Life In Lie

Chapter 5

"Baby you look tired. Laki pa eye bags mo o!" Tati said in exaggerated manner. "Nangingitim pa!" She added.

"That's fine pag-uwi ko ng condo I'll do my skin care na." I assure her.

I forgot to bring my skin care products kasi no'ng umuwi ako sa Bulacan. Mamaya ay babalik ako doon para kuhanin ang mga gamit ko. Two nights have passed already.

I also bought a wooden cabinet. I bought it when I went to the market together with lola. It's already assembled no'ng nabili ko. Super cute lang and I think it fits my wooden themed bedroom sa condo, kaya hindi ko na pinalagpas ang isang 'yon.

I spent my whole three days really well doon sa Bulacan. Lola and lolo also brought me to the park, as if I am a kid. Those three days felt so good.

I just focused for my today's classes, and did my activities. No extra events.

"You coming with me ba?" Tati asked. Uwian na kasi namin.

"No Tati, uwi pa ako Bulacan to get my things," I explained, smiling at her. Kahit she's using her phone, lagi siyang ganiyan. Hindi niya mabitawan ang phone niya, ewan ko ba dyan! 

But, if we're eating and she used her phone. I will definitely get mad of her. I don't want someone kasi to use their phone while eating. It's so disrespectful kaya, like you're disrespecting the blessing in front of you.

"Okay, love." She turned off her phone and put it in her skirt's pocket.

Love. Kakatawag sa akin ni Tati niyan, baka siya na lang ang jowain ko. 

How does it feel kaya when someone calls you his love. Pero okay lang, there are three man that loves me naman. Lolo, Dean and Him!

"Cleo take care of my Tati ha! Babe una na ako!" Nagpaalam na ako roon sa dalawa since nauna dumating ang binook ko sa grab, kaysa sa sundo ni Tati.

"Yes Mam!" Cleo answered, he even gave me a salute.

"Ingat love ha! Update me kapag nandoon ka na." Tati bid her goodbye and hugged me. I hugged her back and waved my hands to both of them, before entering the car. Sa rear seats ako sumasakay lagi, of course.

Isinandal ko na ang likod at ulo ko sa upuan, saka pumikit. Expecting for a long ride.

"Apo tubig o," my Lolo gave me a glass of water.

I just got home and ang layo ng byahe talaga, plus the traffic! Hindi ko ito naisip last time, dahil ang iniisip ko lang noon bago ako pumunta rito ay libangin ang sarili ko! Ang layo nga pala ng school ko mula rito sa Bulacan.

"Thank you po Lolo," I smiled at him and he rubbed the top of my head.

Kapagod.

I took a nap, and prepare my stuffs na. Babalik na ako sa condo ko. I washed my face na lang and I also turned my hair into messy bun. I only wore black high waisted short, white croptop and rubber shoes.

Fuck. I just realized something.

"Where are you Dean?" I called my bestfriend.

"Uhm, date," he simply answered.

"Okay enjoy!" I said. Nawalan ng pag-asa.

"Weh, bakit? May sasabihin or kailangan ka ba?" He sounded worried. He knew that I will only call, if I'll tell him something or I needed something from him.

"Wala wala," I ended the call na para hindi na siya makaangal.

I don't want to disturb their sweet moments naman 'no.

Paano na 'to Avery!

I sighed when I thought of another option. No time for being maarte Avery ha! You have no other choice na!

"K-kai? Are you busy? Nasa training ka pa ba?" I asked my last option.

"Nope, wala kaming training ngayon e. Why?" He said while typing something on his laptop. Rinig ko ang pag-click niya sa keyboard e.

"Can you fetch me here ba? D-dito sa Bulacan? I bought an assembled cabinet kasi, medyo malaki e." I said.

Puwede naman akong magbook ulit sa grab, kaso I'm not comfortable kasi kapag may dala na ganoon. Lalo na kung commute, like 'yung sasakay ka sa isang van? It feels really heavy sa body!

"Yeah sure, wait for me!" He answered. I also heard how he closed his laptop.

"Okay thank you!" I said and ended the call.

After two days, ngayon lang kami ulit magkikita ni Kai. Wala naman kasing rason para magkita kami palagi.

I just continued fixing my things. I looked inside my tote bag thrice, just to check if my stuffs were already complete. 

Naupo muna ako sa may swing sa tapat ng bahay namin to lessen my boredom. 

Nasa kitchen kasi sina lolo at lola, they're preparing the foods that they want me to bring. Mga ready to cook na ulam yata iyon, ilagay ko raw sa ref ko para may stock daw doon if ever na tamarin ako magluto. I swear, they're the best!

I heard a doorbell, after almost two hours. Traffic na siguro lalo, dahil hapon na.

"Hey!" Kaiden greeted after I opened our gate.

I just smiled at him and called my grandparents to inform them that Kaiden's already here. I told them kanina naman na susunduin ako ni Kai, so they were really aware about his arrival.

"Ano, Kaiden. I'm sorry sa abala ha!" I shamefacedly said.

"No worries, wala rin naman ako ginagawa." He gave me a reassuring smile.

I just smiled and nodded while staring on him.

"W-what?" He asked when he noticed that I'm staring on his face.

I just shook my head. My eyes is a b***h talaga! Hindi makapagpigil, pinapahamak ako!

After my grandparents' food preparation, we bid a goodbye to each other na. I also hugged both of them.

I can still see them waving their hands, kahit nasa loob na ako ng car. Pickup and dala ni Kai, para raw may space for the cabinet. Buti pala ay nasabi ko sa kaniya.

"Are you hungry?" Kaiden asked while his eyes looking directly on the road.

"No, I ate before we leave." I answered, habang nakasandal ang ulo ko sa window.

I saw at my peripheral vision that he nodded.

"Pasok ka, malinis condo ko don't worry!" I let him come inside my condo, since he helped me naman.

It took us almost two hours and a half bago makauwi. Binuhat ng two staffs 'yong cabinet ko. Sabi pa nga ni Kaiden ay siya na raw, pero I stopped him. He can't carry it alone, ayoko rin pagbuhatin siya talaga. Nakakahiya na kasi masyado.

He's just looking around inside my condo, as if he's memorizing every side of it.

"Mag-isa ka lang dito 'di ba? Buti hindi ka nabo-bored?" He asked, saka umupo sa single couch sa sala.

"Sometimes, pero sanay na kasi ako e." I laughed while pouring a glass of juice for Kaiden, and gave it to him.

"Sabagay," he said, and drink the juice right after.

"Sa'yo na 'to, Kai." I gave him one tupperware of my lola's special adobo. "Sila lola nagprepare niyan, ready to cook na 'yan." I said while putting the other tupperwares inside my fridge.

"Thank you!" He looks so happy, he's even staring at the tupperware.

"K-kai, thank you ha!" Tumapat ako sa couch na inuupuan niya. "And sorry for the abala," I dolefully said.

"No worries Avery, kulit!" He laughed at me. "Kulit mo e, I told you that I'm not busy, wala rin akong magawa kanina." He explained.

"Really? Kahit rinig ko 'yong pag-click ng keyboards mo kanina?" I said, thinking that the sound I heard from here earlier is a sign that he's doing something.

"Ah 'yon ba? Tapos ko na 'yon nag-edit lang ako ng mga maling spelling." He explained again.

I just nodded, while he's smirking at me. Kaasar!

Natahimik lang kami ulit parehas doon. Naupo ako sa egg chair ko, habang nandoon pa rin sa puwesto niya.

I'm not looking at him, kunyari ay busy ako sa iniinom kong juice. I can see at my peripheral vision na nakatingin siya sa akin.

"Damn, stop it Av!" Nagulat ako ng bigla siyang magsalita.

"W-what?"

He just shook his head, at seryosong ininom ng deretso 'yong juice.

Maya-maya ay umalis na rin si Kaiden. I just ate vegetable salad for my dinner, wala ako masyadong gana mag heavy meal. I took a bath right after and did my skin care. 

I also fell asleep at an early time, okay na rin ito since I have  school pa naman tomorrow.

"Hey!" my beloved Tati called me.

She just entered our room. Weeks have passed na, wala naman masyadong ganap sa akin. Madalang din kami magkasabay ni Kaiden, since he became really busy with the basketball training.

Classes we're just the same. Recitation. Turo. Exam. Recitation. Turo. Exam. Everything went well, my grades are always stable. What I mean is, hindi bagsak, hindi rin kataasan. Average lang siya and stable siya doon.

"Yes love?" I asked Tati. Nagmamadali nanaman kasi siyang pumunta sa akin.

Ako kasi ang laging nauuna sa amin pumasok. Wala naman kasi akong ginagawa sa condo kaya pumapasok na lang ako ng maaga.

"W-were official!" She showed me a ring on her middle finger.

"Hoy magpapakasal ka na? Hoy kanino ka ipinagkasundo ni Tita?" I teased. Nakatakip pa ang kamay ko sa bibig, parang gulat na gulat talaga.

"Estupida," she slightly pushed my forehead using her finger. "Cleo told me to wear this kasi kapag daw sinasagot ko na siya." She said while happily looking at her ring.

"I know, you told me that before. I'm just kidding kanina," I laughed at her. "I'm happy for you bebe! Pero 'wag mong kakalimutan na ako pa rin ang number one bestfriend mo ha!" I threatened her.

"Huh? Ano naman connection no'n. E he's my jowa naman and you're my best friend a!" She innocently said.

"Ang sabi 'di ba, kapag daw jowa mo na nagiging bestfriend na rin!" I explained.

"Oh ganoon ba, pero don't worry ikaw lang number one, madam!" She proudly said.

I hugged her neck. "Did he already saw that na ba?" I pointed at the ring.

"Uhm, yes. Pero hindi pa siya nakapag-react kasi he needs to enter his room na. I only saw his eyes got bigger." She laughed.

"That's good. For sure inspired na inspired 'yon while having his classes, baka naka-smile pa habang nagsusulat." I laughingly said while imagining Cleo.

For sure talaga ay masayang masaya ang isang 'yon! How many months niya na ring nililigawan si Tati a! Pero that's fine naman. Tatiana's really a good girl, she's not easy to get. Talagang kinilala niya pa muna si Cleo.

"I agree," tuwang tuwa na sagot ni Tati.

"Alam na ba ni Tita Felyn 'yan?" I asked Tati.

She nodded immediately. "I told her everything before wearing this ring." She said.

"What did she say?" I curiously asked.

"It's fine raw, as long as happy ako at hindi ako sasaktan ni Cleo." She said without looking at me, ginagawa niya kasi 'yong isang agreement namin hindi niya raw kasi ito natapos.

"We even cried at each other." Natatawa niyang sabi.

"Really..." I said in low voice.

"Why?" She faced me when she traced a sudden change with my voice.

"Wala lang. Im just thinking lang din kung anong iisipin ng parents ko, or what would be their reaction kapag may nanligaw or naging boyfriend ako." I said, pahina ng pahina ang tono ng boses ko.

"Oh no my baby.." Tati sadly said and hugged my neck.

I gently pushed her away. Baka magkaiyakan pa kami rito.

Nakinig lang kami ng maayos sa klase. Buti na lang hindi ito 'yung teacher na mahilig magpabalik sa proper seats, kaya naman magkatabi kami ni Tati.

"How about you Miss Valencia, what do you think is the answer for this question?" My teacher called me, may tinuro siya na blanked question doon sa whiteboard.

I f*****g forgot the answer! Alam ko 'to e! Nabasa ko na 'to e! I do advance reading din naman kasi sometimes.

"Uhm ano po..." I act like I am thinking muna kunyari.

I felt Tati slightly bumped my legs, kaya napatingin ako roon. And I saw a paper, nakasulat doon ang sagot.

"A-analytical po sir," I answered my teacher.

"Good, you may now sit Miss Valencia." He said, expressionless.

"Thanks!" I bumped Tati's shoulder and grinned.

She just winked, and sparingly laughed.

We just focused on our class for the remaining time, before our vacant came. Lahat ng grade 12 students ay sabay-sabay ng vacant.

"Congrats Cleo!" Binati ko si Cleo. I can see how his face changed. He looks too blooming ha!

Lord, ano na? Kailan po ako magiging blooming dahil inlove?

"Thanks, malaki naging part mo sa panliligaw journey ko!" He laughingly said. "Sama ka sa friday, mag cecelebrate tayo!" Pag-aaya pa nito.

I think for a bit, kung may gagawin ba ako ng araw na 'yon. "Sure! My sched's clear naman for friday." I blissfully said.

"Hoy hoy ano 'yan ha!" Tati entered the scene, she bought P.E shirt kaya nahuli siya rito. 

Nandito kami ngayon sa maliit na gazebo sa likod ng school.

"Gaga I'm congratulating your first jowa lang!" I rolled my eyes. 

Well, I'm really happy for the both of them. They deserve each other's love. Especially for my Tati, Cleo is her first boyfriend and I know that she's really happy. 

Ako ba wala ba akong deserve?

"Okay," She calmed down.

"Hey baby, how's your first two classes?" Tati asked her boyfriend. Magkatabi sila roon sa kabilang side at mag-isa naman ako rito sa puwesto ko. Nakaakbay pa sa kaniya si Cleo at naka sandal naman ang ulo niya rito.

"Ma'am, PDA po o!" I pretended shouting their landian to a teacher.

"Hoy Avery! Manahamik ka nga diyan!" Umismid sa akin si Tati. Lumayo na rin tuloy siya bahagya kay Cleo.

"Respect naman kasi o! Respect the different!" I rolled my eyes on her. Humigop na lang ako sa mango juice that I bought earlier before going here.

They both laughed at me.

"Anyways, Cleo aalagaan mo ang baby Tati ko ha!" I dramatically said to Cleo.

"Sure na sure madam, ang tagal ko kinukuha. Ngayon nasa akin na, sasayangin ko pa ba?" He proudly said.

I just smiled at them and continue drinking my juice.

"Pero alam mo, he's nervous!" Tati faced his jowa and pouted.

"Huh? Bakit naman?" I curiously asked.

"Dad wants to talk to him e, mamaya ay isasama ko siya sa bahay." Tati worriedly looking at her jowa.

As expected. First boyfriend siya ng nag-iisang anak nina Tita Felyn at Tito Tobi e! For sure dadaan talaga siya sa interview, hindi naman kasi nagpaalam sa parents ni Tati si Cleo na mangliligaw siya. Dito lang sila sa school nagliligawan! Ako lang ang witness.

"Ano ka ba, Cleo! 'Yong mga banat mo sa akin about kay Tati doon mo ilabas kay Tito! I swear her Dad is really kind, mahilig lang siya magbiro. Don't take everything he said seriously. You'll sense it naman kung biro or serious 'yong sinasabi niya." I gave Cleo an advise.

"O diba Avery! Cleo's not believing me! Daddy is kind naman talaga babe, don't worry na ha!" Tati's assuring her boyfriend.

"Yup, 'wag kang kabahan Cleo. You love Tati right? O ito ang tunay na laban!" I added and gave him a thumbs up.

Nag-usap pa silang magjowa roon, habang kumakain lang ako rito ng snacks.

I haven't seen Kaiden for almost weeks now. I wonder what is he doing. Busy pa ba siya sa training? For sure mas busy na talaga 'yon lalo na at palapit na nang palapit ang laban nila. Kay Tati na rin pala ako lagi sumasabay every uwian.

E why are you looking for him ba Avery?

Our classes ended smoothly.

We're now walking towards the school's gate doon namin hihintayin ang sundo ni Tati.

"Sabay ka ba sa akin babe?" Tati asked while Cleo's behind her. "Or mukhang hindi na?" She looked behind me, kaya napatingin din ako.

"Oh your here! Tapos na training niyo?" I asked. Kaiden's here, ngayon ko lang siya ulit nakita after no'ng pagsundo niya sa akin sa Bulacan.

"Sige na Yana ako na maghatid kay Av." He ignored me muna, and talked to my friend. Talagang siya na ang nagdesisyon ha!

"Sige Kaiden, take care of her a!" My Tati waved her hand. "Ang perlas ha!" She mouthed at me.

I just rolled my eyes on her.

"Yeah, maaga kami dinismiss ni coach e." He coldly said while fixing his things on his duffel bag.

Lahat nga pala ng teachers ay may urgent meeting, kaya lahat ng students ay maaga rin ang dismissal. Hindi ko naman alam na pati pala mga players.

"I see, how are you?" I asked him, we're now walking towards his car.

"Doing good, pagod nga lang. How 'bout you?" He asked, while opening the door of his car for me.

"Okay lang, wala masyadong ganap." I said casually. Hindi muna siya nakasagot, since he entered the car na rin.

"Good for you," he simply said and nag-focus na sa pagda-drive.

"You're cold as f**k," mahinang sabi ko. He seems different kasi, pero I think dahil na rin sa pagod. 

Hindi niya na ako pinansin at nag-drive na lang. Mukhang hindi niya naman narinig ang sinabi ko.

"Daan ko lang 'tong polo shirt kay Latrell, nanghiram siya sa akin e. May pupuntahan daw siyang party mamaya." Paalam sa akin ni Kaiden.

"Yeah, sure! Go ahead," I said while looking doon sa paper bag na ibibigay niya kay Latrell. "Ikaw hindi ka kasama sa party? Friends kayo ni Latrell, right?" I asked.

"Nope, pero he invited me. Ayoko lang sumama." He explained. Cold pa rin.

"Ah ganoon ba," I nodded and isininandal ang ulo ko sa window.

He's just driving quietly there. Ako naman ay nagpasak ng earphone sa tainga ko, saka pumikit.

"Ingat kayo bebe mo pre a!" Nagising lang ako when I heard Latrell's voice, nakatulog na pala ako.

"Ge asim boy," tukso naman ni Kaiden kay Latrell.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep," I gave him an apologetic look when he entered again his car.

"Ayos lang Av, medyo malayo rin kasi itong kila Latrell e. Kaya hinayaan na kita matulog," He smiled at me, finally.

I just nodded at sumandal na ulit. Natahimik lang kaming dalawa doon.

"You rest ha, Kaiden." I broke the silence.

I'm glancing multiple times at him kasi kanina. Fatigue is too evident on his face.

Nagulat naman siya sa bigla kong pagsasalita. He stared at me habang naka red traffic light pa.

"W-what?" I asked when he didn't say anything.

Nilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin kaya napaatras ako. Salitan niyang tinitignan ang labi at mga mata ko.

"You're making me damn crazy." He paused and stared on my parted lips. "Stop doing that," seryosong sabi niya when I started to bite my lower lips. 

"Or else, I'll do that for you," he added.

I stopped as he said, ayoko namang siya ang gumawa no'n 'no!

He sighed saka lumayo sa akin. Nakatingin lang siya ng deretso sa daan, "Avery... allow me to court you." 

I stiffened, and slowly averted my eyes.

**********