Part 36
Today is Sunday, which means... Dice's wedding. Hindi kami magkikita ni Darlene dahil may bonding yata sila ng family nila. I tried to tell her about the wedding but she's not listening kaya hinayaan ko na lang, inaya ko rin siya pero mas gusto niya talaga ang trip niya. Hindi ko rin nasabi na kasal ang pupuntahan namin.
The wedding starts at three in the afternoon but Dice was too excited to have his future wife. He almost calls us one by one just to go to the place.
"You didn't take Darlene?" Trevor asked when he saw me walking in their direction.
I shook my head. "She didn't want to." I wore my blazer. "She has an agenda today with her family." Inikot ko ang paningin sa buong lugar.
I thought it was a simple wedding? It was a garden wedding, ang daming flowers, even the grass and the whole place. Ang family lang ni Dice at asawa niya ang nasa kasal bukod kami na kaibigan niya pati na rin ang ibang relatives ni Dice.
"Pre, congrats!"
I glanced at Harvey's direction. He was with Dice, walking with his white suit. Huminto sila sa harap namin ni Trevor.
Arvin tapped Dice's arm. "Itatali ka na!"
"Congrats." I smirked.
"Wait, hindi mo kasama si Darlene?" Dice asked.
I shook my head. "No."
He just nodded before fixing his sleeve. We congratulate him for this wedding.
"Papakawalan mo ba si wifey mo?" Harvey asked. "I mean, young pa naman kayo tapos may possibility na may problems? Kakayanin mo ba 'yon?"
Dice shrugged. "I don't know. Basta aayusin na lang namin. Hindi kami maghihiwalay."
"Iba talaga kapag mag-aasawa na." Rafael commented.
We didn't stay in the situation when the wedding organization came. We stayed at the chair while waiting for the bride.
"What are you doing?" Trevor asked Owen, who was holding a phone.
"Nagvi-video kung iiyak ba si Dice." Owen laughed. "Gusto ko lang ng remembrance."
We are waiting for that guy to cry but hell... he really did! Owen and others were laughing secretly while looking at him. They stopped when Father looked in our direction.
The wedding ceremony started. We are just listening to the mass. Wala naman kaming ibang gagawin kung hindi ang makinig.
My phone was beeping, I secretly saw the screen and I saw Darlene's message. I almost coughed when I saw a message-no, a picture. It was a damn picture! Dude, I think they are having a swim because she sent me her two piece picture. It was a mirror shot, nakaluhod pa siya habang hawak ang string ng bikini bra niya.
She sent another picture. But this time, nakatayo na siya. Kitang-kita ang curves niya. At iyong undies bikini, parang isang hila ay mahuhubaran na siya. Damn, she's really damn sexy. Kitang-kita ang cleavage niya dahil sa bikini.
I gasped. Ano ba ‘yan, nasa mass ako, Darlene.
I heart reacted to her picture before turning off my phone. Bakit naman kasi nagpapadala pa siya n'on? Doesn't she know the impact of her pictures on me? Basta basta siya nagpapadala.
"Next n'yan si Phoenix na." I heard my name mentioned by Renz,
I looked at Renz. "What?"
"Ikaw ang next na ikakasal."
"Bakit ako?"
"Bakit? Ayaw mo bang maging asawa si Darlene?"
"Not that, you know... we are young and maybe soon." I leaned on my seat while listening to the wedding ceremony.
The wedding finished at exactly five in the afternoon.
The reception is at their house since it was a secret wedding. They ate first before they had a party. The whole mansion was so loud, they were drinking too.
Hindi ko rin alam ang ginagawa nila but this one woman pushed me in the middle holding a kind of... garter? While the woman wearing a red fitted dress and almost seeing her cleavage was sitting on the chair.
Wait, I know this. I'll put the garter on her thigh, I can't do it.
"I have a girlfriend." I gave back the garter to the woman who pushed me.
"He has a girlfriend!" Dice shouted. "Huwag na si Nix. Iba na lang."
"It's fine! It's for a game lang naman!" The woman stood up.
"Sorry, Miss, but I don't want her to get mad at me once I do this. Just look for someone." I removed her hands from my arms. Iniwan ko siyang mag-isa sa gitna dahil ayoko talaga gawin. I know it's part of the wedding but I don't want to do it.
Mamaya mag-away pa kaming dalawa ni Darlene, mababaw lang naman pero ayoko pa rin. She doesn't know that I was in the wedding tapos gagawin ko pa 'yon? E'di mas lalo siyang nagalit.
It's ten at the evening kanina pa kami nakatayo. I'm not drinking, a bit, yes. Panay kasi ang bigay ni Harris, e, ayoko nga. Kanina ko pa rin minemessage si Darlene.
From: love
san u, mahal?
I made a reply.
To: love
Dice's house, party, drinking, love you.
She replied.
From: love
Oh, okie po, lovie, pero may klase bukas. kaya mo ba???
Harvey offered me a drink but I refused.
To: love
Uuwi na ako, mahal. I didn't drink a lot.
Tumayo ako para magpaalam kay Dice at sa asawa niya. I will go home now, may klase pa bukas. Hindi rin lang naman ako ang umuwi, even Trevor and our friends.
I went home and the whole house was too quiet but I headed to my room. When morning came, I did my usual thing every morning.
"Here." I handed the money to Phoebe.
"Thanks!" She smiled.
I don't know but she wants money so I gave her.
"I can buy books now,” she said while hiding the money in her wallet. "And also I can buy some stuff." Tuwang tuwa pa siya nang lumabas sa office ko.
Ano ba ang mayroon sa books na binabasa niya? Anyway, that's what she wants though so I just let her. Actually, lahat ng gusto niya, binibigay ko. You know, it's hard to say no.
Hindi kami nagtagal sa bahay dahil umalis na kami. These two are now studying face to face, hinatid ko pa silang dalawa.
"Bye, Kuya, take care." Phoebe waved her hands.
"I will." I smiled, una na siyang pumasok at naiwan naman si Preston sa shotgun. "Why are you not leaving?"
"Kuya, see that fucking guy?" He pointed at the guy who is fixing his hair. "I saw him putting a letter on Phoebe's locker."
"What?" I looked at him.
"But don't worry, I got this." Bumaba siya ng sasakyan. He didn't let me speak, basta basta siya pumasok sa gate. I saw a group of girls say hi to my brother while he just ignored them and went in Phoebe's direction.
Sinilip ko pa ang lalaking tinutukoy ng kapatid ko. He looks older than my sister. Balak ko sanang puntahan kaso pumasok na rin sa gate. A group of boys went to him, sabay sabay pa silang pumasok at dumiretso sa lugar kung nasaan ang mga kapatid ko.
Preston put his arm on our sister's shoulder. Maangas ang tingin niya sa lalaking tinutukoy niya kanina. My brother got that, but I still need to see if that guy will do something to my sister.
I just drove so I could go to School, but I received a message from her that she wants a coffee. Dumaan muna ako sa Starbucks para ibili siya ng coffee, hindi naman ako nagtagal.
I was waiting at the gate, waiting for Darlene to be exact. Unti unti ko na rin nauubos ang coffee niya. Ang tagal niya kasi at gusto ko na rin ng coffee.
"Pst."
Lumingon ako sa kaliwang banda ko. "Your hair is messy, love." Nilapitan ko si Darlene, hinawakan ko siya sa balikat bago humalik sa pisngi niya.
Hinawakan ko siya kamay para pumasok sa loob. She gave me her white headband before getting her coffee.
I fixed my hair as I wore her headband.
"Hindi ako naligo kaya magulo."
"That explains why you smelled baby bench pink. Iyon ang pinangpaligo mo?"
She chuckled. "Nag-swimming naman kami kahapon sa bahay. Nakita mo ba ang send ko sa ‘yo?"
I swallowed when I remembered her picture. "Yeah... I saw it, love. And you're sexy." Two piece black string bikini, huh?
"Alam ko." Natawa siya.
Ang sexy niya nga, e. Flat tummy, has a curved body, her skin was white, and her hair was tied into a messy bun. Tapos 'yong swimsuit niya parang isang hila lang sa string maaalis agad.
"Tsaka, wala namang nangyari sa ‘yo 'di ba?"
What?
"Ha?" I asked.
"Walang nangyari sa ‘yo, baka kasi napapanaginipan mo pa ako." She teased, tawa tawa pa siya habang nakatingin sa akin.
Hindi naman ako makapagsalita.
Darlene if you just knew... I dreamed about you wearing that kind of swimsuit one time.
"Ayos lang naman, huwag mo lang sobrahan." She laughed more. "Baka hindi mo kayanin, e."
"Darlene, stop."
Mas lalo lang siyang tumawa sa sinabi ko.
"Darlene, tigilan mo nga ang kakatawa."
"'Wag ka na mapikon." Tinaas pa niya ang palad niya, natatawa pa rin.
"Michelle, do you remember what happened in the cubicle at the hospital?" I said and she stopped. "Do-." She covered my mouth.
"Hoy, ano ka ba!" Pinandilatan niya ako ng mata. "Nasa likod lang si Darius." I looked at her back and I saw Darius walking, his eyes were on his phone. Halatang walang pakialam sa nangyayari sa harap niya.
I removed Darlene's hand. "Hindi naman niya narinig."
"Why? What happened in the cubicle at the Hospital?" Oh, so he heard.
Hindi sumagot si Darlene but her cheeks flushed.
"Darlene, what is it?" He glanced at his sister. "Phoenix." Masama na agad ang tingin niya sa'kin.
"Muntik lang mabuo ang panganay ko." Hampas agad ni Darlene ang nakuha ko. "Ouch..." Lumayo ako nang makadampot siya ng kung ano. "Nagbibiro lang ako." I laughed at her.
Pinanliitan pa niya ako ng mata kaya tumahimik na ako. Ang sakit ng hampas niya.
"What do you mean?"
He didn't get that? Magkapatid nga sila ni Darlene.
"Wala, ang tanga mo umintindi." Sabi ko, he glared but I ignored him.
Hinila ko na si Darlene papunta sa classroom. When we got there, I saw our friends sleeping. Finn was sleeping on the floor, while Trevor and Mavis were drinking coffee and others were sleeping on their chairs.
"Anong nangyari sa kanila?" She asked.
"Hangover." Buti pa ako hindi uminom ng marami.
Hindi naman siya nagsalita at pumunta na lang sa upuan niya. I sat beside her, we just talked here while these person shouting 'hindi na ako iinom' but believe me, iinom na naman sila.
Dumating naman ang teacher.
I was sitting on the back of Darlene's chair, I was combing her hair using my fingers. It was so satisfying. I tried to do the braid too, Harvey was doing the same but I was pushing him away.
"Damot." He mouthed.
I rolled my eyes before braiding Darlene's hair. She looks like Elsa now, the girl she was always watching. I don't know what kind of movie it is, basta daw 'yong may powers na yelo according to Darlene.
"Sana all taga-braid ng buhok."
I raised my middle finger at Rafael.
"Subukan niyong mag-comment. Itatali ko kayo sa upuan." I threatened them when they were about to comment. Tawa tawa naman silang lumayo sa akin at kay Darlene.
Lagi na lang may comment. Nakakaasar.
Tahimik naman si Darlene habang nakikinig sa harap, ay hindi. Hindi ko alam kung saan siya nakatingin, nakatulala pa siya. Hinalikan ko ang pisngi niya nang tumalikod ang teacher at para na rin makuha ang atensyon niya.
Masama ang tingin niya nang lingunin niya ako. I smirked, mas lalong lumala ang masama niyang tingin sa'kin.
Ang ganda mo naman po.
Humarap na siya para makinig, nilapit ko ang upuan sa likod niya bago hinawakan ang bewang niya. I rest my chin on her shoulder. Pinanood ko kung paano siya magsulat, I couldn't but help while watching her to write a notes.
"Your handwriting is ugly, Miranda." I commented. "Trip mo ba mag-Doctor?"
"Palibhasa maganda sulat mo, siguro typewriter 'yang kamay mo? Ganda ng handwriting mo, e."
I chuckled. "You know, Darlene, aside from being young-rich, full-figured, hot handsome, and a billionaire like me... my handwriting is good. While you, daig mo pa ang Doctor."
"Hoy, 'wag ka, pangarap ko 'yon."
Alam ko, lagi niya kayang sinasabi sa akin.
"I know." Hinalikan ko ulit siya sa pisngi.
"Gusto ko lang naman mag-aral tapos ganito makikita ko." Harvey said, looking at me and Darlene. "Tara nga, Dash gawin nga natin 'yon."
"Ulol, tigilan mo 'ko. Kadiri."
Darlene shook her head. We both listened to the Teacher, napahiwalay lang ako dahil tinulak niya ako palayo dahil kay Sir. Lazarus, pinalipat kasi ako. Wala tuloy akong nagawa kung hindi ang manahimik sa upuan ko.
But the next Teacher was late, so Darlene fixed my hair before putting her white headband on my head. Darlene cut some of my hair, kahit ayoko dahil ang ganda ng gupit ko pero dahil ginupitan ko rin si Darlene ng bangs niya... pumayag ako.
Actually... we are all doing this. I mean they borrowed Darlene's powder and put a powder on their faces. Kinuha ko ang powder sa kamay ni Mavis. I put a bit of powder on my face, hinarap ko si Darlene nang matapos.
"Pogi ba?" I asked her before smirking.
She stopped a bit before nodding. "Lagi naman, e." I saw her blushed a bit.
"Kami, pogi ba kami?" Harvey smirked.
Naghintay naman sila ng isasagot ni Darlene.
"Oo. Pogi kayong lahat." Darlene said casually. "Lalo na si Harris, Trevor, Rafael, si Mavis at Dash. Kayo naman gano'n rin. Pogi kayo."
They all stopped. Mga tumayo sila at umiwas ng tingin, I saw their ears became red. Saglit na lumabas si Darlene para itapon ang ibang buhok na ginupit ko sa kanya.
"Next time if you were all going to ask, 'wag kayong kikiligin," I said meaningfully. "Kaya kayo nagkakaroon ng gusto sa kanya, e."
Nilingon ako ng mga taong nagkaroon ng gusto kay Darlene.
"Ano ka ba, Nix? Misunderstanding lang na nagkagusto kami sa kanya," Harvey said.
"We are just attracted to her in a simple way. We found a kind of thing to her, iyong ginagawa niya na na wala sa iba kaya ayon..."Mavis nodded a bit.
"That's a fact... dati lang na may gusto kami sa kanya."
"Kanino kayo nagkagusto?" Lahat sila tumahimik nang dumating si Darlene.
I saw Trevor gulp. "To the girl we found... special and pretty to us."
"Eh? Sino?"
Thankful talaga ako na manhid ka, Darlene.
"Yeah, she's special when that girl entered our lives. She's a blessing. And that's why we liked her before. Before." Harris diverted his eyes on the door.
I leaned on my seat while listening to their meaningful words towards our baby. I'm also wondering why they are scared of me, well except for Harris and Rafael.
"Swerte naman n'on." Darlene sat on her chair.
"I guess no... we are the ones who are lucky to have that girl." Dash said as the Teacher arrived.
Napaisip naman si Darlene at napasimangot sa hindi ko malaman na dahilan. Iniisip niya siguro na iba, e... siya lang naman ang tinutukoy nila.
The Teacher just gave us notes after discussing. Wala naman akong maintindihan, mas sa kwento pa ako ni Darlene may naiintindihan.
Kasama niya sa daldalan si Harvey, Arvin, at Dash habang ako nakikinig. I'm looking at Darlene whenever she's talking, and to Dash when he's the one who's talking, next to Harvey and Arvin. The heck... salitan ang tingin ko sa kanilang apat.
Until the class finished, and this time... we don't have a teacher but she told us to write the notes but I didn't. Darlene has a notes, sa kanya na lang ako hihiram tutal lagi ko naman siyang pinapakopya sa sagot ko.
Sumandal ako sa upuan bago tumingin sa labas. Nag-angat ako ng tingin nang ibaba pinatong niya ang bag sa'kin. Nagpaalam na mag-restroom si Darlene kaya hinayaan ko na.
I followed her using my eyes until she disappeared.
"This is new, hindi ka yata sumunod?" It was Trevor.
"Tss..."
I looked inside Darlene's bag, it was just her stuff... I mean she really only has two notebooks. Dati madami pa 'to ngayon dalawa na lang. Puro romance books kasi ang laman.
I saw my black card on her bag. Nilagay ko ang card sa wallet niya dahil sa nakalagay lang sa loob ng bag.
I saw her phone beeping multiple times, and I saw a call coming from an unknown number. I clicked the unknown number.
From: Unknown Number
dHArL3nNe, mIs$ nH/-\ Kk!tH/-\
Translate: Darlene, miss na kita.
What the fuck?! What kind of typings is this?!
From: Unknown Number
AanH6 PaNhGhitH NhG kHApaATid mO, hH1nHDhi m4nN lanH6 aKk0 Mh4MhuUKh4AaN. 3HngØ+.
Translate: Ang pangit ng kapatid mo, hindi man lang ako mamukhaan. Engot.
Tangina, sumasakit ang ulo ko sa typings ng taong 'to.
From: Unknown Number
1KhaAwH rRIn!!! DI Mho bHaA Ak() nHAKkIkH!tH4 () nNAmHumHuHkJ/-\@nH???? K@+HamPo
Translate: Ikaw rin!!! Di mo ba ako nakikita o namumukhaan???? Katampo
From: Unknown Number
T@PpoH$ NOoOong 1ntr4mUhrHALh5 N/-NDo0Nh AaK0, NhaKkitT4 Y4tT4 aKkOo nHg KhaPp/-\t1Dd Mh(), J!nNDd1 MAanH lHanHg LuUMapH!tH 4nG Kk!nGhiNh4. paA-1YAaKk !yYaAK Ph@ $a zZ+49E. mUKHANg +aNG4
Translate: Tapos noong Intramurals nandoon ako, nakita yata ako ng kapatid mo, hindi man lang lumapit ang kingina. Pa-iyak iyak pa sa stage. Mukhang tanga.
I held my forehead before massaging my temple. I blocked the number after deleting the messages. Shit, sumasakit ang ulo ko sa messages na ganito.
Tumingin tingin na lang ako ng kung ano ano sa cellphone niya. Ang tagal niya... nasaan na ba si Darlene? She should be here right now. Kanina pa namin siya hinihintay ko kaso wala pa rin siya.
"Nasaan na si Darlene?" Harvey asked.
Binalik ko ang pagtingin sa messages ni Darlene, I saw a delete message files on her phone.
"Baka nasa cafeteria 'yon!" Sabi ni Finn.
"Kumakain." Dagdag ni Dash.
"She doesn't have money." I saw a lot of unknown numbers, my forehead creased when I saw those messages.
From: Unknown Number
Have you received my gift, Michelle? Ikaw ang isusunod kong papatayin kapag nabuo na ang lahat ng gusto ko.
What kind of gifts is that? Is that a death threat? Bakit wala siyang sinasabi sa akin?
Mga lumapit sila nang magsalita si Gae. Trevor asked who was that person who was messaging Darlene.
"I don't know. It was an unknown number." I called the number but I couldn't, I cannot reach the number. "The number... I can't call the number."
"Ano 'yan? Ginamit lang para manakot?"
"Maybe yes, may laging sumusunod sa kaniya 'di ba?" Mavis said.
"Pero hindi niya man lang napapansin." Dash spoke.
"Edi, hindi pala dapat natin siyang iwan." They nodded after Gael said.
There's a lot of messages and all of those are scaring her but fuck, nagagawa niya pang lokohin! Wanna know her message?
'Nakakatakot po ang gift n'yo kaso mas nakakatakot pong magalit ang papa at mama ko. Hehe. Lab u po.' Really, Darlene? That's her reply.
'Pero mas lab ko po ang boyfriend ko, hehe. Kayo po ba may boyfriend rin? O baka lalaki po kayo? Response please. Ty in advance.'
'Na-received ko na po ang gift nyo, ang cute po naka-pink na wrapper pero bat naman po may daliri? Totoo ba yon or fake??? Hehe. cute, pwede ko siyang gawing extra daliri kapag naputol ang sa akin. hehehe.'
Freak, my baby is always like this. Paano niya kaya nagagawang gawin 'to?
I stood up to find her, I put her bag on my shoulder before leaving the classroom.
"Saan ka punta?!"
"Hahanapin ko siya!" Lagi na lang nakasunod ang mga 'to.
I went downstairs to see her but I saw someone and it was Iris, irritated and her cheeks were a bit red. I ignored her presence and continued walking, nakarating kami sa cafeteria pero wala doon si Darlene.
"Have you seen Darlene?" I asked.
"Nasa gymnasium, pinapaiyak si Ivan." Andrei laughed. "Pati si Gia kanina nainis."
"What?" Why is she doing that?
Andrei laughed more. "Hindi kasi siya manalo sa one-on-one kay Darlene. Panoorin niyo."
One on one from what? Since we were confused we headed to the gymnasium and we saw her walking while dribbling the ball on the floor. While her eyes were on the ball, she couldn't even see us until she looked up. Her eyes went straight to me, she smirked.
I heard a lot of comments towards her.
"I love you-Aray." Binatukan ko si Gael. "Sakit."
Lumapit ako kay Darlene. I held her waist before kissing her cheeks.
"You are receiving death threats." I said, she looked up because of what I said. "Tapos nagawa mo pang lokohin. You know the person?"
"Hindi ko 'yon kilala..."
"Still, you should tell me. Look... what if that person did something on you?"
"Hindi 'yan, tsaka maraming bantay sa bahay at nandito ka naman. Huwag ka nang mainis." She smiled but I couldn't do the same.
"Are you still receiving death threats?"
She shrugged. "Wala naman na..." She pouted. "Kiss na." I gave her a soft kiss before looking at Ivan who was shouting for some reason.
Tumawa naman si Darlene at lumingon doon. I kissed her cheeks as I let her hand go, naglalaro kasi siya kaya hinayaan ko na. I sat on the bench instead.
"Laro kayo ni Nix!" Gael said "Magaling siyang mag-shoot! Lalo na kapag sa ka-." Before Gael finish his sentence I poked him to his head.
"Shut your fucking mouth, Castillo." I irritatedly said.
Lalagyan ko talaga ng duct tape ang bibig nito.
"Lalo na saan?"
Hindi ko sinagot ang tanong ni Darlene at nanahimik na lang. While threw the mineral water on this green person but Darlene didn't get it.
"Dali na, Nix! Ayaw mo bang makalaro ang iyong mahal?"
Minsan talaga itatali ko sila. Kapag sinabi ng isa, gagatungan ng isa. Ang sarap pag-untugin. Nakakabwisit, bakit ko ba naging kaibigan ang mga 'to? Sometimes I am thinking that they are the reason why I had a crush on Darlene.
Pilit kasi nang pilit sa Group chat na crush ko si Darlene... e, hindi nga... naging totoo tuloy. You know, Harvey is the one who is pushing me to her. Naging crush... nagustuhan, at mahal ko tuloy.
But it's fine, hindi lang naman ako nakaramdam ng ganito. Pati rin si Darlene. She just fell but I fucking fell harder.
"Best of 10!"
Freak, nandito na rin pala si Laureen at nakisali pa.
"Anong ginagawa mo dito?! Akala ko ba busy ka?!" Gavin spoke as he stood up, while I saw Gianna's face.
"Duh? I'm done na! Anyways, best of 10, Nix and Darlene! May prize naman, e." Ngumisi si Laureen. "Trip to Spain!"
Spain? That's the place wherein Darlene's grandparents are living. No. Hindi ko dadalhin si Darlene sa Spain. Baka... makilala siya or worse... doon manirahan once she find out.
"Ayoko. Hindi ako marunong mag-spanish, baka minumura na nila ako tapos hindi ko man lang nalalaman," Darlene said.
"Tss... I thought you had a Spanish Teacher? Nasaan ang pinadala ni mama?" Darius said which made me a bit... curious. Why does she have that?
"Ano... pinaalis ko sa bahay. Hindi ko siya maintindihan. Sabi niya 'Deberías escucharme, Darlene. Soy tu maestra.' 'Yan sabi niya."
Hindi siguro nakikinig si Darlene. The teacher wants Darlene to listen to her, and says she is a Teacher.
I know how to understand Spanish words. I have a friend who is living in Spain, the guy who is our friend. Hindi lang ako ang may kaibigan sa kaniya. Kami-kami nina Harris, he's actually a Prince.
"Huh?"
"Dapat daw akong makinig kasi siya daw ang teacher ko. Sinearch ko pa 'yon sa google."
"Eres tan estúpida." Darius was telling Darlene that she is stupid.
"Hoy, anong akala mo hindi ko naiintindihan 'yan?" Sabi ni Darlene. "Eres más estúpido que yo." Darlene fired back saying that Darius is more stupid than her.
"Dudugo ang ilong ko!"
Anong mahirap intindihin sa sinasabi ni Darlene?
Darlene just laughed a bit.
"What's the Spanish version of I love you?" I asked, waiting for her answer.
"Té amo." She answered.
"I love you too." I smirked.
As usual... manghahampas si Harvey at Laureen. Inis namang lumayo si Gael sa kanila.
"Lakas mo." She said.
"Ano ba 'yan! Nilalayo 'yung usapan." Sabi ni Finn.
Nakita ko ang irap ni Darlene bago ako tingnan. "Tumayo ka na nga diyan para matigil na ang mga ugok na 'to. Best of 10 lang naman."
"Ayoko." Dadaanin na naman niya ako sa way niya para matalo.
"Bilis na..." Pilit ni Harvey. "Hindi kasi kita nakitang naglaro nito. Kaya titignan ko lang kung marunong ka." Excuse me?! I played this fucking game on the Intramurals.
"Ayoko nga." They complained about me saying no.
"Nix naman... parang hindi tayo magkaibigan."
"Ayoko nga kasi."
"Ayaw mo? Sigurado ka? Ayaw mo talaga? Ano? Ayaw mo? Sure ka? Ayaw mo?" Tanong ni Darlene at dumiretso ang tingin niya sa akin. "Phoenix."
Napahilamos na lang ako nang makita ang mukha niya. "Damn it. Okay fine!"
"Tangina, under ba tawag diyan?" I heard Dash whisper.
"Fuck you, Torres," I said.
Lumapit naman ako kay Darlene, we are having a deal. I tilted my head to whisper. "If I win, you'll sleep again in my condo. If you lose, ikaw ang bahala. One month, okay?"
Nanliit ang mata niya. "As if papayagan ako ni mama ko?"
"Papayag si Tita, ako pa." I got the ball from the ball before dribbling, I raised my hand to sign we're not ready.
We had rules, half court, my score would be one while she's two. Hindi na siya lugi kaya nga sobrang saya niya kasi six points na siya, ako wala pa.
Hindi ko lang talaga kinukuha ang bola sa kaniya. Gusto ko lang siya matuwa, ang cute niya kasing maglaro. I didn't know that she knew how to do the crossover. Iniikutan pa niya ako kaya lalo akong nagulat kanina.
"Yeah, babe, be happy." I smirked.
She just rolled her eyes.
She started to move, she was drop-step the ball so I couldn't get it. I kissed her on the cheeks as I got the ball from her hands.
Your happiness is done, love.
Nawala ang masaya niyang mukha. Ang basic na nga ng ginagawa ko. I was just doing the crossover dribble, hindi na nga rin ako umaalis sa pwesto ko para hindi na siya mahirapan pero hindi pa rin niya makuha. Pero nililpat ko sa kabilang kamay kapag kinukuha niya.
I shoot the ball from the ring and I'm always getting a sscore My points are ten now.
"Kinginang 'yan!" She cussed when I did a move. It was just a basic move. Isang move na lang ang ginagawa ko para sa kanya pero hindi niya pa rin magawa na bantayan ako. "Kasi naman!"
"What?" I chuckled. " Babe, get it to me." Hamon ko
Kanina natutuwa siya tapos ngayon inis na. Hindi na niya siguro kaya na bantayan ako, hindi niya alam kung saan ako pupunta, e. Until my score was eleven, she was stuck with a score of six.
"Putangina, eleven na." She is irritated.
"Well..." Mayabang na sabi ko.
"Akin kasi 'yan! Kanina pa na sayo 'yan! Ako naman maghahawak, hindi ka rin madaya, eh, 'no?"
Wow, baby, kanina natutuwa ka tapos ngayon inis? I want to laugh at her right now.
"No, it's part of the game. Kunin mo kung kaya mo..." Sagot ko.
"Parang hindi mo naman ako mahal! Ibigay mo na sa akin 'yan. Mahal mo naman ako 'di ba? Kung mahal mo talaga ako, ibibigay mo sa akin 'yan."
What the heck... dinadaan ako sa pagmamahal ni Darlene. I don't know what to do, ayoko namang magpatalo sa kanya.
"Dinaan sa pagmamahal!"
"Akin na 'yan. Mahal mo naman ako." Lumapit si Darlene.
"No."
"Hindi mo na ako mahal?"
"Of course not! What I mean is, get the ball!" I corrected what I said.
"Hindi ko nga makuha! Sapatusin kita." Mahal pa rin naman kita kahit matalo ka.
Hindi ako pumayag si Nix at wala naman siyang nagawa. My score became fifteen and twenty, while she's still six. Until the time finished, nag-stuck siya sa six.
I won.
She will stay with me!
"Ang daya-daya nitong bwisit na 'to. Huwag kang lalapit sa akin, hampasin kita." Lumayo siya sa akin.
I just laughed while sitting on the bench. Masama ang tingin niya sa akin. Umirap pa siya bago maglaro ulit.
May mga sinasabi about sa 'kapag nag-shoot 'to'. Nanood lang ako sa kanila habang iniisip kung anong pwedeng gawin ni Darlene once she stayed in my condo.
Naglalaro lang sila habang nanonood ako. Mag deal pa sila na hahawakan ni Darlene iyong frog kapag hindi nag-shoot ‘yong bola at natalo siya kaya ayon, gagawin niya.
Napapailing na lang ako sa kanya nang makarating kami Sinilip ko ang balak hawakan ni Darlene. Freak... hindi ko kaya 'yon pero paano niya nakakaya? Wala nga talaga siyang arte sa katawan.
"Darlene!" Saway ko sa ginagawa niya sa frog.
"Gago, hindi ako mamamatay." I know but fuck... "Pahinging isang palaka." Tumingin siya ng mga palaka. "Ito, gusto ko 'to." Kinuha niya ang nasa glass container.
"Lalaking palaka po 'yan."
"Gano'n..." Kinuha ni Darlene ang palaka nang walang kaartehan. Nakahawak pa sa magkabilanh katawan ng palaka.
Mga nandiri sila pero ako... nabilib kay Darlene. Siya lang ang babae na kilala kong kaya na humawak ng gano'n. I'm wondering if she had a pet like that? Oh freak, hindi ko kaya na may pet na palaka na ganyan.
Umatras kami nang lumapit si Darlene habang hawak ang palaka. Tuwang tuwa naman siya sa nangyayari at sobrang lakas pa ng tawa niya.
They keep on running because Darlene was running after them while holding the frog. Some of the students were looking at us because of her.
She was catching her breath when she stopped running.
Tumingin na lang siya sa palaka. Hinarap ko siya sa akin. "Kapag hinalikan ko ba 'to magiging prinisipe 'to?" She asked before looking at us.
"Are you planning to kiss that frog?!" My brows furrowed.
"Gross..." Parinig ni Iris habang hindi siya pinansin ni Darlene.
"Darlene, stop." Saway ko dahil baka halikan niya talaga.
"Gago, 'di ba? Iyong sa Princess, 'yong kiniss niya 'yong frog tapos naging prinsipe. Malay mo Prince 'to." Tapos Prinsesa ka pa.
"That's not true! Ibaba mo na ang palaka na 'yan!" Utos ko at shit ginawa niya nga.
"Okay..." Nagtakbuhan sila nang tumalon ang palaka. Nanatili ako sa pwesto ko dahil ayokong tumakbo.
Malakas pa ang tawa ni Darlene nang makuha ang palaka. While some of these people are cursing. Darlene gave back the frog while some of them were laughing. Pinaghugas ko rin siya ng kamay para mawala ang amoy ng palaka sa kamay niya.
Masama rin ang tingin sa kanya ng iba.
Darlene sat on the bench beside me. "Palaka lang naman 'yon."
I held her waist. "It's gross."
Napailing na lang ako bago sila yayain sa room. And as expected, the Teacher was there. Galit na galit pa siya sa amin bago nag-proceed sa lesson.
We are just quiet while I was thinking who was that person, I mean 'yong mga nagpapadala ng death threats kay Darlene. Kailangan kong malaman 'yon, kailangan kong malaman kung sino ang nagpapadala.
I picked up my phone to message Drake.
To: Demon
Hey, did you know that Darlene is receiving a death threat?
I waited for a second before he responded.
From: Demon
What? No. She never told me.
Wala rin pala siyang alam.
To: Demon
She's receiving death threats. She never told me either. I think she's hiding those, hanapin mo na lang.
He replied easily.
From: Demon
I will. We'll go home to see that. I'll do a move to see that person.
Tss... madali lang 'yan. Ako na lang ang gagawa.
Hindi na ako nagreply. Tinuon ko ang paningin sa harap. When our class finished, I waited for Darlene to pack up her things. Lumabas na rin ang iba at sa gate na lang balak maghintay.
Tumayo na ako nang makitang paalis na siya. Napansin naman niya ako.
"Bakit nandito ka pa?" She asked.
"I'm waiting for you." Gusto ko siyang hintayin.
Lumapit naman siya sa akin. "Nagugutom ako, kain tayo isaw."
"Okay, let's go." Hinawakan ko ang kamay niua.
We went outside of the room but she let go of my hand. "Teka lang, restroom lang ako."
"Sasamahan kita."
"'Wag na. Diretso ka na lang sa labas. Saglit lang ako." She insisted.
Pumayag na lang ako. "Make it hurry." Hinalikan niya ko ang labi niya. "I'll wait you there." I pointed the way where the gate is.
Tumango siya. "Sige."
Sinundan ko pa siya ng tingin. Hinintay kong mawala siya sa paningin ko bago maglakad. Nasa harap na ng gate sina Harris at naghihintay.
"Let's eat at the plaza."
"Ililibre-."
"No, si Darlene lang ang ililibre ko." I cut Harvey off.
"Okay. Girlfriend mo, e." He said and opened a lollipop. "Ay nga pala, alam niyo ba favorite ko na ang chupa chups dahil kay Darlene?"
We all looked at him.
"What do you mean?" Darius asked.
"Ito kasi 'yong una kong binuraot sa kanya noong first day niya." Harvey answered.
"Same... I really hated pizza but when Darlene gave us that food, naging gusto na rin namin 'yon," Dash said and Arvin nodded.
"But to be honest we all liked grapes now." Mavis said.
"Oo, 'yon na ang aming favorite fruit dahil sa bibi girl namin."
Owen wasn't wrong though. Even our vape juice was grape because that is her favourite.
I looked at the hallway when Darlene was still not here. Where is she now? It's been eleven minutes but she's not here yet. Kanina pa kami nandito at siya na lang ang hinihintay.
"Tagal ni Darlene..." Mavis yawned.
Everyone is here now including Iris. She looked at me and smiled, but I ignored her and texted Darlene.
I don't want Darlene to get mad at me. I know she hated Iris so much, so do I. Ang daming ginagawa ni Iris kay Darlene, laging napapahamak ang girlfriend ko dahil sa kaniya.
I'm proud to my Darlene, she managed to control her temper. Alam kong gusto niya ng patulan ang babaeng 'to pero nagagawa niya pang kumalma.
"Shit, I'm worried." Darius muttered. "I think something happened to her. I have doubts, damn it."
I have doubts that something happened to her too.
"I'll go to look for her," I said.
Pero sumunod sila sa akin lalo na si Darius. Hinanap namin si Darlene sa buong sulok ng School kaso wala kaming makitang Darlene. Pati ako, nag-aalala na.
We are all worried because we can't find her.
"Iris, I saw you earlier. Kausap mo si Darlene." Everyone looked at Laureen.
"So you're saying it's my fault?"
"Yes. It's your fault. Ikaw lang naman ang gagawa ng kung ano sa kaniya 'di ba? Now tell us, where she is."
Hanggang sa may lumapit sa amin na babaeng estudyante. She breath heavily as she looked at me.
"May nakita kaming babae sa storage room—”
Hindi ko na tinapos ang sasabihin niya dahil dumiretso na kaagad ako sa storage room. Darius and others followed me. I entered the storage room and there I saw Darlene, she's unconscious while the janitress was holding her wrist.
Mabilis akong lumapit sa kaniya. I held her hand and carried into a bridal style.
"What happened to her?" I asked.
"Fuck, what happened to my sister?" Darius asked madly.
"May nag-lock yata sa kaniya rito."
Pumasok sa isip ko si Iris. Lumingon ako sa kaniya. She's standing while looking at Darlene.
"Hindi siya nakahinga kaya nawalan ng malay. May pulso pa naman siya pero dalhin niyo pa rin sa hospital para makasigurado."
Lumabas kami sa storage room. Buhat-buhat ko si Darlene nang pumunta kami sa parking lot. Sinakay ko siya sa loob ng kotse. Darius and others will stay at the School for something.
I was about to get in when I saw Iris looking at my direction. I approached and held her arms.
"Nasasaktan ako." She said immediately.
"Remember this, Iris. If something happens to my girl. I'll never forgive you and I'll make sure you and your family will suffer a lot. Isang tawag ko lang sa sekretarya ko mawawala ang lahat ng sa inyo."
Iniwan ko siya at dumiretso sa sasakyan ko. I started the engine and drove to Hospital. We arrived at the Hospital quickly, I immediately sent her to the emergency room to make sure she's okay.
Doctor. Mendoza approached us and checked Darlene's condition.
"How is she?" I asked Doctor Mendoza, she was still checking Darlene.
"She was lacking oxygen but she's okay. Did she get locked in a room without air?"
"I'm not sure, but, I think someone locked her." I answered.
She nodded. "It's okay. Mabuti na lang at may hangin na pumasok sa katawan niya o nakalanghap siya kahit paano ng hangin baka kasi hindi niya kayanin ang kawalan ng oxygen." She smiled. "She's okay now, let's just wait to wake her up. I need to go now."
"Thank you." I said.
"It's my job, Mr. Velasquez." She smiled and left.
Lumapit ako kay Darlene at naupo sa may monoblock chair. I held her hand.
Couple of minutes later she woke up.
She looked at me with her beautiful almond-shaped eyes.
"You made me so damn worried, babe." I kissed her cheeks.
"Anong ginagawa natin sa hospital?" She asked.
Tinulungan ko siyang makaupo. "Because I'm so worried about you, especially when I saw your unconscious body in that storage room." Damn, I am really so worried about my baby bal. "Did Iris lock you?"
Napatigil siya sandali at napaisip. Dumiretso ang tingin niya sa akin. "Ano.."
"What?" I softly asked, inayos ko pa ang buhok niya.
"Okay na naman ako." She smiled.
I know she's thinking about Iris right now. She's thinking about something happening to Iris if she tells me.
"Darlene, I want to know." I squeezed her hands.
"Huwag ka na lang mag-tanong. Umuwi na tayo." She shaken my shoulder instead. "Gusto ko nang umuwi."
"Rest first."
"Nakapag-rest na po ako..." She looked at me.
Damn, how stubborn, baby.
"No. You need to rest here and after that we'll go home."
"Gusto ko nang umuwi sa bahay." Pilit niya.
I raised my brow. "Who said that I took you to your home? We had a deal right? You lose."
We're going home, that's all.
"Ang daya mo naman kasi, Ayaw mong ibigay sa akin ang bola." She rolled her eyes.
I chuckled. "I don't want to lose."
She just rolled her eyes and that made me chuckle more. You really made me fall so hard, Darlene.
I captured her cheeks before kissing her forehead. Nahiga rin ako sa tabi niya nang umusog siya. "Mag-rest ka na bago tayo umuwi. You were luck of breath earlier."
"Sige, magrerest na ako." She leaned her head on my chest as she put her legs on my waist. She was hugging me to be exact.
Hinigit ko naman siya para matulog. She really needs to rest.
I know Iris did this to her... siya lang naman ang gagawa nito kay Darlene wala nang iba. But for sure... she'll deny it. I know she will, but I will never believe her. Hindi naman mangyayari 'to kung hindi siya gagawa ng gulo.
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If confused kayo sa gupit ni Nix, search niyo 'yung buhok ni Leonardo DiCaprio sa Titanic. Haha.