🐰14TH Charm🐰

"Bilisan mong maglakad, girl! Baka umalis na 'yon!"

"Ayos na ba make- up ko? Ang kilay luma- life goals na ba?"

"Shit! Ang pogi talaga! Bakit parang ngayon ko lang siya nakita dito? Bago ba siyang member ng Elites? Where is he all my life?!"

Napapakunot na lang ang noo ko habang nakasunod sa dalawang babaeng halos magtulakan na sa sobrang kilig dahil sa lalaking pinaguusapan. Could there be a transferee in school? Kung inihahanay sila sa School Elites ay malamang na gwapo nga ang lalaking iyon at genius sa sports. Napangiwi tuloy ako nang maalala ang pinsan kong si Heaven na member ng School Sports Elites. Sobrang daming nagkakagusto sa engot na iyon. Kung alam lang ng mga kawawang babaeng 'yon ang tunay na mental state ng pinsan ay marahil na magbago ang mga isip ng mga ito. Heaven is a huge lunatic and I am the very first witness of that.

Pumasok ang dalawang maingay na babae sa library kung saan din ang punta ko. Kanina ko pa hinahanap si Vitto. Pinuntahan ko kanina siya sa Plant Preservation Lab pero ibang tao ang nadatnan ko doon. So, kung wala siya sa lab for sure nagkakampo na naman 'yon dito sa library. Nakakatampo lang dahil hindi niya man lang sagutin ang mga messages at calls ko.

I went inside the library and walked towards his usual spot there. Nakakapagtaka kasi parang ang daming tao ngayon dito. I mean, yeah, palagi namang maraming tao sa library dahil na rin sa malaking population ng Helix U but the number of students here right now is twice the usual.

Muli akong sinalubong ng mga bulong- bulungan.

"Seriously? That's really him? How? Why?!"

"Who would have thought that he was actually drop- dead gorgeous like wow! I can't believe it!"

"That glasses guy's stealing the limelight from us, bro!"

"Dream on, sucker! The limelight's never yours anyway!"

"Ang gwapo! He's a real oppa, like the Elites!"

"You think he'll talk to me if I approach him?"

"He still acts like a nerd, but, a drop-dead gorgeous nerd!"

My attention was caught by the nerd word. Biglang pumalo ang kaba sa dibdib ko. Something's really going on in here and I can already sense that I won't like it.

Hinawi ko ang mga babaeng nakaharang sa daraanan ko at naitulos ako sa kinatatayuan nang makita si Vitto sa usual spot niya sa sulok na bahagi ng library. This is something cliché from the webnovels I read but my heart literally skipped a beat seeing him so focused in his own world oblivious of the admiring and curious whispers and glances around him. Knowing him, he was not caring at all.

He was looking a thick book while tapping the keys of his Mcbook. He used to do that before but this day was totally different for him. He's wearing a lose black and yellow striped shirt and blue jeans. On his right wrist was the same black watch that emphasized his pale skin. He really rocked his new haircut and it perfectly matched his new eyeglasses.

Napakunot ang noo ko nang kiming lumapit sa kanya si Riza at kausapin siya. I heard warning bells ringing in my head. I bit my lower lip. I was about to approach them when a girl pushed me aside that almost swayed my balance. Naiinis na iniangat ko ang tingin. Aawayin ko na sana ang mahaderang babae ngunit sinalubong ako ng malamig na tingin ni Vitto. Para ko tuloy nalulon ang dila ko dahil bigla akong hindi makapagsalita.

I cleared my throat and composed myself. I walked towards him as I try to regain my confidence. Nakakalokang girl 'yon huh! Humanda 'yon sa akin mamaya!

"Carrots!" I beamed at her as I sat on the chair beside him totally ignoring Riza who was sitting across us. Vitto handsomely adjusted his eyeglasses as he focused on the screen in front him.

"I thought we had agreed that you'd stop nagging me for a day?" Aniya sa flat na tono.

I grimaced, "I'm not nagging you naman a?"

"Then keep quiet." Aniya nang hindi man lang inaalis ang tingin sa screen. How can he type while talking to me? He's a genius! Gayunpaman ay napasimangot pa rin ako. Ang sungit- sungit niya pa rin!

Nahuli kong matiim na nakatingin sa amin si Riza. When she noticed me caught her looking, she immediately darted her eyes to the book in front her. Then I smiled upon realizing something. Napatingin ako kay Vitto na seryosong nagta- type kapagkuwa'y sa suot ko. I'm wearing a wide-sleeved yellow lose shirt tucked in above- the- knee length pleated skirt. What a cute coincidence! Mukha kaming naka- couples shirt ni carrots! I felt so giddy!

When I looked at Riza, I saw her watching Vitto making me grunt. Confirmed. She really likes Vitto. And who wouldn't?

"Ang cute ng shirts na nabili natin sa mall noh?" I said trying to grab his attention from his laptop.

He stopped and I smiled wider when he looked at me. "I'm not going to do it again." He said blandly then continued working again. I pouted and clung onto his arm, I heard him tsked.

"Vitto, may nahanap akong pwedeng pandagdag sa reference natin." Biglang singit ni Riza na nagpasimangot sa akin. Ano daw? Vitto na lang? Hindi na Blake Vitto? Feeling close lang ang peg?!

Inalis ni Vitto ang mga kamay ko sa braso niya saka kinuha ang librong sinasabi ni Riza. She then looked at me shyly.

"Uhm, can we exchange seats for a moment? May ii- explain lang ako kay Vitto." Sabi sa akin ni Riza na nagpalaglag ng panga ko. Seriously?! Humohokage si ate girl! Ayoko nga!

"I think we couldn't get much information from this. The formula is quite contradicting with the point we're trying to prove." Sabi naman ni Vitto habang binabasa ang isang pahina ng libro na galing kay Riza.

"I'll explain it to you." Sabi naman ni Riza na tumayo na. Nang tumingin sa akin si Vitto ay napipilitang tumayo ako at nakipagpalit ng upuan kay pale girl na ngayon ay Hokage na! The way of a ninja lang ang galawan ni ate girl! Nakakagigil!

I was frowning while I listen to their alien exchanges about formulae and equations and whatnots. Nahuhuli ko pang napapangiti si Riza tuwing naga- agree si Vitto sa mga sinasabi nito na lalong nagpapainis sa akin. Bigla namang nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang sobrang lapit na ng mga mukha nilang dalawa habang binabasa ang isang bahagi ng aklat na itinuturo pa ni Riza gamit ang index finger kaya sinipa ko mula sa ilalim ng mesa ang paa ni Vitto. Bigla naman siyang natigilan at nakakunot ang noong napatingin sa akin. Tiningnan ko siya ng masama.

"Vitto, bakit?" Takang tanong naman ni Riza, "M- May mali ba sa mga nasabi ko? I'm sorry. Titingin na lang ako ulit ng iba—"

"No." He cut her off as he looked at her, his eyes not as cold like when he looked at me. I suddenly felt my chest tightened. "You actually have a point. I think we could use it."

"Really?" Riza happily said making me frown more. Vitto cracked a small smile in his lips. He wasn't looking at Riza but I was so sure that the smile was for her. It was a smile I never saw him making when there's only the two of us. Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi nang maramdaman ang pagkalat ng panibugho sa buong sistema ko.

I saw how Riza was stunned with that smile and how expectant her look was. She was probably getting his hopes high with him. Do they like each other?

"Vitto, I want some carrot smoothie." Biglang singit ko sa dalawa na nagkakaroon na ng moment sa mismong harapan ko. Taksil ka, carrots!

I need something cold to cool down my boiling temper!

Kumunot ang noo ni Vitto nang tumingin sa akin, nawala ang ngiti.

"Let's get out of here na. Buy me some smoothie." I nagged. I know that I'm acting like a brat and all but I'm really freakin' jealous! And please don't ask me why because I don't know either!

"Tinatapos pa namin 'tong project namin." Si Riza ang sumagot. Tinaasan ko ito ng kilay at tila natakot naman ito. Bakit bigla yatang tumapang ang babaeng ito? Kailan lang ay hindi naman palasalita pero ngayon ay marunong ng umeksena.

"I'm not talking to you and we're not close so stop talking to me." I remarked sassily making her flinched.

"Stop that. If you want your smoothie then go out and buy your own. I'm not your freakin' nanny." Pagalit na sabi ni Vitto na ikinatigil ko. Halos maluha ako sa harapan nila. Mas kinakampihan niya pa si Riza!

Nasaktan ako sa sinabi niya at kung usually ay umiiyak talaga ako tuwing sinusungitan niya, this time ay matapang kong sinalubong ang malamig niyang tingin.

"I'm your friend. Kaya sa akin ka dapat sumama." I countered.

"Don't be immature." He hissed incredulously, "If that's your definition of a friend then I wouldn't like to be your puppy at all."

"I'm not asking you to be my puppy!" I almost shouted and students nearby shushed me.

"And what do you call of the thing you did yesterday? You dragged me to the mall and forced me to shop for stuffs I don't need." Malamig niyang tugon.

"But you're wearing them!"

"Because I bought them! I'm not rich like you. I just can't waste those clothes just because I don't like them. I asked you to stop nagging me for a day but here you are blowing my lid off." He said like he's so tired of me.

"U—Uhm, V- Vitto—" tila kinakabahang singit ni Riza na naiipit sa pagtatalo naming dalawa ni Vitto ngunit agad ko itong binara.

"Will you shut up!" I irritably snapped at her.

"Let's leave, Riza. Sa lab na lang natin ituloy 'to." Vitto said in a thick stern voice while fixing his things. Nagmamadali namang inayos ng babae ang mga gamit. Nang tumayo ang mga ito ay tumayo din ako at pinigilan sa braso si Vitto.

"I'm sorry na. I will try to stop talking. Magpapakabait na ako." Naiiyak at parang batang sabi ko sa kanya. He coldly pulled away his arm from me.

"Talk to me when you're done with your tantrums." Malamig na aniya at nagpatiuna ng umalis. Tila naaawa namang napalingon pa sa akin si Riza bago nagmamadaling sinundan si Vitto.

Tahimik akong napahikbi ngunit pinigilan din agad iyon nang makitang sa akin nakatingin ang mga estudyanteng malapit sa kinaroroonan ko. Tinaasan ko sila ng kilay.

"You're here to study and not to stick your nose out to somebody's business!" Pasupladang sabi ko sa kanila. Mabilis namang inalis ng mga ito ang atensyon sa akin ngunit napansin ko naman ang pagbubulungan nila.

Who cares of what they think of me? Hindi ako pinanganak para i- please ang lahat ng tao. Padabog na naupo ako at napasinghot. Ano naman kung ayaw sa akin ng Vitto na 'yon? Mas lalong ayoko din sa kanya!

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

"When will you come back ba? I feel so kawawa na here. Inaway na naman ako ni Vitto!" Pagsusumbong ko sa mga ka- video call kong sina Ricci at Peewee.

"Ikaw ang kawawa o silang kinakawawa mo?" Nagdududang tanong ni Ricci sa akin. Umismid ako.

"He told me that he doesn't like to be my puppy daw. E ako nga 'tong parang puppy na sunod ng sunod sa kanya!" Naiinis kong bulalas.

"Bruha ka! Kung saan- saan ka na dinadala ng kadesperadahan mong babae ka!" Bulalas din ni Ricci sa akin, "kung ayaw na sa'yo ng Giro na 'yon umayaw ka na din! Nakakawala ka ng ganda te!"

"Kahit nasaan ka talaga, Ricci, nagsisinungaling ka pa rin. Anong ganda 'yang pinagsasabi mo?" Pambabara naman ni Peewee dito.

"Dahil nasa Paris ka at may pinabibili ako sa'yo I'll be so much nice to you hanggang sa makabalik ka." Sagot naman ni Ricci na pinipigilang magmaldita. Peewee rolled his eyes at Ricci. Higit itong pumuti at gumwapo, halatang hiyang nito ang Paris.

"You must learn when to stop, baby girl. I've been telling you that such potion doesn't exist. Isa pa, hindi naman parang magic na bigla- bigla mo na lang maalis ang feelings ni Giro para sa girlfriend niya ngayon." Peewee said patiently like he was talking to a little girl. That made me missed him even more.

Natigilan ako at napasimangot. Hindi dahil nasaktan ako sa sinabi niya tungkol kay Giro pero dahil hindi niya maintindihang hindi naman ito ang dahilan ng frustrations ko.

"So how can I get a guy to like me?" I suddenly asked making them gaped incredulously at me.

"Beks! Ninuno mo ba si Bonifacio? Hindi mo alam ang sumuko, bruha ka! Isang buwan na din ang lumipas. Uso din mag move on 'te!" Natitilihang ani Ricci. Natigilan ako. Isang buwan na pala ang nakalipas mula ng maghiwalay kami. I was so caught up with following Vitto around without noticing it. And even if I admit it or not, it slightly helped me to slowly erase Giro in my system. Do I still like to be with him again?

"'Yan, tulaley kasi guilty. Naku, ikaw talaga, Oreonina, kung nandyan lang ako kanina pa kita sinabunutan ng matauhan naman kaunti 'yang naalog na yatang utak mo!" Aburidong sermon ni Ricci sa akin.

"Kasi naman e." Napanguso ako at napapaiyak na habang sinisipa- sipa ang cobblestones sa ilalim ng mesa. I'm in the school park, in a table underneath a tree I can't name. I feel so frustrated. Hindi ko masabi sa kanilang si Vitto ang lalaking gusto kong magkagusto sa akin. Kasi kapag sinabi ko baka sabihin nilang ginagamit ko lang si Vitto para tuluyang maka- move on kay Giro.

"Much as I want to keep talking but I have some matters to attend." Tila nagaalangan pang pagpapaalam ni Peewee, "Cheer up na, baby girl. We'll videochat again tonight, promise."

Malungkot na tumango lang ako.

"I'll try to sort out all the issues here so I can already go back there. Can't wait to pull some sense in you, beks!" Nanggigil na sabi naman ni Peewee.

Nang matapos ang videochat ay nilunod ako ng katahimikan ng paligid. Gosh! I can't stand silence. Lalo ngayong super- sungit mode na naman sa akin si Vitto. I was going to hit the music app when a familiar voice called me from behind.

"Oreo..."

Paglingon ko ay tumambad sa akin si Giro na may dalang malaking pink paper bag at napatayo ako. Biglang sumikdo ang dibdib ko. Is that a gift? Makikipagbalikan na siya sa akin? Gosh! What should I do? Pero si Vitto—

"Oreo, I want to give these stuffs back to you." He said cutting me off from my train of thought. Iniabot niya ang pink paper bag sa akin. I was stoned hard as my eyes darted down the pink paper bag.

He cleared his throat, "R- Rose saw these in my closet and even when she's not saying it, I know that it's making her uncomfortable." Mahina ang boses na aniya.

I bitterly huffed a breath as I looked up at him, "So she's now welcome in you room, eh?" I didn't even had the chance to see his room when we were still in a relationship. And we were for two years. His room was off limits because his parents were so strict! And Rosenda can just enter his house anytime and can even stay in his room?

"Oreo—"

"Is it really over?" I asked, my tone brave yet flailing. For the last time, at least I wanted to hear it. There must be some closure from him but I never accepted that. This must be the time to really end everything I have for him.

"I'm sorry, Oreo." His voice wavered, like he it was hard for him, too. I heaved a deep breath to contain my sobs. Maybe it was quite hard for him too, though he doesn't love me anymore, if he really did love me, two years of relationships was never a joke. Perhaps, what I hardly can't let go are the memories we created together. He was my ideal man. The personification of my dream prince charming since I was a little kid. And though I slowly learned to accept the ending of our relationship, it was still quite painful for me to talk to him like this.

I swallowed and heaved a long deep breath. Likas akong iyakin kaya hindi ko na napigilan pa ang mapaluha. I never imagined that we'd come to a point like this. We were always happy before. He gives in to my caprices and in return I follow him like a really good girlfriend anytime he wanted me to do something. I thought we were perfectly compatible. But come to think of it, in those two years we're in a relationship, we've never did more than holding hands, hugs, and pecks on the cheek. Two years and he never once kissed my lips, never did show any indication of wanting to do it.

I mentally scoffed. Really, I was more like his younger sister than a girlfriend. This must really come to an end now. Whatever Giro and I had.

I nodded and reached for the paper bag in his hand. Tumalikod ako saka isinukbit ang bag na nakalapag sa mesa. This time, I was the first one to walk out on him. Perhaps I already let go of Giro, this time, it's the memories that I have to let go.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

"You think he decided to go out of his shell because of Riza? Gosh, can't believe that Blake Vitto Alonzo is a hottie!"

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad nang marinig ang pangalang iyon. I was already in the middle of the school park and was planning to cut class and spend my time somewhere loud like the mall but the mere sound of his name froze my nerves. So, the playful fate wasn't still finished playing with me, eh?

"He's cold sa iba naming mga kaklase most especially sa groupmates namin but he's patient with me. You think he likes me?" Nahihiya pero bakas ang kilig na tanong ni Riza sa mga kasama.

"That's a good sign, girl!" Kinikilig namang sabi ng isa, "what other signs do you notice?"

"Kanina, it was like he defended me from that Oreo girl who keeps on following him.Tapos niyaya niya na lang ako sa lab, then we spent time there together. Just the two of us." Kimi ngunit kinikilig pang kwento ulit ni Riza.

I stiffened even more as I clenched my palms. I wanted to approach that girl and slap reality in her but it seemed like the exchange with Giro has just drained me.

"Minsan naririnig ko siyang kumakanta. Feeling ko alam niyang nandoon ako kaya siya kumakanta. It felt like the song is for me."

"Really? Wow! Noon nawiwirduhan ako sa'yo kung anong nagustuhan mo sa nerd na 'yon. But you already saw the beauty in him na pala. Matanglawin ka talaga, girl!"

"Kung liligawan ka niya, sagutin mo na agad! May genius ka na ngang boyfriend, pang- display pa!"

"Tapos lagi mo siyang iinvite na kumain kasama namin para naman maturuan niya kami ng assignments!"

Nang maghagikgikan ang mga babae ay doon na nag- init lalo ang ulo ko. Akala mo kung sinong santa ang Riza na iyon e may agenda din naman palang itinatago. At isa din siyang user! Anong tingin niya sa carrots ko? Isang trophy boyfriend?

Mabibigat ang mga hakbang na nagmartsa ako palapit sa mga babae. Sa sobrang inis ko ay kinuha ko ang laman ng pink na paper bag na dala saka ipinagbabato ang mga iyon na gulat na nagpatili sa kanila. Nakakainis dahil halos puro t- shirt, caps at maliliit na accessories lang naman ang laman no'n. Wala man lang ba akong ibinigay kay Giro na something heavy?!

"Hoy babae! Ano bang problema mo huh?" Galit na tanong ng isang babae na pinanlilisikan ako ng mga mata. Buong tapang ko naman itong sinalubong.

"Hoy ka din babae! Hinding- hindi ko hahayaang turuan ka ni Vitto sa mga assignments niyo, losers!" Nanggigigil na bulalas ko.

"O- Oreo—h- hindi naman 'yon ang ibig naming sabihin." Kinakabahang sabi ni Riza na napatayo na rin.

"You're an assuming pretentious bitch! Nagkukunwari ka pang mahinhin sa harapan ni Vitto pero isa ka naman palang witch with a hidden desire!"

"Hoy, bawiin mo 'yon! Mahinhin talaga 'tong kaibigan namin hindi gaya mong palengkera!" Pagtatanggol pa ng isang babaeng may malaking katawan at nang akmang susugurin ako ay ang tinig ni Vitto ang nagpatigil sa amin.

"You're disturbing the whole place with your loud noises." Iritableng saway niya sa amin.

"V- Vitto?" Natatarantang lumapit si Riza dito, "Si Oreo kasi—"

Marahas akong napabuga ng hangin saka humarap kay Vitto na matamang nakatingin sa akin. Sa labis na inis ay ibinato ko sa harap niya ang wala ng lamang paper bag saka tumakbo palayo sa lugar na iyon.

I think I have to see a therapist now to cure my anger issues.