Loosen Us (Loose Trilogy #3)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Ano nga ba?

"Friends?"

Kuya Rafa asked in confusion.

"He rejected your token of appreciation to be your friend? What a great savior." Inilingan ko siya sa pagiging sarkastiko niya.

After three months of not seeing him, now he's seating in front of me sipping his favorite drink. He's Kuya Rafa, my cousin on my mother side, anak siya ni Tita Mercy na palaging takbuhan ko sa tuwing ayaw kong umuwi sa bahay.

Kuya Rafa is currently a first year college taking Accountancy on De Lasalle University, minsan lang siya makauwi rito dahil he has his own condo around Manila. Probably, para less hassle when it comes to dealing with the traffic.

I'm close with him eversince we're a kid. Bukod kasi na magkalapit lang ang edad namin, our personality also fits each other.

"Maiba nga tayo. Tagal ko nang walang balita sa 'yo, you're also inactive on your social media." Puna niya, which is true about me. Mula kasi noong tumungtong ako sa grade 12, I'm became busy on my schoolworks that I need to deal with.

"Kumusta ka na ba...? I mean, how's your campus life and your life specifically in the hands of Tita Kishna?"

Napahinto ako sa katanungan niya. A facade smile appeared on my face. Well, how am I? I know the answer. But I don't wanna give it right away. There's still no peace inside me, and I know that. I just don't know how to escape from the past.

"I'm happy." A ghost smile plastered on me. He nodded at me even though, he was not satisfied with my answer.

"How about the pageant? How do you feel?" Tumingin ako sa basong may lamang kape, na hawak-hawak ko.

Lumagok ako rito, at muli siyang hinarap. "Nakakaatin naman ako sa training, 'cause they aimed the win. And honestly, it makes me feel motivated to reach the title." I breathe out. "After all, I'm fine with it. I know she will be proud of me."

"Sigurado ka ba sa ginagawa mo, Kiara?" My smile fade on his question. "You're putting your heart at risk. Hindi ka pa ba nahuhulog sa kaniya?" I gulped, I avoided his gaze to the sudden guilt that I've felt.

"I..." I breathe out. "I'm not." Alam ko naman na hindi sasabihin ni Aiah kay Kuya na umamin ako sa kaniya.

"Liar." Gulat akong tumingin sa kaniya. "Sa akin ka pa talaga nagsinungaling, I know you kahit nasa sinapupunan ka pa ni Tita Kishna." Umiling siya sa kawalan. "I'm taking Accountancy, but I'm gonna be a lawyer. Kung nasa korte tayo, guilty ka na agad, eh."

Suminghap ako ng hangin. After my night with Kuya Rafa I got straight to the house. My parents still strict about that. Sadyang pinaalam lang ako ni Kuya Rafa upang magkita kami. Dumiretso ako sa kuwarto to rest my mind.

Isa sa dahilan kaya kami nagkita ni Kuya Rafa, ay dahil sa nalalapit na pageant competition na kabilang ako. He seemed to be my number one supporter whenever I joined pageantries. Mula nang malaman niyang interesado ako rito, he always motivates me that I can win it. But on the same time, he always put in my mind that I also need to enjoy and cherish each competition I participate on.

Wala raw kasing talo, kung magiging masaya ako sa ginagawa ko.

After I took a bath, I sat on my bed while blowing dry my hair. I took a deep breath when the pageant came to my mind. I don't feel nervous yet, but the pressure is on my shoulders. Siguro kapag nasa mismong araw na ng kompetisyon, saka ko lang mararamdaman ang kaba. And that's what I hate as always.

I do love exploring pageants, hence my stage fright always eating me up. Confidence, that what Kuya Rafa and Aiah tell me whenever I step on the stage.

I faced the side when I saw the wooden box that I've always kept and take care of. Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo at kinuha ko ito sa ilalim ng side table ko. Pagkatapos, bumalik ako sa kama ko upang dito ito buksan.