CHAPTER 9
CHANGING PATHS
Iris' POV
"Mahal na mahal kita," sambit ni Kiel, nakayuko at tila umiiyak.
"I love you too bro," sagot naman ni Rios.
"Hindi bub, mas mahal kita."
"No bro, I love you more."
I couldn't help but giggle while watching them hug each other. Sobrang lasing na sila kaya kung ano-ano na ang mga pinagsasasabi.
Asher's beside me, his head's on Ava's lap. Natutulog siya ng mahimbing na parang bata. Tiffany, on the other hand, has her arms clutched around Naomi's left arm habang si Naomi naman ay nakapikit na rin at nakahilig ang ulo sa balikat ni Theo. He and Evan are still drinking beers. Nagkukwentuhan sila kasama si Zin na nakatitig kila Caylee at Aaron. Those lovebirds keep on flirting at each other.
"He likes her." I looked at Dash. Nakangiti siya habang kumakain ng fries. "Obvious na obvious," dagdag niya pa.
Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Zin at hindi mapagilang sumangayon sa kanya. Ever since Caylee got herself a boyfriend, something about Zin changed. Hindi siya nangingielam at iniinis niya pa rin naman si Caylee ngunit affected talaga siya sa dalawang ito.
"It's too late for him," I muttered. "Taken na si Caylee. Wala na siyang magagawa pa kundi tumingin na lang mula sa malayo."
Hindi umimik si Dash. Nilagyan niya na lang uli ng laman ang beer mug niya at patuloy na kumain ng fries.
He's been like this the whole night. He laughs whenever the boys joke around and he claps his hands to cheer for the band but he'll suddenly purse his lips and stay quiet for a few moments.
"Are you okay?" I couldn't help but ask. Mukha kasing malungkot siya.
"Hmmm." Is that a no or a yes?
Gusto ko sanang magtanong pa ngunit bigla akong nahiya. Dash and I are not close. I'm not even sure if we're already friends.
I decided to just nod my head and mind my own business. Kumuha na lang ako ng chips at kumain.
Sa totoo lang, tinatamad na 'ko. Gusto ko na talagang umuwi kaso ayoko namang ako ang unang magyayaya.
"I'm surprised you're not like most girls out there," He suddenly said.
Tiningnan ko uli si Dash at tinaasan ng kilay. "Huh? Anong ibig mong sabihin?"
"I'm not sure if you're just uninterested in my story or if it's really not in your nature to keep asking things. Either way, I'm glad you're you. I hate it when I'm down and people bother me."
Napangiti ako ng kaunti. We're the same. Ayoko ring ginugulo ako tuwing wala ako sa mood. I'll open up when I want.
"Let's call it a night," Ava suddenly said. "Tara na. Uwi na tayo, guys. It's past midnight already."
Theo immediately wakes Naomi up pagkatapos ay ginising na rin nila si Asher. Nagsitayuan na kaming lahat at inalalayan na nila ang mga kaibigan naming lasing.
"Bro, I f*cking miss her," Kiel muttered. "Gusto ko na lang siyang puntahan at magmakaawa."
"Miss ka ba?" biro ni Rios bago itinulak ang kaibigan palabas ng pintuan.
Susunod na sana ako sa kanila nang mapansin kong nakaupo pa rin si Dash.
"Aren't you going home?" I asked him.
"Maaga pa. Maybe later." Ganun? Bitin pa siya? Baka mamaya maglasing siya, bahala siya diyan. Walang maguuwi sa kanya. Oh well, it's his decision. Malaki na siya at mukhang hindi naman ito ang unang beses na gagawin niya ito.
I grabbed my purse and looked at him again. "Okay. Ingat pauwi."
He waved goodbye to me. "See you around, Iris."
Tumango ako at humabol na kila Rios. Isa-isa na kaming nagsisakayan sa mga kotse. Doon ako sa car ni Evan sumakay dahil hinila ako doon ni Ava. Tiffany and Naomi went to Zin's car.
Asher's not drunk pero sila Rios at Kiel, halatang bagsak na. Theo's going to drive both of them home. Papakuha na lang yata nung dalawang mokong ang mga kotse nila sa drivers nila.
Before leaving the parking lot, Evan rolled the car window down.
"Oh mag-chat kayo sa gc pag nakauwi na kayo ah!" He shouted.
"Gege!"
"Ingat sa pagda-drive!"
"Bye guys!"
I smiled while watching everyone bid goodbye. Nakakatuwa na napasama ako sa grupo na ito. They're caring and they're the best.
*****
Kiel has been the talk of the town since his first gig. In-upload kasi ni Ava ang video nito online kaya naman pinagusapan talaga siya ng mga tao. Nag-trend ito at nagkaroon pa siya ng sangkatutak na fanclubs. I heard he even got some serious record deals but from what I know, Kiel declined all offers.
"Sayang 'yon pre," Rios said.
"Hindi ako kumanta para sumikat. I had other reasons," he shared.
"Tss. Kung ako nasa sitwasyon mo, mag-take advantage ako. I'd have a lot of girls by now."
"Noon pa, madami na humahabol sa'tin. What's the difference?"
I rolled my eyes at them. Wala nang ibang pinagusapan kundi kalokohan.
"Hey guys, mauna na kayo sa The Grove. Iiwan ko lang muna 'tong mga books ko sa locker." The Grove is what we call on the private lounge our parents gave us. Pinatayo iyon dito sa school para sa aming magkakaibigan. Isang maliit na tambayan lang, may living room, mini kitchen, pool area at dining room.
"Samahan ka na namin," Kiel suggested. Papayag sana ako pero may kung ano sa mga mata niya ang pumigil sa akin. Lately napapansin ko masyadong malungkot ang mga tingin niya. He laughs but there's a hint of sadness in his voice. I'm not sure if ako lang ang nakakakita no'n.
Napapaisip tuloy ako, ganoon rin kaya ako? Do I also sound heartbroken despite all the smiles?
Ayoko tuloy dumikit dikit kay Kiel. We'd be two sad people beside each other.
"Hindi, okay lang. Kanina pa kayo hinahanap ni Asher. He even called me."
"O sige sige!" Umalis na 'yung dalawa kaya tumalikod na rin ako.
As I'm putting my books inside my locker, I heard a group of girls gossiping at the side. Hindi ko maiwasang makinig sa kanila dahil ang lalakas ng mga boses nila.
"Grabe, have you girls heard about the rumor?"
"Ah oo. I can't believe she'd leave him."
"Sobrang perfect na nga nung tao pero pinagpalit niya pa rin."
"I thought she loves him but I guess she only dated him for money."
"Yeah, nalulugi na daw company kaya kumapit sa mas mayaman."
"What the f?! Such a golddigger."
Kumunot ang noo ko at tiningnan sila. Who are they talking about?
Imbis isarado na ang locker ko ay nag-stay pa rin ako doon. Inaayos ayos ko ang loob kahit wala na naman akong dapat baguhin. Tapos pati scarf na pinantali ko ng buhok ko ay pinakielamanan ko. In this way, they won't be suspicious of me. Hindi nila mahahalatang nakikinig pa 'ko sa mga daldalan nila.
"Siguro buntis si Charmaine kaya biglang nag-drop out."
"Maybe. I heard she's going to study in MDU na lang."
"Pero kakahiwalay lang nila ni Dash 'di ba? Kung buntis siya, sinong ama?"
"It can be him or that new guy he's dating. We don't know."
"Wait, ano 'yon? She cheated on Dashiell?"
"Kapal naman ng mukha niya."
I frowned. Break na sila Charmaine at Dash?
Is that the reason why he's all alone outside the local bar the other night?
"Mas makapal mga mukha niyo." Nilingon ko kaagad kung sino 'yung lalakeng nagsalita.
Si Dashiell.
"Tumigil nga kayo sa kakagawa ng kwento. Charmaine didn't cheat on me nor she's pregnant. Besides, why do you all care about my life? Wala ba kayong ibang magawa kundi pagusapan ang buhay ng iba?" halatang galit na galit siya sa tono ng boses niya.
"Pre, tama na 'yan. Tara na, pinapatawag na tayo ni coach." Tumingin sa akin ang kaibigan niya bago siya inakbayan nito at hinila na palayo.
I was stunned at what I saw. Kahit 'yung mga babaeng nagkukwentuhan, hindi agad nakaimik.
Kung talagang hiwalay na sila ng girlfriend niya, bilib ako sa kanya dahil pinagtanggol niya pa rin ito. Not all men can do that. Some would just stay quiet until the rumors subside but Dash? He stopped these girls from accusing his ex. He still cares for her.
Ano kayang nangyari at naghiwalay sila? They seem so happy whenever I see them. Parang last week nga lang nakita ko silang magka-holding hands habang naglalakad sa hallway.
But like what Dash said, why would I care? Buhay nila 'yon.
Nagkibit balikat na lang ako at sinarado na ang locker ko. I was just about to leave when my phone rang. "Oh Cams, bakit?"
"Madam, check mo po ang email mo. Nag-send po 'yung isang investigator ng report niya regarding sa request natin."
Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Agad kong chineck ang email ko thru my phone. One of the few people I hired sent me some files. 'Yung mga pictures ang tiningnan ko upang madali kong makita kung nahanap na nga ba talaga si David.
"Nope. No. Definitely not him. No."
Tumigil ako at pumikit, then I sighed deeply. All these pictures are useless. Wala si David sa mga ito. What am I expecting? Six months na, Iris.
"Cams?"
"Yes Madam? Nahanap mo na po ba siya?"
"I want you to stop looking for him. From now on, don't even mention his name."
I ended the call and shook my head.
It's final. I'm pulling away from this hideous obsession that I have of him. Hinding-hindi ako makaka-move on sa nangyari sa Paris kung patuloy ko siyang hahanapin. What we had was wonderful but I shouldn't be desperately finding him for months.
I did what I could. Tama na 'yon. Sapat na 'yon.
Damian's POV
"Put*ngina! Dalawang taon pa!" pagrerekamo ko habang pilit pinapasok sa utak ko lahat ng mga pinagaralan namin. We have exams tomorrow.
Art chuckled. "Dalawang taon pa," He agreed.
It's a five year course at third year pa lang kami. Medyo nakakabaliw magaral ng ganitong katagal. Hindi ko rin ma-gets bakit 'di na lang ako nag-civil engineering. Masyado akong nagmamagaling, hahaha. Though, that's one hard too pero atleast 4 years lang. Grabe naman kasi, limang taon!
Babalik na sana ako sa pagaaral nang may kumatok sa pintuan. Before I could speak, Silva opened the door and smirked.
"Tol, may chicks ka sa baba."
Tiningnan ko siya ng masama. "Istorbo."
"Wow. Hard to get ang papabol niyo!" asar ni Art.
"HAHAHA de loko lang, may package ka." Silva said.
I frowned but stood up anyway. "Pag ito hindi seryoso, uupakan talaga kita."
"'Di wag mong puntahan g*gong 'to hahaha."
Umiling na lang ako at agad tumakbo papunta sa baba. My Dad bought me a house so I won't have to stay at the university dormitory. Kaso sobrang laki ng bahay na iyon kaya naman niyaya kong tumira na rin doon sila Silva at Art. Pumayag naman sila kaya ayon, tatlo kami dito sa bahay simula nung freshmen kami.
We sometimes throw parties and invite friends over. Minsan na nga rin kaming ni-recruite upang maging fraternity house itong bahay ko but I turned them down.
"Mr. Damian Lewis?" tanong ng courier.
"Yep."
"Please sign here." Pagkapirma ko ay inabot niya sa akin ang isang brown envelope. I closed the door and went to sit at the living room. I don't remember ordering anything or applying to some companies for my internship.
Nilaglag ko sa table ang laman ng envelope. May letter at pictures.
I picked the letter first and read it.
Mr. Damian,
Good Day. I'd like to keep the confidentiality of our deal by sending you the information in paper instead of doing it on e-mails.
The only person I found that is close enough to the description you gave us is a Filipina Elite named Irene Frey Leona. There is a room booked under her Mom's name that matched the day that you provided us.
Along with this are some pictures of Ms. Leona.
"Kaya walang Irene sa records ng hotel," I muttered as my heart's pounding loudly. Sa nanay niya pala nakapangalan ang room at hindi sa kanya.
I immediately grabbed the photos and took off the white paper covering it.
This isn't the Irene that I'm looking for. Magkahawig sila ng kaunti pero hindi siya ito.
"F*ck!" Sa inis ko ay nilukot ko ang mga litrato. I was really hoping it's her!
The information makes sense, isang Elite at nakapangalan sa nanay niyang naghihigpit sa kanya. But why is it that these pictures doesn't match that info? Nakakainis.
"I told you to stop looking for her. Madi-disappoint ka lang palagi tuwing nagkakamali sila ng bigay sa'yo," Silva mumbled, picking up the photos. "Hey, this girl's hot."
I groaned and stood up. "Pakitapon na lang 'tong mga 'to please."
Umakyat na uli ako sa second floor at dumiretso sa kwarto ko. Humiga ako sa kama at kinalma ang sarili ko.
I don't like feeling so frustrated and mad.
Maybe my friends are right. Walang patutunguhan kung palagi akong aasa na magkikita pa kami.
Irene's a dream but I can't stay on that dream forever.
Iris' POV
Days passed by but people are still talking about Dashiell and Charmaine. Kahit na nagalit na siya sa mga taong tsismoso ay syempre, hindi niya pa rin mapipigilan na pagusapan silang dalawa.
They're the perfect couple in the eyes of the many. Sikat sila dito sa campus at ang sweet pa ng mga posts nila sa isa't-isa kaya mapapaisip ka talaga kung anong nangyari.
The fact that Charmaine deactivated her social media accounts and Dash isn't talking about what happened makes everyone even more interested at them.
"They're so annoying." Halos mapatalon ako nang bigla na lang may nagsalita sa gilid ko habang kinukuha ko ang mga libro ko sa locker. I looked at the guy who spoke and widened my eyes to see Dashiell.
Hindi kami naguusap nito at kapag nagkakasalabungan naman kami ay nagngi-ngitian lang kami, so why will he approach me this time?
"Who?"
"All of them. Kung makatingin sila, akala mo hindi ko sila napapansin."
I looked at the students around us and almost burst out laughing when I saw their hawk eyes. "Can you blame them? The spotlight's on you."
"Hindi ko nga maintindihan kung bakit. My love life shouldn't be a big deal. Hindi naman ako artista. I'd appreciate it if they talk about me because of my soccer game but this? It f*cking sucks."
Tumawa ako ng mahina at sinarado na ang locker ko. I noticed that he's still on my side, watching me. Akala ko napadaan lang siya at nagkwento pero parang sinadya niya talagang puntahan ako dito.
"You need anything?" diretsang tanong ko na.
He smiled. "That obvious?"
"Hindi naman tayo araw-araw naguusap para bigla ka na lang lumapit. What's up?"
"Uhmmm, teka lang. Single ka naman 'di ba?"
Mas lalo akong nagtaka. "Yeah, why?"
"Great. Okay, ganito. Well, napagutusan lang kasi ako." I crossed my arms and waited for him to continue. "My friend likes you but he's such a coward. Nahihiya siyang hingin ang number mo so---"
"So you played the hero and suggested to do it for him?"
Napakamot siya ng ulo habang nakangiti. "Ganun na nga kasi atleast tayo, magkakilala na tayo. Look, he's really nice and he likes you a lot. Matino 'to promise."
I bit my lower lip and exhaled. Wala naman sa isip kong mag-jowa ngayon lalo na't hindi pa nga ako nakaka-move on from David.
"Kahit friends lang daw," dagdag niya. I caught him looking at my back. Umikot agad ako at tiningnan ang direksyon kung saan siya nakatingin. I saw a guy froze on his spot, his eyes widened in shock as our eyes met. Naka-varsity jacket din ito katulad ng suot ni Dash.
"Is that him?" I asked Dashiell.
"Yeah," tatawa-tawang sagot niya.
Hmmm. Not bad. Gwapo naman, matangkad at mukhang mabait nga. Pero wala nga akong interes makipag-date ngayon. Ayokong umasa siya.
"Just Friends," the guy mouthed. Funny.
Natawa ako at napailing dahil namumula na ang kanyang mga tenga. Mukha rin siyang hindi mapakali sa kinatatayuan niya. A shy one, just like how I used to be.
Humarap na uli ako kay Dash at inilahad ang kamay ko.
"Ano 'yan?" He asked.
"You're here to get my number for him, right? Saan ko ilalagay ang phone number ko? Can you memorize it then?"
He chuckled. "Right. Sorry." Ibinigay niya ang phone niya at nilagay ko na doon ang number ko.
"Okay. Magpakilala kamo siya pag nag-text siya. I usually block unknown numbers," I told Dash before walking away.
I'm not looking for someone but maybe this is a good thing. Maybe if someone else is keeping my mind busy, I will no longer have the time to think of David.
Dashiell's POV
Napangiti ako habang pinagmamasdan maglakad palayo si Iris. She's really different from other girls. Madalas kapag hinihingi ko ang number ng isang babae para sa mga tropa ko ay nalulungkot sila kapag sinabi kong hindi ako ang interesado sa kanila.
"Ano pre, nakuha mo na?" Royce asked me.
I laughed and nodded. "Oh. Bobo mo, sana lumapit ka na nung nakita ka ni Iris. Nagkakilala na sana kayo ng harap-harapan."
"You kidding me? Baka mapaihi pa ko sa pantalon ko kapag kinausap niya na talaga ako."
Natawa ako at binatukan siya habang sine-save niya ang number ni Iris sa phone niya.
"Magpakilala ka daw pala sa kanya. She said she blocks unknown numbers."
"Cute," nakangising bulong niya. "Okay na. Salamat 'tol," masayang sambit niya.
"Anong salamat? Ikaw magbubuhat ng bag ko for one week, 'di ba?" sabay hagis sa kanya ng backpack ko.
He laughed. "Kung alam ko lang na magkaibigan pala kayo ni Ms. Ganda, 'di sana matagal na kong humingi ng favor sa'yo."
Binalik niya na ang phone ko at naglakad na kami papunta sa Architecture building.
"Nito lang din kami nagkakilala. She's a friend of a friend," I told him.
"Ahhh pero hindi mo naman siya trip, noh?"
"Ano?" natatawang tanong ko.
"Syempre gusto ko lang makasigurado. Tropa tayo Dash kaya kung may type mo siya, sabihin mo na ngayon pa lang. I won't pursue her if you're into her."
"Royce, kakahiwalay lang namin ni Charmaine. Don't expect me to fall in love with someone else any sooner."
Tumango siya. "Okay. Malinaw ang usapan ah. You're allowing me to court, Ms. Ganda."
"You told her as friends lang, kaya nga pumayag 'yung tao na ibigay number niya."
"Oo nga. Friends muna then hopefully, I'll change her mind about me."
Inakbayan ko siya bago ako ngumiti. "Okay. Suportado kita diyan, wag kang magalala."
"'Yun! Dashiell best man."
"Tss. Raulo!"
"Hahaha uy, alam mo ba kung anong type niyang kainin? How about her favorite flower? Saan siya madalas tumatambay?" And then he started to ask me so many questions about his crush. Natatawa na lang ako dahil wala naman akong kaalam-alam sa buhay ni Iris.
All I know about her is her name and family background but that's it. At the end of the day, we're still strangers to each other.
*End of Chapter 9*