Chapter 13
"There's no way I'm gonna wear that." Umiling ako, Travis grinned devilishly as he showed me a white dress na may blue ribbon. "If I'll wear that magmumukha akong patay!" Bukas ay birthday ko na, Travis and I are currently looking for a dress that will be perfect on me, tomorrow, my party will be in Dad's mansion.
Of course, Travis is invited. After all, he is dad's business partner... that reminds me of how be bribed me just to get Travis on his side.
"Hmm, walang magbabago. You look dead yourself." He remarked, base sa tono ng boses niya, I can't sense if he is joking or serious.
Namula ang pisngi ko, "basta! Hindi ko 'yan susuotin!" Pagmamatigas ko.
Umiling-iling siya, "okay. Then how about this?" May nilabas ulit siya sa paperbag, isang dark red dress na kakaiba ang disenyo, napanganga ako habang iniisip ang sarili kong suot-suot ito. I will surely look intimidating but elegant. Purrrfect.
"I like that. Mabuti na lang at may pagka-gay ang fashion sense mo." I praised.
Kumunot ang noo niya, "is that a compliment?"
I smiled as I grab the dress, "nasa iyo na iyon." I looked at myself at the full-body mirror while the dress was in front, "thank you. Pwede ka nang lumayas sa pamamahay ko." Pagpapaalis ko kay Travis.
He pouted. "No. I want you to come with me downstairs and help me choose what I will wear too." It was already late and I need to have my sleep. Hays.
Tumawa ako nang marahan. "Ano ba Travis, you can use your talents... I mean your gay fashion sense sa pagpili." Patango-tango pa ako. Humikab ako. "Matutulog na ako."
Tinignan niya ako ng masama bago siya ngumisi, he closed the inches between us hanggang sa kunting galaw mo lang ay magkakadikit na ang inyong mga labi. Bakit biglang paiba-iba ang mood ng lalakeng ito? Split personality or bipolar lang talaga?
Nagulat ako nang bigla niyang hawakan ang kamay ko and then inserted something on my ring finger.
Tumingin ako sa malamig na bagay na sinuot niya, it was a ring with a diamond. A real one.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, saktong iyon ay biglang tumunog ang alarm clock, it was 12AM.
"Happy birthday, my labs." He said, then kissed my forehead. "Sweet dreams."
Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. I wanted to melt, no, I feel like I was melting! I feel so warm and loved right now! Hindi ko alam kung paano ako magre-respond. My mind went blank.
Lumunok ako. "T-Thanks..." I mentally slapped myself for stuttering.
He nodded before opening my room's door, "gotta go."
~*~
Upon waking up, I checked my social media accounts to see a bunch of people greeting me, humikab ako and did my first morning ritual, stretching my arms, at doon ko napansin ang singsing sa aking daliri.
Travis.
Umiling ako at saka ko sinampal-sampal ang sarili, bakit sa tuwing naaalala ko ang nangyari kaninang hatinggabi ay namumula ako?
Uggggh. This is bad. I thought I learned my lessons! Bakit hinahayaan kong mangyari ito?! Saka na lang ulit ako magsisisi kapag huli na ang lahat! I should stop this nonsense.
Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata, naalala ko ang pangalawang beses na niligtas ako ni Travis, kinaumagaan no'n ay sinalubong ako nina JM, Blue, Vivien, Ethan, at Trisha ng sermon kung saan raw ba ako nagsu-suot at hinahanap nila ako, syempre nagpalusot ako at hindi ko sinabi ang lahat ng nangyari, ang sinabi ko lang ay biglang sumakit ang ulo ko kaya umuwi na lang ako.
Nasa gitna ako ng pagmumuni muni nang tumunog ang phone ko, it was JM calling...
I pressed the accept button. "Hello!"
"Happy birthday, Kai!"
Ngumiti ako. "Don't forget my gift!"
He chuckled. "Of course! Tumawag lang ako to greet you a happy day para sa iyong pagtanda, so bye! See you at the party!"
He hang up.
Umiling na lang ako pero nakangiti pa rin.
After several minutes, I decided to get up and take a morning jog. Nagpalit ako into my running attire then went down.
Maaga pa naman, it was 5AM kaya hindi pa gaano marami ang mga tao. Perfect time for having a jog.
Tumingin ako sa paligid habang nagja-jogging nang nasa park na ako. Lumingon ako when I felt someone was following me.
"Travis?"
He grinned. "Hey."
"Why are you following me?"
"Just making sure that my princess is safe." Seryosong sagot niya habang tumatakbo rin tulad ko.
Habang tumatakbo ay natapilok ako, nanlaki ang mata ko nang napagtantong nawalan ako ng balanse, I braced myself for the impact of falling while calculating my wounds and the scars it will leave but then I felt strong hands hold my arm then pull me up for a warm hug to prevent myself from falling and getting hurt.
"See. You almost fell." Umiling siya, "such a clumsy baby."
Namula ako. Pawisan kaming dalawa kaya naman tila naghalo na ang pawis namin. Nakasunod ba siya sa akin all this time? But that's not it, iyong pawis kasi namin...
"U-Uhm..."
"Hmm?"
"Pwede mo na akong bitawan." I managed to say, namula siya at pinakawalan naman niya ako.
Bakit parang ang awkward namin ngayon?
"Let's go back," I offered, tumango naman siya at lumiko na kami ng direksyon pabalik sa Sapphira Tenshou.
Habang naglalakad kami ay hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin kay Travis at mapaisip...
If I only have met you sooner, would I still experience the pain of being broken? If only we met sooner, will I still be afraid to love again?
Habang naglalakad kami ay biglang hinawakan ni Travis ang kamay ko, tumingin ako sa kanya but he wasn't looking at me, nanigas ang kamay ko but then it softened as I accept his hand and intertwine our fingers, I felt safe and warm while we were walking but deep inside, my heart was bringing chaos to me.
I know this feeling and it should stop before I end up hurting again.
I don't want to cry again.
