The Virgin Lies (Published under LIB)

Chapter 31

"We're having this prescon to announce that my client, Dylan Orevalo will retire from his career as a PBA player, endorser and public figure. That is all."

The sea of reporters went wild upon hearing his manager's announcement. Pinapanood ko ito lahat habang nakanganga sa gulat katabi si Kuya Icio. It was two days since he was here and a day after kuya came back. Saglit na natahimik ang buhay ko. Akala ko umuwi siya sa probinsya nila pero nandito parin pala siya sa syudad at nagpatawag ng press conference.

Nagkakagulo sila. Sunud sunod ang tanong at panay ang sagot ni Amy. Dylan was just silent, sitting beside her as the reporters kept throwing him questions one after another. Gusto ata nilang siya mismo ang sumagot kaso ayaw talaga.

"Galit na galit si tito sa kanya. He cancelled all his contracts so he has lots of charges against him. Malaki laking pera din 'yon para sa penalties niya."

"Talaga? Pa'no mo naman nalaman, kuya?"

"Bago ako umalis do'n, tumawag siya kay tita tapos ayon! Narinig ko. His father was really mad."

Sino ba namang hindi magagalit at magugilat dahil dito? It would cause them millions of pesos dahil sa pagkansela ng mga kontrata niya. He even cancelled the release of his book.

Kung tutuusin ay parang nasayang lang ang hirap namin dahil sa kanyang desisyon. As usual, he's just thinking about himself.

Really, Iara?

I felt like the conference was partially my doing. I sighed and took my sling bag before saying goodbye to kuya then I was off to work.

Nag-iisip ako habang naglalakad. I did told him to fix the mess he had that night. I never imagined that he'd do it this far. I asked him to solve the issue, not kill his career!

Dämn! Why do I feel so guilty? It's not my fault right?

As expected, badtrip na naman si Ma'am Mira dahil nga sa desisyon ni Dylan. Stop lahat ng production ng printing company na partner namin. All energy, effort and time were wasted. Hindi lang 'yon, ung mga na-print na 10,000 copies ay diresto sa basurahan.

Ang laki ng sayang.

Ang sakit sa puso magsayang ng mga mayayaman.

Nag half day lang ako ngayon sa opisina. Yung kalahati ay gagawin ko sa cafe since napasa ko na ung mga revision na dapat ipasa ngayon.

Ito ang maganda sa pagiging writer. Maluwag basta matapos mo ang dapat matapos.

I immediately saw a familiar figure when I reached the second floor of Safe Haven while carrying a tray with carbonara, orang juice and garlic bread. Seeing his back made me stopped my footing. Kagaya ng dati, kaharap na naman ang laptop niyang habang nagdraw-drawing. I bet he's frowning again with concentration.

Since our so called 'break-up', ngayon ko lang ulit siya nakita. No calls or text. Sa opisina naman ay ngayon lang ako pumasok at wala pa siya.

Hindi ko tuloy alam kung pa'no ko siya pakikitunguhan pero napag-isip isip ko, wala naman talagang dapat magbago sa'min. We were just mere acquaintance before, minus the sëx now so I strode and pulled a chair to seat beside him. I faced him after I placed my things properly. Hinarap ko siya habang naglo-loading ang laptop ko.

"Dito kalang pala nagtatago. Akala ko tinataguan mo 'ko dahil sa break-up natin. Don't take it deeply, okay?"

He continue busying himself with his work. "Bakit di mo na 'ko mini-message?" I asked just to mess with him.

"I don't do that. Ikaw lagi ang nang-gugulo sa text."

I laughed softly and shook my head before glancing at my loading desktop. Tama siya. Ako lagi ang unang nagte-text lagi sa kanya. He'd text first if he'd break up with me.