Orphic Love

Chapter 4

Chapter 4
Avoid

"I'm sorry, Yuri!" Mary whimpered with teary eyes.

She went to our house together with Erza and Rebecca, who both heard what happened. I tapped Mary's back and let out a weak sigh.

I couldn't think straight earlier. All I wanted was to run away from that place, to run away from all the other students who are staring at me like I've done something wrong. Tumakbo ako palabas ng school nang 'di na malaman kung saan puwedeng magtago upang hindi nila makita. Mabuti nalang at pagkalabas ko ay siya din pagdating ng sundo ko. I quickly went inside our SUV before letting myself breakdown.

This is the first time I've experienced being accused of something I didn't do, and to be insulted face to face. Alam ko naman na marami ang galit sa pamilya namin, for numerous reasons. I also learned as I grew up that some of those hatred for my family was then directed to me. Kaya nasanay na din akong makarinig ng negative comments patungkol sa 'kin. But never have I experienced this kind of humiliation.

I swallowed hard to push away the lump on my throat as I try my hardest to compose myself. Nguni't tuwing naaalala ko ang mga inaakusa ng dalawang babae kanina at ang harap-harapan nilang panlalait sa 'kin, lalo lang bumubuhos ang mga luha sa aking mga mata.

Hindi ko sila maintindihan. Maaaring nakita nila kami ni Aedion kahapon sa school, o 'di naman kaya'y may kaibigan silang nakakita at kinuwento sa kanila kaya nagkaroon sila nang ganoong isipin sa akin. But still, I don't think it's right to quickly judge and accuse me without knowing the whole story. It's just unfair!

Why are there people like that—quickly to judge and think ill of others who didn't even do anything wrong to them? Don't we all hate it when we aren't given a chance to tell our side of the story, and be judged based on hearsay? Bakit nga ba may mga taong hilig gawin sa ibang mga tao ang mga bagay na ayaw nilang gawin sa kanila? Hindi ko talaga maintindihan. And I don't think I'll ever understand them.

Thankfully, wala pa si Mama nang makauwi ako. Though I successfully stopped my tears from falling, medyo namumula ang mga mata ko dahil sa kakaiyak kanina sa loob ng sasakyan. It wasn't long enough before my friends came to our house. Dala-dala pa ni Mary ang bag ko na naiwan ko pala kanina sa gymnasium.

"Ayos lang, Mary," I reassured her with a weak smile.

"Sino ba 'yung mga nang away sa 'yo? Baka mga tinanggihan ni Aedion ang mga 'yon, tapos ikaw ang sinisisi!" si Erza habang isa-isang tinitignan ang mga naka-hanger kong damit sa walk-in closet.

Umiling ako. "I don't know..."

Sitting on my swivel chair, Rebecca rolled her eyes before turning to me. Umusog siya ng kaunti palapit sa akin, kaya napalingon ako sa kaniya. Nanlalaki ang mga mata niyang punong-puno ng kuryosidad.

"Anyway, totoo ba? You met up with Aedion yesterday at school? Kayong dalawa lang?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong.

I nodded.

Her eyes widened more. She giggled a bit before smiling widely at me. Hindi ko alam kung bakit tuwang-tuwa siya tuwing ganito ang pinag-uusapan namin. Umusog pa siya palapit sa akin.

"Tapos? Anong nangyari?" she probed, so thirsty for information.

I looked away. I don't really feel like talking about this now but, it would be rude if I don't answer her question.

"Binalik niya sa 'kin iyong notebook na naiwan ko,"

Erza turned to us and smirked. "So, you really did plan it out, huh?"

"H-Ha? Hindi! Naiwan ko talaga 'yon!" giit ko.

She crossed her arms. One of her brows raised at me. "Talaga? Paano nangyaring nando'n si Aedion sa school kahapon? You contacted him, didn't you?"