#WretchedChoicesWP

Chapter 5
Wait

"Nako! I hope you'll be more patient with Keia," I heard my mother said when I was approaching the dining room to eat breakfast before going to school. "She isn't like that before... She's slightly hard-headed now."

My forehead creased while hearing the words coming from my mother. I walked faster to see whoever she was talking to. I wasn't pleased with whatever she's saying. She's basically ruining me.

"Hindi ko na nga lang sinasabi sa Daddy niya dahil baka kuhanin siya no'n. Ayoko namang umalis siya ng hindi ako kasama—"

"Mom!"

My mother looked like a criminal who was caught in action. She smiled slyly and pursed her lips before she continued to eat her yogurt, while I turned to Archer who was casually eating breakfast as well.

Gusto kong mangiti nang makita ko siya pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko. I remained wearing my stoic expression. Mas diniinan ko nga lang ang aking pagtingin sa kanya para maramdaman niya ang aking galit na gustong ipakita.

"Why are you here?" I coldly asked him.

"Keiandra! Stop being rude," agad na suway sa akin ni Mommy.

"Mom, he's the reason why I got sick!" sumbong ko. "Galit ako sa kanya!"

Matalim kong tiningnan si Archer habang siya'y tahimik lamang habang nakatingin sa akin. Bakit pa kasi siya pumunta rito? Ngayon ay mukhang nakuha niya pa ang loob ng Mommy ko.

"Keia, I already know that," kalmadong sabi ni Mommy. "Si Archer mismo ang nagsabi sa akin na siya ang may dahilan kung bakit ka nagkasakit at nanghingi na siya ng pasensya sa akin. He's the one you're supposed to meet the other day, right?"

I couldn't believe that he really managed to get my mother's trust that fast. Mukhang magkakampi pa sila ngayon ni Mommy.

"Stop frowning and sit here with us. Kumain ka na ng breakfast. Si Archer ang nagluto at nagdala nito rito," pag-aya ni Mommy at saka itinuro ang upuan sa tabi ni Archer kung saan ako madalas umuupo kapag kumakain sa hapag.

My eyes scanned the dining table and saw the foods he brought. There were bacons, fried eggs, and fried rice. A simple breakfast fried foods.

I almost rolled my eyes if it wasn't only for the presence of the food. Kaya ko rin namang magluto ng ganyan.

"Mauuna na ako. I'm not hungry," simpleng pagtanggi ko at nang tatalikod na ako'y nakita kong tumayo si Archer.

"Please, eat, Keia," I heard Archer said that made me stop for a while. "Kagagaling mo lang sa sakit. You need to eat."

I gritted my teeth and clenched my jaw. "Thanks for your concern, but I'm not hungry."

Hindi na ako nagtagal pa't agad akong nagpatuloy sa paglalakad palabas ng dining room.

"Keiandra!" tawag sa akin ni Mommy pero hindi ako natinag no'n sa kagustuhan kong umalis.

Hindi pa ako gaanong nakakalayo ay may mainit na kamay nang humawak sa aking braso. I didn't need to guess who stopped me from walking away. Just by the touch of his big, warm and calloused hand, I already know who he was.

Kaysa iikot niya ako paharap sa kanya ay ginawa ko na ang kanyang gustong mangyari. Humarap ako sa kanya't agad na sinalubong ang namumungay niyang mga mata gamit ang aking matalim na titig.

"What?"

He heaved a deep sigh and his expression became gentle. "I know you're mad at me because I stood you up, but you need to eat at least," he told me like a child who needed some scolding for not wanting to eat. "You just got well from having a high fever. In case you don't remember, you fainted yesterday."

"And so?" I bluntly asked and raised my eyebrows. "Come on, Archer. You don't have to act like you're so concerned of me. I can take care of myself."

His jaw clenched like he was trying to suppress himself from being harsh on me. He released a deep breath once again to calm down.

I smirked inwardly. I think I've finally wrapped him around my little fingers. Who would've thought that he would be this submissive to me?

Naalala ko tuloy bigla ang sinabi sa akin ni Jerome. Even if I wanted to forget about it, it was probably etched on my mind already.

He said it'll be a miracle if Archer will choose me when there's Hope who's completely a better choice. Better choice, huh? Just wait and I'll make some miracles. I'll make him choose me above all.

"Okay, then..." he calmly said. "Sabay na tayo papasok. Sa akin ka na sumakay."

"No thanks. I'll bring my car with me," I politely declined his offer and turned my back on him before he could speak to me again.

"Keiandra..." he called me, but I didn't bother looking at him again.

Pagkapasok ko sa loob ng aking sasakyan ay pinakawalan ko na ang aking kinikimkim na kasiyahan. Para pa akong baliw dahil natatawa akong mag-isa. It's not just a simple laugh, but a laugh that's similar to a villain.

So, that's how to win his attention, huh? I just needed to play hard to get. Hindi ko na kailangang maghirap pa para lang makuha ang kanyang atensyon dahil siya na mismo ang lumalapit sa akin. Sana pala ay ginawa ko na 'to noong una pa lang.

"Oh my God, Sharry! You should've seen his face!" natatawa kong sabi sa aking matalik na kaibigan nang nagpakwento siya sa akin. "Pakiramdam ko ay umaayon na ang lahat sa gusto kong mangyari."

Napailing siya sa aking kabaliwan bago uminom sa mango-graham shake na kanyang paboritong inumin. "So, what's your plan now?" tanong niya. "Itutuloy mo pa rin ba?"

"Oo naman!" walang pag-aalinlangan kong sabi. "Now, that I feel like I finally got the upperhand, I'm more determined to continue my plan."

Her brows shot up. "And your plan is to hurt him, right?"

"Not just simply hurting him," I said and displayed an evil smile. "First, I'll make him fall so hard and then, that's the only time that I'll hurt him."

Bahagya niyang itinabi ang iniinom na shake. Pumangalumbaba siya at tila nang-iinis ang tingin habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Are you sure about that?" she asked with a very teasing tone. "You sure you won't fail?"

I rolled my eyes at my best friend for being so negative. "Of course, I won't fail!" I exclaimed. "Didn't you hear what I just said? And you also told me that he looked really worried when he carried me home after I fainted. I'm sure he's already feeling something for me. All I have to do is to nurture it. Let his feelings for me go deeper."

"That's not what I meant, Keia," she lazily drowled.

"And what you mean is..."

She smiled and sat up straight. "I was thinking, what if you fall for him in the process of achieving your goals..." she said the most absurd thing ever. "It is not just him who's falling, but also, you."

I groaned dramatically. "Jusko, Sha!" nai-stress kong sabi. "Don't say bad words! Hindi magandang biro 'yan."

"I'm just trying to weigh all the possibilities, Keia," she said while laughing at my reaction.

I remained frowning at her. "And you think falling for him is one of the possibilities?"

"Well, I guess..." she shrugged her shoulders. "To think that you already did fall for him before, that only makes it more possible to happen."

I didn't know why Sharry's words suddenly shook my confidence and faith. She's right. I might be falling for my own trap if I'd trip and be complacent all the time. I'd better watch my back more. I shouldn't let that happen.

But thinking about it, of course, my heart wouldn't allow that. I was already hurt before because of him even when we were still a bit young back then. I already trained it not to make the same mistake twice and be stupid.

"We got good grades for our presentation," Jerome informed me.

He was looking at me cautiously while taking the seat beside me. Parang tinitimbang niya ang aking ekspresyon. Hindi rin nakatakas sa akin ang pag-aalala sa kanyang mga mata.

I smiled sweetly at him. "I hope that would make the prejudice of me being a bad partner or groupmate go away, huh?"

He grinned and licked his lower lip. "I'll make sure to spread a word about that," he teasingly assured me. "But yeah, you've exceeded my expectations and proved me wrong."

I flipped my hair and kept my smile. "Well, what can I say? I'm pretty good, if I'm serious about something," I confidently said.

Ilang sandali pang nanatili ang ngiti sa kanyang labi bago ito unti-unting naglaho. Nakita kong bumalik ang kanyang pag-aalala.

"But are you sure that you're already fine?" he asked me. "You just fainted yesterday..."

"That's just a normal fainting spell. No need to worry about me, Jerome, but that's really sweet of you," malambing kong sabi sa kanya.

He slightly became flustered before he looked away from me. He's not even contented with that so, he even stood up. "I'll go back to my seat now," he excused himself.

I shrugged my shoulders when he left. I never thought that he would be that easy to sway. I thought he was the one leading the anti-club that's trying to save men from being involved with me.

"You really know how to use your power over boys, huh?" A cold baritone almost made me shiver.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Archer na malamig ang titig sa akin. I couldn't decide if what he said was an insult to me or not. It can have two meanings. I chose not to dwell on both.

"I'm just being friendly, Archer. Why do you always think ill of me?" I reasoned out and rolled my eyes at him.

"You know that's not how other people see it knowing your reputation," he said as a matter of fact. "You're only ruining your image even more. Is that what you want?"

I gritted my teeth while I still tried to keep my composure. Muli ko siyang tiningnan at isang matalim na tingin ang aking ipinukol sa kanya.

"That's not what I want, but I don't care about what they say about me. I know myself, and I kow where I'm coming from. Their words won't matter to me even if they try to shoot me with it face-to-face," I told him. "So, once again, thank you for the concern, but I don't need it."

I seriously don't get why some people seek validation from other people when that's not the way it's supposed to be. You're the only one who truly knows yourself. Seeking approval from others is one of the steps to kill oneself. You'll make their opinions of you linger on your mind, but only the negative ones will dwell on you more.

The thing is you do not need anyone or anything to prove your worth. But if you think that you need it in life, you will forever be trapped and never be free.

Nag-iwas akong muli ng tingin sa kanya at saka humalukipkip. Nanggigigil talaga ako sa kanya. I just can't wait to break his heart into pieces and make him cry.

Sa gilid ng aking mga mata ay nakikita kong nananatili pa rin siyang nakatayo habang nakatingin sa akin. Pigil na pigil akong tingnan siya pabalik. Take care of your pride, Keiandra. That's the only thing you have left.

"Uhm... Archer?"

Hope's sweet voice enveloped my ears when he called for Archer's attention. Sinulyapan ko sila at ang walang hiyang Archer ay agad na nilingon si Hope na may suot na ngiti sa kanyang labi.

"What is it?" he asked her.

"Mom's asking if you're going to attend my birthday..." she said. "She wants to confirm your attendance. She's expecting you to come."

Napakunot naman ang aking noo. So, she invited Archer on her birthday celebration, huh?

"Kailan nga ba ulit 'yon?" tanong ni Archer.

"This coming Saturday," she answered right away. "But if you still need time to decide, you can tell me 'til Friday. No rush."

Nagtaas ako ng kilay habang nags-scroll sa aking cellphone. Halatang-halata sa kanya na gusto niyang umattend si Archer sa kanyang kaarawan.

An invisible light bulb suddenly appeared above my head. I inwardly let out an evil smile to cover my evil plans.

I will not let Archer show up on Hope's birthday when he didn't show up on our supposed meet-up. Not when I was just stood by Archer because he chose to be with Hope that day. No. My pride wouldn't let that happen. I wouldn't let that happen.

"Okay... I'll tell you on Friday," Archer told her and that's finally my chance to formulate my plan.

"Sure! I'll wait," Hope said and her voice was filled with her name.

Nang muli akong nilingon ni Archer ay naabutan niya akong nakatingin sa kanya. Kaysa mag-iwas ng tingin ay nagtaas lamang ako ng kilay sa kanya bago umirap. Nagpakawala naman siya ng malalim na buntong hininga at saka walang pasabing umupo sa aking tabi.

I turned to him, wearing a scowl on my face. "Why are you sitting here?" mataray kong tanong sa kanya. "You should sit with Hope. Tutal ay bagay naman kayong dalawa."

He sighed again. Nakakailang buntong hininga na ba siya ngayon at parang ang dami naman ata? Wala na ba siyang ibang alam na gawin kundi ang bumuntong hininga?

"I'm still thinking about attending her birthday party," he informed me.

"And so?" I snapped. "Why are you telling me this? It's none of my concern."

If I were an actress, I bet I already won an Oscar or something. Kahit ako ay hindi makapaniwala sa kung paano ko nailalabas ang mga emosyon na salungat sa aking totoong nararamdaman.

"I told you that I want to make up to you," he straightforwardly said. "I'm already planning on taking you out this coming Saturday. I can't do it on Sunday since we have an important family gathering."

"Let me guess..." I trailed off before I continued. "You're planning to take me out just to prove that you can fool me twice? Is that it?"

Remember to play hard-to-get first, Keia. Huwag kang basta-basta sumunod sa gusto niyang mangyari upang mas mapaniwala mo siya. Hindi pwedeng siya ulit manalo sa pangalawang subok ng laban na ito. Claim it and win it!

His jaw clenched and his facial expression became hard. "I meant what I said, Keia," he still sounded do calm even when his expression said otherwise. "If you would just let me, I'm willing to prove to you that I'm sincere on asking for your forgiveness."

I bit my lower lip. Hanggang saan ka kaya dadalhin ng konsensya mo, Archer? How far are you willing to go for me in order to gain the forgiveness you're aiming for?

"Please, Keia, just this once..." he almost begged.

It's time, Keia.

"Okay," I simply said.

Mukhang hindi niya inaasahan ang aking isinagot dahil kitang-kita ko ang kanyang pagkabigla.

"Let's meet on Saturday. Same place, same time," I told him. "This is your last chance, Archer. If you won't show up—"

"I will!" he cut me off with his voice full of willingness. "I will even come early and wait for you."

"Okay..." sabi ko na lang ulit at saka nag-iwas na ng tingin sa kanya.

Then, go and wait for me. I wouldn't mind, Archer. Let's see if I'll show up when I already planned not to. My plan is very perfect. This is what they called, hitting two birds in one stone. You wouldn't attend Hope's birthday and I wouldn't show up like what you did to me. Sisiguraduhin kong mararanasan ninyo pareho ang naramdaman ko no'ng araw na 'yon. Let's see who'll laugh in the end.