Paper Planes (Sandejas Siblings: Companion Book)

Kabanata 14

"I did this not for you! I did this for him, Mom!" I exclaimed and she froze.

"H-Huh? What do you mean?" she asked, confused.

"I was a poison to him!" I blurted out.

"Anong...no way! There is no way you are—"

"I am, Mom! I am!" Nalaglag ang luha sa mga mata ko at sumikip ang puso ko. "S-So, please, stop blaming him! Stop telling me he has no future! That he was a disgrace because he is not! Stop judging him like you knew him! You didn't! Ako ang nakakakilala sa kanya!"

I dried my tears harshly and sighed.

"I-I broke up with him. Stop mentioning him." I said and before they could even say something, I walked away.

I'm tired.

Suminghap ako at umiling at pinatatag ang sarili ko habang nasa byahe papunta sa unibersidad.

"Dito na tayo, Ma'am." Ani ng driver at tahimik akong tumango at niyakap ang libro ko.

I wore my cold and emotionless eyes and entered the university at hindi na ako nagulat nang makita kung sino ang nakaupo sa hagdan malapit sa gate.

My heart quickened, nanghina ako nang makita ang mga mata niyang pagod at takot.

He stood quickly the moment he saw me. I gasped when he went towards me.

"L-Lena..."

Hindi ako umimik at umiwas sa kanya.

"L-Lena, hey, c-can we talk?" He tried getting my things from me but I moved away and shook my head disapprovingly.

"P'wede ba?" I eyed him coldly.

He froze, pain crossed his eyes. It reddened more, the blue eyes of his loomed with agony and sadness.

"P-Pag-usapan natin, Lena," he begged. Sinubukan niyang lumapit sa akin pero umatras ako at umiling.

"H-Hon, please?" He pleaded.

I sighed, nang mapansing pinagtitinganan na kami ay hinarap ko siya at malamig na tinignan.

"Hindi mo ba naiintindihan ang sinasabi ko?" I hissed quietly, eyeing him coldly. "I broke up with you, okay?"

"N-No..." he caught my hand. "H-How can you decide for us? It is us in a relationship! Y-You want to break up with me but I don't!"

"I broke up with you because I don't want you anymore!" I said, pulling my hand away from him.

His eyes swelled more, I caught a tear falling on his cheek. Nanginig ang katawan ko, nang makita ko kung paano mamula ang pagod niyang mata sa sakit ay umiling ako sa kanya at pagod na tumingin.

"Please...stop this. Wala akong gana makipaglokohan sa 'yo ngayon." I sighed. "Stop this bullshit, Ejercito."

"B-Bullshit? W-What we had was never bullshit, Leona," he whispered.

"It is!" I said, "I hated being in a relationship with you."

He lowered his head, nakita ko ang panghihina niya doon.

The once bubbly and always smiling Ejercito faded, I now can see a lost boy while lowering his head, staring blankly at the ground, unmoving and in pain.

"So...please, Jer. Stop this." I said, "I will take my exam now, don't bother me anymore."

Nang hindi na siya muling nagsalita pa ay umalis na ako at dumiretso sa room kung saan ako mag-e-exam.

Students are looking at me with such curiosity, mukhang gustong magtanong sa nangyari pero walang nagtangka.

Nang makapasok ako sa room ay binati ako ng professor ko at hinayaan akong makaupo.