"Ano ba kasing nangyari?!" tanong ko habang naghihintay lumapag ang sinasakyan naming elevator sa 8th floor ng Gonzalez Hospital.
Hindi ako mapakali sa sobrang kaba mula kanina. Kahit kailan talaga 'yang si Zea! Kinulang yata sa bakuna at lumaking abnormal.
"Aba, malay ko! Hindi ba't magkasama tayo mula kanina? Boba ka," walang kwentang sagot ni Jhannus sa akin.
When the elevator opened, Yzza was the one who greeted us first. "How's Zea? What really happened?" I asked again as we walked faster.
Wala pa man sumasakit na ang ulo ko.
Yzza sighed heavily. She looked stressed too. "Nakipag-away daw. Nawalan ng malay noong tumama ang ulo sa pader."
Si Jhannus na ang nagbukas ng pinto nang makarating kami sa tapat ng kwarto ni Zea. My brows quickly furrowed when I saw her, eating fruits while being seated on the hospital bed like nothing happened.
"Parang walang nangyari sayong hitad ka, ah?" Lumapit si Jhannus sa kanya.
"Wala, okay na ako. Pwede na raw akong lumabas mamaya," sagot ni Zea.
Umupo ako sa paanan niya. "Ano na namang nangyari?" Hindi ako sigurado kung ilang beses na siyang napaaway.
It was quarter to 12 PM when we received a call from Inna, saying that our dumb friend was rushed in hospital. Madaling-madali kami sa pagpunta ni Jhannus dahil kami ang magkasama kanina.
"Wala naman akong ginagawa! Ampucha, kumakain lang kami ni Inna sa Onyok tapos biglang may humablot sa buhok ko."
"Bakit daw? Trip niya lang?" Nagkabit-balikat si Yzza.
"Ampota na 'yon. Kasalanan ko bang ako pa rin hinahanap ni Ethan? Boyfriend niya ang lumapit sa' kin. Hindi ko rin naman alam na sila pa pala!"
"Ethan? 'Yong ex mo?" kunot noong tanong ko. Tumango lang si Zea. Bakit ba sa dinami-dami ng malandi ito lang ang tanga?
"O, anong ginawa mo noong lumapit sayo?" Yzza crossed her arms over her chest.
"Nag-usap lang!" she defended.
I raised a brow. "Are you sure?"
She clicked her tounge. "Ah, basta. H'wag n'yo nang tanungin, tapos na, e."
Pinigilan kong hindi mapairap. Zea should not go outside for days. I was certain she would get herself in trouble again. She was making my head hurt, I felt like I was her mother. Gosh.
"Nasaan si Inna?" tanong ni Jhannus. "Siya kasama mo pumunta dito, diba? Nasaan na?"
Narinig namin ang pagbukas ng pintuan. "May tinawagan lang ako saglit. Bakit?" Sabay-sabay kaming lumingon kay Inna na kagagaling lang sa labas.
Tinignan siya ni Zea. "Kiss mo raw sila isa-isa."
"Sorry, virgin lips ko." pagmamalaki niya kunwari bago nag-lipat ng tingin kay Jhannus. "Hoy, hayop ka 'yong utang mo hindi mo na binayaran." She hit him a little.
"Ay, 'wag gan'yan friend. Ang tunay na kaibigan hindi na nagpapabayad ng utang."
I shook my head before grabbing a banana in Zea's side table. I'm starving. I didn't have the time to finish my food earlier. Akala ko naman kasi mamamatay na kaibigan namin.
Tinignan ko ulit ang dalawa na hanggang ngayon hindi pa tapos mag-bangayan. Mukhang mga tanga.
"Tigilan mo 'ko, Donato Jr. Hindi mo pa kasi hiwalayan 'yang boyfriend mong supot. Baka sa susunod hindi lang motor ang ipabili niyan sayo," pag-sermon ni Inna.
Hindi na sumagot si Jhannus. Kahit hindi namin sabihin, alam naming alam niya na una pa lang, hindi na namin gusto ang boyfriend niyang sa pera ata pinaglihi.
That man cheated on him for so many times. Paulit-ulit. Lagi naming sinasabi na he should dump him already but he wouldn't listen to us. Kaya raw niya, maayos pa raw. Hinayaan na lang namin. Doon siya masaya, e. Nandito lang naman kami kung may mangyari. He knew we always got his back.
Tumayo ako at kinuha ang phone ko na nasa side table ng kama ni Zea. Binasa ko ang 5 messages na galing kay Papa. Iisa lang naman ang laman. Tawagan ko raw si Mama dahil hindi niya ma-contact kanina pa.
I looked at my own self in the mirror that was placed beside the door before leaving Zea's room. My face was already a little reddish. Ang init kasi kanina.
Mestiza ako kaya madali talagang mamula ang balat ko. My shoulder length hair was a bit curly and I have this pointed nose that I got from my father. My eyes were in a deep set shape, just enough to match my long eyelashes.
I brushed my hair with my fingers before taking my gaze away from the mirror.
I was about to open the door when Yzza spoke. "Where are you going?" she asked.
Nilingon ko siya. "Tawagan ko lang si Mama."
"Mahina signal dito. Nagpunta pa ako sa rooftop kanina dahil hindi kami magkaintindihan ng kausap ko." Si Inna.
Tatawa-tawang nag-angat ng tingin sa'kin si Zea. "Sige na, Kiela. Lumayas ka na, tawagan mo na bebe mo."
Inirapan ko lang siya dahil sa sinabi niya. I don't have a boyfriend. Well, I never really had one, actually. I just.. don't want to enter a relationship. I would rather be stressed academically than be stressed in a relationship.
"Weh? May bebe time ka na, Kiela? Hindi ako naniniwala." Jhannus laughed at me.
"Ireto kita? Baka sa reto mo na mahanap forever mo," Inna tried to bewitch me by her offer.
"Duh? Walang forever sa reto." Umirap si Yzza.
Ugh. These stupid people of mine.
"Whatever," I just said so they would stop spitting nonsense words.
I stepped inside the elevator after minutes of waiting for it to open. Pinindot ko ang button papunta sa rooftop. Inna was right. I really need to go there to get a better signal.
Nang makarating ako sa rooftop, tinawagan ko na agad si Mama. Nakailang ring pa bago niya sagutin. "Hello, Ma?"
"Nasaan ka?! Ikaw, isa na lang bi-binggo ka na sa' kin!" She roared on the other line.
I quickly put my phone away from my ear. What did I do? I'm just asking! I cleared my throat. "Papa said he couldn't contact you." I changed the topic, scared of the unending words that were coming out from her mouth.
"Ayoko siyang kausap," sagot niya. She said a lot of things before ending the call. I sighed. I'm guessing they had a fight with each other. Kabisado ko na. They were like kids for God's sake.
I turned around and was about to come back in Zea's room but my eyes caught something that caused me to stop from walking. Is that a man? My forehead was being creased as I walked closer to check if I wasn't just imagining things.
"Ouch," daing ko nang matalisod ako sa isang maliit na bato. I bit my lip and caressed my right feet for a second before I continued on walking while the air was welcoming me.
My lips parted when I confirmed that it was really a man. He was sitting at the edge of the rooftop. What the hell is he doing there? Is he insane or—wait, no. He wasn't trying to commit a suicide by jumping there, was he? I bit the insides of my cheeks. Why does it have to be me to witness this?! Really, of all people?!
I've never walked so fast in my whole life until this day came. Mabilis akong lumakad papunta sa lalaki. Napaka-walang kwentang tao. Many people are fighting for their lives! Why would he do this?!
I thought I was brave enough but as soon as I got near, almost, I felt like my tounge has been cut out. What should I do?!
Lumunok ako. It's now or never na lang talaga ang salitang pinanghawakan ko bago ako naglakas loob na sumigaw.
I was crossing my fingers.
"Hoy!" tawag ko sa lalaki. Hindi niya ako pinansin. Nanatili siyang nakatalikod sa' kin at parang walang naririnig.
Muli akong sumigaw. "What do you think you are doing?!" I shouted my lungs out. I massaged my temple and breathed heavily. "If you have a problem, you can talk to me. I'll listen. What you're trying to do now is a sin. Please, don't end your life just like thi-" I stopped talking when the guy looked at me.
I first noticed his skin tone. He has white skin and his cheeks were slighty reddish because of the sunlight. He was still sitting but I could say that he was tall and.. okay, good looking.
"Ano bang sinasabi mo?" tanong niya sa' kin, mukhang naguguluhan.
"Hindi ba balak mong mag-pakamatay-" he cut me off. Bumaba siya sa pagkakaupo at lumapit sa akin. My eyes filled with confusion. Am I not right?
He stared at me lazily. "Miss, if you're just trying to get my attention then congrats, you made it," he said, slightly scratching his brow.
Just what on earth is he talking about? I pointed where he was standing earlier using my lips to enlighten him. Naguluhan ako nang mahina siyang tumawa at tumango-tango pa.
Tumaas ang kilay ko nang dumako ang tingin niya sa labi ko. I was so confused because of his stares! Ano ba? What's wrong with him?! I swallowed hard when something came up on my damn mind. Hindi kaya ako ang ihulog nito?! I looked around and saw nothing but only the two of us.
"I get it now," he said and played with his lips using his thumb finger.
Anong I get it now?! Anong sinasabi nito?! Akala ba niya gusto ko ring tumalon kasama siya?! Mabilis akong umiling. Halos mabali na ang leeg ko sa ginagawa ko.
"Hoy, ayokong sumama sa' yo! I want to have a boyfriend first-" My eyes got wide opened when he cut me off using his lips. I was stunned and unable to make a move. It felt like my feet were glued on the ground.
What—what is happening?
My mouth parted when he sucked my lower lip, licking it and tasting me. He was closing his eyes but mine's stayed open, still couldn't process what's happening right now.
I gasped through his lips when I felt his right hand traveling on my waist down to my ass. I froze after what he had done. Did he just slap my butt?! The audacity of this man! Oh my god, I should move! Kiela, gumalaw ka naman!
While I was composing myself, hindi ko namalayan na minuto na pala ang lumipas nang makalayo siya sa'kin. What the hell just happened? I was forcing myself to remember every detail.
I was in a phone call, right? I was talking to my mother and was about to go back down but I saw a man. I thought he was trying to commit a suicide so I tried to stop him.
And then.. then—why the hell did he do that?! I wasn't expecting my second kiss to be that horrible!
I wanted to label this encounter of my life as a cliché one but the feeling wasn't! I could still feel his hand on my ass! What the hell!
"I'm a very generous person you know? No need to thank me."
What he said made me back to my senses. My expression probably looked funny or something because I suddenly forgot how to close my mouth.
"W-why did you do that?" I asked, not taking my gaze away.
"I thought you want me to give you a kiss. I did you a favor. Hindi ba masarap?" nagtatakang tanong niya.
For once in my life, the thought of me, hitting someone's head made me feel good. "Oh my god," I whispered out of frustration.
---
"Syrbia, nand'yan ka na pala," bungad ni manang pagkabukas niya ng gate."Nasaan po sila Mama?" tanong ko.Hapon na nang maka-uwi ako galing ospital. Naihatid na rin namin si Zea sa bahay nila. Hinabol ko pa 'yong lalaki sa rooftop kanina, hindi ko naman na naabutan.But until now, I was still frustrated. That isn't my first kiss, yes! But that's the first time I experienced a damn french kiss and worst, sa hindi ko pa kilala! I exhaled an air. Nakakainis."Nandoon sa loob at pinagagalitan na naman ang Papa mo." Manang gestured me to go inside. Pumasok ako sa loob ng bahay at naabutan sila Mama na pababa ng hagdan."Baka naman iba ang tinrabaho mo kagabi kaya anong oras ka na nakauwi!" M
"Syrbia, mag taxi na lang kayo."Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Papa. Sabay-sabay kaming kumakain ng umagahan ngayon. Today's the continuation of our class so I woke up early to get ready. I was actually excited about it. Hell, yeah. I missed holding books and pens."What? No!" malditang sagot ni Coleen. She put her utensils down, pouting her lips like a duck who was ready to drink."Hindi ko na kayo mahahatid, Coleen. Nagmamadali ako."Nagsalubong ang dalawang kilay ng kapatid ko at nagpangalumbaba habang mahaba pa rin ang nguso. Ang cute. Parang human version ni Annabelle.Nagpatuloy ako sa pagkain at nakinig lang sa usapan nila. Maaga pa naman. 8 AM pa ang simula ng first class ko. I don
"Sino 'yon?!"Inilayo ko agad ang mukha ni Inna sa' kin nang sugudin niya ako pagkabili nila ng pagkain ni Yzza. Pinaypayan ko ang mukha ko gamit ang dalawa kong kamay."Is that a fling?" Yzza smiled widely.Mabilis ko siyang kinunotan ng noo. "Of course not."Wala naman kaming ginagawa! Why would they think that Joaquin's my fling? And they knew I never engaged in that kind of thing with anyone! I put my hands in front to tell them that I don't want to talk about it.Tumahimik naman na sila pero ang nga tingin, gano'n pa rin! Parang hindi naniniwala sa nga sinasabi ko kaya mahina kong hinampas ang lamesa."Alam ko kun
"So bakit ka nga late kahapon?" Yzza arched a brow while we were eating.Uminom ako sa bottled water ko. Break time kaya nasa canteen kami. I inhaled an air and looked at them. They were all waiting for me to answer Yzza's question like it was that big deal.I put the bottled water down. "Bawal na ba akong ma-late ngayon?"Pumangalumbaba si Inna sa lamesa. "Masaya ba bebe time?""Hindi ko alam! I've never experienced it, what's the point of asking me?" I shook my head.Nakita lang nila na hinatid ako ni Joaquin hanggang sa building namin kahapon, ganito na ang mga tanong nila! Ano bang akala nila sa' min! We aren't dating!I should really avoid Joaquin seriously this
Sunday.Nasa mall ako sa makati dahil nag-aya si Jhannus na lumabas para manood ng cinema. But the truth is, he only asked me to come with him because his boyfriend can't attend today. Busy raw but I doubted it! That asshole must've really planned to ditch my friend.Naglakad-lakad muna ako habang hinihintay si Jhannus. Nag-alala ako na baka kanina pa siya naghihintay dito mag-isa kaya nang i-text niya akong pumunta sa mall, nagmadali agad akong umalis ng bahay. Pero pagkadating ko dito, wala pa naman pala siya!He texted me that he was already on his way but almost 30 minutes had passed and he wasn't still here! Kanina pa ako nakatayo malapit sa entrance ng mall. Nakakainip.Sa sobrang inip habang naghihint
"I-shot na lang natin 'yan!" Tinapik ni Zea ang balikat ni Jhannus.I drank the glass of alcohol in front of us before pouring another shot. I shook my head as I glanced at Jhannus. He and his boyfriend broke up so we were here in a KTV bar, drinking with him.The jerk even told him na matagal na raw siyang may babae at sobrang tanga raw ng kaibigan namin para akalain na seryoso siya sa kanya. That asshole's reason was so stupid but I wasn't surprised anymore. He has always been looked dumb in my eyes kahit ilang beses ko lang siya nakita kaya hindi na rin ako magtataka kung bakit pang-tanga lang ang utak na meron siya.Umiling ako sa naisip. Bakit kaya may mga taong nasisikmurang manloko ng tao para lang sa pera?
You can now leave, Ms. Dela Vega."Nagmamakaawa akong tumingin sa prof ko. I failed an exam, no, hindi ako nakakuha ng exam dahil hindi ako nakapasok sa class niya.Kanina ko pa siya hinahabol, nagluluha na ang mga mata ko. I was late for almost 10 minutes that's why he didn't allow me to go in his class. May iba rin namang late pero bakit ako lang ang ayaw niyang pakuhanin ng exam?"Sir, please let me have the exam," I pleaded.He just acted like he couldn't see me. Nag-ayos lang siya roon ng mga folder na parang walang naririnig. Hindi ko alam kung may galit siya sa' kin.Madiin kong hinawakan ang laylayan ng suot kong uniform para pigilan ang muling pag-iyak ko. It would be a big loss
"Bilisan mo."I followed my mother while she was busy putting groceries on our cart. Walang pasok kaya sinamahan ko siya, hindi naman kasi pwede si manang dahil matanda na 'yon kaya kami na lang talaga ang gumagawa ng ganitong mga bagay.I continued on pushing the cart. I sighed and made a bored face. Kanina pa kami rito. I looked down on my feet as I saw my reflection in the glass door of one of the fridges.Before we came here, I just wore a plain white loose v-neck shirt and a black adidas sport shorts. Nagsuot lang din ako ng white sliders at black cap.Kukuha sana ako ng pringles at potato chips kaso tinampal ni Mama ang kamay ko. I stopped myself from frowning."Ang hilig mo sa maa
"Anong plano n'yo sa Christmas break?"Binaba ko ang librong binabasa ko at tumingin kay Yzza. Sumandal ako sa upuan. Kagabi pa topic 'yon sa GC dahil sa sobrang excited nila sa bakasyon."Quiet."All of us looked at the librian. We were just whispering but she could still hear us. Naiinis na siguro siya dahil kanina pa kami rito naka-upo pero nag-aaral naman kami!"Bahay lang ako." Si Jhannus.Niligpit ni Inna ang mga libro sa harap niya. Hindi ko alam kung binasa niya ba talaga 'yon o binuklat lang niya para may excuse siyang mag-stay dito sa library."Same," sagot niya.
"How dare you, ate!"Hindi ako nakapagsalita. Magkatabi kami ni Joaquin na nakaupo sa kama habang nasa harap namin si Coleen na palakad-lakad at nakahawak pa ang dalawang kamay sa bewang.She massaged her forehead. Why is she acting like that? Napairap ako. She was acting like she was so stressed. What's her problem? I was only.. sitting, right?I wanted to pull my hair as I remembered how I acted minutes ago. I didn't even know why I freaking closed my eyes! Was I waiting Joaquin to kiss me? My gosh. Ano bang iniisip ko kanina? I must be out of my mind earlier!Muli akong tumingin kay Coleen na hindi pa rin tumitigil sa pabalik-balik na paglalakad sa harap namin. Kanina pa ako nahihilo sa ginagawa niya, e!
"Bilisan mo."I followed my mother while she was busy putting groceries on our cart. Walang pasok kaya sinamahan ko siya, hindi naman kasi pwede si manang dahil matanda na 'yon kaya kami na lang talaga ang gumagawa ng ganitong mga bagay.I continued on pushing the cart. I sighed and made a bored face. Kanina pa kami rito. I looked down on my feet as I saw my reflection in the glass door of one of the fridges.Before we came here, I just wore a plain white loose v-neck shirt and a black adidas sport shorts. Nagsuot lang din ako ng white sliders at black cap.Kukuha sana ako ng pringles at potato chips kaso tinampal ni Mama ang kamay ko. I stopped myself from frowning."Ang hilig mo sa maa
You can now leave, Ms. Dela Vega."Nagmamakaawa akong tumingin sa prof ko. I failed an exam, no, hindi ako nakakuha ng exam dahil hindi ako nakapasok sa class niya.Kanina ko pa siya hinahabol, nagluluha na ang mga mata ko. I was late for almost 10 minutes that's why he didn't allow me to go in his class. May iba rin namang late pero bakit ako lang ang ayaw niyang pakuhanin ng exam?"Sir, please let me have the exam," I pleaded.He just acted like he couldn't see me. Nag-ayos lang siya roon ng mga folder na parang walang naririnig. Hindi ko alam kung may galit siya sa' kin.Madiin kong hinawakan ang laylayan ng suot kong uniform para pigilan ang muling pag-iyak ko. It would be a big loss
"I-shot na lang natin 'yan!" Tinapik ni Zea ang balikat ni Jhannus.I drank the glass of alcohol in front of us before pouring another shot. I shook my head as I glanced at Jhannus. He and his boyfriend broke up so we were here in a KTV bar, drinking with him.The jerk even told him na matagal na raw siyang may babae at sobrang tanga raw ng kaibigan namin para akalain na seryoso siya sa kanya. That asshole's reason was so stupid but I wasn't surprised anymore. He has always been looked dumb in my eyes kahit ilang beses ko lang siya nakita kaya hindi na rin ako magtataka kung bakit pang-tanga lang ang utak na meron siya.Umiling ako sa naisip. Bakit kaya may mga taong nasisikmurang manloko ng tao para lang sa pera?
Sunday.Nasa mall ako sa makati dahil nag-aya si Jhannus na lumabas para manood ng cinema. But the truth is, he only asked me to come with him because his boyfriend can't attend today. Busy raw but I doubted it! That asshole must've really planned to ditch my friend.Naglakad-lakad muna ako habang hinihintay si Jhannus. Nag-alala ako na baka kanina pa siya naghihintay dito mag-isa kaya nang i-text niya akong pumunta sa mall, nagmadali agad akong umalis ng bahay. Pero pagkadating ko dito, wala pa naman pala siya!He texted me that he was already on his way but almost 30 minutes had passed and he wasn't still here! Kanina pa ako nakatayo malapit sa entrance ng mall. Nakakainip.Sa sobrang inip habang naghihint
"So bakit ka nga late kahapon?" Yzza arched a brow while we were eating.Uminom ako sa bottled water ko. Break time kaya nasa canteen kami. I inhaled an air and looked at them. They were all waiting for me to answer Yzza's question like it was that big deal.I put the bottled water down. "Bawal na ba akong ma-late ngayon?"Pumangalumbaba si Inna sa lamesa. "Masaya ba bebe time?""Hindi ko alam! I've never experienced it, what's the point of asking me?" I shook my head.Nakita lang nila na hinatid ako ni Joaquin hanggang sa building namin kahapon, ganito na ang mga tanong nila! Ano bang akala nila sa' min! We aren't dating!I should really avoid Joaquin seriously this
"Sino 'yon?!"Inilayo ko agad ang mukha ni Inna sa' kin nang sugudin niya ako pagkabili nila ng pagkain ni Yzza. Pinaypayan ko ang mukha ko gamit ang dalawa kong kamay."Is that a fling?" Yzza smiled widely.Mabilis ko siyang kinunotan ng noo. "Of course not."Wala naman kaming ginagawa! Why would they think that Joaquin's my fling? And they knew I never engaged in that kind of thing with anyone! I put my hands in front to tell them that I don't want to talk about it.Tumahimik naman na sila pero ang nga tingin, gano'n pa rin! Parang hindi naniniwala sa nga sinasabi ko kaya mahina kong hinampas ang lamesa."Alam ko kun
"Syrbia, mag taxi na lang kayo."Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Papa. Sabay-sabay kaming kumakain ng umagahan ngayon. Today's the continuation of our class so I woke up early to get ready. I was actually excited about it. Hell, yeah. I missed holding books and pens."What? No!" malditang sagot ni Coleen. She put her utensils down, pouting her lips like a duck who was ready to drink."Hindi ko na kayo mahahatid, Coleen. Nagmamadali ako."Nagsalubong ang dalawang kilay ng kapatid ko at nagpangalumbaba habang mahaba pa rin ang nguso. Ang cute. Parang human version ni Annabelle.Nagpatuloy ako sa pagkain at nakinig lang sa usapan nila. Maaga pa naman. 8 AM pa ang simula ng first class ko. I don