I pulled away from her hug.
Her smile faltered, quickly turning into a frown.
Tanga. Ni hindi bagay sa kanya magpa-cute.
Pero gaya ng dati, mabilis din siyang naka-recover. Nang makita niya si Dad, ngumiti ulit siya sabay yakap na parang wala lang.
Linta ba siya? Eew.
I rolled my eyes and walked away.
---
Dinner was quiet... too quiet.
At least until the Bee opened her mouth.
"Ady, may boyfriend ka na ba? Kung meron man, sana wag kang maagang magpabuntis, ha?"
I didn't even look at her. I just stabbed a piece of meat with my fork and answered calmly,
"Wala po. At kahit meron man, wag mo akong igaya sa anak mo."
Choke on that.
Dad cleared his throat, trying to break the sudden tension.
Silence fell again, but the damage was done. I could feel her eyes on me, but I didn't care. I just kept eating, acting like she was invisible.
Just like I wished she actually was.
After dinner, I went straight to my room.
But I couldn't breathe.
The air inside felt heavy. Parang may nakadagan sa dibdib ko.
I glanced at the window.
Screw it.
Tahimik akong lumabas, dahan-dahang binuksan ang sliding door papunta sa balcony. The cold breeze greeted me like an old friend.
I sat on the edge, knees close to my chest.
And just when I thought I was finally alone—
"Alam kong lalabas ka," a familiar voice said.
Caspian.
I didn't look at him, but I felt him sit beside me.
"Suffocating, 'no?" he said after a moment.
I nodded. "Wala pa akong limang oras sa bahay na 'to, gusto ko nang umalis ulit."
He let out a dry chuckle. "Same energy."
Tahimik.
Only the sound of the wind, rustling leaves, and our unspoken thoughts.
"Bakit siya nandito?" I finally asked, my voice quieter than I expected.
"I don't know. Bigla na lang tumawag si Dad. Sinundo raw niya sa airport."
I clenched my fists. "She doesn't belong here."
"She never did."
I looked at Caspian. He wasn't smiling, but he wasn't angry either.
He just looked... tired.
Same.
"Kung pwede lang tayong tumira sa ibang planeta, no?" I joked weakly.
"Pipili ako ng one na walang internet, walang tao, walang drama. Pwede na 'yun," he said, eyes looking up at the stars.
"Gusto ko lang ng peace," I whispered.
Pero yung binigay sa'kin peace-teh.
He turned to me. "Then let's create it. Kahit dito lang. Kahit tayo lang dalawa."
And for the first time that night...
I actually believed him.
---
One week later
Kung stress lang ang labanan, panalo na ako.
Feeling ko masusunog na utak ko sa dami ng requirements.
Sabaw na 'ko halos araw-araw. Parang hindi ko na alam paano huminga ng maayos.
At kung akala mong academics lang problema ko...
Guess what?
She's back.
"Vivianne, boricat..." I muttered under my breath habang nakatitig sa kanya sa sala.
She was sipping tea like she owned the place. May pa-cross legs pa, parang hindi siya dahilan ng pagkalugmok ng buong pamilya namin.
Hindi ko alam kung mas gusto kong mag-quiz o makipag-bardagulan sa kanya.
"Adelaide," she called sweetly.
Tangina. Wag mo 'ko tawagin sa second name ko. Hindi tayo close.
Napatingin lang ako saglit, then dumiretso na sa kwarto.
Hindi ko na kinaya.
Kasi kung lalaban pa ako, baka may masabi akong ikakasira ng lahat.
Pagkapasok ko sa kwarto, ibinagsak ko agad ang katawan ko sa kama.
Ang bigat-bigat ng lahat.
Acads, Vivianne, memories, nightmares...
I screamed into my pillow.
"PUTANG INA NYONG LAHAT!!!"
I sat up, wiped my face, and changed clothes.
I needed air.
---
I decided to go for a walk with my dog, Chaze.
Siya lang talaga ang safe space ko sa lahat ng 'to.
Habang naglalakad kami sa park, may nakita akong isang ice cream stall.
Tumigil kami ni Chaze, and I ordered.
"Kuya, isang cookies and cream please."
Pero habang naghihintay, accidentally kong nabitawan yung leash.
"CHAZE?!"
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Nakatakas siya!
Gusto ko sanang habulin agad, pero kailangan ko pang bayaran si manong.
Agad akong nag-abot ng bayad.
"Keep the change po, and the ice cream na din po!" I said before abandoning my ice cream and running after her.
Then, I saw her.
On another man's arms.
"Chaze! Baby!" I called out.
Pero imbes na tumakbo sa akin, todo wave ng buntot niya sa lalaki?!
Malandi ka talagang aso ka.
The guy looked up.
"Esme?"
My breath caught in my throat.
"Knox...?"
YOU ARE READING
Falling Once, Breaking Twice
Romance"Sabi nila, time heals all wounds... pero hindi naman lahat ng sugat gumagaling." Esmeray Adelaide Montserrat - A girl with a name as dark as the nights she survived. A girl who hides herself from the light. Knox Achlys Del Fierro - A boy who notice...
