"What does he need?"
Taas-kilay kong tiningnan ang chat ni Chase. Ano ba'ng kailangan niya sa 'kin? I already told him that I don't want to see him again. Of course that includes chatting with him. Ang bobo naman niya kung 'di niya 'yon naintindihan.
chase_hern: Where are you?
chase_hern: We need to talk.
Kumunot naman ang noo ko noong nabasa ang pangalawa niyang chat sa 'kin. We need to talk? Talk about what? We have nothing to talk about.
I didn't reply nor seen his message, nabasa ko lang sa notifications. I unfollowed him on Instagram. Bakit nga ba ako naka-follow pa sa manlolok na 'to? I was even tempted block him but that would make me look childish.
Kumuha muna ako ng tubig sa kusina bago umakyat sa kwarto. Lumapit ako sa shelf at kinuha ang kahit anong textbook ko. I charged my phone first before lying down my bed and started studying.
Naka-focus naman ako kahit papaano. When I was done, I placed my book back on the shelf and took my phone. It was already 8pm. Masyado akong focus sa binabasa, 'di ko napansin ang oras.
I went down and ate dinner. After that, naglinis ako ng kaunti sa sala at umakyat ulit para maligo. Nagbihis muna ako at humiga na ako sa higaan and nag-scroll sa phone ko.
jl_henares: 'Di ako defensive uy!
jl_henares: Kumain ka na ba?
jl_henares: Ako tapos na, skl!
ventosari: hi, i just finished studying.
jl_henares: Sana all masipag!
Natawa naman ako at napailing bago nag-reply. I didn't know why I had a small smile on my lips while typing.
ventosari: ikr, sana ikaw din :)
jl_henares: Masipag naman ako noh. For our future uy!
"Yabang," I whispered to myself and shook my head. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko when I felt my heart beating so fast from that simple sentence I read.
Gosh, tama pa ba to?!
ventosari: may future pala tayo?
I didn't know ba't 'yon 'yong nireply ko. I mean we both like each other already right? I told him that I liked him and I thought kami na agad. But then I learned that hindi pa pala. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya sasagutin. I feel like it's super awkward!
Should I let him court me for a year? Two years? Wait until I graduate? Or should I answer him immediately because at the end of the day, sasagutin ko rin naman siya?
I decided to stop overthinking and just chat with him the whole night. Noong nakaramdam na ako ng antok, nagpaalam na ako na matutulog na.
ventosari: kaw sab, katuyog na!
jl_henares: Goodnight :)
The next day is Sunday. I woke up very early and tried to sleep but didn't succeed. I decided to go to the gym in a few. As what I usually do, I replied to my messages first. I opened our GC and saw na ang dami nilang chat. I backread para naman makasabay ako. Then I chatted them, baka kasi gusto nilang sumama sa 'kin sa gym.
iamraya: Sinisira mo lang araw ko Sasy nyeta bye
sirene_: sus, iniiwasan mo lang ang topic eh!
mercalista: Hmm
ventosari: hey, i'm going to the gym.
sirene_: sml?
Napairap naman ako sa reply ni Sasy. Kailan kaya 'to titino, 'no?
sirene_: char lang HAHAHA
ventosari: kalagot! i was just gonna ask if you wanna come?
mercalista: Sama ako. Wait, bihis muna ako
sirene_: the only dumbbell i'd be carrying rn is my groupmates yawa
ventosari: goodluck, sas hahahah and see you, cal!
Naghalf bath muna ako at nagbihis. I just wore my grey terno leggings and sports bra, pinatungan ko nalang muna ng jacket. I got my duffle bag and put my extra clothes there before getting my keys and phone. I went down and drank water muna bago lumabas ng unit.
I went to the parking lot of the building and went inside my car. I placed my bag on the passenger seat and started the engine. I also adjusted the temperature of aircon dahil sobrang mainit sa loob ng car.
I connected my phone on the speaker and played my playlist from Spotify. Then I opened my IG to inform Cali that I was on my way. Sinunod ko naman imessage si Echo.
ventosari: morning, omw to the gym with Cali :)
He didn't reply, baka tulog pa. I placed my phone on the dashboard before driving away. It wasn't that far from my condo kaya nakarating ako kaagad. I waited for Cali outside the gym. She arrived not so long.
"Who's that?" I asked and looked back at the car while walking.
"Kuya," maikling sagot niya.
It was our usual gym kaya dumiretso na kami sa locker para ilagay ang bag namin. We went out and started doing our warm up. Inayos ko muna ang pagkakatali g buhok ko bago na nagsimulang tumakbo sa treadmill.
"By the way, I forgot to tell you that Chase chatted me," Cali informed me. Kumunot naman ang noo ko.
"He chatted me, too." She nodded at that.
Kumunot naman ang noo ko. "He chatted me, too."
"Sabi niya na sabihan kita na mag-reply sa chat niya." Napaismid ako. The audacity of that man!
"I didn't seen his message. Nabasa ko lang sa notif, sabi niya 'we need to talk'," I told her, shaking my head. "Wala naman kaming pag-uusapan, eh. I already told him na layuan ako."
"Really? Natauhan ka na?!" hindi makapaniwala niyang tanong, nanlalaki pa ang bilog niyang mga mata. Napairap naman ako.
"Pumunta kasi siya sa café, after the party sa resort nila Sasy. You remember?" pagsisimula ko sa kwento. She nodded. "I thought he was going to say sorry pero ang kapal, he said that he wasn't sorry for what happened," I continued and she gasped in disbelief.
I know right!
"That's why you decided to cut off your strings?" she asked, curiously. "After 4 years, Esme! Tagal mo rin naging tanga, ah!"
Kahit tumatakbo ako, I tried to reach for her arm para mahampas siya. She shrieked and tried to avoid my hand. She held on the handle of the treadmill when she almost trip. Inirapan ko siya at nagpatuloy sa pagtakbo.
"I'm sorry for calling you stupid but he cheated on you. Somehow you managed to still be friends with him." Cali shook her head. "I won't deny, my heart is so soft but if that happened to me, I could never look at the person the same way because he made me doubt myself."
I nodded, understanding her point. "I just didn't make a big deal out of it. I truly loved him, Cali. Or I thought I did. That's why I begged him to stay and I kind of regret it, you know. "
"Why?"
"Sa ganda kong 'to. Nagmakaawa ako? Nakakahiya!" I said, jokingly. Natawa naman siya dahil doon.
"That's the spirit!" natatawa niyang sinabi. "Nadamay ka na kay Echo!"
"I know!" I agreed. "Chase even told me that we could go back to the way we were before. Kung dati siguro niya sinabi 'yon, magiging masaya ako kasi tanga ako, eh," I stated and she nodded. Supportive talaga basta tatawagin kong tanga ang sarili!
"It's good because you're learning to value yourself." She gave me small smile. "'Yan pala epekto ni Echo sa 'yo?"
"I guess," pag-amin ko and stopped the treadmill. I went down and drank water muna before sitting down on the mat. Sumunod naman si Cali sa 'kin.
"So, what happened on my birthday? Nawala kayo bigla?" she asked and gave me a malicious smile. Inirapan ko siya. I can't take her seriously, though! Her malicious smile still looks innocent. I just know her too well!
"I..."
"What? Come on!" she urged me. She was so curious, I could see it in her eyes. Up until now, I still don't know why she really likes Jericho for me! "Don't laugh at me!" She pinched me on my arm. I glared at her because of that.
"I... confessed." I immediately looking away, getting shy with my statement.
Nanlaki ang mata niya at tumayo. She jumped out of excitement kaya naman hinila ko siya paupo. Ano ba naman! Para akong may kasamang kinder! "So kayo na?" she asked excitedly and smiled widely.
"I told him I like him. I thought kami na. But he said that 'di ko pa siya sinasagot so hindi pa kami," I told her.
"Then, say yes!"
"I don't know how," nahihiya kong amin. Natawa siya pinaghahampas ako.
We continued our workout while catching up. I was doing my last set of russian twists noong may pumasok sa gym. My eyes unconsciously looked that way and saw Chase. I stopped and sighed before looking at Cali. She glanced at me confusingly and I signaled her to look at the door. Pinag-usapan lang namin ang demonyo tapos bigla talagang magpapakita, 'no?
"Let's go?" she asked, getting worried. I nodded and did my cool down. Medyo malayo naman kami sa pinto, so I'm hoping that he won't see us. I really don't want to talk to him.
We went to the shower room and nagmadali lang akong maligo. I changed my clothes Natapos na rin si Cali kaya nagmamadali kami naglakad palabas ng gym.
"Esme!"
Cali immediately held my hand and dragged me with her. I wanted to laugh because her grip was so tight and because she was shorter than me, her strides were short too. Mukha tuloy siyang tumatakbo habang ako kalmado lang maglakad.
Nahabol kami ni Chase at ngayon nasa tabi ko na. I rolled my eyes. Cali and I didn't stop walking. None of us spoke either. But Chase was aggresive.
"Come on! Pansinin mo ako!" Chase shouted. I didn't say a word and just continued walking. Napatili ako noong hinila ako ni Chase sa braso. Napabitaw sa 'kin si Cali, nanlalaki ang mata, mukhang kinakabahan.
"Let me go," malamig kong sabi.
Inismiran niya kaagad ako. "That wasn't what you said before," he said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes at him. He won't forget that, would he?
"Paulit-ulit, Chase?" I sarcastically said. I tried to remove his hand on my arm pero ang higpit ng kapit niya kaya hindi ko iyon natanggal. "I said let me go!"
"We need to talk!" giit niya.
"At ano naman ang pag-uusapan natin, Chase?!" He looked taken aback when I screamed so loud. "Putangina, can you just stop? Bobo ako dati, pero ngayon hindi na!" mariin kong sinabi.
He finally let go of my arm and shook his head. "That guy really changed you into someone you are not."
"No. Ito talaga ako," I said, defending Echo and myself. "Ikaw? Ikaw ang nagbago sa 'kin. You just changed me into someone you want me to be. Ginawa mo akong sunod-sunuran. Tanga ako kaya pumayag ako. But now, I'm not that stupid Esme you created and... I regret loving you," pag-amin ko at umiling. "No... I never loved you."
He looked angry at what I said. I rolled my eyes, not even feeling any guilt. I walked to my car and good thing he didn't stopped me. I opened the door and went inside my car. Gumaya naman si Cali. I inhaled a lot of air before staring the engine. My hands were shaking a bit.
I hate manipulative people. And I can't accept the fact that I once was in that kind of relationship. I really just did everything Chase wanted. Oo, rason ko is bata pa ako. I wanted to enjoy my youth and experience what other teens have. But since I was clueless about relationships, I thought what Chase and I had was real and right.
Buti nalang natauhan na ako.
"Are you okay?" tahimik na tanong ni Cali. I nodded at her.
We decided to talk about the upcoming birthday of Tito Miguel instead. Of course, my friends would be there, we were like a family already.
I spent the next few days in school and nagkikita naman kami ni Echo when we have time. He was also busy with his acads since graduating na siya. The days passed by like a blur I didn't notice that it's Tito's birthday already.
"Yes, Mom. I'm ready na," I informed her. We were talking on the phone.
"What dress did you chose? The velvet ba anak?" she asked, hopefully.
"Yup. The velvet one," I answered while putting on my dangling earring. I heard her squeal because of my reply. Natawa naman ako. Ang cute ng mom ko!
"I knew it!"
I was wearing the navy blue velvet tube long gown that she sent me. It fit well on my body and had a slit on the left side of my leg. I paired it with my silver heels and silver accesories. I wore light make-up and I arranged my hair in a low bun to make myself look neat. I left some strands in front.
"Good evening!" bati ko noong pumasok ako sa kotse ni Echo. He was looking at me with adoration in his eyes. Kitang kita iyon. Nailang ako bigla kaya umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya.
"Good nga ang evening ko." A soft chuckle escaped his lips before he leaned to kiss my cheek. Naamoy ko naman agad ang perfume niya. Ang bango talaga!
He gave me a bouquet of sunflowers. I felt so happy! Paborito ko ito! When I was wearing my seatbelt, I noticed that he was just staring at me. Nagtataka ko siyang tiningnan.
"Araw ka ba, Esme?" he asked.
My brows furrowed in confusion. "What?"
"Kasi ang ganda mo," he said, smiling.
"What? Anong connect?"
"Wala lang." He chuckled. Ang ganda mo naman kasi talaga."
"Whatever," I whispered to myself, biting my lower lip to stop my smile from showing. I felt my cheeks heat up, too. This guy is so random!
I looked at him and scanned him. He was wearing a all white tux pero navy blue button down ang panloob. He wasn't wearing any bow or tie and he left three buttons open. He was wearing white italiano shoes and I noticed that he had a haircut. It was a clean cut which made him look more handsome.
Napakunot naman ang noo ko. Ito na naman kami, eh!
"Gaya-gaya ka talaga!" I stated.
"Come on. Just think of it. Sign na 'to, eh!" he exclaimed and laughed. His laugh sounded like music to my ears. God! "Tayo na nga talaga!" dagdag niya. Napailing naman ako habang may maliit na ngiti sa labi.
"Tayo nga," bulong ko sa sarili.
We arrived at the venue at pumasok naman kami agad. Echo was holding my waist, guiding me inside. Some people were even looking at us. Or maybe at him. He looked really dashing. Kung ako, hindi ko kilala si Echo, mapapatingin din ako, eh.
We found our friends and went to them. I texted my mom that I'm here already but she said that later na daw kami magkita. She was still with Tito Miggy upstairs. I saw my friends' parents on the other table. Surely doon din sila mom uupo. I even saw Echo's dad sitting so stiff beside them pero nagsasalita naman. At least he was still talking to them.
"Ari!" bati ni Cali noong nakita niya kami.
It was a round table and it was the six of us again. I sat down beside Cali at tumabi naman si Echo sa 'kin. Marco was sitting beside him and Raya was next to Marco. Si Sasy naman in between Cali and Raya.
Kumaway ako noong nakita ko si Mom na pumasok sa hall. Kumaway siya pabalik sa akin at nanlaki ang mata nang nakita na magkatabi kami ni Echo. Ngumuso siya at humawak sa braso ni Dad.
"Later," she mouthed. I nodded at her.
Tito's birthday was a blast. It was very elegant but it suited his personality anyways. Naghiwa-huwalay muna kami at nakipag-usap sa ibang kakilala namin. Most of the people were from Isla Ahora.
Nahanap ko naman agad si Mom at Dad na kausap si Tito James. I kissed their cheek and greeted them. I looked at Mom and I noticed the happy look on her face. I knew that she was happy that Echo and I came together. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata pero hindi ako ako binigyan ng pansin!
"Hija! You're here, with... Jericho!" She acted shocked but she couldn't hide the malicious smile forming on her lips. Hindi siya magaling na artista!
"Yes, Mom." Peke akong ngumiti.
"Jericho, I hope my daughter has been good to you," sabi naman ni Dad. I scoffed. What? Pati ba naman si Dad? Don't tell me dinamay ni Mom si Dad?!
I turned to my Mom for answers but she was staring at Echo, waiting for his reply.
"Hindi po masyado," Echo replied, acting sad.
Nalaglag naman ang panga ko sa sinabi niya. Kinurot ko siya sa tagiliran at nakita 'yon ni Mom. Napatili siya ng kaunti pero tinabunan ito ng tikhim. Si Mom talaga! Akala mo teenager!
"Esme?" I heard warning in my Dad's voice. Echo laughed at that.
"Joke lang po. Mabait naman na siya sa 'kin kahit papaano," bawi ni Echo,tumatawa pa rin.
"Sinagot mo na ba itong anak ko?" Tito James asked teasingly. Kumunot naman ang noo ko. I glanced at Echo suspiciously. Tinaasan niiya lang ako ng kilay. So he told his Dad, huh?
"What? You didn't tell me!" Mom looked at me in disbelief. I just gave her an innocent smile.
"Ah, yes! Did you?" Dad asked me. Mom quickly shifted her gaze from me to him. She looked at him unbelievably. So alam din ni Dad?!
"How did you know?" I asked Dad, curious.
"Secret, nak!" he replied. I rolled my eyes. Itong parents ko talo pa ang teenager kung sumagot! He looked at Echo, who was laughing, too.
"But, yes po. Napasagot na niya ako," I announced, smiling shyly. I didn't know why but I suddenly had the guts to answer like that. I looked at Echo and his eyes widened at that, his laugh hanging in the air. I smiled at him and he blinked twice, not believing what I just said.
"Ayon, oh!" Nakipag-apir si Dad kay Tito James. I was happy to see him smiling today. He looked a bit happier. He turned to me when he felt me staring and gave me a small smile. Nahiya naman ako dahil doon pero ngumiti rin pabalik.
"Ok, so you weren't going to tell me, Amelie?" galit na tanong ni Mom. "James?" She looked at Tito. "At ikaw, Ethan?!" She looked at Dad, angrily. She hit Dad's shoulder with the back of her hand. Nagtawanan kami.
"Come on, Thalia!" Dad said and laughed. He kissed Mom on the cheek, which made her calm down.
"Fine. At least now I know," Mom said happily and smiled at me. I returned a cute smile to her.
"Ako rin," Echo whispered. Napalingon ako sa kanya. He looked calm now. Naka-recover na siguro. Mahina akong tumawa. Nagkatinginan kami. He bit his lower lip before looking away.
We talked with our parents for a few more minutes before going back to our friends. Echo held my hand kaya napatingin ako doon. I looked at him and he had this cute smile on his lips, showing his dimple. Cute talaga ng dimple niya!
"Sana all naman!" narinig kong sabi ni Raya nang nakita ang kamay namin ni Echo. "Pa-experience!" dagdag niya at biglang hinawakan ang kamay ni Marco.
"Ulol, kadiri!" reklamo ni Marco at pilit na tinanggal ang kamay ni Raya sa kanya. Hinawi pa talaga niya ulit ang kamay ni Raya kaya tumama sa lamesa. I couldn't contain my laugh as I watch Raya's expression changed.
"Gago, ang sakit!" singhal ni Raya habang minamasahe ang kamay niya, masama ang tingin kay Marco. "Parang nagbibiro lang, eh! Kailangan manakit?!"
"Deserve!" Sasy teased, laughing. Natapon tuloy ng kaunti ang wine sa baso niya at dumiretso sa legs.
"Deserve," asar naman ni Raya.
The night went well, we said goodbye to our parents first before going out to the venue. Echo guided my to his car. I went in and he closed the door and immediately went to the driver's seat. Tumingin siya sa 'kin kaya napatingin din ako sa kanya. I looked at him confusingly when he smiled so wide.
"So... tayo na?" tanong niya at ngumuso.
"Yeah," simpleng sagot ko. I tried my best to look chill, pero ang totoo kinakabahan na ako! Sinong hindi, 'di ba? Hindi ko naman alam na ganito pala sumagot ng manliligaw!
"Kailan mo ako sinagot kung ganoon? I wasn't informed," he said, still not getting over what I said infront of our parents. I rolled my eyes jokingly.
"Edi bawiin," biro ko. Hell, it took me guts to admit it earlier tapos babawiin ko lang? Ano ako? Tanga? No!
"Luh!" Lumapit siya sa'kin. I immediately felt butterflies kahit na hindi pa talaga siya sobrang lapit sa 'kin. I cleared my throat and tried to look away, but he held my chin and now I really felt my heart race because of his action.
"Uhm..." I started fidgeting because of the look he's giving me. His eyes looked so intense but at the same time, it looked so happy. I realized how expressive his eyes were lalo na sa malapitan.
Lumapit pa siya sa 'kin. I closed my eyes when his lips covered mine. It was a short but sweet kiss. He let go but he couldn't help himself and planted one more kiss on my lips. He let go once again, panting.
A grin touched his lips. "Walang bawian. Hindi ako papayag."