#EmbracingDarknessCH27

Mine

I was humming a song as I got out from the bathroom feeling refreshed from taking a bath. 

Natigil ako sa pagkanta nang makita ang damit na nasa kama. Agad kong kinuha iyon at napatili nang makitang t-shirt iyon. 

But it's not just a t-shirt. It's Dark! I'm sure of it.

Dinala ko iyon sa ilong ko at sinamyo. 

So bango... 

Is he this big or am I just too small?

Sa isip-isip ko nang maisuot ko ang puting t-shirt niya. Abot halos hanggang tuhod ko ang damit niya kaya naman hindi na ako nag-pants dahil naka-panty shorts naman na ako. 

Nagtungo ako sa harap ng vanity mirror at pinagmasdan ang sarili ko. I looked so pretty wearing my man's shirt.

Yes, my man. 

I claimed it!

I grabbed my bag so I could take a picture of myself but I gasped when I saw who's calling me. 

It's Klodie. Hindi lang 'yon. Marami din akong missed calls mula sa kanya at maging kay Clarence even my Tito Thunder. 

Wala pa kay Daddy. Dahilan para mas lalo akong kabahan. 

"H-hello?" sagot ko kay Klode.

"Where are you, Claudi?!"

"Ahm, at school--"

"Ilang beses ka pa bang magsisinungaling all because of that guy? What the hell is that video all about?! He's kissing you in front of the public. Talaga bang kayo na?" sunod-sunod na atake ng tanong ni Klode.

"Ahm, calm down, Klodie--"

"Don't Klodie me. Claudi, dad would hate this once he sees this. Since, I haven't received calls from him, probably he's enjoying their vacation without phone. Pero for sure mamaya magce-cellphone na 'yon and he would see this scandal. What are you planning to do?"

Bumuntonghininga ako nang malalim. "A-ano bang mali sa ginagawa ko, Klode?"

"What? You're really asking me that?"

"Yes! I'm not a kid for Pete's sake! Ikaw nga may girlfriend eh. Did dad hate that? Did I hate that? No! I was supportive of your relationship with Alice. Bakit dito sa akin, parang galit na galit ka? Wala kaming ginagawang masama ni Dark. We were kissing, but isn't that normal in relationship--"

"What's wrong was malalaman pa naming may boyfriend ka in public! Iyong pinagpipiyestahan ka ng mga tao sa social media. Do you even read what they're saying about you? Do you know that will break our parent's heart once they see it? Claudi...alam mo kung paano tayong sinira ng publiko noon. Babalikan ba natin ulit 'yon? Kami sige, ayos lang. Pero ikaw? You've been sheltered all your life, kaya mo bang harapin ang mga panghuhusgang matatanggap mo mula sa kanila? What if those crazy fans did something bad to you--"

"Enough please, Klode," nanghihina kong putol sa kanya at napaupo sa kama. "You guys really should stop doing this to me."

"Doing what?"

"Treating me like a kid. You guys have been stuck to what happened before."

"Claudi...we just want to protect you."

Pinunasan ko ang mga luhang naglandas sa pisngi ko at tumango-tango. "I k-know, and I'll forever be grateful for that, Klode. But sometimes, pakiramdam ko nakakulong ako. Let me do what I want. If I get hurt, it's part of life, right?"

"Claudi, ang akin lang naman. You don't deserve what they think of you."

"It doesn't matter what they think of me. What matters is what you guys think of me. Kayo lang naman ang mahalaga sa akin eh. Please Klode, try to understand me. Nagmamahal ka din ngayon. If Alice brings you trouble or disgrace to your image, would you let her go?"

"Fine. You win. Just take care. Also, you know dad. He'll be really mad. Huwag mo nang sabayan. I got to go, may pupuntahan pa kami ni Alice. Text me when you get home later."

Kilalang-kilala talaga ako ng kakambal ko. Kahit hindi ko pa sinasabi kung nasaan ako ay tila ba alam na alam niyang wala ako sa condo. 

I sent messages to Clarence and Tito Thunder before I turned off my phone. 

I'm sorry, Daddy. Let's talk when you get back. 

Nang maibaba ko ang cellphone ay ibinagsak ko ang sarili sa kama at ipinikit ang mga mata ko. But as soon as I remember something I quickly got up.

My bento box!

I remember how Darky threw that at the backseat. I hope it didn't spill.

Patakbo akong bumaba at nagtungo sa garage kung saan pinarada ni Dark ang kotse niya. Luckily, the backseat wasn't locked.

Napasimangot ako nang makita ang pinaghirapan kong bento na nasa lapag na. I grabbed it and was about to go back to the house when I heard the gate opened.

A woman wearing a facemask, shades, and a cap appeared. 

We both stopped from moving when we saw each other. Dahan-dahan niyang inalis ang suot na shades at pinakatitigan ako.

It's no other than Helene.

She looked stress but I would just be a liar if I would say she's ugly because she's not. Kahit na namamaga at nangingitim ang ilalim ng mga mata. Maputla at mukhang may sakit. She still looked pretty. 

She looked at me from head to toe. Nakita ko ang sakit na dumaan sa mga mata niya bago sunod-sunod na napalunok at naglakad papalapit sa akin.

"W-what are you doing here?"

Kinuyom ko ang kamao nang maalala ang pinagdaanan ni Dark kanina dahil sa kanila ng ex niya. 

"Should I be the one to ask that question, Miss? What are you doing here in my boyfriend's house?" pagdidiin ko sa salitang boyfriend.

"Y-your boyfriend? Are you guys really together?" may nginig sa boses niyang tanong sa akin. 

Matamis ko siyang nginitian at hinawi ang basa-basa ko pang buhok. Pinagpag ko ang suot kong t-shirt na natitiyak kong alam niya kung kanino. 

"Why don't I call my boyfriend, Helene, you can ask him."

"Liar. Carter w-won't like a girl like you. Whoever you are, stay away from Carter--"

"No! You're the one who should stay away from him! You're his past, and it would stay that way. He's no longer yours, Helene. He's mine, now," pag-uulit ko sa sinabi ni Dark kanina. "Now, why don't you go now before I call security?" I smirked.

Nilagpasan ko siya at binangga pa ang balikat niya. Naglaho ang ngisi sa labi ko nang makalagpas ako sa kanya. Naramdaman ko ang panginginig ng mga kamay ko sa ginawa ko. I'm not used in being maldita like that. I'm a brat but not that kind of brat. I'm nice kaya--

I heard a thud sound and when I turned around, I gasped when I saw Helene lying on the floor.

"Oh my gosh!" 

What did I do?!