Present day. May 2029.

The hot instant noodles in a medium sized plate, yellowish, almost cold. Small portion of the noodles are left, as the remaining is about to be eaten using chopsticks. Buenavondre is eating the remaining portion. His phone beside his plate is ringing, he dropped the chopsticks, chewed, and hung up the phone. He answered the call.

“O, bakit?”

“Hey, Pilar is on the news.” Alejandro answered.

“HA!?”

Buenavondre quickly opened the T.V. Grabs the remote and presses number 4. He runs to his one sofa and watches the T.V. Pilar is airing on T.V., reporting in the streets.

“Pilar Salonga. TCWD News. Our team along with the police found two lifeless people near the highway of Malinta.”

The crowd was everywhere in the street where the accident happened. The team is still blocking the particular area where the bodies are located.

“Ma’am Daisy, any updates?”

In the studio of TCWD News, Daisy is rattling, she holds her script tight, almost sweating but it was not obvious because she puts on a lot of make-up and the room is fully air-conditioned.

“According to the… authorities… Two victims are fresh graduates. A girl and a boy. Alex Celorico and Magani. Both sides of their families said that they’re looking for a job and they’re about to head home this evening.”

Pilar looks at her phone for her script. Then she looks at the camera, shaking while reporting, unable to deliver what’s in her script. Only one word being said, in fear.

“Aswang- Aswang-”

Buenavondre quickly turned off the T.V. and threw the remote controller. He wipes his face and takes a deep breath; stands and walks away. Someone is knocking on the door with too much force. Slamming the door repeatedly. Then footsteps are approaching from the office inside. Buenavondre opened the door and was shocked. Pilar grabs the short sleeve shirt of Buenavondre, approaching him with such anger. She is crying, raging, and preparing her fists.

“BET YOU’RE THE KILLER, HUH!?” Pilar yelled.

“PILAR, YOU’RE OUT OF YOUR MIND. I DIDN’T GO OUTSIDE AND HUNT DOWN.” Buenavondre yelled back.

“YEAH? WHAT ABOUT THE DEAD ASWANGS SCATTERED AROUND THE ASPHALT? THAT YOUR DOING? OF COURSE.”

“I KILLED THE CUSTOMERS OF YOUR FATHER. WHY? THEY’RE THE ONES BEHIND THE MURDER OF TWO VICTIMS ON THE NEWS YOU REPORTED. JUST BECAUSE I EAT HUMAN FLESH, DOES THAT MEAN I AM THE PERPETRATOR?”

“THIS IS WHY NO ONE IN OUR CLASSROOM GETS CLOSE TO YOU. EVERYTHING YOU DO GOES TO WASTE.”

“THAT RIGHT? HOW ABOUT YOU? SCAREDY CAT. I THOUGHT WE’RE SUPPOSED TO END MABAYA ONCE AND FOR ALL?!”

Both Pilar and Vondre almost silenced, still mad. Pilar sits on a chair, filled with regrets. Buenavondre is standing, facing the window. Then Pilar starts to rage, throwing her messenger bag and shoe.

The moon didn’t shine well tonight. Inside MABAYA Shop, the lights are dark, machines are clanking, the workers are doing their job quietly. The view of Bartolome’s office is clean, Bartolome is sitting. The desk is full of papers and folders.Bartolome is calling someone with the use of a phone.

“Ellias, I know you did a lot of hard work today...”

“Okay, you may go home now. Even half day, your salary won’t decrease.”

Bartolome dropped the phone call and was still looking through the window. The room feels so cold, the surroundings are clean, spacious.

The night is quiet, currently, there are no signs of danger at this time. The chapel is still open. A silhouette of a person inside the chapel can be seen. It’s Pilar, sitting in the middle row, praying. Pilar bows her head. In front of her, the cross and altars sparkled by the yellow-orange lights. Buenavondre enters the chapel and sits beside Pilar. But Pilar didn’t really mind who sits next to her. She keeps on praying.

“I’m sorry, Pilar.”

Pilar continues to pray, heads down, both hands are enclosed, holding a rosary.

“I… I cannot-” his sigh paused.

Pilar suddenly spoke to him, but never got up.

“I should be the one who feels sorry. I ran away from my team without saying a word, and I approached you in no time.”

Buenavondre looked at her.

“You’re taking risky consequences to yourself.”

Pilar gets her head up and looks at him.

“I chose to be a part of the news team because I know that it is related to the course that I chose.”

Pilar’s hands, shaking, holding the rosary. The lights are almost dark and her voice is too soft.

“I told myself, as I step into the news, I want to prove that I can hang along with others. I want to prove to my father that I can exceed his expectations.” she added.

Pilar’s face is sad, eyes are weary, holding back her tears.

“I feel jealousy… Because… You, our classmates, it seems like you’re greater than me. I don’t know if I’m being eaten by all of the scolds that I instill in myself.”

Buenavondre is still looking at her, Pilar is crying, wiping her face with her hand. The left hand is holding the rosary.

“Is there something wrong with me? Am I worthy? Why can't I please everyone? Why can't I please my father!?”

Pilar looked at Buenavondre, she was full of tears.

“Is it my fault that I was born and it gives the reason why my father went insane!? Opening up a store so that he can reimburse the money he spent on me!? He was irresponsible!”

BUENAVONDRE comforts her, patting her shoulder.

“You don’t have to blame yourself. Stop crying. You need to face the hardships.”

Pilar stops crying in a slow manner. Buenavondre looks at the altar and crosses in front of them. Pilar is wiping her face with her hands while holding the rosary. Suddenly, Ellias appeared inside the chapel. Sitting on the corner, praying. His uniform is dirty, some traces of red stains can be seen on his clothes. Buenavondre is tapping at Pilar, pointing out Ellias, praying quietly, closed eyes.

“Pilar, Pilar.”

Pilar removes her hands on her face as Buenavondre pointed out Ellias, as Pillar saw Ellias, her face in shock.

“MABAYA… Is he working at MABAYA…?”

“How did ya know?”

“Uniform. Years ago, I went to MABAYA. That time that my life is almost over.”

Ellias is still praying quietly. Buenavondre and Pilar from afar are still looking at him.