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｡˚⛓˚｡⋆. NARRATION

"Nasaan na 'yung cake?" Natatarantang tanong ni Chanel sa mga kaibigan niyang nakaupo lamang at naglalaro ng mobile games. Kumibit-balikat ang mga ito sa kanya kaya napamasahe siya ng sentido.

She was stressed.

They were currently in the beach to celebrate their friend's, Prada's, 21st birthday. Sakto naman dahil summer na kaya napagpasyahan nilang dito nalang. It was a surprise party kaya wala pa ang celebrant ngayon.

Chanel is the mother of the group. Natural na ang motherly instincts sa kanya kaya kapag usapang responsable, pangalan niya ang tinutukoy. Pinakamaalaga siya sa mga bunso dahil malapit palang sila humantong ng 18 years old.

Kapag magulo, siya ang nag-aayos. Her motherly nature allowed her to settle fights and misunderstandings without anyone getting hurt. Kaya nga madalas sa kanya pumupunta ang mga kaibigan niya for advice. Ayaw niya na mayroong kahit isa sa mga kaibigan niya na may dinadalang sama ng loob.

Her family was so loving that it made her the woman she is today. Puro pagmamahal ang nasa puso niya at pinipili niya maging mabait lagi. Bunso si Chanel sa kanila but she acted so mature because of how her parents raised her.

Marami rin sa kanilang magkakaibigan ang neglected o 'di kaya ay inabando ng magulang kaya she felt that it was her responsibility to fill the empty space in their heart. Gusto niya na naipapakita niya sa iba ang pagmamahal ng pamilya na namumuhay sa pamamahay nila.

And they say, opposite attracts, right?

"Bibe, kalma ka lang." Hades smoothly slid his arm over Chanel's waist and planted a kiss on her cheek. Nakita niya kung paano namula ang mukha ng girlfriend niya. Iniwan nalang ito ni Chanel at pumunta sa iba nilang kaibigan.

Hades and Chanel were the most unlikely of couples. The boy was too irresponsible and reckless for her... he wanted to live life freely than being calculated. Kaya, hindi rin nila alam bakit nahulog sila sa isa't isa. It seemed like the responsible one deserved to be in trouble sometimes too.

Chanel was the perfect girl while Hades was the troublemaker.

"Hoy, tama na 'yan!"

Ayun ang madalas marinig sa mga kaibigan ni Hades tuwing nag-aaya siyang uminom. His alcohol tolerance was so high, kakayanin niyang uminom from night to morning without delay, and even having so much energy after. Almost no one could top his tolerance for alcohol kaya madalas ay si Hades ang naghahatid pauwi ng mga lasing niyang kaibigan.

Chanel would oftentimes tell him to stop drinking. Pati na rin kasi tuwing exam ay umiinom siya! The girl had an influence in him, hindi na siya gaanong nagpapakalasing and his grades were improving. However, Hades also taught Chanel to be reckless too.

Ang dahilan?

Hades had a rough life too. Tatlo silang magkakapatid at siya ang panganay but his parents were so disappointed in him kahit anong gawin niya. He tried living up to their expectations but they never appreciated him. Hades just said 'fuck this life' and lived however he wanted. Good thing, he was wholeheartedly accepted by Chanel's family.

He would always come home kung saan hindi naman siya pinapansin. His house never felt like home.

His siblings were valedictorians while he had no academic awards for him to boast. Hindi sila mayaman kaya his parents was so proud when their children got a scholarship... except for Hades. Pakiramdam nalang niya na sampid at palamunin lang siya.

Chanel's family stood more as a relative to him than his blood would ever do.

"Harot niyo." Nakakakunot ang noo ni Apollo habang pinapanood ang magjowa.

Apollo was the playboy of the group. Aaminin naman kasi ng lahat na gwapo nga siya, adding up to his success in flirting. Friendly siya sa lahat kaya madalas ay binibigyan ito ng meaning. His extroverted side helped him initiate conversations and gain friends. Mabait din kasi siya at mahilig manglibre.

Linggo-linggo, iba ang kalandian niya. He would wake up with a different woman every morning. Ilang beses na siyang pinagsabihan ng mga kaibigan niya but his mindset was clear. He wanted to live his life without commitments dahil alam niya na love would not always end well. It would hold him back for so many things.

Naranasan na rin kasi niya ma-gago. His family from the province was well-off kaya mayroon siyang sariling bahay sa Manila, it was a gift for his 18th birthday. Many girls would flock over him not just for his looks... but also because of his money. Naranasan naman niyang magkaroon ng jowa... he committed once but was traumatized after.

Kaso, wala, natamaan ang gago. And this time, he fell way harder.

"Bes..." Tawag ni Dior kay Tiffany, ang best friend niya at tropa ni Apollo. Dior decided to let Tiffany know of Apollo's plans to court her. Mas gusto rin naman 'yon ni Apollo. Any exposure was better than nothing.

Nakita ni Apollo paano nanlaki ang mga mata ni Tiffany when she saw their intertwined hands. Nasa likod sila ng school ngayon and their other friends were still in class. It was the best time to meet in secret.

"Omg?" Tiffany blurted out, making the couple laugh.

"Hi, Tiff." Ngiti ni Apollo. "Manliligaw ako sa kaibigan mo."

Tiffany wanted Dior to leave first para makausap niya nang masinsinan ang manliligaw nito. Dior was hesitant at first pero naalala niya na ganoon din naman ang inasta niya noon kay Ares. Tiffany asked Apollo about certain things but one remained in his mind.

"Ayos lang sa'yo na ganoon ang setup niyo?" Tiffany asked.

"Ayos lang na magmahal nang pribado..." Sagot ni Apollo. "But it's not the best."

Lumibot ang tingin niya kay Dior, his girlfriend who was decorating the table for the party. Tumingin muna siya sa paligid bago pa-simpleng hinalikan ito sa labi.

"Ay, kike!" Napahawak sa dibdib si Dior at pinalo si Apollo sa braso. She looked at what she was wearing and frowned.

"Masyado bang revealing? Nalimot ko na ata paano maging jowa. Ikaw kasi! Ang tagal ko nang walang jowa!" Dior asked him in a whisper tone. Her last relationship was ancient history and after that... she just knew how to have fun kaya nalimot na niya ang ginagawa kapag mayroong jowa.

"Baby, wear whatever you want." Apollo chuckled. "Kaya kong makipag-suntukan."

Matagal na silang magjowa but they both agreed na it was best to keep it a secret. While Dior was scared of ruining Apollo and his best friend's friendship, Apollo wanted to shout her to the world. He wanted to flex her so much dahil hindi siya dapat tinatago.

Like him, Dior loved to flirt and fuck too. Madalas nga noon ay nakikipagkumpitensya pa sila sa isa't isa sa bilang ng mga nahalikan at nakakarat nila. It was a surprise that they were each other's match.

However, they were not the same. Apollo was branded as 'friendly' while Dior was labeled as a 'prostitute'.

Dior had to suffer numerous faces judging her whole existence. Lahat ng naabot at nakamit niya... everyone thought that it was because of her connection with men. It was hard for her to show growth and improvement dahil sa prejudice sa kanya.

What everyone, except her friends, did not know was Dior was actually struggling. Her parents were framed for murder and was found 'guilty' for it. Tunay nga na justice favors the rich.

Kaya nga, nagsisikap siya na mag-ipon ng pera para malaban ulit ang kaso ng mga magulang niya and also to sustain herself.

She had to take several jobs para lang magawa 'yon. Her scholarship was given to her, as long as she would render her free hours to assist and manage the funds of the school.

"You need help?" Napatalon ang puso ng dalawa nang marinig ang boses ni Hermés.

Hermés was one of the brains of the group. Ayaw niyang magsalita kapag walang sense... pero alam naman niya paano maki-ride sa mga katarantaduhan ng mga kaibigan niya. He preferred to be silent dahil madalas ay siyang energy at ayaw niya talaga sa tao.

He loved his studies more than anything... more than Apollo's girlfriend.

Minahal niya nang lubos ang pag-aaral niya because his parents pressured him to do so. He would be beaten up by his father kapag nagkaroon lang siya ng isang mistake sa quiz or sa exam. His father would make him feel like he was an embarrassment to the family.

Noong una, nagtaka si Hermés bakit ganoon ang pakikitungo sa kanya.

"You were born out of wedlock," paulit-ulit na tumatakbo 'yon sa utak niya. His father got another woman pregnant and to save himself from public shaming, he was forced to take Hermés and sustain his needs and education.

Maraming alam si Apollo tungkol sa kanya, they were best friends after all. Kaya hindi rin lingid sa kaalaman niya ang mga hilig ni Hermés.

Wild si Apollo... pero napagtanto niya na mas wild si Hermés when he saw all the sex toys in his room. Hindi naiwasan ni Apollo na kumuyom ang mga kamao niya. He would understand kung mahilig siya sa mga ganito... but... knowing na may pagtingin si Hermés kay Dior.

"Tangina?" Napamura si Apollo habang hinahawakan ang isang ball gag. Hermés' eyes widened as he immediately snatched the gag from Apollo's hand.

"Wala 'yan," palusot ni Hermés.

"Huwag mo akong niloloko, hoy!" Apollo was getting mad. "Pinag-iisipan mo ba si Dior nito?"

Hermés was taken aback but regained his composure afterwards. Umiling siya sa kaibigan niyang nandidilim na ang mukha ngayon. Apollo was already fuming! It was his girlfriend!

"Malaman ko lang na pinag-iisipan mo nang ganito si Dior o kahit sino sa mga kaibigan o kilala natin, ako ang unang bubugbog sa'yo," Apollo hissed.

"Tulungan niyo nga ako rito!" Napalingon ang tatlo nang marinig ang saway ni Tiffany.

Tiffany was another brain of the group. If Hermés became that smart since he pressured himself to do so, Tiffany's was inborn. Kahit sino ay maiinggit sa kanyang angking talino and anyone would pay thousands just to be tutored by her.

She occupied the first rank each year. No one could come close to that. What they all did not know was she had to maintain her rank because of her scholarship. Hindi rin naman mayaman ang pamilya niya... she was just struggling to survive.

Siya ang bunso sa pamilya niya and her siblings stopped studying just for her to pursue her education. If everyone thought that she was not pressured, nagkakamali sila. Isang pagbaba lang ng marka ni Tiffany ay mag-aalala na ito. She did not want her siblings' sacrifice to go to waste.

Subalit, kahit ano namang talino or pagka-responsable niya, she would not be enough for Ares' family.

She knew that so much that she almost convinced herself na hindi siya ang tamang babae para sa boyfriend niya. She wanted to prove to her boyfriend's family that she was worth it... but their economic status stood out more to them than her achievements.

Napagtanto niya na she was really out of Ares' league. Mayroong visible but unspoken na dibisyon sa mga katulad nila. Bawal ang mga burgis sa mga dukha. However, they were a bit reckless too. Fuck the stigma, they said.

"Bes..." She called out to Dior. Tiffany had her lowest of lows... and that included the dinner with Ares' family. It was the night where they degraded her and made her feel like she was nothing more than a trash. "Ang bigat..."

Dior was quick to hug her as she whispered, "Kahit ano namang sabihin nila, Ares will always choose to marry you."

"I bought the cake!" Nagpakawala ng buntong-hininga sina Chanel at Tiffany nang marinig ang sinabi ni Ares who was carrying a box of cake with him.

Ares was the father of the group. He was born with leadership skills kaya alam niya paano ayusin kapag nagkakagulo na ang magtropa. He even came from a rich family at lahat ng pangangailangan niya ay nakahain na sa harap niya.

That was the reason why he could not say 'no' to everyone. Alam niya na marami siyang mayroon and millions would die to have his life. He was privileged, that's for sure... kaya he wanted to give to people in any way he can.

He was the youngest of two siblings but all the pressure was on him. His parents were disappointed at his older sister dahil pinili nito ang pagiging architect, making his family of lawyers mad. Mahal naman talaga ni Ares ang pag-aabogado but he was never even given an opportunity to try another to begin with.

Pagkapanganak palang niya, he was already bound to be a lawyer.

His parents controlled his life. Sa kanyang pre-law, the schools he would attend, the university, the dorm, and even who he would marry. Alam na rin ni Tiffany na he was already arranged to someone else but Ares can get a little reckless too.

Out of all things he chose as a reason to why he rebelled from his parents, he chose love. Ares loves Tiffany so much that he was always willing to bend the rules for her. Marami na siyang plano para sa kanila ni Tiffany... and that included proposing to her after he graduates.

Another one that his parents could not control was their piling debt. Nagulat na lamang si Ares nang makita ang mga documents na nagsasabing baon na sila sa utang. Only Tiffany knew of his situation kaya napagpasyahan nila na pumasok sa isang part-time job.

Ares was suffering so much too, he just decided to hide it.

"Happy birthday, Prada!" Maligayang bati ng mga magkakaibigan nang dumating si Prada.

Prada gave them a wide smile as she saw Achilles holding her cake. Oh, how her heart fell for him deeper... to her, his eyes twinkled like the stars. Delikado na nga si Prada.

Her friends were singing the happy birthday song to her as she closed her eyes and made a wish before blowing the candle.

Just make everyday this happy.

"Anong wish mo?" Sigaw ni Hades, her best friend, as he went and hugged her. Nang-asar pa nga. "Na magkajowa ka?

"You're so putangina." Prada rolled her eyes.

If Chanel was like the mother of the group, Prada felt more like an older sister. Wala siyang preno... she would always choose to be direct and straightforward. Siya rin ang kumakatok sa senses ng mga kaibigan niya if she knows they were getting out of hand.

Kaso nga lang, hindi niya napigilan ang sarili niya when she fell for someone who was only there for the sex. It was not even Achilles who asked to be her fuck buddy... it was the other way around. Part of their rules was bawal mahulog.

Prada broke that rule.

Fucking became making love for her. She was the first one to break their rules at alam niya na hanggang kaibigan lang ang tingin ni Achilles sa kanya. However, anything was better than nothing, right?

She was also the first to lend Achilles money dahil malaki ang utang nila ni Yves, even having several jobs. Ayaw nito tanggapin ni Achilles but Prada insisted. Prada's family was rich and she was spoiled as she was the only child. Kaya, napagpasyahan niya nalang to help her one true love.

Kahit hanggang kaibigan nalang siya.

"Keep the kiss, PG!" Sigaw ni Apollo kay Achilles who had his arm slid around Prada's waist. Pinakyuhan tuloy siya nito.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" Sumunod ang mga babae kaya hindi na maipinta ang mukha ni Achilles habang namumula si Prada. Si Hades naman ay nang-aasar na nakangiti sa kanyang babaeng kaibigan. Chanel... was chanting too!

"Pucha..." Ares cannot help but to laugh while Hermés and Zeus chuckled at them. Yves was laughing loudly at Prada's expressions. Boses naman ni Dior ang nangingibabaw dahil excited itong makita ang napakagandang birthday gift kay Prada... na para bang hindi nila gagawin mamaya.

Achilles acted most like the older brother of the girls. Siya ang unang nambabakod sa mga lalaking akmang lalapit sa mga kaibigan nitong babae. Hindi rin siya makaaway ng mga kaklase nila because he looked so unapproachable at first sight. Mabait lang siya sa mga kaibigan niya.

He was really smart too. Kailangan niyang maging ganoon katalino para hindi mawala ang scholarship niya. Ever since their parents abandoned them, Achilles took all the responsibility for his younger sister. Hindi niya hinayaan na magtrabaho ito kahit gustong-gusto ng nakababata.

As much as possible, Achilles wanted Yves to enjoy her youth.

Matalino si Achilles... kaya hindi rin lingid sa kaalaman niya ang nararamdaman sa kanya ni Prada.

Kahit anong gawin niya, he would always see her as a friend. He did not want to hurt her feelings so he wanted out already. But Prada would not budge. He knew that she wanted to settle with being just a fuck buddy.

"Prada..." Achilles sighed. "Nasasaktan ka na, e. Bago naman tayo naging mag-fubu, naging magkaibigan muna tayo."

"I love you..." Prada cried. "Let's stop this soon... I'm not ready pa."

Humiyaw si Yves when Achilles slowly claimed Prada's lips. They were making out in front of them!

"Gago, may bata!" Zeus chuckled as he covered his girlfriend's eyes. Nagsitilian naman ang mga kaibigan nila para asarin sila. Yves frowned and tried to take off Zeus' hands. "Bawal makita ng baby!"

Yves was the group's baby. Everyone adored her because of her personality. She was one of the most talkative person in the squad at lagi siyang positive sa buhay. Masayahin siyang tao and she always put her friends first before anything.

Yves did not know of Gucci's feelings towards her boyfriend. Ni hindi nga niya alam na mas nauna pa sa kaniyang magkagusto ang best friend niya kay Zeus. It seemed better that way for the both of them.

Nakikita niya kung paano nagsikap at naghirap ang kuya niya just to provide for their needs. Zeus was aware of that... kaya nga gusto niya silang tulungan. She received help from her boyfriend kaya kahit papaano, her life seemed bearable.

She even tried to convince her brother to let her take a part-time job pero ayaw talaga ni Achilles. Yves believed that she spent her youth well so she wanted to work this time. Nagui-guilty rin siya tuwing umuuwing pagod na pagod si Achilles.

Minsan ay hindi na niya alam kung 'yung pagod ba 'yon ay after niya diniligan si Prada o dahil sa trabaho.

Matagal nang magjowa sina Zeus and Yves, they were almost going to a three-year long relationship. Their friends even said that they might be each other's first and last! Alam na rin nila halos lahat ng sikreto ng isa't isa.

Only Zeus did not know hers.

"Looking for magtatakip din ng mata ko." Nagtawanan ang lahat nang sabihin ito ni Hades. Zeus poked at Chanel's shoulder and pointed to Hades who was pouting at her.

"Pre, baka gusto mong ako nalang ang magtakip ng mata mo?" Achilles playfully smirked and winked at Hades. The latter winked as well and sent a flying kiss to Achilles. Pinagbabatukan tuloy sila.

"Inggitero!" Singhal ni Zeus sa mga kaibigan.

Zeus' life was so dark - not until Yves and their friends came to his life. His parents were almost never home so he had to grow up by himself. Kapag naman nasa bahay sila, they failed to ask Zeus how he was. Worse, he was abused.

They were oblivious to the fact that Zeus was paying for his therapies as he was clinically diagnosed with depression. Linggo-linggo ay sinasamahan siya ni Yves sa kanyang doktor para lang umayos siya.

He was sure that he already wanted to marry Yves. Nakaplano na ang buong buhay niya kasama siya. However, hindi niya rin maiwasang masaktan para kay Gucci. All these time, alam niya ang nararamdaman ng babae para sa kanya. Hindi naman siya manhid.

Truth be told, hindi niya kayang ibalik kay Gucci ang pagmamahal na binibigay niya... He felt he could only give that to Yves. Subalit, hindi niya rin kayang i-drop si Gucci. She was there for him at his lowest. She gave him the feeling of a family that he never felt.

Zeus did not want any friends, to be honest. Ayos na sa kanya ang pagiging palaaway at basagulero. That was the only way he knew how to deal with his family problems and to get rid of the demons in his head.

Nawala lahat nang ito when he met Yves. She gave him a new perspective of life, kung saan pwedeng malabas ni Zeus ang mga emosyon at hinanakit niya in a healthy way. Yves was the real therapy Zeus searched for all his life.

"Ayos ka lang?" Bulong ni Chanel sa nakababata niyang kaibigan, si Gucci. The girl flashed a fake smile as she continued watching her friends bickering.

"Oo naman, ate!" Sagot nito matapos ang ilang segundo ng pananahimik. Sanay na siya sa ganito, for so long, she knew how to fake everything. Dahil kapag tinotohanan naman niya, it would do more harm than good.

Gucci was one of the youngest and best friend nito si Yves. They were poles apart in terms of personality. While Yves is kind and extroverted, Gucci preferred to place boundaries. Other than that, she was known for being the most impatient and impulsive one.

Walang pwedeng mang-away sa mga kaibigan niya. Dahil kung meron, they would have to face her wrath.

Matagal nang in love si Gucci kay Zeus. But she never told that to Yves dahil natatakot siya na, at some point, malalaman ito ni Zeus. The three of them were inseparable kaya napanood din ni Gucci paano nahulog sa isa't isa ang dalawa niyang kaibigan.

She was already too late... but as if may plano naman talaga siyang umamin. Marami siyang alam sa dalawa, kaya nga nagtataka siya why Zeus did not know how Yves was taking advantage of him.

Sa sobrang close nina Gucci at Yves, she even saw how her best friend used Zeus' money for her selfish interests. At first, akala ni Gucci na paranoid lang siya. However, it was already getting out of hand.

"Babe, pwede bang makahingi ako nang kaunti?" Yves pouted as she softly tugged Zeus' arm. "Medyo baon na kasi kami... promise babayaran ko!"

"Here, babe. Don't pay it back, okay? I love you." Ngumiti si Zeus kay Yves as he handed her his money. Nasa gilid lang si Gucci at pinapanood sila. She was already suspecting her, but this time, she wanted to answer the questions in her head.

The next day, Gucci saw Yves booking one flight ticket to Switzerland.

Ilang beses na rin niyang nahuli si Yves na ginagamit ang pera ni Zeus not to pay for their debts. Hindi rin alam ni Achilles na ginagawa ito ni Zeus. As much as possible, Achilles did not want Zeus' family to think of her so lowly. Natatakot siya na baka alipustahin ang kapatid niya kapag nakilala ito ng pamilya ni Zeus.

Gucci wanted to tell Zeus so bad... pero pinangungunahan siya ng takot. She was afraid na masabihan siya na nangingialam o nanghihimasok sa relasyon ng iba. Napagtanto ni Gucci that she was the real traitor... because wala siyang ginawa.

"Yves..." Lumapit si Achilles sa kapatid niya at sinenyasan na lumayo ito sa kanila. He got a message from their landlord. And judging by the look on his face, it was certainly far from good.

"Ano 'yon, kuya?" Nakangiting tanong ni Yves.

"Tawag tayo ni Mrs. Santos bukas," sagot nito. "May sasabihin."

If only their other friends heard about this conversation, this was the moment everything in their life started to fuck up.

At this moment, the crows already kissed their death.