The Aftermath of Pleasure (SPG)

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine | Pregnant

"I want a beach wedding, Zach!" Shai's voice was too cheerful that it was hurting me. Naka puwesto ang kamay ni Zachary sa beywang ni Shai. Gusto kong mag iwas ng tingin, pero hindi ko magawa.

I felt... what's the word? Oh, yes. Dying. I felt like I was dying... like someone was trying to rip my heart out of my chest. I couldn't get myself to stop looking at the couple in front of me. They seemed normal, even... happy. But I knew there was something so wrong with their relationship. With Zach.

Naglalakad kami patungo sa isang cake shop, Shai invited me with them to take a walk around the mall. The weather's supposed to be nice out in the terraces. But before that, we stopped by a coffee shop for desser. Nang mapansin ni Zach ang titig ko sa kamay niya, agad niya itong hinawi. Napatingin si Shailyn sa kanya, nakakunot ang noo.

"What's wrong, babe?" Tanong ni Shai ngunit hindi ito sinagot ni Zach. Instead, nag iwas siya ng tingin. I pushed the door open nang marating na namin ang mismong shop.

"Just wait here, Thalia. Mag o-order lang kami." Pagpapaalam ni Shai. 

"I'll just stay here, babe," sambit ni Zach and Shai directly hesitated.

"No, you're going with me," masigla parin ang boses ni Shai.

"Alright," I said casually, trying to avoid Zach's gaze. 

I can feel Zach staring at me. Hindi nagtagal ay umalis na silang dalawa. I moved to take a seat on one of the vacant tables. Mabuti at wala namang masyadong customers.

My phone vibrated, and when I got it to see who texted, I was stunned.

Unregistered:
Hi, Thalia. Wanna meet up tomorrow? This is Damon.

For some reason, npangiti ako nang nabasa ang text. He didn't forget me! Akala ko ay nakalimutan na niya ako, it's been weeks! Contented, I replied.

Me:
I don't know anyone by the name of Damon, sorry.

Agad naman siyang nag reply.

Unregistered:
Thalia Zamualda, you promised me!

Mahina akong napahalakhak. I bit my lip to stop my laughter. 

"Hm, ngiti-ngiti pa more!" Halos mapatalon ako nang marinig ang masayahing boses ni Shai. Tumingala ako sa kanila at nakitang seryosong nakatingin si Zach sakin.

"New lovelife na ba ito?" Puno ng panunukso ang boses. She sat across me at tumabi si Zach sa kanya, medyo nadismaya ako but I chose to shake the thought off.

Nilapag ni Shai ang tatlong slices ng iba't ibang flavors ng cake.

Shai settled in her seat, "May isa pang flavor na paparating. Zach wanted to buy one whole cake lang. But I heard really good things about this shop, kaya I wanted to try out as many flavors. Maybe we can even use this for our wedding."

I cleared my throat. I nodded as I looked down at the chocolate, vanilla, and ube cake.

"So, kumusta ba, Thalia?" Tanong ni Shai, "Are you seeing anyone right now? 'Yun bang ka-text mo?" 

She looked at me meaningfully. 

I looked away. 

Again, I felt the intensity of Zach's stare. I wanted to scream at him all of the sudden. He's being too obvious! He might as well announce to Shai that there was something here...

"Wala," Tawa ko kay Shai, "It was just a random person."

"Hm," Aniya, "Sige na, tell me! Is there a guy ba?"

My gaze fell on my hands. Based on experience, hindi talaga ako titigilan ni Shai until she hears an answer that seems interesting enough. Kahit noong high school. 

"Thals?" She urged. 

"Y-Yeah, um, sure... there is a guy," Sagot ko. 

My eyes desperately wanted to flicker in Zach's direction. I wanted to see his reaction. Pero pinigilan ko ang sarili. 

"Oh, my!" Shai shrieked, "Details please!"

The air felt so heavy. I wanted to excuse myself. But a waitress arrived at our table before I could even speak. Nilapag nito ang isang maliit na plato sa mesa.

 My nose directly identified the smell of cheese. Napasinghap ako.  

Shit. 

Agad akong napatayo at tinakbo ang distansya ng table namin at CR ng cake shop.

Narinig ko ang pagtawag ni Shai sa pangalan ko pero hindi ko na magawang lumingon pa. When I reached the comfort room, hindi na ako nag abalang isara ang pintuan. I threw up in the cubicle. Damn, naiiyak ako. I hate this feeling.

"Are you alright, Thalia?" Agad kong naaninag ang nag aalalang mukha ni Shailyn. 

Naramdaman ko ang unti unting paglakas ng tibok ng puso ko. Nagkatinginan kami ni Shai at agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin, I think the truth is reflecting in my eyes.

"Yup," sabi ko at unti-unting tumayo. Naglakad ako patungo sa sink at naghilamos.

Naramdaman ko ang presensya ni Shai sa likuran ko at hinagod niya ang likuran ko. Gusto kong umiyak.

I wanna travel back in time. I feel like I'm one of the many evils of the world. Oh, Shailyn.The innocent Shai. I'm sorry for being a traitor. But sad to say, I can't turn back time. If only. If only I could pack my bags and start anew. But then I think I won't be able to do that. I have betrayed Shai in the worst possible way.

Mas lalong kumalabog ang puso ko nang namataan si Zachary na nakasandal sa pintuan ng CR. Nagtama ang aming paningin at kitang kita ko ang pag aalala sa mukha niya, agad akong nag iwas ng tingin.

He moved to get closer to me. But I subtly shook my head. 

Wala akong pakialam kung napansin 'yon ni Shai. I just think it would cause more suspicion if Zach came to hold me. He was, after all, only my best friend's boyfriend. There was supposed to be a line that dictated our interactions. 

Nang tumingin ako sa repleksyon sa salamin ay nakita ko ang pabalik balik na tingin ni Shai sa akin at kay Zachary na tila ba'y nalilito siya, ramdam na ramdam ko kung paano kumawala ang puso ko nang sinambit niya ang mga katagang ito...

"Thals, what's wrong?" She whispered, "Are you pregnant?"