Her

Nagising ako dahil sa malakas na tawanan sa kung saan. I slowly opened my eyes and saw the sun on the sky, it must've been morning. Tiningnan ko ang upuan kung saan ko huling nakitang natulog si Adam pero wala nang tao roon.

Tawanan ang nagpabaling sa akin sa balkonahe.

I slowly stood and went close to the balcony. Sarado pa ito at ayaw kong makita nila ako kaya kaunti kong binuksan ang kurtinang nakasara para masilip kung bakit sila nagtatawanan sa baba.

I saw Adam chasing Cara. She was giggling as Adam chased her with a host. Basa ang damit ni Adam, siguro'y si Cara ang nauna at gumanti lamang ang lalake. Malakas ang halakhak ni Lumiere habang nakangiti naman si Mrs. Potty. Derobe was cheering for Cara while Cog was smiling at them. They looked happy . . . unlike with me. Where silence was like a peace when Adam and I are in one place because war seemed to be our used to be communication.

Ang saya nila.

Lalo na kapag wala ako.

Bakit ba nandito pa ako? I was just a temporary replacement, right?

Sinarado ko ang kurtina dahil hindi ko gusto ang nakikita ko. I decided to take a bath to wash out all my thoughts and emotion until I heard a knock.

"Arabelle? Gising ka na? Mag-umagahan na kayo." It was Lumiere again.

Hindi ko na siya sinagot, wearing the same usual yellow dress, with just an addition of scarf that covered my neck and a jacket, I opened the door for him.

Just like the usual, hinatid niya ako sa hapagkainan. Malayo pa lang, rinig ko na ang tawanan nila. It was Adam's laugh that made me sigh. I opened the door and when I entered, his laugh dissipated.

What's with the silence? Sige! Tumawa ka! Ano bang kinakatakot mo?

Umayos siya ng upo nang magtama ang tingin namin. Cara was sitting beside him and there's a soup in front of him. A soup. I prefer fried foods. Not soup.

Oh . . . Cara likes soup.

May pagkain nang nakahanda sa katapat na kabisera. Maybe 6 seats apart from me, kung saan lagi akong kumakain dahil magkagalit kami. Now, I hate the distance. The two seemed intimately close together. And I hate it.

Tahimik akong umupo at ibinaba na ang tingin sa sabaw. I inwardly sigh as I force myself to eat even with no appetite.

"Hi, Arabelle! Kumusta tulog mo?" It was Cara who initiated the conversation.

"She slept well. Anyways, how was the soup?" It was Adam, before I could even respond— no, I don't even have a plan to respond.

"It's good! Masarap! Ikaw nagluto?"

And their conversation went on. Like I'm a ghost.

Tahimik akong tumayo nang matapos sa kinakain. Dahil madaldal silang dalawa, hindi pa sila tapos kumain. Cara looked at my plate and up to me.

"Tapos ka na?" She asked politely.

Tanging tango ang sagot ko bago ko sila nilagpasan para makalabas na. Tangina ni Adam, hindi ko siya maintindihan.

Lumiere guided me and told me that we'll go to the beach earlier. Aniya, si Cara raw ang may pakana and she's planning on camping there. Kaya dapat daw maghanda ako ng masusuot dahil walang tao ang maiiwan dito sa bahay. I sighed at that and decided to prepare another  jacket, and a yellow dress. Thankfully, Adam brought me bunch of yellow dresses so I still have plenty. Lumiere even asked me if I have plans on swimming but I refuse because if I swim, the scar on my neck would be visible.

After preparing, I went to the library just like the usual, to finish writing my book. Para rin malabas lahat ng hinanakit ko, sasaktan ko ang mga karakters ko, especially the male lead. I stopped writing when the door opened and I saw him entering the library. Kaagad akong tumayo at niligpit na ang gamit para makaalis.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

Of course, I wouldn't answer him.

"Beauty?"

Tahimik ko siyang tinalikuran para maisauli ang mga librong hiniram ko. He called my name again but I didn't give him an ounce of attention. He acted like I was a ghost earlier, then he's a ghost now.

Lalagpasan ko na sana siya kung hindi niya lang hinawakan ang braso ko. I glared at him and tried to remove my arms but he gently gripped me.

"Bakit ka aalis? Dahil lang nandito ako?"

I glared at nothingness, not looking at him. Even when he's holding me, I won't give him the attention he needs. I won't waste it!

"Galit ka ba?"

Bumukas ang pinto kaya kaagad niya akong binitiwan, like he was burned by me. Cara entered and she looked shock when she saw me. I glared at Adam and walked out of there.

Tangina. Ganyan siya kasi gusto niyang magtago! He's a liar! A fucking liar!

Dahil sa galit ko, gusto ko nalang patayin itong lalake sa sinusulat ko. He doesn't deserve to live! He deserves death! At ang babaeng mahal niya ang papatay sa kaniya!

"Bakit parang gusto mong pumatay ng tao?"

I yelped and turned to Cog. Hindi ko namalayang nakatayo na pala siya sa likod ng bench na inuupuan ko. He sat beside me and I closed my notebook as I stared at nothingness, hoping he didn't read all the curse words I wrote.

"You knew a lot of curse word." He commented.

I sighed loud, disappointed that he did, in fact, read it.

"Shut up . . ." I said softly.

Humalakhak siya kaya inikutan ko siya ng mata pero napangiti rin. I bet his knowledge with curse words are limited.

"Cog, I need you to run some errand."

Nagulat ako nang may sumulpot na boses sa likod. We both turned to Adam who was behind us, with his indifferent expression.

Cog stood and I turned my back on him. I glared at nothingness and opened my notebook again so I could distract myself.

"Buy these."

Sumulyap ako at nakitang may iniabot siyang papel sa lalake. Cog's lips parted as he read what's on the paper, he gulped before slowly nodding.

"O-Okay."

Umalis si Cog nang hindi sa akin nagpapaalam, para bang nagmamadali siyang bilhin kung ano mang inuutos sa kaniya. Kumunot ang noo ko habang nagsusulat sa notebook nang tinabihan niya ako.

"Writing the novel?" He asked.

Hindi ko siya pinansin, nanatili ang tingin ko sa notebook, sinusulat lahat ng mga murang alam ng utak ko.

He subtly move closer to me so I slid away from him. Kumunot ang noo niya sa akin pero nanatili ang mata ko sa notebook.

"I know you didn't want to use your voice around me so I distracted her and changed the topic . . ." He explained as if he knew what I was mad about.

Bakit ba siya nag-eexplain? It's not like I deserve an explanation!

"And I was caught off guard earlier." He added.

I glared at him. Ano bang pake ko?

Silence. I didn't talk and he looked like he couldn't find the right words to say. My eyes continued glaring at me and he was staring at my eyes, cocking his head to the other side.

"Bakit nandiyan pa kayong dalawa? Arabelle, maghanda ka ng damit mo. Pupunta tayo sa dalampasigan mamaya." It was Mrs. Potty that cut my glare off.

Tumayo na ako at pumasok sa bahay. They were all busy preparing for the camping, excited that finally, the woman who can make them get out of this hell is back.

"Arabelle."

Natigil ako sa paglalakad nang tawagin ako ni Lumiere. I turned to him confusingly but my eyes fell to the thing he's holding on his hands.

"The young master said that you're a great swimmer." He started.

Kumunot ang noo ko roon.

"And I want you to enjoy this short outing. Kasi maliligo kaming lahat at hindi puwedeng maiwan ka sa dalampasigan?" He smiled gently.

Napahawak ako sa tapis na nakabalot sa lalaumunan ko. His eyes swiftly went to it but it went back up to my eyes.

"I know you're uncomfortable. You can wear this." Ibinigay niya sa akin ang damit at napatingin ako roon. It was a turtleneck rash guard. I sighed and accepted it. I still have no plans but maybe I'll thank him for the efforts.

"Thank you . . ." I said.

He smiled gently and nodded. Pumasok na ako sa kuwarto ko para makapaghanda. Hindi ko alam kung ilang araw kami roon, I just know that it's up to Cara to decide. Sinabi rin ni Mrs. Potty na may malapit na hotel doon which I didn't notice, she said she was shocked too if only Adam didn't introduce it to them.

Nang matapos sa pag-impake ay tumayo ako at katulad ng palagi kong ginagawa, I stood in front of a mirror and stared at my face and body, assuring myself that all scars are covered underneath the clothes I'm wearing. Whenever I choose clothes, I make sure they're long sleeves or if they're not, I cover them up with a jacket. The scarf's color doesn't always match my outfit but that's okay. It's better to look unstylish than to show off the scars I'm not proud of having.

I stared at my eyes, they were death unlike the past Arabelle. I used to admire my face but this face brought me to this situation and I hate it, if only I didn't meet Adam, none of this would've happen, then I wouldn't have scars all over my body, then I wouldn't hate myself this much.

I feel so filthy.

Bumukas ang pinto kaya napatalon ako at gulat na nilingon ang pinto. It was Cara who barged in without knocking. She immediately walked towards the bed and sat on it like she's a princess. Her eyes went up to me with a challenging stare.

This is mine.

That's what her eyes says. Like she knew I don't have the right to get mad because in the first place, this place is her, this room, every thing.

"Ikaw . . . kailan ka pa babalik doon sa papa mo?" Nakakunot ang noo niyang tanong.

Hindi ako nagsalita. She's my sister and I can't believe why . . . why was there a gap in between us? Maybe because I'm flawed? Maybe because I read her diary? Maybe because she doesn't like me? Maybe because we don't like each other? Maybe because of . . . jealousy?

"Sumagot ka. Alam kong nagsasalita ka." She crossed her arms and cocked her brows upward.

I sighed. And gathered all my courage to utter a word. I don't want to look weak in front of her just because I can't speak. I need to speak or else she'll assume I don't have voice to defend myself.

"Babalik ako." I said . . . I didn't mean it to sound so soft, so vulnerable, but it sounded like that! And I hated it even more!

She grimaced when she heard my voice and I clenched my fist as I try my best to be compose.

"That's your new voice? Ang panget." She commented the obvious.

I know. I hate it as well. Tangina, hindi ko magawang magmura sa boses na 'to eh kasi magmumukha lang akong tanga sa sobrang hina nito.

"I heard you damaged your cords because you shouted for days. And it's rare. Gano'n ka ba kahina? Para masira 'yang boses mo sa gano'n lang? Tsk. Kung alam lang 'to ni Papa sigurado akong ikaw ang pipiliin niyang ipamigay at hindi ako." She said with so much hatred, I was dumbfounded.

Ipamigay?

"Pero ako ang malas kaya akin 'tong lahat ng 'to." She gestured everything in the room with a bitter smile.

"Cara . . ."

"Shut up. I hate your presence so much. Kaya huwag mong lalandiin si Adam." She said with clenched jaw.

"Hindi ko siya—"

"Come on, Arabelle. I know you like him!" Napatayo siya, ang mata ay puno ng galit kaya napaatras ako.

"I—"

"Yes, he's not totally mine. But I got him first!" She cut me off and glared at me.

"Cara—"

My words hanged on the air when she slapped me all of a sudden.

"Papaalisin kita rito. Just wait for that." And then she stormed out of the room, banging the door loud.

Tangina mo, Cara.

Gusto kong isigaw iyon pero walang lakas ang boses ko para magawa iyon. I sighed loud and decided to take my revenge on her later. And I'll make sure she'll regret slapping me.

"Arabelle, mauna na kayo. Sasakay kami sa truck ni Cog dahil nandoon ang mga gamit. Ayos lang ba na kayong tatlo ang gumamit ng kabayo?" Si Derobe ang lumapit sa akin nang makababa ako.

"Ayos lang . . ." Sabi ko at sumulyap sa kung nasaan si Cara. I saw her talking to Adam while she was holding her horse.

Adam noticed my stare and he raised a brow at me. He was answering her but his stare remained on me. Hinayaan ko siya at naglakad na papalapit sa kaniya dahil hawak-hawak niya ang lubid ng kabayo ko.

"Oh. Hi, Arabelle!" Nakangising bati sa akin ni Cara nang makita ako.

Fake.

Ningitian ko rin siya and she raised a brow at me. She hopped on the horse and looked at me, challenging me to hop on the horse too or else she'll assume I'm weak just because Adam is assisting me. Kaya bago pa ako malapitan ni Adam ay tumalon na ako para makasakay.

"How about we race again?" Nakangising tanong niya.

Humalakhak si Adam but I prepared my rope. I'll surely win this.

"Let's race!"

Nang pinaandar ni Cara ang kabayo ay hindi ako nag-aalinlangan na paandarin din ang akin.

"Arabelle!" Narinig kong tawag ni Adam, gulat sa biglaan kong pagkarera, pero hindi ko siya pinansin. I'm chasing over Cara and I'm confident I'll win this.

And I did.

I smirked as I turn to Cara when I reached the beach first few seconds before she could. We were both panting but at least I won. She glared at me and hopped off the horse.

"You won but that doesn't mean you're a winner. I won the first round." She said competitively.

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever." I said.

She rolled her eyes at me too and tied her horse's knot on a branch. I hopped off too and tied my horse as well. Pakiramdam ko masasapal ko siya kapag lumapit ako sa kaniya kaya lumayo ako at lumapit sa dagat para mapagmasdan ang papalubog na araw.

Adam loves sunset.

Narinig ko ang kabayo ni Adam kaya nilingon ko siya. His eyes roam around the beach as he pant and when our eyes met, his eyes darkened.

"Fuck. I thought you ran away!" He said and immediately hopped off the horse to go to me.

I was shock because when he stopped in front of me, he pulled me for a tight hug.

"Adam! Ang kabayo!" Iritadong sabi ni Cara dahil hindi niya iyon natali kaya nakatakbo ito. Cara chased over the horse while he didn't care.

He was hugging me tight and he looked so scared. I gulped when he made me face him and our eyes met. His eyes were so vulnerable that it confused me.

"I thought I almost lost you . . ." He whispered weakly.

My brows furrowed as I stared at his deep blue eyes. They were frightened, guilty, sad, and happy at the same time. It was as if he was revealing all his vulnerability towards me and he didn't care any longer.

Why? Why are acting like this?

There's only one way to confirm all of this.

I gathered all my courage to reach for his face. His lips parted as he watched my hand touch his face. I know it, his face was the most vulnerable part of his being and he let me see it once, he let me touch it once, and I want to see if he can trust me again.

I removed his black mask and I saw the scar beneath it. His lips was parted but he didn't stop me. He didn't utter a word to make me stop but his eyes were scared, like a young Adam afraid of being judged.

He trusted me.

Our eyes were unwavering and it gave me courage to do the thing I never expected I would do.

"Kiss me." That was the first word I said to him.

Because I chose to trust him.

Cara and our eyes met and her eyes widened when she saw what I was holding on my hand— it was the most vulnerable part of him that she didn't get to have.

And when his and my lips met, I knew I had my revenge. Much more painful than a slap.

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Note: Hi sa reader ko diyan na nagrequest ng isang chapter. Goodluck sa research mo! HAHAHAH :)) Maraming salamat po sa sumagot sa question ko!! And thank you po sa mga sumusubaybay sa story na 'toh huhu, mahal ko kayo!!
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