a/n: this is gonna be a fast paced and a long ass chapter kasi im dying to finish this book already and parang bridge lang ito for the end, so bear with me, and also typos and grammatical errors ahead. very coño. labyu!! enjoy!! mwuah!!
—–/
"Is everyone here na?" Cali asked us and Rain butted in. "Still one more, babe." He told her. Everyone was busy putting everything in the mini bus. Yes boo, a mini bus. Not a van but rather a mini bus.
Daniel came forward to me and placed his arms over my neck. He was grinning like a damn idiot. "Bro, I have chika to tell." Ha? Okay, conyo.
"Hah. Kailan ka pa natutong makipag-chikahan?" I asked him huffing the breath inside me. Shaking my head, I placed my last bag in and asked him on what was he going to tell me.
It was nothing big naman daw. Just something really interesting, to them. He just doesn't know kung interesting din daw sakin but oh well, he continued his story.
"Fraizer? He was drinking all the way, I swear." He started. "Yung nagaway kayo? He was drinking like a mad man. He even cried."
"He cried?" I echeod his last words being really shocked.
"Hell yeah and guess what? It was because of you."
"Me? My fault? Bakit kasalanan ko pa?" Hmp. Pouting at the thought kinda made me sad. He cried because of me? I don't know what to react. What were we anyway? Nothing, right? Tyaka ako iiyakan niya? Pft.
So bakit niya ako iiyakan? As if I did something very heavy for him to cry. Siya nga 'tong nanguna-nguna na hindi ako pinapansin. "Tas kasalanan ko pa? Aba makapal." I huffed under my breathe na paniguradong narinig ni Daniel na ngayon ay tawa nang tawa sa aking sinabi.
"Makapal ba? Gaano ka kapal?" He asked wheezing.
"Makapal. Sobrang kapal. Parang tsinelas ni mama, sarap ihampas sa kauri." I told him with a straight face na sa hindi malamang dahilan ay bumebenta dito. Na tinatanggal pa yung luha sa mata niya dramatically. Kung meron man.
Ilang saglit pa ay may humawak naman sa bewang ko na sadyang ikinagulat ko. He even pulled me close to him. Sneering at Daniel, he yelped. But still contined to laugh afterwards. Raising both of his hands up. "Sorry, sorry. Possessive much?" Instead of getting an answer, Fraizer only clicked his tongue that made him laugh once more.
Before going, he tapped both of our shoulders and went to the others. I eyed him and asked, "Anong trip mo?" He growled at my question, narrowing his eyes at me.
"Are you really asking me that?" I shrugged at him, releasing me from his grasp.
Di naman nagtagal ay dumating na din si Lanz na kumakawaykaway at nagsisisigaw. "Hoy!" Sigaw nito mula sa malayo habang tumatakbo papunta sa direksyon namin na may bitbit-bitbit na kung ano man yung mga yun. Rain scowled and nagged at him how he was always late during everything.
Everyone went on board after that. It was a three days and two nights trip off to Batanes. The sky was still grayish dark at 4 o'clock in the morning. Yung iba hindi na natulog at sa byahe na lang mga nagsitulog and some are still wide awake including me and Fraizer who is seated at the back row.
Sa rest house nina Rain kami pupunta and the mini bus was Cali's along with the chauffeur, si Mang Isko. Imagine, mini bus with a chauffeur and a fucking rest house. Isang libo nga pahirapan na makuha, yan pa kayang nga yan. I'm betting that they also probably have some yacht at kapag nagkataon, hindi na ako magugulat.
I yawned resisting the urge to sleep pero mukhang hindi iyon nakalampas kay Frei. "Natulog ka ba kanina?" I shook my head as an answer to his question and it was my turn to ask him that question. He said yes pero baka matulog din daw siya mamaya. I didn't responded to that after as I felt my eyes getting heavier and heavier, I was already fast asleep by the time we got there.
We had a few stops pero it was kinda meh. I don't words, how do you words anyway? I'm dumb. I don't have 269107 words in my thesaurus. Forgive me.
Pagpatak naman ng alas-onse ay nakarating na din kami sa Batanes. Sa rest house kaagad kami dumiretso para maiayos ang mga gamit namin pero bago namin magawa yun ay naghati-hati muna kami ng rooms. Tig dadalawa.
Everyone was deciding for themselves hanggang sa napadpad sakin yung usapan. "Kay Michelle? Sinong sasama sa kaniya?" Lanz asked the others na wala pang room.
I threw a glance at Fraizer who flinched and grinned after looking at him but before he could ever tell them. Xerna decided to raise her hand. "Me! I'll go with Michelle." She said with a huge smile on her face and slung her arms around mine. I gave back a smile and the division continues.
There's only one key for every room kaya hindi niya pwedeng ibigay samin pero we were rest assured that every room is opened except dun sa mga importanteng places, like her dad's office and other rooms like that.
Hinatak ako ni Xerna papunta sa second floor kung nasaan ang room namin. It was at the end of the hall. Pagbukas niya ng pinto ay kaagad naman akong namangha sa napili naming kwarto. It was big. Tas ang ganda pati ng tanawin sa kwarto namin. Wow.
Habang nagaayos ako ng gamit ay napansin ko namang biglang humilata si Xerna sa kama niya at nakatingin lamang sa may kisame. Hindi ko naman ito tinanong pa kung anong mayroon at dali-dali kaming tinawag sa may salas ni Cali.
"Hoy, labas kayo diyan!" Ansabi nito nang binuksan ang pintuan ng kwarto namin. Tumaas naman ang kilay nito at naka-pamewang pa. "Oh my gosh." Dramatic niyang sabi samin na parang di makapaniwala sa kaniyang nakikita. "Bakit ganyan parin suot niya? Go change! Sa beach na diretso natin ngayon! Dali!"
"Ngayon na?" Tanong ko dito na ikinatango naman niya. I tried resisting pero pilit parin niya kaming pinagpapalit.
I sighed in defeat and did what she was constantly ordering us. Shorts at isang croptop na off shoulder na color white na may frizz frizz something, oo basta yun. As we changed our clothes dumiretso na kami sa sinabing beach. May reserved cottage na kami na pwede naming gamitin for the next three days of our stay here in Batanes.
They were running off to the said cottage and placed all our things. While me, I helped the guys to barbeque the barbeque. Yes.
"Michelle, sama ka samin. Beach volleyball!" Cali squealed from a distance. I declined her offer. Medyo tinatamad pa ako at kakatapos lang namin sa byahe.
Tinignan ko yung direksyon nung mga lalaki kung saan pahirapan silang magsimula ng apoy.
"Paano ba kasi 'to?" Reklamo ni Lanz na halatang di alam kung anong gagawin. "Rain, baby ko, paano ba ito?" Tanong niya kay Rain na sinakyan naman ang trip nito.
"Baby ko, huwag ka kasing tanga. Ganto kasi yan." Malutong niyang saad dito at ipinakita ng step by step kung paano magsimula ng apoy. "Okay na, baby ko?" He assured Lanz who nodded fiercely.
"Oh, dito, kiss kita, dali." Saad nito habang ngumu-nguso kay Rain na inilalayo sa kaniyang mukha ang bibig ni Lanz.
"Lanz! Kadiri ka!" Hindi naman nagpatinag si Lanz hanggang sa dumampi na ang labi nito sa pisngi ni Rain.
I was already giggling like a little girl at the scene in front of me. Letting them fight like two little kids. Suddenly, a big hand draped over my shoulder. And yes, it was no other than but Fraizer. "Why look at stupid animals when you can stare at me all day?" I laughed.
He can't be serious now, can he? "Wow ha. Mas gugustuhin ko pang panuodin sila kesa titigan yang mukha mo." I retorted back at him whilst shaking head. Hindi ko makita yung naging reaksyon nito sa sinabi ko dahil binalik ko na ang tingin ko dun sa dalawa na hanggang ngayon ay nagaaway parin.
"But I'm much more starable than them." I heard him sulked beside me, removing his hands away from my shoulders.
My eyes widen at his sudden action. Nagtatampo ba siya? Seryoso? I bit the insides of my cheek trying to stop myself from laughing. I followed him by my gaze at doon umupo siya sa gilid habang nag-ce-cellphone. Wow. I can't believe what my eyes are seeing. The Fraizer Hanz Zackermore is now sulking like a little kid that got his candy stolen away from him. Just a big wow, seriously.
Lumapit ako dito at umupo sa tabi niya nang hindi ako pinapansin. "Para kang tanga." Una kong sambit dito na ikinadigkit ng dalawa niyang kilay at doon napatawa na ako nang husto.
Lumingon na ito sa direksyon ko habang nakadikit ang dalawang kilay at nakaawang ang bibig. "Sa lahat ng pwede kong marinig, yun pa talaga? Suyo ang gusto ko, hindi yang panlalait mo." Sambit pa nito sakin na mas lalo kong ikinatawa.
Seconds later of me laughing so hard. I arched an eyebrow at him. "Suyo? At bakit naman kita susuyuin? Ano ka, bata?" Tigil ko at siya naman itong tinaasan ako ng kilay. "Sino ka ba para suyuin ko? Anong gusto mo? Halik din sa pisngi?" Tuloy ko pa at tumawa ulit.
"Why not?"
Tumigil ako para tignan siya ngunit tumawa ulit ako sa sinambit niya. Why not?, he said. Yeah, sure, as if. I don't even know why I'm laughing so damn hard pero nakakatawa talaga with matching may pa hampas pa sa binti ko.
Mas lalo pang tumaas ang kilay nito at umupo nang ayos. "Why are you even laughing? I'm not joking, Michelle."
I stopped. No way he's for real.
"I am."
At doon tumigil na talaga ako sa pagtawa. I didn't know what to say or do. Nakakatameme. I gulped hard, swallowing the whole ounce of saliva stuck in my throat. No way he's for real. No way.
I saw how the sides of his lip rose up making him grin. Why is he grinning? Gwapo siya pero gagi ang creepy niya. He placed his elbowat the top of the bamboo seat and leaned forward to me. "Don't tell me nahihiya ka? After all the kiss that happened not too long ago."
I panicked. I felt how my cheeks heated from what I have heard and from the sudden flashback I had. Bigla kong naalala ang lahat nang iyon and the fact that it was me who initiated the kiss. Nakakahiya. Iniwas ko ang tingin ko sa kaniya at lumayo nang kauntian and it was now his time for him to laugh. Talk about karma. Jeez.
I stood up. Leaving him behind laughing likr a crazy mad man. Ugh. He called for my name pero hindi ko naman siya nilingon at pumunta dun sa luhar kung saan naglalaro ng beach volleyball sina Casty, Enrike, Lino at yung ibang mga babae.
As soon as Xerna's eyes landed onto me, she quickly shouted my name causing a lot of attraction. They let me joined with them being with Julie and Cali's team.
It went by pretty quick at sigurado akong nangitim ako sa pagbababad sa araw ng dalawang oras naming paglalaro pero it was already noon kaya medyo ayos lang.
The guys went to the other guys (the what now?) to help them and us, girls, prepared the table. There were so many types of food. May barbeque, inihaw na isda, didn't know until now that they eat fish, kanin and other foods na dinala namin. Cali called for Mang Isko to eat with us. It was fun.
Nakipag-chikahan kami kay Mang Isko. We laughed and shared stories. It was fun. The atmosphere around us was very light. Ito yung mga panahong gugustuhin mo na lang talagang tumigil at magpakasaya.
After eating, yung mga lalaki naman ang nagpakasaya. They went for a swim habang kaming mga babae ay nagliligpit ng kinainan at ginamit namin. Hinugasan namin iyon at dinala sa loob ng kotse pagkatapos.
Night eventually came and we were starting a bon fire. Kami namang mga babae ang naghahanda ng pagkain. The guys went to our place after having fun. Halatang nagsaya sila. Each of them took a sit.
Fraizer was beside my right side and si Enrike naman sa kaliwa ko. We talked for hours. Had a few drinks. Ate smores. Played truth or dare. You know, the typical teenage hangout you'll see in the movies.
"Okay, Lino, truth or dare?" Cali asked him.
Lino thinked for a second before answering. "Truth." The guys poured a drink into his glass. "Too tired to go with dare." He answered.
"You know the drills. You answer or you drink this in one go." Daniel warned him before offering the drink. Kinuha naman niya ito at tinignan kami.
"Sino magtatanong?" Cali asked us, looking back and forth.
"Lino," Daniel started. "Are you actually serious with Elizabeth or are you guys just some fubu's?" Diretsong tanong nito sa kaniya which earned some cooes from us. Straight to the point.
"Dude, the fuck? Usyoso. Gustong-gusto malaman sex life ng iba?" Taas kilay nitong tanong kay Daniel na ikinibit balikat niya.
"Bawal ba? Answer or drink?" Daniel asked him once again.
Pero everyone was eager to hear the answer kaya he took the glass from Daniel's hands and drank it one blow. Everyone was a little bit disappointed at mas lalo pang lumakas ang hiyawan.
"Privacy, people." He told us, giving back the glass to Daniel na medyo nagiba ang aura. His lips pursued into a thin line and smiled after taking the glass away from him. I stared at him for a few moment but went back to reality when I heard my name.
"Michelle," Shit. It's my turn. "Truth or dare?"
"I...uh." I stopped. Looking at each one of them. I didn't know what to go with so I went for, "Truth."
"Okay, okay." Cali repeated.
Nakita ko naman kung paano nila lagyan yung baso ng alak. I looked at Fraizer worriedly pero he reassured that everything will be fine. The drills went on. Cali asked us kung sino magtatanong sakin, Daniel rose his hand up high.
"Me!"
"No! Ako! Daniel, your unfair. Kanina ka pa. My turn." Xerna butted in defensing herself. We were shocked for quite a while dahil sa bigla niyang kinilos but laughed at it.
Daniel looked at Cali with pleading eyes kaso hindi gumana. "Xerna's right, Dane. Kanina ka pang tanong nang tanong samin. Curious much? Okay, Xerna, go."
Xerna smiled and coughed before looking at me. Eye to eye which kinda gave me goosebumps. Para bang may gusto itong sabihin sakin na hindi ko malaman-laman.
"What do you even know about yourself?"
Everyone stopped murmuring. Looking at Xerna with a curious look.
"Anong klaseng tanong yan? So simple."
"Xerna?"
"Never thought that you'd asked something like that."
"Ask another question."
Everyone went out to tell her to ask me another question pero mas lalo lang itong ngumiti. Shushing everyone. "No, Michelle, it's a simple question kagaya nang sinabi nila." She stopped. My soul getting ripped by her staring directly at my eyes.
"Who are you?"
The crickets, the sound of the fire crackling, the breeze of the air and the sea was the only thing you can hear.
Huh? My voice can't escape my mouth. It's as if like I was mute. Who am I? I'm... Michelle. I looked at each and everyone in the circle. They were waiting for an answer and yet, here I am, not knowing what to say. I looked up at Fraizer beside me but just like everybody else, he was also waiting for an answer.
Cutting the silence, Xerna spoke once again. "I mean, it's simple. If I ask, you, Daniel. Who are you? Anong isasagot mo?" She suddenly asked.
Daniel being completely shocked, he cleared his throat. "I'm Daniel. 18 years old. The son of General Dani Aguillar. Born in America. A citizen of the Philippines. Wait, bakit ako tina—" Then got cutted off once again.
"You know your life, you know your childhood, correct?" Xerna asked.
Daniel nodded and answered, "Yeah. Of course."
Then she looked at me once again, giving me the sweetest smile she can give. "I'm just curious 'cause everytime we ask you. Parang hindi mo kilala yang sarili mo. As if you can't remember anything from your past. You're acting like your memories are fabricated."
My heart was beating fast. Parang nahuli nila ako na hindi ko dapat ginagawa. I was caught but I don't know how. There was a lump in my throat that I wanna take out but I can't do anything nor say anything.
Who am I? No, more of like. Who was I?
I flinched. "Change of quetion." Xerna said and everyone sighed and rolled their eyes. "It was too easy. Sorry. Let's take the thrill." She said and everyone agreed.
"Ako na nga." Daniel interferred, taking the glass from her hands. "Who was your first kiss?" Ang bigla nitong tanong sakin na ikinabalik ko sa tuliro.
The life of the party went back. In a blink of an eye, the flip of the switch, flipped. I was too occupied by the question kaya I somehow, for a moment, forgotten everything. My cheeks heated up. Everyone was teasing me kaya I decided to take the glass and drink it.
"Ay, ininom."
"Ayos lang, alam naman namin kung sino." Lino teased making everyone laugh. I growled at him, kicking his feet making him wince in pain.
Wiping my lips. I looked at Xerna once again who is now busy talking to everyone. Before she could look at my direction, tumingin na ako sa ibang direksyon. It was way too awkward and hard for me. Parang may napunto siyang matagal ko nang iniiwasan.
We decided to go back to the rest house after a few more drinks since we were already starting to get a little tipsy and tired from the trip earlier. Going straight for the bathroom to wash then the bed. I could hear the rustling of the bed beside me pero hindi ko na pinansin yun dahil I was scared. Scared of knowing the truth about me. I overthinked about it before getting myself to sleep. I tried looking for answers but there was none.
Fabricated, huh?
The night went by fast and another day was already welcoming us. It was 7 by the time I woke up. Let a little of sunlight coming inside the room. I stood up looking at Xerna's bed which is now completely fixed. I sighed.
It was way too early for me to think alot of stuff. I went to the bathroom to do my morning routines and went down after doing so.
Nakita ko naman halos lahat sila na nakain at yung iba ay nasa may salas na naglalaro and the others? Nowhere to be found.
Pumunta ako sa dining area kung nasaan si Julie, Jillian, Lanz and Daniel eating foods. I sat beside Daniel and took a piece of bread sitting in front of me. The house might be a little to loud for this morning but it was refreshing. Lively, if I may say.
I talked with Daniel and Lanz while eating breakfast. I also tried making a conversation with the twins pero I stopped. I could feel how they brush me off away from them. These past few days parang nagiiba ang pakikitungo nila sakin. Including Casty and Lino.
Finishing my breakfast, I went straight to the big ass living room kung saan naglalaro ang iba. They were busy on their phones kaya I couldn't try to talk with them. I heaved off a sigh and fished my phone out of my pocket, surfing the internet for some time now.
Cali went out from her room who greeted me a goodmorning and I knew that was my cue to ask there whereabouts. "Cali, by any chance, nakita mo ba si Fraizer?"
Wiping off her sweat, she smiled. "Uh, yeah. Xerna, Rain and Frei went jogging by the beach." Oh. Jogging.
I was about to ask her kung bakit mukha siyang pagod na pagod then it took me a second before registering everything in my brain. She was obviously exercising. My eyes went roaming around the whole house.
I couldn't really see everything yesterday since it was so dark but now, with all the light coming in. Masasabi ko, it's actually pretty good. Not just simply good, it was great. Rest house na mansion. Goodness. Sana all. I looked for Enrike and the others pero mukhang tulog pa.
As Lino groaned in defeat dahil sa nilalaro nila ni Liam ay bigla namang nagbukas yung pintuan na iniluwa yung tatlong sinabing nag-jo-jogging. They went off to their own direction habang si Fraizer naman ay lumapit sakin para halikan ang ulo ko.
"Goodmorning. Have you eaten breakfast?" He asked me. I nodded and asked him back the same question.
"Tinapay lang. Kinda getting hungry. I'mma hit the shower and eat once again." He ruffled my hair that made Liam to tease us so early in the morning.
"Agang-aga naglalandian sa harap ko. Respeto sa single. Label muna bago halik at landi—Ah! Ano ba?!" Maktol ni Liam nang itapon ni Fraizer ang tuwalya nito na ginamit para ipangtuyo ng pawis. He shot daggers at him before taking back the towel and going up to his room.
Liam looked at me with worried eyes. "Michelle, paktay ako. Frennies naman tayo, diba? Sagot mo ko, diba? Diba?" Awa nito sakin na ikinatawa ko lang.
Afternoon came and this time, we've decided to swim with all our hearts out. We wore some shirts and shorts (?) first and inside was our swimming outfit. Yung mga lalaki ay umuna nang lumangoy pero tinutulungan parin kaming magluto.
It wasn't an easy job. Sobrang init pero buti na lang madaming puno sa may paligid ng cottage namin and the beach was refreshing. Dami ding buko juice, so yeah. Kumain muna kami bago sumama sa kanila na lumangoy.
Enrike, on the other hand, ay umahon na muna para bantayan yung pagkain para makapagbihis kami in our swimming outfit. The other girls were wearing the two piece confidently and ako? I was only wearing the top and some short. They keep on telling to remove the shorts pero I seriously don't want to. Nahihiya ako.
Going to our cottage's direction, we earned compliments from Enrike. We took a lot of pics before joining the rest of the boy, tagging along, Enrike. Pero before I knew it, napagtulungan ako ng mga babae at natanggal yung shorts ko. I was red from all the embarassment I had. I was left with no choice but to wear the two piece.
"You look great." Fraizer said na mas lalo kong ikinapula. "Stop hiding yourself. You're pretty." He smiled at took my hand over to the beach.
We played chicken fight. Stuff. Hanggang sa lumalim na yung gabi. We took time eating and yung iba, nag-sun bathing. Some of the boys made a sand castle and a 'sand angel'. Didn't know that was a thing.
I took a shower at some time in the noon. I was already getting pretty tired. I'm actually very sporty lalo na nung elementary at junior highschool days ko but then I stopped when I entered senior high. Iba na kasi yung acads sa shs.
Everyone was worn out. Like yesterday, niligpit ulit namin yung pagkain. Kahit gabi na, we were still playing by the beach pero ako at si Enrike ay tamang nakatingin lang sa kanila with some in can drinks. We were talking for quite some time now.
When I saw Fraizer waved, I smiled and waved back. Then silence came again. Without batting an eye at me, he asked. "Kayo na?" I was shocked for a second but only smiled and shook my head.
"Ah." Was the only thing that escaped his mouth after. Then silence surrounded the two of us again. "I'm still waiting for you two."
Doon na ako napatingin sa kaniya. "Waiting for us?" I asked.
He nodded, looking at me also. "Yeah." Enrike smiled. "Still waiting kung kailan magiging kayo. You have my blessing." He said.
And now, it was my turn to smile. "Thank you."
He nudged my shoulder and answered, "No problem."
I giggled and shook my head. "No, like, really thank you." He looked me getting all confused.
"Thanks for being my friend and for being there at times where I actually needed a friend." I felt him flinch pero I didn't bother. "Noong una akala ko hindi kita makakausap pero it looks like, I've gotten myself to trust you."
At sa oras na yun, his eyes widen. "You t-trust me? Why? Hindi ako yung taong pwede mong pagkatiwalaan." I felt pain in his words.
I didn't know the exact reason why pero I held his hands. "I don't care kung hindi ikaw yung taong di ko dapat pagkatiwalaan. That's not for you to decide. It's for me to decide kung pagkakatiwalaan kita. That's why for me, I trust you because I trust you." A sweet smile crept onto my lips and a split second he hugged me tightly.
I was shock for a moment pero when I can feel hot liquid going through my shirt, I hugged him back. After him trying to stifle his cry and sniffing. He released me from the hug and said, "Thank you."
"Bakit ka ba nag-te-thank you?" I asked then laughed afterwards. "Seriously though, you don't get to decide kung katiwa-tiwala ka. It's us who you engaged with are the ones to decide that but what you can decide on is the path of your life. Don't let others tell you what to do. You have your own life. Break the rules if necessary lalo na kapag yun yung sinisigaw ng puso mo." I squeezed his hands tight.
And from the reaction I saw from his face ay parang may nadali ako sa buhay niya. He smiled and hugged me for the second time. "I will. Whatever happens, I'm here for you. I'll break the rules if necessary. I'll always help you." He said then a pair of hand came on hugging me from the behind.
"Ano yan?" Nguso ni Fraizer sa likod ko doon sa kamay namin.
I heard Enrike giggle. He tried releasing his hands pero I intertwined our hands making Fraizer look at it with more annoyance. "We're having our moment po. Now, shoo." Taboy ko rito na ikinadikit muli ng kilay niya.
"What?" He asked in disbelief. Glaring at Enrike, he took away his hands from me.
"Wala. We were just talking how possessive you are. Hindi mo naman pagmamay-ari si Michelle." Enrike stood up. Removing the sand from his butt. "Galaw-galaw baka maunahan ka." He smirked at went off.
I could hear how Fraizer scoffed behind me and have let go of me as soon as I stood up also. "Saan ka pupunta?" He asked, standing up.
I raised an eyebrow at him. "Wala. Mag-mumuni-muni lang. Sama ka?" I didn't wait for his answer and have already walking.
While walking beside the beach. May mga tao na natira parin dito kahit gabi na. The gang were also still playing, well, some of them. The moon was shining on us very brightly. It was a beautiful sight.
In no time, Faizer caught up with my pace, thanks to his very long legs. We were already walking side by side. Intertwining his hand with mine. "You don't let this hands of yours get intertwined with some other human being." He warned me making me laugh.
"Sino ka?" I teased him making him scowl.
"Yun sabi niya but still let me hold her hand." He narrated. Fucking bullshit. Kinikilig ako. I could feel butterflies in my stomach. I was happy.
It was silent, the crashing of waves made it much more peaceful. "Tanda mo pa yung una nating encounter?"
"Pft. Yeah. Yun yung I was assigned to help you go to the clinic—"
"What?" He stopped walking and looked at me with a creased brow.
"What? Anong meron?" I echoed his word. And asked him what was wrong.
"Hindi yun yung first encounter natin, estupido." At doon, ako naman yung napatigil sa paglalakad.
"It was when nung nasa may 7/11 tayo. Naka-motor ako nun. Sabi mo sisirain mo yung Ferrari ni Lanz kung hindi siya aayos sa pagsasagot." My eyebrows furrowed much more. Making him giggle a little. "Black jacket. Motorcycle. Bago magpasukan. It was 4 am. Montebarrio. Recall?"
I tried remembering and when I was about to give up, my mouth gaped and placed a hand over it. Tinuro ko ito and doon naaalala ko. "Ikaw yun? Kayo yun?" All this time that was actually real? Heck.
He nodded at me and continued walking habang ako ay hindi parin makapaniwala. No way. "It was you this whole time? Tanda mo parin yun? Nakalimutan ko na."
"Oh? Nakalimutan mo na? 'Di halata." He sarcastically said while having a straight face making me roll my eyes. He laughed at me reaction and ruffled my hair.
"Yeah. I was amused by your action. Halos lahat kasi ng babaeng nakikilala ko masyadong, ugh, basta. They're just so trying hard to get me to the point na nakakalimutan na nila kung sino sila." Fraizer explained sounding a bit disappointed.
"Weh? Cocky much? Nakakalimutan nila kung sino sila dahil sayo? Okay." I nodded. Adding a bit of sarcasm in my words na tinawanan niya lang muli.
"And when I took your phone, that was my way of actually trying to get your number." He bluntly said making me slap his arm.
"And I was shocked to know that you were a student is CSU and my seatmate to be exact."
"Ikaw pa 'tong nagulat? Ako nga itong gulat sa lahat ng sinabi mo. All this time, trip mo ko?" I asked him. Nearing to cry.
"What? Baby, no. What made you think na trip lang kita?" He worriedly asked me stopping at our tracks once again.
"Para kasing ganun yung pinupunto mo, eh." I said making him sigh.
Mas lalo akong muntikan nang umiyak nung pinakawalan niya yung kamay ko. "Yeah, trip kita." Then there it was, my heart shattering right there. What did I even expect? Him? Liking me? He's Fraizer Hanz Zackermore. How could he like someone like me? Absurd.
I want to ran away pero I was stuck in that place. Looking down at my cold feet. I tried to retain myself from crying when he held my face up high to look at him using his two big hands cupping my cheeks.
"Noon una, oo, trip kita."
I could feel my eyes watering. What's he pointing at? I swear. I don't want to breakdown in front of him. "But then I get to know you more and you're way too wonderful for this world, Michelle. I was glad I did those things to you. I glad I met you at 7/11. I was also happy to see you sit beside me. Hindi mo alam kung gaano ako kinikilig noong umubob ako."
Ngumiti ito sakin at hinawakan yung dalawa kong kamay. "And I don't want anyone to get ahead of me from you. Mataasan at maunahan na nila ako sa lahat. Huwag lang sayo." He squeezed my hand tightly but not too tight.
"Michelle, I like you." Then I could feel a tear trickle down my eye. "No, I love you." I didn't know I was already crying. The moon behind him was very pretty and bright. "Shit. Don't cry. Di bagay sayo naiyak, you're still pretty even if you cry but just, it's way too painful for me to see. It's okay kung di tayo mutual ng feelings, I'm not rushi—"
With him saying all of those, I tiptoed and kissed him gently on the lips. Then letting go after a few seconds. "I guess, the feelings mutual." I answered. Smiling at him, wiping the tears.
I laughed a little at his reaction na para bang hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi at ginawa ko. He tried processing everything. "Wait. No, yes, no but yes. Seryoso?" He assured and nodded and he hugged me. "Fucking yes! I'm so happy I could kiss you." I was shocked at his retort that made him back up.
"Not on impulse but if I could, I would, I'm just, I'm fucking happy I—" I kissed him again na ikinagulat ulit niya.
After letting it all sink into him. He pulled me closer by my waist and held my nape to deepen the kiss.
I was the first to let go. My face all flushed from what happened. I hearf him cough, intertwining his hand with mine. "So, are we a thing now?"
I glanced at him making myself act like I wad thinking. "Ang sabi ko, the feeling is mutual pero I never agreed yet to be your girlfriend." I teased him leaving him behind before going straight to the rest house.
I was smiling from end to end. I couldn't believe it also myself. I went to mine and Xerna's room to sleep this day but I was so happy to sleep. Fangirling and all, I know I needed rest para harapin siya bukas.
I did fell asleep for a little while but then suddenly, nagising ako nang mga bandang alas tres. I looked at Xerna who was peacefully sleeping and so I decided to sleep again.
I heard the door creaked open pero I was still sleepy to mind who that was. So I let my eyes close and when I felt a presence beside me, I opened my eyes and confused to see who it was. That person panicked seeing me awake kaya dali-dali niyang nilagau yung panyo sa may ilong ako. I was curious and confused on what the hell was happening. I tried resisting but that person was way too powerful than me. I could feel my consciousness giving up then heard the last few words before blacking out.
"Goodnight, Michelle."
•••
Everyone was heavily sleeping not until they heard a scream coming from Xerna and Michelle's room. Everyone panicked. Banging on the door and asking what was happening inside.
They could hear someone falling down and when the door opened. A crying Xerna went out hugging the first person outside.
Fraizer panicked asking where in the fuck was Michelle. When they went inside the room, his heart dropped.
A writing on the wall with the use of human blood, it said,
*Find me before she dies.*