Kabanata 2

Nakatitig lang ako sa salamin sa cr habang naghihintay kay Kiara, dito kami madalas dumederetso pagkakatapos ng klase. Paano ba naman kasi every after class palagi siyang tinatawag ng kalikasan.

Staring at my reflection, I take in every detail. I don't have pimples and braces. I don't have thick bangs, nor do I have overly thick eyebrows. Sure, my fashion sense might be outdated—some might even call it tacky—but I'm far from the stereotypical nerd in every book you'd read or expect to meet.

I'm not the type to tremble in fear or stutter when I speak. I don't keep my head down, avoiding eye contact with the world. No, that's not me. I may not fit the mold of what people expect, but I stand my ground in my own way. Instead, I have freckles scattered across my pale skin, untouched by makeup—at least most of the time. When I'm not in disguise, I actually enjoy wearing makeup, especially dark red lipstick. There's something about the deep shade that makes me feel bold, like I'm stepping into a different version of myself.

My forest green eyes remain hidden behind my glasses, their color so vivid that people often assume I'm wearing contacts. But I'm not. They're real, just like the rest of me—whether I choose to conceal it or not.

Lihim akong napangiti habang pinagmamasdan ng tahimik ang sarili. It's strange how a simple glance in the mirror can make you notice all these little things about yourself.

"Alam mo Mavis maganda ka naman e, hindi ka lang marunong magayos, saka hindi ka pangit, sadyang mapanghusga lang sila." Natawa ako at binalik ang salamin ko sa pagkakasuot nang marinig ang boses ni Kiara. I hadn't noticed that she'd been staring at me for a while. I was too lost in thought, too deep in my own head to realize that she had already standing right next to me.

"Wala akong panahon sa mga bagay na 'yan, eto ako e, feeling ko kapag binago ko 'yon parang binago ko na rin ang pagkatao ko."

"Well, they say you should embrace your flaws and appreciate your own beauty. But in your case... you're just hiding it." Natawa na lang ako at inayos na ang libro saka iyon binuhat gamit ang dalawang kamay na halos magmukha na 'yong akap-akap ko.

"Uuwi ka ba agad?"

"Dadaan muna ako kay tiya," Nag-usap kami habang naglalakad.

"Kumusta naman unang araw niyo?" Mahinang bulong niya kaya agad naman akong nagkibit-balikat. Alam ko na rin naman kung ano at sino ang tinutukoy niya.

"Parang wala lang." 

"Bakit kasi—" Hindi niya natuloy ang sasabihin nang may kumausap sa kaniya.

"Ay bestfriend mo siya?" Tiningnan ako no'ng bakla mula ulo hanggang paa bago hilaw na ngumiti sa akin.

"Hello! Ang cute mo naman manamit—oo, 'yan ba bagong uso? Gusto ko ma-try." she's obviously mocking me, gusto ko iyon patulan pero hindi ko na lang ginawa. Patience, Mavis.

"Oo e, gusto mo talaga? Payag akong maging stylist mo," Hilaw na ngiti ko rin na kinasimangot niya. Napakaplastik!

"Mauna na kami, pasa ko na lang sa SC office bukas." halatang ayaw na nito tumagal dahil sa presensya ko. Tsk.

"Sige Kiara bye! And bye rin, Miss stylist," Ngumiwi pa ito. Tss! Hirap kasi sa mga tao mas gusto pa magpakaplastik kaysa magpakatotoo, tanggap ko naman.

"May sundo ka ba?" baling ko kay Kiara.

"Mayroon pero on the way pa lang." she simply said. There's a flicker of emotion in her eyes—something I can't quite decipher. Kiara has always been unpredictable. There are feelings, thoughts she keeps hidden, things I can never fully understand. She doesn't let them show, not completely. She buries them, concealing them beneath that unreadable gaze.

"Hintayin na kitang makaalis."

"Naks naman talaga naway lahat Mavis." natatawang sabi niya.

Tulad ng sabi ko'y hinintay kong dumating ang sundo ni Kiara, bago ako nag cab papunta sa bahay ni tiya, kung saan ilang taon din akong tumira. The house was unusually quiet, almost as if it were empty. But I knew better—I could feel Tiya's presence. And sure enough, I was right. The faint sound of music played in the background, so soft that it barely reached my ears. 

"Tiya mano po,"agad niya akong nilingon.

"Kaawaan ka ng Diyos, ano't naparito ka?"

"Namiss lang po kita."

"May asawa ka na, dapat umuuwi ka ng maaga para ipagluto siya." napaisip naman ako, parang ang saya sa pakiramdam no'n.

"Mayamaya po sigurado naman na gabi na siya makakauwi kaya aabot pa ako.

Tumagal pa ako ng kalahating oras bago nagpasyang umalis. Tahimik na nilalakad ko ang na bahay namin ni Drei nang may makitang lalaki di kalayuan, unti-unting bumagal ang paglakad ko, titig na titig ito sa bahay mismo ni Draven.

Who is he, and what does he want?

Why is he staring at our house?

There was something unsettling about the way he stood there, unmoving, observing. He wasn't just passing by—he was watching. The moment he noticed me, his reaction was swift. As if caught doing something he shouldn't, he hastily put on his sunglasses, climbed onto his motorcycle, and sped off, the roar of the engine echoing through the quiet street.

My brows knitted together as unease settled in my chest. My mind started racing, piecing together possibilities. That guy was up to something—I was sure of it. And if it had anything to do with Draven... should I be worried? Should I tell him? Or was I just overthinking things?

May kutob ako, at nang mga oras pa lang na iyon alam ko nang konektado ang lalaking 'yon.

Ilang minuto pa akong tumayo sa harapan ng gate bago tuluyang pumasok. I spotted Draven's car parked outside, so I assumed he was already home—and I was right.

When I stepped inside, I found him exactly where I expected him to be, completely absorbed in his calculus book. The sight was familiar, almost predictable—him, lost in numbers and formulas, brows slightly furrowed in concentration. It was as if the outside world didn't exist when he was like this.

For a moment, I just stood there, watching him, debating whether to interrupt or let him be.

"Good afternoon Drei," hindi nya ako tinapunan ng tingin, ngunit hindi ko pa rin 'yon ininda.

"Nagmeryenda ka na? Gagawa ako?"

"No need," malamig na sagot niya.

Even though he didn't want any, I still made something for us before heading upstairs for a quick shower. The warm water washed away the tension in my body, but not the thoughts swirling in my mind.

After drying off, I slipped into a pair of knee-length shorts and an oversized T-shirt—simple, comfortable. I tied my hair up again in a loose bun, my glasses resting securely on my nose before I made my way back downstairs.

The kitchen felt quieter than usual as I moved around, gathering ingredients to cook dinner. The rhythmic chopping of vegetables and the soft sizzle of the pan filled the space, offering a momentary distraction from everything else weighing on my mind.

I heated the pan, drizzling just enough oil to hear that satisfying sizzle as it coated the surface. The faint aroma of garlic filled the air as I tossed in the minced cloves, their golden edges releasing a rich, familiar scent that always felt like home.

I reached for the vegetables, carefully adding them one by one—onions, bell peppers, and a handful of chopped greens. The colors mixed beautifully as I stirred, the gentle sound of cooking filling the silence of the kitchen. Next, I took the protein I had prepared earlier, sliding it into the pan. The heat worked its magic, browning the edges to perfection. I sprinkled in a pinch of salt, a dash of pepper, and a little something extra—a secret ingredient that always made the dish taste better.

Steam rose as I poured in a bit of broth, letting everything simmer together. The rich, savory aroma wrapped around me, comforting yet slightly bittersweet. I wasn't even sure if I was hungry or just needed something—anything—to distract myself.

With a final stir, I turned off the heat and plated the food, exhaling softly.

"Drei, let's eat? Nagluto ako." Hindi niya ako pinansin at piniling umakyat sa kwarto niya. Napabuntong hininga ako at kumain na lang mag-isa, saka ko siya pinaghanda ng gabihan at piniling ihatid iyon.

"Drei hindi ka pa kumakain malilipasan ka na." pangungulit ko sa kaniya, ngunit muli ay hindi niya ako binigyan ng pansin. His eyes still glued to his calculus book.

"Draven," I called again, hoping this time he'll notice me.

"Pwede ba Mavis?! Stop acting like you're really my wife!? Sa papel lang kita asawa kaya 'wag kang umakto na para bang asawa nga kita! Kakain ako kung kailan ko gusto at wala kang pakialam doon, so get out!" Napaatras ako ng bahagya ng galit niya akong sigawan. Draven's voice was sharp, his eyes burning with frustration. A lump formed in my throat, but I quickly swallowed it down. I shouldn't be surprised. This marriage was never real to begin with... but why did it still sting?

"Gusto ko lang nama—"

"I said, get the fuck out!" Draven's voice was raw with anger as he shoved me toward the door. The sudden force knocked the bowl from my hands, sending the steaming soup spilling onto the floor—and onto my feet. The heat burned against my skin, but I barely flinched. The physical pain was nothing compared to the weight pressing against my chest.

I didn't even try to defend myself. This was my fault, wasn't it? I had overstepped. I had forced myself into a space where I wasn't wanted.

And maybe... maybe I deserved to feel this unwanted.

Bagsak ang balikat na ibinalik ko ang pagkain sa kusina at nag-iwan na lamang ng pagkain sa mesa in case na magutom siya, nag-iwan din ako ng note bago hinugasan ang mga pinagkainan ko at ginamit sa pagluluto.

I double-checked the door, making sure it was locked properly before heading to my room.

The house felt eerily quiet, the kind of silence that made my own thoughts louder. As I walked down the hall, a heavy feeling settled in my chest—one I couldn't quite shake off. Maybe it was exhaustion. Maybe it was something else.

Either way, all I could do now was retreat to my room and let the night swallow whatever emotions I didn't have the energy to deal with. May kailangan pa kasi akong tapusin na plate, dalawang araw na wala pa rin akong natatapos...pupursigihin nanaman ako ni Sir Gab nito kapag nagkataong umabot ako sa deadline.

In the middle of what I was doing, my phone suddenly lit up, the sudden glow catching my attention. My heart skipped a beat as I quickly reached for it, eyes scanning the screen.

"10 PM, West Rosewood, Bldg. 2 (179) xygoMt8"

A strange mix of curiosity and unease settled in my chest. The message was short, cryptic—no name, no explanation. Just a time, a place, and an unfamiliar string of characters.

My pencil slipped from my fingers, hitting the floor with a sharp clatter that echoed through the quiet room. But I barely noticed it. Nakatitig lamang ako sa natanggap na message from unregistered number and I already know who sent me this. Meast.

Saglit akong tumingin sa labas ng bintana ng kwarto, bago kinuha ang phone at tiningnan pa ang sumunod na message na ipinadala ni Meast sa akin.

I am counting on you, Red.

. . .