FIGHT - 3
"We're here to build a wood house, right? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Dorry didn't hesitate to grab some pieces of thick woods and gathered it together when they arrived at Theo's house. Then she get the saw tool to cut the woods.
"Hey, bud! Careful! It's dangerous!" Theo screamed.
"Inaya mo akong gumawa ng tree house, di ba?"
Napakamot sa ulo si Theo. "Yes but, I'll take it back. It seems dangerous for us though."
"Don't worry. Nothing bad will happen to us. Just leave it to me. All you have to do is to follow what I'll ask, okay? You're my assistant today, bud."
"Fine. But let me change clothes first." tinuro ni Theo ang bahay niya sa tapat nila. "Wala naman dito sina mom, dad at kuya kaya hindi tayo yare sa pag cutting classes." aniya sabay takbo papasok ng bahay.
Hindi na hinintay ni Dorry na makabalik si Theo at nagsimula na siyang maglagari tulad ng napapanuod niya sa telebisyon.
She's not the type of a young girl in her age that all they watch is some cartoons, barbies and many more. She doesn't want to watch any of those. And instead, she enjoyed watching action, crime, mystery and some movies that can be needed in life.
"Ouch."
Napangiwi siya nang hindi niya sinasadyang mahiwa ang sariling daliri dahil biglang dumulas ang malaking lagari sa kahoy.
"Malayo ito sa bituka." sabi sa sarili. Sinipsip lang nya ang lumalabas na dugo at nagpatuloy ulit siya.
Kinuha rin niya ang martilyo at pako para makabuo ng dingding pero hanggang ngayon wala pa rin si Theo. Siguro nakalimutan na nito na kasama siya nito o may nakita na namang babae sa internet.
ONE HOUR passed, Dorry already build walls that covers from the outside world. Even a ceiling was already done by herself. But until now, Theo hasn't been back after he change his clothes.
So she followed him inside and found him lying comfortably on the sofa -- like a señorito -- while he's on his phone typing with this weird smile on his face.
And she definitely guess what it is.
"Akin na nga 'yan." lumapit sya dito at kinuha ang niya phone nito. "Callope Durand." basa niya sa pangalan na nasa screen ng phone ni Theo. "Your new girl?"
"Uh, yeah. I think so? But she's the one who chatted me first! I swear!"
Ngumiting aso lang si Dorry at ibinalik ang tingin sa screen saka binasa ang conversation nila nung babaeng kausap ni Theo.
Hmm, Theo has a good taste I woman. She's indeed beautiful and stunning. Aniya sa kanyang isipan. But not my type.
"HEY, people!"
Nagulantang silang dalawa sa biglang pagsigaw ng isa sa kuya ni Theo. Kakapasok lang nito sa kabahayan at naabutan silang nakaupo sa sofa sa salas.
"Kuya Lor!" Theo exclaimed and run towards to his brother.
"Hey, kiddo. Ang agap naman ata ng labasan nyo?" napaiwas na lang si Theo ng tingin. "Oh by the way, I have some waffles here!"
"Really?! Gimme gimme gimme!"
Taylor handed the paper bag to Theo that he was holding since he arrived.
Dorry already Knew Theo's first brother, Taylor. Ito ang panganay sa kanila ng kuya Jaspher ni Theo. But actually Taylor's just their half-brother to their father's side. Nevertheless, it seems like they're close to each other like a whole-blood brothers.
"Kiddo give Dorry some waffles, okay? Wag madamot at baka mautot."
Kumunot ang nuo ni Theo at tumigil sa pagnguya. "Mautot? Anong konek kuya?"
Taylor chuckled awkwardly. "U-Uh, kasi kapag nasobrahan ka ng waffles, mauutot ka at ang kasunod nyan ay matatae ka na."
"Kadiri ka kuya. Dyan ka na nga." bumaling ito sa kanya at inabutan siya ng isang buong waffles. "Here, bud."
Natatawa namang umalis si Taylor at nagtungo sa ikalawang palapag ng kanilang kabahayan.
"Salamat." tumingin siya sa kusina. "Baka naman may panulak kayo dyan." biro nya.
"Oh, wait. I think we have some fresh milk." patakbong pumunta si Theo sa kusina at binuksan ang ref. "Bud meron nga! Come here!"
They ate together like a hungry lion came from a battle. But in reality, its just Dorry who's only tried and beat up from doing that tree house that supposedly the two of them will build it.
After a half hour, Taylor came to the kitchen where they were and asked them about the the inbuilt tree house across their house.
"Oh shit! I forgot to help you bud! I'm so sorry!" humingi kaagad ng tawad si Theo kay Dorry nang maalala ang ginawa nito sa loob ng isang oras habang siya ay todo gawa sa labas.
"Ayos lang yun, bud." she said while munching the waffles. "May libreng meryenda naman eh."
"Or I could help you guys with that. Wala na naman akong gagawin ngayon." suhestiyon ni Taylor.
Nagkatinginan silang dalawa at sabay na nag-apir at sumang-ayon sa sinabi ng kuya ni Theo.
Mas mapapadali ang kanilang gustong gawin kung may tutulong sa kanila. Hindi rin naman nila kaya buhatin at ikabit ang tree house sa tuktok ng puno.
"THERE. It's all done!"
The two couldn't believe what they just see in front of them. It's really unbelievable that Taylor continued what Dorry couldn't finished earlier. And now, it's all done.
Nasa taas na ng puno ang maliit na bahay-bahayan na tama lang para sa dalawang tao. May hagdan na rin at ang kulang na lang ay pintura at kagamitan sa loob.
And when the clock strikes at 5:15 pm, she almost had a heart attack because her curfew is on 5 pm sharp. She's fifteen minutes late!
Kumaway na lang siya kay Theo at Taylor saka kumaripas ng takbo pauwi. Alam na naman ng mga ito kung bakit ganon siya.
Nakasanayan na niya ang gawain na iyon sa araw-araw at minsan, hindi siya nahuhuli ng ina dahil late ito umuwi galing sa trabaho. Mabuti na lang at medyo malapit lang ang bahay nila Theo sa kanila at kaya nang takbuhin sa loob ng limang minuto.
Ngunit nang makarating siya sa bahay nila, bumungad sa kanya ang tatlong babaeng kaklase niya at kinakausap ng mga ito ang ina nya. Or maybe her mother is the one who's talking to them.
Nagtago siya sa matataas nilang halamanan at nakinig sa pinag-uusapan nila.
"--we didn't see her after the lunch, ma'am."
"We heard from our professor that she cut the class with Theo Davis."
"Maybe they run away together--"
"Thank you for the info, ladies. Y'all may go home now." She saw her mother clenched her fist and boiling in anger.
"Okay. Thanks for the snacks, Mrs. Santiago!"
Nang mawala sa paningin niya ang tatlong kaklase niya, saka lang siya lumabas sa pinagtataguan at lakas-loob na hinarap ang ina na masama kaagad ang tingin sa kanya.
"Mom--"
"Kailan ka pa matututo, ha?! Hindi ba't sinabi ko na sayong huwag kang magpapagabi at layuan mo 'yong lalaking iyon!"
Her mother grab her jaw line tightly. "If this happens again, I will never accept you to this house and to this family."
Halos mangiyak-ngiyak siya nang umalis sa harapan niya ang ina pero pinigilan niya iyon. Nanghihina ang tuhod niya kaya siya'y napaupo na lang sa kinatatayuan.
I understand the part that I didn't arrived home at the right time pero, anong problema sa pagsama ko kay Theo?
She stood up and hurriedly went to the bathroom inside her bedroom. Dorry was facing the mirror and staring at her reflection.
Her eyes found a scissor beside her toothbrush and grabbed it.
"What I want, I'll do it." then she started to cut her hair with the scissor without hesitation or any regret.
As she said, she wanted it so she'll do it. Bahala na kung magalit sa kanya ang ina at ama nya. This time, ang sarili niya kanyang susundin.
DORRY
"Balita ko ikaw na naman ang headline sa news gossip ah. But nevertheless, you did a great job, Dorry." ani ni Astrid na kakakilala ko pa lang kahapon.
"Let them be, amiga. Wala na akong pakialam kung sino man ang pasimuno niyang news gossip na 'yan. They all hate me after all. Wala nang magbabago 'don."
Tumango-tango si Astrid at uminom sa water jug niya. Nasa cottage kaming dalawa at nagpapahinga matapos ang aming training.
At dahil weightlifter itong si Astrid, magkahiwalay kami ng studio. Sya ay sa gym nag tetraining at ako naman ay sa taekwondo room nitong AU.
"Star!"
"Mars!"
Lumapit sa amin ang siyang hinihintay ni Astrid. Ang closest friend at una niyang niyang nakilala dito sa AU. Si Marzena Tuazon a.k.a. Mars.
May kasama itong babae na hindi ko kilala. But she seems familiar though. Wait-- sya yung nakita namin ni Hanelle na mag-isang kumakain sa court!
"Hi! Dorry Santiago, right? Nababanggit ka kasi lagi nitong si Astrid eh. By the way, I'm Marzena. But you can call me Mars. Nice to meet you. That's a cool hair you got there."
Napangiti ako. "Likewise. Thanks!"
"And this is Amara Jacinto." pagpapakilala nito sa babaeng kasama niya at bumaling kay Astrid. "You already know her di ba? I introduced her to you last week."
Astrid flicked her eyes to Mars. "Yah. I could definitely remember. No need to remind me, Mars."
Inirapan din ni Mars si Astrid. "Whatever, Star."
"Hello sa inyo! I hope we could be friends!" Amara said with a wide smile on her face. Looks like she never had a friend before the way she speak and act.
"Oo nga pala guys, di ba Sport Fest na sa Friday?" Mars giggled. "Oooh samahan nyo naman ako manuod ng tennis competition sa tennis court. Nandon kasi si Leo at naghanda na rin ako ng banners--"
"Ugh, your boyfriend? Di ba nag cheat na 'yong hinayupak na 'yon sayo? Binigyan kita ng payo at sabi mo titigilan mo na sya. What happened girl? Don't tell me you're still into him?" kontra ni Astrid na nakataas ang dalawang kilay.
Napaiwas ng tingin si Mars at napangiwi. "Hindi ba pwedeng marupok lang? Hehe. Nangako naman sya na hindi na nya uulitin eh."
"Hay nako, babae ka! Nai-stress na ako kakapayo sayo ha. I'm telling you, Marzena Tuazon, leave him be. He's not worth it to you. Once na sinaktan ka ng lalaki, uulit-ulitin nila 'yon." Astrid said.
"Wag mo namang lahatin, Star. Hindi naman siguro ganon lahat ng lalaki. At saka pwede naman silang magbago diba? And he deserves a second chance. I'm a nice kind of woman after all."
Astrid growled in annoyance. "Oh my God, bahala kayo basta sinabihan na kita, Marzena. Ayaw na ulit kita makikitang luluha ng baha sa harapan ko dahil makukurot na talaga kita sa singit babae ka."
Mars sighed. "Can't you just support me, Star? I like him very much that's why I gave him a second chance. If you can't come to the field on Friday, I understand. Amara, Hanelle and her friend, Brylee will be there with me--"
"You knew Hanelle?!" hindi ko na naiwasang hindi sumabat.
"Uhm, yes. We've met her the day she was framed by the fire in the girls bathroom at the pool area." patukoy ni Mars kay Astrid.
"Oh, okay."
And speaking of Hanelle, lahat kami ay napalingon sa bagong dating. Para akong nakakita ng anghel na bumaba ng langit.
Nalaman ko na marami na pala ang nambubully rito kay Hanelle nang dahil sa morena niyang kulay. Pero hanga ako sa kanya dahil nakayanan niya iyong lampasan at nagpakatatag siya para sa sarili at para sa lola niya.
For me, hindi ko type ang mga mapuputing babae. Mas gusto ang mga morena katulad nya. That makes her a pure filipino citizen. Plus her pure kind of heart she has. She's so kind and nice to everyone. Kilala o hindi.
I admit it that I'm a bisexual kind of person. But I don't care. What matter is, I should follow what I want for myself. Now that I got out from my mother's chains.
"H-Hi!"
"Oh don't be shy, honey. It's just us." nakangiting sabi ni Mars kay Hanelle. "Now we're complete!"
"So bakit tayo nagtipon-tipon dito? May gig ako mamaya eh. Bawala ma-late." Brylee said.
"I don't exactly know why we're here in the first place." sabi ko sabay baling kay Astrid na tahimik sa isang sulok. "Kindly explain why you called us here, amiga?"
Umirap ito sa hangin bago nagsalita. "Dean Mendez told me that we're having a performance on Friday. The six of us. And if y'all ask why, that's because of all of us are part of the headlines in news gossip."
"Tayo ang sentro ng chismis lately." Mars said. "Nung isang isang linggo, si Astrid at ako. Tapos last week si Hanelle at Ara naman. Then nung lunes si Brylee tapos kahapon ikaw Dorry. Lahat tayong anim ang lagi nilang pinagtutuunan ng pansin at laging ginagawan ng chismis."
"Yeah. That's how it happened." Astrid agreed and we all nodded.
"Tsk. Kahit ata pag upo sa enidorong madumi ay pagchichismisan nila." it's Brylee.
"True." ani ni Hanelle.
"Edi ano pala ang gagawin natin kung ganon? May parusa ba?" tanong ni Amara.
Astrid and Marzena both heavily sighed and say... "Yes."
"Hindi tayo kasali sa sports fest." sagot ni Mars na nakatungo.
"What?!" sabay-sabay naming tanong.
"Believe it or not, it's true. Pero hindi lang 'yon ang parusa."
"Meron pa? The hell? And that is?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko kay Astrid.
"The six of us will do the cheerleader dance on every sports competition on the sports fest."
"What?!" sabay-sabay uli naming tanong.
"H-Hindi ko ata k-kakayanin 'yon." ani ni Hanelle na kinakabahan kaya agad ko siyang nilapitan at pinakalma.
"Relax, amiga. We're doing it all good."
"No problem to me! I'm part of the dance troupe after all!" Amara exclaimed.
Lahat kami ay napabuntong-hininga at sabay-sabay na sabi ng... "Sana all."
"Wala pa naman akong talent sa pagsasayaw!" sigaw ni Mars na nakanguso.
"Same here." sabad ko at si Brylee.
"Oh don't worry, guys. Tuturuan ko na lang kayo!" Amara suggested and we all felt relieved at the same time.
Nag usap-usap kami para sa gagawin namin sa Friday. Wednesday na ngayon at kailangan na namin bumuo ng sayaw na pang cheerleader. Kanina lang daw sinabi ng Dean kay Astrid kaya medyo hassle para sa amin.
We have no problem of what we will wear because the uniform is all set thanks to the real cheerleaders of AU. They let us borrowed their uniform so that it's a less hassle for us.
"HEY, Philip! Where's Theo?" I encountered one of Theo's friend in the field of football players.
Pawisan itong lumapit sa akin. Mukhang kakatapos lang ng practice nila.
"Maagap ang mga basketball players umuwi kanina. And he said he's going to his bar after their practice. Hindi ba sya nagpaalam sayo?"
Umiling ako. "Nope."
"Oh. Maybe he forgot to tell you. May kasama kasi syang babae kanina."
Tss. Kaya pala eh. Hindi na talaga nagbago ang lalaking 'yon.
"Okay. Thanks, dude!"
"No problem, Dorry."
Nagpaalam na ako at naglakad na papunta sa pinag papart-time-man ko. Hindi man lang nakaalala ang lalaking 'yon na ako lang pala ang tao sa convinience store at pupunta sa bar nya. At may kasama pa talagang babae.
Well this is not new. Araw-araw palaging may bagong babae iyong si Theo nang dahil sa kalandian nito. Ang naging matagal na girlfriend nya lang ay tumagal ng hanggang dalawang araw lang. That's how that womanizer everytime. He's also a pro in flirting.
WHILE waiting for customers to come in the Star Mart, I make myself busy by scrolling on Facebook. Astrid influenced us make our own accounts so I was so curious that's why I made myself one.
When I was in US, my mother couldn't let have an account on any social medias. She said it's just a distraction to my studies. And instead, she wants me to go out and have some fun with my female classmates.
But little did she know that I didn't have any female friends in US. It's only Theo that I can lean on back then. And now, I'm so thankful that those five girls came to my life.
Hanelle Villena sent a friend request
"Hanelle sent a friend request to me? But I thought we're already friends?" I shrugged any pinched the confirm button. "Maybe this could make us even more than just a friend."
Hindi ko maiwasang pindutin ang profile picture nya na nakatalikod sa camera at nakaharap sa karagatan. Hanggang sa nagtagpuan ko na lang ang sarili kong napapangiti ng wala sa oras habang iniistalk ang profile nya.
"I think I'm going crazy right now."
~amph1trite~