Painful Scar

Kabanata 16

I was wide awake at 2am. Napalingon ako sa kanan ko't naroroon si Xyrene na mahimbing na natutulog. I have no idea kung anong oras sila umuwi ni Damon. I was so tired last night that I got drowned asleep.

Kinusot ko pa ang mga mata ko bago tuluyang umupo saka isinuot ang sapin sa paa. "Gising na! Baka ma-late tayo!" I stood right next to her. Bahagya ko pa siya ng tinapik ngunit pagkunot-noo at impit na ungol lamang ang kaniyang isinukli.

"Xyrene! Sasama ka ba o hindi?"

"I'm still sleepy, b***h!" my pagkairitang daing niya saka muling nagtalukbong ng kumot.

She said it's fine to wake her up after being home late. But look how sleepy-head she is. "Ma-le-late tayo!" Inis na buwelta ko saka inalis ang takip sa mukha niya ngunit nagmatigas siya. "You said, you'll drive!"

"Just a moment please," aniya saka muling ipinikit ang mata.

"Ms. Alunsina!" I blurted out!

My eyes popped out when she immediately sat down. "It's Mrs. Piero, darling." Right then, she draw a smirk on her lips. "Bayaw naman, babangon na ako para sa Kuya mo. Ikaw para saan ka bumabangon?"

I can sense sarcasm.

"Para isumpa ka at ipakulam kang hipokrita ka!" I exclaimed leaving her lips parted.

"Gago ka talaga!" She rolled her eyes before entering the bathroom.

Ilang minuto pa ay natapos din kami sa pag-aayos. Almost 2:30 na nang makababa kami sa kuwarto buhat ang maleta namin. Sobrang bagal kasi ni Xyrene. Naglagay pa siya ng make up dahil baka raw gising si Damon at makita siya. She's unbelievable! Xyrene turned tomato-red when she saw Damon dancing in the middle of the hall way.

Well, one thing she didn't knew about Demon is that he's a sleepy head. He sleeptalk, sleepwalk and even acts like a unicorn while he was in his deep sleep. How did I know? Simply because, he even woke up lying in the same bed as mine without me getting aware of it. When I can't sleep, I go downstairs to get milk but then saw him riding the office chair while singing the theme song of my little pony.

If she found out about my Brother's most cherish secret, she'll be turned off.

Kuya turned his back. "Bye, Kai!" I heard her small giggles. Gladly she didn't notice he was sleep walking. We got into the car and our old school is 30 minutes drive.

"Did you check your suitcase?" Asked Xyrene in the middle of driving.

"I did check it last night before I lie in bed."

"You haven't check it before we left?"

I simply shook my head. It was arranged exquisitely.

"I bet there's a lot of hot guy at the beach! You should wear hot dresses and lingeries," she said and laughed off.

I faked a laugh. "Why don't you try it yourself, huh?" I teased her.

"Thanks for the idea but... your brother is hot enough," she fired back making my eyes rolled back.

Xyrene and I was about 10 minutes late when we got there. We are welcomed by a boy standing next to his russet luggage. He was wearing a black turtleneck sweater, black jeans, white rubber shoes, topped with a tone-color coat.

I tried hard to recognize his features yet I couldn't figure out whom he is. He started talking small step closer, pulling his suitcase with him.

I leaned closer to my accompany. "I know it's quiet cold but don't you think he's wearing too much?" I asked Xyrene with a low voice.

"Are you silly?" I was frightened back by how she answered my question. I looked at her with my forehead creased. "He easily caught cold, remember?"

When she asked me that question, I finally realized who the man was. He changed a lot! I couldn't even recognize him!

"T-theon?"

I was stunned for a moment he smiled. "Long time no see, pretty girl."

"Yeah! It's been a long time. If I wasn't with Xyrene, i won't recognize you." Napahimas ako sa aking batok.

He chuckled and raise a brow. "Really?"

"For sure! Who would easily recognize a hot guy who was... kind of nerd before?" I asked but obviously, Xyrene can. No matter how much you've changed, she'll know you. "You've change a lot!"

"Glow up they say." He run his fingers through his hair.

He was about to put his arms 'round my shoulders when a baritone voice interrupt.

"Hey, Theon! How's life?" It was Dennis, my good friend. Then I saw my batchmates from behind. It reminds me of the good old days. I saw Raniel, Stella, Emarie, Nona, Melina, and some of them who I am not anymore familiar with.

"It's been good," Theon answered.

"Hi, Valirina." Dennis suddenly whispered through my ears. I smile at him and nod.

"I guess lahat na nandito? Let's go?"

Hawak ni Xyrene ang suit case ko habang ako naman ay hawak pa rin ang coat niya. She was wearing a white sleeveless top and black fitted jeans. The temperature drops into 20° celsius, yet it seems like she doesn't feel cold at all. Nakipag-usap siya sa mga kaklase namin noon habang ako ay nakapalumbaba pa rin sa kaniyang likuran.

"Are you still afraid of heights?" Tanong ni Xyrene nang sa wakas ay makapasok na kami sa loob ng eroplano.

I shook my head and answered, "Not anymore."

"Good for you, and for me too. Hindi na kita poproblemahin." Taas-kilay na saad niya.

"As if," I fired back before putting my airpods on.

***

TIRIK na tirik na ang araw nang makarating kami sa Boracay. I was welcomed by the fresh air touched against my skin. This place is so relaxing!

"WOW!" Sigaw ni Xyrene nang makababa sa sinasakyan naming eroplano. "Instagramable!"

"Tss," mahinang singhal ko saka hinila ang suitcase ko mula sa pagkakahawak niya. Kahit saan naman yata ay 'yon ang sinasabi niya.

Dumiretso agad kami sa hotel na aming tutuluyan. They decided to take 3 huge rooms.

"Kukuha rin ako ng room." Pero dahil maarte nga ako ay kumuha ako ng hiwalay na suite. Take note, presidential suite pa.

They are staring at me like, what the heck? I can afford it, bitches!

"I'm sorry. I wasn't used to sharing room with someone else kasi," I reasoned out. Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa maleta matapos mahuli ang mga masimpatyang tingin nila.

I heard Theon fake a laugh. "Arasseo," which means fine if I am not mistaken. "She distance herself."

"No! I don't!" I fired back. But he just laughed at me. "Just kidding!"

"Darn," I whispered to myself.

"I'll take two presidential suite," he casually said.

"Why two?" It was the sound of a confused Alunsina.

"I'm not used to sharing too."

"Shut it! Ang ke-KJ niyo naman!" It was Goerge. Ang dakilang bakla sa aming classroom. "Sayang naman ang tinatagong pagnanasa ko sa 'yo, fafa Theon!" Umugong ang tawanan ng mga kaklase namin. Napailing na lamang ako bago tuluyang ipinako ang tingin sa labas ng hotel. The sea side view is seducing me.

Matapos ma-settle ang mga bagay-bagay ay agad rin kaming nagsipaghiwalay ng landas. I was taking the corridor into my room when a sweet voice interrupt.

"Hi Valirina!" I heard someone called from behind. I turned myself to pace her. "Long time no see."

"Celine," I uttered. The former class president.

"Have you been well?"

Ngumiti ako bago tumango. "Yeah."

"That's good to hear," Nakangiti ring aniya.

"What's your relationship with that popular hot guy?" She paused and acte like she was remembering that guy's name. "Hmmm- Kairus Damien Piero?" She asked.

Marahil ay hindi niya nga kilala ang bukod tanging nakapagpapainit nang husto sa ulo ko. Wala siyang idea kung paano nagkagulo-gulo't nagkabuhol-buhol ang mga braincells ko. Well, kung mayroon pa naman ako n'on.

Masyadong maarte si Damon noon at nag-home schooling lang. He decided to study in a private school when he finally reached secondary level. And look at him now, he's the one who hang out with friends a lot. Kaunti na lang nga ay huwag na siyang umuwi. Bakit pa nga ba siya umuuwi? Kung ako si Mommy ay palalayasin ko na siya.

A fake grin formed on my lips. "Hmm brother, why?"

I saw her silently shook her head. "Nothing. He seems so well known. I often heard his name. I bet he's that hot, you know? Hehe." She muttered and laughed. "I was intrigued 'cause you have the same surname as his. So I asked. It was confusing the hell out of me."

She studied a mile far from our city yet Damon is popular in their school? Masyado ba siyang kilala? O sadyang kung saan-saan nagsusuot ang mokong na 'yun? P'wede ring both.

"I heard din na his sister and him fought a lot?"

I was suprised to hear what she just asked. As far as I could remember, she doesn't show any interest when it comes to boys. She plainly asked but still, It something I wasn't used too. Maybe everything changes as time passes by. Who am I to predict her decisions in life? Whatever, Vali! You're over thinkin' again.

I shook my head. "These past few months, we don't argue anymore."

"Really?" Ramdam ko ang pagkadismaya sa boses niya. A fake smile formed on her lips. Pilitin ko man hindi mailang ngunit naiilang pa rin ako. Naninibago, naiilang, nahihiya, natatameme at kung anu-ano pa. "That's a relief too, haha."

Doon ba nag-iinom si Damon sa lugar nila?

"Kamusta naman kayo ni Kian?" Out of the blue, she asked me that question.

I smiled at her. "We broke up months ago."

The curves on her face slowly vanished. "Ohh.. Sorry 'bout that," she humbly mumbled.

I shook my head and showed her a big smile. "It's fine. We are friends naman."

"Really? You are brave, huh? I thought, ex lovers can never be friends. You said them too."

"I was naive that time," I said while faking a laugh. "They could, we could. Choice doesn't include any love theories. We are just capable of forgiving and decided to open a friendly string to connect us. Marami rin kaming pinagsamahan bago maging kami at bago rin kami maghiwalay. I cherish those precious memories with him. It couldn't be trade by anything. We could be friends because thats our heart longs to."

"It doesn't hurt you?" Asked Celine with her brows furrowed. "How to be you po?"

"It's not the person that stings, its the gold old memories. Exes can be friends again without excess feelings. But that's when they already accepted what has been putted to an end," I added.

"I wish to be braver," she whispered.

"You are," mahina ring tugon ko. "Hindi ka lang nakukulong sa pagkakataong kailangan mong maging matapang kahit pa nadudurog ka na." Hindi ko alam kung saan ko kinukuha ang mga sinasabi ko. Kusa lamang silang lumalabas sa bibig ko.

"You're really a love expert! Magaling kang magpayo pero kapag ikaw na 'yung nasa sitwasyon ay nakakain mo lahat ng sinabi mo," she looked at me and laugh. "Same old Vali Piero I've known."

I shook my head and smile. She's right.

"By the way, guwapo ba talaga ang Kairus na 'yon?" She changed the topic. "Mayroon ka bang picture niya? I wanna see!"

I can sense excitement in her sweet voice.

I left no choice but to snatch my phone out of my pocket. My jaw almost drop when I opened my phone's gallery. Tinadtad ni Damon ng selfies niya ang phone ko. It was just like, how did he snatch my phone without me knowing?

Ilalapit ko na sana sa kanya ang cellphone ko ngunit malayo pa lamang ay hinila jiya na ito. "Totoo nga ang bali-balita! Son of a b***h! Ang guwapo nga talaga! A picture of perfection!"

"How come na hindi kayo magkahawig?" My forehead creased. How would I take that? "Don't get me wrong, huh?" She laughed. "You are stunning. But Kairus is a picture of sophisticated hot guy."

"Gago naman," sa sobrang hina ay elephante na lamang yata ang makaririnig n'on

"This is my room number," I stopped by my door. "Nice seeing you again, Miss president. Kuya his badass!" I smiled at her before swiping the card, and entering the suite.

It was a big relief! The atmosphere feels so weird when I'm around her even in a short period of time. Maybe, I feel too awkward everytime someone asks or talk with me about Damon. I don't know why, extreme emotions just strikes.

For sure, she likes Damon. Well, whatever.