Part 8
I went home after taking care of Darlene. She fell asleep when I left. Maayos naman na ang lagay niya kaya makakapasok na siya bukas. Actually, I was absent today and for sure, Laureen is deeply mad again. Hindi ko naman ginusto um-absent, gusto ko lang talaga makasama si Darlene kaya hindi ako pumasok.
Inaasikaso ko ang dapat kong gawin sa office. I took my coat first before fixing my tie then went outside. Pinauna ko na si Lala sa company para asikasuhin ang ibang dapat gawin. I have to go there too because of an important meeting.
Bumaba ako sa kotse at sumalubong naman ang guard. Diretso lang ang lakad ko papunta sa office. I even heard their greetings as I stepped inside the elevator.
I saw a lot of papers when I saw my table. Someone knocked outside. Lumingon ako kung sino 'yon. It was my lawyer.
"Hey, Attorney. Have a seat," I said. "What brings you here? Wait, about my request..."
"About that, Mr. Velasquez, I already settled it. One thing is we need to do, your sign and other discussion about the land." He looked at me.
"Okay then, let's discuss that later after my board meeting, Attorney." I looked at my rolex. "I think, around five in the afternoon. Is it okay with you? You can stay here."
"I'll just be back, Mr. Velasquez. May meeting rin ako with a client. I just informed you." He took his bag from the couch. Tumayo siya. "Excuse me."
"Alright, see you later, Attorney." Sinamahan ko siya hanggang sa labas ng office ko.
Nang mawala siya sa paningin ko ay bumalik rin ako. Saktong pumasok naman si Lala para tawagin ako. Kinuha ko ang phone ko bago damputin ang ilang folder at binigay kay Lala.
"Aray naman. Grabe ka sa akin. Pasalamat ka may sahod akong 50K every month kaya hindi ako makapag-resign."
"Gusto mong bawasan ko? Gawin kong 5k?" I sarcastically asked.
"Ouch, grabe naman. Paano na ang anak ko? Paano? Oh my god. Ang hirap maging single Mom—"
"Stop imagining shit. You don't have a child."
"Masyado ka yatang high ngayon. Relax ka lang," she said. "Sino nga ulit ang bebe mo? Sharlene? Arlene? Ha! Darlene! Darlene nga pala 'yon!"
"Shut up."
"Ayie, so kailan mo siya ipapakila kay Mama? Or sa amin? For sure mabait at maganda 'yan! Halos kabaliwan mo ba naman. At tanggap na siya sa family!"
Iniwan ko siya na mag-isa. Ayokong marinig ang boses niya. I went inside of the conference room. The board members were already there. I sat in the middle of the table.
"So, what now?" I asked them. "Are you going to start or what?"
Kaniya-kaniya naman silang galaw. They give me a paper. I'm reading it while Mr. Arellano was discussing some agendas. He's pointing at the board, talking. Sa board lang nakatutok ang mata ko hanggang sa tumunog ang phone ko. Napatingin pa sila bago mag-iwas ng tingin.
Darlene is calling me.
"Hello, Darlene?" sagot ko sa tawag.
"[Velasquez, may nakalimutan ka!]" Parang walang sakit kung makasigaw, ha?
"What is it? Wait, how are you feeling? Did you still drink medicine?" I can feel their eyes on me.
"[Okay na ako. Hindi ko na kailangan uminom no'n or something. Pero may nakalimutan ka nga! Iyong wallet mo! Ikaw, ha! Tinatago mo pa ang picture ko! Picture snatcher!]" I chuckled on her accusation. "[Bakit ka tumatawa?]"
"Wala lang..." Ang cute ng boses niya. "Don't remove that. Panakot 'yan sa daga..." I laughed while saying those words.
"[Hoy! Grabe ka sa akin...]" she said in a low voice. "[Snatcher ka lang. Baka mamaya iba na ang i-snatch mo.]" Natawa rin siya. "[Anyway, papasok na ako bukas. Ibibigay ko na lang sa 'yo. Bye, labyu, muah!]"
"Wait, did you just say—"
She cut me off. "[Ano? Anong say? Ano? Ha? May sinasabi ka? Wala? Okay good.]" She ended the call.
I removed my phone to my ears. Tumingin ako sa phone para asarin si Darlene. I made a message to tease her.
To: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
Muah. Haha. Labyu more.
It took a minute before she replied.
From: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
Pakyu!!!!!
I laughed after reading her message. Everyone looked in my direction.
Nawala ang ngiti sa labi ko. "What?" They all shook their heads. "Continued." Binaba ko ang tingin sa screen ng phone ko.
To: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
Three middle fingers? That means... I love you.
From: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
Ulol. I hate you ibig sabihin nyan. I hate you. I. Hate. You.
I want to see her face.
To: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
But on the contrary, you love me.
She reacts with a middle finger on my message.
From: Hot-Gorgeous Darlene
Tigilan mo ako!! Pakyu.
I messaged her but she didn't reply. I turn off my phone. Nakinig na ako sa mga pinagsasabi ng mga board members.
It was a fantastic meeting. Palagi naman good news ang dumarating sa akin kaya wala akong pinoproblema but I can't just be petics. I still need to know what they're doing inside of my company. Baka mamaya... may magnanakaw na pala ng pera sa loob ng kumpanya ko. But still... if that happens... madali ko lang mahahanap. I have a lot of sources. Hindi na sila sisikatan ng araw kapag nangyari 'yon. I will burn their souls in hell.
The meeting ends at five. May meeting pa ako with Attorney. Saktong paglabas ko ng conference meeting, nakita kong kakaakyat niya lang.
I gestured my finger to go inside of my office. I removed my coat before sitting on my chair.
"Here are all the papers, Mr. Velasquez." Binaba niya ang hawak sa harap ng lamesa.
I opened the folder and I saw the deeds of sales, land titles, and so on. Lahat ng legal na papel na nanggaling sa korte ay nandito. It was all legal.
"And by the way, when I was doing my job your cousin went to my office."
My forehead creased. "And?"
"He offered me ten million just to change the name. Gusto niyang ilagay ang pangalan ni Bryce Velasquez. And not just the title, gusto niyang ibahin ko ang last will and testament ng Lolo at Daddy mo. He wants to change the name but I am your Lawyer, and your Dad's Lawyer and I am your father's best friend so no need to worry, hinding-hindi ko gagawin ang gusto niya. I will still remain on your side, Phoenix."
I nodded. "Thank you, Attorney."
He smiled. "No worries. Anyway, I will leave now. May gagawin pa ako sa Firm." He excused himself before leaving my office.
Offering a million? Really, Oliver? You're so desperate.
Masyadong mababa ang ten million. But my company will never be in their hands. Ako lang ang may karapatan dito. Because I am the first born. I am Velasquez's first born so everything is in my hand. Lahat ng kinukuha nila, sa akin lang.
I continued signing the papers, I finished my paperwork at seven in the evening. Tumayo na ako. I took my coat, leaving the office. Sa bahay ako ni Darlene didiretso. Wala lang... trip ko lang pumunta sa kaniya.
I tapped the doorbell five times. Walang lumabas kaya inulit ko.
"Puta! Nagmamadali ba, ha?! Teka lang! Mahal ang doorbell namin!" That's Darlene. "Galing ibang bansa 'yan!"
"Ang tagal..." pagpaparinig ko.
"Wait—Phoenix?! Anong ginagawa mo dito?" tanong niya nang makita ako sa gate ng bahay nila. "Tsaka... bakit ganiyan ang suot mo?"
"Galing office," I replied. "Hindi mo ba ako papasukin sa bahay niyo?"
"Hindi, bisita ka ba?"
"Rude." I rolled my eyes.
"Tse!" She opened the gate widely. "Pumasok ka na. Huwag ka lang magde-demand ng juice."
I laughed. "Iyon nga ang pinunta ko dito. Makiki-inom ako."
"Mayaman ka naman, 'di ba? Ang dami mo ngang sasakyan tapos juice lang hindi ka makabili?" She sat on the sofa. Nanonood pala siya ng cartoons.
"Wala sa budget ko 'yon. Sa sasakyan, oo."
"Tangina, ang yaman mo. Baka bigyan mo ako sports car." She joked.
"Why not?" Bigla siyang lumingon sa akin. "But you're mine."
"Ulol!" She rolled her eyes. "Yaya, pakikuha nga po ng juice ang lalaking pinaglihi sa kagaguhan."
"You're so mean to me." I sounded hurt.
Natawa naman siya. "Joke lang..." Tumayo siya pero hinila ko siya palapit sa tabi ko. I put my hands on her shoulder. "Putang—Papa, oh!" Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa taas kaya tumingin rin ako.
I almost coughed when I saw Tito Dylan, he was watching me and Darlene from the railings! Binitiwan ko si Darlene at maayos na naupo.
Darlene laughed loudly. "Wala ka pala, e! Tanggal angas."
"Stop that," I said but she laughed more. "Makaalis na nga lang." Tumayo na ako. "Tito, I'm leaving now." Naririnig ko pa ang tawa ni Darlene habang palabas ng bahay nila.
Damn, Tito Dylan saw my moves towards his daughter.
When I arrived home, I saw them eating dinner. Sumabay na lang ako sa kanila dahil hindi pa ako nag-didinner.
Phoebe was telling me about something. Harris was here earlier. Last day na daw ng foundation day at ngayon lang nila natapos ang stall na sinasabi nila. I don't know what kind of stall that was. Marami rin tao dahil may pumapasok mula sa ibang School. It's fine though as long as they are not looking for a fight or something.
Today is a goddamn Friday, and the last day of Foundation Day. Kakababa ko lang sa kotse, I was waiting for Darlene. I messaged Trevor if Darlene was there but he said, no. So I think... papunta pa lang siya. And I wasn't wrong, I saw her in a black mercedes-benz with a bodyguard. Pinagbuksan siya ng pinto kaya lumabas na siya.
"Darlene." I called her after she got out of the car. Tumingin-tingin pa siya sa paligid. "Michelle." Napalingon na siya sa akin. Salubong na naman ang kilay niya nang makita ako.
"Ano?" Tinaas niya ang isang kilay.
"You are so hot today," I said, walking. Tumigil ako sa harap niya pero umatras siya kaya hinawakan ko ang kamay niya. "Don't you dare."
"Isa! Velasquez! Bitiwan mo ako!" I was holding her both hands. "Hoy! Isusumbong kita kay Kuyang Guard! Isusumbong kita sa bodyguard ko!"
"As if I'm scared." I rolled my eyes. "Did you eat breakfast?"
"Oo pero konti lang kasi—" I cut her off.
"You should eat a lot of breakfast today. What if you get sick again?"
"Ang caring mo naman masyado. Baka hanapin ko 'yan." She laughed.
"Edi hanapin mo. Basta magtatago siya—Aray naman! You're so brutal, woman. Ang sakit!" I held my head. "Alam mo dapat, bawat pananakit mo sa akin may halik, e." Nilapit ko ang mukha ko pero tinulak niya ako gamit ang palad niya.
"Hoy! Ang kapal mo! Ikaw nga kumuha ng first kiss ko tapos 'yan pa ang gusto mo?! Sapak—" She stopped talking when we both heard Laureen's voice.
"Wait... did I hear that right? First kiss ni Darlene si Nix? Wait, oh my god." Nasa harap na namin si Laureen. "Ikaw, Nix, ha! Darlene, matamis ba ang halik ni Nix."
"Hoy! Diaz! Huwag ka ngang maingay." Darlene's face was red.
I laughed. "Your face is red."
Masamang tingin agad niya ang sumalubong sa akin. "Tse!" Iniwan niya akong mag-isa at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad papunta sa classroom.
"That's a fucking secret, Laureen." Sinundan ko si Darlene. She was about to go upstairs but I called her. "Darlene! I will treat you at the cafeteria! Anything you want!"
Tumigil siya sa paglalakad bago lumingon sa akin. "Talaga?" Madali lang pala 'to paamuhin. Lumapit siya.
"Of course, but my wallet was in your hand." I remember what she said yesterday. Naiwan ko raw ang wallet ko sa kwarto niya. "Dala mo ba?" Nakalimutan kong kunin sa kaniya kagabi.
"Oo naman! Dapat nga hihingi akong twenty sa 'yo, e, kaso masyado kang mayaman. Puro one thousand at five hundred ang laman. Wala kang twenty?" I shook my head. "Fifty? Barya?" Umiling ulit ako. "Ehem, isang milyon. Ehem."
May sarili na nga siyang isla tapos gusto niya pa ng one million?
"Sure... tell me... what else do you want?"
"Ikaw."
"H-Huh?" I asked again.
"Ikaw, anong gusto mo?"
"Wala, ikaw rin," sagot ko bago siya hilahin.
"Aray ko! Sasakalin mo ba ako, ha!" My arms were wrapped around her neck. "Palibhasa matangkad ka kaya mo ako kina-kayankayanan!"
"You're just a minion—aw." Siniko niya ako. Binitiwan ko siya nang makarating sa harap ng cafeteria. "What do you want?"
"'Yong fries at salad. 'Yon, oh." She pointed to the menu.
"Okay, give what she ordered. Siya rin magbabayad."
Lumingon si Darlene sa akin. "Hoy! Madaya ka! Akala ko ba—"
"Nasaan nga po ung ulit ang wallet ko?"
Tumigil naman siya. "Ano... nasa akin." Natawa siya.
Nagbayad muna siya bago binalik sa akin ang wallet ko. Ngiting tagumpay na naman siya habang kinukuha ang inorder. Nag-yaya na siyang pumunta sa classroom. Hindi niya man lang napansin ang mga stall.
Binigyan niya akong fries kaya kinuha ko.
"Shi—" Darlene almost had a heart attack when we both heard a loud shout.
"Darlene, you're back!"
May tarpaulin at confetti pa talaga with word na 'welcome back'.
"Hatdog. Mukha ba akong galing ibang bansa at may ganiyan kayo? Ang kalat—"
"At ikaw ang maglilinis." Arvin smirked.
"Sampalin kita."
"Let me cut your tongue."
"Nuxs, sabay pa kayong dalawa na nagsalita." Tiningnan kami ni Rafael.
"Ginawa ang mundo para mabuhay, hindi para magharutan."
"Mukha ba kaming naghaharutan—hoy, langya! Kinakain mo na pala ang pagkain ko! Kaya ka pala nananahimik! Akin 'yan, e! Libre na nga lang 'yan tapos kukunin niyo pa?" Masama ang tingin ni Darlene kay Gael na kumakain ng pagkain niya.
"Sino ba ang nanlibre sa 'yo?" Dice asked.
"Siya." She pointed at me.
"Ano?! Kahit kailan, hindi nanlibre 'yan!" Renz said hysterically. "Tapos nilbre ka? Ano 'yan? Favoritism? Ang daya!"
I raised my middle finger to him. "She's exceptional."
"Awit," Harvey commented. "Iba talaga kapag alam mong maganda ang babae."
They are so dramatic.
"Balik niyo 'yan. Piste kayo," Darlene said. "Anyways, ano nga pala ang mayroon d'yan sa paligid?"
"Foundation day," I answered.
"Foundation Day?" Kakasabi ko lang, e.
"Last day na nga ngayon, e. Buti pumasok ka," Dash said. "Kayong dalawa ni Nix."
"Baka naman nag-date kayo..." Harvey said teasingly.
"Kinginang 'yan, paano magde-date, e, may sakit nga ako." Umirap pa si Darlene.
"Kaya nga... ang tanga talaga ni Quintos," Finn said. "Tara na lang sa labas. Ililibre ka namin. May stall dito na lahat ng gusto mo lang ang nandoon."
"True! Ini-stalk ka namin sa Social Media accounts mo para malaman ang lahat ng gusto mo. Aside from crinkles, favorite mo rin pala ang brownies at cupcake."
"Let's go!" They pulled Darlene's arm.
Sumunod ako sa kanila. Naiwan pa ni Darlene ang bag niya kaya kinuha ko at dinala.
"Miss Beautiful, magkano 'to?" pang-aakit ni Dice.
"Free! Free lang 'yan!"
"Gano'n ba? Sige, bebe Darlene, mamili ka na ng gusto mo." Dice smirked.
"Dinaan sa pa-cute, ampucha." Darlene rolled her eyes.
As expected, these fuckers will laugh.
"Hindi naman." Dice defends himself. "Sa 'yo na 'yan." He gave Darlene a keychain, it was unicorn style. "Next destination ay... ano ba?"
"Doon sa barilan tapos may prize kapag nanalo na giraffe pero kulay purple."
Pumunta naman kami sa sinasabi ni Gael. They started to play to impress Darlene but they are too weak. Hindi man lang nila matamaan ang target.
"Mga tanga." Darlene teased them.
They can't shoot the target. Tanga.
"Darlene, ubos na ang one thousand ko pero hindi pa rin ma-shoot!" Harvey complained.
"Isa pa, Miss. Hindi ako titigil hangga't hindi 'yan naso-shoot!"
"Hindi ako titigil hangga't hindi ko nakukuha ang giraffe na 'yan!"
Tumabi ako kay Darlene habang naglalaro ang iba.
"Velasquez, ikaw nga. Try mo lang." Lumingon si Darlene sa akin.
"That's boring, wala akong makukuhang prize."
She pouted. "Ang damot mo..."
"Stop pouting, gusto mong halikan kita?" I smirked. "Kanina mo pa ako sinasaktan." Hinampas ako ni Darlene! "But wait... you want me to try that, right?" She nodded. "Okay, I will—"
"May kondisyon 'yan." Umirap siya.
"Of course and you know that already." I winked. Lumapit ako kung saan naglalaro sila Trevor. "Excuse me." I put a hundred. "One shot and that stuffed toy is mine."
"Pag-bigyan natin si Nix!" They set aside themselves.
I angle my arm to see if I'll shoot the target. I pulled the toy gun. "See?" I smirked when I shot the target.
Binigay ng student sa akin ang prize.
"Pucha! Si Nix lang pala makaka-shoot!"
Ganiyan talaga kapag bihasa sa paggamit ng baril. I smirked more as I turned my eyes to the most beautiful woman I know.
"Ang tanga niyo. Buti pa 'to, ang galing." Darlene took the stuffed toy. "Galing mo."
"Kasalanan ng target 'yon. Umiilag ba naman?"
"Ulol. Shunga lang kayo magshoot." Darlene laughed.
"Hindi rin! Lagi kayang shoot kapag pinapasok ko," Owen said.
Lumingon kami kay Owen. Masama rin ang tingin namin sa kaniya.
"Huh?" Darlene asked confusedly.
"Tarantado talaga 'to." Harris poked Owen on his head.
"Don't mind them." Ang inosente talaga niya.
"Okay..." Tumango si Darlene. "Anyway, next na, guys! Galingan niyo naman kasi! Akala ko pa naman magaling kayo."
"Magaling naman kami, bobo lang ang target."
Nauna silang maglakad pero hinila ko si Darlene. Natigil siya sa paglalakad. Nilingon pa niya ako.
"Hey, what about me? I won't get my prize?" We have a condition, right? Kailangan niyang ibigay 'yon.
"Sige na nga," she whispered.
Darlene held my left cheeks. Napayuko pa ako dahil hinila niya ang mukha ko. She tiptoed as she gave me a soft kiss. My lips parted when I felt her lips. Nagulat pa ako. Umayos siya ng tayo sabay titig sa akin.
"Okay na, tara na." Nauna siyang maglakad.
I gulped. Napatingin ako sa paligid nang makita ang mga students na napahinto rin dahil sa nakita. Hindi ko sila pinansin at naglakad nalang. Kahit halos mabaliw na ako sa ginawa ni Darlene, pinilit kong umayos. Sinundan ko kung saan siya nagpunta.
May kinakain na siyang crinkles. Tumabi ako habang nag-uusap silang lahat. I saw Harris' smirking at me. Siniko niya pa si Mavis bago may binulong. They both chuckled. Masama ko silang tinapunan ng tingin.
"Magbabayad ba ako dito?" Kinain ni Darlene ang crinkles.
"Oo, kiss mo daw si Nix, bawat isang crinkles."
"Ulol. Never," Darlene said, like she didn't kiss me.
"Never pa nga." Malakas na tawa ni Finn.
I glared at him when he was about to say something.
"Anyway, that's all free," Trevor said. "This stall was for you actually. You can eat anything including Nix's lips, I mean brownies."
What the fuck, Trevor? I saw Harris, Dash, Finn, and Mavis trying to hold their laughter.
"Gago, bakit ba kayo tumatawa?" Harvey asked, clueless.
"Wala..." Dash shook his head, still laughing. "Darlene, kumuha ka na ng brownies pero kung gusto mo, nand'yan naman si Nix."
"Ha?"
Masama akong tumingin kay Dash.
"Wala!"
Tumingin si Darlene sa akin. Her cheeks flushed before turning her back to us. Nakita kong may kausap si Darlene na babae kaya hinayaan ko na muna. Isa-isa kong binato ng tissue sina Harris..
"Matamis ba?" Trevor asked teasingly. "Ang brownies?"
"Fuck you, Cordova."
"Ang pikon mo naman, siya pa mismo gumawa. Ayie, kilig ka?" Finn asked while laughing.
"Fuck you all. Stop it." But they didn't stop! I leaned at the backrest of the monoblock chair.
"Baka mahulog ka..." Harris said, meaningfully.
"I'm not..." umiling-iling ako.
"You know what... let's change the topic. It was all nonsense," Trevor said
We waited for Darlene for ten minutes but she's still not here. Hanggang sa may tumawag sa amin at PE raw namin. I was confused, it was our Foundation Day tapos may klase?
"'Yon ang sabi ni Ms. Juris. Tsaka, hinila nga pala ni Laureen ang girlfriend mo." He's talking about Darlene.
"I don't have a girl—"
"Ah, si Darlene? Girlfriend niya 'yon." Dash asked and the first year nodded. "Nasaan siya?"
"Nasa gymnasium."
Tumayo naman ako para pumunta sa gymnasium. We have a damn class! We should be enjoying the event right now but we have a class! Nasa pinto palang ako ng gymnasium nang makita ko na agad ang hinahanap ko. Kay Darlene ang diretso ko. Nagulat pa siya nang humalik ako sa pisngi niya at napahawak.
"Ano ba 'yan."
I just smiled and pulled her. Naupo kami sa bleachers. Dumating na rin sina Trevor kaya binitiwan ko siya.
"Ang boring naman." Darlene's playing with her hair.
Tumingin ako sa harap nang may tumigil. I saw Laureen, smiling at Darlene. Tumayo ako at lumipat sa harap kung saan walang nakaupo.
"Hi, Darlene." She smiled more.
"Anong kailangan mo?" Darlene arched her brow.
"Ikaw." Laureen smirked.
"Hoy! Ano 'yan?"
"Ano ba kayo! Hindi ʼyon! Ang ibig kong sabihin kailangan ko siya for the... you know. Basta!" Tumingin siya kay Darlene. "Let's go! Titingnan ko lang kung bagay sa 'yo sumali sa pageant."
"Saan ka titingin? Iyan na sa harap mo. Bagay talaga 'yon sa kaniya." Gael smirked.
"Sa bagay, tama ka naman. Pero gusto kong makita kaya Darlene, let's go!"
"Tangina, ʼwag mo nga akong idamay sa trip mo." Kumunot ang noo ni Darlene.
"Halika na!" Laureen pulled her. Walang nagawa si Darlene kung hindi ang tumayo dahil sa ginawang paghila sa kaniya.
Naiwan kaming lahat sa bench habang pinapanood siyang umakyat sa stage. Maraming tao kaya ang ingay, dumagdag pa 'tong mga katabi ko.
"Nasaan na kaya si Darlene?"
"Malay, baka pinagtitripan na ni Laureen 'yon," Mavis said.
Tumingin ako sa harap. I almost choked when I saw Darlene. Her face was bored but damn! She's so gorgeous. She's wearing makeup, and her hair is curly. And she's wearing a midi dress. Halatang labag sa loob niya. Laureen gave her... heels?! For what? Balak pa niyang umalis pero nahawakan na ni Patricia ang kamay niya bago pwersang inupo.
Patricia removed her shoes before putting a white heel on Darlene's feet.
"Ayoko!" I heard her shout. "Mama! Tatanggalan ako ng kilay ni Laureen! Wah! Mama!" Ang lakas ng sigaw niya.
I held my forehead. Napapatingin ang ibang student sa kaniya.
"Lakas ng trip nila kay Darlene..." Dice laughed.
Napalingon kaming lahat nang tumayo si Darlene. Halos mapatigil kami ng maglakad siya, a walk like in a model. The wind blows a bit that makes her hair waves, her hands was besides while walking straightly with her serious and fierce face.
"Damn..." I commented when she turned around just like on a runway.
"Tangina, p're, ang ganda naman no'n, o." Dash was looking straight to Darlene.
"Miss. Flawless naman siya masyado. Kinis, o."
"Damn, sexy..."
Laureen pointed to the ground while talking. What? She's teaching Darlene to walk? Hindi pa ba sapat ang ginawa niya. Darlene shook her head and I know she's cussing a lot right now.
"Sheez, nakita na natin kung paano maglakad ng Miss. Universe si Darlene..." Renz laughed.
"Irampa mo pa, lods!" Finn shouted and clapped his hands.
"Patumbahin mo sila ng ganda mo, Darlene!"
Darlene raised her middle finger before turning her back at us. Kita ko ang hiya sa mukha niya. Ang ganda niya... sobra. Palagi naman siyang maganda.
"P're, nakuhaan ko siya ng video!" Tumingin kaming lahat sa phone ni Harvey.
"Send niyo sa GC!" Dice requested. "Doon sa wala siya, baka malagot tayo sa kaniya kapag nalaman niyang may video tayo."
Harvey sent the video to our GC. Darlene wasn't there, it was just me and the boys.
"Hoy! Mga stalker kayo! Bakit nandito ang picture ni Darlene noong bata siya! Iyan, ha! Lagot kayo do'n!" Finn said.
"Hindi naman namin pinagtitripan, ha?" Owen said. "Tsaka, maganda naman siya."
It was Darlene's photo. Lahat yata ng picture niya nasa GC namin, but like what Owen said, we don't have a trip on her picture. Lahat ng mga stolen ni Darlene nasa GC or the picture that was taken by Rafael without her noticing it.
Hay, para kaming nababaliw pagdating kay Darlene. We have an album and it was all her face! Her pictures! And her stupidity picture, pati 'yong nangyari sa kaniya sa plaza.
Wala pa rin si Darlene. Nasaan na ba siya? Pinagloloko kami ni Ms. Juris, we don't have a P.E today. Mabuti nalang ay hindi ako nagpalit ng damit.
"Where's Darlene?"
"Relax ka lang, Nix! Nand'yan lang 'yon sa paligid. Makikita mo rin ang bebe mo. Kumain ka na lang." Dash gave me food but I refused.
Masyadong magulo at maingay sa baba kung nasaan ang mga students. We stayed here on stage. I'm sitting on the swivel chair while looking at the students, I was looking for Darlene actually. Siya ang hinahanap ko. Until Finn pointed something out. There I saw Darlene. She's with Laureen and her friends. Darlene was holding a ball while dribbling it.
Paulit-ulit ang ginagawa niya habang naglalakad. Ang aliwalas ng mukha niya. She was laughing, mukhang may sinasabi yata na kung ano. She shoots the ball to the ring and it works. What the... nakaya niya 'yon habang nakaheels?
"Tangina, tinamaan yata ako." Gael was looking straight at Darlene.
"First time kong magkaroon ng crush..." Dash said.
"May crush na ako, guys."
"You all have a crush on her?" I looked at them.
"Wala! Nagbibiro lang ako!" Gael said.
"What about you all?" Umiling naman silang lahat sa tanong ko.
Hinayaan ko na sila. Nilapitan ko si Darlene. Natigil siya sa ginagawa pero napatingin ako sa paa niya.
"Bakit ka ganiyan?"
"Ha?"
"Why are you like that? Look at your feet. It was red." I pointed at her feet.
"Ang lakas kasi ng tama nito... ang sakit tuloy ng paa ko." Turo niya kay Laureen. "Pero nagawa kong maglaro nito." She's pertaining about the basketball. "Ang sakit ng likod ng paa ko. Langya, napagtripan ako ng kaibigan ni Laureen."
"I know. I saw it. Maupo ka na muna, your feet are still red."
"Wow, how caring, Nix, ha?" Laureen teased me. "Ano nga 'yong sinabi mo noon? Bakit unti-unti mo yatang kinakain?"
"Ano ʼyon?" tanong ni Darlene.
"Noon kasi may sinabi si Nix na hindi—" Shit naman, ilalaglag pa yata ako.
"It's nonsense." I pulled Darlene. "Shut your mouth, Laureen!" I helped Darlene to sit. "Do you have any bandaid?"
She nodded. May kinuha siya sa bag at binigay sa akin. "Hello Kitty 'yan." She giggled.
Her giggles make me laugh. "You don't have plain?" Umiling naman siya. "Okay." I bend my one knee to put her feet on my knee. I put a bandaid on the back of her feet. "It won't hurt anymore." I looked up.
"Uh... Salamat..." Umayos na siya ng upo.
"Nuxs, ang galing. Nakuhaan mo ba 'yon, Harvey?"
We both looked to our left when we heard Rafael's voice.
"Oo, p're!"
What the hell?!
"Mga lintik kayo!" Darlene glared at them. "Nakakainis kayo." She's still wearing makeup, it was simple but elegant. "Laureen, burahin mo na 'yong mukha ko este 'yong makeup ko!"
Oh, damn.
"Tanggalan raw ng mukha si Darlene! Game! Hawakan niyo!" They held Darlene's arm while Harvey was holding a cotton.
"Puta! Harvey! Sasampalin kita! Masasampal ko kayong lahat! Ano ba?! Phoenix! Phoenix, o! Tingnan mo! Pinagtutulungan ako!" She kicked me.
"Stop touching her," awat ko.
Tinigil naman nila ang trip kay Darlene.
"Grabe kayo sa akin."
"Ang cute mo raw kasi, sabi ni Nix."
What the hell? Bakit ako?
"Alam ko na 'yon!" Mayabang na sabi ni Darlene. "Anyway, wala naman yatang P.E, nag-aksaya lang tayo ng oras dito. Napagtripan pa ako. Libre niyo ulit ako."
"Ganda ng transition ng salita mo, ha?"
"Dahil d'yan, ililibre ka ni Nix. Tara na! Bago pa matapos ang foundation day!" Sabay sabay silang umalis maliban kay Darlene.
"What the... I won't—"
"'Lika na, Phoenix." Darlene pulled me. She was holding her bag and the stuffed toy but she gave it to me. "Pahawak." She smiled. "Ililibre mo daw ako?"
"Yeah, I will treat you. Only you." I nodded.
"Hays, ang bait mo! Hmm, sige na nga. Bibigyan nalang kita ng kiss para bayad." Hinarap niya ako.
Napatingin ako ng diretsto sa kaniya. I was shocked when she suddenly pulled my necktie as I felt her lips on mine. She tilted her head then moved her lips slowly. She smiled between our kisses. Lumayo siya at inayos ang necktie ko.
"Pogi mo." Tawa niya bago ako iwanan.
I was left dumbfounded. She kissed my lips and even moved her lips while everyone was watching.
What the fucking fuck, Michelle?