Kabanata 26.
Vexus
"So grumpy, aren't we, Aer?" puna ni West. Kanina pa kasi nakabusangot ang mukha nito't parang may isang katanungan na bumabagabag sa isipan niya.
"She's avoiding me." he said flatly. Sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon ay sabay kaming napabuntong-hininga kaya nagkatinginan kaming tatlo.
"She's avoiding us, to be exact." wika ni Flame.
"Why do all of you seemed so affected? Look at Frost, he's just chillin'." komento ng kapatid ni Aerus na si Saren. Napabaling naman kami ng tingin kay Frost na kasalukuyang nakapikit ang mga mata't nakasandal ang ulo nito sa upuan kung saan siya nakaupo.
Narito kami ngayon sa may kalakihang hardin ng Royal Manor. Nakaupo kaming lahat sa silyang pumapaikot sa hugis bilog na mesa.
"Saren, Frost is always like that." sagot ni Phairro.
"Like he cares about that lowly woman." matalas na wika ni East. Kaagad nag-igting ang panga ko sa narinig ko.
"Watch your words, East. You don't know her." kalmado kong wika na siya namang ikinangisi niya.
"And you know her?" sakrastiko nitong palatak.
"We don't know her that much so we have no rights to judge her." pagtatanggol ni Flame.
"Rights? We have all the rights. In a flip we can make anyone's life from heaven to hell," makahulugan nitong ani. "I can just say kill her and they will. After all, she don't deserve anything she has right now. The fame, the privilege, and power, was because of her hardwork of being a professional bi-" Akmang sasagot na ako nang biglang bumagsak ang kamay niya Aerus sa mesa.
"What's your problem, East?" His voice was calm, but I know he's angry.
"Nothing. I have no problem," nakangiti pa nitong sagot na animo'y nanunuya. "I'm just stating the fact." dag-dag pa nito.
"That's your own opinion, East. A fact can me measured and proven. Where is your proof?" seryosong ani ni Flame sa isang tabi.
"Do I need a proof? Sarili niyo ang ebidensya. I can say she's really cunning, very manipulative too." walang kagatal-gatal nitong sagot.
"She's a friend, so don't call her names in front of me." He smirk. Tiningnan niya lang ako na para bang napapantastikuhan.
"A friend? Don't be too naive, Vexus. We are royalties. Kaya lang siya lumalapit sa'yo dahil may makukuha siyang kapalit. Ang kapal nga lang ng mukha niya." I clenched my fist. Flare is not like that. She maybe rude and brute but I know she's genuine.
"East is right. Wala naman talagang makikipagkaibigan sa atin na bukal sa loob. Lahat sila may gustong makuha, may gustong patunayan at gustong mabigyan." pagsuporta ni Saren.
"Shut it, Saren." banta ni Aerus.
"Brother, I'm just concered. Who knows if one day when everyone trusts her, she'll turn it into her ultimate weapon to destroy us?" mahinahong sagot ng kapatid nito.
"You are thinking too much. She's not like that." giit nito.
"The great womanizer of the royalties, for the first time in the entire history, finally defended a woman. Was she that good, Aerus?"
"East!" sabay na sigaw ni Rex at West. In a swift move, Aerus is already holding East in the collar.
Mas lalong sumama ang timpla ng mukha ni Aerus. Mahahalata mo talagang hindi niya nagustuhan ang sinabi nito. Si Flame naman ay namumula na ang mukha, at sa nakikita ko'y nababanas na rin siya sa inaakto ni East.
"Why are you picking on her? Wala na bang ibang makita 'yang mapangmitas mong mata't kung ano-ano na lang na basura ang lumakabas diyan sa bibig mo?" madiin na wika ni Aerus. Isang ngisi lang ang iginawad ni East rito.
"Basura? Sa naaalala ko, siya ang natatanging basura rito." Humampas ang malakas na hangin sa paligid. Umaanhag ang kulay puting ilaw kay Aerus at kulay asul naman kay East. Kung magtitigan silang dalawa'y parang nagpapatayan na ang mga ito.
Hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin kay Frost. How can he be so calm? His friend, his childhood friend who helped him surfaced his own element is being name called, but he's okay with it? Ayos lang sa kaniya na pagsalitaan ng kung ano-ano ang babaeng naging dahilan upang lumitaw ang kapangyarihan niya?
The bond they shared, the memories they have together, the moments they laughed and cried, was it all good for nothing?
Is that how heartless he is?
Seeing him made me remember her. The vivid picture of her baring the pain that he caused, she's not crying, but deep inside I know she is. Flare is strong, bold and brave, but she's a woman too. No matter how strong a woman is, it won't change the fact that they have a weak and soft heart. They are sensitive and fragile.
Dala ng emosyon ay nilapitan ko siya't hinila patayo. I can't stand that he's acting like he don't care. Bumakas ang pagkagulat sa mukha nilang lahat, at ang tensyon sa pagitan ni East at Aerus ay biglang nawala't bumaling ito sa amin.
Sa pagmulat niya'y sumalubong kaagad sa akina ng malamig at asul nitong mga mata. Wala akong mababasang emosyon doon kaya mas lalo lang akong nakakaramdam ng inis sa kaniya.
"What do you think you're doing, Leether Vexus Sinas?" seryoso nitong tanong habang nakatingin sa kanang kamay kong nakahawak sa collar ng uniporme niya.
"I should be the one asking that. What do you think you're doing, Frost Yvo Alcastrair?" He just stared at me, must be bewildered like the others. We know each other since we're young, and I can say Frost and I are pretty close before.
Kilalang-kilala niya ako. Kahit kailan man ay hindi ko pa nagagawang magalit sa kahit na sino man sa kanila. Ako ang hindi bayolente sa aming apat. Kalmado lang ako palagi't dinadaan ko lahat sa simpleng usapan. Kaya maaaring magulat ang mga ito dahil sa inaakto ko ngayon.
"She once became your friend, Frost. How can you act like that? How can you act like you have heard nothing?" Nanatili siyang nakatitig sa akin na para bang kinakalkula ang sasabihin niya.
"I heard nothing but the truth, so why would I protest?" I scoffed. He's the biggest asshole in town.
"Get yourself together, Vexus. East was right. People only came for us because they need three things," Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko't buong lakas itong binaklas upang mabitawan ko siya. "That is fame, power, and gold." I laughed upon his arrogant remarks.
"And you know what a woman like her, you call lowly and useless gave me? She gave me one thing that none of you offered me genuinely. That's her respect for me not because I'm a prince, but because I'm a human with flaws, a human that needs a friend that she can give." Wala silang naisagot kaya natawa ako. Niluwagan ko rin ang tie ng uniform ko para mabawasan kahit papaano ang galit ko't makahinga ako nang malalim.
"You lost a friend, and I gained one, Frost. Thank you for that." He gave me a mysterious gaze.
"Let's see where that friendship would take you." he whispered before walking out the garden. Sumunod na rin umalis ay si East.
"I am quitting the dare." Napatingin ako kay Aerus. Seryoso ang mukha niya't parang buong-buo ang pasya niya sa gagawin niya.
"I'm pursuing her this time, and it's not for lust anymore." Hindi ko na narinig pa ang huling sinabi niya dahil ibinulong niya lang ito sa hangin at mabilis din siyang naglakad palayo.
"Flame, saan ka pupunta?" tanong ni Rex.
"I'll request a leave. I need to talk to my father." Napatango na lang ang mga ito.
Napahinga ako nang malalim. I felt someone from behind me tap my shoulder, and it's West.
"Sorry for my twin's words, I don't know what has gotten into him." I just answered him a nod.
"Ito ang unang pagkakataon na nagaway-away kayo nang dahil sa isang walang kwentang bagay. I'm so disappointed." komento na naman ni Saren bago magmartsa palabas ng hardin.
"Disappointed my ass." iritadong bulong ni Leri. Sa rami ng sagutan kanina ay ngayon lang siya nagsalita't makikita mo naman sa reaksyon niya na hindi rin siya natuwa sa nangyari.
"Ayos ka lang, insan?" tanong ni Rex. Inakbayan niya pa ako habang tinatapik-tapik ang balikat ko.
"Huwag ka magalit masyado. Naalala mo noong eight years old pa lang tayo't nagalit ka dahil may umaway kay Ria? Halos mahati ang palasyo dahil sa lindol na idinulot mo." aniya bago humalakhak. Napakamot na lang ako ng batok ko nang maalala ko 'yon.
"I can control it now. Saka pagkatapos ng ilang taon, ngayon pa lang naman ulit ako nagalit." tumawa na naman siya sabay bulong sa akin.
"Akala ko nga hindi na kita ulit makikitang magalit. I should thank Flare when I see her." Umiling-iling na lang ako.
"About what you said earlier, Frost and Flare know each other before?" nagtataka niyang tanong.
"Remember when Frost was lost for two weeks? He spend those weeks with her in the forest. Just the two of them, kids, alone together in the middle of the forest." Nanlaki naman ang mga mata niya.
"I was so guilty that time. I cried many times because I'm blaming myself why he went missing." Tinapik ko ang braso niya sa balikat ko kaya inalis niya na ito. Umupo ako muli sa upuan at sinenyasan siyang umupo at makinig sa sasabihin ko.
"It's not just your fault. It's our's. Hindi lang naman ikaw ang umiyak ng ilang beses at nagsisisi. We were young, dumb and reckless that time. We know nothing." He shook his head, still not convinced with my words.
"Come to think of it, maybe it's our fault why he turned cold and distant." bulong niya.
Natahimik naman ako. Malaki rin naman kasi ang posibilidad na tama ang sinasabi niya. Frost was once a very cheerful and positive kid before, not until something happened that triggered him to leave and went missing for weeks.
"Which is why instead of being cold to Flare, he should feel thankful." I stated.
"Insan, may gusto ka ba kay Flare?" Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko.
"Saan nanggaling ang katanungang 'yan?"
"Sa bibig ko." Napangiwi ako na siya namang ikinatawa niya.
"Of course you like her, as a friend?" he paused and continued, "Or as a woman?" Hindi kaagad ako nakasagot.
Do I?
Flare
I played the plume in my left hand. I have to write a memorial for my statement. Probably for incident records and stuffs about the poisoning. I stopped playing with the plume and dip its end to the ink pot.
Magsusulat na sana ako nang sumagi sa isip ko kung ano ang isusulat ko. This is a report, and only I, can testify on my own.
Should I tell them what really happened? Or just let it be?
Umiling ako. Hindi nila puweding malaman ang tungkol kay Eagan. It was my own personal issues. Labas sila roon, at mas lalong hindi naman nila maiintindihan dahil ako mismo ay nahihirapang maintindihan ang nangyayari. My mind is all messed up now, and for three days, I can't find him, and that includes Canaan Sparrow.
"Lady Regent, Prince of the West side of the continent wanted to see you." Pumatak ang ink sa papel na sinusulatan ko kaya inilapag ko na lang ito sa lagayan.
Prince of the West side of the continent. That would be Aerus of Air Continent.
"Tell him I am busy." maikli kong sagot. Nag-aalanganin itong tumango.
I crossed my legs as I opened another memorial in my table. Mamaya na siguro ako magsusulat ng memorial para ibigay sa Head Mistress. I'm sure she can wait.
"Lady Regent, Prince Leether Vexus Sinas seeks for your audience." wika ng panibagong babae na pumasok sa loob ng quarters ko.
Napabuga na lang ako nang malalim na hininga. I can ban anyone to come here, aside from the member of the royal family. I can command them not to enter here, but not if someone from the royal family ordered them to come here.
"Can't you see I am busy?" Turo ko sa nagtataasang memorials na kailangan kong basahin sa loob ng isang araw. Yumuko naman siya't kaagad na lumabas.
"Pardon me, Lady Regent, but Prince of the North wanted to speak with you." Hindi pa nga ako nakakapagbasa ng isang pangungusap sa memorial ay may pumasok na namang babae.
Prince of the North, that would be Flame.
Napahilot na lang ako ng sentido ko habang nakatingin sa babaeng pumasok. Nahalata niya yata na iritado ako kaya bigla siyang yumuko't humingi ng paumanhin, subalit hindi pa rin ito umaalis sa aking harapan at tila ba naghihintay pa sa magiging sagot ko.
"Leave. Sumasakit na ang ulo ko. Nakikita mo ba ang mga bagay na 'yan?" pagtuturo ko sa gatambak na memorial. "Gusto mo bang ikaw ang ipabasa ko't ikaw na rin ang gumawa ng memorial na mayroong labing-limang pahina para ibigay sa Head Mistress?" Mabilis itong umiling-iling. Minuwestra ko ang kamay ko, senyales na pinapalabas ko na siya.
These past few days they keep on asking for my presence. Nahalata siguro nila na umiiwas ako't ginagawa ko lahat para lang 'di ko makatagpo ni isa sa kanilang apat. I'm a woman of my words. Kapag mau binitawan akong salita'y pinapangako kong gagawin ko 'yon.
Mariin kong pinikit ang mata ko nang bumukas na naman ang pinto. Kagat-kagat ko ang ibabang bahagi ng labi ko habang nagtitimping hinihilot-hilot ang sentido ko.
"Who wants to see me again this time?" iritado kong bulalas.
"How welcoming, Flare." Naimulat ko kaagad ang mata ko.
"Head Master Dan!"I exclaimed. Nanlalaki mata ko siyang tinuro, pero kaagad din naman nangunot ang noo ko.
He's looking at me as if he'd seen a ghost.
"What are you doing here?" His eyes landed on my head, and I guess he saw my hair. He blinked an eye and locked his gaze towards mine. He's looking deeply in my eyes like he's trying to figure out something.
"Am I too pretty that you can't even take your eyes off me, Head Master?" Parang nabalik naman siya sa katinuan dahil sa sinabi ko.
"Dream on." He commented as he roam his eyes inside my quarters. "Nice quarters." he whispered as he comfortably took a seat in front of me.
Pinatong ko ang magkabilang siko ko sa mesa't sinapo ang mukha ko habang nakatingin sa kaniya. I was staring at him while he's leaning his back in the head rest of the chair, eyes closed. I rolled my eyes at instant.
"Wow. Huwag mo sabihing pumunta ka lang rito para matulog?" He opened his eyes and stared at me once more. Tuluyan nang nagsalubong ang kilay ko dahil napansin kong kanina pa siya titig nang titig sa akin na para bang isa akong bagay na kamangh-mangha sa paningin niya.
"Kamusta ka na? Is everything okay? " Napabuga na lang ako nang malalim. I guess he's here because he's worried or what.
"Who harmed you?" Inangat ko ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Mukhang narinig na rin niya ang balita na nasaksak ako't nalason. Ako lang din naman ang gumawa no'n sa sarili ko dahil may nais akong patunayan.
"No one." I murmured.
"Flare, stay away from the royalties. They will only put you in danger." I chuckled. That's exactly what I'm doing.
"Don't worry Head Master, I know where to put myself," Umayos ako ng upo't ginalaw-galaw ang leeg ko dahil nangangalay na ako. "Royalties? They are pain in the ass." I added.
"Your hair..." Natigilan ako. Hindi niya alam na ganito ang totoong kulay ng buhok ko. After what happened, I can't hide the color of my hair, but I managed to change my eye color.
"Nice. Did you dye it? Looks good on you, by the way." Tumango-tango na lang ako. Mabuti na lang at inisip niya na pinakulayan ko lang ito.
"How's my pet? Having a hard time feeding him?" Biglang umasim ang mukha niya. Parang may inaalala siyang bagay na ayaw na niyang alalahanin pa.
"That pet of yours, is he normal?" Muntik na ako matawa.
"Why?"
"That pesky little tiger is intelligent. Kung amasta pa akala mo tao. He want me to grill or roast his fish. If I don't, he'll chase me and push me in the lake. Magkaugali rin kayo, ano?" I rolled my eyes at him. He's ranting, hell yeah.
"But something is off with him these past few days." Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko.
"How come?"
"Most of the time, if the fish is roasted or grilled, he'll jump off and eat it immediately. Pero nitong nakaraang araw tinititigan niya lang at parang may malalim na iniisip," I tilt my head. If that really happened, then that's new. He loves eating it, he'll leap in joy.
"Ano naman ang problema niya? Sa pagkain pa lang sagot ko na palagi." he added.
Well, he's a human with problems too.
"Dadalawin ko siya sa susunod. Baka na-miss niya lang ako. Nakakasawa rin kaya pagmumukha mo." palatak ko. Natahimik naman siya kaya akala ko nagalit na. Nahuli ko na lang ang pagtaas ng sulok ng labi niya't napangiti ito.
"Are you sure you're okay? How's your stab wound?" Napahawak ako sa sugat ko't nakagat ko ang ibabang bahagi ng labi ko.
"Medyo masakit pa." mahina kong sagot. The truth was, it's long been healed. Sa hindi ko malamang dahilan ay biglang naghilom ang sugat ko't hindi mo mababakas na nasaksak ito.
"I'm curious, Head Master Dan," panimula ko. Napaayos naman siya ng upo. "The night of the ball, an assassination almost happened," I stated as a matter of fact. "Kung wala ako't hindi ko sila napigilan ay malamang patay na silang lahat," Pabagsak kong sinandal ang likod ko sa upuan.
"If that incident almost cost their lives, why did they not took further investigations to know who planned it?" I asked.
"Kung ako 'yon hindi ako titigil hangga't hindi ko nahahanap ang demonyong nagplanong patayin ako at ang buong pamilya ko." I concluded.
Pinaglaruan ko ang mga daliri ko sa mesa't may dahilan na biglang pumasok sa isip ko.
"Not unless if they know who did it, but they can't do anything to find him and make him pay for it." He stilled for a few seconds. I saw how his expression changed with my conclusion.
"Don't stress yourself with it. It's the Palace Court and Military Councillor's job to seek for them." Kahit hindi ako nakuntento sa naging sagot niya'y tumango na lang ako.
With his expression earlier, I can see very well he was startled. He knows something.
"Same goes with the guy who interrupted the Monthly Examination. Hindi ako nakatanggap ng kahit anong balita na pinahanap nila ito o hinalughog man lang ang buong Institute para mahanap siya. That's odd," I rested my chin in my left hand and stared at him.
"Kailan pa sila magbabalak na hanapin ang kagagawan ng kaguluhan? Kung may mamatay na, ganoon ba?" Natahimik naman siua. Parang nag-iisip siya ng sasabihin sa akin.
"There are things you don't need to know." Napataas ang kilay ko. That's not what I expected him to say.
"I decide whether I need to know it or not." matigas kong pahayag dito.
"Knowing things has a price, Flare. You're still not ready to pay for it." makahulugan niyang sambit.
What the hell is he talking about?
"What are you-" Hindi ko naituloy ang sasabihin ko nang biglang bumalibag ang pinto. Parang sinipa ito ng sino man sa labas.
"Oh, hi there Uncle Dan!" masayang bati nito sabay halik sa pisngi.
"Can you please give us a minute? I need to talk to her, it's very very urgent, Uncle." matamis nitong wika. Tumingin muna ito sa akin bago tumango at lumabas upang iwan kaming dalawa rito sa loob.
"What do you need, Your Highness?" I said as formal as I can.
"Oh please, spare me with that. The heck has gotten into you?" I pursed my lips. I'm trying my very fucking best to be formal here!
"Your High-"
"Highness my ass. Can't you just address me like how you used to? I hate people who pretends to be polite even if-"
"What do you need, Leri?" She smiled and I rolled my eyes.
"Ano'ng drama mo ngayon?" Napangiwi ako.
"Like duh? Why are you avoiding us? If I didn't kick the door you probably won't be talking to me right now," Napatingin ako sa mga memorials sa mesa ko. "Memorials are lame excuses. I won't fall for that." giit niya.
"So tell me, what's the deal?" Sumeryoso ang mukha ko. Not engaging myself with them is a promise, and I'll stick with it.
"I'm just busy." maikli kong paliwanag. Kumuha ako ng isang memorial at sinimulan itong buklatin upang basahin sa harap niya.
"Don't give me that crap." she hissed.
"You have no choice but to take that crap, or do you prefer shit?" Kumunot lalo ang noo niya. Inirapan niya lang ako't padabog na umupo sa upuang nasa harap ko.
"My twin is worried about you," she twirled her hair as she started talking. "Actually, they are worried about you," She then look at me as she continued doing stuffs on her hair.
"Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses na nilang tinanong kung may nagawa ba silang mali. They just won't stop! And it's beginning to get on my nerves!" paghihimutok pa nito.
"And guess what? Nagaway-away lang naman sila ng dahil sa'yo." Napataas ang kilay ko, pero nagkasalubong din ito matapos ng ilang segundo.
Nag-away dahil sa akin?
"Is that my fault?" lutang kong tanong. She laughed, and even clapped her hands in amusement.
"Nope," she said popping the letter p. Maarte niyang sinusuklay-suklay ang buhok niya. "This is the very first time they fought which is really thrilling as fuck!" she retorted. "I mean, you're really the beauty that brings disaster." she clapped her hands once again.
"Kaya lang hindi talaga sila nag-away. Walang live action." ismid pa niya.
Sometimes, I really couldn't understand her. Once she'll act like a bitch, likes to play with men, brute, sometimes cute, and then now, I don't know anymore.
"Why don't you go out with me?" she asked like it was a verh casual thing to do.
"Hindi tayo talo." sabi ko na lang. She gasped and threw her hands on her mouth.
"It's not a date, okay? Although maganda ka, hot na, sexy pa, hindi 'yon sapat para balikuin mo ang kasarian ko." pagmamayabang niya.
Kinuha ko ang isang maliit na bowl na hugis puso sa mesa't ininom ang laman nitong tubig habang patuloy na nagbabasa ng memorial sa harapan niya.
"But if I was born a man. I will date you, marry you, and have thirty kids with you." Naibuga ko ang iniinom kong tubig. Nandidiri naman siyang tumayo habang pinupunasan ang iilang tubig na tumalsik sa braso niya.
"Ang dugyot mo naman!" angil niya. Pinunasan ko ang bibig ko't tinuro siya.
"Mandiri ka naman sa sinasabi mo. Maka trentang anak ka naman akala mo baboy ako!" Tinawanan niya lang ako kaya pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata. Nabasa pa tuloy ang ilang pahina ng memorial sa mesa ko.
"Let's get out of here!" Hindi pa man ako nakakasagot ay bigla na niya akong hinila palabas ng quarters ko.
"Leri, utang na loob marami pa akong gagawin. Kailangan ko pa 'yon tapusin bago lumubog ang araw." She hissed after she heard me.
"Tumakas tayo. Let's go to Casa Hermosa." Nanlaki ang mata ko. Balahura talaga 'tong prinsesang 'to.
"Kung gusto mo magpakalasing at makipag-usap sa mga lalaki roon, ikaw na lang. I have lots of-"
"Flare, it's not bad to have fun sometimes. Huwag kang mag-alala alam ko kung saan dadaan para hindi tayo mahuli." At kinindatan niya pa ako. Napabuga na lang ako nang marahas na hininga't nagpatianod na lang sa kaniya.
"Nice hair by the way. You dyed it?" Tumango na lang ako.
"Geez, she's back." Napatigil kami pareho ni Leri nang marinig ang sinabi ng isang babae.
"Yeah, she look more beautiful." komento pa ng isa. Hinigit ni Leri ang kamay ko't pumunta sa kung saang direksyon. Sa pagdaan niya'y humahawi ang mga estudyante upang bigyan kami ng daan.
"Bagay na bagay talaga sila, ano? I won't be shocked if she'll manage to melt his cold heart." Napakunot ang noo ko.
Mula sa malayo, sa harap ng Institute gate ay may natanaw akong dalawang bulto ng tao. Napatigil kaagad ako sa paglalakad nang makilala ko kung sino ito. Dahil sa pagtigil, napatigil din si Leri at napatingin sa akin.
"Who is she?" awtomatiko kong tanong.
"Chastine Clive," maikli niyang sagot.
"Who is she in his life?" tulad ng kanina'y awtomatiko lang din itong lumabas sa bibig ko.
"She's his childhood friend, and they are childhood sweetheart." Ang paligid ay biglang tumahimik. Wala akong kahit anong marinig.
Nanatili akong nakatayo habang tinatanaw ang likod ng isang babaeng may mahaba't kulot na buhok. Nakayakap siya sa isang lalaking tila ba wala lang reaksyon. Matapos ng ilang segundo ay nagtago ang tingin naming dalawa. Parang nanlambot ang tuhod ko sa mga titig niya.
Habang nakatingin ng diretso sa mata ko, dahan-dahan niyang inangat ang magkabilang braso niya upang yakapin pabalik ang babae. Is this just a matter of coincidence or he's doing it purposely to torture me?
He even nuzzled his head on the woman's neck like he owns her. His gestures made me feel a pang of pain in my chest. I remembered how I hugged him the moment I remembered it was him. He didn't hugged me back. He gave me a cold shoulder back then.
"Flare, hoy! Saan ka pupunta?!" Walang pag-aalinlangan akong tumalikod. Mabibigat ang mga hakbang ko habang papalayo ako sa kanila.
Why does he have to do that?
Napahawak ako sa dib-dib ko. This pain is different from what I felt when he called me names. It's more painful this time. Naramdaman kong nag-iinit ang mata ko kaya napatingala ako. I laughed and shook my head.
Don't cry, never shed a tear, he's not worth it.
Itutuloy...