Naked Eye

Chapter Eight

"Narinig mo ba ang balita? Nag-away si Simon at Ashton. Si Erin ang dahilan."

Magkakasabay kaming huminto nila Swanda at Kailli ng marinig iyon. Nauuna ako at wala sanang plano na makinig, ngunit pinigilan ako ni Swanda na iwan sila at makiusyoso na rin.

"Bakit daw nag-away?"

"Binangga raw ni Ashton si Erin, natamaan ang dibdib kaya nagalit si Erin at nagsumbong kay Simon. Si Simon sinugod si Ashton, ayon... nagsuntukan sa likod ng lumang Library."

Nagulat kami ni Swanda ng biglang umalis si Kailli. Ang titig ni Swanda sa akin ay puno ng katanungan noong bumaling. I shrugged my shoulder and proceeded going to our classroom.

"Balita sa facebook page ng school ang nangyari kay Erin. Kilala pa naman ang tatay niya sa barangay namin na magaling na kapitan. Close ng may-ari ng school, walang duda kapag na kick out si Ashton sa school."

I heard as I placed my bag on my table. When my classmate saw me she gave me a smile and whispered to the other girl she was talking to. "Mukhang lasing si Ashton at binubulong ang pangalan ni Eury."

"Don't mind them, Eury." Swanda appeared on my side. Ang aga pero amoy alak siya. Hindi ko iyon naamoy kanina, kung hindi lang siya bumulong sa akin.

"Amoy alak ka."

"Huwag kang maingay."

Umiling ako at inisip nalang na sana totoong matanggal sa school na ito si Ashton. Kapag nangyari iyon ay tiyak makakahinga talaga ako ng maluwag. Somehow, I suddenly think about Simon. Early this morning, I saw him normal. I don't see any bruises on his face. Kaya palaisipan sa akin kung totoo ang balita.

Nilingon ko si Swanda. Nakatanaw ito sa malayo. Lasing nga talaga. Lately, I've noticed her spacing out. Kailli on the other hand seemed busy with something. Madalas siyang missing in action.

It's been four days since my last meet up with Brandon. We talked every hour and then, but I took extra careful whenever Simon or manong was around. At night upon doing my assignments I refrain from looking at his messages. Baka kasi makalimot ako at mapabayaan ang pag-aaral.

Eury: Just got home

Abala ako sa pagpapalit ng bedsheet at pillowcase ng mag-reply si Brandon.

Brandon: Should I go home weekly. I missed you so much.

Eury: I miss you too.

Brandon: What are you doing?

Eury: Household chores

Brandon: Really?

Tumango ako, kahit hindi naman niya nakikita. May Instagram si Brandon. Nag-follow ako sa kanya gamit ng dummy account ko. Hindi niya alam na ako iyon. Sa following niya, buong pamilya niya lang at si Thaysky. Bagay na naisip kong siguro dahil deactivated ang original account ko.

His last post was my hand holding a cup of coffee he gave to me last time we met. The background made the image appeared mysterious, making most of the commenters asked him who his girlfriend was.

Ilan sa mga nag-comment pa ay mga babae at ang gaganda. Siguro laking Owl City Main. I wonder if some girls from his new school tried to persuade him for a better relationship than long distance.

My impression to city girls were aggressive. Well, I am too but that was my hidden desire and I only applied with Brandon. Fine, I tried with Ashton but he made me realized he didn't deserve even my precious attention.

Ang araw na ito ay mabilis na lumipas. Pagkasakay sa van ay nagulat akong naroon na si Simon. May sinusulat ito sa notebook niya, hindi manlang ako binalingan kaya nanahimik nalang ako sa gilid.