DARK BLOOD

Chapter 18

FALLEN

"Sasama ka ba sa field trip bukas?"

My classmate Alma asked as she slid into the seat beside me. I nodded briefly, barely glancing at her.

"Oo, bakit?"

She leaned in, resting her chin on her hand. "Alam mo bang may jowa si Vael?"

Her words hit me like a sudden blow, and I froze. My chest tightened as I tried to steady my breathing. I looked away, pretending her words didn't just break something fragile inside me.

"Oh," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I didn't know that."

The air grew heavy between us, but I forced a smile-one that felt like it could shatter under the weight of my breaking heart.

"Good for him," I added softly, though the words tasted bitter on my tongue.

I couldn't stop the questions from flooding my mind. Why did he kiss me? Was it all just a cruel game? Or had I been foolish enough to see something that was never really there?

I replayed every moment in my head, his lingering glances, the warmth in his words, the way he smiled at me like I was the only one in the room. Did it all mean nothing to him?

"Eh, di ba hinalikan ka niya? So, that makes you the kabit?"

Alma's words snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to her, my eyes narrowing.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly waiting for my reaction.

I smirked bitterly. "Kabit? You sure about that?"

"Bakit? Anong tawag mo roon? Playing games?"

Her tone irritated me, and I couldn't hold back anymore.

"Tangina, kahit ako, hindi ko alam ang tawag roon! Kaya 'wag kang maingay d'yan at umalis ka dito!"

My voice echoed across the room, silencing everyone. Even Alma flinched, standing up in shock.

"N-nagsasabi lang naman ako," she stammered. "I just want you to watch your actions toward him. Kasi may jowa na 'yung tao."

I glared at her, my patience gone.

"May utak ako! You don't need to tell me what to do. Mind your own fucking business and piss off!"

I could feel my heart pounding painfully in my chest. The anger, the humiliation, the heartbreak-it all came pouring out, and Alma just happened to be in the line of fire.

As I tried to steady my breathing, my gaze drifted toward the door. And there he was.

Vael.

His eyes met mine, deep and familiar, the kind that always made my heart race and my mind lose focus. For a moment, everything else faded-just like it always did.

But then, reality hit me like a slap in the face. He's the reason I'm feeling all this pain.

He started walking toward me, each step heavy with purpose.

"What's happening here?"

His voice was sharp, his gaze even sharper.

I didn't answer. I couldn't. The bitterness in my heart had spilled over, leaving no room for words. Instead, I brushed past him without a glance, my chest tight and my thoughts a mess.

Tangina, I thought bitterly. Hindi ko na maintindihan.

Falling mindlessly-it's the most toxic thing I've ever done.

Ano naman saakin kung may Girlfriend siya hindi ba? Hindi naman kami at hindi naman siya nanliligaw? Pero yun na nga eh! Yun ang hindi ko maintindihan! Bakit ako nasasaktan?!