Written in the Stars

CHAPTER 2.4 - Trauma

•retter•
savior
a person who saves, rescues, or delivers

'Arthur and I became closer. He was
always there to protect me when I need it. The spread of gossips became less because of him. Maraming tumitingala sakanya dahil basketball varsity captain pala siya. No one would want to mess with him which is why I think people will respect me, too. But I was wrong, it continued to spread. The stories now became different and unbelievable.'

"So Kisses, are you finished with your project?" Ritz asked. We were having a lunch break and Arthur decided to go with us. He's been hanging with us a lot. He's a great friend! If only I became friends with him sooner.

"Yeah, onting revise na lang and I'm done." I replied.

"Kain muna tayo, girls?" Arthur said as he approached us with our lunches. He insisted that he'll get our lunches for us. Such a gentleman.

"Tara!" I squealed excitingly.

"Huy Kisses, wag ka magpahalata na nagugutom ka." Ritz teased. They both laughed. I pouted and crossed my arms as if I was upset.

Arthur pinched my cheeks and messed my hair, "Okay lang yun. Tara kain na?", he smiled.

"Tignan mo oh, may bago na siyang nilalandi. Grabe ang landi niya talaga." I heard people from not so far, gossiping.

I looked down because of embarrassment. Arthur stood up and approached those girls.

"Hey, stop gossiping about Kisses. You don't know anything about her so I'll suggest that you mind your own business." Arthur said in a classy way. He's so savage.

"Hay nako, Kisses. Ang swerte mo kay Arthur!" Ritz teased. That statement had me thinking.

Why is Arthur acting this way to me?

I was on my way home when someone dragged me into the parking lot. Natakot ako kasi akala ko ki-kidnappin na ako. When he released me I started hitting him with all the strength I've got. I've only realized that it was Arthur when he asked me to stop. I didn't see kasi my eyes were closed.

"Ouch, Kisses" the familiar voice said.

I opened my eyes and it was Arthur! "Hala, Sorry!" I apologized, "May masakit ba?"

"Wala naman," he laughed softly.

"Bakit mo kasi ako hinila papunta dito? Akala ko tuloy kidnapper ka!" I reasoned out

"Ay sorry haha. May gusto kasi ako sabihin sayo in private at ito ang naisip ko na lugar na pwede kita makausap kasi wala masyadong tao dito." he explained

"Tungkol saan ba to? Mahalaga ba?" I asked

"Oo mahalaga to. Makinig ka na lang muna ha." he said.

I just nodded.

"Dati ko pa 'to gustong sabihin pero ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob. Di ko alam kung bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko sa'yo, ugh. Why do you have to be so perfect kasi? You're so beautiful, smart, talented, at bukod sa lahat napakabait mo. I know somehow you won't believe me but I want to tell you that. That... I love you. And sasabog na 'tong puso ko kung hindi ko pa sasabihin sa'yo. Please give me a chance to show you how I really feel. I'll make you feel important and safe. Kisses, be my girlfriend." Arthur said

My mouth was opened in shock the whole time. This is the first time someone has said something like this to me. And, what? Did he ask me to be his girlfriend! I know he's a great guy pero hindi pa ganun ang nararamdaman ko para sa kanya. I didn't know what to do. Should I tell him na I don't like him? I'll break his heart and I don't want that.

"Look, Arthur. All of this, is going too fast. Maybe what you're feeling right now is not totally concrete. I don't want to hurt you but I'm not ready yet to be in a relationship. Sorry" I was so nervous while saying this.

There was a moment of silence and the atmosphere became awkward.

"I understand, Kisses. But at least let me court you?" he asked.

Well that seems fair to me. But will mom allow me? I'll have to ask her. I should give him the chance to court me since he really seems willing to do it.

"Hindi ko sure kung papayagan ako ni Mom. But for me, I'll definitely allow you" I replied

His sadness turned to a wide smile. "Thank you, Kisses! I'm so happy!"

'Arthur protected me the best he could. I though it will all be gone, the gossips, but I was wrong. It just got worse. The false stories that were spreading became more horrible.'

I was studying in the library and heard some students talking about me.

"Narinig ko si Kisses, marami ng na-kamang lalaki"

"Oh talaga?!"

"Oo at ngayong daw si Arthur naman ang target niya."

"Kadiri naman. Kala mo mabait eh noh?"

'I wanted it all to stop. I got so depressed that time. As much as possible, umiwas ako sa lahat ng tao. Sa totoo lang, sila ang umiiwas sa akin. Kahit bestfriend ko iniiwasan ako, siguro dahil sa takot na mabikitima din siya ng ganun. I kinda understand her. I don't know what to do. I really isolated myself. Umabot sa point na umaabsent ako para lang makaiwas muna sa problema.

And then, one day, it happened.'

I was walking on the way to my classroom while carrying books. I had to at least try to ignore all the problems and focus on studying. I don't like it when I have low grades. Lahat na maapektuhan wag lang ang high grades ko. I don't want to fail my parents. As I was saying, I was walking when these group of girls blocked my way.

"Excuse me." I asked politely.

One girl, whom I noticed as Ysa, pushed me. Because of that my books fell on the floor and so did I.

"What is wrong with you?!" I stood up and tried to stop my tears from bursting.

I was so shocked when a slap hit my face, "Ikaw ang may problema! Kadiri ka, hindi ka na nahiya!" she shouted. A lot of people were watching us. I wanted to just evaporate because of the tension. I don't know how to handle this anymore.

Another girl forcibly took my bag and another one pushed me.

"Ano bang problema niyo? Bakit niyo to ginagawa sa akin?!" I cried. They started to get my things, and messed it up on the corridor floor. I tried to gather it while wiping my tears that are dropping endlessly. As soon as I stood up, my face was struck by another slap.

"Tumigil ka na sa kahibangan mo kung ayaw mo masaktan! Hindi kayo bagay ni Arthur!" Ysa said. I ran away as fast as I could. Tears are now trailing the path I took.

'I transferred in the middle of the school year because I want to leave my old miserable life back in my old school. I want to start anew in a place where no one knows me. I wore glasses and braces not only because I needed them but also in hope that I will become a new person that no one will know me as someone who is a slut'

[END OF FLASHBACK]

I cried as I remembered all the pain my past experienced has caused me. They started to comfort me.

"Kisses, tahan na." Ate By pat my back in comfort.

"Ngayon naiintindihan ko na kung bakit grabe nalang ang epekto sayo ng pang-aaway ni Allison" Crystal said.

"Wag kang mag-alala, Kisses. We won't let that happen to you again. We promise." Marcus hugged me. They all hugged me. My tears started to stop falling.

"Kisses, narinig mo. Hindi hahayaan ni Marcus na masaktan ka. Iba ka tol!" Ate By joked.

"Ate By talaga eh!" I laughed in between sobs.

"Hala parang nabuang ka na! Naiyak ka ba o natawa?" bumanat nanaman si Ate By. We all laughed.

I'm so lucky to have them as my friends. I trust them so much and I know that they don't like seeing my sad. I promised to myself that I will be stronger and I'll start to do it. I won't be affected by Allison's bitchiness and I won't let her belittle me. Thank God for my wonderful friends.