Kinabukasan, I was awakened by the aroma of a brewed coffee, and the waking sound of the rooster that I saw at the back of Rico's house, also to the loud bark of a dog.
Kita ko siyang nagka-kape sa lamesa at may pandesal na nakalapag. Napatingi naman ako sa labas smelling something burning.
"Goodmorning, Kael." he smiled while giving me a cup of hot caramel coffee.
I stared at his tan face, and hid a smile remembering what I did last night...
It's almost eleven in the evening, I am replying to all of Mark's texts. I can't sleep. Not because I'm not comfortable or bothered by something.
I just can't help myself but to stick my eyes at Rico's sleeping with his mouth open.
Kanina pa akong parang baliw na nakangiti, at kahit na ramdam ko ang mga lamok na pinagsisipsip ang dugo ko hindi ko na 'yon alin
After two days, Rico and I did not meet again. I even tried to go where we met that night, but he wasn't there. I wanted to return his clothes, and all of my texts to him–he's not responding.Gusto ko sanang pumunta sa bahay niya pero parang weird naman kung pupunta ako doon na walang sadya.We are now wearing our suits and ties, with Alex who's wearing her yellow balloon dress. Isa-isa kaming pinicturan ng photographer with different angles.Alex decided to have our friendship photoshoot. Next week naman ang mga relatives niya and families sa bahay lang yata nila. Nagtataka nga ako kung paano na lang ang negosyo nila dito sa resort. We are staying here for a week, and the resort is close."Pretty boy!!! So pretty!" tumili si Alex sabay palakpak sa kain while posing looking at the camera. The photographer told me to smile a little bit and pu
I don't know what good things I did to the world, why all the pain I felt suddenly faded, and replaced it into sheer bliss. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano ang ginawa ko kay Rico why he suddenly texted me last night. Matutulog na nga sana ako, but I got a notification on my phone.Not that I hate to admit it, but I think I really feel hard for him.I know I'm taking a serious risk of the things I am doing, especially liking Rico. But, he's so different from others. There was something on him I wanted to fight for.He's also making me feel too many emotions, and can't explain what it really is. At isa pa, parang nagiging ibang tao ako kapag kasama ko si Rico. Nagiging soft ako, which I am not in reality? I mean with others, I'm not that soft."Hey, hey, hey, pretty boy!" Alex blocked my way. She's wearing a see-through beach suit with her pricey sunglasses.
"Kael, nakaready na ba lahat ng gamit mo? Sa'yo Josh?""Yes, sir! Nakaready na po!" Josh jokingly salutes to Mark while facing his phone."Sa'yo Kael?" tanong ulit ni Mark. I just replied to him with a slight nod, and continued looking for a shirt to wear later."Ano ba hinahanap mo, Kael?" Lumapit si Mark sa'kin, at kinuha ang damit na nilabas ko." Obviously, a t-shirt." I never took a single glance at him, and focused on what I am doing."Okay naman 'yang damit mo, eh."I shook my head, " Ito na lang siguro. "I looked at the navy t-shirt and pairs it with a beach short. Kahit paulit-ulit na tinatanong ako ni Mark kung bakit parang ang busy ko. I just ignored him and talked to him, until I'm done."Saan ba?" he asked again.I raised my eyes on him, and sighed. I'm no
Nang makauwi kami, agad kong ginawa ay tumawag kay Rico. Ilang beses akong tumawag at nagtext sa kanya, but he's not responding. Kaya, I decided to call him the next day–assuming he may be so busy sa work niya."Kael, ready na ang food sa baba. Sabay na tayong kumain." ate knocked at the door, and slowly opened it."Okay, ate. Susunod lang ako.""Kael, stpp using your phone muna. Kain na tayo," Umupo siya sa gilid ko at kunwaring sumilip sa phone ko."Mauna ka na lang, ate."I saw the side of my eyes how she pouted and looked at me-dejected."Hindi mo na yata ako mahal, Kael." unti-unti kong inangat ang paningin ko, at umupo ng maayos." Ito naman si ate nagtatampo agad." I chuckled and rest my head on her side."Ano ba naman kasi ang pinag-aabalahan mo? You're so focused
"Isaac, please. I'm begging you to stop bothering us." I grabbed Rico's hand on our urge to run, when we both stopped by Isaac's sarcastic chuckle. "I can't promise you that, Kael. Lalo na ngayon na nakahanap ka agad ng pampalit sa akin. Or maybe, your just trying to make me jealous? " Napapigil hininga ako nang pansin ang malalim na pag buntong-hininga ni Rico. "Huwag mo na lang siya pansinin, let's go." I whispered to him. " Saglit lang, " he faced me, then took my hand on his arm. "Sir, mawalang galang na po. Respetuhin na lang natin ang desisyon ni Kael, kaysa pinipilit nyo pa ang sarili mo sa kanya. " Inabot ko ang kamay niRico, pinipilit siyang hilain palayo kay Isaac nang makita ang masamang tingin nito. "Don't you ever talk to me like that. You're just like a
I rushed back home from what Alexa told us. She also texted me, explaining what actually happened.Kanina, Isaac called dad and told him that I am having a relationship with someone. Obviously, dad got alarmed for sure. Even if he'll believe it or not, I need to tell him what's on my side.Alam ko, this is Isaac's plan to make our relationship get complicated.Pagkapasok ko sa loob ng bahay, I acted calm and unbothered immediately when I saw Dad and Isaac at the living room, sitting face-to-face."Dad, what's wrong? Why is Isaac here?"I gazed to Isaac who's side lips are rising. Nakapatong ang siko nya sa tuhod niya habang si Dad ay nasandal sa upuan na may hawak na baso na may kalahating laman na beer."If this guy is not your boyfriend, then who? I've warned you before Kael. Stop this shit of yours. You're not supposed to
From the time I woke up until now, my lips can't stop smiling. Inayos ko ang uniform kong puti na blouse at slacks. I stared myself at the mirror, and put on my ID. Huminga ako ng malalim bago inalis ang tingin sa salamin, at kinuha ang bag ko para makaalis na ako."Your boyfriend is waiting for you outside." Ate winked at me before I could grab a toast on the table."Naiinggit ka na, ate?" I chuckled.Her reaction changed into a stern look, and arms crossed to each other."Stop talking na lang, Kael." She faced me with her palm and gestured for me to go.Lumapit muna ako sa kanya, at hinalikan muan sa pisngi bago lumabas ng bahay. Pagkahakbang ko pa lang sa labas ng bahay, agad tumalon ang puso ko nang makita ang lalaking walang damit pang-itaas habang pinupunasan ang kotse. Every move of his arm, it stretches his right biceps that makes me gulped multiple times.&n
"Don't make me embarrassed by this noble family, Kael." Nilakihan ako ni dad ng mata, and his voice is so low, preventing the people near us to hear what he is saying.Nakatitig lang ako sa mata ni dad, at pinipilit na huwag siyang sumbatan o masigawan. Never in my life shouted dad in front of anyone. Kung nagagalit man ako sa kanya, nilalabas ko lang ito sa iba."But Dad, I don't want to marry her!" I gazed at the woman who's smiling at me, and his father who's in a serious look."You need to, Kael. It is the better solution for you and for us. We can use their name for us to grow. "Napapikit na ang ako sa mata ko nang tinapik ni Dad ang balikat ko bago binalik ang atensyon sa kanila.Kahit labag sa kalooban ko, umupo na rin ako sa kanila and pretending like I am listening to them."So, siya na pala ang susunod sa'yo?
After that night, hindi ko na naman nakita si Rico. I realized that night that Rico regret all of the things he did to me. Ang masakit lang, kahit anong sabihin kong ayaw ko na sa kanta, he kepts on wandering inside my head and it makes me gone crazy."Ate, I'll be gone for maybe two weeks? Hindi ko alam. Basta babalik lang ako kapag nahanap ko na ang hinahanap ko. "Malamig na tinitigan ako ni ate sa mata na ngayon ay nakasandal sa may pintuan, pinagmamasdan akong nagliligpit ng mga gamit ko.It's already one in the afternoon, and even though we have a class today, I ditched. It because of this curiousity of mine about Aries and Marc who had an accident at the streetlight before. I need to trace some connections, and find the answers of all my questions. Hindi na kasi ako makakatulog sa kakaisip kung ano nga ang totoong nangyari noon, at anong kinalaman ko sa kanila.
After that night, hindi ko na naman nakita si Rico. I realized that night that Rico regret all of the things he did to me. Ang masakit lang, kahit anong sabihin kong ayaw ko na sa kanta, he kepts on wandering inside my head and it makes me gone crazy."Ate, I'll be gone for maybe two weeks? Hindi ko alam. Basta babalik lang ako kapag nahanap ko na ang hinahanap ko. "Malamig na tinitigan ako ni ate sa mata na ngayon ay nakasandal sa may pintuan, pinagmamasdan akong nagliligpit ng mga gamit ko.It's already one in the afternoon, and even though we have a class today, I ditched. It because of this curiousity of mine about Aries and Marc who had an accident at the streetlight before. I need to trace some connections, and find the answers of all my questions. Hindi na kasi ako makakatulog sa kakaisip kung ano nga ang totoong nangyari noon, at anong kinalaman ko sa kanila.
This smile of Rico scares me. ‘Yong tila nagiging blanko ang isipan ko at hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. Totoong kinakabahan ako sa mga nalalaman ni Rico na maaring gusto ko ring malaman.I know it sound so weird, pero sobrang kating-kati na akong malaman ang lahat ng ito. Mahirap man paniwalaan, but I don't have any choice.I need to know everything. Kung kailangan kong tiisin ang sakit tuwing nakikita ko si Rico dahil lang sa kuryosidad ko, kakayanin ko.We decided to talk sa may park malayo-layo sa streetlight. Kakaunti na lang ang mga rito, at nakailang hikab na rin ako habang nakasakay sa swing."Ano ba talaga ang reason why this is happening, Rico?" I raised my eyes to the night sky, and hugged myself feeling the cold breeze, even though I already wore a jacket."Nilalamig ka? Gusto mo suotin mo jacket ko?" I took a glance on him, and on
World seems so cruel when the time that I wanted to get away from them, the time that they will make themselves close.Nang makita nila akong nakatingin sa direksyon nila, agad akong tinawag ng lalaking kasama ni Rico na Lance nga ang pangalan.Saglit lang kami nakapag-usap dahil sa tinawag na kaming lahat to eat dinner with them. Nasa isang rectangular table kami, at isa-isa kaming nilagayan ng mga sine sa sarili naming mga baso, then the dinner with some topic they talk about na tahimik lang akong nakikinig.Kaharap ko sa upuan si Lance, at katabi niya si Rico na diretso lang ang tingin sa pagkain habang tinatanong siya. And this guy beside him always gazing at him like he's comforting Rico.That's supposed to be me.Before.Pagkatapos naming kumain, agad na akong naglakad palayo sa kanila at nakipag-usap na lang sa mga kakilala
"Huwag mo akomg idamay sa kahibangan mo, Rico. The reason why I always faint it's because I'm just tired, okay?"I turned my back on him, and went back to my room. Heavy lump inside my throat, and felt how my blood boils on its limit when I went inside my room. Agad kong sinara at nilock ang pintuan, at doon ko ramdam ang panghihina ng tuhod ko, dahilan ng pagkakatumba ko sa sahig."Why does this turned out like this!!!" paulit-ulit kong hinahampas ang noo ko habang walang tigil na tumutulo ang luha ko.I pursed my lips when I hardly breathe from tearing, and saw my phone kept on ringing while Rico's name is on the screen. Kinuha ko ito bago pinahid ang mga luha ko. I ended the call of him, and thought of blocking his number. Tinitigan ko pa ito ng matagal habang ramdam ang pagsikip ulit ng dibdib ko.Instead of answering his calls, I looked for Alexa's number...&n
Why do people need to lie?Well for me, I used to lie to someone, so it can cover up the pain it will cause. And sometimes, I need to lie to protect myself and the others.But, if I ask Rico why he lied to me...Ano kaya ang dahilan kung bakit kailangan niyang magsinungaling sa akin.Sobrang occupied ng utak ko sa mga tanong and this madness I felt to him.While this gold family is sitting in front of us, Rico is now sitting near us. I can even see the blank expression on his face.I'm not sure kung alam na niya bang papa niya si Mister Agoncillo, or just lied to me na Tito niya lang siya.Ewan. Parang ang hirap nang mapagkakatiwalaan ang lalaking ‘to. Kababago ko pa nga lang na malamang may iba siya, nadagdagan na naman ang sabi na pagiging anak niya ni Mister Agoncillo.Hindi
"Doc, wala ba talagang sakit ang kapatid ko? Palagi na lang siyang nahihimatay. I'm super worried sa health niya. "I am sitting to the hospital bed, while listening to ate’s concern. Nakaupo lang din si Rico sa tabi ng kama, at hinawakan ang kamay ko."Miss Rodriguez, walang problema sa kapatid mo. Based on the results we took, walang makitang mali sa kapatid mo. He's healthy and no need to worry. "I nodded to the doctor, but laughed inside my head seeing how ate rolled her eyes hearing what the doctor told us."Kung mauulit pa ’to. Mapipilitan kaming mapapatingin sa albularyo. " I heard she whispered before the doctor went out the room.Sumandal ako sa unan na nasa ulohan ko, at napatingin sa kisame.Hindi pa rin nawawala sa isipan ko ang babaeng nakita ko. It's so creepy, and it gives me too much nightma
I've been thinking how naughty I am wanting me and Rico to do it. I regret doing it.Ang sakit kasi, eh.But, everything replaces the pain into pleasure and love realizing that I did it with Rico.Ilang araw kong hindi pinapansin si Rico dahil hindi nawawala sa isipan ko ang mga sinasabi ko noong isang araw. Hindi ko ma proseso sa utak ko na nangyari iyon. And I am not dreaming. Nakakahiya lang dahil parang uhaw na uhaw talaga ako.Nasa garden ako at inaabala ang sarili na magtanim ng mga kung ano-ano. Wala naman kaming klase ngayon dahil holiday, at imbes na mag-aral ako, mas inuna ko muna ito to distract and clear my mind.Pinagmasdan ko ang sarili kong kamay na may suot na gloves puno na ng mga putik, at ramdam na ang matinding lagkit sa buong katawan dahil sa mga pawis na tumatagaktak sa noo ko.Hindi naman masyado tirik
"Don't make me embarrassed by this noble family, Kael." Nilakihan ako ni dad ng mata, and his voice is so low, preventing the people near us to hear what he is saying.Nakatitig lang ako sa mata ni dad, at pinipilit na huwag siyang sumbatan o masigawan. Never in my life shouted dad in front of anyone. Kung nagagalit man ako sa kanya, nilalabas ko lang ito sa iba."But Dad, I don't want to marry her!" I gazed at the woman who's smiling at me, and his father who's in a serious look."You need to, Kael. It is the better solution for you and for us. We can use their name for us to grow. "Napapikit na ang ako sa mata ko nang tinapik ni Dad ang balikat ko bago binalik ang atensyon sa kanila.Kahit labag sa kalooban ko, umupo na rin ako sa kanila and pretending like I am listening to them."So, siya na pala ang susunod sa'yo?