Chapter 33: Confusions
I woke up lighthearted. Nasilaw ako sa liwanag at bahagyang napakislot ng binuksan ni Andi ang isang bintana.
"Rise and shine Princess!", wika niya at tinanggal ang kumot na nakatalukbong sa katawan ko. I tried pulling it back up ngunit mas malakas ito at natanggal niya ang kumot sa katawan ko.
"Andi... I'm still sleepy", I said and put a pillow on my face. The soft matress is so comfortable at tila ngayon ko lamang naappreciate iyon sa gabi-gabing pagtulog ko.
"Amber, do you know what time is it?", Andi asked. Malamang ay maglilinis ito. She's always like this kapag feel niyang mag-general cleaning kaya kailangan naming lumayas ni Therese doon. She prefers to be alone when cleaning.
"Five minutes Andi...."
"Eh! Amber! Bangon nga kasi! I will tickle your foot kapag hindi ka bumangon diyan!", pagbabanta niya. My foot is one of my weakest points. Ayaw na ayaw kong kinikiliti sa paa, kili-kili, tenga at leeg. Knowing Andi, gagawin talaga niya ang sinabi niya kaya agad akong bumangon at naupo. My hair was disheveled and who knows if may muta pa ako?
"Good girl! My God! Why do you look so pretty in the morning?", she asked and I made a face.
"Hindi mo ako mauuto."
"I'm serious here Amber! Kaya siguro hindi magawang patulan ni Gray yung paglalandi nung bagong classmate niyo sa kanya kasi ikaw talaga yung gusto niya! Ayyyyyyyyy! Ako'y kinikilig!", she giggled when she said those words
"Math?"
"Yes, that girl. I hate her. Pabida masyado. Alam mo bang noong nasa Athena ka ay nayabangan talaga ako sa kanya during the meeting de avance! Pabida kasi masyado but unfortunately, nanalo siya bilang SC Vice President", wika ni Andi.
"What? She's the VP?"
"Yeah, you heard it right", wika ni Andi and let out a disgusted expression. "I should say na meron talaga siyang will for public service, she knows how to handle people and she's the highest-rated candidate. And by the way, she joined the Debate Varsity and she's appointed as the Prime Minister. Okay naman siya, she's really smart, pretty but I hate to say this, pero mayabang talaga siya."
Well that's Math but so far, mabait naman ito and a straightforward person which I admire. Ayoko kasi sa mga nagpa-plastikan and that talk
behind your back.
"What do you mean na hindi siya pinapatulan ni Gray?", I asked and it was too late to realize that I shouldn't have asked it. Ngayon ay hindi na ako makakatakas sa pangangantyaw ni Andi na malamang ay ikikwento pa niya kay Therese.
"Luh! Curious si Madame! Pilitin mo muna ako", she said while grinning.
"Ewan ko sayo."
"Ang KJ mo talaga! Ganito kasi, nung nasa Athena kayo nung classmate mong nerd-turns-to-pogi, sila ang laging magkasama. Kapit-tuko yung si Science—"
"It's Math."
"Uh, whatever, I both hate those subjects. Basta yun nga, kapit-tuko masyado at alam mo, ninanakawan niya ng halik sa cheeks si Gray! Argh! Nakakainis! Hindi ka pa nga nakaka-base kay Gray tapos mauuna—"
Bigla na lamang akong napaubo ng paulit-ulit dahil sa sinabi ni Andi. Yes, Math always stole kisses from Gray at hindi lamang sa pisngi kundi maging sa labi! But about Gray and me— ugh. It's normal that no one would know about it lalo na at wala akong sinabihan ng tungkol doon! I will tell no one! No one!
"Anong di mo sasabihin?", tanong ni Therese. Kakapasok lamang nito sa kwarto namin at naupo ito sa harap ko katabi ni Andi. Wait, am I thinking out loud?
"Kaya nga. She said it twice kaya nagtataka ako kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin", wika ni Andi. Shit! I'm really thinking out loud!
"Wala."
"Weh?"
"Wala nga sabi. Sige na Andi, pagpatuloy mo na ang kwento mo", wika ko. God, there's no way I will tell them about our kiss! No way as in no!
"Sige na nga edi wala. Tsaka wala na akong sasabihin, yun lang, yung ayaw ko sa classmate mo na iyon. Lumayas na kayong dalawa dito dahil maglilinis na ako", pag-abog ni Andi sa amin.
"Yes Yaya", sabay na wika namin ni Therese.
I took a bath and decided to go home. Zywon's words are still ringing in my head. Kaya ko napagpasyahang umuwi ay upang mapatunayan kong mali siya. Daddy is a good man, I swear. Tumawag kasi si Mommy sa akin na nakauwi sila ni Daddy mula sa business trip nila sa India.
It took me an hour and a half bago ako naghintay ng taxi. Halos mag-iisang oras na rin akong naghintay doon ngunit mukhang wala yatang darating. I waited patiently ngunit sa halip ay isang pamilyar na sasakyan ang huminto sa harapan ko.
"Hey."
"Oy", naiilang na sagot ko. It was Ryu. Madalas yatang dito sa labas ng Bridle kami kung magkita, especially when I need a cab.
"Where to?"
Itinaas ko ang isang kilay sa tanong niya. The last thing I can remember when he asked me the same question, the next 42 hours were the unfortunate hours of my life.
"Wala."
"C'mon. I'll give you a ride", he said with a smirk. I can't trust this guy. When he said he'll give you a ride, he meant a ride to hell. Kung walang putukang magaganap ay malamang may mga ahas at lugar ng pugante ang patutunguhan ninyo.
"Uh, thanks but no thanks. Mahal ko pa ang buhay ko", wika ko sa kanya.
"I won't take the shortcut", wika niya.
"We're not friends Ryu kaya wag mo akong pilitin." Meh! Why does he keeps on offering me a ride? We hate each other diba?
"Let's just say I'm a good samaritan. Even if we're mortal enemies, I cannot bear seeing you wait for nothing here", wika niya.
"Maraming taxi sa mundo Ryu."
"Yes but unfortunately, their on the city and they're having a rally. May iilan na bumyahebut most of them are caught in the traffic", wika niya. I heard about the rally but naniniwala pa rin akong may taxi na darating dito.
I refused to answer him at sa halip ay ibinaling ko ang paningin ko sa paligid, totally ignoring his presence.
"Fine", binuhay niya ang makina ng kotse. "Edi wag!"
I chose to ignore him again and he smirked before he drove the car passed me. Naghintay ako ng mga sampung minuto ngunit wala pa ring taxi na dumaan and I began to lose hope. Mukhang magtatanghali na lamang ay hindi pa rin ako makakauwi sa amin. The same car from few minutes ago stopped in front of me. Sumungaw ang mukha ni Ryu mula sa bintana.
"So, are you gonna accept my offer now?", he asked and I smirked. Did he wait from a few meters and see how hopeless I am to wait for a cab that will not arrive? "My offer still stands."
Inikot ko ang mata ko sa kanya. "And my declination still stands. Still, thanks but no thanks."
He sighed impatiently. I have known him for having a thin thread of patience and I should be ready because anytime baka tutukan na ako nito ng baril. "Tsk, stubborn."
Nagulat na lamang ako nang bumaba ito mula sa kotse at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. "What are you doing?"
"I'm thinking you're waiting for me to do acts of gentleman and open the door for you so I did. Now, get inside", wika niya. He sounded so pissed which I found so unreasonable. Wala siyang karapatang mainis kung ayaw ko mang sumakay sa kotse niya because the decision still belongs to me.
"Why are you such a devil? Ayoko nga kasing sumakay sa kotse mo. AYOKO. Anong mahirap intindihin doon sa sinabi ko?"
Napakamot siya sa kanyang batok. Yes, he's a pissed devil but that never made him less handsome. His dark eyes where so evil that would lure out every innocent thing in the world. Makapal ang kilay nito which compliments his coal eyes. Matangos din ang ilong nito and his prominent cheekbone says it
all. His lips were so evilly handsome, a lip that tells so many cuss and death threats. Wait, why am I assessing this devil and compliment him? This is so not me!
"And why are you so stubborn?"
"Because I am Amber!"
"I'm wanting to wring your neck right here, right now. You're making me so pissed", wika niya at nagpipigil ng galit. Sabi ko na nga ba!
Well, congratulations Amber Sison. You just made the devil pissed and expect a package tour to hell as a reward from him. Great!
"Do it and I'll kick your ass out of here", pagbabanta ko sa kanya. I don't know if he knows some martial arts since he's a mafia guy, he must have some skills but I'm trying to frighten him with my words kahit mukhang imposible namang mangyari iyon.
"I'm so scared Amber", he said sarcastically. Malamang kung wala kami sa gitna ng daan ay kanina pa talaga ito naglabas ng baril. I'm thinking if he's dependent on gun or he just loves guns so much kaya marahil kung saan man ito pumunta ay may dala itong baril.
"Ryu, lubayan mo nga ako. Hindi ka ba nagkaroon ng New Year's resolution noong bagong taon? You should have included stop pestering Amber Sison on your list", wika ko sa kanya. And I'm losing my patience too!
"Kaya nga tutulungan kita! How can I show you that I've changed when my simple act of kindness ay hindi mo ma-appreciate?" Meh! Hindi niya ako maloloko. This isn't an act of kindness!
"Ayokong mapunta ulit sa lugar ng mga pugante Ryu!"
"So do I!"
"Ganun naman pala eh! Edi lubayan mo ako!"
"I don't want to. I like seeing you pissed", he said with a smirk. Sinasabi ko na nga ba! May hidden agenda talaga ito! You cannot just trust a devil!
"Ano ka sinuswerte? I'm not giving you the satisfaction of— hey! What the hell are you doing?" Bigla na lamang niya akong kinaladkad papasok sa kotse. He's strong and no matter how hard I resist ay hindi ako makawala mula sa kanya. He pushed me inside the car at agad akong napaupo doon. He leaned on me at bahagya akong napaatras ng inilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin. Call me assuming but at first, I really thought that he was going to kiss me but he grabbed the seatbelt instead at ikinabit iyon sa akin.
"I'm not gonna kiss you, witch", wika niya. What the hell! Am I thinking out loud again?!
"That's not what I'm thinking, idiot!"
"It surely is!"
"Hindi ah!"
"Whatever", wika niya. He walked on the other side of the car at sumakay na doon and he immediately drives. For the whole duration of our trip ay walang nagsalita sa amin. I know he's casually looking at me from the rearview mirror kaya iniwas kong tumingin doon dahil baka magtama pa ang paningin namin. Like he said, he really didn't take the shortcut at hinintay na lamang na umusad ang trapiko.
"It won't kill to talk", wika niya.
"There's nothing to talk to."
He smirked at me. "You can talk to me." Tsk, ano ba ang maaari naming pag-usapan ng isang Ryu Vander Morisson? If he wants to talk about his life, I'll be bored listening to his dangerous adventures and moments with guns, goons and creepy people. Kung nais naman nitong pag-usapan ang pagiging hacker niya, I cannot relate to such topic. Simpleng java app nga ay hindi ko mapasok sa kukote ko. If he wants to talk about his bitches, mandidiri lamang ako sa kai-moralan nito sa buhay. He will just poison my mind with things that I'm not into.
"I'm not interested in talking to you", sagot ko sa kanya. I cannot see his facial expression dahil mas pinili kong ibaling ang paningin ko sa labas.
"Girls would die of elation when I talk to them", pagyayabang niya. Who cares? Baka hindi alam ng mga babaeng iyon ang masamang ugali nito that's why they're delighted to talk to him o kaya naman ay mga Barbie girls ang mga iyon. Brainless.
"Then talk to them. Hindi ako natutuwa kapag kausap ka", wika ko. His car is tinted at kung maisip nitong patayin ako ay walang makakaalam. I'm taking chances here but I don't care.
Wala ako sa mood na makipag-usap sa kanya. As much as possible ay walang konektado sa mafia o sa organisasyon ang gusto kung makausap ngayon. I want to think everything about my Dad. Maybe I lack trust, I admit. Dahil kung hindi nga ako naniniwala sa sinasabi ni Zywon, I wouldn't have been bothered this much. I wouldn't have to go home and spy my Dad. Yes, I'm planning to spy him. My basis for doing so? I don't really know much about his life way back his younger years. Ni hindi nga nai-kwento sa akin ni Mommy kung paano sila nagkakilala ni Daddy, well not that I have asked her. Pero wala talaga akong alam tungkol sa nakaraan nila. There were photos of them during their wedding but as of their story, wala akong alam.
"You really bring out the beast in me", he said with a smirk. Medyo lumuwag na ang trapiko kaya naging tuloy-tuloy na ang takbo ng sasakyan.
"You're already a beast. By the way, where are you heading at bakit naisip mong ihatid ako sa amin?", tanong ko sa kanya. Edi mag-uusap na kami but this conversation will not last long. I
know it.
"I'm from a meeting at naisip kong magliwaliw."
"Okay." Uh, see? I don't have much to say to him.
"Yeah."
Muling tumahimik ang paligid. Both of us don't want to open up a topic but to my surprise ay nagsalita si Ryu. "About that annoying guy from Athena...."
"You mean Zywon?"
"Whoever. I don't like him. Pakiramdam ko ay isa siyang threat sa mafia, don't you think?" Uh, he really is. Ryu has no idea how much grudge Zywon bears against them.
"Uh, I don't care about the mafia and Zywon."
"Same old Amber. Keeps on claiming that she doesn't care but always sticks her butt in. Naisip kong iyon marahil ang nagustuhan nina Cooler at Gray sa iyo", wika niya. Uh, Cooler and Gray likes me? I'm not really sure about it. Cooler said he likes me, he said it once. As of Gray, uh— he confessed a little but I didn't have a clear definition.
Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya. "I don't know what you are saying."
"Tsk. Young people. Struck in a fool's love", wika niya. "It won't last long. In the end ay iiwan din kayo ng mga taong mahal ninyo, whatever love it is. They will all leave you in the end at ikaw na lamang ang magmamahal sa sarili mo, not even those people whom you thought would understand you, not even your father."
Lately ay puro kadramahan sa buhay ang naririnig ko kay Zywon at ngayon naman ay kay Ryu. "Ang bitter mo", wika ko sa kanya. I can't have another comment about that matter because I don't have problems with my family, or so I thought.
After 30 minutes ay dumating na kami sa harap ng bahay namin. It was in a subdivision. I got out from the car at nagpasalamat kay Ryu. For few minutes inside his car ay walang nangyaring tutukan ng baril, thank goodness.
"Salamat..."
He replied with his familiar annoying smirk. "Sabi ko salamat. You're welcome ang tamang sagot doon, hindi smirk", wika ko sa kanya at mas lalong napa-smirk lamang ito. I reached for his cheek and spread it nang sa ganoon ay magmukhang nakangiti ito.
"Oh, yan. Dapat ganyan, gwapo ka naman eh. Wag ka lang kasi puro smirk." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at tinangkang alisin iyon mula sa mukha niya but he didn't move. He just hold my hand na nakaahawak sa pisngi niya and he looked straight into my eyes.
Bahagya itong natigilan. He stared at my face for a while at natulala. Saka ko lamang narealize nakakahiya ang ginawa ko! We're not close and a devil like him shouldn't be done with things like those. Agad kong inilayo ang sarili ko sa kanya. Awkwardness filled the car at walang nagsalita na ni isa man sa amin. Damn! Bakit ko pa kasi naisip na hawakan ang pisngi niya!
Nabasag ang saglit na katahimikan ng may kumatok mula sa bintana ng sasakyan. Parehas kaming napasandal ni Ryu at umayos ng upo bago niya
ibinaba ang bintana. Sumungaw ang mukha ni Mommy mula roon.
"Hello. Oh, Amber! Just as I thought, it's you", wika niya. I immediately went out the car at niyakap si Mommy. Ryu also went out his car as respect at nakapamulsang sumandal sa kanyang kotse.
"I missed you so much sweetie", Mom said and she kissed my hair. Sinulyapan niya si Ryu and she smiled at him. "Oh, who's this guy? I thought you'll be with Gray."
"Mom!"
Mommy and Daddy knew about Gray noong debut ko. He was my escort at nagkataong nahuli ito dahil sa pag-iimbestiga tungkol sa codes na iniwan ni Maam Sera tungkol kay Marion.
"He's Ryu, Gray's cousin."
For the first time today, the devil Ryu took of his smirk and let out his genuine smile. He reached for Mom's hands and shook it.
"I'm Ryu Morisson Ma'am. Nice to meet you." Bahagya itong nagulat ng yakapin ito ni Mommy. She's always like that. Whenever she meets a friend of mine, feeling nito ay close sila at niyayakap agad ang mga kaibigan ko.
"Mommy", tawag ko sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang magiging reaksyon ni Ryu doon. It could be that he will be angry with Mom or be happy. I don't know basta ang alam ko ay bahagyang nagulat ito and there was a hint of tenderness and yearning in his eyes.
"Sorry... I just felt a little nostalgic. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay nagkita na tayo", wika ni Mommy.
She's Amethyst Sison, Amy for short. Corny as it seems but my name is a combination of her name and Dad's. Amethyst and Bernard. Amber.
"Of course, you did Mom. Nagpunta din siya noong debut ko", wika ko sa kanila. Mom and Ryu stared at each other and I wanna roll my eyes. Don't tell me Ryu's into my mom? I mean, yeah! Mom's pretty but she's too old for Ryu!
Mas lalong gusto kong batukan ang sarili ko. What am I thinking? There's a spark at first meet between Mom and Ryu? Geez! Mas kapani-paniwala pa siguro na naiinggit si Ryu kasi may mama pa ako.
"Yes, Maam. I guess that's it", wika ni Ryu. He feels different. Gone was the evil mask at ang nakikita ko ay isang lost puppy, longing for his owner's gentle pat.
"Ganoon ba? Why don't we get inside Ryu? We'll have some cake and cookies, I baked some", Mommy said but Ryu declined the invitation.
"I'd be glad too Maam but I can't. Kailangan ko na po kasing umalis", he said at magalang na yumuko kay Mommy. Mom frowned ngunit agad din naming ngumiti.
"How about you bring home some cookies? I baked so many of them and it will be my way to say my gratitude for bringing my daughter here."
Ryu smiled. "Kung okay lang po sa inyo Maam. I love cookies."
"Oh, wait for a while, okay?". Lumawak ang ngiti ni mommy at nagmadaling pumasok sa loob. Ryu watched her as she disappeared from the gate. Nang hindi na niya matanaw ito ay saka lamang siya bumaling sa akin.
"You don't look like your Mom. She's beautiful", wika ni Ryu. The hell?! Ibig sabihin ay hindi ako maganda? People say na magkamukha kami ni Mommy but Ryu claimed otherwise. Everyone who will see us would really say na mukha kaming pinagbiyak na bunga dahil magkamukhang-magkamuha kami. I got all my facial features from her. I got my brains from my Dad.
"Just like your Mom, I felt a little bit nostalgic too. She's like my mom. She doesn't shake hands with my friends, she hugs them. Kapag nagpupunta sa mansion ang mga batang reapers, they liked being hugged by my mom. She loves to bake too, cookies and cake ang madalas niyang bini-bake dati kaya naaalala ko ang mommy ko sa mommy mo. I can't remember her smiling face anymore dahil mula ng namatay siya, Dad removed anything that will make us remember her."
Seriously speaking ay hindi ko alam kung ano ang isasagot ko sa kanya so I remained silent. Hindi na rin ito nagsalita pa hanggang sa makabalik si Mommy na may dalang box ng cookies. Nagpasalamat si Ryu kay mommy at nagpaalam na.
It's been a few weeks since the last time I've been in this house. I wasn't here all summer at nanatili lamang ng ilang araw dito bago bumalik sa dormitory ng Bridle. I was expecting Daddy to be home dahil nga kagagaling lamang nila sa business trip sa India but he wasn't there. Mom said he went to see someone.
Nang makapasok kami ay agad kong nilantakan ang binake ni mommy. It's one of the things I always missed at home, her pastries. Kami lamang dalawa sa kusina so I have all the chance to ask her about her life with Dad before. Matapos ang ilang kumustahan at updates tungkol sa school ay agad ko siyang tinanong.
"Mom, paano po kayo nagkakilala ni Daddy?", I asked her. Inilapag ko ang tasa ng gatas na tinimpla niya para sa akin at umayos ng upo. I thought this will be a long conversation but it wasn't.
"I don't remember anything Sweetie. Naaksidente kasi kami dati sabi ng Daddy mo", Mom said at bigla na lamang akong kinabahaan. Mom doesn't have memories of her and Dad?
"Po?"
"Yes, sweetie", wika niya. She lifted her sleeves a little and she showed me a scar. Dati ko pang nakikita iyon sa braso niya but I never asked about it. It looks like a scar from a gunshot.
"See this scar? He said some robbers attacked us and gave me this mark. I also had a big scar on my tummy down to my back. He said it was from a l burned car debris na tumama sa akin. I was carrying you in my womb that time."
Things become complicated now. Bakit pakiramdam ko ay may tinatago si Daddy sa amin? If that's true, kung gayon ay grabe ang pinagdaanan ni Mommy noong pinagbubuntis pa niya ako.
She called a maid to get some photo album on the living room at agad namang tumalima ang katulong. "I woke up one day without anything on my memory but your dad showed me our photos mula noong college pa kami. We're college sweethearts", Mom said at bahagya pa itong kinilig. She scanned the photo album at pinakita sa akin ang mga larawan. It was during their college days. Mom was a contestant in a beauty pageant. She won the crown at si Daddy pa ang umakyat sa stage. May mga larawan din kasama ang mga kaibigan nila. I recognized some people in the photographs dahil hanggang ngayon ay family friend namin ang mga iyon. The next photo that Mom showed was a photo of her, pregnant.
"See this sweetie? Pinapakingggan namin ng Daddy mo ang pagsipa mo sa tiyan ko", she said at nagpakita pa ng mga larawan nila noon.
"These photos are after you lost your memory Mom?"
She nodded. "Yes, these photos are the ones that I recognize kaya malamang ay after the accident ito. Nawalan na ako ng alaala ng mga panahong ito so I can still remember this as new memories after the amnesia. The photos with the bigger tummy are the one's taken when I already lose my memory. Agad na nakuha ng daddy mo ang tiwala ko kahit pa estranghero siya sa akin ng mga panahong iyong. Just by looking at these photographs ay masasabi kong napakasaya pala namin before the accident. But you know what honey? During those times ay depressed ako dahil sa sinapit ko. Imagine waking up without a single memory? I was diagnosed with
retrograde amnesia which means I loss access on the memories that I had before the accident. Hindi ako makausap, I don't even talk to anyone. I shut myself from everything. Natatawa nga ako kapag naaalala kong hindi ko but thanks to your Dad for not leaving my side kahit pa anong pag-iignore ang ginawa ko sa kanya."
Bahagya akong napangiti sa sinabi ni Mommy. Looking at her now, she's very happy with her life even if there was a gap in her memory. She chose to leave those memories unfilled and created a new one, with us. Her family.
I remember her scar. A huge scar. Naalala ko din ang malaking peklat ni Ryu. Saan kaya niya nakuha iyon?
"What's the sudden interest with our story sweetie?", pagtatakang tanong nito. Ngayon lang kasi ako nagka-interes dito.
"Wala naman Mom. Naitanong ko lang po kasi pinapagawa kami ng biography", wika ko. Uh, sorry Mom but I lied.
"Ganoon ba? Why don't we go to the spa Amber? You have dark spots under your eyes. Masyado ka bang nagpapa-stress sa klase? We can go shopping too", wika niya at hinila ako patayo. "C'mon."
Kaya pala nakabihis na ito ay balak pala talaga nitong dalhin ako sa mall kung nasaan ang suking parlor at spa nito. We took the cab at nagpunta doon. Nagbabad kami ng ilang oras and got a complete spa treatment. Napagkatuwaan din ng make up artist ang mukha ko at inayusan ako.
"Ang ganda po talaga ng anak niyo. Manang-mana sa iyo", wika ni Iza, the make-up artist.
"Syemre naman", Mom said and I rolled my eyes at them. Geez, nagbolahan pa kami doon. Okay, there was really a transformation kahit na light lamang ang make up.
"Sweetie, you can go around the mall and please yourself, baka ma-bore ka kasi sa kahihintay sa akin", wika ni Mommy. Matagal pa kasi itong matatapos.
Nagpaalam ako sa kanya at agad na pumunta sa bookstore ng mall. I was busy looking into the promotion posters when I bumped into someone. May dala itong popcorn at nalaglag ang ilang laman niyon sanhi ng impact nang pagbundol namin. I was surprised to see that bored expression of that person. He was with a beautiful girl na may dala ring popcorn at bottled water.
"Sorr—ry."
He frowned at me. "Just Amber, I'm surprised to see you here", wika ni Zywon.
"Bakit? Hindi ba ako pwedeng pumunta sa mall?", sarkastikong wika ko sa kanya. This guy is the reason why I'm so bothered these past days.
"Kuya Aywon? Who is she?", tanong ng babaeng kasama nito. She look younger than Zywon and I doubt if they're siblings dahil hindi sila magkamukha. The girl has a smiling pretty face while Zywon got a dominating frowning face. They're total opposite o hindi kaya dahil lamang iyon sa ka-bitteran sa buhay ni Zywon while the girl is sunny and positive.
"Oh, some acquaintance Crystal."
Ngumiti ng matamis ang babae.
"Hi! I'm Crystal Deltran, I'm the younger sister of Kuya Aywon! Nice to meet you!"
Gumanti ako ng ngiti sa kanya. "I'm Amber Sison and I'm delighted to meet you too."
"Why do you look like a clown?", tanong ni Zywon and I gave him a glare. My make up is superb and I don't look like a clown unlike what this idiot is saying!
"Wag kang maniniwala sa kanya Ate, ang ganda mo kaya. We're watching a horror movie, join us!", wika niya at hinawakan ang braso ko
What the hell? Horror? "Uh—"
"Crys, she's busy", wika ni Zywon.
"Wala ka namang ginagawa diba Ate Amber?"
"Wala naman pero—"
"Yehey, let's go!", Crsytal said at hinila kaming dalawa ni Zywon papunta sa cinema. Napatingin ako kay Zywon, asking for help dahil mukhang wala yatang balak na magpatanggi si Crystal but Zywon just looked away. Prenteng nakapamulsa lamang ang isang kamay nito habang hawak-hawak ang popcorn sa kabila.
They paid for the tickets at kahit isang segundo ay hindi ako binitawan ni Crystal
"Ate Amber, alam mo bang ikaw lang ang kakilalang babae ni Kuya Aywon na pinansin niya dito sa mall? You must be special—"
"Naku, nagkakamali ka Crystal, hindi nga kami friends ng kuya mo", wika ko sa kanya. Kung alam lamang ni Crystal kung paano ang trato namin ni Zywon sa isa't-isa.
"Ilap kasi si Kuya Aywon kahit kanino eh. He's not friends with Kuya Mikmik and Kuya Ae-ae anymore so wala na siyang ibang kaibigan."
Masama kasi ang ugali ng kuya mo. That's what I want to tell her pero di ko ginawa. I won't burst Crystal's bubble about her perception of her brother.
We looked for a perfect spot at agad na naupobdoon ng makakita kami. Pumwesto kami sa taas na bahagi dahil iilan lamang ang tao roon.
"Kuya Aywon, you sat between me and Ate Amber para ikaw ang mayakap namin kapag natatakot kami!", Crystal said to Zywon. He frowned at us.
"Crys, magyayaya kang manuod ng horror tapos matatakot ka?"
"Kuya naman eh!" Crystal started stomping like a brat. Ang cute nitong tingnan lalo na at tila imbes na magalit si Zywon ay lumambot pa ito.
"Fine!", he said and sat on the center. "Wag na wag kang magsasama ng lalaki sa sinehan kapag manunuod ka ng horror or else magiging lumpo na habang buhay ang kasama mo."
Crystal laughed at niyakap ang kapatid. "Yes Kuya! Kaya nga ikaw ang niyaya ko diba? Upo na tayo Ate Amber."
I smiled and sat beside Zywon. I admire how much he loves his sister. Nakiki-sakay siya sa trip ng kapatid niyang bubbly which is very opposite to his personality. But uh! Why am I in a situation like this! Ayoko sa madilim na lugar! Ayoko sa horror movie!
Hindi na ako hahanapin ni Mommy dahil nai-text ko na siya na kasama ko ang kaibigan ko though Zywon and I are not really friends. Ilang minuto lamang ay nagsimula na ang palabas. I'm not interested in the movie kaya hindi na ako nag-abalang alamin ang title. I started browsing my phone upang maiwas ang paningin ko sa big screen but the music gave me the creeps. People started screaming at maging si Crystal ay panay din ang sigaw.
Everytime I hear a thrilling music ay kinakabahan din ako and I almost leaped out of the seat. Damn! Bakit ba kasi ako pumayag na sumama—
"AAAHHHH!", napasigaw ako nang paglingon ko sa screen ay saktong lumabas ang nakakatakot na mukha. I grabbed an arm at halos baliin na iyon dahil sa kaba. Shit! This is really not my thing! Creepy and horror stuff!
"Aray! Stop twisting my arm!", galit na wika ng isang lalaki sa gilid ko. Twisting something makes me relax a little but unfortunately, hindi ko pala kilala ang may-ari ng braso. Galit na binawi nito ang kanyang braso. "Kabadtrip ka!"
I apologized at him at umalis ito sa dako namin. Ibinaba ko na lamang ang paningin ko and stared at my shoes. Madilim sa paanan kaya hindi ko maaninag ang sapatos ko but I stayed looking at it.
"Face the screen. Sayang ang pambayad", wika ni Zywon. Hindi man lamang ito natakot o nagulat sa panunood.
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Could you at least act like you're scared there? Sayang din ang pambayad."
"It's not scary at all. Look." Tinuro niya ang screen and they say curiousity kills the cat, so I looked at the screen and scream my lungs out when a very scary looking creature filled
the screen. Hindi ko maintindihan ang takot na nararamdaman ko and I found myself crying silently all the way hanggang sa matapos ang palabas.
Note to self, hinding-hindi na ako manunood ng horror movie, by force or not!
Agad kaming lumabas ng sinehan and Crystal started clinging on my arm. "Grabe, hindi naman pala nakakatakot."
I made a face on her remarks. Meh! Hindi nakakatakot eh halos mapaos na ito sa kakasigaw. Crystal faced me at niyaya akong kumain.
"Ate Amber let's — Eh? What happened to your face?", she asked and laughed. Napatingin na rin si Zywon sa akin but he was expressionless.
Uh, why? What's wrong?
"Ate Amber, did you cry?" She asked and she got something from her bag at inabot niya iyon kay Zywon. It was a make-up remover! Damn! Kung ganoon ay nakakalat sa mukha ko ang mascara! Hindi pa naman iyon waterproof! Maybe the foundation wear off too. For sure ay nagmukha na akong si Joker nito. I immediately hide my face in my palm. God! This is so embarrassing!
"Punasan mo na ang mukha niya Kuya Aywon. Wala kasi akong dalang salamin eh", Crystal said at tinulak ang kapatid palapit sa akin.
"Why me? She can do it herself."
"Oo nga. Kaya ko naman Crystal so please hand me the wipes at pupunta na lamang ako sa CR", wika ko sa kanila.
"For sure ay puno ang mga CR sa dakong ito. You can use the CR on the other floors but you surely don't want to walk with such face right? Kaya si Kuya na ang bahala sayo", Crystal said
with a grin.
"Bakit ako?"
"Alangan namang ako? Mas matangkad si Ate Amber sa akin kaya baka hindi ko masyadong maayos ang pagpunas."
Lumapit ako kay Zywon at kinuha ang wipes mula sa kamay niya. "I can do it myself", wika ko at pinahid ang make up sa mukha ko. "How about that?"
They both stared at me and to my surprise ay lumapit si Zywon sa akin. He got a wipe and handed back the pack to Crystal.Hinawakan niya ang mukha ko and he started wiping the make up from my face. He leaned closer at ilang pagitan na lamang ang layo ng mukha namin as he continued wiping my face. I felt my cheek blushed! Not that I like this guy! But the distance between our faces is uhhh, so awkward.
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Kinikilig ako!", Crystal shrieked causing me and Zywon to flinch. Binatawan niya ang mukha ko at lumayo sa akin matapos ilagay sa kamay ko ang wipes.
"Wala na", he said and looked away.
"Oh my God! Ang cute niyo—"
"Crystal!", sabay naming wika ni Zywon and she pouted.
"Fine, let's have some food. Can you still join us Ate Amber?"
"Sorry but I have to decline the invitation. Naghihintay kasi ang mommy ko sa akin kaya hindi na ako makakasama", wika ko sa kanila. Crystal frowned at nakapokerface pa rin si Zywon.
"Okay Ate Amber. I hope we'll see each other again. Bye!" She kissed my cheeks as she bids me goodbye. Agad ko namang tinungo ang spa kung nasaan si Mommy.
Uh, a time with the Deltrans is not bad at all. The horror movie was all that's bad. Kahit naman pala ganoon si Zywon ay mapagmahal naman pala ito.
"Hello Sweetie! How's your — oh. Where's your make up?", tanong ni Mommy. Kasalukuyan itong nakaupo habang may nagmamanicure sa kuko nito.
"I removed it Mom". That's a lie! Zywon removed it. Uh, I mean, it wore off and Zywon removed the rest of it.
"Why?"
"Naiyak po kasi ako sa pinanuod namin kaya tinanggal ko na lang."
"I see. Do you want to go home now? Malapit na akong matapos", he said and I nodded. We've been here for hours at malamang ay nasa bahay na si Daddy ngayon. Nang matapos ito ay nagpasya na kaming umuwi. We took the cab and went straight home.
On the way , I was I hoping that I can have all the courage to be able to ask Dad about all the questions I have in mind. I hope I can.
#
—ShinichiLaaaabs