"May babae ka na naman?!" Mommy screamed to Dad as he entered the house. Galit niyang ihinagis ang cellphone dito. Buti nalang at nakailag si Daddy pero gulat na gulat ito sa bayolenteng reaksyon ni Mommy.

She had never reacted like this.

It was so easy for me to say that she should annul her husband because I had never known her as a violent woman. Siguro ay napuno na talaga siya sa lahat ng pambababaeng ginagawa ni Dad at talagang sumabog na.

"Hindi ka na ba talaga magbabago, Ronathan?!" Sigaw ni Mommy ngunit basag ang boses nito.

"Cindy, nakikinig ang mga bata..." mahinahong sagot ni Dad.

"Ayoko na! Pagod na pagod na ako sa'yo!" She sobbed into his chest as he tried to comfort her.

It pained me to watch the two of them. Mommy, for seeking comfort from the man who hurt him. Daddy, for choosing to hurt the only woman who had truly loved him.

"Nadia..."

Mahina ang boses ni Kuya. I turned to him. His eyes were bloodshot and his lips were in a thin line. Mukhang nagpipigil itong umiyak o magpakita ng emosyon sa harapan ko.

"Pasok ka muna sa kwarto mo."

Hindi na ako nakipagtalo sa kaniya at mabilis na pumasok sa kwarto. I could still hear their voices downstairs. Kinuha ko ang librong nakapatong sa sidetable at sinubukang magbasa para lunurin ang mga boses nila.

Minutes later, I was transported into a different world where dragons and castles exist... the one where I still have a complete and happy family.

"Nadia, wala ka bang gana?"

Napalingon ako nang marahan akong kalabitin ni Sienna. She must've noticed that I'm barely touching my food. Napabuntong-hininga ako at umiling.

"Okay ka lang? Hindi ka kumakain nang maayos, eh." Nag-aalala niyang wika sa akin. "May problema ba sa inyo?"

I'm not sure if she's asking because she's really concerned or if she's just being polite. Nevertheless, I found myself shaking my head again.

"Sorry, masakit lang ang ulo ko," palusot ko nalang.

I spotted Karlo and Jazmine entering the canteen. Kaagad akong tumayo at niligpit ang pinagkainan ko.

"Kita nalang tayo sa classroom, Sienna."

It was painful to attend the book club meetings that followed. Akala ko ay mag-iiba ang trato sa akin ni Jazmine pero nginingitian niya pa rin naman ako. Tala will still act as our president until the end of the school year before Jazmine replaces her.

"Sa Vigan ang book signing," ani Tala habang pinamimigay ang consent form sa aming mga members. "Hindi naman 'to mandatory but I still hope you could come. This will be our first and last out-of-town trip as a club..."

Pinagmasdan ko ang consent form, nag-iisip kung pupunta ba ako o hindi. I am a big fan of Priya Chen. Her works often feature strong, independent female characters who are not afraid to deal with the world. Mas na-i-inlove ako sa babaeng karakter kesa sa lalaki sa tuwing binabasa ko ang libro niya.

"The school will lend us a bus, so there's nothing to worry about commuting. Paki-submit nalang bukas ng mga signed consent forms kung gusto niyong pumunta. Kung hindi, okay lang din naman."

Inipit ko ang consent form at ipinasok sa bag ko. When she dismissed the meeting, I immediately stood and stepped outside. Hindi naman ako cleaners ngayon kaya walang rason para manatili ako sa club room.

As soon as I stepped out, I regretted my decision because I bumped into Karlo. Mukhang papasok ata sa loob. He looked so shocked to see me. His pinkish lips parted for a bit, before his lips formed a thin line. Tinanguan niya lang ako at nilagpasan.

I'm guessing he knows about the little blocking incident already.

Napabuntong-hininga ako at mabilis na naglakad palabas. I regretted going home so early. Naabutan ko na naman ulit na nag-aaway sina Mommy at Daddy. Araw-araw, palala nang palala ang mga away nila.

I went up to my room and slept. Hindi na kinakaya ng mga libro kong takasan ang problema dito sa bahay. Maybe going away for a while will distract me from my problems...

"Sinong kasama dito?" Tumaas ang kilay ni Kuya habang pinapapirma ko ang consent form sa kaniya.

I rolled my eyes. "Hindi mo ba binasa? Book club members, Kuya..."

"May lalaki?"

"Oh my God," I muttered under my breath and snatched the paper from him. "Kay Mommy ko na nga lang ipapa-sign!"

He chuckled and grabbed the paper from me again.

"Nagtatanong lang, eh."

"Anong klaseng tanong yan? At paano kung may lalaki? Paalisin mo sila sa book club?!" Iritang tanong ko sa kaniya.

He grinned and signed the form. Ibinalik niya 'to sa akin.

"Mag-enjoy ka dun at kalimutan mo muna ang mga problema dito sa bahay..."

Hindi ako nakaimik sa huling sinabi niya. He must've known that I'm only doing this to escape. Hindi naman kasi ako nagpapakita ng interes noon sa ganitong mga activities. Tinanguan ko lang si Kuya at umalis na.

The days that followed were painful. Inaasar ata ako ng tadhana dahil palagi kong nakakasalubong sina Karlo at Jazmine sa corridor, sa hallway, sa canteen, at pati na rin sa manggahan!

Kapag nariyan si Jazmine, I am forced to greet the two of them. Tahimik lang si Karlo na nakatingin sa akin. Pero kapag siya lang naman ang nakakasalubong ko, otomatiko akong lumiliko at umiiwas sa kaniya.

It was so damn awkward.

Especially now that the monkey is coming with us to the booksigning!

Gustong umatras ng mga paa ko nang makita si Karlo na nakikipagbiruan sa mga club members habang hinihintay namin ang bus. May dala siyang bag, eh di ibig sabihin, sasama talaga siya?

Mabagal ang lakad ko hanggang sa napansin ako ng kinakausap ni Karlo. Andre smiled at me.

"Good morning, Nadia!"

Tumango lang ako sa kaniya at naupo sa dulo. Other members were chattering excitedly. Halos lahat kasi sa amin ay nagpunta.

Mayamaya pa, nakita ko na si Jazmine kasama ang mga kaibigan niya. She's wearing her usual floral dress and a pair of white strap sandals. Karlo's face lit up upon seeing her. He excused himself from Andre and immediately went to her. Pinanuod ko silang dalawa habang nag-uusap.

"Anong libro ang ipapasign mo?"

"Huh?"

Nagulat ako sa biglaang pag-upo ni Tala sa tabi ko. She smiled at me.

"Nagdala ka ng librong ipapasign, diba?"

"Ah, oo. Iyong Shadows and Sunlight ang sa akin."

She nodded. Ang pagkakaalam ko ay walang limit sa librong ipapa-sign pero isa lang ang dinala ko dahil ang bigat sa bag. Gusto ko lang talaga siyang makita sa personal. Siguro makapag-picture na rin.

Nang dumating ang bus, isa-isa na kaming pumasok sa loob. Katabi ko si Mira sa harap. Jazmine and Karlo were late. Mukhang may binili pa ata kaya sa likuran na naupo ang dalawa.

"They're not even bothering to hide it," Mira chuckled.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Ang ano?"

"Karlo and Jazmine. Duh," she said matter-of-factly.

Tumahimik ako. She's right. Hindi na bago sa book club members ang palaging pagdayo ni Karlo sa club room namin but to attend an out-of-town trip with the club? We were all thinking the same thing. They're together already.

Ilang oras din ang biyahe patungong Vigan kaya naidlip nalang ako. When we arrived, my head was spinning. Nahuli ako sa pagbaba kaya ngayon ay nakasunod ako kina Karlo at Jazmine. He was putting his hand over her head, takot na baka maumpog ito sa pagbaba.

Lumayo ako sa kanila pagkababa sa bus. The event will take place in a restaurant's function hall. Si Tala na ang nag-register para sa aming lahat. Maraming tao sa loob at ilang minuto lang ang hinintay namin bago mag-start ang program.

The author, Priya Chen, is a far cry from her characters. She's timid, shy, and nervous. I've always thought that she's a mirror of her spitfire characters. It made me adore her even more.

"Ipapapirma mo 'tong lahat?" Rinig ko si Karlo habang nakapila kami.

"Yup. Ngayon ko lang siya makikita kaya sinasamantala ko na."

"Hindi ba siya magrereklamo? Dami-dami nito!" Karlo chuckled.

Jazmine pushed her boyfriend playfully. "Huwag ka nga!"

"Bigyan mo ng salonpas pagkatapos, ah?"

"Karlo!"

I looked down at my own book. Ang dami naman kasing dinala ni Jazmine. Binili niya ata lahat ng edition ng paborito niyang libro. Mayroon din siyang copy ng ibang title niya kaya ang dami talaga. As expected, Karlo was carrying the stack of books. Priya laughed when he placed everything down on the table.

"Mahaba-habang pirmahan 'to..."

Dinadaldal ni Karlo si Priya habang pinipirmahan nito ang mga libro ng nobya niya. He even took a picture of the two of them.

When it was my turn, Priya smiled shyly at me.

"I'm a big fan..."

I felt stupid saying it while handing her a single book. Walang binatbat ang isang libro ko sa sankatutak na librong pinapirmahan ni Jazmine. Baka iniisip nito na andito lang ako for the clout, o di kaya'y sumasabay lang ako sa uso.

"Thanks, I know this title is underrated but this one's my favorite book..." she said, turning the page and signing the book. "Name?"

"RK."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit yun ang lumabas sa bibig ko pero huli na ang lahat. Priya signed the book and smiled at me. Mabilis ko itong isinara at tinanong kung pwede ba akong makipag-picture sa kaniya.

"Sure!" She chirped.

Mira took the picture for us. Hinintay ko siyang makapagpa-pirma rin para ako ang kumuha ng litrato para sa kanila. When we were done, we went back to our seats.

It was followed by a series of book games prepared by the organizers and a question-and-answer portion at the end which Priya answered politely. Pagkatapos ay binigyan na kami ng mga merch giveaway bilang pagtatapos ng booksigning event.

"Mamayang alas tres pa ang bus. Mag-coffee shop muna tayo?" Aya ni Tala. Other members went sight-seeing so it's just me, Karlo, Jazmine, Mira, Tala, Natalie, and Yvonne. Nagtinginan naman sila.

"Sure, may malapit ata dito..."

Hinila ako ni Mira kaya hindi na ako nakapalag. I want to go with the others and not be stuck with this group with Karlo in it. Nasa likuran silang dalawa ni Jazmine, nagbubulungan habang naglalakad.

We ended up in Cafe Leona, since we're just in Calle Crisologo. It's a vintage-themed cafe that evokes a nostalgic atmosphere. Para akong bumalik sa nakaraan pagkapasok namin sa loob.

Pinag-dikit namin ang dalawang table para magkasya kaming lahat. Unfortunately, I ended up sitting across from the lovebirds. Jazmine smiled at me. Ngumiti lang din ako sa kaniya habang abala naman ang iba sa pamimili sa menu.

"Jazz, try mo 'tong Iced Mocha nila, masarap!" Si Tala habang itinuturo ang menu.

Karlo chuckled. "Hindi siya umiinom ng kape, acidic siya."

"Hmm, fruit shake, then?"

"Iyong iced tea nalang."

Ako, si Tala, at Karlo lang ang nag-order ng kape. Jazmine and the others ordered fruit tea. Kumuha din kami ng Vigan longganiza pizza at tamales.

While waiting for our orders, Tala and the girls went to the bathroom. It was just the three of us. Jazmine leaned closer to me.

"I didn't know you like coffee, too."

Too? Is she referring to Karlo?

Napalingon tuloy ako sa kaniya. He looked uncomfortable.

"Uhm, yup. Nakasanayan na."

Karlo's phone started ringing. Napapitlag ito sa gulat. His sister's name flashed on the screen. Dali-dali siyang tumayo.

"Jazz, sagutin ko lang 'to."

"Sure!"

As soon as he stepped out, I breathed a sigh of relief. I placed the signed book in front of me. Nagulat ako nang bigla itong kunin ni Jazmine.

"Anong sinulat niyang dedication sa'yo?" She asked while flipping the pages. Napahinto ito nang makita ang nakasulat doon. "RK? Who's RK?"

"It's just... a nickname." I muttered.

She smirked and put the book down. Mataman niya akong tiningnan.

"Na ibinigay ni Karlo sa iyo?"

Napaawang ang bibig ko sa gulat. Jazmine traced the spine of the book with her fingers.

"I heard him calling you RK in the club room."

"Ah, yeah." I chuckled. "He might've given me that nickname."

"What's with the two of you?"

My heart thundered wildly. Seryoso na ngayong nakatingin sa akin si Jazmine.

"He gave you a nickname and called you last Christmas. Close kayo noon, diba? Tapos ngayon, biglang hindi na nagpapansinan?"

"Jazmine..." I pleaded.

She clasped her hands together and stared at me with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

"Are you in love with my boyfriend, Nadia?"

Hindi ako nakasagot. How will I ever answer this kind of question? Kulang nalang ay sumabog ako sa kinauupuan ko. I've never imagined myself in this kind of situation, and my mind goes numb thinking of ways to answer this question without hurting her! But I don't want to lie, either...

Yumuko ako. "I'm not doing anything about it, Jazz..."

She stood and grabbed the glass of water before throwing it on my face. I stared at her, shocked. Tumutulo ang tubig sa buong mukha ko pati na rin sa buhok. Nabasa pati ang cover na libro sa harapan ko.

Jazmine's lips trembled angrily.

"Stay away from him, stay away from us!" She hissed through gritted teeth.

Hindi na ako nakasagot dahil saktong pagbalik nila Tala galing sa restroom. Gulat silang napatingin sa akin.

"Nadia, anong nangyari?"

I stood and shook my head. Kinuha ko ang nabasang libro at isiniksik sa bag ko. I grabbed some tissue and started wiping my face.

"The waiter tripped. Also, my brother called. Susunduin niya nalang daw ako dito. Iti-take out ko nalang ang in-order ko. Sorry."