Paper Memories

Chapter 8-I

Chapter 8-I

Dalawang araw at kalahati na hindi umuuwi si Percival.

I could barely sleep since then. Dalawang araw na din akong hindi nakakapasok dahil hinihintay ko siya makauwi. I just can't accept that I feel like he broke his promise and that I was abandoned by Percival in the worst time.

He's supposed to be my comfort after what Ralph have done.

Pero baka mas "normal" ang gantong sitwasyon, baka umuuwi lang siya. Kaya kailangan ko din ayusin ang sarili ko. Pumunta ako sa banyo para tumingin sa salamin, I grab for the scissors and slowly snip my uneven hair again, yet I can barely fix my failure.

So I tied it in a low-ponytail, and left the house.

Papalubog na ng araw ng makasakay ako sa taxi , wala pa akong tulog at kain pero babad ako sa cellphone. Kahit papunta na ako sa bahay ng bestfriend ko text o tawag ni Percival ang hinihintay ko. Ellie was raging when she saw the pic of what happened to my hair, and "that" incident. She wants me come over as soon as possible. Nakwento ko yung nangyari at yung buhok ko pero yung sa boyfriend ko hindi pa.

Hairstylist ang mommy niya, pero syempre hindi siya mana.

"This shade is better for her, I swear!" Turo ni Ellie sa color samples ng hair dye habang nakikipag-away sa kapatid. Only her little brothers have the patience to learn their mother's craft." Buhay na buhay kaya tingnan, yan na lang!"

Her brother Ezra cringed." Di ka naman marunong neto."

Napangiti ako, hindi nga." I'd just take your brother's suggestion."

I turned my head left and right, my raven hair used to reach my waist...

"Pero credits dapat sakin yung hairstyle ako pumili neto ha. Short hair para kay Sheena! She owns it! " Ellie pouted as she look at two of us on their salon's large mirror, pinaglalaruan niya pa ang buhok ko na parang gandang-ganda siya dito." Sayang lang wala si Mama dito para ako na lang maggupit sayo."

Ezra says otherwise." Bigla ka ba matuto niyan pag nandito si Mama?"

"Eto talagang batang hindi supportive! Sa court iyak ka naman." Ellie's brother were like the typical rough boys who's video games and pranks. But not disciplined sports. Pero s ila yung marunong sa hairstyling at hindi Ate nila." Ako na lang mag-b-blow dry ng buhok niya pagkatapos!"

Ellie's liveliness just cheered me up again.

Excited na excited ang best friend ko na matapos ng matuyo ang buhok ko. Gusto na niya makita ang bagong hairstyle ko. While waiting, she didn't run out of words about how her day went, but when the hair dryer is in her hands, she's become so silent just to focus. Her brother is just close enough to keep an eye on her so she won't mess up.

When she finish, I hardly stared myself at the mirror.

I gaze at myself, my eyes is sunken and my complexion is pale. I look guarded, and loathful. Parang ako ang kahuluhagan ng pagiging miserable at talunan. I hate this, I'm ruining the new look my best friend work hard for.

"You look beautiful, Sheena." Agad akong napalingon.

"Ralph, you're here?" Siya. Siya na naman.

"W-well, t-that's because of me. I c-called him. Nakwento ko rin yung nangyari." Ellie fidgeted right after she sent her brother away." Para din magkaget-together na din tayo! Hindi natin masaktuhan isa't-isa sa school."

Ralph slowly approach me, almost bashful." Red suits you..."

Napahawak ako sa maikli ko ng buhok habang bumibilis ang tibok ng puso ko, its just few inches past my chin and have a striking red-highlights. This could never block my eyes again nor make me remain in shadows." Well, thank you...But didn't we end up disturbing you? Baka may klase ka pa..."

"I can make time for you. Always." Ralph responded and kneeled beside my chair. How could he be doing that so casually?!" Nag-aalala rin ako sa nangyari sayo. Nareport mo ba sila sa baranggay mo?"

Ellie came to the rescue." She did! Kaso wala rin!"

"It's because it's not serious... And what would you do anyway? " It's not a big deal. In their eyes, yes. Sakin hindi kaya hindi na rin ako nagreport sa baranggay." Huwag mo na alalanin yun, okay na ko...Hindi ako interesado sa mga basagulero."

"Your wellbeing is an important matter." Matalim na sabi ni Ralph.

I bit my lip." Ayos na, inikikaso ko na."

Bahagya siyang nagulat sa diin ng pagkasagot ko." I was just remindi--------"

"This look too picturesque! Ano ba kayo! Ngiti naman dyan!" Pangbabasag ni Ellie ng tensyon. She took a picture of us, without even bothering hiding her flash! Nawala bigla yung atensyon ko kay Ralph. Napatayo na lang ako para agawin yung camera dahil sa hiya." Picture tayong tatlo! Huwag kayo lang!"

Napatakip na si Ralph ng mukha sa pamumula." A-ako na hahawak."

Ellie stop." Picture ha, wag ka magdedelete."

"Don't be weird about it. Tawa kayo ng tawa."Saway ko sakanila dahil pinagigitnaan nila ako para sa group selfie, I was covering my face because they're not settling down and because my first love is beside me! Kilig na kilig din si Ellie na nagpipigil ng tili." Hindi pa to wacky! Just smile normally!"

"Akala ko mamatay na ako!"Sigaw ni Elle." Nagpapatawa kasi mga to!"

"Loko, hindi." Ralph laugh." Nababaliw ka lang."

My body was shaking as I stifled my laughter and watched them. Sudden excitement filled me, so I grabbed my phone and instantly scrolled through the photos I just received." Tama na kaya jan, maiingayan yung mga kapatid mo Ellie! It's just a picture and small reunion so calm down!"

"Hey, are you sending that to Percival?" Nakangiting baling sakin ni Ralph.

"Huh, what did you say?" Ralph repeated that person's name again. Napatigil ako. Hindi naman yun ang gagawin ko. I was just happy to be called pretty by him again. I end up lying. " Ah, no... just to my parents---I'll send him one If he deserves it."

Ralph smirk." There you again. With your weird jokes."

I played with my hair." Percival's a fucking a joke, you mean."

My two friends fell quiet as if I just gave them the heaviest burden, enough for them to give me eyes with pity. Dapat ba pabiro kong sinabi? Hindi ba tunog biro yun? I have no courage to destroy the safe heaven I made, not with either honesty or lies. This could stay hidden.

I'll do what I must; I won't let tonight end on a sorrowful note.