Forever Trapped

Chapter 3

I'm currently sharing a room with Mikee. Iyong gaga, sarap na sarap nang nakadapa sa kama. After twerking and that dirty dancing, hindi na ako nabigla kung pati legs niya ay mananakit.

I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm freaking jealous of this woman na ginawa pa yatang gatas ang alcohol. I, on the other hand, am seating at a chair with a tea in my hand and silently praying na sana, bukas paggising ko ay wala na iyong Phoenix.

I don't like his guts. He just said my name and I felt the need to run. He is that dangerous.

Mikee is still sleeping on the bed and I woke up real early. Hindi pa nga gaanong mainit, perfect for a morning dip. I wore my two-piece black bikini and peeked outside.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips. Takot ko na lang may tao. I'm usually not scared of people but only when I'm away or when I'm with strangers. Kapag kasi kakilala ko ang mga nasa paligid ko, I feel like it would be complicated. Iyong kahit nag-hi lang o ano, it's just- anything or anyone could be up to something and I hate complications.

Being in a relationship is just never for me... never an option. I don't even consider the idea.

Wala na akong ibang dala bukod sa sunglasses ko. The beach is just so close here which is very convenient.

I smiled widely when I saw no one there. Thank you, Mother Earth for being so good to me today!

I just went for a quick dip at saka tumambay muna sa isa sa mga beach bed. I laid there and felt the sun's morning heat. This feels so good and the sound of the sea? Just meditating.

Baka pag-uwi ko ay cleansed na ang kaluluwa ko. My parents would throw a fucking party, that's for sure.

"Good morning!"

"Fuck!" I removed my sunglasses and Cynthia was grinning at me. That's creepy. I saw her talk (and by talk I mean whisper on each other's ear kahit hindi naman kailangan) with a model last night. That could be the reason why she's so energetic. This woman, really. So full of energy. "You scared the crap out of me."

She sat on the other day bed beside me. She's just wearing a summer dress. Mukhang hindi naman siya maliligo sa dagat. It's either she's here to enjoy the sea or annoy the shit out of me when she saw me outside. I bet my butt that's the latter.

"Welcome to the family," sabi niya pa, smiling at me or more like smirking. I want to lift the other side of her lip so she wouldn't look like a bitch right now.

"Pinagsasabi mo diyan?"

"Wala lang. Parang family na kasi tayo. This is just me, officially welcoming you."

I sat on the corner and looked at the waves. And I just thought I'm a new person; more relaxed and calm after looking at the sea. Lies I tell myself.

I looked at Cynthia straight in the eyes. Tinanggal ko pa iyong shades ko para makita niya na hindi ako nagbibiro.

"Grabe ka naman, Zahara." she laughed loudly. "Para namang sinusunog mo na ang kaluluwa ko somewhere with that stare."

"I love you with all my heart, Cynthia but if you keep playing games like that-"

"Eto naman. I'm just kidding. Relax." Tatawa-tawang sagot niya pa. "I'm just kidding. However, I think my dear cousin is not."

"The fuck are you saying?" I have forgotten how many times I've said that already.

Cynthia wanted to laugh pero pinipigilan niya iyong sarili niya. Akala niya siguro, thay would escape my eyes. Of course not! Kahit pa mag shades siya, I'd still know if she is lying.

"He asked for your full name and... just some details."

"And you told him?"

"Yeah," casual na sabi niya. "In my defense, mga useless facts lang naman sinasabi ko. Other than your full name-"

"You told him my full name?" I grunted but I'm not angry with Cynthia. I mean, ano naman ang gagawin niya sa pangalan ko? In the end, that's just my name. That's just it.

"Ex mo ba iyong pinsan ko?" She suddenly asked which made me speechless. I wanted to deny it but she quickly shook her head, "Kagabi niya lang nalaman iyong pangalan mo. I mean, anything could happen but I don't think you'll commit to someone if you don't even know their full name. "Did you-"

"No!" No, no. Whatever that is, I'd rather deny it already than hear the words directly.

"So defensive, Zahara. Just stay cool." she said but right now, I'm not sure if she believes my defensive 'No'.

Might as well tell her. I mean, if I want to stay away from Phoenix, maybe this girl will help me.

"Just made out with him once," I said staring straight into the water. Ugh, I'm really not a kiss-and-tell person. I can feel every part of my body objecting to my confession. "Iyon lang."

Yeah. Why are making a big deal out of this? Can't really understand.

"What? Iyon lang?"

I nodded. Feeling a little relieved now.

"Iyon lang and you have my cousin wrapped around your finger? Lagot ka talaga, Zahara. You know what I say about the Figueroa's. We're a great fam but we tend to be..." Instead of continuing what she said, she just laughed at my face.

Possessive. I know what she's going to say.

With their properties, their families, they are... whatever. Figueroa's are so damn possessive. Cynthia hated some of her relatives for that pero kahit siya ay hindi din nakatakas with that possessive gene, though she might deny having it sometimes.

"Don't worry. I can assure you that Fin is the most gentleman." Dagdag niya pa na para bang makakatulong sa akin iyon.

I was done doing some readings for one of my classes. I'm not a big fan of reading and I've been fighting the urge to sleep kanina pa. I think it's time for that one cup of coffee.

After getting my coffee, sandali akong umupo sa kusina. The house is so quiet I can hardly hear anyone. It's not even because it's late already. No matter what time of the day it is, it's always this quiet. Once I graduate, I'll make Daddy give me an average size condo unit as a gift. Kung ako na lang din man mag-isa, then there's no need for too much space. The silence is almost annoying.

Even with the promise that I won't take a glimpse of my phone during study period, binuksan ko pa rin iyon nang marinig na may nag-message. I rolled my eyes when I saw it was one of the group chats and of course, another reading.

I was just enjoying my coffee when I saw a familiar name on my follow requests.

Phoenix Figueroa

phoenix_roa

Confirm | Delete

I didn't even blink or think twice and just deleted that follow request.

I'll just keep running away, I'm sure he will get tired of chasing me. If he won't I'll make him. I always do because I may not be a lot of things but I am stubborn. Zahara is for Zahara only and not for anyone else... not even a Figueroa.