Part 38
Nasa harap ko si Darlene habang inaayos niya ang buhok niya. I looked at her from the reflection, her eyes still red because of crying even her nose.
If I could have just rewind what happened earlier. Sasamahan ko na siya para hindi na maulit ang nangyari.
Hinila ko na siya palabas ng restroom but we stopped when we saw Harvey and our friends standing outside. See, even sila alam nilang hindi ‘yon magagawa ni Darlene.
"We all know that you can't push Iris."
Tumango kami sa sinabi ni Trevor, well except to this stupid person named Darius. For sure he's believing the lies now.
We headed to the cafeteria so Darlene could eat lunch but Iris and her friends showed up. Halatang gusto lapitan ni Gianna si Darlene pero hindi niya ginawa dahil nakatingin ako, same with others. They just stayed with Iris even if they wanted to stay with Darlene.
I rolled my eyes when I saw Darius looking at his sister. I don't know but I am so irritated whenever I'm looking at his face. Nabi-bwisit ako tuwing naaalala ang nangyari kanina.
Susupalpalin ko talaga siya ng katotohanan kapag nalaman ko ang totoo. Hindi ako makasingit lalo na noong nagkainitan sina Darlene.
Hinawakan ko sa kamay si Darlene para umalis na. Nothing would happen if we stayed here.
"Oh? Are you beautiful? I can't see."
"Gano'n talaga kapag hindi ganito kaganda nakikita mo sa salamin kapag hunaharap ka. Hindi ka sanay sa maganda dahil sa itsura mo." I could sense that Darlene is too bored in this conversation. "Saka, hindi ako nagmamaganda, ah? Maganda talaga ako pero nasayo na 'yon kung inggitera ka."
Oh, that's really burnt. Ibang klase talaga sumagot si Darlene.
"Tangina, luto!"
I thought we were leaving but Darlene stopped, she looked at Iris from head to toe before rolling her eyes.
Damn.
Sinundan ko na si Darlene but after a few steps Iris pulled her hair. Hinawakan ko agad ang kamay niya.
"Let her go, Iris!"
Halos tanggalin ko na ang kamay ni Iris sa buhok ni Darlene. Fuck! Why were their hands so tight on holding? I know Darlene's hair is hurting because of her.
"Fuck it. Don't touch her." I uttered while pushing her to let go of Darlene's hair.
But fuck! Iris didn't want to! Mas lalo niyang hinila ang buhok ni Darlene.
"Aray! Ano ba?! Bitawan mo ako!" Pati si Darlene inaalis na ang kamay ni Iris.
Fuck! Halos magtulungan na kami dahil ayaw talaga mag-paawat ni Iris! A glitch of irritation glimpse of their eyes when they looked at Iris. They badly wanted to shout at her but their priority was to help Darlene.
"Darlene, stop!" I was the one who stopped when I heard Darius' shot instead of Darlene.
What?! Why does Darius stop Darlene even if Iris is the one who's pulling Darlene's hair?! Pati ako naiinis sa bwisit na 'to. Tangina, bibigwasan ko talaga 'to, pigilan niyo 'ko.
"Iris! Let her fucking go!" I hissed.
"Nasasaktan ako!" Darlene shouted in pain which made me fucking felt more irritation.
I held Iris' hand. I pushed her harshly that caused her to fell on the floor. Hindi niya inaasahan ang ginawa ko.
Darlene's eyes were shocked, she couldn't speak and chose to go upstairs. Tinawag pa siya ng iba pero hindi na siya lumingon. I followed her using my eyes before glancing at them who were looking at me.
"What?" I asked.
"You pushed Iris so hard. Bumalibag siya sa ginawa mo," Gianna was so shocked.
Tumingin ako kay Iris na hindi rin makapaniwala sa ginawa ko. "If she just didn't do that, then it won't happen to her. You know, I don't usually fight for girls but she did something terrible to Darlene so I guessed she deserves that."
Iniwan ko na sila para sundan ang girlfriend ko. I stayed on the door while watching her, nakadukdok siya sa armchair. What is she thinking right now?
I shake my head as I hear Dash stopping Darlene from what she's doing. We didn't stay in the room since Trevor wanted to treat us all, first time niyang manlilibre kaya sinusulit nila.
I know she's still worried about what will happen next.
"We'll prove that you didn't do that shits," I seriously said before putting down my hand to hold her. She held my hand back.
"Yeah, we'll also look for evidence,” Trevor said.
We are finding evidence just to clean her name. And to prove that she isn't the one who pushed Iris.
"Now, chill, relax, and stop thinking about those," Dash added.
Darlene didn't say anything, tumingin lang siya sa pwesto ng kapatid niya. I let out a sign. Tatanga-tanga talaga si Darius, gustong-gusto ko na siyang bigwasan.
Pinatawag si Darlene sa office kaya doon ang punta namin. Ako ang kinakabahan sa possible na mangyari.
At baka kung anong gawin ni Darlene doon, sobrang inis pa naman siya. Maybe she has something on her, knowing my baby... she can do anything. Nakakatakot tuloy.
"If I am only just there, nasampal ko na 'yon. Gosh, nakakairita." She rolled her eyes.
Gianna did it already, if you just knew, Laureen.
"True, mhie." Harvey nodded.
It was a loud slap. I didn't know that Gianna knew how to slap a woman.
Sinulyapan ko si Darlene. "Baby, you're innocent, okay?"
She nodded and smiled.
When we got to the office, Darius and his friends were there. I stayed at the back of Darlene, nakaupo siya sa harap ni Iris na hawak ang ulo niya. I turned my eyes to Darius, he was looking at his sister.
I rolled my eyes at his stupidity.
I will really slap him the truth once I found out. Nabibwisit talaga ako kay Darius. Sarap isunod kay Lara, e.
Nang dumating ang dalawang Teacher to ask a question, tahimik lang kaming lahat.
We all looked at Darlene to know everything. She told us that she went upstairs to get her wallet. Well, I know that because she said that to me.
Moreover, when Darlene got upstairs Iris showed up, she grabbed her arm and almost fell on the stairs but she managed to hold the railings kaya hindi natuloy. She stepped back on the thought of na baka mahulog siya. However, the scene that made us all shocked is when Iris stepped back and that caused her to fall down the stairs.
And Iris accused Darlene kahit na si Iris talaga ang may kasalanan. She stepped back which made her fall, but she's still accusing Darlene. The heck... is she crazy?
At lahat namin kami ay isa lang ang pinapaniwalaan at iyon ay ang alam namin na hindi ‘yon magagawa ni Darlene. Look, wala akong kinakampihan pero ang labo lang na magagawa niya ‘yon? Ano namang dahilan, right? Wala naman, ‘di ba, kaya bakit siya manunulak?
"Do you really think na kaya kong gawin 'yon sa sarili ko?!" Iris brows furrowed.
"Nagawa mo na nga, e. Tapos tatanungin mo pa, alam mo naman ang sagot sa sarili mong tanong." Darlene rolled her eyes. "Ingudngod kita sa sahig kapag iyong pasensya ko naubos."
"Okay, stop!" Darius said.
He was the one who should stop.
"Did someone see what happened?" Tanong ni Ms. Krys.
No one answered.
"Okay, since some of us didn't see what happened.... I don't have a choice but to suspend Miss. Miranda. This is a serious injury. And since we are not yet sure if she pushed Iris or not. If she did then.... I don't have a choice but to expel her."
Darlene let out a sigh. "Hindi ko nga kasi siya tinulak. Ano ba?! Ang tanga-tanga niyo dahil nagpapaniwala kayo sa babaeng 'yan. Tanga lang maniniwala sa sinasabi niyan."
"Shut up, Darlene." I want to cut Darius' tongue right now just to shut him up, sana hindi na lang siya nagsalita kung walang magandang salita ang lalabas sa bibig niya. "I know she's telling the truth." Mas lalo akong nairita sa sinabi ng bwisit na 'to.
Gusto ko siyang bigwasan ngayon. I want to grab his collar right now and give him a punch that he deserves. Seriously? He's thinking that Darlene did that? He's believing Iris without knowing the truth.
And I know, hindi lang ako ang inis even Gavin and these men around me. Napailing na lang si Harris at Trevor dahil alam rin nila na mas pinapaniwalaan niya si Iris kahit na hindi niya alam ang totoo.
Ganyan rin ang ginawa niya noon. He became mad at her when Lara died, he was just doing the same. Iniisip pa rin niya na si Darlene ang may mali kahit hindi niya alam ang totoo. He blamed Darlene for everything without knowing the truth, and threw hurtful words to his sister.
"Bibigwasan ko talaga 'to..." I uttered in a low tone so Darlene couldn't hear me. I was glaring at Darius.
"How many weeks?" Trevor asked
"Three. Three week suspension."
We were shocked after knowing that. Dude, why three weeks?
"Ano?! Bakit gano'n katagal? Eh, wala naman akong ginagawa, ah?!"
I slowly caressed Darlene's back to calm her down.
"I'm sorry, Miss. Miranda, but that's the decision."
"Ano?" She glares. "Masaya ka na? Masaya ka na sa ginawa mo?! Baka naman hindi ka pa makuntento sa ginagawa mo ngayon. Baka gusto mo pang dagdagan lahat ng kasinungalingan mo rito. Alam mo? Kaya wala ni isang nagtatangkang lumapit sa 'yo dahil diyan sa basurang ugali mo.”
I saw Gianna and Laueen's mouth form an 'o' secretly. While everyone is listening to Darlene.
"Daig mo pa writer sa sobrang galing mong gumawa ng kwento." Nabitawan ko siya nang tumayo siya, her gaze was on Iris who is looking at her back too."Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit ayaw nila sa 'yo. Ayaw nila sa 'yo dahil sa ugali mo. Nagtataka nga ako kung bakit ka may kaibigan, e. Dapat sa 'yo hindi nagkakaroon ng kaibigan dahil puro kasinungalingan lang naman lahat ng lumalabas diyan sa bibig mo. Masyadong napupuno ng selos ang katawan mo, Iris, subukan mong tanggalin 'yan baka sakaling mawala lahat ng mayroon ka sa katawan mo."
She was about to leave but she stopped.
"No offense, ah? Ang sama-sama ng ugali mo. At kung sinasabi mong tinulak kita, hindi ko 'yon magagawa sayo. Dahil mas mabigat pa napaghihiganti ang gagawin ko sayo katulad ng sinasabi mo. Hindi lang na pagtulak na sinasabi mo ang kaya kong gawin. Kaya kitang dalhin sa impyerno sa kahit anong oras na gusto ko." Her voice is serious. "Kayang-kaya kong ipalunok lahat ng bala ko diyan sa bibig mo. Gusto mo try ko?"
Fuck... pati ako natakot sa sinasabi niya but I am proud! That's my girl! Knows how to fight! I am a proud boyfriend, dude she's not just a woman. She really can do anything or say anything.
"Darlene." I held her arm when she got something on her back.
Our lips parted in shock. We were all shocked when we saw the... gun in her hand. The Teacher stepped back in shock either. They can't do anything.
Kinasa ni Darlene ang baril at tinututok kay Iris. She was holding the gun perfectly, while her index finger was in the trigger.
I could feel Darlene's dark aura and presence. Mas lalong bumigat ang presensya nang tumahimik ang buong paligid.
Harvey and our friends stepped back a bit because of the fear, same with Darius and his friends. A fear could be seen in their eyes but Darlene didn't notice that because she was too serious looking at Iris.
Darius gulped when he saw the gun on his sister's hand. No one dared to talk, they were too shocked and scared at the same time.
"Darlene." Iris gasped.
"Miss. Miranda that's..." Ms. Krys can't finish her sentence.
Binaba ko ang tingin kay Iris. She doesn't know what to do, same with Darlene stupid brother.
I tried to touch Darlene but she spoke kaya hindi ko nagawang hawakan siya. I just stepped back instead of stopping her, hindi ko na lang pinilit... mahirap na baka sa akin mapunta ang galit niya, but I can handle that. I just need to understand her sadyang takot lang ako sa girlfriend ko.
At hindi lang ako ang takot sa kanya. Pati kapatid niya, he couldn't even speak and move. Nagagawa talaga namin manahimik kapag galit na si Darlene.
"Isa pang gawa mo ng kwento, Iris. Hindi lang ito ipapakain ko sayo." She chuckled in a low tone. "Nga pala, pellet gun lang 'to." What?! It was a fucking toy. It looks real! The fuck. "Pero next time, iba na itututok ko sayo. Iyong totoo na. Kaya ayus-ayusin mo 'yang bibig mo dahil kapag ako napikon pasensiyahan tayo. Dapat kang magtanong kay Darius kung ano ang ginagawa ko sa mga katulad mo. Hindi lang ako basta 'Miranda', Iris. Hindi ako basta-basta." She added before leaving the office.
I can't follow her. Mamaya ko na lang siguro siya susundan. Kailangan niyang mapag-isa. She needs to calm her head. At isa pa, galit siya kaya ayoko na rin sumabay sa init ng ulo niya.
"Damn, what a nice scene." But whether I admit it or not... It scared me. It scared all of us.
"Men, proud ka pa?"
"Of course, that's my girl." I smirked, proud.
I just didn't know that she had that kind of toy. A fucking gun behind her. Hindi ko man lang napansin.
"We still need to investigate." Ms. Krys said, also scared.
"My Darlene is innocent,” I said.
"Oo nga, inosente kaya 'yon. Sobrang inosente." Renz agreed.
She is, okay? She is innocent, and I will prove that to them. I fixed my uniform first before glancing at Darius who was looking at the door where his sister left.
I swear, nabibwisit pa rin ako sa sinabi niya kanina. Although he was stopping Darlene but saying Iris is telling the truth even if in his inner head, Darlene can't do that? Masyado siyang tanga.
"Tss... you didn't listen to Darlene. I wonder why Darlene is mad at you. You are her brother, but you still believe the lies and didn't even listen to her explanations. She was right, you didn't change. Siya pa rin talaga ang sinisisi mo kahit hindi mo alam ang totoo,” I said, lumingon pa siya sa akin pero lumabas na ako ng office para sundan si Darlene kung saan man siya pupunta.
I went to the parking lot but I remembered I don't have a car. Darlene and I used Drake's car. And I think she used a taxi. Drake's car was here.
Tinawagan ko pa si Kio para lang dalhin ang kotse ko sa School. I waited for him for a damn hour before he arrived.
"What took you so long?" Kinuha ko sa kamay niya ang susi ng kotse.
"E, boss, natowing ang sasakyan mo. Ginamit ko kasi kanina, bumili ako ng pagkain noong lunch ko." What?! "Pero boss 'wag ka na magalit, ayan na ang car mo. Okay na. Nakuha ko na ulit." He laughed.
"Why did you use this then?"
"Kaysa naman kumuha pa ako sa parking mo, boss. Ang lawak masyado ng garahe mo. Ibang klase ka rin naman kasi, ilan ilan ang kotse mo tapos sa ilalim pa ng mansion ang garahe." He shook his head. "Uuwi na pala ako."
I rolled my eyes. "Just go home, mag-taxi ka."
"Excuse me, boss, may kotse ako." He showed his Jaguar's car key. He was with the bodyguard. "Babalik na ako sa klase!"
I ignored him and drove. He was studying and we are the same age. That's the reason why he can pull a joke on me, he thinks that I can't sue him away. Well I can do that but I won't do it, since he is the one I can trust with inside the organization aside from other members.
I looked at my phone to track Darlene. I'm also receiving a lot of messages, they were looking for her so I said that I will just look for her.
I was confused why she's in the cemetery at this time and someone was following her kung saan siya nakasakay na taxi kanina. Sinundan ko ang sumusunod kay Darlene. But I was shocked to see Darlene in Lara's grave pati na rin ang kotse na nakasunod sa taxi.
Nasa loob lang ako ng sasakyan. I was looking at the car not far away from Darlene's direction, I think it was the car who was following Darlene earlier.
It was a girl if I am not mistaken. She was wearing a black hoodie, I could see that she was laughing so hard while covering her mouth.
“Putangina,” malakas niyang tawa.
She leaned on the car and took her phone, getting a video of... Darlene.
I took my keys and went down to go to her. She was getting a video of Darlene.
"Miss, why are you taking a video of my girlfriend?" I asked when I stopped behind her.
She also stopped, looking like a statue.
I was about to face her but she went to her car. "Putang ina, si Michelle lang gusto ko kausapin." I didn't hear her before she closed the door.
What the fuck did she say?
She drove fastly, umatras pa ako dahil sa pag-drive niya. I didn't see the plate number. Masyadong mabilis ang pag-drive niya.
Nilingon ko si Darlene na inaalis ang mga damo sa tombstone. Lumapit ako. May sinasabi pa siya na kung ano-ano at talagang nagulat pa nang tawagin ko.
Sino kaya ‘yong tumatawa na ‘yon kanina? Lakas ng tawa, e, tapos nakatingin pa sa kaniya. Napailing ako bago siya yayain na umalis papunta sa mall.
Nagpaalam naman siya sa kaibigan niya. While she's doing that I received a message from Harris that they are in the mall to buy something.
Kaya doon kami dumiretso ni Darlene. We went to the cloth shop because they needed to buy formal attire for Drake's birthday.
I looked for clothes for Darlene but I'm not buying. She has a lot of clothes in my condo. Doon na kasi siya maninirahan kaya nag-iipon ako ng damit niya.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin para sulyapan siya. She was reading a magazine.
We didn't stay long in that place. After Harris and Dash bought their girlfriends clothes, they went to the cashier to pay for those things. We even went to the watsons because of Harris. Ginagawa lang siyang utusan ni Vanessa. How poor.
Niyaya ko na si Darlene sa labas ng watson dahil wala naman kaming bibilhin sa loob. And also she was looking at the woman who was buying... you know.
Sinundan na lang namin ang iba papunta sa ice cream shop. Darlene doesn't want to leave until I said that I'll treat her ice cream. Alam ko naman na pagkain lang ang katapat niya.
"Hindi pala uto-uto, ah?" I asked when we got outside.
"Masarap ang ice cream,” sagot niya. "'Lika na, para makauwi na ako."
"What? I thought you were gonna sleep in my condo." Sumimangot ako, I thought she will. Nag-iipon pa naman ako ng damit niya sa condo.
"Shunga, ngayon ang uwi nila mama at papa. Kailangan ko ng umuwi ngayon! Baka isumbong ako ni Darius sa nangyari ngayon, baka sabihin no'n na may ginawa talaga ako kay Iris na tinulak ko siya kahit wala naman."
If Darius did that then it looks like he really believes Iris without knowing the truth.
We stopped in front of the ice cream shop.
"It's your brother's problem. He didn't believe you. And of course, I know you didn't do that."
"Hindi ko naman talaga 'yon magagawa. Siya 'tong umakyat sa floor natin tapos doon ginawa ang amats niya." She said while picking a cup.
I don't know if that floor has CCTV.
Binili ko siya ng ice cream. Naupo rin kami sa isang bench habang naghihintay. May pinag-uusapan lang kami about her sleeping in my unit pero hindi matutuloy dahil ngayon pala ang uwi ng parents niya. It's okay though, may next time pa naman.
Umalis na rin naman kami when Harris showed up. Nagyaya na kasi si Darlene kaya hinatid ko na lang siya.
"Ay, putangina."
Nilingon ko si Darlene. "Finish your ice cream." Utos ko nang makitang muntik nang matapon.
Tinitingnan ko lang siya pero nagulat ako sa ginagawa niya.
"What the freak?! What are you doing?!" She was removing her uniform in front of me.
"Edi magpapalit ng damit." Sagot niya. "Ang init po kaya."
Inalis ko ang paningin sa kanya kaso napapatingin talaga ako.
"Lakasan mo nga ang aircon." Utos ni Darlene kaya tinodo ko ang aircon.
"Fuck."
"Ayos ka lang?" I heard her ask.
"Yeah." I answered, hindi na ako nagsalita at nanahimik na lang.
She wore her shirt fastly before fixing her things. By the way, she was listening to the song while singing so loud, vibing like a broken hearted woman.
"Sige, saka ko na lang kakantahin kapag hiwalay na tayo,” she said jokingly.
Hindi ko alam pero kinabahan ako sa sinabi niya, but I didn't show that I was nervous. Even if it's a joke... for me it wasn't.
Pinilit ko pa na hindi 'yon mangyayari kaso hindi ko kayang isipin na hindi talaga 'yon mangyayari.
My head became occupied.
"Gusto mong pumasok sa loob ng bahay?" She asked when my car stopped in front of their house gate.
"I'll go home now."
"O, sige. Ingat ka, ah? Huwag ka ng pupunta doon sa hotel. Yari ka talaga sa akin, Velasquez. Rinig mo ako? Yari ka sa akin."
"I promise, hindi na ako pupunta doon." I chucked.
I moved my head to kiss her. I held her cheeks as I gave her a gentle kiss on her lips. I started to move but I tasted her lips... lasang ice cream.
"Lasang ice cream ang labi mo,” I said when I let go of her lips. She glared.. "Well, sometimes it tastes like lansones." Tumingin ako sa kanya at tumawa.
"Hahampasin kita!" She lifted her palms.
"Promise... at first it was sweet like candy. Pero habang patagal nang patagal... it tastes like lansones."
"Gusto mong mawalan ng halik?"
"I don't want to! I was just kidding..." Bawi ko. "Anyway, I'll text you and call you once I get home. And at our party on Saturday, just wear simple clothes. You can wear whatever you want."
"Bakit our? Party mo lang 'yon at ng pamilya ng dad mo." She's my girlfriend so she's part of my family, she's my family. "Invited lang ako."
Ever since she stepped in my life, she became part of it. And ever since she met my family, she became part of my family because she is the love of my life.
"You are my family, too. You are my wife, remember?" Sayang lang hindi legal.
"Wife mo mukha mo. Hindi tayo mag-asawa." She went down outside of the car. "Pasok na ako sa loob. Bye, I love you."
"I love you." I smiled. "Go inside now before I leave."
I watched her go inside. When she got inside of the house, umalis na ako para umuwi. It wasn't traffic kaya nakarating ako sa bahay.
Tita was preparing something when I saw her in the living room. Some folders were on the table while Lala was looking at something.
"What is this?" I asked.
They both looked at me.
"Saturday is the party kaya magpapagawa kami ng susuotin." Lala put down the folder.
"You could wear a simple one." I removed my necktie as I sat on the sofa.
Ang arte naman kasi... kailangan pa ng party. Pwede bang umuwi na lang sila then eat in a restaurant after.
"By the way, is Darlene invited? I want to give her a dress,” sambit ni Tita Grace.
"No need, I will just buy her instead, Tita." I insisted. "But she's invited with her family."
"Then that's good! At least kahit papaano masindak naman ang Lola mo kay Serine just to stop her nonsense." Tita shook her head as she turned the page of the folder.
"True, Nix, nakilala ko na ang Mama ni Darlene. At grabe, ha. Nakakasindak, tingin pa lang. Iyong tingin na para bang wala ka talagang laban dahil tingin pa lang makamandag na."
Kaya nga nakakatakot rin si Darlene, e. She inherited that from her Mom. Scary.
"That is right, kaya dapat lang na matakot ang magulang ng Hazelle na 'yon. Because Darlene is involved here, she is your girlfriend in the first place and she has the right to stop that no matter what. You both were living happily until Hazelle showed up."
"I know that, and I don't want Darlene and I ruined. We both don't want us, kaya nga hindi ako pumapayag." Si Darlene lang ang pakakasalan ko.
"If you need to slap that woman using words, do it then." Tita said.
Yeah, I will do that.
We just did the usual thing every dinner. We just ate. After that we had our own life. I took a shower too before I lay on my bed. Hawak ko ang phone ko para i-message si Darlene.
To: love
Did you eat already?
She replied.
From: love
Yerp kaso 'unti lang. Hbu?
I can understand pero bakit naman niya tinitipid ang letters? Para buuin lang naman.
To: love
Baby, fix your words.
I waited for her reply. We were just messaging each other until I received her last message.
From: love
Goodnight. <3 Lab u!
I reacted a heart on her message before turning off my phone. Nakarinig rin ako ng katok sa labas ng kwarto ko at sigaw ni Lala saying 'go to the office'.
Pumunta ako d'on at binigyan ako ng gawain ni Lala kaya wala na naman akong nagawa kung hindi gawin ang utos niya.
Ako lang yata ang CEO na laging inuutusan ng secretary niya.
I put down the papers and opened my laptop. Sawyer didn't bother me anymore, and my company isn't connected to them but he wants to kaso hindi ako pumayag.
I don't want to see his face if I have a meeting. Baka mahagis ko lang sa kanya ang swivel chair.
I finished these at three, at wala na naman akong tulog. I stretched my neck before standing up. I also closed my laptop, dumiretso na ako papunta sa kwarto. I wanted to sleep but I remembered the woman earlier.
I was wondering who that was?
Bumaba ang tingin ko sa phone nang makita ang pangalan ni Darius. This idiot... I don't have plans to reply but I saw his message.
From: Darius
You know how to understand this? 'DH4riUhZ, VAtH nHAaIini$ aNgH Kk/-\pa+Id mH0??'
Translate: Darius, bat naiinis ang kapatid mo?
Tangina, ano na naman ba 'to.
From: Darius
Also this one. 'tHapHozZ mMuKhA 5yHanN6 tHANgHA K4nHINAa.. VAlIwH /-\MPh HAahAHaA TtAasS 3pHAaL Jj0wWaA Nhya zZArAaPh sSAaMp@lHInH'
Translate: Tapos mukha siyang tanga kanina.. baliw amp hahaha tas epal jowa nya sarap sampalin.
To: Darius
I don't know. Stop asking me. Sumasakit ang ulo ko d'yan. By the way, who sent that?
From: Darius
Idk, unknown number. I think this person came from another universe, but I replied even if this person was typing nonsense.
What the heck. Tatanong pa siya, nagrereply naman pala siya.
But I noticed something pati kapatid niya makakatanggap n'on. I turned off my phone. If that person will message him make sure it was typed into normal text not that kind of message.
Since I can't sleep I stood up and get my keys on the table. Lumabas ako para dumiretso sa kotse ko, may hawak rin akong payong dahil maulan sa labas. I drove to the mini mart, malapit lang 'yon sa village nila Darlene kaya doon ako pumunta.
I dialled her phone number to go here. If she doesn't want to go here it's fine but it's lonely. Pati card ko nasa kanya and my money also.
"[Hello?]" I heard her yawn.
"I'm sorry, did I wake you up?" I asked in a low tone.
Natutulog pa yata siya.
"[Hindi naman. Gising ako nang tumawag ka. Bakit?]"
"Do you want to eat?" I asked again.
"[Syempre naman. Saan ba?]" Basta pagkain... papayag siya.
"Mini mart, outside of your village." Sagot ko.
"[Ang layo naman!]"
"Come on. Go now! You want to eat, right?" I know she wants to eat. I know she's hungry at this moment.
"[Lakas mo mandemonyo, Velasquez.]"
"It's simple because you're a demon." I chuckled.
"[Hoy! Kauri mo nga si Satanas! Baka nakakalimutan mo lahat ng pinaggagawa mo sa akin noon!]" Nainis agad ang boses niya.
"I love having a shits on you back then."
"[Matagal mo na pala akong love, bal. Ayan, ah! Nadudulas ka! Sabi ko na nga ba.]"
"Kapal..."
"[Tse!]"
"Anyway, go here now. I need my card." I can't buy without my card, I don't have any cash.
"[Bukas na lang. Nawala 'yong interes ko sa pagkain dahil sa antok.]"
"Go here now, love, please?" It's lonely here. Saka, wala akong ipambabayad sa bibilhin ko.
"[Okay. Wait mo ako, bibi! Lab you.]"
"Haha... Okay. I'll wait for you. I love you." I ended the call.
Tumawag rin ako sa guard house nila para bantayan si Darlene. Just to look if she's going here, sinabi ko na 'wag nilang sundan, baka kasi magulat at kabahan si Darlene. Masuntok pa sila.
Sinilip ko rin ang phone ko. The red dot was functioning so that means she's outside of their house now. I waited for her beside the post.
Dumating naman si Darlene at talagang bumungad sa akin ang middle finger niya. Niyaya naman niya ako sa loob, she even pulled me. I closed my umbrella first. Siya ang unang naupo sa table na nakita niya, sumunod naman ako.
"Libre mo 'to."
"Maybe you forgot, our money is in your hands,” sambit ko naman.
"Our money?"
"What mine's is yours also. Gusto mo pati lahat ng mana at yaman na mayroon ako, ibigay ko sa 'yo." I smirked.
"Ayoko. Sa 'yo 'yan, e. Pahingi na lang sariling mundo kaya mo ba?"
"Bakit ka pa hihingi kung nasa harapan mo na?" Tiningnan ko siya.
"Sa bagay... mundo nga pala kita." She yawned. "Aray!" I pinched her cheeks.
"You're so sensitive..." I commented when her cheeks became a bit red.
"Maganda kasi ako." Yeah, I know. Lagi ko ba namang nakikita.
"I know you're beautiful." I agreed before standing up. I went to get her. I bought her a coffee too.
Nakikita ko kasing pumipikit ang mata niya habang nakapalumbaba. Bumalik rin naman ako agad. Naupo ako sa harap niya matapos mailapag ang coffee sa harapan niya.
Nakatingin ako sa kaniya habang pinag-uusapan namin ang buhay niya. She told everything about her life though I already hear that, but it was few story so I had to listen to her. That her mother left her, and I know Tita Serine did that to protect her. That's the main reason, and for sure Tita didn't lose connection with her.
Actually, she is lucky because even if she didn't grow up without her mother. Tita Serine is still alive, while I grew up with my mom but still I lost her at a very young age.
I could see the sadness in her eyes when she told me that Tito hasn't time for her. You could feel the pain when she's saying that. That she can't get any attention from them, or even go to important events during her elementary days to the point that she thinks that no one cares about her.
If I just knew her that time... for sure I would always care about her. I am always beside her.
Now I know, the only person staying beside her is her best friend. Our topic went to the time when we both saw each other. Naiinis pa rin siya tuwing naalala na pinakialaman ko siya.
Tsaka, siya nga talaga ang debutant noon. When she became eighteen, I was invited at the party. Sayang lang... dapat pala talaga nilapitan ko na siya.
Binalik ko ang tingin sa kanya.
She requested about having Darius to be his last dance but the idiot didn't show up because of the stupid reason. He's really thinking that Darlene is the reason why Lara died, pati si Darlene napapaisip na siya ang may kasalanan but the truth is not.
She was the main target. She is everyone's wanted. Siya ang gusto mawala.
Darlene told me about what happened to her and Tita Serine. And fuck... I just can't believe that Tito Dylan hurt her, I mean... Tito slapped her because of what happened. At after no’n ay naglayas siya.
She laughed and continued talking. Kaya pala hindi ko makita si Darlene sa bahay nila Tito noon dahil nasa Laguna nga talaga siya nag-stay. After the argument of her and her dad, she stayed there but Tito knows what she's doing every day because of Alexis.
"Akala ko nga pati pagkakaroon ko ng boyfriend sasabihin niya, e. Buti na lang nasuhuluan ko ng free trip to New York."
Free trip to New York just to shut him up?
"You really did that?" I whispered. ""You shouldn't have a boyfriend at that age."
"Sige, Kuya, hindi na ako magboboyfriend," she joked. "Makikipaghiwalay na—"
"Stop it! I'm not your Kuya! It's disgusting!" I felt disgusted. "Tangina, hinalikan kita tapos tatawagin mo lang akong Kuya? And for your information, we are in a relationship. Yuck."
She laughed. Namatay nga talaga ang grandmother niya kaya rin siya kinuha ni Tito Dylan pabalik. Siguro kung hindi nangyari ‘yon, baka hindi namin siya makilala or worse makakasama.
"Magtatanong ako sa ‘yo pero sasagutin mo, ah?"
I looked at her before nodding slowly. "Okay, what is it?" I asked. I guess she wanted to know why the friendship between me and Darius broke.
"Bakit ba kayo nag-away ni Darius? Sawa na kasi ako mag-isip kung paano, wala naman akong makuhang sagot. Sabi ni Darius, sa 'yo raw ako magtanong. Bakit ba nasira ang friendship niyo?"
"Okay, wala,” aniya.
I let out a sigh. "Because of my wrong thoughts our friendship ended." Dumiretso ang mata niya sa akin. "I thought he was the one who killed my parents, Darlene. I thought he was the one who ended my beloved parents life."
I know that she's really clueless, so I told her everything. That I thought he was the one who killed my parents. I told her everything what happened that night when they died, where Darius and I helped each other just to make them die all, kung paano ko iniwan ang mga kapatid ko sa neighbor namin para lang masiguro ang safetly nila.
It's so hard to tell because the pain is still here. Even if it's been years, thinking that they are gone it still hurts.
I really thought that he did that because of what I see. I thought he killed them pero hindi pala. It was a frame up para lang malinis ang pangalan ng gumawa n'on, at hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin alam kung sino ang may gawa.
"I've been close to your parents ever since I met them but after that night, I'll sue them away. I know they wanted to help me but I didn't let them because in my head, it was their son's fault. Kasalanan ni Darius ang lahat kung bakit sila nawala. Siya lahat ang may kasalanan. I couldn't tell my siblings that our parents are gone.”
Ayoko lang talaga na tulungan nila ako. I don't need anyone's help because when I seek help with my Dad's family, hindi nila ako tinulungan. I buried my parents death alone but Tita Serine really want to help me kahit na ang anak niya ang sinisisi ko.
Hindi naman nagalit si Tita Serine no’n, she set aside her feelings and emotions. And for sure, if Tita Grace didn't show up for sure, my life is full of responsibilities though I still have responsibilities.
"We are still classmates at that time and we are both sixteen. You saw the picture, right? We are not on good terms everyday. We'll always fight. Noong panahon na 'yon, I knew he had a girlfriend and I u-used his g-girlfriend, Darlene,” I confessed.
I turned my gaze to her before looking away as I answered her question. "I tried to get her from Darius because I know using her makes Darius miserable."
I admitted that I used her best friend. That I used her just to make Darius' life miserable because for me, he was the one who made my life fuckep up when I lost my Mom and Dad.
I could see the emotions in her eyes but she's trying to hide it.
"Wow, Nix, hindi ako makapaniwala nang dahil sa mali mong akala, naging miserable ang kapatid ko, nasira ang kapatid ko na siyang intention mo. Mas lalong hindi ako makapaniwala na magkakilala kayo ng kaibigan ko, na siyang ginamit mo para lang gantihan ang kapatid kong wala namang kasalanan.”
Sinundan ko pa siya sa labas ng mini mart dahil lumabas siya at iniwan ako.
We had a little argument with this mess, about what I admitted. I know that she's mad knowing about what happened from the past. And I really regretted all of what I've done... I do regret that.
Lahat pinagsisihan ko until now.
"Ni minsan ba, minahal mo ang kaibigan ko?" She suddenly asked.
"No, Darlene. I never loved her." Umiling ako.
Lahat naman pinagsisihan ko until now.
"I regretted everything I did. I am ready to get his forgiveness but because of what he did, I changed my mind,” I said. "Baby, that was all from the past now, but I still regret it. I ask Darius' forgiveness because I know you want that. Ayaw mo ng may mga taong nag-aaway o magkaaway sa paligid mo. Hindi lang dahil gusto mo kaya ko ginawang humingi ng tawad, dahil gusto ko rin 'yon. I want a peace between us. You were right it's hard to breathe if you have madness in your heart.”
Lahat ng mga sinasabi niya sa amin ay nasa utak ko pa rin. I can't forget those.
"Makauwi na nga."
Sinundan ko siya dahil biglang bumuhos ang ulan at wala siyang payong. Pinasilong ko siya sa hawak kong payong para hindi siya mabasa.
"Are you mad?" I asked, sinulyapan ko siya para makita.
"Hindi."
"Then, why are you like that?" I asked gently.
"Hindi nga ako galit." Kinuha niya ang payong sa kamay ko.
"Miranda."
"Hindi nga kasi ako galit." Una siyang naglakad papunta sa village pero mali ang daan niya.
Pinagmasdan ko siyang maglakad. Unti unti na siyang lumalayo kaya tinawag ko siya.
"Babe." I called her.
I stopped in the gathering while she's still walking.
"Hindi ako-."
"Hindi diyan 'yong daan papunta sa gate ng village. You are in a wrong way." She stopped walking and looked at me. "This way." Tinuro ko ang nasa harap.
She approached me. "Ikaw kasi tanong ka nang tanong, muntik na tuloy akong maligaw."
Okay, kasalanan ko na. Hindi na ako makikipag-argue.
Niyaya ko na siya sa sasakyan ko para makauwi na kami. Hawak ko ang kamay niya para makatawid kami.
"Nakakatakot tumawid..."
"It's not, love. Let's go." We went to the other road where my car was.
I opened my car so she could go inside, pumasok na rin ako para mahatid na siya pauwi.
Sinulyapan ko siya. "Galit ka ba sa akin?" I asked again.
"Miranda,” tawag ko.
"Ano ba?"
"Are you mad at me?"
Maybe she's mad, right?
"Hindi nga kasi ako galit. Nagagalit lang ako sa ginawa mo, hindi sa 'yo. Hindi ko lang inakala na kaya mong sirain ang relasyon ng kapatid ko at si Lara, mahal na mahal ni Lara si Darius at gano'n rin naman si Darius sa kaniya." She let out a sigh. "Namatay si Lara nang hindi man lang sila nag-uusap dalawa, tatanga-tanga kasi 'yong bumangga sa kotse ni Darius noon kaya ayon! Tulog ang Lolo niyo."
Darius was comatose.
"It wasn't an accident, Miranda." I corrected it.
I know it wasn't an accident, sinadyang banggain ang sasakyan niya noon.
Lumingon siya. "Alam ko naman 'yon. Sinadya nilang gawin 'yon para malihis ang atensyon nila kay Darius, masyado kasi silang focus sa pagbabantay sa akin noon. Kaya noong na-ospital si Darius, naging busy si papa at Kuya sa paghahanap kung sinong may gawa no'n."
They really want her. Tss... ayaw ba nila maging Princess si Darlene? She's a goddess Princess if they just knew.
"Tito Dylan told me that after Darius woke up from being in a coma, he asked about Lara?"
She nodded. "Oo, w-wala na kasi siya no'n, e. Noong gumising siya ay wala na ang best friend ko. Kaya siguro siya galit na galit, ano? Dahil namatay ang mahal niya nang hindi man lang sila nagkikita o naguusap dalawa."
"You don't deserve those madness, alright?” I kissed the back of her palm.
At nakakahinayang lang, kung magkaibigan na sila ni Lara before, edi siya rin pala ‘yong madalas kong makita noon. Ang dami na palang way para magkita kami noon kasi laging nauudlot.
Ang damot naman rin ni Darius, e, lahat ng sikreto ko sinasabi ko pero ang sabihin na may kapatid siya hindi man lang ginawa. That's unfair. Dapat sinabi niya sa akin na may kapatid siyang babae, tintotoo nga niya ang sinabi niya na, even if he has sister hindi niya sasabihin sa akin.
Tapos may babae pa akong nakita sa puntod ni Lara noon. Siguro siya 'yon? The girl who is crying while saying something. Bumaba na siya sa sasakyan nang makarating kami sa harap ng gate nila, kinuha ko muna ang susi ko bago siya sundan sa loob. She stopped and faced me.
"Antok na ako...." She yawned. "Umuwi ka na."
Gusto ko dito matulog.
"I'm so sleepy also..." Hinila ko na siya para pumasok sa bahay nila. "Can I sleep here?"
“Huy, bawal ka rito. Lagot ka kay Papa kapag nalaman niyang natutulog ka sa kwarto ko." She stopped me. "At may pasok ka pa bukas.”
"Ayokong pumasok." I yawned before looking at her. "Nakakatamad." Hindi ko siya kasama, wala akong nahahalikan sa room, at wala akong nasusuklayan kapag vacant time.
"Anong nakakatamad doon?"
"Nakakatamad pumasok kapag hindi kita nakikita." I walked first but I stopped when I was on the stairs. "You are the reason why I go to school." I winked before going to her room.
Gusto ko kasing makita ang crush ko kaya ako pumapasok. At siya ang crush ko.
I opened the door and went straight to her bed, pero lumipat ako sa sofa dahil sa kama siya. Nakatulog naman ako. Nagising ako dahil hinihila ako ni Darlene.
"'Uy, tabi tayo sa kama, bal. Tahol nang tahol si Lucy, natatakot ako baka may nakikita na kung ano si Lucy."
I opened my eyes and I saw her standing in front of me. Hinihila pa rin niya ako. Naupo ako sa sofa.
"It's nothing," I whispered.
"Tara na kasi doon." Tumayo na ako dahil hinihila niya ako.
Nahiga siya sa kama, tumabi naman ako sa kanya. I pulled her closer, she's sleeping on my arm as she leaned on her head in my chest.
"Wala namang nakakatakot..." I kissed the top of her hair.
"Malay mo nandito mommy mo kaya natahol si Lucy? Mahal, natatakot ako…"
I shook my head before letting out a laugh. “Relax, hindi ka naman dadalawin ni Mommy." I shut my eyes to sleep again.
I didn't hear her voice so I assumed she fell asleep. I woke up at six in the morning. Inalis ko ang kamay niya para makatayo ako. I went to the bathroom and looked for another toothbrush. I went outside after, Darlene's still sleeping.
I kissed her forehead first as I put her on a blanket.
"I'm leaving," I whispered softly but she didn't wake up.
Hinalikan ko na lang siya ulit sa noo bago siya iwanan mag-isa sa kwarto. Dumiretso ako sa baba, the maids are up and also Darius. He was holding a phone, yawning. Nasa kitchen siya at gumagawa ng coffee.
"What are you doing here?" Darius asked when he saw me.
"Standing and talking to you." I got the coffee from the table.
"Hey! That's mine!"
"It's mine now." I sipped on the coffee. "By the way, nakakabwisit ka pa rin."
His brows wrinkled. "What the heck?"
"I admit, you are kind of stupid for believing in Iris. I get it, Darius, may pinagsamahan kayo ni Iris and you two had a child—”
“Nix, you don't need to mention it!” He cut me off.
“Nagsasabi lang, okay? Tsaka, nasabi ko na ang lahat kay Darlene but I didn't include the part na nagkaroon kayo ng baby ni Iris dahil labas naman kami doon at wala rin akong right to say those. Are you still regretting na mawala iyong baby?”
“Always and every night, Nix. If I just chose to stop her noong panahong nagdadalawang isip siya na gawin, sana ginawa kong pigilan siya.” He let out a sigh. “About what you said, I am not believing Iris, wala akong kinakampihan."
"Then what about what you said, that Darlene should stop and you know that Iris is telling the truth? And at that, Darlene believes that you are on Iris' side." I put down the coffee cup. "Well, for me, I know Darlene can't really do that because I really know her, hindi niya kayang manakot, but I am not taking her side because I still don't know the truth. While you look like Iris... already ball your head and just believe about her accusation kahit na hindi mo naman alam ang nangyari."
He couldn't speak for a second.
"I am not taking her side..." he uttered. "But I know, I was wrong the way I asked her, it was an accusation. Pero aalamin ko ang totoo."
"No need to do that,” I said.
"What do you mean?"
"I know that Finn and others are doing that already, I know them." Alam kong gagawin na nila 'yon. Hindi naman nila hahayaan na basta basta masuspend si Darlene.