The Third Side of a Love Story

Chapter 5

Tumingin siya sa amin.

"Nice meeting you, Venisa." She said. Tumingin siya sa akin at sunod kay Justin. They looked at each other for a while. Kalaunan, si Selena na rin ang unang bumitaw sa kanilang mga tingin.

"Una na ako sa inyo. Kailangan ko nang dumuty." Gio gave her bag. "Bye Gio."

Binitawan na siya ni Gio sa pagkakahawak nito sa kanya na parang linta at naglakad na siya papasok ng coffee shop. Sinundan lang namin siya ng tingin hanggang sa nakapasok na siya sa loob.

"We're tired. Kailangan nang magpahinga ni Ven. Maybe next time." Justin said immediately.

Gio looked disappointed that we refuse to hangout with him. Pero mukhang wala talagang balak sumama si Justin sa yakag niya.

"Well then, I'll just see you guys tomorrow?" Paalam niya. Tumango naman kami.

I have the energy to hang out for a bit pero kung si Gio ang kasama ay huwag nalang muna siguro. Naiinis pa din ako sa kanya.

Besides, sabi ni Justin pagod na raw ako. So that should be it, pagod na ako. Ginawa niya siguro akong excuse dahil ayaw niya ring kasama si Gio for now.

I don't think he knows what happen between Gia and Gio but I hope he knows. Para naman masabihan niya si Gio to what a man should do after making a girl cry. Apologizing is the least he can do. Yet, hindi niya magawa. Dinagdagan niya pa ang sama ng loob ni Gia.

Feeling tuloy ni Gia, pinaglalaruan siya ni Gio. And I hate Gio for making her feel that.

Tumalikod na si Gio at palayo na sana ng bigla ko siyang tawagin.

"Gio!"

Lumingon naman siya agad.

"Yeah?"

"You should give Gia a call."

His expression changes. But I said what I said. Hindi niya dapat pairalin ang pride niya dahil kung tutuusin. May kasalanan siya kay Gia.

Kissing someone without consent doesn't sit right. Nabastusan sa kanya si Gia kaya dapat lang siyang humingi ng tawad. He should not take her advantage most especially when she's drunk. He should set his feelings aside and respect whatever Gia has decided. Whether she accept his feelings or not.

I saw him take a deep breath. Ngumiti lang siya sa amin. Suddenly, I saw that eyes again. That eyes containing so much pride in it.

"Justin, take Ven home. She really needs a rest." And again for the nth time, Gio's pride win. He ignore what I said and left.

Naiwan kami ni Justin sa labas ng coffee shop. Hawak niya pa rin ang isang kamay ko.

"Are you okay, Justin?"

He looked at me.

"Yeah..." He nod. "Of course." Then looked at his watch.

"Shall we?"  Tumango ako at pumunta na kami sa sasakyan niya.

Tahimik lamang siya buong biyahe sa paghatid niya sa akin. He doesn't say a word. Hindi ko rin naman magawang magtanong dahil takot ako na baka lalo lang siyang mawala sa mood.

Gustong gusto ko siyang tanungin to why did he looked at Selena that way? He's looks at her like he's longing for her. At hindi ko iyon gusto. Sa mga tingin niya kanina kina Gio, parang hindi niya nagustuhan na magkasama ang dalawa. I knew him long enough to the point I already memorize his stares.

And just like the insensitive and numb human being that he is, Justin isn't bother that I'm looking. He never think that maybe I'd be jealous somehow.

I looked at the other side to distract my eyes. Para kasing may nagbabadyang luha sa mga iyon. Kasama ko pa si Justin so I shouldn't cry. Pinanood ko nalang ang kalsada na tinatahak namin. Hindi na rin ako nagsalita.