Chapter 14

A/N: sorry sa mga typo and grammatical error. Happy reading!

Click the English translation for those who prefer English. This chapter written in mixed Tagalog and English.

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October 03, 2019

Seven thirty ang oras ng pasok ko dahil thursday pero lagpas alas otso na ako dumating dahil natakot akong lumabas ng bahay. Baka kasi nasa kanto lang ulit ang mga kasamahan ni Ian. 

Tinext ko rin si Teddy na kung pwede masundo niya ako kasi natatakot ako pero wala siyang reply. 

I wanted to open it to my parents but there's no voice coming out on my mouth. I wanted to ask for their help but I don't want them to worry. 

Wala naman silang ginawa sa akin bukod sa takotin ako. Kaya iyon nalang ang inisip ko na hanggang salita lang sila at hindi pa rin nila kayang manakit lalo pa't iniligtas nga ako ni Ian sa muntikang pagkakabangga. 

So far, on my way to school, wala namang kakaibang nangyari. Wala sumusunod, walang kahinahinalang tao. Ligtas ako, kaya maluwag ang paghinga ko. Pero akala ko hanggang hapon na iyon, pero 'di pala. 

Dahil pagdating ko sa room namin ay si Ian ang nakita ko na kausap si Alas. 

Nanumbalik naman ang takot sa akin. Makita ko lang siya nanginginig na ako. Ang presensiya niya ang nagpapatindig ng balahibo ko at ang bawat salitang lumalabas sa bibig niya ang siyang unti unting pumapatay sa sarili ko... not physically but mentally.

"Faye, you okay?" Si Alas ng mapansin ako.

"Ah... ahm... o-oo. Oo." Hindi man lang ako makatango sa paninigas ng katawan ko.

Ian looked at me with an amusing smile on his lips. He's enjoying what he sees in me. My reaction and how my body reacted to him... stiff.

"Hi beautiful," aniya at naglahad ng kamay. "Ian is the name, and you are?" He smirked after.

Nakatingin lang ako sa kamay niya. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin. Titignan ko lang ba? Babaliwalain o tatanggapin? 

"Faye?" Alas called me but it's like a whisper to me that so close to be none.

I am sweating. Fuck! 

He laugh that sent shivers down my spine. "I have to go, Ace. May klase pa ako." Paalam nito. 

"Sige." Si Alas at tinapik ang balikat nito. 

"Find your savior before its too late." Ian whispered on my ear before passing by. 

I swallowed hard and close my eyes trying to calm my nerves. 

"Faye, okay ka lang ba talaga?" Alas again. I can read worry on his eyes.

"Yeah," I said in small voice. His brow furrowed so I try again to make my voice be in normal and energetic. "Ofcourse, I am okay. Why not?" 

He nod. "About yesterday. You ignored me. Is it because of my confession?" May pag-iingat sa boses niya.

"Ha? Ah... no. No. I was really in a hurry yesterday. I'm sorry. Don't worry, nothing will change."

"Buti naman. So... I can still call you crush then?" 

"Ofcourse! As what I've said, nothing will change." 

"That's good to hear." 

"Ahm... may I ask something?" I probe.

"Sure. Go on. What is it?" 

"Kaibigan mo ba 'yon? Si ano..." 

"Si Ian?" Siya na ang tumapos. Tumango lang ako. "Sort of? We really are not close. We just know each other. Why?" 

"Wala naman. Ano palang pinag-usapan niyo?" 

"Well... I don't know if I should tell you this-"

"Tell me. Please..." I sounded desperate this time.

He frowned, trying to read me. "He's recruiting me... on their frat," 

"No! Please no." He frowned even more. "Don't join on their frat. Even on the other. Just... just don't join any of it." 

"I know, crush. I know." He smiled. "Wala naman talaga akong interest sa mga ganoon. Minsan ko na rin silang nakitang makipag-away at ayaw kong masangkot." 

"Buti naman." Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. "Bakit ka naman nila isasali sa kanila?" 

He shrugged. "I don't know. I just heard they're having this activity game on their frat anniversary. Meron pa nga daw silang inimbitang special guest. Ewan ko kung sino." 

Nang banggitin niya ang salitang game at guest ay nangilid ang luha ko. Pakiramdam ko ako ang tinutukoy nila roon. 

Anong gagawin ko? 

"Ace-" I was about to tell him what I knew to ask for help but If I do means I'm dragging him with me. Masasangkot siya panigurado at kakasabi lang niya na ayaw niyang masangkot, bukod pa doon ayaw ko rin siyang mapahamak at alam kong manganganib rin siya katulad ko. At least me I can still be safe with Teddy. Pero siya... baka hindi siya tigilan kapag may nalaman siya. 

Magsumbong kaya ako sa pulis? Kay Uncle George, pero... anong sasabihin ko kung bakit ako pinagpaplanohan ng masama? Eh hindi ko naman sila kilala at wala akong kahit na anong kasalanan sa kanila. 

Wait... He wants me to be with Teddy for my safety... does that mean Teddy has something to do with these?

If that so... I need to ask Teddy. Siya lang ang makakatulong sa akin ng tahimik dahil paniguradong magkakagulo kapag hindi ko napigilan. Frat sila at mahilig sa gulo.

Fuck! May ginawa ba sila kay Teddy kaya hindi ko siya nakikita hanggang ngayon? 

Sa sobrang pag-aalala ay tinext ko siya. 

Ako: where are you? Bakit hindi ka nagpapakita? Are you okay? Please reply back.

Pero sampong minuto na ang nakalipas ay wala siyang reply kaya tinawagan ko na kahit class hours pa. Wala na akong pake! Pero hindi siya sumasagot. Baka nga may klase pa.

Pagka-dismiss ay nagpaalam lang ako kina Althea at maging kay Alas, pagkatapos ay tumakbo na ako para puntahan at hanapin si Teddy. We need to talk and this is urgent and important. 

Pero napatigil ako dahil sa narinig na pamilyar na boses. 

"Choose him and your dead. I'm serious, Car." 

Nagtago ako sa seminto dahil nasa likod sila ng building ngayon. Sumilip ako para makita kung sino ang kinakausap ni Ian at laging gulat ko ng makita si Carlita.

"Tigilan mo na kasi ako! I hate you and I don't love you! I regret why I choose you over Teddy before. Our relationship is a mistake. Shit mistake and you're my fucking biggest mistake!" Carlita is crying. Her eyes is tired and begging. 

"You chose me because you love me, so don't give me that shit, Carlita!"

"I was wrong! Ayoko na kaya please... please Ian, let me go," 

"No. You can break up with me but you're still mine, Carlita." He said firmly and turn his back. His about to walk away but stop midway after what Carlita said that made my tears flow continuously.

"We're on a relationship." 

"What did you say?" 

"We're back together." 

"Say it again," I feel his gritted teeth.

"Teddy and I are back together. Teddy is my boyfriend. Naiintindihan mo na ba, Ian? Hindi na ako sa'yo! Si Teddy ang boyfriend ko! Kay Teddy ako, hindi sa'yo!" 

Both of my palm automatically flew to my mouth, covering it to supress my shocked. Ian slapped Carlita. He slapped her hard that make her fall down. Carlita cried even more.

"Break up with him and come back to me if you want everything to be fine." 

"No." 

Ian laugh sarcastically and evil. "Okay then. You choose, either be in a relationship with Teddy so I could kill her another girlfriend, or break up with him, comeback to me so all of you will be safe. Choose Carlita. His another girlfriend's life is at stake and you're the only one can stop her death." 

I cried even more to what I've heard. I bit my lip to stifle my sob. My whole body is trembling. 

Please Carlita, choose the latter. Please... I beg on my mind even though she can't hear it.

"You evil!" Carlita shouted.

"Yeah right. What do you expect, Carlita? You're connected to this evil, so bear with it." 

"I will still choose to be with Teddy."

Umiiling iling ako habang umiiyak. God knows how I wanted to show myself to them so I could beg Carlita and Ian for my life but my body couldn't move.

"Huwag kang magmadali, babe. You still have until tomorrow midnight. Call me after you decide so I could kill that another sexy beautiful girlfriend of Teddy. No... maybe I'll kill both of them if you can't be mine," 

"Hayop ka!" 

"Or... shouldn't it be more happy and exciting to kill you three? What can you say?" He smiled sarcastically and evilly.

"Please... don't," Carlita bend on his knees, begging to Ian.

"Then choose me," 

"Please! Stop these game of yours!" 

"You started it, babe. You started it when you kill our baby and break up with my after." 

"I-I'm sorry. Please... stop this... I'm begging, Ian. Please..." 

"You know how to stop these game, babe. You know I love you." 

"Fuck that love of yours! This isn't love!"

"All your lives is in your hand, babe. The clock is ticking so choose wisely." Ian then turned his back. "See you tomorrow midnight!" He said before he disappear.

Lumabas na ako sa pinagtatagoan ko para kausapin si Carlita pero napahinto rin ako ng banggitin niya ang pangalan ni Teddy. 

"Teddy, where are you?" She's talking to him over the phone.

It hurts me. Sinagot niya ang tawag ni Carlita pero ang akin hindi. Pero class hours ko siya tinawagan kaya baka may klase sila no'n. Iyon nalang ang inisip ko... o pilit kong kinukumbinsi ang sarili sa ganong dahilan. 

"Let's meet. I need you." She said while crying. She stood up and run. 

Ang pag-iyak ko na walang ingay ay ngayo'y nagkaroon na. Humahagulgol na rin ako. 

Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at wala man lang reply roon.

"You heard everything." 

Agaran akong napalingon sa likoran ko at bumolaga si Ian. Hindi ko alam pero hindi na ako nakaramdam pa ng takot sa kaniya. 

"You heard everything, don't you?" Tumango lang ako habang umiiyak pa rin. "You can save your life and Teddy. Remember what I told you? Be with him and don't let him be away from you. That's the only way for you to be safe and him." 

"Bakit?" He frowned. "Bakit mo ginagawa sa'kin 'to? Wala akong kasalanan sa'yo kaya labas ako dito! Huwag mo akong isali!" 

"Teddy has something to do with these and you're Teddy's new girlfriend. You can help me get my Carlita back." 

"Huwag mo na akong isali dito, Ian, please! Kayo nalang, parang awa mo. Ayoko ng ganito." I cried and bend my knees, begging to him.

"Sorry, but you're already registered to the game. Now do your part to be save. Be with Teddy until tomorrow midnight or else, goodbye."

He took off his phone on his pocket. I saw he dialed someone and smiled evilly like he's enjoying everything. 

He clicked the speaker on before talking. "Hey babe, to make the game more and more exciting, I just want to tell you that I'm with Teddy's new girlfriend." 

"What the hell! Anong sinabi mo sa kaniya?" I heard Carlita's angry voice. 

Ian laugh without humor. "Well, sinabi ko lang sa kaniya kung ano ang dapat gawin para mabuhay. She's pary of the game so it she needs to know what to do to save her life." 

"Fuck you asshole!" 

"Are you with Teddy now?" She didn't answer. "Well, good luck for the both of you." he said while looking at me and ended the call.

"Go, and find Teddy. See you tomorrow midnight!" He said with a smirked before turned his back and walked away while whistling.

Nang mawala siya sa paningin ko ay napaupo nalang ako sa lupa. Umiiyak at nanginginig ang kamay habang hawak ang cellphone na may numero ni Teddy.

Carlita needs you but I also need you, Teddy. She can be safe on Ian's hand and I also in your hand. 

Ako: I need you.

But as much as I need you, the decision is still yours and I can't force you to choose me if Carlita, the one you love also needs you. 

Your love ones first before anyone else. 

It hurts me realizing that I am that 'anyone else'.

Ilang minuto akong nanatili sa likod ng building, nakaupo sa lupa at umiiyak. May iilang nakakita na rin sa akin pero nawalan na ako ng pake. Nakayuko lang ako sa dalawang braso ko na ipinatong ko sa dalawang tuhod. 

Ang cellphone ko na kanina pa nagri-ring ay hindi ko na mabigyang pansin. 

"Clariz!" Napaangat ang ulo ko dahil sa dalawang palad na dumikit sa magkabila kong pisnge. 

"Are you okay?" Mukha ni Teddy na nag-aalala ang sumalubong sa akin. Muli akong napahagulgol nang makita siya dahil ramdam ko na agad na ligtas ako. At mas lalo pa akong naging ligtas nang yakapin niya ako. 

"Shh... shh..." pagpapatahan niya sa akin habang yakap pa rin ako. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Paulit ulit niyang sabi.

Umiling iling ako ng marinig nanaman ang salitang iyon. I don't know why I hate that word. I just hate it. I hate it if he's the one saying it.

"Please don't say sorry. I hate it. I hate that word. It's like you're saying sorry for being here with me," 

"Okay. Please hush," he said while rubbing my back.

Minutes later, I finally calmed down. My face is already dry but my eyes are weary. Halatang kagagaling lang sa iyak. 

Medyo madilim na ng tumungo kami ng parking lot para sa motor niya. Nakaakbay siya sa akin, inaalalayan ako. He's really worried about me and seeing that eyes of worry of him make me breath with peace. That's enough for me because it only means that he still care about me.

Nakasakay na kaming dalawa sa motor niya at palabas na ng gate campus nang malagpasan namin ni Carlita na palingalinga na tila may hinihintay. 

Nang makita kami ay nakitaan ko siya ng sakit sa mata niya. She's hurting seeing his boyfriend with another girl and that's me... his girlfriend. 

Teddy is two timing aside from that, there's a big possibility that he really make me his girlfriend for just use. I should be mad about it but I didn't feel anything, just the need of his presence and guilt and sorry for Carlita. 

Why am I like this? 

Nakita ko pa si Ian na nakahilig sa gilid ng pader ng school sa mismong likod 'di kalayoan sa kinatatayoan ni Carlita. 

I know Ian won't hurt her. He loves her... and love can be the reason for doing something not right and that's what happening to him. Doing wrong things to get his girl... while me, begging for one week. 

We stopped in the park and eat our dinner with an awkward silence atmosphere. No one dared to talk. I saw him parted his lips countless times but he'll shut it and continue eating.

Pagkatapos kumain ay hindi na kami tumambay pa dahil siguro nahalata na niyang pagod ako sa kakaiyak at syempre magiging awkward lang din kapag nanatili pa kami dahil tiyak na pareho lang kaming tatahimik.

"Thanks for showing up, Ted. Also for driving me home." Matamlay kong pasasalamat ng maihatid ako. 

"Rest." Aniya at ginawaran ako ng halik sa noo. "Good night." 

Matamlay ko lang siyang nginitian at tumalikod. Pero bago pa ako tuloyang makapasok sa gate ay nagsalita na ako.

"Please Teddy, one week." 

"What?" 

"Two days. Be with me." At pumasok na ako sa gate at hinarap siya ng may ngiting totoo. "I love you. Good night."