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Kabanata 8

Kabanata 8

The vivid sunlight from my window awakened me from my deep sleep. I opened my eyes and dazzled by it. The audacity of this woman to disturb me.

"What the f**k Leuxia?" I said in annoyance.

She laughed.

"Susunduin na natin si Lola maya-maya. Baka may tama ka pa ah?"

Hinawakan ko ang ulo at pinakiramdaman bago bumangon. Hindi naman na siya masakit, kagabi pa.

"What's the exact time?" I turned to her.

"About one hour and thirty minutes from now."

I grabbed my pillow and threw it to her.

"Bakit ngayon mo lang ako ginising?"

Tumakbo siya papuntang pinto. "Hindi naman kita ginising. Binuksan ko lang yung bintana mo!"

I glared at her before she slammed the door close. I walked towards my bathroom and did my morning routine. Pagtapos ay bumaba na 'ko para mag-almusal.

Wala akong ibang nadatnan doon, maliban sa mga katulong. Payapa kong natapos ang pagkain. Mabilisan lang dahil aalis pa kami. I immediately go upstairs to get ready.

I took a bath, brushed my teeth, and goess with my usual routine. After that, I head straight in to my walk in closet. After choosing clothes, I blow dried my hair.

I'm wearing a plain half sleeve black shirt, high-waisted white shorts and white sneakers. I tucked in my shirt and let out my long brown wavy hair. I walked outside of my room with my cellphone and wallet only.

Kasabay ko sa paglabas ng kwarto si Leuxia. She's wearing a white sweatshirt, ripped jeans, and white sneakers as well. Agad siyang lumapit sa'kin at umakbay. Naamoy ko agad ang panlalaki niyang pabango.

"Aakalain kong lalaki ang kasama ko kapag nakapikit ako dahil sa pabango mo," sabi ko sa kaniya.

"Hindi ka pa nasanay," she laughed. "Si ate Kaz din naman."

I just nodded at her. Nang makalabas kami ay nakaparada ang van sa b****a ng mansion. Kuya Norbert opened the door of backseat for us. We got on the seat immediately.

Kuya started driving on the way to airport. I turned to him when I remembered something.

"Kuya Norbert bumalik na po kayo agad? Kamusta po yung anak niyo?" I asked him.

"Why? What happened?" singit ni Leuxia.

"Emergency po, okay naman na Ma'am. Kapatid niya yung nagbabantay," he answered without looking away from the road.

I nodded and glanced outside. I looked at Leuxia who's sleeping already. I took out my phone on my pocket and started browsing. Later on I heard a sequence loud sound because of plenty notifications.

I turned my phone silent and looked on Leuxia who's still sleeping. Binalik ko ang tingin sa cellphone. Tiningnan ko ang social media apps ko at inunang buksan ang Twitter. 'Yon ang may pinakamarami.

Sabog ang gc namin sa mga messages nila. Sa isang gc kung saan wala sila Jethro, kaming mga babae lang at kasama si Xeya. Nag-back read ako agad. Nang makita ang pinakauna ay muntik ko nang mabato ang cellphone ko.

It's screenshot sent by Thalia. A screenshot of Vren's i********: story. It's my stolen picture. I was drinking my coffee while looking outside. The cup covers the half of my face but can still recognize me. And f**k, he mentioned me.

Thalyra: Wow, new lovelife na ba sis?

Kaz: HOY LEVIOR ALEXIA AKALA KO BA GALIT KA DIYAN GAGO KA HAHAHAHA

Heira: OMG I thought you don't want a thief, Lexi?

Xeya: Ay sa coffee shop lang kayo Lexi? Akala ko iuuwi ka niyan sa bahay niya? What happened? Update naman diyan.

Tanya: Scammer din si Lexi! Kunwari pang galit, marupok sa gwapo.

Kaz: Tamang flex lang si tanga, baka kayo na Levesque ha?!

Binasa ko pa ang iba nilang messages na puro tungkol doon. They are gossiping about us like I'm not a member of the group chat and won't be able to read it.

Alexia: I don't f*****g know that.

After replying to them, I immediately opened my i********: to confirm it. And there, I saw the notification.

vrenm mentioned you in their story.

lalevior: Why the f**k did you post it? My friends thought that we're in a relationship, you dumb.

vrenm: Ano naman

lalevior: What?

vrenm: Doon din naman papunta 'yon. Okay 'yan advance sila.

lalevior: Are you flirting me?

vrenm: That's what you said last night.

lalevior: You're a fool.

vrenm: Only fool for you.

I didn't reply because of annoyance. The audacity of Vren to play with me is irritating. Pinatay at padarag kong inilagay sa bulsa ang cellphone. I maintained to stay calm before Leuxia wakes up.

Napatingin pa sa akin si kuya Norbert nang malalim akong huminga. Nilibang ko ang sarili ko sa mga natatanaw sa labas para kumalma.

Cars, buildings, crowded places, smoggy, Manila. Someday I'll work here. Well, I'll study here next year to pursue my college in UP Diliman. I will take BA Journalism, my passion as my work.

Hanggang sa marating namin ang airport ay ganoon lang ang ginawa ko. Ginising ko na si Leuxia nang makita nang malapit na kami huminto.

"Ang bilis naman," Leuxia said while rubbing her eyes.

Kuya Norbert opened the door for us to get off. We head to the waiting area. Leuxia is busy texting Lola Lia, informing her that we're already here.

"Ayan na si Lola," Leuxia said while pointing at Lola Lia. Sinalubong namin siya at niyakap. Kinuha ko ang isang maleta niya at hinila iyon.

"How's the resort, La?" I asked her.

Our family owns private beach resorts here in Philippines. Sa probinsya ng El Santuario, doon galing si Lola.

"Okay naman, apo."

"Kailan ba uuwi si kuya Miro? Dapat siya na ang mag-asikaso no'n La," Leuxia said.

"Ang sabi sa 'kin ni Miro, uuwi sila ni Atasha rito sa pasko," Lola said as we started walking. "Pero babalik din agad sa US tapos sa bakasyon, dito na sila.

I just nodded to Lola. Leuxia continued asking her about the resort. Tuwing bakasyon ay pumupunta sila sa El Santuario. Maganda sa probinsyang 'yon, may mga dagat at bukirin. Pero madalang lang ako sumama dahil narito ang mga kaibigan.

Hanggang sa makalabas ng airport ay nagkwentuhan kami tungkol sa probinsya. Kuya Norbert helped us carrying Lola's things. We get in to the car and let kuya fix it at the back. Nang matapos si kuya Norbert at lumarga na kami pauwi.

"Bakit hindi sumama si Mako?" Lola Lia asked.

I shrugged, hindi ko rin alam. I turned to Leuxia, maybe she knows. Lola looked at her too.

"He's waiting for someone. Co-writer niyo ata, ate," she answered, I just nod.

"Okay, Norbert natawagan mo ba si Flora kanina?" Lola asked, kuya Norbert nodded. She turned to us. "Nagpahanda ako ng tanghalian. Doon na tayo kumain."

I looked at my wrist watch. Almost 2 hours until lunch time. Kahit sobrang bored ay pinilit ko'ng huwag buksan ang cellphone. Maiirita lang ako at baka magtanong pa si Lola. I decided to take a nap first, malayo-layo pa naman.

A light tap on my face awakened me from my slumber. I rubbed my eyes to adjust from the sudden light.

"Narito na tayo." Lola said softly.

I saw the gate of our village from outside. Nakaramdam na rin ako ng gutom sa haba ng byahe. I felt relief when we finally entered the gate of our mansion.

Nang makababa sa van ay napatingin ako sa half court namin dahil sa tunog ng bola. Para akong nagising bigla nang makita ang solid na lipad ng bola papunta kay Lola na nasa tabi ko.

I smoothly catched the ball before looking at the group of Mako. He's with the boys from Kalasag. I glared at them, particularly to Owen who threw the ball.

"Sorry Lexi!" he shouted while running towards me.

"You need more practice, you sucked."

"Grabe ka naman, Lexi!" he said while laughing. "Sorry na nga e."

I just nodded and threw it back to him with force. Medyo napaatras pa siya nang saluhin 'yon. He turned to Lola and apologized too. Pumunta sa 'min si Mako para magmano kay Lola, sumunod din ang tropa niya.

"Bobo 'yan si Owen e. Nagpapapansin lang kay Leuxia 'yan!" pang-aasar ni Aaron.

"Sorry again for that, Lexi." Yuno said.

I just gave him a nod.

Tinulungan din nila kami sa mga dalang bagahe at pinamili ni Lola sa Santuario. Lola invited them to join us eating lunch.

"Mga apo, sumabay na rin kayo kumain sa 'min," aya sa kanila ni Lola nang makapasok sa mansion. "Saluhan niyo kami sa hapag."

Wala naman silang nagawa at sumunod nalang. Naupo sa kabisera ng mesa si Lola. Sa kanan niya ay ako at si Leuxia lang. Sa kaliwa niya naman ay sina Mako, Owen, Aaron, Yro, Davin, at Yuno.

"Lahat ba kayo ay kaibigan ni Mako?" tanong ni Lola sa kanila.

Napatingin nama kami ni Leuxia kay Lola at sa tropa ni Mako. Nagsimula na rin kaming kumain ng pananghalian.

"Opo, Lola," Davin answered.

"Talaga?" pang-uusisa ni Lola. "Wala bang manliligaw etong apo kong si Alexia sa inyo? Alam niyo na, dise-otso na wala pa ring nobyo."

Napaubo ako at muntik nang madura ang pagkain sa bibig. My brows furrowed as I looked at Lola. She smiled.

"La," I said softy to warn her.

"Ay wala po rito!" Aaron answered ang laughed.

"Ako po," Yuno said.

I raised my brow to warn him. Wala ako sa mood makipaggaguhan ngayon. I continued eating and didn't mind them.

"Talaga? Pihikan kasi 'tong apo ko sa lalaki," ani Lola at umiling-iling pa. "Galingan mo manuyo ah para sagutin ka.

"I second the motion Lola. Sobrang sungit po ni Lexi sa lalaki, maliban kila Jeth at Von," natatawang sabi ni Owen na nakataas pa ang kamay.

"Kaya yung kapatid ang gusto mo? Nako Owen kunwari ka pa," Aaron mocked him.

Napatingin ako kay Leuxia na hindi man lang sila pinansin. She just continued eating and didn't mind them too. But, I'm sure she's listening like what I'm doing. She's like me, observant.

"Ha? Eh lalo naman 'tong si apo kong si Leuxia. Kung pihikan si Alexia eh doble 'tong bunso." Lola said before laughing

They looked dumb laughing on us, except for Lola. Tumatawa sila pero wala lang sa amin ni Leuxia. We just continued eating like they are not existing.

"Halata po, wala nga silang pake," Dinig kong sabi ni Yuno tsaka tumawa.

"Inutil po 'yan si Owen e!" Aaron exclaimed before laughing.

"Can't you all just eat quietly? Table manners, please," Leuxia said in a monotone without looking at them.

I smirked, your boss has spoken.

Tanging si Lola lang ang tumawa kay Leuxia, sanay na siya. Finally, natahimik din ang mesa. We finished eating without any noise. Well Leuxia's aura and demeanor, it's really authoritative. Sa akin nga lang ata nagpapabatok 'yan at kila Kaz lang siya mabait.

Altough Leuxia and I already finished eating, we stayed sitting on the table. As what she said earlier, table manners. I just looked at my plate while waiting for the others. Same with Leuxia who's also looking at her plate.

I felt a vibration inside my pocket. I didn't bother to take a look. It will just irritate me, for sure. It's relief when they finally finished eating. Sandali kaming tahimik na naupo pa para magpahinga.

"La uuwi na rin po sila agad ngayon," paalam ni Mako.

"Opo Lola, kailangan na po. Salamat sa pagkain," ani Davin at tumayo na.

"Thank you for lunch Lola," Yuno said.

Lola turned to me.

"Alexia samahan mo si Mako na ihatid sila sa gate."

"Bakit kailangan pa pong ako, La?" I asked with my forehead creased.

"Alangan namang si Leuxia? Baka biglang magrambulan," she laughed. "Tsaka manliligaw mo yung isa diba? Dali na."

My brows furrowed. "Okay, fine I'll go. But he's not, Lola."

"Sus kunwari ka pa apo. Sige na sige na." Lola said while waving her hands.

Tumayo na ako kasabay nila at naunang lumabas. Napalingon ako sa tabi ko nang makitang kasabay na si Yuno. He smiled at me, I just nodded.

Nang makalabas na kami ng mansion ay hinawakan niya ang braso ko. I glanced at my arm and shifted it to him. He looked hot with his jersey and messy hair because of sweat. But he still smells good with his masculine scent, not sweaty.

I raised my brow. "What?"

"Uh," pinasadahan niya ng kamay ang medyo basang buhok. "Can I court you?"

I looked at him boredly.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes," he nodded.

"What if my answer is a no?"

"Itutuloy ko pa rin," he said while staring at me.

I smirked sarcastically. "Bakit ka pa nagtanong?"

He laughed pinched my cheeks. "Ang cute mo talaga."

Agad na nagsalubong ang kilay ko sa aksyon siya. The audacity of this bastard.

"I'm not a f*****g puppy."

I slapped her hands and glared at him. He just smiled at me like a stupid. Agad akong napalingon sa likod nang may marinig na asaran.

"Hoy Yuno yari ka kay Leuxia kapag nakita ka!" sigaw ni Mako sa kaniya tsaka tumawa.

"Kayo pala ah ayiee!" sigaw ni Owen at may hawak na cellphone.

"Pinagpalit mo na ako papa Yuno? Ang sakit mo naman," Aaron said while faking a cry.

"Akala ko si V-" Si Davin.

Lahat sila natahimik nang may marinig na kasa ng baril. I looked at the mansion's door and saw Leuxia holding a pellet gun. I pursed my lips to contain a laugh.

Tinutok niya 'yon sa kamay ni Yuno na nakahawak sa akin.

"Get off."

Mabilis na napabitaw si Yuno tsaka itinaas ang kamay. Naglakad palapit sa akin si Leuxia tsaka ako inakbayan.

We both walked again. Lumingon ako sa likod nang hindi pa rin sila lumalakad, ganoon din si Leuxia.

"Akala ko ba aalis na kayo? Lakad na!" sigaw niya at agad namang sumunod sina Yuno.

I'm wondering why she's like that to them. Ang init ng ulo niya rito sa tropa ni Mako. Pero nung nakaraan hinayaan ako kay Vren. Maybe my sister got tricked by his looks.

They waved their hands to us before Mako closed the gate. I just nodded to them. Leuxia didn't bother to take a glance. Lumakad na kami ulit pabalik ng mansion.

Nang makarating sa kwarto ay nagbihis agad ako at pabagsak na nahiga sa kama. Naramdaman ko na naman ang vibrate sa bulsa ko kaya kinuha ko na 'yon. Puro notifications from social media accounts. I turned off my phone before taking a nap.

Hours passed, I slight opened my eyes when I heard a continuous loud knock on my door. Sino na naman 'to?

"Bakit?!" I shouted with closed eyes.

"Jollibee delivery po ito Ma'am!" I heard a familiar voice.

"NBI po 'to, raid Ma'am. May kumakalat kayong scandal!" a familiar voice said too.

"What the f**k?" sigaw ko mula sa loob.

Naghilamos muna ako bago sila pinagbuksan ng pinto. Agad silang dumiretso sa kama ko at humiga. Si Heira lang ang nasa sofa.

"Why did you all come here?" I asked them.

"Dahil sa chismis!" Kaz shouted, the one who said it's Jollibee delivery.

Xeya laughed. "Pero legit may scandal ka nga!"

"Scandal? What are you talking about?" I asked her with my brows furrowed.

"Aside from your scandal with Vren," Heira said while laughing.

"So scandal na 'yon para sa inyo? Sasampalin ko kayo?" I said and raised my brow.

Tanya laughed. "It's new Alexia. Ngayon ka lang ulit nakipag-interact sa lalaki bukod sa nag-iisang crush mo sa Kalasag dati."

"At bukod kila Jethro at Von." Thalia added.

"Shut up," I said.

They just all laughed on me. This is all Vren's fault, the f**k. I sat on my reclining chair while glaring at them. Lumapit sa akin si Thalia kasama ang cellphone niya. Tumingin ako roon nang iharap niya sa akin.

"What the f**k?" I murmured when I saw a video.

It's Owen's Ig story. A slow motioned video of Yuno while pinching my cheeks. And his caption was 'shipping fee ko 'to HAHAHA'. Ship, the f**k, bading ba siya.

"Ano na naman 'yan Levior Alexia Levesque?!" pasigaw na tanong ni Kaz habang tumatawa.

"Mind if you tell us? We're clueless here," Heira said while chuckling.

"Oo nga, hindi mo na nga sinagot ng maayos yung kay Vren kanina," ani Tanya.

I just nodded. Kinuwento ko na sa kanila simula nung kagabi. Although not that detailed, because they will only mock me for sure. Lalo na yung kay Vren.

"Ang angas talaga ni Leuxia! Mana sa akin," Kaz said after the story telling.

"Lakas mo naman." Xeya turned to Kaz.

Thalyra laughed. "I pity Yuno!"

"I think dapat malaman ni Vren yung tungkol sa article mo," Tanya said.

Heira gave a thumbs up.

"Yes, so he would be ashamed."

I turned to them and nodded. Baka nga hindi niya alam 'yon dahil normal lang siya. He's just cool with me and it's annoying. Pero tingin ko wala na akong pakialam pa, gusto ko nalang bumawi ngayong taon at sa ibang paraan. Tsaka nasuntok ko naman na siya.

Buong hapon ay nandito lang sila sa mansion. We just watched movies and talked to each other inside my room, until they decided to go home,

Pagbaba ay naabutan namin sina Leuxia sa sala. Kasama niya si Azea at Hattie, mga kaibigan niya.

"Hi ate Lexi..." Hattie said and turned to my back. "And friends!"

I smiled at her.

"Ngayon ka nalang ulit pumunta rito ah?"

She nodded to me. Kilala na rin naman siya nila Kaz kaya nagpaalam na rin kaming aalis na. Actually, they are 4. Yung pinsan namin nalang ni Leux ang kulang. I turned to Kaz who laughed when we are finally out.

"Grabe napapaligiran ako ng magaganda." Kaz said while laughing.

Xeya turned to her. "Akala mo naman hindi siya maganda."

"Ay huwag kang ano diyan! Baka jowain kita," Kaz said before letting out a laugh. "Kaso bawal talo, pre."

Xeya rolled her eyes to Kaz. I just shook my head to them. They're really crackheads, especially Kaz.

Kumaway ako sa papaalis na mga sasakyang dala nila hanggang sa makalabas iyon ng mansion. Pagpasok ko ay saktong pagbaba ni Lola. Inaya niya na kami para maghapunan.

Sa kabisera ng mesa ulit naupo si Lola. Sa kanan kami ni Mako at katapat namin sa kaliwa sina Leuxia. We started eating our dinner.

"Kailan ho ang uwi nila Atasha, Lola?" Azea asked in a suddden.

"Sa Pasko, Azea. Narito sila ni Miro."

"Really? That's great," Hattie said in a jolly tone.

We continued eating after that conversation. Pagtapos ay nagpahinga kami saglit bago umakyat sa kani-kaniyang kwarto. I walked straight on my bathroom. I took a bath and did my routine.

Pagtapos ay dumiretso ako sa kama at naupo na. Napalingon ako side table at nakita ang dalawang note. Sa mga nagdaang araw na nasa classroom lang ako ay wala na ulit akong nakitang ganito. The note with Baybayin and vintage style. Maybe it is owned by one of the Kalasag's writer.

I looked away from it and laid down on my bed to sleep. Mabilis naman akong nakatulog dahil sa pagod sa mga ginawa ngayong araw.

Araw ng linggo, gaya nang nakagawian ay galing kami sa simbahan. After eating our lunch, I ended up in my room again. Bukas ang tv pero nakatunganga lang ako roon. It's so boring. I don't have any homeworks or schoolworks to do because tomorrow I'll be excused for the training.

Therefore, nakatingin lang ako sa kawalan. Napalingon ako sa cellphone ko na nasa reclining chair. Pero kahit anong boring ng araw na 'to hindi ko 'yon bubuksan.

And it's a prank. I ended up turning it on because of boredom. As soon as it connected to our wifi, the notification exploded. Sa Twitter ay puro chat nila Kaz kanina bago sila pumunta rito. Napatingin ako sa Ig na marami rin ang notif.

So, I opened it then saw Vren's messages on the top. Binuksan ko yung conversation namin. I just read his last message. Kaninang umaga lang.

vrenm: Ang tagal mo naman kiligin.

lalevior: You wish.

vrenm: Yeah, I wished.

I planned to seen only his message but another one came. He sent a screen record of Owen's story.

vrenm: So sino talaga sa kanila ni Verdeflor? Sino yung gusto mo?

lalevior: Ikaw

vrenm: The f**k, me? Are you flirting back?

lalevior: Bahala

vrenm: Wtf?

lalevior: Ikaw bahala.

lalevior: And yes, you.

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