Kabanata 18

"Ah," I grimaced as I gradually lifted myself from the bed. Napasapo ako sa aking sintido at hinilot ito. I was dizzy and I still feel cold.

"Kumusta ka?" tanong sa akin ng isang nurse. I looked at her and immediately concluded that it's our school nurse because of her scrubs.

"I'm okay. . ." sagot ko sa kan'ya. Umismid ako nang mapansin na napalitan na ang damit ko. I was wearing a white shirt and a loose PE pants.

"There's no CCTVs installed in the pool area? Tapos ang mahal ng tuition fee namin?"

Napalingon ako sa lalaking kinakausap ang isa sa mga doctor na nakabantay rito. The doctor looked confused too. Nanggagalaiti naman ang boses ng lalaking nakatalikod.

"Kuya. . ." I mumbled, agad ko itong binawi nang bumaling siya sa akin ng tingin. Naka-pameywang siya kanina kaya naman nang makita ko ang masungit n'yang itsura ay agad ako'ng umayos ng upo.

"Adren."

"Who pushed you?" malamig na tanong ni Adren.

Umiling ako. "Hindi ko nakita ang mukha."

Adren blankly stared at me as if he's disappointed that I couldn't point out the perpetrator. Isa sa mga bilin sa amin bilang isang Reverio — never let anyone belittle a Reverio. At dahil hindi ko alam ang itsura ng mga 'yon ay hindi ko rin alam kung sino ang mananagot sa nangyari.

I clenched my teeth.

"Hijo, hindi kaya aksidente lang ang nangyari? Bakit gan'yan agad ang tanong mo?" tanong ng doktor na pinagmamasdan kaming dalawa.

Nagkatitigan kami ni Adren. We've been trained to always think about the possible danger and that everyone is an enemy, no matter how close they are to you. We were always cautious of our surroundings.

Ngumiti lang si Adren. "If this was an accident, it probably wasn't." matalinhagang utas n'ya.

Of course. We could rule out the possibilty that this was an accident because I certainly heard people laughing at my demise. I glanced at Adren who looked uncomfortable. Hindi ko naman siya masisisi. Ayon na rin sa kwento ni Anais no'ng nasa mansion pa siya, Adren was the one who saw Dayanara killing Solstice. He's probably still blaming himself for not saying anything to the police. Hawak siya sa leeg ng kan'yang sariling pamilya.

Ang nangyari kay Solstice noon ay pinalabas din namang aksidente ni Dayanara subalit alam naman namin na hindi 'yon totoo. The Reverios would cover up every dirt that they have to maintain the reputation of their name. At kahit pa buhay ang kapalit ay wala silang pakialam.

It sucks to be a Reverio.

I was discharged after Adren fetched me. Pinagamit n'ya sa akin ang isang jacket para mabawasan ang lamig na nararamdaman ko. May aircon pa rin kasi sa loob ng clinic kung kaya't hindi nabawasan ang panglalamig ng aking katawan.

I sniffed my hair. Agad ako'ng napangiwi dahil amoy chlorine. Ang tapang pa naman nito kaya agad kong winaksi ang aking buhok.

"Do you know who helped me?"

"No," agap ni Adren. "I tried asking the nurses and doctor, but they also couldn't provide an answer. May hinala ka ba?"

Agad ako'ng umiling. "Magtatanong ba ako kung mayroon?"

Adren snickered but his eyes softened. "Palagi kang magi-ingat, Lavender."

Natigilan ako sa paglakad at pinanood si Adren na tumalikod sa akin upang mauna. My shoulders slumped as my heart warmed at the mention of my real name.

Bumuntonghininga ako.

Adren and I have a complicated relationship as siblings. Tanggap ko ang pagkamuhi n'ya sa akin ngunit siya rin ang tanging Reverio na alam kong hindi gagawa ng kahit ano'ng abuso laban sa iba. Mareena was under Dayanara's care and I couldn't predict the outcome of the future. I was cautious even if she was technically still a child.

I had a hard time figuring out who helped me. Subalit agad ko naman napagtantuan kung sino ang may pakana ng nangyari sa akin.

I believe that revenge is not needed — ulol, huwag ako. Bakit pa ako nabuhay kung kakawawain lang nila ako?

I was currently watching the two friends in the field trying to flirt with the upperclassmen, mga nasa grade twelve na rin. It was Amber and Brittany if I recall. Pumalatak ako habang nakasandal sa railings ng second floor ng building namin, tanaw na tanaw ko ang dalawa mula rito.

"Bakit? Sila ba 'yong tumulak sa 'yo?'" Yna appeared on my side. Hawak-hawak n'ya ang isang bote ng soda dahil mukhang kagagaling lang n'ya sa break time nila.

We rarely see each other since she's from HUMSS and she's also currently in a higher year level than me. Kahit gano'n, we still interact if we ever crossed paths.

Tumango ako. "Pabayaan mo na. Ayoko na umabot pa ito kay Dayanara."

Dayanara was something else. Noon naman ay okay pa siya at mas gusto ko pa nga siya kay Tita Anais. However, she also changes from time to time. Minsan malambing, madalas ay marahas. I don't know if it's because of the patriarchal rules inside the mansion but it's definitely taking a toll on her.

"Zyair Contreras!" the girls squealed because of someone who's wearing an apron. Mula 'yata sa home economics na strand.

"Sino 'yan?" Yna asked, crossing her arms across her chest. "Di naman gwapo, saks lang."

"Saks?"

Yna shrugged. "Sakto lang."

Nakita naman namin na nag-ayos 'yong ibang mga babae. Napa-angat ang kilay ko dahil dito. Honestly, I don't think there's something wrong if you'll want to look presentable around guys however it forms a misconception that girls dressed up for guys — which actually doesn't happen often.

Amber and Brittany were talking to Zyair who only frowned at them. May hawak pa itong frying pan na mukhang kakahugas pa lang. His sleeves were folded up until to his arms. Hindi ko naman mapagkakaila na gwapo si Zyair kaya naman dinumog ito ng dalawa.

Sumipol si Yna nang makita ito. "Sungit ah?"

"Gan'yan lang 'yata siya. Di namamansin," I concluded.

Yna sneered, sumandal siya sa railings at sumigaw sa direksyon ng tatlo. "Zyair Contreras, fuck you!"

Nalaglag ang panga ko sa inakto ni Yna. She has always been too bold! Subalit napangisi ako dahil natigilan sina Amber at Brittany dahil napunta sa dako namin ang tingin ni Zyair.

"Huy ka? Close kayo?" tanong ko.

Agad naman umiling si Yna sa akin at nagkibit ng kan'yang balikat. "Hindi. Di ko nga 'yan kilala e."

Once again, my jaw fell. "Bakit mo minura?!"

Humalakhak siya sa naging reaksyon ko. "Sabi mo di namamansin! Pinansin naman ako! Tingnan mo, nakatitig pa nga sa akin."

My sight veered once again to their side. Si Amber at Brittany ay masama ang titig sa aming dalawa habang si Zyair naman ay hindi mapinta ang mukha. I don't know if he's offended or amused. May bahid kasi ng pilyong ningning sa kan'yang mata.

The frown on Zyair's face gradually went away and was replaced with an amused grin. Binalik ni Zyair ang atensyon n'ya sa mga babae at mukhang nagpaalam na kailangan na n'yang mauna.

Yna only shrugged at that. She doesn't seem to care about it that much. Samantalang ako ay nanatili ang aking titig kay Brittany at Amber. Both of them didn't even look sorry but they even had the guts to smirk at me.

Some people are just shameless about their wrong doings. Yet, maybe they think it was the right retribution because I have done something offensive to them too. It's funny that giving back is also applicable when it comes to pain. We tend to give back the pain that others inflict on us.

It was an endless treadmill of hatred and it was tiring to keep running just to prove myself that I'm not worth their hate — some people will hate you just because they can, so you might as well just ignore them.

"Kumusta ang mag-swimming, Solstice?" Brittany mocked, sinamahan naman ito ng tawa ni Amber.

I only smirked and even put my chin on my palm, acting like I couldn't care less. "Huwag kang feeling bad bitch, bitch ka lang." I mouthed at them.

"Ano? May sinasabi ka? I heard you almost got drowned," Brittany pursed her lips. "Sayang di natuluyan." She immediately followed it with a chuckle.

"Di talaga, maganda ako e." I laughed at her. "Sana ikaw rin. Ayoko naman hilingin na malunod ka dahil lunod na lunod ka na sa inggit sa akin."

Natigilan si Brittany at tinaasan ako ng kilay. Akmang susugurin n'ya ako kahit nasa pangalawang palapag ako ng isang building. "Excuse me?"

I pursed my lips. "Inggit ka ba na kaya kong umangat nang hindi nanghihila ng kapwa kong babae? That's it, right? The reason why you did it because you see me as a threat. The reason you continuously bully your friend because you see her as a threat."

And I can't blame her, really. Society has rooted a mindset that girls should fight girls over things. At aamin naman ako na kahit ako ay madalas din na may kaaway na babae. Yet, as much as I can, I'll try to support them but not when they're wrong.

After all, it's about equality, not superiority. I should promote women, that's right. I should also acknowledge that we can support and not be blind to criticizing something that is already harming or hurting another one's right.

Hindi sumagot si Brittany sa akin dahil hinila na siya ni Amber para sa susunod nilang period. I doubt that they will listen to me. Pero pakiramdam ko ay totoo namang nakita lang nila akong threat sa pagiging superior nila. They think I should be pushover.

I am a Reverio. I won't survive as a pushover. Sila tulakin ko e.

Dumating ang sabado at may dala ako'ng pagkain para kay Etienne sana. I know how to cook. I used to cook when I was younger during the times mama wasn't around. At natuto rin naman ako dahil kadalasan walang lasa ang pagkain ng mga mayayaman. Pota, di nga ako nabubusog kasi lahat parang appetizers lang sa dami.

"Huwag mo nga ubusin!" saway ko kay Snyder na kinakain ang niluto kong tinola.

"Wala namang lasa," Snyder said. He even showed his tongue and I slightly punched him on his arms.

"Masarap 'yan!"

"Lasang tubig!"

"Tang ina mo ah!" Sinipa ko siya sa tagiliran at tinawanan lang ako ng mokong na ito. He once again took a sip on the soup of my tinola. Agad siyang umubo.

"Parang manok na pinaliguan lang ng tubig!" reklamo ni Snyder, he was frowning at me. Minsan na nga lang magka-emosyon ang isang ito ay pandidiri pa ang naging itsura n'ya.

I refused to believe that my tinola isn't great! No'ng bata ako ay sarap na sarap si Mama sa luto ko! Lalo na ang tinola ko!

Kinuha ko ang kutsara mula sa kan'yang kamay. "Ako nga! Susubuan kita, wait lang! Baka kasi mali ka ng pagsubo!"

"Wala naman 'yan sa pagsubo, Solstice!" Snyder reacted violently.

"Tingnan mo kasi, ako 'yong magsusubo sa iyo!" pangungulit ko. I took a quick scoop from the bowl and blew it so it won't be too hot. Baka kasi sobrang init kaya wala siyang malasahan.

Nilapit ko sa kan'ya 'yong kutsara. Snyder looked taken aback, hindi alam kung isusubo ba 'yong nasa kutsara.

"Say ah," I acted like a mom. Ngumiti pa ako sa kan'ya.

Bumukas ang pinto kaya natigilan kami ni Snyder. Napalingon kaming dalawa sa direksyon nito.

"Gago ka, Snay." Halakhak ni Euan na may naglalarong ngisi sa labi. "Nandito si Etienne. Bakit kayo nagsusubuan?"

Snyder only shrugged. "So?"

"Hi Snyder," bati ni Etienne na mukhang kararating lang dahil nakasunod siya kay Euan. Napalingon siya sa akin at malamig na naman ang titig n'ya. "Sweet n'yo naman."

"Pinapatikim lang n'ya 'yong tinola n'yang walang lasa," Snyder defended himself. Nanatili nakatingin sa kan'ya si Etienne at hindi mabasa ang reaksyon.

"Mayroon nga!" pagpupumilit ko at napatayo pa dahil sa sobrang inis. "Mainit pa kasi kaya wala kang malasahan!"

"Etienne," I beamed at him. "Nilutuan kita! Huwag mo na lang pansinin si Snyder, basher ko lang siya."

Dapat kong suyuin si Etienne dahil bukod sa baka alam n'ya kung ano talaga ang totoo sa nangyari noon. I want to fix our friendship even if it means that I have to court him. I don't mind trying. Etienne wasn't hard to love if you really know him beneath his cold exterior.

"Ayoko ng tinola," Etienne shrugged off. Pasalampak siyang umupo. Nagtatampo na naman siguro.

"E? Susubuan na lang din kita. Masarap talaga 'to, promise!"

"Lasang tubig!" pang-a-alaska ni Snyder.

I glared at Snyder. Binato ko nga ng throw pillow. Kinuha ko ang bowl at lumapit kay Etienne. I even squat in front of him and tried my best to look 'cute' just so he could try the tinola I made.

"Ayoko nga," Etienne dismissed me. Napanguso naman ako. I rested my head on his knees.

"Ayaw mo talaga? Kahit tikman lang?"

"What the fuck, Lavender. . ." Etienne scowled at me.

"Please?" Ngumuso ako. Etienne sighed and look at the spoon.

"Susubuan mo rin ba ako?" Etienne asked, innocently. I blinked a few times to process what he said.

"Putanginang 'yan. . ." Snyder looked horrified, his lips parted upon hearing Etienne. "Ano 'yan?"

Euan cringed at what Etienne said. "Soteiro rin ako pero sana hindi ako maging gan'yan, please lang."

Hindi ko pinansin ang mga sinabi nila. I immediately grab the spoon and feed Etienne. Tahimik lang n'yang inubos 'yong laman ng bowl. Tuwang-tuwa naman ako dahil napatunayan kong alam ko pa pala ang recipe no'ng bata pa ako!

"Masarap 'di ba?" I asked to confirm.

Etienne smiled gently. "Yeah."

It warmed my heart. I even squealed infront of them which I rarely do. We always suppressed our emotions in our household.

"A-are you alright? Hindi ka ba nilagnat?" Etienne asked, out of no where.

Napakunot ang noo ko. "Hindi. Bakit?"

"You fell into the pool. . ." Etienne fidgetted his fingers. "Okay ka na ba? Did you find the assailant?"

"Oh, that." Tumango naman ako dahil naiintindihan ko na. "It's not that bad. Okay naman na ako dahil may nagligtas sa akin. Maybe, I'll ask for more information from others so I can reward him."

Etienne was interested because he slightly leaned towards me. "What reward?"

"Monetary?"

"What if, hindi pera ang hingiin sa 'yo?" Etienne smirked, totally bemused.

My eyebrows furrowed at him. "Ano naman ang hihingiin n'ya?"

Etienne shrugged and didn't answer. Nakita ko naman si Euan at Snyder na umaaktong nasusuka dahil akala 'yata naglalandian kami ni Etienne dahil ang lapit namin sa isa't-isa. Ngumuso naman ako. Hihintayin ko talagang silang dalawa ang mahulog sa sarili nilang mga patibong!

Niligpit ko na ang dinala kong basket para sa pagkain. Sinundan ako ni Etienne hanggang sa dirty kitchen nila habang ginagawa ko ang paglagay ng mga kubyertos sa basket.

Nakasandal si Etienne sa pader habang pinapanood lang ako. His arms are across his chest as he observed my every movement.

Etienne tilted his head."Lavy, what's your favorite color?"

"Pink!" sagot ko. I like feminine colors. It's just black suits my skin the most, kaya hindi ako masyado nakakapagsuot ng paborito kong kulay.

"Ah," Etienne chuckled playfully. "Akala ko rainbow."

Umalis si Etienne matapos ito sabihin. Hindi ko mapigilan ang magtaka sa sinabi n'ya.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi n'ya. Bakit naman rainbow ang unang naisip n'ya? Well I do wear rainbow beneath my clothes. . .

Pinilig ko ang ulo dahil natapon ko ang maliit na tupperware na nilagyan ko ng tinola. I notice the liquid flowing down the table. Namutla ako dahil puro manok lang at sayote. Wala ako'ng napansin na luya.

I took a spoon and immediately took a quick sip on the soup. I winced. Lasang tubig nga! Paano naubos ni Etienne 'yong sinusubo ko sa kan'ya kanina?!

❛ ━━━━━━･❪♀❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜