Chapter 5
"You must take care of yourself, Sunny. Be careful next time." he said softly with a bit anger on his voice. He was seriously putting a cold compress on my face as he sat next to me. Dinala niya ako sa clinic at siya na mismo ang nagpresintang tulungan ako.
"I know." I said quietly. I was careful the whole time, I just didn't tell him what really happened on me. That's a family matters I shouldn't tell to everyone. "I happened to slipped and then fell."
I saw him licking his lower lip. "Watch every step you make then." tahimik niyang saad.
When he had done with the compress, he put a cute band aid on my left check where I had a small cut.
I excitedly pulled my mirror on my bag and looked at it. It looks cool. I never thought a band aid on the face would look better on me.
I heard his sigh. When I looked at him, there was a hint of smile on his lips. "Why are you smiling?" he asked in amusement.
I giggled. "This looks good in me, isn't it?"
His smile widened.
Napailing siya bago tumayo at pinagpagan ang sarili. "Come on, it's almost one pm, may klase ka pa."
He held me by arms like I was a disabled person. Sumimangot ako. "You don't have to touch me. I can stand on my own."
Umismid siya sa akin. I chuckled. This is the usual Icarus. Every time our eyes would meet, he would rolled his and scoffed. The first we've met, it was when I went on their house together with Dori. I could really say he's handsome way back, kahit naman hanggang ngayon. Matagal na kaming magkaibigan ni Dori bago ko pa man makilala si Preece. Icarus' mother and I were bestfriends.
"Kuya! Sunny! Magkasama lang pala kayo!" Dori exclaimed as soon as we stopped in front of our room's entrance.
"Pumunta lang kami ng clinic." I said and looked up to Icarus. "Thanks."
He gave me a simple nod and messed my hair.
"Oh? Anong nangyari, friendship?" alalang tanong ni Dori sa akin.
Umiling ako bago hinawakan ang kaniyang braso at hinatak siya patungong upuan.
"Nagkasugat ako sa pisngi." I said.
Worried took over her eyes and she scanned me. "Bakit? Ano'ng nangyari, Sunny?"
I shook my head reassuringly and caressed her arm. "I'm okay. I just had a small cut."
"Si kuya ba ang naglagay nito?" tanong niya at itinuro ang pisngi ko.
"Yeah." I grinned. "Ang cute 'di ba?"
She clapped her hands and her eyes twinkled in amazement. "Yes, girl! Ang ganda!"
We both laughed cheekily.
The class ended up with unsubdued smile on my lips. I brushed my hair upwards as I went out from the room. I'm in a good mood right now. Icarus really never fails to lighten up my mood just like my two bestfriends—Preece and Dori. But in a different way. He could make me tense at the same time comfortable. His hazel brown eyes screams danger but at the same time comfort and warmth.
"Miss Marcus!" my head snapped to the hallway where I heard someone shouts my name.
Sinon.
I felt a nostalgic feeling as I saw him. There was no doubt that he is indeed blood related with Preece. I could see some of his features on him.
I cleared my throat, it would be a disrespectful if I wouldn't face him. He's afterall my bestfriend's brother.
"Yes?" I asked formally.
"Good afternoon." he greeted and disheveled his hair.
"Likewise."
He scratched his brow and bit his lower lip.
"You want something to say?" I asked. I wanted to go home now. I felt like my energy got drained out from my body and I wanted to throw myself into my bed and close my eyes until I fall asleep. I wasn't able to have a good sleep last night because of what happened and I even went to school like I wasn't just being hit to death by my step-father.
"Pwede ba kitang yayain lumabas? May ibibigay lang sana ako." he said and smiled.
I blinked my eyes several times.
"Don't worry, diyan lang naman sa labas ng campus niyo. You can have my I.D and take a picture in it and send it whoever you wanted just for you to have an assurance I won't do anything bad." dagdag niya.
I stared at him and nodded. He sighed. A sighed of relief.
As what he had said, he took me outside the campus where there was a coffee shop. I sat the seat across his and we were quiet the whole time until the food he ordered has been delivered. Binigay niya sa akin ang isang halo halo at tahimik na nagpasalamat ako.
"What do you want to say?" I asked as I looked at my wrist watch.
I haven't all the time in the world to waste my time talking with this man who proclaimed himself as Preece's brother. He sipped on his drink first and put it down on the table before leaning his back on his seat.
"There was an envelope under my brother's bed after they cleaned some other stuff on his room."
"Yeah? What's the matter?" I felt a slight pain on my chest, a sudden longing for my late bestfriend.
God, I missed him.
"It's his thing but I guess you needed to see it." he said. "It was said there that it's for you, for your upcoming birthday this April."
Ngayon ko lang napansin ang brown envelope sa kaniyang kamay. He pushed it through the table. My hands was shaking as I slowly picked it up.
Tiningnan ko muna siya bago ko binuksan ang laman na 'yun.
My chest tightened.
Inside the envelope were my stolen pictures from different places. Yung iba nasa garden kami, sa canteen, sa gym, sa room, at sa soccer field. If I never got mentioned, Preece was fond on taking pictures. He often spent time hanging out with me and Dori and makes us his models. Pero yung mga litrato na nadito ay yung mga shots na hindi ko alam.
A smile formed sweetly from my lips. Preece was such a thoughtful and lovely friend.
I looked at Sinon with a huge smile on my face and uttered, "Thank you, Kuya."
He smiled and chuckled. "Drop the kuya, Sunny. Call me Sin."
Tumango ako at may ngiti pa rin sa labi. "Okay... Sin," I said genuinely. "Salamat dito."
"No worries." he said and got into his feet. "Hindi na ako magtatagal. Gusto mo bang ihatid kita sa inyo?"
I politely shook my head. "No, thank you."
Ngumiti ulit siya bago kumuha ng papel na pera at ibinigay ito sa waiter. He messed my hair. Katulad nang ginagawa ni Preece sa akin palagi.
"Why was that guy always sticking around with you? Who was he?"
Nagulat ako at napahawak sa dibdib nang biglang tumambad sa aking harapan ang madilim na mukha ni Icarus.
"I-Icarus! " I stammered, feeling a lump in my throat as his eyes fixed against mine. Sa paraan ng pagkakatitig niya sa akin ay para bang nakatingin din siya sa ilalim ng mga balat ko, tagos hanggang buto.
I gulped hard.
His jaw clenched. Nakatayo siya sa harapan ko at sobrang dilim talaga ng mukha niya.
"Masyado ka pang bata, Sunshine." he said grimly making me tensed up uncomfortably.
Bawat salita niya ay may diin at pagbabanta. Tumambol sa kaba ang dibdib ko. I could even hear the jealousy on his voice. If I am not mistaken. His hazel brown eyes were too dark like a lightless midnight. It waw giving me gossebumps.
Tumalikod siya sa akin at umalis. Pinagmasdan ko ang malapad na likuran niya, tumitibok ng malakas ang puso ko. Di ko alam na sa simpleng mga salita na iyon ay makaramdam ako ng insulto at hiya sa aking sarili.
Icarus...
How dare you to mess with my feelings?
—
Weekend came and Dori invited me on their house. I asked papa's permission and he agreed, he allowed me to hang out with my friends pero dapat daw umuwi na ako bago pa man daw mag dilim. Sinundo ako gamit ang van nina Dori sa amin. "Bestie!" tili niya sa loob ng van. I smiled and hugged her back.
"Hi, Dori."
"Ligo tayo ng pool!" she exclaimed happily. I nodded. Nagbuga ako ng hangin. If Preece wouldn't just left us... it would be more happier. Na-miss ko na siya. I set aside that feeling and I looked on the window. Nakarating kami sa magara at malaking bahay nina Dori at sabay kaming lumabas nito.
There were a lot of cars outside the house. Siguro ay sa mga classmates namin 'yun at ibang mga kaibigan.
"Let's go!" excited na aniya at hinatak ako. I smiled and nodded. Icarus must be here.
An unexpected excitement rush through my system as I thought I would see him today. 'Di ko mapigilang mapangiti. Pumasok kami ng bahay at nagmano sa mga magulang niya.
"Hi, po, tita, tito. Good morning po." I said politely.
Tita smiled warmly at me and she bent down her knees to hug me. "Good morning, Sunny. How are you?"
I hugged her back. "Okay lang po."
"I am glad you came here to visit my daughter. Magsi-swimming ba kayo ngayon, hmm?" malambing na tanong niya.
I looked at Dori and she beamed. "Yes, mommy!" siya na ang sumagot para sa akin.
"Really, darling?"
"Yep!"
"Susuotin niyo ba 'yung mga binili natin kahapon?" kumislap ang mata ni tita.
My forehead creased.
"Yes, mommy! Excited na ako! I guess it would look lovely on us!"
Natawa si tita. "Mas mabuti pang umakyat na kayo ng kwarto, susunod nalang ako, okay?"
"Sige po." sagot naman ng kaibigan ko. Tita and her were really look alike. Sa sobrang magkahawig nila, para na silang magkapatid.
"Tara na, Sunny." hinatak na ako ni Dori paakyat sa kwarto niya.
Umawang ang labi ko sa pagkamangha sa laki ng kwarto niya. Nakapasok na ako dati rito pero mas lalo lang yata akong namamangha sa tuwing bumibisita ako. May queen size bed na color purple at may piano sa gilid. Floor-to-ceiling glass window at carpeted na sahig. May chandelier sa ibabaw at may mga nakasabit pa roon na parang mga stars.
"Your room is so fancy." I commented as I sat on the soft mattress. Ang lambot, parang cotton lang.
"Salamat, friendship!" she cheered.
Siya naman ay pumasok sa malaki nitong walk-in closet kaya pinagmasdan ko lang siya. I wandered my eyes around her room. Walang wala ang kwarto ko sa laki at gara nito. It looks like a room for a princess. A royalty.
"Ano 'yan?" tanong ko nang makita ang kakarampot na tela sa kaniyang kamay. She grinned wickedly as her brows wiggled.
"Two piece!"
"Oh, tapos?"
"Duh! Susuotin natin!"
"Okay." nagkibit balikat ako at hinayaan siyang pasuotin ako ng ganoong damit. Isang pares ng light pink two piece ang isunot ko samantalang sa kaniya naman ay stripes na black and rer.
"Gurl! Ang ganda mo! Para kang dalaga na talaga!" she exclaimed, giggling.
I giggled. "Thanks!"
Nag apir kami bago kumuha ng towel at sabay na lumabas ng bahay. Pagkapasok pa lang namin sa pool area ay mabilis kong nakita ang mga ka schoolmates na nag aasaran at nagkakatuwaan.
Some of them greeted me and some of them didn't pain attention and continued to swim. Walang alak sa amin dahil bata pa kami kaya juice lang at barbecue grills.
Umupo ako sa may lounge at nagpahid ng sunblock sa katawan.
"I thought kuya Icarus isn't here, Dori?"My head instantly veered on my side as I heard them talking. Saito, Lexus, Thulius, Eleazar and Neus, the grade eight basketball team members, sipping on their juices. Nandito rin sina Diamond, Raffiere, Allison at Dori na katulad ko ay naglalagay ng lotion sa katawan.
"I don't know. Ang sabi niya aalis sila ngayon ni ate Grettle, eh." sagot naman ni Dori.
"May date sila?"
"Siguro,"
"Ganda ni ate Grettle, 'no?" I heard Neus said.
"Chix na chix ang datingan. Kung siguro kasing edad lang natin siya, matagal ko na siyang niligawan." Lexus said with a smug smirk on his lips.
"Kuya Icarus were so lucky to have her, Dori." Allison giggled. They looked like a kids who saw their prince charming on the cartoons.
"What?" I couldn't help but to butt in.
They're talking about Icarus and Grettle like it was as if I wasn't here. Not that I care about them. Duh. Ininunguso sa akin ni Dia ang likuran ko. Wala sa sariling sinundan ko iyon ng tingin.
My heart raced faster inside my chest as I looked at them. Icarus with his white v-neck shirt and a khaki short, hands inside his pockets and Grettle with her sunflower dress that hugs her body fitly, emphasizing her curves and gorgeousness.
I felt a sting insecurity on my own saliza.
Naglalakad sila sa mga garden ng mansion habang nag-uusap. Parehong may malalaking ngiti sa labi. I wonder, what are they talking about? Totoo ba ang narinig ko? May lakad sila ngayon? Date ba?
I wasn't aware I was throwing them a death glare not until our eyes met. His lips slightly parted but he quickly looked away.
So cliche, muntik ng madulas si Grettle at nasalo siya ni Icarus sa beywang. Mas lalong nagtagis ang bagang ko. Nagtilian ng mahina ang mga kaibigan ko na para bang kinikilig.
I angrily stood up, threw the towel on the lounge chair, reaveling my body. Dumeritso agad ako sa pool at nagdive sa pool.
Pacing back and fort, I swam until my lungs couldn't take an air anymore. Humugot ako nang malalim na hininga bago lumangoy ulit. I wanted to curse Icarus. I wanted to curse him to death!
After he made my heart fluttered so much ngayon naglalandi na siya! He was breaking my young heart!
Hindi ko alam kung saan ko napulot itong inis sa puso ko nang makita ko silang kasama. Siguro dahil may paghanga ako sa kaniya? He knew! He knew na may gusto ako sa kaniya pero naglalandi pa rin.
"Ah!" napatili ako sa gulat nang may bigla nalang humublot sa paa ko sa ilalim ng tubig.
Sinipa-sipa ko iyon hanggang sa tumambad sa akin ang natatawang reaksyon ni Eleazar. Sumimangot ako at pinatilsikan siya ng tubig sa mukha.
"Ano ba!" I exclaimed, panting. Kinabahan ako doon, eh.
He smiled charmly. I pouted at him. "Sorry, hehe." he cutely said.
"Ikaw talag kahit kaylan, Ele!" I rolled my eyes. Sinuklay ko ang buhok gamit ang mga daliri at umakyat na mula sa pool.
Magaling akong lumangoy dahil isa ako sa mga athlete noong elementary pa lang. Madalas rin akong isinasali sa mga competition noong buhay pa si mama. Ngayong wala na siya, tumigil na rin ako.
I think it's better that way.
Ang kalimutan ang nakaraan...
I suddenly stopped and held my chest. Series of horrible scenario came flashing on my head. Nararamdaman ko, sumasakit ang puso ko nang maalala ang nangyari noon.
The reason why my mom died.
Malungkot akong napangiti.
Bumalik ako sa dating inuupuan ko at kinuha ang towel. Nagpaalam ako sa kanila na pupunta lang sa comfort room.
Nakangusong hinanap ko sila Icarus at Grettle. Nasaan kaya silang dalawa? Ano kayang ginagawa nila ngayon? Bakit sila magkasama? Are they really dating each other?
"Looking for something, young lady?"
Napasinghap ako sa gulat nang may mainit at mabangong hininga ang nagsalita sa likod ng aking tenga.
My eyes widened when I saw Icarus standing behind me.
"You startled me!" I hissed.
Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay imbes na sumagot. Sinamaan ko naman siya ng tingin.
"What are you doing here, kiddo?" he asked, tilting his head in amusement.
I pouted while glaring at him. "Anong ginagawa ni Grettle dito?" I asked.
The corner of his lips rose up. "Grettle? Why don't you address her as Ate? Like how Dori and your friends call her?" parang natutuwang aniya at ngumiti ng nakakaloko.
"We're not sisters!" naiiritang singhal ko. "Ano bang ginagawa niya rito?" I crossed my arms.
"Why?"
"Sagutin mo na lang ako!" I stomped my feet in annoyance.
He smirked even more. "Bakit naman kita sasagutin? Nanliligaw ka ba?"
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Ha?"
He chuckled. "Oh, kiddo..." naiiling na sabi niya at tinapik ang ulo ko.
I grimaced at him. "Totoo ba? May lakad daw kayo ngayon sabi ni Dori? Magd-date ba kayo?" umiwas ako ng tingin pagkatapos no'n.
I saw him looking at me from peripheral vision. His intense stare itself could make my blood run up to my cheeks causing it to blush. My heart was pounding so fast and loud.
"Why'd you ask?" he asked huskily before putting the few strands of my hair behind my ear.
I shivered.
"M-Masama ba'ng magtanong?" mataray kong sabi at pilit na lumalayo sa kaniya.
Tumawa na naman siya, halos tumayo na lahat ng balahibo sa aking balat.
"Damn... ang sungit mo, Sunny." he chuckled.
Mas bumusangot ang mukha ko. "Hindi ako masungit! Parang nagtatanong lang!"
His smile got even more wider. His perfect set of white teeth showed. Adoration and amusement was visible on his face and the way he smiles.
"Hmm..." he hummed and smiled slyly. "Grettle and I..." he trailed off.
Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko at nakaramdam ng sikip at sakit. "W-What?"
"We're dating." he smiled and messed my hair.
Parang nalaglag ata ang puso ko sa aking sikmura. Nangingilid ang luha sa aking mga mata. "W-what?"
"You heard me right, Sunny. We're dating. Nililigawan ko siya,"
"P-pero..." I have a crush on you!
"What?" his brows shot up.
"You've read my diary, right?" tiningala ko siya habang namamasa ang mga mata.
His brows furrowed as he nodded. "Yeah,"
Eh alam naman pala niya. He should've known it would gonna be painful for me because I had a crush on him.
"P-Pero... may gusto ako sa'yo, Ica!" I stomped my feet as I felt my eyes burning.
Umawang ang kaniyang labi at napakurap siya.
"Bakit mo naman siya liligawan?" I spatted. "Dahil ba maganda siya? Eh, maganda rin naman ako, ah!" Para akong batang naagawan ng laruan sa kaniyang harapan.
"At mas gaganda pa ako kapag lumaki na ako!" I added and my tear fell uncontrollably.
Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi.
He shook his head as his jaw clenched. "Bata ka pa."
"Ano naman kung bata ako?! Dori said I looked like I'm already fifteen! Ilang taon ka na ba? Seventeen pa lang!" Mas lalong bumuhos ang mga luha ko.
Amusement danced on his eyes as he tried to keep his laughter. "You really like me, huh?" nanunuyang saad niya.
"I do!" I sobbed loudly.
He sighed as his eyes softened.. "You're too young, Sunshine. Mawawala rin 'yan. It's just an infatuation. Crush stuff."
"P-Paano mo naman nasabi? Nagkacrush ka na ba d-dati? Ha?"
Umiling siya at umiwas ng tingin. His ears reddened. "Trust me,"
"Ayaw mo ba sa akin? Pangit ba ako?" I sniffed.
"No, of course not. You're beautiful. As always, Sunshine." malambing na aniya.
Ginulo niya ulit ang buhok ko.
"You see, there were a lot of boys out there waiting for you to notice them. There were a lot of attractions. It could be because of your physical appearance, personality and such. You were attracted to me because maybe, you sees me as an older brother. A brother material. As much as I don't want to break your heart, I also don't want you to assume that the feelings would be reciprocated. Just find another boys out there, okay? But of course, be careful. You're still young, Araw." he smiled.
And I think my heart just broke.
I looked at him.
Tumulong muli ang mga luha ko.
Ramdam ko ang hapdi sa dibdib ko.
"K-Kakainin mo iyang mga sinabi, I-Icarus. Tandaan mo iyan." I said while looking straight at his eyes before bumping his shoulder and walked away.