Diary of an Introvert

24

Paglabas ko, my best friend's boyfriend was standing at the door. Hindi ko siya pinansin pero parang ako yata ang sadya niya dahil pinigilan niya ako sa pag-alis. 

"You're Cee, right? Naaalala mo ba ako?" 

'Naaalala mo ba ako?' Tss. Bwisit to ah. "Ah, parang pamilyar ka sakin. Sino ka nga ulit?" I pretended not to know him.

He sarcastically laughed. "Can you please stop pretending? Sinabi sakin ni Eric na matalino ka." 

"Haha. Really? You  mean Eric Fuentes? Hah. Thank you sa compliment pero hindi ako magaling pagdating sa mga tao eh. Lalo na yung hindi importante sakin. So, how are you related to my friend?" Honestly, kinakabahan ako ngayon pero hindi rin naman ako pwedeng magpadala sa kanya. Kaya mo yan, Cee!

He looked annoyed. He moved away from me and bit his lips as if he's trying to control his temper. "Tandaan mo to." He's pointing his finger at me. "Huwag na huwag kang magkakamaling magsumbong kay Eric tungkol sa nakita mo." 

He kicked the trash bin and went back to his group.

Hah. Akala mo kung sinong mabait sa una. May itinatago palang sungay ang lalaking to. Sán ba to nakilala ni Eric?! Tss.

Pinuntahan ko si Nalie at nagmadali ng umalis sa lugar na iyon. Pasakay na kami ng jeep nang nakatanggap ako ng tawag mula kay Eric.

Speaking of my beloved friend.

I showed my phone to Nalie and she knew what I'm about to tell her. We'll that's the advantage of having a friend of 11 years. She took the jeep while I stayed beside the street and answered Eric.

me: Yes, friend?

him: Busy ka?

me: Ahm, not really. Bakit? San ka?

him: Pwede ba tayong magkita? I really need someone right now.

me: Nasaan ka? Pupuntahan kita.

him: Do you know the bar that I talked to you? 

me: Oo alam ko. Hintayin mo ko ha.

I ended the call and pumara na ng sasakyan papunta sa lugar kung nasaan si Eric. Pagkarating ko doon, nakahiga na si Eric sa labas ng bar at may mga sugat sa pisngi.

"Ric! Eric! Anong nangyari sayo?" 

"Ah...tss." Dahan-dahan siyang tumatayo. "Huwag kang mag-alala, Cee. I'm okay. Medyo napaaway lang." 

"Hoy! Medyo? Duguan yang pisngi mo tapos medyo lang?! Dagdagan ko kaya yang mga sugat mo?! Ha?! Hay! At di ba naka-black belt ka naman sa martial arts? Anyare sayo? Ba't ka nagpabugbog sa kanila?" 

He laughed, painfully. "Thanks for worrying about me. Ha...sana nga ganun din mag-alala sakin ang boyfriend ko." 

He sat on the dirty road and silently cried. Nakinig lang ako sa kanya.

"He's cheating on me, Cee. Nakita ko sa phone niya ang lahat. He's a jerk! He's...he's..." he paused and punched the ground. "Bakit?! Paano niya nagawa sakin yun? Sabihin mo nga, Cee. Ano bang mali sakin ha? Bakit----bakit parati na lang ako niloloko? Dahil ba na...nagloko rin ako dati? Tell me. Please tell me!" 

I know what I should say to him but I don't think he needs those words now. What he needs is a shoulder to cry on. I hugged him and just let him cry.

I felt my phone vibrating and I knew that Calvin's calling but I can't just leave Eric alone being like this. I called tita Elen (Eric's mom) and told her the situation. Fifteen minutes later, tita Elen came with a taxi.

"Thank you, Cee." 

"It's okay tita. Please tell me kung kailangan niyo ng tulong." 

"I will. Salamat." 

After that, umuwi na rin ako.

I walked home (dahil malapit lang naman) and tried to reflect for what happened. Walking has been my top reliever and it never failed to comfort me, even now.

The road was dark but I do not feel afraid or even think to be afraid. I let the cold wind and relaxing music get through me.

As I arrived at the gate, I saw Calvin walking back and forth; calling someone. He stopped when he saw me.

"Cee! Sán ka nanggaling? Ba't di mo sinasagot ang tawag ko?" 

"Cal." He stared at me, waiting for my next words. I have a lot to say. A lot to share dahil ang dami rin namang nangyari sa araw na ito but none of them were willing to go out of my mouth. My throat became dry and the fear that I was supposed to feel when I was threatened by Eric's boyfriend just sank in. 

I wanted to tell him every thing but instead I ran and hugged him.

He wrapped his arms around me and told me to take my time. I can hear his rapid heartbeats which calmed down along with mine.

After five minutes of silence, I started telling him what happened. Once again, he just listened.

I'm really glad to have him but sometimes, I felt guilty cause I don't think I'm doing something for him in return. He comforts me and gives me peace...how will I repay that?

*** to be continued ***