#WretchedChoicesWP

Chapter 22
Happy

"Wait, Keia! Your finger is bleeding!" Sharry panicked when she noticed my finger. "Linisin muna natin. Pumasok ulit tayo sa inyo—"

"I don't wanna go back," I sternly said. "Let's just go, Sha. May first aid ka naman sa sasakyan mo, 'di ba?"

"Pero, Keia—"

"Sharry, please! Nandoon si Archer ngayon sa may kusina. Ayoko nang bumalik kaya tara na!"

I tried to steal the keyfob from her hand, but she hid it away from me. When I looked up to her, she was filled with rath and determination. A very bad combination for someone who's mad.

"Ayon naman pala! Tara at bumalik tayo! I'll give him a piece of me for hurting you!"

Sha started marching back to our house, but before I could even stop her, Archer was already on his way out of my house. He looked surprised when he saw the two of us. Mas lalong bumilis ang lakad ni Sharry papalapit sa kanya.

"Hoy, lalaki!" sigaw kaagad ni Sharry nang makalapit kay Archer.

Did I already say that Sharry can be a little wild, crazy, and overconfident when she's mad?

Archer didn't mind her and looked straight at me, but Sharry blocked his view.

"I heard what you did to my best friend earlier—"

"Sharry, tama na. I'm fine now."

Lumapit ako sa kanila para lamang ilayo si Sharry. Alam kong hindi siya titigil hangga't sa masabi niya ang lahat ng gusto niyang sabihin at bago pa siya may mga masabing hindi dapat sabihin, kailangan ko na siyang ilayo.

"Sha, let's just go," pilit ko sa kanya.

"I don't want to see you ever again getting close to Keia, okay?" she tried and threatened Archer. "Kapag nakita ko talagang lumapit ka pa ulit sa kanya nako!"

Naagaw ko sa kanya ang keyfob habang dinuduro niya si Archer sa sobrang inis. Mabilis kong binuksan ang kanyang sasakyan at sapilitan siyang ipinasok sa loob.

Hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng panahon. Tinakbo ko na ang driver's seat. I glanced outside and saw Archer still standing on our front porch. He was plainly staring at the car where we were settled in that's why I stepped on the accelerator to move forward and leave.

"Hay nako, Keia!" reklamo ni Sharry. "Bakit mo ba ako pinigilan? Hindi pa ako tapos sa mga sasabihin ko sa kanya."

While she kept on ranting about her very short confrontation with Archer, I tightened my grip on the steering wheel as I drove farther away from our house.

"Aw!"

Saglit akong napabitaw sa manibela nang madiinan ko ang aking daliring may sugat ngunit agad ko ring ibinalik lalo na nang papalabas na kami sa main road.

"Keia, itabi mo muna ang sasakyan." Huminahon na ang boses ng aking kaibigan.

"No, Sha. We are not stopping."

"But you hurt your finger. We need to tend it first so, let's stop for a while."

"I can manage," I told her and continued driving. "Malapit lang naman 'yong Samgyupsal place dito."

"Your wound might be infected, Keia. So, please, stop being stubborn and just pull the car on the sidewalk," she authoritatively said.

Kahit ayoko mang sundin ang kanyang sinabi ay wala akong magagawa. Ayoko namang magtalo lamang kaming dalawa buong biyahe.

I checked on both side mirrors before I carefully stopped the car on the sidewalk. I pressed the hazard button before showing Sharry my injured finger.

Without a word, she got the first aid kit from the glovebox and started tending my wound. Luckily, no broken piece of glass got stuck on it. Talagang nahiwa lang ako noong sinusubukan kong ipunin ang mga iilang piraso ng nabasag na baso.

"I'm sorry for being scandalous earlier," she quietly apologized while applying bandaid on my finger. "I just got really mad when I learned that he's there. Ang kapal din naman kasi ng mukha niya. Pagkatapos ng ginawa niya ay pupunta-punta siya sa bahay mo na parang close kayo. I mean, what an asshole!"

"Sha..."

"Oh, don't mind me, Keia," she nonchalantly said and let go of my hand after she finished applying first aid on my wounded finger. "I just really want to release my stress."

Appreciating her utmost concern for me, I smiled and pulled her into a hug which caught her off guard. "Thank you, Sha... I love you."

She sighed and relaxed. "This is one of the things I missed about the old Keia. Her hug is the sweetest."

I spent the rest of the night untroubled because of my best friend's company. If only we don't have classes tomorrow, she would even sleepover to spend more time with me, but she had to go home. Magpupuyat din siya para gawin ang mga assignments niya. Talagang naglaan lang siya ng oras ngayon para sa akin.

What did I even do to deserve a friend like her?

Not to mention Jerome who saved my ass earlier. I would also like to think that he's already a true friend of mine.

The next day, there was this unusual flattering and nervous feeling while I was walking down the hallway, on our way to our room. Iyong pakiramdam na para bang first day mo sa klase at madami kang makikilalang bagong tao. That's how I felt.

Well, maybe it's only normal for me to feel this way because they're all going to finally meet the real and brand new me — the Keiandra Ariolla who was once bruised and wounded.

Since I already decided yesterday that I was done playing, there's no need for me to continue pretending. And besides, there were only a few days left before we graduate.

Pagkapasok ko sa loob ng room ay halos napatingin ang lahat sa akin. Hindi kagaya dati na dire-diretso lang ako sa paglalakad at walang pakialam sa lahat, ngayon ay huminto ako at pinasadahan ng tingin ang buong silid. I stopped for a moment when my eyes landed on Hope's back profile. Her head was bowed down, pretending to read something. Her friend, Marga, was seated away from her. She also couldn't bring herself to look at me.

I pulled my stare from Marga and travelled to the vacant seat beside Hope. However, I didn't dwell on the owner of the seat too much and just looked at Jerome who was raising an eyebrow at me.

I smiled, waved at him and mouthed, "Good morning."

Mas lalo lamang siyang napataas ng kilay sa akin saka may sinenyas sa aking likuran. Napakunot ang aking noo bago lumingon sa aking likod kung saan nandoon si Archer.

Because I was blocking the doorway, he couldn't pass through. Archer briefly looked at Jerome and before his eyes could settle on mine, I already excused myself and went straight to my chair. I was planning to mind my own business, but I was intrigued about Archer and Hope.

Pasimple akong sumilip sa kanilang dalawa habang kunwari'y inilalabas ang aking binder at naghahanda para sa unang klase.

Hope was surprised when Archer still sat beside her. She was staring at him with amusement in her eyes, but Archer didn't even bother to spare her a glance. And because she wasn't getting any attention from him, she bit her lower lip and pretended to read the book placed on her table.

If I was the old Keia, I'd probably laugh my ass off. She deserved the cold treatment because she's a fake manipulating bitch—oops! That's not how the angel Keia would speak. Guess I still have some bad blood left circulating in my veins. But anyway, it's the truth so there's no point trying to sugarcoat it.

"That's all for today. Class dismissed!" Our professor ended the class with her usual line.

Just as I expected Marga left with another classmate of ours, instead of Hope who was still not done fixing her things. Saglit din siyang napahinto sa pag-aayos upang panoorin ang dating kaibigan na lumabas kasama ng iba.

Guess I really am a lucky girl. My best friend didn't leave me even though I became very bad and bitchy. She was very vocal on how she didn't support my crooked ways and wretched choices but at least, she stayed.

I was still watching Hope when a familiar built of body blocked my view. Looking up to confirm my guess, I saw Archer standing in front of me.

Bakit ba lagi na lang ganito at hinaharangan niya ang dinadaanan ko?

"Can we talk?" he calmly asked.

For a brief moment, I let myself get lost in his eyes — one of the most beautiful and expressive eyes I've ever seen. There was a spark of anticipation inside it, maybe, hoping that I'd grant him a chance to speak with me.

"I'm not available," I simply said and passed by him.

Jerome was about to go out of our room so, I ran and caught up to him. He looked surprised when I clung onto his arm and smiled brightly at him.

"What the..." he trailed off.

"Break mo rin, 'di ba?" tanong ko kahit alam ko naman na wala rin siyang pasok pagkatapos ng unang klase sa araw na 'to. "Let's go and eat!"

Wala nang nagawa si Jerome. Nagpahila na lang siya sa akin patungo sa cafeteria. I had no idea if he already promised to eat with his friends, but I hope they would let me steal him today.

Mabuti na lang at agad kaming nakahanap ng bakanteng table sa cafeteria. Pinaupo ko roon si Jerome bago ako pumuwesto sa kanyang tapat.

His brows shot up as soon as our eyes met each other. "Am I some kind of an escape route for you?"

I innocently stared at him and creased my forehead. "I don't think I'm following well..."

He grinned. "Acting cute won't help you. Just tell me."

Mas lalong napakunot ang noo ko. "Excuse me! Hindi kaya ako nagpapacute."

"Okay..." he said and leaned forward to pinch my nose lightly. "Then, explain why you're looking like a lost dog."

Tinabig ko naman ang kamay niya. "Sinasabi mo bang mukha akong aso?" iritado kong tanong sa kanya. "At saka huwag mo nga akong iligaw! Ano'ng sinasabi mong ginawa kitang escape route?"

I think I'd be having a hard time being the good Keia whenever I'm with Jerome. Wala siyang sasayangin na pagkakataon para inisin ako at hindi ko naman mapigilan ang sarili kong mairita kaagad. He's so good with annoying and teasing people, especially me.

"Everytime you want to avoid Archer, you'd always come to me," he said lightly like it was fine with him, but it made me feel very guilty.

I guess he already noticed it. Pero hindi ko lang mapigilan ang sarili ko na lumapit sa kanya. Out of all my classmates, I'm most comfortable with him. And everytime I was looking for help, he'd always be right there. 

"Oh... I'm sorry..." I sincerely apologized and pouted.

Nagulat ako nang muli niyang pinisil ang aking ilong kaya napaangat ulit ako ng tingin sa kanya.

"Now you look like a lonely duck," he said and chuckled.

I glared at him. "Bakit ba ang hilig mong mang-inis?"

"Because you're wearing interesting expressions whenever I do so."

Napabuntonghininga ako at hinayaan na lang ang kanyang pang-iinis sa akin. Nawala naman ang kanyang mapaglarong ngiti nang hindi ako nakisabay sa kanyang pang-iinis.

"Why are you staying quiet?" he curiously asked.

"Of course, it's because I feel bad!"

"Why would you feel bad?"

"Kasi sabi mo ginagawa lang kitang escape route para maiwasan si Archer kahit na hindi naman ganoon 'yon..." sabi ko at sinubukang magpaliwanag. "I really treat you as my friend that's why I'm comfortable hanging around with you. Though I have to admit that whenever I'm in a tough position, I will always find you ready to take me away from danger. Kaya sorry kung naaabuso ko."

"Bakit ka nagso-sorry?" tanong niya na kahit nagpaliwanag na ako ay hindi niya pa rin maintindihan.

"E, kasi nga nagi-guilty ako!" giit ko, medyo muling naiirita sa pagka-slow niya.

"No..." He shook his head. "What I mean is... why are you apologizing? Hindi ko naman sinabing hindi ko gusto. And besides, the Keia I know would just laugh it off."

Napatigil ako. Ilang segundo ring naghari ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa bago ako nahihiyang ngumiti.

"Ganoon ba talaga ako naging kasama?" seryoso kong tanong. "I mean, I know I purposely acted like a bad girl, and my best friend would always scold me everytime I was going overboard, but am I really that bad in the eyes of other people?"

Jerome looked so confused. If he was playful earlier now, he's dead serious trying to understand me.

"What are you talking about?"

"You must be wondering why I'm acting different from what I used to show, but right now, I'm just being me..." I trailed and smiled at him. "The real me."

His eyebrows furrowed as he narrowedly stared at me in confusion. "Is this some kind of prank, Keia?"

Natawa na ako ngayon sa kanyang sinasabi. Siguro nga ay talagang hindi kapani-paniwala na bigla akong nagbago. Pero dahil pinagkakatiwalaan ko na siya ng buo, hindi siguro masama kung sasabihin ko sa kanya ang lahat.

"Keiandra Yashica Ariolla, known for being a playgirl in our department. She can break hearts without feeling guilty. She with play with guy's feelings like it was some kind of a game, but what they didn't know... before she started playing, she was the one being played at for three consecutive times," I told Jerome without hesitation. "I became helplessly irrational after my three ex-boyfriends cheated on me. I did so many bad things to avenge my broken heart. I acted tough just so other people wouldn't underestimate me again. So, they wouldn't have any reason to play with me."

Jerome remained quiet while listening to me. I would really like to commend him for being a good listener because that's what I needed.

"Alam kong maling paraan ang ginawa kong paghihiganti. Because I was hurt, I also hurt other innocent individuals which was not the best choice I had," I admit my faults. "No reason could justify the mistakes I did, but I don't regret it. In your term, it was my escape route that time. To save myself from drowning in pain and insecurities, I did it."

Tipid akong ngumiti. Kinagat ko ang aking ibabang labi pagkatapos.

"To be honest, I also planned to play with Archer. To hurt him and break his heart because you might not believe it, but he was my first crush ever. Bata pa kami noon pero dinama ko talaga noong tinawanan niya lang ako pagkatapos ng ginawa kong pag-amin sa kanya. Hanggang ngayon nga ay naaalala ko pa rin kung gaano nakakahiya 'yon!" Bahagya akong natawa sa sarili. "I swore I would never fall for him while I was trying to win him because of my plans, but I failed myself..."

"You fell for him, and it ruined your plans," Jerome stated.

"Yes..." Tumango ako. "Kaya tingin ko ay karma ko ang nangyari kahapon. It hurts, but I know I deserve it."

The devil Keia was probably cutting herself now after hearing these confession and selfless statements from me. If it was her, she would now start planning another revenge mission to make sure that the pain she felt would be felt by the one who hurt her.

"And so, I decided to finally stop pretending since from now on, I don't want to be linked to him!" I proudly smiled. "I'm done playing. There's no more use to keep the mask on—"

"Are you happy?"

That one question stopped me from being too much optimistic. Of course, Jerome would always ruin a great mood. Good thing I knew exactly what to answer.

"I am not happy, but I know I will be."