PAINFUL LOVE #SunflowerAwards2k18#TLA2018

Chapter 24

It seems that time ran fast for her. She didn't even notice that it was a year and a half already nang maikasal sila ni Trent. And now, both of them were in their last year in college and having their own on the job training.

Naging mapalad si Janna na makapasok sa isa sa mga kilalang publishing house ng siyudad. And today would be the first day of her OJT.

"Good day. I'm Janna Nicola Dizon, a trainee from 'Memoir University'," pagpapakilala niya sa receptionist.

The receptionist stood and smiled at her. "Come this way. Someone from your school also is there. Just wait for Mr. Rivas, the HR, to assign you in your respective department."

Tinahak niya ang direksyong tinuro nito while having a creased on her forehead. Wala siyang alam na may schoolmate or classmate pala siyang na nag-apply din sa Publishing house na 'yon.

"Gov," she automatically uttered when she saw the one who was sitting on the couch comfortably.

Pero parang walang narinig ang binata. Ni lingunin siya ay hindi nito ginawa at naiintindihan niya kung bakit ganoon ang inasal ni James.

Tahimik siyang naupo sa tabi nito. With an awkward atmosphere between them.

Sandali lang silang naghintay dahil lumabas din agad si Mr. Rivas. He introduced them to their assigned workplace which was the writing department as he gave an orientation about the rules and regulations of the company.

"I'm sorry." Nakayuko niyang sabi nang tumabi siya rito sa bench during break time. Sinadya niya talagang sundan ito nang makita niya itong paakyat sa rooftop ng building.

"For what?" he said habang tuwid lang na nakatingin sa mga ulap.

"For avoiding you these past months."

"Aah... 'yon ba? Don't mention it. I guessed I'm not that important to you. Kasi ang dali mong naisantabi 'yong friendship na namuo sa pagitan nating dalawa."

"It's not like that but I have my reasons that I couldn't tell you."

"Are your reasons enough to tossed me away?" At last hinarap na rin siya nito. "Tell me, Janna. Ganoon ba talaga ako kadaling ipagsawalang-bahala?"

Pain was evident in his face.

"Gov----"

"Stop calling me that! I'm no longer the governor of our department. Is it that difficult for you to even call me in my own name?"

"Pasensya na, nakasanayan lang."

Nahihirapan na talaga siya kung paano pahuhupain ang sama ng loob ni James. She didn't expect that distancing herself caused hurt him like this.

Marahas itong humugot ng hininga saka panandaliang nanahimik. Maya- maya ay muli rin itong nagsalita.

"Hindi sapat na dahilan ang pagkakaroon mo ng asawa para iwasan ako. Lalo pa't wala namang pagpapahalaga sa'yo ang taong 'yon. "

Mulagat siya sa sinabi nito.

How did he know?

"Tricia told me," he answered as if hearing her thoughts.

"W-why...? H-how. .?"

"It's a long story to tell but as what I've said, your reason was not enough at all."

Muli siyang napayuko saka kinulikot ang mga daliri. "But I need to do it to prevent further suspicion."

"Did he treat you better after avoiding me?"

Umiling siya bilang sagot.

Hinawakan nito ang kanyang baba at masuyong iniangat. "See? You lost a potential friend but your relationship with him was still the same. Iniwasan at nilayuan mo ako para sa kanya pero nakita ba ng taong 'yon ang sakripisyo mo? Hindi, di ba? So, what's the point?"

"James," Kagat ang pang-ibabang labi, kusang nag-unahan sa pag-agos ang kanyang luha."Sorry ulit. Sorry sa pagiging insensitive ko."

He hugged her and caressed her hair as what he usually do. "Ssh... you just love a wrong man."

Gumanti rin ng yakap si Janna. Sa wakas, nabunot na rin ang tinik na bumabagabag sa kanya. Nakapagdesisyon na siya. Isasantabi na niya ang kung ano mang agam- agam para ituloy ang pakikipagkaibigan kay James. Kahit na ang pagdududa ni Trent dahil alam niya, alam niya sa sarili niya. Wala silang masamang ginagawa.

+++

Saturday.

The only day of the week that intern and trainees were needed to be in the campus.

Magkasabay na pumasok sina James at Janna nang magkasalubong sa main gate. They were laughing with each other and having their fun. But little they knew, a pair of eyes were staring at them with loathe.

"Parang maglalabas na ng apoy 'yung mga mata mo tol," ani ni Mikhail habang nakatitig kay Trent.

They were having their lunch at the campus' cafeteria. Nakaharap siya sa floor to ceiling glass wall at mula sa kanyang kinauupuan ay tanaw niya ang kung sino mang naglalakad sa pathway mula sa main gate.

"You're just imagining things," aniya pero patuloy paring sinusundan ng tanaw sina James at Janna.

"Nah. If looks could kill, I'm pretty sure they're already dead," sabat naman ni Vincent sabay sulyap sa dalawa.

"Why don't you just tell her your true feelings, kaysa naman nagmamakurulyo ka dito sa sobrang selos."

Tinapunan niya ng masamang tingin si Kyle, "and who told you that I'm jealous?"

"Your action itself, dimwit. "

"I'm not."

"Tell that to the marines, " si Mikhail ulit, "your gaze said otherwise."

Napasandal siya sa kinauupan saka minasahe ang kanyang noo, "ewan ko sa inyo."

"Ano bang pumipigil sa'yo? Si Kath? May I remind you tol na basta ka nalang niyang iniwan ng walang paalam. Ayaw mong magtaksil sa kanya? Well, I tell you. You don't. Mas nagtataksil ka pa kay Janna dahil siya ang pinakasalan mo," wika ni Kyle sa mahinang boses pero tonong nanenermon.

Vincent rebutted in his stead, "why do I have this feeling that you're pushing her to him?"

"Because I do," pag- amin nito, "this guy...," tukoy nito sa kanya, "...is very fortunate that someone loves him unconditionally and is willing to sacrifice and do anything beyond her way just for his sake."

"Do you know something that we don't?," ang naghihinalang tanong ni Mikhail. Tahimik niyang hinintay ang sagot nito. Gusto rin niyang malaman kung ano mang nalalaman ni Kyle. At alam niyang mayroon based sa mga pasaring nito nung Valentine's ball.

Mataman siyang tinitigan ng huli, "remember your output in Literature last year?"

He nodded. Naaalala niya pa 'yun. Malamang kung hindi siya ginawan noon ni Kyle, hindi siya running for cumlaude ngayon.

"I'm not the one who did it but Janna. She said not to tell you that's why I didn't. Not until now."

His sudden reaction was to took a deep breath. All along, indebted siya kay Janna?

'This is ridiculous!'

Maging sina Vincent at Mikhail ay nagulat din sa rebelasyong iyon.

Nagpatuloy si Kyle, "kaya walang dahilan para patuloy kang mamuhi sa kanya. Para patuloy mong sikilin ang nararamdaman mo. First and foremost, she's not the one to be blame in your set up rather that naughty sister of yours and hers. And also, because she still loves you sa kabila ng mga ginawa mo at aminin mo man o hindi, mahal mo na rin siya. Napapansin namin 'yun. You're like an open book, Trent Javier. So easy to read."

Tinapik siya ni Kyle sa balikat, "admit it Trent. You and her deserve it. Admit it before it will become too late."