The Only Exception

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Even on Christmas Day and New Year, I only received a greeting from Conrad through emails. No physical greetings at all. Hindi rin siya madalas lumabas sa bahay nila. He would only go out when her mom sends us something.

Sa buong Christmas break namin ay bihara naming nakikita ang isa't isa at kung magkita man ay pareho kaming iiwas sa isa't isa. But right now, I am determined that one of these days, I'll talk to him. This fight and not talking with each other is long overdue.

My family celebrated it together with our relatives. They didn't ask about my relationship withConrad anymore. I clearly remember what my mama told me when she noticed that I'm reading Conrad's plain "Happy new year, Curns."

"I won't force you to say what's your problem with him anymore. I trust you, and no matter how hard that is, I know you'll get through it."

I badly want to talk to Conrad, but I promised myself that I will wait for him.

"You think I'll enjoy the beach?" I asked Leesha through phone call.

"Yes! Maganda kaya magbeach. Buti ka pa nga naeenjoy mo yung Christmas break e. Samantalang ako, nandito kasama ang conyong Nikhaule. Palagi na lang yung pagmumukha niya nakikita ko araw araw, nauumay na nga ako."

"I heard you, ha! As if I'm not nauumay rin sa face mong ugly!" I heard Nikhaule on the background.

I chuckled at them. Saglit silang nagsagutan habang nakikinig lang ako until Leesha shoo her twin sister away.

"Two months na pero hindi pa rin kayo nag uusap ni Conrad?" natahimik ako sa tanong niya. "Sorry for suddenly asking. Hindi lang ako makapaniwala na ganito na kayo katagal hindi nagpapansinan."

"Hindi. Ayaw niya pa rin yatang kausapin ako. But maybe one of this day, ako na mismo ang lalapit para sana kausapin siya." sabi ko. Hindi rin siya sumagot sa kabila.

"I have another question. If you don't mind me asking, though..." she said.

My heart skipped a beat. Parang alam ko na kung tungkol saan, o kung tungkol kanino ang tanong niya.

"What if... you'll fall for someone else?"

I knew it! Parang nasa silya elektrika tuloy ako sa tanong niya. Biglang pinagpawisan ang noo ko kahit pa sobrang lakas na ng aircon.

I keep on denying the thoughts in my head because I refused to believe a feeling can change in a short period of time.

"I mean, hindi impossibleng magustihan mo si Ryan, but what about Conrad? Paano kapag nagkagusto ka kay Ryan? I mean, mas madalas na kayong magkasama ngayon, you hang out with him, so it's not impossible that you won't develop some feelings, at siya rin imposibleng hindi ka magustuhan."

"What do you mean?" I asked. Nagmamaang maangan sa naiisip at sa narinig sa kaibigan.

"Anong gagawin mo kung magkagusto ka kay Ryan at ganoon rin siya sayo?"

"Hindi mangyayari yan. I'm still in love with Conrad." deretso kong sambit. Pilit pinapatatag ang boses.

"What if lang..."

I shut my eyes. "I don't wanna talk about it. Hindi magbabago ang nararamdaman ko."

I sounds firm and sure but deep inside me, I am shaking so bad. I am having a second thought. I am doubting myself.

Tang ina!

Hindi rin kami nagtagal nag-usap at binaba ko na ang cellphone. Hindi na nag atubuli at bumaba na para salubungin si Ryan na naghihintay.