Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

Raven and I decided to sleep next to each other. We didn’t have a choice because that’s the only available room. I put a pillow in between us so that we wouldn’t be that close. Even in my sleep, I was thinking of Laurel. 

The next day, I woke up with no one beside me. I looked around the room and even downstairs until I realized that Ivan has already left for work. He’s not studying anymore while I’m in my last year. I just toasted a slice of bread for breakfast and decided to buy a coffee on my way to school. 

When I arrived, si Laurel kagad ang una kong hinanap pero hanggang sa natapos ang lahat ng klase ko, hindi ko man lang siya nakita. I don’t have a driver because our parents thought that Raven will always drop me off, e iniwan nga lang ako ng isang ‘yon. I rolled my eyes while walking towards the waiting shed. I’m planning to take a taxi so I could go home fast. 

The house was dark and empty when I arrived. He’s not home and I have all the time and space just for myself. I took a bath first before going down. Pinakealaman ko na rin ang kusina dahil nagugutom na ako. I decided to cook tinolang manok and while cooking, I thought of Raven.

Idadamay ko na ba siya rito?

Umirap ako at dinamihan nalang ang niluto. 

Nauna na akong kumain dahil ang tagal niya at hindi rin naman kailangang sabay kami laging kumain. We made a deal to mind each other’s businesses. Nilinis ko na rin ang kinainan at umakyat na pero ilang minuto lang ay bumaba akong muli dahil hindi ako mapakali. I looked at the clock and my brows shot up when I saw that it’s already 10 pm. 

I sat on the couch, not knowing what to do. I don’t have a phone with me. Balak kong bumili pero hindi ko pa alam kung kailan. I tapped my fingernails on my leg while staring at the door… and then I realized, what the hell am I doing? Why am I even here?

I heaved a deep sigh and was about to stand up when the door opened, revealing Raven with his coat hanging on his arm. I swallowed when our eyes met but he acted as if he didn’t see me. He walked past me and went straight to the kitchen.

Hindi ko alam ang gagawin, susundan ko ba siya o ano? I don’t know! 

I cleared my throat. “I cooked tinola.” ‘Yon lamang ang lumabas sa bibig ko. Raven gazed at me while drinking. Tumango lang siya at umalis na sa kusina. Kumunot naman ang noo ko.

Hindi niya ba ako narinig?

“I said I cooked dinner. Hindi mo ba ako narinig?” tanong ko nang akmang aakyat na siya. 

“I’m full,” he coldly said before finally going upstairs. My fist clenched because of his answer.

Okay, fine! Nagma-magandang loob lang naman ako! Inis kong niligpit ang niluto at nilagay nalang sa ref para bukas. Hindi na rin muna ako umakyat dahil paniguradong gising pa siya. 

When the clock hit 12, I decided to go upstairs. Paniguradong tulog na siya at hindi niya mararamdamang naroon ako. Dahan-dahan ko pang binuksan ang pinto, only to find out that he’s still wide awake. His eyes darted on me but it went back to his laptop. Pumasok na ako nang tuluyan at naglakad palapit sa kama. He’s typing something and the only noise you can hear is his keyboard. 

Hihiga na sana ako nang matanto ko kung ano ang hawak niya. Humarap ako sakaniya. “Akala ko ba wala kang laptop? You’re a liar!” 

He didn’t look at me and just continued typing down. I glared at him and grabbed a pillow. Binato ko ‘yon sakaniya at saka ko lang nakuha ang atensyon niya. 

“The hell is your problem?!” he asked with a pissed tone. 

“I was asking you and you just ignored me! Are you deaf?!” Pinandilatan ko siya. He massaged his temples and then he ruffled his hair. 

“Ano naman kung may laptop ako?” 

I almost cursed him. “Idiot, you said you didn’t have one! Alam mong kailangan ko para maka-usap si Laurel!” I threw him another pillow and this time; he caught it and threw it back to me. I cursed him even more. 

“This is the company’s laptop and I only use it for work and nothing more.” Inayos niya na ang laptop at nilagay sa bed side table. Hinawakan ko ang braso niya at sabay kaming natigilan. He looked at my hand and I pulled back immediately.

What was I thinking? Gosh, Archella!

“Lend me your laptop. I need to talk to Laurel,” sabi ko pero hindi niya ako pinansin. Humiga na siya at hinarangan ang mukha niya gamit ang braso. “I really need to talk to him!” 

“Sleep, Archella,” matigas niyang sabi. 

“Don’t you feel bad for your cousin—”

“Shut up.” 

Annoyed, I laid down and turned my back on him. Anong mahirap sa pagpapahiram? Alam niya namang kailangan ko para maka-usap ang pinsan niya pero ang damot-damot niya! 

Because of what he did, I planned to wake up so early so I could access his laptop. And just like what I planned, he was in deep sleep when I got out of bed. It’s 3:30 in the morning and I bet he’s in dreamland. I tiptoed on my way to his side table while glancing at him to make sure that he was still sleeping. Napalunok ako nang mariin nang mahawakan ko ang laptop niya. I slowly lifted it up but my eyes widened in horror when he suddenly held my arm, stopping me. 

“What do you think you’re doing?” His bedroom voice sent shivers down to my spine. I tried to look away and make excuses but I was so guilty! Binitawan ko na ang laptop at lalabas na sana pero napatili nalang ako nang bumangon siya at hinila ako sa beywang. “Were you trying to get my laptop while I was asleep?” 

“I… I just wanted to check something!” I tried to make an excuse. 

“Uh-huh?” He pulled me back to bed and forced me to lay down. He put a pillow in between us and then he gave me a warning look. “Stop it and go back to sleep, Archella.” 

“Bakit ba ayaw mong magpahiram? I thought it’s okay if I talk to Laurel? That laptop is the only way but you’re stopping me from using it!” Hindi ako nagpatalo dahil naalala ko pa ang sinabi niya na ayos lang sakaniya kung mag-usap kami ni Laurel!

“You can talk to him…” 

“And I want it now!” 

“But not right now. Let him be for the meantime and I will tell him myself—” Napabangon ako sa narinig. No, he’s not serious!

“No! You’re not telling him! I should be the one to tell him!” I fought.

I should be the one to tell Laurel because I need to tell him that I didn’t want this marriage. I need him to know the reason why I was chained to this!

“I am his brother.” He looked at me with anger. 

“I am his girlfriend!” I shot back. His jaw clenched. 

“Just shut up and go back to sleep. Ang aga-aga, ang ingay mo." Tinalikuran niya na ako at natulog na siya ulit. Hindi na rin ako nagtangkang kuhanin ang laptop niya dahil alam kong mahuhuli lang din ako.

Raven left early for work. Hindi na namin naaabutan ang isa't isa at okay lang 'yon. Maaga rin akong lumabas ng school dahil wala ng klase. 

"Arc, sama ka? Tagaytay raw, libre ni Josh!" A blockmate suddenly appeared beside me. I looked at my wristwatch and pouted. It's just 2:30 pm, pwede naman siguro akong sumama, 'di ba? At wala namang nagsabing bawal ako gumala.

"Sure," I answered. 

Sumama nga ako sa kanila. Hindi kami lahat close pero kilala naman naming lahat ang isa't isa. I don't have any idea why they planned to go here. I hugged myself because I'm wearing a sleeveless. 

"Here." Biglang lumapit ang isang kakilala at inilahad sa akin ang jacket niya. 

"Uh, no thanks," tanggi ko at ngumiti. 

"Sige na, nilalamig ka na oh!" Ayaw ko naman talaga tanggapin pero makulit siya kaya sinuot ko na rin. 

We just admired the view, ate, and took pictures. It was already 6 pm and I'm still with my block mates. Nandito kami ngayon sa condo ng isa naming friend. Gusto ko na sanang umuwi but that means seeing Raven again. That's why I decided to join them and stay until 10 pm. Well, it wasn't my plan to stay that long but I got carried away. 

"Oh my god, it's almost midnight!" I said when I saw the time. Tumayo ako kagad at binaba ang beer na hawak. I drank two bottles and got so carried away with their stories that I didn't notice the time! "I need to go home," sabi ko sakanila at kagad na tumayo si Amara. 

"I'll drive! Uuwi na rin ako." 

I rode with Amara and she dropped me off in front of the house. She looked so confused and I couldn't say anything. I just bid goodbye and went inside without making any noise.

Is he home already?

I slowly closed the door, being careful to not make a sound but my heart almost jumped out of my ribcage when I suddenly heard a deep and angry voice just behind me. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko.

"Where were you? Do you know what time it is?" I looked at Raven and he was fuming mad! 

"I was with my blockmates."

"It's already midnight, Archella. Alas dos ang labas mo sa school. Really? You spent almost half of your day with your block mates?!"

"Oo nga! Ano ba ang problema mo?! Hindi ba't walang pakealamanan?!" I yelled at him because he's being nonsense right now!

He looked shocked and pissed with what I just said. He then kicked the chair that was in front of me and went upstairs. I watched him with dark eyes.

What is wrong with him?

...