Beneath Her | [R-16]

Chapter Two

I stayed in my room and watched her from my room. The view from my room was great. I could see her leaning in her bag, tired. Yung kaibigan ko of more than 10 years is suffering because I couldn't take a stand.

It's 4 a.m and I've tried tossing myself to sleep but I can't. Wala yung cellphone ko saakin, I don't know what to do. I heard a knock and saw one of my maids at the door. "Kinakamusta ng daddy mo yung sugat mo. Sabi nya matulog ka na rin daw."

"Mas maniniwala pa ko'ng sinabi yan ng driver kesa kay daddy." I crossed my arms. "Hindi naman, Nat."

"Tabihan mo ko, yaya." I smiled and we both watched Drey from my room. I couldn't step out to the balcony so we stayed inside. "Sa tingin mo ba, makakatulog ako while I see Drey on our driveway, alone and hungry." I asked as I looked at her cellphone on her pocket.

"She's not even begging us to let her in anymore. Nakaupo nalang sya, with no hope." I said and hugged her. "Okay lang yan, 'nak. Sigurado ako may mga kaibigan pa yang pinsan mo." at the right moment, I took her phone out of her pocket and opened it when she left.

Wala syang number ni Drey.

Shit.

I scrolled her contacts and I saw coach Ana. It's only fitting, since she did fetch me a lot of times before. Swimming coach ko sya dati but I gave up after two summers. Drey, however, is still attending her class before her dad died. Tinawagan ko sya at sinabihan syang kunin si Drey dito. "Okay, pupunta na ko." she said and ended the call.

I stepped out of the balcony and waited for coach Ana to come. Sobrang lamig at naka pajama pa ako. Papano pa kaya si Andrea? Nakita ko na may kausap sya sa cellphone, hoping it was coach.

At around 6 in the morning, may dumating na taxi. It was coach Ana and she helped Drey carry her bags. I saw the way Drey looked at me before getting in the taxi.

It got stuck in my head for a while. Every night I'd look outside my room and still see it. Consequences, I guess. When will be our karma?

"Hindi ka pa ba matutulog, 'nak?" tanong ni yaya Alma. Naging kasambahay namin sya after mamatay ni mommy. "Hindi po ako makatulog, yaya." I said as I feel the wind coming from my balcony.

"Pasok mo na bukas ah? Kailangan mo ng pahinga." she smiled as she handed me a glass of milk. "I can't. I keep on remembering everything."

"Isang taon na ang lumipas simula nung namatay ang tito mo. Hindi ka pa rin okay?" tanong nya at umupo sa tabi ko. "I've kinda forgot dahil hindi ko naging kaklase si Drey. Paano kung ngayong taon, pareho pala kami ng section? My conscience will hunt me down not just at night." I stared at the trees outside.

"Magkadugo kayo ni Andrea pero tatay mo si Fred. Would Drey want you to disobey your own father? May dahilan kung bakit nya ginawa yun 'nak. Matulog ka na, maaga ka pa bukas." sabi nya at umalis na. I tried to lay down as I keep on remembering. Hanggang sa nakatulog na ko sa sobrang daming iniisip.

Dumating na ako ng school at pinagdadasal ko'ng hindi ko kasama si Andrea. Hindi ko alam paano ko sya pakikisamahan.

Medyo late ako dumating at nakita ko na yung mga students sa klase. I found my room and also found Drey sitting near the entrance. Hindi muna ako pumasok pero nakita ako nung advisor. "Where are you going?" tanong nya.

"Pwede po bang lumipat ng section?" tanong ko. I'm sure she was confused. "Why?" she asked.

"Reasons."

"I'll ask the admins. But for now, stay here." nilagay nya yung kamay nya sa balikat ko at pinapasok ako. My heart pounded, akala ko sasamaan nya ko ng tingin pero wala naman ako nakitang reaction.

Pinabayaan ko nalang at umupo sa bandang likod. As long as we don't interact, okay na ko. "Hey." a boy nearly beside me said but I didn't respond. "Tabi tayo, okay lang?"

I nodded and didn't mind him. Pero bago pa sya makaupo may naglagay na ng bag sa upuan. "What the?" he looked up and we both saw a man with white skin. He doesn't look filipino at all, but he is asian.

Nauna 'ko." he smirked and sat. Bumalik na yung lalaki. "It doesn't matter, we'll have seating arrangements." hindi ko sya hinarap.

"I suppose." he replied.

I survived a whole day and 2 weeks in class. Wala rin naman akong nakatabi, I have my place at the back. I could quietly learn and not talk to anyone, if not necessary.

"Natalie, tawagin mo na ang mama Vicky mo." sabi ng daddy at dumiretso sa dining room. I quickly ran upstairs and looked for my stepmom. Their wedding anniversary just passed 2 months ago. She loved money so much that it fucking shows.

"Tita, kain na po." katok ko sa kwarto nya. Hindi ko na sya hinihintay at bumaba na. "Wait for me, dear." she giggled and opened the door. May mas pa plastik pa ba sakanya?

"Anong niluto ni yaya? Sana naman masarap na." tanong nya. "Hindi ko po alam." maikling ko'ng sabi. "Don't worry, I'll learn how to cook. Maybe I'll even be a better cook than your mom." she said and greeted my dad.

Maybe try to be a better person first.

"Honey, you're here." she kissed my dad. "Let's eat." my dad said and sat down. It was another day, waiting to pass by.

"I've talked to your professors." my dad smiled. I smiled back, knowing he's still interested with me. "They said your tests have high grade." he said but not looking very happy.

"Pero hindi daw mataas ang recitation mo. Hindi rin maganda yung social environment mo. Why is that?" he asked. "One said that sometimes they barely even know you're there."

"Another said you wanted to switch sections. Why is that?" he crossed his arms. "Kaklase ko kasi Drey, daddy." I avoided eye contact. "I know, that's not a reason."

"Nahihiya lang ako, dad. Ayoko masyado magpakita kay Drey, after ng nangyari dit--"

His fist landed strong on the table. "You're being a coward not shy. Walang Montenegrong duwag." he firmly said.

"Dad..."

"Maybe, this isn't a topic to be discussed at the table, Fred." I saw her hands grab my father's arm. "Bakit ka natatakot sa Andrea na yun?"

"You took everything from her. We took everything from her, dad. I'm not as shameless as you." I looked into his eyes. Walang Montenegrong duwag, diba?

"Lahat ng yun, saakin. Saatin!" he makes this claims with nothing backing him up. There's no way to make a point. I didn't before, I won't now.

"You're so weak. You still disappoint me." I heard him sigh. "You've told me that since I learned how to read. What else is new?"

"Nothing is new. You're still you." he said and shook his head. I admit, that one hurt. It's the same thing he says for a decade but this one is painful.

"What do I have to do to be your daughter, dad?" I've had enough. Tapos na ko'ng pakinggan syang sabihin sakin yan. "Stop running, Nat. Wala kang dapat ikatakot kay Drey. Nagbati ba kayo nung nanahimik ka?Show her who's boss, make her run away." he said and stood up.

"What do you mean?" tanong ko. "Get her to leave your room, your school, your course. I don't care if you get her expelled. I don't want you both in a same place." he said and left.