Chapter Seven

Naghiwalay kami ni Cali matapos ko siyang ihatid pabalik sa office ni Dean Ong dahil aniya ay doon siya kukunin ng mga magulang niya. I didn’t try to offer her a ride since I still didn’t know her that well. Isa pa, sa tingin ko, matapos ang kakaibang karanasang ipinaranas niya sa akin ay kailangan ko muna ng hanging malayo sa kaniya.

The pretty girl was too loud and too carefree for me. It wasn’t like I didn’t have people in my life with the same attitude, it was just that I wasn’t used to her.

Si Kuya Taehyung lang naman talaga ang happy pill sa buhay ko na talagang nakakasundo ko. Both Kuya Key and Kuya Fern who were also so close to me weren’t really so loud but chaotic, and they were outgoing also. Mahihiya ang pagiging outcast ko sa pagiging socially active ng mga buhay nila.

If they had time, they would actually try to drag me to their activities outside and treat me. Kaso hindi iyon madalas dahil busy rin naman sila sa kani-kanilang mga buhay. I didn’t have other cousins aside from them, wala kasing anak sina Tito Aldwyn at Tita Beverly.

They said, Tita Beverly couldn’t give my Tito Aldwyn kids because of some issue in her body.

Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit napilitan sina Kuya Fern at Kuya Key na mag-aral ng business kahit na hindi nila pareho gusto. Sa kanila kasi planong ipasa ni Tito Aldwyn ang pamamahala sa mga negosyong naiwan ni Lolo. It was difficult in my cousins’ part because they were also expected to inherit each of their own family businesses.

My parents had long ago informed Tito Aldwyn that I couldn’t be trusted with it because they said, they wouldn’t force me to study something I didn’t like. They would let me do things I liked when I grew old. Nagalit pa si Tito Aldwyn noon dahil hindi raw puwedeng maging ang De Asis Holdings ay ipasa kay Kuya Fern at Kuya Key, there were already so much in their hands.

In that case, I was willing to manage De Asis Holdings someday.

I had already submitted my completed and cleared ledger to the admin’s office so I was already enrolled. Magpapadala lang ng email ang school sa mga magulang ko about the fees for the next school year at sila na ang bahala roon. That was how our school worked.

Since hanggang school lang ang scope ng Pagoda Blue sa pagbabantay sa akin, before their duty ended, they always made sure to hand me safely to my driver, Mang Estacio. He was also a person hired by Kuya Yoongi. May sariling driver ang pamilya namin, si Mang Tadeo, pero madalas kasi siyang kailanganin ng mga magulang ko kaya hindi ko rin siya puwedeng asahan. And that was something Kuya Yoongi knew. Isa pa, aside from being my driver, Mang Estacio was also my on-duty bodyguard while outside.

“Thanks for your hard work, Totoro. I hope you don’t mention to Kuya Yoongi about what happened at the field earlier.” Tipid akong ngumiti nang huminto sa harap ko ang itim na Sedan na siyang palaging sumusundo at naghahatid sa akin sa school.

Totoro silently nodded his head, stepping back a bit to finally inform me of the end of their duty for today. From three meters, he created a longer distance between us as he slightly tilted his head to the back, to both Garnet and Aquamarine. Wala pa siyang sinasabi ay tumango na si Garnet saka tumalikod at umalis.

I guessed it was his turn to get their car.

Mahina akong nagpasalamat kay Mang Estacio na bumaba pa para pagbuksan ako ng pinto saka pumasok na. Hindi pa man na-isasara ang pinto ay nakarinig na ako ng malakas na boses na tumatawag sa pangalan ko.

“Wait! Fraye, wait!”

It was too loud, I wouldn’t be surprised if people around also heard her.

Hinawakan ko ang pinto para panatilihing bukas saka ako sumilip sa likod. I let a deep sigh escape my mouth when I saw Cali running so fast towards our direction, she looked so happy and excited but very unladylike.

Kung ako iyon, hindi lang talaga palo sa puwet ang aabutin ko kay Kuya Yoongi kapag nalaman niya.

Nang makarating siya sa harap ko, sa mismong harap ng nakabukas na pinto ay yumuko siya at humawak sa mga tuhod niya habang hingal na hingal. Mang Estacio had the decency to quickly run towards the driver’s seat. Kumuha siya ng isang bote ng tubig mula sa compartment ng sasakyan at inabot kay Cali nang makalapit siya ulit rito.

Pagoda Blue, minus Garnet, just stared like what they always did. Mukha silang mga walang paki-alam.

“Did you just run?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko sa kaniya, ramdam ko ang pagsasalubong ng mga kilay ko.

She first took the bottled water from Mang Estacio, drank for her breath before landing a gaze at me. “Mabuti naabutan kita. My parents informed Dean Ong to have someone drive me home because they couldn’t make it. They’re suddenly trapped in a meeting so I just told him I could maybe ride along with you. Would you mind?”

Ngumuso ako habang nakatitig ako sa maganda niyang mukha, tinatanong niya kung okay lang sa akin gayong mukhang hindi naman siya tatanggap ng pagtanggi. In the end, kahit na nakita ko kung paanong umabante si Totoro palapit ay dahan-dahan akong tumango saka umusog para makapasok siya.

Clapping happily, she first turned to Totoro— who stopped advancing towards us— and childishly stuck a tongue out at him before she went in the car. Nailing na lang si Totoro samantalang natatawang isinara na ni Mang Estacio ang pinto.

I hardly bit my lower lip to suppress a smile, though I found what she did very childish, I couldn’t deny that it was funny. Mukhang si Totoro talaga ang pinag-iinitan ni Cali sa mga bodyguards ko dahil lang masyado itong alerto habang magkasama kami ni Cali kanina.

“Ugh, that big guy seriously gave me goosebumps all the time they were following us! How can you stand them, seriously?” Kakalabas pa lang ng sasakyan sa parking lot ng school ay nagsimula na agad siyang magsalita.

Sitting properly on my seat while staring at the window, I brought my head to look at her. Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita kong hindi niya suot ang seatbelt kaya inabot ko iyon saka yumuko para ikabit siya.

“W-Wait…” I felt her flinch, probably stunned at what I did but she didn’t stop me.

“You should always wear seatbelts, Cali, and Pagoda Blue has been with me since I stepped foot at MCI. Sanay na ako sa kanila…” I told her, once again fixing myself on my seat. Hinawakan ko ang square bag kong nasa kandungan ko at muling ibinalik sa daan ang tingin.

“Miss Fraye, saan po natin ihahatid ang kaibigan niyo?” banayad na tanong ni Mang Estacio sa kalagitnaan ng biyahe. Nakalayo na kami sa school at nasa maluwag na kalsada na at nakikipagsabayan sa ibang sasakyan.

Something tugged at my heart at what he said. It wasn’t bad, it was actually a bit foreign and nice. He said Cali was my friend. Hindi ko tuloy napigilang ngumuso saka yumuko. I wanted someone to call a friend, and it really felt nice.

Napapangiting yumuko ako. Cali was my friend, it came out from Mang Estacio's mouth.

“Oh, my parents aren’t still home! Please bring us to BGC!” Si Cali ang sumagot kay Mang Estacio na nagpalingon sa akin.

Nawala ang ngiti ko saka nagtatakang tinitigan ko siya dahil wala akong matandaang sinabi ko na sasama ako sa kaniya. I didn’t even know she was planning to go somewhere from home! Mabilis akong umiling nang magkasalubong ang mga mata namin.

“No, Mang Estacio, we’re not going somewhere—“

“Why? You’re also not allowed to have fun outside?” she rhetorically asked me, as if she knew she was right.

“It’s not like that…” sagot ko saka bumuntong-hininga. “I just don’t feel like going out alone.”

Her face instantly brightened up as a wide smile was quick to appear on her lips. “You’re not alone now, we’ll go out and have fun together!”

Nodding softly, I gave Mang Estacio a signal to do as what Cali said. Parang hindi ko yata kayang burahin ang malapad na ngiti sa mga labi niya.

Pagdating sa BGC ay mabagal na ang takbo ng sasakyan sa gilid ng kalsada sa mismong harap ng mga establishments dahil nagtuturo na si Cali ng mga magagandang puntahan namin. We already ignored malls because she said she wasn’t in the mood to buy stuff, we also ignored restaurants because she said she was still full, she seemed to be undecided about where we should go.

Bahay at school lang ako madalas, kung lalabas naman ako kasama ang mga pinsan ko ay kakain lang kami sa favourite naming Japanese restaurant kaya wala akong ideya kung saan puwedeng magpunta.

Wala ang mga magulang ko sa bahay, at paniguradong okay lang naman sa kanila kung medyo gabihin na ako ng uwi. They actually sometimes threw me out of the house saying I should hang out with my friends, hindi naman nila alam na wala akong kaibigan.

“You know Cypher Dos? They have a house at the lobby of The Park Suites. Madalas ako roon noong nakaraan…” aniya nang madaanan namin ang matayog na building ng The Park Suites, may mga taong naglalabasan at nagpapasukan doon. Kitang-kita rin sa labas ang maliwanag na lobby dahil sa salaming dingding.

“You’re just seventeen.” I pointed out. Imposibleng makapasok siya roon gayong bawal ang minors doon.

She stared disbelievingly at me. Tumuwid siya ng upo saka hinila ang ponytail sa buhok niya kaya nalaglag ang mahaba niyang buhok na agad niyang ginulo, ginalaw-galaw pa niya ang ulo niya saka ngumiti sa akin. That fierce smile those sexy models gave in magazines.

Maganda talaga si Cali, hindi ko na rin pa kailangang itanong kung may lahi ba siya dahil halata naman sa hitsura at apelyido niya. She was a de Villa, de Villas were known to be of Spanish and Portuguese origin, just like my father's ancestry.

“Do I look like a seventeen-year old for you now?”

Biting my lower lip, I slowly shook my head that made her grin widely. Hindi na nga siya mukhang teenager, kahit iyong ayos niya kanina ay hindi mukhang minor. Magaling kasi siyang manamit at mag-ayos ng sarili.

“Fine, but we’re still not allowed inside. We’re students—“

“It’s summer break. C’mon, don’t ruin the moment! I can drag you in, don’t worry. Ayusan lang kita ng kaunti, hindi na nila mahahalatang minor ka pa.” She softly held the strands of my curly hair before her face wrinkled as her eyes went down on my clothes.

Napatingin na rin tuloy ako sa suot ko. I was wearing a pair of denim overall above a white thin sweater and a white sweet princess one-inch heels. Mahilig ako sa overalls, almost half of my wardrobe consisted of different styles jumpsuits or overalls. I didn’t often wear skirts because it would only make Kuya Yoongi have easy access on me.

Kapag pinapalo niya ako noong bata ako, since mahilig akong mag-dress ay hinahawi niya lang iyon dress ko kaya habang lumalaki ako ay nagkaroon ako ng ideya para mahirapan siya. Ang school uniform namin ay romper skirt ang style kaya no choice ako sa bagay na iyon.

“Who wear overalls nowadays?” she asked in a mock, looking disgusted when her fingers flicked the upper part of my overall.

“I do…” mahinang sagot ko, hindi ko alam kung bakit tila diring-diri siya sa suot ko. Kanina pa kami magkasama, ngayon niya lang talaga napansin na naka-overall ako.

“No, no, no, that won’t do. You need to change into something more mature looking dress!”

I never had phenomenon in my life in which I had stepped out of my comfort zone. I had always been in my safety lane, doing the same routine for almost whole of my life so it was kind of weird and uncomfortable having one of my feet step out of the borderline of my comfort zone.

I didn’t feel so secured anymore.

Nakangiwing napatitig ako sa lalaking kasunod ko sa pila sa entrance ng Cypher Dos. Of course, I knew the place. It was a high-end bar owned by Kuya Yexel, and since he was outside of the country, he had the management handed to Kuya Yoongi. I wasn’t really liking how the guy had been maliciously looking at me. Paulit-ulit ko ring ibinababa ang dulo ng itim na dress na suot ko na siyang pinili ni Cali sa akin nang nag-shop kami ng isusuot kanina.

She had me drag towards a boutique and had me peeled out of my comfortable overall. Hindi naman revealing ang top ng dress, pero maiksi talaga ang dulo nito na kaunting galaw ko lang ay masisilipan na ako. I wasn't conservative, I also sometimes wore short dresses but not this short.

Inayusan pa ako ni Cali, she had my curly hair hanging low behind my back and my face painted with makeup. It was fine with because I also sometimes wore light makeup.

Cypher Dos and what kind of place it was, wasn’t a new-heard thing for me. Alam ko siyempre ang mga ginagawa roon. People would drink and dance there, they would all have fun based on the scenes I always saw on television. Nakakapanibago lang talagang imbis na nasa bahay na ako ngayon at nakikipag-usap sa mga roses ko ay heto ako, nasa labas at planong magsaya kasama ang bago kong kaibigan.

Fine, I wanted a new friend. I wanted to have fun with my friends, but it never crossed my mind that it would be this kind of fun. Paniguradong mag-si-celebrate sina Kuya Fern at Kuya Key kapag nalaman nila ang pinaplano kong gawin ngayong gabi.

They would seriously run a feast for the beginning of change in my out-casted self.

Nakapila kami dahil hindi madaling makapasok sa loob. The security was too tight, they were making sure everyone was entitled to be inside. Ani Cali ay mayroon na siyang card na para sa mga exclusive goers ng Cypher Dos, at ang bawat isang card ay puwedeng magsama ng plus one.

“My friends back in my old school were all party people so they helped me get my Dos card…”

It wasn’t a surprise to me anymore that she had other friends from her old school, she was very friendly and outgoing. Madali lang talaga siyang makakahanap ng kaibigan dahil masyado siyang bubbly at carefree.

Being dragged somewhere was fine for me, I was trying to find the fun of having friends and hanging out together but not when suspicious people seemed to have their eyes on me. Hindi ako judgemental, hindi talaga maganda ang pakiramdam ko sa lalaking nasa likod ko.

The line was moving so slow, I wasn’t sure if it was moving at all.

“Cali? Miss Cali? Bakit nandiyan ka?” Mula sa paulit-ulit na paglingon ko sa lalaking nasa likod ko ay nagtungo ang mga mata ko sa harap kung nasaan ang isang maskuladong lalaking isa sa mga lalaking nasa harap kanina.

There were five big men in front— at one of the entrances— who were in charge of thoroughly verifying every person coming in. Halos pangsampu kami sa pila ni Cali pero napansin pa rin siya dahil nagpapalakad-lakad ang isa sa mga ito hanggang sa huminto sa harap namin.

Cali, who was buys with her phone in front me instantly raised her head. Mabilis na nagliwanag ang mukha niya nang makita ang lalaki, kulang na lang ay magtatalon siya.

“Sana dumiretso ka na sa loob! Hindi mo na kailangang pumila!” The big guy stepped back a little to make way for Cali.

“I’m not with my usual squad tonight, Tuzon. Alam mo namang nakikisama lang ako sa kanila kapag nandito kami. Anyway, I have a plus one, can we already go inside?”

Looking at Cali, I couldn’t help but think how comfortable she was when talking to other people. Nang madakong muli ang tingin ko sa lalaki ay bahagya akong napa-atras dahil nakatitig na pala siya sa akin. Tumama ang likod ko sa taong kasunod ko kasabay nang pagtataasan ng mga balahibo ko dahil sa mga kamay na humawak sa baywang ko.

“S-Sorry, I’m sorry…” I softly apologized, instantly moving away from the hold of the suspicious man earlier.

Ngumisi ang lalaki sa akin. "It's fine, Mis—"

“Hey, Fraye, stop apologizing for everything! Come, we don’t need to wait here!” Hindi pa nga ako nakakabawi sa nangyari ay hinila na ako ni Cali paalis sa pila para dumiretso na kami sa kabilang entrance kung saan may iilang mga tao akong nakitang doon dumaan.

Iyon iyong part ng entrance na hindi na kailangan ng verification, at walang pila.

Nabura ang ngisi ng lalaking nasa likod ko na hinabol pa kami ng tingin, hindi ko na rin pa pinansin ang nagtatakang titig sa akin ng lalaking kuma-usap kay Cali dahil dire-diretso na kami papasok. Hindi na nga talaga kami hinarang dahilan matapos makuhang kawayan ni Cali ang mga bouncers na nasa unahan ng pila ay tumango lang ang mga ito at hinayaan na kaming makapasok.

The moment we got inside, we were met by a dark long hallway, the only source of light there was, was the faint variants of colours coming from the dead end which I assumed was where the loud blaring music in the air came from. Sobrang lakas ng tugtog na kahit ang black carpeted floor na tinatapakan namin ay halos gumalaw na, damang-dama ko sa talampakan ng heels ko ang bawat beat ng tugtog.

The hallway was ten meters long at least. Cali on my side was still busy with her phone, both of our heels seemed to be corresponding with every loud beat of the loud music. Kahit hindi pa kami nakakarating sa dulo ng hallway ay parang nakikita ko na kung paanong magiging maingay para sa akin ang gabing ito. And as we finally reached the dead end, I was met by a big room with much louder music, those variants of colour turned out to be bright neon lights and people in their own tracks were everywhere.

Mukhang nasa itaas kami dahil pagtingin sa baba ay naroon ang mas maraming tao, may ilang naroon sa gilid kung nasaan ang karamihan sa mga couch, may kakaunti namang nasa mahabang counter sa harap samantalang ang karamihan ay nasa gitna at nagsasayaw. Sa itaas kung nasaan kami ay puro mga couches at short tables lang na puno rin ng mga tao. Sa diretsong naabot ng mga mata ko ay may mga pinto at hindi ko na gusto pang alamin kung para saan ang mga iyon.

People were in their own choice of party clothes, some of them were too weird for me to be called sober while some were too crazy, dancing a kind of dance I had never seen possible.

This was Cypher Dos, I had known this place but this was the very first time I had ever set a foot inside.

Hindi ko makita ang sense kung bakit may mga taong handang pumila ng matagal at maghintay sa labas para lang makapasok dito. I couldn’t even see a reason as to why I should spend my night here when I would prefer my silent and peaceful bedroom in where I could talk to my roses, draw or just watch a Netflix movie.

Seriously, this wasn’t the crowd I liked!

“Cali, I think we should go—“ Hindi ko na natapos ang sinasabi ko nang makita kong wala ng tao sa tabi ko, nilibot ko ang mga mata ko para hanapin siya pero sa dami ng mga mukhang nakikita ko isama pa ang walang tigil na pagtama ng mga makukulay na ilaw sa kung saan-saan, sumakit na lang ang ulo at mga mata ko.

Scrunching my nose in irritation, different and not so good scent mixing in the air, I looked for my phone only to remember Cali telling me to leave my bag in the car because we didn’t need it.

Nandoon ang phone ko maging ang wallet ko! I seriously didn’t bring anything with me but myself!

Ngayon paano ko hahanapin si Cali sa lugar na ito? I couldn’t even be rest-assured that I would be fine the moment I moved from my spot now. Ni hindi ko man lang kasi namalayan ang pag-alis niya, masyado akong abala sa pagmamasid sa buong paligid kanina. And she could have told me that she was going to leave me here! I wasn’t really familiar with the place!

Bumilis ang paghinga ko nang unti-unting umusbong ang kaba sa dibdib ko. I wanted to go home, to be honest. This wasn’t the perfect place for me, aside from I naturally didn’t like crowded places, the only person that was at least keeping me comfortable was nowhere to be found!

Hindi ko gusto rito, hindi ko gusto ang presensiya ng mga taong nasa paligid ko at dahil doon ay natatakot ako. It felt like I had myself down a deep hole, my hands were desperate to reach out.

Ilang beses pa akong nabunggo ng mga taong nanggaling sa likod ko dahil hindi pa rin ako gumagalaw. Pinalagpas kong hindi sila nag-sorry, basta hayaan lang nila akong manatili sa puwesto ko. I tried again to look for Cali but faces by faces were just making my heart even more nervous.

Okay, I wanted out. I needed to be out of here or else, I would seriously vomit my heart out.

Pumihit na ako paharap at handa nang umalis, hindi ko na inabala pa ang sarili kong isipin si Cali dahil madalas naman siya rito. I was sure she could get herself home without my help, it was actually me who needed help to be out of here!

Bumping to people, it was hard to walk forward when people seemed to be going opposite me. Natigilan lang ako sa paglalakad nang muli akong bumangga sa isang pigura nang ilagan ko ang isang babaeng makakasalubong ko. Holding my ground, I tried so hard not to fall as my nose instantly smelled something so good and familiar.

Sweet strawberry all over the air!

Suminghap ako kasabay nang mas pagbilis pa ng tibok ng puso ko dahil ang pinakahuling gusto kong mangyari ngayon ay ang makita niya ako rito! Oh no, please no!

Hindi ako nanghingi ng sorry kahit na halos lahat ng bumangga sa akin kanina ay nakatanggap ng apology mula sa akin, mabilis akong naglakad at nilagpasan siya, nananalanging sana ay hindi niya ako nakilala.

“Miss, if you don't notice, no one’s using this way for exit. You’re on the wrong way.”

No! His voice was so cold even when talking to people!

Halting instantly by just hearing his cold voice, my heart choking me to the point that it hurt, I couldn’t help but curse myself for even agreeing to Cali going here. I earned so much courage first before bringing myself to turn around and look at him, though I knew it would doom me.

Takot akong tumitig sa kaniya habang napapalunok lalo na nang tuluyan ko nang makita ang guwapo niyang mukha. Kunot ang noo niya, pinid ang mga labi ngunit ang mga mata ay tulad pa rin ng dati… tila tamad na tamad pa rin.

It took long before his thick dark eyebrows furrowed even deeper, his thin crimson lips parted a bit as his kitten eyes flashed recognition and obvious anger.

“What are you doing here?!” he angrily shouted that made me, and the other people in the hallway jump, me in fear and them in surprise.

Why did we even have to meet here?