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The school bus was quiet on the way back to Manila.
Students dozed off. Headphones in. Some still whispering about the “incident.” Marian basked in quiet admiration. Jay sat two rows behind her.
And Ruthie?
She looked out the window, hand pressed against the cold glass, her reflection blurry in the passing trees.
Jay couldn’t take it anymore.
He slid into the empty seat beside her. “We need to talk.”
She didn’t look at him.
“Not now, Jay.”
“Now, Ruthie.”
She closed her eyes. “If this is about Marian, I already know the story changed.”
“You let it change.”
Ruthie finally turned to him, eyes dry but sharp. “What do you want me to do? Shout the truth while everyone’s already clapping for the lie?”
“Yes.”
She laughed under her breath. “You still think this place rewards honesty?”
“Why do you let them win?” he asked.
She looked at him then. Really looked.
And whispered,
“Because truth never mattered here.”
Jay stared, stunned into silence. But Ruthie didn’t stop.
“The girl who tells the truth gets labeled dramatic.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e6oT6TUV9
“The one who screams gets called unstable.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yZGXxqoPL
“And the one who stays silent? At least she gets to walk away.”
“So what are you, Ruthie?” he asked. “The girl who walks away?”
Her smile was hollow.
“No. I’m the girl who stays. And watches. And waits.”
Jay sat back. “You're not making sense.”
“Aren’t I?” she said, voice colder now. “You’re here to investigate harassment, di ba? Maybe I’ve seen more than I should have. Maybe that’s why they want me out.”
Jay blinked. “Wait—what are you saying?”
She faced forward again, voice low and flat.
“Ask your boss who really tipped off the department.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKfcwDWyf4
“Ask who filed the anonymous complaint.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRfK6QGXfa
“Ask why that complaint mysteriously disappeared from the admin’s records.”
“You…?” Jay’s voice cracked.
Ruthie tilted her head. “I said ask. I didn’t say guess.”
He was quiet for a moment.
“You’re scared,” he said gently.
“I’m smart,” she corrected. “There’s a difference.”
“But you’re tired.”
“Aren’t we all?”
The bus hit a bump. Her shoulder brushed against his. Neither pulled away.
“You can still speak up,” Jay said.
“And what? Get expelled?”
“We can protect you.”
She snorted. “Like Joy protected me? Like my first adviser did? Like the guidance office who told me not to ruin the teacher’s reputation?”
Jay’s jaw clenched.
“Truth doesn’t rot in silence,” he tried.
She turned to him again, eyes fierce.
“No. It rots because of silence. But mine’s not rotting. It’s fermenting.”
“Fermenting?”
“Getting stronger. Harsher. You’ll see.”
Jay held her gaze. “Why me? Why are you even telling me this now?”
Ruthie hesitated. Then said softly,
“Because you didn’t lie about the bonfire. You let them think you saved her, but you didn’t say it yourself. That’s rare.”
Jay looked down, ashamed.
“I should’ve corrected them.”
“But you didn’t exploit it. That’s the point. You’re still part of the system, Jay. But at least you hesitate before you bite.”
Silence settled between them again.
Outside, the city skyline came into view.
“Does Marian know you were the whistleblower?” Jay asked.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“If she did, I’d be dead by now.”
Jay sighed, leaned back against the headrest. “You’re not alone, you know.”
“Yes, I am.”
“You don’t have to be.”
Her voice was soft now, almost childlike.
“If I tell the truth… will you believe me?”
“Always.”
“Even if it’s ugly?”
“Even more so.”
She looked away again.
“Okay,” she whispered.
“Okay?”
“I’ll tell you. Not today. But soon.”
“Why wait?”
“Because stories, like secrets… they need the right timing.”
As the bus pulled into the school gates, Ruthie stood up first.
“Jay?”
“Yeah?”
She looked over her shoulder.
“If I disappear before I get to tell you—don’t let them say I was just troubled.”
Jay frowned. “What?”
“Don’t let them rewrite me.”
She stepped off the bus before he could reply.
And Jay knew:
This wasn’t just about school politics anymore.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAwdmgz9nj
This was war.
