Chapter 8: Hate

It made me feel more furious. I mean, yeah, not all guys out there like me, but, he did just say it in my face. What a jerk.

I was shocked, because no guys made me feel like that before. I was always the one who will reject them. And they even drooled on me, and now? He even said I was drooling over him.

Galit akong umakyat sa kuwarto ko para magbihis nalang. Of course, hindi pa naman doon natatapos. They decided to go in the rooftop to catch some fresh air, and I am planning to nag him, so I went there.

"Sayang, sinama mo dapat si Jace, Sam," Archie said.

We're sitting on the round sofa while gazing at the night sky. Magga-gabi na rin nang natapos sila dahil masyado silang naenjoy, habang kami naman ni Zian ay nag-away lang kanina. Mukhang galit na galit talaga siya sa 'kin. I couldn't care less.

I got confused when they all glanced at Ariane who's now blushing.

"Sa'n ba si Jace, Ari?" Kent asked with an amusing tone.

"Shut up! Ba't mo sa 'kin tinatanong, e hindi naman kami magkasama?" mataray niyang sagot.

I raised a brow.

"It's her ex," Chesca whispered beside me.

"I didn't ask," I answered.

"Your face was asking, so I just answered."

"Whatever."

"Busy si Jace para sa future nila ni Ella kaya ganoon."

"Sam! Nakakainis ka!"

"Ari, pakipot, akala 'di marupok," Kent once said.

"Kent, in-denial, akala mo 'di na mahal," Ariane shot back.

I secretly laughed. They have a great squad, I can say.

"You know nothing, Ari." Kent seemed got annoyed.

They laughed.

"Iyan pinipikon mo pa kapatid ko, e, ikaw rin naman pala mapipikon."

Napatingin kaagad ako ay Zian na nasa gilid.

He didn't even glance at me.

I rolled my eyes.

"Shut up. Uuwi ba agad parents mo, Archie?"

"They have a medical mission sa Legaspi, Kent."

He nodded and his stare went on me. "Oo nga pala, okay na kayo ni Zian?"

I was taken a back. I didn't expect that question. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"Mukhang nag-away kayo kanina —"

"Shut your mouth, Kent."

"Dude, nagtatanong lang. Affected ka masyado, e, ikaw nga nag-uwi sa kaniya kagabi, 'di ba?" he teased.

"Nino?"

Nakiusyuso na sila habang ako ay lihim na nangingiti dahil mukhang magagalit na naman siya.

Kent secretly gave me a thumbs up.

It seemed like he had the intention to annoy him, so he did that.

"Oh, right. How did you end up there, anyway?" pakikisingit ko.

Until now, I still didn't know why he carried me all the way here. Dahil sa pagkainis namin sa isa't-isa ay nakalimutan ko na naman.

He didn't answer and just rolled his eyes at me.

"Attitude kaya walang girlfriend, e," puna ni Archie na nasa tabi ni Chesca.

I smirked. "Right, you said I ain't your type, so... mind to share why you sent me off?"

Iritado siyang  bumuntong hininga. "You know what? You actually don't have to know —"

"Why? I have the rights."

"Oo nga naman, 'tol. Ba't ba ikaw naghatid?" Sam asked.

Zian glared at me. "Should I leave you there while someone's trying to harass you?" he sarcastically said.

They gasped, while I smirked. "Someone's concerned."

"I am not. I just felt like I have to help you. Yeah, right. My conscience told me to do so," he answered.

"Palusot. Iba talaga kapag nasobrahan sa IQ, andaming alam," si Trisha.

They laughed again.

This is so boring. I felt having a liquor.

"Guys, inom tayo kahit kaunti lang," Chesca said what's on my mind.

"Ah, sige." Bigla namang napatayo agad si Archie.

My forehead creased.

"I'll just get something downstairs."

"Ubos na, Archie," I reminded him.

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "Ah, oo nga pala."

"Ba't naubos agad?" tanong ni Chesca.

"Nag-inuman kami ni Audrey no'ng isang araw, pinilit niya ako, e."

Napatayo kaagad ako. "Excuse you? I didn't force you, stupid. Ikaw nga lang iyong maraming nainom diyan."

"E, s'yempre wala kang kasama, baka magmukmok ka na naman sa kuwarto —"

"Shut it out, Archie. I'm warning you," I warned.

"Sige na, ako na bibili." Zian stood out and put his hands inside his jeans' pocket.

"Sige, samahan na kita —"

I cut Kent off. "Ako na lang," I volunteered.

"Sige, sige. Samahan mo na si Kuya, Audrey."

"Ayaw kitang kasama," sabi ni Zian.

I rolled my eyes. "Choosy. Ikaw na nga tutulungan!" I immediately grabbed him by his arm.

"Get off," masungit niyang ani.

I gritted my teeth. Nakakainis talaga 'tong lalaking 'to.

"Oh, you won't bring your car?" I asked when I noticed him walk outside.

Natigil siya at tumitig sa 'kin bago bumalik sa loob. "I forgot, nakakainis ka kasi."

"What? And it became my fault now? Kasalanan ko bang ako lang nasa isip mo kaya nakalimutan mo iyong sasakyan."

He snorted. "Don't be full of yourself, brat. You're not my type, remember?"

"Yeah, loser."

He ignored me and just rode in his car. I just stood there waiting for him to do something.

Binaba niya ang bintana at doon sinungaw ako. "What? Sasama ka o iiwanan na lang kita?"

"Can you at least have some gentleness? Open the door for me!"

"Tss, ano ka prinsesa? Pumasok ka na, aabalahin mo pa 'ko, e, may kamay ka naman."

Right. The boys here are rude, si Archie at lalo na si Zian.

Padabog akong pumasok sa BMW niya at pabagsak din na isinara.

"Aba't. Dahan-dahan lang kakabigay lang nito sa 'kin, at baka ikaw pa una makasira," reklamo niya.

I rolled my eyes. "Ayaw mo no'n, may remembrance ka galing sa 'kin."

"Oo, talagang ayaw ko."

I ignored him out of annoyance.

We arrived at the mall, and we decided to buy in the grocery instead, nagpumilit ako, e.

"Hey, wait!" I said when he was already far away from me.

He looked back. "Ba't kasi ang bagal?"

I ignored what he said and anchored my arm on his.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"You might leave me, kakapit na lang ako para 'di iwan." I winked.

He heaved a sigh and just let me.

Nag-iikot kami sa beverage section nang akmang kukuha siya ng Yakult.

"What was that for?" I asked.

"Chaser."

I bit my lowerlip to suppress a laugh. "Chaser?!"

Bigla na lang niyang hinawi ang kamay ko at humalukipkip. "Kakasabi lang, 'di ba?" supladong aniya.

"But wait. Are you really serious? What are you? A baby?" I let out a laugh, I just couldn't take it, but when I saw his blank expression I then immediately stopped.

"May nakalagay ba sa label na hanggang 8 years old lang p'wede uminom? 'Di ba wala? Atsaka para kay Kent 'to, 'di mabubuhay iyong isang 'yon kung wala nito."

"What does it have to do with him?" I teased.

"What does it have to do with you either?" he shot back.

"Fine," I defeated.

I was just watching him when I saw him picked some alcohol. But I got amused when I saw him took a root beer as well and put it inside the cart.

Oh my. "Root beer? Are you serious, Zian?" I asked, looking at him.

He raised a brow at me. "Mukha bang nagbibiro lang akong bumibili rito?" aniya sa boses na galit.

"Ba't ka galit agad?!" sigaw ko sa kaniya.

He looked around when some people noticed us.

I crossed my arms and glared at the girls who were simply gossiping us. "What are you staring at? Do you wanna die?" I asked.

They immediately shook their heads and ran away.

"Bitches," I uttered.

"Tss, tinakot mo."

"Why? Am I scary?" I asked, looked at him.

"Oo, mukha ka kasing multo," aniya.

My lips parted.

"Tara, itulak mo iyang cart, doon naman tayo sa kabila," utos niya at nagsimulang maglakad papalayo.

Jerk. Inuutusan niya ba ako?

Wala na akong nagawa dahil papalayo na siya kaya naman masama ang loob ko nang itulak ang cart para sumunod sa kaniya.

"I want a spicy one," I said when I saw him picked some junk foods that aren't spicy.

"Edi, kumuha ka ng sa iyo."

I closed my eyes, trying not to argue with him here.

"You're so annoying..." I uttered and picked a spicy junk food.

Someone also got a junk foods, but it fell, so Zian helped him to pick it.

"Thanks," the guy said and looked at Zian.

I narrowed my eyes, trying to remember his face.

Oh, that fucker.

He was about to leave when I grabbed his shirt's collar. "Wait, you shit."

Zian also narrowed his eyes at the guy.

"What's your problem, Miss?"

"You. You're my problem. Look at me," I commanded.

He looked at me and to his horror, he got a hell of a punch on his eye from me.

"What the f—"

I slapped him hard.

"Brat, what are you doing?!" Zian tried to reach me, but I shoved him away.

"You wanna know what's my problem?" I asked. Ipinakita ko sa kaniya ang leeg ko sa pamamagitan nang paghila pababa ng tela sa suot na turtle neck. "You just put a disgusting hickey on my neck." I was about to punch him again when he raised his hand and was about to hit me.

"Subukan mo," Zian warned when he caught the guy's hand.

I glanced at him.

"I won't then," aniya sabay sapak niya sa mukha ni Zian gamit ang isang kamay. At dali-dali siyang tumakbo papalayo.

"Oh my..." I was shocked for what the guy did that I couldn't even move until I saw him clenched his jaw.

I saw how reddish his cheek was because of the punch.

"Oh my! That jerk!" Atsaka lang ako nakapag-react nang bumaling na siya sa 'kin.

"Uhm... Did it hurt?" I hesistant.

"Medyo. Sa tingin mo?"

I hate his sarcastic remarks!

Iniwan niya ako habang tulak-tulak ang cart. For sure, he's getting more pissed now. I didn't know what I was doing, but I just found myself buying an ice roller outside. Iniwan ko siya roon sa grocery para maghanap sa ibang store.

Dapat nga ay masaya ako dahil kahit papaano nakaganti ako, pero s'yempre naguilty ako dahil imbis na ako iyong saktan siya iyong nasaktan.

When I got finished I find him at the counter, but Zian's nowhere to be found. Lumabas nalang ako para tingnan siya sa parking lot.

A minute later, I found him leaning on his car, seemed like waiting.

I smirked.

"Are you waiting for me?" I asked when I finally got in front of him.

"Where did you go?" Bakas sa boses niya ang pagka-irita.

I rolled my eyes. "I bought this." I showed him the paperbag I am holding.

"What's that?"

"Get in," utos ko at bahagya siyang tinulak sa gilid para makapasok na ako sa shotgun seat.

I waited for him to hop in, and when he did, he looked at me, confused.

"You already have a swollen cheek," puna ko at binuksan ang biniling ice roller.

"What's that?"

"Ice roller."

"Tss, bumili pa niyan, e p'wede namang yelo na lang pag-uwi."

"Ba't parang ayaw mo pa?! You see, I am helping you!" galit na sigaw ko sa kaniya.

"Oh? Mukhang ikaw pa galit. Ako na nga nasapak dito," sarkastikong aniya.

Sa sobrang inis ko ay ibinato ko sa kaniya ang hawak na ice roller. "E, kung hindi ka lang kasi stupid, hindi ka masasapak. You could have dodged his punch, idiot."

I heard him groan. "You're so depressing. Sana nga hinayaan ko na lang siya, edi sana ikaw iyong nasapak at hindi ako," he answered.

"Talaga. I didn't even ask you to do that. Masyado kang pa-hero."

"Geez. Ang sarap mo talagang..."

I faced him. "Ano?"

"Sarap mong..." He clenched his jaw. "Ibalibag," he continued.

"Ikaw, ang sarap mo rin..." I glared at him. "Ang sarap mong sakalin."

We both raised our hand to hit each other, but then we didn't continue it and just laid back to our seats.

We sighed.

"You know what? Just say sorry or even thank me."

"Ha! Do you think I'd do that? Dream on. I won't ever say those words. Especially to you," pagmamatigas ko.

He breathed heavily. "You're such a headache."

"I don't care."

"Saang lupalop ka ba pinanganak? Mukhang sobrang tigas mo yata."

"You know what?" I crossed my arms. "Just f*cking drive. I won't last a day with you. You always making my blood pressure high."

"Well, that's not new. Same feelings. Naistress din ako sa 'yo, and I also won't last an hour with you in this closed place." He roared the engine into life and drove.

Wala kaming imikan sa loob ng sasakyan nang tumunog iyong cellphone ko sa loob ng bag.

Kurt is calling...

Wow, I didn't expect this.

"Hello, Audrey?"

"Yeah?" I answered, not glancing at Zian.

"How are you? Ilang linggo na kitang 'di nakikita, you know."

"Why? Did you miss me that much?"

He chuckled on the other line. "You wish. Seriously, how are you, Audrey? I'm worried."

"Well, you don't have to. I am... really... fine," madiin at sarkastikong sagot ko.

"Okay, I got it as a sarcasm. Where are you, anyway? I heard from your friends that you're on a vacation."

"It's not a freaking vacation, Kurt. It's a staycation."

"Well, I guess... I'll just wait until your staycation ends. Let's have some fun, you know."

I sighed. "Do whatever you want, then. I hang up now."

"Okay, bye. Take care, Audrey. See you soon."

Hindi na ako sumagot at ibinaba na ang tawag.

Kahit papaano ay humupa na rin ang inis ko kay Kurt. Sa totoo lang, parang galit naman ako sa lahat.

I glared at Zian's direction.

Lalo na sa lalaking ito.

"I can see your glaring eyes from my peripheral vision. Ano na namang ginawa ko sa 'yo riyan?"

"Your presence is enough to annoy the hell out of me."

"Oh, kaya pala sumama ka sa 'kin? We're not even close, tapos ikaw akala mo kung makakapit, girlfriend kita?" litanya niya habang nakatingin pa rin sa daanan.

"E, ano? Do you want me to be your girlfriend first before I cling?"

"No, ayaw kitang maging girlfriend. Ngayon pa nga lang, naha-highblood na 'ko sa 'yo, 'tsaka isa pa, kahit ikaw pa manligaw sa 'kin, aba'y manigas ka pa riyan hindi kita sasagutin. I won't ever like a brat like you."

"Are you offending me?! But don't worry I don't even want a boyfriend especially like you," singhal ko.

Pinagmamasadan ko lang siya na ikutin ang manibela para makapasok sa gate dahil nakarating na kami.

"Kung na-offend ka, okay. At kung ayaw mong mag-boyfriend nang gaya ko, edi mas maganda. I ain't seeing myself in a relationship with a girl like you." He turned the engine off and finally looked at me. "Bumaba ka na."

He ain't seeing himself with me, huh? Okay.

I am tired rolling my eyes at him, so I laid myself back to rest a bit.

"Mukhang balak mo pa yatang mag-sleep over dito sa sasakyan ko?"

"Will you just... shut your mouth for a bit? I am tired," I said while my eyes are closed.

In just two days, Zian made me stress that fast. Sobrang nakakainis.

I heard him sigh. "Bahala ka," aniya at narinig ko na lang ang pagbagsak ng pinto.

I opened my eyes and just found him no longer beside me, so I decided to open the door and went outside.

Nakita ko siyang naglalakad na papasok at may dala-dalang bag sa magkabilang kamay. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita habang sinusundan siya.

"Oh, ba't mukhang Biyernes Santo iyang mukha niyong dalawa?" bungad ni Trisha pagkarating namin sa rooftop.

"Si Audrey kahit hindi Biyernes, santo na talaga iyong mukha," si Archie.

I gritted my teeth.

Kent stood up and went to Zian. "Oh, teka lang. Umalis ka lang saglit, may pabaon kang pasa pag-uwi? What happened?"

Kent tried to touch his cheek, but Zian shoved it. "Basta," he dismissed.

"Hala, 'wag mong sabihing sinapak ka ni Audrey?" Archie also stood up and went near us to check on him.

I rolled my eyes and just went to a vacant seat. Hindi na ako nag-angat ng tingin sa kanila nang kumuha ako ng beer at tumayo para pumunta malayo sa kanila.

I was looking up at the stars, my elbows on railings and holding a bottle of beer.

Ngayon ko lang naisip kung ano ang mangyayari sa susunod pa na mga bukas? I wonder what will happen to me next days?

I am on it again. Overthinking of something out of loneliness.

"Hi, Audrey."

I took a glance beside me, and I found Ariane holding a root beer on her hand.

"Yeah?"

She also rest her elbows on the railings. "Nag-away ba kayo ni Kuya?"

I shrugged. "Why?"

"Sinapak mo ba iyong Kuya ko, Audrey? Kawawa si Kuya, alam mo ba iyon?"

Doon na ulit ako napabaling sa kaniya. I snorted. "What are you talking about? I didn't hit your brother's face. It's his fault."

"Huh? Bakit, nauntog ba siya or something?"

"No, but it's also because of his stupidity."

"Grabe ka naman sa Kuya ko. So, ano nga?"

"A guy hit him on the face," I shortly answered.

"What?! Bakit?"

I sighed. "It was supposed to be me who'd get hit, but your Kuya wanted to be a hero, so..." I  shrugged, drinking on my beer.

Her lips parted. "Talaga? He did that?"

"Yeah?"

"Gusto mo tulungan kita kay Kuya?" she asked a minute later.

Halos maibuga ko ang inumin dahil sa tanong niya.

"What? There's no way I'd be asking for a help, hello? — And, hey. Your Kuya's not my type."

She nodded. "'Di mo sure, baka nga... Different types, same feelings," she meaningfully said.

"Yeah, same feelings talaga. We hate each other, don't we?"

She shrugged. "Pero sabi nila... The more you hate, the more you love."

I glared at her. "Nonsense."