Play Pretend

Chapter 25

#OLAPlayPretend

Chapter 25
Party

Sino si Macy?

Ayan ang tanong na nanatili sa isipan ko hanggang sa makaalis kami ni Xaiver sa kanila. Nang makabalik ako sa dining room, Tita Mira became more friendly. She told me to call her that way. Mas lalo niya akong kinausap, and it was obviously the fruit of her conversation with Xaiver a while ago. However, I couldn't completely take in her kindness and be happy about it.

I was stuck thinking about the owner of the unfamiliar name I heard from them. Hindi ako mapakali. Why did Tita Mira suddenly bring her up? Sino siya at bakit ganoon na lamang ang reaksyon at naging sagot ni Xaiver?

I had a feeling that it was someone from his past, even way before I got to know him. Iyon lang ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ko siya kilala.

Unti-unti kong nilingon si Xaiver. Tahimik siya magmula nang umalis kami. The golden, natural light of the setting sun made everything look sentimental as he watched over the establishments and buildings we passed by. Para bang kasing lalim ng paglulubugan ng araw ang iniisip niya.

"Nagkaroon ka na ba ng girlfriend?" Hindi ko na napigilan ang bibig na bumuka at magtanong sa kanya.

Xaiver looked a little startled with my sudden question. Mabilis siyang napalingon sa akin at napakunot ang noo.

It was too late for me to take it back. At sa totoo lang, ayaw ko na ring bawiin. I wanted to touch that part of him and seek answers for the questions lurking around my head.

"Why'd you suddenly ask?" mapaghinala ng tanong niya. "Alam mo na dapat ang sagot diyan."

Napalunok ako. I didn't want to tell him that I heard everything he talked about with his parents. I heard them talk about Macy. Si Macy na hindi ko kilala.

"Kaya ko nga tinatanong kasi hindi ko alam... Hindi ko sigurado..." mahina kong sagot at medyo nag-iwas ng tingin. Nagdadasal na akong sana ay hindi siya maghinala.

Xaiver heaved a sigh. "Wala pa."

I snapped my gaze up to look at him. "Wala pa? Wala ka pang nagiging girlfriend? Kahit kailan?"

"Wala pa."

Ngumuso ako. Maniniwala ba ako? Pero para saan pang nagtanong ako kung hindi rin naman pala ako maniniwala?

"Can I ask why that unnecessary question suddenly crossed your mind?" he asked.

Matalim ko siyang tiningnan. Ano ang unnecessary doon? Hindi ba dapat nga ay open kami isa't isa pagdating sa mga ganyan? If he still has hang ups with his ex, maybe I can help him.

"Naisip ko lang. Bakit? Normal naman ang magkaroon ng ex kaya tinanong ko na," palusot ko saka idiniretso ang tingin. "Ako nga may ex, eh."

The dead silence made me realize that I took the wrong move to save myself. Mas lalo ko lamang inilagay ang sarili sa laylayan. Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko't unti-unting nilingon ulit si Xaiver.

Naninikil ang kanyang madilim na titig. Nilunok ko lahat ng kaba at takot saka pilit na ngumiti sa kanya.

"Bakit ganyan ang tingin mo?" tatawa-tawang tanong ko para kunwari ay wala akong nararamdamang tensyon sa pagitan naming dalawa.

"You had a boyfriend?" Xaiver asked.

"Uhm, hindi... Wala," sabi ko.

"But you said you have an ex?"

"Oo, pero hindi officially naging kami. M.U. lang. Mutual understanding. Pero ex pa rin siya kasi parang gano'n na rin 'yon."

I tried my best to save myself. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi niya gusto ang nalaman.