The Girl From Before (ON-GOING )

Chapter 26: Dose of Caffeine

Chapter 26

Kate's POV

 

Hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili ko. Bakit iyong text message ni Page sa akin is still slashing my insides, hindi ko ma-explain. It's been a week! I still can't get over it! Sinabi niyang he's just playing and having fun when he said ALL those things- things like he loves me that he cares for me, and I couldn't believe it na naniwala ako sa mga sinabi niya about what he's been through. At iyong halik, he explained na it's just a friendly kiss intended to lure me into something else away from grieving. Nasasaktan pa rin ako hanggang ngayon sa contents ng message niya. Naalala ko na! Damian once said na si Page talaga ay isang parang monster-like being na ibang-iba na compared when we were on the third grade. He's right! He's a womanizer, a drinker, a smoker, baka may piercings na nga iyon eh plus tattoes kaya? Why did he turn into something I don't like? I want to change him as what Damian have asked me before but I think I'm incapable of doing it.

My latest wound is still fresh from all the chasing and running scheme. Grabe ang mga paparazzi, kahit tumakbo na ako, sunod pa rin sila ng sunod. Hindi ko naman kaseng alam na ang sikat pala talaga kase ni Page sa UK eh, I mean, sa entire population.

Someone's knocking at my room's door. "Can I come in?" Oh, it's Damian. "Come in, Damian!"

Ooops! Hindi niya kailangang makita ang mga first-aid kits. Mag-aalala na naman siya sa akin. Huli na nang makita niyang inililigpit ko ang mga gauze at mga antiseptics. "You know Kate, I agree with your dad. I think that it'll be better for you to go back to the Philippines after your birthday." He's scrutinizing my wound. "Sumosobra na yata ang mga paparazzi!" napansin niyang ngumiti ako dahil nag-Tagalog kase siya, "What?" I'm a full-blooded Filipino and Tagalog is my language, what's funny?" Natahimik na lang ako. "Done!" Tapos na niyang nilagyan ng bandage ang sugat ko.

"I'm still contemplating with my dad's suggestion of me going back to the Phils. Tomorrow's my birthday already Damian so I think, one night won't be enough to arrive at an answer, and I think I'm not yet ready to go back. I'm still enjoying London, it's been years and not to forget that my mom's here." Damian pulled me into a very tight hug. Hindi ko mapigilan ang mga luha ko sa paglabas. "Damian..."

"Shush"

"Damian...what will I become when I go back to the Phils? It'll not be the same way again. No telephone calls from my mom. No mom to check on me in a regular basis," "Shush, Kate" Damian's soft voice so sincere in comforting unlike Page's.

I pulled off from the hug. "You want to come tomorrow?" Isasama ko na lang si Damian sa archery field. "Where to?" Nakangisi niyang tanong. "Uhm sa dati? Sa archery field where we all met when we were kids."

Nakaupo lang ako sa stairs waiting for Damian. It's still 4 am though. We're bound to the archery field today. It's my 18th birthday. Ang tanda ko na. "Happy birthday my princess! Legal age lady!" Napatayo ako nang biglang sumulpot si Dad sa likuran ko. "Oh thank you daddy!" It feels so great hugging him like this.

"Dexter called me and he said that it's been successful, it was disseminated well to African children so don't worry and enjoy your day my princess!" Instead of throwing a very extravagant debut party, I've decided to just donate the money to African children having micronutrient deficiencies and to an orphanage of my choice also based in Africa. "I'll definitely enjoy my day dad. Damian and I will go to the archery field!"

"Is he your boyfriend?" My jaw drops, "Dad, he's a childhood friend. Actually, I can tag him as my bestfriend. You can trust him." My dad's mouth stretches into a smile, "I know, I already talk to him for more or less four times already?" I know that my surprise expression is distinguishable, I know he can see it.

Ang tagal naman ni Damian. He's 6 minutes late already! Sabi niya kase, car niya gagamitin namin. Ang lamig dito sa labas. Buti na lang I'm wearing a hoodie. The gate opens and I can see a red Porsche approaching, it's definitely Damian.

I took the passenger's seat and I ask, "And why did you let the birthday girl to wait in the cold?"

"Filipino time, Kate! Haha, I mean , I went somewhere to buy you something, my present I guess?" He's looking straight on the road when he gave me a tiny box. "Thank you! Can I open it now?" I am so ecstatic receiving a gift. "Open it when you're ready to be tied with me forever!" Upon hearing his answer, I immediately put away the box in my bag and diverted the talk to avoid an awkward atmosphere.

As we enter the archery field Damian asks, "Do you want a dose of caffeine this early morning?"

"That sounds good, okay, your treat? Thank you then." As Damian is heading towards the refreshment's area, I ran towards my normal spot. Everything's the same; there are no changes in every detail that I can remember. As I'm setting up my archery equipments, I can hear murmuring voices, it's barely audible but if I'm not mistaken, I think it's coming from behind the gigantic tree.

"Oh Elizabeth, I love you so much!" If I'm not again mistaken, I think it's Page's voice and it does makes sense because he mentioned Elizabeth Craig, his girlfriend that he once called a simple fling in front of me.

"Oh Page, I love you too!" By the way they sounded, I know they're having a make-out session there. They're so gross! Page is the worst! Why am I on the verge of crying? I don't care about Page! He's batshit! I can't move, I want to run away from them before they caught me eavesdropping but Damian approaching me shouts at me, "Kate! You really love that spot! You should try somewhere else!"

Page and Elizabeth came in my view, looking alarmed I guess?

"Kate, why are you here?" Stupid Page! Who the hell is he to ask me such question? He doesn't even remember my birthday, that bastard!

"I came here to the archery field to ski and swim," I answered sarcastically. He rolls his eyes on me and trust me, it's infuriating! I grab my coffee from Damian and took a sip. I didn't expect that it's too sweet, i'm not fond of sweets actually, and so to complain, I utter the word, "SWEET," referring to the coffee but Damian smiles and kisses me on the cheeks which caught me off guard.

~End of Chapter 26~