TGIWS: Phoenix Ryler Velasquez's POV (Completed)

Part 12

Part 12

Kanina pa ako nakauwi sa bahay. Kailangan ko na rin umuwi dahil hinahanap na ako ni Tita Grace. At isa pa, hindi ko kayang doon manatili especially if Tito Dylan was there. Darlene and I just caught hugging each other while sleeping. May hiya naman ako kahit papaano, ‘no, lalo na nandoon pa iyong ibang cousins ni Darlene.

Pakiramdam ko may ginagawa akong masama kahit wala naman dahil sa mga tingin nila. I stayed at the house instead to take some sleep then after that I did my work. Umalis rin ako ng bahay para dumaan sa School para kumuha ng exams, it’s not mine, it’s for Darlene.

“Nix!” It was Laureen. Huminto siya sa harap ko. “I heard about what happened to your baby. How is she?”

“She’s fine.” Iniwan ko rin siya pero kaagad rin sumunod. “She just needs to rest.”

“Oh, then that’s good to hear! I’ll visit her tomorrow or maybe later!” Paalala niya bago lumiko papunta sa classroom niya.

Dumiretso na ako sa office then I saw Sir. Lazarus, standing in front of the table. Nasa sofa si Ms. Catalina at may binabasang papel. Nilingon naman niya ako, his brow shot up.

“What brought you here?” He asked.

“I want an exam paper, Lazar—I mean, Sir, Lazarus,” sagot ko. “Don’t ask why, okay? Just give a damn paper.”

Kumuha naman siya sa cabinet at binigay sa akin. Umalis rin ako sa agad. Sa condo ang diretso ko. Ayokong mag-exam sa school. Panay pa ang tawag ni Harris sa akin pero hindi ko pinapansin hanggang sa sinagot ko na.

“[Alam mo, Nix, pansin ko lang... you’re changing. Seriously, ginagawa mo talaga ‘yan kay Darlene?]”

“What’s wrong with that?” Binaba ko ang hawak na ballpen.

“[You’re changing because of her. And... about the rule, Nix. Don’t fall for her.]”

“You know what, Harris, huwag nalang kayo makialam. This is what you all want, right? Sinimulan niyo ‘to. And if I fall then it’s not your—or everyone’s problem anymore, okay?” I ended the call.

I held my forehead as I let out a heavy sigh. Kung ano man ang ginagawa ko, labas kung anong sinasabi ni Harris. Lahat ng gusto ko iparating kay Darlene, totoo. From my words about her, it’s all true. All of those are true.

Nagbasa ako ng mga chat sa group chat. Hinahanap pa rin pala ni Darlene sa Dash. I am curious, may gusto ba talaga ‘to kay Dash? I mean, they were really close before so it’s not surprising if she really liked Dash. But if she is, why does she kiss me back every time that I am kissing her?

Napatingin ako sa screen nang mabasa ang last chat ni Darlene.

Darlene Miranda: KAYONG MGA BWISIT KAYO!!! MALAMAN KO LANG TALAGA KUNG NASAAN SI DASH !!! HINDING HINDI KO NA KAYO KAKAUSAPIN!!! BWISIT! BAHALA KAYO!! LALO KA NA VELASQUEZ.

Why am I dragged on this? But, damn, nakakatakot naman ang banta niya. Tinapos ko ang gawain bago kinuha ang susi ng kotse.

Nag-message ako sa isang group chat na dumiretso na sila sa Hospital dahil may pupuntahan pa ako. May lunch kami ngayon sa restaurant and I really need to go there. My family is waiting at the restaurant kaya kailangan kong sumunod.

“Nandito na pala si Phoenix.” Tita Grace stood up when she saw me. “Nix, nandito pala ‘yong Mom ni Iris.”

Nilingon ko si Tita Iza, Iris’ Mother. “Ah, good afternoon, Tita...” Anong ginagawa ni Tita Iza dito? Did Tita Grace invite her here?

“Hey, am I late na ba?”

Nilingon ko ang likod nang marinig ang boses ni Iris. Nagsalubong ang kilay ko dahil talagang nandito nga siya. Her shock eyes slowly became happy.