Embracing The Lies

Chapter 2

Lies. 

"See this diamond ring on her finger? It's a prove that she's my girl."

Then, he glanced at me with his eyes flickering and a smirk smile.

I pushed him a little to distance myself.

I heard everyone 'woah' and judgements right away.

"That was a lie!" I instantly shouted and so everyone was confused. What the hell is he talking about?! Ni-hindi ko nga siya kilala!

"Baby, it's not a lie. I know you're scared that they might judge you, but who cares? I love you, and I will fight with whoever stumbles our relationship, for you. Please, just let's admit it so we can be happy freely," he painfully trailed off. 

"You crazy jerk! I don't even know you!" I shouted again. Tinignan ko ang lahat at nakita ang mga camera na nakatuon sa amin. I was here for lumpia, not even for a prank! 

Everyone was looking at us now. I felt so pressure and conscious. How to get out of here? I tried to walk but he stopped me. He faced the public and even the cameras. 

"I know you all are surprised but we've been dating for  2 years now. Yes, I dated a non-showbiz girl. I'm really sorry. I apologize if we came out late. She was just so pure that she didn't want to ruin the dream I built for myself. However, while dating her, I realized that I changed my dream." He looked at me. "And that is to be her husband and have a complete family with her."

'Yong iba naghiyawan sa kilig habang 'yong iba naman ay nagkahalandusay sa iyak.

What the hell? 

I cringe!

"I. Don't. Know. You." Madiin kong sabi.

"Baby..." he sweetly said as if he's really sincere. Artista nga 'to, sobrang galing umarte.

"So you were the mistress!" Napatingin ako sa blonde hair pero isang napakalutong na sampal lang nakuha ko. Parang buong pagkatao ko ang lumiban sa katawan ko. Hinawakan ko ang pisnge ko dahil sa sakit. I glared at her.

"Claire!" The jerk shouted then pulled her out in front of me.

"The f*cking mistress!!! How can you all sleep at night knowing that you betrayed someone?!" She shouted in pain. "Paano niyo magawang manloko ng taong walang ginawa kundi mahalin kayo?" She cried terribly like a victim. 

Ramdam ko na ang init na tingin sa akin ng lahat. They were mocking, bashing and laughing out at my appearance. I feel so small. Nakakagigil!

"Claire, she was no mistress for there was nothing between us."

"Oh 'yon naman pala 'e, walang kayo kaya huwag mo akong matawag-tawag na kabit! At kailanman hindi ako magiging kabit dahil hindi ko kayo kilala!" 

She raised her brows.

"Really? How sure are you? If there was nothing between us, then how come that I am living at his place, close with his parents and even with his whole family? Truth, he's a cheated and you're a HOE," she emphasized the hoe which made it look more savage. 

I scoffed. Wow. Just wow! I couldn't believe I was called a hoe when in fact I was only here for lumpia!

Kung si Sorscha makakarinig nito malamang sa malamang sira na mukha nito! 

"Excuse me! Watch your words b***h! Bakit kasi ayaw mong maniwala na wala akong alam sa inyo, maganda ka talaga sana pero bobo ka rin 'e!"  Hindi na ako nakapagpigil.

I saw how the crowd made noise to my sentence. 

"b***h!" She tried to pull my hair but this jerk stopped her again and made himself a shield to me. Now, all I am seeing was his broaden back. He smells nice, tho. 

"I am not a cheater, Claire. You know yourself that you were the only one who's pushing to have a label!"

"Maximmo stop!!" His mom shouted.

"But mom, I was telling the truth! I don't love her. I already have someone in my life, and it's her!" She turned his back to me and held my hand but I refused it. 

"Enough drama, everyone leave!" Said by the guy who was in his suit also. Is this their manager? 

Pero wala man lang may lumabas. 

"Anong tinitingin niyo?! Alis!" Sabi naman ng babaeng nakasimpleng casual attire lang at may hawak na mga bag at sandamakmak na paper bags. Base sa mga dala niya ay mukhang personal assistant ata 'to ni Blonde hair. 

"Pero totoo po ba na engaged na si Maximmo sa non-showbiz girl at hindi kay Claire?!" Sigaw ng babae.

"That's not—-"

"It's true!" The jerk announced. 

Tumutok naman uli ang mga camera man sa kaniya kaya ngumiti ito. 

"What I said was all true. Maybe my baby tried to deny it, but that was because she's scared! We've been in a relationship for 2 years now going 3! I love her so much. Please don't bash her. Don't bash my future wife." 

Para akong nasuka sa sinabi niya. 

"Hindi yan totoo!" I shouted. Nahagip ng mata ko si Alicia at sobrang sama ng tingin sa akin. 

Lumapit ito at sinampal ako.

"I was right! You little b***h!!! Nasa loob talaga ang kulo 'e no?! Wala kang hiya, naging kabit ka pa sa pinakasikat na couple sa industriya!" Then she left. 

Everyone followed after. 

May mga sumigaw pa na sana all, pero kadalasan na naririnig ko ay p****k, hampaslupa, at ano pang mga masasakit na salita.

Isa lang ang siguradong nararamdaman ko ngayon. 

Galit. Galit na galit ako.

"Remember this, b***h! No matter what you will do, you're still a b***h, a slut, a hoe, a w***e, a side-chick and a home-wrecker! Good luck to you!" She pushed me and left as well.

I will never understand the idea why they put all the blame to the side-chick when in fact it was and will always be their man's choice to betray them. 

Papahiyain mga kabit tapos papatawarin partner nila, gosh, they sucks. 

Pero hindi ako kabit! Tangina lang, lumpia habol ko dito, ba't bigla akong naging kabit.

"I'll meet you later, Maximmo!" His mom said with authority in her voice.

Now, I am left alone with this jerk.

"Asshole! Tell them the truth!" I punched his face. 

"I can't," he calmly said. "But, thanks." He smiled.

Wow!!! Pagkatapos ng pagpalahiya niya sa akin?! Pagkatapos ng mga masasakit na salita natanggap ko? Wow ha! 

"Anong thanks, gago ka ba?!" 

He just looked at me blankly. 

He grabbed his wallet and took some credit card. What's next, he put in on my hand.

"Shop whatever you want. It's up to you if you'll take it all, that's already my payment. We're now quits." Kalmado niyang sabi at iniwan ako na parang wala lang nangyari, 

Tangina! Wow ha!

Hinabol ko siya at sinuntok likuran niya. He stopped but didn't face me.

"Gago ka talaga 'e no?! Bobo talaga! Sa tingin mo mababayaran mo ang kahihiyang ginawa mo?! You even broadcasted it on TV, motherf*cker!!!! Ngayon, sigurado ako tingin sa akin ay kabit, masamang tao, name it!!" I yelled my lungs out. 

I'm trembling inside because of my anger. 

"What do you want? Okay fine, sorry! But thank you! Okay?" Wow! Napilitan pa siyang magsorry? 

Parang kasalanan ko pa?

"You know what! f**k you!!" I threw the card on him. Pinulot niya ito at nilagay sa bag ko nang sapilitan. I didn't even had the chance to chase him because I heard Sorscha's voice.

"Ely!" 

"Okay ka lang? Gagi, trending ka!" She said as soon as she approached me. 

"Alam naming hindi totoo 'yon," Vina spoke. Finally, may naniwala rin sa akin.

Vina hugged me, at dito na lang ako napaiyak. Naramdaman ko na lang na nakiyakap din si si Sorscha.

"Sure ka na huwag muna natin pag-usapan 'yan?" Sorscha asked from the front seat. I just nodded and looked at the window. 

Vina is currently driving. Pagkatapos ng iyak ko ay nagdesisyon ako umuwi na lang muna. I'm so lost. This day is supposed to be my good day but it turned out to be the worst. Unang araw pa lang pero andami na nangyari.

"Better left your phone with us, huwag ka muna magphone dahil hindi mo kakakayanin mga comments sa'yo," Vina suggested. 

Walang ganang nilapag ko phone ko sa tabi ko. Wala naman akong jowa. Wala rin kachat kundi tanging sila lang. Magmumukmuk lang naman ako nito sa kwarto buong magdamag kaya sa tingin ko, hindi ko rin kakailangan ang phone. Gusto kong matulog baka sakaling gumising ako, okay na ang lahat. 

"Tawagan mo lang kami ha? 'Pag kailangan mo ng kausap," Sorscha. Napatawa naman si Vina.

"Gaga, nandito cellphone niya sa atin." 

"Ay! Ibigay mo muna kasi, baka kakailanganin niya." Kinuha niya naman ito at binigay sa akin pero hindi ko tinanggap.

"Sige lang, baka kasi makapagsalita pa ako ng hindi maganda sa mga comment 'e. Saka matutulog naman ako, baka panaginip lang 'to.

I laughed to cheer myself up. 

Nagsitinginan lang sila. 

"Okay, sabi mo 'e."

Hinintay ko muna mawala sila sa paningin ko bago pumasok ng gate. Ngunit hindi pa nakakalayo ay tanaw na tanaw ko na mga gamit ko sa labas ng pinto. I ran towards it and picked it up. Mga damit ko lang nandito lahat. Siguro kung ilalagay 'to sa bag, makakatatlong maleta ako. Pero isang bag lang nakita ko, hindi pa maleta! 

Binuksan ko ang pinto at nakita sila mommy at Alicia nagtatawanan sa kanilang pinanunuod. Nang naramdaman nila ang presensya ko ay napatingin sila sa akin.

Mom stood up and crossed her arms, then gave me why-are-you-here looked. Umiling lang ako at dadaanan lang sana sila ngunit tumakbo si Alicia at pinigilan ako.

"Op op oppp, kabit! You're not allowed to go upstairs. Even inside this house pa nga 'e." She pushed me too hard to the point that I lost my balance and dropped onto the floor. 

"Ops, sorry." 

Please, huwag mo silang pansinin, sanay ka naman ng ganito 'e. Kailangan mo ng pahinga ngayon.

I closed my eyes and heaved a big sigh. I stood up once more. 

I was about to pass by but someone pulled my hair that made me stopped from walking. I screeched because of the pain she's making. 

"Mom! Aaray! Stop!" I almost cried, trying to get off from her hands. 

"Kabit! Hindi mo talaga binigyan kami ng kahihiyan! Napakawalang hiya mo!" Sigaw nito habang patuloy na pinagsasabunotan ako. 

"That was a lie! Hindi 'yon totoo!" I defended myself.

"Hindi mo pa pinalampas ang pagiging p****k mo, talagang sa kilala kapa pumatol!!! They are celebrities, Elara Elysian!! p****k ka! Nagmana ka sa ina mong pakarat!" Tinulak niya ako kaya napasupalpal ako sa sahig. 

Kung kanina ay pinipigilan ko umiyak, ngayon ay hindi na. Sobrang galit ang nararamdaman ng puso ko ngayon. Sobra. Napakasakit. Bakit kasi ayaw nila maniwala?! Kung ayaw man, bakit kailangan pang idamay ang wala na dito?!

Tumayo ako at tinulak siya dahil sa galit. 

Kita sa mga mukha nila ang pagkagulat dahil sa ginawa ko. 

"b***h! How dare you hurt my mom!" Tinulak ako ni Alicia nang napakalakas sa kadahilanan nabunggo ulo ko sa mesa. Napainda ako sa sakit pero pilit pa rin akong tumayo. Susugorin niya ulit sana ako ngunit pinigilan lamang ito ng stepmom ko. 

"Hindi p****k mama ko, at mas lalong hindi siya pakarat!" Sigaw kong balik kahit sobrang sakit ng ulo ko. 

"Wow, talaga lang ha! Kung hindi p****k at kabit mama mo, 'e bakit ako ang naunang anak at hindi ikaw? Malamang sa malamang, dahil sa sobrang hirap ng ina mo at tanging pera lang ni daddy ang habol niya, pumatol!!! She got pregnant! And the moment you were born, that's where she left you with us! Nagsisi nga kaming kinupkop pa 'e! Wala kang kwenta!"

"You should be thankful that we still raised you. At heto pa ginawa mo?! Buti na lang talaga hindi ko sinasabing anak kita sa mga kumare ko! Dahil kailanman, hinding-hindi ako magkakaroon ng anak na galing sa isang pagkakamali. Pagkakamali ka lang!" Mom said with so much anger. "Tandaan mo, pagkakamali ka lang, at patuloy magiging isang pagkakamali dahil minana mo ang kawalang hiyang ginawa ng ina mo! Lumayas ka!" 

Dahil sa sobrang sakit at kahinaan ko, hinayaan ko na lang si Alicia na kaladkarin ako palabas ng bahay. The next thing I heard was a slamming door. 

I sat down beside my clothes then cried so hard. 

I never knew this. 

I never knew this. 

Dad said mom was his greatest love, that mom was his beginning. But I never knew that mom was the mistress. 

Pagkakamali ka lang!

Tandaan mo, pagkakamali ka lang!

The lines kept on repeating in my head. It felt like a cycle circling around like there's no way out. I felt like it was trapped in my head that couldn't get out. 

"AAAAAAAARGHHHHHHH!!" I shouted in anger and cried with so much pain. 

What did I do wrong to suffer this kind of pain?!

Then, I remembered the jerk. 

This is all his fault!!!! 

Fuck him for ruining everything!!!!!!

I'm gonna sue him! I'm gonna slit his throat! I'm gonna kill him!!!!!! 

"Get out now, we're going to close the gate!" I heard mom's voice from the window beside the door.  I stood up and saw that Alicia was standing beside her. 

I wiped my tears and smiled at them. Slowly raising my middle finger and mouthed them, "Tangina niyo!"

I picked up my clothes and put it in the bag. I left some of it for it's not that enough to put it all inside. When I had the courage to balance myself, I left the hell peacefully. The house was a hell because two demons were living there. 

I badly wanted to call my friends but I have no phone with me. Bullshit! 

I just continued walking, then decided to sat at the road verge when I felt some dizziness. Now, what am I supposed to do with this f*cking life?

I held my head because of the excessive pain. Argh!!

My eyes squinted as luminous lights were coming at my way. Then, my eyes started to blur. I heard nothing and I felt like everything was slowly vanishing. No, I can't die. 

The lights turned red eventually.

Am I going to hell?

If I were going to hell, then at least I must kill that jerk first so it would be worthy showering in fire. 

The light stopped, and before darkness took over me. I saw someone hopped out the car and came near at me.