"Kelly..." Mayka called tenderly while still hugging me. I did not respond, I kept on crying so she didn't let me go. I heard her sigh as she hugged me tighter.
"Kelly, you're falling for him."
That was not a question. It was a statement I'm not sure I heard right. I'm falling for him? How come? I am pretty sure I reminded myself not to. How can she conclude that after seeing me cry because of him?
I did not answer her because I, myself, don't know the answer. Parang sirang plaka na paulit-ulit na nagp-play sa utak ko ang sinabi niya.
Is that why I'm so hurt?
Ganun ba yun? Iiyak ka dahil sa maliit na bagay? Is it because I like him?
Lumingon kaming tatlo sa pinto nang may kumatok doon. "Kate—" bungad ng lalaki at dahan-dahang binuksan ang pinto. Kaagad tumayo si Mayka at tumakbo papunta sa pintuan.
"Kuya!" she shrieked as she pushed the door to prevent it from opening further, laughing robotically. "Anong kailangan mo?"
"A-Ah..." Nagitla si Mico dahil sa inasal ng kapatid niya. "Aalis na kasi ang ibang SC members bukas kaya inaya nila tayong magparty mamaya. Just wanna inform y—"
Hindi niya natapos ang dapat sabihin nang hinila siya palabas ni Mayka. "Let's talk outside." She said. When the door slightly opened, he caught a glimpse of me, crying. Nagtaka siya pero hindi ko nakita ang reaksyon niya dahil sinara na ni Mayka ang pinto.
Nang masigurong wala na sila ay umupo si Jazz sa harap ko. She held both my shoulders as she forced me to look at her.
"Shh... Tahan ka na." she said in a soothing voice. I'm not crying anymore, I'm just sobbing quietly because I still can't understand anything. Everything is confusing me. She wiped the tears from my cheeks, looking at me with eyes full of mildness. "Kailan pa?"
She brushed my hair using her hand, a small attempt to calm me. "Ngayon lang, kakasabi niyo lang." I replied, my voice small.
I saw a hint of smile from her eyes before hugging me tight. "Kaya nga ayaw kong magka-jowa eh. See? You're already helpless."
I laughed at what she said, realizing that it was an endeavor to make me cheer up. Para akong tanga, umiiyak tapos tumatawa.
Lumayo ako sa kanya at ako na mismo ang nagpunas ng luha ko mula sa pisngi. I smiled at her, thanking her comfort.
"Jazz, what am I going to do?" I asked, my voice cracked again but I held the tears back. Ayoko nang umiyak. Namumugto na ang mga mata ko.
Tumayo si Jazz at pumunta sa table para maglagay ng tubig mula sa pitcher.
"Naku, wag mo akong tanungin kung ano ang gagawin mo kasi I promote breakups." She joked as she offered me a glass of water which I accepted it with a small chuckle. Tumawa rin siya at umupo ulit sa kama.
I noticed she was looking at me with a soft smile plastered on her lips as I drank the water. When I gave it back to her, she held my hand. "Why don't you tell him?"
Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya at padabog na binitawan ang kamay niya.
"What? No!" I yelled at her.
"Bakit?" Instead of shouting back, she calmly held my hand again as she rubbed my knuckles. "Patuloy kang masasaktan kapag itatago mo yan."
Umiling ako sa sinabi niya, refusing the thought that that guy can hurt me.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I looked away. "I won't tell him. I can't."
She sighed at my stubbornness and bit her lip while looking at me with a stern face.
39: LOVER'S QUARREL
Start from the beginning
