Trigger and Bullets

bullet 28 - harrowing touches (part 1)

"So what if I came here to see her? Do you have a problem with that?" malamig na sagot ni Isagani. I rolled my eyes. It was like seeing a pathetic movie scene.

"Uhmmmm?" I said. Sabay silang lumingon sa akin at sabay ring nagbago ang pinta ng kanilang mukha. She looked angry, he looked pleased. Law of attraction, different poles attract. "You two are making a scene here. Get a room and talk... because your wife---" I paused for emphasis, "has been behaving like a single woman in public," diretso kong abiso, I wanted to exit the scene as soon as possible. Iningatan ko rin ang lakas ng boses ko para walang makarinig na iba. Nilipat ni Isagani ang tingin niya sa katabi at muling ibinaling sa akin. I guess Isagani knew the implication and complication of my words. He's a public figure... He knew better.

"I didn't know you are having some things here. I came here to talk business related issues with her, wife," may kabagalang sabi ni Isagani habang nakatingin sa akin ngunit ang pinapasaringan ay si Lyka. It was clear to me that he was just glossing over the fact. "Hindi ako maka-pasok sa appointments mo Venice, kaya sinadya kita rito. Mukhang hindi na naman maganda ang timing ko, sa susunod na lang." Naglakad siya palayo at iniwan si Lyka na galit na nakatitig sa akin.

I smirked at her frustrated face. "He'll come back running to me, I thought so..." I loudly mused before I walked away---feeling accomplished.

"What was that?" isang tinig mula sa aking likuran ang nagpabagal ng lakad ko. I looked over my shoulder. "What the fvckn hell was that, Venice?" Cole's voice was angry and distant. Nakita niya ba at narinig ang usapan namin? "Why would you do that to her?" dagdag tanong pa niya ngunit mukhang wala siyang balak ipasagot iyon sa akin dahil nilampasan niya ako sa paglalakad. I stared at his back with slightly opened mouth. Don't tell me he was serious with Lyka kaya ganyan ang inaasta niya ngayon.

"Yeah. What the hell was that?' I fired back. Tss.

"You are acting like your favorite person in the world. Margareth," nakatalikod niyang wika. That slowed down my pace even more... that made my heart sink. He got some thick nerves to tell me something like that when he actually flirted with her. Hindi na siya muling lumingon at tuloy tuloy lang siyang naglakad palayo. Mas mabuti na rin sa pagkakataong ito na hindi siya bumalik because I didn't want him to discover I was left tongue-tied.

Hindi na natanggal sa isipan ko ang nasabi ni Cole hanggang sa lahat ng klase ko sa hapon. I didn't seem to disagree about what he said.  Wow, I'd really lost it that time. I shouldn't have done any of what I have done. I guess my being impulsive was getting the best of me.

I heard Mr. Hamilton call my name and I rose from my chair. I was in my Math class, though not really interested. Naglakad ako tungo sa harap upang kunin ang Midterm grade ko. I hissed when I saw red digits on my sheet and I was feeling like a shit right now. I failed Math---by choice.

After class I headed my way to the parking lot. Humangin kapagkuwan at naramdaman ko ang malamig na kagat nito sa aking balat habang mag-isang naglalakad sa grounds ng campus. Nayuyungyungan na ng kulay abong ulap ang kalangitan at hindi ko maiwasang maikumpara ang nararamdaman ko dito. I was in a black and white picture and I was more faded than any part of the photo. I was busy and lost on trying to figure out the deadlier problems when myself needed some saving. Well I just found out I too needed saving. You know that feeling? It was oppressive and depressing. Parang ayaw ko nang maging ako.