Damgeen High School Musical (Tagalog)

Chapter 2

Shortie

"When the tears are rolling down

Like a river to the ocean.

And there's no one else around

You won't question my devotion."

Soft hands started caressing my sensitive skin, wiping off my young teardrops. A figure of a woman was seen. But her face was unidentified.

"Everybody needs somebody

And you got me.

You know that I know that you know

That I'll be there for the highs and lows.

Give you mine if your heart gets broke

By your side when you're all alone,

I will be there..."

Why do I keep on dreaming the unknown as it feels always familiar to me? Para bang parte ng pagkataong hindi kilala ng aking sarili.

I was sitting at the edge of a little bed, crying like a baby, folding my knees and hugging it in a very tight manner, afraid of something else. While the unrecognized woman kept on soothing me, singing a very beautiful music in her own version of its slower and gentler pacing.

May kadiliman ang paligid. Tanging ang ilaw lang sa lampara at munting liwanag mula sa buwan ang nagbibigay ng kapasidad upang makilala ang bawat sulok. Ngunit kahit anong sikap ko, sa gitna ng mga hikbi, bigo ako sa pagkilatis sa ginang.

"W-Who are you?" I stammered in between my sobs.

My forehead furrowed when I heard my strange voice. It sounds young and high-pitched. It's uncontrolled. That's... That's not mine. That voice belongs to someone else. Probably ten years younger than me. It's no way my voice.

But wait, how can I say it's not mine when I don't have any idea how my voice sounds like... when I was younger?

The woman slanted a bit. Pinikit ko ang mga mata nang dumampi ang mga labi niya sa aking noo nang napakarahan.

"I am your hidden origin, honey... Nasa paligid lang ako palagi..." She paused. "Nakabantay sayo," she whispered like an angel under my bed, crawling up whenever I cry to wipe off the tears.

A drop of liquid dropped from my eye abruptly. Napakurap ako nang ilang beses dahil doon. Hindi ko namalayan na lumuluha na pala. Ni wala akong emosyong nararamdaman. Kasi kung meron may ay panay pagkalito lang iyon at galimgim.

Ngunit nang muling imulat ang mga mata, ang pamilyar na kisame na ng kuwarto ko ang bumungad sa akin.

I chased for my breath as soon as I rose from my bed. Napasapo ako sa dibdib at agad na nilingon ang veranda kung saan sumisiwang na ang nakakasilaw na sinag ng araw.

I whispered series of profanities and brushed my face with my hands.

"Lintik na mga panaginip..." I snorted even more.

It's Friday morning. Huling araw ng klase ko para sa linggong ito. Pagkababa ay agad na binati ng mga kasambahay at pinagsilbihan. Napailing ako at kumpas ng mga kamay. I'm not Hilary. I don't need them pampering me.

"Ayos na po. Ako na ang bahala," sambit ko sa kanila.

They gasped in unison. Pahiya itong napayuko, marahil dahil sa pinakawalan kong pananalita at tono. I sighed and just continued blending my coffee.

"Sorry, Ma'am!"

Napabuntong-hininga ulit ako nang nilipat na ang tasa sa countertop. Marahan akong tumango. Kailangan ko pang ipilit ang natutulog na ngiti para lang hawiin ang pangamba sa mga hitsura nila.

"Naku! Wala iyon," pagak akong tumawa. "Hehe."

My lips twisted and just covered my face in disappointment to myself. My cheeks heated but still bearable though.

Fuck it. I need to stall myself from being their hot tea this early in the morning. Hindi naman kasi lingid sa kaalaman ko ang paninibugho sa akin ng iilan dahil sa talas ng pananalita ko.

Heck. I'm not a wordy s*******r just like what they're insinuating to me. Bakit kasi parang kasalanan ko na masyado lang akong prangka at direkta? Nagiging tapat lang naman ako kapag kinakailangan! I can... coax, too.

Tumubo ang nguso ko nang sumulpot ang imahe ni Emmanuel sa isip ko. Right. Kay Emman nga lang pala iyon tumatalab. Napakadaya!

"Palibhasa ulilang lubos kaya ang gaspang ng ugali!"

I fidgeted. Agad kong nilingon ang pinanggalingan ng boses. Natanaw ko 'yung mga kasambahay na papalabas na ng kitchen, walang habas na naglalakad at wala nang lingon-lingon pa.

I gritted my teeth. Hindi ko na napansin ang paghigpit ng hawak ko sa tasang naglalaman ng kape. Natauhan na lang nang bumuhos sa damit ko ang mainit na kape, kasabay ang nakakagimbal na tunog ng pagkabasag.

I'm aware I was almost panting. Hindi ko alam kung saan partikular na nagagalit. Kung sa malditang kasambahay ba o sa naalalang usapan namin noong nakaraang gabi.

"About what happened to your real father."

Having to live with other family was all fun and games. But not until you started to notice their distance, your proper place... and unwritten limitations.

Tinawan ko ang nerbyos na nararamdaman habang nakatanaw sa mag-asawang Maddison na tumayong magulang na sa akin. Fine, let's talk about it! What's to be too serious about? Para namang hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari noon!

Just like other cliché drama series, my parents got separated when I was still young. Approximately seven years old I suppose. I was an only child and has little memories of my childhood. Panigurado naman kasing wala masyadong magandang alaala noon kaya siguro wala na rin akong matandaan.

Sabi noon sa kuwento at mga chismis din na naririnig ko tuwing may family reunion at gatherings, naghiwalay sila dahil may kerida ang papa ko. Hindi siguro nagawang tanggapin ng mama ko kaya iniwan ako sa pamilyang ito.

I can even narrate my knowledge about that story outright without being so emotional. I can casually tell everyone about it without a single tear. But that night was an exception.

The past few weeks, because of some series of mysterious dreams crawling almost every night, I found myself suddenly so immersed one day on finding out the truth that lies beneath them. My first step was to pester my foster parents about my curiosity about my past. Kung ano nang nangyari sa kanila. Kung hinanap man lang ba nila ako? Kung... minahal man lang ba nila ako?

I was so desperate. May koneksiyon ba ang mga panaginip na dumadalaw sa akin sa nakaraan ko? I was never interested on finding the truth about my past, alright! Pero tuluyan na akong naubusan ng pasensiya. Masyado na akong ginugulo ng mga lintik na panaginip na iyon!

The Maddison couple was utterly worried and hesitant to attend to my queries. Wala silang maisagot sa kung anong dahilan! Pero animo'y nagbago bigla ang ihip ng hangin.

Pagkauwi galing Asylum, nakakapanibagong nadatnan ko pa ang mga magulang. Gising pa kahit malalim na ang gabi, hinihintay ang pagdating ko.

Tulog na si Hilary. Tahimik na rin ang buong mansiyon. Nakapirmi na kami sa living room at nasa gitna ako samantalang nasa magkabilang single couch naman ang mag-asawa, magkabilang-gilid ko.

Sa totoo lang kahit tatawa-tawa, medyo kabado na nga ako sa gusto nilang pag-usapan. What's more to know about my parents? May alam pa ba silang hindi pa nasasabi sa akin? I was quite bothered. Mas lumala iyon nang humaba ang katahimikan. Plus, the emerging thoughts starting to crept into my mind were not helping at all!

Inaamin ko, marami pa nga akong hindi alam. Tulad ng... nasaan na sila? Ni minsan ba, hindi nila ako hinanap? But wait, are they still alive and kicking to even start with? Napalunok ako at titig sa dalawang kasama. Were they bound to tell me about it?

Hey, Mich. Patay na ang mama at papa mo. Condolence. Alis ka na lang sa puder namin kung gusto mo. Pero teka, baka naman tungkol ito sa mana ko? May iniwan ba silang property o pera? Balita ko mayaman ang pamilya ni Mama, a! Ugh, no. Ang tatay nga pala ang pag-uusapan!

Napapikit ako nang mariin. Nababaliw na ako!

"Ano po ba 'yon? Masisiraan na ako ng bait sa tahimik, e," I laughed nervously.

Bilib nga naman ako sa sarili. At may gana pa akong tumawa, ha?

I heard Daddy heaved a deep breath. "Tingin namin ng Mommy mo, anak, na... tamang panahon na para sabihin namin sayo 'to."

That gave me goosebumps. Masyadong seryoso ang paligid. Muli akong tumawa.

"Fire," biro ko pa, akala mo wala lang ang paksa.

Napailing si Mommy at malungkot ang mga titig sa akin. "Please don't get mad at us for telling you this. And... don't take it too serious. It's all in the past now."

How ironic. Hindi na ako nagsalita at sumuko na sa mga patutsada.

Napatingin si Dad sa kanya. Mommy nodded her head lightly, signaling him to go with his objectives. Napabuntong-hininga naman ang una bago tuluyang bumaling sa akin.

"Ten years ago when your biological mother trusted you to us. It's true that they've been struggling in their relationship and marriage since it was just pragmatic. Lumala pa nang natuklasan ng mama mo na... may kalaguyo ang iyong ama."

I was caught off guard by the new information revealed to me. They were just in a pragmatic marriage? What was it, a fixed marriage? A marriage for convenience?

"A-Akala ko po... mahal nila ang isa't isa. Nagkalabuan na lang kalaunan?" I said more than asked.

Daddy nodded problematically. "Pero hindi ang papa mo, hija..."

I laughed. But this time, without any vestige of humor. "Fixed marriage. Now, unrequited love was also their thing? My life's a f*****g drama!"

"Michaela!" Mom stormed. "We're talking about your real parents here. Show some respect!"

I snorted. "Respect is earned! I'm not a freaking charity?"

"Mich!" si Daddy na ngayon. "Is that how you should talk to us? Hindi kita pinalaki para bastusin lang ang Mommy mo!"

Totally aggravated now, I was still able to calm my system. Napapikit ako nang mariin. I dropped my forehead on my hands, breathing was still in a heavy manner.

What am I thinking? You just snapped out and crossed the line, Mich! Akala ko ba ay hindi na apektado?!

Pumasada ang saglit na katahimikan. Mom went to the kitchen to get a pitcher of water and three glasses served in a tray. Nilapag niya iyon sa glass table na nasa harapan naming tatlo bago muling nagpatuloy si Daddy.

"Hindi lang kabit ang mayroon ang papa mo noon," he paused. I lifted my face to look at him. "Nalaman ng mama mo na... buntis ang babae, dala-dala sa sinapupunan ang... anak sa labas ng papa mo."

Kinagat ko nang mariin ang labi at muli na lang na yumuko. I was completely controlling my emotions and reactions. Nakumbinsi ko na ang sarili kanina na hihinahon na. I decided not to interfere them again. But what the f**k? It was a sudden blow!

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at muling umahon sa pagkakayuko. Sa sulok ng mga mata, alam kong binabasa nila ang reaksiyon ko. But I maintained my stoic facade. Nagawa ko pang magsalin ng tubig sa baso at madaliang nilagok iyon. Suddenly, I was thirsty for alcohol. I need a f*****g alcohol in my blood now!

"Mich-"

Umiling ako.

"Tuloy niyo lang," lapag ko pabalik ng baso sa mesa.

Mom sighed. Kahit hindi ko na lingunin, alam kong puno na ng pangamba ang hitsura. "Are you sure you want this, anak? We can just... continue tomorrow."

Umiling na lang ulit ako. Kahit ang totoo, tulala na halos sa kawalan.

Dad brushed his hands on his face as he nodded, acknowledging my imaginary determination. But never have I ever thought that his last words... could make a 180-degree-turn in my life in an instant.

"Namatay ang kabit dahil naging delikado ang panganganak. Your mother was desperate for her love. Pinilit niya pa rin ang sarili sa nagluluksa mong ama. The latter had a mental breakdown and was depressed. But your mother's determined to pursue your father despite of that. She's too determined... that she needed to choose between her daughter and her husband. And your mother... chose your father..."

Dahil doon, pansamantala nang tumigil ang mundo ko.

"Iniwan ka sa amin para tutukan ang ama mo. Kasama ang pag-ako sa sanggol ng ibang babae."

All my life, even at a very young age, I was well aware... my tears were never shallow. Ngunit hindi sa pagkakataong iyon. Napatunayan kong mali ako sa pag-aakalang wala na lang ang lahat ng ito sa akin.

For the record, that night was one of the horrible nights of my life that I could ever recall. I wanted to shout. I wanted to curse my parents for abandoning me! I wanted to question my existence! Ano pa ang saysay at silbi ko sa mundo kung sariling mga magulang ko nga, tinalikuran na ako?!

Okay, tanggap ko na sana, e. Matagal na. Matagal ko nang tanggap. But for the love of God, that was before I heard about that damn story! Tanggap ko nang naghiwalay sila at nagluksa ang nanay ko sa pag-iwan sa kanya ng tatay ko, e. Nahirapan na kaya ipinagkatiwala ako sa kaibigan. Pero ang malaman na tinalikuran nila ang sariling anak para sa isang anak sa labas? Ang sarap maging kriminal kahit isang gabi lang!

My foster parents weren't able to stop me from leaving the house after that. I partied. I intoxicated myself to the fullest! Ngunit tuwing naiisip na buti pa ang ibang tao, nagawa akong alagaan at mahalin. Bakit ang sariling mga magulang, pumili pa ng ibang anak para alagaan?

I cried but able to enjoy the night eventually. Pero iiyak ulit tuwing hihinto ang kanta at mahihinto sa pagsayaw. That was a cycle. Iiyak, ngunit lalamunin ulit ng galit kalaunan.

Kaya naman, ubos na ang mga luha pagkauwi nang madaling araw. One shift of my sight to the swarm of evidence, symbolizing that I was indeed an offspring of a musician clan, made my blood boil up even more. Pagkagising na lang noong hapon ding iyon ay nadatnan ko na lang na magulo ang kuwarto. Panay sirang gamit ang paligid. Pero hindi ko pinagsisihan.

"f**k you," I sputtered before flaunting my middle finger, exclusive for those hopeless things.

And just like that, my perception of music was tainted. My concept of my real parents was tarnished.

Fuck this life.

Kasalukuyan akong nakaharap sa salamin. I know I should be hurrying for school. But gone are the days where I still appreciate the beauty of life. I suddenly despised it. It was now a free trial to hell for me.

I blankly stared at my reflection on my vanity mirror as I picked the scissors. People have been always in love with my long, brown and wavy hair, almost just above my waist.

Lol. I was never dramatic and into bandwagons but I think, it just naturally came into me. I wanted my hair short for the better worse of me.

"Hey, beautiful."

My brow shot up just by hearing that familiar boyish and cocky voice when I went to school. Nilipat ko ang bag na hawak mula sa kanang kamay mula sa kabila. It was a crossbody bag but I prefer to hand-carry it for now.

Nilingon ko si Cleo.

Sa totoo lang, hindi na masama ang isang ito. For two years, the whole student body knew he was lowkey hitting up on me. Cleo wasn't that playboy but it was no secret that he's a total flirt. But surprisingly, he's very consistent to me.

He's on the same grade level. Grade 11. Almond eyes, sexy cheekbones, mestiso, cleft chin, jet black wavy shoulder-length hair tied in a low ponytail, and height almost of Emman's, it wasn't a surprise that he could drive every girl in this school crazy for him. He's charming, alright. Sadyang hindi lang ako interesado. Sa akin ang problema.

"I always loved your long hair. But you look fierce in that shortie," he almost whispered.

Sa bawat hakbang na ginagawa niya sa paglapit ay siyang pag-atras ko rin. Nang napansin iyon, napangisi siya at tuluyan na akong kinulong nang nadama ko na ang dingding sa aking likod.

"Shortie," mataman kong ulit sa salitang binanggit niya, biglang may naalalang isang tao dahil sa katagang 'yon.

He dramatically closed his eyes before nodding, hand landed on his chest, animo'y isinasapuso ang unang salita na sinabi ko.

"Uh-huh," he said playfully before opening his eyes again. Hinaplos niya ang dulong hibla ng buhok ko. "But its symmetry seems inconsistent. Saang salon ka ba nagpagupit at parang pinag-tripan lang?"

I crossed my arms. "Ginupitan ko ang sarili ko, Cleo. May problema ba?"

Shock was evident on his face. He chuckled. "On the second thought, it looked aesthetically good on you. You pulled off just fine!"

Romolyo ang mga mata ko. "You like my hair? Gee, thanks. Just bought it," I unconsciously sang. 

Cleo's chuckle roared. "Watta natural singer, darling."

I was stunned, too. It became a habit. I just couldn't... help it. I want it out of my life but I guess it should be in a process, huh?

Tinulak ko na nga sa dibdib ang kausap at napailing na. "Spare me with your jest today, Cleo. I need to go."

"Oops? Not so fast."

Muli niya akong hinarangan. Dahil pa sa pwersa, nauntog pa ako nang kaonti sa pader!

I grunted. "What the-"

"Let's grab a bite later, Mich," halos bulong niya sa tenga ko.

Dahil sa sobrang lapit na ng mukha niya, halos maduling na ako matignan lang siya. Sure, I was tough. But being cornered by an aggressive brute was overpowering my strength!

I glared at him and made sure it was my deadliest.

"Get your face off of me," I said firmly.

His both eyebrows rose in amusement. "I changed my mind. Maybe I'll get my bite now."

Just what the heck? Gulat ko itong tinignan. He's never been bold and aggressive before just now! Anong meron? Dahil patapos na ang klase at bakasyon na naman? But he's not like this for the past years! O baka naman... kumalat na nga ang chismis na aalis na kami sa syudad?

Maddison was quite a name in this city. A news like that would surely create clamor in the vicinity kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung ganoon nga!

I whispered series of soft curses. Cleo displayed his mischievous smile when he noticed my quiver. Ramdam ko na ang pagtataka ng iba pang estudyante sa amin. May ibang nagtatagal ang tingin, napapatigil din pansamantala para makiusisa.

Heck, it was a news! Cleo harassing Mich at the school grounds! Or more like, Mich seducing Cleo with her new hairdo!

Last curse and I immediately prepared for a fit. Tinanaw ko nang mabilis ang kanyang kayamanan at bumwelo. Ngunit akmang iaangat ko pa lang ang tuhod nang may humila na mismo sa likod ng kanyang kuwelyo. Napatikhim ako.

Namilog ang mga mata nang natanaw si Emman. Walang kagusot-gusot ang uniporme at nakasabit ang sling bag sa kanyang kaliwang balikat habang hawak pa rin ang likuran ng kuwelyo ni Cleo.

"Emman!" I jolted and straightened up.

Madamot niyang ginawad ang kanyang tingin sa akin para agad na ibalik ang atensiyon sa lalaking hawak.

"What the? Get your filthy hands off me!" Cleo protested.

"What are you doing?" hindi ko makapaniwalang untag sa kanya, hindi pinapansin ang pagdaing ng biktima.

Muli, isang tipid na tingin bago tuluyang bitawan ang lalaki. Cleo was tall but Emman was way taller and more massive than him. The former shook his shoulder off and fixed his uniform as if Emman put a dirt on it.

Muli itong bumaling sa akin ngunit ang postura, nakahanda na ring umalis.

"I'll see you later, Mich," salubong ang kilay niyang paalam sana. Kung hindi lang hinarangan ni Emman ang dadaanan. Resulta, bumangga si Cleo sa dibdib nito bago pa man tuluyang makaharap sa dinadaanan.

My lips parted at Emman's unpredictable actions. Nasulyapan niya ang litong hitsura ko kaya tinaasan niya muna ako ng kilay bago muling tanawin pababa ang lalaking hinaharangan.

"Cleo, right?" Emman c****d his head.

He looked deadly in that demeanor.

Umismid si Cleo. "Ikaw 'yung baklang umaaligid kay Michaela."

It was evidently not a question. His remark emphasized certainty that made me impressed a bit. But if I were anyone else, I wouldn't say that straight to Emman's face. You wouldn't like the consequence.

Oo at iba nga siguro ang gender orientation ng kaibigan ngunit sa hindi malamang dahilan, tuwing pinaparatangan ng ganoon ay agad na nauubos ang pasensiya.

Cleo pushed Emman's shoulder a bit.

"Tabi."

Arogante.

I scanned the area. I groaned. Pinagtitinginan na kami! But Emman on the other hand just shifted from his weight, animo'y napakaraming oras para dramahan ang bawat galaw!

"Hun, Mich is obviously not interested in your offer. Why don't we..." Sinadya niyang huminto upang silipin ito mulo ulo hanggang paa. At pabalik ulit sa mga mata ni Cleo. "Give it a try? Are you open for versatile camaraderie?"

"You shitass! You're disgusting!"

Emman took a step closer, mukhang tuluyan nang napukaw ang atensiyon. He crouched and rested his right hand on the wall, over Cleo's left shoulder. Gusto kong matawa. Parang pamilyar?

"I'mma s**t your ass if you'd continue that, beautiful," he whispered menacingly to him.

And the next thing I witnessed just made me jolt in surprise. Heck, I almost dropped my jaw when Emman sensually grabbed Cleo's butt cheek... and slapped it!

What the f**k!

"I guarantee I suck d**k better than any girls you've ever been with," huli niyang bulong bago kumuha ng isang card sa kanyang bulsa at lagay noon sa loob ng inner shirt ng tulalang Cleo. "Call me when you made up your mind, hun. Adios."

Another what the f**k!

Naestatwa na ako sa kinatatayuan. Nang hindi na nakagalaw pa, si Emman na mismo ang tumangay sa akin kalaunan. Kailangan ko pang kumurap nang ilang beses bago muling balikan ng ulirat.

Sa kalagitnaan ng paglalakad ay agad kong tinanaw si Emman. His left hand was holding the sling of his bag habang nakasabit pa rin sa balikat. Samantalang ang kanang kamay, napapamasahe sa ibaba ng parehong kilay, para bang dismayadong-dismayado sa sarili.

Saglit akong napatingin sa kisame ng hallway at hindi makapaniwalang umiling. The more I keep on understanding it, the more I couldn't believe it!

"Nasa school tayo, Emman!" Nasabi ko na rin sa wakas.

Hinintay niya munang makalagpas na kami nang tuluyan sa hagdan bago magsalita. Nilingon ko siya. Umangat ang kanyang dibdib nang mukhang humugot ng malalim na hininga.

"What do you want me to say? Na nangati ako kaya ko iyon nagawa? That I wasn't able to control the butterfly?" iritado niyang tanong sa tanong ko.

My forehead creased. "Bakit mo kasi ginawa? Baka ma-report ka. Alam mong conservative ang ekuwelahang ito!"

He halted from his walk so I was obliged to stop, too. Mariin na ang tingin niya sa akin. Lumagpas pa nga iyon nang umalpas ang tingin niya mula sa tuktok ng aking ulo patungo sa dulong hibla ng buhok ko na dalawang pulgada pa ata ang agwat mula sa balikat ko.

Emman pulled his eyebrows into a crease before dropping his eyes on me. "You look stupid. Halatang walang fashion sense. Sana sinagad mo na at nag-pixie cut ka?"

I grimaced. "Bakit ang taray? Sabi ni Cleo ay ayos lang naman. New look. Fiercer look," rason ko na ikinataas ng kanyang kilay.

"Cleo, huh?" he then smirked without humor.

Naparolyo ako ng mga mata. "What do you mean by that?"

"You're willing to sacrifice your hair to win his favor?"

"What? No way!" I dodged. "Sinabi niya iyon kanina! I cut my hair because-"

Umawang ang bibig ko nang natauhan. Sa huli, tinikom ko na lang ang bibig at hindi na tinapos pa ang nakatiwangwang na pangungusap.

His brow shot up. "Because?"

Bahagyang huminahon ang kanyang boses na ikinabigla ko nang kaonti. Umiling ako. Hindi ko pa nakukuwento sa kanila ang nangyari. At pananatilihin kong ganoon iyon. They'll get worried. I don't want to be a burden.

"Because it's summer. Mainit!" alibi ko.

Emman's eyes narrowed at me. "It's almost rainy season, Mich. Plus, I remember you throwing a fit whenever someone touches your sensitive hair. You're always so protective of it and now..." Napailing na siya.

"What's the meaning of this?" mataman niyang tanong.

Damn. He knows me too well. I took away my gazes. But he was able to get it back by just simply putting his index finger on my chin and pushing it sidewards for me to met his eyes again.

"Aside from friends, I'm thinking of two angles," sa malamyos niyang ingles. "Family or music? Which one, Michaela," he commanded more than asked.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa sahig kasabay ng pagbaba ko rin ng kanyang kamay. Bumalik na naman sa alaala ko ang nangyari noong gabing iyon. I tried so hard to burry that memory six feet under the ground. But maybe... I was too obvious, huh?

Agad kumalat ang paninibugho sa buong sistema ko. Pagak akong tumawa at tinulak nang bahagya ang dibdib ni Emman, pinipilit magmukhang palabiro.

But no use. He looked even more intently at me. Sinuklay ko nang kaonti ang buhok at kunwaring sinundan iyon ng tingin na animo'y abot pa rin ng mga mata ko ang haba noon.

"Do I still look beautiful?" I asked.

Naglakbay ang mga mata ko patungo sa kanyang mukha para tignan ang ekspresyon. Ang gwapong nilalang talaga. Lalo na kapag istrikto ang hitsura. Kumunot ang kanyang noo kasabay ng pag-igting ng panga. Tss. Akala siguro nilalamangan na naman siya!

"Oo," mariin ngunit marahan na niyang sabi.

Lalong lumawak ang ngisi ko. "Talaga?"

My eyes glimmered. But not until he rolled his eyes heavenwards!

"I'm prettier!"

Halos maubo ako. Man! For a sec I thought there's a progress for my hope he could still transform to a straight guy! He looks virile but not until he opens his damn savage mouth!

"You're just good at sucking d***s! It's not a license to be pretty! Ako pa rin ang lamang, ako ang pinapasukan!"

His glared more lethal as if I offended him or something. "Every ounce of pleasure on your man adds glimmer to your beauty."

"Sucking d***s or pleasure service, I don't need any. Mine doesn't need any kinds of addition," I said, both hands tapping my cheeks.

"You don't need any. You're not even interested with hookups. Hindi ka pa marunong. Masyado pang mura ang isip."

"You're underestimating my skills! Turuan mo ako kung ganoon. Para makita natin!"

Kung nakakamatay lang ang titig, nasa purgatoryo na ako ngayon. Alam kong kaya pa niya akong barahin ngunit wala nang dumating. He just reached for his nose bridge and massaged it stressfully.

"We're straying far from the topic, shortie," he scoffed.

Umusbong ang nguso ko. Akmang ibubuka ko na sana ulit ang bibig nang may isang kaklase ang nakapansin sa amin.

"Uy, Mich! Nahanap din kita sa wakas."

Umayos ako ng tayo at sinilip si Emman. Napailing na lang siya at humakbang nang kaonti para bigyan ng espasyo ang kaklase.

"May offer sana ako," sambit nito nang nakalapit na pagkatapos batiin ang kasama.

"Ano 'yon, Marie?" walang gana kong tanong nang naramdaman ko kung tungkol saan ang alok.

She giggled and scratched her nape a bit. "Kasal na kasi ng ate ko next, next month. Naghahanap kami ng singer para sa kasal at nagkataong nabanggit kita." She reached for my hand and wiggled it to coax. "Available ka ba sa-"

"Hindi na ako natanggap ng gigs, Marie. Sorry," I cut her off with finality before pulling back my hand.

Mukhang nagulat ang kaklase sa pagtanggi ko sa kanyang alok. She might think it was something personal to her. Paano ba naman kasi, tuwing may ganyang imbitasyon ang ibang kaklase o kamag-aral ay agad na ineenganyo. Sa kanya lang ang tinanggihan ko.

I don't have the best reputation in school, alright. But I at least want to be civil and modest. Kaya naman ngumiti ako nang tipid at tinapik ang kanyang balikat.

"'Wag mong dibdibin, Marie. Bukod sa wala ka noon, sadyang hindi na ako tumatanggap ng gig simula ngayon. Sana mapatawad mo ako," pabiro kong sambit sabay pagak na tawa.

Nagawa niya namang ikurba ang mga labi. Ngunit nang nagpaalam na sa paalis, alam kong may pagdududa pa rin sa naging resulta.

Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako, napagpasyahang pumunta na rin sa room. Ngunit hindi pa man ako nakakahakbang, mabilis akong napigilan ni Emman nang hawakan niya ang braso ko.

"What happened, Michaela," sa seryoso na niyang tono.

Napasuklay na ako ng buhok gamit ang kamay at marahang napasabunot muna bago siya tuluyang harapin.

His eyes were piercing through me with complete authority and sincerity at the same time. And for a moment, I suddenly want to... wrap myself with somebody's arms. Kaya iyon ang ginawa ko.

I released his hold on my arm and threw myself to him. He stiffened a bit. But later on, he pacified. Hinayaan niya akong lubusin ang pagkakataong iyon. I was never clingy or touchy. Kaya siguro... gulat man, pinagbigyan na rin ako.

I closed my eyes and tightened my hug even more. His familiar fragrance invaded my senses. A combination of shower gel, expensive perfume, and natural scent of his clothes.

Tinawa ko ang sitwasyon ko at tiningala siya.

"I-I discovered that my parents... neglected me. But were able to... raise the illegitimate, Emman..."

Natigilan siya sa narinig. Napansin kong lumalim ang iniisip niya at napuno ng pagtataka ang hitsura.

"Saan mo nalaman 'yan?" mas mariin niyang tanong.

"From my foster parents..." halos bulong ko sa hangin.

"Why... out of a sudden?"

Unti-unting kumunot ang noo ko nang taliwas ang naging reaksiyon niya sa inaasahan ko. I was actually expecting him to soothe me for sympathizing with my unfortunate turn of fate. Not this capricious interrogations!

"I-I don't know. Maybe because they noticed I suddenly became more curious about them the past weeks," sagot ko pa rin, kahit nahihiwagaan na sa kanyang reaksiyon.

"You're curious now..." he said more than asked.

Tumango ako at sinubukan nang kumalas sa yakap ngunit parang bakal ang mga braso ni Emman, hindi man lang gumalaw kahit sa kaonting puwersang ginawa ko.

I looked at him with curious eyes but he was too engrossed with our discussion that any move should be restrained for now, to attend to his allegations.

"G-Ganoon na nga," tikhim ko.

His adam's apple moved when he swallowed hard. Nang natauhan ata'y saka lang lumayo nang kaonti.

He crouched a bit. Nailayo ko ang mukha nang bahagya dahil sa gulat.

"Don't stress yourself too much. It might... harm you," he whispered meaningfully.

Gulong-gulo man, nagawa ko pa ring itango nang mabagal ang ulo, animo'y masunuring paslit.

The corner of his lips slightly rose. And before I could even react, Emman already planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Don't suicide. Tuturuan pa kita kung paano sumubo," he uttered mischievously before turning his back, leaving me off guard!

What the heck? I was just kidding! Paano namang turo ang gagawin ng bakulaw na iyon??

"Anong method, Emman!" habol ko sa kanya. "Written ba, virtual, o oral?!"

Nagawa ko pang tumawa. He glanced at me over his shoulder before sneering.

"Practical test. Luhod ka. Five minutes, walang malisya."

"Leche ka!"

He just gave out a harsh bark of laughter before shaking his head for my vulgarity.

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ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ:

Gabriela Bee - I'll Be There (Cover)

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April 10, 2020