It was almost a week since the issue burst out but until now, it's still not dying down. Mag iisang linggo na rin akong naiilang sa mga tao sa university kada pumapasok ako. They will keep on looking at me then sometimes, nahuhuli ko pa silang nagbubulungan at nag uusap. Pati mga kaklase ko nahahalata kong gustong gusto ako paulanan ng mga tanong pero di nila magawa dahil laging naka simangot ang mukha ko.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I already explained to the girls kung anong nangyari and they are very dissapointed. Akala daw nila ay boyfriend ko na, sabi pa ni Britanna ay lilitisin na daw sana niya. Saint also called me the day after the issue is released, tinanong din niya kung totoo daw ba and of course I answered the truth. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako pagod this week, sa layouts at lessons ba o sa everyday awkward set-up ko sa mga tao sa university.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Today is Friday and we are all called to meet at the baraxx for the little party prepared by my brother. Ito yung party na pinahanda niya para sakin dahil maganda ang naging labas ng presentation ko nung nakaraan. Nasa loob pa ako ng university at inaantay na matapos ang huling klase ng professor ko. Nang lumabas siya ng room, madali na din akong tumayo at kinuha ang mga gamit ko.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I walk fast as I can dahil bumabalik na naman ang mga tingin nila sakin. Gosh, I feel like I am being sued for something illegal. Kapag nakita ko talaga ulit ang MJ na yon ay malilintikan siya sakin. Ni hindi ko nga alam na sikat siya dahil hindi ko naman siya kilala.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
When I reached the parking lot, I immediately drove fast as I can. Dumaan muna ako sa tower para magpalit ng damit. When I asked the person charge in the lobby, kanina pa daw naka alis yung lima. Ang pinaka huli ay si Arc. Tumango na lang ako bago pumanhik sa kwarto ko at naligo. Nagsuot lang ako ng isang maong skirt at white turtle neck sleeveless top. Hinayaan ko lang naka bagsak ang buhok ko bago nilagyan ng pearl clip sa gilid. I wear my favorite star necklace and earrings. I wear a sandals na sakto lang ang takong saka dinampot ang sling bag na nasa kama. My phone keeps on vibrating at sunod sunod ang pagpasok ng text, ang karamihan ay galing kay Zero at ang iba ay sa mga kaibigan ko.
Napailing na lang ako bago muling sumakay sa kotse ko at nag drive papunta sa baraxx. I must say thank you dahil hindi traffic kaya mabilis akong nakarating. Nag park ako sa labas ng malaking gate saka pumasok sa loob. Sa may garahe pa lang ay rinig ko na ang malalakas na music na nagmumula sa loob. Our baraxx is a small storey house na may swimming pool sa likod at garden. Dito kami tumatambay kapag nagsasawa na kami sa Tower. It's like a home given to us to live as normals. Iba't ibang mukha na ng mga tao ang nakikita ko, pati usok at amoy ng sigarilyo ay nalalanghap na sa paligid.
My twin immediately smiled when he saw me. He excuse his self sa mga kausap niya saka lumapit sakin. He hug me tight before patting my head.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" I thought you will ditch your own party. " He playfully said while holding a glass of whiskey. I rolled my eyes before grabbing his drink and drinking it straight. He just look at me with an amuse eyes.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Nah, won't ever do that especially that you put effort on this. " I smirk back at him and I laugh when he dramatically holds his chest as if he's been so touch by my soft words.
⠀
" Aww, ang sweet mo naman Miss Dating Rumor. " my smirk vanish after hearing him. Every since he read that article, yan na ang tawag niya sakin at nakaka irita na.
⠀⠀
Inakbayan niya lang ako habang ginugulo ang buhok ko, pulling me more closer to the center of the crowd. I smiled at some familiar faces and minsan, we will stop from walking just to entertain some common friends. Puno ng tao ang garden ng baraxx, so ito pala ang small party ha? Small nga para kay Zero.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" My sister is already here everyone, she is so gorgeous! Enjoy the party!!! "
Zero raise his hands with a glass and everyone did the same cheering the word " cheers " in unison. Napailing na lang ako bago kumalas sa akbay niya at naglakad palapit sa table ng mga kaibigan ko. They all look at me when I seat on the vacant chair beside Brit. Inabutan ako agad ni Shiloah ng baso saka siya nagsalin don. Mukhang kanina pa sila nag iinuman dahil medyo sabaw na si Cali. Namumula mula na din siya at madalas niya ng masiko si Arc.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Andami talagang kakilala ng kakambal mo Sky. No wonder why hinahabol habol ng mga babae. " Naiiling na sabi ni Leigh habang inililibot niya ang tingin sa bawat taong nasa loob ng garden. Hindi mapirmi si Zero sa iisang lugar at palipat lipat lang para makipag usap.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" He's a party guy, what do we expect? " I shrugged my shoulders as I drank my shot.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Patagal ng patagal ay pa-wild ng pa-wild ang mga tao. Some are already dancing in the center, napalitan na din ang beat ng kanta, kung kanina ay makabasag eardrums, ngayon naman ay makabasag hymen sa sobrang tempting. Nakikita ko na ang mga taong tipsy na pagala gala. Cali also is so tipsy, she keeps on murmuring something kaya nabatukan na siya ni Arc kanina.
Nakaka ilang bote na din kami at medyo tinatamaan na ako. Britanna is already blushing Red, ganon din si Leigh. Shiloah is turning her head, probably hunting some guys. Arc on the other side is still unbothered, siya naman kasi ang pinaka mataas ang alcohol tolerance sa amin.
⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Hey girls, look who I got here! "
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀
Narinig ko ang boses ni Zero sa may bandang likod ko pero di muna ako lumingon agad. I am chatting with Saint, she is asking kung pwede daw ba siya makipag video call samin ngayon. She wanna see our drunk faces and the party. Napakunot ang noo ko ng maramdaman ang pananahimik ng mga kasama ko sa lamesa. Who's with Zero huh?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Gago Skylein, yung jowabels mo oh. " I frowned when I heard Cali. Nakatingin siya sa likod ko kaya lumingon na din ako and I almost drop off my sit when I saw the person standing behind me. Naka akbay sakanya si Zero kasama ang iba pa niyang kaibigan. What the heck is he doing here!?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" You!? " I asked confused and irritated at the same time. He is wearing a blue longsleeve shirt tuck under his black rip jeans. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows. Napansin ko din ang chain necklace na nakasabit sa leeg niya at ang mamahaling gold na relo. He also have a piercing in his left ear, cross yung hikaw. His eyes awkwardly darted at me, not even smiling or anything.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Oh twin, I forgot to tell you. MJ is one of my bestfriends. " My eyes widen after hearing Zero. Just how on earth they became friends!? He shyly scratch her forehead when he notice our stares.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀
" Ahm hi, I'm MJ. "
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Your full name? " I saw how his body stiffened when he saw Arc seating on one of the chairs. He gulp before flashing a nervous smile.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Mikhail Joaquin Alderidge. Are you the p-princess? " I almost laugh hard when he stuttered. Arc nodded her head before smiling, offering her hand. Mikhail Joaquin huh? His name sounds good, mukhang may lahi.
" Lumineusce Arctale Pleione Qarthaway. Call me Arc and avoid formality, we are not in Russia. " MJ accepted her hand before shaking it.
" I'm Eilethyia Calliope Valencia. Cali for short! " muntik nang masubsob si Cali sa lamesa nang iabot niya ang kamay niya kay MJ dahil sa kalasingan. Good thing Arctale grab her arms.
MJ looked at Shiloah. Mukhang inaalala niya san sila nagkita. " I'm the owner of the cruisine you messed up last week, Shiloah Kristel Leandros. "
" Charity Leighjan Del Silva, in case you are waiting for my name. I'm a silent listener of your songs. " Leigh smiled but she didn't offered her hand. I saw MJ blushing slightly after knowing that Leigh is listening to his songs.
⠀
" Really? Thank you so much. " His voice is a bit loud para maliwanag siyang marinig ni Leigh. And then he eyed the last girl who's not even giving him a single glance. " Britanna right? " he carefully asked.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Brit put down the glass she is holding before eyeing him. " We met before in the debate. Britanna Euphrasia Solace. Her bestfriend. " She formally extend her hand and MJ shake it carefully. When everyone is already done introducing theirselves, I saw him darted his glance on me. Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" You won't say your name? " he casually ask me. Feeling close ka girl?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀
" Sky. " I simply answered. Nakita ko pang kumunot ang noo niya, arte.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Bro, her name is Skylein Kheil Harris. The youngest among the three of us. " muntik ko nang masiko si Zero dahil sa sinabi niya. Iniwasan ko na ngang sabihin ang full name ko pero siya naman ang nagsabi.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Can we seat here? " Range ask. He is my brother's bestfriend kaya kilala ko siya. They were five, the another two are Judas and Clio.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Yeah, sure. " Shiloah gestured them to seat on the vacant seats. Zero seated on my left, naiwang nakatayo sina Range at MJ, bat kasi ayaw pa magsi-upo.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Dito ka na. " napalingon agad ako sa kanan nang marinig kong magsalita si Britanna. Tumayo siya sa tabi ko at tinuro yung upuan niya kanina kay MJ. The guy gave her a small smile before sitting beside me. Napapagitnaan nila ako ni Zero at hindi ako natutuwa! I glared at Britanna na nakaupo na ngayon sa tabi nina Leigh at Judas. Bakit hinayaan niya ako mapagitnaan ng dalawang demonyo!?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Nagsimula na ulit umikot ang baso at lalong umingay ang table namin dahil lasing na si Cali. Naramdaman ko ang pasulyap sulyap ni MJ na nasa tabi ko pero hindi ko siya tinatapunan ng tingin. I grab the glass when it landed to me. Binalik ko ang tingin sa plato ko ng maramdaman ang pag vibrate ng cellphone ko sa lamesa.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Someone is calling you. " MJ whispered, gesturing my phone. Dinampot ko yon at agad na sinagot ang tawag ni Saint. Her face is now all over my screen, she is smiling wide.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀
[ SKYYYYYY!!! I MISS YOUUUU, WHERE ARE THEY? ]
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀
Napatigil ang lahat ng marinig ang boses na galing sa cellphone ko. Sa lakas ba naman ng sigaw ni Saint ay imposibleng hindi nila marinig.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Hoy gago si Saint ba yan? " pilit inabot ni Cali ang cellphone na hawak ko pero agad ko ding inilayo dahil lasing na siya.
[ Bakit ibang tao ang nakikita ko? Nasan sina Britanna? ] I immediately positioned my arms straight para mahagip silang lahat sa camera. Saint's smile grew bigger ng makita kaming lahat.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Hi Saint, uuwi ka na daw next week? " Zero ask her while drinking his shot. She nodded her head, excitement is written on her face.
[ Yes, I miss you din Skyzzer. Omg, hi my girls! How are you? ]
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" We're good. We miss you more love! " Shiloah answered while waving her hands.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀
I guess nasa loob ng music room niya si Saint. I can see guitars hanging on the wall. Malamang ay nagpapalipas siya ng boredom.
" Chocolates namin Saint ha! " Clio joke and we all laugh when she rolled her eyes. Biglang gumalaw ang camera niya kaya ay tingin ko naglakad siya, she opened a door and it is probably her room. She pointed a huge bag resting on her bed, tinapat niya pa talaga don ang camera.
[ This bag contains all my pasalubongs for you guys. You better fetch me in the airport huh! ]
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Britanna was about to answer when she walk closer to the camera. Napakunot tuloy ang noo ko. She is like suspecting and looking at something in danger. Maya maya ay mas lalo kaming nagulat ng tumili siya ng malakas.
[ Omg omg! That guy! You are the rumored boyfriend of Sky right? ] Napanganga ako ng ituro turo niya sa camera ang lalaking katabi ko. I can feel MJ's awkwardness nang kumaway siya kay Saint.
⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" H-hi. I'm Mikhail, you can call — "
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
[ Yes, I know you! Mikhail Joaquin Alderige! You are so famous overseas. How come nga na hindi ka kilala nitong kaibigan ko? ] nagtawanan silang lahat including MJ sa sinabi ni Saint. Wow, so nakakatawa yon?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" Ngayon lang siya bumaba ng bundok eh. " Leigh answered laughing. I rolled my eyes at them, preventing the urge to end the call.
[ It's nice to meet you MJ! I'm Ziandra Saint Eisenover, I hope we can meet soon when I go home. ]
" Yeah sure, if Zero will invite me, I'll come. Nice to meet you too Saint. "
Nagdaldaldan pa sila ng konti bago kami nagpa alam kay Saint. Kailangan niya na kasi magpahinga at matulog. Before she ended the call, she congratulate me for a job well done. She said she is so excited to see my designs soon. The ever supportive.
" Look, here! " My eyes darted at Arctale's camera. She is taking a groupie picture of us. Ngumit ako sa camera, ang isa naman ay wacky kaya nag wink ako at peace sign.
Some of our guests are already sleeping on their tables. Mga bagsak na at wala na. Ang iba ay lumapit na sa amin ni Zero para magpaalam kaya nagpasalamat kami na they lend their time to attend this party.
Napalingon ako ng kalabitin ako ni MJ, I am talking to him kanina pero hindi naman ganon kahaba. Ayoko maging bastos kaya hindi ko na siya tinarayan. After all, napaliwanag naman niya na hindi niya intensiyon idawit ako sa kung ano mang problema niya sa media.
" Yes? "
" Can we take a picture? "
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
He shyly ask while holding his phone. Mukhang narinig ni Britanna dahil madali niyang inagaw sa kamay ni MJ ang cellphone.
" Dali, let me take the shots. " sinenyasan niya pa kaming umayos kaya napa straight tuloy ako ng upo. I hold the shot glass in my left hand while my right hand is resting above the table. Naramdaman kong tinaas ni MJ ang kamay niya, stretching it to the side kaya para siya naka akbay sakin kahit na sa sandalan talaga ng upuan ko nakapatong ang kamay niya. While his other hand is also holding a shot glass.
We both smiled at the camera at halos mapatalon pa ako sa gulat ng hindi lang isang flash ng camera ang narinig ko. Halos apat pa bukod sa hawak ni Britanna. When I look around, I saw Arctale, Shiloah, Zero and Leigh holding their cellphones too, pinicturan din nila kami ng stolen. Napakamot tuloy sa batok niya si MJ habang nahihiyang nakatingin sakin. Tiningnan ko din siya saka tahimik na umiling ng isang flash na naman ng camera ang narinig namin.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Nang lumingon ako ay ngingisi ngisi sakin sina Arctale at Zero. " Nice view, pwede na maging teaser photo ng isang movie yung picture niyo. " Arc joke, waving her phone na may picture namin. Umiling na lang ako sakanya saka ininom ang alak na nasa baso ko.
Nararamdaman ko na ang epekto nito dahil nahihilo na ako. Binalik ni Britanna ang cellphone kay MJ bago tumayo at hinabol si Leigh na pumunta sa dance floor.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
" I'll go there, baka di kayanin ni Brit si Leighjan. " I smirk at Shiloah's excuse, for all I know, may natipuhan na siya sa dance floor kaya siya aalis.
Judas and Range also left our table to find some girls. Ang naiwan na lang dito ay ako, si MJ, Zero, Clio, Arctale at si Cali na bagsak na kanina pa. She is already murmuring something, eyes half close kaya tinatampal tampal na siya ni Arc sa pisngi.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀
Zero leaned in towards me and whispered something at my ears.
" Take a look at your instagram sis. "
⠀⠀⠀
I furrowed my brows but still followed him. I grab my phone in the table and check my instagram. Napakunot ako ng makitang may lampas 20+ notifications don at tuloy tuloy na nadadagdagan. May walong messages din kaya inuna ko muna pag open yon.
I was shock to see MJ's name on top of the messages.
⠀⠀⠀
@OfficialMJ.
* see attached photos here. *
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I click the photos he sent and it's all our pictures together. I zoomed in the first one and it really looks good, nagmukhang aesthestic dahil sa background lights na nagmumula sa mga party lights at ang mga puno na tanaw sa garden. I don't know why pero ramdam kong uminit ang pisngi ko. I had the urge to hide my phone slowly dahil katabi ko lang siya at nakakahiya kung makikita niyang zinozoom ko ang mga pictures namin. The other two are stolens, kanina nung naka upo akoat nasa likod ko siya nakatayo, nakatingala ako sakanya habang nakatingin naman siya sakin. Ang isa ay nung kinakalabit niya ako at lumingon ako sakanya. How did he took these photos?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
@OfficialMJ
Range took some shots, sinend niya lang sakin kaya pinasa ko din sayo. By the way, thank you.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I secretly look at him when I read his message pero busy na siya makipag usap kay Clio at medyo inusog niya palayo ang upuan niya sakin. Hindi ko tuloy matanong para saan yung thank you.
I leave my inbox and check my notifications, nagulat ako sa dami ng mga hearts don. Wala pa naman akong bagong pinopost. It was a tagged photo kaya clinick ko ang nasa pinaka top na notification. Inuulan na din ng comments.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I almost stumbled in my seat at muntik ko ng mabitawan ang cellphone ng makita ang picture na pinagkakaguluhan ng mga tao. It was posted 15 minutes ago by MJ. And he tagged me! He freaking tagged me! It was our stolen photo, tingin ko ay ito yung galing sa cellphone ni Arctale. The one that was taken unexpectedly. Yung pareho kaming na-awkward dahil andami pala nilang nagpipicture. Edited na yung photo dahil may grain filter na lalong nagpaganda sa quality nito. Lalong nagmukhang aesthetic. I scroll the comments when I saw some familiar names.
⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
@1nadonlyArctale.

Hey, put some credits!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀
@Skyzzero.
Ayusin mo desisyon mo sa buhay gago.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
@shi.kristel.
Bayaran niyo kinain niyo sa restaurant ko.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
@ash_range.
Sana all. Lagot ka kay Zero.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
@attybritanna.
Nice. The caption though.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Tinigil ko na ang pag sscroll ko dahil dinudumog na yon ng mga fans niya, internationals na nga yata ang iba. Everyone are talking about the caption. Pinikit ko pa ang mga mata ko bago muling binasa ang caption na nakasulat sa post niya. And I can't keep my heart in its normal pace when I read it again.

@OfficialMJ
Enchanting @Skyle.....