Please, Forget me Not

CHAPTER 30

“Omg, Khyrss, is that a hickey?” My hand immediately went to that part of my neck when Frea noticed it. Mukhang narinig iyon ni Brenda at Stefan kaya nabaling na rin sa akin ang kanilang atensyon at agad akong binigyan ng malisyosong tingin.

Sinugod nila ako dito sa bahay nang malaman nilang umuwi na ako kahapon para daw mag-celebrate. Hindi ko alam na pupunta sila kaya hindi ko na nagawang takpan ng concealer ‘yong markang iniwan sa akin ni Zach.

I pretended to scratch it before I answered her.

“No, it was a mosquito bite.” As soon as I finished saying that I felt a hand on the small of my back.

“Hi, guys.” Zach who had just entered the house greeted my friends with a smile on his face.

Three of them stared at each other before looking at him as they spoke in unison.

“Hi, mosquito.” After saying that, they gave each other a high-five before smirking at me. Napa-facepalm ako sa isip ko. Who am I fooling? They weren’t born yesterday. Kaya naman mas malabo pa sa tubig ng ilog Pasig ang tyansang maloko ko sila.

“What?” he asked, confused because he didn’t hear what I told them.

“Don’t mind them. They’re just fooling around.” I eyed my friends to ask them to stop but they ignored me and turned to Zach instead.

“Because our dear friend, Khyrss, told us she got a mosquito bite on her neck…” Brenda answered slowly, emphasizing each word while pointing her index finger at my neck.

“And we know that you were the mosquito who bit her,” Frea added.

I was about to say something nang biglang sumingit si Stefan.

“Don’t worry friend, I understand you. Aba kung gan’yan ba naman ka-gwapo ang lamok na kakagat sa akin, kahit ma-dengue pa ako, ayos lang. Rawr!” He even did the rawr gesture when he said the last word.

Humagalpak nang tawa ang dalawang bruha dahil sa sinabi ni Stefan. Maging ako ay hindi rin napigilan ang sariling matawa dahil doon. Napakalandi talaga ng baklang ‘to kahit kailan.

“Stef, no one will bite you but a real mosquito. ‘Wag ka nang umasa,” ani Brenda pagkatapos tumawa.

“Epal ka. Gusto mo ikaw na lang kagatin ko, ha?” Stef said using his manly voice.

“Omg, guys get a room!” Tinulak ni Frea si Brenda papunta kay Stef nang umatras ito.

“Sabi ko na nga ba at type ako nito ni Stefan! He was pretending to be a gay para mapalapit sa akin!” Stef acted like he was about to vomit when Brenda accused him of that.

“Ew, girl, in your dreams! If ever na tunay na lalaki nga ako, hindi pa rin ikaw ang magiging type ko. Sa inyong tatlo, posible pa kay Khyrss at Frea, pero malabo sa’yo!” He crossed his arms as he rolled his eyes at her. Brenda made face at him as she copied his gestures.

Pinapanood lang naming silang dalawang magbangayan nang biglang natigilan si Stef nang mapatingin siya sa direksyon ni Zach kaya naman napalingon rin ako sa lalaking nasa tabi ko.

He was raising his eyebrow at Stef, probably because of what he said about me and Frea.

I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing when I saw Stef’s expression at this moment.

“Napaka-seryoso mo naman, Zach. I was just kidding, okay? Don’t take it seriously. Hindi ko type 'yang fiancée mo, duh? Lalaki rin ang gusto ko just like her.” He then pulled Brenda and Frea while whispering something to them. “Mga bruha tara na sa pool area. Mukhang suntok ang makukuha ko rito, hindi kagat. I can’t afford to have this gorgeous face of mine to be broken.” Dinig kong bulong niya nang talikuran kami.

“He’s a bisexual.” Zach chuckled beside me as we watched their retreating backs. I turned to him with my confused face.

“Ha?”

“Your friend, Stefan. He’s a bisexual.” He put his hands inside his pocket as he turned his body to face me.

“No, he’s gay.” I shook my head before looking at the door leading to the pool area.

“What do you call a person who’s attracted to both genders? Isn’t it bisexual?”

“What are you trying to say?” I shifted back my gaze to him. He smiled when he saw my confusion.

“He likes Brenda.” I laughed as if he said something hilarious. Si Stef na mas babae pa kung kumilos kaysa sa akin ay may gusto kay Brenda?

“It’s impossible.”

“He’s still a guy, Kaiah. It wasn’t impossible for him to like a girl. And I could tell by the way he looked at her and the way he teased her. He likes her.” He shrugged. “It’s only a matter of time, Kaiah. You’ll see it with your own two eyes if ever he decided to pursue her. Right now, I think he’s still confused,” he said looking in the direction of the pool area as if he could see him through walls. He then turned to me and reached out for my hand. “Let’s go there.”

Hindi na ako nagsalita at sumunod na lang sa kan'ya as I was trying to absorb what he just told me. If ever he’s right, of course, I’ll support them... in a heartbeat.

Nang makalabas kami, nadatnan namin si Frea at Brenda na abala sa pag-aayos ng mga pagkain sa lamesa habang si Stef ay abala sa pagkalikot ng cellphone niya habang prenteng nakahiga sa sofa bed.

I started to love this area of our house ever since my parents had it renovated by Zach. He divided our pool into two. The other half remained as a pool, but the other half became a sunken lounge. There’s a thin wall that separates them and the center of that wall is glass. I’ve seen a lot of this style in most of the five-star hotels I’ve been to, and I really like it because it was perfect for a small celebration like this with family and friends.

“Where’s Aly?” tanong ko kay Frea nang makababa kami sa kinaroroonan nila.

“Kinukuha 'yong grilling machine sa kusina.”

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ‘yong mga pagkaing nasa lamesa. “Bakit puro korean foods?”

“Because we’re throwing you a Korean-themed welcome back party! And oh, not just the food, but also the drinks. Look over there.” Napangiwi ako nang makita 'yong cooler na punong-puno ng soju. Tingin pa lang parang nalalasing na agad ako.

“Sobrang dami naman. Whose idea is that?” I eyed them one by one.

“That’s my idea. I've been obsessing with K-dramas these past few days, e. I got a one-week job in Korea last week and being a big fan of Itaewon class ni PSJ, I went to Itaewon. I got the idea there.”

“K-drama fan ka?” ‘di makapaniwalang tanong ni Brenda kay Stefan.

He raised his brow at her. “What’s wrong with being a k-drama fan?”

“Wala naman. Akala ko kasi you prefer genres like fifty shades.” Nagkibit balikat si Brenda at umupo sa may paanan ni Stefan.

“I don’t even like fifty shades.”

“Ay, weh?”

“Yeah. The version I watched was censored. Kainis!”

“Tang*na ka!” Natatawang hinampas ni Brenda si Stefan ng throw pillow. Maging kami ay natawa rin sa sinabi niyang iyon. “Akala ko pa naman ayaw mo ng mga erotic films.”

I was about to speak when I heard laughs approaching us. Napalingon ako sa pinagmumulan ng ingay at nagulat nang makita si Aly kasama si Dreiden at Reighan.

Nang mapansin nilang nakatingin ako sa kanila, they waved their hands while smiling at me. I haven’t seen them for a while. Ngayon na lang ulit. I smiled back.

“Hi, Khyrss. Long time no see,” bungad ni Reighan nang makalapit sila sa pwesto namin.

“I miss you, Khyrss! Pa-ganda ka nang pa-ganda kada nakikita kita, ah?” Dreiden said playfully before he reached out to hug me. Natawa naman ako dahil kung paano ko siya nakilala ay ganoon pa’rin siya hanggang ngayon. Hindi pa rin siya nagbabago. Balak ko sanang salubungin ang kan'yang yakap when Zach suddenly stepped forward and hugged me before Dreiden did.

“No hugs, please.”

“Charot lang ‘yon, pre. Si Brenda talaga 'yong yayakapin ko… Hi, Brenny! Ngayon na lang kita nakita, ah? Tagal na noong huling hangout natin. Kumusta?” I heard Dreiden said. I can’t see him because Zach was towering in front of me, completely blocking my view. I moved my head a little para silipin sila. He really hugged Brenda. Sa pagkakatanda ko hindi sila ganoon ka-close dati, but now…Oh, my God, am I missing something?

I pulled away from Zach’s hug para lumapit sana sa kanila pero natigilan ako nang mapatingin sa kaniya. He was frowning at me.

“What?” I raised my brow.

“You seriously want to hug someone in front of me?” Hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya. I bit my lip to stifle my smile. He was being possessive and jealous.

“Can I do it behind your back, then?” I answered even though what he said was a rhetorical question.

“I’m serious.” He was staring right into my eyes.

“So am I.” I crossed my arms at sinalubong ang seryoso niyang mga mata.

I tried to stop myself from laughing when I saw his eyes darken. It’s not every day I could see this possessive side of him so I might as well enjoy it.

“Khyrss Sariah,”

“Zachary Shein,” I said matching his tone kahit na kaunti na lang ay sasabog na ang tawa ko.

“If you don’t stop what you’re doing right now…” He stopped and lowered his gaze on the red mark on my neck for a few seconds before it went back to my face. “You—"

I held out my hand to stop him from talking because I already knew what he wanted to say. I smiled at him innocently. I don’t want to push him further because I don’t want to know what he would do to me if I did. Not now that we’re with my friends.

“I was just kidding you, okay? Of course, I won’t hug anyone, be it in front or behind your back. You know that.” I took a step toward him and reached out to whisper in his ear. “And oh, did I already tell you you’re hot when you’re being possessive?” I winked at him at binigyan siya ng malapad na ngiti bago siya hinila palapit sa mga kaibigan ko para simulan na ang small celebration namin.

Brenda started giving each of us a bottle of soju. We were just talking about things that we missed with each other’s lives while eating and drinking in the next few hours. Drei and Stef are the clowns tonight because they never failed to make us laugh with their hilarious jokes and remarks. Habang si Reighan naman ay naggigitara na sinasabayan namin nang pagkanta. Everyone was having fun.

Feeling the effect of the alcohol in our bodies, we decided to take a dip in the pool.

Frea and Brenda was now in one piece swimsuit. Mukhang pinaghandaan talaga nila ‘tong gabing ‘to at hindi man lang ako sinabihan. Tinatamad naman akong umakyat para magpalit pa ng swimsuit kaya hinubad ko na lang ang suot kong damit at bumaba na rin sa pool hawak ang pangalawa kong bote ng soju.

I’m already tipsy dahil hindi naman ganoon kataas ang alcohol tolerance ko, but Frea won’t let me stop at one bottle. Huwag daw akong madaya.

Parang napaso ako nang maramdaman ko ang kamay ni Zach sa aking baywang nang makalapit ako sa kan’ya. He then leaned down and rested his head on my shoulder.

“Hey, lasing ka na ba?” marahang tanong ko sa kan’ya. He already had two bottles kaya sigurado akong may epekto na iyon sa kan’ya. Bahagya naman siyang natawa at dumiretso nang tayo para tingnan ako.

“I’m the one who should ask you that.” His gaze moved from my face to the bottle I was holding.

“No, I’m good. Tipsy lang.” I took a sip on my soju and joined my friends who were playing something.

Pagkatapos naming magbabad sa pool ng ilang oras, umahon na kami at ipinagpatuloy ang inuman.

“Guys dito na kayo matulog, ha? Walang uuwi, lahat bagsak!” sigaw ko habang nakatayo sa couch hawak ang isang bote ng soju. “Let’s enjoy this night!” dagdag ko at nagsimula nang sumayaw nang lumukas ang tugtog.

I almost fell on the couch because of sudden dizziness, but someone caught me.

“Kaiah, you’ve had enough. You’re drunk. Let’s go... I will take you to your room.” I looked up at him when he pulled the alcohol from my hands with my hazy eyes.

“No! I won’t go anywhere. Dito lang ako, hindi pa ubos ‘yong soju and I shouldn’t leave my guest here.” Nagpumiglas ako mula sa pagkakaupo sa kandungan niya pero mahigpit ang kapit niya sa akin. Napanguso ako.

“Tama na, Kaiah. Nakaka-ilang bote ka na ba? You’ll have a terrible headache tomorrow.”

“Bukas pa naman ‘yon, e. Let me enjoy this night.” I pouted and gave him puppy eyes.

“Kahit gaano ka pa ka-cute, still a no, Kaiah. Let’s go,” aniya at inayos ang pagkakahawak sa akin.

“Last two bottles na lang, oh. Let me finish that first. Please?” I begged while pointing to the two bottles of soju on the table.

“Hayaan mo na silang umubos no’n.”

“No, that’s for your girl, Zach. Mayroon kaming amin,” Frea butted in while showing Zach the soju in her hand.

He heaved a deep sigh before putting me down in the space beside him. Napangiti ako dahil akala ko ay pinagbigyan niya akong ubusin muna ang mga ‘yon pero nagulat ako nang abutin niya ‘yong soju at inumin hanggang sa maubos niya ang laman ng dalawang bote.

Marahas niyang pinunasan ang kaniyang bibig gamit ang likod ng palad niya at binalingan ako ng tingin.

“Okay na. Ubos na. You don’t have any reason to refuse to go to your room. Let’s go, matulog ka na.” Napanguso ako dahil sa ginawa niya.

Why did he drink my soju? Akin ‘yon!

Padabog akong tumayo at sinamaan siya ng tingin. Lumapit ako kay Keighan at hinablot ang hawak niyang alak tsaka iyon tinungga.

Wala na siyang nagawa nang ibinalik ko sa kaniya ang boteng wala nang laman. Akmang lalapit ako kay Dreiden pero hinila na ako ni Zach palayo sa kanila.

“Where are we going? I still want to drink, Zach!” protesta ko at sinubukang huwag magpahila sa kaniya pero bigla niya akong binuhat.

“Zach!” sigaw ko nang hindi niya ako pansinin. Imbes ay nagpaalam na siya sa mga kaibigan ko bago naglakad palayo.

I closed my eyes when I suddenly felt drowsy. Nagmulat lang ako ng mata nang ibaba na niya ako sa tapat ng isang pinto.

“Why are we here?”

“To sleep,” maikling sagot niya bago binuksan ang pinto at inalalayan ako papasok.

“No, I don’t want to sleep yet!” I shoved his hands away from me.

“Khyrss Sariah, you’re so stubborn, you know that?”

“E, ikaw ‘yon! Ang kulit-kulit mo, sinabi nang ayaw ko pa ngang matulog, e. Kung gusto mong matulog, edi matulog ka mag-isa mo!” singhal ko nang maalala ‘yong ginawa niyang pag-ubos sa soju ko kanina. Hindi man lang ako binigyan ng isa, dalawa naman ‘yon. Nakakainis siya!

Akmang lalabas ulit ako ng kwarto nang hulihin niya ako sa aking baywang.

“You’re not allowed to go back there. Stay here and sleep.”

“No, I won’t sleep. I’m hot. I want to take a bath. Get out!”