Playful Destiny

Chapter 8

What in the world is currently unfolding?

I find myself entangled in a substantial argument where Claire adamantly refuses to accept Cath's apology, it is actually me whom she expects to apologize?!

Adding to the bewilderment, both Mat and Fin appear utterly perplexed. It is worth noting that Fin exhibited no signs of surprise upon seeing Cath. I am at a loss as to what is truly happening here!

Moreover, when I caught sight of Cath outside our room earlier, I deliberately diverted Fin's attention, almost as if I wanted to prevent him from noticing her. This situation is undeniably confounding.

"Don't look nalang kasi Serenity! Private part ng lalaki 'yung drinawing niya," nilalayo niya sa'kin 'yung notebook na pinag drawing-an ni Mat.

I am doing this para hindi siya tumingin sa labas.

Habang kinukuha ko 'yung notebook sa kaniya, I couldn't help but turn my head sa bintana. Nakatingin siya sa'min at halata ang gulat niya, siguro'y dahil kay Fin.

Tumigil na ako sa pagkuha ng notebook, "W-well, I thought bunny 'yung drinawing niya."

"It's not, Mat, punitin mo nalang 'yung page, don't let Serenity look at it." Maeko was confused the whole time, he couldn't laughed.

"He's a gay right, ba't ganyan ka maka-react Fin, he does have it too." They're doomed, I don't care about it naman if he found out. Mas gusto ko pa ngang malaman niya para wala ng ma-confuse.

"U-uhm..." Napatigil siya ng mapatingin siya sa harap ng board. So do I, Cath's already inside our room! Claire didn't seem approachable kaya ako na ang lumapit kay Cath para kausapin siya.

"Cath, can we talk outside?" Medyo nag-alangan pa siya but in the end she nodded.

Just before we go outside, nagsalita bigla si Claire.

"Talk outside? Why? Are we keeping secrets from each other? Let's just talk here; everything will be fine." I had anticipated this situation. We returned to the front of the blackboard, and I locked eyes with her. Is she here to apologize or to cause trouble once again?

I directly asked her, "Why are you here?" Even though I knew it was likely straightforward to guess her intentions, I couldn't help but ask such a direct question.

"I'm here to apologize to Claire," she stammered. Her words were sincere, indicating her genuine desire to apologize.

I remained confused and anxious at the same time. Why did I have to go through this while standing in front of them? It was undoubtedly embarrassing.

No, Serenity, stay calm.

"Do you think I will accept your apology?" Claire suddenly interjected. What did she mean by those words?

"I will accept it if she apologizes to me first," she pointed me out. I was frozen in place, unable to move or speak, as something held me back.

"H-huh, bakit? Wala namang kasalanan si Serenity ha?" Mat sounds confuse, kahit ako rin naman, she wants me to apologize instead of Cath?

That's what happened earlier.

"Now what? Just apologize? What's the problem with that?" I could hear the sarcasm in her tone. I glared at her. Why should I apologize? Her words were clearly baseless.

It's up to me to decide whether I'll apologize or not.

"Do you want me to apologize?" I paused for a moment, looking at Cath.

"Beg for it," I said, she's clearly taken aback. I grinned at her. She had crossed the line. I may have let her get away with it the first time, but this time, I was going to stand up to her words.

Suddenly, Fin stood up. He grabbed me by the wrist, catching me off guard. I had no idea what he was planning. I let him lead me until we reached the rooftop.

"Why?" I asked him coldly.

"You know? Why did you lie to me?" He sighed, placing his hands on my shoulders and leaning to match my height.

"Listen, I truly have no idea what's going on."

No idea? Weren't you shocked earlier? And what did he mean by searching up for her? That day, he witnessed Cath and me, and he lied so convincingly.

Tinanggal ko ang mga kamay niya sa balikat ko at tinignan 'din siya ng masama.

Everyone had lied.

"Don't touch me. I don't even know who you are. I only met you five days ago," I uttered, my voice trembling. His eyes suddenly softened. Tears welled up in my eyes; I couldn't handle any of this at the moment.

I made the decision to walk away. As I faced the door to the rooftop, I whispered something he couldn't hear.

"Don't ever...get too close to me."

I left him alone on the rooftop. Once again, I allowed my emotions to take control, without giving anyone a chance to explain what had happened.

I felt selfish.

Pinupunasan ko ang mata ko habang naglalakad, I can't see clearly at maraming estudyante ang tumintingin. I forgot na recess na pala ng ibang section.

I bumped into someone, I was ready to apologize ng tinawag niya ang pangalan ko. At a time like this bakit siya lagi kong nakikita.

"Serenity? What happened?"

Nakasalubong ko si Seb habang naka holding hands siya sa babae na nakita namin ni Mat sa loob ng classroom nila.

"Serenity!" Nakita ko si Mat tumatakbo papunta sa'min kaya naglakad na ako, hindi ko na sinagot ang tanong niya, I really need some space right now.

"Hindi mo'ko matatakbuhan, alam mo namang 1st runner up ako sa takbuhan!"

So do I.

Mas binilisan ko pa ang paglalakad ko, making sure na hindi siya makakasunod. Kahit ilang oras lang ng walang nang-iistorbo magiging ok ulit ang lahat.

Just as I turned around, I felt a sudden embrace from behind. My initial instinct led me to believe it was Mat. His distinct fragrance filled the air, a scent that always reminded me of him. Despite his words being muffled, my mind felt hazy, unable to fully comprehend what he was saying.In the midst of my confusion, a single question echoed within me... Why?

"Whatever's bothering you, just come to me, I will help you." Bumitaw na siya sa pagkakayakap. Mat witnessed it all, halata ang gulat at inis niya sa mukha. His brows furrowed in a display of deep concern, amplifying the tension on his face. Moreover, his fist tightened, emphasizing his inner turmoil and frustration.

"Get away from her." Hindi lumalapit si Mat, pero ang tono ng boses niya ay may awtoridad.

"I said, get.away.from.my.best.friend." Inilayo niya na ang sarili niya. Pinagpag ko ang uniform ko, his scent, dumikit ata. I looked at him irritated, whatever he says, hinding-hindi ko siya lalapitan ulit.

When I'm about to take some steps, tumunog ang phone ko, displaying Cath's name. I answered it pero iba ang sumagot sa kabilang linya.

"H-hello Laurier, si Tori 'to, 'yong sister mo kasi..." I heard some screaming.

What did she do this time?!

I called Mat and we immediately leave papuntang room.

"I will explain mamaya, we need to stop Claire." He nodded. Pagkadating namin sa room, Cath's face was red-ish. Si Claire naman ay inalalayan ng iba naming kaklase. Her nose was bleeding.

So, hindi si Claire ang nang-away this time?

"Ano nanaman bang nangyari..." Hindi na ako nagsalita pa. Tinignan ko si Cath habang nakakunot ang noo.

"Laurier sisters, tawag kayo sa guidance." A women wearing glasses declared that.

Napahilamos nalang ako ng mukha. I am included now, kung dati ay tamang tingin lang ako sa nag-aaway, ngayon napasama na'ko.

Tumayo na ako at nagpasya na mauna maglakad. I stopped katabi ng nagtawag sa'min.

"By the way, we're not sisters."

We will never be.

Nauna na'kong maglakad papuntang guidance. I can take any consequence as long na hindi na ulit magambala ang buhay ko. And I will cut any connections kung iyon ang ikabubuti ng buhay ko. I don't need any redemption either.