TAMING THE LIONESS °[KathNiel] ✓COMPLETE

34. Cami

Even when he didn't remember everything fully about me, about us, he was still him, the Tres Palmer who never gives up on me. Early in the morning, I was greeted by his face in the dining room together with dad. I wanted to pacify how I felt and forget things completely before talking to him. So I did what I think was right. I didn't talk to him. But on the following days, Tres never stopped trying.

"Can you tell me now the truth?" He asked when we were heading to their house. "I know it's true that you missed your mom but Maddy, I know that there's something else too."

"I just want to forget it so please...'wag na nating pag-usapan."

Lihim akong nagpasalamat na hindi siya nag-insist. Pagpasok namin ng bahay, napakunot ako ng noo nang makitang may maraming tao. It's not much of a crowd but it's odd to see their number inside the Palmer's residence. Puro pa ito mga lalaki, na sa tingin ko ay kaedad ko lang.

"We can't stay here." Tres said. "Four's classmates are here." So he led me to his room. As much as possible, I averted my attention towards something else to avoid getting my heart broken again. Ang saklap naman kapag nawasak pa ulit 'to gayong hindi pa nga nabuo.

"Do you want to eat something?" Umiling ako. "This is so uncomfortable." Reklamo niya mayamaya.

"What?"

"Having you and the silence together at once. It's uncomfortable."

"Can I just sleep?" I replied instead. "Can I sleep here?"

As shown by his dark eyes, I can tell how hard he tries to be patient. But if he bursts out or not, I totally don't care. He remained silent while I positioned myself sideways, my back against him.

"Bro." I frowned. Who is he talking to? "Maddy? She's here. Do you want to talk to her? Wait up. I'll place you on speaker."

He's on call. Probably, it's Ansel or Cedric.

"Where is she?" That's Ansel's voice. "Natutulog pala eh, 'wag mo ng gisingin. Sira-ulo."

"Si Harper?"

"Natutulog din." Sagot nito at tumawa.

"So tuloy na ang kasal?"

"Oo. Mauuna tayo sa resort, a week before the wedding. Hinahanap ka kaya nina Tatay Romar at nanay Helena lagi sa'min."

"Oh sige. Sige. Walang problema 'yon." Nagpatuloy ang dalawa sa pagkukwentuhan hanggang sa...

"Bro, is it okay if I also bring Cami to the wedding?" Tanong ni Tres na nagpapanting ng tenga ko. Walang sali-salitang lumabas ako ng kwarto niya at walang lingon-likod na tumakbo.

"Sino 'yon pare?" Narinig kong tanong ng isang lalaki kay Four nang dumaan ako.

Uuwi na dapat ako e. Kaya lang, naalala kong naiwan sa kwarto ni Tres ang phone at bag ko. Kaya para alisin ang nararamdaman kong galit, minabuti kong mapag-isa sa garden ni tita sa likod-bahay. The flowers come in many varieties but it actually made the garden more beautiful.

"Okay ka lang, miss?" Napatalon pa ako sa gulat dahil sa biglaang pagsasalita ng lalaking di ko kilala. May piercing ito sa kilay kaya lalo akong nabother.  "Mag-isa ka yata."

"I just needed fresh air." Pasimpleng sagot ko.

"I'm Broody." Pagpapakilala niya. "Kaklase ako ni Four. Sa ESA karin nag-aaral diba?" Tango lang ang isinagot ko. "Naaalala pa kasi kita. Ikaw 'yong palaging kasama ni Lacsamana."

Kilala niya si Gabbi. But still, I'm not in the mood to talk.

"Maiwan na kita." Mabuti naman at narealize niyang ayaw kong may kasama. I nodded again to respond to him.