Behind That Mellifluous Melody

17

"I think I should go," Val said after our lips parted.

"Saan ka pupunta?" tanong ko na may halong pag-aalala.

Tumungo siya sa pinto at binuksan ito.

"This is too dangerous," she whispered. Kita ko sa kaniyang mga mata ang takot na nararamdaman niya. I was about to walk towards her pero agad siyang nagsalita, "Just forget what I've said. I need to breathe some fresh air."

Lumabas siya ng kwarto kaya sumunod ako sa kaniya. But I stopped walking when I heard mom called her.

"Carmen, can I talk to you?" mom asked. Tumango si Val bilang sagot bago lumapit sa kaniya.  Mom spoke again, "Let's go upstairs, I want to talk to you privately."

Valentin casually followed my mother without hesitation. She didn't even gave a single gaze at me. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako out of frustration.

I grabbed my phone and search my friend group's name.

Me:
Let's go out tonight.

I charged my phone at pumasok sa bathroom. I removed my clothes and looked at myself in the mirror. My wavy brown hair falling down to my breasts, matching the color of my skin.

Back then, I was bullied by being 'morena'. I felt really insecure that time and used multiple whitening products but realization hits me. The color of my skin is not the problem and will never be. It's the person's way of thinking. No one deserves to be body shamed, but we can't control how others think. The best thing we can do is start embracing our insecurities and love ourselves.

I turned on the shower at nagsimula nang maligo.

"This is too dangerous."

Val's words are running through my mind.

She's afraid and naiintindihan ko. Dala na rin ng nakaraan niya, she built a wall to defend herself, especially to this something we have. Pero alam kong pareho kaming mahihirapan if she keep distancing herself.

I don't want to assume but I know she feels the same that I do. This may sound too sudden, still— I felt it.

'Di ko namalayan na ang tagal ko na pala rito kaya binilisan ko na lang ang pagligo. Damn, I've been preoccupied.

"I'm fine, I guess."

I was about to went out from the bathroom nang narinig ko ang boses ni Val.

"Stop talking about her."

"Nothing."

"Yeah, I'll go there."

She must be talking to someone on her phone. Minutes later, narinig ko ang pagsara ng pinto kaya lumabas na rin ako.

Tinignan ko ang phone ko at nakita ang replies nila.

Lumi:
Ka-iinom lang kagabi, ah?

Serenity:
Ka-iinom lang kagabi, ah? (2)

Delvis:
'Wag ka nga rito, Lumi.
Pulutan lang naman ang tinira mo.

Lumi:
K.

Delvis:
Anong ganap?

Serenity:
Yeah, you're not usually the one na nag-aaya.
Are you okay?

Lumi:
Nabitin lang 'yan for sure HAHAHA
Anyways, baka hindi ako makasama kaya pass:<

My eyebrows furrowed at Lumi's reply.