Several soldiers from the Neo Katipunan are left arrested by the trio, who happily pose in front of the paparazzi. They are smiled at and happily given flowers and candies, but the main big three, Miguel, Aurora, and Anna, remained frowning and silent. The people cheered, but Miguel heard the whispers of rumors spread across the crowd. They giggled and laughed with their “Chismis”.
Aurora sighs and looks away from Miguel, who notices this.
Miguel speaks up. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
She remained looking forward.
Anna looks a bit confused, realizing she had hurt their relationship.
…
That evening, Anna gently placed a File for Resignation on their table/
“What do you mean you’re signing off?” asked Aurora, slapping her fingers on the table and tapping them. She avoids all eye contact with Anna, only looking into Miguel’s eyes.
“I’m signing off the contract. I quit,” Anna shrugged.
“Why?” asked Aurora.
“Yeah. Why?” asked Miguel, certainly confused, which annoyed Aurora.
“Because clearly my existence is conflict of interest-y… I hurt you both. Both your relationships. I’m sorry,” said Anna.
“What’s your play?“ asked Aurora, squinting her eyes. “You want to take him away from me, huh? Feel sorry for you!?”
Anna looked down, tearing up. “I just wanted him to be a part of my life again…” she whimpered.
“Fuck off, whore,” said Aurora.
“Ruru…” said Miguel, gently touching her wrist, but Aurora pulled away.
“No. I wanna hear it. What does this bitch want?” asked Aurora.
“RURU!!!” boomed Miguel, his voice echoing in the very fabric of their minds
Aurora turned to Miguel, looking at him with contempt. “You smell the cherryblossom perfume on her… Right? I didn’t wear that perfume for months, but I SMELLED IT!!1”
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“It was just a kiss,” said Miguel. “I discontinued it.”
Aurora’s nose twitches furiously.
“Ruru, give her the benefit of the doubt that she actually does give a damn about me.” Miguel smiled at Aurora.
Anna is taken aback by Miguel’s words, turning red, realizing what he is for the first time. “You’re… just a good guy…” she realized.
Aurora turns to Anna and smacks her angrily.
Miguel stops her and grabs her hand. “Ruru!” he boomed but she pulled away, grabbing the star pillow.
“Long live the Saint King,” said Aurora, grabbing his star pillow and tearing it in half, as the cotton splattered like confetti all over the air.
Miguel coughs and closes his eyes, tearing up. “No…”
Anna pushes her. “That star is a symbol of faith and hope for Miguel.”
“Yeah! YOU GAVE IT TO HIM!!! IT’S A SYMBOL OF YOU!!! YOU!!! YOU FUCKING BITCH!!!” She twisted her fingers and her claw-like nails.
“No, it isn’t. I was in a dark place, and she gave it to me.” Miguel interjected, standing proudly.
“Well, lemme give THIS TO YOU!!!” Aurora burns its half with a lighter, and Anna slaps it away as Aurora is branded with the upside-down star… on her face…
She pulls it out, now branded… with a pentagram…
Anna covers her face. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do-!”
Aurora smacks Anna and punches her over and over as Miguel pulls her away and taps her on the head, knocking her out.
Miguel yells. “GET OUT, ANNA!!!”
Anna nods. “I’m sorry,” she whimpered, before running out of the house, slamming the door.
…
…
…
Aurora wakes up in a hospital bed, seeing Miguel speaking with the doctor. He just memorized the details of her face. He never does that.
“Third-degree burns. I’m sorry. They’re permanent…” He said.
Aurora just avoided eye contact when he turned to her.
Aurora tears up, and the branding bleeds every time she cries.
Miguel shakes his head. “Ruru...”
Aurora whispers. “You don’t get to call me that anymore. YOU FUCK!!!” she boomed.
“Aurora…” said Miguel.
Aurora spoke singsongily. “Yehehehehehessss???”
“Aurora… C’mon…”
“I will CLAW that bitch’s face off… And smelt it in A FUCKIN’ TRIDENT!!!” she boomed. She rocked her head forward and backward, avoiding eye contact all together.
“Aurora… You’re regressing…”
“Damned fucking straight I’M AN AUTISTIC GAL WHO HAD HER FACE BRANDED AND YOU’RE DEFENDING HER!!!”
“I’m not defending anybody.”
“SHUT UP!!! SHAT AP!!! KRRRYEEEEAAAAH!!!” she shrieked in a robotic demonic voice.
Miguel just sat down by her side, and kissed her hand, but she just ignored the gesture… The night was the most silent in Miguel’s life.
