Dark Phoenix #2: Echoes Of Lies

CHAPTER 13

Chapter 13

Tulala at nakapangalumbaba ako sa dingding at patuloy sa paglipad ang isip ko sa mga naging usapan kahapon. Sumasakit ang ulo ko kapag naaalala ang mga iyon.

Laurence, my best friend is marrying someone. No, not just someone it's none other than Chaos Andrade. What's happening in the world now? Should I laugh or cry? The whole time they were talking, I was like...nothing. I will never know about this if kuya did not opened his mouth, not literally. More like...texted me. He texted me on our way to Andrade Mansion.

Kuya:
Your friend is getting married.

Those five words shook my entire world. I am her best friend and she didn't care to tell me that issue. Its not just a simple issue, we are talking about marriage! Its a sacred thing that should be talk carefully.

"You look constipated."

"Shut up!"

He chuckled.

The whole ride, Jin explained everything to me. Oh, Laurence and Chaos is not marrying because of love. It's all about business. I won't question Laurence about her decisions. I'm a friend and I will always support her 'cause she know what she's doing.

Alam ko kung para saan ang ginagawa niyang ito. Hindi naman ako sobrang inosente sa mundong ginagalawan ko. I know who and what they are. I am smart and I'm using my intelligence to understand everything. I'm not narrow minded girl. Magagalit at magtatampo dahil sa simpleng kasinungalingan kung alam ko naman na may malalim na dahil pero once na masaktan ako ng sobra, titigil ako at hahayaan na lang.

Prinsesa ako at nakukuha ang gusto. I study hard to please my parents. Sa bawat sulok ng pagkatao ko ay hindi ko nakakalimutan ang pinanggagalingan ng kinabubuhay ko. Wala akong nalilimutan. Alam ko lahat.

"Are you going somewhere?"

I appreciate my brother's effort. Para magkalapit kaming muli, it was just so awkward for me. Ilang taon kaming hindi nagpansinan.

I nod my head.

"Yup,"

"Be careful."

I smiled to him before I went out. Mag-isa akong mamamasyal ngayon dahil hindi ko macontact si Ren. I think she's busy. Okay lang naman sa 'kin. So today is my Me time!

Nagpahatid ako sa mall sa driver namin. Siguro hanggang tanghali lang ako dito. Nakakatamad naman kasing magliwaliw kapag mag-isa.

"Sunduin niyo na lang po ako mamaya. Iti-text ko na lang po kayo."

"Sige po, ma'am Cassandra."

The car left the same time I entered the mall. Like the usual day, people are flocking everywhere inside the mall. Some are talking and just laughing because of jokes they're telling to each other. This scenarios isn't new to me after all, while everyone are happy I was just standing and watching them as I take a sip on my milktea. I would roam my eyes and admired how happy and free they are. Parang walang problema na tinatakbuhan hindi katulad ko na halos itakwil ko na ang sarili ko para lamang makalimutan ang problema.

Sumakay ako sa escalator papunta sa second floor. Habang umaandar pataas ay patuloy lang ako sa pag-ikot sa ulo ko para tumingin sa kung saan saan. Hindi ko maintindihan kung sinasaulo ko ang bawat sulok ng mall o may hinahanap ako. It felt so weird to expect someone to be here. I might be crazy. Why would he be here? Geez! He's busy! I don't know if it is for business or girls.

"Bakit ko ba iniisip ang taong iyon?" bulong ko sa sarili ko

Mahigpit akong humawak sa tali ng bag ko at ipinilig ng paulit ulit ang ulo para mawala ang kaninang iniisip. Right, I should stop thinking about him. Bakit ko ba siya iniisip? Importante ba siya?