The party started with a burst of energy as the music kicked in, filling the air with a lively beat that made it impossible not to tap your foot along. The soft hum of conversation mixed with the sound of clinking glasses and laughter, creating a vibrant, joyful atmosphere. People began to mingle around the pool, their faces lit up with excitement and the anticipation of a memorable evening.And the Sierras are minding their own business on the other part of the mansion. Mga bata pa kasi sila kaya pinagbabawalan ng mga lalaki na lumapit sa gawi namin, dahil nga may bar counter dito, at baka masanay sa pag-iinoman.Lalo na si Yari ay makulit ang kamay nakakapaslit ng mga inumin ng hindi napapansin ng mga nakakatandang pinsang lalaki. She’s too naive, kaya minsan ay natatakasan ang mga pinsang lalaki. “Ate Ven!” Tawag saakin ni Saia tsaka niya ako hinila papalapit sa kanila. Pinaupo ako sa tapat nila Zaina, habang pinaggigitnaan naman ako nila Saia at Hope.“Magkagalit ba kayo ni Kuya,
KAAGAD akong hinila palayo ni Daniel kay Isaac at mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa pulsuhan ko. I tried to pull away, but his hold was unyielding. The pain in my wrist was sharp, and I could feel my pulse racing in sync with the rapid thumping of my heart. Gusto ko siyang sigawan kung bakit nagiging ganito siya, pero walang salitang lumalabas sa bibig ko. I chose to remain silent, even though every part of me wanted to lash out.Ramdam na ramdam ko ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko dahil ramdam kong galit na galit si Daniel. Hindi ko alam kung lasing na ba siya, or what. This is the second time I saw him mad. At naiinis ako dahil heto na naman siya and his attitude!Namalayan ko nalang na nasa kwarto ko na kaming dalawa, doon niya lang ako binitawan. I stumbled slightly, trying to regain my balance. Daniel’s anger was palpable; his face contorted with rage. His eyes were dark, almost wild, and his fists were clenched at his sides. He looked like a storm ready to break, and I could
I wrapped myself under my comforter dahil sa lamig ng aircon. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan si Daniel, pero masyado pa akong inaantok para malaman iyon. Muli akong natulog at muli din akong nagising nang may kumatok sa pintuan ng kwarto ko. “Pasok,” sigaw ko dahil tinatamad pa akong tumayo. The door crack open hindi ko na nagawang linungin iyon dahil baka isa lang sa mga kasambahay o sila Hari. “Kakain na,” and I was right. It was Hari. "Later," mahinang sagot ko sa kanya. "Hinahanap ka nila Yari. Bumaba ka na dahil aalis narin sila maya-maya." Malamig nitong tugon sa akin. Nakarinig ako ng pagsara ng pintuan kaya napaupo ako sa kama. Hindi parin ako sanay sa pagiging malamig ni Hari sa akin. Nakakainis! Ano naman kung may nililigawan siyang iba, kailangan niya ba talagang lumayo sa akin? Tatayo na sana ako nang tumunog ang cellphone ko kaya sinagot ko rin kaagad iyon. “Are you awake now?” Daniel’s husky voice filled me. Muli akong napahiga sa kama dahil sa antok at pagod
HARI YASIEL SIERRAI watched as Daniel and Cheska walked away, feeling a pang of sadness. Theo came up and patted my shoulder. “You should move on, Hari,” he said gently.I laughed bitterly. “How? Kung araw-araw, gabi-gabi ko siyang kasama?”Hindi ko na hinintay na sumagot si Theo nang lumangoy ako papunta sa kabilang dulo ng pool para maalis sa isip ko ang mukha ni Cheska. But every time I closed my eyes, siya laging lumalabas sa isip ko.I should have courted her first before Daniel could. Binalot lang ako ng takot dahil baka hindi ako sagutin ni Cheska dahil sa age gap namin.And so? I could be mature for her. It's just a two-year gap. Does it matter?Ilang beses niyang pinaramdam sa akin na parang kapatid lang ang turing niya sa akin. Damn. Ayokong hanggang doon nalang kami. I want to step the boundaries, but every time I do, lumalayo siya sa akin. And that's fucking hurt worse than being rejected.I used to be with her all the time, lalayo? Hindi ko kakayanin. OA? No, I just love
HARI YASIEL SIERRAI don’t know, but I avoided her as much as I could. Siguro tama narin para hindi ko na guluhin ang relasyong meron sila ni Daniel.Lumapit si Saoirse sa akin. “Kailan tayo magpa-praktis, Hari?” Tanong nito tsaka umupo sa tabi ko.Hindi ko magawang mapatingin sa kanya. My gaze remains on my book as I am reading the topic for our finals.“Mamaya, kung hindi ka busy.” I nonchalantly said.I really don’t have interest in other girls. Especially not with Saoirse. She’s too... Boring. Too demure. Pero maganda siya. Hindi ko lang type.“Ano ba naman ‘yan Baste! Ayusin mo na kasi!” Naiiyak na sabi ni Cheska kay Baste habang nag eensayo sila ng Tango.Kaka-break lang namin ni Saoirse at silang dalawa na naman ang sumasayaw.“Ikaw ang mali, Haven. Maayos naman ang pagkakasayaw ko!” Baste retorted.“Bagay sila,” bulas ni Saoirse dahilan para mapatingin ako sa kanya.She’s sitting beside me, leaning against the wall while her gaze are on Cheska and Baste. Saoirse is indeed beau
HARI YASIEL SIERRAI was nursing my drink, trying to drown out the chaos in my head, when suddenly someone yanked my hand, forcing me to spin around. Before I could react, a sharp sting exploded across my face as a slap landed squarely on my cheek.“Sai!” Gulat na sigaw nila Leo nang sampalin ako ni Sai.There she was, Saoirse, standing in front of me, her eyes blazing with anger. She looked like she had been holding it in for a while, and now it was all spilling out. I scoffed, wiping the side of my mouth with the back of my hand, more out of habit than actual need. The sting from her slap was nothing compared to the pain I’d been carrying inside.I wished it was Haven standing in front of me, her eyes burning with the same fire that had always drawn me in. I wished it was her voice, steady and strong, telling me to get my act together. I wished it was her hand, not Saoirse’s, reaching out to pull me back from the edge I’d been teetering on for so long.But it wasn’t Haven. No matter
HARI YASIEL SIERRAI went to the gym to clear my thoughts. Bahala na kung anong sasabihin ni Cheska once she saw the puppy. I’m sure she’ll like it, at mawawala na ang pagtatampo niya sa akin.I spent hours in the gym until I decided to get back to my room—nang makita kong nagmamadaling bumaba si Baste, nakabihis.“Saan ka pupunta?” Kunot-noong tanong ko sa kanya. His steady and cold demeanor becomes frantic, as if something happened to someone. I’ve never seen him like this before—even to Genevieve. Aligagang-aligaga ito habang nagmamadaling lumabas.“Somewhere.” wala sa sarili nitong sagot.Nakatitig lang ako sa likod ni Baste hanggang sa tuluyan na itong nawala sa paningin ko, kaya umakyat na ako para makaligo, at pinagmasdan ko ang tuta na naglalaro sa loob ng kwarto ko.“What should I name you, little puppy?” He’s too tiny; maybe a six-month-old. I can’t remember. His hair is white as snow.After taking a bath, I played with the puppy and fed him. Tulad nga ng sabi ni Cheska, Bich
“I get it, Cheska. I’ll never be a man for you. Just be happy; I don’t care about my happiness anymore. As long as you’re happy with Daniel, magiging masaya na rin ako. Pero kapag may ginawa siyang masama sa’yo at sinaktan ka, run to me, Ches; I will embrace you.” A-ano ba nangyari? Bakit ganito si Hari? M-may nangyari ba kagabi? May nasabi ba ako? Shit. Hindi ko maalala. I was wasted last night. Hindi ko alam kung may pinagsasabi ba ako sa kanila kagabi. I can't remember! “Forget it, Ches. Pero kapag talaga may ginawa si Daniel sa’yo, I won’t sit back and watch you suffer. Mahal kita e, inalagaan kita, tapos sasaktan ka lang ng iba?” He said softly. Kumirot ang puso ko sa sinabi niya. I couldn’t help but bit my lower lip as my puppy kept on licking my hands. “Gutom na si Kari, let me get food for him.” “Kari?” I asked, my brows furrowed as I looked at him intently before looking at my puppy. Napanguso ako, bakit niya pinangalanan kaagad?! Akala ko ba akin ‘to? Tumango naman siy