Loss of Feelings | ✓

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

I guess when people say that life is tough for everyone, it's true. . .but it's a lot tougher when it's you. It has always been like that since you're the one who feels the most. . .then you get to be hurt the most too.

Nanatili akong nakatayo sa pwesto ko nang bumalandra sa 'kin si Barbara. Sumisilip lang siya mula sa likod ni Eastre na pumapagitna sa aming dalawa. I swallowed hard as I try my best to remain collected. Okay lang 'yan, Miye. Wala namang mali na nandito siya dahil panigurado ay kaibigan n'ya rin si Eastre.

Nagigimbal ang buong pagkatao ko habang unti-unting pinilit ang isang ngiti. I can't let her see that my true emotions.

"You know me?" she gasped back. "Wait, familiar ka talaga. . .have we met before?"

Confusion overwhelmed me. Akala ko ba ay kilala na n'ya ako bilang girlfriend ni North? That would explain her prior reaction. Hindi ba sinabi n'ya na ako 'yong babae ni North? Or is my mind playing games with me right now?

"Anag," maikling sagot ko. "I worked for them. Sa banda ni Enoch."

And because I didn't want to see her reaction towards North, minabuti ko na si Enoch ang gawing link sa aming dalawa. After all, they're childhood friends. Malamang ay kilala n'ya ito.

"Oh," she nodded then pasted a sweet smile on her face. Maganda talaga siya—sa katunayan nga ay lalong nakakapukaw ang ganda n'ya ngayon.

She was wearing a satin blue dress that reaches her knee. It was hugging her body tightly, showing how perfect her curves were. Sleeveless din ito kaya naman litaw na litaw ang pagiging mestiza n'ya. Her hair was silky straight with brown highlights.

If I felt insecure before, now I can declare that I can't even compete with her in any aspect. Seeing her in flesh only validated why I was scared of her existence.

Naiiyak ako dahil ang pangit sa pakiramdam. Ayoko nito, hindi naman ako pinalaking naiinggit sa kapwa. 'Yon ang pinaniniwalaan ko noon pa man pero mukhang kakainin ko ito. Mas gumanda siya ngayon. She matured not only in appearance but maybe her mindset too. Samantalang ako na third year college na ay nangangapa pa rin sa mga desisyon ko sa buhay.

"Pasok ka," anyaya ni Barbara at tinulak pa si Eastre palayo sa pintuan.

"Barbs," Eastre sighed exasperatedly. "P'wede bang magusap muna kami ni Miye sa labas?"

Barbara shot up a brow. "Why? Bakit di ko p'wede marinig? C'Mon, East. I won't tell a thing. Mukha bang kailangan ko ng pera para patulan ang mga tabloids?"

East sighed once again. "Barbs, please. . ."

"So, she is the girl?!" singhap ni Barbara at nilingon na nang tuluyan si Eastre.

"No, she's not." Eastre tried to explain further but Barbara already has her eyes on me.

Nangangatog na ang mga binti ko dahil di ko alam kung ano ba ang napagusapan nila. Is it about North and I? Or is it another issue? Napapraning na ako rito pero nanatili pa rin ang isang ngiti sa labi ko. I have to pretend, alright! Or else, I would look like the bitter new girlfriend!

"Ikaw ba ang girlfriend ni Eastre?" pahapyaw n'yang tanong.

"No!" agap naming dalawa ni Eastre. Parehas din kaming nagkatitigan dahil doon.

"Oh C'Mon, it's just me! Wala naman kayong dapat itago sa 'kin! I'm not gonna spill!" she speculated, pinalandas n'ya ang kan'yang daliri sa kan'yang labi.

"Barbs," Eastre's forehead knotted. "Hayaan mo muna na magusap kami ni Miye. Privately. And we'll talk about your sudden departure from Paris."

Nag-igting ng bagang si Barbara, then she pouted her lips and nodded like she understands.