Scioness: AVA XUE

Chapter 2

Hindi alam ni Ava kung paanong pag-iwas ng tingin ang gagawin niya. Nasa isang mahabang table sila magkakasama. Sa isang banda nandoon ang parents and grandparents nina Ava, Patricia at Henry, at sa kabilang banda naman ay silang magpipinsan kasama ang dalawang nakababatang kapatid ni Henry at dalawang kaibigang lalaki nito. Kamalas malasan pa na katapat niya sa hapag kaninan si William.

“Last night was so crazy,” tawa ni Amelia sa tabi niya. Masaya itong nakikipagusap sa mga kasamahan nila na parang close na silang lahat.

Oh wow the table looks so interesting. Kanino kaya nila binili ‘to? Maganda ‘to sa bahay nila Mommy and Papa.

Olivia chuckled. Katabi lang nito si Ava, at halata niya ang pag-iwas ng tingin ng Ate niya kay William. “Sayang wala ako kagabi. It would have been funny,” pagdidiin ni Olivia.

Ava rolled her eyes heavenwards. Nakahanap nanaman ng paraan si Olivia para bwisitin siya.

“Paano nga pala tayo nakauwi kagabi?” curious na tanong ni Elie sakanila. Dahil ang huling alam niya ay dumating si Henry sa couch nila kasama ang mga kaibigan nito at uminom pa sila ng isang round. After that, wala nang iba pa.

Ava prayed for the ground to take her. Kahihiyan nanaman kapag nalaman ng mga ito na si William ang nakasama niya sa kwarto.

Cool, the grass is well cut. Ano kaya ang gamit na lawn mower ni Lolo? Kausap ni Ava sa sarili niya. Ayaw na niyang makarinig ng kahit ano pang kwento tungkol sa nangyari sakanila kagabi sa bar lalong lalo na kung paano sila nakauwi.

Pero heto ang siraulong kumag na mapapangasawa ng Ate Patricia niya, nagsasalita at mukhang malalaman pa ng lolo niya ang nangyari.

“Pat and I took Mica home.”

Ava nervously gulped. Gusto na niyang tumayo at umalis doon.

“Simon took you and Amy here.”

Shit. Ava cursed. Gusto niya sapukin ang sarili niya sa kahihiyan.

Henry doesn’t need to tell her that she came to the resort with William dahil unti-unti na niyang naalala ang pangyayari kagabi. Sobrang antok na si Amelia kaya inuwi na siya ni Elie at Simon. While Ava, naiwan pa siya sa bar dahil gusto niya pang mag-inom. Sa sobrang lasing na rin niya ata kagabi hindi na niya naintindihan ang sinabi ni Henry na kaibigan nito si William at ito na ang magdadala sakaniya sa resort.

Olivia smirked and looked at Ava amusingly. “Is that so?”

Ava secretly pinched Olivia on her side.

Nananadya pa talaga ‘tong siraulong ‘to! Inis na isip ni Ava.

Natawa na lang si Olivia sa inakto ng kapatid niya. Kaunti na lang talaga at masasapak na talaga siya ng Ate niya.

“Then William took Ava here. Right, bud?” Henry looked at him, confirming it.

William was nodding with a smile plastered on his face. Ava felt he was looking at her, so she looked elsewhere. She could feel her cheeks getting hot. Namumula na siya sa hiya kaya minabuti niyang sa yumuko na lang para walang makakita pisngi niya.

Elie immediately looked at her sister. Magsasalita na sana ito pero hindi na niya tinuloy. Her lips formed a thin line upon realizing and internalizing what Henry said. Elie looked at William, nakangiti itong nakatingin sa kapatid niya. Kahit hindi sinasabi ni Ava ay sigurado na siya na si William ang tinutukoy ni Olivia kanina.

Elie shut her mouth. Kasama nila ang lolo nila, at sigurado rin siyang sasabunutan siya ni Ava kapag nagsalita pa siya. Amelia, on the other hand, couldn’t shut her big mouth.

“Oh,” mabilis na sagot ni Amelia sa nalaman. Patango-tango pa siya. Ayos naman pala at kaibigan ni Henry ang nagkasama nila umuwi, siguradong safe sila.

But she looked at William. Hindi niya maalala na nakasama nila ito sa couch nila kagabi. Si Simon alam niyang ito ang katabi ni Ate Elie niya, pero bagong mukha si William para sakaniya. Nang ilipat niya ang tingin sa Ate Ava niya, nagtataka siya rito. Her head was bowed down, na para bang sinusuri nito ang grass ng mabuti. She wasn’t used to it. Her Ate Ava is not shy when it comes around men. Sobrang confident pa nga nito mahihiya ang kanta ni Demi Lovato. Pero ngayon, this is so not her sister.

“Oh,” makahulugang sabi ni Amelia nang mapagtanto ang pangyayari. Nasigurado niyang si William ang sinasabing lalaki na nakasama ni Ava nang makita ang mapanuksong ngiti ni Ate Olivia niya.

Ava shut her eyes when she heard Amelia. Akala niya ay may sasabihin pa ito, susuwayin na niya sana. Mabuti na lang at nanahimik na ito. Patricia started a topic kaya naman nakahinga na siya ng maluwag nang umingay na sila ulit at wala na ang usapan sa nangyari kagabi.

Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala sa nangyayari. Kung hindi ba naman siya minamalas, napahiya na nga siya kagabi kay William tapos nilandi niya pa. Ang masama pa roon ay hindi niya alam kung ano ang nangyari kagabi nang umuwi sila. She still doesn’t remember how they got home in the first place.

Hindi na alam ni Ava kung gaano na siya katagal nakatingin sa ibaba. Hindi pa ba matatapos ang lunch nila? Gusto na niyang bumalik sa villa nila para magkulong sa kwarto.

“Hey,” tawag ni William sakaniya.

Napapikit siya ng mariin bago salubungin ang tingin ni William. His chocolate-colored eyes are tantalizing as ever. Wala naman siyang preference sa kulay ng mata pero parang humaling na humaling siya roon.

“Aren’t you coming?” he asked.

Doon lang napansin ni Ava na wala na siyang katabi. Olivia and Elie weren’t beside her anymore.

Nasaan na sila?

She heard his low chuckle. It sounds so sultry and inviting, and Ava hates it. Lalo siyang nagmumukhang gwapo sa paningin nito.

It’s just an infatuation. It’ll last just like the others. Pampakalma nito sa sarili niya. Hindi na bago sakaniya ang magkagusto sa lahi ni Adan, but that’s just it, hindi niya hinahayaang lumalim pa ang nararamdaman niya. She has no time for love and relationship, dahil mayroon siyang kumpanya na pinapalakad.

And for f**k’s sake, kagabi lang sila nagkakilala! Get a hold of yourself, Ava!

“They left. Patricia said about a secret falls nearby?”

Ava smiled at the thought. They were pre-teens when they discovered that falls. They went to have a little hike behind the resort, as they were little adventurous children, then they found out about the falls nearby.

Naabutan na lang ni Ava ang mga kapatid niya na palabas ng villa nila. Nakapagpalit na ang mga ito ng pang-swimming. Amelia was already holding a tote bag, kung anong laman ‘non ay hindi alam ni Ava.

Nagpaalam ang mga ito na mauuna na pumunta roon dahil sayang daw ang oras kung hihintayin pa nila siya. Ava let them since she knows the way. She took her time to change and put on some sunscreen before stepping out of their villa.

“Hey,” a voice said.

Ava jumped a little when she heard his voice. Ano ang ginagawa nito sa labas ng villa nila? He was supposed to be with the others in the falls!

“What are you doing here?” Ava asked. She hoped she didn’t sound rude, pero ang alam niya ay kasama na ito ng mga kapatid niya.

Napahawak si William sa batok niya na parang nahihiya. “Olivia said to wait for you.”

Ava cursed Oli in her mind. Kahit kailan talaga ang kalokohan ng isang ‘yon. Tumango na lamang siya at nauna nang maglakad. William wasn’t falling behind; his legs were long so he can catch up to her easily.

They were silent for the next ten minutes of their walk, and Ava prayed that they stay that way. There were a couple of times where Ava could see William opening his mouth but then he shut it anyway. Para bang may gusto itong sabihin sakaniya pero biglang nagbabago ang isip niya.

It went on for a few times but then Ava couldn’t stop herself, she was as curious as a cat to know what he wants to say.

“What?” she asked impatiently. She stopped on her tracks to look at William, raising an eyebrow. Hindi na alintana ang hiya sa kaniya.

William pursed his lips, suppressing his smile. He shook his head sideways. “Maybe I was wrong.”

Kumunot ang noo ni Ava, lalo siyang na-curious. “Wrong about what exactly?” Nagsimula na ulit silang maglakad.

“That you are avoiding me because of what happened last night.”

Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi ni Ava. Hindi na niya yata matatakasan ang kagagahan niya kagabi.

Ava cleared her throat, stopped on her tracks and faced William once and for all. “Look,” she started, her heart racing not sure if because of shame or because she was staring at his face. “About last night, nagsisisi na ako na hindi ko muna tiningnan kung saan ako pumasok. I’m sure hindi naman iyon ang unang beses na makakita ka ng nagkamaling lasing, right?” patuloy na sabi ni Ava. She couldn’t stop, she shouldn’t stop, because if she did, baka lamunin nanaman siya ng hiya. “I know it’s stupid, but we’re supposed to have fun!”

A smile was forming on his lips, his arms crossed in front him. He was enjoying the sight of her panicking a little while explaining.

“And then, hindi pa natapos doon ang kahihiyan ko. I had the audacity to sleep with you—”

“Wait, what?”

“Kahit na pahiyang-pahiya ako sa’yo sa restroom—"

Napaayos ng tindig si William sa narinig na sinabi ni Ava. Sleep with him? Mukhang iba ang naaalala ni Ava sa kaniya. “Ava,” he called her, but she didn’t stop talking.

Ava threw her hands upward and laughed at herself mockingly, “And then it turns out kaibigan ka pala ni Henry—”

“Ava, we didn’t sleep together.”

“Lalo nang nakakahiy— wait, what?” she almost shouted when she heard William.

“Nothing happened between us last night,” he said calmly.

Bakit wala?

Ava noted to herself to slap herself later. Bakit naman naisip niya pa iyon? She should be glad nothing happened!

“But… but Oli said… Oli said you came out of my room.”

“I stayed in your room because you told me to,” William explained to her.

Nagtaka naman si Ava sa sarili. William is a stranger to her, paanong sinabihan niyang manatili ito sa kwarto niya gayong alam niya ang kapalit kapag nahuli siya ng lolo niya?

William chuckled. Kita nito ang pagtataka sa mukha ni Ava. “I was about to leave your villa when you stopped me. Ang sabi mo baka makita ako ng lolo mo kaya mag-stay muna ako sa kwarto mo. Every time I attempt to leave, pinipigilan mo ako. You look so worried kaya nag-stay muna ako until you fell asleep. Then nang makasigurado akong malalim na ang tulog mo, doon na ako umalis. I saw Olivia in the kitchen.” William laughed when he remembered Olivia’s face upon seeing him descending from the stairs.

From the looks of her, hindi siya natakot na may estranghero sa loob ng villa nila, mukhang takot ito na makita ng lolo nila na may lalaki galing sa itaas kung nasaan ang mga kwarto nila.

“Olivia took me outside early enough for your grandfather not to see me.”

Napaisip si Ava sa mga kinuwento ni William. She really does owe Olivia this time. Napanatag ang loob niya sa mga sinabi ni William. Mukhang nagsasabi naman ito ng totoo na walang nangyari sakanila, at hindi rin naman halata na big deal dito ang nagawa niyang kagagahan sa restroom ng bar. Ava must have jumped into conclusions which made her ashamed in front of him, well in truth and in fact, William didn’t care.

Naningkit ang mata ni William sa kaniya. “You really don’t remember anything that involves me last night aside from the incident in the restroom?”

She tried. Oh how she tried to remember pero wala talaga. Ava bit her lower lip and chuckled nervously, “Wala eh.”

William chuckled and held his chest as if he was hurt by her answer. “Ouch, Ava. You were telling me your whole life story last night but you don’t remember any of it. I thought we were friends?” ma-dramang sabi nito sa kaniya.

Ava laughed at him. She never knew he was this dramatic and funny. Sana ay umpisa pa lang inalis na niya ang hiya niya at nakipagkaibigan dito. “I did that? So you know my whole life?”

He nodded. “That’s why I stayed last night. You told me about the incident with your lolo. You look like you were about to cry when I try to leave, so I just stayed for your comfort.” He smiled genuinely.

Ava was touched at his gesture. It was pure and gentleman-like. He could have left her as soon as he dropped her in her room but he stayed for her sake, mentally and socially. Lalo tuloy itong nagmukhang gwapo sa paningin niya.

Ava digs gentlemen and funny guys. Infatuation lang, Ava. Relax ka lang.

Inilahad ni Ava ang kanang kamay, she was offering for a handshake. “Hi, I’m Ava Xue Wei Yan,” pakilala niya. They started at the wrong foot. She wanted to know him more. William looks like he is a great guy contrary to what she felt about him when she was ashamed before.

William smiled at her genuinely; na para bang alam niyang ito na ang totoong side ni Ava na nakilala niya kagabi. She even introduced herself with her father’s family name! He took her hand for a handshake and said, “William Valderrama. Nice to finally meet you sober, Ava Xue.”

~

Olivia was watching her sister and William while they were at the falls. The two of them were unusually closer now than they were earlier. Para bang hindi na nahihiya ang kapatid niya kay William tulad kaninang umaga habang kumakain sila.

“May round two ba mamaya?” she jokingly asked Ava.

Ava’s eyes widened. Inambaan niya si Olivia ng siko sa tagiliran. Kanina niya pa gustong saktan ang kapatid kaka-inis sakaniya at ngayon niya lang magagawa dahil nasa bandang likuran sila habang naglalakad pabalik sa resort. “Demonyo ka. Kanina ka pa, ah.”

Olivia laughed at her sister’s expression. Kanina pa halatang nagtitimpi ang Ate niya sa kaniya, at mukhang mapupuruhan na siya kapag hindi pa siya tumigil. But she couldn’t stop. Ngayon niya lang nakitaan ng pagkakataon inisin ang Ate niya, dahil madalas, ito ang may bala para bwisitin sila. “Ano, aalis ba muna kami sa villa mamaya?”

Hindi na nakaiwas si Olivia at nasiko na siya mismo ni Ava. Despite the sudden pain, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud, buti na lang ay hindi sila nilingon ng iba nilang kasama.

“You little s**t,” Ava cursed her sister. Kahit sinagip siya ni Olivia sa lolo nila, ito ang naglagay sa isip niya na may nangyari sakanila ni William kagabi dahil galing ito sa kwarto niya. “Nothing happened last night,” she whispered to her, afraid that someone might hear them at i-chismis pa sa iba nilang kasama.

Olivia raised an eyebrow at her. “Naalala mo na?”

“He told me. And the looks of him, mukhang hindi siya demonyo katulad mo,” isang hampas pa ang binigay ni Ava sa nakababatang kapatid.

Nakataas pa rin ang isang kilay ni Olivia sakaniya. “Paano ka nakakasigurado?”

Napatalon sila pareho nang marinig ang boses ni Henry sa likuran. “Valderrama is a gentleman. He values consent.”

“Chismoso,” Olivia pouted and rolled her eyes.

Napahawak na lang si Ava sa sentido niya nang marinig ang boses ni Henry. Nalaman pa tuloy ni Henery ang tungkol kay William. She prayed that he wouldn’t snitch on her. Kahit na mortal silang magka-away, hindi naman siguro ito magsusumbong.

Before the dinner they had a run down about what to do and what not to do on the day of the wedding, which is the next day. And to Ava’s surprise, as she is Patricia’s Maid of Honor, si William naman ang Best Man ni Henry.

“Destiny, huh?” malisyosang bulong ni Elie sa kaniya bago magsimula ang rehearsal.

Ava rolled her eyes heavenwards. Pati si Elie ay nakisama na para inisin siya. Subukan lang ni Amelia makisama at sasabunutan na niya talaga ang tatlo.

William offered his hand to her. Nagsimula silang maglakad sa aisle kuno para sa rehearsal bago ang dinner nila. Weird that after their confrontation earlier she felt relaxed and comfortable with him. Hindi madaling maging komportable si Ava sa ibang tao but there is something about William which made her feel cozy around him.

Probably because of his kindness and humor… right?

Their dinner ended immediately, dahil kailangan na magpahinga ng lolo at lola nila. Ganon na rin nag parents nila. Luckily, Ava had to do answer a call from her assistant kaya nanatili siya sa may pool side.

She was about to enter their villa when a hand stopped her. Her eyes landed on William’s hand on her elbow. “Hey,” bati niya rito at inalis na ni William ang hawak sa siko niya.

“Hey,” he greeted back with a warm smile. He looked at the villa and scanned if the other girls were there. “Early night?”

Ava nodded. “Yeah, you?”

William shrugged. “We’ll probably have Henry’s bachelor party tonight.”

Ava squinted her eyes. “Will there be a stripper?” pabiro niyang sabi.

Malaki ang ngiti ni William sa narinig. “Do I hear jealousy there, Ava Xue?” biro niya rin dito.

Ava was caught off guard.

She wasn’t jealous! Why would she be? They could have as many strippers as they want. And she rolled her eyes in her mind upon the thought.

“As if,” she scoffed then playfully rolled her eyes heavenwards.

William laughed at her response.

Then someone whistled. Napatingin silang dalawa sa gawi ng sumipol. Henry, Simon, and Henry’s brothers, Harry and Hugo, were there. Palabas na sila ng resort dala dala ang mga gamit nila. The boys are going to stay at the hotel where the reception will be held. At sila naman ay maiiwan sa resort dahil dito sila manggagaling bukas papunta sa wedding location.

“Bud, ako muna. Sa susunod ka na,” nakangiting makahulugang sabi ni Henry kay William.

William couldn’t help but smile widely. Henry knows something that the others doesn’t. They were buddies after all.

Ava shrugged off what Henry said. Hindi naman niya naintindihan iyon. “Sige na, aalis na kayo.”

Humakbang patalikod si William, palayo sa kaniya at papunta sa exit ng resort. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

William’s little gestures makes Ava smile without any reason. “I’ll be the one wearing red,” she chuckled.

As the Maid of Honor, iba ang kulay ng damit niya sa mga bridesmaid. Red and gold and color palette ng kasal bukas ng pinsan niya. Her gown is red, and the others are of color gold. Because her Ate Pat is a sucker for love, makahulugan ang piniling kulay nito para sa kasal niya. She said that red is the color of love, passion, and strength. Bonus na lang na may lahi silang Chinese at maswerte rin ang kulay red at gold sa kanila.

“Good night, Ava Xue,” His boyish grin made her heart flutter.