Chapter 18

"Isang gabi lang, Eveone." Mom was raising her eyebrow as she took a sip of her coffee. 

Tumango ako sa kaniya at saka umiwas ng tingin. Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang laylayan ng puting t-shirt.

I want to yell at them like how I did before. 

"We'll be out then. We'll visit Evelyn. I don't want to stay here knowing that you'll bring chaos." 

Mapait akong napangisi. Is that how she calls a birthday party? Tumayo na lang bigla ang tatay ko at walang paalam na lumayo sa dinning area kung nasaan kami ngayon. 

"It's just a party, Mom. Para niyo na rin sinabi na wala pa rin kayong tiwala sa'kin at hindi niyo ako tanggap," untag ko habang pinapanood ang pag-alis nito sa hapag. 

"Really?" Umiiling itong suminghal. "Oh, dear. We never did."

"Hindi mo na kami nirerespeto!" 

Malakas kong nailapat ang palad sa lamesa. I gave her a glare causing her to flinch. 

"How unfair," singhal ko. 

"Tinanggap ko kayo bilang magulang ko. I used to admire you, Mom. I respect you until now," I emphasised and sarcastically replied to her. 

"But you're the one who's making everything worst! Ask yourself too, did you change?" 

"Morning fight, huh?" Someone spoke from behind. Mabigat ang paghinga ko nang lingunin ko ito. Hindi makapaniwalang tinitigan ko siya nang matagal. 

Evelyn. 

"Ma, you don't have to be like this," she said. Lumapit ito sa tabi kong upuan at doon naupo. 

"Ate died because of this. When will you change? Kapag may sumunod pang namatay?"

Naguguluhan akong nagbaba ng tingin kay Evelyn. Hindi siya ganito, kailan man ay hindi siya pabalang na sumagot at naging sarkastiko sa harap ng magulang namin. What happened to my almost perfect sister? Nakakapanibago dahil mukhang pinagtatanggol pa ako nito. 

"Evelyn, what are you saying?!" 

That's it, I'm out. Padabog akong naglakad palayo. Hindi dapat masira ang araw ko dahil lang dito. They came home earlier than I expected. 

My life sucks big time. 

I went to our living where my friends at. They were putting some decorations and placing beverage for my birthday party. Nang mapansin na pagod sila at kaagad akong naghanda ng makakain. 

After an hour, my parents left including Evelyn. Nakuha pa akong bigyan ng yakap at ngiti ni Evelyn na minsan ko lang maramdaman at makita mula sa kaniya. 

"Let's bond next time, Ate." H*****k ito sa pisngi ko at kumaway paalis.

"Wow, ang bait naman pala." Kinurot ko sa tagiliran si Devika dahil sa pang-aasar niya. 

"Umakyat ka na at mag-ayos, parating na ang mga bisita!" Tinulak ako nito malapit sa hagdan pataas. She raised her middle finger before giving me a flying kiss. 

Napailing na lang ako sa ginawa niya. Kahit kailan talaga ay napakabarumbado nito katulad ni Eleanor. 

I took a shower first and then wore a blue bikini. Pinatungan ko ito ng shorts at saka bumaba. 

"Let's have a drink!" Pag-aaya ni Devika. Itinuro niya ang direksyon nila Lyndsey. I chuckled when I saw Eleanor taking shots, like it was just water. 

Marami ang bumati sa akin habang naglalakad. Some were already swimming outside. Mahina pa lang ang tugtugin dahil hindi pa masyadong maraming tao. 

"Adiel mo ayan na." 

"Stop it," saway ko.

I'm happy he's here though. As expected, Sara was clinging on his arm. Sa likuran ay ang mga kaibigan nila. I suddenly rolled my eyes.  

I plastered a smile on my face as I welcomed them. Hindi ako mapakali at parang gusto kong humiwalay kaagad sa yakap ni Sara. Meanwhile, Adiel handed me a designer bag. 

"Happy birthday!" Nag-fistbump kami pagkatapos. 

"Thank you! Go and have fun na!" Iginaya ko sila living room. Lumalakas na rin ang nakakaindak na tugtog kaya kailangan kong sumigaw. 

"Eveone!" tawag sa akin ni Lyndsey, may itinuturo ito. I turned around and gasped when I saw a familiar figure. 

Kaagad akong napalayo kila Adiel at nagsimulang lumapit sa kaniya. He's wearing a beige shorts paired with a plain black shirt. Nakasuot din ito ng clear glasses at may bitbit na box at regalo. 

"Hey," he said and smiled at me. 

"Hmm, you came!" Inilahad niya sa'kin ang hawak pero ibang kamay ang kumuha noon. It was Ivory and Devika, both of them were grinning at me. 

"Kami na d'yan! Enjoy na kayo!" ani Devika. She even pushed me lightly towards Xavion. Babatukan ko na sana ito nang bigla silang tumakbo palayo. 

"Sorry about that, are you hungry?" 

"Kinda but I want to give you something first, come here." I felt his hand traveled around my waist. 

"What is it?" Hindi ako makatingin sa kaniya ng diretso. "Let's sit down." 

Umupo kami sa sofa. Sa kabilang dulo ay naroon si Eleanor na pinapanood kami. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasan na mas mailang pa. 

"Here." Binuksan ni Xavion ang maliit na box. Tumambad sa akin ang isang kwintas na may pendant na seashell. 

Hindi pa ako nakapagsasalita ay siya na mismo ang nagsuot nito sa'kin. I was stunned and flattered. I couldn't even absorb it, he spent money just to buy me a necklace. 

Kung sa tutuusin ay masaya naman talaga mabigyan ng regalo. Pero kung sa kaniya manggagaling, wala na akong mahihiling pa. 

Celebrating my special day with someone who walked with me through my path of fears. It's alluring yet magical. 

"Thank you." 

"Thank you too." Naguguluhan akong tumingin sa kaniya. Matamis ang iginawad nitong ngiti sa'kin. 

"Thank you for trusting me." 

Isang matamis na ngiting tila nagsasabing hindi siya aalis sa tabi ko. Hiling kong manatili siya, iyong nakakasama ko siya sa bawat takot ko. 

I held his hand and stood up. "Kain na tayo!" 

Hinatak ko siya papunta sa kusina kung saan walang masyadong tao. Naupo siya sa counter at doon pinatong ang baba sa kaniyang kamay. 

"What do you want to eat?" 

The side of his lips curved. Pagkatapos ay ngumuso ito sa akin. 

"What?" Nakangiwi kong asik. 

"You." 

My eyes rolled at him but my lips betrayed me. I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from smiling. 

"Be serious! Ano nga?" Kunwaring naiinis na sambit ko sa kaniya. 

Mahina itong napahalakhak. Napapikit ako dahil sa naghahalong hiya at tuwa. Even his laugh sounds like music to me. 

Ikinuha ko na lang siya ng cake mula sa refrigerator at juice. He will probably drink alcohol later, hindi ako makakapayag na gawin niya iyon nang walang laman ang tiyan. 

"So, which med-school do you want to go?" He suddenly asked. 

"I don't know yet. I'm planning to move in Manila or Baguio." Nagkibit balikat ako. Kung anong matipuhan ko ay doon na lang.

"Bakit mo natanong?"

"Gusto kong kasama kita sa med-school. So you better choose wisely, tutal ako naman ang mauunang mag-graduate, I'll just wait for you there."

Mabigat akong napabuntong hininga. Gusto ko rin naman siyang makasama habang inaabot ang pangarap ko pero pakiramdam ko naman ay lumilihis ang mga desisyon niya kung susunod siya sa'kin. 

"You can choose which school you want, Xavion. Hindi ko naman hawak ang desisyon at buhay mo."

"Well, I'm letting you rule my life, Eveone."

I looked at him, confused and puzzled. And why would he? 

"I don't want to manipulate you. Why would I do that? At saka hindi tayo related para pakialaman kita," I said using my lowest tone. 

"You'll carry my surname soon anyway, what's the difference?"

My eyes suddenly widened. Nakangisi pa rin ito sa akin. Hindi makapaniwalang napailing ako sa kaniya, bumuka ang bibig ko na para bang may gustong sabihin sa kaniya pero hindi iyon natuloy.

"My name beside your surname? Are you kidding me? We're just friends remember?!" 

"The solution is just simple." Pinunasan niya ang icing na kumalat sa gilid ng kaniyang labi. 

"I'll court you." 

Matunog akong napasinghap sa kaniyang sinabi. Gusto ko siyang tanungin kung narinig niya ang lumabas sa bibig niya. I felt a tingling sensation inside me. A stroke of lightning was aggressively poked my heart. 

"Xavion.." 

"Don't say no to me, Eveone, because you can't," siguradong sagot nito sa akin. 

"You have a crush on me."

It wasn't a question. It was declared by him. Walang halong pag-aalinlangan.

Umangat ang kilay nito sa'kin pagkatapos inilapag ang tinidor sa counter. 

"There's nothing to worry about, the feeling is mutual, miss." 

Tumayos siya at pinagpagan ang sarili. Naglahad ito ng kamay sa'kin na naiilang kong tinanggap. 

"Let's have a drink, shall we?" He whispered into my ears. His hand travelled around my waist before pulling me closer. 

Napapansin kong napapadalas niya na itong gawin sa akin. And I don't know why I'm not protesting. Hinahayaan ko lang itong gawin ang gusto. 

Bumalik kami sa living room kung nasaan ang mga band mates ko at sila Adiel. 

"Oh? The birthday girl is back na! Can we play a game na ba?" Vanessa spoke, one of Sara's close friend. Parang gusto ko na lang umurong dahil sa kakaibang tingin nitong ibinabato sa akin. 

"Relax, Eveone." Humigpit ang kapit sa akin ni Xavion. 

"Let's play truth or dare!" 

Most of my band mates laughed. I let out a heavy sigh. 

"Are you serious? Hindi na tayo bata para laruin 'yan!" Nakangiwing sabi ni Devika. 

"Please! This won't take long and I'm pretty sure Eveone wouldn't mind." 

My eyes narrowed as I held Xavion's arm tightly. What is she trying to do? 

"Silence means no, Vanessa," gatong ni Ivory. 

"What? Come on." Umirap ito at muling bumaling sa akin. "Is it okay?" 

"Sorry, Vanessa, but I think she doesn't agree to it," Xavion muttered. Tila nakahinga naman ako doon ng maluwag. I feel uncomfortable, I want to stay away from them for a while. 

"Don't tell me, she's afraid to play because she's hiding something?" 

I blinked non-stop and focused my sight on the floor. My hands were shaking again. 

"If you say another word again, I'll throw you out of this house," may pagbabanta ang tono ni Lyndsey.

"What is she hiding anyway? The fact that she likes Adiel?"

Nakarinig ako na parang may nabasag. A shattered bottle of an alcohol quickly spread through the floor. Gulat akong napalingon kay Devika na nakatayo na ngayon, masama ang tingin kay Vanessa.

"Vanessa! That's enough!" Adiel yelled at her. Curiosity and confusion was evident on his eyes.

"Impakta ka! Sinasabi ko na nga ba, e! Plastic! What are you doing here? 'Di dapat nasa basurahan ka?" nababagot na sabi ni Devika. Susugod na sana ito pero mabilis siyang inawat ni Eleanor. 

"Kuya, can you take Eveone somewhere far from here?" Collete suddenly popped and covered my sight. 

Before I could even complain, Xavion carried me all the way outside our house. Ipinasok niya ako sa kotse, siya na rin mismo ang nag-ayos ng seat belt ko. Everything happened so fast, I found myself in the middle of the road with Xavion driving.

Huminto ang kotse sa malawak na espasyo. He was the first one to go out and opened the door for me. 

Mula dito ay tanaw ko ang papalubog na araw. Napagtanto ko na dinala ako nito sa SBMA. May kauting tao rin ang namamasyal dito at kumukuha ng litrato. 

I watched how the waves collide with the solid structure we're standing at. 

"Are you okay?" 

"I'm fine," mahina kong sagot sa kaniya. 

Paano nalaman iyon ni Vanessa? Bigla ko tuloy naalala ang nagtatanong na tingin sa akin ni Adiel. Ano na kayang tumatakbo sa isip niya ngayon tungkol sa akin? 

"Are you hungry?" May inabot siya akin box ng french macaroon? He took one out from me. Siya na rin ang nagsubo no'n sa'kin. 

"Say, do you still like him?" My lips parted as if he started at me. 

"A bit? I have a crush on you, right?" Umiwas ako ng tingin. I'm scared of what he's going to say. Binabagabag ako sa itsura niya ngayon. He looks serious. 

"That's fine." He gently caressed my cheek. He was holding me like I'm a expensive gem. 

"I can drown you with admiration, Eveone." Napapikit ako nang maramdaman ang labi nito sa kanang pisngi ko. 

"I can be your distraction."