Flames and Vengeance (South Series # 1) COMPLETED- To be published

Chapter 5

For three days, I stayed in his unit, pero kasabay ko siyang umuwi sa condo ko. He brought some of his things, and for some weird reasons never did I contest nor complain with his plan of staying with me. I kept telling myself, reasons never wavered, sinasabi kong nagpapanggap lang kami. But, I rarely post our pictures anymore, hindi na rin naman nagsi-seen si Troy, so what's the reason why I'm still okay with him staying this close to me?

For the past few weeks of us literally living together, I was in a constant euphoric moment. He made me laugh genuinely, smile like a kid and he even made me dance with his silly tactics.

Even his laughters', or his sweet stares, all were making me feel weird- it's unexplainable, the more he tries, the more I'm digging my own grave. But, I guess what carved him in me is the way he takes care of me when I'm feeling down with exams and recits.

"What's bothering you?" Riley asked. Halos kakatapos lang ng pasok namin. Calix texted me that they will extend their class since late daw si judge, I just said that I'll go home with Riley.

"Remember the sister of Troy?" I asked him as he started the engine.

"I don't remember the name, but what about her?"

"She left a message in my twitter last night. Kinukuha n'ya akong ninang ng anak n'ya. And she's not just asking, nakalagay na talaga sa invites."

He heaved a sigh. "So your ex hasn't told them yet?! Tss. Anong plano mo? At kelan ba 'yan?"

"Sa 24 ata, I'm not sure. Do I have to go? Tingin mo?"

"Ikaw. They were nice to you, right? But, it's not like you have to be part of their lives forever." He muttered.

"Samahan mo ako? Or uuwi ka rin ng Cebu?" Tanong ko.

"The whole clan will stay there, but if you need me here, I'll stay. What time is the christening anyway? I'll just move my flight or ask mom to lend me the chopper."

"Morning naman, around 9. Sure na 'yan, ha? Pero idaan lang natin ang gift ko, after sa church 'wag na tayong pumunta sa reception. I don't have the courage to face them all."

Days passed. Huling araw na ng exam week ngayon. After this, I can finally sleep. And tuloy daw kaming Japan, pero sa mismong pasko pa 'yong flight namin or 26, I'm not sure.

"May nasagot ka?" Tanong ni Kylie sa akin or sa aming magbabarkda. Si Audrey tahimik din, halatang kabado.

"Meron naman." Sagot ko. Riley and Nikkolo bought us coffee, kaya kaming girls lang naiwan.

"Tara BGC?" Yaya ni Audrey.

"Trina, tara na! 'Wag kang KJ, ngayon lang naman. Ang dalang mong sumama sa amin." Pagpupumilit ni Kylie. Naging classmate ko sila noong college. Si Yca kasi legal management 'yong kinuha that time, tapos bigla-bigla dumiretso sa med. Buti na lang meron 'tong dalawa, hindi ako masyado nangapa sa accountancy at ngayon sa law.

"Fine," I said in defeat.

Kahit medyo late na tumuloy kami sa bar sa BGC. The place is the bar to go to after hell week. Panay estudyante ang laman ng bar, and the crowd was always wild. The blasting of music adding the noise of the party-goers can make your ear ache. I can't almost hear what my friends are saying or even laughing about.

"Hi, miss!" A guy danced with me. His arms instantly snaked on my body, but it only took us seconds to sway because Calix appeared right in front of my eyes.