When I Escaped

Chapter 11

Nagpaalam ako kay sir Trevor na hindi ako makatrabaho ngayong gabi dahil may pupuntahan akong importante.

"Jul, hindi ako makapunta sa birthday ni Trav dahil may aasikasohin akong papeles." si Mama

"Ma, nageexpect si Trav na magpunta tayo doon." giit ko.

"I talked to him already." she smiled.

"Edi kayo na close." tumawa ako at nagshower.

"Julie, si Dynah nandito." sigaw niya na halos hindi ko pa marinig.

Nang matapos ako ay tinulungan ako ni bakla sa kung anong bagay na sapatos at bag sa dress ko.

"Ganders mo naman, tralala na sayo mga boylets." si Dynah

"I did this for myself not for boys." taray kong sabi "And for you, of course." I added at niyakap ko siya.

"You know, I really wanted to have a sister and you acted like one." sabi niya. "Hinding hindi ako nagsisi na naging kaibigan kita."

"Well, I think everybody changed. They seemed to start caring about me." I explained.

"They did not, you did, you cared." bulong niya.

I managed to smile. "Let's go?"

"Sandali lang yung buhok mo parang si Ursula jusko." Dynah curled my long black hair. At nilagyan niya ako ng pulang lipstick.

Tumingin ako sa salamin. I looked like a grown woman (who secretly watch cartoons every night) and I feel confident at the same time terrified.

"Oh Julie! you're so beautiful." my mom exclaimed.

Hindi ako sanay sa mga papuri kaya hiyang hiya ako at hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin.

"Mauna na po kami, Ma" bilin ko.

Nang papasok na kami sa Amtyville, pinapawisan na yung kamay at kilikili ko.

Mygad hindi pa ako ready. Napakaraming tao na pumapasok.

We arrived and I was there in front of Travis's house in amazement. Ang bahay nila ay napakalaki parang limang football field at ang disenyo ay tulad ng aming bahay pero mas detailed parang bahay ng isang greek god, from the outside, I can see marble columns and friezes. The vintage arched windows were 10 ft high. Pumasok kami and I was shocked, ang walls ay puno ng paintings na karamihan ay abstract at merong signature ni Trav.

"Gerl, punta muna ako kay Justin." pakiusap ni Dynah. Justin is Dynah's boyfriend, mabait naman.

Tumango ako at naghanap ng mauupuan. Nakita ko si Ella, ang ganda niya parang si Belle, nakasuot ng yellow na gown. Naguusap sila ng matandang bababe na bumili sa cafe, she was the one who left me with extra tip. Si Connor papasok kasama ng football players, lahat sila ang gugwapo. Connor wore a black tux with blue necktie and his hair is neatly brushed back.

I checked my bag and I forgot my damn phone.

"Lagot, papaano ko 'to tatawagan si Trav, hindi ko naman pwede libutin yung bahay niya." bulong ko sa sarili.

Paparami ang mga tao at nahihilo na rin ako sa malakas na music and I froze. I was about to go out when somebody whispered in my ear at yung mga balahibo ko sa braso ay tumatayo. "You're so beautiful but too flashy, princess. Boys will go crazy with you." I can feel his arms around my waist hugging me from the back and my heart is beating rapidly.

I turned my head a bit para makita siya. "Happy birthday baks!" yon lang lumabas sa bibig ko because he's still hugging me.

"Anong box?" tanong niya.

"Sabi ko baks, in short for bakulaw."

"You smell like flowers and vanilla. Yum!" he said and I jerked back.

I rolled my eyes. "Hope you'll like my gift. Ikaw ba nagpaint ng lahat lahat nito" tinuro ko ang paintings na nakasabit sa pader.

He just stared at me. "You're the best gift I received in my life."

He really gives me goosebumps. I don't know what I feel but the only thing I know that he was just my friend, bestfriend.

He brought me in a huge room. Parang kwarto ng prinsesa and I think it's Tracy's.

"Trav magsastart na yung party dapat magbihis ka na!" I insisted.

"Sit" he commanded.

The next thing I knew nasasaktan na ako sa ginagawa ni Trav.

"Ouch Trav! Ahhh! Hindi ka ba marunong masakit na talaga." umiiyak na ako.

"Sandali na lang, dumudugo Jul." mahinang sabi niya.

"Push it harder, Trav!" sigaw ko.

Sa wakas nakapasok rin yung hikaw na binigay sa akin ni Travis. It was a 14K gold at may ruby sa gitna.

"I can't accept this." as I look in the mirror.

"Tracey said give it to the girl who makes me happy and you did, you make me happy." si Travis.

Niyakap ko siya. "Salamat sa lahat lahat Trav. You're one of the reasons why I don't want to escape."

"I like you, Jul" he whispered but I pretended not to hear it.

The party started, I can see Trav clearly. He also wore a black tux with a red necktie, his hair is messy but still handsome.

I ate in the table with my few classmates including Dynah. Connor's on the other side of the table pero makikita ko sa peripheral view na tumitingin siya sa akin.

"What?" I mouthed to him.

He looked away and smiled. Jusko matutunaw na ako sa ngiti niya.

Travis approached me and took me to the garden. He spent most of his time with me.

"Hey! Lil bro, happy birthday! Sorry I'm fucking late." May tumawag kay Travis.

I looked back at nanlaki yung mga mata ko. "Sir Trevor?"

"Sup, Julie. You look good." si Trevor.

Si Travis parang namumutla."Jul, this is Trevor my elder brother and Trev-"

"Yes, she works in Tracey's coffee shop." Trevor smiled.

"Yeah, I know mom told me." si Travis.

Nanginginig na ako.

"So, ikaw pala yung Julie na bukambibig ni Trav." Trevor added.

I can see Travis's face turning red. "Yes, she is." sagot niya.

Trevor faced me at kinamayan ako. "Your dad was a great architect, pleasure to meet you."

Tunganga lang ako.

"Th-Thank you sir."

Hinatak ako ni Trav papalayo. "Excuse us, big bro."

"Kaya pala kapareho yung mga mata niyo and I met your mom too." sabi ko habang naglakad.
"Thanks for not telling my mom."

"Why didn't you tell me beforehand?" tanong niya mukhang galit pero hindi naman. "Don't you trust me?"

"Of course, I trust you it's just that I'm afraid that you're going to tell mom about it." mahina kong sagot.

"She cares for you so much, Jul. Hindi niya lang gusto na magtrabaho ka dahil hadlang sa pagaaral mo." he explained.

"Sorry, gusto ko lang naman makatulong" yumuko ako.

"It's okay, I will not tell her." ngumiti na siya. "I'll be with you when you work."

Everytime we're talking about our problems, he really knows what to say. He's so mature in dealing life.

"How do you do that?" I asked, confused.

"Do what?"

"Lahat ng sinasabi mo parang scripted and you're just like my dad."

He smiled and kissed my forehead. "I'll introduce you to my mom."