I parked my car sa tapat ng bahay nila Samantha because it is her Birthday today. Eira agreed that I should come here because she understands that I have friends aside from my relationship with her. Although she is not okay with Sam, I would always reassure her that she is the only one for me.
I'm with Chinee and right now, sumabay siya sa pagsakay sa car ko earlier.
"Glad you came here! Kahit sobrang busy ng schedule mo. Grabe ang artista life ha!" Bati ni Samantha while placing a soft peck on my cheek.
"Happy Birthday, Sammy!" I hugged her then gave her my gift that was wrapped in a pink ribbon. Nagulat naman siya because she did not expect it. It was a custom plated necklace with her name written on it.
"WOW! This so so gorgeous! You don't have to buy gift for me, Athena. Presence mo lang, okay na." She said while grinning at me.
"Chinee! I'm so glad that you're here too!" Bati niya kay Chinee tsaka ito niyakap.
May dalawang babae naman ang sumulpot sa likod ni Samantha mukhang nasa early thirties din ang mga ito.
"Ladies, meet Athena and Chinee, my Graduate School Friends." Pagpapakilala ni Samantha sa dalawang babaeng dumping. They both look elegant and halatang may class.
"Athena and Chinee, meet my cousin Helena, and her fiancé, Jeniffer." Turo niya sa dalawang babae na naka dress at heels. Si Helena ay brunette na wavy while Jeniffer is a blonde.
"Athena, I heard a lot of things from you." Helena smiled at me. I don't know but she has something in her. I'm kind of not comfortable.
Bigla naman akong kinabahan dahil sa sinabi niya.
"Ano ka ba, don't be stiff! Of course, you are a celebrity, malamang maraming alam si Helena sa'yo." Biglang salo ni Samantha sa pinsan niyang si Helena.
Helena just shrugged and it feels like she just lost interest in me. I don't know why but this is just our first meeting. Mukhang hindi niya ako gusto.
"Let's get drunk and let's get the party started, instead." Helena says out of the blue.
I don't want to get drunk because I still have classes tomorrow and besides, I need to drive home.
We are now in the lounge with her other cousins. Kami lang ni Chinee ang invited na friends niya. Medyo picky din kasi si Samantha sa kaibigan at ayaw niya ng plastic. Maarte talaga siya at mabuti na lang mabilis kami nag click because she has a good and soft heart inside.
Sooner, Samantha's mother walked out of the kitchen while holding the cake. We all sang and gave our birthday wishes to her.
While I was giving my message to Samantha, I can see that Helena's eyes are rolling at me. Ano bang problema nito sa akin? Kanina pa siya.
"Picture tayo girls!" Paanyaya ni Samantha sa amin.
We all made a group picture. I know for sure she would post it and update her profile on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook because she always does that.
"I tagged you, okay?" Samantha smiled at me while drinking her wine.
"That's fine." I gently smiled at her.
"Oh, wala naman magagalit diba?" She smiled back at me.
Walang magagalit because Eira knows that I am here.
"No one. Why would someone get mad?" I was curious at her.
"Because we are surrounded with my cousins?" Nakakunot na sagot niya sa akin.
"What do you mean by that, Sam? Can you please enlighten me?" Nakataas na ang kilay ko dahil sa tanong niya. It seems like she is keeping something from me.
"You didn't know?" Seryosong tugon ni Samantha.
Anong hindi ko alam? Naguguluhan na ako sa kanilang dalawa ni Helena para silang may mga nililihim sa akin. Kung ano man iyon, aalamin ko.
"Samantha is keeping something from me." Bulong ko kay Chinee.
"Why would you think that?" Bulong niya sa akin pabalik.
"She asked if no one will get mad that I'm here with her cousins." I explained to Chinee because I badly need to talk to her regarding this.
Hindi kaya may alam na si Samantha sa amin ni Eira? But I doubt because we don't talk much during and after our classes and at the same time, sa Condo or Private Properties kami naglalagi kaya imposibleng malaman ni Samantha.
"Samantha is clever, Athena. Nasa London pa lang tayo baka alam niya na yung sa inyo ni Eira. I wonder why until now she doesn't say anything with regards to that." Chinee is now intently looking at me.
Why would Samantha won't tell me that she knows something. It's very unusual and if may alam man siya, sana hindi niya ibulgar.
Dumiretso kami sa may pool area kung saan gaganapin ang party. Naka ready na rin ang mga cousins niya na nakaupo sa long table. Chinee and I both seated with them. I feel uncomfortable and I want to go home right now. If stares could kill, Helena could kill me with those eyes right now. Gusto ko na siyang kausapin kasi kanina pa siya may problema sa akin, wala naman akong ginagawa.
"Okay girls! Never have I ever game!" Samantha told us that we will play that game together with her cousins.
May isang bote ng alak ang nasa harap namin. The players take turns listing of the experiences they've never had. If someone has done the action in question, they have to take a shot. That's a pretty simple game.
I could see Helena smirking on me right now.
"Me first! Never have I ever had a friend with benefits!" Paunang banggit ni Samantha since she's the birthday girl.
I didn't drink because I'm a good girl but I saw Chinee took a shot. What the hell? I didn't expect that from her.
Dalawang babae ang tumungga. Isang babae nasa early 20s at si Chinee. Chinee explained that she has been hooking up with someone right now and I know for sure that it is Tanya. Kahit hindi niya pangalanan, alam ko na.
Next person is Jennifer.
"Never have I ever stalked my ex's social media accounts." She then rolled her eyes on her fiancé, Helena.
"Babe, what the fuck?!" Nainis si Helena sa sinabi ni Jennifer. Mukhang until now hindi pa yata ito nakakamove on sa ex.
"Fuck you, Helena. Drink!" Inis na asik ni Jennifer sa kanya. Sobrang ekis ni Helena kung ganoon. Why would you stalk your ex if you are really committed to someone? Maybe her ex is a goddess.
I suddenly received a text message from my girlfriend.
Baby sungit:
Come home and leave that place, ASAP.
Hindi ako makapag reply dahil lahat sila nakatingin sa akin, feeling ko gumagawa ako ng krimen dahil nakatingin ako sa cellphone ko.
Halos lahat ay uminom ng shot, including me, well that was before when I was still hurting from Celeste but I don't stalk her anymore.
"Woah! Why did you drink, Athena? Alam ba yan ng gilfriend mo?" Sarcastic na tanong ni Helena sa akin. Mukhang mainit na dugo niya sa akin.
I never told anyone na may girlfriend na ako especially to other people. Sila Chinee, siblings, at High School friends lang ang nakakaalam.
"That was before.. before I entered a relationship." I blurted out coldly.
Napangisi naman si Helena sa narinig.
"So in a relationship ka pala? Pa showbiz ka pala sa TV! Hahahaha!" Halakhak ni Helena na kinainis ko.
"Can you please shut up, Helena?" Inis na asik ni Samantha sa kanya.
Itinaas na lang ni Helena ang kanyang mga kamay at nanahimik.
It's their another cousin's turn to ask.
"Never have I ever had sex inside the University Premises."
Nagulat ako sa tanong ng isang pinsan nila buti hindi namin ginagawa ni Eira yon sa loob ng School kasi we are both scared that someone might see us.
I saw Helena take another shot- it was only her.
"Haha! I remembered during College Days, I got my ex girlfriend's virginity inside the girls restroom." Nakangiting banggit ni Helena habang nakatingin sa akin. "What about you, Athena? For sure you have done that already?"
Anong akala niya sa akin? As much as possible iniiwasan namin ni Eira gawin iyon sa University.
"I've never done it at School.. ano bang problemo mo sa akin? Kanina ka pa ah!" Hindi na ako makapagtimpi dahil kanina pa niya ako pinag-iinitan.
"Chill, akala ko lang naman." Pang-aasar ni Helena sa akin.
"My turn to ask, never have I ever had sex with my teacher?" Makahulugang ngiti sa akin ni Helena. There's no way I could ever ever tell them.
"That would be awesome!" I heard their other cousin's amazement.
I can see Chinee's eyes that are worried right now. Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko.
I took a shot, bahala na.
I saw their eyes widened because ako lang ang uminom. Kasalanan bang magmahal ng Teacher?
"Spill it." I heard Helena blurted.
"I'm gonna protect her at all cost. We just had sex but not inside the Uni, that's all. And we did it because we like each other so much." I coldly told them especially to Helena na walang tigil sa pang-asar.
The game continued.
Medyo nahihilo na ako at napapadami na ang nainom ko. Hindi ko napansin na maraming missed calls na si Eira sa akin.
Hindi ko rin napansin na it's Helena's turn to ask once again.
"Okay, ako na naman. Never have I ever kissed someone in London!" Pang-aasar ni Helena at nakangising nakatingin na naman sa akin.
I had flings before lalo na sa London, kaya pwede akong uminom ng shot but before I could grab the shot glass, hinawi na ni Samantha ang kamay ko.
"What the hell, Helena? Ano 'to? Bakit puro patama kay Athena?" Galit na sambit ni Samantha kay Helena.
"Chill cuz! Ang sarap niyang asarin eh." Halos lasing na rin si Helena at hindi na rin matino sa pag-iisip.
"I thought I could fucking count on you. I opened up to you because you are close to me but you are fucking making Athena uncomfortable right now!" Sigaw ni Samantha kay Helena.
What is happening with them?
"You fucking sound bitter, Helena. Why can't you just be happy with Athena and your ex?" Nagulat ako sa tanong ni Jeniffer na fiancé niya. What? Ex? Who?
Halos hindi ako makagalaw sa kinauupuan ko. So siya ba yung tinutukoy ni Eira noong nasa London kami na iniwan niya for her dreams? Paano naman nila nalaman na kami ni Eira?
I stood up because I don't want to hear anything anymore, halos matumba ako because I realized I am fucking drunk.
"Athena hear me out.. I know you are confused right now." I heard Samantha pleaded.
I faced her and I saw her teary eyed.
"I am sorry Athena.. I know everything." She began crying. "Remember that time that you went to Professor Eira's office during the preparation for our Christmas Party? I was about to call your name but I saw her kissed you. I went there to follow you because I wanted us to go home together. I was shocked but I just shrugged off the thoughts that you like her because you didn't kiss her back. I thought may pag-asa ako sa'yo. Remember that time when we went to London? I followed you on the Basement together with Professor Eira. I saw the both of you drove away and I drove my car to follow the two of you. Then there I saw the both of you, very happy while exploring different places in London. I was so fucking obsessed with you, Athena.. I love you so fucking much.."
Umiiyak ngayon si Samantha sa akin hanggang sa napaluhod siya sa akin. Unti unting siyang tumingin sa mga mata ko. There's sadness in her eyes right now. She really loves me.
"Then sinundan ko kayo sa Plaza. I saw you gave her that necklace and kissed her on the lips during that night. There's nothing I could do but to hide my feelings. Kaya umalis ako agad at pumunta sa bar at naglasing. Yun yung nakasabay ko pa kayo sa lift. But I really can't hide the bitterness.. mahal talaga kita at dahil mahal kita, I will protect you and your relationship with her kahit masakit.." She keeps on sobbing in front of me.
Then someone slapped me so hard. Sobrang sakit halos nabingi ng kaliwang ear ko. It was Helena. What the fuck?
"I am not bitter with my ex girlfriend who is now your current girlfriend, Athena." She is so damn mad at me right now.
"You must fucking wake up! Samantha loves you so much as you can see and she has never done that to anyone. I know for fucking sure that Eira will leave you! Panandalian ka lang! Iiwanan ka niyan para sa mga pangarap niya. Sa huli ikaw ang talo. Wake up, Athena! Samantha is here for you, she will love you unconditionally!" Gigil na gigil si Helena sa akin ngayon.
"How dare you say that to Eira?! Huh?! I know she loves me!" Galit na bwelta ko sa kanya.
"Did she say that?" Helena smirked at me. "Did she say she loves you?"
Not yet..
"Actions are better than words, Helena. She will never leave me." I am crying in pain right now. How could she say that Eira will leave me.
"In the end, she will still choose Lorenzo. Believe me, Athena. Been there, done that." Helena is now intently looking at me.
Eira said she doesn't love Lorenzo. Ano itong mga pinagsasabi ni Helena?
Chinee held my hand at hinila ako papalabas ng mansion nila Samantha. I couldn't take the pain anymore that Eira will leave me someday. I hope Helena is not right because I can't bare to lose Eira in my life.
I saw someone parked a car right in front of Samantha's gate. It is Eira. She hurriedly went out of the car and hugged me while I am sobbing.
Chinee explained to her all the things that Helena said.
Eira made me calm by caressing my back. Sobrang bigat ng nararamdaman ko. Talaga bang magagawa ni Eira sa akin yun?
"Don't believe Helena, baby..."
That's all I heard from Eira before I lost my consciousness.