Segundo, Sigurado | Pilo

Chapter Eight

"I want to talk about us."

"What do you mean us? there's no us anymore Loren, you're hopeless."

- 

She had conquered the rule of trades; knowing God gives and takes away. Loren an independent woman; a lotus flower forced to open, she was forced to be on her own and to grew up too soon and now she ended up piercing everything together like a puppy trapped in a vast field, seeking its owner— to where it truly belongs. 

But where does she actually belongs?

Dearest, capture me. I'm an amber leaf in September, about to fall. capture me.

Loren, on her couch with with a notebook on her lap and a Dom Perignon displayed on her mini desk that has been partially consumed. That was her routine since then, her words and her pen were her only serenity. She writes everything she feels because that's the only thing she had mastered when she was a kid. Those undying ink painted on a thin paper held her own meaning. 

The night wasn't young anymore and the clock chimes at its agonizing hours. She wasn't mad at the brunette nor even upset, but there was just something stinging her inside that she couldn't fathom. She was crying; tears were diamonds falling. She's pretty when she cries, her sobs are creating a melody of precious music. Even in her toughest hours and even amidst of sorrows she's still the brightest star shining above in the night sky. She's beautiful, but was she beautiful on the inside too? Perhaps no, because as she grew up without the woman she committed herself to, there's also something rotten inside her grows.

"Why?" She asked as she looked at the ceiling as if it will give her answers to her questions. Her tears kept falling down like the waters of Banias waterfall. 

"She could've just picked a woman." 

Her hand reached for the bottle of amber-colored alcohol and chugged it down. The burning liquid  searing her throat was nothing compared to the burning ashes of her heart— she was utterly miserable. Bustling crowds or silent sleepers, she wasn't sure which was worse, but one thing for sure- she hates crowds as it will just remind Loren how cruel the world is, but hell, even the silence was consuming her alive.

The bleach blonde shouldn't be nursing a bottle of exquisite champagne because tomorrow is a big day, but she couldn't stop herself because she felt so anchorless.

—

Loren studied herself in the mirror; her ironed waves draped down to her bare shoulder. Her bangs was placed on the side while her lips were red like cherries in spring. She turned her head to her signature angle still examining every features she has. Her make up was light but it still emphasized her facets, but oh even the make up itself cannot conceal her tapestries unseen beneath. 

The sun, with its golden hues, slowly kissed the core of the sky from afar while the sky remained ocean-colored—it was indeed a picturesque view. Pia and her fellow taguigenos arose from their seats and applauded right after Loren and her co-candidates finished their speeches. They were on a covered court; the air was humid, but thankfully the court has electric fans. Loren trudged her way down to the stage with her hand guided by the ever-so-daring Migz. She occupied the vacant seat beside Pia, whose eyes were focused on Bong Bong, who was delivering his speech. 

Loren chuckled; it was so funny for her because Pia had to cover her hickeys with a pink scarf despite of the scorching sun. 

Pia turned her head sideways, "Baliw kaba?"