24 Different Flames for Different Causes (2/2)
”Well, that's just unfair, isn't it? To have you see me all vulnerable is just as cruel as not letting me see you in your full strength just to create an illusion of strength within you.”
”Pointing out the irony, aren't you?”
”The hypocrisy, I correct.”
I feel the air surrounding us heating up like that of flames before hell. As we both realize this, we both fall into silence.Men battle with papers. Women fight through words. This is how it's going to be between us – just a war with words. In this time where I cannot see her, I believe I can get a grasp of who she is – a conniving woman that is willing to do anything to get what she wants. She is just like the man she claims to be her father.
Before she speaks, I hear her take a deep breath. ”Well, I believe I have found my match.” She says in her amusement. ”You are a fighter, aren't you Rose? But, we are just fighting with different flames for different causes. You advocate for truth. I advocate for my rights. But, let me ask you, Rosanna. What is the truth you are fighting for? The truth that the elites are cruel and are willing to do everything to get what we want? The truth that Emma seeks a man that she loved but you cannot find? Or, is it just you don't know?”
As I was about to answer straight to her face, she got me thinking. What is it this definite truth? I stammer through words in my mouth, but I have found nothing to say. All I could do is fall into silence.
”I believe I am right,” she says, in realization as I am.
”Yes,” I say blankly. ”Yes, you are. I always say 'the truth will always prevail' but I do not even know what that definite truth is. And what is your right that you are fighting for? I believe I should not be asking you that as you already know.”
”Actually, I do not. I say I fight for my rights to be an heir, but I could have just done that legally a few months ago. I did many things for the sake of 'my rights.' But still, those rights are indefinite. Am I fighting for my rights to be an heir or am I just fighting to be acknowledged as Raphael's daughter?”
Ysabel Javier, a woman I thought is just a conniving woman willing to kill for money, is not who I thought she was. I could feel the spite in me dying down. If I could see her right now, I would give her a brief embrace, but I could not. I am blind to what I see, but I hear the truth ringing within her.
”Ms. Javier, I – ”
”I believe we have the same strength of flames, Rose,” she interrupts. ”But since we wield different flames for different causes, I believe we are bound to be at war in this ordeal.”
”We have to be at war, Ysabel. I must bring justice as you fight for your rights. That is why I ask of you. Stop this.”
”No, Rosanna. I chose this path and I must stand by it. Raphael needs to go down for he has wronged his four children. And, yes. I am counting the adopted one. He has wronged us four just because he wants to save his face.”
”There must be another way.”
”No, there isn't. I have done many things to take him down to the point that I hurt you and that Macedo boy just for keeping myself safe. Now, isn't that hypocrisy, as you might say. I accept that.”
”Then you'll have to tell me where Mateo is right now. I know you have something to do with his disappearance.”
”No, Rosanna. I will not tell you where he is. You will learn that for yourself. Also, I believe this war is fairer if we are on equal playing field. This is my cause, Rose. If you choose to fight me, you'll have to do it on your own.”
”It is no longer a choice, Ysabel. I will fight you for I believe it is right. You cannot get the RSC as much as Raphael Concepcion is a conniving man. You have no rights for it. There is only one legitimate heir on paper.”
”So, it is to be war between us. No matter what you say, I have my own beliefs of what is right. Now that I have seen you for what you really are, I pity that we cannot be at the same side. But then, you will always be a fighter. You will always be a fighter like Lionel Chua.”
I do not know what she means, but, then, I remember. I saw a vision. I saw a vision of the boss struggling to keep Lucia City Times alive during the dictatorship. Maybe she is right. Maybe reporters of Lucia City Times will advocate for the truth because truth that prevails runs in our blood.
”I believe the press will always have that fire like Lionel Chua, a great hero during the dictatorship,” I say in response. ”The boss should be celebrated of how he kept press freedom alive in a time where it is silent, like what you are doing now.”
Silently, she gives a slight chuckle. ”You still cannot understand,” she says gently. ”Maybe you'll have to realize it on your own. Thank you for meeting me, Rosanna. I believe we will meet again if we find one of us as the victor of this war.”
Without another word, she rises on her feet and walks away from me.
Ysabel Javier.
Somehow, I believe I have gained some sense of respect for her. But still, it is to be a war between us. And, I pity that we cannot agree to disagree. One must win, and I intend to be that victor at the end. The truth must prevail, no matter what it takes. No matter if people get hurt in this fight, the truth must always win.