Elliana's Point Of View

I'm busy baking when Mama entered the kitchen with Brad.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Hello to you too, cousin," Brad faked a smile.

"Ano na namang kailangan mo? Bakit ka nandito?"

"Tita, ipagpapaalam ko lang sana si Elli," Brad turned to Mama.

"Of course, you can take her out of this house. Palaging nakakulong iyang pinsan mo, hindi nae-expose ang ganda," tango ni Mama.

"Thanks, Tita. Ihahatid ko rin po mamaya si Elli."

Mama left the kitchen and Brad sat on the bar stool. Ipinagpatuloy ko ang ginagawa ko at hinayaan lang si Brad sa kung ano mang ginagawa niya. Gusto ko sumama, pero kailangan kong magpaalam kay Yvonne.

"Anong mayro'n? Bakit may party?" tanong ko.

"Birthday ng barkada ko. Party girl ka naman kaya nandito ako para isama ka."

"Magbabagong buhay na ako, Brad. Less inom muna."

"Nice joke, kapani-paniwala. Ilang beses mo na sinabi 'yan," tawa niya.

Inirapan ko lang ito at tinapos ang ginagawa. Truth to Brad's words, ilang beses ko na sinabi 'yon pero hindi naman nagkakatotoo. Pero ngayon, magkakatotoo na siguro. I have Yvonne in my life at nakakahiya naman kung 'yong girlfriend niya palainom. Ano nalang sasabihin ng mga magulang at kaibigan niya.

"What time are you going? I'm not sure pa kasi eh, alam mo na, may naga-update na sa 'kin," mayabang kong sabi.

Shock was visible in Brad's face. Ibinaba niya ang cellphone sa counter at pinaningkitan ako ng mata.

"Who? Spill the tea. Gwapo ba? Mas gwapo sa 'kin? Mas matangkad? Mas mayaman? Ano?"

"Oo, gwapo. Mas gwapo pa sa 'yo. Magkasing-tangkad lang kayo. Yes, mayaman. Mayaman sa pagmamahal," I giggled.

"So cringe, Elli. Pakilala mo sa 'kin."

"Yeah, sure."

Umakyat ako sa taas para magbihis. I took a bath and dried myself. Habang nag-aayos ay tinawagan ko si Yvonne. Hindi inabot ng tatlong ring at sinagot naman niya kaagad.

"Hello, Love. How are you?" bungad niya.

"Hi. Magpapaalam sana ako," I bit my lower lip and stared at myself in the mirror.

"Hm? What is it?" she hummed. Malamyos ang boses nito at puno ng lambing.

"I was invited by my cousin in a birthday party. May inuman do'n. Am I allowed to go?"

"Yes... but in one condition."

"What?"

"I'm coming with you. Hindi mapapanatag ang sistema ko na wala sa tabi mo at lasing ka. Pwede kang uminom pero kasama ako. Am I allowed to be with you?"

Lumawak ang ngiti sa labi ko. Tinatanong pa ba 'yan? I always want to be with you, Love. There's no need to ask.

"Of course, silly."

"I'll be there, then. Elli?"

"Yes, Love?" pigil ang kilig na tanong ko.

"I adore you."

"I love you too. See you, Love."

"Yeah, see you."

Ibinaba ko ang tawag at tinapos ang pagbibihis. I found Brad sitting in the couch, waiting for me. Hindi maipinta ang mukha nito habang dumudutdot sa cellphone. Always impatient, like me.

"Tara, hintayin natin si Yvo sa labas," imik ko.

"Finally! Bakit ba ang tagal mo? Wala namang nagbago sa mukha mo," sinamaan niya ako ng tingin.

I slapped his shoulders and just laughed. Sabay kaming lumabas. Hindi rin nagtagal ay dumating si Yvonne. Nakasakay lang ito ng taxi. Agad ring lumabas ang ngiti nito sa labi ng makita ako. I stretched my arms and she run to me. Yvonne hugged me tightly as if it would hurt her if she'll let me go.

"Miss you," she whispered.

"Ang bilis mo naman."

"I was actually on my way here when you called," she chuckled.

"Brad's there, siya ang nag-aya sa 'kin. Come, I'll introduce you to him."

"Who is he?" nawalan ng emosyon ang mukha nito.

"Love, Brad's my cousin."

Tumikhim ito at nag-iwas ng tingin, may kaunting ngiti na nakausli sa labi. Napailing ako at hinila ito palapit kay Brad. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na selosa pala si Yvonne.

"Brad, this is Yvonne, and she's my girlfriend," malawak ang ngiti na sabi ko.

Natahimik si Brad at papalit-palit ng tingin sa 'min ni Yvonne. Yvonne hold my hand tightly. Mayamaya pa ay umubo si Brad na agad ko namang tinapik sa likod.

"Brad!" hiyaw ko.

"S-sorry, nagulat lang ako. Pakiulit nga," he said.

"Si Yvonne nga, girlfriend ko."

Napahawak si Brad sa labi at hindi makapaniwalang tinapunan ako ng tingin.

"It's not that I feel disgusted with your relationship or what but... are you sure with your life decisions, Elliana? Alam ba 'to ni Tita at Tito?"

"Brad," I glared at him.

"Nagtatanong lang eh. Nice to meet you, Elliana's girlfriend. I'm Brad, her cousin," Brad extended his hand.

"Yvonne, Elliana's property. Marked and certified."

"What marked? You already did it?" nawalan ng kulay ang mukha ni Brad.

Mahinang natawa si Yvonne at napatingin sa 'kin. I looked the other way and avoided Yvonne's gaze.

"Nah, too early for that. Ibang marka ang tinutukoy ko," saogot ni Yvonne.

"I like you," Brad smiled.

I smacked Brad's shoulders and gave him a death glare. How dare he?! He can't like my property.

"Elliana! Sadista. I like her for you, it's not that I like her for me," reklamo ni Brad.

Dapat lang. Malilintikan talaga sa 'kin ang kung sino mang nagbabalak agawin sa 'kin si Yvonne.

"That's enough. Are we going or not?" Yvonne asked.

"Let's go," nakasimangot na sabi ni Brad.

I grinned and looked at Yvonne. She's smiling. Sa likod kami umupo at si Brad naman ang nagmamaneho. Palaging reklamo ang naririnig namin sa kaniya on the way. Mukha daw kasi siyang driver. Mukha naman talaga siyang driver.

Sumandal ako sa balikat ni Yvonne. She planted small kisses on top of my head and whispered sweet things to me. Buong byahe ay naghaharutan lang kaming dalawa sa kotse. Not minding Brad.

"We're here," Brad announced.

"Yeah, we're not blind," sarkastikong sagot ko.

"Maldita," asik nito.

"True," I grinned.

Sumunod kami kay Brad at napunta sa isang table na may nagtatawanan. I know them all, kilala ko lahat ng kaibigan ni Brad. Syempre, drinking buddies. We're cool. Akala ko sa bahay ang party, sa isang well-known club pala. Party lights welcomed us the moment we came in and the smeel of alcohol is everywhere.

"Are you okay with this, Love?" I asked Yvonne.

"Hm," she nodded.

"You sure?"

"Yes, Love. Relax," she smiled and I nodded.

"Oh, knock out na agad? Kakarating lang namin," Brad announced.

"Hi, Elli! Sino 'yang kasama mo?" Yves, one of Brad's friends, asked.

"It's—" I was cut off by Brad.

"Just a friend," Brad answered.

Hinila kami ni Brad sa isang tabi, malayo sa mga kaibigan niya.

"Hindi niyo pwedeng sabihin sa kanila kung anong mayro'n sa inyong dalawa. Halang ang bituka ng mga 'yan at kaya kayong ibaon sa lupa just by talking. I suggest you both keep your relationship a secret if you want peace and just enjoy the night," litanya niya.

Worry filled me. Awtomatikong nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Yvonne. She nodded and kissed my forehead.

"It's fine, Love," she assured.

"Thank you, Love. But..."

"Love, it's fine, really. Come on, let's enjoy this night," she hold my hand.

Bumalik kami sa table nila at umupo, magkatabi kami. Magkahawak kamay kami sa ilalim ng mesa. Inaabutan nila ng alak si Yvonne pero umaayaw ito. When it's my turn, Yvonne whispere to me.

"You can drink, Love. I'll be right here to watch you."

Tinanggap ko iyon at inisahang inom. The bitter taste of the liquor filled my throat. Hinagod ni Yvonne ang likod ko.

"It's time to partyyyyyyy!" some of Brad's drunk friends shouted.

Nasa dancefloor na 'yong iba at iilan nalang kaming natira dito. Nakailang baso na rin ako at nararamdaman ko na ang epekto ng alak at nagsisimula na rin ang pag-ikot ng paningin ko.

"L-love, what time is it?" halinghing ko.

"One AM, Love," she answered.

"Aren't we going home yet?" I asked.

"Gusto mo na umuwi?" malambing niyang tanong.

Parang batang tumango ako at nagsumiksik sa tabi niya. Ang init niya. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam.

"Yakap mo ako, malamig," I murmured.

She did what I said, even hummed a song for me. Malakas ang music, sobra, pero naririnig ko pa rin ang boses ng mahal ko. Nasa tainga ko ang labi niya, binibigyan rin ako nito ng munting halik galing sa ulo pababa sa tainga ko. Ahh, to be loved by this woman.

"Hi, Yvonne. Yvonne, right?"

Nagmulat ako dahil sa tinig na 'yon. Bahagyang lumayo sa 'kin si Yvonne. Kahit hindi masyadong klaro ay alam kong si Prestine 'yon. Just by the sound of her flirty voice. Never talaga kaming magiging magka-vibes ng babaeng 'yan. Ano na naman kayang kailangan nito?

"Yes," Yvonne answered.

"Do you want to do a body shot with me?"

What? No!

"I'll pass," Yvonne answered and that sent smiles to me.

"Oh, come one. Huwag ka ngang kill joy. Doon tayo."

Sa isang iglap ay wala na sa tabi ko ang girlfriend ko. Kinapa ko siya sa tabi pero wala talaga. Nakita ko si Brad na palapit kaya tinanong ko agad ito.

"Where's... Yvonne?" tanong ko.

"What?! Hindi kita marinig!" he shouted.

"Yvonne! Where's my girlfriend?!" I screamed.

"Oh, nasa bar counter, kasama si Pressy. They're doing body shot! So hot, dang!" he shouted and left.

I stood up and started looking for Yvonne. Pasuray-suray akong naglalakad at hindi ko na rin maaninag ang paligid. The people started shouting and screaming so loudly. Doon ako pumunta at nakisiksik sa mga tao.

What I saw shock me to core. Prestine is lying on the bar counter and Yvonne was standing next to her. I saw Prestine putting some salt in her neck, cleavage, stomach, and both her thighs. Prestine licked her lower lip while looking at my girlfriend in a very seducing way. It shattered me when she signaled Yvonne to come lower and lick the salt out of her body. Naglagay rin ito ng lime sa bibig.

"Wooh! Body shot!"

"Body shot!"

"Body shot! Body shot!"

Nagsimulang tumulo ang luha ko ng may tumulak kay Yvonne at muntik na siyang sumubsob kay Prestine. Pinalibot nito ang tingin sa lahat ng tao hanggang sa dumako ang tingin nito sa 'kin. Halata ang gulat at takot sa mukha nito ng makita akong nakatingin. I silently backed away and run out of the club as quick as I can. Tumigil ako sa tabi ng kalsada at umupo saglit.

Parang may pinipiga sa loob ko. Seeing how close she was to Prestine, ayoko ng gano'n. Coming here was a bad idea. Prestine seems infatuated with her and that scared me. Pa'no kung sumama si Yvonne sa kaniya? What will happen to me? I cried so loud. Tears never left my eyes.

"Elli..."

I saw Yvonne in front of me, looking so worried.

"Ayoko sa 'yo," umubo ako.

"Love..." Yvonne tried to touch me but I slapped her hand.

"I hate you."

"And I love you. I'm sorry, Love. It was clearly my fault for letting her drag me and leaving you alone. I'm sorry, Love. I'm sorry. I love you."

"Oo, kasalanan mo talaga. Kasalanan mo kung bakit nasasaktan ako ngayon."

"I'm sorry," she pulled me and imprisoned me with a tight hug.

"Ayoko sa 'yo," ngumawa ako.

"Gusto ko sa 'yo."

"Lumayo ka sa 'kin."

Hindi ko na rin maintindihan ang sarili kong boses. I'm drunk and I'm hurting. Hindi pa rin tumitigil sa pagtulo ang luha ko. Ang pangit ko na ngayon pero wala akong pakialam.

"I won't do it again, Love. Sorry," she buried her face on my neck.

"Gusto ko na umuwi," I murmured.

"Sorry na. Sorry. I'm sorry. Sorry na po."

"Gusto ko na nga umuwi!" sigaw ko.

"Hindi. Walang uuwi hangga't hindi tayo nagkakaayos."

"Uuwi ako mag-isa," matigas na sabi ko.

Hindi ko alam kung saan o kanino ako nagagalit. Sa pag-alis at pagsama ba ni Yvonne kay Prestine, sa pagiging epal ni Prestine, sa pag-iwan ni Yvonne sa 'kin, sa body shot, o sa kanilang dalawa.

"Love, sorry," dumausdos si Yvonne galing sa pagkakayakap sa 'kin at napaluhod. Mahigpit na yumakap si Yvonne sa baywang ko at ayaw iyon bitawan.

"Bumitaw ka," iritadong utos ko.

"Love," she pleaded.

"Bumitaw ka na nga! Uuwi na tayo," pilit kong inaalis ang pagkakayakap nito sa 'kin.

"Hindi pa tayo ayos," iling niya.

"Just... don't leave me like that again. Don't make me jealous like that again. Don't go with other girls like that again. Don't leave my side, Yvonne."

"I won't. I promise, Love. I won't."

Yvonne held my hand and planted a light kiss on my nose down to my lips. Nang gabi ring 'yon ay hinatid ako ni Yvonne pauwi.

"Dito ka nalang matulog," I insisted.

"Hindi magugustuhan ng Mama at Papa mo 'yon."

"Ninja moves, Love. Come on."

Dinala ko si Yvonne sa loob ng bahay at hinila papasok sa kwarto ko.

"You'll be sleeping here with me."

"What if your Mom finds out?" she asked.

"So what?" I asked back.

I went to the bathroom and cleaned myself. Nagbihis ako ng pantulog saka bumalik kung saan si Yvonne. Yvonne stared at me head to foot.

"You look cute," she commented.

"True," tawa ko.

I made her wash herself in the bathroom. Hindi na rin ito nag-abalang manghiram ng damit sa 'kin dahil may dala daw siyang extra, for emergency. Nakahiga na ako sa kama ng lumabas si Yvonne na naka-puting shirt at cotton shorts. She lay down next to me. Hinuli nito ang kamay ko at hinapit ako palapit.

"No puking, Love," she whispered.

"I don't puke, Love. Gross. Sleep na tayo."

"Kantahan kita?"

"I would love to hear, mahal ko."

"That made my heart beat fast. Wow," amazed, she said. I chuckled and hugged her.

"She's staring at me
I'm sitting wondering what she's thinking
Hmm, nobody's talking
'Cause talking just turns into screaming, oh."

I let out a soft chuckle. Parang kami kanina, nagsisigawan.

"And now is I'm yelling over her
She yelling over me
All that that means
Is neither of us is listening
And what's even worse?
That we don't even remember why we're fighting."

"So both of us are mad for nothing
Fighting for nothing
Crying for nothing, woah."

*****