Amidst The Vying Psyches

Kabanata 27

It was Nadya. Pangatlong missed call niya na.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Steven nang mamatay ang cellphone niya matapos mag-ring nito.

"Hindi mo ba sasagutin?" I asked.

"No, let's just go back to studying—"

His phone flashed her name again. We just watched the screen, waiting for her to stop calling. When she did, a notification of her message popped up.

Nadya: Answer my calls.

Hindi pa nakukuha ni Steven ang cellphone dahil muli itong tumawag. Narinig ko ang mahinang pagmura niya bago ito kinuha.

I turned my back to him and pretended to read my notes.

I won't deny that it hurted because this should be our alone time. Ngayon na nga lang kami ulit magkakaroon ng quality time pero may ganito pa.

Ang unfair ko ba kung gugustuhin kong sa akin lang muna ang atensyon niya?

"Sorry, hirang. I-I'll just answer her call."

I felt a pang on my chest when he even went inside his room just to answer her calls.

I decided to get my laptop in my room but my hand stopped from twisting the doorknob when I heard Steven inside his room. His door was not fully closed, making their conversation louder for me to hear.

"Nasaan ka na ba?! Kanina pa kita hinihintay." I heard Nadya on the other line, shouting. His phone was on the loud speaker.

"What do you mean? I thought it was canceled?"

"Tangina, Steven! Hindi mo kasi sineseen ang mga messages ko!"

I could see him pulling his hair out of frustration.

"I-I can't."

"Ano?!" Mas tumaas ang tono ni Nadya. "Anong you can't? Hindi ka pupunta?"

"No, I'm spending time with my girlfriend."

"My god! Mas uunahin mo pa 'yung girlfriend mo kaysa rito?"

"What do fuck do you want me to do?! Iwan ko ulit si Hiraya mag-isa? Do you fucking know how much I am worried to leave her here? She needs me, Nads. I just can't leave her alone."

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila pero sigurado akong hindi iyon magawa ni Steven dahil sa akin. This was the first time I heard him raise his voice.

"Bakit?! Ano bang tingin sa girlfriend mo, bata? May I remind you..."

Hindi ko nasundan ang mga sumunod na sinabi niya dahil napalingon si Steven sa direksyon ko. Mabilis akong pumasok sa aking kwarto para hindi niya mapansin na nakikinig ako sa usapan nila.

Am I being a burden to him?

After a few minutes, I left my room. He's back on his seat earlier. I gave him a small smile.

However, it immediately vanished when I saw a guitar on his side.

"A-Aalis ka?"

Bumagsak ang balikat niya nang marinig ang boses ko. Huminga siya nang malalim bago naglakad papunta sa akin at tumigil sa harap ko.

His arms encircled my waist before his forehead touched mine.

We stayed like that for a minute before he kissed my nose.

"I'm sorry, hirang..."

Hearing his soft voice was enough to bring me to tears.

"P-Para saan?"