Lie

"This is really beautiful."

"I can't believe it's just here. In the past, Silvana and I passed by here but we never saw it."

"She can't find where this is, Adra. You are the only one who's been here."

"Huh?"

"You are here, that is what I mean. So you can see the underwater falls now better. And you can paint it. I'm sure you will do a good painting of it. Nobody painted it before. Only you."

"W-wow really? Just me? Are you serious?"

"Why would I lie?" He asked.

Asmo is right, why would he lie? He is not like the people around me who constantly lie about something.

Something that I need to find out. But should it hurt me to actually find out the truth? Would it be hard for me to accept what it really is?

Well never mind. I don't have to think about that now. All I need is to be one with the forest and print the underwater falls beautifully. I'm sure once Mom sees it, she will allow me to paint again.

I mean, there is still room for improvement in my work but I know that I have the talent. I just need a few adjustments and I'll be good at painting in no time.

I started painting and Asmo also helped me with the details. I didn't know that he was also knowledgeable in this matter, as if he was always here in the forest and he knew exactly what to add to the painting and what not to make it beautiful.

I don't know why but I seem to have memories of this place, especially the big rock below the falls.

"Can't we go down?" I asked him.

"You can't go there, Adra. You knew what happened before, you injured yourself." He said.

"Huh?" I asked him. Here is Asmo again with his kind. I don't really know but I just got used to it, because he always mentions something about that, but he never finishes it.

"Have you brought anything here before?" I asked him.

Maybe because he brought someone here and remembered the things they did before, so he can mention it to me.

There's no need to be shy about it, I mean it's okay. I'm sure he had a couple of relationships.

Is it in his stomach? Her body is also beautiful. It's not insignificant that his body is bigger compared to Alessandro.

But why am I comparing the two?

There's no need to compare because he is already the winner.

"Hey? Did you bring something here? That's why you remembered everything you did." I stated.

He nodded. "Yes, she was really happy when I brought her here. You should have seen how beautiful her smile was."

"How should I know? Well, I'm not here, so for sure it's fun because you're with me. You're a playboy huh?"

"She is just like you, she likes to tease me so much to other girls." He chuckled.

As I looked at him. I knew that he really likes remembering everything about her.

It is evident that he loves her.

She is a very lucky girl. Someone like Asmo is in love with her.

But I wonder what actually happened to the girl?

"Oh it's Deja Vu? Do we do the things that the two of you did? Am I typing too?",

It was silent. Asmo could not speak. Maybe he didn't know how to answer what I said. Who can answer what I said, it's very personal. Why am I asking? It's his life, let him take care of it. Don't be too gossipy Adra.

Are they still?

Maybe not anymore, because if they are still they will not join me here in their special place.

Asmo doesn't look like the kind of person who would cheat or do something to his other half. He looks genuinely loyal and in love with his girl.

I'm happy for him but why is my heart aching knowing that he is happy with someone else but not me?

Fuck shit, Adra.

You just met him, you can't possibly be in love with him for weeks.

That is right, you can't be in love with someone that fast, even if it is true love or what. And if you did, then I'm happy for you but it's suspicious.

After I painted, I received endless praise from him. I didn't ask him about his personal life anymore because I knew I wasn't there anymore.

I don't have a right to question him, I don't have a right to know him, I don't have an intention to be something for him because I clearly see that he is in love with someone else. Maybe he is just really nice.

"I know I shouldn't ask this but can you tell me more about the girl?" I asked him.

"I know it's your personal thing but I'm very curious. Are you still with her? Because I know that she wouldn't like to see you with another—" he cut me off.

"She left. She needed to leave for her own safety. For her peace of mind. To get away from all of the danger of love." He said as he stared at me.

I pursed my lips together.

That is very vague. I want to know more but it's hard to ask him to be specific.

What can I do? Ask more because I'm still curious? That's just wrong.

So I don't ask more, besides I don't want him to think I'm annoying. I came here to paint, not to stick my nose into something personal about his life.

On our way back to the forest, I stopped when I saw a familiar face. Our paths crossed.

My brows as I confirmed who it was.

"Alta?" I called her.

His eyes widened when he saw me. My gaze shifted to his companion. A tall man, his hair was curly, and he had beautiful eyes. It looks like Asmo but its facial features are different, there is still a distinction.

His eyes traveled to me as well. He looked at me with a frown.

What is Alta doing here in the jungle? What was she even doing with this guy?

Won't she hate me because this guy is always with her?

I can't believe her.

She can tell me that she has a boyfriend. He no longer needs to hide and be ashamed. They are still here in the forest dating.

Tsk, tsk

Alta just has a boyfriend, does Tito know this?

"A-Adra? What are you doing here?"

"I should ask you the same thing Alta."

"Uh..." he said. Still looking for the right words to say to me.

I know she might be shy, so I won't push her anymore.

"Are you her boyfriend?" I asked him.

Instead of answering my question, his answer was unexpected.

"You're back."

"Vhari," said Asmo. I turned to Asmo.

He knew this guy?

How?

"Let's go, Adra." Asmo said as he grabbed my wrist to leave the forest.

"Wait, I need to know him—" he cut me off.

"You don't need to know Adra. He is nothing."

"Nothing? He is probably something, he is with my friend! I need to know who my friend is with?" I asked him.

"Why are you like this, Adra? This is the reason why you get yourself in trouble all the time," he said. His voice seems irritated.

"Why are you irritated with it? I just want to ask him. And you seem to know him too. Who is he? Is he your friend? Are you guys actually doing this just to get girls huh?" I asked him.

He glared at me.

"Your friend chose to be with him. She is just like you, very curious and annoying."

"I'm annoying? Well that's news for me Asmo. I don't even know who you are and I'm going with you. What is wrong with me?"

"Exactly. You should leave now, Adra."

"This is probably the reason why the other girl left. You like to push people away, you would rather lie than to tell the truth. To tell your feelings." I said as I left him.

I went home to Alessandro's mansion.

We dined together and talked with his family. Mom is coming to El Colmillos, probably to get me back to Manila.

I took a deep breath and sighed.

When I went up to the guest room, I changed my clothes. I keep on turning on every side of the bed just to sleep but I can't sleep.

I frowned and looked at the curtain that was being blown on the veranda.

Did I leave that open?

I stood up and went there.

I was shocked when I saw Asmo down in the garden near the forest.

I blinked once again to make sure I'm not hallucinating but it turns out I am delusional.

He is not here. I'm just imagining it.

Fuck shit. What is wrong with me?

I shrieked when the door opened wide. Manang entered and said that there was someone downstairs that Alessandro was talking to. I don't know what it has to do with me, but I went down.

There's a girl talking to Alessandro. After they talked, he sat in the living room. I kept looking at him. The woman's face seems to be as familiar. Then Alessandro approached me.

"Who is she?" I asked.

Alessandro shook his head. "I don't know. She's asking if she could stay here for a while because it's raining outside, her home is five kilometers away from here. She said she will leave after the rain stops."

I looked outside the window.

"Is it raining?",

"Yes, I think there is a typhoon." I looked at the woman. We both looked at each other causing my forehead to furrow.

Why is she looking at me like that?

Instead of thinking about why he looked bad at me, I just let it go.

I went upstairs and waited for the rain to stop, I wanted to see that the woman had left Alessandro's mansion. Because I'm not comfortable.

Alessandro stayed in his study room, I visited him there and he was really busy so I didn't bother anymore.

After a while, the woman said goodbye.

I didn't expect someone to pick her up but it shook me to the core...

It was Asmo.

So it means she knows him.

Couldn't Asmo be referring to him?

When our eyes met, my brain suddenly started throbbing along with my heart.

I held onto Alessandro who was next to me.

Fuck shit.

I really need to check with the doctor because what is happening to me is not right.

I saw Asmo come to help me too. He helped Alessandro lead me into the living room of the mansion.

Manang gave him water first because Alessandro also talked to him. They are in the other living room, opposite of where I am, because Alessandro has two living rooms. He made me rest that's why I'm lying on the sofa here.

After a while, the noise echoed, it looked like something had broken. I looked in their direction and saw Asmo's bleeding hand.

"What just happened?" I asked.

Before Asmo could answer, he left and was supported by the woman.

And because I couldn't sleep especially because of what happened a few hours later, I first wandered into Alessandro's mansion because it was too big. At the far end of the hallway is an open room.

I couldn't help but peek inside.

My eyes widened at what I saw.

I covered my mouth to stop gasping and creating loud noise. I stared at it one more time to make sure this is all real.

Fuck shit.