Chapter 26: Understand

I was crying the whole ride, it's just me and the driver. I don't know where's Zian right now. He still hasn't replied in my message.

Me:

Archie, are you with Zian?

I was biting my lip while wiping my tears away.

My phone beeped.

Archie:

di ko alam, bakit

Me:

Call him please. He's not replying my text.

Archie:

Ok, wait

I was just looking at my screen waiting for Archie to reply.

Archie:

tinawagan ko, boses galit pa si parekoy sabi nya istorbo raw ako at nasa gitna raw sya ng discussion sa office ng lolo nya

I didn't reply and just texted Marga and Rhiane. Sila na lang iyong kaya kong tawagan ngayon.

Me:

Are you free? Let's drink.

Kaya ayon ang nangyari, they know I won't invite them just because I get bored. They know I have a problem, so they are now on their way.

"What happened?" Marga worrily asked and sat beside me.

Rhiane sat on my other side with a curious look on me. "Where did you get that bruise on your face, Audrey?"

I looked at her. "Do I have?" I touched my face and twisted my lips when I felt pain.

"Sino'ng may gawa niyan, ha? Resbakan namin," si Marga.

I let out a chuckle. "Mommy. She did this on me," I opened up.

They both looked in shock. "Why?!"

I told them what really happened, on how Fiona planned it. Even what I heard last night, ikinuwento ko rin.

"Bwisit talaga iyang si Fiona! Napakaimpaktita!"

"Hayaan mo, Aud, gaganti tayo sa kaniya."

I shook my head and drank the glass of liquor. "No, there's no point to avenge. I was at fault too."

"Wow, kailan ka pa nagpatalo, Audrey? Mapride ka kaya at alam mong lagi kang tama! Wow, sino ka?"

I glared at Rhiane.

"It doesn't matter, Rhiane. Just let Audrey what she wants to do. Basta, girl, tawagan mo lang kami lagi. I always got your back."

I looked up, trying to stop my tears from falling but they hugged me. I can't help, but to sob.

"T-Thank you..." I whispered. I finally thanked them.

"Welcome, grab na natin minsan lang 'to magpasalamat," Marga joked.

I sniffed and pushed them. "You're making me cringe, layo nga."

"Arte! We should have fun right now! Minsan na lang tayo ulit nakakapag-club dahil lagi kayong busy sa lalaki niyo!"

I pulled Rhiane's hair. "Shut up."

I don't know, but the company of these two annoying girls made me less sad. I was just singing on top of my lungs together with the people around me because there was a live band. I am now drunk as hell when Rhiane was calling my name beside me.

Since it was so loud inside, she has the need to shout just so I can hear it what she was saying. "Sabi ko may tawag nang tawag sa cellphone mo!"

I tilted my head and hit her on arm. "Don't disturb me, just answer that if you want to!" I shouted back and swayed my hands on the air. "Sorry na, please, huwag nang mainis, bumalik ka na sa 'kin! Sorry mahal ika'y nasaktan, bumalik ka na sa 'kin!" I sang.

"Hoy, Rhiane! What did you do to her! Ginawa mong tanga si Audrey, video dali!"

My sight got blurry so as my hearing, but I still managed to sing. It makes my heart lighten.

I stood up and danced like a wild lion, I don't care with the people around me. Basta ang alam ko, nagsasaya ako at wala akong pakialam. "One more!" I yelled on the stage and waving my hand at their vocalist. "Hey, sing for me!"

"Hoy, tanga si Audrey, nababaliw na, iuwi na natin iyan."

"Hayaan mo, videohan lang natin para may pang-blackmail tayo sa susunod."

"Hey! What do you want me to sing? I'll give you this favor." Their vocalist pointed at me.

"Me? Yeah! It's me, right? I want you to sing... uh, Destiny!"

"Destiny? Jim Brickman, right?"

"Yeah, it is! I really love that song!"

"Hoy, tanga ba't dumidestiny si Audrey? Nakakahiya."

"Hayaan mo na, Marga. Ngayon lang iyan, susunduin din iyan mamaya ng destiny niyan."

"Okay, this song is dedicated for the beautiful lady over there. Pagbibigyan kita, miss."

"Oh my! You're so hot! Make my knees go weak!" I laughed.

"Si Audrey ba iyan? Awatin mo na nakakahiya, ang daming nakatingin!"

"Hayaan mo na, ngayon lang!"

"Alright, here we go..."

"What if I never knew, what if I never found you... I'd never have this feeling in my heart..."

My smile slowly faded, making my heart pound when I saw a familiar person walking towards me.

Seriously?!

Nilakihan ko pa ang mata para makumpirama. And I wasn't mistaken!

Zian!

"But from the moment I saw you, deep inside my heart I knew... Baby, you're my destiny. You and I were meant to be..."

My lips parted at the sight of him. Is this real? Or am I hallucinating?

"Oh, stop it! You're always popping in my mind. Can you give me a peace of mind even just this once!" I exclaimed as I hit my head.

"Oh, ikaw ba si Zian? I am Rhiane, I was the one who called you earlier. Lasing na, e, oh! Tingnan mo!"

"Who brought her here?"

I am still processing on my mind if this is really real. Para akong nahimasmasan nang kaunti nang kausapin ng dalawa si Zian.

What the hell is he doing here?

"Siya ang nagdala sa 'min dito!"

"Did she bring a driver?"

"Hindi, umalis iyan, e!"

I held Zian's face to assure myself that he's real. "Ikaw 'to, 'di nga?"

"Baliw na si Audrey. Ano ba'ng ininom niyan?" si Marga.

"Hinalo pa naman niya iyong whiskey 'tsaka iyong rhum, sira ulo."

"Iuuwi na namin 'to. Pasensya ka na, Fernandez, 'di ba apelyido mo? Inabala ka pa nitong kaibigan ko."

"Who the fvck is Fernandez?" I drunkly asked.

"Narinig kong sabi mo kay Norjana no'ng nakaraan."

I was losing my balance, but good thing, Zian's arms made its way to my hips.

"It's Fernando, estupida! And, oh right, I'm going home with him!"

"No, you're not," he coldly said.

I pouted and faced him. "And why is that? Don't you want me anymore? Yeah, right no one likes me for I am a disgrace!"

"Luh, ate mo sad girl."

"Kaya pala nandito kaming tatlo, 'no? Nakakatampo, ah."

"Shut up, you two!" I narrowed my eyes at him before letting go of his hold. "You don't want me? Sure." I faced the stage. "Thank you for singing for me, hottie!" I shouted and waved at the vocalist.

He waved back. "My pleasure, beautiful."

I smiled widely, but got distracted when Zian covered my mouth and pulled me closer to him. "Stop smiling!" he roared.

I removed his hand on me and glared at him. "Why? Don't you want me to be happy? Minsan lang akong ngumiti, ayaw mo pa?" I sighed and looked away. "This world is full of cruel and annoying people."

"Thank you, girls. I guess I have to take her home. How about you two?"

"No, ayos lang kami! Hindi pa kami lasing atsaka may driver din, unahin mo si Audrey kasi iaasa namin siya sa 'yo!"

"Can you tell her parents about her—"

"No," we answered in chorus.

Zian looked at us, confused. "Why?"

"Umalis iyan doon, siya na lang tanungin mo."

Zian nodded before looking at me again. His brows furrowed and pulled me closer to him and cupped my face. "Aww."

"What the hell happened to your face?" he asked angrily.

I looked away and swayed his hand. "Nothing."

"Let's go, hindi ko makita nang maayos. Is it okay if I bring her with me now?"

They nodded in agreement. "Huwag mong pababayaan iyang hot babe namin."

Zian chuckled and nodded. "I won't. Thank you." He grabbed me by the arm and we exited the club. Maya-maya pa ay mukhang nawalan yata siya ng pasensya dahil sa iika-ika akong maglakad ay kinarga niya ako at isinalampak sa shotgun seat.

"Stay there." He then closed the door and I heard its lock.

I rested my head on my seat and closed my eyes. "He's here... thank God." I also need him right now. I know he will understand me, nasa nature niya na iyon.

Maya-maya pa ay naibuka ko ang mata nang narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto sa driver's seat. Zian's seriously eyeing me while holding a something.

"What's that?"

"Ice pack." He crouched to reach me, I went closer so he won't have a hard time. Dahan-dahan ang pagdampi niya ng ice pack sa aking pisngi, he also put my hair on one side so it won't be a distraction to my face.

I was just staring at his beautiful and almost perfect face. The way how serious he is on what he was doing. Pinukulan niya pa ng masamang tingin ang pisngi ko. "Ano ba'ng ginagawa sa buhay mo at may ganito ka? Did you get into a catfight?"

"Devil fight," I corrected him.

He glared at me and frowned. "You reek of alcohol," he commented and sniffed near my face.

Inilapit ko ang mukha sa kaniya. "Do you wanna know if I taste like alcohol too?" I seductively smirked and looked at his parted lips.

"Hmm?"

I tilted my head, but before my lips could meet his, he straightened his back. "Sorry, but I don't kiss lips of a drunk woman." He flicked his finger against my forehead and roared the engine into life. "Uwi muna tayo, you still have something to say to me later."

I made a face and crossed my arms over my chest. "Yeah, I have a lot of things to tell."

I didn't realize I have slept if it's not because of Zian's whispers. 'Hoy, babae...', 'Gusto mo iwan kita rito?' at 'Inom pa more.'

"Yeah, I am now awake."

He guided me while climbing up the stairs. He opened the door of his room, the door to his balcony and motioned me to follow him.

Sumunod naman ako at sumalubong sa 'kin ang malamig at preskong hangin sa balkonahe. "Stay here to freshen up, titimplahan lang kita ng kape."

I nodded and sat on the mini sofa. I was just tapping my fingers against the table in front of me when I heard footsteps coming.

I looked up at Zian, sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa maupo siya sa tabi ko at maglapag ng tasa. "Usog ka nga nang kaunti ayaw kong malapit ka sa 'kin," masungit na aniya.

"Ba't bigla kang sumungit?" tanong ko.

"Nakalimutan ko na dapat galit pala ako sa 'yo," aniya at itinuro ang kape. "Inumin mo para mahimasmasan ka."

I bit the insides of my cheek. "Okay."

After a moment of silence, I broke it. "You'll understand me, right?"

He looked at me and bit his lowerlip while nodding. "As long as you're not gonna lie."

I shook my head. "I will. I know you'll understand me, Zian."

He sighed. "I'll listen to whatever you'll gonna say. Just promise me you're not going to lie, I just want you to be honest."

"Kahit may sinadya akong gawin?" I asked pertaining to that kiss with a stranger.

He nodded and sipped on his coffee. "Sadya or hindi, I'll believe you. Your honesty is what matters to me, okay?"

I smiled and let out a breath. "Why are you pissed?"

"Me? Well, I saw something that made my day bad."

"What is it?"

"Huwag mo nang alamin."

"Ano nga!"

"Makulit ka, e. Oh, tingnan mo!" Padabog niyang inilapag ang cellphone niya sa lamesa. Pinagkatitigan ko muna iyon at kinuha, pagkabukas ko pa lang ay bumungad na sa 'kin ang pamilyar na picture.

My lips parted. "Who the hell sent you this?"

He shrugged. "I don't know and it doesn't matter. How will you explain that, Persian?" he calmly asked and leaned against the sofa while glaring at me.

I sighed and put his phone down. Napabuntong hininga ulit ako at bumaling sa kaniya. "That bitch sent it to you," I uttered. He ignored me, but I know he's still waiting for what I'm gonna say.

"Zian... it's not what you're thinking..."

He nodded. Unlike others, hinihintay niya ang paliwanag ko, hindi pinuputol at pinapakinggan.

"I was just testing that guy if he really loves my sister, but then... she fooled me, she hired someone to do that dahil inaasahan niya atang gagawin ko 'yon..." I lowered my gaze and just played with my nails, feeling a bit embarrased.

"Look at me."

Dahan-dahan akong nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya. "I didn't mean to do it, I am sorry..."

He gave me a small smile. "It's okay."

"R-Really?"

He nodded. "Yeah, that wasn't really my concern anymore. That swollen cheek of yours, what happened to that?" He lifted my chin to make me face him. "It looks bad, panget mo na tuloy."

Imbis na matuwa dahil concern siya ay nainis ako kaya kinurot ko siya sa tagiliran. "Annoying jerk."

"My mom did this..." I confessed.

"What?"

I nodded. "Yeah, she did. She slapped me the phone and slapped me again using her hand... it hurt." I bit my lower lip as I remembered no one did take my side earlier.

I heard him sigh. "Come here, nawala tuloy iyong inis ko." He encircled his arm on my shoulder and brought me closer to him.

"Baka selos," ani ko.

"Okay, selos. Pagbibigyan kita ngayon. I was uhm... kinda jealous. I don't know why." He shrugged it off.

I gave him a heartily laugh. "Arte!" I then rested my head on his shoulder while he's tapping mine. "Already sober?"

I nodded and yawned. "I hate my mom..."

"Hmm, why?"

"She always make me feel unwanted. Living a life like this sucks."

He's just tapping my shoulder when later on I felt his head on top of mine. "Go on. I'll listen."

I put my lips into thin line and let out a breath. This feels comfortable. "I don't know why she hates me so much. Lagi niyang sinasabi na nagsisisi siya na binuhay pa ako." I chuckled painly. "You know what? Hindi ko naman hiniling, e ni hindi ko rin naman ginustong mabuhay. If she doesn't like me, she can abandon me. I am always tired when it comes to them. I don't have the happy family like others have. Hindi kami nagkakasundo, they always taking my sister's side. Wala akong kakampi, lagi ako ang mali. I always feel empty." A tear fell from my eyes.

"Si Fiona, iyong demonyita kong ate. She's always mad at me... she loathes just like my mom. I care for her... hindi niya iyon napapansin, at kahit ako iba ang paraan ko para maipakita iyon." I tested Jade, his ex boyfriend, before. I obeyed him to break up with her 'coz I know he's not good for her, he kissed me even he has a girlfriend. In that way, I still cared for her. But now, I don't know. I hate her too. Si Daddy pinagtatanggol niya ako, pero madalas ding hindi kampihan.

"I only have my friends... and now I have you." I looked at him with sincerity in eyes.

He smiled and kissed the top of my head. "I am here, I can be your everything when you feel nothing. I will always be by your side."

I moved to hug him tight. I cried my heart out, ang sakit lang kasi talaga. "I really want to punch someone, so I can get rid of this anger," I murmurred.

He chuckled and caressed my back. "After you cry, you can make me your punching bag, pagbibigyan kita ngayon."

Napakalas ako sa kaniya at pinanliitan siya ng mata. "Are you comforting me?"

He shrugged. "Siguro. Pero huwag mong isipin na naaawa ako sa 'yo."

"I don't want people's pity."

"Yeah, 'coz it'll make you look more pathetic. Hindi ako naaawa sa 'yo, you should learn from your experience. It'll make you more stronger and better than you were before. Trust me, when people get hurt, they learn and change until they become the better version of themselves. Getting hurt isn't bad at all, it teaches us lessons and how to be brave in all circumstances."

I really admire this hazel brown-eyed guy, my serene in my chaotic life. And before I realize it, I am already falling.

"You're right, but for me... when you came."

"When I came?"

"Yeah, I became and changed for the better, and it's all because of you. You always teach me how to live and deal with the individuals around me."

He chuckled. "Well, should I be glad?"

I smiled. "I often smile when it's you. Ikaw lang iyong nagpapangiti sa 'kin, 'di ka naman clown," I joked.

He frowned. "Hindi magandang joke. Ayos ka na?"

I shook my head, nag-iinarte. "Masakit pa iyong pisngi ko."

"Oh? May I see?" He held my chin and examined my face. "Medyo mamula-mula na lang."

"Kiss mo 'ko para mawala."

He rolled his eyes at me. "Daming alam."

"Sige na, isa lang, e."

"Sige na nga. I'll kiss you this once." He leaned and planted a soft and gentle kiss on my swollen cheek.

I groaned in disappointment. "Sa lips!"

"Hindi naman sa lips mo iyong masakit, ah?"

I pouted. "Sige na."

"Ayaw ko, naalala ko pa ngang tinawag mong hot iyong vocalist kanina, e."

I raised a brow and softly laughed. "It's true."

He let go of me and stared at the  night sky. "Edi, doon ka magpahalik."

"Papayag ka?"

"Syempre... hindi."

"Hindi naman pala, e. Hayaan mo na ikaw lang naman ginaganito ko, e. You should feel lucky for having my attention because I just tend to ignore people."

"Well, then..." He smiled at me and slowly... he tilted his head our lips were just an inch away.

My breathe hitched.

My heart was pounding loudly.

And before I know...

His lips met mine under the night sky. The stars and the moon witnessed how the serenity embraced the chaos.