Paper Memories

Chapter 15-III

Chapter 15-III

"Sheena? What's wrong?" Percival asked innocently while he stayed seated by the piano. Napaurong ako. Agad kong inabot ang cellphone ko para tawagan si Ellie. Wala, hindi niya sinasagot. So I turn to Ralph instead, it was ringing, I was hoping he answered but my phone died. Hindi dapat to lowbat, pero hindi 'to bumububukas kahit anong pindot ko." May problema ba?"

I was hesistant to repeat my words." S-Sila Ellie at R-Ralph."

He raised his brow curiously, while his fingers still pressed the piano keys from time to time. Hinihintay niya akong makapagsalita." Ah, hindi mo ba sila macontact? Baka busy lang. You could try later. Are you done painting? Can we cook dinner together?"

"No! I don't want to eat. What I nee---"

"Do you feel sick Sheena?

"Ayos lang ako. Sa katunayan labas na lang tayo, saglit lang." May ideayang pumasok sa utak ko. Hinila ko si Percival papatayo mula sa piano. I don't know if he can feel how much I am trembling or if he understand what's happening." Ngayon na. I j-just...I-I need to see Ronald."

His face darkens."It's already late, why do you need to see that boy?"

Hindi ako namalikmata, the softness and the kindness in his face was gone. Is this jealousy? After all this time? Ngayon pa siya nagseselos kahit kapalit lang naman siya ni Ralph? Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko."Gusto ko siyang makita--- and you're coming with me.

He tilted his head." It could just be the two of us..."

"What the hell are you talking about?! Anong sinisimulan mong issue?"Saktong pagkasigaw ko sa kanya ay narining ko nabasag ang salamin, lumingon agad ako; hangin lang pala. I was frozen in place, I couldn't bear the terror of this coincidence." Huwag kang umaktong nagseselos, Percival. You don't get ruin the relationships I have."

Itinaas ni Percival ang hintuturo niya. !" Pero, narinig ko pa lang na may gulo kanina sa labas. Delikado, Sheena. I'm just warning you, alright?"

I grunted." Bakit sila ba pupuntahan ko? Si Ronald diba?"

He laugh, he dared to laugh." Labas na tayo, Hon?"

Agad ko hinablot ang kamay ni Percival.

He's real. I'm holding him. I'm not seeing things.

I was out of breath when we're almost near the streets, mataas ang stamina ko pero inuubos ng emosyon ko ang lakas ko. Percival was perfectly fine, ni walang bakas ng pagod. I need to find Ronald, I look up, and then there he is, he's talking to someone--- as if he's almost cornered by pair of police officers! Napaaway ba siya? Nadamay sa gulo? Naririnig ko ang usapan nila. Nagpabibintangan lang siya!

Kakausapin ko sila--- they'd listen! I'd end this immediately!

Kailangan may gawin ako, ako naman!

"You shouldn't smoke here."

Ronald glared at us." Bakit ikaw ang mas pinakinggan nila?"

I opened my palms." Umayos ka, Ronald. Pinaginitan ka pa lang."

Ronald scowled, he gave me the pack of cigarette he have. And as if looking for a distraction he just pulled on his camera and started aggressively pushing its buttons. He glance behind us, he glance at those police officers. I saw him flinch when they turned their head around." Akala ata nila may mababago sila, porke pulis sila. Tangina, ganyan talaga ang pag baguhan, mainit ang dugo."

"Dapat kinausap mo na lang sila ng maayos, they didn't like your attitude." Suway ko kay Ronald. Inabutan kasi namin siya sa kanto ng baranggay namin na dinidiin na dalawang police officer dahil sa nangyari gulo sa lugar namain kanina." What really happened? Kasama ka ba talaga sa napaayaw? Kakilala mo ba yung sinasabi nilang nahuli?"

"Nasa trabaho ako nun, labas ako dun..."

"Pinagbintangan ka lang talaga nila?"

"Ano pa ba? Magaling lang yung mga baguhang yun na magturo na kung sino-sino. Akala nila kabarkada ko yung mga nahuli nila kanina." Huling nakita ko si Ronald nung may kasama siyang mga teenager. Pasa-pasa siya, yung pinakamalaki halos di pa matakpan ng manggas ng t-shirt niya. May galos siya sa pisngi na natatakpan lang dahil lagi siyang nakayuko."Kakatapos ko lang sa trabaho nung nagkagalo kanina. Ngayong tapos na ang lahat, saka pa ako madadamay dahil tangang mga tanong nila?"

I was taken back to see him agitated." Were they bullying you? Di mo sila kai------"

Nagpataasan ako ni Ronald ng boses." Hindi ko sila kaibigan!"

I clasped his wrist."...H-hindi kita pinag-iisipan ng masama."

Ronald finally looked up, he sighed."Kayo...Bakit kayo nandito?"

"Gusto kang makita ng girlfriend ko. Pero sinabihan ko siya na baka nakauwi ka na o may inaasikaso kaya huwag ka niya abalahin. But maybe its good thing we look for you." Percival responded, I almost forget that he is here. He was just beside me all this time I was defending Ronald." Nakkwento ka niya palagi, kaya gusto na din kita makilala. We were about to have dinner, why don't you join us?"

Napataas ang kilay ni Ronald." Huwag na, mauuna na ako..."

Ah, tama. Gusto ko munang makasama si Ronald. May kailangan pa akong malaman. Hindi pa sapat yung sagot niya kanina." He's right. Ron, pwede ba sumabay ko muna samin mag-dinner? Hahanapin ka ba ng Papa mo? Ako na magpapaalam sayo? Please?"

Percival chuckled." Pinipilit mo masyado, Hon."

Why is Percival acting like this? He initiated the idea! Muli akong nakiusap kay Ronald." I'm not forcing him! I'm just asking. Just tonight, I swear it won't take that long. Maaga pa naman, at hindi ka pa nakakabisita sa bahay diba? Nung sabado o nung linggo halos hindi din tayo nakapag-usap!"

Napabuntong hininga na lang din si Percival." Sheena..."

Sa huli tumango si Ronald." Ngayon lang na may utang na loob ako sayo..."

"That's settle then! What should we make, Sheena? Yung request mo na lang kanina?" Percival happily exclaimed as we start walking, and as if to give way for me he walk in front us while we lagged behind. Tahimik ngunit alisto si Ronald sa tabi ko. The streets is now quieter and the two police offices that was patrolling the area is gone." Ikaw, Ronald may gusto ka ba? How after dinner we go stargazing in our rooftop? Oh, maybe we should do something about your injuries first. Okay?"

Ronald shrug, he's shutting me off." Kahit ano..."

I pulled Ronald closer as I whisper. I need his answers, I need this boy by my side. Pero ano tong itatanong ko samantalang nasa unahin namin ang lalakeng yun?"...Nakikita mo ba talaga ang boyfriend ko?"

He look at me sideways, confused."Hindi ba dapat?"