Chapter 5

Kalokohan nga siguro ang mahalin ang taong ayaw mo noong una palang pero sa kaso niya, she is getting used to it. Halos isang linggo silang nagpakabusy sa pagtulong sa high school sa dyaryo at isang linggo rin silang nag-bonding ni Esaac. Isang linggo siyang hinahatid nito pauwi kahit ayaw niya, dahil isang linggo silang araw-araw na umuwi ng late.

Fortunately, natapos na nila ang pinapagawa sa kanila. Pero hindi doon natapos ang pagiging malapit nila ni Esaac. Kahit ganoon, she still does not know that Esaac is Jacob, the synth player of VESTIGE. Hindi na ulit siya nakabisita sa Club Lavine after all of the stressors on her week.

"Are you going to Club Lavine later?" he asked out of nowhere. Naglalakad na sila ngayon palabas ng school premises. Esaac holds her things and she is ok with it.

"Club Lavine?" she said.

Hindi man nila sabihin, they are both nervous with each other. Kahit palagi na silang magkasama, they still have this boundary on build. Nakakaloka ang mga titig ni Esaac sa kanya. If I were she, I will also be melted. Those brown eyes speaks for his soul.

Tumigil sila sa tapat ng kotse ni Esaac at saka nito nilagay ang mga gamit ni Charity sa loob. "Why would I even go there?"

It was another nerve-racking moment to Esaac. He really wants to create a relationship with Charity and maybe put it something more. If ever Charity knew about this, she will surely get away from him. His mission will surely fail.

"Because I am going to be there." Umamin si Esaac sa kanya. He cannot keep a secret or even lie to her. It is not in his vocabulary about telling lies, of course, the obvious ones are told and the deepest ones are not.

"You're really weird," she said. Pumasok si Charity sa kotse niya. As usual, she sits on the passenger seat, next to Esaac. Pumasok na rin ito sa driver's seat at pinihit ang susi.

"That's why we fit in."

Her face redden in no reason. Maybe she is getting into Esaac. She is imprisoned by her feelings. Hindi man niya sabihin, ikaila man niya, she had developed this feelings for Ez on those days that they were together.

Nakarating sila sa village after few minutes of driving. As usual, pinagbuksan ni Esaac ng pinto ng kotse si Charity dahil gentleman siya. Inabot din nito ang mga papeles kay Charity na tatrabahuhin niya over the weekend. They are very busy this week because aside from having the newspaper finished, they also had to fix their requirements for their on the job training.

"See you later, Charity!" he said bago pa man niya mabuksan ang gate.

"Fine, fine, pupunta na ako," she said. "Just be sure that you are there. Ayaw kong naghihintay sa wala."

"Yeah, you would not. I have got a surprise for you actually." He smiled. "And I already got your number. I will just text you when I get there, or might as well, text me?" he said then chuckled.

"Stupid."

They parted ways. Ez went in his car and drove it pass few houses while Charity went inside their house. She excitedly went upstairs and put all of her things down. Agad siyang nag-half bath at saka namili ng isusuot. She got her favorite navy blue off-shoulder dress that really defines her curves. Pinarisan niya ito ng denim rubber shoes at saka inilugay lang ang buhok.

Apparently, she will really ride Petrichor going to Club Lavine. It is somewhat weird but she drove with that dress on. Ayaw niya ng abalang traffic that is why she always bring with her, her motorbike, whenever she goes outside for leisure.

Nakarating siya sa Club Lavine ng eksaktong ten o'clock. She removed her helmet and flawlessly laid her black to brown hair. She combed it the way she wants it to be. Ibinaba niya ang damit niya at saka inayos iyon.

She took few steps towards the club but stopped when she had completely entered. Kinuha niya ang bagong biling pressed powder niya sa kaniyang clutch bag at nag-retouch ng kaunti. Hindi naman niya ito ginagawa dati. She is really comfortable with her simplicity but when Esaac came, she got very conscious on how she looks like.

Agad niyang pinalibot ang mata sa loob nang matapos mag-powder. She seems to be looking for him. After few seconds, ikinagulat niya na lang ang paghawak sa kaniya nito sa baywang. She knew it. It was Esaac.

"Hey, Miss Charity," he greeted near her ear.

"You stupid," she said. "I almost got into heart attack."

He chuckled with her words. "Come on, I will let you meet my friends."

Inayos niya ang sarili at saka sumunod kay Esaac. As they approach his friends, they seemed to be familiar. Her nerves are shattered as they come close to the boys.

"So guys, meet Miss Mia Charity Locquias, Civil Engineer." He introduced her to his friends and they cannot believe it. Natahimik sila pare-pareho nang makita kung sino ang nasa harap nila. He seemed to be kidding them.

"H-hi?" Nag-aalangan namang binati ni Charity ang mga kaibigan nito.

"Yeah, hi."

Awkward. They greeted her as if they fear her. Parang napilitan lang sila sa ginawang pagbati kay Charity. They all belong to the same group at napagkukwentuhan na rin nila ang tungkol dito, tungkol sa kaniya.

"So, you are the Mia Charity Locquias?" Ethan asked. Tumango si Charity ng dahan-dahan at parang tinatantya pa si Ethaniel. Bumaling ito kay Seth at sinabing, "Bro, you told me that she is scary."

Bumaling naman ang tingin nila kay Sethiel na kasalukuyang tagong-tago ang mukha mula sa kanila. Pinakatitigan ito ni Charity with her pretty stare. Dahan-dahang inalis ni Seth ang pagkakatakip ng mukha niya at doon niya nakita si Charity. Natutunaw at nanginginig na siya dahil sa titig nito.

"You, you threw a rock on me," she accused as she point her finger towards Seth.

He raised his hands as if he is a criminal getting caught. "Well, not me, I mean, it is me but it is a dare." He explained it not that well.

Hindi na lang nagsalita si Charity at pinakalma ang sarili. Siguro kumalma na rin siya dahil sa paghawak ni Esaac sa kamay niya. They took a seat and started with a drink. As usual, she is a Mojito fan so Esaac ordered one for her. Napatingin si Charity sa kanya na may pagtataka sa mukha. She has no clue about how did he know that mojito is her drink.

"You have very beautiful eyes," Greg complemented. Nagpasalamat naman si Charity sa natanggap niya mula rito. It was few of the counted times that she got a complement from anyone.

Esaac cleared his throat and gave Greg a complete death stare. Ngayon lang niya nagawa ito sa tanambuhay niya. Greg raised his hands up in the air and looks like he's surrendering.

"Domineering," Ethan said. Inisang inom niya ang alak sa baso. Nagtataka namang papalit-palit ng tingin si Charity kay Greg at Esaac. Esaac held her like she is his. His hands were on her waist but she is just okay with it. She found no malice about his gestures.

"How's Anne?" Ez asked.

"She is okay." Sinagot ni Ivan ang tanong ng kaibigan. "Still running this business and still in love with me."

Natawa si Seth sa sinabi ng kaibigan. Napabaling naman siya kay Ivan at nagtanong na parang isang detective. "How about 'your' Sabrina? Balita ko nasa Germany na siya ngayon, ah."

"Do not include her here," dipensa ni Van sabay lagok ng whiskey. "I do not want to hear her name anymore."

"Do not want to what? Parang last month lang, baliw ka sa kaniya," Greg replied.

Nagpatuloy sila sa usapan habang nanahimik naman sina Esaac at Charity sa tabi. They just listen to the boys discussing things. The club's music is loud yet enough for them to hear each other.

"Sorry about them," he whispered.

She smiled. "No, it is okay."

"I think you are timid, Miss Mia Charity Locquias."

"Nope, I am just not used to seeing friends, like the real ones," she whispered. "I never had one."

He was jolted on his seat. Is she for real? "So what do you call me?" He is definitely right. Ano nga namang tawag niya kay Esaac? Hangin? She is supposed to feel that she has this friend of her who is always beside her.

"I-Is that what you think of us? Hindi ko patinatanggap ulit ang pakikipagkaibigan mula sayo," she said and she mean it. Nag-uusap na naman sila na tila kaswal at hindi seryoso ang pinag-uusapan.

"I think…" She leaned closer to him and waited for the next words. "Whatever."

Napabagsak na lang ang balikat ni Charity at napataas ang kilay. "Really, Esaac."

"What? I am being a friend or what to you then you are saying that you do not have one? Nakakatampo ka naman." He is being overdramatic now. "Look, Charity. I do not want to ruin your night so let us not put this there. Let us say that we just met and now were friends," he simply said.

"Fine, fine, Mr. Esaac de Sevilla, I will just try to absorb everything that has happened or that will happen tonight. Let us get to know each other." Lumambot ang puso ni Esaac sa mga sinabi ni Charity. He will surely make her change tonight. Gusto niya lang na maging bukas ito sa ibang tao sa paligid niya. "But please, no malice and have clear intentions."

"If getting to know each other will make us friends, why not?" he said. "But let me show you something," anito.

Niyaya niya ang mga kaibigan at saka sila nagpunta sa backstage. She is getting overly affected by the things that are now happening. Ikinagugulat niya ang isa-isang pagpunta ng mga ito sa likod dahilan para maiwan siya sa kinauupuan at kabahan siya sa susunod na mangyayari.

She saw the members of VESTIGE, coming out one by one from the backstage. At hindi lang ito ang kinagulat niya, she saw Esaac went out of it and waved at her. Her heart pounded in this nerve-racking moment. This makes her breath taken away. Hindi na niya kinakaya ang halo-halong emosyon sa puso niya.

"Good evening, Club Lavine!" Ethaniel shouted. Nagsipalakpakan ang mga tao sa paligid maliban kay Charity na gulat na gulat pa rin. Hawak niya ang dibdib na pinapanood ang VESTIGE.

"Tonight is a very special night for my friend, Jacob Esaac. Nandito ang babaeng napupusuan niya. Ang kaisa-isang nililigawan niya." This made her more nerve-racked. "Pagbibigyan ka namin ngayon." Nagsigawan ang mga tao sa club at saka sila pinalakpakan.

Hindi niya alam kung lalabas na ba siya ng club o manunuod pa rin. Inisang inom niya ang alak at muling nag-order. Gayon na nga ang mga sumunod na nangyari. Nanatiling nakapako ang katawan niya sa upuan habang titig na titig sa pagtugtoog ni Esaac. He looks so professional in playing his instrument. Tinitignan siya nito habang pumipindot sa instrumento. He held his microphone and started singing the lines.

Itinuro siya nito and this made her heart went out of her chest. Napabaling muli ito sa tinutugtog pero nakatingin pa rin sa kanya. Hindi nila alintana ang paghiyaw ng mga tao sa paligid. They just focused on each other while Esaac plays the instrument and she nervously drinks the alcohol.

Nanginginig, nilalamig, kinakabahan, nalalasing, iyan ang nararamdaman niya ngayon habang pinapakinggan ang pagkanta at pagtugtog ni Esaac. She had really fell for him. Hindi man niya sabihin pero totoo. She is now committed on loving him.

Nanlalambot siya sa kinauupuan habang papalapit si Esaac sa kanya. Tinapos na nila ang isang set ng kanta nila at saka muling bumalik sa table kung nasaan si Charity. She remained jolted as she follows him with stare.

"Huwag ganyan, baka matunaw," Seth teased.

"Ganda, sarado mo yan," Greg told her. "Baka may pumasok na langaw."

"Tuyo na contact lens mo Miss Locquias," sabi ni Ethan.

"Alak pa," sabi naman ni Ivan.

Itinaboy ni Esaac ang mga kaibigan. "Tigilan niyo nga siya." Agad siyang lumapit kay Charity na sinusundan pa rin siya ng tingin. "You, okay?"

Hindi siya masyadong makapagsalita nang makalapit si Esaac sa kanya. She is still elevated. Her heart is currently ecstatic. Ganoon siya kapag nagugulat, nabibigla, o kinikilig.

She is close to fainting. Mixed alcohol, and emotions had appeared on her face. Namumutla siya sa harap ng VESTIGE, sa harap ng gusto niya, sa harap ng kaibigan niya. It was a combination of nervousness and stress and happiness.

Maybe this is the manifestation of the curse that she is talking about. The curse of love, which will let a person travel to a world of lies and fantasies. Kulang na lang siguro ay saktan niya ang sarili niya para matanto na hindi siya nananaginip. All of what she feels right now is all that she is scared about. She does not want to fall in love. She does not want to experience the same excruciating pain that her father had before.

"I have to go." Tumayo siya at naglakad papaalis sa table nila.

Apparently, Esaac followed her and she just found herself stopped by his hands. Hinawakan nito ang kamay niya dahilan para mapatigil siya sa paglalakad. His touch felt so warm on her skin.

"Let me go!" Nagpumiglas siya pero hindi natinag ang pagkakahawak ni Esaac.

"Cha!"

"Cha? Nickname basis na ba tayo ngayon?" sabi niya. "Real quick, Mister De Sevilla," ani Charity. Lumuwag ang pagkakakapit ni Esaac sa kanya dahilan para makawala siya sa kamay nito.

"Wait? Ano bang ginawa ko? May mali ba? You already know that I am Jacob Esaac de Sevilla. Na-orient ka naman siguro na ako iyon di ba? May mali ba sa sinabi ni Ethan? Ano? Tell me Charity. Ayaw kong nagkakaganito tayo."

Agad na tinalikuran ni Charity si Esaac. She ignored every single word that he said. Napupusuan? Wala iyon sa bokabularyo niya. Hindi pwede iyon. Kapag kaibigang lang, hanggang doon lang at wala nang iba.

"Charity, sandali." Agad nitong hinawakan muli ang kamay ng dalaga para pigiilan. "If you do not want, then do not. I just want to keep our friendship protected and-"

"Protected? What the?" She gets hysterical. "From what Esaac?"

"I do not want to break our friendship, Charity. I want to change your perspective in life. I just want to keep you safe."

"Change what? My perspective? You want to keep me safe? Do you even hear what you are saying? You want to change me? Bakit sino ka ba? We are not even friends for a long time. I just met you weeks ago, Esaac, and for your information, I never wanted to get too close to you. Ikaw itong lapit nang lapit sa akin. I thought you were good but you are not." Pinunasan nito ang mga luhang pumapatak sa pisngi niya. "I trusted the friendship that you promised me. Sorry Esaac pero hanggang doon na lang iyon.

I thought you were different. I thought you would be true to me. I had our friendship covered, Esaac because I thought that we would work. But no, you are like my father, you keep secrets that shatters the shit in me! I do not want to befriend you anymore. I felt so over on all the lies and shits that you could give me. Please, do not get close to me anymore. Tama na. Tapos na."

Napabuntong hininga ang dalaga sa mga sinabi niya mismo. Doon na bumuhos ang luha niyang kanina pang pinipigil. She does not want to cry in front of someone. She always kept it out of the crowd. Ayaw niyang magmukhang mahina sa harap nila. She wants herself to look so strong, that no one can drag her down. But then, bumigay siya sa harap ni Esaac. Bumigay ang mga luhang tinatago niyang matagal na panahon.

"If you really know me, you will not use our friendship to get close with me just because you have stupid feelings."

Bahagyang napamaang si Esaac sa sinabi ng dalaga. "You are building your walls, Charity!" he shouted. He was not aware of what he had said. Bakas ang pagtaas-baba ng dibdib niya dahil sa emosyong hindi niya maipaliwanag. Pilit niyang binabalik ang sarili sa pagiging kalmado. Baka kung ano pang masabi niyang mali.

"What the?" she shouted back. "How dare you tell me that I am walling up? Is there something wrong about it? Is it wrong to keep myself protected from everything? You do not know me, Esaac, so do not judge me! Everything is your fault, may I just remind you."

"Do not judge me as well, Charity. You did not know the reason why I kept these feelings for you. I may got into your life that easy and messed you up but I care for you, Charity. Huwag mo rin sanang isiping ginamit ko lang ang pakikipagkaibigan para magustuhan mo ako kasi iba ang purpose ko sa paglapit sayo."

She was nailed on her position. Her heart thumped in craze. He cares for her. Hindi siya makapaniwalang nakatingin sa binata. Pumasok na sa isip niya ang sinabi nito at fully absorbed na ng utak niya. But the thing is, hindi talaga siya naniniwala. This is the first time that someone cared for her. For real.

"I really have to go."

"Hatid na kita," pamimilit ni Esaac.

"No. I do not get along with someone like you."

Iniwan niya ang binatang nakatayo at nakatingin sa kanya. It is her word. Nobody can make her change it. Kapag ayaw niya, ayaw niya. It is final.

She started her motorcycle and drove it out of the club's premises. Esaac was left worried and frozen. His heart pounded in pain as he absorbed every single word of Charity. Ngayon niya lang nakitang ganoon si Charity.

Nothingness is what she feels right now. She is getting out of her mind as she drove her motorcycle. There is a big possibility of her getting into an accident with what she is doing. Hindi rin naman siya magpapapigil dahil gusto na rin naman niyang mamatay.