90210 (BINI Series #3)

Chapter 16: Lie and Complication

Maloi's POV

I'm still lying on my bed, waiting for Stacey to message me. Counting each passing second, it felt like an eternity, though, upon checking my watch, only twenty minutes had passed since she messaged me that she was already with Lance. I covered my face with a pillow, willing myself to go back to sleep. But, no matter how I tossed and turned, my mind seemed to be fully awake and taunting me.

Bakit kailangan nila magdate ulit? What's with that guy Lance ba?

Giving up on my vain attempt to sleep and shut out the world, I finally stood up and tried to find something to do -- anything to distract me. Ang hirap pala kapag may mga tanong kang hindi matanong. Ang hirap pala kapag may mga what if's ka sa isip mo.

Why do I feel like ako nalang ang na-iwan sa idea na we could happen when she admitted that she's starting to like me? Why do I feel like something changed when she met Lance? Confused lang ba siya noon? Nasasaktan lang ba siya kay Colet noon kaya sinabi niyang gusto niya ako?

I wanted answers but I can't ask questions.

Sitting in front of the mirror, I stared at my reflection. Why do I care too much? Is it because Stacey is so innocent in things like this? Yes, she's so naive, that she said she doesn't believe in soulmates but look at her now, dating someone. I don't want her jumping into the first relationship that presents to her, only get hurt in the end. She deserves more than that - much more than that. Maybe it's because I'm older than her that I have this natural instinct to protect her this much?

"Is that really it, Maloi?" I asked myself and sighed deeply.

My curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to check on Stacey and Lance. But as soon as I stepped out of my room, I heard a voice.

"Saan ka na naman pupunta?" my dad yelled.

"Outside po. I'll just hang out with my friends po." I answered respectfully.

"Talaga ba? Kung gagastahin mo lang ang pera ko sa walang kwentang bagay, huwag ka nang lumabas. Ano bang ginagawa mo sa labas with your friends? Are you dating girls too now? Gross!" he said with an authority. But as I was about to answer, my mom came to us and hide me behind her back.

I looked down. I lied to my friends when I told them that my parents finally knew about my gender preference. Alam kong mali pero naiinggit ako. Naiinggit ako na bakit sila, pwede nilang gawin lahat ng gusto nila at ako hindi? Naiinggit ako na bakit kaya nilang magkagusto at magmahal ng kung sino samantalang ako, hindi?

I love my friends but I have to lie kasi pakiramdam ko, maaawa lang sila sa akin at mag-aadjust. I don't want them to feel that way. I don't want to burden them.

"Huwag mong ginaganyan ang anak natin." she said and hugged me.

"Anak mo lang." dad said and walked out.

Mommy turned to me again. Kahit hindi niya sabihin ay alam kung nagpipigil lang siya ng iyak. Alam na alam ko ang pakiramdam. Dahil ganoon din ako.

"Don't mind him, anak. Anak ka ng daddy mo." she assured me and gave me a kiss. I nodded and gave her a small smile. I will try to hide all the pain para lang hindi mag-alala ang mga tao sa paligid ko.

Pagkalabas ko ng gate ay bumungad sa akin ang sasakyan ni Mikha. Bumukas ang bintana galing sa passenger seat.

"Sakay." she plainly said.