Yun na ata ang huling interaction namin ni Claude. I've got no reason to be at school anymore now that classes has ended. Recognition at Graduation nalang ang hinihintay namin. He'll be graduating without even trying to clear things up with me.
"Austin!"
Hinabol ko si Austin nang makita itong walang kasamang papaalis ng court. Katatapos lang ng recognition ceremony at photo ops na pero uunahin ko muna ito.
"Pwede ka bang makausap?"
He looks confused but managed to answer me.
"Thank you," sagot ko ng tumango siya. "Sa canteen?"
Hindi nag-alinlangang sumunod si Austin saakin.
"Nag-uusap ba kayo ni Claude?" hindi ko na hinintay na dumating kami sa canteen.
"Oo naman. Bakit?"
"Galit ba siya saakin?"
"Ha? Bakit naman siya magagalit sayo?" he laughed.
"Eh wala ba siyang nasabi sayo?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Maybe something... about me?"
"He doesn't talk too much. Bakit? Gusto mo ba siyang kausapin?"
"Yeah but nevermind. Wala naman siya dito." hinahanap ko nga siya kanina nong nasa stage na ako pero hindi ko naman siya nakita. I guess he didn't want to see me after what I said.
"He's here. Kasama niya kanina sina Ed."
"Talaga? Hindi ko yata nakita. But,, what do you think? Galit kaya siya?"
Tumawa ulit siya sa tanong ko. "Bakit ba siya magagalit?"
"Kasi sinabihan ko siya ng ayaw ko ng makita siya." nagkibit-balikat ako
"Oww... shi." hindi niya tinuloy ang pagmura niya, "You told him that?!"
Tumango-tango ako. "Sa tingin mo galit siya?"
"I don't know... pero masasaktan yun, syempre."
"Talaga ba?" malamang, Haze! Alam ko naman na masakit nga yung sinabi ko. I just couldn't think straight at that time at kung ano ano na naman ang sinabi ko. My emotions got me.
"Why ... don't you,, ask him?" he lifted a brow before pointing at something by moving his head a little... or maybe at someone
Umangat ako ng tingin at agad na napapikit. Pwede na ba akong lamunin ng lupa?
"I hate you!" sigaw ko kay Austin. Tumalikod ako bago agad na tumakbo palayo.
Did he heard us? Nakatayo sa harap namin si Claude kasama si Edwin at Daniesha. They were staring at Austin and me as if we've done something wrong. Narinig ata nila yung usapan namin!
Kahit hindi ako nakasali sa photo ops ay umuwi na ako. Nakakahiya na! I visited Tyler's grave in the afternoon. It was the first time I visited him since he left. I just couldn't bring myself to come here.
"Hey, kumusta? I'm sure you're doing great." ngumiti ako habang nakatingin sa family picture namin last new year.
I brought a picture with me to make it look like I'm talking to someone. Hindi yung nakatingin lang ako sa kawalan at nagsasalita. Edi baliw na ako non.
