Not much happened after the lunch break slapping incident last Monday. The rest of the weekdays passed so swiftly wherein the incident had been the main talk of the week, edging only a bit against the Felicity Scandal.
The main catch of the event was how the fifth person of the Goddesses List suddenly turned berserk. Twenty slaps rained down from the palm of the usually collected and gentle beauty! When all of these happened, every spectator was made speechless. People were amazed by how a silent flower vase could turn into an exploding volcano once provoked.
Watching this was oddly refreshing!
Well, after witnessing this, some criticized her and started spreading groundless rumors that she was a two-faced woman who could slap someone to death if you annoy her. Sofony was not really liked by everyone as she had just joined the ranks of campus queens. Her previous nerdy personality was taken by many as her being a weakling who was dependent on her best friend's protection.
Now that Sofony suddenly showed a fierce side, her haters, mostly fans of the girls like Gilla Broe who were not pleased by her sudden ascension to the list, took this chance to smear a bit of dirt on her name. Some even said that she was a witch, a malicious hexer. Someone who drank a beautification potion just to become what she was today. Of course, those who said this turned into huge jokers the next day.
On the other hand, many still admired her for her actions. The opposing side was not a likable person anyway. And she just merely stood up for her bullied sister. Her haters were actually quite few, and the majority still liked her and commended her for finally being a brave girl.
As for Wendy, not many knew how Wendy did it, but the police did come and arrested Vienna. The latter was taken to the precinct due to piled up cases of bullying, drug-pushing, and assaults that the police suddenly brought up. People thought it was all orchestrated by Wendy so they grew to admire and fear their Miss Number One more.
In reality, those cases were correct. And Vienna only managed to dodge getting thrown into jail last time due to her age. Now that Vienna was eighteen years old, the precinct could now freely jailed her behind the bars. Her parents could bail her out, but no matter what, they still would lose some money and Vienna would still taste the air of the jail. Wendy laughed when she shared the news to everybody. She was pleased since she knew that the other convicts would help her teach Vienna a thorough lesson.
'Female criminals are no worse than male criminals, you know? They don't care if one of your cheeks is already like that of a pig. Or maybe they will, and then gladly help you even it out with the rest of your body.' That was what Wendy told her best friend and Clea.
As of Steffy, she'd been the target of everyone's pity and received her fair share of care from the concerned students and teacher. A new transfer student and was already limping her way to the school. Many felt angered by Vienna's actions and even would have lashed out to that violent girl, if not for the Violent Goddess backing her.
Speaking of the Violent Goddess, she uncharacteristically didn't seek revenge for her lackey. Every student wondered if the campus beauty was busy, not really concerned about her lackey's wellbeing, or simply frightened by Wendy. Their Miss Number One, after all, was said to be influential in West Alina City Police Branch. However, since she was still the person behind Vienna, they didn't dare try for themselves if Clarissa Guzman would really not mind if they punished Vienna.
Oh, well, maybe they really didn't have to anymore. Maybe the nerdy gentle goddess' slaps and her best friend's act of throwing her to jail were enough lessons for Vienna to digest for a long time.
And the still persistent anti-fans? Clea mysteriously but beautifully made those mongers shut up. She spread the truth about the matter that later on turned into a normal gossip, er, words of mouth. Really the Gossip Queen, fully displaying to the world that her title was due to her abilities to direct everyone's words to her convenience. Long ago, Miss Number One left a statement, that more than a person who only knew violence, a person who could manipulate words of mouth was much more frightening. No one would know when they've been destroyed socially.
Indeed, it held some truthfulness. It seemed that as long as they were Clea's friends, they wouldn't have to fear being wrong in people's eyes. Sofony was relieved. After all, when she realized that she was provoking the well-known Violent Goddess, she was somehow scared. Out of fear that she would encounter another Floyd again, she bought another bug device and asked the system to attach it directly to Clarissa Guzman.
Three days later.
Saturday.
Due to Steffy's insistence, Sofony and Steffy rode a bus going to Cotton Province early in the morning to visit the latter's 'hometown'. The two sisters were on casual getup. They had jackets on though, as the bus was airconditioned. They felt especially cold since they boarded it around 5:30 am when the sky was still quite dark.
It was a nice thing to not be caught by heavy traffic as the scene beyond their windows smoothly transitioned from tall and magnificent buildings into limitless paddies of rice. That was one of the few advantages of riding a bus early.
Their destination, Cotton Province was more or less four hours away from their city. A while ago, she asked why it was named Cotton Province and Steffy only said that it was due to it being a province of cotton. Sofony shook her head at this remarkable answer. In reality, she doesn't know what cotton plant looks like, but she knows what rice plant looks like. The actual reason she asked why the province was named like that was that she was amazed yet puzzled by the long stretch of green in the horizon, which she could make out as miles of rice plantation.
Sitting next to the clear glass window, third row on the left, Sofony was supporting her chin with one hand as her half-opened sleepy eyes wandered outside.
"Are we still far?" She asked after yawning.
Steffy, who was relying on the memories in her mind, replied, "Probably ten more minutes and we will reach the terminal."
Sofony's head automatically lowered down to the phone on her hand. When she pressed its power button, the digital clock backgrounded by her photo immediately displayed.
"8:20. It's so early... Every Saturday, it's my routine to sleep until noon, so why am I here today?" Her resentful eyes turned to her right.
Steffy, who received her sister's glare, was kind of scared by Sofony's reddish eyes. She hurriedly put her palms together and said, "You're my only relative left. Of course, you're the only one I can trouble to accompany me there."
When her sister did that, Sofony's eyes caught sight of the still bandaged arm. Steffy took that time to say more.
"And you know, sis. Even though the city is much livelier and prettier than my hometown, I still can't shake off the feeling of wanting to return there. I can't really explain. And I don't know if a city person like you will understand. However, I truly want to at least take a glimpse." Steffy paused for a while, then continued in a soft and sad manner, "I, want to at least see if their bodies are already found..."
Sofony couldn't help holding her breath when she saw Steffy suddenly lowering her head, and puckering her lips. Her sister turned silent after saying the last phrase. A while later, she started crying. Of course, the elder sister was caught off guard.
"I-I'm sorry. It's okay. Believe in your locale's authorities. Everything's gonna be fine. It'll be okay."
Sofony hugged her sister and patted her back while she cried. She repeated what she said earlier to calm the other down, hoping that those phrases could somehow give her comfort. "It's gonna be alright. I'm here."
Steffy couldn't stop crying though as they hugged. And as her sister, Sofony could only do her best to provide a warm shoulder for her sister to cry on. The other passengers gave them all sorts of stares, but Sofony politely gave them an apologetic smile before focusing on coaxing Steffy.
The system didn't forget to make snide remarks.
Sofony bit her lips. She could already foretell what the damn thing would say next.
She closed her eyes.
'I'd rather not let her know. Let her past be buried completely. Only you and I can know.'
'She's Steffy Mendez, my sister. Don't act dumb that you didn't see her new birth certificate! We already registered it and not even the Statistics Authority would be able to refute!'
Her gaze shook a little. Her brain immediately guessed what the system was trying to make her realize.
'...'
Sofony tightened her hug of the person in question. She was silent for a long while as she pondered and distressed over the matter.
She felt uncomfortable at heart since she understood. She was no longer as slow as before.
The system was making her realize, as to make her regret! Make her regret that she made Steffy her sister!
However, she had long thought about this before. And even though the system succeeded in making her realize how troublesome the matter was, she still wouldn't regret it.
She smiled bitterly and thought, her conscience wouldn't let her regret. If she destroys an innocent life, she must repay it another life, she chanted within.
Then Sofony irritably replied to the system, 'You just want me to think that I'm spending too many points on her, aren't you?'
It laughed. It was another way of saying it wanted her to regret.
At this blatant confirmation, its host was made silent for some time.
The crying girl was still on her embrace. The sound of the engine of the bus faintly echoing under their feet. Outside, there were a few houses that appeared every minute or so, the rest was a picture of never-ending green.
"I-I'm okay now." Just then, the girl's still nasal voice sounded.
Steffy let go of Sofony and directed her eyes outside. She was probably comparing the scenes to those in her memories. A few seconds later, she urged Sofony to start checking her items. It seemed like they would be getting off after a few whiles.
Once out of the blue painted bus, Sofony roamed her eyes around and then held her sister's hand. Her sling bag was placed in front. According to Steffy, they were now in St. Mary City, one of the few cities in Cotton Province.
"Are we walking after this?"
Steffy shook her head. "No, we'll die of the long distance if we do that. We ride another bus to reach my town, then switch to a jeep that goes to my village. If we don't want to trouble ourselves with the switching, then we can probably hail a cab and directly go to my village. Normally taxis can still be seen at this city. Once we reach my hometown though, the only way back is to ride the jeep, then switch to bus."
Sofony shook her head in dismay then let her sister led her around. Under her insistence, they got themselves a cab. Of course, Sofony would be the one paying. Actually, she had always been the one shouldering every expenses as Steffy was just a normal student.
"I'll make sure to get a part-time job tomorrow!" Maybe out of guilt upon seeing her sister paid everything, Steffy declared.
Sofony just laughed, "Don't worry about it."
"No, I'll still look for one. I can't let all costs be shouldered by you. You are also a student like me! And you have to manage your budget well. You have to think of how to stay pretty and make your boyfriend stay!"
They bickered and argued for a long time while the taxi driver watched in full amusement. Sofony could only relent, and admit that she owned Friendlies Cafe and that she had substantial money drawn from it every week. She assured the other girl that she could support the two of them for a lifetime.
'I'm sorry for boasting.' After saying that, Sofony sighed and felt guilt in her heart. The money was from a business that she didn't really build on her own.
"You are actually a cafe's owner...."
Steffy fell silent. Sofony saw her furrowing her brows. She knew she was pondering.
"I am. And since Holy Child Academy is not really very demanding in terms of tuition and miscellaneous fees, there's no problem supporting the two of us, even if we add the everyday expenses."
Her sister nodded. "I see your point. But it just doesn't sit well with me. Hehe, sis, sorry. Can I ask a favor?"
Sofony's brow rose.
Steffy continued. "I want to work in your cafe! I really want to earn my own pocket money! It's okay if you make me a janitress!"
Sofony couldn't talk for a minute. Her nose wrinkled when she started weighing the pros and cons. Would it be okay? Wouldn't she become a domineering boss if she suddenly added a person in the payroll? Was a boss okay to act like that?
In the end, she surrendered and promised to ask their bald manager to accept this female puppy as another waitress. The place had now been placed under her name.
As she looked at her weirdly but cheerfully singing in the cab, it was like the reddish rim from before was just an illusion. She wondered if Wendy was this helpless when dealing with her before. The mature one always has to surrender. The childish one can freely run the world.
The taxi dropped them off in front of Afloat Town's municipal building. Steffy held her hand nervously as they walked in. She was faintly trembling, Sofony could feel it. She smiled at her reassuringly then inquired about the landslide incident that happened last last week.
"That occurred in Leaflike Village, correct?"
Sofony looked back, Steffy nodded.
"I see. It was really an unfortunate disaster." The female clerk sighed and shook her head. "If I remember correctly, the landslide happened last September 2. It was past midnight and the storm was really fierce. All the houses located at the foot of Mt. Sierra collapsed under the stones, soil and everything else that rushed down... Our officers said that more than three hundred villagers were estimated dead, so far... only five or so people managed to survive."
Sofony panicked when she saw Steffy opening her mouth as if wanting to declare that she was one of the survivors. Sofony immediately asked, "Ahm, how's the rescue operation? You said the houses were buried underneath, there should be chances for some residents to survive if their house was sturdy enough... or if they have places to hide underground! That should not be a far-fetched hypothesis, right?"
The female clerk in front of the information desk gave the two of them a sad look. The woman sighed before replying, "The government was still trying their best to locate survivors. But so far, it was not really looking optimistic. Our people only managed to find dead bodies. And the number didn't exceed fifty."
The woman said there should be more than three hundred people dead. If less than fifty bodies were found, it means more than two hundred fifty were still buried underground.
Steffy's eyes reddened as she bowed. "H-how about the Jimenez family...?"
"Jimenez family?" The female clerk blinked then frowned.
A minute later, the kind information clerk finished looking into a paper with names written on it. The woman's sympathizing eyes went to Steffy.
"I'm sorry, Miss. If you are a relative of this family, I'm really sorry. We have a record of them, but they are still not found."
"I see." Steffy sadly hugged her sister and cried on her chest.
"I know it's hard but we can only pray for the best. It's okay to be sad, but we can try looking at it from a different perspective. If, and only if, your relatives are already..." The woman kindly didn't say the word to not make the already crying girl more agitated. "Pray for strength from the Lord, so that you can accept and move on. As for them, just think that they are finally back to the embrace of our merciful Lord. They are now in a better and much more beautiful place."
'If heaven truly exists.' Sofony murmured to herself.