Painful Scar

The musky scent of whiskey over my body hung thick in the air, filling the entire room with its essence that cause shivers to crept on my spine. As I opened my eyes and bit my lower lip, I tasted the sweet jam of strawberries even if I haven't eat one early in this morning. My eyes felt so heavy. I'm still yawning but I have to get up. 'I gotta get going. I lazily stood up from the bed and put my slippers on. I saw the empty glass on the top of the table with those messy wine empty bottles. The broken pieces of clay vase are scattered on the floor, random of my clothes are hanging on the desk and some are on my bed. The whole room looks like it was under a war— It was totally a mess. I unconsciously shook my head and picked the empty glass using my left hand, filling it with my favorite champagne. I'm just gonna ask our house maids to clean these messy stuffs for me. I suddenly remembered how I drunk myself last night. How I cried myself to sleep. But now, I'm wondering who the hell put me to bed when I had too much to drink? Darn it! When I finished the champagne, I went into the bathroom to wash my body. I step closer to sink and washed my face thoroughly. I lifted my gaze and look at myself on the mirror; as I tapped the lower part of my flame-red robe. The moment I step inside the bathmat, I felt a little bit dizziness. My eyes are starting to get weary yet I'm still able to overcome it. I tied my black-brown hair pony and reach the towel track to dry my face with a clean piece of white cloth. I walk towards the bathtub and filled it with tap water. I returned to where I was standing before and opened the faucet to wash my hands covered with soap. I unleash the robe's strap and remove it gently, revealing my hour glass body. With a wide grin attached on my lips, I looked at my reflection and I know. . . I taste like honey. I walk towards the tub and soak myself into the water. I rested my head on the corner like I was a fries dipped into its bloody sauce. I lie there for a couple of minutes, thinkin' random stuffs and brainstorming things. When I can't wait any longer, I stood under the shower to wash myself and put some clothes on. I put some reddish lipstick on and some concealer to cover the dark curves under my eyes. I choose to wear an high-waisted jeans top with an oversized sky blue shirt. I put some clothes on my bag and some cash on my wallet. I am not going in a battlefield without putting my armors on. I went downstairs and I was welcomed by a cat named Whiffer by rubbing against my legs. And altogether with those ear-shattering voice coming from my mother. My eyebrows began to lodge in a worried line over my anxious brown eyes. "Seriously?" "Kailan ka ba magtitino Kairus, ha?!" Rinig na rinig ko ang pabungad ni Mommy sa kuya kong basagulero na akala mo ay pinalaki lamang sa kanto. "I'm tired of your shits!" mangiyak-ngiyak na ani Mommy habang hawak-hawak ang kaniyang sintido. "Mom, wala naman kasi kaming kinalaman doon, nadamay lang kami!" pabalik at halatang inis na inis na tugon ni Damon. "We defend ourselves, as simple as that. We didn't start the fight, Mom! Ipinagtanggol ko lang 'yung kaibigan namin!" "Iyan ba ang nakukuha't natututunan mo sa pagsama sa anak ng mga Monteverro, ha?!" nagpipigil ng galit na tanong ni Mommy sa kanya. "When will you grow up, Kai? Aren't you tired of this nonsense fight, huh?" "Good morning Mom," tipid akong ngumiti habang binabati si Mommy. She smiled back. "Good morning, Vali." "What's up with Damon?" nakangising tanong ko. Halata ang pagpipigil ng inis sa mukha ng loko matapos ko siyang ngisian. Well, good for him! "Nakuha ko lang naman siya sa kulungan dahil sa katigasan ng ulo niya!" "You did more awful than walking at your sleep?" I crossed my arms against my chest and meet his glance, I smirked and laughed at the same time. Yes. He has a sleeping disorder where in he's unconsciously talking to his self while sleeping. The worse part is that he's walking while sleeping. "Funny, huh?" he fired back. I showed him my tongue to insult him more. "You spent the whole night behind the railings?" Mapanudyong ko siyang pinukol ng tingin. "Really?" natatawa muling tanong ko saka inilipat ang tingin kay Whiffer. "Poor creature." "Stop it, Vali!" hasik habang diretsong nakatitig sa akin. Unti-unting lumalalim ang gitla sa kaniyang noo saka nadako ang kaniyang tingin sa bag na hawak ko kaya't tinuro niya ito. "Where are you going?" I looked at my bag and shifted my gaze to meet his. "Why do you care?" "I'm your brother," payak niyang tugon. "So, what?" Nagsimula akong humakbang papalapit sa kanya at pinagtaasan siya ng kilay. "You two—" Natigilan kami sa malamig na boses na nagmula kay Mommy. "Quit it!" Pasalamat siya at wala si Daddy, baka kung naririto ay ilang buwan na naman siyang hindi bibigyan ng allowance. But, it wasn't a big deal for him. For he is a money maker machine, an asset indeed. "I need to rest," he said. I was about to walk out when he muttered, "Make sure it wasn't a piece of crap, baby. Stop making troubles, will you?" he asked in a low voice. "Take care." That was the last thing he said before I heard the door shut close. Napailing-iling si Mommy at nagtungo sa kusina habang ako naman ay dumiretso na sa aking sasakyan at umalis ng hindi man lang nagpapaalam. How come? I'm Vali Piero! And I'll do whatever I want, anything that pleases me will be considered done. Why would I listen to him? Such a bad ass! Ilang sandali pa ay narating ko na ang bahay ng mga Alunsina. Sandali ko pang pinagmasdan ang kanilang mala mansiyong tirahan bago ko kinapa ang telepono sa aking bag at tinawagan ang numero ni Xyrene. I'm glad that she picked it up 'cause waiting is no good for me. Baka masira ko pa ang gate ng bahay nila. "Hey, Val!" pasigaw na bungad niya mula sa kabilang linya. Bahagya ko pang nailayo ang telepono sa aking tenga buhat nang nakabibinging sigaw niya. I heaved a sigh and asked, "Where are you?" "Obviously, inside the house." "Akala ko ba mag-bi-beach tayo!" inis na sigaw ko. Our old friend Kyla invited us to their beach opening and we promised to come. For us who love the gracious sea, it would be a pleasure. "Do you think this is a good idea?" may pag-aalinlangang tanong niya. Binalot kami nang matinding katahimikan. "Magpaalam na lang kaya tayo?" she suggested. "My grades got lower than last semester. Damon would probably mess up!" "Yeah, I get that. But he's cool, though," she mumbled. "Well, I guess it's better than being forced to date my father's young business acquaintance." "Whatever!" I hang up the phone. Mayamaya pa ay natanaw ko na siya na dali-daling lumabas sa kanilang bahay at dire-diretsong pumasok sa sasakyan. Pinagmasdan ko siya na wala man lang bitbit na kung ano bukod sa kaniyang telepono at maliit na sling bag. "Where are your things?" nagpipigil Inis na tanong ko. Lumalim ang gitla sa noo ko ng buksan niya ang kaniyang sling bag at ipakita sa aking ang kaniyang mga credit card at cash. She faked a smile and slowly answered, "Bibili na lang. So, no one will notice my absence." "Just— Great!" Napailing na lang ako saka pinaharurot ng takbo ang sasakyan. Ilang sandali pa ay narating na namin ang pinakamalapit na mall sa kanilang bahay. Sinabihan ko siyang bilhin lahat ng gusto niya ngunit sa loob lamang ng maikling panahon, dahil kapag nagkataon ay baka sumabit pa kami at pumalpak na naman sa aming plano. Iniisip ko pa lang na pupunta kami sa tabing dagat ay na-e-excite na ako! We'll discover a place where we can break free! Where we can go beyond the ocean lines and see how far we can go. To be lost in a paradise. Mayamaya pa ay lumabas siyang may dala-dalang dalawang malalaking paper bag. Dali-dali niyang isinilid ang mga ito sa compartment ng sasakyan at muling bumalik sa loob ng mall para mamili naman sa grocery store. Halos inabot kami ng kalahating oras bago tuluyang nakaalis sa lugar na iyon. "Nakaka-stress pala 'tong ginagawa natin!" Nasapo niya ang likod na animo'y nangangalay sa pinaggagagawa niya. "Ngayon mo lang na-realize?" Napangiti ako. Umiling siya at pinag-krus ang kaniyang mga binti. She even bought pairs of shoes for Peter's sake!