Kabanata 28

Kumalat ang balita na hiwalay na kami ni Adren. At parang mga bubuyog na hayok sa bulaklak, dinagsa ito ng mga opinyon ng tao.

"Malandi kasi, malamang hindi makukuntento sa isang lalaki 'yon."

"Adren is a catch. Maswerte lang si Arrisea na maganda siya kaya nagkaroon sa kanya ng interes 'yung tao."

"But a pretty face cannot hide her rotten personality!"

Hinintay ko na humupa ang tao sa restroom saka ako lumabas ng cubicle nang wala na akong marinig na mga boses. I decided to tie my hair, binuksan ko ang gripo at pinakiramdaman ang malamig na agos ng tubig galing dito. I used it to washed my face, to freshen up.

Bumuntong hininga ako bago lumabas. I could feel people looking at me. Sari-sari ang kanilang mga ekspresyon, it's either pity, disgust or happiness expressed through their faces. Depende siguro sa bersyon ng kwento na narinig nila.

I forgot that no matter how little his social circle was, Adren is an influential person. Dagdag pa na kaibigan niya si Gio, kaya naman madalas ay maraming nakakakilala sa kanya.

"Hey, Arri."

Lumingon ako kay Gio na mukhang may gustong sabihin pero hindi makapag-salita.

We were currently at the chapel, nagdadasal ako nang taimtim nang dumating itong si Gio.

"Bakit?"

"Ano bang nangyari sa inyo?" He asked and kneel beside me. "Tell me, may ginawa ba sa'yo si Adren nung nag-Subic kayo? Kasi kung ganoon, I won't tolerate my friend. Pero kung ikaw naman ang may ginawa, I won't be taking your side too."

"Ayoko na kasi sa kanya." Pumikit ako habang nakayuko, hands clasped in prayer.

Gio rose an eyebrow. "That's it?"

Umiwas ako ng tingin."Oo, kaya tulungan mo na lang siyang mag-move on."

"He still loves you," Bumuntong hininga siya. "For what it's worth, you were probably the only person he loved."

"He'll find another o-one, eventually. Maraming babae sa mundo, Gio."

Gio sighs, "You're right, there are a lot of other people to love yet you can't have the same love twice."

Tumayo si Gio at nagpamulsa. Nag-sign of the cross siya bago lumabas ng chapel. Sumunod naman ako at humingi pa ng kapatawaran dahil nag-sinungaling na naman ako.

"Sumalangit ka na, Etienne." He said before completely departing the chapel.

"Gagio." I chuckled when we were heading to Bonanza Area.

The following weeks were hell for me. Before I broke up with him, nagpakita muna ako ng mga motibo na nagsasawa na ako. He chase after me when I told him I wanted us to be done. Flowers and expensive food was always on my table, pero pinapamigay ko lang ito. The last time we've talked was probably the last straw for him.

"Akin na lang talaga, Arrisea?" Franny asked, pertaining to the chocolates and flowers. "Babaita ka, kawawa 'yung tao. Seryoso talaga 'yata sa'yo 'yon."

"Pabayaan mo siya, magsasawa rin 'yon..." I kept on writing on my notebook, kahit wala naman talaga kaming sinusulat. Ayoko lang malaman ni Franny ang totoo kong nararamdaman.

In the back of my mind, I was also doubting my decision. Paano kung kaya naman niyang patunayan na karapat-dapat naman talaga siya mamahala sa mga negosyo nila? But I was a constant dirt on his clean reputation, I will always be someone who's not fit for him.

"Arrisea, you don't always have to be strong..." hinilig ni Suzy ang kanyang ulo sa aking balikat. She's back to her normal self, kahit medyo may bahid na ng dungis ang kanyang pangalan.

Noong huling assembly, naging topic ang fake nude ni Suzy para linisin ang pangalan niya sa buong school at maayos ang issue tungkol sa pagpapakalat ng mga gano'ng klaseng bagay. May kaso na rin laban kay Pamela at Luis, inaasikaso ito ng magulang ni Suzy.

"I don't have a choice, at kung meron man akong choice...I'll still stick with being strong," sagot ko na lang. I don't have the privilege to be weak, dahil alam kong mas hindi ko kakayanin kung magiging mahina ako ngayon.

Ilang oras, araw at linggo ang lumipas bago ko natanggap na wala na kami. May mga araw na aakyat dapat ako ng rooftop pero maaalala ko na hindi na namin lugar 'yon.

Isang araw, dala na lang ng pagkasabik na muli siyang makita ay sinubukan kong umakyat sa rooftop. Dahan-dahan ko pang binuksan ang pinto upang hindi ko siya maistorbo kung sakaling nandito man siya.

He was not there.

It was empty and the tiles were already full of dust. Naalala ko noon sinabi ni Adren na madalas niya itong nililinis dahil nga ito ang tambayan niya.

The rooftop was already deserted. Bitterness crawled it's way to my heart.

How cruel can you be to make someone leave their haven? Of course, pinuno mo ito ng mga alaala mo na pilit niyang dapat kalimutan upang mawala ang sakit.

The worst break ups were probably the ones where you end up cutting every string you have with each other. No closures and it had to end that way. All of your memories with them will turn into dust and ashes you can't seem to clean or wipe off.

Bumaba na ako nang mapagtantuan na huli na ang lahat. The only thing that soothes me is that I know he'll still have his company and Tatiana won't be his problem anymore.

I accepted a job from Les Gens since I'm already of legal age. Assistant lang naman ako sa bartender kaya madali lang ang trabaho. I don't actually need the cash but it was a good way to divert my attention.

Actually, I need the cash. Who am I kidding?

Tumambay ako sa Gonza Hall dahil tapos naman na ang mga meeting sa iba't ibang subjects ko sa semester na ito. Araw-araw na lang kaming may ginagawa, non-stop ito at para bang hindi sila makakahinga kung hindi kami bibigyan ng gawain.

"Arrisea."

I turned around to face the person who called me. My lips parted as I saw the person walking towards my direction. It was Solstice and she was also wearing the UJD uniform. Her aura still screams elite.

She sat down beside me, her eyes were criticizing me. Nagtaas naman ako ng kilay sa kanya.

"How much for you to take him back?"

Nabulunan 'yata ako sa sarili kong laway. Ano raw? Mali 'yata ako nang pagkakarinig? Tinatanong niya ako kung magkano para balikan ko si Adren?

"Mali ka 'yata ng tanong? Isn't it supposed to be how much for me to stay away from him?"

Solstice deadpanned. "I'm serious, magkano para balikan mo si Adren? Magkano ba binayad sa'yo ni Etienne para layuan mo siya?"

"What? Hindi ako bayaran at hindi binayaran ni Etienne..."

Solstice's eyes widened as if a something struck her. "What do you mean?"

Pareho kaming nakatingin sa isa't isa na may pagtataka. Ilang beses pa akong kumurap-kurap dahil iba ang titig saakin ni Solstice. Napasapo siya sa kanyang noo at pumikit nang mariin.

"Don't tell me you followed him like a devoted follower?" She sighed. "Naniwala ka sa kanya?"

"Naniwala sa alin?"

"Etienne is zero percent honest." Solstice said with disdain. "He only says his version of truth."

"A-ano?"

Para akong binuhusan nang malamig na tubig. Naramdaman ko ang pagiging manhid ng aking buong katawan sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko masikmura ang isiniwalat nito sa akin. Hinawakan niya ako sa kamay at hinaltak papunta sa kung saan. She went towards the main computer lab where Etienne was busy typing. Walang ng ibang tao rito at si Etienne na lang mag-isa. Tumigil siya sa pagtitipa at inangat ang tingin sa'min.

"Hello, Lavy." Ngumiti siya kay Solstice na ngayon ay hindi na maipinta ang mukha.

Lovey? Or Lavy? What.

Gulong-gulo naman akong nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin sa kanilang dalawa.

"Anong sinabi mo kay Arrisea?" parang bulkan si Solstice na ilang minuto na lang ay sasabog na. Her cold exterior was easily replaced with pure wrath.

"What do you think? The truth." Etienne leaned back on his chair and the side of his lips rose in amusement.

"To hell with your truths!" Hindi na nakapagpigil si Solstice at kwinelyuhan si Etienne. Napatayo naman si Etienne dahil sa ginawa niya.

Etienne was looking at Solstice closely with a wicked smirk on his lips. He seems to be enjoying seeing her mad as a bull.

Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. Should I stop them? In the back of my mind, I know I should but I was also curious. Ano ba talaga ang totoo?

"Aw, Lavy. Ganyan ka ba pinalaki? You're so violent." Etienne said, full of mockery.

Parang lalong binuhusan ng gas ang nagbabagang galit ni Solstice. It was as if Etienne knew how to push her buttons.

"Anong sinabi mo kay Arrisea? Bakit niya hiniwalayan si Adren?"

Etienne's eyes softened as he caressed Solstice's cheek. Nakita ko na bahagyang natigilan siya dahil sa ginawa nito.

"I only gave you what you wanted. You said you wanted his company," he chuckles and licked his lower lip. "Didn't he gave up the position by now?"

"T-teka, pwede niyo naman siguro ako isali sa usapan niyo?" naguguluhan kong tanong sa kanila.

Binitawan ni Solstice si Etienne at lumingon saakin, tears pooled under her eyelids. Hindi ko alam kung dahil sa galit o ano.

"Adren wants to give me his shares. Do you know what that means?" she winced when she looked at me and continued, "it means he's basically giving me the company."

Nag-tiim bagang ako. Adren would do that?! Pero pangarap niya 'yon! Sa kanya dapat 'yon...

Lumingon ako kay Etienne, he was fixing the collar of his uniform while arching an eyebrow at me. He slacken off on his chair and crossed his legs.

"Akala ko? Ang sabi mo, ito ang paraan para hindi siya madawit sa gulo namin ni Tatiana? Para masigurado na sa kanya ang kompanya nila?" usal ko habang pinapakiramdaman ko ang parang tambol na pagtibok ng aking puso.

"I also told you that truths can be twisted." A ghost of smile appeared on his lips.

Napatigalgal ako habang unti-unting rumirihistro sa aking utak ang sinabi ni Etienne.

"What did this jerk told you?" Solstice asked, angrily.

"Ang sabi niya ay masisira ang pangalan ni Adren sa kompanya niyo kung patuloy siyang makikipagkita sa akin. Dahil nadawit ang pangalan ko sa maaaring maging butas para sa kanya. It was the only way to make sure he won't face any possible dirt on his name." Tuliro na rin ako dahil sa rebelasyon na napakinggan ko.

Solstice sighed dramatically, "Oh my god! And you honestly believed him?! The Reverios can even freaking covered up a murder! A rumor like that can easily be erased! We can even make sure that Tatiana won't ever exist!"

"B-bakit ganito, Etienne?" Nilingon ko si Etienne na kanina pa kami pinapanood. I felt like he tricked me and betrayed my trust.

Instead of looking guilty, he looks amused and entertained. Nakapangalumbaba siya habang ang tingin ay nasa aming dalawa ni Solstice.

"I was bored." Etienne admitted. "I just helped Lavy get what she's born for."

"Anong sinabi mo kay Adren?" Naningkit ang mga mata ni Solstice. "I knew you were the one who manipulated him to give up his shares!"

"I simply told him what could destroy him the most." Etienne prodded, grinning. "That his beloved Arrisea fell for me and it was because of how dark his family was that Arri felt like he was too much for her."

This time, I was the one who was in disbelief. Naniwala naman sa kanya si Adren? But I couldn't blame him, Etienne was oddly good with making you believe in him. He sounded so sure, too certain and you couldn't possibly take a hint that you were already his puppet.

"How dare you?" Lalapit ulit sana sa kanya si Solstice, nakakuyom ang mga palad,"Why did you have to mess with my brother?!"

"Brother nga ba?" Etienne looks at her, his eyes were as cold as ice. "Uh huh, you love him that much? Don't you think it's disgusting to call him your brother when you're head over heels for him?"

I looked at Solstice, she was frozen on her spot. Parang ilang segundo siyang tumigil sa paghinga dahil nanatili siyang nakatigalgal sa kanyang posisyon.

"A-ano?" hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig ko. Parang may bombang ibinagsak sa amin dahil sa isiniwalat ni Etienne.

"Wala kang alam." Nanginginig si Solstice, unti-unting lumalandas na ang mga luha galing sa kanyang mata. She was biting her lip so hard that it started to bleed.

"Ampon." Etienne taunted and I could see how Solstice's immediately stopped functioning.

"That's foul!" bulyaw ko kay Etienne.

"Damn you!" Sol glared at him before storming out.

"Bakit mo 'yon ginawa? Anong ginawa ko sa'yo? Anong ginawa sa'yo ni Adren?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ko sa kanya.

"Wala." Etienne answered, puffing his cheeks. "Trip ko lang."

I was rendered speechless, nanatiling nakaawang ang bibig ko.

"Gago ka ba?!" kinuwelyuhan ko siya. "Ano bang ginawa ko sa 'yo?! Why did you have to do this?!"

"I don't care. Magalit na kayong lahat. I only did what I deemed the easiest way for everyone to have peaceful lives."

"Peaceful lives?! Sinira mo ang mga buhay namin!" singhal ko sa kanya, binitawan ang hawak sa kanyang kwelyo.

"You think Tatiana would really stop? You think money would be enough to silence them? They know they'll get more if they have the Reverios in their hands, Arrisea. And you think your family is safe from being disgrace once the real truth gets out?" sunud-sunod niyang sambit, natutop naman ang aking bibig.

"Anong alam mo?" naningkit ang aking mga mata.

"I know things that I shouldn't even know," he smirked. "Tulad na lang na balak sanang ilabas ni Tatiana na anak kayo ng mga kapatid mo sa labas."

I went numb. Gagawin niya 'yon? She'll go that low? Para saan? Para kay Adren? Gano'n niya ito kamahal? She's willing to destroy another person for his love?

Nanikip ang dibdib ko. I hurted him for nothing, pero tama rin naman si Etienne. I can't risk the security of my family. Kung ako ay kaya ko ang pamamahiya ng iba, hindi ko nakikita ang pamilya ko sa parehong sitwasyon. I don't want them to be judged.

"I know you think this is helping us. Pero lalo lang gumulo ang lahat, Etienne." I sighed. "I love Adren, I could have handle my own problems without dragging him into it."

Tatiana was my problem, dapat labas na si Adren dito. Bakit ba kasi pinangunahan ako ng katangahan?! I don't even know if my decisions were good. I just didn't want Adren to succumbed to the lowest.

I left him because I thought I'll be a hindrance to his dreams. Pero mukhang hindi ko pa 'yata alam kung ano talaga ang pangarap niya. To think he was willing to let go of his shares that easily...

"What did Adren do to deserve that kind of love?" He looks at me like a child who didn't get his whims.

"Pareho lang naman kami kung tutuusin. Pero bakit may nagmamahal sa kan'ya?" he mumbled, pain was surging through his voice.

Nagulat ako nang tumayo si Etienne at lumapit sa akin. He close the distance between us and I could feel his anger even though his face remained cold.

"It's not fair, Arri." he sounded betrayed and broken at the same time."That's so fucking unfair."

"Fix this mess. Hindi mo pwedeng gawin ang mga ito dahil trip mo lang o kung ano man ang dahilan mo," I told him. "I treated you as friend, Etienne. Kaya naniwala rin ako sa'yo dahil trinato kitang kaibigan."

"I don't want to." Etienne said icily. "Even if I had to pull some strings to remain things this way - I would."

"Bakit ka ba galit kay Adren? Bakit mo ito ginagawa?!" I said out of frustration.

He smirked, bitterly.

"You may be right that love is always good." He licked his lower lip before grinning. "But you forgot that love can also make you irrational and when you're irrational - you do bad things."

❛ ━━━━━━･❪☽༓☾❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜