More Than Anything (Absinthe Series 4)

Kabanata 16

Kabanata 16

More Than Anything

Napangiti na lang ako nang makita iyong instagram story ni Crithos nang ibinigay niya iyong gift kay Catharia. There was party in their house, as always. Nandoon din ang aking kapatid at mga magulang.

Who wouldn't missed such milestone, huh?

When I was sixteen, I remember holding a party at my house, too. Isang pool party na imbitado lahat ng aking mga kaklase at iilang kaibigan nina Papa. My sweet sixteen was also memorable because that was when I had my first boyfriend. Hindi naman iyon nagtagal. I just wanted an experience and I think it's a good one. Bata pa naman ako noon. I like the boys around me and they like me back. Iyon nga lang, I don't settle for long on one guy.

Siguro impluwensya ng kaibigan o choice ko na rin, but either way, it was fun and sweet.

I sighed. Twenty na ako. That was four years ago. Ang tagal na din pala.

"Who's that?" biglang sulpot ni Talia sa aking likuran. My fingers swiped up the screen, immediately going back to my home screen. Nilingon ko si Talia na may nakahandang masamang tingin sa kaniya.

"Don't snoop around like that!"

She giggled. "Eh sino ba 'yon?"

"No one. Nagche-check lang ako ng IG stories."

"Hmm, I saw Sylver's instagram story! May birthday pala doon sa inyo, hindi ka invited?"

"Talia..." I called her name.

"Sorry." She gave me a peace sign. "Akala ko kasi okay na kayo."

"Technically, okay kami ni Sylver," sabi ko. Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo at pumunta sa aking closet.

"Well, I also thought okay na rin kayo ng Mama mo."

I sighed. "We will never be okay." I said hopelessly. I dismissed the topic by entering the bathroom after I picked up my sleeping clothes.

Paglabas ko ng banyo ay wala na sa kwarto si Talia. Sigurado akong nandoon siya sa living room kasama ng mga sisters namin at nanunuod din ng tv.

I wrapped a towel over my head and sat on my bed. Nakita kong umilaw ang aking cellphone kaya agad ko iyong kinuha.

Crithos:

You're in the Sorority house?

I pursed my lips. What does he want from me again? Nag-isip ako kung rereplyan ko ba o hindi. The text don't seem urgent so I think it's not really important to reply.

Ibinaba ko na lang ang aking cellphone at inalis na yung towel sa aking buhok. I rubbed my hair on the towel and looked for my hairbrush. Muling tumunog ang aking cellphone.

Crithos:

I am outside your Sorority house.

Muntik ko ng mabitawan ang cellphone ko sa nabasa. What the heck is he doing here? May ibibigay ba siya? Kung ganoon ay dapat sa school na lang!

Tumayo ako at sumilip sa blinds ng kwarto. Wala akong nakitang sasakyan sa labas ng Sorority house kaya baka nagbibiro lang siya.

Nalukot ang aking mukha at napilitan na lamang na magreply sa kaniya.

Ako:

What do you want?

Ang bilis magreply!

Crithos:

Labas ka.

That damn period is so demanding. Napabuga ako ng hangin bago kumuha ng oversize hoodie. It's still early. Alas otso pa lang naman ng gabi kaya hindi naman magtataka yung iba kung bakit ako lalabas. Well, except Talia. That nosy girl.