CHAPTER 9

UNLIKE the last time, Gemini seems... happy. She seems happy to be sent to a Hospital.

Before, she had a broken leg. Now, she had her right arm swollen, some bruises, and back pain.

It is still a good thing that her leg didn't hit on the iron baluster of the staircase.

But despite of the injuries she got, she's still smiling widely. Like nothing happened to her. At all.

Gosh, I might look crazy right now for smiling. But fuck, who cares anyway?

"Hija naman, kakalabas mo pa lang ng Hospital, bumalik ka ulit," naiiling na ani Leanna habang

hinahatid ang kanyang inaanak sa kwarto nito. Kasalukuyang nakaupo sa wheelchair si Gemini

habang tulak-tulak ito ng kanyang Ninang.

"Ano ba kasi ang ginawa mo?" Leanna asked.

Gemini rolled her eyes, "Nothing," she paused, "I realized that it's better to stay here than in my

parents' house. Too much toxicness is suffocating me, Ninang." She replied while grimacing.

It's partly true but it is not the main reason why she did that.

"We're here," Leanna stopped and opened the door. Ipinasok ni Leanna si Gemini sa kwarto nito at inalalayang maka-upo sa kama.

"Oh siya, aalis na ako, hija. I'll be back later to check you again. Take care," Leanna kissed

Gemini's forehead before bidding goodbye.

Gemini was stunned. She felt something weird tingling inside her, making her soft. The warmth

and pressure from her Ninang's lips on her forehead releases joy and comfort.

At this moment, she felt the love of a mother. But too bad she's not her mother. Her mother is a

witch.

It's been so long since the last time I felt this. It felt... good.

Napakurap-kurap ang dalaga nang mabalik ito sa reyalidad.

What the fuck happened.

Napailing na lamang ang dalaga at tinignan ang orasan na nakasabit sa pader.

"5:40? Mag-gagabi na pala," she said, "It doesn't matter anyway, I'll wait for that jerk to visit

me."

***

ITS been almost three hours since Gemini got transferred to her room. Its been almost three

hours of waiting for Tarius to come and visit here but no one came.

"Hmm, i'll wait for another hour," she murmured.

Gemini didn't had her phone with her so she's just waiting patiently at Tarius while staring at

the wall infront of her bed while playing with her fingers.

Gemini keeps on praying that Tarius will come but another hour had passed, there's still no sign

of Tarius.

"One hour... one last hour," sh3 whispered, "I'll wait for another hour."

10... 11... 12... 1... 2... 3

But still no sign of Tarius.

"What the fuck?! Where could that jerk be?!" She blurted out, frustrated.

"I've waited for ten fucking hours!" Inis na sinabunutan ng dalaga ang sarili.

Nagngingit-ngit ang ngipin niya sa inis sa kaalamang hindi dumating ang multong hinintay niya.

My patient became thick because of him yet he'll be the one to make it thin. That fucker.

Out of frustration, kinuha niya ang mga unan at buong pwersang ibinato sa pader kung saan

madalas lumulusot noon ang binata.

Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you!

Kahit walang unan ay nahiga pa rin si Gemini at binalot ang sarili ng puting kumot. She let the

blanket embrace her body. As Gemini closed her eyes, a tear escaped from her eyes. Again.

Again. And again.

Gemini bit her lower lip to suppress her sobs. Lumipas ang magdamag na siya'y umiiyak.

Why do I feel hurt? I'm in pain and I don't even have any idea why.

***

GEMINI woke up feeling weak. Her eyes are a bit puffy than the usual. Sinubukan She sighed as

she cupped her face.

"God, my eyes hurts," she muttered.

"Of course, that will really hurt. Your eyes are puffy and swollen," Gemini stiffen when Tarius

suddenly popped out infront of her.

Itinaas niya ang kanyang ulo at sumalubong sa kanya ang nakakunot-noong si Tarius. Gone the

playful Tarius and was replaced with a serious one. This is the first time that Gemini sees this

kind of expression from Tarius and she can't help but to sweat in bullets.

"W-What are you doing here?" She asked as she avoided Tarius' gaze. Gemini's nervous seeing

Tarius but at the same time happy and excited.

"I live here," he said coldly, sending shivers on Gemini's body, "How about you? What are you

doing here? You already got discharged, right?" He asked firmly, "Why come back?"

Gemini gulped when she felt something blocking in her throat. Naging malikot ang mata nang

dalaga, hindi niya alam kung anong isasagot sa binata.

Gemini opened her mouth, she wanted to say something but she ended up closing it when

there's no word coming out. Gemini bit her lower lip.

What happened to you, Gemini? You're not like this! Goddammit! Say something, bitch! Come

on, be a bitch!

"W-Why... I mean... you don't care, duh," Gemini said, trying to be a bitch but eneded up

stuttering. Gemini mentally cursed herself.

Damn, this is so not you, Gemini. This is so ewwy. I looked weak and pathetic.

Tarius raised his brow before saying, "I do care," making Gemini froze at her spot.

"W-What?" She asked dumbly.

"I care for you," he said with stern voice.

"H-Huh?"

Tarius closed his eyes as he massage the bridge of his nose. He looks frustrated but at the same

time worried at Gemini's condition.

What on earth is this woman thinking?

Nabalik sa reyalidad ang dalaga, napakurap-kurap siya at pilit pinoproseso sa utak niya ang

sinabi ng binata

He... care for me? But why? I'm just a nobody.

"Why? Why care for me? I'm a stranger to you..." masungit na saad ng dalaga. Nakaramdam siya

ng kirot nang bitawan niya ang mga salitang iyon.

Right, I'm just a stranger to him. Why am I fucking feeling this?

But Tarius didn't reply. He's just staring at her, annoyed. "You're not a stranger to me, Gem," he

said.

Gemini scoffed. "Oh really? You just know basic information about me," she exclaimed.

He licked his lower lip and Gemini felt a lump on my throat once again, so she gulped. "Fhereze

Gemini Ayala, 16 years old. June 10, 2006 is your birthday. Your mother is Reeze Gadia-Romano,

while your father is Gemano Ayala. You have a twin sister named Bhereze Gemanie Ayala. Your

favorite color is yellow. Food, you like sweets but loves street food most. Flower, you love

sunflower," he said, emphasizing the 'like' and 'love'.

I knew it.

"That's just my basic information, Mr. Tarius," she said with a smirk.

His forehead creased. "I'm still not finish, Ms. Gemini," he bit his lower lip. Gemini motioned her

hand, signalling him to continue.

Let's see...

"You have a heart shaped birthmark on the right side of your waist. It's small so it'll be hard to

see but I know you have one. You have 13 moles in total. 3 on your face, 2 on your right arm, 1

on your ring finger, 4 on your legs, and 3 on your body. I also know that you compose songs, you

have composed 3... ah no, 4 songs, and no one knew that talent of yours," he said proudly and

confidently.

Gemini's lips parted, shocked. All what Tarius said is true.

How did he...

"And I also know that... hinulog mo ang sarili mo sa hagdan. You even video yourself," his

expression suddenly turned dark, "Now, tell me, why did you do that, huh?"

Oh shit.

"P-Paano mo..."

"I was there. Watching you. Always," Tarius said, his cheeks are slightly turning red.

Gemini's eyes widened in shock. "What?!"

Oh God, nakita niya ang kagagahang ginawa ko!

"Hmm..." he nodded, "I even saw you being a bad girl."

Gemini bit her lower lip. Nakaramdam siya ng hiya nang maisip niya ang kahihiyang ginawa niya.

Bakit ba ko ba kasi ginawa 'yun? Ang bobo mo naman, Gemini! Pero teka...

"What did you just say? You were watching... me?! What the hell?! Don't you know that you're evading my privacy?!" She exclaimed, annoyed.

Tarius was shocked at Gemini's sudden outburst.

Damn. When did the tables turn?