🐰15TH Charm🐰

"OREONINA! What did you do this time again?!"

Nalukot ang mukha ko nang bumukas ang pintuan ng silid at iniluwa ang galit na si Heaven. Of course I'm in his room again, drowning myself with chips and carbonated drinks. I don't like to eat anything carrots today. Naiinis pa rin ako kay Vitto at lalo lang akong naiinis tuwing nakakakita ako o naaalala ang carrots!

"What?" I glared at him. Mabilis siyang lumapit saka kinuha ang remote sa coffee table kung saan nakapatong ang mga paa ko, para patayin ang TV. "Ven- ven!" Pagmamaktol ko. I'm watching MNET and it's SF9 who's currently performing their latest song Mama Mia. He sternly lifted my feet out the coffee table and I almost fell. I grabbed the throw pillow from my lap and angrily flung it his way, which he easily caught.

"Ano 'yong nalaman kong muntikan ka ng ma- black list sa school library?" Kinukunsumisyong tanong niya. "Hanggang doon ba naman naghahasik ka ng lagim, Oreonina?" He groaned frustratedly.

Napasimangot ako pero hindi ako sumagot. Inabot ko ang hindi pa nabubuksang Pringles sa mesa.

"You're eating chips again!" Tuloy- tuloy na sermon pa niya ulit, "Ayaw mo daw kumain ng dinner sabi ni Yaya. What's going on with you? Are you rejected again?"

I stopped and threw daggers at him. "Giro gave back all the stuffs I gave him." Padabog na sagot ko.

"And you're acting so handful because of that?" Heaven asked, exasperated. "Didn't I tell you to stop and forget about that cheater?"

"It's easy for you to say! That's two years, Heaven. It's not like I'll only close my eyes and when I open it I've already moved on." Naiinis na sagot ko.

He groaned, "So ano, bugbugin ko na?" Tila naghahamong aniya.

"Are you crazy?" I hissed irritably. Heaven sighed and seated beside me. Inagaw pa niya ang pringles sa akin at siya na ang kumain. I threw him a sideway glare.

"Dahil alam ng buong Helix U na pinsan kita, sa akin nila isinusumbong lahat ng kalokohan mo. 'Yong iba inaabangan pa talagang matapos ang mga practice ng team ko para lang makapagsumbong sa akin. Isa kang malaking stress na tinubuan ng mukha, Oreo!" Exasperated na bulalas niya.

"Maganda naman." I muttered. He clicked his tongue and gently hit my head with the Pringle's container. I murdered him with my look.

"Oo nga, maganda. Magandang isako at ibitin sa kisame." Matabang niyang sagot. Naiinis na hinampas ko siya ng throw pillow na naagaw niya naman agad. Pagkatapos ay hinagis niya lahat ng natirang throw pillows sa gitna ng silid para wala na akong maihampas pa sa kanya.

"Sumosobra na 'yang kabrutalan mo, Oreo. Baka hindi kita matantya isawsaw na kita sa bear brand!" Aniya.

Napahinto ako at nanatiling nakatingin lang kay Heaven. Tila alam na niya ang susunod na mangyayari dahil hindi na niya hinintay ang sunod na reaksyon ko. Umiwas siyang tingin at sumubo ng pringles.

"Uwaaa! Ven- ven!!!" I cried my heart out.

"Oo na, alam kong na- reject ka ulit kaya huwag ka ng umiyak d'yan. Ang ingay." Palatak niya saka muling sumubo ng pringles. Patuloy lang akong ngumawa na hindi ko naman alam kung bakit. Is it because Giro had totally cut the ties that connect us or because I feel so frustrated that Vitto doesn't want to be friends with me? From whose rejection am I crying for? Sa labis na kalituhan ay lumakas pa ang iyak ko.

Tumikhim si Heaven, "Recently, you were always seen with this Botany guy they nicknamed Mang Kepweng." He started, "you're still after that freaking potion?"

I hiccupped, "I—I'm not e-even asking f-for it anymore!" I sobbed.

"Then why do you keep on sticking around him?" Nagdududang tanong niya.

I hiccupped again, "H- He d-doesn't want to be friends with me! He doesn't like to be my puppy daw e ako nga itong parang puppy na sunod ng sunod sa kanya!"

Nilagay ni Heaven sa kandungan ko ang isang box ng facial tissue at dahil nagtatampo ako kay Vitto ay hindi ko muna inisip ang mga pinaglalaban niyang mga puno kaya't humila ako ng maraming piraso mula sa box at suminga doon.

"Jeez! Can you be more discreet?" Nakangiwing saway sa akin ng pinsan ko.

"Tapos he chose that pale girl pa instead of me who keeps on sticking around him and I keep on patiently dealing with his kasungitan. And now he's so good looking na and many girls want to be closer to him. Ang hirap- hirap na naman niyang lapitan!" Pagsusumbong ko in between sobs.

"A, so you're crying because that Botany guy rejected you." He nodded like he's already enlightened of the real reason of my heartbreak.

"Ang pretty ko naman 'di ba? Bakit ayaw niya akong maging friend?" Naghahanap ng kakamping tanong ko sa pinsan.

"That's easy," Mabilis niyang sagot, "because you're a brat, a first- rate nagger and you're so loud. You're such a handful and only knows how to cry when—" Hindi na niya naituloy ang sasabihin pa nang hampasin ko siyang muli sa balikat.

"Just shut up! Napakasalbahe mo." I muttered, annoyed.

"Aba! Sinong salbahe sa ating dalawa? Ikaw 'tong kanina pa nananakit!" Aniya habang hinihimas- himas ang nasaktang balikat.

I huffed and crossed my arms against my chest, "Ayokong pumasok bukas. I'll go to school when I want." I said sulkily.

"Good luck. Sana lang ay makagraduate ka na after ten years." Kaswal na sagot ng pinsan ko. I threw daggers at him.

Magsasalita pa sana ako nang may kumatok sa pintuan at pagbukas no'n ay iniluwa si Healia, ang younger brother ni Heaven na completely opposite niya.

"Hey, noona." Bati nito sa akin saka dumiretso papasok.

"Hey there, my so handsome favorite cousin!" I smiled at him. I heard Heaven snorted.

"Hoy ampon, anong kailangan mo?" Tanong ni Heaven sa kapatid. Kahit kailan talaga ay sarap plasteran ng bunganga niya. Healia just rolled his eyes with his brother's ridiculousness.

"Tito Arwan called." Sagot niya saka bumaling sa akin, "He's asking you to go home, noona. He's worried."

I didn't answer. And when did my dad bother himself to worry about me? Madalas na nasa mga business trips siya o kung hindi naman ay halos sa opisina na natutulog. Bilang sa daliri kung ilang beses pa lang kaming nagsasabay kumain ni daddy. Noong graduation ko ng senior high ay dumating lang siya nang tapos na ang ceremony. At everytime namang may mga affairs sa school na kailangan ng presence ng parents ay sina daddy Raiko at mommy Heleia, na parents nina Heaven at Healia, ang uma- attend para sa akin. During those important events in my life, it was only my bestfriends Peewee and Ricci, Giro and Heaven's family who were with me.

"I want to sleep." Sagot ko. Tumayo ako mula sa upuan at lumapit sa malaking kama ni Heaven. Nagtalukbong ako ng kumot at kung kailangang magpanggap akong tulog para hindi umuwi, so be it.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

"Susunduin kita mamayang hapon. Sabay tayong uuwi. Huwag ka munang pumunta sa library. Palamigin mo muna ang ulo ng mga librarian sa'yo. Kumain ka ng proper lunch at huwag na namang carrot cake at shake. Gusto mo bang mamatay ng maaga?"

I just rolled my eyes with Heaven's constant reminder which turned out to be a nagging. I didn't go home last night. As usual, I slept at my cousin's room while he slept on his sofa. He kept on telling me to use the guest room but I like his room better. Isa pa, I feel safe with Heaven around. It's like nightmares will not haunt me when I sleep in his room. I must admit that regardless of Heaven's annoying personality, I consider him the best brother.

"Oo na po. You're so makulit. Ten times mo ng inulit 'yan sa akin since this morning!" Yamot na sabi ko.

"I'm just making sure so it would be absorbed by that thick skull of yours. Baka mamaya tambangan na naman ako ng mga babae d'yan para isumbong 'yang mga kalokohan mo." Aburidong aniya.

"Oo na nga po!" Nakukulitang sagot ko saka kumapit sa braso niya, "pero hatid mo 'ko sa classroom ko." Ungot ko.

Kumunot ang noo niya, "What are you? A grade schooler? Alam kong mahina ang sense of direction mo pero imposibleng maligaw ka dito."

I clung on his arm and leaned on his shoulder. "Sige na, please?"

"What is this again, Oreo?" Nagdududang tanong niya.

I smiled sweetly yet brattily at him, "I just want to show you off to those sumbongeras. Makaganti man lang ako." Sigurado akong mula sa college ko ang mga nagsusumbong ng kung ano- ano sa kanya tungkol sa akin.

"Tsk, evil." Palatak niya.

"Halika na!" Hinila ko siya at wala na siyang nagawa pa kun'di sumunod sa gusto ko.

And as expected, almost all women in my college who saw us couldn't keep their eyes off us. I know of those envious glances from them, probably wishing that they were on my shoes. I even caught others exchanging malicious glances as they murmur at each other. Nasabi ko na bang marami akong haters sa department namin? At sigurado akong kabilang ang mga sumbungerang iyon doon. Kaya sa halip na awayin ko sila, gagantihan ko na lang sila sa paraang alam ko. Bubwisitin ko sila lalo.

Dumaan ang half day na walang interesting na nangyari. 'Yong kaninang umaga ay hindi na bago sa akin. I always receive hateful stares everyday. Sanay na ako doon. Isa pa ay wala akong pakialam as long as okay kami ni Giro. But that was before. When Giro still loves me. Or did her really? Yesterday was the real closure of everything that's about us. Hindi na kasing sakit noong kabre- break lang namin. I can cope with the pain now. I'm sad, yes. But not to the extent that I'd go beg for a potion to make him take me back. Because if there is someone I want to be with right now, that wouldn't be Giro this time.

Naglalakad ako papunta sa Cup and Tea, ang favorite café ko inside the campus. I remembered Heaven's reminder to eat a proper meal but I have no appetite to eat something heavy right now. It makes me so bothered to think that I haven't seen Vitto yet since this morning. Parte na yata ng daily routines ko ang kulitin siya tapos ay susungitan niya ako. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi kumpleto ang araw ko nang hindi naririnig ang malamig na boses niya maski ang mga naiinis na sulyap niya sa akin.

Napahinto ako nang halos banggain ako ng grupo ng mga babaeng kung magmadali ay parang matter of life and death and pupuntahan. Napaismid ako habang sinusundan sila ng tingin. Malapit na nga ako sa café ay kamuntikan pa akong madisgrasya ng mga babaeng iyon. Ipagpapatuloy ko na sana ang paglalakad nang manigas ako dala ng binanggit nilang pangalan.

"Si Blake Vitto Alonzo, nand'yan na!"

And there he is, the coldblooded Vitto walking with all his glory. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung dapat ko bang ikatuwa na kulitin siyang pumunta sa salon. Even though he's wearing his usual plaid black and red long sleeve with its entire buttons open showing his white round neck shirt, his jeans faded from several washes and a pair of simple old school Vans shoes, his hair and eyeglasses had really rocked it all.

Napahinto siya sa paglalakad nang salubungin siya ng mga babeng muntik nang nakabunggo sa akin kanina. 'Yong isa sa kanila ay may inabot pang kahon sa kanya. But the cold Vitto that he is, he just stared at the box then to the woman. Without a word, he continued walking past them.

So, he's still the same cold being I met in the Botanical Garden, same man who keeps giving me cold glances and nonchalant answers everyday. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba akong hindi niya pinansin ang mga babaeng iyon o madidismayang hindi man lang niya ako nakita. So, I made a decision, ako na lang ang lalapit sa kanya.

I was about to walk towards him when Riza met him midway like an overrated scene on a romantic film. Only that I couldn't feel any romance at all as I watch them. Riza was smiling widely while showing him a book and he seemed so interested. Umatras ako. Maybe, now's not the right time.I turned and headed to the café. The scene was making me all frustrated adding my cravings for something sweet. I want some carrots. Something sweet and cold. Maybe it would help numb this weird feeling inside me.

I pushed open the door and the mellow music of the café welcomed me. It's already lunch time so the whole place is loaded with students who wanted something easy to eat. I walked towards the counter to check if my cravings were available when someone careless bumped into me spilling her frappe all over my white off shoulder dress.

"Oh my god!" I exclaimed in frustration, my hands spread at my side, as I saw my new dress got heavily stained with caffeine and the whip cream was making me feel all sticky. Gosh! I even smelled like coffee!

"I- I'm sorry. I'm sorry talaga." Tila nanginginig na hingi ng tawad ng nakabunggo sa akin at marahas akong napaangat ng tingin nang matimbrehan ko ang boses na iyon.

"Y- You?!" Nanlalaki ang mga matang bulalas ko, magkahalo ang gulat at labis na inis. Why of all people ay ang Rosenda Rosales pa na ito ang makakabunggo ko?

"I'm sorry talaga." Natatarantang pinunasan pa nito ang whip cream sa damit ko gamit ang hawak na tissue ngunit lalo lamang iyong kumalat. Nanggigigil na itinulak ko palayo ang kamay niya.

"Don't touch me! Gosh! I really hate you!" Nandidiri sa whip cream at nanlalagkit na taboy ko sa kanya. Bigla na lang siyang napahikbi na ikinaawang ng mga labi ko.

"Nag- sorry na nga siya e. You don't need to shout at her." Komento ng isang babaeng naroon.

"Damit lang 'yan napapalitan. Hindi mo kailangang ipahiya 'yong tao." Sabi pa ng isa.

I huffed a breath in annoyance. So ako na naman ang lumalabas na kontrabida? Ni wala akong sinabi sa kanya kun'di don't touch me at I hate you pero kung husgahan ako ng mga taong 'to ay parang inginudngud ko na sa putikan si Rosenda. Ano 'yon porke't ako 'tong maganda ako na lang lagi ang kontrabida?! Iritableng binalingan ko ito.

"Why are you crying? Ako nga itong nabuhusan mo e. Bakit ako na naman ang lumalabas na masama?" Nagngingitngit na sabi ko. Sa halip na sumagot ay lalo pa siyang napaiyak na para bang takot na takot sa akin. Syempre, dahil siya ang umiyak sa kanya ang simpatya ng mga tao.

"Hoy, miss. Tama na 'yan. Sunosobra ka na!" Saway ng isa sa akin at humagulgol na ng iyak si Rosenda. Parang nananadya, kumukuha ng simpatya sa paligid. Sampalin ko na lang kaya para hindi saying ang luha niya? God! I knew that this woman is hideous inside and out!

"Gosh! I really hate you to the bones!" Inis na inis na bulalas ko sa kanya at laking gulat ko nang biglang may humablot sa kamay ko.

"What are you doing, Oreo?" Galit na sita sa akin ni Giro at nanlaki ang mga mata ko, base sa mahigpit niyang pagkakahawak sa kamay ko ay alam kong matindi ang tinitimpi niyang galit. He acted as if I just murdered someone!

"Why don't you ask your woman? She spilled her coffee on me!" I irritably blurted.

"It was an accident, Oreo! Hindi mo siya kailangang sigawan!"

"G- Giro, t- tama na please. H- Hindi na ako makahinga." Sabi ni Rosenda na tila ba hirap na hirap sa pagsasalita. Nang tingnan ko ito'y sapo nito ang dibdib at hinahabol ang paghinga. Agad akong binitawan ni Giro at nagaalalang inalalayan si Rosenda. Masuyo nitong hinagod ang likuran nito habang yakap ito sa isang kamay.

Giro hatefully stared at me.

"She has a heart disease, Oreo! If you only knew how to filter that mouth this would not have happened. If something happens to Rosenda, I swear it's all on you!" Puno ng galit na sabi ni Giro sa akin at nanuyo ang lalamunan ko. It was like tears had clogged my airway making my breathing labored.

My tears trickled down as I looked at them, hearing the convicting buzzes around me. So, I'm the bad girl here again. I'm judged just because I openly express how I feel. Why do they want me to shut up? Why do they want me to change who I am?!

"It's not my fault!" I screamed, my voice wavering.

"Please, get over me, Oreo. I don't want anything to do with you anymore." Sabi pa ni Giro bago akayin si Rosenda palabas ng café. Stunned was an understatement, I was stoned hard, my chest breaking from the sharp words that Giro just uttered. How can he say that so easily? How can he turn his back to me for a girl he merely knew? We were friends almost all our lives before we had a relationship. Kahit 'yong pagkakaibigan na lang sana naming. . . pero bakit itinapon niya iyon para sa isang babae. Ganoon ba ako kawalang halaga sa kanya?

"Serves you right!"

"Desperate bitch!"

"Pinapahiya mo ang mga kababaihan! You move on, loser!"

If there's a thing I hated about me, that would be my tendency of crying even over the pettiest matter. And this one isn't petty at all, it's another heart break, a friendship getting thrown away because misjudgement.

Bigla na lang tumahimik ang paligid. And I stilled feeling something warm draped over my shoulders.The familiar fragrance had engulfed me as I felt a familiar warmth.

"You're not really pretty when you cry." Vitto said as I feel him taking a small step beside me.

Dahan- dahan akong humarap sa kanya, "Y- You mean I'm v- very pretty when I don't cry?" I said in between sobs. Nang makita ko ang mukha niya ay bigla na lang kumawala lahat ng nararamdaman ko. Lalo akong napapaiyak kasi kinakausap na niya ako at siya pa ang unang lumapit sa akin.

"You smell like coffee." Sa halip ay sagot niya.

Pero nang maalala ang sinabi niya kahapon sa library ay nakasimangot na umatras ako.

"Don't talk to me yet. Hindi pa ako mabait. Baka sabihin nilang ikaw naman ang inaaway ko ngayon." Masungit na sabi ko.

Hindi siya sumagot, sa halip ay nilapitan ako saka inayos ang pagkakapatong ng polo niya sa balikat ko at pinagsalubong ang magkabilang side no'n para itago ang basa kong damit. I was dumbfounded. I found the gesture warm... and sweet.

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinila ako palabas.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" Nagtatakang tanong ko.

"Somewhere you don't need to pretend to be nice."