Episode 12

Unknown Number

"Elara. Are you okay? Kanina ka pa nakatulala."

Nasa harap ko siya at parang bigla akong natauhan dahil sa sinabi niya. Nakatitig lang siya sa'kin gamit ang lagi niyang seryosong mukha kaya mas lalo akong nagtaka.

"Did we kiss?" I shamelessly asked. Bakit parang hindi niya natatandaan? Mabilis pa rin ang tibok ng puso ko pero... bakit parang wala lang sa kanya?

His forehead creased and his brows furrowed by my sudden question. But is then changed into an amused expression. The side of his lips rose as if he was teasing me.

"I didn't kiss you, Elara," he said while still smirking like he was enjoying this moment.

I pushed his chest away from me so I can breathe. His presence was suffocating me! Para akong tanga na hinihingal at ang bilis ng tibok ng puso dahil sobrang lapit niya.

"Hindi eh! You—" I pointed my index finger at him. "You kissed me! Stupid!"

Nagulat na lang ako nang bigla siyang tumawa. His fierce eyes suddenly formed a crescent shape while he was roaring with laughter at my sudden laments. Nasisiraan na ba siya ng bait?

"Elara... no. Gusto mo bang halikan kita?" He was still smiling like he was trying to stifle a laugh.

Kasabay ng pagtigil ng ulan ay bumagsak naman ang mga luha ko. Why is he saying that he didn't kiss me? He should've just apologized if he was feeling sorry! That was my first kiss!

"H-hindi kita pinagpapantasyahan! You kissed me! Malinaw pa sa buwan na hinalikan mo 'ko, Val!" I wiped my tears using my handkerchief and he stopped laughing when he saw me cry.

His face became serious and his thick brows met like he was thinking about something. He wiped my tears using his rough thumb and stared directly to my eyes.

Nagulat ako nang lumapit siya at hinawakan ang mukha ko. He stared at me with his dark brown eyes then lowered his gaze to my lips. Napatigil ako sa pag-iyak dahil doon.

Hindi niya ba talaga ako hinalikan? But I still felt his soft lips on mine! That can't be! Bakit ako lang ang nakakaalam na naghalikan kami?! Am I that desperate for his lips?

"Elara... Should I kiss you?" tanong niya na ikinagulat ko. Agad ginapangan ng hiya ang buong katawan ko. Bakit ba kasi... naisip ko na hinalikan niya 'ko? I don't know anymore!

Napayuko na lang ako sa pagkakapahiya dahil hindi ko rin alam. I don't know if he was the one joking or I'm just hallucinating. "S-sorry..." I said while looking down. I can't stare at his eyes for long. I would die first before could I accomplish that.

"I'm sorry, too. But I really didn't kiss you, Elara. I respect you. Let me be your boyfriend first before I can kiss you..." he whispered the last words so I haven't heard him properly. He caressed my face solemnly.

We were silent for a minute or two. The awkwardness was starting to fill the cold atmosphere. Only the creaks of grasshoppers and rustles of dried leaves of the cemetery was making a sound.

Buti na lang dahil biglang tumunog ang phone ko sa tawag. I saw Sky's name on my phone and I saw Val glanced at it, too. "Si Sky... tumatawag..." pagpapaalam ko sa kanya na sasagutin ko ito.

His jaw clenched tightly like he was stopping himself to be angry. Frustration and anger were evident in his brown eyes. I don't know why he reacted that way to Skyler's name.

I answered Sky's call. It's either mag-aaya sila ng inom o kaya may kailangan na naman sila. I love my friends and they know that. They have been my shield, my strength and shelter for the past years. For the past years, where my parents had left me alone.

Pero sadyang minsan ay nakakairita lang sila dahil puro sila kalokohan. Hindi ko rin naman sila masisisi kung gusto lang nilang ngumiti. I clearly know that each one of us has a problem on their own families.

"Ano na naman kailangan mo?" I boredly asked.

[Ang sakit mo naman magsalita, Hya! Mapanakit kang nilalang!] He sounded like as if he was really hurt so I just rolled my eyes while my phone was on my ears.

"Bakit nga kasi?"

[Nag-aya si Sangre sa resto nila. At dahil lagi kang missing in action sa mga gala, pumunta ka raw dito!] I also heard my friends laugh on the other side of the phone call.

[Yes, I do the cooking!] Sangre shouted on the other line.

I faced Valentine and his brows were now furrowed because I'm smiling like an idiot in front of him. Napaubo ako sa seryoso niyang titig at sineryoso ulit ang mukha.

"Sige, papunta na. Siguraduhin niyo lang na masarap 'y—" Sky didn't even let me finish my sentence when he ended the call. Kumukulo na naman dugo ko sa kanya!

"What did he say?" Val asked in his always serious baritone voice. His jaw was still clenched tightly. "Dinner daw kaming tropa sa resto nila Sangre."

Hindi na naman ako makatingin sa mga mata niya. Why is he always staring me like that? Is one of his plans giving me a heart attack?

"Let's go," he said then turned his back on me.

He was walking towards the parking lot since the heavy rain had just stopped. I was left alone on the shed, all stunned and dumbfounded. Sasama ba siya?

"Val!" I called and ran to him. Nang makalapit na ako sa kanya, hinawakan ko ang dulo ng t-shirt niya para mapigilan siya sa paglalakad. Gladly, he stopped.

"Why?" He glanced at me with his same serious face but I was shocked because of his rough features under the moonlight. Now that I've seen him closely for the nth time today, I can't help but really praise his beauty.

"Stop staring or I'll really kiss you, Elara."

The moment he said those words, it was as if I'm glued to my position like a freaking statue. Kiss... Should I just stare at him, then? Napailing ako sa naiisip.

"A-ano ba? Kalimutan na nga natin 'yun diba? Baka nga inakala ko lang. Pero... sasama ka ba sa resto nila Sangre?"

He looked at me with confusion in his eyes but in the end he just sighed heavily. He held my hand that was hanging on his elbows. Hindi ko nga namalayang nakahawak pa rin pala ako sa siko niya!

He caressed my small hand with his long slender fingers. I felt the same electricity that I've felt earlier when our skin touched.

"V-val?" He was still caressing my hand but was now looking right into my eyes.

"I hate to see that Quillito boy but if you want to, I can go." I stared at his brown eyes that reflected the stars from above the night sky. It was sparkling like gems.

"S-sige lang." Hindi niya pa rin binibitawan ang kamay ko bago kami naghiwalay ng landas dahil may sarili kaming kotse na ida-drive.

The moment I've closed the door of the driver's seat, I shouted like a crazy woman while thumping my fists on the steering wheel.

"Oh my god?! Why are you so dumb, Hyacinth! Hindi ka naman ganiyan! Pinapahiya mo ang sarili mo. And what? He kissed you?! In your wet dreams!" sigaw ko sa sarili ko.

Sinabunutan ko pa ang buhok ko at tumili-tili pa. Naiinis na ako sa sarili ko. Lalo na nang pagkatapos akong mapahiya ay hinawakan ni Val 'yung kamay ko. Gusto ko na ba talaga siya? But what's stopping me from liking him? Just because of his name? Maybe... I don't know. Maybe I'm still not ready. Hindi ko rin alam.

"Then he held your hand for goodness sake! Calm your nerves, Hya. 'Wag kang marupok. 'Wag kang marupok. 'Wag kang marupok..." I continued chanting that verse until I've finally arrived at Sangre's family restaurant.

Valentine's car was following me from behind. Good thing that my car was heavy tinted earlier so he didn't see me when I was acting like a crazy girl. I got out from my Audi the moment I've parked it. I got my purse and looked at the sky to breathe properly.

Okay, Hya. You will see Val again. Act normal.

I am still not done with catching a deep breath when I felt an arm snaked on my waist. It was holding me firmly.

I felt thousands of bolts awakening my system once again. My heart started beating loudly for the nth time today. Maybe I should refrain myself of drinking coffee because I'll really die of Valentine's unexpected moves.

"Let's go, Elara. Your friends are waiting." He whispered huskily on my ears.

"O-okay." His hand was holding me firmly on my waist while we are marching towards the front door of the restaurant. I was so stiff while standing beside him. I don't know what to do.

Bakit mo ba ako pinapahirapan ng ganito, Val?

The chimes hanging on the front door of the restaurant made a ringing sound. It startled me at first. I saw how most of the heads of the customers turned their sights on who entered he door.

I felt my chest starting to throb again and my knees turning weak. Damn! Now they are looking at me who was nervous with the handsome man holding my waist!

Marahan kaming naglakad papasok. Nakita ko agad ang mga kaibigan ko. They were complete... and all their jaws are hung open. Amusement was evident in their eyes; that I've brought Val with me today.

"Huy!" I shouted at them so they can now go back to reality. Para kasi silang nakalutang ngayon sa ulap na hindi alam ang gagawin.

We walked towards their table. Mukhang nasusunog na ang pork na niluluto nila roon. Korean restaurant kasi ang business nila Sangre. Isa sa mga dahilan sa kung bakit naging mag-bestfriend sila ni Portia. Portia loves anything Korean.

"H-hya... Surpriserist ka talaga!" malakas na sigaw ni Sangre sabay tawa. Para siyang nababaliw na hindi na alam ang gagawin dahil kasama ko si Val ngayon.

When we finally reached their table, they all went silent. All their stares were still on Val but then went down on his hand that was on my waist. I gulped hardly before speaking.

"Oh ba't niyo nga pala kami pinapunta rito?" I tried to act as normal as possible but their stares still won't leave me.

Naupo na ako sa isang upuang nakahanda doon. I was shocked that only one chair was left. They really didn't expect Val's presence. Nakakahiya! Saan siya uupo?

"Porsh! Walang upuan si Val!" mahina kong bulong kay Portia na katabi ko. She was still stunned by Val's masculinity and handsomeness that she almost drooled over while staring at him.

"Huy!" I pinched her waist so she screamed in pain. Saka palang siya tumingin sa'kin nang may nanlilisik na mga mata.

"Sky! Wala kang kwenta! Kunin mo nga roon 'yung baby chair." Parang napabalik din sa reyalidad si Skyler dahil sa malakas na sigaw ni Portia. Pero bigla akong napalingon sa kanya dahil sa sinabi niya.

"Huh? Anong baby chair?!" She licked her lips at my question before answering me.

"Kasi baby ko siya... Val!" tawag niya rito na parang matagal na silang magkaibigan. Sinenyasan niya si Val na umupo sa upuan niya na katabi ko. Valentine didn't hesitate to move at Portia's commands.

"Ayan, tama. Dapat laging masunurin. Mas maganda asawahin 'yan. 'Di ba, Hya?" Her brows went up and down alternatively while she was smirking widely. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata para matigil na siya sa pang-aasar.

"Portia Serene! Scam! Mukha akong tanga roon na nanghingi ng baby chair! Gago!" Sky even ruffled his hair in hesitation while his dimples were showing. Hindi na lang namin napigilang tumawa dahil mukhang nairita talaga siya kay Portia.

"So, Val? Why are you here with Hya? Is there something going on that we don't know?" Shreya maliciously asked to Val. Her eyes sparkled while questioning him so I can't help but roll mine.

"Walang nangyayari. We just happened to cross paths when I visited Mom and Dad earlier." Inunahan ko na si Val. Gagawan na naman kasi ng issue 'yan ng mga kaibigan ko eh.

On my peripheral vision, I saw how Val got a glass of water from the table. His Adam's Apple went up and down when he was drinking the water. I can't help but stare at that.

"Wow! May meet-the-parents agad?" Sangre said amusingly before everyone laughed. Maliban sa'kin at kay Val na nasamid pa nang bahagya dahil sa sinabi ng kaibigan ko.

I patted his back. He was shocked by my sudden move that his jaw clenched tightly like he was stopping himself of something.

"Please don't caress my back like that." Val whispered that only the two of us could hear. I didn't know why he said that but maybe it was too uncomfortable on his part so I just removed my hand.

Nag-kwentuhan pa kami ng mga kaibigan ko habang si Valentine naman ay tahimik lang na nakikinig. Luna and Sangre were busy cooking the samgyupsal on the table but always laughs whenever our friends stated something funny.

Pagkatapos maluto ng mga baboy ay isa-isa nang kumuha ang lahat. Muntik pa ngang mapaso si Sky dahil sa kamamadali kaya pinalo ni Shreya ang kamay niya.

"Patay-gutom, amputa!" asik ni Sangre kaya tinawanan lang siya ni Sky bago kumuha ulit ng pagkain.

"Napakatakaw mo, Sky. May dragon ba riyan sa tiyan mo?" natatawang tanong ko naman sa kanya habang ngumunguya.

Nagulat ako nang habang kumakain ako at nakikipag-kwentuhan, naglalagay si Val ng pagkain sa plato ko. From the samgyup plate, he was transferring small cuts of meat in mine! Gulat ko siyang tiningnan.

"I said don't stare, Elara. Just... eat." Naglagay ulit siya kaya para akong batang tumango bago kumain ulit.

The meat was delicious! It was juicy and it really melt on my mouth that I savored every flavor in it. That's why their restaurant really boomed because they serve good quality foods in here.

We continued eating after that. We chatted and laughed for a while. I saw Val also spoke when he was questioned. He smiled every time my friends told him a joke. I don't know but I also smiled at his bright reaction tonight.

I didn't know that he could be this friendly in front of my friends. I mean, he has this always cold aura and serious personality whenever I'm talking to him. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na kaya niya palang ngumiti ng ganiyan kahit sa harap lang ng mga kaibigan ko.

Pagkatapos kumain, tumawag ang mama ni Val kaya lumabas muna siya. I didn't follow him, thinking that it might be personal.

"Pst, Hya. Speed mo, ah? Pabigay ka naman ng tutorial kung paano mapansin ni crush. 'Yung step-by-step sana," Portia said before laughing. Sumang-ayon sa kanya ang mga kaibigan namin dahil kahit sila ay nagulat din na kasama ko si Val.

"But legit I was so shocked earlier—" Sky cut Shreya's sentence.

"Pakita nga ng shock, kambal?" Sky mocked her that's why Shreya slapped his arm. We just laughed at the twins because that's how they show love—by physically hurting each other.

"Hindi naman kami at hindi ko siya gusto. Uulitin ko, nagkasabay lang kam—" Now it was Sangre who cut me off.

"Nye nye. Hindi ko siya gusto, your face. Pakipot ka pa, 'yun din naman punta niyo. Ako na-se-stress sa'yo, Hya, eh!" I just shook my head in disbelief. My friends are hopeless. They always assume a lot of things. Kaya sila nasasaktan, eh.

After Val came inside the restaurant again, he told me that he was needed at an emergency at home. Tumango ako at hinatid siya sa labas kahit 'di naman kailangan. He politely excused himself to my friends for the leave.

"Ingat kayo!" sigaw ni Luna kaya nginitian ko na lang siya.

The moment I stepped out of the restaurant, the cool breeze of the wind startled me, making me jump in cold for a bit. I hugged my arms to make myself warm.

I followed Val from behind while he was marching towards his Black Porsche. Kahit sa kotse ay mahilig din siya sa black!

"Uh, Val... Salamat nga pala sa pagsama. Sorry naabala na naman kita. Ako na humihingi ng tawad dahil sa kaingayan ng mga kaibigan ko kanina." I smiled at him genuinely. He also gave back a small smile.

"It's okay. Your friends are great that's why you are too. Don't worry about it too much. Good night, Elara," he said with his usual low baritone voice before he waved his hand and entered the driver's seat.

When his car moved away from the restaurant, I waved my hand up high to bid him goodbye. He just honked his car in response. I was about to go inside the restaurant again to get my things, when I felt like someone was watching me from afar.

The cold wind of the night breeze and the unfamiliar stare made me feel colder. I looked around at the surroundings and noticed a shadow at the dark side of the other street.

It was wearing a black hoodie that covers its face. He was holding a phone on his hand before putting it on his pocket. The next thing I knew, I received a text message again from a mysterious number.

From: Unknown Number

You are next.

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#ACM12

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