Chapter 11: Brat

"Audrey, tara na! Sumama ka na kasi," pamimilit ni Archie.

"I said no! Hindi mo ba makuhang ayaw ko? Just fvcking leave me alone!" galit na sigaw ko.

One month had passed since that day I slapped Zian. Pagkatapos noon ay umuwi ako nang hindi nagpapaalam, but it happened Archie saw what happened.

"Ba't mo sinampal si Zian? Ano na naman ba'ng pinag-aawayan niyo?"

I death glared at him. "Leave me alone. Don't talk to me."

"Para kayong mga aso't pusa! Bahala na nga kayo riyan, ang hihirap niyong intindihin!" He then left me alone which made me at peace.

Tuwing may lakad si Archie kasama ang mga kaibigan niya ay hindi na ako sumasama. It's either naiiwan ako rito, hindi siya sasama sa kanila o tumatakas ako kapag wala siya at gumagala'ng mag-isa.

I swear, wala na akong mukhang ihaharap kay Zian kung magkikita pa kami paglipas ng isang buwan pagkatapos nang nangyari. After that, hindi ko na rin siya ni-text. I deleted his contact number on my phone. I was that fuming mad. He can't blame me though, I was mad for what he said. I knew he had a point, but I just couldn't accept it. I couldn't accept that he's right all along. Ayaw ko siyang pakinggan dahil parang natalo na rin ako. Ayaw ko nang natatalo.

"Sige na, Audrey. Sobrang saya sa pupuntahan natin. Pinagpaalam na kita kanila Mommy at Daddy..."

I looked at him. "Ano'ng hindi mo maintindihan? I said no," pagmamatigas ko.

Niyayaya niya ako dahil pupunta sila sa ibang lugar para sulitin pa ang bakasyon. Ilang beses niya ako pinilit at kahit ano ang gawin niya hindi niya ako mapapapayag. Even his girl friends were inviting me, but I refused.

"Sama ka na, Audrey. Hayaan mo na iyon si Kuya, ang tagal na kaya no'n..." si Ariane.

"It's not because of him, ayaw ko lang."

She looked defeated. "Sayang, pero sige kung iyon ang gusto mo."

"Matagal na kaya 'yon, hindi ka pa rin ba nakakamove-on? O baka naman nahihiya ka kay Zian?" segunda ni Trisha.

I rolled my eyes. "Shut the fvck up."

Since they were nagging me, wala akong paki kung ganito ang pag-trato ko sa kanila, wala rin naman silang paki basta mapapayag ako.

"Edi, ano? Ikaw lang mag-isa rito? Na naman?"

"So what? It's not like I can't live on my own," I answered.

He sighed. "Mukhang hindi na ata kita mapapapayag..." he paused. "Pero, bakit? Hindi naman na galit si Zian sa 'yo!" agap niya.

I scoffed. "E, ano naman? Atsaka he has no right to be mad at me! I don't care on what he feels."

He shook his head. "Ang tigas talaga ng ulo mo..."

"Leave me alone kaya kong mag-isa, p'wede ba?" I rolled my eyes.

Wala na siyang nagawa kun' 'di lumabas na ng kuwarto ko. I took a cold shower and wore a silk lingerie while blowing my hair. I was about to lay on my bed when my phone beeped.

There was a message.

Unknown number:

Audrey, can we talk?
 - Zian

My lips parted.

"Did he just text me? Ha!" singhal ko.

So it means... He still has my number, then? Did he save it? I already deleted his, so... And he called my name.

I heard a knock on my door, so I put my phone down and went to open the door.

"What?" inis na tanong ko kay Archie pagkabukas ng pinto.

"Nandiyan si Zian sa labas, gusto ka raw makausap," he said.

I let out a breath. "Bahala siya." I walked back and sat on my bed.

Archie entered my room and crossed his arms.

"And why the hell are you entering my room?" inis na sambit ko.

"Para namang ngayon lang ako nakapasok dito, ngayon ka pa ba magrereklamo? Lumabas ka na roon, at huwag mong pinahihintay iyong kaibigan ko!" bulyaw niya sa 'kin.

My face darkened. "I said no. Bakit ba pinipilit mo 'ko sa bagay na ayaw ko? You're getting on my nerves, Archie. I'm warning you..."

"As if naman natatakot ako sa 'yo. Mahiya ka naman, Audrey."

I scoffed. "Excuse me? I have nothing to be ashamed of. What are you trying to say?"

He massaged his temple and looked at me angrily. "Ikaw na nga may atraso kay Zian, tapos ikaw pa pinupuntahan dito. Ang gagawin mo lang naman lumabas at kausapin siya! Pati ba 'yon ikinasasakit pa rin ng pride mo?"

I stood up and equalled his anger. "Stupid! Bakit parang kasalanan ko naman? Sinabi ko bang pumunta siya rito?!"

Mariin niya akong tinitigan. "Ang sama talaga ng ugali mo," sabi niya. He turned his back and slammed the door.

"Fvck you, Archie..." I angrily murmured.

Pagalit akong sumalampak sa kama at binato ang nadampot na blower sa pader. "Damn!"

I clenched my jaw when I heard my phone beeped again.

Unknown number:

Get yourself out or I'll storm in? : )

I rolled my eyes and ignored his text message. What a creepy emoticon, para bang galit at nagtitimpi na lang.

I gritted my teeth when I heard my phone beeped again. "You jerk..." I murmured as I took my phone. But I was completely taken aback when I read his message. Pakiramdam ko may pumukaw sa puso ko.

Unknown number:

brat...

There was something emotion in that message. It felt like I could hear his voice in a pleading one.

I shook my head repeatedly to keep my thoughts away. Stupid, Audrey. What are you thinking of?

I heaved a sigh. "Fine, just this once. I'll lower my pride... just this once."

I went downstairs and hid myself against the wall when I heard voices.

"Bakit ka pa kasi pumunta rito! Hayaan mo na iyon si Audrey, nag-iinarte lang 'yon!" I heard Archie's annoying voice.

Fvck you so much, Archie.

"No, I really think I offended her. 'Di mo ba talaga mapalabas?" I now heard Zian's hesitant voice.

What's with him? I rolled my eyes.

"Wala ka naman kasing kasalanan! Umuwi ka na roon, hayaan mo na si Audrey at maldita talaga ang babaeng iyon!"

I got myself out when I heard enough. Archie has been enjoying his remarks.

"What do you need?" I asked, crossed arms.

They both stood up. "Buti naman lumabas ka na sa lungga mo?" Bakas pa rin sa boses ni Archie ang inis.

I ignored him and looked at Zian. It's been a month since I saw him, he's becoming hotter as the day goes by.

I bit my lowerlip to stop myself thinking things about him.

"Let's talk."

I flipped my hair. "We're already talking if you're not aware," pabalang kong sagot. I then looked at Archie. "Ano? 'Di ka ba aalis? We're talking as you see."

"Oo na. Usap lang, ha? Baka mamaya pagtapos niyong mag-usap magkaroon na naman ng pasa sa mukha si Zian. Naku, sinasabi ko sa 'yo, Audrey, p'wede kang makulong sa pagiging bayolente mo."

"Fvck you, get lost."

I don't know how many times I cursed Archie out of annoyance.

I heard Zian cleared his throat, so I glanced at him. "What?" mataray na ani ko.

"This won't take too long..." He gazed at my body. "I see you're about to go in bed?" It was more like a statement than a question.

"I am." Para bang hindi ako natinag sa pagtitig niya sa akin dahil nakatitig lang din ako sa kaniya. "Now talk," utos ko.

He was about to open his mouth when I stopped him by raising my hand. "Wait..."

I narrowed my eyes while looking at the living room's door. "Archie, tsismoso ka talaga, 'no?" sabi ko nang nakita ang kaniyang anino sa gilid ng pintuan, nagtatago.

"Hehe, sabi ko nga," sagot niya at tuluyan nang umalis.

I put my lips into thin line before looking at Zian again. "Let's just talk outside."

He followed me from behind until we reached the garden. He was behind me while I was facing the fountain in front of me.

"I am here to apologize..." I heard him started. "I am sorry if I kinda offended you that time —"

I turned myself around to cut him off. "Kinda? You really did offend me! No excuses."

"Okay."

"Okay? Is that all?" I complained.

His forehead creased. "Ano pa ba gusto mo marinig? E, hindi ba? Ang sabi ko lang ay magso-sorry lang ako, edi nag-sorry ako."

I mentally cursed him. What's wrong with this jerk?

"You're no fun," utas ko.

"Fine. Totoo na talaga 'to. Sorry for what I've said last month. I know it's too late, but I still wanted to say sorry..."

And now... Naisip ko kung bakit nga ba siya nanghihingi ng tawad sa 'kin? I just realized he did nothing wrong. He actually made me awake in the reality, but it's just me who couldn't accept it.

"Why are you sorry?" I asked even I knew the answer.

But didn't expect his annoying answer.

"Ayaw mo mag-sorry sa 'kin kaya ako nalang magso-sorry sa 'yo," he answered.

Mas lalong uminit ang ulo ko. "Are you kidding me now?"

"'Di joke lang 'yon. Sa totoo lang, wala naman yata talaga akong kasalanan, e. May punto naman ata ako sa sinabi ko, sa tingin mo?"

"Pumunta ka ba rito para isisi sa 'kin na ako iyong may kasalanan at ikaw ang wala? Just leave, Zian."

His face then become serious. "I am sorry, this time I really mean it."

I can see on his serene eyes that he's sincere and honest. And I just got my spot. "You're not forgiven," ganti ko.

"Why? I'll make it up to you," he convinced.

I arched a brow. "How?"

"Sama ka," he said, a smile slowly crept on his lips.

"Ayaw ko."

"Why? Babawi ako sa nagawa ko, okay?"

"E, sa ayaw ko nga."

"Edi, bahala ka."

I hit his chest. "You won't force me?" gigil pero natatawang tanong ko.

"Tss, why would I do that? Hindi ko ugaling mamilit. Kung ayaw edi 'wag, pake ko sa 'yo."

"Asshole!" nangingiting utas ko.

He smiled. "Am I forgiven now?"

"Who told you?"

"I just see you smiled at me... I've never seen you smile, and it just looks different."

A smile etched on my face slowly faded away. "Tss, nonsense."

"Oo nga. Sama ka na, ah? Sige ka kung hindi ka samama, iisipin ko talagang dahil iyon sa 'kin..."

Napasinghap ako. "Bold of you to assume."

"Aren't you comfortable when I'm around?" he asked.

Napabaling ako sa kaniya. Why is he asking me that? "Why?"

"Kasi kung oo, hindi nalang ako sasama at ikaw nalang ang sumama."

"What? It's your friends, not mine! Are you out of your pretty mind?"

How could he say that? Mga kaibigan niya iyon tapos siya iyong maiiwan, at ako itong hindi kabilang ang isasama. He's insane.

"E, ayaw mo, e..."

"Fine, sasama na ako! But I still won't forgive you..." I pulled his shirt down. "I'm still hurt," I whispered to his ear.

Kaagad niya namang tinabig ang kamay ko at umatras. "P'wede ka namang magsalita nang hindi lumalapit sa 'kin." He rolled his eyes.

I made a face. "E, sa ganoon ko gusto makipag-usap, e," I answered.

He heaved a sigh. "Ewan ko sa 'yo. Sige na, uuwi na ako. Matulog ka na rin..." He onced looked at my body and rolled his eyes. "A-are you seriously wearing that?" he hesistantly mumbled.

I arched a brow. "What's wrong with I'm wearing?" Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang lingerie na suot.

"It's way too... seductive," I heard him whisper.

I smirked. "Why? Are you seduced?"

Kaagad naman siyang napaharap sa akin. "No way. Hindi mo 'ko madadala sa pisikal," sagot niya at nagsimulang maglakad papalayo. "Good night, brat." Iwinagayway niya ang kamay nang nakatalikod.

I shook my head. He's just too good to be true.

"Oh, nag-usap na kayo ni Zian? Sasama ka na?" salubong ni Archie sa akin pagpasok ko sa loob.

"You're so nosy."

He grinned and went near to hug me. "What the heck?" I pushed him while my brows were furrowed. "What's wrong with you!"

"Gusto mo ba ako mag-impake ng mga gamit mo? Ang ganda talaga ng pinsan ko. You're the best cousin ever!" He was about to hug me again when I raised my fist.

"Baka magbago iyang isip mo kapag nakita mo na ulit si Fiona? Santa-santita pa naman ang isang iyon," I said.

"'Sus, hindi! Ikaw talaga pinaka-favorite ko!"

"Oh? E, 'di ba sabi mo kanina masama ang ugali ko?" I shot back.

Napakamot siya sa batok. "Hindi ko gustong sabihin iyon, 'no! Nadala lang ako ng emosyon!"

I tsked. "Emosyon, my ass."

"Hoy, totoo nga! Ayaw ko kay Fiona lagi akong inaaway no'n dati, e."

"Inaaway rin naman kita, ah?"

"Mas ayos ka na, atsaka may magagawa pa ba ako, e, dalawa lang naman kayong pinsan ko. Wala akong choice."

"Whatever. Wala kang kuwenta," I said and left him there to go to sleep.

"Ikaw naman walang silbi!" habol niya.

"AUDREY, hindi ka pa ba tapos diyan? Sabi ko naman sa 'yo gumising ka nang maaga para mag-ayos, e. Halos abutin ka pa naman ng dalawang oras sa pagbibihis."

"I am here!" Hila-hila ang maleta ay lumabas ako at humalukipkip. "Carry my things," I ordered.

"Kapal ng mukha, sige na nga! Pumasok ka na sa sasakyan baka iwan pa tayo!"

I ignored him and just got inside the car. Tito and Tita were already at work. They did just leave us some reminders for our so-called outing.

"Hindi ba nila tayo susunduin?" I asked when Archie got inside.

"Hindi, ah. Magkikita lang tayo," he answered and roared the engine into life.

Habang nasa biyahe kami ay bigla nalang namatay ang makina ng sasakyan sa gitna ng kalsada.

My forehead creased. "What happened?"

Hindi niya ako sinagot at inulit lang sa pag-paandar ang sasakyan. "Takteng 'to..."

"Why?" I asked again as I glanced at the rear mirror when some vehicles started to make noise of their horns.

"Nakalimutan kong sabihan sina Mommy para ipaayos 'to."

"What the... Bakit kasi 'di mo ni-check bago tayo umalis?!" galit na utas ko.

He slowly showed his grin at me. "Hehe, na-excite kasi ako, e."

"Estupido!" Pinitik ko ang tainga niya bago padabog na bumaba ng sasakyan.

"Can you stop that annoying noise? As you can see, nasiraan kami ng sasakyan, 'di ba?" singhal ko pa sa mga sasakyan na nasa likod ng amin.

Archie got outside while calling someone on his phone.

"Who are you calling?" I asked.

"Si Sam," he mouthed.

"Bakit hindi si Zian?"

"Mas maalam si Sam sa ganito."

"Si Zian ba hindi?"

Irirado niyang binaba ang cellphone. "Huwag mo nga muna akong guluhin! Nakalimutan ko tuloy iyong sasabihin ko," aniya at nilagay ulit sa tainga ang cellphone.

I let out a breathe. What a freaking day it is.

"Hay, salamat at dumating ka na!"

"Oh, ano ba kasi nangyari?"

Napalingon ako nang bumaba sina Sam at Trisha sa sasakyan at kaagad na kinausap si Archie.

"Bigla nalang namatay iyong makina, tapos ayaw na umandar."

"Baka naman ubos na iyong gas?"

"Tangeks! Hindi, ah! Dali tulungan mo na ako nakakaistorbo pa tayo rito sa daan," si Archie.

"Teka lang."

"Uy, Audrey! Hi, rito ka na sumakay!" Trisha grabbed me by the arm and dragged me in the car.

"Will you be atleast careful? Why are you grabbing me?" mataray na saad ko.

She smiled. "As if nasasaktan ko ang damdamin mo, 'di ba? Iisang sasakyan nalang ang gagamitin natin para less hassle. May dala ka bang bag?" She wandered her eyes.

"A suitcase," I said.

"Ano? Malaki ba ang maletang dala mo? Andami mo yatang dala?"

"Pake mo?"

"Ito naman nagtatanong lang, e, magagalit agad."

"Nagalit ba ako?"

"Ah, hindi ka ba galit? Mukha kasi, e."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."

Nang naayos na lahat ng problema ay bumiyahe na kami sa kung kaninong bahay at doon may naghihintay na SUV.

"Hindi ba masikip kung lahat tayo sa loob niyan?" I unconsciously asked Trisha beside me.

I was waiting for an answer when she pointed at herself. "Tinanong mo ba ako?"

"Obviously."

"Ah, sabi ko nga. Hindi, maluwag naman sa loob, 'no!"

I shrugged and just followed them from behind. Nagpatiuna si Archie na pumasok sa loob ng SUV at nagkakagulo na sila roon.

I was just wandering outside when I noticed that most of them are already inside while Trisha and I are still outside.

"Teka lang, hintayin muna natin si Sam may kinuha lang."

I shrugged.

"Hoy, ano ba! Sabing huwag mong itutok sa 'kin iyong aircon, e! Nakakahilo kaya!" Sa labas pa lang ay rinig namin ang bangayan ni Archie at Chesca sa sasakyan dahil hindi naman ito nakasarado.

"E, naiinitan ako may magagawa ka ba? Huwag ka rito sa tabi ko kung ayaw mo ng aircon!"

"Hoy, ano ba kayong dalawa diyan! Bangayan kayo nang bangayan, bumaba nga kayo pareho!" Kent preached when he glanced at the two from driver's seat.

"Ito kasi! Sabing ayaw ko nga ng aircon dahil nahihilo pa ako, tapos itatapat pa sa 'kin!"

"E, bakit kasi tumatabi ka sa 'kin, e, ako naman iyong nauna rito! Baba nga!"

"Umalis nga kayo riyan at si Zian ang palipatin niyo! Archie, dito ka sa shotgun!" Kent said.

Pareho silang bumaba ng sasakyan, napansin ko namang bumaba ng shotgun seat si Zian at ginulo ang buhok. "Ang sasakit niyo naman sa ulo..." Our eyes met.

I smirked. "Hi."

His brows furrowed. "Hello," magaspang na aniya.

What's with him today?

Zian was about to get inside when I stopped him, he looked back at me, confused.

"I want to get inside first."

Umupo ako sa pinakadulo at kaliwang bahagi ng upuan sa likuran. Nang natapos ako ay sumilip naman ako sa labas.

"Oh, Chesca, pasok na." I heard Zian say.

"Ayaw ko, gusto ko malapit sa bintana.".

Walang nagawa si Zian kung hindi magpatiunang pumasok. His eyes landed on me, I waved my hand and pointed at the spot beside me. "Here."

He rolled his eyes. "You guys are a human version of a migraine," aniya at isinalampak ang sarili sa tabing upuan ko.

I smirked.

Starting today, I'll nag you again.