A/N: A MUST-READ UPDATE! 

Eight days nang sunod-sunod ang update!

LORELEI

I HONESTLY don't know where to start. Masyadong mabigat para sa akin na i-share kung ano ang nangyari kinabukasan. It's like a nightmare that I've been dreaming about every night. Isang bangungot na pinapanalangin kong hindi magkatotoo.

Alistair was right. All hell would break loose after I told Loki what he needed to hear.

Pagkagising ko nitong umaga, wala na si Loki sa apartment. He never woke up this early before. What I told him must have troubled him so much, he wanted to settle the score as early as possible.

Nagmadali akong naligo at nagbihis. I can't let Loki to be alone. Hinding-hindi pwede, lalo na sa araw na 'to. I had to be with him. Para kahit ano'ng mangyari, kaya ko siyang pigilan.

"Lori!"

Papasok pa lang ako ng school building nang may tumawag sa akin. Lumingon ako sa likod at nakitang patakbong lumalapit sa akin si Alistair. Umagang-umaga pa lang, he already had a worried look in his face.

"How's Loki?" tanong niya sa akin.

"He's really upset. Kagabi pa siya nagpupuyos sa galit," I muttered. Huminto ako sa tapat ng circulation station ng Clarion. Nag-flashback sa akin ang naging usapan namin ni Augustus dito kahapon. He wanted us to play a game: sino ang magsasabi kay Loki ng katotohanan? Ako ba o siya? I gave him what he wanted. Now we had to suffer the consequences. "I'm really worried na may gawin siyang hindi dapat."

Alistair clicked his tongue. "I knew this could happen. Have you tried contacting him sa phone?"

I shook my head. "Ilang beses ko na siyang sinubukang tawagan, pero hindi niya sinasagot. I also tried messaging him on Messenger pero seenzoned lang ako sa kanya."

"We need to find him!" Alistair exclaimed. Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad sa hallway. Some students already noticed the strange looks in our faces. "Masama ang kutob ko sa mangyayari ngayong araw. If we can't contain Loki, mas gagrabe ang sitwasyon."

"Well, if we wanna find Loki, we need to find Luthor first," sagot ko. Binilisan ko na ang aking lakad. Sumabay naman sa akin Alistair. "Sa ngayon, siya lang ang alam kong unang taong pupuntahan ni Loki."

"Do you know where he might be right now?" tanong ni Alistair.

Umiling ako. "I don't keep tabs of the schedule of the vice president. Maybe we can ask Maggie?"

Nagmadali na kaming pumunta sa execom office. Umagang-umaga, may problema na kaming agad na kailangang i-solve. I haven't eaten my breakfast yet.

This is our own problem. This is our own drama. Only we can solve this.

Pagpasok namin sa execom office, nadatnan ko na roon si Jamie na palakad-lakad sa harap ng mesa. She was biting her nails repeatedly, parang balisa. Nang bumukas ang pinto, huminto siya't humarap sa amin. She grabbed my hands and looked at me in the eye.

"Lori! What's wrong with my Loki dear?" Jamie asked. "Nakita ko siyang papasok ng school building kanina. I tried to cling to his arm pero bigla niyang itinaboy ang kamay ko. His face also darkened. Something's not right with him!"

Napapalatak ako. Loki's now a walking ball of wrath. Nagiging clouded na ang judgment niya. He's only focused at one thing: Getting back at Luthor.

"Hindi ba masarap 'yong dinner n'yo kagabi?" tanong ni Jamie. "Sira na ba 'yong gatas na pinainom mo sa kanya kaya wala siya sa mood?"

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Loki may act like a seven-year-old sometimes, but he doesn't get esily upset by food. "It's quite complicated. I told him something about his brother. Kumulo ang dugo niya dahil doon, magmula pa kagabi hanggang ngayong umaga."

"Why? What's the deal with his brother?" tanong ni Jamie. "Lori, tell us!"

"Mamaya ko na sasabihin!" sagot ko. "Ang importante, mahanap muna natin si Loki at mapigilan siya sa kung ano ang balak niyang gawin."

Napakapa ako sa aking bulsa. My stun pen, developed by Hershey, was still here. If worse comes to worst, mukhang kailangan kong gamitan nito si Loki. I hope na hindi umabot sa gano'ng punto.

"Napansin mo ba si Luthor?" tanong ni Alistair kay Jamie. "We believe na siya ang unang pupuntahan ni Loki ngayong umaga. If we know his location, we can expect Loki to be there."

Jamie shook her head. "Hindi, eh. Kay Loki dear lang kasi nakatuon ang atensyon ko. Parang siya lang ang may spotlight sa paningin ko."

"Why are you three so serious?"

Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Maggie. Just in time! Being Luthor's closest associate, she might know where the vice president is at the moment.

"Maggie!" tawag ko sa kanya. Medyo nagulat pa siya. "Alam mo ba kung pumasok na si Luthor at kung nasaan na siya ngayon?"

She looked at the clock display on her phone screen. "He always comes to school at exactly 6:45. He's never been late, not even once."

I looked at the time. 6:42 na ng umaga. Three minutes before Luthor arrives!

"Saan siya unang pumupunta pagkarating niya?" tanong ko. "Does he go straight to the student council's office?"

"Nah," Maggie replied. "He always checks his locker first in the locker area. Why? May kailangan ba kayo sa kanya?"

"Medyo mahabang kuwento," tugon ko. "But I will tell you as soon as we stop a ticking timebomb. Let's go?"

Tumango sina Alistair at Jamie sa akin. Lumabas kaming tatlo sa execom office at tumakbo papunta sa locker area. It might take us two minutes to get there.

"Wait a minute!" Maggie followed behind us. Napatingin sa amin ang mga estudyanteng nakakasalubong namin. We were running as if there's an emergency. Well, there is. "If that matter is so important, you should explain it to me as execom chair!"

Lumingon ako sa kanya. "We don't have time to explain, Maggie!"

Binilisan na namin ang aming takbo hanggang sa makarating kami sa locker area. Around this time, marami na ring estudyante na nagtse-check ng kanilang lockers. Ugh! I thought we could easily spot Luthor!

Inisa-isa namin ang rows ng locker at bawat linya ay occupied. On the third row that I checked, biglang lumamig sa paligid at tumayo ang mga balahibo ko. Thank God I have this Luthor radar! Alam kong malapit lang siya. He's like a walking aircon na nagbubuga ng malamig na hangin.

"Luthor!" I called, dahilan para mapalingon sa akin ang mga katabing estudyante ko. Hinabol ko muna ang aking hininga. He was only a few steps away from me.

The vice president was about to open his locker when he turned to face me. He still had that blank expression in his face. If he only knew what was coming, he might not have the same reaction.

"Luthor! May kailangan kan—"

THUD!

The students in the locker area screamed as we heard a loud thud. Luthor fell on the floor butt-first. Napatakip ako ng bibig. It happened so fast, wala akong nagawa kundi manigas sa kinatatayuan ko.

As soon as Luthor turned to me, Loki appeared beside him and punched him in the face.

My God. My worst nightmare was turning into reality.

"I've been waiting for you, you bastard..." Loki said as he stood over his brother's body. Nagngingitngit siya sa galit. He gritted his teeth. He clenched his fists. He was taking deep breaths. He was fuming mad.

Parang pinagbagsakan ako ng langit at lupa. Everything was in slow motion. I could hear Loki panting and Luthor breathing. I knew that this might happen, but I hope that this wouldn't happen!

Nang bumalik ang consciousness ko, I noticed the students around me taking photos and videos of what was happening.

"Hey, please, don't!" naiiyak kong sabi sa kanila. Sinubukan kong takpan ang kanilang mga camera but they insisted on filming. Humarang na lang ako sa kanilang harapan at ini-stretch ang mga kamay ko para hindi nila buong makunan ang eksena. "Please, don't do that!"

"YOU...!"

Napalingon ako sa likuran. Loki grabbed Luthor by the collar and landed another punch on his face. Napapikit ako nang marinig kong tamaan ng kamao niya ang mukha ng kanyang kuya.

No, I can't let this happen!

I rushed to Luthor's side and grabbed Loki's wrist. "Loki, please stop! You don't have to do this!"

"Step away from him, Lorelei," Loki began to sound like his brother. His tone was cold and chilling. Hindi nga siya naninigaw pero ramdam ko kung gaano siya kagalit ngayon. "This is a matter between me and my brother. Huwag kang makialam sa amin."

Jamie and Alistair arrived at the scene. Napatakip ng bibig si Jamie habang si Alistair, hindi alam kung dapat na ba siyang mag-interfere. Sumunod din sa kanila si Maggie na napahawak sa kanyang dibdib nang makita kami.

"LOKI! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Maggie yelled.

"Loki, please!" pagsusumamo ko sa kanya. Nangingilid na ang luha sa mga mata ko. "Stop. Pwede nating daanin sa—"

Napapikit na naman ang mga mata ko nang muli niyang suntukin sa mukha sa Luthor.

"You don't understand what's going on, Lorelei." Loki was seething with anger. I could see it in his eyes. He had the same look nang hampasin niya ng upuan si Stein. "I've often joked about this man being an evil incarnate, I never thought that it might be true."

Luthor wiped the blood off his lips with his hand. He looked at the red stain on his palm. Despite being punched by his brother, he remained calm. "I believe you are the one who doesn't understand what's going on. You are a reasonable man. Listen to reason."

"Ako pa talaga ang hindi nakakaiintindi?" Loki was about to land another punch but I stopped his fist with both of my hands.

"STOP!" I yelled at him. Itinutulak ko nang palayo ang kamao niya kahit masakit. Bumabaon ang kamao niya sa mga palad ko. I stood to push it farther away from Luthor.

"Get out of the way!" Bigla niya akong itinulak nang malakas. Napa-aray ako nang matumba sa sahig, katabi ni Luthor. I never thought that Loki would have this strength.

Halos maiyak ako, hindi dahil sa sakit, kung 'di dahil sa nangyayari. I thought he'd understand. He said he trusted me. Then why can't he listen to reason?

"Loki dear, tama na!" Sunod siyang nilapitan ni Jamie. Loki pushed her away too. Napaupo rin sa sahig si Jamie at napa-Ouch!

"Don't get in my way!" Loki warned. He was about to punch Luthor again but someone grabbed his wrist.

"THAT'S ENOUGH, LOKI!" Alistair said, restraining his arms. "Sumosobra ka na! 'Di mo ba nakitang nasaktan mo na rin sina Lorelei at Jamie! Sa tingin mo ba, madadaan mo sa violence ang pag-settle sa problema mo?"

"You don't know what it feels like so you don't have the right to judge me!" Pilit na nagpupumiglas si Loki mula sa pagkakahawak ni Alistair. "This is a matter between me and my brother. Don't get yourselves involved—"

I sprang from the floor and stabbed Loki with my pen. Nangisay siya ng ilang segundo habang nakatayo bago siya tuluyang nawalan ng malay. Dahan-dahang ibinaba ni Alistair ang kanyang katawan sa sahig.

Napatakip ako ng mukha at napahagulgol. Kainis! Why did this thing have to happen? Were we wrong with our calculation? Our plan wasn't supposed to end this way!

"Luthor!" agad na pinuntahan ni Maggie ang vice president. May tono ng pag-aalala sa kanyang boses. "Okay ka lang ba? Bakit ka biglang inatake nitong si Loki?"

"Lori..." Hinaplos ni Jamie ang aking likuran. Naiiyak na rin siya pero pinipigilan niya ang pagtulo ng kanyang mga luha.

I wiped the tears off my face with my hands. I sniffed. At least, for now, tumahimik na si Loki. But I couldn't tell what he might do once he regained consciousness.

Alistair offered his right hand to help the vice president stand. Sunod niya akong pinuntahan at tinanong kung nabalian ba ako ng buto o kung saan masakit.

I shook my head and looked at Luthor. Dumudugo ang kanyang ilong at labi. Namamaga ang isa niyang mata. May dugo din sa kanyang kilay. Talagang ibinuhos ni Loki ang galit niya sa kanyang kuya. I feel sorry for him.

"Don't you have morning classes?" tanong ni Maggie sa mga estudyanteng nakikiusyoso. "Go to your rooms now! At huwag n'yong i-a-upload ang video online, ha!"

Napasandal na lang ako sa locker at ipinikit ang aking mga mata. It's only seven in the morning, but I felt exhausted already, physically and emotionally.

***

LUTHOR AND Loki were brought to the clinic. Matapos mapatingnan ang mga sugat niya, hindi na masyadong nagtagal si Luthor doon. He'd rather not let his brother see him when he wakes up. Ayaw raw niya ng gulo.

Nang magkaroon ng malay si Loki, na-detain siya sa campus police station. He assaulted a student while in campus. It's a serious offense. He needed to pay for what he did.

Pagdating ng morning break, pinuntahan naming dalawa ni Jamie si Loki sa station. We brought him donuts. I remember him joking before that if he gets arrested, we should bring him something. Alam ko namang makikipag-settle ang kuya niya sa kanya and he would be free before the day ends.

For now, he needed to stay there and cool his head.

Ilang minuto siguro kaming nakaupo at magkaharap. Nakayuko si Loki, tila nahihiya sa amin at hindi kami magawang tingnan sa mata. Si Jamie, paulit-ulit na napapapunas ng kanyang ilong. She's been sniffing since we got here. Ako naman, walang tigil ang pagbuntong-hininga.

Five minutes na ang lumipas pero wala pa ring kumikibo sa aming tatlo.

"I'm sincerely sorry," Loki muttered. Marahan niyang iniangat ang tingin niya sa akin. Mas kalmado na siya ngayon compared kanina sa locker area. "For hurting you two. I got carried away."

"Okay lang sa 'kin, Loki dear!" tugon ni Jamie sabay hawak sa kamay nito. "Nadala ka lang ng emosyon mo kanina kaya 'di mo napigilan. Naiintindihan ka namin."

"No," sabi ko sabay iling. "Hindi pa rin tama ang ginawa niya, Jamie. We are his friends. He shouldn't have done that. He shouldn't have hurt us, no matter what he's going through. We're only trying to defuse the tension. We're only trying to help!"

"And I offer no excuses," Loki bowed his head. "I admit that what I did is wrong. And I ask for your forgiveness."

Suminghal ako at sandaling nabaling sa ibang direksyon ang tingin ko. "Gusto ko ring mag-sorry. Ginamitan kita ng stun pen kanina."

"You only did what you needed to do," Loki said. "I was on a rampage. You needed to pacify me. I understand the action that you took. I took no offense."

"Aaminin ko sa 'yo, Loki dear," Jamie said. Napansin kong nanginginig ang mga kamay niya. She was also trying to force a smile. "Natakot talaga ako sa 'yo kanina. Parang hindi ko kilala 'yong taong nasa harapan ko. Parang hindi ikaw 'yon."

Kumurap ang mga mata ni Loki sabay pagbaba ng kanyang tingin. Napabuntong-hininga din siya. "I never thought I was capable of that level of rage. This is probably the third time I channeled so much anger. I failed to contain it."

"If we didn't stop you, you would have sent Luthor to a coma," I told him. "Kagaya ng ginawa mo noon kay Stein sa cafe."

That day, I also had the same impression as Jamie. When Loki was kicking the unconscious Stein on the floor, I thought that he wasn't the person that I've come to know. Well, what I saw back then was not a person, but a monster. At ayaw kong makita ulit siya na gano'n.

I'd rather have the cold and harsh Loki than the violent one.

"So what now?" tanong niya.

"Mag-chill ka muna rito at mag-reflect ka sa ginawa mo," sagot ko. "Kapag siguro okay na ang lahat at kumalma ka na, mag-uusap ulit tayo."

"Basta kainin mo 'yong donuts ko, Loki dear!" Jamie smiled, now it's genuine. "Huwag kang magpapagutom, ah?"

"Thank you," he said. "Both of you. For understanding."

We left him in the campus police station and walked back to the school building. Marami pa kaming mga bagay na kailangang ayusin ngayong araw. And our day has just begun.

***

THE EXECOM office never had the somber mood that it now has. The vice president was assaulted in the locker area. One of our members was detained in the campus police station. The entire student body was talking about what happened.

Parang ganito rin ang atmosphere kahapon, matapos naming ma-realize na nautakan kami ni Augustus.

"So what are we gonna do now?" walang buhay na tanong ni Maggie. "Wait for the Clarion to post a news article about the incident this morning?"

"I'm sure na umabot na kay Augustus 'to at malamang nagse-celebrate na siya ngayon," dagdag ni Alistair. "Maraming nakakita sa nangyari. We can't easily spin the narrative. The student council and the execom will take flak for what happened."

"At ngayon pa talaga nangyari 'to, kung kailan malapit na nating ma-corner itong si Augustus?" Maggie sighed. Nagpaikot-ikot lang siya sa kanyang swivel chair. "Whatever happened, hindi tayo dapat ma-distract. Kailangan nating mag-focus sa mandate natin."

"Augustus wants us to be distracted after all," I commented. Naalala ko ang pinag-usapan namin ni Alistair kahapon sa labas ng classroom. "He got what he wanted. Thanks to me."

"What really happened, Lorelei?" Maggie leaned forward. "Bakit biglang inatake ni Loki si Luthor? I know that they're not in good terms, but punching him repeatedly in the face? I never thought Loki would do that. Unless may mabigat na reason."

"Oo nga naman, Lori?" tanong ni Jamie. "Hindi mo pa sinasabi sa amin kung bakit ganito ang inasta ni Loki dear ko. Kindly enlighten us. Please?"

Alistair and I exchanged glances. He nodded at me. Mukhang kailangan ko nang sabihin sa kanila ang totoo. Their stares were starting to pressure me na.

Huminga muna ako nang malalim.

"Saan ko ba sisimulan?" Napatingin ako sa kisame, iniisip kung paano ko i-a-approah ang kwento. "Siguro last Friday night, noong pinasukan namin ni Alistair ang office ni—"

TOK! TOK! TOK!

Naantala ang pagkukwento ko ng pagkatok. We all turned to the door that swung open. It must be someone from the execom or the student council.

"M-Madam President!" Maggie stood to greet the student council president, Emeraude Emerson. We also did the same to show respect to the topmost student leader in Clark High.

Something's wrong. Emeraude doesn't have the vibrance that she usually has. Kasing gloomy ng atmosphere sa office namin ang mukha niya. May nangyari ba? Why does she look so down?

Bigla akong kinabahan. She might be bringing us another bad news.

"I don't know how to say this," she began, her eyes staring at the floor. "But there's a big change in the student council."

Naningkit ang mga mata ko habang nagkatinginan sa isa't isa ang mga kasama ko.

"Luthor Mendez has been removed as vice president of the student council, effective immediately," Emeraude said after a minute of silence. "He's gonna be investigated by school admin."

"WHAT?!"

Napatayo kaming lahat sa gulat. Napanganga kami nang ilang segundo. Parang hinampas kami ng matigas na bagay sa mukha.

"Pero bakit?" tanong ni Maggie. Nilapitan niya ang student council president. Hindi siya makapaniwala. "Bakit n'yo tinanggal si Luthor? Dahil ba sinuntok siya ni Loki kanina? That's not reasonable!"

"What happened this morning was unfortunate, but that's not the reason," Emeraude replied, shaking her head. "His brother submitted a report this morning about Luthor's alleged illegal activities."

Napaupo ako sa aking upuan at napa-slide dito.

"If the allegations were true," Emeraude took a pause, "he might face severe consequences."

"No, no, no!" Paulit-ulit na iling ni Maggie. "That's not true! That can't be true! I've known Luthor for years! Some of his methods may be questionable, but he won't engage in anything illegal!"

"That's what we're gonna find out," Emeraude replied, looking at our chairwoman straight in the eye. "Whether the allegations are true or not. For now, I want the full cooperation of the execom. Luthor's now in the board room, waiting for his hearing to start. There's someone na gusto kong sunduin n'yo."

"Who?"

"Augustus Moran," Emeraude said. "According to Loki's report, Augustus has personal knowledge of Luthor's illegal activities. We need to ask him to testify. Tell him he's going to be excused from his classes during the hearing. He might prove or refute what our former vice president is being accused of. Take care of it, Maggie."

"Copy that," Maggie nodded.

Pagkaalis ng student council president, muli na namang natahimik ang buong execom office. Problem after problem. Kailan ba matatapos 'to?

"I will deliver the invitation to Augustus," Maggie said, clearing her throat. "Who wants to join me?"

Hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip na magtaas ng kamay. Gaya ng paniniwala ko, the person who makes the decision must carry its weight. Nang dahil sa akin kaya nangyari 'to. Nang dahil sa akin kaya nagkagulo. Kaya marapat lang na panindigan ko.

"Let's go, Lorelei."

Umalis na kami ni Maggie sa execom office at nilakad ang hallway patungo sa kabilang wing. This felt like the longest walk of my life in this school. Nang madaanan namin ang mga bulletin board, napansin ko ang ilang estudyante na may media ID na nakalupong sa harap. Clarion staffers, huh? They pinned a piece of paper on it. There's a "breaking news" tag and the headline read:

VICE PRESIDENT OUT!
Student council fires VP

I don't know kung mabilis talagang magsulat ng news ang mga taga-Clarion o matagal nang inaabangan ni Augustus na mangyayari 'to. Maybe he's been waiting for this moment. Maybe what happened was also in his so-called "layout."

"Do you believe what Loki wrote in his report?" tanong ni Maggie sa 'kin. She looked really troubled since the moment she heard about it. "Na involved si Luthor sa mga illegal activity dito sa campus?"

"If he is really involved, I wanna believe na may reason siya," sagot ko. "Let's leave that to the hearing and hope na tama ang pagkakakilala natin kay Luthor."

Pagpasok namin sa office ng Clarion, pinagtinginan agad kami ng kanilang mga staffer. They probably saw the clips kung saan pinipigilan namin si Loki mula sa pambubugbog kay Luthor.

"Don't mind them," Maggie whispered to me. I nodded.

Dumiretso kami sa cubicle ng editor-in-chief. We found Augustus there, grinning from ear-to-ear as he was reading the same paper they posted on the bulletin boards.

"Excuse me?" kumatok muna si Maggie sa pinto.

Augustus lifted his gaze. Una niyang ibinaling ang kanyang tingin sa akin bago sa katabi ko. "Margarette! What a pleasant surprise! This is the first time na nag-visit ka sa office namin. What can I do for you and the execom?"

Ikinuyom ko ang aking mga kamao. I felt a strong urge to punch him in the face, gaya ng ginawa ni Loki sa kanyang kuya kanina. But I'm trying to restrain myself. Ayaw ko nang madagdagan ang problema namin.

"You've obviously heard the news," sagot ni Maggie na nakatingin sa binabasa ng editor-in-chief. "Luthor is out and he's being investigated for illegal activities. According sa nag-tip sa student council, makatutulong daw ang testimony mo para malaman ang katotohanan. I hope na whatever you know against Luthor, legit 'yan at hindi fake news."

Lalo pang lumawak ang ngiti ni Augustus. Lalo ring bumaon ang kuko ko sa aking palad. Kalma lang, Lorelei. Huwag kang papadala sa emosyon.

"I am a campus journalist and I only seek the truth," Augustus said. "If there's any way that I can help the investigation, I'd gladly help."

"You'll be excused from your classes," tugon ni Maggie sa kanya. "Magpapadala ang student council ng excuse letter sa instructor n'yo."

"Kakatapos lang naming i-break ang balita tungkol kay Luthor," he said. "I'm free now and good to go."

"Shall we?" Maggie motioned to the door.

I've never been to the board room, but I guess that's the place where the school officials hold their meeting. The fact na doon gaganapin ang hearing ni Luthor meant na gano'n ka-seryoso ang mga akusasyon laban sa kanya.

Maggie was leading the way habang ako nama'y sumabay kay Augustus.

"So you decided to tell him after all," he whispered to me. Hindi pa rin mabura ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. "I was ready to talk to your friend at ten this morning."

"Mas mabuti nang sa 'kin manggaling kaysa sa 'yo. I can soften the blow," pabulong ko ring sagot sa kanya. "Now that the cat is out of the bag, why don't you also tell Loki about what you know? You might wanna have a taste of his wrath. Nasampolan na ang kuya niya kanina."

Augustus sighed. "There's no need for that. I already got what I wanted. Thank you for acting according to my layout. It was delayed for a day, but it's fine."

Kung may award sa pagme-maintain ng self-control, I would have won it already. Kanina pa ako nagtitimpi mula nang makita ko ang pagmumukha niya.

Hindi gano'n kalayo ang board room. The venue of Luthor's hearing was on the ground floor, near the entrance lobby.

Rye Rubio was stationed at the door. Pagkakita niya sa amin, binuksan niya ang pinto at pinapasok kami.

Isang mahabang mesa ang bumunga sa amin. May naka-install na microphone sa bawat space at may kanya-kanyang swivel chair doon.

Luthor was already there, seated at one end of the table. Compared noong nakita ko siya sa clinic kanina, mas namamaga ngayon ang kanang pisngi niya. May band-aid sa kanyang kilay at sa ilalim ng kanyang labi. Nandoon din si Emeraude at ang mga student council officer.

Augustus sat on the other end of the table. Isang seat lang ang pagitan naming dalawa. Ayaw kong dumikit sa kanya, baka ano pa ang magawa ko habang katabi siya.

Sunod na pumasok sina Jamie at Alistair na mukhang pinatawag din para sa hearing na 'to. Tumabi silang dalawa sa akin. Ang kulang na lang ay si Loki. He couldn't make it since he's detained in the campus police office.

Emeraude pressed the button of her mic. "Shall we start the hearing?"

Augustus nodded, smiling. This was the moment he's been waiting for. Kami naman, napatingin kay Luthor na mukhang kalmado pa rin kahit may iniindang sakit.

Emeraude turned to her former vice president. "You have been accused of being involved in illegal activities. A report submitted to the student council has claimed such."

I looked down and covered my mouth.

"What can you say about that accusation against you..." Emeraude averted her gaze at the student on the other end of the table, "...Augustus Moran?"

Napaangat ang tingin ni Augustus at biglang nabura ang ngiti sa kanyang labi. Ang ilan sa mga katabi namin, nagulat sa biglang pagturo sa editor-in-chief. Maggie was surprised, as well as Jamie.

"Wait a minute," he said. "I'm not the one on trial here."

"You are being accused of embezzling funds from the Clarion's budget." It was Luthor's turn to speak. "Do you deny this accusation?"

Dahan-dahang ibinaling sa akin ni Augustus ang kanyang tingin. I wanted to take a picture of his priceless reaction, but my phone wasn't ready.

Kanina ko pa pinipigilang mapangiti. Hindi ko na tuloy mapigilan.

I flashed a smile at the editor-in-chief. "Thank you for acting according to our layout, Augustus."

q.e.d.

The next update is the last part of "The Last of Augustus." Stay tuned!

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