Rules Of Attraction

Chapter 24

"Are you sure?" halos walang boses kong tanong.

Cachi just showed me a photo. I didn't know a single photo could hurt me like this.

"Yes!" galit na sigaw ni Cachi.

My friends were looking worriedly at me. Si Brent na matagal ng hindi okay kay Zion ay madilim ang mukha at maging si Gasper na kasundo ni Zion ay ganon din ang reaksyon.

"Baka naman nakalimutan lang sabihin..." Rose tried to reason.

Tumango ako at pinigilan ang mga luha ko na tumulo. "Baka nga. I'll ask him when we meet."

"Bullshit! Itanong mo na ngayon, Addi. Kailan kayo magkikita? Ano, halos isang linggo na ngang puro text lang kayo diba?!" Cachi shouted.

The photo she showed me is from Amanda, Zion's ex. It was dated last week. Kinabukasan matapos ng huling kita namin ni Zion when we celebrated
his position as the new President of their chains of hotel. Based from the photo, I could tell it was from Zion's office. Alam ko dahil nadala na niya ako doon. Akala ko ay lumipat na siya ng opisina dahil hindi na siya ang General Manager ngunit mukhang hindi pa pala. Maybe his new office isn't available yet? I don't know! I'm so frustrated!

"Cachi, kumalma ka nga. Parang mas girlfriend ka pa eh," Lhexine calmed her down.

Suminghot ako at itinaas ng bahagya ang ulo. I don't want to cry in front of my friends at isa pa, baka may dahilan kung bakit hindi sinabi sakin ni Zion na magkasama sila last week ng ex niya.

Pumasok ako sa mga natitirang kong klase sa araw na iyon na parang isang zombie. I was even scolded by one of my professor dahil hindi ko namalayang tinatawag pala ako. My mind is occupied by Zion and his picture with Amanda kaya wala ako sa wisyo kausap. Zion tells me everything. Kahit pa simpleng bagay lang so I'm sure that he has an explanation for hiding his meeting with Amanda. I will hear his side. Besides, this is the first time that it happened.

Or is it?

Sinubsob ko sa lamesa ang ulo ko at hinayaang tumulo ang mga luha. I stopped my self from sobbing. I don't wanna make it a big deal but I'm really hurt. Pakiramdam ko ay may kung anong kumukurot sa puso ko tuwing maaalala ko ang picture na nakita.

"Oh, Addison," Cachi murmured and tried to take a peek on my face. Iniwas ko ang ulo para hindi niya makita ang mukha kong basa ng luha.

Mabuti na lang at huling klase na namin ito. Bukod sa amin ay mayroon pang ibang tao sa room pero iilan na lang. We were seated on the back kaya malayo kami sa iba pang mga estudyante na naiwan.

"I'm okay," I said. I was surprised that I was still able to talk straight.

"Do you want me to sleep over at your house?" she asked, trying to make me feel better. "Wala naman tayong pasok hanggang Friday dahil may seminar ang mga prof."

I nodded and simply wiped my tears. I didn't even know that we don't have class for three days. I lifted my head and wiped some more tears. "That would be great."

She immediately gave me a hug upon seeing my face strained with tears. Dinaan ko sa tawa ang sakit na nararamdaman.

"Sorry. Magkakaron na siguro ako. I'm emotional these past few days," I said.