Chapter 5

ANVI

After the encounter with Kryzel, I sent a text message to Zilla saying that I'll be waiting near Jeruo's car at the driveway. Despite of the physical pain I'm suffering at the moment, emotions still dominated within me.

The pain because of my wounds and scratches is nothing compared to what I'm feeling right now. I don't mind the little amount of blood coming out from my forearm but I was thinking about the person who did this. Kryzel, why did she become like this? As far as I remember, she's never been like that back then. She was my best friend. How did this all happen? Our peaceful friendship was just destroyed that easy? Is Jof really worthy that she's willing to taint our bond?

Minutes passed when Zilla and Jeruo appeared from the front door. I thought I'll see the douches again but fortunately, they didn't show up. I immediately hid my left forearm at my back and smiled at her. The ride going back to our house was silent. Maybe they already sensed that something is not okay. When we arrived, I didn't wait for Zilla since she's still having some sweet talk with his boyfriend. 

It's already nine in the evening. I never thought that a dinner would last for three hours. Plus, it felt really long because of Jof and Kryzel's irksome presence. I slowly sat at the sofa and closed my eyes. My forearm still sting but it's unbearable than before. 

"Why didn't you switch the lights on?" Zilla's voice echoed inside the dark living room. The lights switched on which made me see things clearly. I never answered hence I stood up and walked towards the staircase but Zilla spoke which made me stop. 

"What happened to your arm?" 

I almost forgot the wound on my arm! I faced her. "It's nothing serious."

Her brows furrowed. She dashed towards me then grabbed my hand. "Who did this?!"

I can't let her know that it was Kryzel! Zilla will really turn into a Godzilla! She shouldn't know the truth or the already complicated situation will be more complicated.

I took back my hand. "No one! I was just scratched by the bushes at their garden."

"You know I won't buy that crap. Tell me who did that!"

"I said no one!"

"Was it Kryzel?!" Her eyes became sharp. "That bitch. I'll make her pay for this someday."

I shool my head. "I never confirmed—"

"Don't defend her!" She sighed. "Go to your room now and change your clothes. I'll mend your wounds afterwards."

I don't have a choice but to obey. I weakly went to my room to do what Zilla had said. The cozy feeling that embraced me when I opened the door of my room made me smile. I will never be tired of staying in here. Every corner of it makes me comfortable and it seems like I don't want to stay in any other room except for this.

After changing my clothes, I made my way back to the living room and saw Zilla preparing the first aid kit. The deafening silence filled the room. I didn't say a word and just sat silently beside her. She took my arm and started to mend it.

"I'm so sorry. I never thought that Jof was his brother. I—"

I cut her off. "It's alright. I'm fine."

She looked me in the eye full of guilt. Maybe she thinks that what happened to me is her fault. I know she feels unhappy because of it but she has nothing to do with the wounds. It was Kryzel's ill deed.

"I know you're not. Emotionally and physically. I made you go with me and now what happened? I've caused you so much trouble. I'm the worst—"

"Zilla. Don't say that. I'm already good now that you offered to patch these wounds," I replied.

I'm not used to the emotional and soft version of her. I most prefer the pitchy-voiced and talkative sister I had. This is not her. 

"So when did you and Jof become a thing?" I changed the topic. I don't want her to overthink about being a bad sister. She's more than enough for me.

Zilla glanced at me. "It was my birthday last year. I said yes. I met him at the company I'm working at."

"So why didn't you introduce him to me? Like hello? This is me, Anvi, your sister, alive and kicking. All along I was being dumb." I rolled my eyes. 

Instead of getting annoyed, she just chuckled. "I still wasn't sure about him. I thought we're just having a game so I played along. I never thought it would make me fall deep into the deep ocean of love."

"Wow! Look at the pitchy-voiced Zilla talking about love." 

We laughed at my reply. This is us, typically talking and joking around each other. Discussing about random topics, confronting each other, and such.

"How can you say that you truly love someone?" I asked. I'm really confused. It seemed like it's too complicated for a person with no knowledge about it.

"I can say...If you truly love someone, you can do anything for that person. And when I say anything, it means literally anything even though it would hurt you really, really bad."

Love...what a mysterious thing you are. I just sighed and stayed still to let her finish it quickly.

The night was so good that the moment I lied on the bed already made me fall asleep. I wish tomorrow will be a good day.

•••

I arrived at school two hours earlier before classes. This is not my usual time of going here but I woke up early so...yeah. I can't afford another humiliation from the people here about me being late in class. 

Few people are already walking at every corner of the road and park while I was passing by. My shoes were already moist because of the morning dew. It was still foggy when I got out but it's enough for me to see clearly.

Upon walking towards the entrance, I saw two students that are going outside the gate. Guess who? Kryzel and Jof...again.

Why does we often meet at random circumstances? Are our strings attached? Come on! Why do they keep on showing up when I'm trying to heal myself? Everytime that I forget the heartache temporarily, there they are, showing up either we bump upon each other or they would approach me purposely. What's wrong with my life?

I stopped from pacing few meters from the gate, waiting for them to walk farther than me so we will not have any encounter anymore. I hid at the near tree when I saw them going to the direction to the downtown. What will they do at the downtown this early? 

I sighed. When I was still Jof's girlfriend, I never tried that. Early stroll together or morning bonding before parting ways for class. Whenever I ask him to accompany me to go somewhere, he would just tell me that he's busy and that I should just go alone. There was a time when I asked him to buy some sanitary pads for me since I can't buy by myself because of my menstrual cramps, he refused and told me to find someone I could command on.

I never complained, of course. I understand that he really needed to do some important things— things that were more important than me. It's okay that he couldn't give me even just a little bit of his attention for me to feel at least a little significant. I understand that I wasn't that important for him. That he will not prioritize me over some things.

Then it dawned me. Maybe Jof didn't really love me at all. Maybe he just allowed me to be his girlfriend because of pity. I am not that pretty nor rich. Not even famous or influential and all I can be proud of was passing an exam without reading any notes. That, I'm sure of.

Suddenly curiosity awoke because of the thought. What are they up to? Curiosity is already taking the control over my mind and I started to alter my way and followed them. Good thing they just decided to walk so I will have no problem on following. They are now heading to a narrow passageway.

I made my steps bigger to catch up with them but I shrieked when someone held my left forearm. Goodness! Can't my arm rest for a while?

"Anvi, where are you—what happened to your arm?" It's Dernate.

My wound throbbed because of his grip earlier. He loosened up his clasp as I threw him a glare and winced a bit because pain is starting to occur. Then, he held my arm gently like it was one of the most fragile thing.

"What are you doing here?" I replied, not answering his question. I took my arm back because of the discomfort his act sent me.

He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I should be the one asking that."

I was about to go to the passageway where I last saw those two people when he grabbed my waist close to him. What is he doing? I need to follow them! They shouldn't be lost from my sight.

"Let me go." Maybe if my glare can kill someone, Dernate already be good as dead. But he is just too eager to hold me tight.

His hand tightened on my waist but not in a hurtful way. "I won't. Not this time. I just can't let myself commit the same mistake again."

I was perplexed. My eyebrows met each other. What's up with him? He's saying nonsense. Was it one of his morning sickness? I tsked and pushed him away. 

"What are you talking about?" I rolled my eyes. "You shouldn't meddle on someone's business. Ciao!" But before I could even take a step, he held my waist again. He's pissing me off!

"Where are you going?" He seemed serious. His eyes were locked into mine as if he was penetrating those, trying to read what's on my mind. His light brown eyes stared at me for how many seconds. The color of his lips reflected through my eyes as I stare at it. I can hear his heavy breaths and feel his pounding heart against mine. My heart beats fast but then, it vanished in just a second when I realized something.

"I already told you! It's none of your business so let me go!"

"I said I won't. Why? Will you stalk those two again? Anvi! Stop hurting yourself. You know that—"

"Shut up!"

"You know that there's no hope for you to be together—"

"No! Stop talking nonsense!" I covered my ears and closed my eyes. I don't want to hear something from him. For sure he will just tell me pointless things.

"Anvi..." 

His deep calm voice made me stop and look at him. As soon as I opened my eyes, the tears started to flow. I didn't even wish for me to cry! What's wrong with these eyes? I shouldn't be crying, Goodness!

"Why are you crying? I'm...I'm sorry." I felt his arms slowly embracing me.

I can't utter anything. He's acting strange. I can feel his warm and strong arms surrounding me while he buried his face to my hair. It felt like I was blanketed with a cozy and nostalgic feeling. His heart still beats so fast like a bass drum being pounded hard. The heavy breath he's heaving proved that he's being tensed. He continued saying sorry even though I don't know the reason why.

"W-why?" Even saying a word seemed to be difficult. No one spoke for a minute as we just staid like that for a while.

Somehow, it made me feel calm. My plan of following Jof and Kryzel disappeared because of an unknown reason. Why? I don't know. The place was so silent that even footsteps from afar can already be heard.

He pulled away and tucked some stray strands of my hair behind my ears. I wasn't able to react because of his gesture. This is all new to me. So bizarre. So eccentric. I don't know what he's up to but one thing is for sure...I have no idea.

"I'm sorry, Anvi. Please stop crying. I can't afford seeing you hurt." He pulled me again for a short hug. He carefully wiped my tear-stained face with his palm. "Let's go?" The smile on his face just had me nod in agreement.

We headed our way back to the school silently. I was mentally debating with myself when he broke the silence.

"I'm gonna fetch you at lunch time."

I stopped from walking and faced him with another confused expression. "What? Why?"

He shrugged. "Because I owe you."

Before I could even respond, he ran and left me hanging with confusion. Owe what? Can someone explain what in the world is happening?