Chapter 2:

To: Macy

Ah, ayon ba? I thought it is something important.

From: Macy

What do you mean? Spill the tea!!

I let out a sigh and rolled my eyes before shaking my head. People these days are so nosy. They could not even mind their own problems.

They love poking their noses into other people’s business, always looking for something to criticize—almost like it’s a hobby for them.

I went back inside and told one of the helpers to bring food to my room since I planned to binge-watch tonight. It was our break this week, so I might as well enjoy the whole week without stressing over anything.

Nakadekwatro akong namimili ng papanoorin habang kanina pa vibrate nang vibrate ang cellphone kong nasa babasaging lamesa. It was probably Macy. She liked knowing all the gossips in our school.

Though I hated how nosy she was, she was still useful to me. Luckily, she was open-minded and not as judgmental as the others.

Kinuha ko ang malaking bowl ng popcorn at pinatong sa throw pillow na nasa aking kandungan at nanood ng palabas kahit naiirita na ako sa cellphone ko.

Nang matapos sa pinapanood ay tsaka ko lang hinawakan muli ang cellphone. I was bombarded with messages from different people. But it was mostly from Macy, still eager to know what really happened.

Oo nga naman. It's better to ask me directly rather than rely on other people who don’t really know what actually happened.

So, I filled her in the necessary details through FaceTime. She was shocked but laughed in the end as she shook her head, probably thinking it was all ridiculous and how petty the issue was.

"Pero gusto mo rin naman siya 'di ba? Kasi nakukwento mo nga saakin. But what was exactly the reason of rejecting him?"

I pressed my lips together. I thought naman naintindihan niya lahat ng mga sinabi ko dahil tutok na tutok siya sa mga lumalabas sa bibig ko and she was even nodding!

I was already out of breath from all the talking. Though I couldn’t blame her for asking again—my storytelling was a bit all over the place.

I was being cautious because Yus was involved. I don't want to get him involved in my relationships since he had his own. At baka mas lalo lang lumayo ang loob ng girlfriend niya saakin.

She let out an awkward chuckle. "Sorry. Maraming loopholes e, and I am also comparing what I heard about them"

I blinked a few times. "Why? Ano bang narinig mo sa kanila?"

She let out a sigh before leaning back in her seat. She was in a coffee shop, probably having a self-study right now.

"Na ginawa mo lang daw pampalipas si Kaleb at nakikipag hang out ka pa raw sa ibang lalaki bukod sa kaniya," she said.

See!? Nagkanda halo halo na. Masyado ng malayo sa totoong kwento. Hay naku!

I let out a chuckle because I found it ridiculous. "Pampalipas? He was my suitor. He should atleast be happy dahil ilang beses ko siyang pinalagpas. Ngayon ko lang talaga siya kinausap dahil nakapag desisyon na ako,"

She nodded, totally agreeing with me. "Exactly. Atsaka hindi ko rin ma gets yung iba. Bakit parang ang sama ng tingin nila sa mga babaeng maraming manliligaw,"

"Maybe because they are insecure," I said.

"Atsaka anong maraming manliligaw, Macy. In my entire life, apat palang ang sumubok na lumapit saakin" I added.

She let out a laugh. "Because of Prius! You know how he is so protective of him to you,"

Prius na naman. Lagi nalang.

I clicked my tongue out of annoyance. "Hay naku! Ayoko na nga. Rinding rindi na tenga ko kakabanggit n'yo sa pangalan niya,"

Hindi na rin nagtagal ang usapan namin dahil nagpaalam na siya.

Macy was a year older than me and clearly knew how to make good use of her time—unlike me, who was just sitting around, doing nothing.

–

"Oh. Bakit busangot ang mukha mo?"

I looked at the person who entered the dining hall. I was eating dinner alone since my mother told me not to wait for her, as she was still on her way. I wanted to wait for her, but I couldn’t take it anymore—my stomach hurt too much from hunger.

Bumalik tuloy sa isip ko ang mga napag usapan namin kanina ni Macy. Yus was like a brother to me. And I was a sister to him too.

We practically grew up together. We were the same age, and my mom’s friend introduced her son to me—Yus.

"Hay, just looking at your face makes me irritated," I said as I shook my head.

His left brow raised, confused and offended at the same time. "Ano na namang ginawa ko?"

Kinuha ko muna ang babasaging baso na may lamang malamig na tubig upang inumin ito bago nagsalita muli. "Prius. Prius. Prius. Lagi ka nalang dawit sa issues ko,”

Naupo siya sa tapat ko at sinenyasan ko ang napadaang helper na hainan din siya ng pagkain. The helper smiled and obliged. Yus said his gratitude before looking back to me again.

"What issue? What's new, anyways" then chuckled.

I glared at him. "They all think that na nakalaan ka saakin kapag lumipas na ang maraming taon kaya ngayon palang ay parang nambabakod kana. I hate them. I hate how they messed up the real issue," I said irritatedly.

He nodded. "Ah, kay Kaleb ba? Akala ko naman importante," then snorted.

I let out a sigh again. Kung alam lang nila kung gaano ka walang pake ang lalaking 'to sa mga nangyayari ay baka magbago na ang tingin nila saakin.

"Ano naman daw ang sagot ni Kaleb?" he asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. Walang nasabi si Macy tungkol kay Kaleb. Puro patama saakin ang mga nasabi niya saakin. Para tuloy may ginawa akong masama.

"Ayan ang mahirap kapag sikat e. Aabot talaga sa punto na pagbubuntungan ka talaga ng mga babae niya," he said.

The helper entered the dining hall again and served Yus his food before excusing herself.

Kaleb was an athlete. The captain of the basketball team, to be exact. We talked casually before because I got invited a lot to different parties and he was sometimes there.

I found him cute and a little funny, so I gave him a chance when he said he liked me. Then we talked for a few weeks before asking me to be my suitor.

I said 'yes' because finally someone would be my first, so I was excited. Akala ko magiging maayos pero hindi pala. Nakulitan ako sa pagiging pala tanong niya at minsan ay kinokontrol niya na ako.

What I hated the most were people who manipulated others—those who acted like they had the authority to be superior and control someone else's life like a puppet.

"Take this opportunity to reflect on your past decisions and learn from them, Azalea" he said in a serious tone.

Tonong minsan niya lang gamitin saakin. I sighed heavily and nodded. He had a point and I really should reflect tonight.

–

We were inside the theater room when somebody knocked before opening the door. I was leaning on his chest as we watched a science fiction movie–his favorite genre. Dumungaw ako para tignan kung sino ang kumatok.

"Ma'am, Sir, nakauwi na po si Madam. Hinahanap nya raw po kayo," she said.

Agad akong umayos ng upo ganoon rin si Prius bago sabay na lumabas pagkatapos niyang i-pause ang pinapanood.

"Heto na po sila, Madam"

I looked at Mommy near the foyer. She was still wearing her corporate attire. White blazer with gold buttons and white slacks.

"Oh, hijo. Nandito ka rin pala. Nagsabay na kayo kumain?"

We both nodded.

"Good evening, Tita" he greeted before they exchanged a quick hug.

"Good evening rin. Nasaan ang Mommy mo at bakit ikaw lang nandito?"

Yus let out a chuckle. "Hindi pa po nakakauwi ng bansa. Sa susunod pa pong linggo ang uwi,"

Mommy was looking at him as she listened before nodding. "Ay, oo nga pala. Nasabi niya nga saakin. Ngayon ko lang naalala," then chuckled.

Lumapit naman ako kay Mommy para halikan siya sa pisngi. "Eat your dinner na, mommy. Anong oras na oh,"

She excused herself after that. Kailangan niya na nga raw magpahinga ng maaga dahil marami pa siyang inaasikaso kaya inutos ko nalang na ihatid ang pagkain niya sa kwarto. Then we went back to the theater room to finish the movie.

"Bukas pupunta kami sa Ayala para mag golf, gusto mo bang sumama?" he asked after the movie.

"Sino sino kayo?" I asked, not that interested.

I don't know how to play golf, I just enjoy watching people who play it.

Inabot ko ang remote sa lamesa at naghanap muli ng bagong papanoorin. I scrolled and scrolled until I found a good movie.

"Sila Rafael,"

I leaned on his chest again when the movie started. "Ano 'yan?" he asked, pertaining to the movie.

"Malay ko rin. Pinindot ko lang,"

"Sila Rafael? Walang babae?" I added.

Kung sila sila lang ay ayoko. Mabuburyo lang ako kapag wala akong makakausap na talagang makaka relate. Yes, I love having the attention of boys, but I don't enjoy their company that much.

"Meron. Kasama nila mga girlfriend nila at pinsan," he said then shifted on his seat, making my head fall slightly near his abdomen.

"Umayos ka nga muna saglit," he said, so I sit up. He put a throw pillow on his lap before tapping it, so I lay my head again and watched the movie sideways.

"What time ba 'yon? Kung hapon, ayoko. Masyadong mainit," I said.

"Hindi ko alam. Wait," then grabbed his phone from the armrest.

Before he went home, he reminded me that we were going to Ayala tomorrow. He said we’d be playing in the evening. But what caught my attention was the look on his face when he said it—I couldn't help but wonder why.

"Hindi sasama si Azalea bukas kung hapon daw," He said over the phone.

"Huh?" he paused. "Akala ko ba...sige, sige" then he ended the call.

"Nagbago rin pala sila ng schedule. Gabi na raw," He said with brows furrowed.

I nodded. "Sige, sama ako"

Tapos na kami manood ngayon at hinatid ko na siya sa labas. They lived next door, so he can always go here whenever he wants to.

And it was also very convenient for me. I watched him walk away with a confused face and murmuring something to himself after reminding me of our agenda for tomorrow.

–

I opened the glass door after finishing my shower and headed straight to the sink. I looked at my reflection before carefully starting my night skincare routine.

While waiting for my skin to absorb the products, I changed into my black silk sleepwear set and did a quick meditation, which helped me fall asleep faster.

Bago ko pa nga tuluyang pinikit ang mga mata ay may naalala ako. I had to reflect tonight, but I still closed my eyes, even though my mind wants to do that. May susunod na araw pa naman kaya ayos lang.

–

"Sakto ang pagbaba mo. I am about to eat breakfast," Mommy said when she saw me entering the dining hall.

She was all dressed up now, ready to leave after this breakfast. I glanced at her from head to toe before walking toward my chair. She was wearing a white skirt suit complemented by her pearl pieces of jewelry, hair tied into a French twist bun, and a pair of beige heels.

"Mommy, I don't think your hairdo suits your outfit. Mas maganda kapag nakabuhayhay or low ponytail," I suggested, then took a sip of my water first before eating my waffles with butter and maple syrup.

Her brows furrowed a bit before touching her hairdo. "I like this hairdo better. I hate when my hair touches my nape while I'm working, anak"

I nodded. Okay, Fair enough.

"By the way, Mommy, we are going to Ayala later to play golf. So, we will be home late"

She nodded a bit, then took a bite of her sourdough bread with butter. "As long as you're with Prius, I'm fine"

My lips stretched, forming a smile.

Pagkatapos niya kumain at mag ayos muli ay lumapit siya saakin para bumeso at nagpaalam na.

"Ate, can you prepare my clothes and my bath na?" I asked when one of the helper took my plate and such. She nodded with pursed lips, so I smiled at her.

While they prepared my bath and clothes, I stepped out into the front yard for a walk and some fresh air. I needed my daily dose of vitamin D.

I was admiring the plants and flowers when a car passed by our house. I didn’t realize it was Auntie Dani’s car at first, so I took a second glance. She’s finally back!