Love, Lies and Alibis (Henares Series #1)

Eleven

Remember

"You guys going somewhere?" Sinipat ni Senyora Lovella ang aking suot.

Isang black long sleeved V-neck off-shoulder na may black and white stripes sa neckline at dulo ng manggas. Sa pang-ibaba ay pinaresan ko ng simpleng light blue jeans. Cassi on my side was in blue tailored rompers.

"Yes po, Tita. We're gonna watch Pavlo's band play at Haven." Si Tati na nakasunod sa aming likod, chose a sweetheart top at leather mini skirt.

We obviously don't fit for tonight's formal dinner dress code.

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang mahabang mesa. Senyora Lovella, dressed in an olive dress is situated in her designated seat. Bakante ang kabisera at ang unang upuan sa kanan dahil nasa Cebu pa si Don Gabriel at Doña Dulce.

Ang lahat ay nakaupo sa madalas nilang upuan. Except Jela, who's occupying my seat beside Voyd.

Tumikhim ako at nilihis ang tingin mula roon. As Jela smirked at me. Niyapos ni Tatiana ang aking braso sabay marahang giya sa bakanteng upuan sa katapat.

I settled on Dane's seat, opposite to Jela's. Wala halos ang mga lalaking Henares dahil sa pag-aaral kaya bakante rin ang mga upuan.

"Tati, I wanna sit beside Ate." Ungot ni Cassi nang naupo sa aking tabi si Tatiana.

She vacated her seat and went to us para makipag-agawan ng upuan sa pinsan. Senyora chuckled while watching us fondly.

"The girls really like you, Margo. Mabuti naman at nagkakaintindihan kayo. You know, they can be really picky when it comes to people they interact with."

"Of course, Tita." Karramina, looking like a goddess in her golden jumpsuit and cascading light brown curls laughed mockingly. Sabay sulyap kay Jela.

"They're fun to be with po, Senyo-" Napatikhim ako sa pag-angat ng kilay ng ginang. "I mean M-mama..."

She smiled and nodded with satisfaction. Sa huli ay natatawang pinaubaya na lamang ni Tati kay Cassi ang upuan.

"Tita, you looked so amazing!" Si Jela sa gitna ng usapan.

"Thank you, darling Jela. Kumusta ang iyong Daddy? I hope he's dealing the crisis well?"

Hindi na ako nakaimik. Dama ko ang matiim na titig ni Voyd sa akin habang may katawagan. Dinungaw ko ang pinggan sa aking harap. Ang baso ng tubig. Ang mga putahe sa mesa. Sina Cassi na may pinag-uusapang hindi ko na nasundan. Everywhere but him.

"Oh where are my manners!" Bulalas ni Senyora Lovella at binalingan ako. "Margo, this is Jela Rillera by the way... Childhood friend siya ni Voyd at Gigi kaya naman madalas siya dito."

Nakataas ang kilay, puno ng pang-uuyam ang mata nang bumaling si Jela sa akin. Malamig ko siyang tiningnan. Hoping that she could see it in my eyes that I'm tired of her bitching around and acting like a kid.

She already got what she wanted!

"And Jela this is Margo Lopez, Voyd's future wife. She's a painter."

"We've met already, Mama." I timidly smiled at Jela causing her surprised expression and wide eyes. "Ipinakilala siya sa akin ni Voyd sa Bangco."

"Oh yes of course! Naalala kong doon nga pala kayong magkasintahan ng ilang linggo." Ani Senyora na siyang nagpatalim ng tingin ni Jela sa akin.

"Mama, Lola wants to talk to you..." Voyd interrupted. Nakatitig na naman siya sa akin habang umuupo. "Go back to your seat, Jela." I heard him whisper as his mother stood up to take the call.

Bile is slowly rising up my throat as I try to avert my attention from them. He is in light blue long sleeves.While Jela, pretending not to hear what he said, is in white dress. Her jet black hair tied in a bun.

They look good together. Too fucking good I lost my appetite.

Sa isip ay hindi mabura-bura ang imahe nila sa kwadra kanina. Voyd went horseback riding with her. Which he's never done with me sa tagal ng pananatili ko rito. I wonder if they had such a good time.

Of course, Sia! Stop being a masochist!

Dumating si Senyor Raphael at sa wakas ay natahimik ang mesa. Karra said the grace and we started the dinner afterwards.

"You're going out with them?" Voyd asked in a low tone.

Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay nagtagpo ang mata namin. His eyes cold and were void of emotion. Parang galit na malungkot na ewan. His hair was slightly messy. Maybe Jela didn't fix his hair like I always do before dinner.

I felt the sting in my chest and looked down at my food.

"Yeah..." Wala sa oras akong napainom ng tubig.

Tumango si Voyd. Si Jela naman na kanina'y abala sa pagkikipag-usap kay Senyora ay napatingin sa amin.

"Be careful."

Napatango rin ako at hindi na siya tiningnan pa. Buong durasyon ng dinner ay wala akong gana pero hindi ko na lamang pinahalata. Mas marami pa yata ang champagne intake ko kaysa sa pagkain.

I'm glad he didn't try to stop me from going. Wala naman talaga siyang karapatan pa. I didn't say anything when he paraded his affair with Jela right in front of me.

Kaya dapat ganuon rin siya. Amanos lang kami.

"Are you ready, Ate? Let's get drunk tonight!" Tatiana giggled beside me while squeezing my arm.

Nakasakay na kami at si Trigger na lamang ang hinihintay. Napapagitnaan ako ni Tati at Cassi.

"You're not getting drunk tonight, Tati. You're not even legal to have a drink." Sabat ni Pavlo na nasa likurang bahagi ng Expedition.

Kumalabog ang pinto sa driver seat pagkapasok ni Trigger.

"What took you so long, bro?"

"Kuya." Seryoso si Trigger na agad dumapo sa akin ang tingin.

"Duh, Twinnie! In case you forgot we're of the same age. So if I'm not allowed, neither do you."

Pavlo scoffed at his twin sister. Recently ko lang nalaman, na kambal rin pala ang dalawang ito. At kung anong kina-identical nina Zandrei at Klayton, kabaliktaran naman ang dalawa.

Umusad na ang sasakyan ngunit patuloy pa rin ang bangayan ng magkapatid. Humilig si Cassi sa akin habang nakaangat ang phone para magselfie. Matipid akong ngumiti sa camera.

"Lalaki ako, which makes us very different. Whether I'm of legal age or not, I can drink— And what heck are you wearing?"

"They're clothes, Pavlo."

Naghalakhakan kami sa pamimilosopo ni Tati. Kahit hindi ko lingunin si Pavlo, alam kung salubong na ang kilay nito.

"Your skirt is too skimpy! You're showing too much skin!"

"What's wrong with that, Pavlo? Golden tan is a very-hard-to-achieve­ complexion! Tati has every right to show off her asset." Si Karra mula sa front seat.

Nag-high five ang dalawa. And Pavlo hissed.

"Getting your own dose of medicine from your sister, eh?" Pang-aasar ni Trig sa pinsan.

"Isa ka pa, K! You're not allowed to drink. Sumbong kita kay Tita."

"You're such a party pooper, Pavlo!" Si Cassi.

"Oh Cassi! Buhay ka pa pala? Akala ko kinain ka na ng Wattpad?"

Trigger chuckled. Isang sapak ang naging sagot ni Cassi.