“Hey guys!” It was Rielle and she didn't even look at me. She sat beside Rash. “Sorry, I'm late.”“Rielle...” bulong ko pero nang magtama ang mga mata namin, umiwas ako ng tingin at napalunok.“You're wasted, dude,” Denver commented when he saw me. I showed him my middle finger.I may look drunk but I'm still sane. I can even stare at Rielle even with the loud music. She glanced at me but immediately looked away. I smirk and drink again.We're done playing, my lady.Napatayo ako nang mapansin kong wala siyang planong makipag-close sa akin. I went behind her and ask if she could move. Umupo ako sa tabi niya at niyakap siya bago ko ipinatong ang ulo ko sa leeg niya. Mabango. Nalalasing ako sa pabango niya. D*mn.“He's whipped!” Narinig ko si Clifford pero hindi ko siya pinansin. What important is that she's with me.“He's been waiting for you, Rielle. He thought you'll ditch him."Naririnig ko silang nag-uusap pero hindi ako maka-focus sa kanila. Gusto ko nang umuwi kasama si Rielle.
• October 14, 2020I groaned as I moved my body. I opened my eyes and noticed that I was in an unfamiliar room covered with white paint all over the four corners of the wall. I arched my back but the pain worsen making someone cuss. I looked around only to see my friends sitting on the couch. They look calm and composed as they eyed me with stoic faces.Nagtataka ako kung bakit sila nandito. They are busy and they're unusually quiet right now. Even Daniel who's the loudest of us is just eating an apple. Denver who sat on my bed just nodded with his arms crossed. The Ferrer twins are here too. Gusto ko silang tanungin kung ano ang nangyari nang may mga doktor na pumasok para tulungan ako. They let my friends stay while also explaining that they'll run some tests."Anong nangyari?" I spoke after the doctor examined me. William went out with the doctor to further ask about my case. “Where's Rielle?” "She's with Jake and Kian right now," sabi ni Daniel, tumayo mula sa sofa.I balled my
The crowd was noisy as soon as I entered the club room. I can smell the heavy liquors with the mix of smoke circulating the whole area.Inilibot ko ang paningin sa paligid habang nakaupo ako sa bar stool na nasa harap ng bartender. Agad naman siyang ngumiti sa akin. Kilala niya ako dahil regular customer na ako dito."One margarita for a sweet lady," he said and give me a drink. "Thank you, Dark." sagot ko at pawang nilalaro ang basong hawak. I sipped on it and immediately taste the liquor against my throat. Ngumiti ako sa kanya bago ko nilibot ang paningin ko sa paligid. People having fun in the crowd with a loud music occupying the room. Some are even making out.This is my life. A party-goer. I don't like being alone. I am always enjoying the life of a lady on her early twenties. I smirk as I saw guys lingering their eyes on me. I don't have time entertaining them for today. I just want to get wasted. I don't know why but I feel like someone is watching me from the crowd. I feel
Mukha agad ni Nicole ang unang bumungad sa akin pagbukas ko ng pinto ng condo unit. She was looking at me with a curious face. I just walked passed by her and immediately lied my back on the sofa. Isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa armrest at bumuntong-hininga nag pagkalakas-lakas.Thinking of what happened yesterday is making my head throbbing. I lied about what I said to Elijah. I remember everything of what happened last night. I wasn't drunk, I was just tipsy. I can still remember his touch on my waist, how his hand covered my mouth to not make any sound while the guys are outside the comfort room, and how he managed to have a gun with him in that situation.Naramdaman kong may umupo sa tabi ko kaya napatingala ako rito. My friend since Third Year College, Nicole Fontilla. May hawak na siyang basong tubig bago niya ibinigay sa akin. Nagpasalamat ako sa kaniya bago ininom ang tubig."Saan ka nanggaling?" tanong niya. Tumingin ako sa kanya bago ko nilagay ang baso ng tubig sa center table
The next few weeks were stressful to me. I would always want to stay away from Elijah but he's so persistent in following me. He's always behind my back. Minsan, magtatago lang siya sa likod ng puno tapos susundan ako ng palihim. Kahit sa school ay ramdam ko ang presensya niya kahit wala siya sa tabi ko ngayon.“Seriously, Elijah,” I whispered under my breath. I am being uncomfortable knowing that someone is surveillant around me. I looked at my back, hoping that I can see him but no clue. He's good at hiding too.Hindi talaga ako komportable ngayon. Hindi dahil pinagtitinginan ako ng mga tao kun'di dahil mismo kay Elijah. I am afraid that he might think badly at me. That I am just a hardheaded woman who always party. He might got turned off. Though he still accept what my brother told him. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba talaga ang motibo niya sa pagsama sa akin. Wala rin naman siyang mapapala sa akin. He will just tire himself following and guarding me. Magsasayang lang siya ng oras par
As the pizza was delivered, I eventually went to the couch where Elijah is waiting. He's watching a movie as his eyes are focused on it. Nilagay ko ang box ng pizza sa center table at umupo ng ilang pulgada ang layo sa kaniya. Tumingin siya sa akin at napansin niya ang distansya sa pagitan namin. He then straighten his back and prepared the food and soda cans. I was just watching him as I felt a mere emotion in me. Before, he's very caring. Despite being a playboy, when he's with me, he always think about what's better for me. Lagi niya akong tatanungin kung kumain na ba ako, kung na-review ko na ba ang mga notes ko, kung nakatulog na ba ako. We're like a great and happy couple. Except that we don't have a label. So I called myself as his fling. A fling who's also became his bestfriend for a short period of time. Ako ang nag-alok na maging kaibigan niya noon. This was because I like him since first year Senior High School ako at first year College siya. At first, he rejected me...
What Elijah said bugged me. He's right and has a point. I shouldn't trust so easily. The fact that I always have dated many guys gives me goosebumps. Lahat sila ay mabait sa akin at hindi mukhang kahina-hinala. Kung tutuusin, gentleman talaga sila. I just don't know why Elijah's mood immediately changed when we finished our breakfast earlier.Well, I should cancel my date for now. I don't know what to do. I just want to go out. I might just get bored. I also washed my clothes barehanded as I can't go to the laundry shop without telling Elijah my whereabouts. Natapos ko na ring linisin ang kwarto ko at ang buong condo unit.I am not used to being locked up in my room. I hate being alone. I always loved the music and loud noises of the bar. If only I can convince Elijah to come with me.Nandito ako ngayon sa sala, nanonood ng movie. It's already pass four in the afternoon when my phone rang inside my pocket. Kinuha ko iyon at nakita kong tinatawagan ako ni mama. Agad ko naman itong sin
As I said that, their faces became serious all of the sudden. Even Rash who is very hyper turned serious with the mentioned of the gang's name, 'The Hawk'. I can even see them clenching their hands into fists.Habang ako ay pilit kinakalma ang sarili sa nakita. I became cautious. I shouldn't be like this—weak and will just cry when I saw them. I know for sure that they scream more danger based from Elijah's statement. Pero hindi ko alam kung gaano talaga sila ka delikado.Sinubukan kong kumalma sa pamamagitan ng malalim na buntong-hininga. I closed my eyes but then, naramdaman kong may humaplos sa mga kamay ko na nasa kandungan ko. Napatingin ako sa likuran. Tiningnan ako ni Elijah na may pag-aalala sa mga mata niya. It was telling me na magiging okay din ang lahat. Na poprotektahan niya ako. I hold his hand. I felt warm with the feel of it on mine. I just timidly smile at him to assure that I am fine.“Where's Noah? He should know about this,” Daniel said. I can feel ferocity on his
• October 14, 2020I groaned as I moved my body. I opened my eyes and noticed that I was in an unfamiliar room covered with white paint all over the four corners of the wall. I arched my back but the pain worsen making someone cuss. I looked around only to see my friends sitting on the couch. They look calm and composed as they eyed me with stoic faces.Nagtataka ako kung bakit sila nandito. They are busy and they're unusually quiet right now. Even Daniel who's the loudest of us is just eating an apple. Denver who sat on my bed just nodded with his arms crossed. The Ferrer twins are here too. Gusto ko silang tanungin kung ano ang nangyari nang may mga doktor na pumasok para tulungan ako. They let my friends stay while also explaining that they'll run some tests."Anong nangyari?" I spoke after the doctor examined me. William went out with the doctor to further ask about my case. “Where's Rielle?” "She's with Jake and Kian right now," sabi ni Daniel, tumayo mula sa sofa.I balled my
“Hey guys!” It was Rielle and she didn't even look at me. She sat beside Rash. “Sorry, I'm late.”“Rielle...” bulong ko pero nang magtama ang mga mata namin, umiwas ako ng tingin at napalunok.“You're wasted, dude,” Denver commented when he saw me. I showed him my middle finger.I may look drunk but I'm still sane. I can even stare at Rielle even with the loud music. She glanced at me but immediately looked away. I smirk and drink again.We're done playing, my lady.Napatayo ako nang mapansin kong wala siyang planong makipag-close sa akin. I went behind her and ask if she could move. Umupo ako sa tabi niya at niyakap siya bago ko ipinatong ang ulo ko sa leeg niya. Mabango. Nalalasing ako sa pabango niya. D*mn.“He's whipped!” Narinig ko si Clifford pero hindi ko siya pinansin. What important is that she's with me.“He's been waiting for you, Rielle. He thought you'll ditch him."Naririnig ko silang nag-uusap pero hindi ako maka-focus sa kanila. Gusto ko nang umuwi kasama si Rielle.
She was safe with us. She already knows my co-members and she already got close with Daniel and Denver. She's with The Falcon, the whole day. She even teases Rash who's not in the mood right now. And it was because of her sister.And as expected from him, he didn't pass this through. Rielle and he argued. William even joined. And Matthew, the m*therf*cker who's Rielle's crush (based on Daniel), was just smiling while looking at her.He noticed my glares at him which he just shrugged off. He knows that Rielle's my girl. It's our bro code. I just can't stand seeing him with Rielle especially when I saw them embraced in the kitchen.I don't understand myself. I felt like he was taking my property away from me. I just want to punch his face. He's a threat to me.“U-oh. Someone's jealous, huh?”I even heard Daniel say that but I don't care and walked out. Jealous, my ass! I don't have the right to be jealous! It's a slap to my face that she's not mine eventhough I am always claiming her to
• March 13, 2020 • She seems distant to me, I'm sure of that. And she's uncomfortable around me. Earlier this morning, she didn't even open up about herself. What she did was just ask about what happened. She can't keep eye contact with me. Tsk. What would I expect? I am the one who reject her before. “So? What happened?” she asked."You were in the bar. I just saw you going to the comfort room being unable to move because of those guys."“I drank a lot last night. I didn't remember anything,” she said. “Did something happen? And who are the guys you're talking about?”Humigop muna ako sa kape ko bago ko siya tinitigan ng buo. "They are 'The Hawk'. An underground gang who happens to be our enemy. Mas maganda kung wala kang maalala. Ngayon mo lang narinig ang sikreto nila pero napahamak ka na."“Are they after me already?” tanong niya. "Tell me, are they dangerous?"“They are,” simpleng sabi ko. Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na buntong-hininga bago ibinaling ang tingin sa akin.“Salam
• February 12, 2020 •I was in Madrigal's Tower when I received a message from Lolo Elias that I need to attend his friend's birthday (he has the same name as my dad). Tsk, if I know, he will just look for a woman for me to marry. And I just can't decline him. He always put me into trouble and will definitely tell my father about my whereabouts. It's not like, I'm afraid of my father, I just don't want to stress him out. I'm already 25, for Pete's sake.After I talked with Rash Ferrer, I immediately went out to leave. He has a condo unit here too. Zaine Madrigal, one of our friends and the owner of the Madrigal Towers, even offered me one but I'm still thinking if I will accept it. Besides, Rash gave me a personal mission and it's about his sister. Riellana Ferrer... It seems familiar and sounds like 'her' name. I suddenly miss her. I immediately shook my head as I was in the elevator. I didn't have a lead. I've been looking for her. It's been like five years. But I won't give up.I
“Eli!”I was interrupted from wearing my tuxedo when I heard my little sister's scream from my room's door. Selene walked inside and looked up to me. She pouted as she looked at my outfit.“Where you going?” she asked. “Can I come with you?” I smiled before I shook my head at her. She pouted and just give me a kiss on my cheeks. “Bring me chocolates.”"Sure." Hinalikan ko lang siya sa noo bago siya lumabas ng kwarto ko. I wonder what she wants this time. She always come to my room when she needs something.I glanced at the full-length mirror in front of me. I smirk when I was satisfied at my look. I brush my hair up first before deciding to go out. I saw Dad talking to someone on his phone. He just tapped my shoulder as he looked at me from head to toe.“I'm going.” I muttered before I went out and used my car to get 'there'. I can't suppress my smile as I remember Rielle. It's her debut today and I am her last dance.
Sean Elijah Dela Fuente's P.O.V • Clivette UniversityI always wonder why people leave? Is it because they don't want their relationship anymore? Are they satisfied to see those people they left suffer? If it's yes, then it's a total bullsh*t!That's what always stuck in my mind. I always expect people to leave after they become part of our life. I always tell myself to not get attach to them. I'm already tired hoping that they will come back.'Like what she did to us.'I can't help but to shrugged that thought off my head. It's been years since I knew that my mom left us. I already felt contented that she's no longer with us. Umalis siya. Iniwan niya kami. But here I am, still hoping that I can hear her explanation. The woman who I love so much will also be the one to hurt me back by leaving. I heaved a sigh as I remember my dad always missing my mom. He can do something about it though. He's a hacker, for Pete's sake! But he never use
Dahan-dahang tumayo ang kaniyang ina at pinunasan ang sariling luha. She nodded and just gave me a smile nang magtama ang mga mata namin. Tatayo na sana ako pero umiling siya sa'kin at tahimik siyang umalis sa condo unit.“F*ck sh*t!” Elijah was unstoppable. He punched the wall with his bare hands repeatedly until his fist were already full of his blood. “D*mn!” He cussed continuously until he knelt down to me and lowered his head on my thighs. Niyakap niya ang bewang ko nang mahigpit at ang sunod kong narinig ay ang mga hikbi niya.I covered my mouth with my right hand as I caressed his hair with my other hand. My eyes watered as I saw Elijah like this.Oh, Sean Elijah. I don't know how much pain you felt. It must be too much for you.“S-sean...” I bit my lips for the nth times so he won't recognize my stuttered voice. “Everything will be fine.”“I can't face her... I can't.”He keeps his head low and sobs. He's like this when he's badly in pain. We stayed like that until I felt h
As what Elijah told me, we visited their house where he grew up. Dito raw ngayon nakatira si Selene at ang tatay niya. Ilang oras lang ang layo nito mula sa Madrigal's Tower. Pero ramdam ko ang bahagyang panginginig at panlalamig ng mga kamay ko nang makita ko na ang bahay nila.The exterior has a modern and very intricate design. It has two floors with wide windows. The colors used blended perfectly—blue, white and a bit of black. The guard opened the gate and my heart started pounding faster than normal.Mula sa harap ng pintuan, nakita ko si Selene sa kaniyang yellow dress at may nakaukit na ngiti sa kaniyang mukha. Sa tabi niya ay isang lalaki na nasa early 50's na. Pumunta si Elijah sa gilid ko at binuksan ang pinto ng sasakyan. Iginiya niya ako palabas at pareho naming hinarap kaniyang pamilya.“Dad... Selene...” Tawag niya sa kanila pagkatapos niyang tumikhim. “This is Arabella Rielle Rivera, my girlfriend.” Magalang akong ngumiti sa kanila matapos akong ipakilala ni Elijah.Ha