CHAPTER 15
Heartaches
Iris' POV
Without a word, David pulled me inside a nearest room. He couldn't find the switch for the lights but he did manage to open a lampshade. When he could finally see my face clearly, he exhaled loudly as if he wasn't breathing for the past few minutes.
"H-how... " He stuttered as he touched my arms, squeezing me lightly to prove to himself that I'm real. "Y-you're really here."
Tumulo ang mga luhang kanina ko pa pinipigilan. I threw my arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug. Pumikit ako at ngumiti habang umiiyak.
"I can't believe it," I mumbled as I inhale his strong scent. Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang amoy niya. "Nandito ka at kasama kita."
He hugged me back and cried as well. "Sobrang tagal kitang hinanap. Akala ko hindi na tayo magkikita pa."
If I'm dreaming right now, I hope no one wakes me up.
I feel like I'm floating in the air at the moment. Nawala lahat ng bigat sa dibdib ko ngayong yakap yakap na ako ni David. I believe I'm truly meant to be in his arms.
"I miss you. I miss you so much!" I admitted, sobbing a little.
Lumayo siya ng kaunti at tinitigan ang mga mata ko. Ang tagal niyang nakatitig lang bago niya inilapit ang labi niya sa akin at hinalikan ako ng mariin.
I willingly kissed him back like crazy. I've never wanted to feel someone the way I crave for him. Sa sobrang tagal na hindi kami nagkita, tila ba lahat ng parte ng katawan ko ay nangangailangan ng hawak at halik niya.
"I'm sorry if I wasn't on your side for the past few months. Believe me, I did my best to find you," He mumbled in between our kisses. Napakarami kong tanong sa kanya ngunit lahat ng iyon ay isinantabi ko muna. I have all the time in the world to ask him later.
David slowly pushed me towards the bed when he felt my knees getting weaker. We both didn't care whose bed it is. The only thing that's important right now is that we're finally together again, after almost 7 months of being apart.
Pinaupo niya ako sa kama habang pinatong niya ang isang tuhod sa gilid ko pagkatapos ay yumuko siya. Patuloy ang paghalik niya sa labi ko habang kapit na kapit naman ako sa damit niya.
Then he kissed both my cheeks, my jaw down to my neck. When his lips met mine again, I suddenly felt nauseous. I did my best to ignore it until I had to push David away from me. Agad kong tinakpan ang bibig ko gamit ang kamay ko dahil nasusuka na talaga ako. It also didn't help how my vision started to blur.
"Irene--- " David was about to say something but I guess something's wrong because he touched his forehead and groaned loudly. Tatanungin ko pa sana siya kung ano ang sasabihin niya, nang biglang sumama lalo ang pakiramdam ko.
When I knew I couldn't hold the vomit any longer, I rushed towards the closest door that I saw. Mabuti na lang pagpasok ko doon ay CR talaga iyon. Agad akong lumuhod at kumapit sa toilet bowl. Sinuka ko lahat ng nainom at nakain ko ngayong gabi.
"Sh*t." I reached to flush the toilet then I sat down completely on the cold floor. Hapong hapo ako sa hininga at mas tumindi pa ang sakit ng ulo ko. Hindi ko magawang tumayo dahil nahihilo talaga ako.
While I was focusing on my breathing, I heard a noise outside. May mga naguusap na lalake and then all of the sudden, it was gone. Complete silence came afterwards.
Frowning, I pulled myself up by gripping the sink. Then I forced myself to walk towards the room again.
"David?" I tried to call out his name but my voice is too low. Pumikit ako ng maigi at umiling. Pagmulat ko ay kahit papaano, nakakita na ako ng maayos.
"D-david..." I was shocked to see the room empty. Where is he? He's not on the bed anymore.
Nagmadali akong maglakad patungo sa pintuan kahit na wala na akong enerhiya sa katawan. Ilang beses pa akong muntikan ng mapatid dahil naa-out of balance ako. Mabuti na lang ay nakatutulong ang pagkapit ko sa pader dito sa gilid.
"Nasaan ka?" I started to panic when I realized, he vanished. I went out to the hallway but no one's there. Then I heard loud police sirens from afar.
"No. Don't leave me! Please!" I cried, pleading to him even though he's nowhere to be seen.
Pupunta pa sana ako sa hagdanan upang tumakbo pababa at hanapin siya nang mahilo ulit ako. I passed out and the only thing that I saw before I closed my eyes is the moon light from the ceiling window.
Damian's POV
If I somehow ended up dead because of whatever Nigel had put on my drink, I'd even thank him because it led me to heaven, straight to Irene.
I cried as I wrapped her around my arms. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Talagang nandito siya sa harapan ko. I kissed her like a hungry fool and surprisingly, she did the same. Ramdam ko sa bawat dampi ng mga labi namin kung gaano siya kauhaw sa akin.
We were in the middle of it when she suddenly pushed me, as if she needed to breathe for a second.
"Irene---" I was about to ask her why'd she left me in Paris when I felt a pulsating, throbbing pain in my head. Napahawak ako sa noo ko at napapikit.
T*ngina.
Umupo ako sa kama at huminga ng malalim. Pinagpapawisan pa ako kahit na nakabukas ang aircon sa kwartong ito. Kanina pa masama ang pakiramdam ko mula nang ininom ko ang alak galing sa bar.
"Sorry, medyo masakit lang ang ulo ko," I whispered to her but she didn't say a word.
Minulat ko ang mga mata ko upang tingnan siya ngunit nagulat ako na wala ng tao sa harapan ko. I looked around and panicked.
Tatayo na sana ako upang hanapin siya nang umikot ang paningin ko. I groaned loudly again.
F*ck! Wag ngayon please! Kailangan ko pang hanapin si Irene!
"Tol!" I heard someone say. "Putek, pati pala ikaw?"
"Anong gagawin natin diyan? The police are already on their way!"
"Basta dalhin na lang muna natin itong si Damian sa kabilang wing. Hindi siya pwede dito!"
I abruptly felt two people pulled me up. Parehas nila akong inalalayan maglakad. I think the one speaking earlier is Silva. Medyo nabosesan ko siya.
"Si Irene... " bulong ko. "Nandito siya."
"Pre, relax ka lang. We'll call a doctor. You'll be fine."
"Si Irene. Silva, si Irene hanapin mo."
"Isarado mo 'yung pintuan Art! Mapapagalitan ako ni Papa kapag nalaman niyang may nakapasok dito sa kwarto nila."
Bakit parang hindi nila ako naririnig?
I tried to push him away but they're stronger than me. Parang walang epekto ang pagtulak ko sa kanila.
Sa sobrang pagkahilo ay hindi ko na namalayan kung saan nila ako dinala. Nang pinaupo nila ako sa isang upuan ay bigla na lang akong nagsuka. Then I felt even sicker. Sinandal ko ang ulo ko sa pader at pumikit.
"Irene... " I whispered as tears escaped my closed eyes. "Wag kang aalis, parang awa mo na."
Before I knew it, I fainted.
Iris' POV
I woke up the next day with a severe migraine, though thankfully it's not as bad as last night's. Mukhang ilang oras rin akong nakatulog dahil may liwanag na sa labas.
"Oh. You're awake." I heard someone say. Nilingon ko kung sino iyon at nagtaka nang makita si Naomi na naglalakad palapit sa akin. She sat beside me and touched my forehead. "And you've got no fever. Thank goodness. How do you feel?"
Dahan-dahan akong umupo. "Medyo okay na. But I'm still groggy. Nahihilo pa rin ako ng kaunti."
"Here, take this." Inabutan niya ako ng gamot at isang basong tubig. Pagkatapos kong inumin iyon ay tumingin uli ako sa kanya. "What happened?"
"You passed out last night. They didn't but they're out of energy so I brought them here too." Sinundan ko ang tingin niya at nagulat na katabi ko pala sila Caylee, Tiffany at Ava. Mahimbing pa ang tulog nilang tatlo.
"Ano bang nangyari?"
She sighed and touched my hand. "I am so sorry for my brother's stupidity."
I frowned and waited for her to continue explaining but she just pursed her lips. Halata sa mukha ni Naomi na nahihirapan siyang magpaliwanag.
"Why? What did Nigel do?" I asked calmly.
"He uhmm... He paid the bartender last night to put some drugs on all the drinks. Nigel wanted to have a wild party but apparently, he forgot to tell the guy not to put too much. Nasobrahan ang ilan sa inyo and in the end, a lot of people blacked out." Huminga na naman siya nang malalim na tila nagpipigil ng galit.
I knew it!!! Imposibleng pagkalasing lang ang nangyari sa'kin! There is no way I'd vomit like that just because of a single fruit cocktail!
"It was a mess. Police got involved. May nag-tip sa kanila tungkol sa ginawa ni Nigel, so they went to the party last night to check if it's true. Mabuti na lang mabilis kumilos sila Silva at Art. They were both conscious like me because we haven't drink anything yet when people started getting too wild and some even collapsed. Dinala namin ang mga bisita sa kabilang wing ng mansion kung saan malayo sa bohemian party niya. When the police saw the main event outside, they didn't bother searching the mansion but they still brought Nigel for questioning at the station. Nangielam na doon sila Mama at Papa. They used their connections to get him out without the media knowing about it. Binayaran na rin nila ng malaking halaga 'yung bartender para hindi talaga ito magsalita, in case the police decided to investigate further."
Hindi ko alam ang dapat kong sabihin kay Naomi pagkatapos kong marinig ang paliwanag niya.
Galit ako kay Nigel dahil kung ano-anong katarantaduhan na naman ang pumasok sa isip niya. We already know how f*cked up he is but to the extent wherein he'd involve us? Nakakainit ng ulo!
"As for the guests who were drugged, nagkasundo kami na kayong mga kaibigan ko, dito muna sa bahay namin. I already called your parents and lied to them. Sinabi ko na lang medyo nakainom tayo kaya nagpalipas lahat ng gabi dito. Sila Zin nasa hotel naman nila Rios. And the rest, I guess they're still at Silva's. Kakausapin nila ni Art ang mga ito para hindi magsampa ng kaso kay Nigel. Sabit din kasi ang mga Pierre kapag lumabas sa public ang nangyari. It's their party afterall."
Sumandal ako sa headboard at hindi umimik.
"I know that what Nigel did was dangerous. Pero sana magawa niyo pa ring patawarin si Kuya. He's only like that because he's desperate to go back to the US. Ginagalit niya talaga sila Mama. But he's a good person, alam niyo 'yan."
"But what he did was out of the line, Naomi! Drug overdose isn't a joke! Paano kung isa sa amin bigla na lang tumigil ang tibok ng puso? Are you guys still going to cover it up? Para sa reputation ni Silva? Nang pamilya niyo?" I felt bad to raise my voice at her but I'm just so furious right now.
Naomi bit her lip and looked down. "Of course we won't do that. But since wala namang nasaktan, we thought it'll be better to hide it from everyone else."
I crossed my arms. "Where the hell did he get the drugs anyway? At kailan pa siya natutong gumamit? Nababaliw na ba 'yang Kuya mo? He has everything already and yet he's willing to throw it all away? Dahil sa tantrums lang niya? Unbelievable!"
Nagkibit balikat si Naomi. "Hindi ko rin alam kung saan niya nakuha 'yon. I couldn't talk to Kuya because our parents locked him inside his room. Dad also took everything from him; his phone, all his gadgets and even his cards. Pati kotse hindi niya pwedeng gamitin."
I raised an eyebrow. "He's just grounded? Hindi sapat na punishment 'yon."
"Wala na rin kasing ibang maisip sila Mama na parusa. Kuya already got a punch from Dad, dalawa pa ngang suntok sa mukha."
Gusto kong makipagtalo pa pero alam ko namang walang kasalanan si Naomi. Ayokong madamay siya sa galit ko kay Nigel.
Umiling na lang ako at ni-relax ang sarili ko. Then, I suddenly remembered someone.
"Wait, you said the rest of the guests are still at Silva's, right? E si David? Nandoon pa rin ba siya?"
"Who?"
"Wala ba akong kasama kagabi nung nakita mo ako?" He won't just leave me!!! Something must have happened!
"Iris, magisa ka lang sa hallway nung nakita ka namin ni Rios. Kiel told us you went out to find the bathroom so we looked for you. You weren't with anyone. Walang ibang tao sa second floor."
"B-baka naman bumaba siya bago kayo dumating. Akala niya siguro umalis ako kaya hinanap niya ako!" I started to panic.
"Who the hell is David anyway? A fling?"
I don't have time to explain! I need to find him! Hindi na ako papayag mawala siya ulit.
Tumayo na ako at hinanap ang bag ko pati na ang sapatos ko. Medyo nahihilo pa ako pero wala na akong pakielam pa.
"Iris, teka lang. Aalis ka agad? Mag-stay ka muna dito, ano ka ba! You were drugged! Padating pa lang 'yung doctor na tinawagan ni Mama! Na-check na kayo kagabi ng doctor ni Silva pero mas maganda pa ring makasigurado tayong ayos na nga talaga kayo---"
"He's way more important than me," I mumbled, removing the thin feathers our of my hair. Naiirita ako doon kaya tinanggal ko na. "Where are my car keys?"
"ANO?! Magda-drive ka? Nahihibang ka na ba? I won't let you leave! Pwede ba, umupo ka muna? Tatawagan ko na lang muna si Silva kung nandun pa 'yung David na sinabi mo."
Natigil ako at tinitigan siya. "Okay. Please."
Nakakunot noong kinuha ni Naomi ang phone niya at pinaupo ako sa couch. She sat beside me as she dialed Silva's number.
"Hey. Yeah, I think they'll be fine. Oo. Sorry talaga Silva. Yep. Uhmm, pwede palang humingi ng favor? Can you check if a guy named David is still at your house?"
Ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko habang naghihintay ng balita.
Please tell me he's still in there. I'd fly to Silva's house just to see him.
"Ano daw last name nung David, Iris? He said he can't remember inviting a guy with that name."
"I-I don't know," I admitted.
She frowned but repeated my answer to Silva. Maya-maya ay nag-end call na siya.
"So? Is he there?"
"Wala daw siyang kilalang David pero magtatanong siya doon. Balitaan niya na lang daw tayo."
Parang hindi naman yata ako mapapakali na maghihintay lang ako.
"Naomi, can you please drive me to his mansion? Please?"
"But I still have to take care of our friends. Besides you're not in a good condition to leave!"
"Pero---"
"Iris, kung nandoon nga si David, I'm sure hindi naman siya pababayaan nila Art. Kung gusto mo, sabihin ko kay Silva, ibigay number mo kapag nahanap niya na ito."
"Okay. Do that." Nanlalamig ang mga kamay at paa ko habang pinapanuod siyang mag-text kay Silva.
Magkikita naman siguro ulit kami ni David. Now that I know he's here in the Philippines and he's actually a part of my social circle, it'll be easier to find him. Baka mamaya nga, mayakap ko na siya ulit.
Dashiell's POV
"G*gong Nigel talaga 'yon," inis na bulong ko habang naglalakad palabas ng kwarto ko. Kakaligo ko lang at nakatulog naman ako ng ilang oras kahit papaano.
Before going downstairs to eat breakfast, I went to check on my brother. Inuwi ko siya dito kaninang madaling araw pagkatapos niyang mahimatay kagabi. Na-check na siya ng doctor and thankfully, hindi naman daw ganoon kalala ang kondisyon ni Kuya. I was told by Silva that if ever his condition worsens, I'd have to bring Damian to the hospital. Kasi hindi biro ang nangyari.
I knocked before I opened the door. To be honest, our parents are unaware of the truth. Pinalabas kong nalasing lang ang kapatid ko kaya tulog na tulog ito. I don't want them to worry especially our father. I know he'll be very mad. Magkakagulo kapag nangielam si Papa. Both Silva and Nigel might end up in jail.
Sumilip ako sa loob at nakitang nagigising na siya. I walked inside and opened the curtain a little.
"Hey."
Damian groaned. "Si Irene?"
"Huh?"
"Si Irene. Nasaan siya?" He keeps on repeating that name over and over again since I saw him last night. Sino ba 'yung babaeng 'yon at hinahanap niya?
"Was she one of the guests?" I asked.
Umupo si Damian ngunit mukhang masakit pa rin ang ulo niya dahil napamura siya.
"Pakikuha nga ng cellphone ko. Please."
Inabot ko ang phone niya at pinanuod lang siya ng tahimik. Sumandal ako sa pader at nakinig sa call.
"Hello Silva? Pre, nandiyan ba si Irene? The girl I was with last night! 'Yung kasama ko sa kwarto! No, she's real! I was with her! Damn it! Just find her!"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang hinagis niya sa sahig ang phone niya. I heard it cracked but he didn't even bother looking at it. Instead, he stood up and grabbed a jacket.
"You're leaving?" gulat na tanong ko. "Are you insane? Bro, you're not fine!"
Tumingin siya sa akin at natahimik ako nang mapagmasdan ko ang mga mata niya. He's frustrated, desperate and... scared.
"I can't lose her again, Dash."
Hindi ko alam kung anong ibig sabihin niya doon pero rinig ko sa boses niyang nanghihina siya, na para bang kapag hindi niya nakita ang babaeng iyon ay ikamamatay niya ito.
"Okay, I'll drive you. But if you ever feel something wrong again, please tell me right away."
*****
"Well, there's Irene Frey Leona here but it says she did not attend last night."
Leona? That's Iris' last name. Is that her older sister?
Damian frowned and stared at the screen of the computer.
Pagdating namin dito ay wala naman na 'yung Irene na hinahanap ni Kuya. He's being hysterical so Silva suggested that we look into the official invites from his laptop. Kaso mukhang hindi iyon ang Irene na hinahanap ng kapatid ko dahil ang sama ng timpla ng mukha niya.
"What does this Irene look like?" He asked Silva. "I think I've heard that name before."
Nag-search ito sa google at pinakita ang isang picture kay Damian. "Ayan pre. Is she the one you're looking for?"
Umiling si Kuya at pagalit na tumayo. He threw his jacket on the floor and hissed angrily.
"Let's just go home," I suggested. "Kailangan mo ng pahinga---"
"I'm not going home without her."
Nagkatinginan kami ni Silva. Para na siyang baliw. Naghahanap ng isang taong wala naman dito kagabi. Unless maybe, Irene's a waitress or part of the banquet team. Pwede ring maid.
"Baka naman nag-imagine ka lang, bro. You're high and you've been looking for her in the past few months. Nag-hallucinate ka na siguro na nandito siya."
Past few months? Ganun katagal niya ng hinahanap ang babaeng 'yon?
Who is that girl?
All of a sudden, he grabbed the collar of Silva's shirt and growled. "SIRA ULO KA BA? TOTOO SIYA! NAHAWAKAN KO SIYA! NAHALIKAN! She was here!"
"Kuya!" pagsuway ko na. Lumapit ako sa kanila sa takot na magsuntukan sila. "Tama na."
Dahan-dahang binitawan ni Damian si Silva at umiiyak.
I froze in shock as I watched him cry. Ito ang unang beses na nakita ko siyang ganito kahina. Growing up, he's always been perfect in my eyes. Kahit anong ipagawa sa kanya ni Papa, walang karekla-reklamong ginagawa ni Kuya. He was never weak. Ngayon lang.
"I finally had her again. Magkayakap na kami. I can't believe she slipped away the second time!"
Habang tinititigan siya ay tila nakita ko ang sarili ko sa kanya ng ilang segundo. I was this broken when I lost Charmaine.
"Dude, you're not feeling well. You should get more rest. I'll try to look for her," Silva promised his friend. Kumalma si Kuya dahil doon ngunit patuloy pa rin ang pagiyak niya.
Inalalayan namin si Damian humiga sa kama dahil napaluhod na siya sa lapag. Pinainom siya ni Silva ng gamot na nireseta daw ng doctor para makatulong sa pakiramdam ng mga bisita.
When he finally dozed off, Silva and I went out of the room quietly.
"Pasensya ka na kay Damian ha. Hindi ko mapigilan e. Nagpumilit bumalik dito." We both leaned on the staircase railing.
"Ayos lang. Hindi lang naman siya ang may hinahanap. Even Naomi's looking for someone and the other guests as well. Nagaalala ang karamihan sa kalagayan ng mga kaibigan nilang nagpapahinga pa dito." He frowned and sighed. "I feel bad for him. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin pala niya nalilimutan ang babaeng iyon."
"Who's Irene? A girlfriend?"
"Not really. It's just someone he said he met in Paris. Nawala na lang daw bigla kaya ayan, parang timang na hanap ng hanap. It's hilarious how he thought she'll be here."
I nodded. "Imposible nga 'yon, considering that she has to be like one of us before she'd get an invite." Umayos ako ng tayo at huminga ng malalim. "Ano na palang plano niyo? Will you just let Nigel get away with this? I'm sure your father got mad."
"Indeed he was, but it's not we could do something. Tapos na 'yon at damay kami kung palalakihin pa ito. Swerte na lang talaga na walang nagalit ng husto. So far, everyone's been cooperative. Nigel's one lucky bastard."
I smiled, though it wasn't a happy smile. I'm just glad no one got seriously hurt.
"Sila... Iris pala? Kumusta daw?" I saw her last night with her friends. Tutulong sana ako pero nakita ko namang kaya na nila Rios, Naomi at Asher ang mga kaibigan nila.
"I heard they're all feeling better now. Na-check na rin sila ng doctor na tinawagan nila."
"Ahh. Mabuti naman."
I'll call her later to see how she's doing. For the meantime, I'll be at my Kuya's side. Hindi ko man alam kung ano talaga ang nangyari pero mukhang seryoso ito. He's heartbroken because it seems like he lost someone so important to him.
Iris' POV
Caylee's been ranting all morning about how she'll make Nigel suffer while Tiffany and Ava are just as tired as I am. Tahimik kaming kumain ng breakfast at bumalik sa kwarto ni Naomi upang matulog pa. May pampaantok din kasi ang gamot na binigay sa amin ng doctor.
Nang mag-CR si Caylee at napansin kong tulog na ulit sila Tiff ay tsaka ako lumapit kay Naomi at bumulong. "Ano na daw balita?"
Umiling siya. "He said there's no David anywhere inside the mansion. He also sent me the list of guests and workers for his party. Wala doon ang pangalan ng taong hinahanap mo."
I frowned and asked for the list. Gusto kong ako mismo ang maghanap. I searched each one of them. Baka kasi mamaya, second name niya ang David.
"He was really with me," I whispered. "There must be some misunderstanding here. Baka naman nag-sneak in lang siya or last minute guest? That's possible right?"
Naomi stared at me for a few seconds. "Alam mo namang hindi maaari 'yon. Una sa lahat, kung hindi sya invited, hindi na siya agad makakapasok sa subdivision nila Silva. Second, there are guards everywhere the place. He can't just barge in without getting caught."
"But he was there. I know he was. Kausap ko siya. Naamoy ko ang pabango niya. David's with me last night."
Pinunasan ni Naomi ang luhang bumagsak sa pisngi ko.
"Iris, hindi ko alam kung sino 'yung David na hinahanap mo at kung bakit mo siya hinahanap, pero wala ka talagang kasama kagabi nung makita ka namin. I think you were just dreaming. Akala mo siguro totoong kasama mo ang lalakeng iyon."
I felt like my whole world came crashing down and it hit me straight in the heart.
My desperation to see the guy from Paris will be the death of me.
If I don't stop myself now, it'll kill me.
Naomi's right. I must be dreaming or hallucinating.
I must have kissed someone else or maybe, everything that happened was merely just an imagination.
"Siguro nga," I whispered before I faked a smile and stood up. Paglabas na paglabas ni Caylee ng banyo ay ako naman ang pumasok doon.
I sat at the empty bathtub and cried my heart out till I felt numb.
"No more heartaches. No more shedding tears for the guy I barely know. I'm so tired of this. I can't do it anymore."
I vow that this will be the last time I'll allow myself to be in pain because of him.
*End of Chapter 15*
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