CHAPTER 3.3: His Secret Love (Part 3)

JUST GIVE ME YOUR REASON

"Argh! No! This is not cool!"

Akala ko ay akin na talaga ang kotse ko. I will decide anything about it and I will be the only one who will drive it. Turns out, I am not in full control. Sinabi mommy-bear na si Chad ang magdadrive ngayon kaya't hindi ako ang nagmamani-obra sa sa kotse ko. So unfair.

"I will be your personal driver for today Cass."

I crossed my arms and snorted annoyingly and grumpily turn my head to the shotgun window. He just chuckled at me without looking in my eyes and focus himself while staring at the front window.

Just because they think that Chad and I are about to get attached, mommybear already allowed him to toy with my property!

"But I wanna drive! I want to drive my baby!" I burst out and yell at him but just laughed while holding the steering wheel.

"Don't worry, I'll be lending it to you after school okay?" Even smiling really wide, he assured me that he will be returning my car. Looks like he thinks this is an easement which made him so happy. 

Wala naman akong nagawa kundi ang sumandal na lamang sa upuan habang nakapilipit ang mga brasong tumingin sa bintana ng shotgun seat.

I was being grumpy and acting like a child doing tantrums when I heard the ring of my phone kaya't kinuha ko ito mula sa loob ng hand bag ko at tiningnan kung sino ang nag-text.

Good morning. I'm already here at school. Are you still on the way? You should not have let him use your car. He sucks at driving.

-Unknown Number

I slowly turn my gaze back to Chad with my eyes widened and my jaw hanging. He might be too focused on the way so he did not bother facing me. I thought this number was his?

May I know who's this?

I replied out of great curiousity while I feel goosebumps starting to spread all over my body and all of my skin hairs are standing. Whoever this is, I just hope its not a psychopathic stalker.

"Who was that Cass?" I glanced at Chad who's still looking straight on the road while holding the steering wheel.

"N-nothing."

I think I will be telling him about this when I already know who is behind this unknown number. I have a hunch that he will be hysterical and he immediately make a move to find this person if I tell him about it. I do not want another trouble.

I was walking at the corridor while typing my textes to the unknown person who sent me a message awhile ago. Hindi kasi ito nagreply kanina kaya't tinadtad ko ito ng tanong.

Who the heck are you really?

Trixy, are you playing with me?

Are you a classmate of mine?

A stalker?

Basher?

Will you please reply on my texts?

Do you need load? Should I pass some to you?

Sa sobrang inis ay parang gusto ko nang itapon ang cellphone ko. Mapupuno ko na ng tanong ang cellphone niya pero wala man lang kahit anong response. Kapag na-trace ko itong bwisit na to, lagot sya sa akin!

I am typing the hell out of my phone and busy myself without minding the way but unfortunately, agad akong bumangga sa isang matigas na bulto.

"Fudge!"

"What the hell?"

Sa sobrang pagkatutok sa cellphone ay hindi ko na nahalatang may mababangga akong tao.

Napatingala ako sa lalaki at nakita si Zeke na nanlilisik ang mga matang nakatingin sa akin pero agad naman itong bumalik sa normal n'yang titig nang magtama ang mga mata namin.

"I'm sorry." I uttered in a whispering way before picking up my phone and walk straight.

Pinilit ko ang sariling hindi sya lingunin dahil kating-kati na talaga akong tumitig sa mga mata nyang may magagandang kislap.

I just diverted my attention at the path although I have seen this a million times before entering my noisy classroom.

"Beshie! You came!---wait? What's with the face? Are you having period or something?"

I don't know what to say to Trixy anymore. My thoughts are filled with Zeke and this scary unknown man who texted me. Bagsak ang balikat kong naupo sa upuan at napasandal na lamang bago bumuntong hininga.

"I just hope this is indeed period."

At least kapag kung mood swings ko lang ito, I can just do what I want to make myself entertained. But in my case now, I do not think anything or anyone can entertain me other than Zeke.

"Psst! Cass naman eh! Sabihin mo na kasi yung problema mo!" Pangungulit sa akin ni Trixy habang ako'y seryosong nagbabasa ng libro for my research. She even followed me here in the school park dahil hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin sinasabi kung ano talaga ang problema ko.

"It's none of your business Trixy."

Actually, I am not really rude to Trixy. I just hate it when someone is interrupting me when I am too focused on something. And besides, I am not in the mood to tell her everything.

My eyes are in the middle of following the line of words printed in the page when I felt my hir being pulled kaya't agad akong napahiyaw.

"Aw!"

"That's for being rude!"

Napasapo ako sa masakit kong anit bago tiningnan ang matalik kong kaibigan suot ang nanlilisik kong mga mata. Walang sere-seremonyang inihampas ko sa mukha niya ang hawak kong libro bilang ganti sa pananakit niya sa akin.

"That's for disturbing me!" I yelled at her habang sapo nito ang mukha niya habang matalim ang titig sa akin.

I am not even doing anything but she just pulled my hair like that! I am not a type of person who will tolerate others to hurt me. Even my bestfriend is no exception!

Yet you let Zeke hurt you every time.

Gusto ko na sanang bumuntong-hininga dahil sumingit na naman si Zeke sa isipan ko ngunit wala pang isang minuto ay bigla na lamang hinila ulit ni Trixy ang buhok ko at mas agresibo na ito kumpara sa ginawa niya kanina.

"You ugly cow! No one dares to slap me! I don't care if you're a Castillo but just don't slap my face!"

"Let me go Trixy! You'll regret---kyah!"

Even I am feeling the great pain in my scalp, I still grabbed her left ear then I reach for her hair too and with all my strenght, I pulled it harder than what she's doing which made her scream.

"Ahhh!"

"I'mma pull all your hair out and give it to a witch! Shame on you you ugly monster!"

We both keep on pulling each other's hair until we both fall onto  the ground. Nauna siyang bumagsak sa lupa kaya't nakapatong ako sa kanya ngayon which made me smile triumphantly. I pinched her nose tightly while pulling her hair

"You're the worst bestfriend ever!" She screamed while I am busy pulling her hair hard. She is trying to push me away while holding both of my pulse to remove my hands from the strands of her messy hair but I am just too strong for her to get rid of.

"And you're the ugliest bestfriend ever!"

We both keep on hurting each other but I got interrupted when someone carried me away from her.

"Cassidy! Whats going on?"

After helping me stand, Chad walk back to Trixy to help her stand too and even try to fix my best friend's messy hair.

"Why are you two killing each other?" Chad's tone is very worried glancing at both of us who are still recovering from what we did.

Nagkatitigan kami bigla ni Trixy for a minute then we started laughing. We both laugh hard while holding our stomach.

"Hahaha! You look sick Chad! Hahaha!"

"We're just having fun! Hahaha!"

Chad just give us his weird look then he started scratching his nape while Trixy and I are still laughing out loud.

"You both need medical attention. Geez." He said then shake his head slowly out of disbelief.

Nagpunta muna ako sa restroom para ayusin ang sarili ko matapos ang matinding sabunutan namin ni Cass.

We always do that for fun but in my case, I was really pissed because she is not spilling the tea for me. I thought we were friends? Friends tell each other their problems you know! What friends are for?

Pagkalabas na pagkalabas ko ng restroom ay agad kong nakita si Zeke na nakangiti habang tinitingnan ang cellphone niya. Titig na titig ito at tuwang-tuwa sa hindi malamang dahilan.

Kaya siguro ayaw niya sa bestfriend ko dahil may iba syang gusto. Well, fair enough now kasi magkasama na rin sila ni Chad.

"Trixy right?"

Bigla akong nataranta nang magsalita si Zeke kahit pa nakatingin siya sa cellphone nya.

Napalingon pa ako sa paligid kung may ibang tao pero wala. Baka may kausap ito sa cellphone kaya't binalewala ko na lang at naglakad paalis pero bago pa ako makalayo kay Zeke, I heard him speak again.

"Tell Cassidy that I'll still be waiting for her at the court later."

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa kwento ni Trixy. He still wants to wait? But I told him that I am not interested!

"So, what's the plan?"

I do not get him. Bakit niya ba ito ginagawa? What is with him lately? Bakit parang gusto niya ako lalong mahirapan sa paglayo sa kanya? I thought he hates me! He always say he do not want to be with me at any circumstances!

"I don't actually know." I answered in a rising tone like I came out asking. I am completely bothered now.

Should I go later? Or should I just ignore him? I mean, I have been ignored a lot by him so, is it bad to take my revenge?

"Kung ako sayo Cass, 'wag ka nang sumipot. Mas malala pa diyan ang ginawa niya sayo 'di ba? Naalala mo no'ng hindi ka niya sinipot no'ng prom?"

Bigla kong naalala kung paano ako noon umuwi na basang-basa sa ulan. Siya ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ako dumalo sa Prom Night.

*flashback*

"Anong oras kaya darating si Zeke angel?"

Naghihintay ako sa ilalim ng isang puno sa labas ng Mendel High. Nag-text ako kay Zeke na wala akong partner sa prom dahil sumama si Chad kay titopapa sa probinsya.

Alam kong hindi naman siya nagrereply pero malakas ang tiwala ko na binabasa niya naman ang text ko.

Pero mukhang nagkamali ako noong araw na iyon.

Natapos ang ilang minuto hanggang umabot ng oras. Pinilit kong maging okay kahit sobrang tagal na talaga. Panay ang hintay ko hanggang sa bigla na lang umulan.

Kahit na ang bigat na sa pakiramdam ay hindi ako pumasok ng Mendel. Naupo ako sa ilalim ng puno habang hindi mapigilan ang umiyak. Siguro naiinis na siya sa kakulitan ko.

*end of flashback*

"Yeah. I still remember it."

Hindi ko naman 'yon ininda noon pero parang bumabalik ang lahat nang hinanakit ko ngayon.

"Then 'wag kang marupok Cass! Hirap na hirap ka sa kakahabol tapos padadaliin mo lang para sa kaniya? Hello? Ano siya? Siniswerte?"

Her words enlightened me and it made me realize that it is time for me to make myself strong and move on.

Walang maidudulot na maganda ang pagiging marupok lalo pa sa taong walang ibang ginawa kundi ang ipagtabuyan ka.

"Okay. I'll do my best."

"Maybe tomorrow okay? As long as you don't have anything to do, I'll be willing to hang out with you."

Chad asked me out but he have his training today. Bilang rason naman ay sinabi nyang Its not that I always ditch trainings pero pinagalitan ko siya.

He's a new member so he should not act like that.With my sweet words, he was softened and then he gave me his genuine smile.

"I'll try to clean my schedule tomorrow." He winked at me then he before he walk away.

I do not know why but it made me happy too. Chad is being sweet to me these days and I find it very nice. Hindi naman pala siya ganoon kasama. Masyado lang talaga akong baliw kay Zeke.

"Clean it! Don't ditch!" I shouted while his broad back is facing as he walk forward.

After seeing him far enough from me, I walk on the other way to go home since the school is done. I went to the car park to look for my baby and when I saw my magnificent car, I started walking excitedly as I reach to the driver's seat door.

"Cass."

"What the hell?"

Halos malaglag ang puso ko sa gulat nang biglang may tumawag na isang pamilyar na baritonong boses mula sa likod ko kaya't agad akong napalingon habang sapo ang aking dibdib.

"Why are you always yelling when I call you?" Zeke is looking at me dubiously while standing straight and handsomely wearing his uniform.

Gusto ko na sanang maglaway sa sobrang kaguwapuhan niya pero naalala kong dapat ay galit ako.

'Wag kang marupok Cass! You're mad! You should be mad! Anghel lang yang kausap mo!

"You always scare the hell out of me!" I said then I averted my gaze on the other way para hindi n'ya makitang kinakagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko sa sobrang kaba.

"Did Trixy told you about it?" He asked monotonously before sliding his hands into his pocket.

Napaisip naman ako bigla sa tanong n'ya kaya't agad akong napaisip. Rumehistro naman sa utak ko ang kuwento ni Trixy kaya't agad kong naalala ang pinag-usapan namin kanina.

"Yes she did and I'm still not going!" I even rolled my eyes at him before opening the door of the driver's seat and hop myself inside the car to ignore him.

Nang maisara ko ang pintuan ay napatingin ako kay Zeke na naglalakad papunta sa kabilang direksyon kaya't akala ko ay aalis na ito. I was surprised when he open the door of the shotgun seat and then he sit beside me comfortably before closing the door.

"What are you doing Zeke?"I asked him angrily with my voice raised even though I am trembling because he is just beside me. This is the first time he sit beside me and it makes my heart pound wildly.

"Uhm? Sitting I guess."

Tiningnan ko siya nang matalim dahil sa pamimilosopo nito sa akin pero ginantihan niya lang ako nang seryoso niyang titig.

"Just take me to Devin----I mean my mother's house."

Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya and the way he rephrased his command. It looks like he has no idea that I know he is a bastard.

At kung makautos talaga ang lalaking ito! As if naman may gusto pa rin ako sa kanya!---Well, meron pa pero konti na lang naman!

"G-get out of the car Zeke." I gave my own command to show that he is not in control of me now. Not anymore. I should keep on ignoring him to show that I am not into him anymore. Even if I am still and I will always be into him.

Instead of getting out of the car, he just showed me his tiger eyes as if he's testing me.

"What if I don't want to?" He said seriously as he lean in the chair and crossing his arms, showing his bar-headed side.

"Just get off!"

"Why?"

Hindi ko alam kung bakit siya nagkakaganito ngayon. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung anong dapat kong maramdaman ngayon. I want to be happy but I can't.

I promised my mom to not get close to Zeke but here I am now beside him inside my own car. Well technically hindi ko naman siguro kasalanan 'yon di ba? Siya ang pumasok. Hindi ko siya pinapasok.

"Pwede bang wag nang matigas ang ulo mo? Just get out of the car right now!"

I know I have feelings for him pero naiinis rin ako. Ayoko sa hindi marunong sumunod sa sinasabi ko. I am a Castillo and I am used to people obeying me with just asking one time.

I thought he was gonna listen to me now or he will be taken back with what I showed but the next thing happened, he already hit the dashboard of my car.

"Why the hell are you acting like this to me Cassidy? What have I done to you?"

Bigla akong natahimik nang tumaas na masyado ang tono ng boses niya. Halata na inis na inis na siya pero hindi ako nagpatinag. Bigla na ring umapaw ang inis ko sa ipinakita niyang asal. He does not know what he did to me? After everything he have done, he is still asking what he did?