Fallen Hearts

Kabanata 24

I am having my breakfast with my family, my parents are having their talk about business. Nevermind their flirt acts. Halata ang kasiyahan nila habang ako, walang gana. Sobrang sama ng pakiramdam ko, probably my conscience is eating me.

Pumayag ako kay Klyde na umalis mamaya, I don't know where. I haven't told Rozen about this, baka kasi mawala siya sa focus sa ginagawa niyang trabaho sa Manila. I'll tell him once he's back. But still, I felt like betraying him...

Pinangako ko sa kanya na hindi ko sisirain ang tiwala niya, am I breaking it now? Pero kung pababalikin ako sa nangyari kahapon, I'll do the same decision. Klyde is my friend and I can't watch him suffer, if the least thing I can do is to be with him for a single day, then I'll give him that. Kaya kong ibigay sa kanya 'yon but not the same feeling I have towards Rozen.

"You're quiet today, anak. What is the problem?"

Napalingon ako kay mommy and daddy, they are both looking at me intently. Napansin siguro nila ang pagiging matamlay ko simula kahapon. Iba naman kasi kahapon, matamlay ako dahil miss ko na si Rozen. Pero ngayon, dahil nababagabag ako.

"Po? Wala naman po akong problema, hindi lang po ako makasingit sa pinag-uusapan niyo," I settle for not telling them. At least, not now.

My parents weren't convinced but they shake it off, pinalagapas na nila. Ramdam din siguro nila na ayokong pag-usapan iyon. And I'm thankful to my parents for being considerate.

"Kamusta na nga pala ang pinsan niyong si Zeus?" My mother tried her best para makasama ako sa usapan nila daddy.

I tried to act cheerful, "Last time, he told us he'll visit here often..."

Tumango naman si mommy while my father remain silent. Gano'n tumakbo ang umagahan namin, my mother would ask different questions and I answer cheerfully. Sinagot ko siya na tila wala akong problema, I don't want them to worry.

When our breakfast is done, I help manang to clean the plates. I just wanted to divert my attention to something.

Umakyat din ako sa kwarto ko matapos naming maglinis ng pinagkainan namin. I locked myself up in my room, ginawa ko lahat ng pwede kong gawin. Reaction paper, assignments, at nagreview na rin ako. But I still end up, worrying about things.

Sometimes, naiisip ko kung bakit ganito ako maghandle ng problema. This is me, ganito ang paraan ko. I tried changing this attitude but it didn't work. So I end up being my usual self, overthinker and pessimist.

I open my eyes when I heard knocks on my door, "Anak, may naghahanap sa'yo!"

Agad akong tumayo sa pagkakahiga ko. Sino naman kaya iyon? Imposible namang si Klyde, from what I remembered mamayang 10 pa ang lakad namin so...

Tahimik akong bumaba at pumunta sa labas ng bahay namin. I was breathing fine but then, I saw the least person I would like to meet. Si Eva. Or should I call her Ate Eva? She's older than me.

She's still elegant, her usualf self but I have to say she's kinda mess. Ang gulo ng buhok niya and her eyebags.

Ano kaya ang kailangan niya sa akin? I haven't seen her for a while that is why it is very surprising to see her in front of me. I was about to ask her when she start saying things.

"You know what? It's your fault! Simula nang dumating ka ay lumabo na ang lahat. Kung hindi ka umuwi edi sana masaya na kami!"

I know what she's talking about, Rozen. Seeing her agressive like this makes me want to hide at my closet, nakakatakot ang mga ganitong tao. I'm afraid.

Yumuko na lang ako at hinayaan siyang magsalita. Siguro tama din naman siya, I am an intruder.

"Tinalikuran ako ni Rozen nang dahil sa'yo! Matagal na kaming magkaibigan pero nang dumating ka, handa siyang talikuran ang lahat... I can do everything for him pero ikaw? Ano ang kaya mo? Wala. All you did is to hurt him!"