CHAPTER TWO
786 Words
"That bastard! Hmph! Mabuti nga sa kanya!"
Tumigil sa pagtakbo si Emerald nang masiguro niyang nakalayo na siya sa aroganteng lalaki. Napasandal siya sa puno, her breathing heavy and ragged. Para siyang nasa isang marathon. Her heart pounded furiously in her chest, feeling as though it would burst any second.
She breathed in and out slowly, trying to calm her nerves. Gradually, her heartbeat returned to normal. Siguro naman, hindi na siya masusundan ng lalaki.
Nagpahinga muna siya saglit sa lilim ng puno bago nagpasya: Kailangan ko nang umuwi. Baka magkita ulit sila, at ayaw niyang malaman kung ano pa ang kayang gawin ng lalaki.
Pagdating niya sa kanilang bahay, sinalubong siya ng pamilyar na boses.
"Hija, saan ka na naman nanggaling? Kanina ka pa hinahanap ng Daddy at Mommy mo," tanong ni Nanay Merly, ang kanilang pinagkakatiwalaang kasambahay. Siya rin ang nag-alaga kay Emerald simula pagkabata, kaya malapit talaga ang loob ni Emerald sa kanya. Para na itong pangalawang ina.
"Nagpahangin lang po ako sa labas. Akyat po muna ako, Nay." Tumalikod si Emerald at mabilis na umakyat ng hagdan.
"Oo nga pala, muntik ko nang makalimutan. Nagpunta rito si Pamela kanina. Hinahanap ka niya," pahabol ni Nanay Merly.
Bigla siyang napatigil. “Si Pamela ho nandito kanina?” Paniniguro niya.
Pamela was her best friend. Three months na silang hindi nagkita matapos itong magpunta sa Australia para dalawin ang ina at mga kapatid nito. She missed her terribly—their bonding, their late-night conversations.
Nanay Merly nodded. “Oo, hija. Pinapasabi niyang tawagan mo raw agad siya.”
Emerald rushed to her room. Pagkapasok, agad niyang kinuha ang cellphone niya. Her eyes widened. A hundred missed calls from Pamela?! Napailing siya bago tinawagan ang kaibigan.
“Geez! Finally! Kanina pa kita tinatawagan. Where have you been, bruha ka? Dumaan pa ako sa inyo, pero wala kang sinabi kung saan ka nagpunta.” Pamela’s voice exploded from the other line.
“Kailan ka pa dumating?” Emerald cut in, ignoring the lecture.
“Kaninang madaling araw. Hindi kita natawagan agad kasi sobrang pagod ko. But anyway—hang out tayo mamaya? 8 PM sa MAX23?”
"Basta sagot mo lahat, why not."
"No problem. Marami akong chika mamaya, hehe!" Pamela giggled before ending the call.
Emerald sighed in relief, finally feeling excited. But it was only 5 PM. Napagpasyahan niyang maligo at umidlip muna bago umalis. Pero dapat mag-set ng alarm.
---
Half an hour later, she woke up to her alarm ringing. Pinatay niya ito habang nakapikit pa ang mga mata. Then, she drifted off again.
Bigla siyang nagising. She shot up in bed. “Sh*t! How come I fell asleep again?”
Emerald rubbed her eyes, yawning as she got up. Tumungo siya sa banyo para maghilamos bago naghanap ng maisusuot. She chose a pair of tattered black jeans and a white crop top. Medyo revealing ito—something she wouldn’t usually wear. But tonight, gusto lang niyang mag-enjoy. Wala namang problema, ‘di ba?
After putting on light makeup and a baby-pink lip gloss, she inspected herself in the mirror. Satisfied, she left her room.
As she reached the door, a familiar voice stopped her.
“Where are you going?”
She froze. Daddy.
"I'm asking you, Emerald. Where are you going?"
Bahagyang sinarado ni Emerald ang kamao. "Bakit ba lahat ng galaw ko kailangan niyong malaman?"
“Dahil magulang mo kami! Alam mo bang nag-aalala kami tuwing aalis ka nang hindi nagpapaalam?” This time, her mother’s angry voice joined in.
Emerald didn’t want to argue. "No need to worry. Si Pamela ang kasama ko."
Without another word, she walked out the door. Sa bilis ng mga hakbang niya, ni hindi niya sila nilingon.
“Make sure na uuwi ka ng maayos,” her father called out from behind. “And tomorrow, we’re having dinner with them. Be prepared.”
Her chest tightened. “Them.” Alam niyang iyon ang pamilya ng lalaking napipilitang ipakasal sa kanya. Hindi niya kayang harapin iyon ngayon.
Emerald got into her car and sped off, her mind swirling with frustration and dread.
---
By the time she reached MAX23, the city lights were starting to come alive. MAX23 was an exclusive bar—their go-to spot for drinks and letting off steam. Pagkapark, bumaba siya at pumasok sa bar.
Inside, the atmosphere was lively. Music thumped through the air, and the scent of alcohol and perfume mingled in the dimly lit space. She made her way to the counter, ordered a drink, and sat down, waiting for Pamela.
For a few moments, she let herself relax. Tonight, no worries. Just fun.
But deep inside, Emerald knew—it was just the calm before the storm.
- Writer
