August Lies

Kabanata 5

"I just did what I thought could save you. Nakaka-disappoint na nga akong kaibigan," I said and sighed. "I suck with friendships, anyway. I think I'm too unemotional, mukhang walang paki–"

"It's fine," he said and my lips protruded.

"It's not. Baka ayaw mo na akong kumare," I sulked.

"Scira..." he called.

"See?" I spat. "Scira na ang tawag mo sa 'kin!" I whined and stomped my feet.

"Hey, look at me." I shook my head and he moved a bit. He slowly lifted my chin so he could see my eyes. "I'm not mad, Mars."

I gulped while looking at his eyes. Kumalabog na naman ang dibdib ko sa kaba at hindi maintindihang dahilan kapag ganyan siya.

"R-really?"

"It's you who should be mad at me. I kissed you. That was disrespectful—"

"Sis, mag-sister tayo, okay lang," I said and I saw his lips protrude a bit.

"P-parang ang gara, Mars. Babae sa babae, t-tomboy?" he muttered and I immediately laughed upon hearing him.

Umangat ang labi niya habang tumatawa ako. Naiiling na hinampas ko ang balikat niya at nakita ko ang pagkislap ng mga mata niya.

The awkward atmosphere faded. I bit my lip to suppress my laughter but I couldn't. Warren is smirking and slowly moving to place a few strands of my fallen hair behind my ear.

"K-kaloka ka, Mars," I muttered and laughed again.

I noticed how amusement played in his eyes while looking at me and when I calmed down, I covered my mouth, ashamed of my loud mouth.

"S-sorry, Tintin. I'm just..."

"It's fine," he smiled. "You look more radiant when you laugh and smile that way," he said seriously, making my cheeks flush.

Bigla akong nahiya kaso baka biglang awkward na naman kaya tumawa ako at pabirong hinampas ang dibdib niya.

"Hala, si kumare, pa-fall!" I exclaimed and his laughter roared.

"Hmm, am I?" he said in amusement, his tone teasing.

"O-oo kaya! Talo mo pa magpakilig ang mga ex ko!" I exclaimed and I saw him stop.

His forehead creased a bit. He became quite serious that I stopped.

"Mars?"

"Your exes..." he muttered. "What were they like?"

"Hmm," I smiled. "Bakit? May bet ka?" I teased but he scoffed.

"No way. I'm just curious," he said and he slowly took my hand. I saw how his fingers touched the part of my wrist where I tried the shades of lipstick earlier.

"They're good, they're great," I said, remembering it. "Well, I dated them because Mom said they have a good family. I've always wanted to please her. She's my role model kaya kapag sinabi niyang magandang pamilya iyon at kung may magbibigay sa 'kin ng interes mula sa pamilya, I will grab the chance and Mom would be happy. The others, well, I genuinely just like them but..."

I sighed.

"You know, after a week or a month, lalabas ang ugali nila. They would call me a freak."

"Freak?" He stopped and glanced at me.

"Control freak, Mars," I stared at him. "Well, may something din naman sa ugali ko. I know I have my own faults too. Pero naiirita lang talaga ako kung ang dahilan nila kaya nagagalit is because mas inuuna ko ang pamilya ko kaysa sa kanila."