Chapter Two
Nagising ako ng alas tres ng umaga out of the blue only when I realized na nakatulog pala ako na may isang libro na nakapatong sa dibdib ko. Oh, it might've been the reason why it feels so heavy. I yawned at the thought that dad might have already gone home at this hour pero hindi na siya nag-abalang hanapin ako para batiin ako ng happy birthday—oh, it's actually not my birthday anymore kasi August 23 na at hindi na August 22.
Nilingon ko si Arin sa aking tabi na mahimbing na natutulog habang yakap-yakap iyong isang unan sa tabi niya. It was still so early and I should sleep back. So, I put back the book to the side table at ipinikit muli ang mga mata.
***
Dear Ayezza,
‘These are annotated books for you, they are my gift for my princess. You are officially on your legal age yet you're still our one and only baby. I hope you'd like these books, Aye. I bought them last week's book fair (the books are on sale so I bought a lot of them. Yes, more than a bundle). I am sorry if I was absent yesterday, I was just so busy and I need to attend a lot of conferences. I promise, next year I'll try my best to attend. I still wish you a happy birthday and I hope you value your life more than you values books. I want the best for you and happiness forever, Aye. These are books for your own peace. They're nice (though they didn't have good reviews on BookTok, just my workmates’ review. They said it changed their way of living). Books are great movies in our minds, aren't they? Alright, I am talking a lot now. Happy birthday, Aye!
Love,
Dad
“Does dad really wrote this?” halatang tanong ko. Of course, he did. Halos marinig ko ang boses niya habang binabasa ang sulat na nakalagay sa paper bag kung saan niya inilagay ang bundle ng mga libro. They are not series, just tons of books and most of them are self-imposed books but there are also fantasy books.
“Yes, dear.” Sinabi niya sa akin na kung hindi mo ito makikita o mapapansin sa iyong side table, ako na lang ang magsasabi sa iyo. I'm glad you noticed it. I hope you appreciate his gift, Aye.”
Ngumiti ako. "Mas maganda kung personal niya itong ibigay sa akin."
I saw how mum frowned the moment I said that. Nandito ako sa shotgun seat and mom was the one who's driving beside me. It's still ten o'clock in the morning and pabalik na kami sa aming bahay sa La Valle. Kaka-drop palang namin kay Arin exactly sa gate ng bahay nila—malapit lang ang aming bahay sa isa't-isa since we live in the same village. Ganoon rin sa pamilya nina Ashton.
I then again, take a look at the tons of books infront of me. Though, sabi ni dad sa letter niya na wala itong good reviews sa BookTok (since wala namang ganoong app si Dad) I can say that these are top-tier books base on how they look. Though, hindi ko pa nabasa ang mga description.
"His appointments aren't done yet, he needs to be there early."
Tumango ako. Trying hard to understand lahat ng ginagawa ni dad. I know he's working hard to provide the necessities of the family but damn, I know one day of absent in work won't make us poor. Workaholic siya nitong mga nakaraang taon at hindi ko nga alam kung sapat na ba ang pahinga niya.
“Just tell him my gratitudes, mom.”
“Yeah, probably later.”
Hindi pa rin ako makaget over sa lahat ng nangyayari sa birthday ko. The fact that dad's presence is such a big deal. Is that being immature? Sa tingin ko ay hindi. I am now seventeen years old and I hope I am already mature enough.
When we got home, sakto at malapit nang mag-lunch time. Pero bago pa man iyon ay umakyat muna ako sa aking kwarto at nagbihis na ng shirt and shorts. Inilagay ko na rin ang mga librong aking dala sa side table and later tonight, ia-arrange ko ang mga iyon at ilalagay sa aking mini-bookshelve just beside my closet.
I then remember the book that I took from Lolo's library. It truly caught my attention lalo na't umaandar na naman ang mood kong magbasa ng heavy romance book. Naalala ko tuloy kanina on how I told Lolo about it.
“Do you think it's a good book, lo?”
“Hija, there's no such an ugly book. No matter how dull the writing style is, as long as it aims a lesson, then it's beautiful.”
Bumuntong-hininga ako. “Lo, I just want to know if this one's worth to read. Teka, nabasa mo na ba 'to, lo?”
He shrugged but there was a ghost of smile plastered in his face. “I've read that already for countless times, hija. That's a beautiful book because I use to read that one with your lola before.”
Just how romantic it was. “Can I take this one, lo?”
“Of course, hija. Just keep it in a safe place.”
And that's how it goes. Tiningnan ko ang libro sa aking harapan at hinawakan ang bawat pagka-ukit ng mga letra sa book cover. This is the book that my lolo used to read with my lola. It must have been so memorable.
When it was already lunch time, bumaba na ako sa staircase at patungo sa dining area. There I saw mom preparing for our lunch. Our lunch is the heated leftovers from last night. There was plenty of them and I'm glad because I wasn't in the mood to eat last night. Though, mom still cooked for something else for lunch pero kaunti lang.
Mom is one of the managers of the business. She just went on a two-day leave for my birthday. Mom is so good at multitasking. Managing to do well sa work and at the same time preparing for my lunchbox for school. Siya rin ang nag-aasikaso sa pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan ni dad tulad ng pagplantsa ng kanyang mga business suit especially kapag may pupuntahan itong appointment. Ang negosyo ng family namin ay isang shopping mall. Ang mga Acosta ang nagmamay-ari ng Southern Lion Plaza. It's located just in Metro Manila. It's quite big and successful since the Acosta heirs and heiress are all handling the business. Lahat sila ay may kanya-kanyang posisyon dito. That is why dad reads books about business.
***
Napabuntong-hininga ako pagkatapos kong basahin ang unang parte ng libro; ang prologue. Sabi doon, ‘It wasn't her that hurt me when things between us began to go further. It was me and my mind which keeps on thinking that she'll be mine, heart and soul. Could anyone be blaming me for thinking like this? There might be. However, this wasn't something that I could stop—only if I could. If it was just so easy, I might've just stopped myself from falling for her in the very first place.’ It was stated there that the man was being hurt because the woman he loves keeps on ignoring him. Ex-lovers na sila at kahit anong pilit niyang kunin muli ang atensyon nito ay hindi siya nagtatagumpay.
I stared at the ceiling for a moment or two trying to figure things out that happened in the first chapter. See? It wasn't smooth at all. Sa tingin ko kailangan ko talagang maghanda ng ilang tissue wipes.
It's just so magical how you get hurt every time na nasasasaktan rin ang main character sa librong binabasa mo. As if they're sharing their feelings with us and letting us help carry the heaviness of it. Writers really does own magic. Naaantig nila ang puso ng isang tao sa pamamagitan ng mga salita kahit na ang mambabasa ay malayo sa ganoong uri ng sitwasyon. This book that has been stuck in my TBR for a long time, I didn't know this one has great narration.
Nandito ako sa aking kwarto—nakaupo sa couch na katabi lang rin ng aking mini-bookshelf. Wala rin naman kasi akong ibang gagawin since busy si mama sa paglalaba. Ang daming highlighters at colored pen sa tabi ko kasi hobby ko yun. Nag-annotate ng mga librong nabasa ko at nagpo-post ng mga iconic na lines and qoutes ng isang libro sa aking BookStagram.
Pagkaraan ng ilang sandali, binuklat ko ang kasunod na page para sa susunod na parte ng prologue. The chapter is from a man's point of view at halos mapanganga ako nang may eksenang nasaksihan niya kung paano hinalikan ng kanyang ex ang bago nitong boyfriend. Though, that's normal for someone in a relationship to do kissings, right? I haven't been in a relationship in my whole life that's why I didn't know what kissing feels like. C'mon, I'm busy with my books and I don't these romances in real life.
“‘He suddenly grabbed my tiny hands and until their lips are touching each other.’ OMG Aye, ha. Ano 'yan?”
Halos mapatalon ako nang may narinig akong boses sa likod ng tenga ko. Damn, ginugulat ako ni Arin! The book immediately flew in midair!
The sensual looks that Arin has welcomed my eyes. Nice, I'm doomed. I bit my lower lip when I realized what Arin just did. I felt guilty.
“W-What?” Sinubukan kong itago ang nararamdaman ko. Ngunit tumawa lang siya ng malakas at talagang umalingawngaw ang silid. It felt like the books on their own shelves woke up from the noise. Wow, what was that, Aye.
“Nagbabasa ka ng mga ganyan, eh?” Tanong nito na may kasabay na maka-hulugang tingin. “Hmmm, alam ko na kung ano ang susunod na mangyayari.”
I felt guilty as if I did something illegal.
Umirap ako sa kawalan. “Excuse me, isang taon nalang Arin at legal age na'ko. So, wala masyadong pagkakaiba.”
“Alam ko,” humalakhak ito. “Ayos lang 'yan. Hindi ko gagawing big deal. Pero ang weird lang, lahat ba ng libro ay may mga smut scenes? Well, sabi nila, when it comes to romance book, napaka-detailed daw lagi. Walang iniiwanang impormasyon!”
“Some do but some don't. Actually, hindi naman siya kailangan talaga. I think they just write something like that to hype the book more. Lalo na kapag ginagawa ito ng mga character out of affection. Out of love.”
Her mouth forms in awe. “Quite unrealistic. Halatang hindi natin mararanasan.”
Binigyan ko siya ng multo ng ngiti. “Ano, suko kana?”
“Excuse me?”
Ngunit imbes na sumagot ay humalakhak lamang ako. I know we thinks the same things right now.
“Hindi,” dugtong nito na ikinibit-balikat ko na lamang.
“Pero napaka-ideal.” Pagbalik ko sa aming topic, and then we both laughed. Too ideal and unrealistic.
"Nga pala, anong ginagawa mo dito? Ginulat mo ako kanina, akala ko kung sino nang bumubulong sa likuran ko!”
“Yan kasi, hindi nagsasarado ng pinto. Aye, dapat next time kung may plano kang magbasa ng romance book, i-lock mo ang pinto mo ha, cousinly advice lang. Ganoon ako e, kapag nanonood ako ng k-drama,” binulong pa nito ang panghuling pangungusap na sinambit.
I didn't even know na hindi pala naka-lock ang pintuan ng kwarto ko.
“Hindi naman ako always nagbabasa ng romance, fantasy kaya ang pinaka-main fave ko.”
“Whatever,” she teases me. “By the way, nasa kusina si Ash, kasi nag-text siya sa'kin kanina, magluluto siya ng pancake. Para sa'yo, Aye! Oh di'ba, pati birthday gift, late. But don't worry, it's a daaaamn perfect one at nagutom ako agad. Dapat sumama ka sa amin OUT THERE para naman maramdaman din namin ang presensya mo, kahit papaano! Palagi kang nakadikit sa mga libro na bihira kitang makitang lumabas.”
“Sige. Ibabalik ko lang ito doon.”
After that, she pulled my wrist and we are heading to the kitchen together. Naalala ko ang libro. Naawa ako room, dahil kay Arin lumipad itong bigla. Mula sa dining area, narinig ko na ang boses ni Ashton na kausap si Mommy.
“Hindi talaga magandang magpalit ng babae ng ganoon kabilis. C'mon, Ash you guys just break up days ago. Syempre masasaktan ang babae. She might not get over you.
Yan ang narinig ko nang makarating kami sa dining area. Ang boses na iyon ay galing sa aking ina. Sa tuwing pumupunta si Ash dito, tinuturuan niya ito kung paano tratuhin ang isang babae sa pinakamahusay na paraan at hindi sa halip ay saktan sila. Syempre, may pagka-playboy kasi si Ash simula nung high school kami. Halos dinudurog niya ang puso ng bawat babae sa aming school. Kahit na hindi siya nanloloko sa kanila, pinapalitan lang naman kaagad kapag naghiwalay na sila.
“Tita, kasalanan ko ba kung napapa-yes ko sila kaagad? And probably, they find me too hot to handle that's why they chose to end our relationship.”
At sa tuwing le-lecture-an siya ni mommy, hindi niya ito siniseryoso. Itutuloy pa rin niya ang ginagawa niya kahit anong pilit naming pigilan at turuan siya tungkol sa bagay na iyon. Aniya, ito ay bahagi ng kanyang paraan ng pag-e-explore ng kanyang teenage life at basta’t masaya siya rito, ayos lang siya. Hindi lang namin siya napigilan but though, but I'm still hoping for a day na mare-realize niya ang halaga ng bawat babae at hindi niya sila sasaktan. Sana ma-inlove siya, hindi infatuation.
“There you are, Aye. I bet you're reading again?”
“Yes Mi. Nagbabasa lang saglit and it's so boring.” I paced to the table and saw already two pieces of perfectly made pancakes there.
“Tita, what if magka-boyfriend na si Aye?” Tanong ni Arin sa kanya at pinandilatan ko siya ng mata. Damn her.
But then, nagkibit balikat lang si mommy. "Basta lang he's kind, walang problema."
“Woah!” Parehong bulalas ni Arin at Ash.
Napailing na lamang si mommy habang may ngiti sa labi. “Iiwan ko muna kayo rito. Tatapusin ko muna ang paglalaba. Every weekend, this is what she does. Though sometimes I took care of my own laundries.
Nang makaalis si mommy sa kusina, sinundan siya ni Arin sa kanyang mga mata bago siya agad na tumakbo sa kanyang iPad at may pinindot doon.
“Iyan ba ang sinasabi mo, kanina, Arin?”
“Oh yes! This one is just so perfect. Damn, lakas maka-pogi nung black hoodie niya!”
I tried to take a look on what they were talking about. Pagkatapos, ipinakita sa akin ni Arin ang picture sa iPad.
“Di'ba ang hot? OMG, I bet may mga biceps 'yan behind that hoodie. Para tuloy siyang kpop idol.”
“Yan ba iyong newbie sa La Valle?”
Arin nods. “See? Hah. Dapat ma-threatened kana ngayon. I've heard somewhere na dito siya mag-aaral ng senior high and that means, we will go to go to the same school as him! Naku, naalala ko madaming university pero sana magkita natin siya sa personal.”
““Hindi ba siya mukhang kriminal o parang psychopath? That black hoodie gives me creeps.”
Sakto namang napatitig si Arin sa mukha ko. “Wake up from your fictional little word, Aye. Siyempre, hindi! Mukha nga siyang kpop idol na kakarating lang sa airport, eh. Yung balat, halatang softie and then yung biceps, sarap i-hug.”
Napailing na lang si Ash. “Parang sa wakas nakalimutan mo na si Caerro, ah?”
Arin rolled her eyes? “Who says?”
"Crush mo na ba ang lalaking iyon, Arin?"
She smiled. “Hindi crush. Attraction lang."
"Ano nga pala ang pangalan niya?"
“Ryden Newell. Basta, siya na yata ang laman ng news feed ko these days. Halos lahat yata ng mga babae sa Luther may crush sa kaniya.”
“Damn, parang mawawala na sa akin ang title,” sabi ni Ash, parang nananakot pero alam kong biro lang iyon.