WILD ROSE (BOOK2)

Chapter Five: Revelation (Part 2)

Song after song, we stayed at the dance floor.

We danced as if there’s no bad blood between us. It’s funny how an ambience can make an unexpected change.

Awkward and uneasiness was gone pagbalik namin sa lamesa.

We’re chatting and laughing like old times.

I grabbed my glass. Dancing made me thirsty.

“This feels like prom.” Devon said and looked at me like I’m dessert or something.

I choked on my water and started coughing uncontrollably.

Devon patted my back.

Once I got myself under control, I glanced up and caught him biting back a smile.

My cheek reddened and I tried to hide it with a cough.

“You’re embarrassed.”

I averted my eyes and he chuckled. “That’s cute, reminds me of our first date.”

“What date? I thought we never dated.” As soon as I said those words, my eyes widened, wishing I’d kept my mouth shut.

I waved my hand in the air frantically and cleared my throat. “I’m sorry. I’m just kidding. I didn’t—–“

He cut me off and gave me a sombre smile. “I deserved that.” He held my hand and gave it a squeeze. “I understand.”

Oh right! Bakit nga ba ako nag so-sorry?

It must be the atmosphere.

Or naalog yung utak ko, kakasayaw.

Yeah right Armie! Keep telling yourself that!

I groaned internally.

I gulped hard and gave him a small smile.

Binawi ko yung kamay ko mula sa pagkakahawak nito at pinagtuunan ko ng atensyon yung baso sa harap ko.

After a few minutes of silence, I looked up.

Devon is still staring at me. It’s making me uncomfortable.

He broke the silence. And how I wish he didn’t. “What’s the story behind Brandon 07?”

My back stiffened.

 I just stared at him, sombre and sick to the stomach.

I’m hoping my hearing was off and I just misheard him or it was just my fvcking conscience.

Hearing this from Devon, the emotions I haven’t felt in years clawed to the surface.

“Your tattoo.”

No. I didn’t misheard him.

Realization hits me.

My bare shoulder.

It’s too small to notice but when we were dancing, his face was always there.

“07?” He asked again and gave me a wary look.

From the way I see things, Devon is not prying. He’s just curious. He’s just extremely curious!

Fear kicked me hard on the guts.

I clenched my fists so tight.

You can do this Armie.

Cut the thread!

Cut the thread!

This chant echoed loudly inside my head.

Running away is no longer an option Armie.

I swallow past my emotion.  “2007.”

Devon’s face turned serious.

I know why this changed his mood.

Devon gazed long and hard at me. “Same year as…”

I nodded. “Right after I changed school.”

“Brandon?”

My face softened. When you add Brandon in the equation, makikita mo how broken I can be. I’m not as strong as I like to portray.

Deep inside, I’m still a girl.

Still a broken girl.

“Armie.”

“Someone who is extremely important.”

 Devon is now staring at me with a blank expression. “Your ex?”

I let out a soft bitter laugh. “Wouldn’t it be nice if I actually feel in love with him.” I replied in an audible tone.

Devon studied my face for a moment and then he nodded his head as if he understood the situation. “He’s in love with you then.”

“And that was Brandon’s biggest mistake. He fell in love with someone like me.” I said, feeling disgusted with myself.

“What do you mean?” Halatang hindi nagustuhan ni Devon yung sinabi ko base sa pagkaka kunot ng noo nito. Kung bakit? Yon ang hindi ko alam at wala din akong balak alamin.

“He—-” I paused and swallowed the lump on my throat.

I can feel my lips tremble.

It’s now or never Armie.

I took a deep breath and summon all the courage in me to speak the truth.  “He died to…” Tear fell on my face kahit anong pigil ko para hindi yon bumagsak sa mga mata ko. “He’s dead because of me.”

I choked a sob. I clenched my fists so hard, I thought my palm would bleed. “He died to save me.”

Devon opened his mouth to speak but I beat him to it. “They’re both dead because of me.”

“They?”

 “I was pregnant.”  I blurted out before I changed my mind.

In Devon’s eyes. There’s a look of fear, pain and confusion.

“Yes” I nodded. I took a deep breath and without breaking eye contact for a second, I whispered, “With your child.”

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