"H-huh?" Nauutal kong sagot. Yoon lang nga ang sinabi ko nautal pa. Kunwari ay wala akong ideya sa sinasabi niya.
Sh*t! Hindi siya naniwala?! Akala ko pa naman napaniwala ko na siya. Pero hindi pa naman huli ang lahat. Baka may magagawa pa ako para mapaniwala siya. I should continue my acting and do better.
"Hindi kita maintindihan." Madrama kong sabi. Bakas sa tono ko ang lungkot, pagkalito at kaba. Ang totoo ko lang nararamdaman sa mga sumusunod na iyon ay ang kaba.
"You went in my room, asked me to open this door for you because you said you lost your earring here and now you're gonna tell me that?"
Napalunok ako ng laway. Mali yata ang pamamaraan ko. Mali yata na ginawa kong rason ang paghahanap sa hikaw at mali yata na dinala ko pa siya dito. Dapat ba umamin na ako ng direkta kanina nang nasa kwarto palang niya kami? Para hindi ganito na nanghihinala siya. Mali pala hindi siya nanghihinala hindi
Artia's POVHindi ako nakatulog kaagad. Iniisip ko si Kingsley. Napatawag pa nga ako kay Rom, tinanong siya kung nakita niya ba siya sa bar pero hindi niya rin daw nakita doon si Kingsley. Iniisip ko tuloy na baka nga wala siya doon, na hindi naman talaga pumunta pero may nakakita sa amin ni Rom na kakilala niya at sinabihan siya.Pero bakit naman siya babalitaan tungkol sa akin? Nag-utos ba siya na mag-update sila sa kaniya tungkol sa mga ginagawa ko? Wala naman kasing nakakaalam sa sitwasyon namin. Wala pang maraming nakakaalam na ikakasal ang mga magulang namin, so that makes it obvious na wala pa ding nakakaalam na magiging magkapatid na kami. So no one would make an effort to report to him what I am doing since no one thinks were acquainted.Nandoon ba talaga siya? O pinapasundan niya ako at doon siya kumakalap ng impormasyon? Bakit niya naman gagawin iyon? Ako lang naman itong aligagang makakuha ng impormasyon tungkol sa kanila kasi
Artia's POV Maaga akong nagising kinaumagahan. Ang gaan ng pakiramdam ko at parang nasasabik sa kung anu man ang naghihintay sa akin ngayong araw na ito. Naghilamos na ako at wala pang balak na bumaba para mag-almusal. Alasais palang ng umaga, hindi ko alam kung may nakahanda na bang agahan. "Open sesame!" I said casting a spell, hoping this freakin door will eventually open itself. Ginulo ko ang sariling buhok. Paano ba kasi ito nabubuksan? Bakit napakadali para kay Kingsley tapos ako ay hindi ko malaman kung anong pinindot o hinila niya doon. Baka naman may fingerprint scanner doon tapos ay fingerprint lang ni Kingsley ang makakapagbukas dito. Tinawana ko ang sarili. Konti nalang ay maiistress na talaga ako dito sa pinto na ito. "Alohamora!" I tried to cast a spell again I heard from the book harry potter. Kinamot ko ang ulo at nagdesisyon ng itigil ang pagbitaw ng mga spell na naririnig ko sa
Artia's POV Kinabahan ako sa tono ni mama. Atsaka sa nakita niyang posisyon namin ni Kingsley lalo na't suot ko pa ang pantulog ko at si Kingsley naman ay walang suot na damit. Hawak pa naman niya ako sa bewang at magkalapit kaming dalawa. "Ma," mahina at bahagyang nanginginig ang boses ko. Malalaki ang hakbang niya papunta sa amin. Salubong ang kilay at nanlilisik ang mga mata. Kabado akong tumingin kay Kingsley. Saktong nakita ko siyang lumunok ng laway at bakas din ang kaba sa mukha. "Nakarinig kami ng sigaw." Sambit niya. Agad kong napansin ang tao sa likod niya, papanik na rin sa hagdanan si Conrad. Napakurap-kurap ako at lumunok ng laway. Pinagmasdan ko kung paano yumuko si Kingsley, dumoble ang kaba at namutla ang labi. Lumayo siya at tumayo. Bakit siya tumayo? Hindi niya na ba ako tutulungan makatayo? Hindi na niya ako aalalayan? Kinabahan siya nang makita ang Dad niya kaya itong lumayo sa akin. Natata
Artia's POV Sinubukan kong tumayo nang makitang sasapit na ang hapon. Kumirot ang likod ko, lalo na sa bandang ibabaw ng pwet. Pero kahit ganoon ay itutuloy ko parin ang pagtayo at maglakad-lakad kahit paikot lang sa loob ng kwarto. Ayoko naman humiga maghapon. Masasanay lang ang katawan kong nakahiga kaya mas mabuting gumalaw-galaw ako para maalis na ang sakit. Natawa ako nang makita ang mga nakahandang kakaibang tsinelas sa gilid ng kama ko. They look weird but I still wanna wear them. Sayang naman ang effort ni manang at ang care niya kung 'di ko namana susuotin. She gave me one piece of her slippers. Ang sabi niya ay binili ni Kingsley sa kaniya ang tsinelas na ito, at meron pa daw maraming pares sa kwarto niya kaya huwag na daw akong mag-alala na baka wala siyang suotin. Ang alam nila ay nadulas ako. Kaya heto, binigyan ako ng tsinelas na hindi raw madulas kahit pa basa ang tile so kahit anong klase pa ng sahig ang iuong a
Third P POV "Akin na." Masungit na sambit ni Kingsley. Nakaabang na ang kamay para kuhanin ang bulak na hawak ni Artia. Mabagal na ibinigay sa kaniya ni Artia ang bulak. Ngumunguso ang mapulang labi nito. Kingsleu squatted in front of Artia so he could see closely her wound. At para narin maayos niya itong malagyan ng betadine. Tahimik ang dalawa. Pinapanood ng dalaga ang kaniyang ginagawa. "Okay lang sayong tumira sila sa Cebu?" Biglang banggit nito. He knows she's referring to their parents. Hindi na nawala sa isip niya ang pagtatanong kanina ng dalaga sa kaniyang ama kung maaari ba silang sumamang dalawa sa kanila sa pagtira sa Cebu. "Oo." Tipid niyang sagot. Ayos lang naman sa kaniya dahil hindi na bago sa kanuya ang mahiwalay sa ama. He's been leaving separately. Ngayon lang siya nagstay ng matagal sa bahay na ito kasama ang ama. He was also staying in his condo before and he also have his own house. Umuu
Artia's POV "We'll leave by monday. I need to pack my things now." Ani mama. Nakasandal ako sa hamba ng pinto sa kwarto nila. Ayokong pumasok sa loob. Ni ayoko ngang makita ang loob ng kwarto nila. But I have no choice, nandito si mama kaya nandito din ako. They'll leave on monday, I should make use of the time while she's still here. "You can work anytime you want. Hindi naman porket nasa Cebu na ako ay kailangan mo ng pumasok sa opisina. Tignan mo muna kung nasa kondisyon na ba ang katawan mo at isip sa mga trabaho. You might make a mistake again." Matutuwa na sana ako dahil sa concern niya, pero concern lang pala siya na baka pumalpak nanaman ako. "Anong oras ang misa bukas, Ma?" Pagbabago ko ng topic. Ayokong tuluyan masira ang mood ko. "The mass starts at 7. We'll leave at 6:30. Maaga kang gumising. Ayokong malate tayo sa misa." Napatayo ako ng maayos nang makitang naglalakad papun
Artia's POV "You're hot." He said serious. Alam ko ang ibig niyang sabihin. Literal na mainit ako. Pero gusto ko siyang biruin. "I know." I said confidently and smirked. Nagagawa ko pang ngumisi kahit masama na ang pakiramdam. He glared at me. Natahimik ako hindi dahil pinandilatan niya ako ng mata kundi dahil idinampi niya ang palad sa leeg ko. Inulit niya pa iyon sa kabila. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko at napalunok ng laway. Dahil lang siguro ito sa lagnat ko. Kaya ako nagrereact ng ganito sa paghawak niya. "Have you told your mom about this?" Sobrang seryoso niyang tanong. Hindi na ako magbibiro, nahawaan na ako sa kaseryosohan niya atsaka lumalala ang sama ng pakiramdam ko. Bumibigat ang ulo ko at katawan. "No." "Si manang?" "Hindi rin. Hayaan mo na. Itutulog ko lang ito." Tumalikod ako sa kaniya at naglakad na papunta sa aking kama. "Yo
Third P POV "You sure you can attend the mass, iha?" Conrad worriedly asked to Artia. They're now heading out of the house to attend the mass. Artias eyes were looking for Kingsley. Mula nang umalis ito sa kwarto niya kagabi matapos niyang halikan ito ay hindi pa niya nakikita hanggang ngayon. Kanina ay binalak nuyang magpatulong sa binata na suotin ang dress niya pero naudlot ang plano dahil dinalaw siya ni manang sa kaniyang kwarto at ito ang tumulong sa kaniyang magsuot noon. Sayang ang pagkakataon na iyon. Pagkakataon na ni Artia iyon upang maakit ang binata. Kunwari sana ay magpapatulong siyang ibuhol ang ribbon na disensyo sa likod ng dress niya at kung papayag nga si Kingsley ay magkukunwaring aksidenteng mahuhubad ang damit niya at siya na ang bahalang kikilos upang magkaroon sila ng mainit na interaksyon. When there are clothes undone, clothes unworn, the heat will visit your body and a fire will start to flame the
-----fast forward----- ***Artia's POV*** "How about you two? Hindi niyo pa ba naiisipang magpakasal? You're on your right age naman. Maaari na kayong magpakasal." "Honestly, I've thought about that. Matagal na kayong magkasintahan, alam kong mauuwi kayong dalawa sa kasalan. Why don't you start planning about it?" Keep remembering it Artia. Keep thinking about it. About their conversation earlier on your dinner. Hindi kapa ba natatauhan? Even your mother and his father are pushing the two to get married. Hindi pa ba sampal sa iyo iyon? You should stop now, before you drown yourself you might not be able to save yourself. Nalulunod kana sa sarili mong patibong. Your great f*cking plan won't work. Ang tagal tagal na pero wala pang improvement ang plan mo. Ang sarili molang ang sinasaktan mo at isinusugal dito. Don't you think its time to back out? Now is the time to change your mind. Wake up, Artia! None of your plan will
Artia's POV Kinabahan ako, akala ko may nagwawala na. Akala ko sinadya ni KIngsley na basagin ang mga bote dahil sa ginagawa namin ni Iulian. But why would he do that? Mukhang wala naman silang pake kahit pa magsex kami dito ni Iulian. Sila nga naghahalikan din kanina. The wine from the broken bottle is spilled on the floor and flow down to the water pool. Some broken glasses fell down in the pool also. What happened became clear to me when I saw a cat near the bottles. Mukhang tumalon ito at iyon ang mga natamaan. Kingsley doesn't own a cat. Kanino kaya ang orange na pusang ito at bakit nandito? THe cat looked like the famous cat in the movie. I forgot the cats name. Mahihirapan akong alalahanin iyon lalo na't lasing. My eyes glance at the two. Courtney slightly in panic moving away from the pool. And then Kingsley, eyes blanked looking at us. When our eyes met he immediately looked away, turned around and left the pool too. I blinked
***Artia's POV*** I couldn't fall asleep why I decided to take a bath. After taking a bath I just wore a thin silk of dress and sat on the floor facing the mirror and resting my back against the table placed in the middle of my walk in closet. I stared at my own reflection in the mirror. From my face, to my body and back to my face. My lips trembled, and my eyes started to sting. I have the face. I have the body. But I have no one. Unlike Courtney, she have friends, she have Iulian and Kingsley beside her for years. She have Kingsley who's loving her. I bit my lips hoping I could stop it from trembling. Now I know the answer to my questions earlier. The kiss I shared with Iulian felt empty. I've kissed many guys, and the truth, it all felt empty. Ako lang itong naglalagay ng meaning at emosyon doon. Sa paraang iyon, nababawasan ang kalungkutang nararamdaman ko. Something really changed, because now I know and have realized that all those
***Artia's POV***Our lips touched and dance together. Just like the music being played, it was slow at first but then coped up with a steady pace. His lips are tender and warm just like Kingsley's lips but it didn't made the butterflies in my stomach fly. I was the one who cut the kiss.I stared at his lips, didn't want to stare at his eyes so he wouldn't see I was distracted while we are kissing. I'm confuse. Why do I feel like something is missing? Why didn't it felt good? Its not because he's not a good kisser, but I didn't enjoyed like how I enjoyed the kisses of Kingsley.Isinantabi ko muna ang mga katanungan na iyon. I should say something. Iulian might get offended with my reaction."Walang magagalit?" I tried to joke. I felt relieved when he chuckled."Sayo? Walang magagalit?" tanong niya pabalik may ngisi sa labi. Umiling ako at itinago ang pasimpling paglunok ng laway.I hope meron. Sana may magalit at sana ay si Kingsley iy
***THIRD P POV***"I feel better with you, next to me."It's strange, how he can remember the words she said. Kingsley looked away and turned his attention to his girlfriend. He didn't want to start a conversation with Artia now that Courtney, Iulian and their other friends are next to them.He just had an argument with his girlfriend, he doesn't want her to have another reason to argue with. Courtney might get jealous. Artia didn't talkedtoo since she really doesn't have anything to say. She stretch a small smile to Courtney, she smiled back but she know she's not really okay that she's here.She chitchat with Iulian and sometimes with the other guys whose name she can't remember. Well, she's not really interested, her mind is clouded with the couple next to her and the trauma Rom left to her.She's thirsty but she don't have the spirit to drink the glasses of alcohol served in front of her. She didn't voice it out. At kahit pa gustuhin man
Kingsleys POV"Bukod sa gusto kitang kasama, wala na akong ibang kaibigan.""Look out for, Artia.""I lost everyone. My Dad's dead. I have no more friends."I closed my eyes tightly hoping I get to focus and stop remembering her voices and those words she said and what her mother said to me too. It keeps visting my mind. I can't stop thinking about it.[Why do you have to take her with you?] I looked out of the window for a second. I can feel her staring at me, listening to my conversation with Courtney on the phone."We already talked about this." No matter how much I lower my voice she can still hear me. I glance at her and her face says it. She's asking if we are arguing.[Yes, we talked about it but I want us to talk about it again. I thought it will just be for a while. Don't tell me she'll come with us sa lahat ng lakad natin.]"Mamaya natin ito pag-usapan."[Fine! Let's just meet there. Hin
Artia's POV "What?" He asked stern now back to being suplado. It was only for a short moment but it was gold for me. Him laughing together with me. Staring at my eyes not to others. Finally he laughed with me. I can't hide the smile formed in my lips. I shook my head and looked away, not wanting him to see that I was too happy just seeing him laughing with me. My heart still feels like its floating in the air above the clouds. Butterflies inside my stomach flying around. Giving the feeling that I haven't felt for years now. "Nothing." I answered. He noticed I was staring at him for a long time why he asked me what. I admit I stared at him so intently. It was too obvious. I should've been careful so he wouldn't get back to being stern so quickly. "I feel sorry to Iulian. I didn't know it tasted so salty. Ang dami niyang kinain," mahinang sambit ko habang nilalaro gamit ang kutsara ang sinangag na niluto ko. Buti nalang pala at hindi si Kingsl
Artia's POV "I just want to say sorry too, about what I said yesterday. No woman wants to be disrespected and molested. Sorry." Parang naisama ko sa paglunok ko ang dila ko dahil hindi ako nakapagsalita. Parang lalabas na din yata sa d****b ko ang puso ko sa lakas ng tibok nito. Dang! What is wrong with me? Bakit ganito makapagreact ang puso ko sa ginawa niya? When I recovered I smiled sweetly at him and said, "Babe, its okay." I bit my lips after talking. Dang! Baka magalit ulit sa akin dahil sa pagtawag ko sa kaniya ng babe. Hindi ko naman sinasadya! It just slip out of my tongue. "You're forgiven." I said my voice automatically turned husky. Our eyes wandered at each other for a while before he looked away and walked. Akala ko ay aalis na siya pero napangiti ulit nang makita siyang sumandal sa may bar counter. I giggled and open the fridge to look at the sandwhich he made for me. Ngiting-ngiti ako habang tinitignan iyon at
Artia's POV "You two already kissed." Mula kanina ay hindi na ako tinantanan ng batang ito. She keeps on asking the same question over and over again everytime she sees me-- no she's following me. "Why are you so eager to know if we did kissed or not?" Gaya ngayon, sinusundan niya ako kahit saan ako magpunta. Kanina ay may kinausap kami ni Kingsley why we left her for a while. Pagkatapos doon ay naghiwalay kami ni Kingsley. I don't know where he went to and if he talked to someone but now I can see him and I'm walking towards his direction. "I heard the other girl is Kuya Kingsleys girlfriend. So if you two already kissed, maybe you seduced him to kiss you. Or you stole a kiss from him since you like him." Tumigil ako sa paglalakad at binalingan ang batang nakasunod sa likod ko. "I like him?" I asked. Parang sure na sure sa sinasabi niya. "Yeah. I can see it in the way you look at him