Epilogue

Governor Gabriel Lopez, governor of Cebu, is charged guilty with the crime of plunder under Republic Act 7080.

Former President Alexander Soldevilla is on fire following the case of Mr. Lopez, as one of the men behind the collapse of the Lung Hospital in Batangas two decades ago.

Dr. Marina Lopez' hospital, FilCare Medical Center, is under investigation for numerous unexplained death of unfortunate patients.

Arturo University suddenly removes scholarship programs.

Governor Gabriel Lopez's only child dies at eighteen, found hanging from the ceiling of rented apartment.

"I can't believe this is happening!" Lila exclaimed. Hindi siya mapakali habang nakahiga sa kama at nagbabasa ng mga balita.

Alice is quiet, packing all her things up. Hindi na niya magawang magsalita pa. Sa sunod-sunod na katotohanan at mga balitang narinig niya ay hindi na kayang magproseso nang matino ng isip niya.

She left her home. And now she's leaving the dorm. Hindi niya alam kung saan siya pupulutin. Hindi niya alam kung saan siya pupunta.

Her life is a mess. Her life is a big joke. Pakiramdam niya ay wala nang totoo sa buhay niya. Ni hindi na niya kayang makinig sa tinuring niyang Mommy.

"Alice, are you sure you will be okay?" usisa ni Lila. She doesn't know the truth. She's just worried where Alice will be staying and enrolling after all of this.

Gustong maiyak ni Alice dahil sa halo halong naiisip niya. Nasira ang buhay niya, sa sarili niyang paniniwala. Nasira ang lahat dahil siya mismo ang naniwala sa maling iniisip niya.

She could not blame it all to Canary. After all, she's telling the truth. She felt a bit guilty. Dahil imbes na siya ang nahirapan, imbes na siya ang nagsakrispisyo, Canary did it all for her. And what's more frustrating is, she didn't get the chance to meet her own Mom.

"By the way, Alice," Lila said. "Can I ask you something?"

Nilingon niya ito, habang pinupunasan ang mga luha niya. Marahan siyang tumango.

"Did you know why Arturo suddenly removes the scholarship program?"

Umiling siya. Sa totoo lang ay hindi na niya iyon para isipin. All Alice knows is when it rains, it pours.

"Somebody reported your friend. And if that will go out of the media, Arturo will surely be in hot mess. This is an insider's tea, Alice. Galit na galit ang administration kung bakit siya nakapasok without deep background check."

"W-who's friend?" tanong ni Alice.

"Yung Canary? Magkaibigan pa rin ba kayo noon? Huwag mo na siyang kaibiganin or lapitan. She's a nightmare, Alice. Well, I guess, wala na rin naman siyang chance para magpakita pa sa 'yo."

Mapait akong napangiti. "I've experience the worst, Lila."

"What? What did she do to you?!" nagpa-panic nitong tanong.

"What exactly did she do?" balik tanong ni Alice. Ayaw na niyang malaman pa ni Lila ang lahat.

"She killed her sister. 'Yung tunay na anak ng Mommy niya. She was just an adopted child, Alice. They found her sister in the closet, in their house."