"Where are we going? It's Sunday so let's have a best friend's bonding."
Patuloy pa rin sa pangungulit sa'kin si Maureen dahil nga kakatapos lang namin magsimba. Sumama kase siya sa'kin na magsimba na palagi rin naming ginagawa. It's like we're twin sisters because wherever I go, she's with me. Whatever I do, she'll accompany me too. Hindi naman magkadugtong ang atay naming dalawa pero parang gano'n na nga.
"I still have to buy some groceries para sa bahay, Mau. Si Papa kase nagta-trabaho na sa construction site tapos si Mama naman nagbabantay sa bakery namin. Since I don't have something to do, I'll help them na lang," sagot ko naman at pumasok sa kotse niya.
"Hmmm, okay. I help you, mahilig din naman ako mag-grocery eh. But promise me that we're going to have a bonding after all of it." Tiningnan niya ako ng nangungusap ang mga mata kaya hindi ako makatanggi.
"Fine. Alam ko namang ikaw ang magwawaldas ng pera kaya bahala ka."
"Anak, bilisan mo nga 'yang kilos mo. 'Wag mong paghintayin ang mga bisita mo."Agad akong lumabas galing sa kusina dala ang tinolang manok para ilagay sa mesa. Nagmamadali na kase si Mama dahil nagugutom na raw sila. Argh. They're making me a servant here!"Wait nga lang, ma. I just have two hands at hindi ako kasing-bilis ni Flash para magawa ang utos niyo nang madalian. If they're going to eat, then they should wait." Nilapag ko sa mesa ang dala kong sabaw at magsasalita pa sana nang makita kong pababa si Papa kaya agad akong tumakbo papuntang kusina.I know he would be mad at me if I treated our visitors in a rude way. Takot ko na lang kay Papa!"SHARA!""Opo, nand'yan na!" Inayos ko ang pagkakatakip ng pitcher na may laman na juice at bumalik kaagad do'n."Mga kaklase mo ba 'to, nak?" tanong ni Papa sa'kin habang pinaghahanda ko sila ng mga plato.I just shook my head and gave each one of them a glass."Si
"Ma, Pa, nakauwi na po ako."Nagmano ako sa kanila at nilapag ang bag ko sa sofa para kumuha ng tubig sa kusina. Kalahating araw pa lang kase nauubos ko na ang tubig ko sa tumbler kaya bumibili ako nature's spring. Knowing them, they always remind me to drink water every hour to prevent dehydration."Ang aga mo ata, anak. Akala ko ba ala sais ang off mo sa trabaho?" tanong ni Mama at sumulpot galing sa likuran ko."Maaga po kase akong pupunta sa school bukas, ma. We're going to have a field trip tomorrow without knowing where. Damay ang grades ko kaya hindi ako pwede tumanggi." Napabuntong hininga na lang ako at pinikit ang mata ko dahil sa pagod."Oh, ano pang hinihintay mo d'yan? Mag-impake ka na at tatapusin ko lang 'tong niluluto ko para makakain na tayo." Tinulak pa ako ni Mama palabas kaya wala akong nagawa kundi umakyat na lang.I removed my uniform and put it on the basket because I'm going to wash it right aftet the field
"All the students, line up by section. I'm going to discuss about the instructions to make it all clear."Nagsitayuan kaming lahat nang pumito si coah Landiman at pumila sa respective sections namin. There were some gossips about our activities and all of them look so excited. Ako rin naman eh, it's my first time kaya."As what I've said earlier. We will be having some activities for two consecutive days. Every morning, we're going to fix ourselves to prepare for some outdoor activities like hiking, volleyball, pulling a rope, and so on. After lunch, we're going to have some contests like Ms. Q&A, cooking desserts or whatsoever, guessing game, and many more. In the evening, we're just going to do only one activity. It's finding a treasure and rules will be discussed later. So is everything settled already?" tanong ni coach kaya nagsitanguan kaming lahat."Yes, sir."Tumango si coach at pumalakpak."Good. Pwede niyo nang i-grupo ang sarili n
"Bilisan niyo nga kase! Ang kukupad niyo kumilos eh!"Napabuntong hininga na lang ako sa lakas nang sigaw ni Fiona mula sa labas. We still have 15 minutes before the game will start but she wants us to prepare already. Akala mo naman siya ang leader eh assistant lang naman siya. Duh."Pasensya na ho, madam ah? We don't have any special powers so we're taking too long to get dressed," pabalang naman na sagot sa kanya ni Mau na kasama ko dito sa loob ng tent at nagbibihis."I know but we're not going to attend a party. A simple outfit will do," irita niya pang sambit.Nagmadali na lang kami ni Mau na mabihis bago lumabas. Mainit ang panahon kaya naka-loose crop top lang ako na may sports bra sa loob dahil 'yon ang suhestiyon ni Mau. I'm not so comfortable while wearing it."Grabe ah! Akala ko nag-gown kayo dahil ang tagal niyo. Gosh! It's so hot and then you let me expose under the heat of the sun!" reklamo niya nang makalabas
"Are you guys ready for our last game?"They all nodded in response, looking so excited. Kung sila halos tumalon sa saya ako hindi. I'm so freaking nervous about this activity. Takot ako masyado sa sobrang dilim lalo na't nasa kagubatan ang laro. And what scares me the most is that we're going to play this game together. It means all the sections were grouped altogether. Kaasar!"Are you sure that you can do it, Shara? Kung hindi pwede namang sabihan ko si coach Landiman na exempted ka dahil alam mo na. You might be in danger."Ngumiti ako ng pilit kay Mau at hinawakan ang kamay niya."Nah. It's okay. Kaya ko ang sarili ko. Madali lang naman siguro 'to matatapos kaya titiisin ko na lang.""Hmmm, sigurado ka ah."Ipinaliwanag ni coach ang mga kailangan naming gagawin sa laro. Each group will be given a map to guide us whenever we get lost. Dapat din isa-isa kaming may dalang flashlight para kung sakaling mahiwalay kami sa grupo ay may mag
"Anak, anong nangyari sa field trip niyo?"Tipid akong ngumiti kay Mama."It's fun, Ma. Akyat muna ako sa taas para makapagpahinga."When I finally reached my room, I immediately closed the door and changed my clothes. Nang dahil sa'kin ay mas napaaga ang pag-uwi namin imbes na mamayang hapon pa and I'm blaming myself for it. Ang hina ko kase eh.I just lied on my bed, thinking about some what if's. Kung hindi ba ako nakita ni Caseth ng mas maaga, ganito pa ba ang kalagayan ko ngayon o mas lumala na? I can't help but to think of it.Sinabi pa sakin ni coach Landiman na dapat daw ay hindi na lang ako sumama sa treasure hunting dahil alam ko naman daw na sakitin ako. It's just that nakakapanghina talaga na isiping marami akong hindi pwedeng gawin. The reason why my parents were too protective because they don't want me to suffer in pain.Good thing they didn't call my parents para ipaalam ang nangyari. I'm surely a dead meat if that
"Anak! Shara may naghahanap sa'yo sa labas! Bilisan mo d'yan!"I'm not yet done magsipilyo kaya hinayaan ko lang sa bibig ko ang toothbrush at hinanap si Mama. Shocks! Ang aga pa tapos nagsisigaw na siya. Nakakahiya sa mga neighbors namin."Ma naman! Hindi pa ako tapos di---What are you doing here?!" Tinanggal ko ang toothbrush sa bibig ko dahil sa gulat na makita siya rito.Dumating si Mama galing sa kusina dala ang isang tray ng ensaymada. Pinanlakihan niya ako ng mata senyales na asikasuhin ko raw ang bisita ko kahit na hindi ko naman 'yan inimbitahan dito. She even smiled at him and offered to eat.Hindi naman siguro siya nakikipag-plastikan sa kanya 'di ba?"Ah, Shara. 'Yong bula na nasa bibig mo, tumutulo na."Napahawak ako sa bibig ko at agad na tumakbo papunta sa CR. Naghilamos ako at tinitigan ang repleksyon ko sa salamin. Ano bang kailangan niya rito?! Hindi pa rin ba siya nadala sa ginawa ko kahapon?!
"Malapit na ang Intramural. Anong plano niyo?" Napatingin kaming lahat kay Josh nang magtanong siya. Hindi kami pinasukan ng pangalawang subject teacher bago mag-recess kaya libre kaming gawin kung ano ang gusto namin. Most of us were even eating our snacks, so as me. "Tayo ang seniors kaya alam na nating tayo ang aatasan ng event na 'to. I heard that they changed the rules. Hindi pa nga lang sinabi kung ano," Jelo answered. "If we'll going to talk about the booths, what do you prefer? Dapat majority wins kase kung konti lang ang boboto sa pinili niyong booths, wala kang kasama do'n. Hindi rin benta sa mga junior high students." Mau didn't bother to chew the foods on her mouth and swallowed it directly. Pustahan, sasakit ang tiyan niyan mamaya. Tinaas naman kaagad ni Fiona ang kamay niya."I want to choose Photo booth. Alam niyo naman ang mga kabataan ngayon na hilig ang pagte-take ng pictures. That's why I'll choose it and I'
"Congratulations for passing the board exam in US biggest college University , Mr. Monteserio. You can start in Monday."I just gave the professor a small smile before getting the result of my exam. It was perfect. I know it. Pinaghandaan ko ang lahat ng 'to para makapag-aral ako sa US kahit first year ng college lang. I just want to grant her wish, to achieve my goals in life.Studying in US is my first ever dream. I planned to bring her when we graduated but I failed to do it. I sighed in frustration and packed all my things. Alam kong ngayon ibibigay ang resulta at kapag nakapasa ako, saka lamang ako aalis papuntang US. Matagal na akong atat na pumunta ro'n but I can't just leave my studies here. Actually, I graduated two months ago. Bilis 'no.Napaaga ang pag-take ko ng board exam para sigurado na. I will get a new condo when I got there and I make sure that she's just near with me."Sigurado ka nang ngayon na ang alis mo? Si mom and dad k
"How are you feeling? Do you need something? Baby, you can tell me."Lumabas saglit ang parents ko kasama ang doctor habang 'yong mga kaibigan ko ay napilitang umuwi dahil gabi na talaga. Except for Maureen who doesn't have plan on leaving me especially in my situation right now. I couldn't blame her because she's just worrying about me. Gusto ko rin namang nandito lang siya dahil baka kung anong mangyari sa'kin at sa huling pagkakataon ay makita ko man lang siya.I nodded at him slowly."I-I'm okay. M-Matulog... ka na. Kailangang.. m-mong magpahinga."Ever since I collapsed earlier, my body gets really weaker than ever. Like, I couldn't move my body that easier. I only control my hands but not that easier too."Baby, magpapagaling ka, ha? Ate Casyn will visit you tomorrow so you'll better not give up. She wants to talk to you too." Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko at hinalik-halikan ito.I gave him a small smile and nodded even th
"I just missed you that's why I decided to come here. Hindi mo naman sinabi ang lugar na pupuntahan niyo kaya naghanap na lang ako kung saan posible."The boys knew that they arrived earlier when we were gone to change our clothes. Hindi naman sana sila tumatanggap ng ibang guests but since Jelo is a nice guy and they are close to them, he didn't hesitate to let them enter. Nasa iisang hotel pa kami na tutulugan pero syempre, ibang rooms sila."What about that grocery thingy? Is that a lie? Ang sabi sa'kin ni Ate Casyn lumabas kayo ni Ashley para mag-grocery. What was that?" nakataas kilay kong tanong sa kanya.Sumimangot naman kaagad siya."That was true, she didn't lie. Bago ko siya sinamahang mag-grocery, naka-impake na ang mga gamit ko no'n. And when we get back to the house, I told them that I'm going to have my favor since I agreed to come with her. Don't be mad, baby. Hindi naman namin kayo iistorbohin.""Talaga lang, huh? Hindi pala?" N
"Handa na ba ang dadalhin natin? We have to go now. Ilang oras pa tayo sa byahe."Kanina pa kami minamadali ni Kyla dahil atat na siyang makarating sa resort na pupuntahan namin. They decided to have a bonding in a resort para daw maiba naman. Ang sabi pa nila, palagi raw nilang nakikita sa mga posts ni Caseth sa Instagram ang mga pictures naming magkasama na nililibot ang city. Though, we will stay in the resort for only one day.Bilang na lang ang oras na meron ako kaya kailangan kong sulitin 'to ng pantay sa kanila. Tomorrow will be the last day and I'm going to spend it with my parents. Si Caseth, hindi siya sumama dahil bonding time raw naming magkakaibigan 'to pero halata namang ayaw niya akong iwan. He couldn't do anything but to stay with his family. Balita ko kase next week pa sila aalis ulit."How long will it take to get there? Malayo ba ang resort na pinili mo, Jelo?" tanong sa kanya ni Roses.He scratched his head lightly."Uh... Not tha
"Good morning, sleepy head. Mataas na ang sikat ng araw, kailangan mo nang bumangon. C'mon, baby."I groaned when I felt him kissing my head endlessly. Hindi niya talaga ako tinigilan hanggang sa magising ako kaya napasimangot na lang ako at umupo sa kama. I heard him chuckled and then seconds after, he's already hugging me.Mas nauna niya pa akong ginising kaysa sa alarm clock ko. If I know that he'll wake me up, I shouldn't have set my alarm clock. He slept with me here in my room. Though, he wanted to sleep on the floor instead in the couch or beside me. Gusto niya raw kaseng bantayan ang lahat ng kilos ko para siguradong okay ako.He let his parents know about my situation and I didn't ask him what's their reaction. Alam kong naiinis sila sa'kin dahil dito matutulog si Caseth pero wala naman silang magagawa dahil desisyon niya 'yon. He's still mad at them, though."Hmmm. Inaantok pa ako eh. You can wait me in the couch, give me 5 minutes,"
"Anong sasabihin mo, Shara? And why you look so pale? Are you alright?"Ngumiti lang ako ng tipid kay Racer nang makarating kami sa gazebo kung saan walang tao. Whenever I'm going to talk with him or Caseth in school, I always prefer this place not just because it's my favorite spot but also away from everyone. I can have a private talk with him whatever I want to say."I won't take this too long, Racer. Hindi na ako babalik dito simula bukas. I'll stop my studies," diretso kong sagot sa kanya.Kumunot naman ang noo niya."H-Huh? Why? I thought your friends will manage your school fees? Ayaw mo na bang mag-aral dahil sa sakit mo? 'Yon ba ang sabi ng parents mo o ng doctor?"Alam niya pala na kaibigan ko ang gumagastos sa'kin dito. If I know, it was the talk of the town here. Mabilis pa sa kidlat na kumalat ang balita dahil sa mga estudyante na mukhang reporters sa media."Yes, it's because I'm sick. Racer... I-I'm dying... My life will o
"Is that the reason why you don't want to talk to me, huh? Who told you that, baby? Wala akong pakialam kung ayaw nila sa'yo basta para sa'kin ikaw lang ang mahal ko."After what he'd heard earlier, he dragged me away from the cafeteria right after I ate lunch. Nilapag niya sa pwesto ko ang tray niya at hindi man lang kinain para lang dalhin ako rito sa gazebo at kausapin. He's mad, not on me but because of what I've said."It's not about who told me, Caseth. I saw it. I went to the hospital the night before to went to see me," matapang kong sagot.Bakas naman ang gulat sa mukha niya nang sabihin ko 'yon."Y-You were there? Sinong kasama mo? B-Bakit hindi ko alam?""How could you know? Sekreto lang naman ang pagpasok namin ni Maureen do'n dahil wala kaming karapatan na umakyat. It was restricted and they won't accept visitors who were not on the list. Kasalanan ko bang nag-aalala lang ako dahil para na akong baliw kakaisip ko anong nangyari sa
"Shara, baby, please talk to me. Hindi ko na kayang iniiwasan mo'ko. I'm begging you, stop ignoring me."Wala si Mama at Papa dito sa bahay pagkauwi ko galing school at hindi ko rin alam kung saan sila nagpunta. Alam kong hindi sila lumabas para bumili ng groceries dahil sagot na ni Mau 'yon lahat kahapon. Our stocks and refrigerator were all full so I don't have any idea where did they go.And this guy beside me, asking for forgiveness after four days of ignoring me. Ever since I arrived from school, he suddenly came and brought foods for me but it won't kill my anger towards him. Hindi niya ako madadala sa mga sorry at pagbibigay niya ng pagkain.He lied. He freaking ignored me like what I'm doing right now. Magtiis siya dahil nakaya niya naman akong tiisin na hindi pansinin ng apat na araw. I should be the one to take revenge now. I'm not going to talk to him nor even glance at him.I don't care!"Baby, hindi ko talaga sinasady
"Bess, alam kong nag-aalala ka na pero hindi ka naman pwedeng pumunta. If there is a problem, maybe he's not telling you because he can handle it on his own. Alam mo namang ayaw niya na mag-alala ka."Nagpaiwan si Maureen pagkatapos ng bonding naming magkakaibigan. She wants to accompany me since I'm starting to overthink right now. Two whole days. Dalawang araw na siyang hindi nagpaparamdam kaya paanong hindi ako mag-aalala?!How could he resist not to even text me just once?!"Alam mong hindi gano'n 'yon, Mau. I only need one text or call from him but he couldn't even do that. Pinagmumukha niya kase akong tanga eh. Dalawang araw na akong hindi mapakali dahil sa mga nangyayari. I'm his freaking girlfriend. Of course, I have the right to know what's going on! Bakit? Dahil ba wala akong silbi? Pinapamukha niya ba sa'king wala akong kayang gawin?! Huh? Is that it?" I messed up my hair because of madness.Wala naman akong nakikitang mali kung sab