.32
The silence inside Severin's car is deafening. He didn't ask me what happened to me. Why I look all bruised, messy, and sad, and I'm thankful. If my memory serves me right, Ivo has been friends with Severin, Polina, and Nikolai since they were kids. I wonder what it is like to grow up with close friends like them.
A part of me is envious, but then I realized I wouldn't be who I am today if I didn't meet Alexavia and Anthony. Sometimes you don't need a lot of people with you, occasionally, one or two is just enough, but considering the situation now with Anthony. I guess Alexavia is all I have now and maybe Ivo's friends too.
I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I hope Ivo's friends will consider me as a friend too. Severin didn't say where we will be going. Hindi rin ako masyadong pamilyar sa daan na tinatahak namin ngayon pero ngayong pinagkakatiwalaan ko na si Ivo ay dapat ganoon din ako sa mga kaibigan nya.
There's this comfortable silence between us. I don't really want to talk about what happened today and Severin understands. Bago ako sumama sa kanya, I saw him send a quick text. Kung para kanino ang text na iyon ay hindi ko alam. Could it be Ivo?
I want to see him. I left my phone and other personal belongings inside Alexavia's car at mukhang hindi ko pa ito makukuha. Hindi ko alam kung paano haharapin si Alexavia. May kaunting hiya akong nararamdaman. My Uncle announced that I am about to be wed to someone I consider as a brother and that's crazy. What was my Uncle thinking?
Anthony and I? Isa ba ito sa mga cliché na nababasa ko sa mga libro o kaya palabasa sa telebisyon? I read before in some articles that some royal families marry their own kin to preserve the wealth and status of the family. While Anthony and I are not related by blood, the thought of marrying someone I considered as an older brother gave me goosebumps.
Yes, Anthony is a good looking man. I remember how a lot of women are crazy about him. He's smart, responsible, and hard-working. Any woman would be lucky to have him, but after what happened at the restaurant the way he acted towards me I'm starting to question if I really knew him in the first place.
"We're here," I snapped out of my thoughts when Severin spoke. The huge silver gate opened automatically, the two-story house stood brightly in the night. If I'm not mistaken, this is a glasshouse. It looks exquisite. He parked his car and removed his seatbelt, "Polina and Nikolai are inside. I didn't tell Ivo you're here..." he paused, searching my eyes, "but I'm about to tell him... later...?" he sounded unsure.
Ah, the text message he sent before we got here was probably for Polina or Nikolai. I smiled at him, "It is okay. You can tell him now or later. It doesn't matter to me. I just want to rest if that's okay?"
"Yeah, sure. I'll prepare the room, but before you get a good rest. Let Polina fix you," sabay turo nya sa tuhod ko na may sugat at tuyong dugo. "And that too..." he pointed at my face.
I nodded, naunang lumabas ng sasakyan si Severin at inalalayan nya ako bumaba ng sasakyan. Severin was gentle and patient with me. Masakit pa rin ang tuhod ko at nahihirapan akong maglakad.
When he opened the door, Polina is laying down on Nikolai's lap. They're on the floor. Nikolai is combing Polina's hair as he watches her sleep. I almost blushed at the scene before me when Severin spoke, "Can you guys stop being gross."
"Shut up, Sevirgin." Nikolai say na hindi man lang tumitingala at patuloy pa rin ang pagsuklay sa buhok ni Polina gamit ang mga daliri nya.
I looked at Severin and seeing him blush is so cute. Tinignan nya ako at sinabing, "Hindi na ako virgin."
I laughed, "Aww—" but it hurt, so I nodded to Severin and said, "Okay," I mean, how do you respond to that? I guess that's how friends with so much history together roast each other.
"Can you both shut the fuck up," Polina hissed.
"Hi, baby. Did you sleep well?" Nikolai asked with matching puppy eyes.
Bumangon si Polina mula sa pagkakahiga nya sa kalong ni Nikolai. Inalalayan naman akong umupo ni Severin sa pinakamalapit na sofa. "Thanks to you assholes. The answer is no."
"Aww, come on, babe. Let me get you back to sleep. I know a technique that will help you sleep easily." Nikolai grinned meaningfully at her and Polina only gave her middle finger as a response.
Severin and I laughed but stopped right away when Nikolai glared at us. We both shut our mouths right away. Polina then noticed me. She stood tall before me, her right hand on her waist, and she eyed me from my head to foot.
Polina is wearing black leggings and a 'Get Lost' pink crop top. I wonder what it is like to be God's favorite. I forced a smile at her, "Is that blood?" she asked flatly.
Her tone scared me so I answered, "No?"
She glared at me, "That's not a question you're supposed to answer with another question."
Hindi na nya ako binigyang pansin pa at binaling nya ang atensyon nya kay Severin, "Get my medical kit."
"Tsk," ani ni Severin at sumunod sa utos. Nikolai stood next to Polina. Ngayon ko lang napansin na halos magkasing tangkad lang pala silang dalawa. Nikolai has a big build. He has a body of a professional football player.
I was probably staring too much at him because I noticed Polina raising her left eyebrow at me. Gusto kong matawa pero pinipigilan ko. I don't want to get on her bad side and Nikolai is not even my type.
However, I'd like to say that Polina and Nikolai looks together. There's this strange aura between them na hindi ko masabi kung ano. Hindi ko alam kung anong relasyon ang meron silang dalawa. I'll probably know once I get to know them.
"What happened to you, Sha--? OUCH, babe!" sabay himas ni Nikolai sa kanang braso nya dahil hinampas sya ni Polina. Seeing her expression, a realization hit his face. "Aight, I get it."
Yeah, these two are a match made in heaven. They're both weird and for a guy huge as Nikolai, tiklop sya kay Polina. I find it almost endearing.
Severin arrived with the medical kit. Kinuha ito ni Polina, "Nik, bring her inside the bathroom. I'll fix her there." I was about to refuse, but naunahan na ako ni Nikolai. He lifted me from where I sit like I didn't weigh anything.
"Did you call Ivo?" Polina asked Severin habang tinatali nya ang pula nyang buhok.
"Not yet. I'll call him later. Now isn't a good time." Simpleng sagod ni Severin.
Hindi ko na narinig ang sagot ni Polina dahil nakalayo na kami. When we arrived at the bathroom, I was stunned. Ito na ata ang pinakamalaking bathroom na nakita ko. Hindi ito pang isang tao lang. Kasya ditto yung buong klase ko.
"Okay, we're here." I sat on the table dahil don ako nilagay ni Nikolai. "Just wait for, Polly. She'll fix you." He grinned at me and looking proud. He called her 'Polly'. I wonder how many nicknames he has for Polina.
"Thank you," ani ko sa kanya.
"No problem." Nikolaid had a goofy grin on his face then he frowned. He stared at my face na para bang may hinahanap sya at sa bawat segundong lumipas ay lalong kumunot ang mga noo nya.
"Is there something wrong with my face?" naiilang kong tanong sa kanya.
"Aside from the wounds? No." he stared at me intently, nilagay nya pa ang kaliwang kamay nya sa baba nya at pumikit, "Hmmm," ano bang iniisip nito? Para syang nagso-solve ng math problem at nakalimutan nya ang formula kaya ngayon ay pinipilit nyang alalahanin.
Tipid akong ngumite, "You're making me nervous, Nikolai." I said honestly. Hindi ako sanay sa ganitong atensyon.
Nikolai then opened his eyes and stood tall, "I'm sorry about that but I have a question. If that's okay?"
Napalunok ako dahil biglang sumeryoso ang boses nya. It's just a question. Wala naman siguro masama kung hahayaan ko sya. Pwede ko naman hindi sagutin ang tanong nya kung ito ay masyadong personal.
I shrugged, "Okay, what is it?"
Pero sa totoo lang ay kinakabahan ako. Paano kung ang tanong nya ay tungkol kay Ivo? Ano sasabihin ko? Well, they're friends, natural lang siguro kay Nikolai na mag-alala para sa kaibigan nya. I'm an outsider after all. Hindi ako belong sa grupo nila.
Nikolai stared at me shamelessly again. What's with people and their staring problem? Pinagpapawisan na ako kahit hindi pa sya nagtatanong. Ano 'to mental torture? Is he going to ask me about my relationship with Ivo? Kasi kung iyon ang tanong then it will be difficult. Kahit ako hindi ko alam kung anong relasyon ang meron kami.
Ang alam ko lang, Ivo wants me to be safe. My instincts are telling me to trust him too but how do I explain that to Nikolai?
"Ano ba yung tan---" inip kong tanong.
"Are you really... Skyla?" I watched his expression and there's no sign of him trolling me. His face looks deadly serious.
Napaawang ang bibig ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang isasagot ko sa tanong nya. I frowned at him, "What do you mean by that?"
"Look, I shouldn't sa-----"he stopped when he noticed someone at the door. Her stares are like daggers towards Nikolai.
This time, Nikolai matched her piercing gaze with his. They had this staring contest for a minute and it's making me uncomfortable because it feels like they're having an eye to eye conversation. I feel like I'm intruding.
Someone save me.
I was about to lose my mind when Nikolai raised both of his hands. A sign of he is giving up, naglakad sya papunta kay Polina. "I'm still against it. Just so you know."
Nikolai left us alone but not before kissing Polina on her forehead and for a second, I saw a vulnerable woman pero bigla din iyon nawala.
Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga sinabi ni Nikolai, but it looks like it's between friends and I'm not included. Binaling ko nalang sa ibang bagay ang panigin ko. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala kung gaano kalaki ang bathroom na ito.
I felt Polina's presence next to mine. Kita ko sa peripheral vision ko na kasalukuyan nyang binubuksan ang medical kit. She's preparing a gauze then soaked it with alcohol. Man, that's going to sting like a bitch.
"What happened?" her voice is soft almost childlike.
"Stuff." tipid kong sagot. It's not that I don't want to tell her. I do, but not now.
She didn't even warn me when the gauze pad soaked in alcohol touched my wounds. I yelped at the sudden contact and girlie had the nerve to smirk at me. Ano ito gantihan?
"Ouch!" I glared at her.
"Don't be such a baby." She then gently cleaned the wounds, "...this is nothing on what's about to happen soon."
"Huh? Did you say something, Polina? I didn't catch that." Bigla nyang diniin ang sugat ko, "Araaaay! Ouch!" Sabay bawi sa braso ko. I blew air on my wound because it stings.
"You're so restless. I can't concentrate. If you get an infection, it will be your fault." She gently held my arms this time and cleaned my wounds carefully and I can't help, but stare at her beauty. Polina is probably one of the prettiest girls I've seen.
Her skin is porcelain, matangos na ilong, mapupulang mga labi, at kahit ano atang isuot nya ay bagay sa kanya. I wonder how old is he? She looks like we're on the same age or someone a few years older than me.
Next to her I probably look a giant potato. Before I could stop myself, I asked, "What's your skincare routine?" Sobrang unfair. Walang pores at blackheads ang babaeng ito.
She bit her lower lip when a smile formed and then releasing a burst of hearty laughter. Well, damn, goodbye self-confidence pati tawa ni Polina maganda. "What's so funny?" tanong ko sa kanya.
Polina chuckled, "I wasn't expecting your question. I thought you'd ask me about Ivo."
At the mention of Ivo's name, uminit ang pisnge ko and she had this knowing look on her face na para bang sinasabing 'I know your secret'. "Hu-h? A-no?"
Kumuha ng bagong gauze pad si Polina at dahan-dahan nyang nilinis ang mga kaunti kong galos sa mukha. "Just a feeling" simple nyang sagot.
I am curious. There are a lot of things I want to ask. Do they really work for the Mafia? What bad things have they done? Why are they helping me? Who are they? Who is Ivo and why do I feel safe around him?
"Just ask. I'll answer them if I can."
Pero ano ba itatanong ko? Nanatiling nakatikom ang bibig ko. What will I ask her about Ivo? His dating history? I mentally punched myself. Is he single? I mentally punched myself again. Stop it, Skyla. You're being nosy.
As if reading my mind, "He's single, just to let you know." She then smirked at me.
"What? I didn't even ask! Ano naman kung single sya? It's not what you think..." I sounded so defensive. Gusto ko saktan sarili ko.
"You don't need to ask. It's written all over your face the moment I mentioned his name."
What? Am I that obvious? "I don't know what you're talking about, Polina." Umiwas ako ng tingin.
"Alright," she said pero may halong pang-aasar ang boses nya.
30 minutes have passed and Polina's done cleaning my wounds. She let me borrow some of her clothes and they fit me surprisingly. Since I still can't raise my arms without hurting myself, she volunteered to tie my hair and it felt nice. Siguro ganito kung may kapatid akong babae.
Someone would be helping me fix my hair when I can't, allow me to use some of her clothes, tease me about boys, and listen to my stories. I had moments like this with Alexavia and now with Polina. It feels nice to have women supporting you when you can't support even yourself.
After combing my hair and tying it, we both looked at each other in the mirror and smiled at each other. "I'll tell you a little secret."
She looked at me straight from the mirror, "Ivo saved my life once and I owe him a lot for that." There's a sad look in her eyes and it almost made me hug her and then she added, "Don't hurt him, Skyla. That's all I ask."
I didn't even get the chance to ask or respond when she left the bathroom. Naiwan akong nakatayo sa harap ng salamin. Me? Hurt Ivo? I don't think I could do that. Kung meron man may kapasidad na saktan ako ay si Ivo yun. Not physically, but maybe emotionally?
Ivo is some things inside me na hindi pamilyar sa akin. May mga panahon na name-miss ko sya. I also have this urge to call him so that I could hear his voice. I look forward seeing him and spending time with him, but I don't want to entertain whatever this is.
There are things I want to uncover myself. Who is after me? What is the truth about my parents' death, and my Uncle's personal vendetta against Ivo's family?
Maybe, just maybe, when I get answers, I can explore these feelings of mine pero sa ngayon ay ibabaon ko sila sa ikalaliman ng puso ko. For now, I'll just be happy of having him around me.
Bumalik ako sa sala kung nasaan sina Severin, Nikolai, at Polina. They're all sitting quietly when Nikolai spoke, "Shut up, Severin!"
Severin glared at him, "I didn't even say anything!" he yelled. Para syang batang pinagalitan.
"I know but shut up." Binato ni Severin ng cushion si Nikolai pero nasalo nya ito at binato ito pabalik kay Severin.
"You're crazy." Ani ni Severin.
"I know! Isn't it great?"
I smiled at the scene. They're bickering at each other na para bang ito ang isa sa mga bagay na paborito nilang gawin.
"Don't mind them, Skyla." Ani ni Polina habang binabasa ang librong hawak nya.
Umupo ako sa tabi nya, "Are they always like this?"
"Yes, I'm seconds away from shooting them."
I looked at her like she lost her damn mind, but Polina is serious about shooting them if they don't shut up soon, and that's crazy. I wonder if she has actually done it before. She closed her book and glared at the two guys in front of us.
In an instant, Severin and Nikolai stopped bickering at each other and behaved like good kids. "Finally, some peace." That's all she said at muling bumalik sa pagbabasa.