Chapter 5: The Crossroads

In the hallway of the University, many students are trying to protest the tuition fee increased by the school administration. Almost everyone I spoke to was disgusted by what was happening at the private school. I heard they give their own version and ways to act against its management. Our school is a private school run by Catholic Missionaries. Excellent and quality teaching, as some alumni told the newcomers. It didn't bother me at all because the truth is that I don't have the right to ask and know what it is, to be a smart student in our department. I don't like Commerce, but since I started studying Commerce, it's good for me, that's all. For extracurricular activities, I extend my extra effort to be with my peers.

My academic grades really struggled and I needed to be with the school system for my academic progress. Raymond helped me with my assignments, projects, and other school requirements. He knew about my situation with Daniel and it really bothered him. I didn't manage my time as a student, got bored easily, and got tired. No matter how hard I tried to focus on my studies, I still kept going back and forth between my school activities and my relationships. Daniel Montenegro gave me everything I wanted and my life, student life, seemed to be very good."I wish my life was like this, that I was rich..." I just thought.

One day, Raymond sent me a note that we had to meet at the canteen for some important matters. I immediately went to him in the canteen, but I wondered what this meeting was about. When I arrived, I saw him sitting alone. I took a seat and looked at him with a serious face.

"Veronica, how are you?" Raymond started talking first by studying my face.

"I'm fine, thank you. What is this important matter we need to discuss?" I asked him in a whispering tone.

"Veron, last night, I thought about this more than a hundred times about our situation; you, Daniel, and me. I'm afraid it will give you bad karma in the future. You know, instead of wishing for something good and big, will it be as bad as you expected?"

I hesitated for a moment and said with an angry tone raising my hand, "Don't worry about it, okay? Trust me, don't worry about it!" Even though she knew about my anxiety, she was determined to tell me something.

"Veron, last night, Emily called me about your meeting with Daniel. She said it's not right to lie about your situation to me. And , he doesn't approve of what you're doing with Daniel and me. Come on, Veronica, this is just an umbrella friend."

"Okay, okay. What else... what did he tell you?" I asked him in a higher tone.

"He said to try visiting him at the Riviera Café & Restaurant." I lowered my voice, "Okay Raymond, thank you. How is your life at the boarding house? How is your family?"

"At my boarding house ... there is a bit of a problem but I can handle it. And my family ... they are fine."

"Always take care Raymond." I started to leave when Raymond called me.

"By the way, take these medicines and read the prescription first before taking the pill, I think you know this," Raymond looked at me properly, smiled, and said. , "Okay love, bye!"

The next day I visited Emily Villar at the restaurant where she works. Emily asks her manager to have a break instead of just a half-day and is granted. We got a cab going to One Springfield Complex, a great night spot on the outskirts of the city. We played bowling for about an hour, sitting in a restaurant in an open area. I ordered a bottle of beer, sliced cucumber, and a bowl of "kinilaw," - an Ilonggo appetizer; marinated raw fish with vinegar, and lots of spices. I finished a bottle of beer, grabbed another, and started a conversation with Emily.

"Raymond told me about you, about what you said to him..." I stopped suddenly.

"Veron, we have known each other for a long time now. I know that you are a good and kind woman. I understood your situation from the very beginning when we met. I want you to open your mind to these two men. You used both and move about them like your clothes! Be reasonable for their feelings as men, how can you handle both of them in the future?"

"Emily, you know, I have to go on living, and these two men have helped me more than I thought. Besides, I'm sure you know why I keep them. Read my lips friend, you have to- I-got-their-help -to-finish-my-college-education! Got it, friend?" I answered angrily back.

"But, you know Veron, what you're doing is a sin! Later, bad karma will hit you. Remember that."

"Girl, shut up, okay! Who told you that?" And I stood up angry. "Let them be gossips and those are gossips," I shouted again. "Forget them! There's nothing like that! They're just watching other people's backs!"

I left Emily and went home alone, disgusted.

I went about my daily life as if I was acting on a stage, where I was the main character, who was able to lead the protagonist, anytime, anywhere, and sometimes even off script, I would do it for my good wishes. I behaved differently when I was with Daniel and it gave me a higher appreciation than when I was with Raymond. More than I want to change my lifestyle, I want to be generous to others in need. I kept my secret from Daniel for a year which gave me financial freedom. The last thing I asked for him, was investment money for the business. Great isn't it? I used my new status and influence to finish my course. I have money to buy what I want to buy, and the worldly things I need most. My bank accounts doubled every week thanks to the generosity of Daniel Montenegro. He is one year away from graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

Raymond distanced himself from my sight and did not bother to visit me at my apartment. Even at school, he hid from my sight. Emily, on the other hand, continued to work in a restaurant without bothering me. In my new status, alone, I was able to follow them secretly, along with Daniel. I hired an investigator for the three of them. To know them secretly, and to easily recognize what my complaint is when the problem arises. One thing I discovered about Daniel; he has a big house in Bacolod City, and his parents got vast wealth from their ancestors. They are famous and popular in their town and made Daniel the sole and legal heir of their wealth.

But luck is not good for me, Daniel found out about Raymond and the war started between the three of us. I tried my best to control the situation, but Daniel was aggressive to deal with things in his own way. A man who owns a woman who doesn't care can take her as he pleases and in any way.

One day, Daniel entered our school without saying goodbye to me. He wants to talk to Raymond about the love triangle, and anger."Daniel, please listen to me, don't make a scene. This is a Catholic school and this thing is against their code of ethics. Please just be cool, okay," I begged him.

"I don't care! I want to talk to Raymond, right now!" He answered as we walked down the hallway.

"Everyone is watching you...." I told him while pulling his right hand. He stopped, faced me, and angrily asked, "Who's watching, point me?"

"Daniel, listen to me," I asked him in a low voice.

"Okay, I'll listen, go on Veronica?"

"Okay, tomorrow, for lunch, at the Golden Dragon Restaurant? I'll take Raymond with me. I promise. Is that okay with you?"

"Good Veronica Villamor, great, see you there tomorrow, lunchtime."

Daniel left me in the school hallway with a heavy heart, and my hope was fading like a candle.

Darkness and light were competing when Raymond and I met at the Riviera Café & Restaurant. When I entered the place, I saw him sitting at the table alone, while Emily was busy serving another customer. The ambiance of the restaurant is really awesome compared to other food establishments on Lacson Street in Bacolod City. It served nearby hospitals, schools, banks, and other business institutions. A place to relax after a hard day at work, some people believe. But for me; it's a place where my best friend worked, a place where I started to learn the hardships of city life, and a place where I found Raymond Montelibano. I sat next to Raymond and greeted him, but a bit far, "How are you? Sorry, there's traffic ... you know ...."

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