Platonic Hearts (Compass Series #1)

Chapter Six

Reason

Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang yumuko. Of all the names he could call me…

“What’s this?” may kalakasan na bigkas ni papa.

I jumped when he placed his mug on the center table. Agad lumapit ang ilang mga bisita sa amin at tinignan ang pangyayari. They all began to gasp and began to whisper at the sudden drop of Ashen’s cup. Napatayo naman si Rhysand sa tabi ko.

“Aria, sumagot ka…” banta naman ni mama. She already looked displeased.

Napaangat ako ng tingin at naguguluhan silang tinignan. What did I do?

“Nasagi mo ba ‘to?! And… what does Elisha’s son saying? You’ve been stalking him? Hindi ka ba nahihiyang gawin yun?”

“Let’s all calm down, Mrs. Solace. Huwag mo nating pagsabihan ang mga bata… I’m sure there’s an explanation. Rhysand?”

Natupi ko ang bibig ko nang lumapit ang mommy ni Rhysand. Ngumiti si Tita Rhea sakin pero napayuko lang ako pabalik sa kahihiyan. Nasa bahay pa rin ako nila, at nabanggit ang pangalan ko sa gitna ng pagsasalo nila.

“What, ma? Walang ginagawa si Aria. Nag-uusap lang kami…” matigas na sagot ni Rhysand. Naramdaman ko ang pagpihit ng katawan niya sa direksyon ni Ashen. “He just suddenly dropped it… And called Aria a stalker. Teka nga, paano naging stalker ‘tong kaibigan ko?”

Humakbang siya paalis sa kinauupan. Mas lalo pa akong nailing sa ginawa niya. Hindi na niya dapat kinuwestyon pa… He’ll only add up to the tension.

“Ashen?” An unfamiliar voice of a woman spoke sternly in front us. “What happened? Are you okay, son?”

“Yes, I’m okay. Pasensya na po kayong lahat. Tita, Tito… It was an accident.” After a few seconds, he finally spoke. I slowly looked up to him. His eyes roaming around the room to everyone. Bahagya rin siyang yumuko sa lahat bago gumalaw sa kinatatayuan.

Tinulangan niya ang maid the lumapit para linisin ang nabitawan niyang inumin.

“I’m sorry. I’ve… umm, mistaken your daughter for someone.” He said calmly to my parents.

Nap atingin ako kay mama at papa. Tumaas lang ang kilay ni mama sa kanya bago bumaba ang tingin sakin. Si papa naman ay tumango-tango lang bumalik na sariling ginagawa. He continued having a conversation with the Chinese man beside him as if he was explaining to him boredly what was happening. Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Ashen at hindi maiwasang hindi siya tignan ng masama.

I thought of him as a calm and well-composed student just like everybody talks about. Paano niya nagawang sabihin iyon sa lahat? O paano niya nagawang bitawan nalang ng basta-basta ang hawak at tawaging aksidente lang iyon?

“You must be smitten, dude.” Rhysand muttered before pulling his chair again. Bumalik siya sa pagkakaupo sa tabi ko at nagsalin ng tubig. Nilagay niya ang baso sa harapan ko.

Tahimik kong kinuha iyon at uminom. I’m quiet when I’m pressured. And with this situation, I am most definitely am. Hindi ko inaasahan ito. I didn’t even know… Rhysand’s family and mine knew his! Paano sila nagkakilala? I knew all my parents’ business partners. At hindi isa roon ang mga Aphelion.

“Sweety, your hand might touch the broken glass. Be careful.” I heard the woman spoke again. Must be his mother. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapatanong sa isipan. Does… she know about where her son went last night?

“Well then! Kung wala namang problema, mag-umpisa na tayo.” Tito Santi, Rhysand’s father clasped his hands together before pulling the seat next to Rhysand. Umupo sa tabi niya si Tita Rhea at sumunod na rin ang lahat sa pagpili ng kani-kanilang mga upuan. The same faces I’ve seen of businessmen are here along with their children. Maliban sa dalawang pamilya na ngayon ko palang na nakitang naririto.