RULE NO. 12 NO INCEST (Part Two; Ongoing)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

- ALLISANDRA'S POV -

"Pare, ikaw na." sabi ni Aj habang iniaabot niya ang shot glass kay Leo. Leo grabbed the glass and quickly drink it.

I did not expect them to be close like this with Leo. So many have changed after a month since of what happened. Raymond's legs have healed, and we've been the most chill couple again. No dramas, just pure love, and friendship.

"Hoy, nakakarami na kayo ha! Kapag nalimutan niyo mga nireview natin naku talaga!" Sermon ko sa kanila. Nasa bahay kami ngayon ni Leo at nag group study. But after the group study, ito na ang kinalabasan. Nagulat na lang ako ng mag labas sila ng alak sa mga bag nila. Syempre, promotor ng lahat si AJ.

"Alli babes naman! Napaka KJ mo! Para ka nanamang nanay namin." Reklamo ni AJ at saka sila nagtawanan. Pabiro naman siyang binatukan ni Raymond na katabi niya.

Nagpatuloy pa sila sa kwentuhan pero hindi na sila uminom pa ng marami matapos nilang maubos ang isang bote. Puro kabalastugan lang naman ang pinag kukwentuhan nila. Puro tungkol sa babae ni AJ, mga experiences ni Aj, at lahat pa ng kalokohan ni AJ.

Kinabukasan, nag ready ako ng adobo at nag saing ng madami para sa team. Alam ko namang masasakit ang ulo nila dahil sa hangover. Alam ko na ang mangyayari kaya pinag handa ko sila ng pagkain. Matapos kong mag luto, umakyat ako sa apartment ni Raymond para gisingin siya.

Hindi ko naman inaasahan na gising na siya pag pasok ko ng pinto. Pero hindi ko din naman alam na nag bibihis siya. Agad kong sinara ang pinto sa sobrang hiya.

"Tss. Bae, ang plastik mo. Nagugulat ka pa, eh nakita mo naman na'to." Nag init ang mga pisngi ko sa sinabi niya and at the same time, I wish na sana pala, hindi ko sinara ang pinto at pumasok sa loob, at tinitigan ang katawan niya.

Damn! Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko na maisip ang pwede naming magawa ngayong umaga.

"E-ewan ko sayo! Aalis na ko kita na lang tayo sa baba!" Saka ako patakbong bumaba sa hagdanan palabas ng unit niya. Pumasok na lang ako sa loob ng unit namin at nag ayos ng gamit. Mga ilang sandali pa, kumatok na si Ray sa pinto.

"Ano yan? Bat ang dami mong dala?" Tanong niya sakin.

"Para namang hindi mo alam ano to! Syempre, automatic na yan kina-umagahan pagkatapos niyong mag indulge sa alak, pinag luluto ko kayo diba?" Sabi ko naman.

"I know. Payag ako don nung hindi pa kita girlfriend!" He almost shouted with frown in his head. I giggled in his cuteness. Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin at saka pumasok sa sasakyan niya. Wala na siyang nagawa at napa iling na lang pumasok sa loob ng kotse.

"Charaaaan! Kain na!" Sabi ko pagkalapag ko ng pagkain sa table. Nag set up kami ng table sa court dahil maaga pa naman. Wala din si coach today kaya naisipan naming wag na silang mag practice dahil hindi din naman nila kaya.

"Alli babes, hindi ko na talaga alam kung paano mawala ang hangover ko kung mawawala ka." Sabi ni AJ

"Napaka O.A mo naman." Sagot ko sa kanya sabay hampas ng paper plate sa ulo niya. Parang bata ko silang sinandukan isa isa ng kanin at ulam.

I watched them as they eat and laugh. It feels like we've been so distant to each other for so long that I can't remember the last time we enjoyed eating out together, have a drink without any occasion, and our group study that for sure is only good for thirty minutes because the rest of the time goes to either them playing mobile games, or drinking.

****

One month later

"Alli," tawag sakin ni coach, napa-angat ako ng ulo habang hawak ang ballpen. Nasa office kasi kami ngayon at tumutulong ako sa paper works.

"Pinadala ng admins to kanina." Iniabot sakin ni coach ang puting sobre saka siya bumalik sa computer niya.

Binuksan ko ang sobre at halos hindi ako makapaniwala na malaki na ang balanse ko. Alam kong scholar ako dahil kasama ako sa team, may allowance din naman ako pero nakapag usap na kami ng ate ko na kailangan ko ng pera at pumayag siyang bayaran niya muna ang balance ko.

Nag paalam ako kay coach para lumabas at tawagan ang ate ko. I am giving her the benefit of a doubt that she forget it or something. I tried to call her once, she did not answer. By second time I called her, the phone did not ring.

And then a sudden realization hit me. I have no idea what's going on in our house. I have been busy building my dreams, busy serving the team, and busy saving my relationship with my boyfriend but I could not remember the last time I ask how's my family doing. I sat on the floor, crossing my legs while my back is resting against the wall. A tear fall in my face as I realized these things.

I immediately called my mother and she brought up the news that shattered my heart. My sister ran away, bringing the money my mother has saved, living us tons of debts. I can almost feel how broken my mom while I hear her voice over the phone. I did not bother to tell her about my school debts as she surely has enough on her table.

I told Jasmine about what happened. She did not say anything but she hugged me tightly while I cry on her shoulder. I have no plans of telling this to Raymond. I just don't think he must know, and if I would tell him he will surely worry. This is something that I must take care of myself. I know he could help me financially but I don't want to drag money between us. I don't care if people would think I keep my pride, but that's what should we all do. To keep our pride so we could still walk straight and people would not have reasons to trample us.

After Jasmine and I had our dinner, she offered to do the dishes tonight so I could rest. I thanked her and went straight to my room. Nakahiga lang ako, pero hindi ko alam kung makakatulog ako sa mga narinig kong nangyari sa bahay.

There's only one solution that I could see. Well at least to help my family. I need a job.