"Totoo?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko sa kanilang dalawa na agad naman nilang sinagot ng mabilis na pagtango. I sigh and continued on eating my packed lunch.
Rea sighs. "Hindi naman sa sinasabi kong lumayo ka sa kaniya pero parang ganoon na nga." Saad nito at agad tumawa na nag-iisa. I just spared her a glance while Valentina pulled her hair harshly that it made her shut up and wince in pain.
"Hindi ka funny, gaga." Kali hissed. Ngumuso lang sa kaniya si Rea at kumain na. My eyes went back to my food and as I ate, my mind drifted off to what Fate had said to me. Kaya pala mas naging mapang-akit ang lalaking 'yon simula nang nagsimula ang klase.
He would always look at me while the teacher is informing us of the subject's future lessons. Tapos kung tinatanong naman siya ng guro ay nakakasagot naman siya ng maayos. I groaned inwardly, not liking to be a part of some guy like him.
Sino ba naman ang hindi nagagalit sa mga taong mapanakit?
I just can't stop liking him even more, in every second. It feels like I don't have any control ㅡ which I really don't ㅡ over my feelings towards a guy like him. Ngayon nga, dapat nawawala na ang nararamdaman ko sa kaniya noong nalaman ko palang na ganoon siyang klaseng lalaki. The thought made me shiver as I finished my lunch without even noticing it.
"Aelin." Tawag ni Kali. I slightly flinch and turn my head towards her, raising my eyebrow. Rea chuckled and shook her head at me, she then looks at Fate in a teasing way.
"Ayan kasi," She scoffed, shaking her head. "Sinabi mo pa kasi na ganoong klasing lalaki si Clive, ayan tuloy. Tulala ang kaibigan natin." She laughs and covers her mouth to lower her sound.
Kali glared at her. "Kailangan niya din namang malaman. Ano ka ba? Hindi ko hahayaang maluko siya nang lakaking 'yon no." Ingos nito.
Rea shakes her head and smiles at me. "Punta tayo sa CR, magto-toothbrush lang ako."
I chuckled. "Ako rin."
Kali tsked at us, as we both stood up and leave her sulking like a spoiled brat. Kalaunan naman ay sumunod naman kaagad ito noong nakita niyang malayo na kami at halatang hindi na namin siya hihintayin. Napatawa kami ni Rea at pumasok na sa banyo kasunod ay si Kali.
We started preparing and cleaning our hands and teeth, then did a tiny touch-up to our face. We were in the middle of preparing our bags when Kali suddenly got a call and answer it.
"Mauna na kayo, guys." Rea sighs and turn towards me.
"Tara na?" Aya nito. "Let's go."
Nang makalabas kami ay bigla itong lumapit sa akin at bumulong. "Alam mo ba kung sino ang tumawag kay Kali."
Bumaling ako sa kaniya habang nakasalubong ang kilay ko. "Hindi, bakit?"
Humagikhik siya bigla at ngumiti sa akin. "Head 'yon ng Math Department."
I shrug. "Ano naman kung tinawag siya ng head?" Tanong ko sa kaniya at nagsimula na kaming maglakad papunta sa classroom namin.
"Syempre, asawa niya." She beams. My step halted as I look at her in disbelief. "Ano? Asawa? Ang laki naman ng age gap kung ganoon." Sabi ko.
She shakes her head. "Arranged marriage kasi kaya wala silang dalawang magagawa."
I sigh. "Kawawa naman si Kali kung ganoon." Suddenly, Rea cackled and looks at smiling even wider.
"Gaga. Ang asawa niya ang kawawa, pasaway 'yang si Kali eh." Saad nito habang tumatawa na naman.
Ang babaw talaga ng kaligayahan nito.
Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako sa kasama ko at dumiretso na sa classroom. Napahinto ako sa pagpasok nang makita ko si Clive na may dalang flowers at chocolates. Kumunot ang nuo ko sa kaniya.
Saan niya naman nakuha ang mga ganyan?
Suddenly, Rea started on nudging me on the side. "Sana all. Kunin mo na oh, naghihintay sa'yo ang tao." Saad nito.
I let out a sigh in irritation and rolled my eyes. Ang ngiti nito ay agad nawala nang makita akong hindi nasisiyahan sa ginagawa niya, kaya agad niyang nilagay ang mga bitbit niya at nagmamadaling lumapit sa'kin. I instantly gave my bag to Rea and went down and out of the building, while Clive is hurriedly catching up behind me.
"Stop! Wag mo akong habulin! Ayoko sa katulad mo!" Sigaw ko nang lumingon ako ng panandalian sa likod ko at nakita siyang ilang dangkal na lang ang lapit sa akin kaya sinimulan ko ng pumunta sa isa pang building. When I passed through the hallway of lockers, hindi ko namalayan na naabutan na pala ako ni Clive.
He suddenly held my shoulders tightly and pinned me to the wall, his eyes showing how pissed he is, as he gritted his teeth in annoyance. My heart started beating erratically, once we both look in each other's eyes.
A sob got out of my throat, while I started pushing him go get away from me. "Ano ba?!" Naiirita kong ani.
He let's out a breath. "Atleast, talk to me." He pleads, his voice laced with worry.
I shake my head frantically. "Ayoko!"
"Please, baby." He pleaded again.
"Why would I talk to you? Bakit mo nga ba ako hinahabol? Bakit ako?" I shakily ask him.
"I guess, sinabi na nila sayo." He mutters, sighing.
I humorlesly laugh at him. "No shit, Sherlock."
He inhales a big breath and closes his eyes tightly, obviously calming himself. I chuckled. Syempre sino ba namang gusto na bago mo palang makuha ang target mo, nakawala na pala.
"Look, Aelin." He started, he suddenly puts his hand on my waist and the other right by my ear, on the locker. My breathing started to get hitched in every time he leans in even closer to my face.
"I like you, I can change." He said intently. I scoff in disbelief. "I'm not gonna fall in your trap, Clive."
He immediately shakes his head. "No. I'm serious on this one, just please listen to me." He pleads.
"Go on." I said. He smiles and nodded. "Hinding-hindi kita lolokohin kahit kailan, I'll change for you because you motivate me. I like you so much that I want you to be mine alreadyㅡ"
"You're a player, aren't you?" Putol ko sa sinasabi niya. "And I bet you got hoes, kaya wag mo nalang akong kulitin kasi hindi ako katulad ng mga babaeng madali mo lang makukuha at madali mo lang saktan." I snarled.
"You like me?" I scoff. Hindi makapaniwalang agap ko sa kaniya.
"You don't like me, you like me because you want to play with me and hurt me." Dagdag ko. He suddenly held my chin and glared at me, making my knees weak.
"You don't know me like that." He hissed while gritting his teeth. "I just go with the flow, the girls I dated already knows from the start." He smirks.
"You can't fool me like that, you're gonna leave me in the end." Agap ko sa kaniya. He groaned and frustratingly bangs the locker that it made the loudest noise on the whole building, yet Clive didn't care but only look at me in the eyes.
"Fine. I'm a playboy, I'm a player but I won't be that kind of boy again once you're mine." He frustratingly said. Tila huminto ang mundo ko sa sinabi niya. He's willing to change for me?
Damn.
Right before I could even answer him, the bell rings indicating that we have to go to our classrooms and start the class. I immediately went to the building leaving a frustrated Clive behind.
"Ae!" Tawag nito at sumunod na sa'kin papunta sa classroom. Mabuti nalang at wala pa doon ang guro namin kaya nakahinga ako nang maluwag. Clive and I sat down on our seats and right after our butts touched the seat, he gave me the flowers and chocolates which made the side of my lips twitch as I inwardly started to fangirl.
"Sana all!" Sigaw ng mga kaklase ko, bago pa sila makadagdag sa kanilang mga sasabihin ay pumasok na ang guro at nagsimula nang magturo. I quickly hid the flower and also the chocolates under the table and I suddenly feel a tap on my arm. Bumaling ako dito at nakitang nakatingin sa akin ang dalawa kong kaibigan na parang alam na nila ang nangyari.
I shake my head and smile at them as I bring my attention back to the lecture. The class continued that way, with Clive now not looking at me but continuesly wraps his arms on my lower back as he listened to what our teacher is saying. Napailing nalang ako sa kada oras ng ginagawa niya ang mga galaw na ito.
When the class hours ended for the afternoon, it was time to go home and ready myself for tomorrow's class. I'm honestly excited to wear the school's uniform tomorrow. I smiled while I carry my backpack and walk towards the parking lot.
"Ae!" Tawag ng isang panlalaking boses na alam na alam ko. I turn around and raise my brow at him. "Ano 'yon?"
Clive shyly scratches the back of his head and looks at me. "Wala ako bukas kasi may preparation at practice kami sa softball for the La Lune's Week event." Sabi nito.
My eyebrows knitted at him. "So?"
"Will you go and watch me?" Nahihiyang pagtanong nito. I look up at the vast blue sky as I think about my agenda's tomorrow. Nang wala akong maalala na importante ay tumango ako sa kaniya. He instantly smiles, showing his deep dimples.
"Okay! See you, lovely lady!" He cheekily said, making me smile at him as he gave me a flying kiss and went towards his Ducati and rode it not forgetting to wink at me. Nang makita kong nakalabas na siya ng gate ng paaralan ay lumingon na ako sa driver at ngumiti dito.
"Nasaan po si Penelope?" I asks. "Nasa practice niya po ma'am, para daw sa La Lune's Week sa susunod na buwan." Sabi nito. Kumunot ang nuo ko sa hindi pag-iintindi. Hindi pa naman ako sinasabihan ng dalawa kong kaibigan na nagpaiwan sa library dahil magpa-practice pa daw.
What is this La Lune's Week and what's the importance of it?
With that question in my mind, I still got in the car as it drove me home safely. I thank the driver after getting out of the car and make my way inside the spanish-styled mansion that is currently empty because my father is also in his work. That was what I expected ㅡ the big house to be empty ㅡwhile entering the mansion.
However, when I finally reached the living room. I saw the most unexpected people to be there and my eyes widen, while being filled with unshed tears, my heart beating wildly as I drifted my eyes to the both of them with love.
"M-Mommy...Kuya," nanghihinang saad ko.
Kaagad ko silang niyakap ng mahigpit habang ang aking mga luha ay walang humpay na tumutulo. I thought that they won't visit me again. Nanghihina akong umupo sa sofa at tumabi naman sa akin ang dalawa. I smiled at the both of them as I put my head on my older brother's shoulder.
He lightly kisses the crown of my head. "Sorry kung hindi kami kaagad nakapunta dito para dalawin ka. May kaunting problema kasi sa Airlines." Paliwanag nito.
"It's fine." I muttered, getting suddenly sleepy. My mother sighs and kisses my cheeks as she held the both of my hands tightly and squeezing it every once in a while. Lumingon ako sa kaniya at ngumiti ng mahina.
"Ano po 'yon, ma?" Tanong ko. She immediately lets out a breath and smiles sadly. Bigla nalang bumilis ang pagtibok ng puso ko at bigla narin akong natataranta.
"I have to tell you something, darling." Saad nito habang namumuo na naman ang mata niya dahil sa kaniyang mga luha. I properly sat and wrap my arms around her shoulders as she leans in on mine. Cai comforted her by rubbing her back.
"Your kuya and I are going to New York." She told me. My heart skipped a beat as I look at her and at my older brother in disbelief. I instantly look down on my lap while my eyes started to blurry as my tears formed. Hindi ako makapaniwalang na aalis na kaagad sila ng hindi pa nga kami nagtatagal na magkasama. Dahan dahan ko siyang pinakawalan at umayos ng upo.
"I'm sorry, little sis." Cai hugs me and whispers his apologies and so does my mother, but I can't focus to what they are saying because my mind started to explode from worrying and I began to be upset with them.
"Kailan kayo aalis?" Tanong ko sa kanilang dalawa nung ako'y huminahon na. My mother winced.
"Mamayang kinaumagahan." Sagot nito. Kaagd akong tumayo at tumingin sa kanila ng matiim. Ang dali naman sa kanila para iwan ako nang ganito kaagad.
"Bakit?! Hindi ba pwedeng sa susunod na buwan na lang?" I croaked out as I hug myself and run to my room upstairs and lock it. Pagkasarado ko ay dumiretso na ako sa kama at doon humagulhol ng napakalakas. Later on, someone started knocking at my door but I didn't open it.
"Aelin, I'm sorry just please hear us out." Ani ng boses ni Cai mula sa labas ng kwarto ko. My tears started to fall even more as I think about my life. Palagi nalang akong sinasaktan ng mga taong minamahal ko ng lubusan. Why did I do to deserve this kind of treatment? Can they just love me instead of hurting and leaving me?
Ngayon naman na kung kailan ko lang nakita at nakasama ulit ang dalawang tao na importante sa buhay ko, parang pati ang tadhana ayaw akong pasayahin. Wala pa ngang isang araw, aalis na kaagad sila. I feel so upset and right now, I just need to be alone.
My brother started to knock more loudly and harshly on the door. "Aelin! Bubuksan ko ang pinto kung hindi ka lalabas diyan." Mariin nitong saad.
I roll my eyes. "Wala kang susi, kuya." I said to him. He sighs and I hear him walking away from the door of my room. I release a deep breath and wipe my tears away. Nagsimula na akong maghanda para maligo at parang wala namang plano ang dalawa na pilitin akong harapin sila.
Pumasok ako sa shower at naligo na, my mind is still in chaos about what happened in just a day. I just seem to be overthinking about everything that's happening to me and that makes it hard for me to control. Nakakarindi din namang mag-isip ng maraming bagay na hindi dapat isipin pero hindi nakikinig ang utak ko kahit sa'kin man lang.
Simula nang mawala ang alala ko noong elementary palang ako ay palagi akong nagiging mapagmatyag sa paligid ko. Ayaw ko ng mangyari ulit ang nangyari sa akin noong nasa middle school pa lamang ako. Hindi pa nga noon ako nakakagraduate ng highschool, marami na kaagad akong problema dahil lang sa pagkalimot ko sa mga araw kung saan ako ang pinakatalo.
Gusto kong malaman lahat ng nangyari nung nasa elementary palang ako. Ang mga dahilan kung bakit nakakalimutan ko ang mga 'yon ay hindi ko alam. When I have a time to ask dad about it, he would always change the topic or ignore my questions.
I sigh deeply as I got out of the shower, clean. I wore my pink silk pajamas, blow-dried my hair, brush my hair and teeth and did my skin care. Pagkatapos kong gawin ang lahat ng 'yon, dumiretso na ako sa kwarto ko para matulog. My steps halted right when I saw my brother sitting on my black and white fluffy bed.
"Paano mo nabuksan ang pintuan?" Tanong ko dito. He shrugs and seat like a man would, which is by leaning his elbows on his knees and looks at me intently.
"Listen to me, Aelin. Mom and I are gonna be there to see the new Airport that is currently under construction."
I rais my brow at him. "So?"
He groaned. "Geez! Aelin, that fucking airport is gonna be ours and we are jus gonna check it. We'll be back as soon as we can, now go to mom and apologize about what you just did earlier because you made her upset."
I rolled my eyes at him. Palagi nalang ako ang nakakasakit ng iba. Hindi nila nakikita na nasasaktan din naman ako.
"I'm upset too." Sabat ko dito. He growled. "Shut up."
"Ano ba kuya? Bakit ba kailangan kong manahimik? Bakit kailangan kong manahimik kung opinyon ko naman ang pinag-uusapan?! Why?! Tell me!" Bulyaw ko na nagpatigil sa kaniya.
"Aeㅡ" Simula niya. "No!"
"Fucking tell me, why do I always have to be ignored when it comes to my opinion? Why do I always have to be lectured everytime I share it? Don't you know that I miss you two so much?" Nanghihinang tanong ko, my voice being heard throughout the whole room.
"Gusto ko lang namang makasama o makita man lang kayong dalawa noong mga nakaraang araw pero hindi kayo dumating, tapos kung saan naman kayo lumapit at bumisita sa'kin doon na sa araw na malapit na kayong umalis. Sana hindi nalang muna kayo pumunta rito para magpalaam." Sabi ko habang dinuduro ang sarili ko. I know that I'm too dramatic and too emotional, but atleast I'm letting it out on him.
He sat there looking at me with sympathetic eyes. I wipe the tears in my cheeks that had started to come out again.
"You know what? I'm still gonna apologize to mom." I sigh and walk towards the door on my room only to suddenly bump my mother. My watery eyes widen in surprise as she looks at me pleadingly. She immediately opened her arms to hug me. I sob and instantly went in her warm embrace.
"Ma, I'm sorry. I love you." Mahinang ani ko. She just nodded as she lead me to my bed and made me lay in it while she pats my arms just like how she does it when I was having a nightmare. I look up at her as she smiles down at me. My eyes went towards my older brother whose behind my mother smiling at me softly.
"I'm sorry, kuya." He answered with a nod and a wink that made me smile at him. My mom started rubbing my arm to put me to sleep.
"Sleep, my child. Don't worry, we'll be back as soon as we can. After all, I can't leave my princess behind." She said softly.
Even though I know that it's all a lie, because she said that three years ago and that didn't even happen. I still believe her. She's my mother.
Her voice so soothing that it put me to sleep. The next day, I woke up alone and sad that I didn't see the both of them go. Mas mabuti na nga siguro 'yon para hindi ako malungkot.
I immediately got out of my bed and open my walk in closet to get the school's elegant uniform. When I finally found it, I instantly went to my bathroom to prepare myself as soon as I can and wear the uniform. I stood there, in front of the mirror wearing my uniform.
As I straightened the skirt of my uniform, the purple skirt that ends above my knees as the red checkered that makes a pattern all over it. I looked at my reflection as I fixed the same color neck tie in the middle of my collarbone, my hands shaking as my nerves got ahead of me, my anxiety accelerating.
I inhaled a big breath and exhale heavily as I tried calming my nerves. The color white blouse that is beneath the black blazer that is touched by the slight of gold as the only two button closed by my stomach as it hug my curves. I adjusted my ponytailed long black hair and my name tag by the left side of my chest.
Napakaganda ng uniporme na suot ko ngayon pero mas lalo akong kinakabah dahil hindi ganito ang klaseng damit na kumportable ako. Still, this is a uniform and its required to be worn. I let out a breath again and grab my bag on my way out and went towards the kitchen. My eyebrows furrowed when I didn't see Penelope or even Delilah, not even my father inside the kitchen.
I sigh and prepared my lunch that the cook has maid and put it in my lunch box and in my backpack. Then I went outside of the house to the garage to see the driver waiting for me. My eyes narrowed when my eyes didn't catch any sight of Penelope.
Nasaan kaya 'yon?
Agad akong lumapit kay manong Edgar at nagtanong. "Manong, nauna na po ba si Penelope?"
He nodded. "Opo, ma'am. May practice daw po siya eh." He explained.
"Oh, okay." I muttered. "Salamat, manong. Let's go na po." Sabi ko at sumakay na sa sasakyan. My mind is still in turmoil as the driver started the vehicle, I look out of the window to see the buildings that the car has passed. Nalulungkot ako dahil hindi ko kasama si Penelope. I don't even know why this La Lune's Week is important.
Nang dumating kami sa eskwelahan ay kaagad akong pumasok sa classroom at nakitang wala parin ang dalawa kong kaibigan. Mas lalo akong nalungkot dahil kung saan pa naman na kailangan ko ang mga taong pinahahalagahan ko, doon pa sila wala. I decided to go to the girl's bathroom and leave my bag in my seat.
After doing that decision, I walk up to the mirror and look at myself with pity. My brown smooth skin, my tall and small nose, thin but plump lips, downturned hazel eyes, flick and thick eyebrows, black hair. All of that is not enough to make someone stay and love me.
I stare at my reflection and just before I started to down myself even more. The door to the girl's bathroom opened and my eyes immediately widen when my eyes caught the sight of him, his face filled with worry and anxiousness.
"Hey, are you alright? Our classmates told me you just arrived but then you went out." He looks up and down at me, checking me if if I'm alright or not.
"I-I..." I stuttered, my heartbeat accelerating as my knees started to weaken. He got in the girls bathroom immediately not caring that he's not allowed to.
"Aelin..." Tawag niya at lumipat kaagad sa harap ko. He cups my cheeks and looks at me in the eyes intently. My eyes started to get even blurry as I look at him in despair, showing my vulnerability. Ayaw ko mang gawin ay hindi ko kayang pigilan ang sarili ko. Sa pagkakataong ito, wala akong malapitan and then he suddenly came and it made me feel so happy that there's someone who I can really lean on.
"Clive..." Sambit ko. He kisses my forehead and then held my shoulders and look at me again.
"Baby, tell me. What's wrong?" Tanong nito. And right before I could tell him that I'm not. Everything went black.