Chapter 1 | Liar

I totally enjoyed the night by interacting with different people while my mother got busy with her boss.

Madali lamang para sa aking kuma-usap ng tao, anoman ang kanilang hitsura o estado. Hindi ako nahirapang makisabay at makisama sa kanilang mga biro at usapin, gaya ng madalas mangyari ay nakitawa rin ako at nagbahagi.

Kaya gano'n na lamang din ang aking pagtataka kung bakit kanina kay Trojan ay hindi ako aktibo.

A part of me regretted being silent around him because now I wasn't sure when to see him personally again after. Marunong man akong makisabay ay iba pa rin ang buhay niya sa akin, meeting him would probably be hard.

Isa pang problema ko ay ang aking kasalukuyang manliligaw. Wala sa sarili kong natampal ang noo dulot ng inisip. Noong nagsimula si Carlo sa panliligaw ay ganado pa ako at may balak siyang sagutin anomang araw ngayong buwan... ngunit tila ba ang bilis magbago ng aking isipan dahil ngayon ay gusto ko na siyang iwan.

"Okay ka lang, 'nak?" my mother worriedly asked me, napansin siguro ang aking aksyon.

"Opo, medyo inaantok na, ma," I answered.

"Malapit na tayo, wala namang traffic," she told me.

I only nodded and only thought of excuses to tell Carlo on Monday... but announcing such bad news on the first day of the week was too harsh kaya sige, sa Wednesday na lang para gitna ng linggo.

I wanted to chuckle, talagang may schedule pa.

"Kumusta pala ang buhok mo, Mika?" mom asked me, "nabasagan ka ni Jijinia ng itlog noong Friday, 'di ba?" natatawa niyang bigkas.

I smiled and turned to see my mother, "Okay na, ma, ang buhok ko. Buti nga at umayos bago itong araw na 'to kung hindi, nako! Nagmukha akong basang sisiw."

Jijinia Verdelino was the school's most disliked person. The people didn't hate her, talagang ayaw lamang nila sa kanya dahil sa kanyang apelyido.

Jijinia's parents were damn rich, tipong kayang makipagsabayan sa mga big time-I wasn't sure of their business but I heard it had something to do with hotels as well.

The other kids disliked her because of one simple reason: mayaman pero sa public nag-aral.

"Sorry po, ma'am, talagang nagbantay po ako ng tindahan namin buong gabi tapos iyong bunsong kapatid ko po ay hindi matahan... kaya hindi ko po natapos ang activity-"

"I'm not taking that excuse, remain standing!" our teacher shouted at my classmate.

Tunay naman kasing strikto ang aming science teacher at hindi mabilis makumbinsi kahit pa pinaka-madramang rason ang iyong ibahagi.

"Miss Verdelino, bakit hindi ka nakagawa ng take home activity?" she now asked the new kid.

"K-Kasi po nagkaroon kami ng family gathering last night," she stuttered.

And what the teacher said shocked us, "Okay, sit down."

It all started there.

"Tangina talaga niyang si Verdelino, dito pa kasi nag-aral," I heard one of my classmates hissed.

They were a group of girls sitting just in front of me and their voices could be heard clearly to not avoid.

"Sipsip kasi pati ang mga magulang. Kaya lang naman nila 'yan pina-aral dito ay para ipalabas na humble ang pamilya nila. 'Di ba may proyekto ang negosyo nila, na tumulong sa mga taong walang trabaho? Alam ba ninyong nag-apply ang papa ko sa kanila, hindi pa nga 'yon mataas na posisyon pero hindi siya tinanggap," a girl ranted.

"Pakitang tao lang, e," komento ng isa, "naka-iirita pa kasi... dahil sa power ng family name niya, napapa-amo ang mga guro."

"True! Isipin mo, ha, siya pinayagang late mag-submit ng portfolio sa english samantalang tayo, ano? Pinunit pa ni ma'am ang late!"

Hindi ko naman itatangging may parteng tama ang kanilang mga sinabi, the teachers were like her puppies... that even I got annoyed of the unfair treatment.

I didn't hate or dislike her, I was actually torn in between. Unlike everyone, I once noticed how lonely Jijinia was.

Umaga iyon nang napagpasyahan naming pumasok ng mas advance sa takdang oras upang sabay-sabay gumawa ng isang takdang aralin.

The whole section occupied a big space yet Jijinia voluntarily distanced herself when she saw no one was interested in her presence.

"Mikasha, smile!"

Nawala ang aking tingin kay Jijinia nang tawagin ako ng aking kaklase. We took a group picture several times but my concern for Jijinia didn't leave my mind.

Sure, her family might be like that but... tingin ko ay hindi dapat siya ang sinisisi roon at hindi rin dapat siya tinatratong mali.

"Ang ganda talaga ngiti mo, Mika," puri ng may hawak sa phone.

"Duh," I pointed out.

"Sana all confident," one commented.

I was confident because I wanted to claim it. I proclaimed myself as the happy-go-lucky and mood maker kind of girl in the class yet... as time passed by... I realized I couldn't make everyone smile... because Jijinia felt left behind.

I got so excited in my first year, everyone knew me and I became famous before the school year ended... and I came to the point that I decided to dismiss her as well.

Only this school year became different. It was a rainy day and everyone was doing this activity of our Values class.

"Umurong na lang kayo sa kanan para hindi kayo mabasa!" anunsyo ng aming gurong si ma'am Drigan.

Bigla kasing bumuhos ang malakas na ulan kaya pinasok na ang aming classroom ng tubig galing labas. May bintana naman ngunit hindi nasasara kaya't kinailangan naming mag-adjust.

Kinuha ko ang aking mga gamit pagkatapos naming i-move ang mga chairs sa pwestong hindi na ito mababasa. I decided to sit at the back to avoid any distractions again.

My brows could almost meet while I arranged my things properly. I seriously hated in times like this, the surroundings looked messy because of the water. No one tried talking to me whenever I looked pissed... imagine my shock when Jijinia talked to me.

"Tingnan mo itong ginawa ko..." she tried striking a conversation with me.

Feeling close ka, 'te?

I wanted to say because I wasn't in the mood to talk about anything... but I remembered her lonely times and how I only dismissed those.

Maybe this was my chance to help her.

I lazily let my eyes glance at her oslo paper, wala naman talaga akong balak magsalita ngunit agad akong naaliw sa kanyang drawing!

Letse.

Simpleng guhit ng kamay lamang ang kailangan sa activity pero bakit 'yong drawing niya'y pang-professional? Dito pa lamang ay nakita ko ng may talent siya sa pagguhit at labis akong namangha.

"I-Ikaw ang nag-drawing niyan?" gulat kong tanong.

Tinanguan niya lamang ako nang may ngisi sa kanyang labi, para pang nang-aasar. Pasimple kong dinampot ang aking gawang na sa lamesa at binaluktot upang hindi niya makita ang akin.

Letse, sa dinami-raming p'wedeng tumabi sa 'kin ngayon, 'yong magaling pang mag-drawing!

I wasn't asking her anything yet she explained to me things related to drawing. I had no interest on this topic yet she made it look amusing.

Himala nga't ang lakas ng loob niyang kausapin ako-ang tulad ko. Kilala kasi ako bilang kalog at maarteng babae mula elementarya kaya ang mga taong na sa aking paligid o sabihin na nating mga nagiging kaibigan ko ay may hawig din sa aking personalidad.

My attitude from her was so different, she was the silent and shy girl while I was totally the opposite... I never had someone from my group of friends who was similar to her... so maybe, she was destined to be the first.

"Ay, ito pa, Mikasha..." she called me, "mga drafts ko lang ito kaya hindi gano'n kaganda."

Nilapag niya ang isang balot ng bond papers. Sa pinakaharap ay may isang charcoal drawing na muling nagpaaliw sa aking mga mata.

"Ikaw ang nag-drawing nito?" muli kong tanong.

"Oo, pangit nga, e."

Aba, kung pangit 'to, ano pa ang akin? Hindi ko alam kung humble ba 'tong babaeng 'to o sinadya niyang ipamukha sa 'king isa akong malaking tanga sa larangan ng arts?

"Pangit ba 'yan? Gusto mo ng kape para magising ka sa katotohanan? God, girl! Your drawings can move mountains!" hindi ko napigilang hindi siya puriin.

Tinawanan niya lamang ang aking reaksyon!

"Huwag mo 'kong tawanan, girl. Hindi araw-araw ay namumuri ako ng tao!" sabi ko sa kanya at pabiro kong dinabog ang kanyang drawing.

"Ganoon ba? Totoo namang pangit. Hindi ko pa kasi tapos," she said.

"Sus, ako nga, isang guhit pa lang wala ng pag-asa," I whispered yet enough for her to hear.

"This sketch is inspired on a Shakespeare story," she informed me.

"Oh? You're a fan of novels, romance and such?" I asked.

"Yes... it's my escape," she answered, "but I don't read mature stuff... I like tragic stories more."

I nodded and let her share some more with me. When the clock striked the time we were waiting for, everyone grouped themselves to use the limited umbrellas available.

Break time namin at pahirapang lumabas sapagkat patuloy pa rin ang ulan at hindi lahat ay may payong.

"Pupunta kang canteen?"

Aalis na sana ako upang magtanong sa iba kong kaibigan nang kausapin ako ni Jijinia.

"Sana kaso wala akong payong," sagot ko.

"Sabay na lang tayo pumunta," she suggested.

"Mikasha! Tara na, kasya ka pa rito!" natatawang tawag ng aking kaibigang si Kerstell.

I hesitantly glanced at Jijinia who was now preparing her umbrella. She was the first to ask me and saying no on her offer seemed rude.

"Kay Jijinia ako sasabay, kita na lang tayo roon... baka mabasa lang ako riyan, e! Ang dami ninyo!" I tried to sound normal.

"Sige, hintayin ka namin doon!" she said back.

"Tara na," masiglang yaya ko kay Jijinia nang umalis ang aking mga kaibigan.

"Hindi ka sumama sa mga kaibigan mo?" she asked me.

I wanted to roll my eyes and to burn the shit out of her but my system refused to do so, it was as if my patience grew longer only to her.

"Hayaan mo na 'yon," wala sa sarili kong sabi.

"Baka magalit sila... o magtampo?" may pag-aalinlangan sa kanyang boses.

Bakit kasi bigla akong bumait sa babaeng 'to? Kung ibang tao siya, for sure, tinanggihan ko na sa una pa lamang.

"Kauusapin ko na lang sila saka sabi ko roon na ako hintayin. I'm sure their feelings aren't that shallow," mahinahon kong sabi.

At kailan pa ako naging mahinahon? My god, why was I good toward her?

"Sige. Sana huwag kayong magtampuhan. Dapat 'yong mga taong kaibigan mo noon, hindi kinakalimutan o pinapabayaan dahil lang may iba ka ng nakilala," hugot niya.

"Wow! Pinagdadaanan mo, 'te?" I joked.

"Huh? Wala 'no, sinasabi ko lang," she responded.

When we finally reached the grounds of the school, she effortlessly clicked a button and the umbrella opened itself. I was sure her umbrella was for one person only yet it didn't piss me off, I even found the situation funny.

Sabay naming tinahak ang daan patungo sa canteen at tama ang aking hinala, talaga ngang pang-isang tao lamang ito.

Ramdam kong basa na ang aking likuran dulot ng mga tulong galing sa payong at ang aking medyas pa ay hindi sadyang nabasa.

I didn't mind those though... because that day became the starting point of my friendship with the most disliked person of the school.

Since my mother mentioned about Jijinia's previous trip on me, I planned a small revenge for Monday. I wasn't even sure if this would work well... it was too common and impossible to even happen.

While walking on the corridors, sinulit ko na ang aking pagngiti sapagkat mamaya ay magd-drama ako sa harap ni Jijinia.

"Kumusta ang meeting with the Zorron?" she excitedly asked me when I sat beside her.

She knew my eagerness to meet the Zorron back then... yet she didn't know I like someone now. Wala rin naman akong balak ibahagi sa kanya iyon sapagkat ako mismo'y ayaw iyon gawin bilang isang usapin.

Despite her family being rich, they hadn't met the Zorron... I assumed her parents weren't at the party last night.

I remained cold yet replied, "Ayos lang naman."

"Bakit mukhang hindi ka masaya?" puna niya.

Gosh, she was too observant! What if my prank wouldn't go according to the plan?

"Pagod pa," I shortly answered.

She nodded and didn't distract me anymore. I took it as an oppurtunity to improve my acting skills, I had to convince her I wasn't feeling nice today.

"Baka may masakit sa 'yo?" hirit muli ni Jijinia.

She was too pure, concerned pa gayong niloloko ko lang naman siya.

"Ewan ko," tipid kong sagot at kunwari'y may pinagka-abalahan upang maka-iwas.

Unang klase ay English kaya lahat ng kaklase ko ay tahimik. Ito ang una kong move para sa aking prank kay Jijinia.

"Ji, love shouldn't be forced, right?" bigo kong bulong sa kanya.

"Oo naman," she whispered back.

Ayan, mukhang effective ang aking plano.

"Ji, alam mo, gusto ko sanang makasama ang lalaking mahal ko sa buhay na ito," I dramatically whispered again.

"Sino bang may ayaw, no'n, Mika?" she pointed out.

"Right... love shouldn't be forced pero siguro may mga tao talagang pinagkakaitang magmahal ng malaya," I drawled.

Shit, ang tagal kong pinaghandaan 'yang line kagabi!

Natapos ang English subject at bakas sa mukha ni Jijinia na gulong-gulo siya sa aking mga salita. I felt her urge to ask yet maybe I looked too down to even talk with. She didn't try asking me about it and just observed me again.

Sa buong second subject ay nanatili akong tahimik, kunwari'y talagang malungkot dulot ng kung ano.

"Tahimik mo bigla?" pansin niya.

Yes!

"Ah, w-wala," I acted.

Geez, even my stutter sounded real!

"You look bothered," she insisted.

"Okay lang ako," I lied, deep down I was laughing.

I didn't know I could pass as an actress pala? Jijinia looked so persuaded of my acting!

Sa third subject, dito ko binalak sabihin ang pinaka-highlight sa aking prank.

"Ji..." masuyo ko siyang tinatawag na tila ba kay bigat ng aking problema.

"Oh?" concerned niyang tanong.

"Nap ka muna. May sasabihin ako," I ordered her.

Her thick brows met and asked, "Bakit kailangan ko pang yumuko at mag-nap kung may sasabihin ka lang pala?"

Baka kasi matawa ako!

"Seryoso kasi 'tong sasabihin ko. Kailangang tayo lang ang makaririnig."

I have these soulful eyes na akala mo'y laging inaapi dahil maaamo't malambot kung tumitig... kaya mabilis ko ring mapeke ang mga tao sa 'king emosyon.

Wala siyang choice kung hindi ang gawin ang aking inutos. It was hard not to burst out a laugh while doing the prank.

I hugged her from her back. Nakapatong na ngayon ang aking ulo sa kanyang likuran.

"Ji, anong gagawin mo kapag na-arrage ka sa lalaking hindi mo kilala?" I asked.

"Ano, novel lang?" natatawa niyang tanong pabalik.

"Yes, like those cliche scenes in novels..." I weakly agreed.

Kinagat ko ang aking labi upang pigilan muli ang pagtawa.

"Ano bang sasabihin mo?" she asked impatiently.

"A-Ano... si mama kasi," I trailed off, sounding hesitant of my words.

I thought of the night I almost lost myself and it immediately scared the shit of me... that traumatic night was the only event of my life I never wanted to go back again... but this time was necessary. I needed to cry to add such raw emotion on my acting.

"Oh, ano?" she asked.

"P-Pinagkasundo kasi ako..." hindi ko sinadyang pumiyok ang boses dahil sa aking pagkukunwaring pag-iyak.

Jijinia suddenly moved to look at me. Hindi na ako ngayon nakayakap sa kanyang likod at nakaharap na siya sa akin. Her expression was priceless, her jaw could almost drop in such shock.

"T-Totoo?" she asked, shaking.

Yes! Effective ang prank ko! Kinagat ko muli ang aking labi upang pigilan ang pagngisi.

"Kailan pa?" she asked seriously.

Napangisi na ako, damn it! She really bought my shallow prank.

"K-Kagabi ko lang nalaman," pagpatuloy ko pa rin.

"Sino?" agad niyang tanong, "and why would your mother do that?"

"Hindi ko pa gaanong kakilala... iyan nga rin ang tanong ko kay mama, bakit ako pinagkasundo gayong..." i purposely didn't continue my sentence.

She was really into it. When I saw her eyes forming such tears, I wanted to declare that this was all just a revenge prank.

And yes, ang saya sapagkat effective!

I decided not to tell immediately, hintayin ko munang umiyak ang kaibigan para full package na ang prank.

I sighed, "Ji, kasi-"

"Mikasha, I'm sorry," at niyakap niya ako.

I got stunned by her movement, she sobbed above my shoulder.

"Ji-" I attempted to reveal the truth.

"Mikasha, sorry..." bulong niya.

"Bakit?" I chuckled to at least let her know I was just fooling around.

But she got into my prank deeply.

"I feel sorry for you kasi isa ka sa mga taong pinagkaitang magmahal ng malaya," she whispered.

What? Oh my...

Gusto kong sabihin ang totoo ngunit parang hindi pa ito ang tamang pagkakataon dahil sineryoso niya talaga ang biro ko!

I thought the chuckle and smirk were enough to give her signals of my prank. I hadn't even stated any clear reasons about my so-called arranged marriage and my mother was literally not that rich to give me to someone in exchange of something.

I thought Jijinia would catch me yet I took much advantage of her likes on novels. Of course, she loved reading such tragic stories and maybe, due of that, she took my statement real.

My mind was panicking on how to reveal the truth and at the same time making her feel better. Her tears and emotions were all genuine, it hurt me.

I imagined what her reaction would be if I told her it was all just a joke... the possibility that she might end our friendship frightened me. She had no friends at all and she trusted me on things yet I messed up with this foolish prank.

She basically hated liars but really, did I lie to her?

She was wiping off her tears when I told to myself: she'd get over this day. For sure naman ay hindi na niya ito iisipin pa sa mga susunod na araw. Maybe by that time, I could finally have the courage to say it.

God, this prank worked but went too far than I expected.