Sweetest Taste of Life

Chapter 4

Akala ko tapos na ang problema after that scene, but it doesn't stop there. Many hated us, me and Sapphire, because of the gossips made by the seniors who fought with us.

They said na nagpa plastic surgery kami kaya perfect ang pagkagawa ng mukha namin. They even told everybody that lumaki ang ulo namin dahil sa compliments na binibigay nila sa amin kaya nawawalan na daw ang respeto namin.

Sapphire can't just remain silent. I know she's angry with the gossips she hear. I'm afraid she can't hold her temper.

"Sapphire. Just remain silent. Let's pretend na wala tayong naririnig okay? " I said calmly.

"Shanaya! We can't -" pinutol ko ang sasabihin niya.

"Correction:Aya" I said.

"Whatever. Mananahimik na lang tayo habang sinisiraan nila tayo? What do you want then Aya? Masisira ang pangalan natin? Our image will get dirt Aya. Ayoko ng ganun." protesta niya. I get her point. Pero mas lalala kung magsasalita pa kami.

"You Girls, kami ba ang pinag-uusapan niyo? Why not talk about yourselves? You can't just judge us." pagtaas ng boses ni Sapphire. Oh no!

"No, we aren't! We're just surprised with what we saw" at tinapat nila sa amin ang isang picture.

Me, myself surprised with what I saw too. That was taken a month ago. That's when me and Jared broke up. I found myself na parang basang sisiw. Kneeling in front of a man who broke my heart.

"Tell me, sino ang nagshare sa inyo ng picture? Who?! Kalat na ba?!" I'm angry. Hindi nila pwedeng makita ang picture na yan. Bakit ba kasi ang tanga ko noon?

"It's me who spread the pictures" at mas na-surprise nang makita ko kung sino.

"Surprised? Nice to see you again my dearest bestfriend." she sarcastically stated.

It's Arianne Torres, my bestfriend before. The one who had a huge crush on Jared but it was me he choosed.

"Best, may sasabihin ako sayo. Diba kilala mo si Jared Villanueva? Omg! He's so cute. You know what?  He invited me to have lunch. Sabi niya isama na lang din kita para mas masaya" ang saya-saya ni Ari ng ikuwento niya sa akin.

After that, pumunta kami sa isang coffee shop near our school. Nandun na si Jared naghihintay sa amin. Ari is so beautiful. Nagdress pa siya at naglagay ng kunting make-up. While me, simpleng ripped jeans and off shoulder lang.

"Hi" he greeted us and he offered his hand. His smile is the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. Ari is right. He's charismatic.

Kumain kami and Ari just talked and talked while me and Jared, nagtitinginan lang. I caught him staring at me.

After that day, madalas ng nakikisama si Jared sa amin. And an unknown feelings just grew in my heart.

I thought he's courting Arianne but I was wrong.

"Aya, I need to tell you something. Just come at the coffee shop" at binaba na niya ang tawag. Wala na akong sinayang na minuto so I did to go there as much as possible. I saw a bouquet on the table.

"Wow, is that for my bestfriend? It's beautiful" pagparangal ko. He stayed silent.

"This is for you not for her. Aya, it's been months since I admired you. I'm not courting Arianne. I will court you, whether you like it or not." at tumayo na siya leaving me with no words to say.

He pursued me secretly. I wanted to tell her but I'm afraid. Until that day, nalaman niya na ang lahat.

"Kailan pa Aya? Ha? You know that I like him so much but you let him court you!. And you didn't even dare to tell me? What the fuck! Am I really your bestfriend? Why did you hide it. Why did you let it happen? I'm so broken, it's because you hid everything. Pinagmukha niyo akong tanga!" iyak siya ng iyak.

"I wanted to tell you but I'm afraid. I'm so sorry Arianne." Ayaw lumabas ng mga salitang gusto kong sabihin.

"Sorry, that's it? Tell me, do you like him? No, do you love him?" she asked me directly. God, why did you let this happen.

"So, it is. Silence means Yes. Okay, be happy Aya. Be happy with him. But mark my word, you can't run with me if you're going to break. You can't run to me anymore because this is the end of our friendship. It's over!" at tumakbo na siya palayo sa akin.

Tumulo na lang ang luha sa aking mga mata. I do miss her but she changed. It's my fault why she changed.

"You're crying, are you? Bakit masakit ba sa mata na makita ulit ako ng bestfriend ko? Let me correct it. My Ex Bestfriend" sarkastiko niyang sabi.

Ni isang salita, walang lumabas sa bibig ko na parang bumalik ang sakit ng kahapon noong tinapos niya ang pagkakaibigan namin. Na dahil na rin sa pag-iisip ko, nawala na pala siya sa harap ko.

"Aya, let's go? Here. " inabot ni Sapphire ang panyo sa akin. I accepted it at doon ako umiyak ng umiyak.

Wala na kaming klase. I told Sapphire not to follow me. Pumunta ako sa rooftop ng building. It's 3 pm in the afternoon. The wind is blowing. The sky is dark and the clouds are thick. Umupo ako sa may gilid at nagpalinga-linga. Iniisip ang mga nangyari sa nakaraan. Mga kabobohang nagawa ko. Mga hindi magandang desisyon na pinagsisihan ko. Iniyak ko na lang ang sakit na dulot ng nakaraan ko.

"Why are you here?" someone asked. I know who's voice is that.

"It's none of your business" I answered.

"Nice answer" sarkastiko niya ring sagot.

No one dared to speak after that. Akala ko umalis na nga siya.

"Shanaya, why do you hate being called by your name? " he suddenly asked. Ganito ba talaga siya? Magtatanong out of the blue?

"Shanaya. I hate that name. Do you know what it means? It's someone that shines as bright as the morning sun. They named me Shanaya but I can't shine like the  morning sun to give them light. I only give them problems, that's called darkness. Yes, I'm beautiful but I always ended up being alone. I can't brighten up someone's day, someone's life. The morning sun gives vitamin, right?  But Ako ang nagbibigay sa kanila ng sakit. I always ended up asking how my life is so cruel. So unfair. " ugh! Bakit ko pala sinabi sa kanya?

"Shanaya is a beautiful name. Do you know why they named me SPARSH? It is the touch of love. It's because of the love that binds between my parents. I am a remembrance to them. They treasure me so much" he smiled after talking.

"I'm glad you have parents like them. Sana nga lahat ng parents, ganun din. Pero hindi eh! Unfair talaga ang buhay. My parents? They never been proud of me. Si Ate lang. Siya ang perfect para sa kanila kasi palagi siyang achiever since she was a child samantalang ako, never nilang na notice. I did my best but my best wasn't enough. They still keep on comparing me with my ate. I don't hate my ate. I just hate myself. I hate why I don't have the same IQ level like her." I never thought na sa kanya ko maikukuwento lahat ng sakit na kinikimkim ko.

"Shanaya. You don't need to make yourself hard. You're different with your sister. Prove them that you'll achieve. Hindi man kasintaas ng sister mo, atleast, you gave your best. You can do it, Shanaya. I trust you" I stared at him on his side view. It's been a long time that I heard that word from a person.

"You.... Trust me Sparsh? " Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Yes. I trust you Shanaya. Even if you don't trust me, I'll trust you My Crying Lady".