Rule no. 1: Don't Fall In Love

Chapter 5

"You look cute here." I pouted. "And, I look like a f*****g-"

Tinakpan kaagad ni Vermone ang bibig ko.

"Enough with the profanities." Pinagalitan n'ya 'ko at tinignan ang picture na tinitignan ko. "What are you about to say? You look so beautiful." He pointed my face.

"Shut up, Ver!" I blushed so I immediately turned around para 'di n'ya makita mukha ko.

"Do you want to extend our stay here?" Tanong n'ya bigla at natigilan ako.

I kinda like it here so... "Yeah,"

"Another week?"

"Yup, two weeks here then two weeks sa Pinas ta's balik California na." I smiled and he nodded.

Naisipan na namin mag lunch kaya nag search kami ng restaurant near us at doon na lang kami kumain.

"Baby V-"

I glared at him.

He chuckled. "I ordered pasta. Want anything else?" He licked his lower lip.

"Why do you always call me baby V?" I ignored his question. "Bakit, ikaw? Virgin ka rin 'di ba?"

He looked so amused with my boldness and chuckled. "Still... I'm a man, Adelia." He bit his lower lip.

I looked at him seriously. "You mean you fantasize-"

"Fuck..." Stressed niyang sabi. "Of course we do... that." Parang nahihiya pa s'ya. "I also watch porn. Happy now?"

Oh. I tried not so hard to laugh but I can't contain it so I laughed so hard.

"Of course..." Sambit n'ya bigla kalagitnaan nang pagtawa ko. "I don't want to disappoint my wife. I'll pleasure her so much that I won't need to have experience with other girls to know what to do because we're gonna explore together." He smirked.

Natigilan ako bigla sa sinabi n'ya.

E-explore???

Damn, why are you thinking about this, Adeline?! As if ikaw ang aanuhin! Feeling.

"Now, while we're here... Why don't you tell me about your past? I want to know you better. Bakit hindi ka nagka-jowa? Noong nakipagkita ako sa'yo ay inisip ko ay mayro'n kang boyfriend." Umirap s'ya.

What?!

"I just... have no interest. That's all."

"Uh-huh. Tell me more."

Ano pa nga ba? Oh, I remember boys from my squad gave me love letters at nabuo ang squad ng mga boys dahil nagkagusto sila sa'kin! HAHAHAHAHA. Oh my gosh, memories!

I only remember Adrian and some boys from my past dahil si Adrian ang nagtiyagang ligawan ako kahit nakailang basted ako sa kaniya. He almost caught my heart pero parang may iba pa rin, eh. Naging crush ko lang s'ya! Pero hindi ko na s'ya gusto as boyfriend.

"Lia!" Tawag ni Kyla sa'kin.

I was about to speak when someone called my name. I turned to him.

"A-Adeline..." May inabot siyang love letter.

Pagkakuha ko ay tumakbo s'ya kaagad. So duwag!

"Another love letter?!" Tanong ni Kyla.

"Yeah," Napabuntong hininga ako.

Pumunta na kami ni Kyla sa canteen at habang kumakain ay naisipan namin basahin ang love letter.

"Hula ko may corny pick-up lines na naman 'yan." Natatawa si Kyla at napangiti ako.

"Hayaan mo na. Humahanga, eh."

"Ayaw mo mamili? You're 16 already. Ayaw mo pa ba mag boyfriend? College na tayo next school year!"

"I'm not interested!"

"Choosy! Oh, basahin na nga natin 'yan."

Binuksan ko ang bulaklakin na envelope para kuhanin ang love letter.

To: Adeline Thania Cruz

You're my inspiration! I admire you so much. Sana ay bigyan mo ako nang pagkakataon na ligawan ka. I will bring you flowers everyday, I will court you everyday. Alam kong iisipin mo na duwag ako pero sa ganitong paraan ko talaga maipaparating nararamdaman ko para sayo. Gusto kita, Adeline Thania. Napakaganda mo, napakatalino mo, napakacute mo, lahat nasayo. Alam ko rin na marami nagbibigay ng love letter sayo pero sana.. Mapansin mo ako.

From: Eduard Dizon

"Eduard?" Patanong kong sabi at nagulat din si Kyla.

"What the hell! He's a nerd, right?"

"A hot nerd," I smirked.

"Well... I agree."

Tumawa kaming dalawa ni Kyla sa nangyari at pinag-isipan pa namin kung kakausapin ko ba si Eduard o hinde.

"So you're telling me that Eduard liked you? And confessed through a love letter? That's so boring." Parang naiinis na tanong ni Vermone.

"Past is past! Hindi pa 'ko tapos mag kuwento!" Sambit ko and he just tsked me! Ang sungit! S'ya 'tong nag papakuwento sa nakaraan ko, eh!

"You should talk to him you know?" Kyla sipped on her juice.

"Who? Eduard? Baka nakakalimutan mong crush ni Heisel 'yon?" Sambit ko bigla sa isang mean girl.

"Who cares?! Ikaw ang gusto ni Eduard kaya iyak na lang s'ya!" Tumawa si Kyla.

Napailing na lang ako sa best friend ko at ngumisi. Nag ring na ang bell kaya bumalik na kami sa classroom. Naisipan ko pumunta muna saglit sa locker.

"Well, well, well..."

Sinarado ko ang locker ko at tinignan si Heisel. Nabalitaan na ata.

"I heard he gave you a love letter?" Heisel smirked.

Tumingin muna 'ko sa paligid at nakitang wala anga mga alipores n'ya.

"Yeah," Pabalang na sagot ko at aalis na sana nang tawagin na naman ako.

"Feeling maganda ka ano? Matalino ka lang naman at sikat. Do you think boys really like you? They will only use you for fame. If you think Eduard loves you then think again, Adeline Thania. Alam kong paaasahin o gagamitin mo si Eduard."

Ang daldal putangina. Male-late pa 'ko sa klase ko.

I smiled sarcastically at maglalakad na sana palayo nang hilahin na n'ya braso.

"You try so hard to be the unbothered queen! Ako ang tunay na unbothered queen!"

Sige. "If you say so." Malamig na sabi ko at aalis na sana pero hinigpitan lalo ang hawak sa braso ko.

Namumula na s'ya sa pikon.

"Ano ba? Male-late na 'ko. May klase ka rin 'di ba?" Inis na sabi ko.

"Don't try so hard to be the unbothered-"

"Then why the f**k are you so bothered right now?! May ginawa ba 'ko sa'yo? Hindi na nga kita pinansin dahil wala naman ako pakialam talaga sa sinasabi mo. I'm not trying to be an unbothered queen or kung ano sinasabi mo diyan. Um-oo ako nung sinabi mo na ikaw dapat 'yung unbothered queen but why are you bothered now?" Diretsong sabi ko.

Nakita kong paiyak na si Heisel. Kawawa naman.

Nag ring na naman ang bell at 3rd ring na 'yon so ibig sabihin kailangan nasa room ka na.

Buong lakas kong kinuha ang braso ko sa pagkahawak n'ya at mabilis na pumunta na sa room.

"Tagal mo." Kyla rolled her eyes at me. "May ginawa ka bang iba?"

"May sinatsat lang si Heisel." Umirap ako and as expected sa mga chika na ganito ay nabubuhayan si Kyla.

Kinuwento ko mabilisan ang nangyari at tawa siya nang tawa.

"She's the one who's trying so hard to be the unbothered queen!" Humalakhak na si Kyla.

"Pabayaan mo na, broken, eh."

"Oh, c'mon! You're always so kind."

I just smiled at sakto ay dumating na ang teacher namin kaya nanahimik na rin si Kyla.

Nakakaantok ang mga afternoon subjects! The bell rang, finally! Dismissal na.

"That's a long afternoon!" Kyla yawned.

"Indeed it was." Antok na sabi ko rin.

"Guys! Guys! Umiiyak si Heisel! Ang daming dungis sa mukha ta's buhaghag buhok na parang sinabunutan! Sabi si Adeline raw may kasalan."

What the f**k?

Napatingin kaagad ang mga kaklase ko sa'kin. Ang iba ay masama ang tingin lalo na sa mga babae at ang mga boys ay wala lang sa kanila.

"Ano?" Sambit bigla ni Kyla. "Si Adeline may kasalanan? Eh, punyeta pala niya. Nakita niyo ba na umalis sa upuan 'to mula kanina?!" Tinuro ako ni Kyla.

"Hayaan mo na." Bulong ko at tumayo na para tignan ang chaos sa labas.

"Oo nga, nananahimik si Adeline rito." I heard Felix.

Lumabas na kami para tignan sa corridor ang nangyari. Syempre pumunta na kami ni Kyla sa may nagkukumpulan na tao.

"Ayan na si Adeline!"

"Hindi magagawa ni Adeline 'yan."

"Kung gaganti si Adeline hindi ganiyan ka-cheap!"

"Hindi gumaganti si Adeline."

"Mabait kaya 'yan! Inggit lang kayo."

"Paano kung ginawa nga niya 'yan?"

Those are the whispers that I heard. Nang makalapit kay Heisel na nasa gitna habang naka upo sa sahig at umiiyak ay inilibot ko muna ang mata ko sa paligid. Nakita ko si Eduard.

"Walang hiya ka! Gusto ko si Eduard pero 'di ko s'ya aahasin sa'yo! Hindi mo na kailangan gawin 'to! Wala kang awa." Sigaw ni Heisel sa'kin.

My face remained poker. Hindi ko nabasa 'yung script natin Heisel sa pagpapapansin mo kay Eduard.

"Wala kang respeto sa kapwa mong babae! Tatawagan ko ang magulang mo nang malaman nila ang baho ng ugali mo sa school!" She screamed on top of her lungs at umiyak na naman.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko at ako na mismo tumawag kay mommy.

"Ma," Sambit ko nang sagutin ang tawag.

Sobrang tahimik nang paligid at talagang nakikinig sa'kin.

"Darling? What's wrong?"

"Punta po kayo sa school." Tinignan ko si Heisel at nakita ko kaagad ang kaba sa mukha n'ya.

My family name is very famous around this campus and my Father is one of the highest and powerful people here.

"What's wrong? Did you do something? Did something happen?" Tarantang tanong na ni Mama.

My mom is very elegant and powerful, too. She's the real queen here.

"I don't know. May ginawa raw po ako. Ah, ma, and also, call Mr. and Mrs. Lazaro."

"Mr. and Mrs. Lazaro?"

Upon mentioning Heisel's parents ay mas nakita ko ang kaba sa mukha n'ya.

"You mean the parents of Heisel Lazaro? Did she do something to you?!" My mom always accuses someone first, before me.

"Just go here na po."

"Okay! Be there in 5 minutes."

Nang ibaba ang tawag ay inalok ko ang kamay ko para patayuin si Heisel pero sinamaan lang ako nang tingin.

"Mayabang ka!" She spat.

Tinaas ko ang isang kilay ko. "Tara na." Aya ko ulit sa kaniya.

"Anong ginawa mo?! Mayabang ka! Akala mo matatakot ako?! Fake call lang 'yon, eh!"

"Boba! Mahiya ka nga! Inakusa mo si Adeline at s'ya na mismo tumawag sa nanay n'ya dahil alam niyang wala naman siyang kasalanan!" And there goes the palaban na si Kyla. I smirked to hide my smile.

"Feeling ka! Feeling unbothered queen! Feeling reyna sa campus!"

Ano ba ang gusto nitong marinig mula sa'kin?

"Feeling unbothered queen daw pero wala naman talaga pakialam si Adeline sa paligid." Rinig kong sabi.

"Shut up!" Tinuro ni Heisel ang nag sabi n'on. "It's true! Feeling unbothered queen s'ya." She laughed hysterically.

May sira na ata sa utak 'to.

"Ano?! Guilty ka 'no?!" Sambit bigla ni Heisel sa'kin. Napakunot noo ko.

"Students!" tawag na ng isang teacher and there I saw my mom walking like a queen, with her chin up while looking fiercely. Heisel's parents were behind my mom.

My mom looked at me then her gaze went to Heisel.

"Anak! Anong nangyari sa'yo?!" Sambit bigla ni Mrs. Lazaro at pinuntahan ang anak.

"M-mommy! Si A-Adeline po." Umiyak si Heisel at tinuro ako.

Sumama ang tingin ni Mrs. Lazaro sa'kin pero biglang nawala dahil tumabi si mommy sa'kin.

My mom smirked. Now, she's the real unbothered queen.

"Like mother like daughter, eh?" My mom said at napatingin ako sa kaniya.

Like mother like daughter?

"Shut up, Adalynn! Your daughter did something to my daughter so why don't you teach her a lesson?!"

Oo nga. Like mother like daughter.

"You think my daughter did that thing?" Nandiri pa si Mama habang tinuturo ang madungis na si Heisel. "Then is my daughter stupid?" Malamig na sabi bigla ni mama. "She called me to go here with you and your husband."

Nakita kong napapikit na lang si Mr. Lazaro at parang nahihiya pa sa inasta nang asawa at anak.

"If it's her fault then why would she call me and get herself to trouble? Hindi ba dapat matakot pa si Adeline?"

"Railey, let's go." Mahinang sabi ni Mr. Lazaro.

"Oh, isn't it a deja vu?" My mom chuckled. "You put tons of bubble gum in your hair and blamed me for it." My mom said while remembering her past.

"Shut up!" Pikon na sabi ni Mrs. Lazaro.

"Because you liked my husband then kaya nagpapapansin ka but my husband liked me. So if I'm guessing is it about a boy? You only have tantrums because of a boy so I think namana 'yun nang anak mo."

Oh, hey mom, you dropped this. Your crown.

"Don't speak ill of my daughter! Akala mo hindi mo kagaya 'yang si Adeline!"

"Apparently, she also took her Father's attitude." Tinignan ako ni mama at kumindat.

"Let's go, Rai, Heisel." Tawag na naman ni Mr. Lazaro.

"No. Stay. I want to know the truth behind this commotion." My mom smirked. "Oh! There's a CCTV! Mr. Principal, if you would be so kind for us to show the footage a while ago."

"U-uh, Yes, Mrs. Cruz! Uh, this way, please." Pinasunod na n'ya kami at may ilang studyante na sumunod din.

Tumabi kaagad si Kyla sa'kin at nagmano kay Mama.

"Should we call papa?" I asked mama.

"No, darling. He's busy with work and I got this!" My mom smiled.

The real unbothered queen indeed.

Sa isang Avr kami pumunta at sabi ni Mr. Principal ay kukuhanin lang n'yaang footage. Maraming studyante ang nakinood.

A few minutes, Mr. Principal showed the footage wherein Heisel went to the bathroom looking neatly and after a few minutes ay lumabas na s'ya nang banyo at 'yun na ang gulo-gulo niyang itsura.

I saw my mom smirk while shaking her head.

"Like mother like daughter indeed." Bulong ni mama kung saan kami lang ni Kyla makakarinig.

I saw Kyla laugh a bit while watching the footage.

After a few moments ay nagsisigaw na si Heisel sa gitna at doon na nagkumpulan mga studyante.

"Embarrassing," Kyla commented.

Nakita kong nagbubulungan na ang mga studyante.

I saw Heisel crying with her dagger eyes looking at me.

Oh, ano? Ikaw pa tatawag sa magulang ko, ah?

"Enough!" Sambit ni Mrs. Lazaro kaya natigil ang bulungan. "My daughter doesn't deserve this kind of humiliation!"

"Ah, Mrs. Lazaro!" Humahikgik si Kyla. "Anak n'yo pa po ang nag banta na tawagan ang mga magulang at magsumbong."

Oh, the fighter.

Nakita kong binubulungan ngayon ni Mr. Lazaro si Heisel na parang pinapatahan na 'to.

I'm hungry!

"You!" Tinuro ni Mrs. Lazaro si mama. "Purkit naging asawa mo si Aries Thiago ay ginagamit mo palagi ang pangalan n'ya para mamahiya!"

My mom looked at her with disbelief.

"Railey, that's enough! Nakita natin na walang kasalanan si Adeline." Pinagalitan na ni Mr. Lazaro ang asawa.

"But she doesn't have to humiliate our daughter like that!"

"She wants justice and she wants to clean the name of her innocent daughter, Rai! Kahit kay Heisel mangyari 'to ay gano'n din ang papagawa ko para lang malaman kung ano ba talaga nangyari sa anak ko."

Tama po 'yan, Tito.

"Oh, now you're defending her- Oh! Nagkagusto ka nga rin pala kay Adalynn Lei Cervante!"

Oh, s**t.

"We're married for 23 years now, Rai. That was so long ago!" Nagagalit na si Mr. Lazaro.

"M-Mr. Cruz!" Sambit bigla ni principal.

I saw my dad looking dashingly powerful while wearing his suit. He got here from work.

"Aries," Tawag bigla ni Mr. Lazaro.

"Travis," My dad said in a cold manner. "What's with the commotion?"

My dad's presence can really affect everyone! Only my mom isn't bothered by his presence and of course, me!

"Love?" Mahinang sabi ni papa kay mama nang makalapit sa'min pero sapat para marinig nang lahat.

"Nothing, we solved it already. Lia called me and she's innocent plus our daughter needs to go home and rest." Ngumiti si mommy sa'kin.

I smiled, too, and hugged papa. "Sorry for the trouble, papa." My voice was muffled as I said that while hugging him.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lazaro." Tawag bigla sa kanila ni papa. "I will not know the background story anymore and I trust my wife on this and she said it's all fixed. Do we still have a problem?"

"I have no problems with your family, Mr. Cruz." Sinubukang pantayan ni Mr. Lazaro ang angas ni daddy pero dad's aura are all effortless!

"Then should we all go now?" My dad's hand immediately went to mom's waist and he kissed my forehead.

I love my family so much!

"You got your braveness from your mom." Kumento ni Vermone.

"I'm brave?" I asked him.

"Uh-huh, you are. Tell me more about what happened after that." pagpursige ni Vermone sa'kin and I just smiled.