May's POV (Elena) —
I am well aware that I am very highly competitive person and Elena Perez is one of the people I aim to surpass. But I can't help but assume na pinag-iinitan ako ng babaeng 'to. I don't get it, what does she need from me?
"Sino kaya sa ating dalawa ang nag-eskandalo dati?" I whispered to myself.
The sound of the elevator stopping cut me off. I stepped out of the elevator pissed just by thinking of Chase and miss Elena. I think I'm starting to believe that they should have been together because they seem fit for each other, they're both annoying. I headed straight to my Yummie's stall to check if she's ready to go home.
"Oy, andyan ka na pala. Aayusin ko lang muna saglit 'tong mga gamit ko, May ah?" She told me while she pulled an extra chair for me to sit on.
"Thanks," I said.
"So kamusta yung coffee break mo?" She tried to continue the conversation.
"Nah, same old same old," I answered shortly.
"Sabi nila may kasama ka raw'ng nagcoffee?" She said in kind of teasingly way.
Ugh, gossips are really quick to spread like a wildfire. I guess, everyone is not busy enough since they had time to gossip about my life.
"Yes. Chase," I answered her as honestly and prompt as I can.
"Aw. Chase? Sa'n mo naman siya na—"
"Aren't you done fixing your stuff yet?" I cut what she was supposed to say. Annoyed by her nosiness. I just wanna go.
"Sabi ko nga. Tara na." She answered in a low tone while she grabbed her bag and some of her offices stuffs as fast as she can.
Then I remembered our conversation last night at my place. I was asking her why she stopped visiting me at the hospital. I cannot wait to hear her answers. I think this is gonna be another puzzle solved in my mind. We decided to take a cab going home. I do not feel like walking today.
It was surprisingly silent inside the cab, I can feel Yummie fidgeting so I took the opportunity to apologize. Even if I can't remember, she's still my best friend. Right?
"Look. I'm sorry if I may be sometimes rude.. uhh." I said to her, breaking the silence inside the cab.
She looked at me and smiled forcibly. She's very easy to read too... just like Sebastian. I guess the old me was attracted to simpletons.
"Naiintidihan ko naman, May. Nag-aadjust ka pa. Sa dami ba naman ng nangyari sa'yo. Kahit sino naman siguro maninibago.. at magbabago," she answered in a modess way.
I felt guilt took over every cell in my body. She always understands me. She's always so considerate of how I may act towards her. She's a good friend and if I don't treat her right, I might lose her too. Tss.
"Thank you," I do not feel like going on all cheezy at the moment but I mean what I said. I am very thankful.
"Okay lang no! Ano ka ba, para na kaya kitang kapatid," she winked, trying to wipe the tension out.
I just gave her a pale smile before deciding to just look out the window. I still feel uncomfortable around her but she's all I have now... I guess.
"D'yan ho sa gilid, manong," Yummie told the driver of the cab.
The cab stopped and I paid for our fare, unlocked my pad's door and we let ourselves in. I headed straight to the kitchen to get myself a glass of cold water.
"Yumm, gusto mo ba ng tubig?" I shouted because she's seated in the living room.
"Sige. Salamat, best," she answered yelling a bit, just enough for me to hear her answer.
The first thing I did when I came back was to find a new space using up all my savings. I can't live in an abandon-like room! I got her a glass of water and headed back to the living room to sit with her. She plugged the television and stood up to get the remote.
"Hey.. about last night. You were saying.." I tried to bring back our last night's topic.
"Ahh, 'yon ba. Oo. Kasi ganito 'yon May.." She answered straight, unlike last night that she was stuttering, "kaya hindi na kita nadalaw ulit sa hospital nung mga panahong 'yon kasi nung nalaman ni sir Elandro na nahospital ka, nag-aalala raw siya na baka maapektuhan ang kompanya sa mga nangyari kaya minabuti niya na itago ang nangyari at pinalabas nalang sa iba na nag-attempt kang magsuicide." She answered straight.
Ipinalabas na nagsuicide ako? "Hindi ba't suicide naman talaga ang dahilan why I was at the hospital?" I asked her, very confused.
Yummie looked dubious but complied, "Uhh. 'Yon kasi ang information na pinalabas nila sa press. Para raw hindi na matanong masyado kasi personal mo nang rason ang pag-suicide. Kaya suicide yung pinalabas nila na nangyari. Nanngako naman silang bibigyan ka ng bonus at sila ang aako sa hospital bills mo kaya wala akong nagawa kung hindi sumunod."
Why the fudge would they do that? Why would miss Elena's dad cover what happened to me? For his company's sake? What the hell was he thinking?! The sudden revelation of the covered-up lies sent several mixed-up emotions. The truth I had been believing turned out to be a lie!
Before I could even ask Yummie, she continued, "Nadisgrasya ka May. Nasagasaan ka. Iyon lang ang katotohanang alam ko kasi nauna kang umuwi sa'kin nung araw na 'yon. Tinawagan na lamang ako ng hospital na nadisgrasya ka raw. Ilang araw matapos nung nangyari, dumating si sir Elandro at inexplain niya sa'kin na maaari raw'ng makasama sa kompanya niya ang nangyari sa isa sa empleyado niya kaya raw mas mabuti kung titigilan ko na ang pagdalaw sa'yo at siya na raw ang magbabayad ng lahat ng gastusin sa hospital. Kaya hindi na kita dinalaw ulit mula nun. Iniisip ko rin kasing ayokong 'yong ipon mong pera ang ibayad sa hospital kasi matagal mo 'yong pinag-ipunan. Kaya pumayag na rin ako sa gusto ni si Elandro. At para may balikan pa tayong trabaho. Sorry May."
What am I to believe now? Who should I believe now? What's the truth? Is this the only truth that they manipulated? What more? Is there more? I cried upon hearing everything that she had just said. They lied to me. I don't know who I am or what I am anymore. I'm already confused as it is... and now?
"May," Yummie cried too and tried to hug me but I refused. I do not fucking need a hug!
"Please, leave me alone. Go," that was all that I could say to her after hearing the truth.
I know in my heart, none of this is her fault. Elandro too, just wants what's best for the company but I don't know what to feel. I just need time to process all these, I just need to find myself.
"May, pumayag ako sa lahat ng 'yon para rin sa ating dalawa. Ayokong magkahiwalay tayo," Yummie defended, still crying.
"I don't know. Hindi ko na alam kung kanino ako maniniwala. You're supposed to help me!!" I yelled at her.
"May... para nam— " I cut what she was about to say, "Please get out! Just leave!!"
She hurriedly stood up and headed straight to the door to go right after she heard me scream at her. I don't wanna shoo her away just like that but I can't help it... I'm confused and wasted.
I saw her got out and closed the door before her without even saying anything. I guess I really scared her off. Ugh. I'm sorry Yummie. I hurriedly ran to my bedroom, crying. This is not what I should be doing but really, I don't even know who I am.
"Why did they make me look like a desperate loner?! Why do they have to cover up what had really happened to me just for their fucking company? I feel like I have a lot of things to know! Now I feel like I don't really know who I am!" I shouted, talking to myself. Crying.
Sir Elandro made me look like a fucking loner just for his company's sake? Is he really that shallow? Or does he have another reason aside from that? But... if I was in his position, I would do my best for the company too. I know this is not about the manipulated truth, I just... I just don't know anymore. Before I knew it, the darkness covered everything.