Chapter 9: Slave

"Tara, laro tayo!" aya ni Archie.

"Ano na naman iyan, Archie?" Rinig kong reklamo ni Sam.

"May naisip kami ni Trisha, masaya 'to, promise!"

Ariane and I glanced at them. Nagkakagulo sila dahil gusto nilang maglaro. How childish.

"Ano, kayo pa talaga ni Trisha ang nagplano?"

I heard Ariane's laugh beside me. "Selos yata."

I raised a brow and drank on my bottle.

"Huwag ka na magselos, Sam. Ikaw naman unang minahal ko —"

"Siraulo!" Binato ni Sam si Archie ng cushion.

"Tama na 'yan. Sige na, maglaro na tayo!" saway ni Chesca. She looked at in our direction. "Halina kayong dalawa! Mukhang may sister-in-law talk na nangyayari diyan, ah?"

I glared at her and raised my middle finger, Zian saw it from afar and I can clearly saw his rolling eyes.

"Ayaw ni Kuya ng nagmumura at nagba-bad finger, Audrey," paalala ni Ariane nang nakita ang ginawa ko.

"So?" I answered.

"Sabi ko nga, share ko lang."

Nagpatiuna na siyang maglakad papunta roon kaya may panahon ako para irapan siya. What made her think that I like her brother?

"Oh, sa'n ka pupunta?" Trisha grabbed me by the arm to stop me from leaving.

Wala akong balak sumali sa gagawin nila kaya papaalis na ako sa rooftop nang napansin ako ni Trisha.

"Don't touch me," I said.

"Bibitawan kita kung sasali ka, sige na!" pamimilit niya.

I rolled my eyes. "Remove your hand on me, then."

She smiled. "Nice, tara na!"

I followed her from behind. She let me sat beside her, and it made me facing Zian's seat now.

Our eyes met and we automatically glared at each other.

"Oh, may namumuong tensyon na naman..." Kent eyed us suspiciously. "Okay, I won't talk," aniya nang napansing aambaan siya ng sapak ng katabing si Zian.

"Oh, game na! Ganito iyong laro! Bubunot tayo ng papel dito." He's holding a bowl with a lot of papers inside. "Mga tanong ito, tapos kapag hindi kayo nakasagot... isang shot ng black label, ha."

How childish.

I crossed my arms while watching them enjoying the game. I was just sitting while listening to their question and answer.

"Who's your crush?" Archie said as he was reading the paper.

Napakamot ng batok si Archie. "Ayoko na nga. Bakit kasi napunta pa sa 'kin 'tong tanong na 'to?" reklamo niya.

"Bobo! Ikaw nga nag-imbento ng larong 'to, tapos ikaw unang aayaw?  Ihulog kita sa rooftop nang makita mo!" si Sam.

Archie winced after he took a shot of black label.

Sino naman kaya ang crush ng lalaking 'to?

"Have you ever been dumped?" Kent said as he read what's written on the paper.

Napailing siya at halatang inis niyang inilukot ang papel. "Tinatanong ba pa iyan? Malamang, ilang beses, what a f*ck life," he answered.

"Okay lang 'yan. Darating din si the one, Kent. Na-traffic lang siguro," Sam comforted him.

It was Ariane's turn. "Comeback or move on?"

They laughed.

"Sapul iyon, ah?"

"Mukhang pinapatamaan ka talaga."

"Nananadya iyong nagsulat niyan."

"Sino nagsulat nito?! Bakit sa 'kin napunta 'to?" reklamo rin ni Ariane.

She didn't answer, so she took the small glass with a liquor in it, but Zian stopped her hand.

"Sagutin mo na lang, Ari," aniya sa kapatid.

I smirked.

"Ayaw ko, Kuya."

"Edi, ako iinom ng sa iyo."

"Hoy, bawal iyan, 'tol!" sigaw ni Archie.

"Why? Wala ka namang sinabi na bawal ko tubusin iyong alak ng kapatid ko, ah?" sagot niya at diretsong nilagok ang alak.

My lips parted.

I don't know, but what I witnessed right now made my heart soften.

He has this soft side when it comes to his sister. And it also made me smile secretly.

"Oh, ipasa mo na kay Zian."

"What's your ideal type of someone?" Zian reads.

"Bawal pass, ha! Sagutin mo iyan!"

"S'yempre gusto niyan iyong may malaking —" Binato ni Zian si Archie ng cushion. "Puso, 'tol, puso!" dugtong ulit ni Archie.

"I don't have an idea," Zian answered.

"Imposible na yata iyan!" si Kent.

"Fine, let me think first," he paused. "I guess... Well, I want this someone who can accept and appreciate the whole me, make me feel loved and happiest than I can possibly be."

Silence.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit nanahimik silang lahat pagkatapos ng sagot niya.

"May pinaghuhugutan ang Zian natin."

"In what age you want to be married?"

"30," Sam answered.

It was my turn, so he passed me the bowl. I accepted it and boredly picked a rolled paper.

"Would it be hard seeing someone else kiss the last person you kissed?"

I rolled my eyes. "Definitely not," I answered.

"Huh, bakit naman?" Trisha asked.

"No hard feelings."

The game went on and on until it's Ariane's turn again. "What would you do if you found out you had been cheated on?"

"Parang tanga naman 'tong tanong na 'to! Nangyari na nga, hindi na ako magsasalita," inis na sagot niya.

"Ayos lang iyan, pinsan ko," si Kent.

They're cousins?

Oh my. It means Zian and Kent are also cousins?

"If you could kiss anyone in this group who would it be?" si Zian.

Naghiyawan sila.

Mukhang sumama ata ang mukha ni Zian sa nabasa at inilibot ang paningin. Until it landed on me.

He smirked. "Wala akong type rito, pass," sinabi niya iyon nang hindi ako nilulubayan ng tingin atsaka nilagok ang isang shot.

I glared at him.

"Wala namang sinabing type, Kuya, ah! Ang daya mo talaga!" Ariane hit him on his arm.

"E, wala nga, e. Anong gusto mo? Kung sino-sino dahil trip lang? You're kidding," Zian answered.

This time, I rolled my eyes at him. Tinaasan niya naman ako ng kilay.

It was my turn.

Napatigil ako nang nabasa sa isip ang nakasulat sa papel.

"Basahin mo, Audrey."

I sighed. "What's the beautiful thing that had happened in your life?" I read.

I am disappointed that I can't think of an answer, so I shook my head. "I actually don't know." Kinuha ko ang baso sa mesa at nilagok ang alak.

How annoying this game is. I don't even know what's the beautiful thing that happened in my life. Lagi naman kaming nag-aaway ni Fiona, hindi kami magkasundo ng mga magulang ko, may mga kaibigan ako pero hindi pa rin ako masaya.

I've never been happy with the life I am currently living.

As I lift my gaze, it caught Zian's intense stare at me. Ngayon, walang emosyon na mababasa sa mukha niya at basta na lang siyang nakatitig sa 'kin.

I looked away and just stood up. "Bathroom," I excused.

Dahil sa larong iyon ay nawalan ako ng gana makisalamuha kaya bumaba na lang ako at dumiretso sa kitchen.

Ramdam ko na ang pagkahilo dahil sa nainom kanina kaya kumuha ako ng apple juice sa fridge at nagsalin sa baso.

I was on my way to put my glass on the sink when I got startled because of the noise causing the glass to fall in my hands. I once broke a glass again.

"Stupid, Audrey," I whispered.

"You're too clumsy. Huwag ka na siguro humawak ng baso at plato baka mabasag mo lang."

Napabaling ako sa bukana nang may narinig akong nagsalita.

"It's your fault," sisi ko kay Zian na nakapamaywang na sa 'di kalayuan.

"What are you doing here?" I added.

He shrugged. "Who knows, dinala ako ng tadhana rito sa kusina para ligpitin iyang basong nabasag mo na naman. At sisisihin mo pa ako na kasalanan ko. Gamit ko ba kamay mo?"

"You know what? Ang daldal mo. Kung gusto mong linisin, linisin mo na. I'll go," I said.

Naglakad na ako papunta sa pintuan, nang nadaanan ko siya ay parehong nanlilisik ang mata namin sa isa't-isa 'tsaka ko siya nilagpasan.

"What a freaking spoiled-brat."

Hindi na ako bumalik sa rooftop at dumiretso na lang sa kuwarto. After I took a bath, I opened my speaker on the sidetable to listen some music.

Music became a part of my life. Tuwing nasa kuwarto ako, may time na nakikinig lang ako ng mga songs hanggang sa makatulog ako. I find it comforting. It calms my system.

"INTERESADO ka ba kay Zian, Audrey?"

Halos ibuga ko ang iniinom na tea sa mukha ni Archie nang tanungin niya iyon.

"Why are you asking?" I acted normal while browsing on the magazine.

"You know, wala lang. Feel ko may something talaga sa inyo."

"You're just imagining things," I answered.

"Hoy, ano ba iniisip mo? Ibig kong sabihin ay... parang ang init ng dugo niyo sa isa't-isa... or iyong lagi kayong nagbabangayan, e, hindi naman kayo close?"

Ibinaba ko ang tea at tumitig kay Archie na nasa sofa nanonood, ngunit na sa 'kin ang tingin.

"Kailangan bang close muna kami?" I sarcastically asked.

"Napaka mo talaga, 'no? Ngayon, alam ko na kung bakit hindi ka type ni Zian..."

"And why is that?" I arched a brow.

I already knew I wasn't his type, and so what? I don't care.

"Spoiled ka kaya maarte, masungit, feeling maganda —"

"Excuse you?" Agaran akong napabangon sa pagkakasalampak sa kabilang sofa.

"Alam mo iyong tipo ng kaibigan kong si Zian? Sa gwapo, talino, at bait ng kaibigan ko hindi biro ang tipo no'n. Ganito 'yan..." He straightened his body and smiled directly at me. "Mabait, matalino, masipag, inosente. At lahat ng bagay na iyon ay wala sa 'yo," mainsultong aniya.

I scoffed.

He ignored what I said and continued. "Ikaw kasi, hindi ka na nga mabait, mukhang bobo ka pa."

Binato ko sa kaniya ang magazine na hawak. "Are you insulting me? For your information, Archie. I go to school and learn —"

"Hindi ka nagka-cut?"

I shook my head.

"'Sus, sinungaling."

"Hey, that's true! I just go to a club every after class!"

He gave me a menacing smile. "Oh, bakit nag-explain ka? Uy, defensive, gusto maging malinis..."

I raised my middle finger. "Stupid. You know what? I'll go shopping, iyong credit card akin na," I said and left him there to go change.

I was wearing a white lettuce croptop, black paneled skirt, and a black strap heel. I partnered it with my satchel bag.

"Archie," I called.

He was there, sitting pretty relax while holding a bowl of popcorn.

"Oh, nakabihis ka na? Bukas na lang,  tinatamad ako —"

I pulled his ear. "Who told you na kasama ka? Give me the card, I'll go."

"Teka, teka! Sasama ako! Hintayin mo 'ko, baka mapatay ako ni Mommy kapag 'di ka binantayan!" He yelled and immediately ran upstairs.

I violently sighed and ran my fingers on my hair to calm down. "That idiot."

A phone beeped. I thought it was mine, but I was wrong. It came from a phone on the coffee table. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ni Archie at may nakitang message sa screen.

Chesca feeling maganda:

Hoy, Archingkit! Samahan mo nga 'ko, nauumay ako rito sa bahay.

I scoffed. Anong tingin niya kay Archie? Entertainer? And what, Archingkit? Seriously.

Since his phone has no password, I typed in a message.

Me:

Okay, magkita tayo sa mall. Otw na ako.

Chesca feeling maganda:

Dabest ka talaga! Labyu!

"Oh, my..." I let out a disgusting look. Labyu? What the heck?

Kaagad kong ibinaba ang cellphone nang narinig ang yapak ni Archie pababa.

Ayaw ko nang may disturbo sa 'kin mamaya kaya mas ayos nang kasama niya si Chesca habang nagliliwaliw ako.

"Tara na!"

When we arrived, I walked faster inside the mall until I saw Chesca from afar. Ang bilis naman yata.

"Oh, Audrey! Nandito ka?"

"No, I'm just a shadow."

She glared at me. "Corny mo. Oh, Archie! Nandito ka na! Ba't kasama si Audrey?"

"Huh? Ikaw, ba't ka nandito?" naguguluhang ani Archie.

I crossed my arms.

"Letse ka! Sabi mo sasamahan mo 'ko, 'di ba?!"

"Luh, may sinabi ba ako? Kailan?"

Out of annoyance, Chesca hit him on his chest. "Ulyanin! Nagmessage ako sa 'yo kanina, 'di ba?!"

"Anong dinadada mo r'yan? Saglit nga, tingnan ko." He took his phone out and looked at it. He then stared at Chesca, and then at me.

I smirked. "Enjoy your date. I'll just call you when I get finished." Hinablot ko ang wallet niya sa bulsa at kinuha ang card. "Take care, cousin." I winked and walked away.

"Hoy, ano ba, Audrey!"

I ignored him and just continued walking. I bought new clothes, shoes, and some accessories.

"I want a spicy shrimp pasta."

"Yes, ma'am. Wait lang po," the waitress said.

I ignored her and just took a sip on my wine. When the order arrived, I ate silently until I finished.

Me:

Archie, I’m done. Fetch me.

I was waiting outside when I saw Zian passing by. My eyes went wide. "Zian!" I called.

He was wearing a simple white tee and a khaki shorts when he glanced at my direction.

I bit my lowerlip and stood up to come near him. "You're here," I stated.

He furrowed his brows and looked at me. "So?"

"Why are you here?" I asked. Inilibot ang tingin kung sakaling may kasama siya.

"Bakit, bawal na ba ako rito?"

I looked at him. "Did I say anything?" Bumaling ako sa dala-dala niyang paperbag bago ulit sa kaniya. "What's that?" tanong ko, ang itinutukoy ay ang hawak niya.

"None of your business," masungit na sagot niya.

I flipped my hair. "Will you stop being rude? I was just asking, pero lagi mo akong binabara. Do you have problems?"

He chuckled and lower his gaze at me. "Sino bang tao ang walang problema? May problema ako, kaya huwag ka na dumagdag. Okay? Goodbye, spoiled-brat." Umangat ang gilid ng labi niya at nagkibit-balikat.

"Wait!" I stopped him when he was about to walk.

He sighed. "Ano na naman ba?" May halong inis sa boses niya.

"Are you going home now?" I asked.

"Oh, e, ano naman?"

Sa inis ko ay pinitik ko ang tainga niya. "P'wede bang sagutin mo ako nang maayos?"

He gritted his teeth and glared at me. "Ano ba kasing kailangan mo? I have to go, so don't you ever bother me."

"Archie's not replying me, so... sasama muna ako sa 'yo."

"Huh, where?"

"In your house," I answered.

Napahilamos siya sa mukha at problemado akong hinarap. "Hindi... pwede. Bawal ka roon, at ayaw kong kasama ka, gets mo?"

"Wala akong kasamang umuwi," pagpapalusot ko.

I really like pissing him off. Masyadong pikunin, what a short-tempered guy.

"You managed to come here, kaya anong pinagkaiba sa pag-uwi? Ba't ba lagi mo akong iniinis? Saan ba iyang pinsan mo, at iniwan ka r'yan?"

I looked at him innocently. "He's in a date."

He sighed and immediately tilted his head. "What? Date? Sino namang ka-date no'n?"

Hinawakan ko ang dalawang balikat niya para mas lumapit pa siya sa akin. Aapila na sana siya nang mas higpitan ko ang pagkahawak.

I can totally smell his manly scent even from afar, so I crouched more.

"What are you doing? We're in a public, for your information."

I smirked. "Why? Do you want in something private, Zian?" I looked up at him.

"T-teka nga!" Itinulak niya ako nang bahagya at humalukipkip. "What's wrong with you?"

I raised my brows. "Right! Archie's in a date with Chesca. I set it up. Wouldn't you be proud of me?" I winked.

"Seryoso ka?" He asked.

"No, I was kidding," I sarcastically answered.

He flicked his tongue. "Wala ka talagang kuwenta kausap."

"E, bakit ikaw meron?" I shot back.

"Oh, bakit makikipag-away ka na naman sa 'kin? Can you please stop it just for today?"

"Excuse me?!"

"Oh, bakit dadaan ka?" galit na tanong niya at iminuwestra ang daan.

I clenched my jaw and hit him on his chest. "You jerk, wait for me here," I said.

Bumalik ako sa kinauupuan kanina at kinuha ang mga paperbag 'tsaka ulit bumalik sa puwesto kung nasaan siya.

"Hold these for me while I am waiting for the another jerk, will you?"

"Buhay nga naman, oh..." I heard him utter while clenching his jaw. "Did you just call me for that? Bibili-bili ka tapos 'di mo naman pala bibitbitin. Tawagan mo si Archie, at siya ang pabitbitin mo niyan."

"I said he's not replying! And I can't disturb him right now, okay?"

"So, 'pag ako p'wede lang disturbuhin, ganoon ba?"

"Not really. Uuwi na lang ako mamaya, I want to see what your house looks like, come on!"

"Ano ka, ignorante? May pintuan, bintana, at bubong ang bahay namin. No need for you to see."

"Why are you so mean to me?" I asked.

"E, ganoon ka rin sa 'kin, e, may magagawa ba 'ko?"

"So... are you saying... you treat people the way they treat you?"

He shook his head. "I treat them the way they deserve to be treated," he answered.

Parang umusok ang ilong ko sa sinabi niya. "So, you being rude to me is what I deserve?"

He shrugged. "Wala akong sinabi."

"Whatever. Let's just go, okay? Carry those bags for me."

"Are you not ashamed of yourself? You make me carry these without even saying 'please' or even 'thanks'. And, in case you forgot, we're not even close, and you're acting like we are!"

My lips parted. "So, are you getting mad now?"

"So what? I wasn't born to make errands for a spoiled-brat who doesn't even know to please like you."

He let out a breath and faced me. "Kung may tao man na nauutos-utusan mo lang... ibahin mo 'ko. Because, I will never be one of your slaves, you spoiled-brat."