IT WAS EASY to say than to make it happen. Sometimes, it isn't the one who promised that has not acted upon it, but the person who receives it does not accept the will.   I accepted Shanta's initiative. I helped her not because she asked me to, but because I would've suggested it, too, if she hadn't said it first. Anything for her growth, I will take measures.   And these measures involve asking each of her victims to give her another chance and attend to what Shanta prepared for them. Others may see it as simple and not hard at all, not until they're in my situation.   "Please, this is not… a joke…" I prayed to a nerdy-looking woman who only walked past me when I told her about my friend's sweet plan. "This is real. As in, for real. Give her a chance, please… last chance… a

I THINK I FORGOT something,” sabi ko habang kinakapa ang bulsa noong makarating kami sa parking lot ng school. “Mauna na kayo doon sa bahay nila. I’ll follow after this. Don’t wait for me.”   “Ano bang nakalimutan mo?” may bahid ng duda na tanong ni Lachlan nang akmang papalis ako. “Dala mo naman bag mo. Anong klase ng gamit ang nawawala sa bulsa mo?”   “Wala ka na doon,” inis na pahayag ko. “Eh, ikaw? Kailan ka aalis? At… Bakit ang tagal ninyong umalis? Don’t tell me you’re still gonna wait for me?”   “Tanga. Hindi.” Jirario said and walked past me, intentionally hitting my shoulders as he went to his black car. “Arat na. Gutom na ako.”   “Bwisit ka,” angil ko kahit hindi masakit iyong bangga niya. &

DALMI! WHERE ARE YOU?! Where the hell is that bitch?!” came the thunderous voice of a woman from the hallway while we were inside of our classroom.   Nagkatinginan kami nina Clavis at Jirario. Sabay kaming sumilip sa pinagmulan ng ingay. Even she caught the attention of our classmates. Kaya ngayon, halos sa kanilang lahat ay tumakbo sa pinto at sumilip sa bintana.   “Fuck you all! Get out of my way or else, I will kill you!” Palakas nang palakas ang boses niya, marahil ay patungo sa classroom namin. “Ilabas ninyo ang malandi at ahas na si Dalmi Shantana! Ilabas niyo! Fucking bring her to me!”   “Tangina…” Clavis cursed as he knew who the demanding voice belonged to. “Maayos na ang lahat. Anong kaguluhan na naman ito?”  

MAAYOS…” said Shanta, but I knew that was a lie, as she stepped out of the elevator and pushed her father's back back to the hallway. "Maayos ako, Papa. W-wala na akong kaaway. Hindi na ako naghahasik ng gulo. Kaya… kaya hindi niyo na kailangan na pumunta pa rito." Mr. Ferrucci chuckled and faced his daughter. Hinawakan nito ang magkabilang braso ni Shanta at tinitigan siya nang mabuti, na parang sa tingin pa lang ay nag-uusap na sila.  Napatungo ako dahil sa naaasiwang reaksyon ng kaibigan ko kay Mr. Ferrucci. If there was one person whom Shanta can't hide secrets from, it was her Dad. He knew her too well. "Are you sure you're fine? Should I believe you, My Darling?" He said teasingly while tucking his daughter's hair behind her ear. "I brought you

"OKAY, OKAY. I'll stop."  Nagtaas ako ng mga kamay ko bilang pagsuko dahil sa banta niya. It would be an honor to sit in front of his father with a luxurious table between us. Hindi ko gugustuhin na mapurlata ang alok ni Mr. Ferrucci dahil lang sa inaasar ko ang nag-iisang babaeng anak niya. That would be losing a gem for a stone. "But kidding aside…” sabi ko dahil ayaw ko na ng gulo. But because I sought to know more about her life, I will ask about it anyway. "Hindi sa nangingialam ako. Okay? But… How did Avancea come into your life?" parang Marites na tanong ko habang nakasandal ang braso sa backrest ng upuan. "I'm just curious why she's so epal in your family. She thinks like she owns the Ferrucci brand. She feels an immense power over you." "Ibi