To Kiss My True Memories

CHAPTER 24

Chapter 24

Nang sumapit ang gabi ay ni-text ko si Darrow upang ipaalala that we couldn't have our luch together tommorow because I will be with Sheeme. She's free tommorow and she's excited to see me, I am as well.

Maybe, it wouldn't be wrong to ask her a little bit about what I am in my past. I want to know about her, about the two of us way back.

I'm on my bed now preparing for my sleep but my phone beep. One message came up and it's from Darrow.

Darrow:

I really can't be with you tommorow?

I quickly type my reply while a wide smile playing on my lips. I want to be with him too, but of course I also want to be with my best friend.

Ako:

We can sa next day. I will be with Sheeme. I just want to ask something to my best friend.

Matapos siyang mareplyan ay binaba na ang aking selpon sa dibdib, ayaw pang ibaba sa lamesang katabi ng aking kama. I'm waiting for his reply. And when my phone beep I quickly open my phone but the message didn't from Darrow, it's from Sheeme. Binasa ko agad iyon.

Sheeme:

I can't wait for tomorrow. I really miss you, K.

Ako:

I miss you too, Sheeme.

Nang masend ang reply sa kaibigan ay nagulat ako nang magpakita ang pangalan ni Darrow! And guess what, he's calling me!

Mabilis akong npabangon sa kama awang ang bibig sa sobrang gulat. He didn't told me that he will going to call! I'm not prepared! Muli akong napahiga sa kama at ni-relax ang sarili ganon din ang sobrang sayang nararamdaman. I cough for a couple of times before I answered his call.

"Hello." his deep baritone voice greeted me.

I swallowed hard first. "Hmmm, hello." I greeted back.

"Are you preparing to sleep now?" he asked as I heard him move in the other line.

Where is he? Was he's on his bed too?

"Huh, yeah. Bakit?"

"Did I disturb you—?"

"Of course not!" agad ko siyang pinutol.

When I realized that my answered was too much nakaramdam ako ng pag-iinit ng aking mukha. Gosh, I'm too excited again!?

I heard him chuckled silently in his line. "Rest well. Okay?"

"Huh, yeah." malumanay ko ng saad. "You too."

I don't know how hours our call take time. I just realized na nakatulugan ko pala ang aking selpon habang katawagan siya! Shocks naman!

Kinaumagahan ay tinanghali ako ng gising. Patay ang aking selpon dahil naubusan ng baterya, ni-charge ko muna ito at pagkabukas ay bumungad sa akin ang nga mensahe niya. Merong kagabi pa at kadarating lang ngayong umaga.

Darrow:

Are you still awake?

Darrow:

You fall asleep.

Darrow:

Rest well. Enjoy your meetup with Sheeme tomorrow. Just make sure you're feeling well.

Darrow:

Good morning.

Hindi na ako nag-alangan pang magtipa upang sagot sa kaniyang mga mensahe. Shocks, I really fall asleep without saying goodbye to him!

Ako:

Good morning. I just woke up. Sorry I fall asleep yesterday. Good luck to your work ^_^

Maaga ding umalis si Gem sa bahay kaya ang driver ko ang naghatid sa akin sa restaurant. It's just a minutes before eleven in the morning when I arrived at the restaurant. While on our way towards the restaurant I'm holding tight my phone waiting for Darrow reply but it didn't come. Maybe, he's busy at work. Maybe, he have so much meeting.

Ilang minuto lamang din ang inaantay ko nang dumating na si Sheeme. I reserved our table on the second floor for our luch.

"I miss the Kairra I used to be with. I'm glad now that you recognized me." Sheeme said while we're in the middle of our meal.

Malungkot ko siyang nginitian. "I'm sorry if I didn't recognize you quickly."

"It's fine, don't be sorry." aniya at nginitian ako.

Tinanguan ko siya at sinuklian ng ngiti bago magpatuloy sa pagkain. I keep eating while waiting for the chance to ask her about something. Yes, one of reason why want to meet her was because I miss her at the same time I wanted to ask something about me... about my past.

She's my best friend that's why I know she have knows a lot of things about me. Alam kong pwedeng makasama sa akin kung sakaling magtanong ako ng tungkol sa akin sa nakaraan, but I just really want to know a little bit about me... at isa pa ay hindi ako kontento sa huli kong naalala. There's something missing about the last memories show up on my mind, I want more!

Nang matapos na kaming kumain ay saka ako nagpasyang magtanong sa kaniya. I'm hesitating too but I still try.

"Hmmm, Sheeme."

Mabilis siyang bumaling sa akin habang nakangiti ng malaki. "What is it?" she asked.

"Can... I ask you something?"

"Of course. About what?" she asked so excited.

I sighed silently. "About before... when I didn't lost my memories yet."

"Huh?" gulat niyang tanong. "You mean about your past?"

I nodded slowly.

"Kairra..." protesta niya na agad unti-unting naglaho ang ngiti sa labi.

"Just one thing, Sheeme." mahinahong kong saad. "This thing really hunting me... my heart really sure about this but my mind was not. Just call me desperate but I really want to know this one."

"K, you will be okay if I tell you about it? Makakasama ito sa kondisyon mo." aniya, bakas ang pag-aalala sa boses at mukha niya. "I'm worried."

I smiled. "I can handle."

"This is really dangerous." she whispered, halatang ayaw pumayag.

"Please, just this one, Sheeme." I beg smoothly.

Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na bugtong-hininga, nagdadalwang-isip parin. "Just... just ask about it." she said not really sure.

Binigyan ko siya ng malaking ngiti. I sighed heavily. Me too, Sheeme, I'm not really sure kung kakayanin ko kung ano man ang maging sagot mo. I'm afraid to know the answer... but I really, really want to know.

"Did I and... Darrow have a relationship way back?" dahan-dahan kong tanong.

Napaawang ang bibig niya sa tanong ko. Kung kanina ay ayos lamang na sagutin niya ako ngayon dahil sa tanong ko ay tila umatras na siya. Why? Is there something wrong? Am I expect too much?

Am I?

"Kairra—"

"Just... just answer me truly. I don't want lies."

She sighed heavily and I thought she won't going to answer me but she did. "Yes." she whispered slowly.

I don't know what should I feel because of what she answered. Tila nabingi ako sa sagot niya, walang masabi. Was it true?

We have a relationship way back?

There's so much question formed on my mind: Naghiwalay din ba kami? Gaano katagal? Wala na ba kami nang mabura ang mga alaala ko? Did we ended up properly? Why we broke up? Because he hurt me or because I hurt him? Or there's more deep reason?

Now I realized, those words that Darrow saying was for me! Was really for me! Gayaa noong katawagan ko ang pinsan na si Kyros, noong kinuha ang restaurant namin to serve for their event. Para saakin ngang talaga ang mga binitawan niyang salita noon!

"K, I answered you clearly... don't ask another more. I'm worried about you..." si Sheeme sa aking harapan ngunit hindi ko na siya maintindihan because something came up.

Something came up that I didn't expect.

Like the sun, at first isn't bright and as time goes by it will gradually shine. Just like life, in the dark part it will gradually light up while in the dark situation it will automatically shine just don't give up, stay hold on.

In any situation there's always chances. That's life, indeed.

As the bright sun along with the warm breeze and quiet surroundings we kept eating silently in the middle of the afternoon. In every minutes I couldn't stop myself no to throw a glance to the man who's in front of me who's eating silently, I also caught him throwing a glace to me for times.

"Let's go, K!" excited na anyaya ni Sheeme matapos kumain. "Let's buy clothes para sa birthday ni mommy." dagdag niya pa.

Hindi pa ako tapos kumain ngunit nagyayaya na siya. Palibhasa ay tapos na. I couldn't eat probably because I feel awkward eating with this man, while Sheeme, seems this set up was nothing to her!

Duh, we just meet Darrow now! At naiilang din ako dahil nararamdaman ang pabaling-baling niya ng tingin sa akin.

"Tskk, I have so many dress pa sa closet ko." reklamo ko. "I won't going to buy, samahan na lang kita." ako at nagpunas na ng bibig hudyat na tapos ng kumain.

"You didn't finished your food yet." the stranger man in front of me — I mean Darrow said.

Tsk, he isn't stranger na!

He's Darrow! His name was sounds not good to me. Seems it's really dark and heavy. But when you pronounce it, it's good naman.

Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay. "I'm full. Hindi ko na kailangan ubusin." katwiran ko.

"How 'bout your foot. You can't walk." aniya pa.

"Then carry her kung hindi siya makapaglakad!" masayang at maingay na saad ni Sheeme.

Madilim na tingin ang binaling ko sa kaniya. Was she serious? No the hell way! Hindi na ulit ako magpapabuhat sa lalaking ito!

"Owkay, owkay, just kidding, Kairra. Masyadong sineseryoso!" pahabol ni Sheeme sabay tawa.

"I will lift her up again if she will let me." Darrow said seriously.

Kunot-noong nang binalingan ko siya ng tingin! Seryoso niyang mata ang bumaling sa akin. What he think he's saying? His voice was too serious! Was he serious too?

Sheeme laughed happily. "Darrow, I'm just kidding. Don't make it serious. Anyway, what happened to your foot, K?"

"I-I will explain to you mamaya sa sasakyan. Tara na." mabilis ko ng tawag kay Sheeme.

"Can I walk with you until downstairs?" Darrow asked, and even my eyes isn't looking at him I feel that I'm the one that he's asking.

I can't look at him because something going on inside me everytime our eyes meet!

"Of course not—"

"Syempre naman!" agad na saad ni Sheeme, sinapawan ang boses ko. "Tara na, Kairra." agad niyang tumayo at lumapit sa akin.

Bumaling ako kay Darrow at masamang-masamang tingin ang binigay ko sa kaniya habang tumatayo. He just stare me with his usual serious face while his brow was arching.

I just rolled my eyes.

Ngunit pagbalik ko ng tingin sa kaniya ay nagulat ako nang nakatayo na siya at naglalabas ng pera sa walet. I quickly bit my lips. What he thinks he was doing?

"Don't pay. Bayad na iyan." paalala ko, nagtataray.

He throw me a glance but he didn't mind what I said.

"Tara na, K!" si Sheeme at umakay sa akin.

Hinila niya na ako paalis sa aming mesa at giniya patungo sa hagdanan kung kaya't hindi ko nakita kung may iniwan nga bang pera si Darrow but I think he really did! Hindi niya pinansin ang sinabi ko, eh!

Mula sa rooftop hanggang parking lot ay masayang boses ni Sheeme ang naririnig ko. She have so much opinion for the dress she wants to wear. Sometimes I didn't get what she's saying because my attention was on the man on our back. Yes, Darrow still with us but he's on our back following us towards to parking lot. He's too silent sa likuran, gusto ko na nga siyang lingunin kaso nga lang ay pinipigilan ang sarili.

Why would you do that, Kairra! You punk!

"Something's new right now, huh." agad na utas ni Sheeme nang makapasok kami sa sasakya niya, halata sa boses na may pinapahiwatig.

I just shut my mouth. Keep silent while thinking about the stranger man — Darrow. I wonder kung bakit inantay niya pang makaalis ang sasakyan ni Sheeme kung nasaan ako kung pwede naman na siyang dumeretsyo sa sasakyan niya. But seems he really waiting na makaalis kami.

I'm not assuming something, but it's really obvious kasi ang mga mata niya ay pinanood ang pag-alis ng sasakyan ni Sheeme. His eyes was on my direction seems he could still see me inside the car, thought Sheeme car was too tinted, probably he couldn't see me but the way his eyes followed the slowly moving car seem he really could see me!

He made my heart flicked once — but I really don't understand how, why? How could he do it so easily? How could he make my heart beat to the way I'm not used to!

Pinaramdam niya na magiging palaisipan siya sa akin. He made my heart feel that he's something.

But, shocks! We just meet just a while ago! But something is messing!

"Kairra!" Sheeme said irritatedly, masama ang tingin sa akin.

"What?"

"Why you were with him? You really don't know him or you're just pretending? You're secreting sa akin na, ah!" aniya pa sa nagtatampong boses.

Sinimangutan ko siya. "I really don't know him!"

"Then, why you're with him? Eating your luch with him?"

"Because as I told you. Something bad came up! I accidentally kicked his car! And his car didn't damages but my foot was!" I explained.

"You accidentally... what?"

I just rolled my eyes.

Tunog hindi siya naniniwala sa akin! As if I can lie to her!

"How?" she asked curiously.

I sighed sadly. "Wala ako sa sarili kanina. Hindi ko alam ang ginagawa ko."

Natahimik siya bigla, na tila alam na kung bakit ko nagawa iyon. I'm glad that I have her. She's my true best friend and she knows everything about me, my problems — my family problems.

"Was your mom and dad... fight again?" maingat niyang tanong.

Malungkot ko siyang nginitian. "What's new? Wala naman, eh. I just can't get used to hear and see them fighting."

"Are you okay?"

"I need to..." I whispered.

"I'm just here, okay." she said as she tapped my shoulder. "I will help you to lighten up your feelings."

"Yeah, that's why I called you, eh."

She pouted. "But you forget about me dahil kasama mo si Darrow."

"Sheeme! There's nothing!" saway ko.

"Owkay, owkay! There's nothing!" aniya pa, ginaya ang tono ng boses ko.

Like what she promised she help me lighten up my feelings. Marami kaming nigawa sa mall. We even play some games for kid, we eat and buy things we wants. Nakalimutan ko ang problema tungkol kay mommy at daddy, nakalimutan ko rin ang nararamdaman sakit sa aking paa — but one thing I didn't forget.

About that man — about Darrow. Seems something is really missing!

As the day pass, ganon parin ang lagay ni mommy at daddy. Though, I didn't hear now their voice fighting inside their room but I really feel that they're still. Sometimes, hindi pa sila umuuwi sa bahay dahil busy sila sa pagtingin ng aming ibang properties, ngunit hindi ako sigurado kung magkasama nga ba silang talaga o hindi.

I don't know what's happening to them everytime I didn't see them. Though, daddy still texting and calling me, checking about me, while mom just sometimes. Sobra-sobrang sakit na ang tinitiis ko dahil nawawalan na ako ng pag-asang mabalik pa kami sa dati.

I thought ay hindi na ako makakadalo sa birthday ni tita Ezee, Sheeme mom, dahil dalawang araw na magkasunod silang wala sa bahay. Hindi ko alam kung magiging masaya ba ako dahil sabay naman silang umuwi, and mommy have gifts for me. She bought me a dress to wear at the party, thought isn't needed because I still have a plenty dresses.

I just pretend that I'm happy because I see how she's happy about it. Hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman ko nang makitang masaya naman sila but I'm not sure if it was genuine or they're just pretending again. Hindi ko na mabasa ang galawan nila, ang nasisiguro ko lamang ay magaling silang magpanggap.

"You're really gorgeous on that dress, darling." nakailang sabi na si mommy nito.

Kakalabas pa lamang namin sa kotse at iyon ang sinabi niya. We're just arrived at the hotel where tita Ezee party will be held.

"Mom, nasabi mo na po iyan."

Mom laughed softly. "Because it's true."

"Maganda po kasi iyong damit na binili mo." utas ko.

I'm wearing a black tie around the neck backless dress. Ang laylayan ay abot hanggang sa sahig, may slit itong mahaba hanggang hita at sa tuwing naglalakad ay nailalantad ang mahaba kong legs. Habang ang buo kong likod ay nakalantad. Though, it's a bit could but I can endure it because I really like my dress too.

"No, you're really gorgeous." mom smiled at me.

"Like you, mom." I smiled back to her.

Mom, is wearing also a blue tie around the neck dress, like mine but her was too simple. Buong dress na ito at wala ng arte pang disenyo.

"Let's go, inside." si daddy matapos maayos ang kotse.

Pumasok kami sa hotel at dumeretsyo na kay tita Ezee upang bumati at maibigay ang regalo. My gift was a bag, mom bought it too.

"Happy birthday po, tita." bati ko kay tita Ezee at humalik bago inabot ang regalo.

"Thank you, Kairra." si tita. "You looks so beautiful."

"Thank you, po." ngiti ko.

Namataan ko naman si Sheeme sa tabi nito. Hindi na maipinta ang mukha na tila inip na inip na sa puwesto kaya nang marinig ang pangalan ko ay mabilis na nag-angat ng tingin, tila nabuhayan ng dugo. She quickly approch me.

"Ang tagal mo!" aniya, iritado.

"What?" utas ko.

"Naiinip na ako dito, ayaw akong paalisin ni mommy, ngayong nandito ka na pwede na." ngumiti siya ng malaki bago bumaling kay Tita. "My, punta na kami doon ni Kairra." paalam niya.

Hinila niya na agad ako palayo kina mommy, ni hindi na inantay pa ang sagot ni Tita kaya hindi narin ako nakapagpaalam pa kay mommy at daddy.

"Kairita! Ang tagal n'yo dumating!" aniya nanaman. "Tara na sa table natin, nandoon na sina Clarence kanina pa!" pangtutukoy niya sa kaklase namin na naging malapit na sa amin.

"Nagpaalam ka na sana kay Tita."

"Tsk, ayaw akong payagan! Wala naman akong ginagawa doon!" iritado niyang saad. "Alam mo ba may chika ngayon si Stef... and guess what, about kay Darrow."

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa pangalang binanggit niya. Darrow, huh!

It's been weeks simula nang makita ko siya. And guess, what. I felt something missing before, when our first and last met. Yes, it's true... because my handkerchief is missing and I caught him put it inside his packet and he didn't give it back to me yet!

Duh, he should give it back to me, I love all my handkerchief because I personally sewed my initial name there!

C.Z! It's so hard to do kaya dapat niya talagang ibalik!

"What about him?" casual kong tanong.

"Hindi ko pa rin alam. Kaya dalian mo na at baka nachika na niya." aniya, patuloy akong hinihila sa maraming tao.

Napaikot naman ang mata ko sa sinabi niya bago tuluyan nang magpahila sa kaniya kung nasaan ang mga kaklase namin.

"Guys, we're here! Stef, chika mo na about kay Darrow!" bati ni Sheeme nang makarating kami sa aming table.

Ang mga kaklase naming nandoon ay si Stef, Zandro, Hannah, Ken, at Clarence. Naging malapit na kami sa kanila because we always saw each other sa mga ganitong party at sa mga events.

"Ayy, tsimosa ka talagang babae ka!" maarteng si Zandro kay Sheeme.

"Baklang toh, parang hindi ikaw, ah! Alam mong atat na atat ka na dahil crush na crush mo iyon. Pinagpapantasiyahan mo nga, eh!" pagtataray ni Sheeme.

Mabilis na umangat ang kilay ko. Pinagpapantasiyahan? Seriously?

"Babae ka, bibig mo ang kalat!" tawa naman ni Zandro, hindi na nagreklamo sa sinabi ni Sheeme.

Seriously?

"Kilay mo, baka mahalata ka." agad na bulong sa akin ni Sheeme, nang-aasar. "You're too obvious, K!" dugtong niya.

"What are you talking about?" lito kong tanong, sinamaan siya ng tingin.

She just smirked at me. "Tsk, upo na tayo, Kairra. D'yan kana sa tabi ni Ken!" aniya na lamang.

I just rolled my eyes. Don't know what he's talking about! I'm too obvious, huh?

"Ayon naman si Ken. Kinikilig, makakatabi na si crush, eh! Ligawan mo na kasi!" si Zandro na maingay.

Nawala ang iniisip ko dahil sa sinabi ni Sheeme kanina, natuon ang atensyon sa pang-aasar ni Zandro. Ayystt, he's teasing me again with Ken!

"Baliw ka, Zandro! Manahimik ka d'yan." saway ni Ken sa kaniya. "Upo ka, Kairra." baling niya sa akin, pinaghila pa ako ng upuan sa tabi niya.

"Ayon naman, ang gentlemen pa! Magpaligaw ka na, Kairra!" si Zandro ulit, nanunukso.

"Baliw ka." taging nasabi ko.

"Baliw na 'ata kay, Darrow!" aniya dahilan para maghiyawan ang lahat maliban sa akin.

He really like Darrow, huh?

"Shhh, shut up na guys. Ito na!" saway ni Stef. "Prepare your heart Zandro and to everyone na gustong-gusto si Darrow, baka umiyak kayo kapag nalaman n'yo." pang-aasar niya lalo na kay Zandro.

Zandro smirked. "Just tell about it, I can handle, duh."

I just feel my lips forming a smirk too. Nagulat lamang ako sa katabi kong si Sheeme nang biglaan humulig sa akin. Kunot-noo akong napabaling sa kaniya.

"I hope you can handle too." she then whispered.

"What about it?" I mouthed.

"Tsk, as I told you. You're too obvious." she then winked at me.

Obvious... what?

Tinantanan niya na rin ako at binigay na ang buong atensyon kay Stef na nagsisimula ng magkwento. Tsk, what about Darrow ba at gustong-gusto nilang malaman ang mga tungkol sa kaniya?

"Kairra." kinalabit ako ni Ken sa kabila kong gilid. "You looked cold." aniya.

Mabilis akong umiling. "No, I'm fine." saad ko at tinutok ang atensyon kay Stef na handa ng magkwento.

Seriously, Kairra! Pati ikaw!?

"There's a rumors that Darrow is with a girl now..." panimula ni Stef.

Kakaumpisa niya pa lamang ay dumaing na agad si Zandro. Iritado na agad sa babaeng nitutukoy kahit hindi pa kilala o alam ang pangalan.

"Who's that girl!" si Zandro, gigil na gigil.

"Just calm down, Zandro! Ako rin nanggigigil na." si Stef bago nagpatuloy. "And guess what? This girl is their model. It's just a rumors kaya hindi alam kung anong name ng babae.

"Tsk, for sure nilandi niya lang si Darrow! Malandi iyang babae na 'yan! Sarap sabunutan!" si Zandro, nangingit-ngit na sa gigil na nararamdaman.

"Wait... guys, speaking of Darrow! Is that him!?" mahinang tili ni Hannah at nakaturo sa bandang likuran ko.

Lahat sila ay agad na napabaling doon, hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ako nakagalaw. I swallowed hard as I feel the fast beat of my heart and later on it became loud.

Hindi ako makagalaw sa aking kinauupuan, pigil din ang hininga na tila nagyelo dahilan upang mas maramdaman ang mabilis at malakas ng kalabog ng aking dibdib. Shocks, I could clearly feel what my heart shouting for!

Ohh, no! There's really something wrong about me!

"Ang hot niya talaga!" kinikilig na komento ni Zandro.

"Ang pogi! Sino iyong kasama niya, ang hot din!" mahinang tili naman ni Stef. "Anong pangalan ng isa!?"

Hindi parin ako makalingon dahil pinapakalma ang nararamdaman. The hell! How could I face him when I'm feeling like this!

"Hey, K!" si Sheeme na bumulong sa aking tabi. "Are you okay? Why you don't want to turn around? I think Darrow is looking at you." she said sounds so sure.

Napapikit ako ng mariin at napakuyom ang palad upang mapakalma ang nararamdaman sa dibdidb! Why my heart keep beating like this!? I don't want to understand this feeling!

Hey, my heart, could you please calm down!

I slowly turned to them. Halos napaiwas ako ng tingin nang agad na magtama ang aming mata. Napalunok ako ng dalawang beses at napakagat sa labi. His serious eyes darted at me while I'm preventing not to look at him in the eyes. The fudge, I couldn't hold on myself everytime our eyes meet!

Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapalibot ang mata sa kabuon niya. Though, he was a bit far and it's dark and there's so much people but I could still see him clearly from here. He's on his proper grooming while he's wearing a black suit. He looks too handsome on his clothes.

Ngunit nabaling ang mata ko sa kasama niyang lalaki na tumapik sa kaniyang balikat... wait, is that?

"Is that my cousin?" hindi ko mapigilang hindi masabi sa sarili.

"Oo, si Kyros 'yan." si Sheeme, iritadong binanggit ang pangalan ng aking pinsan.

What he's doing here? And he's with Darrow. They know each other? They look close, though.

"Darrow is really looking at you, Kairra." Sheeme whispered.

Nabalik muli ang paningin ko kay Darrow. And his eyes still on me, seemed he didn't turned it to others. Why the hell he looking at me? And that way again!?

"H-uh?" tanging sagot ko sa kaibigan.

At this time, I really felt it. My heart beat so fast and loud as our eyes meet. His stare was too dark and serious but it sent me some tickle in my tummy then travel to my neck and face.

Ohh gosh, did you have a crush on him, Kairra!?

Shocks!