Chapter 34: Fall

"Bakasyon naman kaya p'wede na kaming maglakwatsa! Atsaka isa pa, hindi naman na galit iyong parents ni Rhiane, noon lang iyon kasi nga tumakas ka!"

I massaged my temple and sighed. "Fine, I'll go. Saan kayo ngayon?" I answered on the other line.

"Sa mall, lumabas lang ako kasi nagkakaraoke kami rito ni Rhiane, tara na! Sunduin ka pa namin o ikaw na mismo pupunta?"

I sighed. "I'll go, I'll call you once I get there, okay?"

She screamed. "Yes, girl! Dali at magwild tayo ngayon sa Tom's World!"

"Childish," I muttered before hanging up the call.

It's my day-off today, at kinukulit ako nina Marga na magkita kami dahil ilang linggo na rin kaming hindi nagkikita. Buti nga at bakasyon.

As per, Zian... we're good. After what happened back there, we're back to the old us. On how we used to each other, but at some point, I felt distant sometimes. Madalas ko na rin siyang nakikita dahil panay ang punta niya sa pinagtatrabahuan ko, minsan ay nakatunganga lang siya, minsan tumutulong, at minsan busy sa mga papers at sa laptop niya.

And I could really notice on how our tables turned. Siya na naman iyong laging pumupunta sa 'kin.

"Hays, nakakamiss ka talaga, Audrey. Pakiramdam ko siguro hindi ko kaya na mawala ka," madramang saad ni Marga.

We're already in a closed place, at talagang hindi ako makahinga. Suffocating as it is, but I can bear with it, minsanan lang naman.

"True, kaya you should give us a congratulatory gift! Or even just sing for us since nandito na rin naman tayo para sa karaoke!" Rhiane handed me the microphone.

I frowned. "Definitely no."

They kept on forcing me to sing a song until I gave in. "Seriously? What's have gotten into both of you?"

"You sing like a professional, promise! Ganda kaya ng boses mo more on pang-banda siya!" tawa ni Rhiane. "Pero kantahan mo kami iyong maididedicate mo talaga sa 'min, after no'n bawing-bawi ka na!"

I groaned. "What the hell, fine!"

"So..." They gave me a teasing smile. "What song would you dedicate to us?"

I arched a brow. "Hmm, I listened to this song for not so long... narinig ko iyon nang sumagi kayo sa isip ko, p'wede na 'yon," I unsurely answered.

"Wow, nakakatouch ka naman at naalala mo kami."

"So what's the song?"

I looked up to think. "Run Through Walls by The Script, sure hindi iyon nakaregister diyan," turo ko sa flatscreen TV.

"Well, if you really love us you're gonna sing it no matter what!"

"You know what? Damn you," I said at Marga before thinking what's the intro of the song.

"We have no visible superpowers
Sit in the kitchen and talkin' for hours
You always show up at the perfect time

There's no one born with X-Ray eyes
There's no way to know what's on my mind
But you always say the words that save my life..."

While singing with a background of silence, they're just listening and I saw how Marga hid her phone beside her when I knew she's recording me, hindi ko na lang sinuway.

"I've got friends that will run through walls
I've got friends that will fly once called
When I've nowhere left to go
And I need my heroes
I've got friends that will run through walls..."

I don't know what to do in my life anymore if I have no friends who always got my back. They're precious to me... Marga, Rhiane, and... Zian.

They're all what I have.

After that drama, I've never seen them again after a week. Si Zian na naman ulit ang nakikita ko.

Naiinis lang ako sa kaniya ngayon kasi panay ang punta niya rito, tapos tinatanong ko kung after ba ay umuuwi na siya sa Rizal. Tapos ang sabi niya ay hindi, so it means he's staying somewhere.

"Well, don't tell me you're still staying in a hotel!" I accused him. "Magtipid ka nga!"

His eyes widened. "Wow..." he uttered in surprise.

"What?"

"Well, I'm still not used to this version of yours. Fine, gusto mo magtipid ako?" He gave me a mischievous smile.

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. Tapos na ang shift ko kaya nasa convenience store kami dahil mukhang feel niya raw mag-ice cream ngayon.

He licked the ice cream before smirking at me. "P'wede akong umuwi sa 'yo?" parang batang tanong niya.

My brows furrowed. "Are you kidding me?"

"Joke lang," aniya at uminom galing sa bottled water na binili niya. "You're tired for sure, hatid na kita sa tinutuluyan mo? Wait, safe ba talaga ro'n? I just wanna make sure."

I put my hand under my chin, ignoring what he said. "What does it feel to have a boyfriend like you, 'no? Anyway, I can manage, huwag mo nang subukang ihatid ako." Sabay irap ko sa kaniya at tumayo.

I heard him laugh. "Grabe, independent na talaga 'tong babaeng 'to."

I tsked. "Whatever, jerk." I don't wanna assume anymore, panira minsan si Zian. Akala ko totoo, tapos biglang joke.

TOMORROW afternoon, I was busy wiping the tables off when I saw Zian entered. Hays, waitress ako at hindi janitress, but I guess I have to do this for the mean time. I straightened my posture and crossed my arms when he wandered his eyes and quickly etched a smile on his face when he saw me.

Hays, I'm already on a verge of falling.

"Hi, how are you?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Can you not disturb me while I'm working?"

He pouted. "Workaholic naman po." He picked something out of his pocket.

He handed me a... hair clip?

"What's this?" I asked as I accepted it.

"May nadaanan lang ako sa labas, and you popped in my mind... I just like it when you wear one... medyo anghel ka tingnan."

I scowled. "Annoying! Get out of my sight, will you?" I rolled my eyes and walked away to wash my hands. I hid the hairclip in my pocket, I tried to stifle the kilig I have felt.

There's just few customers and I know some of my co-workers can handle it since I just finished cleaning a freaking table. I let out a breath and headed to where was Zian seating.

"What's your agenda today?" I sarcastically asked and sat in front of him, crossing my arms.

"Do you wanna take a vacation?" He looked at me deeply as if by staring can make me agree to what he's about to say.

"I have no time for that."

"You have, ayaw mo lang."

I arched a brow. "Alam mo naman pa lang ayaw ko, what's the point of asking?"

He chuckled. "Let's take a vacation, saan mo gusto?"

I looked at him, confused. "Us? You mean just the two of us?" Something inside me got excited.

He pursed his lips and stared at me for almost a minute.

"Are you eye-fucking me?"

He almost choked on his own saliva. "Watch your filthy mouth," he warned and glared at me.

I rolled my eyes.

"Well, I want to be with you, but..."

"But?"

"I don't want our friends feel something... kung hindi natin sila isasama."

Our.

"Our friends? As long as I know, they're not my friends."

"Well, they are. You're just too... suplada, they considered you as one, ikaw lang naman ang hindi."

"Whatever you want, Zian."

He pouted. "Let's bond with them... and we can have our own world after, how 'bout that?"

"Why are you convincing me?"

"Sama ka na, swear I won't tell your parents about this, you know they still have no news about you. And guilt is eating me up."

Napatigil ako. Fine. "Okay."

"Wait for me here, okay? Just wanna do something," pagpaalam niya.

I shrugged and looked around. Wala pa namang masyadong costumer, mamayang gabi for sure marami dahil madalas iyon ang free time ng mga tao rito.

I saw Zian's phone on the table. I don't wanna barge in his business, but I got curious or more like suspicious so I took his phone and fiddled it.

My expression changed when I saw an unfamiliar name of a person in his messages. 

Allison.

I browsed through their conversation, and they just had a short thread, but still what the heck?

I read their conversation and it read like this:

Zian:

This is Allison, right? Reply if I'm right. : )

Allison:

Mm, yes. Who's this?

Zian:

Ansakit naman hindi mo sinave ang number ko. : (

Allison:

Sorry, but may I know who you are?

I clenched my jaw and glared on the phone. This conversation was yesterday.

This jerk looked clingy in this conversation.

And who the hell is Allison?

I gritted my teeth when I also saw Lorraine's name.

I was about to click to read their conversation when the phone rang.

Speaking of.

Allison is calling...

I answered the phone. "Who's this?" I asked, annoyed.

I heard her clearing her throat before answering. "Oh, sorry. This is Zian's number, right?" Her voice was low and kinda innocent.

"Yes, it's his. Why are you calling him?" I asked, still annoyed. What the heck was going on?

"Uhm... I have something to ask. Don't worry it's about his cousin."

I felt relief. And this girl seemed harmless, well I hope she is.

"Right, buti naman. He's still not here, wait ka lang." I looked around to find Zian, I saw him went out from the hallway.

He's now approaching me when I glared at him while his phone's still on my ear.

"Who are you calling with?" he asked.

I showed him his phone, but not giving it.

When he saw the screen, his lips parted and tried to get the phone from me. "Give me the phone," he commanded.

I shook my head. I should make sure that there's nothing between them, and if this girl was really saying the truth. "No, where's your cousin?" I asked.

"Give me the phone, Persian," he seriously said.

I sighed and harshly gave it to him. Aalis na sana ako nang hawakan niya ang braso ko atsaka inilagay ang phone sa tainga. "Hello, Allison? Do you need something?" he asked.

I tried to get rid of his hold, but he's holding me tight yet gentle in some way.

"Kent? I don't know where he is, umalis ako ngayon kaya hindi ko siya kasama. But I can give his number, though."

I was pissed and determined to hit him when he caught my hand and signaled me to stay quite.

"Is that one of your exes?"

"I've never had a girlfriend, okay?" he said, not glancing at me and busied himself on his phone.

I clenched my fist and swayed his hand on me before walking passed by him.

"No problem, I'll hang up now, bye."

I entertained the costumer who just entered, and I know Zian can't come because I'm doing something, so I saw him on the side, waiting.

After assisting, I ignored him and went inside the staff room just to ask myself what the fvck is wrong with me? Am I jealous? No, I was pissed! That's just it!

I heard the door creak open, napabaling ako roon.

"What the hell?"

"What's wrong?" he asked, closing the door behind him.

"What the hell, Zian? Get out!"

He sighed and leaned against the door. "What's wrong?" he calmly said.

"You wanna know what's wrong? Fine, who the fvck is that Allison?"

His lips parted. "She's just a friend..."

"Friend?" I narrowed my eyes. "What kind of a friend?"

"We're... friends back in high school."

I glared at him. "Okay, whatever." Bakit nga ba ako nagagalit? I shouldn't care about them.

"Let's go somewhere later with them, besides our friends missed you," he said.

I looked at him, thinking if I should agree or not.

WHEN 6 PM came, we drove where the hell we're heading to. Zian and I argued earlier, my shift was until 8 PM, but this manipulative jerk already told the manager to excuse me. And here I was, getting suspicious. Close ba sila? Why would he ask Ms. Bretella for my early out? I doubt they know each other.

I felt Zian's hiding something from me.

I wore a black plaid dress and pair of stilletos. I walked out of my apartment and I saw him waiting for me outside. He's now know where I am living.

He looked at me from head to foot, then whistled. "Heck, ganda mo, Miss."

I raised my middle finger.

He held his chest dramati. "Ouch, that was so mean. Shall we go, your Highness?"

"Yeah, my slave."

I chuckled when I saw him frowned.

When we arrived at the amusement park, I saw his friends there, waiting. They greeted me, and I'd just nod or answer shortly as a response, I am not fond of socializing and talking too much, well Zian's a damn exception.

"Audrey, takteng 'yan! 'Di mo ba 'ko miss?" si Archie.

"Hindi."

"Aray, para namang wala tayong pinagsamahan niyan. Itinatakwil mo na ba ako bilang kadugo mo?"

I gritted my teeth. "Archie, what the hell is wrong with you? You really need to consult a psychiatrist."

Bigla siyang sumeryoso. "Saan ka nagtatago? Nag-aalala sina Daddy sa 'yo, halos linggo-linggo namang pumunta ang family mo. Tumigil lang noong kausapin na ni Zian."

"What about Zian?"

"Narinig ko na ayos ka lang naman daw at huwag ka nang gambalain. Ayos ka lang talaga? Nandito naman ako, p'wede mo akong tawagan para namang hindi tayo magpinsan niyan."

I felt guilty. "Fine, nag-worry ka rin ba?"

He nodded.

I smiled. "Buti naman at may puso ka pa." I pat his shoulder and went to Zian.

"Who's that guy over there?" I whispered at Zian when I saw a guy. I surely met him once back in Arblivan!

What the hell.

Coincidence.

"Jace, he's Ari's boyfriend."

"They got back together with her ex or this guy's her new?"

"Nope, they got back."

I nodded. Mukhang bagay naman sila.

"Oh, you're Audrey?" That Jace guy stated when he looked at me—Ariane made him introduce himself to me.

"Yeah, we already met."

He nodded. "We did. Seemed like this guy over here has his eyes on you, huh?" He pointed at Zian near us who's talking to Kent, but his eyes were fixed at me.

I smirked when our gaze met, I looked away and arched my brow at Jace. "Does he look in love?"

He shrugged. "Maybe, I never saw him with a girl before. But the way he stares at you, it's telling me something."

"Oo, feel ko may crush si kuya sa 'yo," Ariane said.

I chuckled.

We have all mind our own businesses. I anchored my arm on Zian's and seemed like they're waiting for someone.

"Where's this Allison?" I asked Zian.

He bowed to whisper on my ears. "They're here."

When I saw three persons got out in a car, I groaned. Para silang naglalakad sa red carpet, the two boys were escorting this girl with her simple outfit.

Swear, I'd never been like this before, but she really looks gorgeous. Even with a simple outfit, her body's screaming something. She could really pass as a top model.

"She's... beautiful," I mumbled.

But didn't expect a response from Zian.

"Yeah."

I glared at him, para bang wala siyang kaalam-alam na nakatingin ako sa kaniya dahil nandoon ang tingin niya sa harap.

"Do you like her?" diretsong tanong ko sa kaniya. They've been friends for so long even before we met. And I feel there was probably a thing between them. To the fact, Kent's just beside him looking in nowhere. Is he kidding me?

He quickly looked at me in confusion. Sasagot na sana siya pero kaagad akong hinatak ni Trisha. "What?"

"Ipakikilala kita!"

I rolled my eyes and stepped forward. What's this? A some kind of introduce yourself?

"I'm Audrey," I said in a serious tone. I want her to get intimidated. There's jealousy rising up inside me and I hate it.

While we're walking straight, Zian poked me. I ignored him and continued to walk.

"What's wrong?"

I shook my head. I better not ruin this night for them atleast.

Pero parang hindi siya titigil kapag hindi ko siya kinausap. "Let's talk about it later, don't ruin this night," I reminded him.

I acted like nothing, humawak ako sa braso ni Zian nang may kung anong pumutok.

I looked up at the sky and saw a colorful fireworks. Some of them were shouting 'Happy Couple's Day' in chorus.

Cringey.

"Couple's day pala? Hindi ako nainform." I heard from Chesca.

"Ewan, 'di ko alam, pero may nagpropose raw," si Archie.

"Sino raw?"

"Scott at Abigail daw pangalan, ewan ba't mo ba 'ko tinatanong, e narinig ko lang kanina."

These two looked stupid.

I looked at somewhere, I saw that Allison far from us, and she's with Kent. I averted my gaze and was about to grab Zian to go somewhere when someone bumped into me.

I cussed when a girl didn't even dare to stop and apologize, nagpatuloy lang siya at parang nagmamadali.

"Abigail!" the guy called when he passed by us.

People turned their heads to watch them. They're making a scene.

"Ano po nangyari, ate?"

I looked beside me when I saw Archie asking a stranger.

"Basted ata iyong lalaki, sayang g'wapo pa naman. Siya kaya iyong nasa magazine!"

I didn't intention to eavesdrop but I'm getting curious.

"Magazine?"

"Oo, sikat na rin iyang si Scott Faustino ngayon. Model daw iyan, e. Nagtaka nga ako bakit nandito siya, iyon pala nagpropose roon sa babae, nakakahiya lang kasi binasted siya no'ng babae, nakakaawa tuloy."

I think deeply. Dapat binasted niya na lang iyong lalaki in private, it was kinda scandalous lalo na sa public tapos ganoon iyong nangyari.

"What are you thinking?" Zian whispered while we're on our way to a barbecue house.

I shook my head and remained silent when Trisha shook my shoulder. I swayed her hand and stick with Zian.

I was just watching their every moves, it's been so long since I last saw them. I squinted my eyes at Archie who's talking nonsense again. He kept on insisting that Allison's familiar.

"Can't he just shut his mouth?" I whispered at Zian. Gosh, I don't even know why we're blood-related.

Zian pursed his lips, he looked at me before throwing a handkerchief on Archie's face. "Shut it, Archie." He then looked at Kent beside him.

I noticed how awkward for them it is. Allison with this guy who named Raze, while Kent staring at them.

I sighed and minded my own world. I saw Zian stealing a glance on Allison. After we ate, we walked somewhere until I spoke up. "Do you like her?"

"Huh, sino?"

"Allison. You're spending too much time looking at her earlier, do you like her?"

He stopped and faced me. "What are you talking about?"

"Just answer me. Do you like her?"

"Of course not."

"Then why are you looking at her earlier? You know what, wala naman akong paki kung tingnan mo siya, but the way you stared, there was something. What kind of a friend is that, Zian?"

Natahimik siya.

"Seemed like you had a history together. Mukhang ganiyan din iyong type mo, right? Kagaya ni Lorraine, ni Allison... they're both pretty and kind, and I remembered I am not your type, so baka—"

"Get to the point, Persian," he cut off, looking at me.

"I'm jealous." I rolled my eyes afterwards, there's no point of denying, it's just a waste of time.

I looked at him when he didn't answer, his lips parted.

"What?"

"Hmm, you shouldn't be jealous..." he answered.

I glared at him. "Then you should stop making me feel one!"

I don't know if I was just hallucinating, but I saw a ghost of smile on his lips.

He brushed his hair, licked his lower lip, and bowed a little to level my gaze. "Do you have feelings for me?"

I stiffened.

I gulped.

My heart beat was in chaos.

"I'm falling," I answered instead. I don't wanna give him a direct answer.

But then, he nodded as if my answer was already enough.

"I won't catch you."

My lips parted. "Why?"

He slowly leaned and chuckled on my neck. He then whispered something that made butterflies go wild inside my stomach. "Let's fall together."