CLIO'S POV
"Paano natin tatawagan si Ezra?" tanong ni Lucas. Nandito kami lahat sa kusina ngayon at nagtutulong tulong sa pagluluto.
"I already texted him. He will go here before 12PM," sabi ni Ate Sloane.
"Sinabi mo Ate na may kainan?" tanong ulit ni Lucas.
"No. I told him na Lola wanted to talk to him," sagot ni Ate Sloane.
Nagsimula nang magluto si Matthew, Jupiter, at Titus. Gustong sumali nila Lucas at Brent pero tinataboy nilang tatlo. Baka raw kasi malason sila sa mga iluluto nila kapag tumulong 'yung dalawa.
Si Jun at Yohan, abalang nags-set up ng table sa may garden nila Ezra. Doon na lang daw kami kumain ng lunch. Sabi nila may dinner daw mamaya sa isang mamahaling restaurant and after n'on, pwede na raw kaming umuwi.
Nakita kong abala pa rin si Julian sa pagkalikot ng laptop niya. Sumilip ako ng bahagya at nakita na may ine-edit siyang video. "Para saan 'yan?" tanong ko.
"Ah, ito? Film namin 'to para sa school," sagot niya.
"Film course mo?" tanong ko.
"Oo," sagot niya. Iniwan ko na siya d'on dahil parang ang busy niya sa ginagawa niya at ayoko naman na mang-abala pa. Sa pagkakaalam ko, magastos 'yung ganoong course at kailangan talaga ng connections pero sa bagay, mayayaman naman sila.
Lumapit ako kay Chanel na nangingiti habang nagt-type sa phone niya. "May ka-chat ka, no? Sino 'yan?" tanong ko sa kaniya.
"Sa tinder lang 'to!" sagot niya habang tinatago sa 'kin yung phone niya.
"Sige, kapag ikaw naloko dyan, 'wag kang iiyak," sabi ko. Inirapan niya lang ako at pumunta sa living room. Ubod talaga ng sungit 'yung babae na 'yon. Kaya walang nakakatagal na lalaki, e. Choir!
"Good morning, Clio!" bati sa akin ni Ate Sloane na kakababa lang mula sa kwarto niya. Kakaligo niya lang ngayon. Kanina kasi tumulong siya sa pagluluto kaya ngayon lang nakapag-ayos.
"You're so gorgeous, Clio!" puri sa akin ni Ate Sloane.
Bago kasi siya natulog kagabi, pinapunta niya ako sa closet niya para bigyan ng damit na dapat ko raw suotin ngayon, at suot suot ko siya now.
Same color din sa kaniya yung dress ko pero pa-tube naman 'tong dress na binigay niya sa akin. Hindi ako masyadong comfortable pero sabi nila Jupiter maganda naman daw sa 'kin kaya medyo napagaan loob ko. Syempre, kailangan nating maging maganda sa birthday ng dolphin ko!
Kanina pa nga ako inaasar ng peste kong pinsan dahil alam n'on na ayaw kong nagsusuot ng dress. Pinipicturan pa 'ko kanina! Is-send daw niya sa kapatid ko. Napakagago talaga. Papaulanan na naman ako ng pang-aasar n'on kapag umuwi ako sa Bulacan.
"I really love your hair!" sabi ni Ate Sloane habang sinusuklay ang buhok ko gamit ang mga daliri niya. "Let's take a picture!" sabi niya.
Naka-ilang take kami ng photos. Tinawag pa nga niya si Chanel para kuhanan kami ng picture. Pagkatapos namin mag mini photoshoot, bumalik na ulit kami sa kusina.
"Pfft," pagpipigil ng tawa ni Jupiter ng makita ako. Konti na lang talaga itatapon ko na 'tong pinsan ko.
"Baka gusto mong pasuin kita dyan," pananakot ko. Nagpipigil pa rin siya ng tawa kaya hinampas ko siya.
"Aray! Naninibago lang talaga ako. To-tomboy tomboy ka pa dati, and now? Naka-dress? Wow," sabi niya.
"Hoy, nag-dress din ako nung unang kita namin ni Ezra, ah," sagot ko.
"Babies! Ezra is near na," sigaw ni Ate Sloane. Natigil sa pang-aasar sa 'kin si Jupiter at binilisan lalo ang paglalagay ng pagkain sa mga plato.
Tinulungan ko silang ilapag 'yon sa table sa may garden. Ang dami kong nakikitang helpers nila na pabalik balik mula sa kitchen papuntang garden. Yung mga lobo na pinalobo namin kagabi, yung iba pinutok lang ni Brent at Lucas. Nagmala-wowowin sila kanina. Tumigil lang nung pinagalitan sila ni Jun.
"Clio, ikaw sumalubong," sabi ni Troy. Nanlaki ang mata ko at kinabahan. Wait, bakit ako kinakabahan? Parang si Ezra lang naman 'yan!
"Sige," sagot ko. Inayos ko muna ang pagmumukha ko bago pumunta sa labas.
Nakita ko ang sasakyan ni Ezra na naka-park sa tapat ng pintuan nila. Inayos ko ulit ang buhok ko at tinago ko sa likod ko 'yung gift ko na ginawa ko lang kagabi.
Sana magustuhan niya 'to. Wala na talaga akong maisip na ibigay niya sa kaniya. Nasa kaniya naman na kasi ang lahat. Ano pa ba ang maibibigay ko?
EZRA'S POV
It was my birthday but everyone suddenly got busy with their lives. I made a reservation to a restaurant last week for dinner and I had invited my friends but all of them turned me down so I had to canceled it.
I talked to my sister if she wanted to go to Tagaytay with me but she refused. She told me she had work to be done so she could not come. I asked my parents if they were free but they said they were busy with our hotels. As usual. They were so workaholic.
Then my last hope, Clio Therese, also refused. I was expecting she would celebrate it with me but I got too ahead of myself. I texted her this morning and she still has not replied.
I got off my bed to take a shower when I suddenly received a text from my sister. It was said I should go home before lunch because Lola needed to talk to me.
I let out a heavy sigh. Lola definitely wanted to talk about the engagement again. We already discussed it but they were so stubborn. She, Lolo, and Dad were so persistent. They were so against the idea of me being a priest.
Why was it so hard to accept? This was my dream. This became my dream so why they kept on doing things that would hinder me from achieving it? They were my family but why were they doing this to me? I just can't understand.
I turned off my phone and attempted to drift my thoughts about her away. Luckily, I managed.
I took a cold and long shower to calmed myself down. I went to my closet and wore a white t-shirt and jeans underneath my brown trench coat. I did not know what shoes to wear so I just slip on my white converse sneakers.
I checked the time and it was exactly 11 PM. I headed downstairs and checked everything out before going out. I live here in our house in Katipunan. This house is small compared to the one in Makati. I also live here alone. Oh, not exactly alone. I have my helpers and security guards living here.
I rode my corvette, which was my dad's gift when I turned 20. It did not take me long to arrive at our house in Makati. I even saw some of my relatives on my way here and we had some talks.
"Good morning po," I greeted the guards who were guarding the house. I parked the car in front of our house's entrance. I took my bag with me and got out of the car. I fixed my hair while walking but stopped when I saw Clio standing in front of the door.
I was astounded. I was flustered seeing her at my house. Also, she looked so gorgeous in her dress. It fitted her perfectly like it was only made for her. It accentuated her body curves and perfectly shown her beautiful collarbone. Her long wavy hair was kept down, which I like.
Why was she here? I couldn't think of any reasons why she was here. Did my mom invite her? I looked around the house and saw my friends' car in our garage. They must also be here, huh? Why though?
"Happy Birthday!" she greeted me and gave me a hug which I returned. When she got away from me, she gave me the sweetest smile I had ever seen.
My eyes still widened and my mouth was left open. I was still processing everything that was going on. I can't believe I was seeing her in our actual house. This was too sudden.
"Uy, natulala ka na d'yan?" she said while waving her hand on my face.
"What? I mean--Why are you here?" I asked her.
"Dahil birthday mo?"
My birthday? Oh, I forgot. Today was my birthday. But why? How did she know about it?
When I looked down, I saw that she was hiding a present behind her. "What is it?" I pointed.
"Uh, eto? Happy birthday ulit! Regalo ko 'yan," she shyly handed me her present. Her face was flushed. "Sorry kung 'yan lang ang mabibigay ko...Hindi ko kasi alam kung ano magandang gift sa 'yo."
"Thank you so much, Clio. This is more than enough," I thanked her. She became silent as she shifted her head down. Was there something wrong?
"Hey, are you okay?" I asked her.
Because it felt like she wasn't herself.
"Uh, okay lang! Tara, pasok na tayo," she said. I tilted my head as I was skeptical of her answer. I'm sure something was wrong.
We were about to enter when a car parked behind mine. We both turned around and waited for the owner to get out of the car.
My eyebrows furrowed at the sight of the man that I haven't seen for years. The sight of him made my blood boil. What was he doing here?
"Jude? Bakit ka nandito?" Clio asked him. I restraint myself from questioning him as I was afraid I might say something harsh.
Keep your cool, Ezra. It's a sin.
"I'm wishing my friend a happy birthday?" I let out a smirk and rolled my eyes.
"Son! Happy birthday!" We turned our gaze towards my Mom who was about to give me a hug but stopped midway when she saw Jude standing beside his car.
"Hello, Tita!" He cheerfully greeted her. Mom's face brightened the moment she saw Jude. She hugged him and they chatted a bit. And we were left confused as to why was he here.
"Let's go," I whispered to Clio. I walked first as I was disgusted by what I just witnessed. He has a thick skin. Has he forgotten what he did 10 years ago?
"Okay ka lang? Parang nawala ka sa mood," I looked at Clio who was evidently worried. I did not realize that the gift wrapper was about to tear because of how tight my grasped was.
"I'm fine. I have to talk to my Lola. Can you stay here? I'll be back," I asked her. I was about to walk when she held my wrist. "Hmm?"
"Tara muna sa garden," She pulled me towards the garden only to see my friends and my sister eating.
"Uh, Ate Sloane? Nandito na si Ezra," Clio announced.
All of them stopped what they were doing when Clio talked. "Oh my god! Urgh, You guys ruined everything!" Ate scolded them. "I told you not to eat pa!"
I chuckled a bit. She told them not to eat but her plate was the only one full? She was really bad at lying. We were disciplined not to lie, though.
"1...2...3...Happy birthday, Ezra!" they greeted me in unison. Lucas and Brent pulled the party poppers while Matthew, Troy, and Titus burst some balloons then the rest kept on screaming.
Brent tugged me to come near the table where they were eating. I turned around to call Clio only to see My mom and Jude walking towards us, joyously.
It ruined everything.
I saw how Jupiter and Titus were appalled as soon as Jude was on their sight. "Ezra, why is he here?" Jupiter walked beside me and questioned me. He also looked bewildered.
I shrugged my shoulders. My Mom probably invited him, oblivious of what happened and what he did to me in the past.
Half of my friends were quiet as they were unsure if they were allowed to talk. They all knew about my past. Of course, they were my best friends after all. Thankfully, Brent and Lucas were there lighten up the mood.
"Chibugan na!" sigaw nilang dalawa.
I asked Brent to move into another chair because I want Clio to sit beside me. The last thing I needed was to see Clio and her ex-boyfriend sitting next to each other. And what made me more annoyed, he sat in front of us with a cunning smirk. I did not give him attention because I know he will go to an extent just to annoy me.
When I calmed myself down, I reached for the creamy shrimp pasta near Ate Sloane. "Brother, Clio cooked that!"
Clio looked at me awkwardly then she smiled. Did she know how to cook? Really?
"You cooked this?" I asked her. She nodded. I smiled and thanked her. After I put foods on my plate, Jude did the same. I caught him gazing at Clio from time to time, but Clio did not even glance at his side. Great.
Minutes later, we were able to finish eating without causing issues. Thankfully, Jude did not talk to me while we were in the garden. Brent and Lucas kept on talking so he did not have any chance to speak.
We were in the living room, resting after getting ourselves full. They were planning to play Xbox after watching a movie. I scanned the room and Clio was not in sight. I abruptly stand up to go to the garden only to see Jude and Clio talking.
"So si Ezra pala?" I heard Jude asked her.
"Oo, bakit?" Clio asked.
"Kaibigan ko pa talaga,"
Kaibigan? He's my friend? Since when? I don't think so.
"Hindi ko naman alam na kaibigan mo si Ezra. Hindi ka rin naman niya binabanggit," Clio said. She was trying to hard to calm herself. She probably did not want to get mad at him.
"Mas mabuti pa ata na tigilan mo na si Ezra. Hindi mo ba alam na balak n'on mag pari?"
"Alam ko, at wala ka nang pakialam d'on," Clio said. I smirked at her response. She was so savage.
"Alam mo naman pala. Bakit hindi ka pa sumusuko? Wala ka namang pag-asa d'on," I unconsciously gulped.
He was true.
She did not have any chance on me as I was determined to pursue my dreams. It suddenly hit me that I was exactly giving Clio false hopes. Maybe, Jun was right. I shouldn't have talked to her when I knew from the beginning that there was no way I'm going to drop my dreams for her.
"Alam mo? Kung wala kang magandang sasabihin, 'wag mo nalang akong kausapin. Ang kapal ng mukha mong pumunta dito, halatang hindi naman gusto ni Ezra ang presensiya mo," Clio said.
Yeah, that was right. Way to go, sweetheart.
"Tita Elle invited me. You? What are you doing here? Are you trying to Illude Ezra so you would get money from him?"
I saw how Clio's face darkened. I wanted to get her away from him but it was rude of me to meddle in their conversation. But I was already eavesdropping though.
Clio scoffed then rolled her eyes. "Sa tingin mo gold digger ako? Ganyan ba kababa ang tingin mo sa 'kin?"
"Hindi ko alam. Ang sinasabi ko lang ay hindi ka bagay kay Ezra,"
And was he trying to say that Clio fitted him more? He did not deserve her. Clio was too amazing for him.
"Ewan ko sa 'yo," Clio turned her back on him but he pulled her back causing her to fall in his arms. I was ready to confront him but Clio pushed him away.
"Clio, I'm sorry. Sorry sa nagawa ko sa 'yo noon. Ang gusto ko lang naman magkabalikan tayo ulit. Wala naman talaga akong balak pumunta dito kung hindi lang sinabi ni Tita Elle na nandito ka,"
So my mom told him that Clio was here? Clio was here since yesterday? Were they planning this surprise since yesterday?
"Hindi mo ba naintindihan sinabi ko sa 'yo nung chinat mo ako? Kailangan ko pa bang ulitin?" Annoyance was already evident on Clio's face, but she was still supressing herself not to show any anger.
Clio sighed heavily and attempted to run away from Jude but he was so agile to block her. And as if there was a cue, I butted in.
I confronted Jude and move Clio on my back so he would not be able to touch her. "What do you want?" I asked him.
He smirked and raised an eyebrow. "What do I want? Getting back what was taken to me."
Taken to him? Really?
"Haven't you broken up? So apparently, no one took anything from you. Didn't she say that she did not want you anymore? Why are you forcing yourself to her? Are you that desperate?" I said.
He was about to punch me when Clio stop him. "So, you're resorting to violence? Just like what you did before? You haven't grown up, have you?"
"Huwag kang mangialam sa 'min. Wala kang alam sa nangyari," he said.
Even if I had no idea, I knew he hurted her and did something horrible that engendered Clio to despised him.
"I'm aware of that, but Clio clearly said that she has no intention on coming back to you. Do you want me to explain it to you thoroughly? So you would understand?"
Jude was about to talk when Clio's phone rang. She told us to stop before answering the call. Jude was glaring at me as if he wanted to kill me. I rolled my eyes at him. He did not deserve any of this attention.
"Huh? Nasaan si Papa?...Oo, sigurado ka? Si Mama?" I stare at Clio as she was talking to someone on the phone. She run her fingers through her hair. Her eyebrows were furrowed, her breathing was rapid and shallow, and she covered her face after.
I attempted to walk to her but Jude was so quick to stand beside her and asked her what was going on.
That should have been me.
"Ezra, sorry, hindi ako makakasama mamaya sa dinner. Kailangan ko lang talaga umuwi," she said.
"I'll take you home," I insisted.
She shook her head. "Salamat na lang, Ezra, pero sa bulacan pa 'ko uuwi. Masyadong malayo."
"Exactly. Come. Let's get you home," I said. I walked towards Clio and held her wrist but Jude removed my hands off her.
"I will go with her instead. I'm going home as well," Jude interrupted.
Why would he go with her? He was really unbelievable. He would do anything just to make Clio come back to him again. He was insane.
"Clio?" I called her. We were both waiting for Clio to decide. Her eyes were blinking rapidly as she stare into mine. I was communicating with her through my gaze, but I failed.
"I'm sorry, Ezra,"
And I saw the two of them walked away.
A part of me was glad that this might be a way for Clio to stop pursuing me, however, the other part was sad and aching. I did not know if it was my pride or was it because she did not choose me?
A sudden strange feeling crept out of me. This was not what I was thinking, right? There was no way I was falling for her.
No, Ezra.
You shouldn't be feeling this way.