Hey everyone! I would just like to share that ALLURING KARA JADE published book and merchandise are now both available! For shopee links, you can find it on my social media accounts.
Hoping to see AKJ in your hands soon!
Thank you so much lalo na sa mga nag-order na po! My heart is full! hehe
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CHAPTER 16
OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS
Iris' POV
I am fully aware that my friends have noticed the sudden change in me. I became more silent since yesterday and even online, I'd just read their messages but I never actually reply.
I'm not shutting myself from the world. I'm just so tired to deal with anything else right now.
After crying so much at Naomi's crib, I felt drained. Ni tumingin sa mga mata nila ay hindi ko nagawa. She drove me home later that night. Thankfully, my Mom was so happy with the pictures she saw online that she didn't even notice how broken I am.
"It's a shame your father and I weren't able to attend the party but I am relieved that you were there. Panay positive feedback ang nakita kong sinasabi ng mga tao sa'yo. Mabuti na lang talaga ay sinunod mo ang payo ng mga kaibigan mong suotin ang dress na 'yon. I love it, anak!"
I forced myself to smile and pretend as if everything's alright. She continued to praise me all throughout dinner till my sister arrived. I used that chance to excuse myself and run upstairs. Pagpasok ko sa kwarto ko ay nanlumo na ulit ako.
How stupid can I actually be?
I shouldn't feel this way but I do and I hate myself for that.
I sat in front of my study table and was about to open my laptop when I realized, there's no point of looking at the event images. Maaalala ko lang ang nangyari. Mas lalo lang akong masasaktan. I crossed my arm at the table and rested my chin on it.
Sighing, I stared at the mini Eiffel tower figurine which I bought in Paris the day I met him.
"Was that really just a dream?" I mumbled. "But his kisses felt so real."
*****
"Okay that's it. I ain't pretending anymore." Lahat kami ay napatingin kay Caylee nang bigla itong magsalita at lumapit sa akin. "Girl, what the hell is wrong with you?"
I frowned but I just looked at her. Tahimik lang naman akong nagaaral dito sa tabi kaya bakit siya nagagalit?
Caylee crossed her arms and sighed. "Ris, kilala kita. I know when you're troubled. Simula kahapon, hindi na kita narinig magsalita. Is there something else that happened that night that you haven't mention to us? I'm really getting worried."
Nakita kong magsasalita dapat si Naomi pero nang magtugma ang mga mata namin ay umiwas na lang siya ng tingin. She's the only one who knows about the guy I'm looking for but gladly, she didn't force me to explain who David is.
Zin stood beside Caylee. "Hayaan mo na muna si Iris. Magshe-share naman siya kung gusto niya."
"But---"
"Andito kami kung kailangan mo ng tulong," He told me.
I hate that I'm keeping a secret from them but I honestly just want to forget about David. I promised myself that I'll let go of him this time. Kung paguusapan pa namin siya, baka kumapit lang ulit ako at magkaroon na naman ng kaunting pagasa na mahahanap ko siya.
I know what they'll do. They'll try to find him so they can help me. Tapos ano? Hindi rin nila mahahanap? O 'di kaya, kung mahanap man nila, anong kasiguraduhan na gusto nga akong makita pa ni David. He didn't call after reading my letter which means he probably hated the fact that I lied to him. Or maybe, what happened between us really meant nothing for him. Kung ano man ang rason niya, ayoko nang marinig pa. Pagod na pagod na talaga ako.
"Pasensya na kayo ha. Hindi ko ginustong magalala kayo. Siguro na-shock lang talaga ako dahil sa ginawa ni Nigel." Zin stared at me while Naomi suddenly walked towards the kitchen.
Mukhang kumagat naman si Caylee sa palusot ko dahil nakita kong umamo ang mukha niya. She sat beside me and wrapped her arms around my waist. "Even I got scared but we're totally fine now. 'Di ba nga, kanina ang sabi naman ng doctor, ayos na tayo?"
At lunch time, we were checked by a doctor again. It was a discreet quick check-up done at the hospital nearby. They did a drug testing just to see if we needed further treatments. Syempre nung una, hindi kami pumayag but Silva and his parents assured us that the hospital won't be storing our records. It was illegal but they own the hospital. Madali sa kanilang gawin iyon.
"Yeah but still.... "
"Hayaan mo Iris, kapag nakita natin si Nigel, bubugbugin natin siya ng malala. No offense to you Naomi but he deserves to be beaten till he begs for mercy."
Naomi laughed. "No, I totally agree. Even I hated what he did."
Ginulo lang ni Zin ang buhok ko bago siya umupo na ulit sa sofa kasama sila Kiel. They're watching some action movie.
Kakatapos lang kasi ng mga klase namin kaya nandito kami sa 'The Grove' nag-stay habang nagpapalipas ng oras. We don't normally go home immediately after class.
"Oh I know how to cheer Iris up! Let's go shopping!" Tiffany suggested.
"Pass. Wala pa akong masyadong energy." Ava even yawned.
"Kain na lang tayo sa labas," pagsingit ni Rios. "My treat."
"Game!" Tumayo kaagad si Asher at ngumisi. "Sana pala palagi ka na lang malungkot, Iris."
Nagtawanan silang lahat ngunit nagsitayuan na rin naman. Caylee pulled me up and I had no choice but to let her. Mabuti na rin siguro ito kaysa magmukmok ako sa bahay.
*****
Ang gulo gulo nilang lahat habang naglalakad kami sa loob ng mall. They couldn't decide which restaurant should we go to. Gusto nung isa seafood, gusto naman nung isa pasta. I, on the other hand, is just peacefully walking behind them. Pupungay pungay ang mga mata ko nang mapansing hinintay pala ako ni Zin. Tumaas ang isang kilay ko pero inakbayan niya lang ako.
"Ang tahimik mo nga masayado," he said in a low voice.
"I've never been talkative anyway."
He smirked. "True but Caylee's right. Something's off with you."
"I'm fine Zin. But thanks for the concern."
He stared at me for a few seconds. "Did someone violate you at the after party?"
"Huh?" gulat na tanong ko. "Wala!"
"Sigurado ka? Baka naman kaya ayaw mong sabihin ay dahil nahihiya ka? Ris, if that's the case, you should tell us who did it to you. Wala kang dapat ikahiya dahil ikaw ang biktima."
I pinched his cheek. "Baliw! Walang ganun. I wasn't violated or anything. Isa pa, kung may nambastos man nga sa'kin, hindi ko itatago 'yon. I would definitely tell all of you."
Nanliit ang mga mata niya na tila ba hindi siya naniniwala sa sinabi ko.
"I just... I miss someone so badly," I finally admitted. Sobrang hina ng boses ko kaya hindi ako sigurado kung narinig niya ba ng maayos.
There. I said it.
Ewan ko ba pero madali kasing kausap si Zin. He's not someone who'd make a big deal out of things.
Medyo nagulat siya at nagtugma ang mga kilay niya. "Sino ba 'yang lalakeng 'yan? Si Royce ba?"
"Sira. You know I never had a thing with that guy."
"Then who is it? Siya rin ba 'yung iniyakan mo last summer? Nung hinatid kita pauwi galing sa after-party ng Larykn Bears?"
I got stunned at how quick-witted he is. Hindi ko in-expect na mapagdudugtong niya iyon.
I slowly nodded even though I know I should have lied.
"G*gong 'yon," I heard him whisper. "'Wag mo na iyakan 'yon ha. I'm sure you'd find someone better."
"I know," I agreed. "Hindi ko lang talaga maiwasan ma-miss siya."
He squeezed my shoulder. "Reto kita sa iba, gusto mo?"
"Tsss."
Zin smiled but didn't say a word after that. I felt relieved that he didn't force me to tell him more. Sapat na sa kanya 'yung sinabi ko.
Naglakad na kami ng tahimik hanggang sa tumigil ang mga kaibigan namin sa tapat ng isang dining atelier. They were arguing loudly when a guy from afar caught my eye.
Nakatalikod siya at mukhang may tine-text. He's wearing a brown long sleeve and dark jeans. Naka-brown na sapatos din siya.
My heart skipped a beat as I examine his figure.
Is that David? Ganyan na ganyan ang tangkad niya pati na ang laki ng katawan niya.
I was about to walk towards him when a girl approached him. Ngumiti ang babaeng ito at pinulupot ang mga braso sa left arm nung lalake.
Oh. That's not him.
Ito na naman ako. Iniisip ko na namang magkikita kami dito.
"Ris, ikaw?" I got distracted when Evan suddenly asked me a question.
"Huh? Ano 'yon?"
"Okay lang ba kung dito na tayo kumain?"
"Yeah sure. Kahit saan."
"AYAN HA! MALINAW ANG USAPAN! MAJORITY, DITO RAW!" tuwang tuwang sabi niya.
"Girl naman e!" Naomi made a face while Ava crossed her arms. I bit my lower lip and made a peace sign using my right hand. Hindi ko naman alam na may botohan palang nagaganap.
Everyone went inside while I knelt down to fix my shoe lace. Muntik na kasi akong matapilok nang matapakan ko iyon. Then I ran inside to follow them.
Damian's POV
"Nasaan na ba 'yon? Parang ewan naman." I looked down on my phone and sent Gio another text message. Kanina ang sabi niya magkasama na daw sila ni Silva at papunta na dito, but that was ten minutes ago! Kung alam ko lang na male-late sila, sana ay hindi muna ako umalis ng bahay.
Sobrang nanghina ako nang ma-realize kong nag-hallucinate nga lang ako dahil sa drugs kaya akala ko nagkita kami ni Irene. It was such a painful experience to the point that thinking about her now hurts me even more. Nangako ako sa sarili kong ititigil ko na ang kahibangan na ito kaya naman pumayag ako sa gusto nila Art na magkita-kita kami ngayon.
They said they just want to eat some food before we leave the Philippines tonight.
"Damian?" I glanced at the girl who stopped in front of me. Tinitigan ko ang mukha niya ngunit hindi ko maalala kung sino siya. She's pretty, and it looks like she's a model. Maybe I've met her at one of the high society galas before?
"How'd you know me?" Is she a fan of the Elites?
"I can't believe you forgot me!" Kumapit siya sa braso ko at ngumiti pa lalo. "Ako nga hindi ko pa rin makalimutan kung paano mo 'ko napasaya noon."
Oh. A one night stand.
Unti-onti kong tinanggal ang pagkakakapit niya sa braso ko. "Sorry Miss pero matagal na 'yon. Hindi na dapat natin pinaguusapan pa."
She pouted, trying to be cute. "Nagbago ka na pala. You're no fun anymore."
The last time I slept with a random girl here in the Philippines was I think, three years ago. Malamang malaki na ang pinagbago ko.
I was about to ask her to leave when I heard someone shouted from behind, "AYAN HA! MALINAW ANG USAPAN! MAJORITY, DITO RAW!"
Nilingon ko kung sino iyon ngunit nagsipasukan na sila sa loob ng restaurant.
"So, are you busy?" I heard the lady beside me say.
I was going to face her again when I noticed someone left behind by her friends. Nakayuko ito at tinatali ang sintas ng sapatos niya.
My heart stopped beating as I stared at the girl.
That brown wavy hair...
Si Irene ba 'yon?
"Pre! Nandyan ka lang pala! Ang usapan sa tapat tayo ng gourmet---Oh. Now I know why," ngingisi-ngising sambit ni Silva bago tumingin sa katabi kong babae.
Hindi ko siya pinansin. I just looked back to the girl that I saw but to my surprise, she's already gone.
"Silva saglit lang ha. May kailangan lang akong tingnan." Before he could even speak, I ran towards the resto. Pagpasok sa loob ay nilibot agad ng mga mata ko ang paligid.
"Damian? Hey!!! What are you doing here?" Caylee greeted me but I was too busy to find Irene.
Namamalikmata lang ba ako?
"Hello? Earth to Damian!"
"Hmmm?"
"Akala ko ngayon na ang alis niyo pabalik ng Australia?"
"M-mamaya pa."
"Sino bang hinahanap mo at hindi ka makausap ng maayos diyan?"
There's no one else here but her friends...
"You okay?" Caylee asked, touching my forehead, probably to check if I have a fever.
Talaga bang magpapakatanga ka na lang Damian? Anong nangyari sa sinabi mong titigil ka na?
"Yeah sorry. Akala ko kasi pumasok dito 'yung kakilala ko."
"Oh okay. Are you alone?"
"I'm with Silva. The boys will be here any minute now. Kakain lang kami saglit."
"Bakit hindi na lang kayo dito kumain? There's plenty of room for everyone."
"Hindi na, kilala mo naman ang mga 'yon." We maybe friends with them but we don't really like hanging out with those who are younger than us. Kahit isang taon lang ang pagitan, mas gusto pa rin talaga nila Art na kami kami na lang magkakasama.
Zin suddenly walked towards us. Nang magdikit ang mga braso nila ay lumayo kaagad si Caylee. Medyo napangiti ako doon dahil inis pa rin pala ang isang ito kay Zin.
"Alright, I won't bother you anymore. Ingat sa flight mo!" Caylee smiled and went back to sit with her friends.
"Bantayan mo 'yan ha," bilin ko kay Zin dahil nabalitaan kong may boyfriend na si Caylee.
"Always." I treat Cayanne Leigh as my sister but Zin sees her differently. Palagi silang nagaasaran pero halata kong malaki ang malasakit niya para dito. Malakas ang kutob kong may gusto siya dito.
I patted his shoulder and bid goodbye. Lumabas na ako ng resto at naglakad pabalik kila Silva.
"What was that?"
"Nothing," I simply answered.
"Grabe pre, ilang araw ka pa lang dito pero may chicks ka na agad kasama," tatawa-tawang sambit ni Art habang tinitingnan ang babaeng kumapit sa braso ko kanina.
"So who's this girl---" Nilagpasan ko na lang sila Gio at dire-diretsong naglakad.
Maybe I should just go home.
Iris' POV
After washing my hands at the comfort room, I stayed there for a couple of minutes. Gusto ko nang umuwi ngayon pa lang. Ang gugulo nila at ang sasaya. Pakiramdam ko hindi ako dapat nandirito. I can't handle their energy especially when I'm this... shattered.
Sighing, I went back to sit with my friends. Nagkukwentuhan sila habang natingin sa menu.
"Good thing talaga hindi nagalit ng sobra sila Damian diyan kay Nigel."
"True. Kung tropa natin 'yon, nako unfriended na sa'kin 'yon!"
"What he did was so out of the line! Ang baliw kasi, asar."
"Hayaan niyo na. Tapos na 'yon."
"They know him so they won't just push him away after one huge mistake."
"Mistake? Nanganib ang buhay natin dahil sa kanya! That ass!"
At nagtalo talo na ang mga boys at girls.
"Why are they talking about it again?" tanong ko kay Ava. Kanina bago ako maghugas ng kamay ay mga brand ng damit ang topic nila. Hindi ko mawari kung paano napunta doon ang usapan.
"Naalala lang ulit nila Caylee dahil napadaan dito ang kuya ni Dash."
"Ahhh." Tumingin na lang ako sa menu at nagisip na ng makakain. I was about to tell Rios my order when I noticed something.
"Hala 'yung bracelet at watch ko!" pagpa-panic ko. They all shut up and looked at me.
"Baka naiwan mo sa CR," Ava commented.
Tatayo na sana ako nang magsalita si Tiffany. "You're not wearing any accessories since this morning."
"Oo nga. Not even a ribbon on your hair which is very unusual for you," Caylee added.
"Huh? E nasaan 'yon?!" I always wear it at school because it's a gift from my parents. 'Yung watch, regalo ni Papa nung birthday ko last year while 'yung bracelet naman galing kay Mama. Both are so expensive which is why I only take it off at home. Favorite ko talaga kaya palagi kong sinusuot.
Chineck ko kaagad ang bag ko ngunit wala iyon doon.
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen you wearing it lately," Naomi mumbled. Tumingin ako sa kanya at nagisip mabuti.
Kailan ko ba huling sinuot iyon? Kasi kung naiwan ko naman sa kwarto ko, bakit hindi ko naisusuot ulit? It should have caught my eyes every morning since isa lang naman ang pinaglalagyan ko noon sa walk-in closet ko.
"Just buy a new one," Kiel suggested. "Don't stress yourself."
"May sentimental value ang dalawang 'yon."
"Oh. Sheez."
I bit my lower lip and thought even harder.
Hindi ko naman sinuot iyon nung birthday party ni Silva.
NAALALA KO NA! I LEFT IT AT THE HOTEL! Nung nalasing si Dashiell! Tinanggal ko 'yon at pinatong sa table! Oh my gosh! I hope it's with him! Sana nakita niya iyon bago siya umalis ng hotel.
I can just call him to be sure he has it but, I could use this as an excuse to leave. Wala talaga ako sa mood makipaghalubilo.
"I-I need to go."
"Now?" gulat na tanong ni Kiel. "Saan ka pupunta?"
"I think I know where I left it. Kailangan kong makasigurado. Regalo kasi sa'kin 'yon ng parents ko. Sorry guys! Bawi ako next time!"
"Ano ba 'yan. Ingat ka sa pagda-drive ha!" Caylee pouted.
Tumayo na ako at lumabas. Habang naglalakad ay tinawagan ko si Dashiell. Sana ay wala siya sa training dahil hindi niya masasagot ang call kung nasa bag niya ang phone niya.
Dashiell's POV
"Akala ko ba 11 pm pa ang flight mo?" nagtatakang tanong ko kay Kuya. "Bakit nagre-ready ka na umalis?"
"I re-booked it."
Nagkasalubong ang mga kilay ko. I know it's easy for us to re-book a flight considering the power our last name holds. Isang tawag lang, ayos na agad lahat.
But why would he do that? Is this because of that girl Irene again? Is he running away because staying here hurts him?
"May kailangan ka pa?" tanong niya sa akin nang mapansing hindi pa rin ako umaalis. Tinatanggal niya na ang sapatos niya habang nakaupo sakama niya. I think he's going to take a shower.
"Uuwi ka ba next month, Kuya?"
"No," simpleng sagot niya.
"But it's Christmas. You always go home every Christmas."
He stopped and stared at nowhere for a few moments before he gazed at me. "Kayo na lang pumunta sa'kin, for a change. It's nice to spend the holidays in Australia."
So he really hates being here. Mukhang may kinalaman nga talaga ito doon sa babaeng hinahanap niya. I think na-trauma siya sa nangyari nung party.
"Okay. I'll tell Dad." Wala namang issue kung kami ang lilipad patungo sa kanya unless busy si Papa sa work niya. But I doubtit. Kapag si Kuya naman ang pinaguusapan, madali siyang mapapayag.
Magsasalita pa sana ulit ako nang tumunog ang phone ko. I looked at the caller and was surprised to see Iris' name. Must be important.
"You should call Dad before you leave," I reminded Damian before I went outside. Nasa work pa kasi ito at baka magulat na lang paguwi na umalis na pala si Kuya.
"Hey. What's up?"
"Sorry ha. Nakakaistorbo ba 'ko?"
"Hindi naman. Go ahead. What can I do for you?
"Well remember when you got drunk and I brought you to a hotel last week? I'm not sure but I think I left my bracelet and watch there. 'Yun yung huling naaalala kong memory na tinanggal ko 'yon. Napansin mo ba if naiwan ko nga doon?"
"Ah! Oo! Pasensa na nalimutan kong ibalik sa'yo. You left it that morning but before I went out, I saw it."
"Oh my gosh! Buti na lang!" She exhaled in relief and I chuckled.
"Balik ko sa'yo bukas."
"Uhmm... nasa bahay ka ba? Ayos lang ba if daanan ko na ngayon? Hindi kasi ako mapakali na wala sa'kin. I can't believe I didn't notice it for days."
"Sure ka? I mean, I can just give it to you tomorrow morning at school."
"Baka mapansin din ni Papa na hindi ko suot bukas pag nag-breakfast kami. Mahirap na hehe."
"Sige. Send ko sa'yo full address ko after this call."
"Great! Thank you so much!"
Natawa ako nang binaba niya na ang call. Talagang sasadyain niya pa dito. Iba din ang impulse ng isang iyon.
I just finished hitting the sent button when Damian called my name.
"Dash?" I glanced at him. "Sino 'yon? Girlfriend mo?"
"I'm single," I reminded him. "And I'm not yet ready to date."
He sighed as if he wanted to say 'same'.
"Oh. Iyo na lang." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang iniabot niya sa akin ang pinaka-paboriting relos niya. It's the Audemars Piguet swiss watch that I've been wanting for months. Bibili na nga dapat ako kaso sobrang busy ko sa school kaya nakakalimutan ko.
"S-sigurado ka? Pero bakit?"
"I just don't want to wear it anymore."
Dali-dali ko namang sinuot iyon bago magbago ang isip niya. Ngumiti ng malaki. Saktong sakto sa akin. Medyo maluwag lang ng kaunti dahil mas bulk ang katawan ni Kuya pero ayos lang naman. Hindi ako maarteng tao. I don't care if it's brand new or not. Basta nagustuhan ko, okay.
"Sh*t! Ang ganda! Thanks bro!"
Damian just nodded before he went back inside his room. Wala pang ilang minuto ay narinig ko ng bumukas ang shower sa CR ni Kuya at pagkatapos ay nagpatugtog na siya ng kanta.
Ang saya saya ko namang pumasok sa kwarto ko upang kunin ang mga gamit ni Iris. I waited for a few minutes at the living room before I heard a car outside. Lumabas na agad ako at pumunta sa may driver's side upang hindi na siya bumaba pa.
Iris rolled down her car window and smiled at me. "Hi. Sorry talaga kung dinaanan ko pa dito."
"Ano ka ba, wala 'yon. I'm not doing anything any way. Here."
She happily accepted it but froze when she saw my watch. Titig na titig siya sa relos ko na tila ba may naaalala siya doon. Then I saw a hint of sadness in her face.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Iris looked up to me and faked a smile. "Oo naman. Bakit?"
"Cause I think your eyes are showing the opposite."
Umiwas siya ng tingin. She bit her lower lip and exhaled loudly.
"What's wrong?" I insisted.
"Naisip ko lang siya saglit."
"Who---Oh. Him." I immediately realized who she's referring to. 'Yung lalakeng naikwento niya sa akin na may feelings pa rin siya.
I rested my hand on the side of her car window and leaned to her even more so I could look at her face. Tumingin naman siya sa akin nang ginawa ko iyon.
"Do you want me to distract you? I'm free tonight. We can grab dinner if you want. Kahit gaano katagal, sasamahan kita."
Iris held my eyes for a long time. Nagisip siya ng mabuti hanggang sa huminga na naman siya ng malalim.
"Thanks for the offer but... I'm sorry, Dash. Gusto ko munang mapagisa."
"Sure. But I'm here if you need me. You know that, right?"
"O-of course. Talk to you later."
She doesn't want to talk about it and I respect that.
"Ingat ka pauwi." I took a step back and watched her drove away.
I wish there's something I could do to help her. She was there for me when I was so down and I genuinely just want to do the same.
*End of Chapter 16*
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Awit 'yung 4:23 am ko pinublish ang chap na 'to.
Bampirang bampira lang. HAHAHA