Chapter 21

I stared in horror as I looked at my phone. I had 20 missed calls from Anthony and another 50 messages from him too. I got 30 messages from Alexavia, and I also have around 10 messages from Aoede and Tyrone. 

I was gone for a day and a half, and I didn't inform anyone regarding my whereabouts, so these messages are just an average number, right? I sighed.

I didn't go home straight to my condo unit since my place is still off-limits. I told Ivo na ihatid ako sa hotel because I'll meet my family but it's not true. The real reason I asked him to drop me by here is that I have nowhere else to go.

I can't go to my Uncle's house because I know for sure he'll just interrogate me and I'm sure as hell that Anthony would do the same if I stayed at his place. I can't answer them yet since I still need to formulate a good lie to them.

I could tell them the truth, hindi rin naman ako pinalaking sinungaling ni Uncle pero kung may alam si Sel sa mga rumors that are circulating about Ivo and his friends na kasama sila sa Mafia etc., I'm so sure that Uncle is aware of them too. And I'm also sure as hell that my Uncle wouldn't like it if I told him that I spent a day and a half with a complete stranger.

But to me... Ivo is not a stranger, sa tingin ko nga matagal na kaming magka-kilala. And I think he's my friend already. Sana lang he feels the same too about me. And I also hope that Ivo didn't see right through when I lied to him.

I still have 2 hrs before my class this afternoon. Ivo brought clothes with him para may pamalit kami, I smiled at the memory that happened this morning. He planned it all along. 

This morning was really fun and I hope Ivo and I will return as soon as possible.

I decided to turn off my cellphone again and decided not to reply to any missed calls and messages, I'll explain to my friends later when I meet them. Speaking of calls and messages, Ivo and I didn't exchange numbers.

Dapat ba na hiningi ko number nya bago sya umalis kanina? Pero would it be weird that a girl is asking a guy's number?

 Will he think I'm being too clingy if I ask his number? Hindi naman siguro, di' ba?I shooked my head at my own thoughts. 

I mean, there are some women out there who boldly ask a guy out or his number. So if I ask Ivo his number then it wouldn't look weird, right? Pero at the same time if he wanted to get my number ay dapat kanina nya pa hiningi bago sya umalis, di'ba?

Aba! Dapat sya humingi ng number ko kasi sya yung lalake, right? Si Tyrone nga, sya yung humingi ng number ko. Umismid ako sa takbo ng utak ko, If I can kick myself, I would. I hope I can openly ask Alexavia about this without her asking any questions in return pero knowing her, malabong mangyari iyon.

I wonder when will I see him again. I know where he lives, I could visit him. Wait.. did I visit Alexavia's house after a day of being friends? And why would I visit him? At bakit kailangan ako ang maunang bumisita? 

Dapat sya kasi sya ang lalake! Pero bakit nya naman ako bibisiatahin?

I pulled my hair. God, I hate this feeling. I'm acting crazy and I barely know the guy! "You know what Skyla, he'll see you when he wants to and you're overthinking too much", I muttered to myself.

Nagpahatid ako sa Uni using the hotel car service. I thought of not coming today but I missed all my morning classes already and if I missed my aftenoon classes too ay baka tawagan na ng office si Uncle. Ayoko ng dagdagan pa ang mga kasalanan ko ngayong araw na 'to. I also want to see Detective Michaels, I want to know more about the information he shared with me. No matter how dangerous it is.

As I got off from the car I almost had the urge to go back inside. Aoede, Tyrone and Alexavia are waiting in the parking lot. What are they doing here? I checked my watch and I mentally slapped myself, 1pm pala ang lunch nila and they're probably waiting here to catch me.

Tyrone noticed me first followed by Aoede and Alexavia. I waved my right hand as I walk towards them. "Hi," I awkwardly said. They looked worried for a moment and then they all grinned at me at the same time. Scary.

"We worried about you but seeing how radiant you look right now," Alexavia eyed me from head to toe, "I think you didn't regret leaving us that fateful night" Aoede and Tyrone nodded in unison.

"Guys, I'm so so--"

Tyrone held up his right hand, stopping me from speaking, "Skyla, we understand. Don't explain. Don't."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Tyrone, "What are you talki--"

This time, it's Aoede who help her right hand up interrupting me, "We're so happy for you," she smiled sweetly at me.

"I really don't understand. Ano ba yang pinagsasabi nyo?" ani ko.

"Skyla, stop lying. Just stop. Don't deny it." Alexavia said faking her disappointment and smirking again at me.

"I totally agree. You didn't need to hide it ya know. We're friends, right? And we support you, right girls?" Tyrone said while smiling at Aoede and Alexavia who are agreeing with him.

"Ano bang pinagsasabi nyo? Hindi ko kayo maintindihan." I said almost irritated on how weird they're acting.

"Omg! Sumama ka lang sa lalake nagka-amnesia ka na?" Alexavia gasped too loudly and some students at the parking lot are staring at us. I blushed.

"Dang, Skyla's blushing," ani ni Tryone at mukhang proud na proud sya na nag-blush ako as if I'm not capable of producing redness on my cheeks.

"What?" ani ko still shock that they know. Did they saw Ivo that night at the restaurant?

"Yes! What in your face, Skyla," ani ni Alexavia sabay halakhak nya na akala mo nanalo ng lotto.

"What do you guys mean?" I asked faking innocence. Hindi pa nga ako nakakaisip ng idadahilan sa kanila ang nabuko na ako.

"Anong 'what do you guys mean' ka dyan. Hindi tatalab yang drama mo sa akin, no!" sometimes I regret that Alexavia and I are best friends kasi kilalang-kilala nya na ako ako. I can't lie to her. Kung kay Tryone and Aoede siguro pwede pa.

Aoede fished her phone out from her pocket, "You better check the gossip section" she handed her phone to me.

I stared at our student's forum where you can see all academic and non-academic announcements. Sa website mo makikita lahat ng information about school activities, kung anong mga club ang need ng members and a place wherein students can voice out their opinions.

As I scan through each section, I immediately clicked the 'JUICY GOSSIP' tab. At first look, nothing seems to be serious until you see a folder with more than 3,000 likes, 1,562 comments, and 8,782 views with the title 'Welston's Most Favorite Photographer Spotted with Her Beau'

This number shouldn't shock me I mean what would you expect from a gossip forum? Majority of the student's population loves to gossip and I also know at least half of them ay mga dakilag tambay sa nasabing forum. I know this because at least two of my friends, Aoede and Alexavia ay mga dakilang abangers doon.

Pero I'm practically a nobody. Students don't often look at a nobody's gossip pero kung si Megan Blake ka na suki ng 'JUICY GOSSIP' at isa sa mga popular figure ng Welston University ay hindi na ako magtataka kung maraming tao ang interesado at malaman ang mga latest chismis tungkol sa kanya.

Pero bakit? Bakit ang daming nagbabasa ng gossip tungkol sa akin? I don't understand why someone would bother reading them.

"Campus Most Favorite Skyla was spotted leaving with her beau Ivo Luca Moretti. Did our darling spend a night with her beau?" May kasama itong isang larawan na inaalalayan ako ni Ivo palabas ng restaurant nila Tyrone.

 Kung may mas ilalaki pa siguro ang mga mata ko sa mga nababasa ko ngayon siguro ay nahulog na ang mga ito sa sahig. "Skyla looks so happy with her beau. Is this another star couple to watch out for? More juicy gossip to come from yours truly, yourstalker. xoxo." I scrolled down to read some comments which I immediately regret.

'OMG! WHY IVO??!' by imyourkarmaaa

'They look good together. Yay! Another star couple in the making' by babykittypaw

'Hala?! Akala mo mahinhin may tinatago pa lang landi' by wasabigirl

'I have a huge crush on Skyla pa naman. Happy for her tho <3' by NotYourCoolGuy

'Skyla is not that pretty. Ivo deserves better' by misteryosa

Magkaka-migraine ata ako sa mga nababasa ko. Aoede grabbed her phone before I can read another comment, "First rule kung ikaw ang topic ng gossip ay 'Never read the comments'" ani nya.

"Akala namin magco-comfort room ka lang? Bakit hindi ka na bumalik?" ani ni Alexavia, "ay oo nga pala, sumama ka sa boyfriend mo" sabay ngiteng nang-aasar.

"Hindi ganon. I didn't know he was there and - -"

"OMG! SO HE WAS THERE?! AT THE RADISH?" halos pasigaw na bigkas ni Alexavia.

"I didn't know, okay? I was surprised when I saw him too. We just went to --"

"To his house?!!" Aoede gasped. Alexavia gasped too and Tyrone shrieked.

"MY GHAD. I can't take this. Sinuko mo na ang bataan?!!" napasandal si Alexavia kay Tyrone, "Guys, I think hihimatayin ako" agad naman na pinaypayan ni Aoede si Alexavia gamit ang hawak nyang notebook.

"My goodness, Skyla. Sana nagpa-orientation ka. Masyado kaming shooked today" dagdag pa ng loka-loka kong best friend.

"Guys," I said sternly, my voice serious. "It's not what you think, okay?" huminga ako ng malalim, "I should be the one panicking! Kasi ako yung laman ng tsismis. At kailan pa ako naging campus darling at Welston's Most Favorite Photographer???!! What kind of sorcery is this???!" I almost shouted.

"You're so cute, Skyla but a lot of students looked up to you" ani ni Aoede sa akin habang nakangite. Alexavia is now standing straightly and nodding in agreement with Aoede.

"I think she's oblivious to it." ani ni Tyrone. Kailanman ay hindi ko naisip na sikat ako sa student body at hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa mga nangyayari ngayon.

"Pero question lang.. kayo ba ni Ivo?" tanong ni Aoede at nakatingin si Tyrone at Alexavia sa akin naghihintay ng sagot ko.

"What??! Nooo!" I shouted and the other students at the parking lot are staring at me like I'm crazy. But I also can't help but blush at Aoede's question.

How will I explain to them about Ivo? How will I explain to them that I spend a day and a half with a guy I barely know? Kahit nga ako hindi ko alam ang sagot. Kung ibang lalake ba iyon, makakauwi pa ba ako? or I'll end up dead somewhere?

"Really?" Tyrone is smiling knowingly at me as he wiggled his eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes at him, "He and I aren't --" before I could we finish we heard the school bell, "I'll see you later guys. May pop quiz pa ako." I said and ran to the nearest building. I heard them call my name but I ignored them.

Halos hindi ko na kayanin ang reaksyon ng mga kaibigan ko paano pa kaya kung malaman ito ni Uncle and Anthony? Just the thought of it gives me a headache. I think I need to stop by at the clinic to get some medicines.

       Buong hapon kong iniwasan sila Tyrone, Aoede at Alexavia. If magkikita kami ulit paniguradong hindi nila ako titigilan sa mga tanong nila. I noticed how some of my classmates looked at me at alam ko rin na may ilan sa kanila na gusto rin akong tanungin. I also got some curious looks from students in the hallway, kung pwede lang sana ay kainin na sana ako ng lupa.

I still have one last minor subject then I'm good to go. I grabbed my phone from my bag and turned it on, sumandal ako sa locker as I waited for my cat wallpaper to show.

Wala pang isang minuto simula ng buksan ko ang cellphone ko ay tumatawa na si Anthony. I can't avoid him forever kahit na hindi ko sagutin ang mga tawag nya ay gagawa pa rin sya ng paraan to reach me. Without any other thoughts I answered his call.

"Heeeeeeey, Anthony? How are you? Ako? I'm more than fine. Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while. Alam mo naman busy ang student life." I blabbered and nervously chuckled. I mentally slapped myself for being so obvious, I'm a hopeless case.

I heard him sigh, "We were so worried about you." another sigh, "Can you please at least tell us your whereabouts?" I bit my lower lip as I listened to Anthony. I feel guilty.

"I'm sorry, Anthony"

"Anyway, Uncle wants to see you tonight. Please be there before you go home."

I didn't get a chance to reply because Anthony ended the call right away. Hindi man lang sya galit. He sounded so calm and it's scary. Hindi ako sanay dapat bulyaw na ang inabot ko sa kanya pero hindi. He sounds distant and cold. Is he still mad at me? Kung galit pa rin sa akin siya sa akin dahil sa nangyari sa Charity Ball then ito na ang pinaka-matagal na away namin.

Perokahit ilang beses pa kami mag-away, he's still my family at hindi ko kayang magtanim ng sama ng loob sa miyembro ng pamilya ko.

I sighed and turned to my locker to grab some books when I heard someone approaching. I mentally rolled my eyes, pabango pa lang nya ay nakakahilo na.

"Hi, kyla" there's something high-pitched about Megan's voice. Hindi ko alam kung sinasadya nya ba ito or natural lang talaga na ganoon ang boses nya. I hate it when she can't get my name right. 

"Hello Megan," I smiled at her. Megan is pretty with her long curly brown hair, small face, and flawless complexion. And Megan knows that she's pretty and she knows how to use it to her advantage.

Call it girl's instinct but I know for sure that Megan doesn't like me and in return, I'm not particularly fond of her but she's one of those people who I can tolerate.

She's wearing a baby blue skater dress, her long brown hair is in a ponytail. She has light make up on her face and nude lipstick on her lips.

"So.. I have this party tonight and I'm personally inviting you" as if being invited by Megan Blake is an honor.

I politely smiled at her, "I'm sorry, Megan. But I already made plans with my family. Maybe next time?"

Isa sa mga pinakaayaw ni Megan ay ang tinatanggihan sya, she was angry but she covered it right away at smiled sweetly at me, "That's fine but if ever you change your mind. Here's my address" she slipped a paper between the pages of my book and left. 

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