Xyla’s POV

Mirror mirror on the wall, I’ll tell you I’m the prettiest of all.

“Woi!”

“Fvck!” Nabitawan ko yung salamin at nabasag. Tiningnan ko ng masama si Creature. Ngumisi lang siya’t umupo sa tabi ko.

“The problem dude? You’re so annoying. VERY… annoying.”

“Nakakatawa ka lang tignan dahil panay tingin mo sa salamin. Kita mo, nabasag yung salamin.” I rolled my eyes and was about to eat a chocolate truffle but he get it on my hand and he eat it.

“The heck of your nerve? Pwede ka namang kumuha sa box, bakit yung hawak ko pa?” Sakit talaga sa mata ng lalaking ‘to. Kukuha na sana ako ulit pero nilayo niya sakin yung box ng truffles.

“Don’t you dare.” I said giving him a piercing look.

“Stop eating chocolates Hoodlum. Look at yourself. You’re getting heavy.” What?! Ang kapal talaga ng mukha niya!

“Heavy your face! Give that back to me!” Tumayo ako para kunin yon but he hold it and place upwards.

“Then jump for it.” He smirks. Nakakabwisit talagang ngumisi ‘to. Tatahiin ko na talaga yang bibig niya. I jump trying to reach the box but he’s tall.

“Ugh! Pwede ba? Stop playing games! Give me my truffles back you Pathetic Creature!” Binaba niya na yung kamay niya’t inabot sakin yung box. Tiningnan ko lang siya’t nakangiti siya. I look at the box and was about to get it but he move it away from me and get some again and eat it.

“Aish! Bahala ka sa buhay mo! Bwisit ka talaga!” I march out of the cafeteria and was about to go to my next class but someone put his arms around my shoulders.

“Just kidding you know. Concerned lang ako sa health mo. Mahirap na. Baka magflat yung kotse mo kapag tumaba ka.” I stop and give him a furious look. I cross my arms and was thinking to murder him right here, right now.

“To tell you what, I’m thinking to kill you right now. Remove your filthy hands off me or I’ll freaking pull your lungs out of your body.” Nasindak ata siya’t lumayo siya sakin.

“Okay, okay. I’ll give this back to you but don’t eat too much. Tumataba ka na talaga Xandria.” Seryoso niyang sabi. Napatingin ako sa katawan ko. Tumataba ba talaga ako? Feeling ko sumisikip lang ng konti yung… sh’t! sh’t! sh’t! It’s the end of November and December is tomorrow! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! How would I go to my birthday party with this body?! I cupped my face and frown.

“This is a nightmare! Kill me now!” I run away as fast as I can. I need to lose weight. I need to gain my body! This can’t be happening! I run in the field and soon start running in circles.

“Xandria! Hey! Stop!” I heard someone yelled but I didn’t mind if who it was. I need to lose these fats. Ang pangit naman siguro kung nakagown ako’t may bilbil ako diba? Why so absurd Xandria Laurene? Bakit nagpakasasa ka sa pagkain ng chocolate truffles? Kasalanan ‘to ng Creature na yon eh! Isama mo pang binilhan ako ng maraming boxes nung labindalawang lalaki. Peace offering daw. Peace offering my butt. Pinapataba nila ako eh!

Hingal na hingal ako’t nanginginig na ang mga paa ko. Tagaktak narin yung pawis ko. I stop and catch my breath. Humiga nalang ako sa field at tumingala.

“This was effin good. Ang tagal kong di nakapagwork out.” I mumbled still gasping for air. Bigla nalang may umupo sa tabi ko’t ng tignan ko kung sino ay yung Creature pala. May nakasubo pang chocolate truffles sa bibig niya.

“Why did you run? I keep calling you but you’re not stopping.” He said and gave me water. Kinuha ko yon at umupo ako. I gulped it and sighed. Ang sarap. Pinalo ko sa kanya yung plastic bottle na wala ng laman.

“Kasalanan mo ‘to eh! You spoiled me with those chocolate truffles! Aish! Ano nalang magiging itsura ko sa birthday ko? Ang pangit ko na. Ang pangit pangit ko na.” Mangiyak-ngiyak kong sabi. Ngayon ko palang nasabi sa sarili ko na pangit ako. Yes, I know how to admit my flaws. I slapped my cheeks slightly but Creature holds my both hands.

“Stop it. You’re not ugly.” He said seriously. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya. Parang sinasabi ng mga mata niya, ‘Xandria, ikaw ang pinakamaganda sa mundo.’

“You’re not ugly because you’re the prettiest… among the ugly faces.” He said and laughs horridly. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin pero wala siyang humpay kakatawa. I remove my hands from his hands and punch his face.

“Now that’s ugly.” Tumayo nako’t iniwan siya. Bahala siya. Panira talaga ng araw ang bwisit na yon. Hinawakan ko yung pisngi ko. Pakiramdam ko tumataba na nga ako. Kakaisip ng kung anu-ano, bigla nalang akong may nabunggo.

“Oh, sorry.” Tiningnan ko siya’t nakita ko yung pagmumukha ni Xylo.

“Sorry? May magagawa ba yang sorry mo Laurence? Nabangga mo na ako o.” Ngumiti lang siya. Isa pa ‘to e. Masasapak ko ‘to pramis.

“Not in the mood eh?”

“Do I look like I am? What do you want? Hindi ka gagala ng Acad kung hindi mo ako hinahanap.” He smiled and rubs his nape.

“Just want to remind you that tomorrow, we need to go to see Madame Klein. She needs our measurements for our clothes for the party.” Napatingin ako kay Laurence.

“Are you kidding me? No! I’m not going! Bahala kang magpasukat but I will not and never will.”

“Ba-bakit? May problema ba? Pero kailangan natin dahil---”

“Ayoko Laurence. Ayoko. Ayoko. Ayoko. Magpapasukat ako kung kailan ko gusto.” Iniwan ko na siya’t nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. I hold my head and mess my bangs. Sakit sa bangs oo o. How could I lessen this weight in less than a week? Gosh! I need my body back!

D.O’s POV

“Xyl, di ka na naman kakain ng kanin?”

“Fruits and vegetables would be my dietary plan for weeks. No carbo, no fats.” She said and eats. Ilang araw na siyang puro gulay at prutas lang. Ni ayaw tumikim kahit kaunting meat o kanin. Tapos, batak din siya sa pageexercise.

“Baka naman magcollapsed ka niyan?” Tanong ni Belinda sa kanya.

“I’m being a vegetarian Bel. Walang namamatay sa pagkain ng healthy foods. Besides, I need to gain my normal body back. Tumataba na ako…” She mumbled the last but enough for me to hear.

“Di ka naman tumataba. Normal parin naman yang katawan mo eh.” Ang seksi niya nga tapos tumataba? San banda? Tiningnan niya ako ng masama.

“Kyungsoo, don’t lie to me if you don’t want to die. I’m freaking having these baby fats in my tummy and you’re saying I’m not getting heavy? Oh freaking shut up.” She rolled her eyes and continued eating. Nagkatinginan nalang kaming lahat. Bigla nalang tumunog yung phone niya sakto namang natapos na siya.

“Excuse.” She stood up and walk far from us.

“What? … No. … Give me more days. … But I can’t give my measurements as long as I can feel something weird with my body. … Gosh Xylo! Then tell her that even if it was last minute left, not until I get my measurements back, I wouldn’t.” Binaba niya agad yung phone niya’t pumunta ng kusina.

“She’s freaking out.” Bel said and I look at her.

“Bakit ba? Hindi naman talaga siya tumataba di ba?”

“Xyla knows her body. It’s her body. Kaya kahit may konting dagdag lang sa timbang niya, nagfreafreak out siya lalo na ngayon at nalalapit na ang birthday niya.” Speaking of her birthday. It will be 7 days from now. One week nalang pala. Pero sayang, mukhang hindi kami makakadalo.

Xyla’s POV

“Ayoko na! Ayoko na talaga! Pagod na ko!” I tried to do one more curl ups pero ang sakit na ng tiyan ko’t ang bigat na ng katawan ko.

“Isa nalang. Kaya mo yan.” Sabi sakin ni Tao. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

“Ikaw kaya dito. I’ve done 499 curl ups and my belly aches. Nangangawit na ako.” Hingal na hingal kong sabi sa kanya. Di naman kasi siya ang napapagod. Nakahawak lang siya sa tuhod ko’t taga ipit ng mga paa ko. Nakahiga lang ako’t lupasay na ang katawan at naghahabol ng hininga.

“Isa nalang Xyla. Just one more and we’ll stop.” I look at him and he smiled. Sh’t! Para sa katawan ko! I cross my arms in front of my chest and tried one more. Last na ‘to.

“AHH!”

“Sige, kaya mo yan!” Ang bigat na talaga ng katawan ko kaya halos di ko na maangat. I stretched my arms para abutin si Tao pero napakalayo niya. Napapikit nalang ako’t pinilit na maabot siya at sa wakas ay naabot ko siya. Binitawan niya ako agad kaya napayakap ako sa kanya at napahiga kami. I was on top of him. I’m panting. Nakakapagod. Ewan kung pagod din ba siya o ano dahil ang bilis ng tibok ng puso niya. Hinilig ko nalang ng maayos ang ulo ko sa dibdib niya. Nakakaantok. I felt his hands on my back.

“You’re good Xyla. You’re good.”

“Igugudgud ko yang mukha mo sa sahig kung sakaling nawalan na ako ng tiyan.” He just chuckled. Letche! 100 push-ups, 500 curl ups ang pinagawa sakin ng walanghiyang ito. Feeling ko magbreabreakdown ako sa sakit ng katawan ko. Buti nalang at sanay ako sa araw-araw na ehersisyo.

“Are you tired?”

“Who wouldn’t? Feeling ko lantang gulay ako. Gusto kong kumain ng chocolate truffles… Turkish delight… Can’t wait for my party… I want to eat those at magpapakasawa ako sa pagkain kapag natapos na ang birthday ko.” I mumbled and close my eyes. Matutulog nalang muna ako. *yawn.

Tao’s POV

Natawa nalang ako sa kanya. I heard her yawned kaya tiningnan ko siya pero di ko Makita ang mukha niya. Ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Daig ko pa yung pagod na pagod. I’m helping her to lose weight for 3 days. Yun nalang ang maitutulong ko sa kanya.

“Xyla?” I called her but she didn’t answer. Natawa nalang ako when I heard a low snoring. Nakatulog na yata. Niyakap ko siya’t dahan-dahan kong inupo. Nakasandal parin siya sa dibdib ko. I put her head on my arms. She’s already asleep. Inayos ko yung buhok na nakaharang sa mukha niya. She’s peacefully sleeping. Pagod na pagod siya. I carry her out of the gym and go upstairs. Inabot ko yung doorknob ng kwarto niya’t pumasok. I put her on her bed. Tinitigan ko lang siya.

“You know what? Even you’re the heaviest girl in the world, I wouldn’t change you. Para sakin ikaw parin ang pinakamaganda.”I whispered and kiss her forehead. Kinuha ko yung towel ko’t pinunasan yung ilang pawis sa pisngi niya. Tumayo na ako’t lumabas at kumatok sa kwarto nila Auntie. Sakto namang lumabas si Bel.

“May kailangan ka?”

“Pakipalitan ng damit si Xyla. Nakatulog na siya pero basa ng pawis yung damit niya.” Tumango lang siya’t naglakad na papunta sa kwarto ni Xyla. Bumalik nalang ako sa kwarto ko.

Xyla’s POV

OH EM GI. Am I dreaming?

“Teka, baka may sira yung timbangan.” Umalis ako sa pagkakatapak at inangat yung timbangan at inalog-alog. Binaba ko ulit yon saka ulit tumapak pero kumunot lang ang noo ko.

“Xyl, that weighing scale tells the truth kaya kahit paulit-ulit kang tumimbang, yan na talaga ang timbang mo.” Bel said. I look at the weighing scale again.

“You got to be kidding me.” I shook my head and get my phone. I dialed Xylo’s number and it soon rung.

“I’ll pick you up. I’m ready to give my measurements.” Binaba ko kaagad yung tawag at napangiti. I already regain my weight and my body in just less than a week. Napatingin ako kay Tao.

“Looks like you deserve it.” He said. I run towards him and give him a big hug.

“Thanks to my instructor.” He pats my back.

“Ehem, thank also your doctor.” Lay pulled me away and hug me.

“Okay? Thanks?”

“Ehem, thank your dietitian too.” Soon Kyungsoo pulled me away and hug me too.

“Thank you?”

“Hey… that’s unfair! How ‘bout us?” Kumalas ako sa yakap ni Kyungsoo at tiningnan silang lahat. Bel just smiled and clapped her hands.

“Group hug nalang tayo for the success of Xyl!” Hinatak niya agad ako’t niyakap at nakisali lahat.

“Te-teka… Di na ako makahinga.” Kumalas naman silang lahat at lumayo sakin. I look at them all. Sayang…

“Uhh… how should I say this? Uhm… boys… you know I want to bring you all to my party but…” Aish!

“We know Xyla. Kahit gusto naming pumunta hindi pwede.” I look at Biik and he was just smiling.

“Next time nalang okay? We can still celebrate more birthdays. Maybe it isn’t mine but, maybe one of yours.” Tumango naman silang lahat at ngumiti.

“Woooh… lucky me that I’m invited.” Bel said and put her arms around my shoulders. I look at her.

“You’re invited? Did I invite you? I didn’t remember I did.”

“It wasn’t you. It was Xytee who invite me.” Xytee huh? Hindi man lang sinabi sakin?

“That’s… unfair. Why Bel’s invited and why we’re not?”

“It’s not my problem. It’s yours.” Masayang sabi ni Bel bago tuluyang lumabas ng gym. I look at the boys again and they were wearing a smile pero halata namang badtrip sila.

“I hope you can come but it isn’t possible. Papa had the guests list and I don’t have a chance to put your names on it.”

“We understand. Maybe we can celebrate your birthday before your day.” I smiled at Suho’s suggestion. I can add them on the guest list but the problem is… they would know the real me. They would know that I and Laurene… are one.

~~~

A/N : Malapit na ang birthday ng prince and princess of Graysons~ Huehuehue~