Breaking The Lieutenant's Rifle

BTLR: EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE

"Kalen, I like your hair today," a girl told me once when I was passing by the hallway.

I'm used to them complimenting me, it was an everyday thing. Like a routine. I was famous for my looks and for my reputation. Hindi ako gaanong kilala dahil outgoing ako, I was known for being a playboy.

Playboy? Hell no. I'm just friendly with them, pero hindi ko na tinama dahil ayaw ko na nang mahabang usapan. I'm thinking that I was labelled as a playboy because I'm too friendly with girls, and maybe I am. Maybe I tend to make them feel special, but in reality I treat them all the same.

And that's some jerk move, I admit. I'm never proud of that.

She asked me if I was interested in her, I can't help but think of an excuse to get her name. I am kinda thankful for the SA who hates her... dahil binanggit niya ang pangalan ko. That way, pangalan niya naman ang malalaman ko.

I laughed when I saw how irritated she was with me, not giving the book, and with the SA who hates her.

"You're quite funny, miss..." I admitted. "I just want to know since you heard my name from the SA," I said in my defense. "By the way, I'm Kalen. You are?"

"You can call me November."

It's like fate when the two of us met for the second time on the same day. Her mother works in my parents' company. How come I never knew or saw her here in this building? She's freaking beautiful.

I asked her to go out with me. Parang date na hindi. I wanted to know her more... And I can't believe she agreed! Madalas niya ba 'tong ginagawa? Like go on a date with a stranger who her parents know and who attends the same school as her? I'm really confused. She confuses me.

November is straightforward. She'll say what's on her mind and if you don't deeply know her, you'll think she isn't somehow trying to be translucent. Ang makikita mo lang ay ang transparent na November. A November who's herself, but in reality, she's covering it all up as a shield from her true self.

I had always wanted to protect her, but when Kriselle knew about me being interested in her, I considered our 'almost' relationship over.

"Stay away from her," sabi niya sa akin habang naglalaro kami ni Kyline sa sala. "She's no good for you."

"I'm not pursuing her," I honestly said.

It's true, hindi ko siya nililigawan o kung ano man. I am interested, but if that will just result to her being harmed, then no thanks. November's special for me and her safety means everything to me. It's her above all.

November made me feel things I haven't felt before. We were young but I knew that I was starting to feel something that won't easily pass. If she'll hear my thoughts, sigurado akong pasabog ng mura ang aabutin ko. She'll curse me until she has said all the curses she knows. I'm fucking whipped.

I was mad at myself for not telling her about my mom being her mom's boss. Nagalit siya sa akin no'n, and I felt really bad about it. Nov deserves the truth, my truth.

"You like her, Kalen?" My dad asked me. Pumasok siya sa kwarto ko pagkauwi namin at tinanong ako kung gusto ko ba si November. Maybe he sensed that the two of us know each other, and that she didn't tell them we know one another.

"Why?" I asked.

"You look at her the way I look at your mom."

I chuckled.

"You know that—"

"I know," I stopped him. "Stop reminding me over and over again."

"We should go to the clinic after this. Pero dapat mauna doon... Pero kasi baka takasan ako nung mga 'yun. Is the pain bearable? Or do you want to go to the clinic already?" I asked with a hint of panic.