Life In Lie

Chapter 2

I'm now prepared for our first day! I just put a little liptint on my lips and cheeks, so my face would look lively naman. 

Nagtaxi na lang din ako papunta sa University namin, ang hirap ng ganito! I swear kapag may car na ako, I will wander this whole Manila talaga!

"Good day everyone! I am Tatiana Fay G. Ramirez, 17 years old." Nagpapakilala ngayon ang mga transferee for this school year. 

I was shocked by my Junior High School bestfriend's sudden appearance. Ang gagang 'to, rito pala nag transfer! She didn't informed me. She only said na lilipat daw siya, and that's all.

"Hey you w***e! You didn't tell me rito ka pala mag-transfer! What an arse!" I hissed.

"Why would I tell you! Edi there's no thrill na!" She hissed too.

I rolled my eyes on her, and laughed.

Well, after Dean. Si Tati na ang kasunod na naging bestfriend ko. At first we really hate each other but everything changed when we became a partner in an english reporting. Parehas pa nga kaming mahina ang loob sa public speaking.

"Badtrip, ikaw pa ka-partner ko," grade seven Tatiana said.

I ignored her, and continue planning about our reporting. Our teacher gave us only an hour to prepare.

I don't want her to be my partner either! But I have no choice, it's our teacher's decision kaya! And ayoko rin bumagsak so I just focused on doing my part. Hinati kasi namin ang gagawin namin. 

"Done," I gave her, my paper after almost 30 minutes.

"Oh, Ano gagawin ko diyan?" She rolled her eyes on my paper.

"You're so masungit! I've done nothing wrong to you naman a!" Nilapag ko na lang ang papel ko sa table ko at hinaplos iyon. Kawawa naman ang papel ko naka-receive ng eye-roll.

She ignored me. Nang 15 minutes na lang ang natitira, saka lang siya nagsalita.

"I'm sorry," she said while finishing her part on our report.

"That's fine sanay na ako," I casually answered.

She stopped what she was doing and faced me. She just gave me an apologetic look.

The reporting went well. We even received a high points for it. Our teacher also complimented, parang magkasundong-magkasundo raw kami kaya ganoon kaayos ang kinalabasan ng reporting namin.

After that day, lagi na akong sinasamahan ni Tati. Until we became friends to bestfriends. I even told her my story, kaya she felt really guilty for being rude to me last time.

Nagkaiba lang kami ng school, when we became Senior High students. But her mom suddenly decided to go home, galing ibang bansa. At dito sila nakakita ng bahay na gusto ng mommy niya, since nakatira lang din si Tatiana sa auntie niya dahil nag-iisang anak lang naman din siya. I even requested to her Mom na doon kami sa condo ko pero hindi ito pumayag.

"Pero you look great kanina ha! Inspired ka ba?" Pagbibiro ko kay Tati.

"Well, wala lang. Gusto ko lang makilala nila ako as a jolly person." She said beatifically.

"Oww, so you want to replace jollibee na?" I teased.

She just rolled her eye on me and umupo na ng maayos. Nag-start na rin ang klase.

I'm happy that Tati transferred here, 'cause with that I'll be having someone with me now. Loner no more. Loner kasi ako ulit when I became Senior High School student. Walang Tati, walang Dean. Since Tita Jaylee, Dean's mom, wanted his son to study in a larger University. 

Sometimes I felt sorry for Dean, laging mama niya ang nasusunod sa mga bagay bagay. Though he can still do what he likes pa rin naman, like photography. In fact, may connection doon ang gusto niyang kuhanin na course kapag nag-college kami. BA in Film yata, if I'm not mistaken.

While me, ito malaya. But I decided to choose a not too big school for my Senior High, pero don't get me wrong. Hindi ito maliit na maliit, may College building pa rin naman dito. 

I chose this school para hindi rin gaanong maraming people ang need kong pakisamahan. Sa College na lang siguro, kung saan si Dean o Tati ay doon ako. I don't know pa, even sa course na kukunin ko, I'm still undecided.

Mababago pa naman siguro before ako mag-graduate ng Senior High 'no?

"Ano sa'yo, babe?" Tati asked me. Nasa cafeteria kami ngayon for our lunch.

"Kung ano sa'yo." I simply answered her and smile.

"You sure? Mag-heavy meal ako e, are you not maintaining something with your body? Like on diet ka ganoon or something else." She looks befuddled.

"No, hindi ako kasing-arte mo 'no!" I smirked.

She pouted and rolled her eyes on me. Umalis na siya para umorder ng kakainin namin.

I don't have time for diet diet, siguro kapag 20 na ako. Ngayon ay 'wag muna, ang hirap kaya pigilan huwag kumain 'no.

"Hello Miss, puwede makisabay?" A guy approached us, but he's gaze was only focused to Tatiana. 

Shit naman. Wala na taken na rin Tatiana ko.

 Yeah ganoon ako ka-advance. Alam ko na mga ganiyang galawan 'no. Though wala pang nanliligaw sa akin, ni isa ay wala pang sumubok.

Ano na the one galaw galaw.

"No," I was shocked when Tati answered the guy expressionless, nakatingin lang ito sa food na binaba niya sa table namin. "Bakit mo ba ako sinundan dito, nakakainis ka!" She sat down and faced the man.

They know each other naman pala. I'm just intently looking to the both of them, kahit sumusubo na ako ng pagkain ko. Parang may show ngayon dito sa harapan ko.

"Yana naman sabi ko naman sa'yo, hangga't hindi kita napapa-oo hindi kita titigilan." The man answered.

Wow. Ang tiyaga niya naman sa kaibigan ko! 

If I were him, I might have beaten this damn girl already. Just kidding, I love Tati... a lot. I know she has a reason.

'Yana' ang tawag ng marami kay Tatiana, ako lang tumatawag sa kaniya ng 'Tati'. Cute kaya! Habang si Tati ay kung ano-ano ang tinatawag sa akin.

Umismid lang sa kaniya ang kaibigan ko.

"What's going on here ba? Hey Tati?" I asked my bestfriend na nang hindi na ako makapagtimpi. The air was so heavy, my God.

"He's Cleo. Kinukulit ako, look he even followed me here sa nilipitan kong school!" Inis na sabi ni Tati.

"Hindi kita kinukulit Yana. I'm courting you kasi gusto kita." Cleo explained and looked at me as if ako ang Mommy ni Tati and he needs to explain to me. He turned his gaze back to Tati after, and searched for her eyes to please it.

"'Yon naman pala Tati e. Hina mo naman kasi Cleo, bakit gusto lang, dapat mahal!" I sounded pabiro para naman mabawasan ang heavy atmosphere namin ngayon dito.

Tati glared at me, sabay siko ng mahina sa 'kin. Yumuko ito sa kinakain, and for Pete's sake I saw her cheeks blushed.

Sabi na e. Nagpapakipot lang ang isang 'to e. I know her, mas fragile pa siya sa fragile!

I looked at Cleo and back to Tati saka umiling at pinagpatuloy na lang ang pagkain.

"Una na ako babe, nandyan na sundo ko." Tati said dahil nandoon na raw ang sundo niya sa malapit na parking dito sa school namin.

"Hatid na kita Yana," salubong naman ng suitor niya.

"Hindi mo ba narinig, I have sundo nga 'di ba?" Malditang sagot ng kaibigan ko.

"Kaya nga ihahatid kita doon, mamaya kung sinong sundo 'yan e." Cleo dramatically said.

"Ewan ko sa 'yo!" Tati said. She just waved her hand to me, saka dere-deretsong umalis. I also waved my hand back to her.

"Sige na hatid mo na, Cleo. 'Wag ka maingay sa kaniya pero I like you." I winked at him. His eyes furrowed. "Ow, don't get me wrong. What I mean is I like you for my Tati, duh!" I added, and saw his face gleamed.

"Thank you, Avery! Sige una na kami ha." I saw a genuine happiness on his face.

I just smiled at him and waved my hand.

Lord, when?

"Hatid na kita." A man said in an undertone.

"Ay kike ka!" Gulat kong sabi, sino ba namang hindi magugulat, e bigla-biglang susulpot.

He joyfully looked at me.

"I'm sorry Kai, nagulat kasi ako. Dito ka rin pala nag-aaral?" I casually asked him.

"Uhm yes, 3rd Year College." He smiled.

He's freaking handsome tho. 

"A-ah ganoon ba. Hindi mo na ako kailangang ihatid, nakakahiya naman." I said in a small tone. Nakakahiya naman talaga kung magpapahatid pa ako, hindi naman kami close.

"Siya ba?" A lady entered our scene.

Napasapo lang si Kai sa noo, sabay hatak sa akin papunta sa sasakyan niya. He didn't even give the lady a look. Iniwan niya lang ito doon mag-isa.

"Who is she?" I asked habang nasa shotgun seat. Wala nanaman akong nagawa.

Wala nga bang nagawa Avery o nagpakaladkad ka talaga?

"Who?" He asked without looking at me. Naka-focus sa pagda-drive.

"The lady earlier, before we leave? The one who ask yo—" I was cut off, when he turned his gaze to me.

He's looking deeply in my eyes.

"Selos ka ba? She's nothing don't worry." He calmly said. Mukhang kampante sa sinabi niya.

"Huh? Bakit ako magseselos wala namang mayroon sa 'tin, r-right?" I looked confused.

"Huh? Wala ba?" natawa siya at ibinalik ang tingin sa daan. 

Nananaginip pa 'ata ang isang 'to.

"Just kidding, she's Amy, ex fling ko. Don't mind her, matagal na kaming wala pero ayaw niyang pumayag." He simply explained. "Pogi ko kasi e," he winked.

God...

"H-ha?" Wala na akong masagot dahil sa sobrang kapal ng apog ng lalaking 'to. "Ano, baka mamaya sugudin na lang ako ni ate Amy ha," 'yon na lang ang nasabi ko.

"Hahaha, don't worry, hindi ganoon si Amy." Natawa siya sa naging reaction ko. "Yeah, she's a little bit crazy, pero sa 'kin lang." He smirked.

Napa-buntong hininga na lang ako. Umaapaw ang kayabangan dito sa sasakyan.

"By the way, bakit mo ba ako laging hinahatid? We didn't even know each other, a-and nagpapahatid naman ako lagi." I was stunned with the last sentence I stated.

He laughed at me. 

"Maniniwala ka ba kung sasabihin kong hindi ko rin alam?" He laughingly asked.

"Maniniwala ako kung sasabihin mong gusto mo 'ko," I said in small tone.

"What?" Napatingin siya sa akin.

"Huh? May sinabi ba 'ko?" I said, without looking at him.

He smirked and shook his head.

"Pero, bakit nga?" I simply asked him.

He shrugged. "The comments nga pala on your photo, bakit ganoon?" He sounded curious.

"Don't know. Still, thank you Kai. Sanay naman na ako sa ganoon, don't worry. Eversince I was a child lagi na akong ginaganoon." I absentmindedly told him a little story about me.

"You don't deserve that. In fact, everyone doesn't deserve to be treated like that. Pero we cannot control others, lalo na sa panahon ngayon. Kung anong makita ay 'yon na ang iisipin at panghahawakan," he silvery said.

I sighed and rest my back at the car's seat. I looked up and closed my eyes.

"Are you okay, A-avery?" He sounded like if it is okay to call me Avery.

"Yes, thank you. You can call me Avery, or simply Very." I calmly said. Ganoon pa rin ang position.

Ibinagsak ko ang katawan ko sa sofa ko nang makauwi. Grabe Avery first day palang parang pagod na pagod ka na ha. 

I took my bag  to find my phone sa loob nito. Kanina ko pa kinakapa ay—

I stood up when my doorbell rang.

"Naiwan mo," Kai gave me my phone.

"O-oh, kanina ko pa nga hinahanap, salamat! I'm sorry also, naabala pa kita masyado." I shamefacedly said.

"No worries," he simply said.

"By the way, buti pinapasok ka?" I asked.

"Uhm yeah? May iba bang requirements bago makapasok?" He smirked.

"Ano kasi, minsan hindi sila nagpapapasok ng hindi taga-rito," hindi ako makatingin sa kaniya.

"Really?" Napatingin siya sa taas at nag-aaktong nag-iisip. "Na-gwapuhan siguro sa 'kin, what do you think?" Natatawang tanong niya.

"W-what?"

"Wala, may sinasabi ba 'ko?" Pag-gaya niya sa sinabi ko kanina.

"Uhm, s-sige na. T-thank you!" Nautal pa nga.

He chuckled and waved his hand before entering the elevator. Nang pagkapasok nito ay kasabay naman ng paglabas ni Navya.

"Huli ka Farrah. Sino 'yon?" Sinundan niya ang tinitignan ko, pero wala naman na doon si Kai dahil nakapasok na ng elevator.

"Wala, saan ka punta?" I changed the topic, kasi aasarin niya ako for sure.

"Baba, grocery," she simply answered not minding what she saw earlier. Buti naman. 

"Wait for me, sabay ako." Makapag-grocery na nga rin, since nauubos na rin naman ang stocks ko rito. May grocery din ang building namin sa baba, and of course for us, condo dwellers, lang iyon ng building na 'to.

"Oks, my Farrahness," Navi the puppy answered.

"How's your day baby?" I asked Navi.

"Fine, kapagod sa school." She gritted.

Sabay lang kasi kami ng pasukan.

"First day palang, you're already tired na ha." I said while carefully selecting the grapes on the tray. My favorite fruit!

"Bakit ikaw ba hindi? I know you mabilis ka rin mapagod kahit saan 'no!" She gently bumped her left shoulder to me.

I shrugged. Hindi ko naman tinatanggi.

"Ano ba 'yan?" I turned my gaze to Navi, when I saw her struggling.

"Essay, about myself daw. Nakakainis naman kasi e. First day na first day may pinapagawa na kaagad." She complained.

I laughed at her. Tinabihan ko siya roon sa floor, sa may center table ko kasi siya gumagawa.

"Patingin, I'll help you." I took her paper and looked at what she had already written.

Her face shone. "Really?" She happily asked while clapping.

I just nodded and nagsimula na kami. After a few minutes natapos na kami. Madali lang naman iyon, I don't know anong inirereklamo ni Navi. Hindi niya ba kilala ang sarili niya? 

Well, may mga ganoon talagang tao. Hindi makilala ang sarili nila. Sometimes, there are others that need someone to fully know themselves.

"Thank you Farrah!!" My baby said.

I smiled at her as I rubbed the top of her head. How does it feel being Navi kaya? Everytime she felt so down or just struggling, she has two older sisters to run to. She also has a Mom who can be her bestfriend and her secret keeper. She also has a Dad that will definitely do everything just to protect her against anyone who will hurt her, especially against the guys that could cause pain to her.

How I wish I was her.

But, of course I'm happy naman kung nasaan ako ngayon. Atleast I have her, ate Naya, Dean, Tati and my grandparents. I'm already contented with that, wala na akong mahihiling pang iba.

"Fars, balik na me ha! Thank you sa help, love you!" Navi hugged me on my neck.

"Sweet a!" I teased. Kasi I know na natulungan ko siya kaya siya ganiyan. Too cute.

She rolled her eyes and leave.

I just ate bread and noodles that I just bought kanina sa grocery for my dinner. Wala ako masyadong gana kumain.

After everything, I took my towel and took a halfbath. Naupo ako sa tapat ng study table ko and nag-organize ng mga school stuffs. I also updated my planner for this week, since nagsabi naman ang teachers kanina ng mga mangyayari sa loob ng 1st week namin.

"Hay, why am I so tired ba ngayong araw!" I said to myself habang nakahiga na sa bed ko.

I'm currently stalking Kai's i********:, without clicking on his latest IG story. He has only five posts and puro dog niya lang 'yon. Sa icon lang nakalagay ang picture niya, kaya I barely noticed that it was him din last time.

No doubts, he's really handsome.

I just finished praying. Hindi ko makakalimutan 'yon, sila Lola ang nagturo sa akin no'n. Well, dapat lang naman. You should talk to God for before sleeping. Thank him for everything He did to you sa loob ng isang araw, and also do not forget to ask for His forgiveness. Simple as that.

Tatiana Fay

'hoy malandi ka ano 'to!'

I was about to sleep, when Tati's direct message distracted me. I will ignore na lang sana the first time I heard a notification from my phone. Pero sunod-sunod iyon kaya wala akong nagawa.

Tatiana Fay

'naiwan lang kita kanina, lumandi ka na dyan.'

Tatiana Fay

'ano meron?' I replied.

Tatiana Fay sent a photo.

Fuck. I was stupefied.

I hastily checked his IG story. It was a blurred photo of me habang nakatingala at nakapikit. May caption din na, 'nice meeting you :))'

Tatiana Fay

'kahit naka-blurred 'yan!'

Tatiana Fay

'kilala ko ang malandi mong mukha 'no!'

Tatiana Fay

'ano na? seen lang?'

Tatiana Fay

'Avery Farrah, pakigalaw ang baso.'

Sunod-sunod na message ni Tati sa akin.

'calm down Tati, kuwento ko sa 'yo lahat tom!!!' I replied.

'just calm down, I'm going to sleep na e, do not message na a!' I replied again habang nanginginig ang mga kamay ko.

Tatiana Fay

'k, malandi' Tati's last reply.

Bakit naman ba kasi ini-story niya 'yon. Mamaya guluhin pa ako ng ex fling niyang mukhang deads na deads sa kaniya. Pero he told me naman kanina na hindi ganoon 'yon. So I'll trust what he said na lang, kapag ginulo ako ay siya ang ihaharap ko doon sa babae!

Pero well, sino ba naman kasi ang hindi mababaliw sa ganoon ka-gwapo? 

Erase, erase Avery! Ano ba 'yan!

Hindi ko pa naman siya fina-follow back, baka isipin ay ini-stalk ko siya!

'uy ano ka ba!' I replied on his story.

'my friend send this to me kaya ko nakita :)' Sinunod kong sinend. Baka nga isipin that I'm stalking him 'no, kahit totoo naman.

Kaiden Aslan

'Ikaw kasi e, ayaw mo tumigil.' He replied after a few minutes.

Anong sinasabi nito? Hindi ako nagseen ng ilang minuto.

'uhm, tumigil saan?' I was confused.

Kaiden Aslan

'Nothing :)' he replied quickly.

'ok, btw nice meeting u too, kaso wala akong pang-story e.' I replied.

Ano 'yon Avery? Malandi ka!

Kaiden Aslan

'okay lang :>' Nagreply siya nang mabilis.

I didn't opened his message na. He's too friendly naman, ganiyan siguro siya sa marami, I guess?

**********