"Losing him was blue, like I'd never known
Missing him was dark gray, all alone
Forgetting him was like trying to know
Somebody you never met
But loving him was red
Loving him was red"
-Taylor Swift

*****

"Red roses?" I asked him. I can't still believe it. In the midst of the sea of women here, he gave it to me; even more astonishing, why would he give it to me?

"Yes?" kumunot ang noo niya.

My smile went wider. Agad kong kinuha ang bouquet sa kaniya. Out of nowhere, bigla ko siyang yinakap nang mahigpit. When I felt his body, I grinned. I pressed my face on his chest. When I smelled his scent, I almost fainted.

I stared at his perplexed expression. I raised my head to kiss his cheek.

"Thank you, Dwa-"

I came to a halt when he suddenly pushed me. As a result of that push, I sat in the corridor and dropped the flower.

"Tang-ina, Cadence, ano ba ang mali sa 'yo?" he uttered with so much anger. His thick eyebrows started to collide. His dark brown eyes looked at me darker. "May girlfriend ako, Cadence. Malandi ka ba?!"

What?

My knees started to tremble. Pinalibutan kami ng mga students. Seeing his reaction breaks my heart. I don't know what to say or to do.

"Gusto lang ibigay ito ng kaibigan ko kay Khryza! Pinahawak sa akin kasi may dala-dala siyang gitara. Fuck. Ayusin mo nga ang mga galaw mo, Cadence!" galit na galit na sabi niya. "Hinding-hindi ako magkakagusto sa 'yo!"

I felt like I was stabbed by what I heard. The people around us started whispering on us. I don't know, but suddenly a tears came out from my eyes.

"Cadence, halika ka..." I heard Kaidon's voice. A soft one.

"But... why are you looking at me?!" singhap ko. "Bakit mo ako hinahanap?"

He let out a crazy laugh.

"Sino'ng nagsabi na hinahanap kita? Hindi nga kita gusto makita," his voice roared

Para akong nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig. People glances looks like they're judging me. Some of them are laughing.

"Siya 'yong nanlandi kay Dwayne back then, right?" bulong ng isa.

Napatingin ako sa kanila. Naka taas ang kilay nila habang naka tingin nang masama sa akin.

"Desperada. Hindi na natututo, matunog lang ang pangalan, akala mo makukuha niya lahat ng gusto niya," pabulong pabalik ng babae sa kausap niya.

I swallowed hard. I closed my eyes. I don't even know what to do. When I opened my eyes, I looked at Dwayne. His expression was still angry at me.

"Ayusin mo mga galaw mo," umiling siya. Lumapit siya sa akin at lumuhod. "Limit yourself. Not everyone will like you."

Huminga siya nang malalim sabay tayo. Pinagpagan niya ang slocks niya sabay lakad papalayo.

I suddenly felt guilty and annoyed with myself. I was about to run towards him but I stopped when someone grabbed my wrist.

Napalingon ang lahat sa akin, maging si Dwayne ay napatingin sa likod ko when everyone gasped.

I took a slow look at the hand that was holding me. My eyes widened when I noticed the snake tattoo on his forearm.

"Are you alright?" he patted the dust on my skirt. "Does it hurt?"

I don't know what to say. I was stunned at his aura. I can't believe na nandito siya.

"Sorry, Cadence, hindi ko nasabi kung sino ang naghahanap sa 'yo, si Kleor ang naghahanap sa 'yo, sorrry..." sabi ng classmate ko.

"May gasgas ka..." tinignan niya ang siko ko. "Saan ang clinic ng school?"

I didn't answer. Sa sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko, hindi ko alam ang gagawin. Isama mo pa ang mga titig ng mga tao sa akin.

"Malapit sa gate, kuya Kleor," replied by someone I don't know who.

Kleor looked at me and nodded to the girl. He closed his eyes and glanced at me simultaneously. My eyes widened when he suddenly picked me up. Buhat pang kasal.

"Wait . . . kaya ko," nahihiya kong sambit.

Umiling siya. "Hindi mo kaya. Ako na. . ."

Nagpumilit akong bumaba but in the end, hindi niya ako binaba. Nang makarating kami sa Clinic ay napangiti ang nurse sa istura namin dalawa.

"What happened kay Cadence?" the nurse asked.

"Nagasgasan po, ma'am," ngiti ng lalaki.

"Sige, pauupuin mo doon, gamutin natin."

*****

"Ikaw na ang napahiya and you want to apologize?" nandito kami ngayon sa Chowking kasama ang mga kaibigan ko. It's already lunch and we decided na here mag eat. Kleor is in front of me, Khryza is next to me and nasa harap niya si Kaidon.

"Mali ko 'yon, it's my fault. Normal lang mag-apologize."

He was about to say something but he stopped when someone approached him.

"Kuya Kleor? Ano'ng ginagawa mo here?" gulat na saad ng babae. I thought they know each other not until I noticed that Kleor seems like he didn't know the woman.

"We are looking for the new singer," he replied. "Lucky me, I already found her. . ."

The woman gaze darted at my place. She smiled modestly but I can see in her eyes that she is disappointed.

"Siya ba?" she used her lips to point me. Kleor smile went wider and he nodded as a reply.

Tuluyan nang umalis si ate mo girl. Gusto ko sanang sabihin na maganda naman ang boses ko pero baka mag mukha akong immature kapag ginawa 'yon.

"So, your Dad agreed?" ininom niya ang red tea niya.

"Not yet," I shrugged and pouted.

Tumango-tango siya. Sinimulan na niyang galawin ang pagkain niya. Samantala, 'yong mga kaibigan ko ay gulat pa rin sa mga nangyayari. Ni hindi pa namin napag-usapan ang mga nangyari kanina.

"If you want..." tumigil siya. "Ako magpapaalam sa 'yo."

I swallowed hard and I bit my lower lip at the same time.

I breathe heavily at tumingin kay Kaidon. Nakikita kong pinipigilan niya ang tawa niya, while si Khryza, galit na galit habang kumakain.

"I will be so har-"

"I know your Dad, ninong ko siya..." he cutted me off. My eyes bugged. He is?

"What?" I was surprised.

May inaaanak pala ang 'yon?

He gave me a half smile. "Hindi mo alam?"

I blinked twice. Gusto ko sanang sabihan na, 'natural, hindi ko alam,' pero baka ma-offend siya.

"Of course..." I faked a smile.

Of course, I didn't. Sa existence pa nga lang ng mother ko hindi ko alam, sa 'yo pa kaya na inaanak lang?

"Okay then, shorten period kayo ngayon, right?" his expression softened. Tumango ako. Napatigil si Khryza.

"Shorten period?" gulat na tanong ni ate mo girl. Tumingin nang masama si Kaidon sa kaniya sabay binatukan.

"Aray ko!" she massaged her back that Kaidon had beaten earlier. "Sakit, ah!"

"Para aware ka sa kalutangan mo."

Natawa ako. Ibinalik ko na ang atensyon ko kay Kleor sabay ngiti bilang sorry sa behavior ng mga kaibigan ko.

"Yes, shorten period..." Inamin ko.

He licked his lips then he look into my eyes.

"Tara sa in'yo, ipapaalam kita?" he asked, hopefully. "Naka motor ako ngayon, naka parada sa school niyo. I have an extra helmet."

My lips parted. I didn't know what to say. Naka motor pa lang siyang pumunta rito? Angas!

"S-sure, kapag done na tayong kumain dito."

After naming kumain, bumalik na kami sa school kasama si Kleor. Si Kaidon and Khryza ay nauna na sa bahay nila Kaidon since magkatabi lang kami ng house.

I was stunned when I saw his motorcycle. It's a black Kawasaki Dominar 400, ang ganda nitong tignan. He quickly went to the side of the store, kinuha niya ang dalawang helmet.

"Hey, let's go."

Tumango ako at sumakay na sa motor niya. I don't know if saan ako kakapit. But in the end, I clung to his waist.

We just got off. It was a 10 minutes drive, hindi gaano malayo. I laughed when I saw Khryza's face gaping. Bungad na bungad.

"Jackot, sis!" Khryza's expression was still the same. "Gago... ang suwerte mo..."

Natawa ako. "Pass muna, three years gap..."

"Edi talking stage, wait ka niya mag eighteen..." inirapan niya ako. "Puwede naman kayong mag-usap as long as walang sexual intercourse na magaganap or manipulation."

I made a disgust face. Why would I ever do that? I'm still young.

Binatukan ko siya. "Gaga ka talaga, hindi naman ako makikipag ano, 'no!"

*****

Only our housekeepers were present when I allowed the three of them in. They stated that Daddy would arrive later. I made Kleor sit on our sofa while I asked Mami Helen, one of our helpers, to prepare drinks and food for us.

"So, hindi mo kami pauupuhin?" tinaasan ako ng kilay ni Khryza. Hindi ko siya pinansin at ibinaling ko na lang ang attention ko kay Kleor.

"Are you okay?" I asked him, tumabi sa upuan niya since the sofa was designed for four people. Nakita kong tumango siya bilang tungon.

"Yes, I'm fine. Ganda ng bahay niyo... ganito ang gusto ko if magiging successful in the future..."

I nodded and looked around our house, taking in every detail. I concur. Everything is pricey here. Almost all of the objects on this mansion are extremely rare... but they have no idea... These are all paid for using other people's money.

Ewan ko, na-gi-guilty ako in no time. Almost everything Kaidon and I own is not of pure origin. Our things appear to be exquisite, but the money that we used are from the dirt. Hindi malinis. Lahat nakaw.

I wish someday... in the future... matuto sila.

"Anyway, grade 10 ka, right?" he suddenly asked. Mukhang naramdaman niyang napatulala ako. Of course, I nodded. "Saan ka mag-aaral? Senior high?"

Tumingin ako kila Khryza na nakaupo na. Nakatingin lang sila sa amin na parang nakiki-chimis sa lahat.

"UC, siguro?" I hunched. "Baka mag STEM ako... ikaw ba? What course did you take? First year college, right?"

Tumango siya. "Yes, sa Santiago na ako since I was a kinder... nasa University of Carig din ako ngayon and they're open sa lahat kaya I don't need to cover my tattoo using foundation. Suwerte 'no?"

I gave him a puzzle look. I didn't ask for that... ang random niya...

"Your course?" I forced a smile. Trying not to make my question sounded sarcastic.

"Uhh, actually, hindi course talaga ang tawag do'n. It's program. Course is just the subject," he chuckled. "Anyway, Bachelor of Science in Architecture program ko..."

Oh... pahiya ako roon, ah? Arkitekto. 5 years?

"That sounds good..."

Tumango-tango siya. "Mahirap nga lang," tumawa siya. "You? Have you ever decided?"

I looked up in the ceiling, thinking if may napili na ba ako. "Baka nursing or Tourism?"

Yeah, stuck between being a flight attendant or nurse...

"Ahh, BSTM... sakto may BSTM at BSN sa UC... sa Santiago ka na," sabi niya na parang endorser ng mismong school nila. "How about you two? Baka na out of place kayo? Saan kayo mag-aaral?"

Lumingon siya sa mga kaibigan kong sour. Agad namang napaayos ng upo ang dalawang unggoy at narinig ko ni-clear pa ni Khryza ang throat niya.

"Ah, ako po?" Khryza smiled. Ang galang, ah? Tumango ang lalaking may ahas na tattoo. "Baka BS Nursing po, kuya."

Tumingin naman si Kleor kay Kaidon. His blue eyes looks like he didn't want to answer Kleor's question.

Huminga nang malalim ang maarteng lalaki. "BS Psychology po..."

"Wow," napapalakpak ang lalaking may tattoo. I don't know kung matatawa ako pero ang laugh trip ng mukha ni Kaidon.

So they are all already decided their program, huh?

"Psychology ka, Kaidon?" biglang tanong ni Khryza.

Tinignan nang masama ni kuya mo girl si ateng lutang. "Ano bang narinig mo?"

"Wow! Idol! Basahin mo nga ang nasa isip ko," pumikit ang babae sabay ngiti. Feel na feel niya pa ang pag pikit ng mga mata niya.

Mga gaga.

"'Nak, ito na 'yong juice niyo at foods." Inilapag ni Mami Helen ang tray sa coffee table. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at tumango.

"Mami Helen, nasaan po si Yzabella?" I suddenly asked, looking for her daughter, isa kong kaibigan.

Tumigil siya at lumingon sa akin. "Ah, si Yzabella? Uuwi siya rito sa Christmas, tutulong sa akin para may dagdag kita, 'nak."

We smiled at each other and she finally said goodbye and went to the dirty kitchen. Si Mami Helen na ang tumayong mother ko simula nang dumating siya rito. Matanda na siya, nasa around 57 na, halos kalahati ng edad ni Daddy. Parang tinuring mother na rin ni Daddy si Mami Helen since she really love us very much. And I'm lucky to have her.

She became my mother since I was eight. Ginagawa niya lahat for me, to be happy. But, hindi ako satisfied. I appreciate all her efforts lahat-lahat, wala akong masabi. Pero kapag darating si Yzabella. Iba ang ngiti niya. I wish my biological mother was here, too. I can't blame Mami Helen, mas priority niya pa rin ang tunay niyang anak.

Halos lahat ng ulo namin ay napatingin sa pinto nang biglang bumukas ito. I saw Dad's face. Galit na galit ito. He was about to shout but he stopped nang makita niya kami. A perfect smile plastered to his face. A smile that fools many people. A smile that can blind everything.

"Oh, hi, 'nak," naka-ngiti siyang lumapit sa akin. Tumayo ako at plastic na lumapit sa kaniya. We hugged each other. Hindi ko alam kung ako ba ang sisigawan niyo o ang driver niya. She used to scold his drivers, kaya walang tumatagal sa kaniya.

"Ah, so, Dad..." I looked at my friends. "These are my friends..."

Tinuro ko silang tatlo. They all stand up. Lumapit kay Daddy para mag blessed.

"Good afternoon po, Congressman..." bati ni Kleor.

Biglang lumaki ang mata ng corrupt kong tatay. As I expected. Para siyang anghel.

"Kleor, right? Magkaibigan na pala kayo ng unica hija ko?" gulat na sabi niya.

"Yes po, ninong." tumawa siya. "Adda gayam ti favor ko ninong... nu mabalin, p'wede agkanta ni Cadence ti banda mi?"

Kumunot ang noo ni Dad. I laughed. Taga Isabela siya pero limited lang na ilocano ang alam niya.

Biglang namula si Kleor sa hiya. Ewan ko ba kung tutulungan ko siya or hahayaan na lang. Maging ang mga dalawang tanga sa gilid ay nagpipigil ng tawa.

"Uhm, what I mean po is, may favor po ako, ninong, p'wede po bang kumanta si Cadence sa band namin?" he uttered fluently. I don't know, biglang tumawa ng may sound si Khryza kaya pinandilatan ko siya ng mata.

"Ahh, si Cadence?" kumunot ang noo niya sabay tingin sa akin. I smiled at him modestly and I swung my hands like a good child.

"Kailan? For what?" si Daddy.

Bigla akong kinabahan. Para siyang tatay na trying hard magpakabait kahit na makikita mo sa mga mata niya na there's something fishy.

Kleor took a deep breath. "Malapit na po ang festival sa Santiago, ninong, may battle of the bands po, nawala po ang singer namin that's why siya ang napili po."

Umiling si Dad.

Biglang akong napasimangot.

"Dad..." lumapit ako sa kaniya. "Please..."

Tinignan niya kaming lahat. Mukhang mahihirapan na siya siyang maging impostor.

"Sa Santiago?" bigla siyang nagsalita. "Ahh, sure, basta sa Santiago lang kayo," tumingin siya sa aming dalawa sabay tango. Dali-dali siyang umakyat papataas ng kuwarto niya.

I wanted to scream. For the first time. Pinayagan niya ako. I wonder why?

*****

"Camella, Santiago City..." I muttered to my self. Dito sinabi ni Kleor ang bahay niya. It's been a week since pinayagan ako ni Daddy sa banda. Ngayon, mag-isa akong pumunta sa Santiago para lang makita si Kleor. Kaba-baba ko lang sa tricycle habang binabasa ang word na 'Camella' na gawa sa bato.

I stopped when I saw a two fine lady na kalalabas ng gate. I took a deep breath and quickly approach them.

"Hi, my name is Cadence, I'm new here, permission to ask po?"

Nagtitigan ang dalawang magkaibigan. I don't know what is that for.

"Tang-ina, Quezhia, blonde, talo pekpek ko," bulong ng isa. I don't know how to react. Bulong ba 'yon or sigaw?

I saw the woman called 'Quezhia' clear her throat.

"Yes po, ano po 'yon?" ngumiti siya sabay lapit sa akin. She's so attractive. She looks like Liza and young Olivia Hussey... but more attractive...

"You know Kleor?" I smiled at her. She nodded and she pressed her lips together.

"Yes, taga rito siya..." her expression softened. "April, kalalabas lang ni Kleor kanina, 'di ba? Pupunta yata siyang Robinson?"

Nagulugan ako. What?

"Oo, sis, may kikitain daw siya, baka ikaw? Check mo message mo, ganda," said by the girl named April.

Tumango ako sa kanila. I immediately took my phone from my bag. Mabilis kong binuksan ang phone ko at napatingin ako sa message ni Kleor.

From Kuya Kleor Pogi:

Hey, I'm sorry to change the location. Sorry talaga, Cadence. Nandito ako ngayon sa Robinson. Dito na tayo magkita. Sorry, ah? Bawi ako, let's eat later. Libre ko, okay?

I blinked after reading his message, kaninang umaga pa pala ito. My mouth curved into a smile. Napatingin ako sa dalawang magkaibigan.

"Namumula siya, iniwan 'to, nasa Robinson na, 'no?" sabi nung April.

My face glistened with sweat and I nodded as a reply to her sentence.

"Sabay ka na sa amin, gusto mo? Para mag mukha tayong Powerpuff Girls, pero ikaw si buttercup."

Ngumiti ako. Fuck.

"Hawig kayo ng asawa ko, 'ah?" ngiti ng maingay na babae sabay dikit sa kaibigan niya.

"Kayo?" I was shocked.

"Hindi, BFF lang..." she bit her lip. "Batang Fuck Fuck lang."

I forced a laughed even though hindi ko gets. Lumapit sa akin ang pretty girl ay hinawakan ang wrist ko.

"Tara na?"

Tumango ako at naglakad kami papuntang highway. Tumigil kami nang may tricycle na huminto sa harap namin.

"Kuya, Robinson po, tatlo kami, pero dalawa lang ang bayad, gilingan na lang kita at sayawan ng otso-osto para quits na tayo, ano? Ano? Gora na..."

Tumawa ang tricycle driver. She's so insane... parang si Khryza but worse...

Papasok na sana ako sa loob but I stopped nang makitang puno na.

"Sa likod ka na naneng ko," ngumiti ang tricycle driver na parang nahihiya pa. Ewan ko, naka skirt ako, eh...

Pagkapunta ko sa likod ay napatigil ako nang makita si Dwayne. Ang lalaking iniwasan ko ng isang linggo simula nung may nangyari sa amin. He was wearing black t-shirt, faded maong, and white Adidas shoes. Naka sabit ang arm niya kaya kitang-kita ay biceps niyang may shape.

"Excuse me," I said, coldly. A tone na parang hindi ko siya kilala.

*****
The Way He Loved Me
#UnconditionalLoveSeries
-kyahhhgorgeous

Hi, Gorjas! Ang tagal ng update ko ngayon, sorry, huhu. So, ito na nga HAHAHAHAH! May update na. Anyway, may sariling story ang mga El Isabel. Abangan...

I love you all! Sana tuluyan niyo pa rin akong supportahan sa next na isusulat ko in the future!

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