Chapter 30
Family
That night, lights were dancing before my eyes and sounds echoing in my ears. I chuckled languidly when I noticed how unstable my walk was.
"Lumi," Paul laughed on my left ear as he pulled me closer to him.
Bilang suporta at panangga sa mga nakakasalubong, balot na balot ng kanyang braso ang aking katawan habang naglalakad. Sa gilid kami dumaan, medyo tago para siguro hindi na masyadong makaabala sa ibang nagkakasiyahan doon.
"Wear this," he whispered before kissing my ear.
"Hmmm," I winced.
Oh. It tickled!
He draped his suit over my shoulders.
I smiled, closing my eyes wishing it could help lessen the harshness in my head. But unexpectedly, when Paul made a sudden halt, I groaned as I slapped my palm over my forehead.
"W-What-"
Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin nang biglang tumilapon si Paul sa sahig.
Napasinghap ako at sindak na dinu
Warning: Please be advised that this chapter contains mature content not suitable for young audiences.--Chapter 31Satisfaction"... Lumien Agapito!"After my valedictory speech, a deafening round of applause filled the whole gymnasium.I went down the stage only to be welcomed by Azalea, Kobe, Tito Archie, and Ma'am Rietta."Congratulations, hija!" Tito clapped thrice while dramatically nodding his head as if he's giving me a satisfactory compliment.Natawa ako at nagpasalamat. Niya
Warning: Please be advised that this chapter contains mature content not suitable for young audiences.--Chapter 32Little BoyChazz being true to his words, I never saw him again. Tuwing magkakasalubong sa University ay agad liliko ng daan. Kapag nasa iisang party ay aalis din agad.Hindi na ako nagulat na pagkatapos ng unang taon ko sa kolehiyo, nagpalipat na siya ng school at tuluyan nang nagpaalam sa akin.Even after that day, boys began approaching me when they heard about our break up. But I didn't entertain any of them.I decide
Chapter 33Move OutSa mga sandaling napako ang tingin ko sa mga matang iyon, mabilis na rumagasa ang masasalimuot na alaala ng nakaraan sa isip. Mga alaalang matagal ko nang sinumpa at tinalikuran.Subalit hanggang ngayon, para bang kahapon lamang nangyari ang lahat. Klaro pa ang mga binitawan niyang salita noong araw na iyon. Natanto ko na kahit anong gawin kong pamimilog sa sarili, lumipas man ang ilang taon, ay sariwa pa rin ang mga naiwang sugat dito.Mga sugat. Pero hindi pa sila nakuntento. Binudburan pa nila ng asin at kumukulong mantika sa pamamagitan ng patong-patong na kasamaan at panlilinlang.What have I done bad to make them punish me like this? Have I been too... easy?I worked my jaw and clenched my fists as soon as Victor turned his back to me, too. Walang sabi-sabi itong umalis upang lisanin ang buong bulwagan. Iniwan ako at ang iba pang mga trabahante sa labis na pagkasindak.
Chapter 34UnmaskMy luggages were already in Lascano's mansion. They brought it with them when they left the Castellano's residence last night.Ngayon, sa pagsapit ng Lunes, mas maaga akong bumangon para mamasyal sa dalampasigan. Naisip ko, gusto ko munang dumalaw rito bago tuluyang pumasok sa eskuwela. Bago tuluyang lisanin ang lugar na ito."Azul..." My subtle words were hushed by the wind.A small smile put a curve on my lips as I sat on the sands. It's actually been a while since I last came here.Naalala ko, noong bata ako, dito rin ak
Chapter 35DespiseMy whole face contorted in utter confusion, as if Mama just cracked a joke, a prank or some sort."Senyor Donatello and that... Duccio, twins?" Pinigilan kong matawa.Naalala ko ang nakitang litrato noon sa album. I was convinced that the one he was with in that photo was his twin brother. Magkamukha ang dalawang lalaki sa picture. At hindi rin lingid sa aking kaalaman na maliban kay Senyor Danilo, may isa pa silang kapatid.Kaso lang ay kailanman, hindi ko pa rin nakikilala, sa mukha man o pangalan, ang isa pang Senyor, ang kakambal ng yumaong Senyor Donatello. Kahit ngayo
Chapter 36Epiphany (Part 1)I can't believe this is happening. This thick faced moron. This fake douchebag who is supposed to be a dotard in nature is now in front of me."D-Duke?" I coated my face with a startled facade.The view of him smiling in relief disgusts the hell out of me. I gnashed my teeth and gripped on my phone tighter.Ito ang lalaking lumabag kay Mama. Ang hayop na nagsindi ng ningas upang sumiklab ang kalunos-lunos na trahedyang sumunog sa aming kasaysayan. Ang simbolismo ng bangungot sa aming lahi.Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin lubusang maisip na maging ako ay nahulog din sa kanyang bitag. I should've fucking known.What's his motive? He wants to repeat the history? But this time, using me?Fuck him! Pare-pareho lang sila! Nakakadiri! Nakakasulasok!I can't believe that I let myself be fooled by this good for nothing fossil! Na siya ring tiyuhin ng la
Chapter 37Epiphany (Part 2)Pagkatapos noon ay hinila na ako ni Ate patungo sa kanyang tabi, agad sumalubong sa akin ang mukha nila ni Kobe."That bitch?!" she scoffed.Inilingan ko na lang iyon at nawalan na lalo ng imik sa paglipas ng oras.The program progressed.Naging busy si Tito para sa mga speech, awarding, at recognition sa lahat ng mga naging kasapi ng proyektong ito. Maya't maya ang palakpakan habang nanatili lang kaming nakaupo.I got bored. I drank in my wine which I seldom ta
Chapter 38QuestionsI feel numb and sick. Hindi ko na sigurado kung pang-ilang ulit ko nang binasa ang liham na iyon.The precise handwriting, the signature. And most especially, the familiar phrases Zaro used to keep on telling me when he got back here. Lahat ng iyon ay natagpuan ko sa sulat.Lahat ng iyon ay tumugma sa wakas, bagay na hindi kayang taglayin ng liham na natanggap ko dati kay Nana.The two letters are so alike, but except for the intention. They are very opposite.Still crystal clear, the one I received more than three years ago was maliciously rude. It was roughly constructed as if it intended to persecute me.Well, it did. And even though it has been a long time ago, it still... haunts me.The vengeful shadows of the past still visit me like a persistent nightmare. The reason why Zaro has been always the face of my traumas since then. I blamed him for all these