Unlocking His Past

CHAPTER 30

—BLAIRE'S POV—

Nang matapos ang diner naming tatlo ni Dad at Rio ay napagpasyahan kong pumanhik na sa kwarto ko at magpahinga. Si Rio naman ay nandoon sa sariling kwarto niya, last week ay pinalinis at pinaayos na ni Dad iyon sa mga maid. Dad made sure he'll be comfortable when he comes back. After all, he's been away from us for years because of his educational matter and other things that, based on Dad had to do with the Clan.

Nag-half bath lang ako saka humiga na rin sa kama. Ilang minuto na akong nakahiga sa kama pero hindi ko pa rin ramdam ang antok. Tila ayaw akong dalawin ng antok hanggang sa sumagi na naman ang araw pagkatapps ng senior's night namin. Kung saan sinadyang sundan ni Trover si Nerd at ilang oras pagkatapos ay nalaman kung isang Dyrelso si Nerd.

"Iyon ba ang ibig sabihin ni Trover na isa siyang heir ng Dyrelso Clan?" tanong ko sa aking sarili. "But how come? How come I haven't recognized or come to know him? I did investigated Nerd before but his information isn't enough to link in a Dyrelso Clan."

Is he Venom or Raven?

"Venom," I uttered. It's been so long since I met him. That day when Mom died was the first and last time I've come to see him.

Napabalikwas ako sa pagkakahiga nang may sumagi sa isip ko. Dali-dali kong hinanap ang cellphone ko at nag-dial ng number. Nakailang ring pa lang ay sinagot niya na ito.

"Gold?" Uncle Irill's baritone voice greeted me.

"Can you do me a favor? Two favor to be exact."

"Hmm? What is it?"

Si Tito Irill lang ang makakatulong sa akin. Isa pa, sa aspetong ito siya pinakamagaling.

"I need information about Reiz Santos. He's one of my classmates. Dig deep into his life."

"What? Who?"

"Reiz Santos." He became silent on the other line, so I decided to tell him my second favor.

"And, can you give it back to me."

"G-give back what?" I could sense uneasiness in his voice. As if he's not sure of what he's going to say.

I hope Dad permits me do and have it back. If not, then I have no other choice but to be the Gold I used to be. The one dark and dangerous one.

"The mission."

IILAN LANG SA mga teacher ang nagklase sa amin ngayong araw. Halos lahat sa kanila kasi ay nagkaroon ng emergency meeting.

Si Nerd ay absent dahil sa may sakit daw siya. Si Ash naman, sumusubok siyang makipag-usap sa akin pero hindi ko na muna siya binigyang noon. Hanggang ngayon kasi ay hindi mawala sa isip ko si Nerd. Ang tattoo niya, ang mission, ang pagiging Dyrelso niya at ang mga matang nakita ko noon senior night. Pagkatapos kasi ng Senior night ay tila naging ilang siya sa akin. Madalang siya kung makipag-usap sa amin ni Ash, hinayaan ko na lang din dahil kahit ako mismo ay hindi alam ang sasabihin. I also didn't mind it because I was occupied with Rio's come back.

I was on my way to the parking lot when Ash appeared next to me and silently walk with me. Tapos na rin naman ang klase at p'wede nang umuwi. Narating naming dalawa ang parking lot, bahagya pa akong naglakad sa may bandang gate habang si Ash ay naiwan. I didn't brought my Siyann, Rio said he will fetch me up, for we will be heading to the headquarters. Hindi pa nakakalayo ay narinig ko ang sigaw niya.

"Blaire!" I heard Ash shouted.

I stopped and looked back at him. He stood up there as if he's hesitant to speak. Few students are passing by, our distance isn't that far so I could still clearly see him—his features and the emotions plastered in his face.

"I'm going to a museum next Saturday, would you like to come with me?" he shyly said, his right hand slightly messaging the back of his neck.

Saglit akong natigil sa pag-iisip at pinasadahan ng tingin si Ash mula ulo hanggang paa.

Is he asking a date?

Ash is definitely a cute and hottie basketball varsity. Anyone would love to date him. It's undoubtedly that lots of girls drooled to be with him. He looks so simple yet charming.

"Are you asking me for a date?" I asked, trying to have a neutral expression. I don't want to be rude or what.

"Halata ba?" balik niyang tanong na hindi ko sinagot.

"I want to get to know you more, Blaire. That's if you'll let me."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Well, you and Reiz are so far my close friends. I just want to know more—"

"Friends aren't dating, right?"

He was about to answer when Rio's voice interrupted, calling me by my name Gold. My eyes automatically searched where he is now. I then glared at him, sending him warning not to call me Gold. Darn it!

"Nandiyan na ang susundo sa akin. I'm always busy every weekend, so yeah I can't go. I've got to go."

I didn't wait for Ash's response and went to Rio's direction. Prenteng nakasandal ito sa itim niyang sasakyan. Naka-shades pa at mukhang ayos-ayos para sa isang training. Naka-fitted black shirt kasi at black stretchy pants. Kind of cloths we usually wore when we go to the headquarters every time we train ourselves.

Sana naman ay dinalhan niya ako ng pangpalit ko. I can't go there with this school uniform. Not unless he wants to stop by in the mansion first.

"Hey, Gold!"

Hindi ko pinansin si Rio at saka kusang pumasok na sa sasakyan. Hindi na rin siya naghintay pa at sumakay at nagmaneho na rin. Kapagkuwan ay nagsalita ito.

"I brought you clothes to change. Close the car window and get change," he said and pointed a paper bag in back seat.

Sinunod ko ang sinabi niya at saka lumipat ng pwesto, sa kaninang tabi niya ay lumipat ako sa backseat saka nagpalit nga ng damit. I don't feel any embarrassment to Rio even he sees me almost half naked, he had seen enough of me. He's a brother and bestfriend, I'm pretty sure he don't feel any s****l feelings towards me. Nang makatapos akong magbihis ay saka ako bumalik sa tabi niya.

"Thanks. Good thing you remembered to brought this. You know, I'm not comfortable with my uniform."

"I already expected that one. By the way, who was that guy?" he asked, his eyes still focused on the road.

I didn't answered him and reach out for my cellphone and airpods, that was, as I remembered putting them inside of my backpack bag. As soon as I took it out, I quickly plugged the airphones in my ear and search for a music.

"That guy seems to have interest on you."

Again, I didn't mind him. The music started but I could still hear him talking.

"And from the way you look at him and the way you avoided me opening this topic, its something I assumed that you aren't interested to him too. Why is that so? That guy has the looks."

For the third time, I didn't respond to him. Pag kasi ginawa ko 'yan, siguradong hindi ako titigilan niyan kakatanong. Akala ko ay matitinag na siya kakasalita dahil bahagya na akong sumandal sa car window at pinikit ang mga mata ko pero nagsalita pa rin ulit siya.

"Tsk, Gold. I'm hurt you know, you're not sharing anything about you anymore. Maybe you don't need me anymore or you found another—"

"Shut up, Rio. You're so madaldal!" Marahas akong nagbukas ng talukap at tinignan siya nang masama, bumungad lang sa akin ang nakangisi niyang mukha. Alam kong sinasadya niya iyan dahil sa siguradong maiirita ako.

"Fine. That was Ashton. He's my classmate. I'm not assuming like you. If he likes me or not, I don't care. I actually don't give a damn care."

Why are they liking me? I mean, hindi lang si Nerd pati si Ashton? Ngayon na okay na kay Dad na magkaroon ako ng kaibigan maliban kay Rio ay gaganyan sila. It's really awkward.

Rio's smirk grew bigger, turned into grin and soon turned into a soft chuckled. Nakatutok pa rin ang atensyon niya sa pag-drive, minsan-minsan ay tititingin ito at gagawaran lang ako ng nang aasar na mukha.

"You aren't still changing, Gold."

"Look, Rio. I don't have time to indulge in such things. Love is not for me. Period!"

Then out of nowhere, a thought from weeks passed, when Dad and I manage to talk even before his death. I remembered the history behind Dad and Mom's love story and their other best friend—their not so imperfect marriage.

Love makes people do stupid things, impulsive decisions and hurt each other.

"Can we just go to the headquarters quitely. You're so noisy." My irritated tone seems to fuel his maliciously chuckle.

"Is Gold still a baby?"

"What the f**k, Rio?!"

Is up to something, damn why am I even pissed off?