DARK and WILD || {k.taehyung} ✔

- 22 -

#DAWThePlan

"Here's what I found."

Mickey sat between me and Laverne. May dala siyang folder at binuksan niya ito sa harap namin. There were pictures and files.

"I found out that Lia's Dad worked for our family's company Ven. Five years ago he was fires due to embezzlement, kaya nag-hirap yung pamilya nila. Lia applied for scholarship dito sa Avellaneda High and she was accepted with a condition to maintain her rank. But sadly, she didn't. So nawala yung scholarship sa kanya."

"That's why she's blaming you. Pero hindi naman kasalanan ni Venice eh." Laverne said.

"I know." Mickey said.

"She could've worked harder! Hindi yun rason para gumawa ng ganun kasamang plano! She's trying to harm her. Tignan mo nangyari sa inyo dahil sa kanya." Laverne exclaimed.

"So what's the plan?" I asked.

"We just have to record her voice, admitting that she sent those stalkers and they threatened me to take some money." He simply explained.

Laverne and I both nodded in reply. I know exactly what to do.

Biglang dumating si Gelo. He looked so down.

"Okay ka lang?" Tanong ni Laverne.

"May sasabihin ako." He said.

We all focused on him.

"I'm leaving." He said, then sighed. "Papa decided na sumunod ako sa US para may magbantay kay Ellie. Doon na din ako mag-aaral."

I felt my heart ache.

"Kailan ka aalis?" Tanong ni Mickey.

"The day after tomorrow." Sabi niya sabay ngiti.

"What? Ang bilis naman! You didn't even informed us!" Laverne exclaimed.

"Biglaan kasi eh. Wala naman akong magagawa dahil nagdesisyon na sila. They're our parents, what can I do?"

I stayed quiet. Hindi ako makapagsalita dahil tha last time we talked eh yung sinabihan ko pa siya na huwag akong protektahan. Imbes na magpasalamat ako sa tulong niya, I was rude.

"It looks like wala na kaming magagawa. So, I thought we should go out for a despidida party!" Laverne cheered then looked at me and Mickey.

I just smiled.

"Tara na agad. Tonight!" Mickey said.

"Eh pano si Lucas?" Tanong ni Laverne.

"Nakausap niyo na ba siya? He's not answering my calls too." Saad ni Gelo.

Lucas has been out for more than a week already. Wala akong alam na paraan para makausap siya. He left me with so many questions dahil sa ginawa niya at mga sinabi niya. Dahil doon hindi na maalis sa isip ko ang mag-alala.

"Daanan na lang natin mamaya sa bahay nila." Laverna said, "Akong bahala. I'm sure Tita will let us invade his room." Then she smirked.

"So, tuloy na tayo? We're going to skip class tomorrow ah? Dun tayo sa rest house namin sa Palawan!" Mickey said with excitement.

"May rest house tayo dun?" I said.

"Oo. Bago lang yun, two years ago natapos siya and walang gumagamit." He said.

"Eh pano tayo pupuntang palawan?" I asked.

"I'll book our family plane. Dad's gonna allow me naman eh. Always." Laverne offered.

"Game!"

I saw Gelo smile kaya napangiti din ako. Maybe it's for the best. He'll be happy with Ellie, and I'll be able to deal with my own feelings.

***

After class, I set up my phone on recording mode tapos nilagay ko sa bulsa ko. I wanted to do this as soon as I can. What she did was wrong and I can't just sit back and watch her plan things.

"Lia, can we talk?" I asked.

She is with her friends kaya balik sa pagiging mahinhin yung act niya. If I could just laugh right now, kaya lang baka masira yung plano ko.

"Sige, kita na lang tayo sa library. Bye!" Paalam niya sa mga kasama niya.

I walked to where we talked the last time. Sa locker room. I faced her with a serious face, ayokong iprovoke siya.

"Lia, I know how you feel. Pero I am here to offer you a scholarship. I'll ask my Lolo to help you on your studies. Hindi mo kailangang gawin yung mga pinaplano mo." I said, trying to sound kind.

"Hindi mo talaga ako titigilan no? I said I don't want any help from your family! Pamilya mo ang sumira sa buhay namin. Dahil sa inyo nawalan ng trabaho ang Papa ko, naghirap kami. I worked hard to get that scholarship at aagawin mo? You have to get lost Venice. I'll make you get lost." She said, emphasizing every word.

"That's why I am here to help you. What your father did was to tarnish pur family's company name! Pero labas na tayo doon. I want to help you so bad. Tell me what do you want?" I asked.

Then she started crying.

"Nagsimula na ako Venice eh. I already got money from your cousin. He's such a noob. Talagang handa siyang protektahan ka." Then she started laughing.

This is it. She's ready to spill the beans.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"After I sent those guys, your cousin settled with them for 2 Million pesos Venice. He threatened them na huwag nang lumapit sayo." Then she chuckled, "And I guess, nagsumbong ka na kahapon, that I planned everything. From your stalker down to what happened with your cousin and two guy friends."

She said it!

"Napakasama mo." I said through gritted teeth.

"He went to me this morning and talked to me Venice. But guess what? I declined his offer, the same offer you are giving to me right now. I told you, I've began Venice, and I always finish what I started." She smirked then walked out.

I was clenching my fists hard, trying to stop myself from hurting her again. Instead, I hurt myself. Bumaon yung kuko ko sa palad ko dahil sa higpit ng pagkaka-clench nito. But I didn't mind, dahil narecord ko yung gusto kong makuha.

I turned of the record mode and I sent the file to Mickey and Laverne's email.

Dumiretso agad ako sa quarters dahil sabi nila ay doon daw sila maghihintay sakin.

Pero pagbukas ko pa lang ng pinto, laking gulat ko nung makita ko si Lucas na nakatayo sa harapan ko. I didn't know how to react. Dahil kahit hindi siya maalis sa isip ko nung mga nakaraang araw, hindi ko napag-planuhan kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman at gawin kapag nakita ko siya ulit.

Napa-atras ako ng kaunti dahil yung mata niya ay nakatingin lang sa lupa.

When I took a step back, he slowly looked up. His eyes met mine. But it looked so sad. And just then, a tear fell from his eye.

"Venice, I'm sorry." He whispered.

"Wha--" Hindi ko na natuloy yung sasabihin ko dahil... Bigla niya akong niyakap.

"I'm sorry.."

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