broadcasting medium just tolie instead of standing by the truth.

Bukod sa sakit ay nanliliitsiya. Tila isa siyang malaking kahihiyan dahil heto siya at pagtatakpan na niyaang kawalanghiyaan ng makating ex niya at ng malanding Freya na iyon.

"Ready?" lingon sakaniya ng broadcaster na isang dalagita.

Mosa swallowed andnodded. The stoic expression on her face showed how she already gave up all herhopes to get even with the snakes in her life.

Then they were finallyon-air. The broadcaster spoke to introduce the listeners briefly about the topicthat they would be discussing on-air.

And when it was Mosa'sturn to speak, she spoke as if nothing was weighing down her chest. "This isHermosa Ocampo, my fellow students, your SC President," pakilala niya muna. "Ijust want to apologize for the way I overreacted that night, during theValentine's Ball. As someone in a respectable position as this, I should have beenmore level-headed and handled the scandal with more composure. I should haveviewed this issue with a balanced discernment and in a proper setting insteadof getting overwhelmed by my feelings in public, ruining the first part of our eventthat you alll so looked-forward to.  Iknow, your kind hearts understand my position, but I have to really say this .. .  to clarify the kind of example Iwant to set as your president."

Her eyes were stilllifeless, like a talking doll unwillingly releasing prerecorded words at a pushof a button.

"As for the issue, onceI gained the clarity and emotional preparedness, I took courage to verify itand to . . . listen to every side of the story. It's safe to say that . . . Ibelieve, that the video is fake. So please, let us leave the people in thatvideo alone."

Everyone around hergasped in the broadcasting room.

"It seems edited ofsome sort," Mosa added.

"An edited video?" hercompanion interjected. "Is that possible already at this time and age? Do youthink, one of our IT students here did that? Because with a video like that? Itseemed seamless! Realistic! Only someone tech-savvy can execute such an edit asthat, right?" Nilingon pa ng broadcasting student ang mga kasamahan sa labas ngrecording booth ng silid.

"I don't really know,"walang-buhay niyang saad habang nasa kawalan na ang tingin. "It's 2004 already.From the quality of the movies nowadays, we can see that people can really editvideos now." As her voice lowered, she sounded more ominous. "So, at this timeand age, it's hard to figure out what's real and what's fake."

***

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HEAT 

La Grilla Series #12

Copyright : 2024

R-18, General Fiction, Sexy Romance, Drama

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