Fourth of October (Juntarsiego Series #1)

Chapter 34

"Ano? Hindi mo ako sasagutin?" I demanded. Tumigil ito saka dahan-dahang hinarap ako gamit ang mukhang kumukwestyon.

I wiped my hands to dry itself from sweating. Walang nagbago sa kanya. Though he spent some years inside the jail, I can see no resemblance of living his life poorly inside.

He's still flawless and his aura is still the same. Nagkalaman lang ng kaunti ang katawan pero ganoon pa rin ang tingin ko sa kanya.

"Hindi mo ba ipapaintindi sa makitid kong utak?" I mimicked what he said to me before.

I came here rushing to him, expecting for an answer, for an explanation on how he got some pictures of me. Kung paano nakita ni Bell iyon, hindi ko alam.

He crossed the muddy path immediately, giving us both enough distances to give each other hot glances. Nakahawak ang kamay nito sa strap ng puno nitong bag. Kuyom na kuyom ang kamao habang pinapaulanan ako ng titig na ngayon.

"Makitid pa rin ba?" he answered. Nababalot ng lamig iyong kanyang boses.

"Bakit biglaan kang nagpapakita? Why you choose to donate money for school?" Hindi ko pinansin iyong pagbara niya sa akin.

"Do I need to elaborate all the reasons for you? I've got no time for that, I am sorry. I am leaving now." Akma itong tatalikod na sana pero hinigit ko ang braso nito. Kaagad ko ring binawi ang kamay dahil nakakapasong hawakan siya.

"Bawal bang malaman ang dahilan mula sa'yo? Do I need to beg?" Dumilim ang tingin nito. He clenched his jaw as if I am irritating him. Gusto yata nitong makita pa si Bell kaysa sa akin. I hope I have her now!

"Bakit ba? I am going home now so stop pulling me as if I belong here."

"Dito ka naman dati, ah? Bakit parang suklam na suklam ka ngayon? Was it because of me accusing you? Ganoon ba ang dahilan, Jaeden?"

How I managed to say his name bravely now, I don't know. Kusa na lang lumabas ang katagang iyon sa akin.

My heart's still feeling the same. May takot pa rin. So brave of me to face him now in demand.

"Nagalit ka ba sa akin? Should I blame myself for letting you suffer inside the jail? Kasi kung gano'n, handa naman akong gawin ang gusto mo. I will pay back you for—"

"I am not asking for a payment. What I did was right and you have no rights to say that—"

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi kung gano'n? Bakit kailangan mong itago ang katotohanan?" I almost shouted the words. Hindi siya kumibo kaagad. His lips shut as if giving me the moment now.

Napabuntong hininga ito.

"Uuwi na ako. I already did my part here and do not ever chase me again."

"Eh sino bang gusto mong humabol sa'yo? Si Bell? Iyong guro na nakita ang litrato ko sa'yo?" malakas na pagkakasabi ko kung kaya't naalarma ito.

His eyes widened at the realization. Lumuwag ang pagkakahawak nito sa kanyang bag habang ako ay hihingal sa kaunting pagsasalita.

Kahit may kaunting kadiliman ay hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko iyon. I breathed deeply as I saw his jaw in a sharp mode now.

"Uuwi na ako. I don't need to explain anything for you. Go get some sleep."

"Hindi mo ako pwedeng utusan, Jaeden."

"Hindi kita inuutusan. Sinasabi ko lang sa'yo para bumalik kana at hindi ako habulin pauwi," naiinis nitong tugon. Pagak akong tumawa sa kanya.

"Patuloy na ba tayong lalayo sa isa't isa? Habambuhay ko na naman bang kukwestyunin ang sarili sa mga rasong ayaw mong sabihin sa akin? Jaed, I don't want to die without knowing the whole truth!" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili. My face heated at that. Lumabas sa akin iyong galit na kinikimkim mula kanina.