Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 30: Chaos & Depression

"Scar, you're sabotaging yourself again."

"What kind of relationship do you want with him, ba?" Tanong ni Marianne.

What do I want? I want him without the guns and the murders. Without the chaos and unending pain he has attached to him since the age of eight. "I want him without the complicated drama." Drama is an understatement.

"Hindi ka ba welcomed ng pamilya?"

Hindi ko iyon iniisip pero ngayon na binanggit ni Lorraine, nag flashback agad si Madame Merina, si Jane, si Talia, at ang mga tingin ng kanilang mga judgemental na bisita sa yate.

"I know how it feels to stay in a place where you're not welcomed. Dedicated maging kontrabida sa buhay ko ang nanay ni Evan eh." Bulong ni Rossana. "If he's not worth it, leave. But if he is... then everything is sweeter when you're together. That's why wala akong pake kay Tita. 'Wag niyo lang ichika sa kanya at baka sabunutan na niya ako kapag bumisita kami."

Natatawa akong napailing kay Rossana.

"I don't care what his family thinks—okay, that's a lie, I still do. But I'd rather be with TJ and deal with those judgemental looks than not." And experiencing close deaths this week has made me want to keep the people I love closer. "Isang pinoproblema ko ay hindi pantay ang lebel naming dalawa. He's my boss."

Mabilis na tumango si Ellena, apologizing—cautious of offending me. "I was about to say, your power dynamic is weird for me... I'm sorry."

"Hindi niya naman magiging trabaho 'yon forever. You'll go back to fashion right?" Tumango ako sa tanong ni Lorraine. "Then there. It's unfair to the both of you if you put resistance on your feelings."

"Still... kasambahay ako ngayon." I'm honestly questioning anything at this point. Even though TJ kept assuring me he didn't care, my insecurity wouldn't let that happen easily.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Marianne. "So?"

"Rian, sagutin mo ako. Nagkakagusto ka ba sa errand boy niyo?"

Her face contorted. "No, because kuya is way past my age. And... he's not exactly my type."

"Ang pinakamadaling solusyon, you quit." Tumawa si Rossana habang naglalakad papunta sa akin para kumuha ng prutas. Pinakyuhan ko siya. Hindi pa pwede. Hindi pa sapat ang ipon ko.

"People can't stop what they feel for whoever." Ngiti ni Marianne. "We only live once, Scar. Don't restrict yourself too much."

"Itutuloy ko parin naman ang namumuong relationship namin. I want to see where this goes." Bulong ko, "Sabi ko nga, I'd rather deal with these shitty things I feel than not be with TJ."

"That's my girl!" Sigaw ni Rossana at sinubuan ako ng ponkan na binabalatan niya.

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Ellena at tahimik kaming nakatingin sa pintuan ng kwarto ni Lorraine. Madaling araw na at si Marianne ang nasa loob para samahan ang natutulog naming kaibigan.

"Sorry, ang tagal na kitang hindi nakausap Pula. Ang tagal na kitang hindi kinakamusta."

"Nagtatampo na nga ako eh." Ngumuso ako pero diko mapigilang tumawa at takang humarap sa kanya. She doesn't need to keep track of me. "Okay lang ako bakla, ano ka ba."

"Tinutukoy ko ang nangyari sa San Raigo." Napatigil ako. Nakalimutan kong nabalita 'yon sa buong Pilipinas.

"Alam ba nila?" I worriedly ask.

"Hindi ko alam kung alam nila, hindi talaga nanonood ng balita ang mga 'yon."

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. "Please 'wag mo sabihin, ayaw ko silang mag alala. Okay lang ako El, hindi naman ako nasaktan." Kumpara kay TJ na literal na nabaril.