Our Fate [OUR SERIES #2]

CHAPTER 24

'Can I be your girlfriend?'

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I looked at Thana through the mirror at agad na umiwas nang umangat siya ng tingin. A lot of things are running in my mind but the image of her face stands out. Parang ilang segundo na naisawalang bahala ang narinig kong pinag-usapan nila ni Leigh dahil sa sobrang pagka-miss ko sa kanya. 

"Did you have fun?" I tried my hardest to sound firm. Even though my heart wants to go grab and hug her. Even though I wanted to cry on her shoulders and be vulnerable with her, I still stood my ground and pretended to be strong.

"On what?" Walang pakialam na sagot niya. Hindi man lang ako tinatapunan ng tingin. Abala siya sa pagtingin sa salamin at ayusin yung gears niya. 

"On your bet. Did you have fun playing with people's feelings?" Alright. Hindi ko alam kung tungkol saan iyong pinagpustahan nila ni Leigh ngunit malakas ang kutob ko na may kinalaman iyon sa 'kin. And my mind is dying to know what it was all about.

"Why do you care?" Agad na umurong ang lakas ng loob ko dahil sa sagot niya. My expression softened. Oo nga pala. "Perhaps you're thinking that the bet was about you? I am not that kind of person, Dhayne. Besides, hindi lahat tungkol sa 'yo. My world doesn't only revolve around you, Dhayne." 

"Last time I checked, it does, Thana." 

"Well, you might have checked it a long time ago." Inayos niya ang sarili, handa nang umalis sa loob ng banyo. Sa pagkakataong iyon ay hindi niya pa rin ako magawang tignan. Does she hate me that much? "My world doesn't revolve around you anymore." Mahinang aniya habang tintalikuran ako. 

"Ang sakit mo naman magsalita." My words stopped her from leaving. I smiled painfully when she finally turned to look at me. "But if that’s the only way you can cope up with the pain I’ve caused you, suit yourself, Thana Morana.” bago siya tuluyang umalis at sinuri niya ang kabuuan ko. It’s like she’s looking for something bago ako talikuran at tuluyang lumabas ng comfort room. 

I failed to give her the favor that she wanted. Not talking to her was a torment for me but when I finally tried reaching out for her, I realized how much she hates me now. She didn’t even give a damn effort to look at me. Parang ang bilis naman yata niyang makalimot. 

Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto akong natulala sa loob ng banyo. Pagkalabas ko ay nagsisimula na ang training ng team at sina Leigh ay nasa bleachers na nakaupo. Lumapit ako sa kanila at umupo sa tabi ni Gayle. 

“Dhayne, the school will hold an awarding night for the athletes who won last intramurals. We’re required to attend.” pagbubukas ni Leigh ng topiko. 

“Huh?” bigla akong nagtaka. “Magdadalawang buwan na simula noong matapos ang intramurals? Next moth magsisimula na ang district games, bakit ngayon lang yung awarding?” 

Nagkatinginan si Leigh at Gayle. “The heads decided to plan it well and they want a grand awarding.” nag-aalangan na sagot ni Gayle. 

Ako naman ay nagtataka sa ganap na yun. Kahit noong estudyante pa lang ako ng ASU, wala pang isang linggo ay nagaganap na ang awarding. Bakit ito ngayon lang? At engrade? Anong ibig nilang sabihin sa engrande? 

Nagkaroon ng ten minutes water break ang manlalaro kaya nagkaroon ng pagkakataon si Leigh na ibalita sa players and magaganap na awarding. Naging sabik ang dalawang manlalaro habang si Thana ay parang ineexpect at alam na na mangyayari iyon. 

“Dhayne, kakain ako sa cafe sa labas. Gusto mong sumama?” pag-aya ni Gayle. 

Mabilis akong umiling. “No thanks.”