The Curse of Limerence ✔

Chapter 8

"You don't understand! She's the most annoying person I've ever met in my entire life, Cristine! Lagi niya pinapakulo ang dugo ko!" Inis na sigaw ko habang hawak ang phone.

Inipit ko ang phone sa balikat at tenga ko habang naglalagay ng lipstick sa labi. I heard her chuckle on the line. 

"Ano? Resbakan na ba natin? Is she one of your plastic friends, Artemis?" She said in a serious tone.

Natigilan naman ako sa tanong niya. I bit my bottom lip and sat on my chair while staring at myself on the mirror. 

"She's not like that... She's no typical girl who likes shopping and flirting with guys. She's... Ewan ko ba! Ang taas ng tingin niya sa sarili! Nakakainis!" 

"Huh? Kung ganon hindi pala siya tulad ng mga naging kaibigan mong plastik. So bakit ka naman nagagalit sa kanya? Baka nananahimik yung tao, Artemis at pinagtitripan mo ah." Sabi niya kaya napairap ako. 

"She's too weird! I don't like her vibes! Kalamado siya sa lahat ng bagay, and not to mention her sadistic actions, oh gosh! Siya pa lang ang nakakasabunot sa akin ng ganon. She even punched me so hard." Nangangalaiti ako sa galit habang inaalala ang mga ginawa niya.

I heard her dramatically gasping. 

"Someone harmed you? Hindi matutuwa ang kuya mo kapag nalaman ito." She said and I rolled my eyes.

"Kung magsusumbong ka sa kanya, talagang malalagot ako. And besides, even if you're his girlfriend, you should still help me to keep these things from him. Girl empowerment, Cristine!" Sermon ko sa kanya kaya humalakhak siya.

"Alright, Miss. Kahit binabalak mo man sabihin sa kanya ang mga pinaggagawa mo, hindi ko rin magagawa. He's busy with his studies and I'm here abroad, minsan lang kami mag-usap." Sabi niya na may himig ng kalungkutan.

"Oh you're right, but don't worry, girl. Your man safe here, kapag nalaman ko lang na may babae siya, ako na bahala sa'yo. I'll kill them both for you." I said that made her chuckle sweetly.

"Sige, sige. I trust you, okay? Sige baba ko na, bye!" 

"Bye, Cristine." Mahinang sabi ko at binaba ang telepono.

Napabuntong hininga at napatingin sa salamin. My blonde hair compliments my face. I smiled in the mirror before I decided to come out of my room. I'm wearing tube top mint with a crop cardigan and beige trousers. 

Cristine is my one only friend in the States. Minsan na lang kami mag-usap dahil sa schedule niya. Nireto ko siya sa kuya ko nung mga bata kami and that's how their story started. But unfortunately, Cristine has to help her family with their business abroad. 

Habang pinaglalaruan ang susi ng kotse ko, bumaba na ako sa hagdan. I saw my mom with her friends having tea in our garden. I frowned and rolled my eyes. 

Lalabas sana ako nang palihim nang tawagin na ako ng nanay ko. Parang gusto bumaon sa lupa agad.

"Artemis!" She called me.

Natigilan ako sa paglalakad. I gritted my teeth and sighed. I forced a smile when I turned my head towards her. I saw her stand up from their table. Kahit mula rito, ramdam ko ang mga mapanghusgang tingin ng mga kumare niya.

"What is it, mom? I have to go now--"

Pinandilatan ako ng mga mata nito at alam ko na malalagot agad ako mamaya. 

"This is my daughter, Artemis Levinson. She's still studying kaya I hope magtino ito." Natatawang sabi ni mommy.

"Dapat lang kumare, aba, kilalang kilala ang pamilya niyo. But I heard she has a scandal in their school?" Sabi nung isang matandang babae at sumimsim sa tsaa.