End of the Day (Mystique Trilogy 1) (COMPLETED)

Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

tw: mention of suicide

Yana sighed for the thirtieth time then looked at me like she's going to interrogate me, and I need to answer her honestly because she's going to kill me if I don't.

"Be honest, are you okay?"

Napatingin uli ako kay Yana na nakaupo sa kama. Bigla nalang siyang bumisita rito sa bahay at sinabing dito lang daw muna siya hanggang mamayang gabi. She wanted to check on me because I've been out of myself these past few days. I know she's right, totoo lahat ng sinasabi niya. Ever since Kael started this weird and cold attitude towards me, I kind of worry about almost all the things around me. Halos oras-oras ay nawawala ako sa sarili ko. I started having doubts even with the tiniest things. I am close in being crazy, but I don't want to be crazy. I'm seriously overthinking small details.

"I-I'm fine," I said for the nth time. I avoided her stares because I'm lying. I know I shouldn't lie to her, but what could I do? Should I just say all of what I feel then let her drown too? Paano kung 'di niya kayanin ang mga sasabihin ko? Paano kung poproblemahin niya rin ako?

I can't risk someone else's peace of mind just because mine's a disaster.

Yana scoffed and raised a brow. "Mama mo I'm fine. Tara nga rito at pag-usapan natin 'yan. Kahit anong sabi mo na okay ka, alam mong 'di ako maniniwala sa 'yo. Kaya pumunta ka rito sa tabi ko o hahatakin kita papunta rito! You know, I'm your gorgeous best friend who will always be here!"

I looked at her, and she just signaled me to sit beside her. Akmang tatayo na siya ay pumunta na 'ko sa tabi niya. Yana can be bossy especially when she knows she's right, when she knows that her orders can help someone grow or learn. Bumuntong-hininga nalang ako at napatingin sa cellphone kong kanina pa nakalapag sa side table ko. Kate and Julius called to check on us, but Yana was the one who answered the phone kaya 'di ko alam kung anong napag-usapan nila. She's a bit protective, has mother instincts, but she's always driven by her emotions.

Darren updated me about my brother's condition and thankfully, he's getting fine but still unconscious. Monica never talked to me again after the scene in the classroom and in the guidance. It's been days since that incident. Katulad ng dati ay hindi siya pumapasok araw-araw, minsan pa nga'y dalawang araw lang siyang pumapasok sa isang linggo. I tried to ask her what's wrong pero the moment na makaupo palang ako sa harapan niya ay tumayo na siya at umalis. Hindi naman na bago 'yon sa 'min nila Kate dahil nangyari na rin 'yon dati. Napagdesisyunan nalang namin na hayaan siya at pahupain muna ang bigat na nararamdaman niya.

"Don't lie to me, Elle, anong nangyari sa inyo ni Kael?" Yana asked me and made me face her. She stared at me with serious eyes, asking me to tell the truth or else I will be doomed. Yana's facial expression says it all, her curiosity, her anger, her confusion, and her willingness to know the truth. Pakiramdam ko truth serum din ang mga mata ni Yana dahil lagi niya 'kong napapaamin tuwing mag-uusap kami. "Sasabihin mo o si Kael mismo tatawagan ko?" She said and showed me the screen of her phone with Kael's number on it.

I sighed, defeated, and closed my eyes hard before saying, "Fine! Fine! Magkukwento ako!"

"Oo tama 'yan, Veronica. Hindi 'yung sinasarili mo 'yung problema mo, mukha ka nang zombie na walang makain na brains!" Yana fired back. I made a face and rolled my eyes at her. She laughed at me and grabbed a pillow to hug. I laughed in my mind, did she thought that this is going to be a romantic story?

I tried to calm myself while telling her the whole story. How Kael asked me for a break, how he ignored me for the past few days, and how I felt. "That's it. I really don't know how we ended up like this. Wala naman kaming naging problema noong bakasyon! Hindi rin siya nagkekwento sa 'kin kung may problema ba siya o wala. I just really can't pinpoint kung anong mali!" I said, feeling a bit irritated.