Behind the skies and lies

Kabanata 20

Sinadya kong bagalan ang lakad ko para hindi kami sabay. Pinanood ko siyang tanguan lahat ng mga kakilala niyang nadadaanan namin. Paminsan minsan siyang sumusulyap sa akin. He already knows what I want. I do not want to be seen with him and he's granting it, as always.

"Oh uwi na kayo?" Salubong sa amin ni Von.

"Yes, paki-escort na lang sila Iza ha?" Sagot ko.

"Oo naman. I'm good. Ako na bahala sakanila. Ingat kayo pag uwi."

"Hey! Where are you going?" May humawak sa braso ko at pinigil ang pag alis namin ni Rad.

It was Rail, tipsy Rail. Mas lalo napukaw ang atensyon ng tao dahil sa presensya nila.

"We're going home." Raden tiredly said.

"Oh my baby brother looks so tired. Okay, I'll let you two pass this time. Take care! Ikaw, Von?"

"I'm staying." He coldly respond.

Okay. It is not hard to read that they have a past...to fix. However, parang wala lang sakaniya ang kakaibang treatment ni Von na parang sanay or expected na nya ito.

Before I knew, nasa harapan ko na rin si Aria. Gulat ko siyang nilapitan pero parang hindi niya ako napansin. She's in her usual outfit—a royal blue body hugging dress. She looks dazzling. Reason why boys and girls were crazy and drooling over her. She's a provoker and will leave you whenever she wants.

She licked his lips and drunkly look at Von who looks startled with Aria's presence as well.

"Fuck you." Malutong niyang mura kay Von.

My jaw dropped.

What? What was that? Hindi pa nga nagsi-sink in sa akin na nandito ang pinsan ko, tapos bigla na lang niyang mumurahin si Von? She really looks mad!

"Aria!" Tawag ko sakaniya.

She realized that I was here kaya napabuga siya ng hininga.

"Let's just meet at home. I just stopped by just to see this douchebag." She glared at Von. Napatingin din ako kay Von na mukhang hindi na rin alam ang gagawin. "Text me when you're home, okay? Don't drink too much. You're not used to this."

"Ariella." He called her but she just walked away. He was about to follow her when Rail stopped him. Kunot noong binalingan ni Von si Rail.

"I'm...I'm still talking to you and...who is she?" Nagbago ang aura ni Rail. She looks a bit anxious pero parang natauhan siya sa ginawa at binitawan si Von. "Oh I'm sorry. I was just a bit drunk and...I got used to this."

"You want to go home now?" Hinawakan ni Raden ang braso niya.

"No. No. I'll stay here." sagot niya habang pinapanood si Von na habulin si Aria. She smiled...but the sadness and acceptance in her eyes is too visible.

She gave us a wide smile bago bumalik sa crowd. I watched her to dance like nothing happened.

Raden's warm touch brings me back to reality.

I sighed and bit my lips.

I'm a little worried to Aria. I know her, she's not like that...even with her past relationships or flings. I didn't even know na may connection na pala sila ni Von! Damn that guy! I swear, I'm gonna talk and beat him off kapag nakita ko sya!

"Don't worry about them. Von knows what he's doing." He said while opening the door for me.

"But...there's something going on with Von and my cousin?" Nagbabakasali akong alam niya.