She Married A Gangster

Chapter 22

"So, I heard you studied at the US?"

"Yes, sir." I smiled and nodded. Interview ba to? Bat di ako nainform na maiinterview ako rito?

"Why? You could've stayed here in the Philippines." Nakangiting tanong ni Mrs.Peters, mama ni alien.

"She has her own reasons." Ace said quickly.

Tinignan siya ng masama ni Mr. Peters. "Don't interrupt the discussion."

"It's fine, honey." Ngumiti si Mrs. Peters sa asawa niya at tinuloy nila ang pagkain.

"A-actually," magsasalita na sana ko kaso biglang may nangyari.

"Tito, tita! Oh wow, Ace and," she fake coughed. "It's so nice of you to invite us." Out of the blue, biglang may dumating na multo kasama si Skylar.

Sinipa ko ang paa ni alien sa ilalim ng lamesa and mouthed the words: why is she here?

He gave me the look, just shrugged and continued to eat. HE JUST SHRUGGED.

"Star!" Abot langit ang ngiti ng mama ni Ace. For a second there, I felt a bit disappointed. Bakit parang mas masaya pa siya sa pagdating ni Star kaysa sa pagdating ko? "Come, baby. Sit down here with us."

"Of course, tita." Pch.

"Who's your friend?" Medyo nalighten-up din ang mukha ng papa ni Alien. "He looks familiar."

"Skylar Cifrinca, sir." Ngumiti si Skylar sa kanila.

"Of Cifrinca Holdings?" Napatigil sa pagkain si Mr. Peters.

"Yes, sir."

"We brought a cake, tita!" Hinatak niya si Skylar at umupo sila sa harapan namin ni alien. Katapat ko si Star at katapat naman ni alien si Skylar. Nasa magkabilang dulo naman si Mr. and Mrs. Peters.

"So, I hear you are not studying at Abbeville, Star? Why?" Concerned na tanong ni tita.

"No real reason in particular, tita. Gusto ko lang bigyan ng space si Ace and," fake cough nanamaan. Isa pang fake cough ng walangyang yan matutuluyan yan siya sakin eh.

At anong sinabi niya? Binibigyan niya kami ng space?

"Excuse me? Diba hindi ka napasa? Anong inaarte arte mo diyan? May pa space space ka pang nalalaman."

Pero syempre di ko sinabi yan. I stopped my mouth before I ruin my image in front of Alien's parents. Instead, I whispered...

"Still a liar."

However...

"Liar?" Sabi ni Star. Napatigil ng pagkain ang lahat at napatitig sakin. Nanginginig na si Star at this point. It would be too easy now. Pwede kong sabihing nagsisinungaling siya at masisira ang reputasyon niya sa mga Peters pero... Where's my evidence? Mas matagal nilang nakasama ang bruhang yan and they will believe her lies more than my truths.

"I said," tumingin ako sa kanya ng diretso. "I smell fire."

"Oh my gosh! I-check niyo ang buong bahay! Baka may nasusunog sa kusina! Dali!!!"

Nagpapanic na silang lahat maliban saming dalawa ni Star na nakatitig lang sa isa't isa. Tumayo si Mr. and Mrs. Peters, escorted by Ace and Skylar and a few butlers. Papalapit samin ang mga maids pero nakaupo lang kami ni Star. I remember a scenario like this from my past life. It's too vivid that I may mistake it as something that happened only yesterday.

"Katy! Anong nangyari?! Bakit nagkaganyan siya?!"

I-I'm scared. She has blood all over her face and b-body. I want to explain b-but...

"S-Star! What happened to you?"

"S-s-she kicked me then," more sobbing sounds, "scratched my face and told me I was stupid!"

N-no. That's not true.

"Is this true, Katy?!" Lumapit sakin si Ms. Sally. She kept on shaking my shoulders but I still can't utter a word.

B-blood...

"Call an ambulance!" Tumakbo si Ms. Sally palabas at naiwanan kami ni Star. "Help my student!"

"S-star..."

"Now," she coughed and blood continued to run in her face and body. "Everyone... will remember you.... as a little girl who... commited... *Cough* a crime out of... jealousy."

"That's not true! Star! No!"

Dumating na ang ambulansya at nagpapanic na ko sa loob loob ko. Hindi ako ang may kasalanan. Wala akong ginawa sa kanya.

But here we are... staring at each other's eyes with different expressions. I, with agony and fear of what's to come next. And Star, with a smile despite of the fresh wounds in her body.

And I still remember that sinister smile. In fact, I can see it in front of me right now. The same way that I saw it years ago.

"Great going, Katy." She laughed a little. "You really had to go that far?"

"Go how far, Star?" Bumalik si Skylar pero hindi na niya kasama si Ace.

"Nasan si Alie-- si Ace?" I stood up.

"He's with his parents. Second room to the left of that hallway." Tumuro si Skylar.

"Thank you."

Didiretso na ko pero hinawakan ni Skylar ang kamay ko kaya napatigil ako.

"What?" I asked.

"I thought you didn't have feelings for him?"

"Bakit? Pag gusto ko siyang makita, may feelings agad?" Nasupalpal ko tuloy siya. Napayuko siya at nilapitan siya ni Star.

"Let her go, Skylar." Bulong ng bruha. Binitawan niya ko.

"I'm sorry, Sky."

Dumiretso na ko but I heard something from him. A sentence so faint I had second thoughts about it.

No, Katy. I'm the one who should be sorry for you.