CHAPTER 20
CALM
Iris' POV
"Sucks right? If we can only have a month long rest, that would be nice," Ava mumbled.
I nod my head in agreement. I honestly felt like the Holidays went by like a blur. Every single day, my family and I visited dozens of tourist spots all around Monaco. It's the first time my parents took a two weeks leave from work just to bond with me and Ate Irene. And it was the best! Akala ko sasama lang ang loob ko sa kanila pero hindi. Suprisingly, they both treated differently. Kung dati mas kinakausap nila si Ate ay parehas na atensyon na ang binibigay nila sa aming dalawa ngayon. It was as if they heard my desperate cries years ago and finally decided to listen.
"This one's for you. Ito kay Caylee. I know you'd love this Naomi. Hey Tiff, for you!" I handed them bags which I bought at the Le Metropole Shopping Center. They all squeeled out of happiness and hugged me. Ava quickly took a picture of it and posted it on her social media account.
"Wow, sila lang?" Nilingon pa ako ni Zin kahit na busy siya maglaro ng xbox. We're all here at the Grove since our classes just finished.
"Of course I have pasalubong for all of you! Kayo na mamili ng gusto niyong kulay. It's from Steffano Ricci." I had the chance to buy several neckties and cufflinks for my guy friends. Alam ko kasing mahilig sila sa mga ganun lalo na at papalapit na ang opening ng palaro ni Senyor.
"SH*T?! HUY!" Napabalikwas sila nang marinig nila ang sinabi ko. Parang mga batang nagunahan pumunta dito sa table ang mga boys. Natawa na lang ako at pinanuod silang magtalo talo pa.
Caylee started giving us gifts as well from her trip at Montgomery Hills. "I finally met Prince Rohan! Grabe girl, sayang! He's already engaged"
Tiff chuckled. "Totoo bang sobrang gwapo niya sa personal?"
"Yup! I was lucky they invited my family as their guests. I have videos inside the palace. Look!" And we all watched her mini vlog from the trip. Papatapos na kami nang napatingin ako kay Zin. Malaki ang ngiti niya habang pinapanuod ang video ni Caylee.
"What a coincidence! I was in Costa Vira, the country where his fiancée Princess Cordelia lives," Ava shared. "Sobrang ganda doon lalo sa ng mga beach nila. Ang peaceful lang."
Of course Ava also bought a few items for us. Sa girls woven bags while sa boys summer shirts.
Tiff said she went to Elysian with her Mom. Every year talaga ay umuuwi sila sa probinsya nila to visit her grandmother.
Naomi and her family were in Korea since she was so into Kdrama these past couple of months. Na-convince niya ang buong pamilya niya na doon sila magbakasyon noong pasko.
Evan spent the Holidays in Japan with his family while both Rios and Theo went to Las Vegas. Busy ang parents nila kaya silang dalawa na lang ang nagliwaliw doon. They said they spent most nights at the casinos, playing games and getting drunk. Of course they didn't forget talking about some random girls. Psh.
Zin and his childhood friends were in Switzerland. He didn't forget to buy us Swiss watches and chocolates! Yay!
Habang inaabutan niya kami ng mga pasalubong na dala niya ay napansin kong natigil si Caylee nang buksan niya ang paper bag na inabot sa kanya. I think mas marami ang binigay sa kanya ni Zin kaya nagulat siya. Napapangisi na lang ako kasi halatang halata ang feelings ni Zin para sa kaibigan ko.
"Ako? Sa Brooklyn lang. I visited my cousin," sambit ni Kiel.
"Sino? Si Russell?" Rios asked.
"Yup. He's still grumpy." And then they both laughed.
"Ikaw bro? Where'd you go?" Evan asked Asher. Ganito kasi kaming magkakaibigan. Halos hindi kami nakakapagusap kahit sa socmed tuwing Christmas break kaya kapag nakabalik na kami sa school ay doon kami nagkukwentuhan.
"Sa bahay lang ako. Tinamad ako." Pagkatapos ay sumalampak na siya sa sofa habang kinakain ang Swiss chocolate na hawak niya. Natawa na lang kami at maingay na nagkuwentuhan uli.
At the middle of our conversation, I noticed Caylee's boyfriend is quiet on the side. Busy siya sa pagse-cellphone at ngumingisi ngisi pa. I kicked Zin's feet and gestured over Aaron's direction. Na-gets niya agad ang ginawa ko at nilingon ito. He frowned and crossed his arms. "Ahem."
Napatingin ang lahat kay Zin at agad nila sinundan ang tingin nito. Aaron still hasn't realized we are all looking at him. Tatawa tawa pa ito nang mapansin niyang tahimik ang lahat. He looked up and his eyes widened when he saw us.
"What?"
"Sino 'yang kausap mo, babe?" Caylee asked innocently.
"Ah kaibigan ko lang. Kanina pa joke ng joke sa gc namin." He stood up and smiled, putting his phone on the pocket of his jeans. Nilapitan niya si Caylee at inakbayan ito. "Kailangan ko na pala umuwi. I have some things I have to do but I'll see you at your house? Tuloy pa ba ang dinner natin with your parents?"
"Oo nga pala. Mabuti na lang sinabi mo sa'kin. I almost forgot!"
"Ikaw talaga hahaha." He kissed Caylee's cheeks and smiled at us. "Mauna na 'ko guys. Ingat kayong lahat pauwi."
Tumingin siya ng kakaiba kay Zin bago siya lumabas sa tambayan namin. There was an awkward silence before Caylee started cleaning up the table.
"Bakit hindi mo man lang siya tanungin kung sino 'yung kaibigang kausap niya o kung ano 'yung gagawin niya at bigla siyang uuwi?" Zin couldn't help but to ask.
"Do I have to?"
"Aren't you even curious? Why is he not giving you enough details? Parang may tinatago, e. What if he's meeting someone else? Huh? 'Yung pagtawa niya kanina, halatang dahil sa kilig."
Iritableng inirapan ni Caylee si Zin. "He's not like you, okay? Tigilan mo." Sa inis ay nag-walk out siya. She went to the kitchen and started washing the dishes. Kahit na may taga-linis kasi kami dito ay talagang masipag siya sa aming lahat. His father trained her to be like that.
Agad akong tumayo at sumunod sa kanya. Kunwari ay kumuha muna ako ng tubig inumin pero tumabi na rin naman ako sa kanya at sumandal sa sink.
"Zin was just worried," I mumbled.
"I don't need him to worry. Alam ko ang totoo, Iris." She stopped and groaned lightly. "Nakakainis lang e. Ang daming nagdududa sa kanya. Sobrang bait na tao ni Aaron. He doesn't deserve all of this."
I stared at the glass I'm holding. "You can't blame him, Caylee. Maski ako, nagwo-worry din naman. There are rumors of him cheating. Syempre bawat galaw niya, pagmamasdan namin dahil ayaw naming masaktan ka."
"Thank you Iris pero wala kayong dapat ikabahala. Aaron and I are so in love right now." Unti-onting namula ang pisngi niya kaya kumunot ang noo ko.
"Did you guys---"
"Yeah. It just happened," nahihiyang sagot niya.
Napanganga ako. "Already?"
"We've been together for months and sabi ko nga, it just happened. Hindi naman namin pinlano 'yon. We did it because of the intense feeling we have for each other. You know, I was both nervous and happy. Ganun pala 'yon?" natatawang sabi niya. "Did you felt the same with your first?"
I lost my virginity much earlier than Caylee and it was the stupidest thing I've ever done because I was still young back then. Pero siguro nga ganun talaga. You rarely use your brain when you're in love. I guess you only do when you have a strong morale.
I kind of regret what happened. If I have to choose, I'd say I won't do it with my first boyfriend. Sana nagawa kong maghintay muna sa tamang tao. Sana sinigurado kong siya na nga talaga bago iyon nangyari.
"I was more on scared that time because I was clueless with everything. I lacked knowledge because I was the most innocent girl before."
She smiled and nodded. "Well I'm not innocent even before. You know that."
Natawa ako pero bigla akong nakaramdam ng guilt. Para bang nagkulang ako bilang kaibigan dahil nakalimutan kong kausapin siya. I'm not sure why but I wished I got rid of the cheating rumor first before Caylee did it with Aaron. Sana lang mali talaga kami ng kutob.
"Caylee, I forgot to ask you something."
"Hmmm?"
"Sobrang busy kasi natin nung Christmas Ball but Dash told me he saw Aaron hugging some girl outside a restaurant. Sigurado siyang hindi ikaw ang kayakap ng boyfriend mo."
Caylee froze. "Ano?"
"I'm sorry. I should have told you when Dash mentioned it. Nawala na kasi sa isip ko nung gabing 'yon dahil---"
"Iris, I'm sure it was just one of his friends. Aaron's friendly and I often see him greet his friends by hugging them." Tinuloy niya na ulit ang paghuhugas ng mga baso at plato.
"But just in case---"
"Look, he will never do that to me. Okay? Wag ka na magalala. I just told you my secret so why can't you not understand that my boyfriend loves me so much and that he's loyal to me? I gave him myself. Do you think he'd find someone else now?"
"That's not how it works and you know that. Sila Kiel at Rios nga papalit palit ng babae kahit ilan na nakasama nila sa kama."
"Well Aaron's not like them! Bakit ba gusto mong magduda ako sa boyfriend ko?" Nagulat ako nang tumaas ang boses niya. Tila nagagalit na siya sa mga sinasabi ko.
"Hindi sa ganun! Ang akin lang, wag kang masyadong tiwala. Pakiramdaman mo rin! Wala naman mawawala kung aalamin mo kung saan siya pumupunta at kung sino ang mga kinakausap niya. You're his girlfriend, you have the right to know! Baka kasi mamaya, niloloko ka na, wala ka pang kaalam alam!" Hindi ako ganitong tao. I don't shout or raise my voice but I need to convince Caylee to listen to me. Kahit ngayon lang sana.
"I cannot believe you, Iris! Naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo? Just because I'm happy with my lovelife and you're miserable with yours doesn't mean you have the right to ruin things for me!"
Natahimik ako sa sinabi niya. Tears started forming in my eyes. "Ako na nga itong nagmamalasakit, ako pang masama? Why are you so close minded? We're telling you to be careful because we care for you and yet, you're taking it badly?"
"Hey, what's happening here?" Tiffany asked. Narinig siguro nila ang sigawan namin kaya sinundan nila kami dito. Lahat sila ay nandito.
Mukhang natauhan naman si Caylee sa nasabi niya kaya umiwas siya ng tingin sa akin. She looked like she's going to cry. "I didn't mean what I said, Iris. I'm sorry. Naii-stress lang talaga ako sa tuwing may nanininira kay Aaron."
Gusto kong magalit sa kanya pero hindi ko magawa. She's in love and people in love are sometimes blind.
I pulled her and hugged her. Naiyak naman siya at niyakap ako pabalik. "Sorry Iris! Akala ko magagalit ka na ng totoo sa'kin! Kung ano ano nasasabi ko kapag nagagalit ako."
"Sorry din. I shouldn't have interfered."
Lumayo siya at ngumuso. "Still friends?"
"Baliw ka, Caylee."
Nagtawanan na kaming dalawa kaya naman nangasar na ang mga kaibigan namin. The boys acted as if they were so done with the girls' drama while our girl-friends were touched by how me and Caylee quickly fixed our misunderstanding.
Hindi ko yata kayang maging kaaway si Caylee. She's the reason why I am part of this group. She helped me overcome my shyness. Mahiyain pa rin ako pero hindi na kasing lala katulad nung dati na halos magtago ako tuwing maraming tao ang nakatingin sa akin.
Siguro kung hindi ako naging parte ng grupo niya, people will still bully me. I'd still be that weird, nerd Iris. I owe a lot to her which is why I will always be here for her.
"Trust me, okay? Aaron loves me," she told me.
Matigas talaga ang ulo niya kaya wala akong magagawa. Pagdarasal ko na lang na sana 'wag dumating 'yung araw na masaktan siya ng sobra.
*****
I think it's already past six in the afternoon when we decided to go home. Sasabay sana ako sa kotse ni Ava but I remembered I forgot an important book on my locker.
"Hintayin na kita."
"No, it's fine. 'Di ba pupunta ka pa sa dentist mo? Baka ma-late ka sa appointment mo."
"Are you sure? I mean I can still drop you off at your house."
"Hindi na, sige na. Don't mind me. See you tomorrow! Mwahh!"
"Okay! Ingat ka girl! Bye!!!"
Tumakbo na siya upang humabol kila Theo na ang layo na ng nalakad. They're all going to the parking lot while I went to my locker.
Ay shocks. Ang gulo ng mga gamit ko!
Binaba ko muna ang mga pasalubong na nakuha ko mula sa mga kaibigan ko bago ko inayos ang mga libro ko. Patapos na ako nang may kumalabit sa akin.
"Hey."
Paglingon ko ay nagulat ako. "Royce? Hi..." Sobrang hindi ko in-expect na lalapitan niya ako.
"You dropped this." He handed out my ribbon clip. Agad kong kinapa ang buhok ko. It must have fallen accidentally as I was walking.
"Thank you." Inilagay ko na uli iyon sa buhok ko at nginitian siya. "Kumusta ka na? Long time no see."
He smiled back. "Yeah. I've been...busy. How was your Christmas Break?"
"It was so good! Pumunta kami ng parents ko sa Monaco."
"Astig! I've never been there. Maganda don?" Nakakatuwa naman na kinakausap niya na ako.
"Sobra. You should visit the country too." He nodded, still smiling at me. "Ikaw? What did you do over the Holidays?"
"Umuwi kami sa Davao ng family ko. Every New Year, doon kami."
"That's cool."
Royce is still shy around me. Napapatingin siya sa sahig habang nakangiti.
"I'm so glad you're not mad at me anymore," I opened up.
Napatingin siya sa akin. "I was never mad at you. Umiwas lang ako kasi kinailangan ko ng oras para matanggap 'yung sagot mo. I respect you, Iris. And tapos na 'yon. Kalimutan na natin," natatawang sabi niya.
"Sure," I chuckled.
"Bakit pala magisa ka? Where are your friends?"
"Nauna na sila. Pauwi na rin naman ako."
"Do you need a ride or is your driver waiting for you?"
I think it would feel awkward to be inside a car with him. After all, wala na kaming ibang mapapagusapan.
"A friend is waiting for me," pagsisinungaling ko na lang. "But thanks for the offer."
"Okay. I'll see you around, Iris."
"Bye. Ingat pauwi."
I watched him walked away with a smile on his face. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag habang pinagmamasdan siya. Atleast ngayon sigurado na ako na wala na ngang sama ng loob si Royce sa akin and we can even be friends now. Mukhang naka-move on na talaga siya sa wakas.
Tinapos ko na ang pagaayos sa locker ko dahil dumidilim na. It's a struggle holding all the gifts my friends gave. Matutuwa si Mama nito kapag nakita niya. She loves that I'm good friends with the Elite kids.
Maybe I should call Camille to fetch me and helped me with all these stuff. Pero kakauwi niya lang din ngayong araw galing sa probinsya. Pinauwi kasi nila Mama lahat ng kasambahay namin nung pasko since wala din naman kami sa bahay. They paid full expense for each helpers and drivers. Kahapon lang nakauwi ang ilan sa kanila at 'yung iba naman ay ngayon ang flight.
Paglabas ko ng campus ay naghintay ako ng taxi pero dahil rush hour, mukhang imposibleng may empty taxi pa kong makita. I grabbed my phone and was about to book for a car when I noticed the battery.
"5% na lang? What the heck?" I didn't even notice it. Sana pala ay nag-charge ako sa The Grove kanina. Aish!
Mag-charge muna kaya ako sa lobby? Para makatawag na lang din ako ng driver? Yeah, that would do.
Babalik na sana ako sa loob nang may tumigil na kotse sa haparan ko. Sinilip ko kung sino ang nagda-drive nang buksan nito ang car window.
"Huy, bakit nandito ka pa?" Dashiell asked. "It's almost seven."
"Ikaw bakit nandito ka pa?" makulit na sambit ko, copying his voice to make fun of him.
Natawa siya. "Kakatapos lang ng practice. Your turn."
"Long story," sagot ko na lang dahil medyo tinatamad ako magkwento.
"Make it short then." He smirked and patiently waited. Tumaas ang isang kilay ko ngunit nagkwento rin naman ako.
"Tumambay kami sa The Grove ng mga kaibigan ko then nung pauwi na kami, dumaan muna ako sa locker ko. I cleaned it up and fixed my things. Medyo natagalan pala ako, 'di ko napansin. I'm heading home now."
"May susundo sa'yo?"
"Hindi ako makatawag sa bahay kasi lowbatt na pala ako."
Tumingin siya sa rearview mirror niya at sa harapan. "I don't think you'd get a taxi here. Come on, hop in. I'll drive you home."
"Ha? Nako wag na. Magcha-charge na lang ako sa lobby para ma-contact ko driver namin."
"Rush hour ngayon. Mata-traffic pa susundo sa'yo. Baka 9 pm na makarating 'yon. Tara na," He really insisted. Bigla pa siyang lumabas ng kotse at binuksan ang trunk. Kinuha niya ang mga pasalubong na hawak ko at inilagay iyon doon pagkatapos ay pinagbuksan pa 'ko ng pintuan ng kotse.
I giggled but gave in anyway. Umupo na ako sa shotgun seat at nag-seatbelt.
"Ang galing mong mamilit," natatawang sabi ko pagkaupo niya sa driver's seat.
"Ako pa ba?" biro niya bago nag-drive.
Hindi pa kami nakakalagpas ng pangatlong stoplight ay heavy traffic na agad ang tumumbad sa amin.
"Ano pala 'yung mga dala mo? Bakit ang dami?" tanong niya.
"Bigay nila Ava. Everyone bought one since we spent the Holidays far from home. Ay oo nga pala, nabilhan din kita. I went to Monaco." Kinuha ko mula sa bag ko 'yung necktie at cufflink.
He looked shocked. "Grabe, bakit mo naman ako bibilhan? 'Di mo naman ako tropa ah."
"Yeah but you're a good friend of mine."
He smiled widely. "Thank you. I wish I bought you something. Hindi kasi ako mahilig mamili ng pasalubong."
"Ano ka ba, okay lang. 'Di naman mandatory magbigay," I joked around.
"Sa Monaco ka pala nagbakasyon. Nice. My family and I went to Australia to visit my brother."
"Oh yeah, you mentioned that. How was it?"
"It was fun. We went to several places then sinama ako ni Kuya sa school niya. I get to see where he usually stays and I even met this girl he's friends with," paghalakhak niya na para bang may naalala siya bigla. "May bago siyang kaibigan and her name is Nova. She's super cool and smart. Weird nga na nagaasaran lang sila ni Kuya. I'm not sure why he's not into her yet. Mukha namang pasok sa standard niya. Kung dati rati, jinojowa niya agad, ngayon parang magkaibigan palang talaga sila."
"Maybe it's because he's busy. 'Di ba third year na siya? Hindi ba pag malapit na mag-graduate, mas maraming ginagawa?"
Dash nodded. "Yeah. But I have a feeling it still has something to do with the girl who broke her heart."
Out of curiosity, I wanted to know more about that story but then the car moved and Dashiell changed the subject later on.
"Grabe traffic. Akala mo pasko pa rin," sambit niya pagpasok namin ng subdivision. Inabot na kami ng isang oras imbis fifteen minutes lang.
"Oo nga e. Pasensya na talaga ah, naabala pa kita."
"Ano ka ba naman. Naramdaman ko kasing bibigyan mo 'kong pasalubong----HAHAHHAHA!" Nagtawanan kami lalo na nung hinampas ko siya ng mahina sa braso.
"Ayan dito na 'ko." When we entered our gate, his eyes widened at how big our mansion is. Ten thousand square meters in total.
Our house is a combination of a Tuscan Villa and a touch of Spanish hacienda but my Mom made it more modern so instead of bricks and color brown, our home is more on white and blue. We also have a massive infinity-edge pool outside.
"Wow. You live here? That's insane!"
I just smiled till we reached the front door. Pinagbuksan ako ng isa sa mga boy namin ng pintuan at agad kinuha ang mga gamit ko galing sa trunk ng kotse. Bumaba pa si Dash upang tumulong din.
"Madam," bati ni Camille ngunit ang mga mata niya ay agad dumapo sa kaibigan ko. She must be thinking of something else. Kilala niya kasi ang mga kaibigan kong lalake kaya ngayong may bagong naghatid sa akin ay sigurado akong iniisip niyang manliligaw ko ito.
"Goodnight," Dash muttered. Sasakay na uli sana siya sa sasakyan niya nang may pumasok sa isip ko.
"Hey, why don't you eat dinner here? Anong oras na rin naman and baka ma-traffic ka pa pauwi naman sa inyo. Atleast nakakain ka na."
"Hindi na Iris, okay lang---"
"Come on. Sa'kin ka pa talaga nahiya. Wala naman parents ko ngayon dito and Ate Irene is staying over at her friends." I looked behind. "Camille, please ask the chef to cook dinner for us asap. Gutom na rin ako."
"Of course Madam." Nangaasar ang ngiti niya bago siya pumasok sa loob ng mansion.
"So?" I asked him. Sinarado niya ang pintuan ng kotse at inabot sa isa sa mga driver ko ang susi upang mai-park ito ng maayos. Then he walked towards me and stopped just a few feet away from me.
Ngumisi siya at tinitigan ako ng matagal bago siya nagsalita. "Ang galing mong mamilit."
Natawa na lang ako dahil kanina lang sa labas ng campus ay iyon din ang linya ko.
*End of Chapter 20*
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I wrote this from 4 am to 9 am without sleeping then edited the whole chap from 2 am to 4 am the next day. I'm such a night owl, I hate my sleeping schedule LOL.
Fun fact:
- Caylee mentioned Montgomery Hills & Prince Rohan. The place and the name of the character are both from my upcoming story "A Royal Disguise", which will be posted soon in B e e b l y.
- Tiffany mentioned Elysian which is a place from my book: "Limerence: A Kiss of Words". Last 10 Days to pre-order! Make sure to get yours! Visit any of my social media accs for the order form.
- Kiel mentioned Russell. Yes, they both have "Valiente" on their names. Russell is a character from my story "Love Me in Brooklyn."