Chapter 27
Everyone is damn curious! They've been asking like who the hell is Clarkson, why he's jealous, why he's Hillary's ex-best friend, why does he show up so sudden, at marami pang iba! I feel pressured for Hillary. Tsk!
"Stop it, everyone, stop asking her. It seems like she's being interrogated," I interfered.
"Okay lang, Sky," she replied, then she suddenly started telling about their story! I was really so nervous kasi akala ko sasabihin na niya ang tungkol kay Sun, but she didn't mention any other name aside from Clarkson ang sinabi niya lang 'may gusto akong ibang lalaki', and I finally place in an easement.
"Siraulo pala 'yang Clarkson na 'yan, eh, binubully-bully ka dati tapos ngayon habol nang habol sa'yo. Sa'n ba napunta utak no'n, sa talampakan?" he's really annoyed when he said that.
Hillary smiled and said, "love really can make a person became foolish."
"But, he's too much, Hillary, that man needs to be given a lesson. Do you know his parents? Why don't you tell them about his doings?" Dad asked.
"Iyon na nga ho, Tito-Dad, but his parents are both lawyers. I need a shred of evidence that Clarkson is messing my life ayokong mabaliktad ako sa huli. That's why I'm seeing his cousin, pakiramdam ko kasi magkasabwat sila baka siya 'yong way para makakuha ako ng evidence-"
I cut her words and I ask, "so, you ditch class to be with Lucas?"
"Yes," she answered immediately and I just shook my head in disbelief. That's why she looks like that? She really did prepare herself for their 'date', ha.
"Lucas? What? Lucas and that Clarkson are cousins? Sh*t, man, what the hell is going on?" Sun uttered.
"Who's that Lucas?" Mom asked.
"That Sky's number 1 rival when it comes to archery, Mom," Sun replied.
"Ang gulo ng issue niyo," Mom said with knitted brows.
"That's why it needs to be ended so soon baka kung saan pa 'to mapunta," Dad uttered.
Hillary nodded and said, "I'll talk with Clarkson tomorrow, Tito-Dad."
"I'll go with you," I said.
"No. It's a matter between me and him, you're not involved."
"But, still-"
"Talk with Lucas. End your issue with him and I'll end my issue with Clarkson."
Dad agreed, "by tomorrow, that issue should be settled, alright? But, if there's something wrong happens, call me immediately, okay?"
We both nodded. Hillary stood up and mutters, "I need to go home, my Mom's probably looking for me."
"Kumain ka na muna, Hillary," Mom said.
Hillary smiled, "thank you po, Tita, pero sa bahay na lang ho ako kakain," she muttered.
"Alright. I'll send you home, Hillary, gumagabi na at baka mahirapan kang maghanap ng masasakyan," Dad requested and Hillary just nodded, then she bids her goodbye.
Before going through the kitchen, Sun suddenly taps my back, "I always got your back, Twin, call me tomorrow if Lucas will do something stupid," he said with sincerity.
"Thank you, Twin," I replied.
"Good luck!"
I smiled and took a deep breath. I'm gonna end this bullsh*t issue tomorrow, I swear.
***
Lunch break na, so I got the chance to look for Lucas. I was about to go to the Senior High's Building, but I received a message from Hillary saying,
'Let's meet at Sweet Berry's Cafe.'
I replied,
'I am looking for Lucas, Hillary. Ano bang pag-uusapan natin?'
After a minute, she gave a response,
'You need to know this first before you confront him. Bilisan mo na! Stop asking me questions.'
Alright. Hillary is really Hillary. So impatience.
I am walking through Sweet Berry's Cafe dahil walking distance lang naman ang Cafe na 'yon. I saw her so soon when I reached there.
"Tagal, ha," the words she said as I sat in the chair.
"Halos tumakbo na nga ako, eh," I replied.
"Tss. Here," she handed me her phone.
"For what?" confusion was written on my face.
"I-play mo kaya muna, Sky," sungit nito, "audio record 'yan, pakinggan mo," she added.
I played the audio and I listen to it eagerly.
"Sa'n ba 'to patungo, Clarkson?" wait-was it Lucas?!
"Until that Abellera gets madly jealous and hurt, and he'll leave Hillary alone!" Clarkson replied, somehow getting angry.
"Ayoko na."
"What?"
"Hillary's damn kind, Clarkson! Ayoko siyang lokohin! Yes, I hate that Sky, I want to play with him dahil tinalo niya ako, I want to hurt him, pero I've grown mature, Man... Naisip ko lahat ng paglalarong ginawa ko kay Abellera noon are all sh*ts.... Tapos, itong plano mo, walang naidudulot na maganda sa'kin. We don't even know if Sky likes her, wala tayong alam kung naapektuhan ba siya sa ginagawa ko... And, why don't you talk with Hillary nicely? Hindi 'yong gan'to, Man! Parang wala tayong pinag-aralan."
"STOP THE SH*T, LUCAS! I WANT HILLARY TO BE MINE AGAIN. SHE'S MINE AT THE FIRST PLACE AND SHE'LL ALWAYS BE MINE."
"G*GO KA PALA, EH! KUNG MAHAL MO SIYA BA'T MO SINAKTAN? NGAYONG INAAYAWAN KA NA SAKA MO HINABOL-HABOL! WAKE UP, MAN! HINDI NA 'TO IKAW!"
"SHUT YOUR FREAKING MOUTH, LUCAS! I DIDN'T KNOW YOU'RE THIS COWARD!"
"SIRAULO! IKAW 'YONG DUWAG! WHY DON'T YOU TALK WITH HILLARY AND SETTLED THINGS UP? BAKA SAKALING MAPATAWAD KA PA NIYA!"
"MAPAPATAWAD NIYA AKO! I'M HIS BEST FRIEND!"
"Ewan ko na lang, Clarkson... Bahala ka na sa buhay mo... Tatantanan ko na si Hillary kaya tigilan mo na ako...I don't want to be back to that damn Lucas in the past. That Lucas who doesn't have a heart dahil, man, okay na kami ng pamilya ko, wala na akong ibang rason na nakikita para manakit pa ng iba nang maramdaman din nila ang sakit na nararamdaman ko... Kung ayaw mong maging patapon ang buhay mo, kausapin mo si Hillary at bumalik ka sa pag-aaral mo... Sige, may klase pa ako."
"That's it before Lucas caught me umalis na ako sa pinagtataguan ko," Hillary uttered after listening to their recorded conversation.
And, sh*t, I am mixed emotion! Masaya ako na nagiging mature na si Lucas. And, I was damn awaken after knowing the reason why he's a dumb as*hole before, why he hurts so many people, pero hindi ko maintindihan talaga si Clarkson. Tama nga si Sun, nailagay ni Clarkson ang utak niya sa kaniyang talampakan!
"Sa'n ba 'to nangyari?" I asked.
"Pumunta akong room ni Lucas dahil may sasabihin daw siya. When I came there sabi ng mga kaklase niya he went out with someone. Nagtanong-tanong pa ako sa ibang estudyante kung nakita nila si Lucas at ang sabi sa may Science Garden daw papunta. Nang mapunta ako ro'n I saw him talking with Clarkson. May mini playground do'n for the elementary students, nagtago ako sa gilid ng playground slide enough para marinig ko 'yong usapan nila at nirecord ko."
I gasped after hearing her story. Mukhang nakikisama sami'n ang panahon. "So, what are we gonna do now?" tanong ko.
"Sasamahan natin ang isa't isa para kausapin si Lucas at si Clarkson. I just realized tayong apat ang involved sa issue kaya tayong apat ang lulutas, Sky."
"Okay. So, saan? Kailan?"
"Mamayang gabi. Nakapagreserve na ako ng VIP room sa Lavish Restaurant, doon tayo maglalabasan ng sama ng loob."
She really is prepared. Nakakabit na yata sa pangalang Hillary Aeiou Madrigal ang salitang 'always ready'.
Pero, grabe! I just turned 18 at gan'to na 'yong mga nangyayari. I need to settle things, alone. No Sun, Mom, and Dad.
My life has become indeed interesting and...dangerous.