Captured by darkness ( Dark series #1 ) UNDER-EDITING

Chapter 16

Banquet

I've encountred a lot of different and deepest of everyone's vitality. A deep set of eyes that holds a thousands of emotions that the mind unable to speak. A deep conversation that holds a millions of spoken uncertainty. And a deep oceans that holds a countless treasures that hids into the deepest and darkest abyss.

But... I've never imagined that Malcolm's mind would be a deep that holds a countless of dark thoughts.

Oras pa lang ang lumilipas pero tumatakbo parin sa isip ko kung paano, kailan, at saan ko uumpisahan ang pinapagawa ni Malcolm.

I badly want my camera back. I sighed, knowing that it's not going to be easy. It's just a gadget but, it has value to me. Ito ang naging sandigan ko nung mga panahong hindi ko mahanap ang sarili ko. I was lost and feel empty that I dont know my purpose in life anymore.

But this camera, save me. And somehow, It became my sanctuary that every pictures that I took holds a substantial meaning.

Naglalakad ako pabalik nang clasroom nang tinawag ako ni Aviana mula sa likod. I tilted my head lightly, as my body still rooted in front. 

"Malapit nang mag summer, want to go somewhere? My treat..." She said while holding her camera.

Siguro may nakuha na naman siyang magandang pictures, na naging dahilan para gumanda ang mood niya.

I ended up facing her, after hearing her offer. " 'Di ba nakakahiya?" I asked, because it's really tempting. 

She lightly chuckled. "Sa'kin kapa nahiya? Eh, alam mo namang parang kapatid na kita!"

"Pero... Nakakahiya parin. Siguro sa condo na lang ako, tapos maghahanap nang part time." Finalty is on my voice.

Pero dahil si Aviana siya. Ipipilit nito ang gusto niya.

Crossing her arm, as she snorted. "Hindi! Sasama ka sa'kin. Besides, ang boring kapag ako lang mag isa," Pamimilit niya. 

"Pero..." I don't know what to say, kaya sa huli sinara ko na lang ang bibig ko. 

But it could be an advantage to captured my surroundings. Hindi na rin ako mahihirapan dahil may sasakyan naman si Av. But should I?

"So... Call?" Nakangiting sabi niya, while waiting and hoping to get my answer which is a big YES.

"Siguro pag--" She cutted my words, before I could say na pag iisipan ko.

"Walang pag iisipan. Sasama ka sa'kin. Tara, baka malate na tayo sa class," Hinatak niya ako at sabay na kaming tumakbo papunta sa room.

Gabi na nang makauwi kami ni Aviana mula sa school library, dahil sa pagtapos ng mga homeworks. It's friday, mahabang oras para makatulog para sa kinabukasan. And tonight, I just want to rest and lay on bed until the sun rise.

If choosing between eating and sleeping, I'd rather choose the latter. Aakyat na sana ako pabalik sa kwarto nang tawigin ako ni Aviana.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Naka pamewang na tanong niya, nakataas pa ang kilay.

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Kwarto ko, matutulog."

"Mukhang may nakakalimutan ka ata,"

I lazily rolled my eyes at her. "May dapat ba 'kong maalala?"

She walk towards me and drag me, as we both climb up the stairs and get inside her room. Ano na namang kayang balak ng babaeng ito?

I took a deep breath and sit on her bed. Kaunti na lang babagsak na ang mga mata ko! Tinignan ko ang kama at hinaplos ito. The soft mattress in my palm make me more sleepy. Ngumiti ako nang pagod at dahan-dahang ihihiga na sana ang katawan ko para matulog, nang hatakin na naman ako ni Av sa hindi ko malamang dahilan. Nilingon ko ang kama na pilit akong tinatawag para matulog.

I just wanted to sleep. Nakailang ulit akong naghikab, pilit pa ring nakatingin sa kama. Tumigil kami sa dresser niya at pinapili ako nang mga dress. "Now pick." 

I tap her shoulder while she's smiling like she'd won a lottery our situation. 

I frowned. "Gabi na, pajama ang kailangan ko Av, hindi dress." Still yawning.

Umiiling siyang nakatingin sa akin. "Nakalimutan mo na nga talaga, poor girl... Inimbitahan mo ang sarili mo sa'kin para sumama sa bar remember?" She explained as she sway her arms. 

Did I reaally invited myself? Kailan iyon? I tried to think and a memory of her and me, while eating at the breakfast last week with gusto.

Nagising ang natutulog kong diwa at napa diresto ng tayo. I move a little away from her. Knowing her, she know when I'm lying. Hindi maganda ito. Gusto ko na talagang matulog. Bakit ko pa kasi sinabi iyon. 

"Ah-- wala talaga kong maalala," Pag mamaangan ko.

I avoided her eyes. "Sige, Av matutulog na 'ko."

Nakatalikod na ako nang hatakin na naman niya ang kamay ko, at kumuha nang dress sa loob nang dreser niya at pinaupo ako sa tapat nang vanity mirror.

Hilig na ba niyang manghatak ngayon? Kaunti na lang matatanggal na yung braso ko.

"Alam kong naaalala mo, wala kang kawala ngayon Axia, " Holding both of my shoulder  as she laughed like a witch while we we're both looking at the mirror.

Seriously?

Lumipas ang oras at natagpuan ko na lang ang sarili kong suot suot ang dress na pinili ni Av para sa gabing ito.

"I'm not a prostitute right Av?" Nangangamba kong tanong.

She rolled her eyes. "Of course not! Ano ka ba, you're not a prosti, cause you're a natural beauty." Excitement was visible on her voice. 

I'm looking at myself in mirror, and I don't like what Im seeing. Sa suot kong dress pakiramdam ko ganoon ako. I am too sensitive.

The white plain v-neck shirt and a faded jeans with a match of pair of white shoes that I used to wear, turned into a extravagant bloody red backless dress, that hugs my body with a pair of killer black heels.

And what most irritating part for me but a lofy view for Aviana. My long and straight black hair was tied into a bun that could show and emphasize my back more, giving anyone an easy access to take a look from it.

I faced her. "I hate red."

Ngumuso siya. "But red loves you so much. Look it emphasize your white complexion." As she touched the hem of the dress. 

"You're a banquet of food that needs a liitle sugar and spice and viola! You got that yummy girl!" At pinitik ang hinalalaking daliri sa ere. 

"So let's go? Wala namang magagalit 'di ba?" Naka ngisi niyang tanong.

Kunot noong lumingon akong lumingon. "Wala naman." Sagot ko ng nalilito.

Meron ba dapat? Mami and Tata would surely not, because they even convinced me to have fun sometimes. So definitely wala.

"You sure?" Paninigurado ulit niya

"Wala,"

And that night, I let myself hauled into the shallowness of the night. A night that for the first time I took a less cared of towards everything.

KEYMEMOIRS