Fated Souls

II.

"Turn around" Saph said.

Tinignan ko lang siya kaya niya ako tinulak kaya medyo sumubsob ako.

"Aray ko naman! Dahan dahan!"

"Sabi ko kasi sayo turn around e parang wala kang narinig. Oh, Ikot." Sabi nito kaya wala na akong nagawa tsaka na ako umikot.

"See? Bagay mo, sabi naman sayo e. Mukha ka nang unggoy na naka dress."

"Ah talaga ba?" Sabi ko rito kaya siya lumayo sa akin nang tumatawa.

Ewan ko ba kasi sa school namin. Zia told us that the school is throwing a welcoming party for those jerks this Friday and everyone is ordered to go. Kapag hindi raw nag attend hindi makakapag take ng exam sa first sem. Makatarungan ba yon? And, bakit kailangan ng welcoming party para sa tatlong ugok na yon? They're not that special.

"Alam niyo, may something talaga sa mga yan e. Who would throw a welcoming party para lang sa kanila? Lalo na para sa Zeke na yon e wala namang pakealam yon sa paligid niya." Sabi ni Saph habang pumipili ng damit.

"Hindi lang naman si Zeke e, even that Chase guy. He's weird. Ikaw ah, si Zeke lang napapansin mo." Pangaasar ko rito. Inismiran niya ako at pumili ulit ng damit.

"Maybe anak ng may-ari ng school?" Asked Zia.

"Then, bakit ngayon lang sila pumasok sa University nila? That's way weirder." Sagot ni Saph. She has a point.

"Galit ka yata e." Sabi ni Zia kaya napatingin si Saph.

"Ayan ang mga nakukuha mo kay Elijah guy ah." Asar nito.

"Hindi ah! Anong nakukuha? E ayaw ko ngang kausap yon e stress siya sa buhay."

"Alam niyo, let's just not talk about them. Nagugutom na ako, kumain na muna tayo." I said. This whole dress hopping is killing me. Nakakabagot.

We were about to enter the restaurant we chose when we saw Zeke having a date with someone. Having a date nga ba? Baka naman kasi may meeting lang or so what ever. I don't judge. I mean, not all the time.

Nagtago kami sa likod ng poster habang sinisilip pa rin si Zeke.

"Do you think girlfriend niya yung kasama niya?" Asked Zia.

"Malamang. Ano niya yan nanay niya? E halata namang mas bata sa kanya." Sabi ko habang nakatingin pa rin kay Zeke.

"Is he having a date with a young girl? Oh mah gah." Sabi ni Saph tsaka pa tinakpan yung bibig niya.

"Baka naman hindi date. Friendly date lang ganyan." Sabi ko nang bigla akong batukan ni Saph kaya ako napatingin sa kanya.

"Tanga, edi date pa rin yon. Bobo neto." Sabi niya sakin tsaka pa ako tinuro bago ulit tumingin kay Zeke.

I was about to say something nang biglang tumayo ng maayos si Zia. "Bakit ba tayo nagtatago? As if naman we did something wrong." Sabi nito kaya napatayo rin kami ng maayos ni Saph. "Oo nga no?" Sabi pa nito kaya binatukan ko rin siya.

"Isa ka rin pa lang bobo e." Nag make face lang ito na parang gago kaya natawa ako.

Humanap na kami ng uupuan namin at itong pagkachismosa ni Saph pinairal niya kaya nakaupo kami sa pwesto kung saan malapit sa table nina Zeke.

"Do you think he knows that we're here?" Tanong ni Zia.

"Pakealam naman niyan sa atin e tignan mo nga. Parang wala ring pakealam sa kausap niya." Sabi ni Saph and with that, A sudden flirtatious smile formed into Zeke's lips. Nailuwa ni Saph yung isusubo na dapat niyang pasta nang makita niya si Zeke.

"Gagu ano yon? Did he just smiled? Like, for real?" Tanong nito tsaka niya sinubo ulit yung pasta habang nakatingin ng weird kay Zeke.

"Parang alam ko na kung bakit ganyan si Zeke. He's being careful because he has a girlfriend and he doesn't want to hurt her feelings knowing he's good looking." Sabi ni Zia bago uminom.

"Sobrang pang fairy tale naman niyang naisip mo, Zia." I said bago ako sumubo.

"Cali, we'll never know." Sabi pa nito habang nakatingin sakin na parang inargabyado siya.

"Gagi wag kang magalit. Kwentuhan lang oh." Sabi ko rito tsaka kami tumawa. Napatingin ako kay Saph na kumakain pero nakatingin pa rin kay Zeke. Tumigil ako kakatawa at nginuso ko siya kay Zia.

"Are you really that interested in him at pati sa pagkain mo nakatingin ka sa kanya?" Saph was about to answer me nang biglang tumayo na sina Zeke at bago sila lumabas ng resto napatingin siya sa direksyon namin. Kay Saph to be exact.

A short silence embrace us bago sinara ni Zia yung nakabuka niyang bibig and said something.

"Do you think he recognized us? Sabi mo nga Saph na walang pakealam yon sa paligid niya."

"Maybe. Or maybe not. Naaalala siguro but he doesn't know us." And we continued eating.

Just like that, days passed by like a lightning. It's already Friday and we're dressing up for the party. I mean, not really prom levels ganon. Nag aayos lang, kayo naman oh. Wag kayong magalit.

When we arrived at the party everyone is active. Dancing, chitchatting and stuffs.

Zia is wearing a red dress that looks amazing on her while Saph is wearing a black dress with a slit in it that compliments her pale white skin tone. And here I am, wearing a plain fitted white dress and I'm feeling it.

The school hall is crowded but it's not suffocating. Tama lang. What do I expect for a University party? Of course, walang magpapahuli sa mga students.

We were just vibing to the music while drinking the drinks we got sa server. We were talking about something when everyone's attention shifted to the two men that are entering the hall.

Elijah is wearing a plain black shirt and a checkered long sleeves on top of it with his denim jeans. Beside him is Zeke wearing a plain white polo with his leather black jacket and a black pants. And lastly, no Chase with them.

Everyone is welcoming them and tried to talk to them. Elijah is just smiling and accepting the drinks that is given to him while Zeke is just standing beside him with no interest at all habang nakapamulsa.

I was so focused on checking them nang sikuhin ako ni Saph.

"Nasan si Chase?"

"Malay ko. Tanga k?" nagmake face lang siya tsaka na ulit uminom.

"Cr lang ako." paalam ko sa dalawa. Tumango lang sila tsaka na ako umalis. The restroom is kinda far from the hall so I have to walk ng medyo malayo. Usually sabay sabay kaming pupunta sa banyo but masyado silang nageenjoy sa view kaya hinayaan ko na lang sila.

I was in the hallway on the way to the restroom when I heard someone talking. Sinundan ko yung boses and there I saw Chase with a girl. I know her, their it girl. I can't tell what's so special about this girl e mukhang galing din naman siya sa jungle with me, Saph and Zia.

Nilapit ko lalo yung ulo ko sa may bintana ng classroom. It's kinda dark and quiet kaya kampante akong hindi ako makikita.

"I told you, I didn't came back for you. Not for anyone." Chase's deep voice echoed.

"Chase, don't you miss me? 'Cause I do." Sabi ni Trisha at lumapit kay Chase para yakapin siya. But Chase is fast so he grabbed her in both arms at inilayo ito sa kanya.

"Can't you just stop, Trisha? I don't want to be near you, okay? Kahit kanino pa. So please, just stop pestering me and live your own life without me in it."

I was so focused and shocked on the scene kaya hindi ko napansin na bumukas yung pinto. I felt someone is behind me kaya humarap ako ng dahan dahan habang medyo naka dikit pa rin sa pader.

"I-I uh... I was looking for the restroom. Yeah, that's right." I said at akmang aalis na ako when he grabbed may arm at hinila sa gilid ng poste.

"How much did you hear?" he asked me habang mahigpit na hawak ang braso ko.

He was looking at me intently with his cold expressionless eyes. "I will ask you again. How far have you reached?" He's asking me with greeted teeth obviously trying to control his anger. Nag iwas ako ng tingin and answered him "I didn't heard anything." I said. He took a deep breath as if losing his self control.

"I hate repeating myself, so you better answer me kung hanggang saan ang narinig mo before I lose my control." Sabi niya habang hawak pa rin ng mahigpit ang braso ko.

"I told you, wala nga akong narinig. So, can you please let go of me because that f*****g grip of yours hurts." I said while looking at him.

He was about to say something when he just pulled me.

"Saan mo ba ako dadalhin?" I hissed.

Nang nasa harapan na kami ng restroom pabigla niyang binitawan ang braso ko. Muntik na akong ma out of balance buti na lang napakapit ako sa grills kaya mukha tuloy akong unggoy na naglalambitin.

"Can't you be gentle? I told you, it hurts. And haven't I told you na wala akong narinig? Atsaka, why are you so furious about me hearing something? Is it something that no one shouldn't know? If that so, sana hindi kayo sa ganitong klase ng lugar nag usap." I told him while fixing my dress.

"Anong alam mo?" he asked again. Saan ba pinaglihi 'tong mokong na to at ang kulit?

"Sinabi na ngang wala diba? I hate repeating myself as well. And why did you dragged me here?"

"You told me that you were looking for the restroom. Are you also new here that's why you don't know where the restroom is or you're just dumb?"

Napakurap ako sa huli niyang sinabi. Ako dumb? Hell nah. Minsan.

Papasok na sana ako sa loob ng banyo ng biglang may nagsalita.

"Chase"

Napaharap ako and there I saw Trisha sa likod ni Chase. Chase took a deep breath habang naka pamewang bago ibagsak ang mga kamay nito sa gilid niya at humarap kay Trisha. May sasabihin pa sana si Trisha pero nilagpasan lang siya ni Chase.

Biglang tumingin si Trisha sa akin at lumapit.

"What's your relationship with Chase?" Oh. I did not expect that from the campus' it girl. It girl my ass.

"It's none of your business."

Tatalikod na sana ako ng magsalita ulit siya.

"Stay away from him."

"You don't tell me what to do." I said while looking at her.

"I said, stay away from him or else I'll ruin your image."

I let out a mocking smile, "Sa ating dalawa, I am the one who's capable of ruining someone's image. Specially when that someone is so head over hills inlove with someone who doesn't give a f**k about her and doesn't even want to be near her. Try me, Miss It Girl." I smirked and entered the restroom.

Who is she to tell me what to do? At kahit hindi niya sabihing lumayo ako sa Elijah na yon I'll do that. I don't want to be near with that bastard. We might end up death threatening each other.

Pagkatapos kong maghugas ng kamay ay lumabas na ako ng restroom. Pagsara ko ng pinto nakita ko ang isang lalaking nakasandal sa pader habang nakapamulsa.

"Ay pusang gala!" Sigaw ko sa gulat habang nasa dibdib ko ang kamay ko. Napatayo rin siya ng maayos sa gulat sa sigaw ko.

"Z-Zeke?"

"You know me?" he asked.

"Who doesn't? I mean, yeah? Maybe." That's a reliefe kasi hindi niya maalala na kami yung tinignan niya sa restaurant before.

Tumango lang siya tsaka na umalis. He's definitely weird. Nagkibit balikat na lang ako at babalik na sana sa hall ng may humawak sa braso ko. Sa gulat ko akmang susuntukin ko na siya nang makita kong si Saph pala.

"Tanga, bakit ba? Nagulat tuloy ako." Sabi ko tsaka ko na binaba ang kamay ko.

"Kakakape mo yan." Sabi nito habang nakahawak sa dalawang tuhod niya at hinihingal.

"Anong nangyari sayo at hinihingal ka? Nakasabit pa sa braso mo yang heels mo ah. May games ba sa party?" Sabi ko rito habang natatawa. Tinanggal niya ang mga heels niya sa braso niya at tamad na binitawan sa sahig tsaka sinuot.

"Hinahabol ako ng boys." Sabi nito kaya ako tumawa ng malakas. Siya? Hahabulin ng boys? Gago.

Napatigil siya sa pagsuot ng strap ng heels niya habang naka hawak sa grills at nakatingin sakin. "Ano bang tinitira mo? Wala namang nakakatawa sa sinabi ko." Sabi niya tsaka ulit inayos ang heels.

"E kasi naman, bakit naman makikipaglaro ng taguan sa'yo ang mga boys? Lasing kana no?" I asked her habang nagpipigil ako ng tawa. Mukha na kasing sabog e hindi naman alak yung iniinom namin kanina.

"Hoy, galing tayong jungle, oo, pero pwede pa rin naman akong habulin ng boys ah." Sabi niya habang inaayos ang buhok niya. Tsaka niya ako tinignan na parang pagod na pagod siya.

"AY!" Sigaw niya bigla kaya nagulat ako.

"Ano ba?! Kanina pa akong nagugulat sa inyo ah, kung may sakit lang ako sa puso pipti pipti na 'ko." Sabi ko sa kanya habang ginigesture pa sa kamay yung 50.

"E kasi, kaya ako hinabol ng mga lalaki may sinapak ako sa mga kasama nila." Sabi niya tsaka na kami nagsimulang naglakad pabalik sa hall.

"Sinapak? Bakit may boxing din ba na palaro sa party?"

"Tanga talaga neto. May humipo kasi sa may pwetan ko kaya tinapunan ko ng drinks sa mukha at sinapak ko ng malaks. Malay ko bang isang baranggay pala tropa non at hinabol ako. Lame gangsters. Akala naman nila takot ako." Sabi nito.

"E bakit ka tumakbo kung hindi ika takot?" Tanong ko sa kanya kaya napatigil siya tsaka niya ako hinarap.

"W-wala lang! One is to one no." Sabi niya ng masungit tsaka ako inunahan.

Nang makabalik na kami sa hall dinatnan namin sina Zia at Elijah na nagtatalo. Anong bang problema ng dalawang 'to e sa loob ng isang linggo lahat na lang pinagtatalunan nila.

"Sinabi na nga kasing ikaw na, ikaw bumangga sakin e." Dinig naming sabi ni Elijah paglapit namin sa kanila ni Saph.

"Anong ako? E para pupulutin mo lang e. Ikaw na, masakit balakang ko dahil sa heels hindi ako makayuko."

"Bakit? Balakang mo ba may suot ng heels? You can't fool me, Miss Collins."

"Pulutin mo na kasi sabi e." At nag patuloy sila sa pagbabangayan habang nagtitinginan kami ni Saph at umiiling.

"Ikaw na nga sabi! You were the one you bumped into me kaya nahulog yang singsing ng kaibigan mo. It's not my fault kung pabaya kang ikaibigan." Tamad na sabi ni Eijah kay Zia.

"Ako? Pabayang kaibigan? Para nahulong lang yung singsing e akala mo naman. Suntukin ko lalamunan mo e!" Balik ni Zia sa kaniya at akmang susugurin na si Elijah nang awatin namin siya ni Saph habang natatawa. Sino ba namang hindi? E sa tagal na naming magkakasama magkakamot lang siya when she's so done with us. But when it comes to this guy in front of her, she's losing her control.

"Oh wag kang magalit. Para pupulutin mo lang kasi e." Sabi ni Elijah habang natatawang umiiwas sa pag abot sa kaniya ni Zia at nagpamulsa ng kamay.

Tinignan siya ng masama ni Saph habang inaawat pa rin si Zia.

"Ikaw... Ikaw ah, para pupulutin mo lang. Pupulutin mo lang e!" At akmang lalapitan na niya si Elijah para batukan pero biglang may pumagitna sa kanila and picked up her ring. Tumayo siya ng maayos at nagpamulsa ng isang kamay while holding Sapphire's ring on the other one.

"All you have to do is pick it up." No one dared to talk sa aming apat. We're just looking at him.

"Is it really hard for you to pick this piece of s**t at nag tuturuan pa kayo kung sino ang pupulot? Lame." Zia and Me were shocked. Not because he's the one who picked up the ring, but because of his choice of words.

He doesn't know how important that ring is for Sapphire.

No one dared to move but Saph. Bigla niyang inagaw kay Zeke yung singsing niya at sinuot. She was about to walk out when Zeke said something.

"Is that how you communicate with people? Doing you a favor and won't even say thank you?" he said before smirking.

Dahang dahang humurap si Saph and God knows how insulted she was sa itsura niya. Saph knows how to take jokes but Zeke is too much. Kung nag j'joke man siya. Or maybe not? Who knows ugaling demonyo pala 'to despite of his looks.

"I don't say thank you to someone who doesn't deserve it. And if you're waiting for me to thank you because you picked up my ring, then wait until the river boils." Sapphire then left.