45 Calibre

Chapter 10

Hazel's car went in front of mine and stopped aggressively, causing me to step on the break immediately or else I'll bump into her. 

"What the hell?!" I shouted.

Bumaba siya ng kotse at padabog na isinara and kotse niya. Nakita ko ang matinding pagkakunot ng noo niya. Malakas niyang tinapik ang hood ng kotseng sinasakyan ko at sumisigaw siya.

"Bumaba ka diyan ngayon din! Bilisan mo!" rinig at dama ko ang galit sa boses niya.

Agad naman akong bumaba at padabog ko ring isinara ang pinto. "What did you just do? I almost bumped into you!" pangunguna ko.

"No! We're not gonna talk about that!" she shouted back. Pointing a finger at my face. "What the hell were you thinking back there? Have you lost your mind?" 

"So you're saying that you're not on my side now? Is that what all this is about?"

"I am always on your side!" she fired back.

"Then what's the problem?"

"His car was about to explode-"

"That's the plan!" I cut her off. "I thought you're with me?" 

"Dahil hindi ko naman alam na willing kang pasabugin talaga yung kotse niya!"

"So anong akala mo sa gas na binili ko? Props??" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.

"I thought you're just gonna give him a warning..." aniya habang hinihilot ang sariling sintido at nakapamewang. "He saved his own ass. Baka kung hindi siya dumating ay talagang umaapoy na ang sasakyan niya"

"A warning?! He might mess with me again!"

"It's not his doings! And don't mess with his car!" I can tell that Hazel's angry.

"Why are you so worked up with the fact that I messed with his car?! As if he didn't do the same to mine-"

"It's from his parents!" 

"..." I'm shocked. I didn't know what to say. And thinking about what I did and what I was supposed to do is really nerve-wracking.

"That's the only thing that's left that made him feel connected to them. Imagine how much it would cause him to lose that car," she said firmly, trying to give me a lesson.

"I didn't know..." I almost whispered.

"That's why you shouldn't act out of your impulse. You know how much it hurts you when someone did something to your car. Because you've been attached to it, and because you've been driving that for a long time. It caused you pain, kaya ka nga nagkakaganito eh. Then why do the same to others? I know that we're full of revenge. But you should know who to revenge." I look at her and saw how willing she is to give me a lesson and for me to understand it. "I know that this is hard for you, trust me. I know. But this is also hard for everyone else. And no, don't think that I'm invalidating your feelings. I'm just tryna let you know that maybe, you should care for others' feelings as well...especially now. The guys are getting along with Tito very well, and you know that someone like them, like us, is family to Tito. And you don't mess with your family."

I scoffed. "Really, huh?" I saw her gaze, I know what she meant. I just want to talk back.

"Then let's put it this way. You're developing feelings for Ethan. I don't know where else it will lead you and your relationship to him, but do you want to end up hurting the one you care about?" I can't say that I don't care about him because he caused me sleepless nights and tears that he's not even aware of. "You know I'm always on your side. Sounds absurd, but even if you're wrong and the world is against you, I'll stay by your side. So if you're really eager to get back at Ethan, make sure you don't hurt yourself in the process. And by that, I meant that don't be attached to him. Brace yourself, I know you can get through this."