"Hey, I just want to check if the guys are doing o..kay," Ate Laureen stopped halfway, kita sa mukha niya ang pagkagulat. Ang mga mata niya ay naka-focus lang sa iisang tao, naka focus lang kay Kuya Isagani.
She looks furious, namumula na rin ang mukha nito at halatang tipsy na.
"I'll explain," basag ni Kuya Froi sa katahimikan. Lahat ay nagulat sa nangyaring 'yon, I don't know pero mukhang takot sila kay Ate Laureen.
"'Tay na men, world war three na," bulong ni Travis sa Kuya niya pero sapat na 'yon para marinig namin.
"Why are you here? You can't be here," puno ng galit na pagkakasabi ni Ate Laureen habang nakatingin lang kay Kuya Isagani na mukhang kalmado lang at hindi nababahala sa presenya ni Ate Laureen.
"Why can't I be here?" kalmadong tanong nito habang pinaglalaruan ang alak sa kamay niya.
"You left, remember? Without explanations, without saying goodbye!" may lungkot sa mga salitang binitawan niya.
"Taray kathniel, sabihin mo Kuya Gani gant—" si Travis.
"Travis would you please stop? You are not supposed to be here, all of you!" sigaw ni Ate Laureen, pati ako ay medyo kinakabahan sa mga inaasta niya ngayon. Ate stood up and walk towards Ate Laureen to calm her down.
"Babe, please.. I don't want any unnecessary happenings tonight until the day of my wedding, please?" Ate is now holding Ate Laureen's hand. Napabuntong hininga nalang si Ate Laureen, tiningnan muna ng masama si Kuya Isagani bago lumabas ng VIP room.
"Grabe, amazona pa rin ex mo pre," Kuya Morris joked and patted Kuya Isagani's shoulder. Walang tugon na ginawa si Kuya Isagani at nanatili lang siyang kalmado habang pinaglalaruan pa rin ang baso na may lamang alak sa kamay niya.
"You should've told her, she deserves to know it," sambit ni Kuya Grae habang may kung anong inaasikaso sa phone niya. Kuya Isagani stopped for a second and then glance at him.
"Like how Cora deserves to know your reason, too," he fired back. It seems like Kuya Grae wasn't expecting it but he manage to calm and looks like he didn't care or he didn't hear anything at all.
The tension inside the room is suffocating me so I excused myself. Gusto ko sa tahimik na lugar pero mukhang malabo kaya pumwesto nalang ako sa isang bakanteng couch malayo sa kanila. I almost jump when someone whispered behind me.
"You look nice tonight," he whispered.
"I know, pwede ka na umalis," masungit na sambit ko bago umupo sa couch. He did the same, this guy may be hot but he's so annoying like Travis!
"Ayoko, ngayon na nga lang tayo nagkita tapos paaalisin mo agad ako? Hindi mo ba ko na-miss?" Rio said. Umaktong medyo nahuhurt pa kahit hindi naman talaga. Now I remember his name, Rio, the jerk on the pool side.
"Hindi, so may I ask you why are you here?" sambit ko.
"Travis is my friend and Albert is my brother.. or sister? I don't know," he chuckled. So Kuya Berty is his brother? The one who owned a company? Ate Laureen's friend.
I just nodded and glance at the people on the dance floor. They looked happy naman so I felt relieved until Isaiah caught my attention. Lumabas na pala sila ng VIP room without mask, without mask?! Everyone seems shocked but it didn't last for a minute, mukhang ayos lang naman sakanila. Mukhang mas nag-enjoy pa sila.
So I'm staring at Isaiah, sinusuri ang bawat galaw niya. He's holding a glass on his one hand and the other is leaning on the railings, mukhang may hinahanap din siya. I was about to assume that it was me when that blonde girl walk towards him. They are now talking to each other, whispering some I don't know what words. They are obviously flirting, I can see it, and what the fuck? Did he just laugh?
"Looks like you're pissed," malokong sambit ng katabi ko. I glared at him, nakatingin siya sa pwesto nila Isaiah bago tumingin sa 'kin, "You like Jauregui? Seems like he's flirting with that hot blonde chic," dugtong niya.
"Who cares? Kahit maglampungan pa sila dyan, walang pipigil," I sounded like a child now and I don't know why. Isaiah is driving me crazy!
Hinawakan ni Rio ang kamay ko at hinila ako papunta sa smoking area kung saan walang ka-tao tao. Isinandal niya 'ko sa wall habang ang mga kamay niya ay nasa magkabilang gilid ko. I pushed him really hard but nothing happens, he's just staring at me while smirking and trust me, I don't like that smirk, I might kill him!
"You'll thank me later," he whispered to my ears before kissing me.
He kissed me! I'm gonna kill him, why the fuck did he kissed me? I have many thoughts in my head, I was about to push him away when someone pull him and punch his face.
It was Isaiah.
Sa lakas ng suntok ni Isaiah ay napahiga sa sahig si Rio. He was about to punch him again so I pulled him. He glance at me and all I can see is anger. Rio finally stood up, tila walang pake sa natamo niyang sugat.
"Talk to you later, babe." He grinned before leaving us.
That jerk, ano bang tumakbo sa utak no'n at hinalikan ako? It's not my first time kissing a guy but that guy, he's a real jerk. I think I know what he's talking about and I don't like it. The fact that he kissed me gives me creepy feeling.
"Why did you do that?" inis na sambit ko. We are staring at each others eyes and all I can feel is my heart beating so fast.
Too fast to the point that it hurts.
"Because I want to.." sambit nito. There's no hint of regret on his face as he blankly stare at me. I can't read him.
"Don't punch other people's faces just because you want to," sambit ko, I can feel the awkwardness now. Gusto kong kumalas sa pagkakatitig sakaniya pero hindi ko magawa, his eyes is like a magnet. Mahirap kumawala!
Seryoso itong nakatingin sa 'kin, umigting ang panga bago nagsalita.
"Then don't kiss other people just because you want to.. I'm fucking jealous!" he fired back.
I was about to explain when Oly interrupted our moment. Mabuti nalang din at umeksena si Oly. I know, I don't need to explain but I feel like I have to. Maybe I like him, I'm just being denial.
Nagulat pa si Oly nang makitang kasama ko si Isaiah. Iiwan niya na sana kami nang hawakan ko ang kamay nito para makaalis kami mula roon at iwan si Isaiah mag-isa.
"You like him," Oly suddenly speak while I'm dragging him.
"No!" I denied. Shit! I must stop being denial, kahit sa sarili ko lang. I know I like him, not too much but I like him. I know I do..
Mabuti nalang at hindi na siya muling nagsalita. Nagsimula na rin ang huling game.
"Boys, pwede na kayong pumili ng partner niyo," sambit ni Oly. Simula nang makabalik kami ay lutang na 'ko, nawala ako sa wisyo. May last game pa pala kami at mabuti nalang ay sinama ko talaga si Oly. I didn't know I will be this preoccupied!
Nakatingin lang ako sa baba, playing my nails when Oly whispered something to me dahilan para mabuhayan ako. As soon as I look up, I saw Isaiah and Rio in front of me. Nakahalad ang mga kamay nila at hinihintay ako.
Bullshit!
"No.. you know I can't play. Pili nalang kayo ng iba—" Oly pushed me away, kinuha ang mic sa akin na parang sinasabing pwede ako sumali sa laro.
"Just this one Treia it's your Ate's party remember?" sambit ni Ate Dria sa gilid. I rolled my eyes at her before facing these two guy in front of me. Mabuti nalang at abala ang karamihan, ang iba naman ay nakatingin sa'min, waiting for me to choose. Isaiah looks calm while Rio is smirking.
I sighed heavily before putting my hand on his hand, sana lang ay tama ang desisyon ko.
"I know you'll pick me babe," he whispered.
"That stupid guy! I'm pissed just by seeing his face!" she angrily said.I don't know what's the reason behind it but I know their first encounter doesn't sounds good because I can see how annoyed, angry and pissed Madison is right now. She's even murdering the throw pillow.We are at our villa here in the beach where Ate Chandria and Kuya Froi will get married. Tomorrow is the date and we only have half of the day to enjoy ourselves."Why are you so pissed, Mads? What happened ba?" Adel asked while leaning on the wall, crossing her arms. I chuckled and Madison glared at me.We are in the same villa, malaki naman 'to kaya kasya kaming anim. May three rooms, dalawa sa taas at isa sa baba. Iris and I, Grace and Mads, Ken and Adel share in the same room. Sila Mads ang nasa baba dahil wala na silang choice, ang bagal ba naman."Nagloko yung car niya in the middle of the trip an
Nang matapos ang seremonya ay nagtungo kami sa reception dito sa resort. Ang sabi ni Ate Laureen ay mamayang gabi may party na magaganap, naghanda si Kuya Froi ng isang ship kung saan magaganap ang party, surpresa niya raw ito kay ate. Siguro'y mga alas otso ang simula no'n kapag nagsibalikan na sa kaniya-kaniyang kwarto ang mga matatanda naming kasama, ayon ang parteng inaabangan ko.This is gonna be a wild party!Kita ko ang saya ni ate habang kasayaw niya si Kuya Froi. Nasa gitna sila kasama ang iba pa habang nagsasayaw. Sa 'di kalayuan ay kita ko naman si Ken na kasayaw si Travis, gayon din si Adel at Grace na kasayaw ang hindi ko kilalang bisita. Si Iris naman ay nagpaalam kanina na lalabas sandali dahil may katawagan habang kami ni Mads ang naiwan dito sa table kasama ako. Hindi party girl itong si Madison and for sure ay bored na 'to ngayon.Habang pinagmamasdan sila ay isang lalaki ang naglahad ng kamay sa
Nang nawala ang liwanag at sumilip ang buwan, hudyat na simula na ng wild party, agad kaming nag-ayos. Tanaw ko na ang malaking ship na nirentahan yata ni Kuya Froi. Naka pwesto 'yon sa safe na parte ng dagat, may mga ilaw din na pinaliligiran ang buong lugar para masigurong walang mapapahamak. Kaunti nalang din naman kami, iilang mga kaibigan at bisita ni Ate at Kuya Froi at syempre, ang mga kaibigan ko."Kailangan ba talagang pumunta? Pwede namang dito nalang ako sa kwarto, magpapahinga.." ani Iris.Kanina pa siya nagsasabi ng ganoon. Hindi ko alam kung saang part siya napagod dahil magmula noong matapos ang seremonya ay hindi ko na siya nakita pa sa reception. Pakiramdam ko'y may itinatago itong babaitang 'to pero hahayaan ko nalang muna siya, mas mabuting siya mismo ang magsabi."Attending is a must, so as wearing bikini!" sambit ni Ken habang inaayos ang pagkakabuhol ng two piece bikini top niya. R
"Laro tayo! Chicken fight!" suhestiyon ni Kendall. Pumayag naman sila. Ang unang naglaban ay si Ken at Grace, nakasakay si Ken kay Travis habang si Grace ay doon sa isang kaibigan ni Travis. In the end, natalo si Grasya. Paulit ulit na ganoon ang nangyari, paulit ulit ding nananalo sila Kendall. Madaya."Si Treia naman!" sigaw ni Iris. Umiling ako kahit panay ang sigaw nila."Game na! Minsan lang, sinong manok mo?" tanong ni Mads. Wala naman akong choice dahil baka masabihan akong KJ ng mga 'to. Inisa isa ko ang mga kaibigan nila Travis, wala akong kakilala kundi si Rio lang kaya siya na ang pinili ko."Ayusin mo," bulong ko bago sumampa sakaniya. Malawak ang ngiti ni Ken na tila ba sure na siyang mananalo ulit sila, competitive ako kaya hindi ako magpapatalo no!Magkahawak ang kamay namin at tinutulak ang isa't-isa. Natatawa ako sa ginagawa namin, ganoon rin siya
Nagising ako nang may kamay na tumatapik sa binti ko. Inaantok pa 'ko at ang sakit ng ulo ko. Patuloy lang siya sa pagtapik sa binti ko, tinabunan ko naman ng comforter ang mukha ko para hindi ako maistorbo kaso walang epekto."The fuck, Iris! I'm sleeping!" sigaw ko at bahagyang sinipa ito. Tumigil siya sandali at pagtapos ay nagsimula na naman sa pagtapik sa akin."Bitch, ang kulit... mo," fuck!"I didn't mean to wake you up but.. your sister told me that any minute from now, your mother will call you out for a breakfast," ani Isaiah. Tiningnan ko ito, mukhang kagigising niya lang din at mukhang inaantok pa siya. Iginala ko ang mga mata ko sa buong kwarto. Oh my God! Hindi pa rin nag sisink in sa akin ang lahat. I am inside his room! Inalala ko ang mga ginawa ko kagabi bago ako makatulog. Shit! I kissed him! What the fuck, Cha
"The fuck is that, Almario?" inis na tanong ko rito.He doesn't seems scared now, ngumisi ito and believe me, nakakainis ang ngisi niyang 'yon!"Tinulungan na nga kitang makaalis doon tapos sisigawan mo lang ako? Wala man lang bang thank you kiss?" aniya.Mas lalo akong nainis, pinandilatan ko siya ng mata at bahagyang hinampas ang braso. Mahina lamang 'yon ngunit ininda niya pa rin. Ang arte!"Manigas ka r'yan!" sigaw ko at naglakad na palayo."Matigas na nga, kanina pa!" sigaw naman nito dahilan ng pagtigil ko.Nilingon ko siyang muli at siniringan, itinaas ko rin ang middle finger ko. Natawa naman siya sa ginawa ko bago sumunod. Nagpatuloy nalang ako sa paglalakad at hindi na siya pinansin kahit pa nakabuntot ito sa akin."Thank you hug nalang kung ayaw mo ng kiss.." biro niya pa.
Hapon na nang mapag-pasyahan nilang maghanda na para mamaya. I'm wearing a gray two piece knotted bikini. Naka messy bun ang buhok ko and I'm done putting sunblock lotion all over my body."Did you see my sarong?" tanong ko kay Iris.Tumigil siya saglit sa pag-aayos ng swimsuit niya at binalingan ako."Nakita ko kanina sa bathroom, naiwan mo yata roon," aniya.Nagtungo ako sa bathroom para kunin 'yon. I wrapped it on my waist, tinatakpan ang pambaba ko. Nakikita naman ang isa kong legs tuwing naglalakad and I like it.Nang matapos kami sa pag-aayos ay nagpasya na kaming magtungo sa labas. I wear my sunglasses dahil medyo may araw pa and it
"May daya dyan sa jet ski niyo, palit kaya tayo!" reklamo ni Kuya Isagani, hindi pa rin matanggap ang pagkatalo nila. Bumaba na 'ko sa jet ski, aalalayan pa sana ako ni Isaiah nang tanggihan ko ito. Hindi ko na siya binalingan ng tingin at naglakad na patungo sa mga kaibigan ko na ngayon ay naglalaro ng volleyball. Agad naman akong sinalubong ni Rio na may dalang towel. Inabot niya sa'kin 'yon kaya kinuha ko at ibinalot sa sarili. "Guarding yourself, huh?" aniya sa malokong tono. Tumingin sa nasa likod ko bago tumingin sa'kin at ngumisi. Nilingon kong muli si Isaiah na nasa tabing dagat pa rin at nakatanaw sa'min, nag-iwas agad ako nang magtama ang tingin namin bago sinamaan ng tingin si Almario. "You can use me, you know?" malokong sambit nito.
Isaiah’s Point of View "I break hearts..” I thought she's just kidding when she said that, never thought it was real. We became close as weeks passed by. It started when I lend her my clothes, I intentionally forget to took it from her so that I could get the chance to be with her again. As days passes by, she became comfortable with me. I worked really hard to gain her trust, it's not that easy but I manage to do it. All my life, I'm so used to be called Nikolai or Niko but here's Treia, she chose to call me Isaiah instead. I really hated that name before but hearing her calling me that way, God knows how much I thank my parents for giving me such name. It is like a music to my ears and everytime she's calling me that way, I felt alive. She's the only one who have the privilege to call me that. "It's not easy son but we have connections so leave it to me, I'll sue everyone who harmed your girl!” Dad said, full of authority. He called someone from his team to do me a favor, my f
Isaiah’s Point of View"Dude, yung crush mo ‘yon ‘di ba?" bulong ni Mateo.I glance at the group of girls coming our way, they sit on the couch near us. One of them caught my attention, it's her again, the only woman that caught my attention. I didn't respond to Mateo, nanatili akong nakaupo roon habang pasimpleng nakatanaw sakaniya. But damn, hindi nakakatulong ang ingay ni Paul at Davis."Sino bang type mo dyan, bro?" Paul asked, he's not yet wasted, they are in their usual self, mahilig mangolekta ng babae.I shoot dagger-like stares at them but it seems like they didn't even care. I don't know why we ended up being friends, si Mateo ang pinakamalapit sa’kin at nakilala ko lang si Paul at Davis nitong college na. Nakakasundo ko sila sa ibang bagay pero pagdating sa trip n
Isaiah’s Point of ViewDays went slowly, ganoon yata talaga kapag may inaabangan kang araw, mas bumabagal ang oras. We are here at the plaza waiting for the event to start. I chose the seat near the stage para makita ko siya nang malapitan, I want to see her performing. The other reason is I want her to see me watching and supporting her."Uy, pre! Ayan na yung crush mo, yung crush mo pre! Whoa, go crush ni Nikolai!" sigaw ni Mateo. Sana pala hindi ko na sinama ang ungas na 'to.God knows how many times I cursed Mateo in my mind. Mabuti nalang at maingay ang crowd, natatabunan ang sigaw niya. I'm watching my girl intently as she performed, she act, dance and sang and I can't help but to be proud of her. Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses kong isinigaw ang pangalan niya o kung ilang beses akong napapalaklak. I feel l
Isaiah’s Point of View"Hoy Treia, come here!" Chandria said, referring to the girl who went inside their house.Chandria is one of my brother's friend and we are here in their house. Isagani bring me with him because I will be left alone in our house, it's fine being alone though, I can call Mateo and play basketball with him but my mother insisted and told me to join my brother.My brother has a lot of circle of friends and I can say that this circle is the most special for him. I've known them for years because they usually hang out in our house.The girl who was about to go upstairs suddenly stopped walking and faced us. She looks tired, her hair is in a messy bun and her face is covered with sweat. She's holding a bunch of paper on her hand whil
"Joke 'yon, beh?" Grace sarcastically said, she even rolled her eyes at me.Natawa lalo ako sa reaction nila. Tumayo pa si Grace at nag walk out, sa kitchen yata pumunta. Wait, is she serious?"Sa tingin mo matutuwa kami knowing na aalis ka?" si Iris. Mukhang seryoso ito at galit na nakatingin sa'kin.Natahimik ako dahil doon. Kakaibang despidida party yata ang napuntahan ko. Magsasalita na sana ako nang maunahan ako ni Mads."Aalis siya? Saan ka pupunta?" inosenteng tanong nito.Napa-face palm ako, binatukan naman siya ni Kendall at si Grasya na nag-walk out ay tumawa ng malakas, rinig na rinig siya sa buong penthouse.
Muntik na 'kong masamid dahil sa sinabi niya. They doesn't know about what happened to us, wala rin akong balak sabihin sa kahit na kanino. As much as possible, I want to keep our problems. Baka kasi mas lalo lang lumaki kapag pinagsabi namin sa iba, mas maraming nakakaalam, mas magulo.Lumipas ang mga araw, pinayagan nang umuwi si Papa dahil maayos na ang lagay nito ngunit hindi muna siya pwedeng pumasok sa trabaho dahil kailangan niya pang magpahinga ng ilang araw. Isaiah is always sending me a message, tuloy tuloy pa rin siya sa pagpapaalala sa'kin sa mga dapat kong gawin araw-araw. Minsan nga nakakalimutan ko nang kumain pero dahil sa message niya, bigla kong naaalala. Tinupad niya naman yung pakiusap ko na huwag muna siyang magpakita sa'kin at sa ilang araw na 'yon, nakapag-isip isip na 'ko.I already booked a ticket, bukas ng gabi na ang flight namin papunta sa New York, sabay kami ni Ri
I couldn't contain it, I just want to cry and cry all day pero pinigilan ko dahil ayokong makita niyang umiiyak ako. Ayokong makita niyang mahina ako ngayon."You knew yet you didn't even told me? How dare you, Isaiah!" my voice thundered.Agad na napalitan ng pagkabahala ang itsura niya. Lumapit ito sa akin para pakalmahin ako pero bawat pagdampi ng kamay niya sa balat ko, siya namang pag-iwas ko. Panay ang paghampas ko rito, hindi ko na naisip kung nasasaktan ba siya kasi ako, sobrang nasasaktan ako!I told him everything, wala akong nilihim sakaniya. Alam niya kung gaano ko kagustong malaman ang dahilan kung bakit ayaw sa'kin ng pamilya ko, alam niya kung gaano ako katakot makagawa ng pagkakamali dahil baka tuluyan na nila akong hindi tanggapin. Alam niya rin kung gaano ako
Nagpasya akong umalis sa hospital noong araw na 'yon, I drive all the way to Isaiah. Sigurado akong nasa condo lang siya. He's sick, mag-isa lang siya roon kaya walang nag-aalaga sakaniya. I felt bad becase of it, I should be the one to take care of him, ni hindi niya sinabing may sakit pala siya. The hell, Treia, you're out of your fucking mind for the past days!Dumaan ako sa fastfood restaurant at pharmacy para bumili ng makakain at ng gamot. I have spare key kaya madali kong nabuksan ang room niya. I saw him on the couch nakahiga ito at hindi pa nagpalit ng damit, mukhang kagagaling lang sa trabaho. He looks tired and cold, nakayakap siya sa sarili niya at nanginginig pa.My baby's sick.Ibinaba ko ang mga binili ko at agad na nagtungo sakaniya. I held his cheeks, mainit ito. Bahagyang dumilat ang mata niya, kasunod no'n ang paghaplos niya sa kamay kong nakahawak sa pi
Kararating lang namin sa ospital, my father is in the ICU, fighting for his life. Sumabay nalang ako kay Isaiah patungo rito, hindi ko kasi alam kung kaya ko bang mag drive knowing that one of the important person in my life is in danger. Iniwan namin ang kotse ko roon, he promised to take care of that. Isaiah never leave my side, my mother is also here with us, nakaupo lang kami sa labas ng ICU habang hinihintay na matapos ang operasyon. Si Ate naman hinatid daw pauwi si bunso pauwi. No one told me what happened to Papa, parang iwas silang lahat sa'kin nang dumating ako, even my mother.Napatayo kami nang makarinig ng ingay, patungo sa'min si Tita at mukhang galit na galit. Huminto siya sa harap ko, akmang sasampalin na 'ko ngunit naiwan sa ere ang kamay niya at dinuro-duro nalang ako nang makita kung sinong nasa tabi ko."You.. this is all your fault!" her voice thundered.