Solace Escape

Kabanata 6

Hi, happy 555K tuna ulit! Here's a treat! Finally, the first revised chapter for Solace Escape! I advise you to read again the book from the start if last year mo pa nabasa but if not, reread this chapter.

Iba na almost kalahati ang content nito (middle-last part) compared sa dati. The old chapter before will be back, too, pero mag-iiba ang chap number. Enjoy!

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Kabanata 6

"How's your first day in your new home so far, Sibyl?" my friends, Mila and Leah asked when they requested for a face time that night.

"Arrgh! Worst!" I spat, sighing.

Napatawa sila. Naiiritang umupo naman ako sa silyang rattan sa terrace ng kwarto ko, inaangat ang paa sa lamesa roon at sumandal.

"Why? What happened?" Mila asked, laughing. Sinulyapan ko siya at nakitang nasa isang salon sila ni Leah.

"Well, it sucks here." I gasped, "not enough internet connection! No view and just disgusting and smelly animals around!"

"Nand'yan naman ang grandparents mo, ah? Hindi mo ba sila close?" Leah inquired.

"I'm close with them, of course." I sighed, "it's just that...can you blame me? I have no friends here. No parties, no salon, no anything! As in wala!" I looked around dramatically, "just some stupid trees!"

"Eh, may gwapo ba? Don't tell me wala?" Mila asked playfully kaya sumulyap akong muli sa phone.

Gwapo? A sudden face showed up on my mind but stopped upon realizing it.

The fuck, Sibyl Timothea?

"W-wala!" I exclaimed, shaking my head and glanced at the girls. "Walang gwapo rito!"

"Oh?" Leah had that playful glint on her eyes, "eh, bakit ka namumula?"

"Am I?" I scoffed, napapahawak pa sa pisngi. "I am not! This is just a natural blush!"

"Uh-huh!" they teased, "don't tell us you thought of someone!"

Namilog ang mata ko, napatawa pa sila nang mahuli ang reaksyon ko kaya dagli akong umayos ng upo at tumikhim. I tried masking my expression into a stoic one but they know me.

"Loko! 'Di ba, taga probinsya 'yong ka-kissing scene niya nitong nakaraan sa mall?! Don't tell me he's—"

"Wala si Solomon dito!" I exclaimed, stopping when they laughed at me.

"Huli!" they exclaimed.

"Ano naman kung nandito 'yon?!" I frowned because they're having a blast making fun of me. "It's not like it's a big thing!"

"Being noticed by 'the' Sibyl Sandejas is a big thing!" Mila blurted out, "you cared less about other people, why not thinking—even kissing wasn't a big thing, eh?"

Sumimangot ako sa pang-aasar nila.

"Naku, baka magulat na lang kami at kayo na, ah?"

"To hell with that," I laughed blankly, "I like western boys, girls. I won't settle for a mere probinsyano."

"Weh?" Leah grinned, "h'wag kang magsalita ng tapos—"

"Sibyl won't settle for a low life, Leah! Ano ka ba?" Mila murmured and glanced at her. Medyo nagsalubong ang kilay ko. "Parang 'di mo kilala 'yan."

"Hindi ka sure—"

"I don't like poor boys!" I spat, stopping them, "you know my taste, girls. If I'd be in a relationship again—which I think was impossible now because of that stunt James made—I won't settle for someone just like him. Hindi pa nakakapagtapos 'yong tao. S'yempre, kung magkaka-boyfriend akong muli doon na sa sigurado ako."