Relentlessly Yours [Completed]

Chapter 2

Nicola, Age Ten
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Magkahawak kamay kami ni Calum habang papasok kami sa malaking bahay nila Kai. They have a swimming pool, too but I like theirs more than ours because they have floaties. My mother thinks floaties are 'not aesthetically pleasing' much to my and Calum's dismay.

Sinalubong kami ni Tita Olivia na agad na niyakap ako. I love her so much. Magkaibigan sila ni mommy pero minsan natatanong ko kung bakit mas mabait siya kesa sa mommy ko.

"Ang ganda-ganda mo talaga, Nicola. Naku, nakakagigil ka," nakangiting sabi niya at hinalikan ako sa pisngi.

I was wearing the new puff-sleeved red dress and red doll shoes that my Daddy bought for me. Pinakiusapan ko din si yaya Jen na ilagay sa frame ang painting na ginawa ko habang nag-aayos ako. I already know how to dress myself. Ayoko kasi na pagalitan ni mommy kapag nakitang hindi ako naakayos. Yaya Jen braided my hair and secured it with a big red ribbon at the tips.

Hinatid niya kami sa backyard area kung saan naka set up ang party ni Kai.

Agad na hinanap siya ng mata ko at agad na napasimangot ako nang makitang pinalibutan siya ng mga kaklase niyang mga babae. I don't know them because they don't go to the all girls school, sa co-ed sila kasama nila Calum at Kai.

Nagdadabog na naglakad ako papunta sa direksyon nila. I don't know how or when it started but I just woke up one day, feeling jealous over Kai and Calum's friends. Except for Leyton and Reid, ofcourse.

I didn't like it when I see my twin playing with his other friends while I don't even have a single friend in from my class. Hindi na nila ako binu-bully dahil natuto na akong lumaban pabalik. Binabalik ko sa kanila ang bawat insulto at nanunuyang tingin na binibigay nila sa akin. I ignore them when they try to talk to me.

I no longer share my snacks. I no longer let them borrow my things. I no longer show them my drawings. Wala na akong pinili. I don't trust anyone not to make fun of me and my art and the freckles on my face. I just stopped paying attention and ignored everyone. My art and Kai occupied most of my time, anyway.

I felt even more sad when I learned from Calum that a lot of girls are crushing on Kai. I begged my mommy to let me go and study there, too but she just scolded and grounded me for a week. Umiyak ako ng ilang beses pero hindi nagbago ang isip niya.

"Kai!" Tawag ko sa kanya at ngumiti ako nang agad na lumingon siya pagkarinig sa boses ko.

He immediately walked towards me which made his classmates look at me in curiosity.

"You lool very...red, Calliope," nangingiting bungad ni Kai sa akin at wala sa loob na napatingin ako sa sarili ko.

"You don't like it?" I asked and looked down at my dress, suddenly unsure of myself.

Maybe he didn't like the color? Red pa naman ang painting kong racing car para sa kanya.

He bit his lip as he gave me a once over. "No, you look nice. You always look good in red," agad na namula ako sa sinabi niya at binigyan niya ako ng nanunuksong ngiti bago tiningnan ang paper bag na dala ko. "Ano 'yan?"

Tinaas ko 'yon at nakangiting binigay sa kanya. "My gift for you. Happy birthday!"

Kinuha niya ang painting sa loob at bahagyang tinitigan. He looked up and gave me a dashing smile.

"Thank you, Calliope. Wait here," sabi niya sabay iniwan ako at pumasok sa bahay nila.

"Who is she?"

"Look at her, wearing red like this is her birthday."

I hear them laugh and my insides twisted in embarassment almost immediately. What's wrong with them? Why can't they just leave me alone?