Episode 19

Birthday

"Dapat pala pinalagyan ko ng sequins 'yung lab gown ko! Para bongga!"

Simon kept on blabbering about including fashion while wearing our lab gowns. It was as if it was his first time to perform an experiment. And here am I, still thinking about the dream and text I've received last Sunday. It's now a Tuesday.

"Huy! Pansinin mo 'ko. Leche ka!" He snapped his fingers in front of me, the reason why I suddenly turned back to reality.

"Ano ba kasi 'yun?" medyo pataray kong sagot kaya tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. Hindi talaga 'to magpapatalo.

"Meron ka ba ngayon, sis?" asar niya sabay medyo tingin sa baba kaya hinampas ko ng mahina ang braso niya.

"Umayos ka nga," I calmly said because I'm still not in the mood for jokes. I remembered the unknown number that texted me last Sunday and how Valentine is a part of the past I can't remember.

"Hey... may ginagawa ba kayo?"

I called Shreya on Monday after class because I want to ask them if they also knew Valentine. Though Sky told me, that he didn't knew who Cyrus was, I think they might have known something about Val.

[Well, magpa-pa-spa kami mamaya. You told us na you have thesis preparation. Kaya 'di na namin sinabi to you.] Shreya said with her usual rich spoiled brat tone.

"Sama ako mamaya, may ikekwento ako," I slowly said, still hesitating if I should tell them this.

[Girls! There's chismis later. Hya's coming!] sigaw ni Shreya sa kabilang linya so I bet all of them are already together.

It took me about thirty minutes to go to the Spa they're talking about. Hinanap ko si Valentine kanina sa klase sa Bio Chem since it's a Monday, but he said that he's not going to attend the class today for some reason.

I sighed heavily before entering the double glass doors of the spa. May klase pa naman ulit bukas sa Bio Chem. Our professor said that we'll perform an experiment tomorrow. I should then ask Val.

"Hya, here!" Shreya loudly screamed that's why Sangre pulled her hair as Shreya disturbed her relaxation moment.

"Ingay mong bruha ka. Parehas kayo ng kapatid mong langit," Sangre said with her opened eyes now because she can't sleep again.

I smiled while looking at them. Luna was sitting comfortably on the recliner chair for her manicure while roaming her eyes around the salon to scrutinize its design. Portia was busy typing on her phone and giggling a little, as if she's flirting with someone through the internet again. Shreya and Sangre were in front of the mirror, dahil magpapakulay raw sila ng buhok, so they're just reading the magazine. Sky is not here kasi ayaw niya raw ng salon-salon na 'yan.

"Buti nakarating ka Hya. Akala ko ba busy ka sa thesis mo kasi next week na 'yun?" Luna asked as I sat beside her.

I placed my bag on the nearby sofa so I could also get to relax in the spa. Sabi kasi ni Shreya ay treat niya na 'yun sa'min kaya lulubusin ko na.

"Ah... 'Di kami nakapag-usap ni Val. Absent eh." I shrugged my shoulders, while fixing my seat to prepare for a nail spa.

"Baka LQ kamo. Kwento naman diyan." Si Portia habang nakatingin pa rin sa phone niya. I didn't think that she could be that great in multitasking.

"Guys, hindi kayo 'yung nagbigay kay Val ng number ko dati diba?" I asked. "Yeah. You told us na may number na si fafi Val sa'yo. Why?" I nodded before continuing.

"Hindi niyo rin naman pinagkakalat number ko, right?" I still questioned them. They creased their forehead at my question. Para kasing nagdududa ako sa kanila sa tanong ko.

"Ano ba kasing meron? Para kang ewan," sabi ni Sangre kaya ngayon, lahat na ng atensyon nila ay nakatuon sa'kin.

"Some... Somebody has been texting me creepy messages since... last month, I think?" Nilabas ko ang phone ko para ipakita talaga sa kanila ang messages.

"I tried blocking his or her number, but it's persistent to text me through different numbers! Minsan sinasabi pa niya na isusunod daw niya ako sa magulang ko," I calmly said with a hint of fear on my tone.

Naalala ko na naman 'yung unang text sa'kin ng number na 'yun. Madalas ay sabay siyang nakakapag-text 'pag nananaginip ako tungkol sa nakaraan ko eh. And I don't know why.

"Hala, Hya. Hala! Hala, gagi! Halaaa!" Sangre teased me as if she's not afraid of it. She told me that she could even slap the mystery person if they met in real life.

"No, seriously. Ang creepy niya. Another question... Do you know Val before we even became thesis partners? I think he's a friend from the past."

Silence filled the whole room after I've asked that. I tried to see their reactions but all of their faces turned pale and shock was etched in it. They knew?

"N-naaalala mo na?" Portia asked habang ngayo'y nakatingin na sa'kin at hindi na sa phone niya.

"What do you mean? I seldomly remember a boy named Cyrus in my dreams. He has a snob but handsome sibling. And it was Val!" I told them while they're still shocked.

Awkward silence filled the gap of noise again. I tried to look at them on their eyes but they're avoiding my gaze. What the hell is happening with these people?

"Guys, parang gusto kong gumala. 'Yung out of town naman," Sangre changed the topic smoothly as if she was avoiding that question. I creased my forehead.

"Hey! 'Wag niyong ibahin 'yung topic. I'm asking if you know Valentine before!" sabi ko na medyo naiinis na. Bakit ba nila iniiba 'yung topic? May tinatago ba sila sa'kin?

"Hya..." Luna held my hand and I looked at her in the eye. There were tears pooling around her eyes that screamed concern and sadness.

"W-we're not in the position na pangunahan ang memories mo, sis. Have you now remembered your whole past?" Shreya asked. I said no because that's the truth. There are only fragments that I can see in my dream.

"Kung hindi mo pa naaalala ng buo, hindi pa namin pwedeng sabihin sa'yo. We have different views of the past, Hyacinth. Baka 'pag pinangunahan ka namin, hindi na tuluyang mabalik 'yung lost memories mo," Luna explained.

My brows met in confusion of what they're spitting about. They really knew Valentine from the past? That we were actually acquaintance before we became thesis partners? How come?

"Hindi namin ganoong kakilala si Val kasi hindi naman talaga namin siya naging kaklase. We only knew his family through our parents. I've heard some... rumors before. But we don't know the whole truth. Kaya hindi kami nagsasabi sa'yo. Baka kasi alam mo ang lahat tapos maiba pa namin ang perception mo," pagpapatuloy pa ni Luna bago ako yakapin.

Of course, they knew! They were my long-time friend ever since high school. Alam nila ang dahilan kung bakit nawala ang memories ko dahil sa isang aksidente at alam din nila na namatay ang mga magulang ko dahil sa pagkakabaril. Pero... baka 'yun lang din ang alam nila.

Besides, we were all teenagers during that time. Wala pa kaming masyadong paki sa kung anong nangyayari sa paligid namin. We were selfish little brats who only think of our own welfare.

I just sighed heavily, giving up now. After a few sighs and croaks of grasshoppers, Sangre broke the silence.

"Hep hep! O ba't kayo malungkot? Sabi ko kasi sa inyo, travel na lang tayo out of town eh!" Sangre said cheerfully trying to lift up the mood. Tumawa naman nang pilit ang mga kaibigan ko at buti na lang na wala si Sky para sumama pa sa pag-iingay.

"Outer space ka na lang, Gre. Mukha ka namang alien eh," bara ni Portia kaya sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Sangre. Napatawa na lang ako sa kanila at nalimutang bahagya ang iniisip ko.

They smoothly changed the topic and we're talking about travelling now. Napaisip tuloy ako kung ano pa ba ang nakakalimutan ko at hindi nila masabi-sabi 'yun? Does it involve my parents perhaps?

"Right, I miss going on travels with you guys. I'm going to book a flight!" Shreya even clapped her hands in excitement.

"Boba. Sabi ko out of town, hindi out of the country. Mukha ba kaming maraming time ha? Eh kung hindi ba naman kalahating hayop 'yung prof namin na nagbigay ng sandamakmak na requirements eh," Sangre hissed while rolling her eyes.

"Totally relate," I said.

We discussed more about the travel that they're planning. They told me that they want a beach glamping so Shreya will book a resort for that. Marami naman siyang connections kasi maraming business ang pamilya nila.

"We can go uhm..." She put her hand on her chin. "Maybe on end of October until November 2? For holidays!"

Napaisip naman ako sa mga sinabi niyang araw. I'm supposed to visit my parents on that day but I guess I can just visit them on another day. Besides, minsan lang kami magka-free time gumala lalo na no'ng nag-college na kami.

"Sure, isasama ko si Cedi ha," Luna said. Nagkantyawan na naman ang mga kaibigan ko dahil bakit daw hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin silang dalawa ni Luna.

"Magkaibigan lang kami," Luna's never-ending excuse.

"Go lang ako sa holidays. Bibisitahin ko sana sila Mom and Dad then but it's okay. Tapos na rin ang thesis namin by that time." I smiled, also getting excited by the planned trip.

Matagal ko nang pinapangarap na pumunta ulit sa mga beach dahil simula no'ng nag-college na 'ko, nawalan na ako ng oras sa sarili ko. All I do was study here and there. Do requirements, review for finals or just sleep on my comfy room if ever I have free time. Hindi ko na sinasayang pa ang oras ko sa paggagala.

"Oh! Tapos na ang thesis niyo no'n! Isama mo si Val ha!" Sangre suggested, as if we hadn't talk about the man earlier. Sinamaan ko lang siya ng tingin dahil hindi ko pa nga alam kung anong role ni Val sa nakaraan ko ay pinipilit na naman nila akong isama 'yun.

"No. 'Di kami close," I lied.

Valentine and I are quite close right now but... I still don't want them to know that Valentine already liked me. Lalo na ngayong alam nila na nagugustuhan ko na si Val dahil sa text ko sa kanila nung nakaraan.

"Ang bagal mo, Hya! Akala ko ba crush mo 'yun! Malay mo bumalik din memories mo kapag kasama mo siya!" Portia exclaimed.

I inhaled a large amount of air to sigh heavily. Nakakapagod naman kausap 'tong mga 'to.

"Ang kulit niyo. Itatanong ko pa sa kanya sa susunod," I gave in to their request. Mahirap pakiusapan 'tong mga 'to kasi kukulitin ka lang nila nang kukulitin hanggang sa mabwisit ka.

"Dapat lang! We'll also surprise him on that day! It's an important day for the mighty Valentine Cyrus De Dios!" Shreya said with widened eyes and high-pitched tone.

"Anong meron?" Luna asked. I have also the same question in mind. What's so important about that day?

"Lagi talaga kayong dalawa walang paki sa mundo. Ano ba! Birthday ni Fafa Val sa November 1!" Portia said.

I gathered my thoughts when I came back to reality after reminiscing the talk, my friends and I, shared yesterday. I looked at the man who just entered, who looked perfectly sexy and handsome with his lab gown on.

I never knew I would like his kind of man. He was not totally my type before. I prefer jolly and feel-light boys that always smile than Valentine who is most of the time serious.

His dark brown hooded eyes that screamed power and highness could totally fit his leader position in their gang. His pointed nose, pointy lips and protruding adam's apple were his significant features. His rough but perfectly-defined jaw too that clenches whenever he shows emotions.

Nagtama ang paningin namin kaya mabilis siyang humakbang papalapit sa'kin. Nagulat na lang ako nang makitang nasa likod niya si Dhara at sabay pa silang pumunta sa gawi namin.

"Elara..." he said with his always cold baritone voice that could make me shiver. But I didn't look at him and instead, my whole focus was on the girl behind him. Why is Dhara here again?

Before he could even mutter a word, the professor in our class entered the laboratory. He explained the experiments that we're going to do for today. He informed us again about the safety rules and precautions of handling hazardous materials.

"Groups of four for today para mapabilis. Find your groupmates and do the task that was written on the white board." He pointed the list that he wrote on the board earlier. "You can start now. Deadline of reports... Today at 4 PM," he said before storming out of the room because they have a faculty assembly today.

"Val! Dhara! Tayo na lang groupmates nila Hya!" Simon said cheerfully dahil excited siya at makakasama niya sa isang group si Val.

Hindi naman na nakatanggi pa ang dalawa dahil sa sinabi ni Simon. Napairap na lang ako nang ilang beses dahil magkatabi si Dhara at Val sa harap namin ni Simon.

Paulit-ulit kong kinutya sa utak ko ang presensya ni Dhara kahit dati kaming magkaibigan. I don't know if she even treated me as her friend with regards to her action lately. Lalo na no'ng sinampal niya ako no'ng nasa bar kami. I'm starting to hate her!

"Val, you'll be the leader and I'll just be your secretary. Si Hya at Simon na lang ang magpapasa ng reports mamaya. Is that okay?" Dhara flashed a small smile as if she's an innocent freaking angel!

E'di dapat siya na lang naging leader! Kung makapag-utos siya parang—Uh! Naiinis na naman ako.

Our experiment started and the four of us were busy handling our own chemicals. I forgot about the anger I had for Dhara earlier as I handled my favorite things. Chemicals!

I chose to be a Chemical Engineer because for some reason I'm fascinated with Chemistry and its elements. If I only loved Civil Engineering like my parents, I could have handled our company after taking MBA.

But I wanted to do something that I love and take a job on something that I would enjoy someday. My parents also supported that thought when they're still alive. I suddenly missed them.

"Simon... pa'no ba 'to?" Kanina pa 'ko na-stuck sa formula na binigay sa'min ni Prof at hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin na fi-figure-out kung pa'no ko siya i-a-apply sa chemicals.

"Aba, girl, Hindi ko rin alam. Ako pa talaga tinanong mo. Tanong mo sa leader natin, bes. Nauurat na rin ako rito sa sino-solve ko eh," he whispered on my ear by leaning closely to me. Wala naman akong problema ro'n kung hindi lang nahagilap ng paningin ko si Val na nasa harap ko at madilim na ang tingin sa 'kin at kay Simon.

Sa tingin ko'y narinig ni Val ang pinag-uusapan namin nang mapaubo siya ng mahina. Masyado siyang focused sa pinag-uusapan namin, huh?

"Let me help you, Elara." Dali-dali niyang sinuot ang elastic gloves niya at pumwesto sa tabi ko. "You can go there now," malamig na utos niya kay Simon para mapalipat ito ng pwesto. I just rolled my eyes at him.

True enough, Valentine helped me with the questions I've asked earlier. Ang problema lang ay masyado siyang malapit ngayon at nagdidikit na ang mga siko namin kahit na ang laki-laki ng lamesa.

"Val, usog ka ro'n." Nginuso ko ang medyo maluwang na pwesto sa gilid niya. He just stared at me, as if thinking of something serious, before shaking his head.

"No, I'll help you." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko na nakahawak sa flask na may lamang kemikal para ihalo pa sa isang flask. Muntik ko nang mabitawan sa gulat nang mas lumapit pa siya sa pwesto ko para makita ito nang maayos!

Pigil na ang hininga ko dahil nakatagilid na siya ngayon sa harapan ko at konting tulak lang ay magdidikit na ang mga katawan namin. I could even smell his manly scent from here. Ang bango niya!

"Pabuhat."

My thoughts shattered into pieces when I heard Dhara's whisper. Alam kong hindi lang ako ang nakarinig no'n dahil nilingon din siya ni Val at Simon.

"Dhara Rigelline," Val said with a low voice na parang pinagsasabihan si Dhara dahil sa narinig niya. Bakit niya pa sinusuway? Gusto 'ata ni Dhara ng away kahit wala naman akong ginagawa sa kanya eh!

"I mean, pabuhat nitong flask Val. Ang bigat kasi." She gave him a small plastic smile before rolling it when our eyes met. What the hell is wrong with this girl?

Tinulungan nga siya ni Val sa pagbuhat no'n na obvious naman na magaan lang! Hindi na ako nakapagpigil at napabulong na rin na sinigurado kong maririnig niya rin.

"Pabibo," I said before rolling my eyes and finishing the experiment. Wala nang nagsalita after nu'n dahil medyo nagkakainitan na rin kami ni Dhara.

Pagkatapos ng experiment, inayos na ni Dhara ang data na agad inaprubahan ni Val. Kami raw dalawa ni Simon ang magpapasa no'n sabi ni Dhara kanina at since hindi naman ako 'yung kagrupong pabuhat, sinunod ko nalang.

"No. Me and Elara will pass it to Prof," Val calmly said before fixing his lab coat and hanging it on his right arm while placing his back pack on his left shoulder.

"Let's go Elara," he said before storming out of the laboratory to pass the results. Hindi ko napigilang mamangha dahil ako pa rin ang pinili ni Val na makasama sa pagpasa!

Dhara-0, Hyacinth-1

I smirked at her and bade my goodbye to the both of them before running towards Val who was staring at me intently. I waved my hands to Simon and rolled my eyes to Dhara who was currently exchanging deadly stares at me.

You can't really judge a book by its cover.

"Val, ano? Halika na! Para hindi na hassle mamayang 4!" I cheerfully said to him as I felt like I won a lotto when we left Dhara inside the laboratory, shocked with creased forehead. Mukha siyang bomba na isang kalabit lang ay sasabog.

Pero ako pa 'ata ang mas nagulat nang bigla akong hinapit ni Val papalapit sa kanya. His big hand wrapped around my waist before he leaned closer to whisper something to me.

"I hate seeing you with that boy, Simon," he whispered at napaisip nalang ako. Pagseselos lang ba umiikot sa utak nito? 

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#ACM19

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