Feint (Royal Society #3) COMPLETED

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Untying the First Knot

The scream was louder than I thought. But it didn't silence the fear in my mind. I grabbed the sheets and wrapped them around me like it was a safe zone, maybe it is. Then I took my time observing my surroundings as I tried to ransack my mind on how I ended up in this... awful place.

There were clothes scattered around the room like it was thrown in haste. 

"Amara... calm down..." Napapikit ako ng marinig ko iyon sa isip ko. It sounded Vini in his frustrated voice. Did... did something happened last night? Aside from the fact that I got hammered. 

Natuon ang tingin ko sa mga admit na tinitignan ko kanina. It looked awfully familiar. Crawling in the bed, I was about to grab it when I realized it was mine! I slowly looked down at my body and saw that I was only wearing white long sleeves. 

"Oh my... Oh my god!!!" Para akong nababaliw sa kaiisip anong nangyari kagabi. My memory is hazy! Puro... puro hindi magandang memorya ang nasa isip ko. I was lewd last night, my goodness.

Then the door opened to my surprise. I was expecting to see Vini but I didn't expect to see a just-woke-up Yves in front of me. Is my mind playing tricks? I clearly heard Vini's voice in my memory. Is it... really Yves? 

That thought made me scream once again, in horror this time. No, I didn't do it with Yves! I should not do it. I am made for Vini only, just him! In my frustration, I threw the pillows behind me towards Yves. He promised Nana! He promised that he won't touch me!

"What... what the fuck, Amara?!" He shouted back and raised his hand. "Can you shut up for a bit?" He rudely asked and brought out his phone.

Masama ang tingin niya sa akin habang nakalagay ang phone as tainga niya. When the person he was calling answered, I saw how his eyes glimmered in relief.  "Nicholo, would you mind speeding up? Your woman here is already awake and making a huge fuss."

Nicholo? As in Vince Nicholo? My Vini? 

"Yeah, yeah. What the fuck ever," Yves said before ending the call. Then he pointed me, making me sit properly in the bed. He looks so mad!

"Look, I don't know if you are already sober or not but let me tell you this. I did not touch you last night if that is what you are insinuating. That was... unethical and gross," he said and even made a disgusting look before saying, "no offense."

"W-why are you here then?" I asked in embarrassment. I threw pillows at him because of my conclusion, damn it.

"Vince Nicholo asked me for a favor to look after you. He said he'll buy something and I need to look after you."

I nodded and brought down my face. "Are you embarrassed, Amara?" Yves asked. Hindi ako nagsalita at nagtalukbong na lang ng kumot matapos humiga. I don't have any confidence to face him after that accusation.

Narinig ko ang tawa ni Yves bago ko nagawang sumilip mula sa pagkatalukbong. He was no longer in the doorway. I sighed in relief. That was so humiliating, Amara. I got from bed and fixed it bago ko nagawang pulutin ang mga damit sa sahig. It was indeed mine. 

But they were all dirty now. Ayaw ko naman isuot ulit iyon kaya tinupi ko na lang at nilagay sa gilid. Next, I went to the cabinet. I'm not quite sure if it is Vini's or Yves'. Parehas lang naman kasi sila ng damitan. They were literally like twins or siblings. If only I didn't know Vini, iyon ang iisipin ko.

But I confirmed the ownership when my eyes found the pictures placed on one side of the cabinet. It was us... Vini and I. Back when we were together and just having the time of our life. Just pure bliss.

I traced the pictures and I can't help but be reminded of the past. We were so happy to think about the possibility of breaking up. It was a nameless relationship but we wanted to keep it that way. Basta masaya kami, it doesn't matter if it was no label. We were together, that's it.

Then I heard a sigh behind me. Hindi na ako nagulat nang makita si Vini na nakatayo sa likod ko. I knew it was him because my heart recognizes his presence. He handed me this paper bag and I accepted it. 

It was clothes. Nagtatanong ang mata ko nang tumingin sa kaniya. 

"Go and take a bath. I know you can't stand not washing up the moment you woke up," he instructed kaya sumunod ako. What he said is true anyway. It's just I feel dirty the moment I woke up and the urge to take a bath was always strong.

After doing my routine, I wore the clothes he brought for me. It was a simple navy blue wrap dress. Then I blow-dried my short hair before going out of the bathroom. Vini is not inside the room anymore kaya lumabas din ako ng kwarto.

I found him in the terrace, sipping his coffee, I guess. Nakatayo siya at nakatingin sa malayo kaya naman kinuha ko ang pagkakataon na iyon para tignan siya mabuti. Pero hindi pa tumatagal ang tingin ko ay humarap na siya sakin. It was like he knows I was staring at him. 

"Let's eat," Aya niya at tinuro ang lamesa sa tabi ko. 

As he walked towards me, I asked. "Where's Yves?" Parang bigla kasing tumahimik ang paligid. Yves is not the noisy type, but it seems a lot different feeling dahil kami na lang ni Vini ang nandito.

I was waiting for an answer but all I got was a glare. Anong problema nito? He dragged a chair and motioned to me to take a sit. I did and when we were both settled, I asked him the same question. I just find it rude to eat without Yves... and I feel awkward when it is just the two of us. 

"I sent him away," Vini coldly answered. 

"Huh? But why?" My voice sounded like I was whining kaya naman napaayos ako ng upo nang tumingin siya sa akin ng masama. 

He placed both of his hands in front and he looked like he was negotiating with me. That serious face says it all. 

"We have a lot of things to talk about, don't you think?"

Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kaniya. I nervously took the cup of coffee in front of me. 

Vini sighed. "Yves said you aren't ready for this kind of talk. But we really need to have this sorted out. We were already deprived of years because of running away, Amara."

I brought down the coffee and bit my lip. He sounded like he was begging and I don't want to hear him begging me. Not then, not now. 

So I looked at him in the eyes and asked, "aren't you suppose to be mad at me? You should not be the one asking for a talk, ako dapat. Hindi ba? Have you forgotten how we broke up? The reason why we ended things?"

"I gave you a reason to doubt my feelings for you, Amara. Hindi ba iyon ang simula ng lahat? Hindi ba iyon ang unti-unting sumira sa atin? If only I didn't..."

This is what I am talking about. Sa dami ng problema namin nung nakaraan, natabunan na ang pinakaugat. Vini is right. Doon naman talaga nagsimula but it wasn't his fault. Elizabeth is his close friend yet I thought otherwise. 

"Vini, no. Don't regret the things that you did of your own will. It was on me, I was blinded by... jealousy kaya kung ano-ano ang pumasok sa isip ko. I should have trusted you more but I wasn't able to that because of the thought of Elizabeth being better than I am..."

I quickly wiped the lone tear that fell from my eyes before speaking again. "I was too drowned with my feelings for you. I was selfish and possessive over you. Kaya pati ang pagkakaibigan mo kay Elizabeth ay naisipan ko ng masama."

"I know," Vini stated. "But you should not put the blame solely on you. I was at fault as well, Amara. I should have fought and tried better to fix our mess before it ended up that way..."

Napayuko ako nang ma-realize kung ano ang susunod. 

"Amara. Were you really just feinting everything back then?"

***

We're almost done! Yay!