Tangled Hearts [On-Going - Slow Update]

CHAPTER 14

Post-graduation party.

It's already 6 in the evening, but the program has just started a few moments ago. Everyone's in their pretty dresses and casual fits, interacting with each other under the disco lights. Some of us were taking over the dance floor, while some chose to chitchat on their tables instead. I belong to the latter.

"So, Blaise, what school are you considering? Alam naming maraming naghahabol sa'yo ngayong pasukan ng college, kaya curious kami kung ano 'yong pipiliin mo," Krissa asked, while taking another bite from the cordon blue we got from the buffet area.

"I haven't decided yet. Bukas ko pa ireview lahat ng nag-offer sa akin," I replied.

"Taray. How to be you po?" she added.

She then suddenly poked her elbow on my side. "Ayaw mo bang bakurahan 'yang si CJ? Tignan mo oh, andaming dumidikit sa kanya," she said.

I turned to where she was looking, and there, I saw at least three girls surrounding him. It seemed that he was enjoying their conversation. "We're just friends, Krissa. He can do whatever he wants."

All of a sudden, she disappeared. I quickly found out he was dragged by Larry to join the dancing crowd, leaving me at our table. I guess, I had to enjoy the night alone again.

"Hi," someone caught my attention. "Would you mind if I join you?"

I looked around and saw a bunch of vacant tables, yet he still went to ours. "May vacant pa naman," I said, pointing to the other tables near us.

As soon as my sight went to his face, I was stunned.

I won't deny it: he's a head turner guy.

"Just wanted to make friends with you," he added.

"Oh, okay."

I took a sip from my iced tea, as I glanced from the dancing crowd to the cheering in the CJ's table. He's now joined by his friends, but the girls still lingered on his side. I wonder what they were cheering at. Maybe him, most probably.

"You're Blaise Geronimo, right? The Valedictorian?" the guy beside me asked.

I nodded. "Yes. And you?"

He smiled. "Dylan Parejo, from Class 10-E."

Oh, I heard that name somewhere. Someone named Dylan in our batch was rumored to be one of the candidates for Salutatorian. Probably, it was him.

"Wala ka bang ibang kasama? You seemed lonely," he asked.

"My friends went there, actually," I answered, pointing to the dancing crowd.

"Are you and CJ still together?" his second question.

I was taken aback at first, but I laughed it off. "It was just an act, unfortunately. Nothing was real between us," I finally admitted.

"So the rumors were true, I guess," he nodded. "You were bad actors, to be honest."

I gasped in disbelief. "Really? All this time?"

"But you're cute."

Now it's the second time I was taken aback, but I slowly realized what could be his agenda hiding under this conversation.

"Thanks," I simply replied.

"Would you mind if I ask for your number?"

I winced. "Why me?"

He chuckled. "Because you seem interesting, Blaise."

"And why do I seem interesting?" I raised a brow.

He was about to answer my question, but somebody broke into our conversation—CJ, seemingly confused. "You're friends?"

"No—"

"Yes," Dylan cut me off. "And I want him."

CJ turned to me. "Gusto mo siya?"

"No—"

"Then, go away," he told Dylan.

Dylan raised his hands, an act of surrendering. "Fine," he said. When he was about to leave, he winked at me, grinning. He seemingly mouthed 'chat me' before walking away.

"Ano 'yon?" he asked, looking upset.

"Ewan ko. Siya ang lumapit dito," I answered. "Tsaka, ba't ka galit?"

"Wag 'yon. Kilala ko 'yon."

"Bakit? Anong meron sa kanya?"

"Lolokohin ka lang n'on."

I crossed my arms, rolling my eyes at him, talking nonsense. "What if bumalik ka na lang d'on, magpakaenjoy sa tatlo mong babae at hayaan mo akong makihalubilo sa iba rito? Mind your own business."

"Isusumbong kita kay Tito at Tita."

"Go on. As if they will take your side after making me a fool in front of everyone."

"Hindi mo ba talaga ako mapapatawad?"

"Woah, woah, anong nangyayari dito?" Larry went in between us, trying to calm us down. "Nawala lang kami saglit, nagL-LQ na naman kayo."

"Anong LQ? Boyfriend ko ba 'yan?" I said.

"Psh, bahala ka na nga sa buhay mo. Laplapin mo siya kung gusto mo," he uttered, which I found awful and offensive.

I stood from my seat, bothered by what he just said. "Excuse me, I'm not a douchebag like you, CJ. Nawala lang si Denisse, kani-kaninong babae na lang hinaharap mo."

"Nagseselos ka ba?"

"Well, sino nga ba nagseselos sa ating dalawa ngayon?"

"Guys," Krissa stepped in, too. "Tama na. Baka paalisin pa kayo rito sa party."

"That won't happen. I'm willing to leave this party—now," I said, taking my things with me.

Krissa called my name, but as soon as I turned around, I didn't dare to look back. If only I knew this would happen, I should've never attended tonight. CJ's was no good at all. Psh.

"Blaise," someone called me again, but this time, it's coming from him. "Teka lang, Blaise."

When he caught my wrist, I pulled it hard and faced him. "Ano na naman? Hanggang dito pa naman, aawayin mo pa ako?!" I exclaimed.

"Of course, no! Concern lang ako dahil pinoprotektahan kita."

"Well, to tell you, I don't fucking need your protection, CJ. Ano ako, isang batang bubwit na kailangan ng nanny para bantayan 24/7?"

"Hindi naman sa gano'n—"

"Then, why, CJ? Why? Everytime na tatahimik ang buhay ko, andyan ka, mangungulit at maninira ng araw ko. At sa totoo lang, hindi na dapat kita patatawarin. Kaso, sa ngalan ng pinagsamahan natin, ginawa ko, Clark. Lahat ng pabor mo, ginawa ko dahil kaibigan kita. Pero, ano ang ginawa mo? Hinayaan mo lang akong magmukhang tanga sa harap ng lahat habang nakikipaglalaplapan ka lang kay Denisse at pinahirapan mo pa ang mga magulang mo dahil sa kapal ng mukha mo."

"Blaise, alam ko. Kaya nga, bumabawi ako sa'yo at ayaw kong masaktan ka ng iba tulad ng ginawa ko sa'yo. Sino na lang ba poprotektahan ko ngayong wala na si Denisse?"

I drew myself near, wanting my fist to land on his cheek. "Can you just let me explore things on my own, Clark? All my life, I waited to be loved like you did to Denisse. Ipagkakait mo ba sa akin na mahalin ako ng ibang tao na hindi mo naman kayang gawin sa akin?"

"Mahal kita, Blaise."

"Pero hanggang kaibigan lang, CJ. Hinding-hindi ako magiging katulad ni Denisse sa mga mata mo. Hinding-hindi," I said, with tears almost escaping from my eyes. Glad it didn't, but the skies weeped instead.

From the dark clouds above, a rain poured down, starting to soak me in the wet. I turned around again, pacing away from who I call bestfriend. But, before I could even reach the gates, someone sheltered me under his umbrella. "Going home?"

It was Dylan, who I thought was CJ at first glance. "Thank you."

When I looked back, I saw him still soaking himself under the rain. I guess I deserve a new friend now—who's so much better than him.