Dancing in the Dark (Aurora Series #2)

Chapter 01

Where.

"You know what? Why don't the two of you date? From friends to lovers. That's a nice story to tell, right?" Mama asked and pointed at me and Rust.

Medyo padabog ko na binitawan ang kutsara at tinidor na hawak. I rolled my tongue inside my mouth. Ito nanaman, kasawa. Ilang beses na ba akong nilakad ni Mama sa iba't-ibang lalaki? Sa mga anak ng amigas niya. Sa mga batang modelo sa industriya na ginagalawan niya. Sa mga lalaking kaibigan ni Ate Heaven. At maging sa mga kaibigan ko.

I told her for a million times already that I don't need anyone. I don't need any man.

Pero ang sabi niya lang ay natatakot siya na baka tumanda akong dalaga. I just laugh without humor. Mas nakakatakot kaya na gaguhin ulit.

Kung nalaman ni Mama ang ginawa sa akin ni Matias noon ay baka naiintindihan niya kung bakit sinusumpa ko ang mga lalaki.

A year after Matias tried to fucking rape me, I still never told anyone about it. Sa mga kaibigan ko lang pala sinabi ang ginawa niya. They've immediately removed him from the group. I feel touched that they didn't tolerate that fucking rat.

But the fucking rat keeps on bothering me. He keeps on texting me, even after I change numbers. Hindi ko alam kung paano niya iyon nalalaman.

mr. putanginang malibog na gago: Angel, let's talk. I love you so much. I'm sorry about what I did. I miss you, sweetheart.

Umirap ako nang mabasa iyon. I blocked his number and didn't bought new sim card again anymore. I even deactivated all of my accounts.

"Uhm, Angel and I are just really friends, Tita," sabi ni Rust kay Mama.

Mama looked at me. I stared straight at her eyes and didn't blink.

"Your amigas' sons are here too. Do you also want to introduce me to them?" I asked in a monotone.

Sumandal ako sa aking inuupuan. I crossed my arm while waiting for her to say something. Ngumuso si Mama at umiling.

"Hindi na, anak. But please drink moderately, okay?" She said and gazed at the liquors on the table.

It's Adriana Elena's birthday. Maraming tao. But I don't care about them. I came here just for the celebration and the liquors.

"Why don't you just tell Tía Mariana about what really happened?" Russel asked me.

Walang emosyon akong tumingin sa kaniya. Our friends went silent. Russel swallowed several times. Kinuha ko ang baso at ininom ang alak na nandoon.

"Why don't you tell her? Go and tell her." Itinuro ko si Mama na kakaalis lang.

"Just kidding. Why are you so serious always?" He smiled.

"You're so funny. You can be a singer."

Lumalim ang gabi at hindi ko namamalayan na nakakarami na ako ng inom. Nahihilo na ako ngunit hindi pa makauwi. I can't drive, I am drunk. Kailangan kong hintayin ang mga magulang. They're still busy socializing.

Nabawasan na ang tao. Tanging family friends na lang ang natira. They aree drinking wine.

"Gel, I'll go to the Philippines. Nahanap ko na si Daneliyah," Rust informed me.

"Did you know that the Spaniards colonized the Philippines for three hundred thirty-three years? Now you know," lasing na sabi ko.

"I thought you hate history?" Rust asked.

"Yeah, like how I hate men."

Kinuha ko ang bag at mabilis na lumabas ng classroom nang mag ring ang bell. Sumakay ako sa taxi at nagpahatid sa isang grocery store.