Lahat ng Kabanata ng University Series 1: Tangled Ties (Tagalog): Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 19

“Truth or dare, Lau?”Napatingin ako sa kaklaseng nangisi sa akin habang hawak ang bote sa gitna ng table. The whole class was gathered inside one of the log cabins assigned for us on the trip, some playing card games, others drinking, and the rest—like me—forced into this stupid game.I should’ve just gone straight to my room.“I’m not playing,” malamig kong sabi at tumayo na sana para umalis, pero agad akong hinila pabalik ni Lenie.“Oh, come on! Just one round,” she pleaded, eyes wide with amusement. “Game lang ‘to, an besides, ikaw na lang ang hindi natatapatan,”“Yeah, Lau,” another classmate smirked. “Don’t be such a killjoy. Unless… you’re hiding something?”Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa kanila. Nakakaasar. Wala akong time para sa mga ganitong kababawan.“Fine.” I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Truth.”Napangisi ang kaklaseng nagtanong. “Tell us your biggest secret.”My fingers clenched into fists under the table. The room buzzed with anticipation, everyone waiting for me to spi

I woke up to a white ceiling and the cool air brushing against my skin. My forehead creased, my throat felt dry, and I slowly scanned my surroundings. I was in a small, simple room with a thin curtain over the window, an old electric fan whirring, and an IV drip attached to my hand.Rural hospital?Napapikit ako saglit, pilit inaalala ang nangyari. Ang huling natatandaan ko ay ang pagod na katawan ko habang nakayakap sa sarili sa loob ng isang kweba. Ulan. Lamig. Si Cole.Napabalikwas ako pero agad din akong napangiwi nang sumakit ang ulo ko. Shit.Sakto namang bumukas ang pinto, at pumasok ang professor namin, may dalang folder at mukhang nagmamadali.“Oh, you’re awake,” aniya at bahagyang ngumiti. “How are you feeling?”“Better, po.” Kahit medyo paos pa ang boses ko, pilit kong bumangon nang maayos.Tumango siya. “That’s good to hear. Pero gusto ko lang ipaalam na ikaw at si Cole na lang ang natitira dito. The rest of the class had to return to the city immediately—may urgent matter

 The moment I stepped into school, I could still feel the irritation I had been wanting to shake off since earlier. I didn’t even know why I was wasting my time on someone like Cole. He’d rather defend his lying father than face the truth. Bago pa tuluyang bumigat ang pakiramdam ko, biglang may sumulpot sa tabi ko. “Laura!” tawag ni Sue, bitbit ang pink niyang

“Okay, hear me out—fake relationship.”Napalingon si Cole sa akin na para bang sinabi kong alien ako galing Mars. “What?”“Fake relationship,” I repeated, crossing my arms habang nakaupo kami sa may empty bleachers sa likod ng gym. “You and me. Magkunwari tayong may something para ma-stop ‘yung kasal nina Edward at Mama.”Tahimik siya ng ilang segundo. Tapos tumawa—isang short, sarcastic laugh. “Faye, get a life. Seriously. You’re delusional.”“Excuse me?” Kumunot noo ko. “You think I’m making this up for fun?”“Yeah,” sagot niya, sabay tayo. “I think you’re overreacting dahil emotional ka. It’s your dead dad’s birthday. Gets ko. Pero huwag mong idamay si Michelle sa mga hallucinations mo.”I stood too. “This isn’t about hallucinations, Cole! Gusto mong makita ‘yung video? May CCTV sa restaurant. I’m not lying!”“Then go show it to the world,” he snapped. “But don’t involve me in your soap opera. We’re not doing that fake-dating crap just to ruin our parents’ lives.”“So you’re fine w

It was still early, the outside was dark—it was five in the morning—and I was already in front of the house. The surroundings were quiet, the kind of silence that felt like it was swallowing all the noise in the world. I wrapped my arms around myself as the cold of the morning hit me. I still felt weak, a bit dizzy. But it wasn’t enough to stop me from leaving. I entered quietly. I had no intention of explaining myself to anyone. I headed straight to the room, not even thinking about changing clothes. Pagka-lock ng pinto, dun lang ako bumigay. Bumagsak ako sa kama