Orphic Love

Chapter 6

We were the next in line when I remembered why I was looking for him. Nilingon ko siya. Humihikab niya akong nilingon.

"Uh, alam mo ba ang tungkol kay Aedion at Alliah?" I asked slowly.

Kumurap-kurap siya. "Ano 'yon? Na sila na daw?"

Lumunok ako at tumango. "Is it true?"

"Hmm... I'm not sure. Pero marami ang nagsasabi na sila na daw, e. Mukhang totoo naman. Madalas kasing nanonood si Alliah ng practice ng basketball team," ngumisi siya. "Nakita ko nga isang beses nang mapadaan ako sa gymnasium. She looks like a very proud and supportive girlfriend, bringing drinks and food for him."

I nodded slowly and turned my head to our front. Napalunok ako kasabay nang kakaibang pakiramdam sa aking tiyan, na tila ba nagkaroon ito ng guwang. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. Why do I feel disappointed? What the heck am I disappointed of?

Humagikhik si Philip sa aking tabi. "Oh, anong nangyari sa 'yo? Nagseselos ka?"

Uminit ang pisngi ko. Nilingon ko siya, na sinalubong niya nang mapanuksong ngisi.

"H-Hindi, ah!" tanggi ko.

Natatawang umiling si Philip. He even tapped my shoulders lightly, as if comforting me. I shove his hand away. My cheeks heated more. Ako? Nagseselos? Bakit naman ako magseselos, e, wala naman akong gusto kay Aedion!

"Namumula ka, Yuri," he pointed out.

I gritted my teeth in embarrassment. "Kung anu-ano kasi ang sinasabi mo, e!"

"But, I'm surprised," he said. "You really like Aedion Siervo?"

Natigilan ako sa kaniyang sinabi. He smirked at me. Bahagyang tinakpan ang kaniyang bibig gamit ang kaniyang kamay, he laughed a little.

"Akala ko inaasar ka lang nila. Parang wala ka naman kasing gusto sa kaniya, Yuri. You don't even look like you're attracted with him."

Suminghap ako. Fear quickly creeped in my system. Namimilog ang mga mata kong napatitig sa kaibigan. Alam niya?

Negative thoughts filled my mind. If Rebecca, Erza and Mary learned about this, what will happen? For sure they would leave me! Worse, magagalit sila sa akin dahil sa pagsisinungaling ko sa kanila! Not just them, but everyone who knows about it! They will all hate me! I will be alone again, I'm sure of it!

Para akong nabibingi sa magkahalong kaba at takot na nadarama. My heart is pounding hard and breathing hitched. Kinagat ko ang nanginginig na pang ibabang labi. Hindi na ako nakapag-isip ng maayos dahil sa halo-halong emosyon.

"T-That's not true," I tried to remain calm but my voice trembled in fear.

Ngumisi lalo si Philip. "Weh? Nakita pa nga kita noon, e. Dinaanan mo lang si Aedion. Ni hindi mo nga tinignan man lang! Parang 'di mo kilala!"

"Hindi totoo 'yan! Gusto ko si Aedion!" panicking, my voice raised a bit.

Napasinghap ako nang mapagtanto ang nagawa at maalala kung nasaan kami. Naghuramentado ang puso ko sa kaba, lalo na nang makita ang gulat na gulat na mukha ni Philip. With widened eyes, I shyly glanced around to check if anyone heard what I've almost shouted just now.

My cheeks heated rapidly when I saw how the group of Senior Highs in front of us glanced at me then giggled. Shit!

Nguni't tila hindi pa sapat ang kahihiyang natamo, nang lumingon ako sa aming likuran at makita kung sino ang naroon, parang gusto ko nalang kainin ng kinatatayuan.

Aedion's pitch black eyes bore to me. He was standing three steps behind us. Both hands are slid inside his black slack's pocket. Beside him was his friend, looking like a balloon ready to explode any second.