"Oh, gosh!"
I feel like I am blushing because of what Steve said to me. Nag-iwas na lang ako ng tingin. I grabbed my phone to check if my sister texted me already. I also opened my data and saw that Brielle Liana replied to my story, I'm sure, she'll just tease me again because my IG story is Steve. Hindi ko naman sila inaasar noong time nila ni Drew, ah? Hmp!
(bellacalynn): blianab replied to your story.
blianab: ang harot harot!
bellacalynn: Guilty, your honor.
blianab: bwiset! Lagot ka sakin kapag nagkita tayo
bellacalynn: Love you!
blianab: Landi well.
I laughed and went to notification.
gonzalesteve tagged you in a post.
I saw my picture looking at the window of the ferris wheel. He is holding my hand. Oh! That was the reason why he asked for my hand. For him to take a picture.
Also, it has a caption.
'Happiness'
"I hate you!" I shouted at Steve. I wanted to cry! I'm so touched.
"Why? What did I do?" he looks worried.
"You're making me happy." I pouted.
He smiled. "Glad I did, that's what I want from the very start."
I decided to leave a comment on his post.
bellcalynn: Likewise :)
I saw him smiling when he saw my comment. He really does makes me happy.
From: Ate
Uwi ka na! Hinahanap ka nina Daddy.
"Oh, my gosh, Steve!" I panicked.
Napaayos siya ng upo. "What happened?"
"I think, we should go na. Hinahanap na raw ako nina Daddy." I stood up. Dinala ko na lang 'yung milktea at turks.
"Please drive as fast as you can." natataranta kong sabi when I entered the car.
"Calm down," he's fixing my seatbelt.
How can I calm down? Lagot ako!
"Sorry, Cal." he said while driving.
"For what?" I looked at him.
"Mapapagalitan ka because of me."
"It's not because of you, it's because of me. Kasalanan ko naman na hindi ako nagpaalam."
"Still, I'm at fault here. Kapag napagilatan ka pa..." he stopped, he must be really concerned.
"Did I make you happy?" I asked.
He looked at me for a bit. "Of course."
"Then it's worth it, all the pagalit is worth it." I smiled too. "Don't be sad, I asked to go there to make you happy so please, smile?"
He smiled. "Oo na po." his eyes went back on the road. I smiled at him kahit sa totoo lang, gusto nang lumabas ng puso ko dito sa kotse at mauna na siya magpaliwanag kay Daddy dahil sa kaba.
It was almost 10:00 PM when we arrived at our house.
"I'll go with you, I'll explain to them." Steve initiated.
"No, no! This is not the perfect time for you to talk to them, I can handle this, Steve." I removed my seatbelt.
"Are you sure?" he assured.
"Of course, I'll see you at school, okay?" I smiled before leaving his car.
I am so nervous. I know they are waiting for me. When I entered the door, I saw Mommy, Daddy and Ate waiting on our sofa.
"Daddy, Mommy." I said nervously.
"Bella Calynn!" my dad shouted as he stood up.
"Dad!" my mom held Daddy's arm, gustong awatin si Daddy.
"Where the hell did you go?" my dad asked, still shouting at me. Kakapasok ko pa lang ng pinto.
"I just... I went to..." I stuttered. "I went to Tagaytay with my friend." I finally said. Bahala na! Hindi ko kayang magsinungaling.
I am so many things, but I'm not a liar.
"What the fuck did you do there?! And who's that friend? It's almost 10:00 PM at pagala-gala ka pa without even telling me and your mother?" my dad yelled. He's very angry. Well, he should be.
"I'm sorry, Dad." I bowed a little. That's all I can say, I wanted to cry but I know I shouldn't. I should be tough. This is my mistake, I should face the consequences.
"You're still in your uniform? Can't you give your school some respect?" my mom added but she's calm.
"Sorry, Mommy. This will never happen again."
"Talagang hindi na mauulit, because you're grounded!" Dad said, my eyes widened.
"But, Dad!" I complained.
"No buts! Now, tell me, who is that friend?"
"This, umh... this guy, he's... he's courting me, Dad." I closed my eyes, waiting for another shout.
"What?! He's courting you pero sumama ka na sa Tagaytay? Bella Calynn, hindi kita ganiyan pinalaki." Dad shouted even more.
"Bigyan mo naman kami ng kahihiyan, anak." Mom said calmly.
I gulped, unable to talk. These tears betrayed me. I don't want them to think na mali ang pagpapalaki nila sa akin.
"I want to meet that guy." Dad left me there, crying. Lumapit sa akin si Mommy.
"Calynn, baby. You know I love you, right? But, this time, you're wrong. If you want to go out with some guy at this hour, make sure kilala namin." Mom tried to comfort me.
"I'm sorry, Mommy." I hugged her.
"Sorry, Caly. I tried." Ate spoke.
"It's okay, Ate." I smiled at her before going to my room.
I sighed heavily. I don't know what to do. Should I tell Steve?
bellacalynn: Dad wants to talk to you.
He replied in an instant.
gonzalesteve: I will.
-
It was sunday, Dad said that I should introduce Steve to them over lunch. We're seating here in 8 sitter dining table. I still don't get what's with the 8 sitter? Nobody even eats here.
I am just nervously looking at my parents while playing with my fingers until the doorbell rang.
"Ako na po." I stood up and immediately ran to the door.
"Steve," I greeted him the moment I saw him. He is wearing a white short sleeve polo and black pants. He is also wearing his silver watch and he's holding a cake.
"Cal," he greeted me nervously.
"Just be you, Steve." I smiled. He nodded. "Let's go."
All I can here is just our footsteps... and maybe how my heart beating so fast.
We're so nervous!
"Steve, Sir," he shook Dad's hand when we went to the table. "Ma'am," and then my mom's.
Kinuha ko 'yung cake kay Steve at inabot sa helper namin. "Ya," I handed her the cake. "Steve, umh... take a sit." I awkwardly said before settling myself on my chair.
We are silently eating until my Dad talked.
"What are you taking, Steve?" Dad asked him while he's eating cake.
"I'm taking civil engineering, Sir. 3rd year." he answered politely.
"What are your plans?"
"I will work in our construction company after I passed the board exam."
"Let's be frank here, Steve. What is your intention to my daughter." my eyes widened a bit with my mom's question.
"I want to court her po, if it's okay with you." Steve replied. He looks so sincere.
"Why her?" Dad glared at him.
"Dad!" nahihiya kong binawal si Daddy.
"Because... she's all that I want, Sir." Steve looked at me. I tried to prevent my smile.
"Oh, bakit ka namumula?" Ate laughed at me when she saw me.
"Hindi, ah." I said shyly with a small voice. I covered my face a bit. My Dad looks serious, but my mom is holding back her laugh.
"Don't hurt my daughter, Steve. I'll count on you." Dad seriously said.
"I won't, Sir." Steve said.
"May shotgun ako riyan." Dad joked that caused us to laugh.
The lunch went well, hindi naman masiyadong sinabon si Steve. Nang matapos na kami kumain ng cake ay nagpaalam na rin siya.
Steve stood up. "Una na po ako, Ma'am, Sir."
"Tito and Tita is fine, mukha kang nagtatrabaho sa amin." we laughed at Daddy's joke.
"Hatid ko lang po." I said. Dad nodded.
"Phew!" Steve sighed heavily na parang nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib. "Kinabahan ako roon, ah!" he's even holding his chest.
"Me, too!" I laughed.
"I'll go ahead." he smiled at me before he went to the driver's seat.
"Take care." I waved at him. He smiled once more and entered his car.
-
"Ang arte! Meeting the parents kaagad?" Lian hysterically yelled. We're here at school now, sitting at the bench with the girls except Elly.
"Si Daddy kasi, eh." I said shyly.
"Ano nga palang balita kay Elly? Puro seen, ah." Nat suddenly spoke.
"Ewan ko nga, eh. Wala ba kayong balita?" I looked at Addie.
"Puntahan naman natin!" Lian said.
"Hanggang 5:00 pa ako." Addie's eyes are on her phone.
"Eh, ako hanggang 6:00" Nat added.
"Okay fine, kami na lang ni Lian."
After class, we went to the accountancy building. It's 2:30 and I know may vacant si Elly ngayon.
We're a bit confused because there are a lot of people. Nakaharang sila at parang may kung anong pinapanood.
"Eugo, please!" we heard Elly yelled.
"Elly, we're done." the asshole said.
"What the fuck is happening?!" I asked Lian.
"Hindi ko alam!" Lian answered.
"Elly, nakatingin na 'yung iba sa atin. Please, tama na." the man said.
"Excuse us." sabi ko sa mga nakaharang, and then I saw Elly, she is holding the man's arm, begging. At least, she's not on her knees.
"Elly!" I called her.
She looked at me, but she didn't care. Binalik niya ang tingin niya sa lalaki.
"Elly, please. Nagkabalikan na kami ni Bella." the man is trying to remove Elly's hand on his arm.
Nagkatinginan kami ni Lian.
"Sinong Bella?" Lian asked that man.
"Ano bang pakialam ninyong dalawa?" the man yelled at us. Ang kapal!
I walked towards the guy. "You asshole!" I said as I slapped him so hard.
"What the fuck is your problem?!" he looked at me, he looks furious.
"Elly, let's go!" I pulled Elly out of that scene.
I let go of her arm nang medyo makalayo na kami. "What do you think you're doing? Begging for a man?" I asked in disbelief. She must be really insane to embarass herself like that.
"Calynn, please, 'wag mo na akong pakialaman." she calmly said.
"What? Do you think I will tolerate you while you were throwing your dignity? Elly, wake up!" I can't help not to yell.
Lian caressed her shoulder. "Sorry, Elly. Pero, mali ka talaga."
"Siyempre, kakampihan mo 'yan, bestfriend mo 'yan, eh." Elly removed Lian's hand on her shoulder before walking away.
Napasabunot ako sa ulo ko sa inis.
"Anong nangyayari?!" I shouted at Lian.
"Hayaan na natin, maybe she needs time."
-
Days passed at hindi kami kinakausap ni Elly, we told Nat and Addie what happened. They were so shocked.
Final exam namin ngayon, Steve and I are constantly talking about how our days went, talking about some school stuff. Pero, hindi ko binanggit 'yung nangyari kay Elly kahit gustong-gusto ko nang tanungin si Steve tungkol sa ex ni Bella. Hindi pa rin naman ako nakakagala dahil grounded ako.
I spend my time reviewing, I don't know if I should approach Elly or what, it's been weeks pero wala pa rin siyang paramdam.
Submission of final requirements na lang and then tapos na 'yung sem. Christmas break na rin.
I was walking on the hall when I saw Steve talking to Bella. I don't know what to do or what to react. Tinalikuran siya ni Steve, but she hugged Steve. I saw how Steve removed Bella's hand from him. I hate this, ayoko ng may kaagaw.
I wanted to go to them but I refused to. Instead, I went the other way, I saw Eugo looking at the two.
"I heard, ikaw 'yung bagong girlfriend ni Steve." he spoke when he saw me.
"And what do you care?" I arched my brows
"Wala ka man lang gagawin?" he looked at the two.
I rolled my eyes. "You know what, jerk! If you're only saying that dahil hindi mo kaya na ikaw ang umawat sa kanila, don't bother. I'm not desperate like you. Hindi ikaw 'yung gusto pero pinilipilit mo pa rin 'yung sarili mo." I walked away.
"So, are you calling your friend desperate?" he asked me.
I stopped.
I faced him. "What did you just say?" may diin sa bawat salitang binitawan ko.
"You just described her, Miss." he laughed sarcastically. Gosh! I want to torture this man.
"She will never be like you, because unlike you? She's not using someone." I smirked.
That caught him off guard. Nagbago ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya.
"Tapang mo, ah."
"Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit ako nakikipag usap sa trash, eh." I rolled my eyes before walking away.
"Tignan lang natin tapang mo." he shouted, but I ignored him. Pakialam ko ba sa kaniya?
While I am walking, I got my phone from my bag and messaged Steve.
bellacalynn: Can we talk?
gonzalesteve: Yes, please. I have something important to tell you.
We decided to meet at the bench near engineering building. Nakita ko na lang siyang nakaupo sa bench. Unti-unti akong lumapit sa kaniya. He looked at me when he noticed that I'm standing in front of him.
"Cal," he stood up.
"What?"
"Bella talked to me, she said, she still loves me." Steve bowed a little.
"Do you still love her?"
Please say no, Steve.
"No! Of course not! Ang tagal na noon, hindi ko alam kung bakit ayaw pa nila akong tigilan."
"What will you do now?"
"Nothing, ayoko lang sa iba mo pa nalamang nag-usap kami. She even hugged me for fuck sake!"
"I saw you, Steve." I said calmly. "I saw the two of you."
He caressed my shoulder. "Bakit hindi ka lumapit?"
"I don't want to make a scene." I looked on the floor.
He hugged me. "Only you, okay? I promise you that."
I sighed deeply. Hindi ko alam pero ang bigat ng pakiramdam ko. Niyakap ko na lang din siya.
"Steve,"
"Yes?" he's still hugging me.
"Is Bella's ex named Eugo?"
He released me from his hug. "How did you know that?"
Napaatras ako. "I knew it, she's Elly's ex boyfriend." napailing ako. Steve doesn't look shocked.
"I saw them, Cal. At the inter-university." he averted his gaze.
"Then, why didn't you tell me?" I yelled at him.
"I'm sorry, Cal. I just thought it's not my story to tell." nakayuko lang siya.
"What the fuck, Steve? Hindi mo man lang ako sinabihan, so that I could protect my friend? Alam mo kung paano itrato ng lalaki na 'yon si Bella dati!" I shouted at him, I am so mad!
"Sorry, Cal. I'm... I'm really sorry." he tried to hold my hand pero iniwas ko.
"Whatever, Steve."
I walked away.
I left him.
I didn't talk to Steve for days. I feel like I need time. Concern lang naman ako sa kaibigan ko and kung concern din siya, he should've warned us.
Today is our last day of passing our final requirements. Napasa ko na iyong sa ibang subject. Lian already finished passing her requirements, hindi naman kami parehas ng program kaya magkaiba kami ng mga requirements. Mag-isa na lang akong pumunta rito sa school.
I went here 3:00 o 'clock in the afternoon dahil ganoong oras daw dadating iyong isang prof ko.
I waited for almost 2 hours pero wala pa rin siya. Another hour passed when I decided to call my other blockmate.
"Sorry for disturbing, Jes, but, nakapagpass ka na ba ng requirements mo kay Prof Cabigting?" I asked her over the phone.
(Yes, Calynn. Today is the last day, right? Bakit ngayon ka lang nagsubmit? That is not so like you, ah.) she's correct, lagi akong maaga nag su-submit, but this time, I was really distracted... with Elly, Steve. I know I shouldn't but I can't help it. Elly is my friend. I love her.
"I was waiting for him for almost 3 hours now." I said, but then I saw our prof walking inside our school. Wala na halos tao at ako na lang yata iyong hindi pa nakakapagpasa. "He's here na, sorry sa abala, Jes."
(It's okay, Calynn. Take care!) she ended the call and I immediately went to Prof Cabigting.
"Prof, sorry for submitting my project this late, I was waiting for you earlier." I handed him my paper.
"Why did you wait for me? You should've put it in my table. Nahassle ka pa tuloy." kinuha niya naman 'yon.
"It's okay, Prof. I just wanna make sure na kayo po iyong makakatanggap." I said. "Thank you po, Prof." I smiled at him before leaving.
I am now walking here in the park. I am going to book a grab pero nararamdaman kong parang may sumusunod sa akin. Madilim na kaya naman nagmamadali akong magbook ng grab. Palingon-lingon ako sa paligid, I looked so paranoid.
I am calling Lian, but she isn't answering her phone. I tried to call Ate and Mom, but their phones were busy.
"What to do, what to do?" I asked myself.
Hindi man kami nag-uusap ay sinubukan ko na rin.
"Steve?" I said when he picked up the call.
(Cal, I'm sorry. Please, let's talk.) he said, but that is not my concern now.
"Yes, we'll talk, Steve. But, please, listen to me first. I am here at the park near our school and I feel like someone is following me, I turned on my location so you can locate me in case any⎯" I didn't finish what I was about to say when I felt a hand on my face, holding my mouth with a handkerchief. I immediately put my phone to my bag bago ako mawalan ng malay.
When I woke up, I am here at a room. It looks like an apartment. I am so nervous. I want to get my bag pero nakatali iyong kamay ko. I heard a footstep at unti-unting bumibilis ang tibok ng puso ko. When the man finally in front of me, I was so shocked.
"Eugo?" I looked at him, he is not wearing his shirt and pants. He's only wearing his boxers.
"What are you planning to do?" I nervously asked.
"Masiyado kang matapang, eh. Tignan lang natin kung nasaan ang tapang mo ngayon."
He said before putting himself above me.