08:
Every weekends ay roon ako pumunta sa bahay nila Zowen para mag study, I also got comfortable out there chatting with Lola Paging. At halos mga binibake ni Uncle Gardo ay dinadala ko sa bahay. It feels home when i’m with them.
“Mag ingat kayo ro’n ha?” Uncle Gardo said.
Napatawa agad ako at kinuha ’yong suklay sa gilid at inayos ang buhok ko. Uncle Gardo stared at Zowen. . . maybe got uncomfortable now that he saw Zowen with full make up on. Ako ang nag make up ni Zowen para pupunta sa debut ni Ezra and I think this is her first time!
“Tapos mag dala kayo nung na bake ko na cookies at ’yon ang i-regalo niyo. . .” Uncle Gardo trailed off. Napakamot siya sa kanyang batok at siguro nanibago sa mukha ni Zowen na ngayon ay hindi nagustuhan ang itsura niya.
“You’re so pretty kaya. . .” I said teasing her.
She immediately rolled her eyes. Ganito talaga mga maldita.
“Hindi ako sanay,” usal niya sa mahinang boses.
“Uncle Gardo. . . maganda kaya siya ’no?” tanong ko kay Uncle Gardo na nasa gilid na namin ngayon habang hawak ang dalawang tupperware — and it’s so cute that he even put a pink ribbon on the top of it!
“Sobrang ganda! Kahit ’yong anak ni Mercita ma-iinlove sa ’yo!” tawa ni Uncle Gardo.
Napatawa agad ako. She immediately replied with Uncle Gardo’s remark, “Ew. . .”
Binaba ko ’yong suklay at kinuha ko ’yong maliit na bag ko at tinignan ang cellphone ko na ngayon ay tumunog. I received our driver’s message that he’s going to fetch us now. I cleared my throat and showed my phone to Zowen, she just sighed and nod.
“Pa. . . alis na kami.” tumayo si Zowen sa upuan at inayos ang kanyang dress na solid A-line. Mama bought that for me but I insisted because I want to wear a white dress for tonight, kaya binigay ko kay Zowen ngayon.
“Wala bang picture taking d’yan?” Uncle Gardo laughed, “Para naman may memories. . .”
Napangiti agad ako. I urged Zowen to take a picture with his dad, pagkatapos no’n ay nag selfie kami at sinabihan nalang si Uncle Gardo na i-sesend ko kay Zowen para ma-tignan niya mamaya.
Zowen looks so nervous while we’re on the way to the venue. Sa mansion nila sa Butuan i-held ang debut ni Ezra. Mom was invited too but unfortunately she have some business to attend too that’s she can’t come tonight. Kinuha ko ’yong cellphone ko at lumingon kay Zowen ngayon na tumingin lang sa labas at kabado.
“Are you comfortable taking a picture with me?” tanong ko.
She immediately shifted her seat and looked at me with the same bored eyes that i’ve always seen, she immediately rolled her eyes and nod. It was like a non-verbal word for ‘duh’! I rolled my eyes too and opened my camera to take a picture.
Lumapit ako sakanya at inangat ang cellphone at nag peace sign, she just smiled at the camera and don’t bother to imitate me!
I glared at her, “Mag pose ka naman! H’wag puro smile!”
She hissed and ignored my request. Aba. Tinago ko nalang ang cellphone ko at hindi na nag abala na nilabas ’yon, she hates taking picture and now she’s pissed! I only took five pictures of us in the car, hindi naman siya umimik ulit dahil kabadong kabado na siya lalo na nung sumenyas na ’yong driver namin na malapit na kami.
“Reina! I miss you!”
Nung pagkababa talaga namin ay bumungad agad ’yong malakas na sigaw ni Maria at hinagkan agad ako. Napatawa agad ako, I rarely seen her this past few weeks maybe because it’s almost finals and she need to caught up with her grades. We’re all busy.
“May ipakilala ako!” hinatak agad ako ni Maria kaya lumingon ako sa likuran ko at napanatag nung sumunod lang si Zowen sa amin.
Halos napakunot ang noo ko nung saan-saan ako dinala ni Maria andaming mga tao ngayon at parang may hinahanap pa siya dahil kung saan lang dumapo ang tingin niya. Sa huli ay napatigil kami sa malapit sa stage at naka-kunot ang noo ko nung nasa harap kami ng isang lalaki.
“Reina, boyfriend ko. . .” she immediately hooked the guy’s arm. “Si Andrius.”
I looked at the guy intently. I panicked for a bit because I wasn’t ready about this! The guy looks like a soft version of Louis Partridge and he is so gorgeous — it reminds me of that one greek god. . . pa ’no ba ’to nabingwit ni Maria? He looked at me shyly and offered me his hands.
“Andrius Vega.”
Inabot ko ang kanyang kamay, “Reina Ashley Castillo.” pagkatapos nung pagkamay ko sakanya ay tumingin ako sa likuran ko at napanatag nung nakita na naroon lang si Zowen na nakasandal. I gestured her to come that’s why she have no choice but to come closer with me.
“She’s Zowen Nabiste. . .” I introduced.
“Nice to meet you. . .”
Pagkatapos no’n ay may kinausap na si Andrius kaya hinatak ko si Maria at bumulong ako sakanya.
“What the fuck Maria. . . saan mo ’yon nabingwit!” I whispered aggressively.
She immediately chuckled and fixed her micro bangs, “Secret. . .”
“Alam ba ’to nila Ezra at April?” tanong ko pero umiling agad siya. She smirked at me and was about to brag.
“Pogi ’no? Baliw na baliw ’yon sa akin,” she flipped her short hair.
I snorted, “Baka ginayuma mo?”
She immediately rolled her eyes, lumingon siya sa likuran namin at agad ko sinundan ang tinignan niya at nakita ko si Zowen na naka-sunod lang sa amin. “Angas naman bodyguard mo ah?”
Hindi ako umangal at kumuha ako ng pagkain sa table na ngayon ay malapit kami ro’n. Maria keeps pestering me because Zowen keeps following us.
“Ako lang ang kilala niya dito. . . what do you expect her to do?” I said pissed now.
She chuckled, “Galit ah?” I rolled my eyes while taking a bite at their cassava cake, siguro ay ang mga cook nila ni April ang kinuha nila dito dahil nalasahan ko agad ’yong specialty nila.
The program is starting the moment I finished the last bite. Si Maria ay hindi ko na nakita dahil lumapit na ito sa boyfriend niya at binalita sa akin na kasama ’yon sa eighteen roses. I immediately drag Zowen’s hands when I saw April on the the other table gesturing me to sit with them. She’s with Ezra’s other friends at siguro mga ka-block nila.
“Wow. . . i’m glad Zowen is here!” April said, she immediately surveyed Zowen and smirked right after, “You’re so pretty. . .”
“Thanks,” I said smirking.
She rolled her eyes, “I’m referring to Zowen.”
Hindi na ako umangal at nakinig lang sa program ngayon. The emcee is familiar, sa tingin ko ay ka-block lang ’to nila Ezra. Nung time na lumabas na si Ezra at pumunta sa gitna ay mabilis ko pinalabas ang cellphone ko at hindi pinalampas na i-capture ’yon lahat. April stood up and she showed her DSLR and took a picture of Ezra, she even looks emotional while looking at Ezra dancing Infront.
I immediately diverted my gaze to Zowen when she just quiet on my side while looking in front, I got curious a bit and offered her a cup of drink.
“Hindi ako umiinom n’yan.”
Mabilis ko kinuha ’yon at inamoy ’yong baso. Binaba ko agad ’yon lalo nung naamoy ko ang malakas na amoy, I immediately shifted my seat. “Hindi ko alam na alak ’to. . .”
“It’s champagne.”
“Malalasing ka pa rin. . .” I said but Zowen already diverted her gaze in front. Napatahimik ako at nilingon ’yong champagne, my mom is not strict about me drinking. . . minsan ay si mama mismo ang nag aalok pero ako ang tumatanggi dahil naniniwala ako na hindi pa pwede sa mga bata ang gano’n. Now i’m already seventeen almost eighteen — I can try right?
Mabilis ako sumimsim sa inumin at napapikit no’ng tuluyan na nalasahan. I can feel the heat gushed inside my throat, mabilis ko inabot ang tubig na nasa gilid lang din at ininom ’yon. Zowen immediately looked at me that’s why I raised my brow.
Andami pang nangyari sa mismong program hanggang sa eighteen candles na at tumayo na si April. Ezra want to put me on the list but I insist, I can’t stand Infront towards new people — at nakakatamad din.
“Ang ganda nung ball gown niya ’no?” I asked randomly.
Zowen immediately shrugged her shoulders.
“Hindi mo ba nagustuhan ang ball gown ni Ezra?” tanong ko. Hindi ko alam kung paano siya pinanganak ng mga magulang niya at ang tahimik niya!
She licked her lowerlips and looked at me. “Maganda naman. . .”
“Gusto mo ba ang ganyan?” usal ko at uminom ulit no’ng sa champagne.
“The what?” she said while brows furrowed.
Ngumuso ako para ipahiwatig na si Ezra ang ibig sabihin ko. She immediately chuckled that’s why I stopped and now pissed. “What’s funny?” I said.
“I don’t like wearing gowns and dresses, Reina. Her dress is cool and pretty but I guess i’m fine.” she’s now shrugging her shoulders.
I parted my lips to talk, “Ano gagawin mo sa eighteen roses mo kung gano’n?”
“Wala.”
“Wala?!” I exclaimed. Hindi papayag si mama n’yan! Knowing mom is so fond of her — she would spend thousands or perhaps millions to celebrate her eighteenth birthday if ever!
Another music was played on the background that immediately caught my attention. Lumapit si Ezra sa table namin kasama si April habang tumatawa, when Ezra’s eyes found mine — her eyes immediately twinkled.
“Mabuti at napilit mo si Zowen. . .” she said.
I smirked, “Hindi ’to napilitan! Crush ako nito. . .” I joked.
Zowen immediately gave me a once-over. I snorted and chuckled as I drink at my champagne.
“Anyways! Picture tayo! Tayo lima. . . and speaking of pang-lima. Saan si Maria?” Ezra’s forehead creased.
My lips became a thin line, I saw Ezra stood up and roaming the whole area maybe looking for Maria. She swayed her gown and looked at the whole place, her purple ball gown really suits on her, the natural curls on her hair falls effortlessly — she’s very pretty.
“May kasama ’yon lalaki. . . boyfriend siguro,” April immediately took a sip to her glass. She immediately side eyed me that’s why I sighed.
“Boyfriend niya ’yon,” I confirmed.
Ezra’s head snapped and widen her gaze. “Oh my god! Where is she? Dapat ipakilala niya sa akin!” mabilis niya hinatak si April para hanapin si Maria. I rolled my eyes and don’t bother to look at them being paranoid right now.
Naubos ko ’yong isang glass ko kaya kumuha ako ulit at ininom ’yon. Not gonna lie, it’s so fucking delicious that it feels like i’m addicted. Halos nanginit na rin ang buong katawan ko no’ng panglimang dagdag ko na. The music boomed in the whole place, mga bisita roon ay nagsasayaw na — some of the visitors already left maybe it’s already late.
“You don’t want to dance?” I looked at Zowen right now and smirked. She looks like a twelve years old kid who’s looking for her mommy — maybe felt lost because she keep roaming her gaze around. Tumayo ako at parang natatawa ako bigla nung naramdaman ’yon hilo, there’s no way that champagne can make you drunk!
I saw Zowen stood up too, probably following me again.
“Dito ka lang. . .” I said closing my eyes the moment I felt the dizziness.
“Lasing ka.”
“Lasing!? That's insane! Champagne lang ’to!” I said and even showed her the drink. She immediately shrugged her head probably not convinced that i’m not drunk! “Hindi ako lasing Zowen. . .”
“Just like what you said earlier. . . nakakalasing din ’yan, Reina. . .” she said in a soft voice, “Uwi na tayo.”
“What!” I said exclaimed. “Hindi pa ako nakasayaw at hindi ako lasing!”
She sighed loudly, “Tatawagin ko driver mo. . .” she said and was about to contact my driver, mabilis ko kinuha ’yong cellphone niya at tinago sa likuran ko. “Reina!” she’s pissed. Mabilis niya akong hinawakan at pilit na kunin ang cellphone kaya nung nakuha niya ay inis ko siyang tinignan.
“I fucking hate you. . .” I mouthed the word.
I saw how she smirked while typing a message to her phone, “What’s new?”
Hindi ako umimik at nakayuko lang dahil parang umikot na ’yong paningin ko. Maybe first timer like me experienced this too! Nung natapos siya mag tipa ng mensahe ay mabilis niya akong hinatak at lumapit kay Ezra na kasama na si Maria at April ngayon.
“I-uwi ko na siya. . . lasing. . .” Zowen explained.
I immediately raised my brow, “Hindi ako lasing! How many times should I tell you that?! Gusto mo ba proof ha!”
The girls looks so busy that they immediately nod at Zowen’s remarks. Now, where’s the fun here?! I think it’s still eleven in the evening and this is not how party works! I glared at Zowen while she’s holding my arms — guiding me up to the entrance.
“Wala akong sakit Zowen. . . at hindi ako lasing!” ulit ko. “And what do you know about drunk people! You don’t even drink. . . you don’t even have friends! You just study!” I said blurting out all the words that pop in my head.
She snorted. Nakalabas na kami sa gate na mismo at unti-unti ng humina ang music sa loob dahil siguro ay malayo na kami ro’n. I immediately touch my head and massaged gently when I can feel that it’s aching again.
“Hindi kapa lasing sa lagay na ’yan?”
I licked my lower lips and looked at her boldly, “Oh! Come on. This is normal but i’m not drunk! Kung siguro ay nag inuman tayo ngayon ay ikaw unang malalasing! This only proves that I have high alcohol tolerance! ” I said and keep tapping my foot. “I’m not weak. . . unlike you.”
She immediately crossed her arms and looked at the other cars that parked in front at the venue, she didn’t replied with my remarks instead she just gave me a tiny smirk on her face. This bastard really knows how to piss me off.
Nung tumahimik siya at hindi na nakipag-away sa akin ay tumahimik na Rin ako. We both waiting for the driver, that’s why we stayed there for awhile and sometimes looked each other even almost glaring. I even sighed defeatedly when I heard my favourite song on the venue — probably April’s idea! I crossed my arms too sulking.
“Upo ka dito. . .” she’s already sitting one of the motorbike and offered me the space beside her.
I tapped my foot while crossing my arms and still furrowing my bros. Halos tinarayan ko na siya pero tumingin lang siya sa akin na parang sinasabi na seryoso siya sa sinabi niya. Minsan hindi ko siya maintindihan, she always talk to me sometimes through eyes or hand gestures.
“Matatagalan ang driver mo. . . may hinatid siya sa Balingoan.” she said and showed me the text, I can feel that she’s telling the truth even though I can’t see the text
clearly. “Umupo ka nalang dito para hindi sasakit ’yang likuran mo at hindi ka mangangalay.”
I rolled my eyes, “No thanks.”
“Why?”
“Ang boring d’yan.”
I saw how she cleared her throat and looked at me now with the same bored eyes. “Okay then, let’s talk.”
“Talk? What are we going to talk? Talk about how weak you are?” lumapit ako sakanya habang hinihintay ang sasabihin niya. I rolled my eyes when she didn’t talk and just stared at me. “What?” I snapped my fingers.
“I’m not weak. . .” she said. Napangisi agad ako sa inusal niya. “I can prove it to you right now. . . if you want?” she said and tilted her head. I smirked with the thought. She’s going to prove me that she’s not weak?
“What are you going to do? H’wag mong sabihin i-totorture mo ako dito? Or perhaps you’re going to kill me?”
Zowen rolled her eyes and swayed her bangs to look at me in a clearer view. I can see my reflection on her glasses right now that’s why I immediately diverted my gaze when I saw how flushed I am.
“If I'm that powerful. . . I already have done that years ago.”
“Oh! So that means you’re weak?” I said and trying to pissed her off. Bumaba siya sa bike at lumapit sa akin kaya umatras ako, she clenched her jaw and saw her tiny smirk on the side — it was as if she’s telling me that she's not weak at all.
Napatigil ako sa pag atras at tinignan siya na naka-kunot ang noo nung patuloy lang siya na lumalapit sa akin. I even looked at her weirdly when she stopped too.
“What?” I said smirking. We’re not going to play right? I immediately shrugged my head and chuckled when she just stood there and stared at me. Linapitan ko siya habang natatawa. “Hindi naman siguro ganito ang ipapakita pag hindi ka mahina ano?” I said chuckling more.
I tiptoed and leaned to her closer and whispered to her ears, “Come on. I thought you're not weak. . .”
Umalis ako sa tainga niya at tatalikod na sana sakanya pero laking gulat ako no’ng mabilis niyang hinablot ang balikat ko. I faced her and stared at her while my forehead creased. Ang lapit namin ngayon na nararamdaman ko ’yong mabigat na hininga niya.
I was about to part my lips to talk when she leaned and gave me a kiss. I was dumbfounded, the kiss only took like twenty seconds that i immediately pushed her. I covered my mouth and glared at her. . . I can’t believe she did that!
“What the fuck!” I shouted. I surveyed her face but she looks like she didn’t regret what she did! She just smirked and even looked satisfied! “Zowen! What the fuck was that?!” I exclaimed.
“A kiss?” she tilted her head.
“And what that supposed to mean?!” mabilis akong lumayo sakanya at tinignan siya ng mariin.
“It means i’m not weak at all, Reina.” she said cooly and shoved her bangs. This time she leaned closer to me and whispered, “And if you're strong enough you should have reciprocate the kiss, but you didn’t. . .” she tsked.
My jaw dropped of what I heard. Hindi natuloy ’yong sasabihin ko sana dahil narinig ko ang busina ng sasakyan namin. Lumingon ako sa driver namin at mabilis hinatak ang sarili papunta sa sasakyan, Zowen followed me but this time she went in the front seat.
’Yong atensyon ko lang ay nasa labas, hindi ko pa rin gets kung bakit ginawa ni Zowen ’yong paghalik sa akin! What’s that? A friendly kiss? O hindi kaya pang-inis sa akin?! Or maybe she likes me?
Nung nakadating kami sa bahay nila ay nilingon ko siya ngayon at inis siyang tinignan, she just nod at me and closed the car’s door. I got pissed immediately. Kahit explain wala siyang ginawa! You can’t kiss someone without reason! At hindi naman siya lasing! She looks unbothered with it! How dare her!
Nung naka-uwi agad ako sa bahay ay mabilis kong tinignan ang cellphone ko at nakita ko ’yong message niya sa akin.
zowennabiste: sorry.
I gritted my teeth. What the fuck? I knew it! She’s just playing with me! Halos inis kong tinapon ang cellphone ko sa kama ko at tinago ang mukha ko gamit ang mga kamay ko. I can’t believe I kissed a girl!
I blocked her socials right after. After that incident, I rarely seen her in school and that weirded me out. Is it about the kiss?