Gunita [EDITING]

cinco

I was still shaking when Uno came. Nakaalis ako nang maayos sa mansion without telling my dad since the guard already noticed that I wasn't feeling okay, pinasabi ko na lang din na sila na ang magpaalam para sa'kin. Sobrang disrespectful since the party was dedicated to me, but what can I do? I needed to stay away from Fallon as soon as possible... being near that guy meant death.

Pagkasakay ko ng kotse ni Uno, he immediately stepped on the engine and drove away from Corinthian Gardens as fast as he could... tears were still falling from my eyes non-stop, as if he brought me back to that dreadful day that I've always wanted to bury.

Yet, they still give me nightmares every night—as if they'll forever haunt my sleep.

When we arrived at the nearest Starbucks, agad akong bumaba. I needed coffee to calm my nerves—it has always been my go-to drink to calm my soul. While Uno was ordering, I sat by the window and watched the cars pass by. I was biting my nails, and I was still shaking after what happened. Sobrang ikli lang no'n... but it was already enough to scare me again for the rest of my life.

I never thought he'd be able to screw up with my mind again... akala ko okay na'ko. Apat na taon na... pero, the moment I saw him, smiling and laughing like nothing happened four years ago... it felt like I just wanted to dig my own grave.

How can he just freely talk about what happened four years ago? Is he really this cruel?

"O." I smiled timidly and thanked him for the coffee, agad kong itinusok 'yung straw sa lid at uminom. Uno was just silent as he drinks from his coffee.

"Uno..." I said, out of the blue. "Why do you hate me?"

He sighed at ipinatong 'yung hawak niyang cup sa table, "Ang bait mo masiyado, Brandi. Nakakairita," he said. "And I just don't like the atmosphere when I'm with you. Pakiramdam ko may nakatutok na sniper sa batok ko."

Natawa ako, "But you're here with me," I said before taking a sip from my coffee.

"E 'di si Zach na lang sana tinawagan mo kaysa ako," sambit niya. I tried to smile... the last time I saw Fallon and had a breakdown, si Zach lagi ang tinatawagan ko. I have already saved his number on my speed dial... until now. Pero siguro, I was panicking so much that I wasn't even able to check whom I called. "But I get it, Brandi. Still... not a reason for us to get close just like what they all want to."

I chuckled, "I hate you too, just so you know. You arrogant vocalist."

Uno stayed silent as we both watch cars pass by along the boulevard. But for a moment, I knew I saw how the side of his lip curled upwards for just a second before it went back to how he usually looked like every time.

"Bakit siya bumalik?" Nagulat ako nang biglang magsalita si Uno, he was looking at me intently, as if trying to find answers. Agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin bago inubos ang kape ko. "Brandi..."

I shook my head, "Hindi ko alam," I said. "Maybe to scare me even more," I added, chuckling. "Can... can we not talk about Fallon, Uno?"

Uno sighed. Nanatili na lang kaming tahimik pareho. Maybe he even realized that I didn't want to talk kaya kinuha na lang niya 'yung bag niya at nagbasa.

"You're studying in advance."

Tumango lang si Uno habang nagsusulat sa yellow paper, "Okay naman 'yung first year ko, pero pakiramdam ko gusto ko na lang mag-dropout anytime," sambit niya at napatingin sa'kin, removing his glasses. "Pero, ayaw ko namang biguin si mama. Pangako ko sa kan'ya 'to. Hinayaan na nga niya 'yung pagbabanda ko kahit mahirap pagsabayin... tiyaga na lang talaga."

I smiled, "You're speaking a lot ha."

Napa-buntonghininga naman si Uno at bumalik na sa pagbabasa. Hinayaan ko na lang din s'ya sa ginagawa niya at pinanood na lang siyang mag-aral.