Rule #1: Rule of Fate

[16]

"Bakit? Nasa block yung gusto mo, 'no?" tanong ko sabay ngisi. 

Sige lang, Lia. Saktan mo ang sarili mo. 

He looked at me before answering, "Oo." 

I felt a pain in my heart, when he said that. So... it's true. He does like someone. He likes someone and it's not me. I continued smiling, even if I know that the pain in my heart is still evident. 

"Talaga?" sabi ko. "Sino naman? Spill mo naman, hindi ko naman sasabihin kahit kanino o ipagkakalat." 

He stared at me before laughing. I continued to plaster a fake smile. Maybe if I knew who it is, then I can move on better. I can finally accept that he likes someone else. That he really sees me as a friend. And a friend only. 

"Maybe I can help you too. Madalas ko gawin 'yun sa mga kaibigan ko!" 

He looked at me with an amused expression. Nanatili naman akong nakangiti kahit na nagbabadya na ang mga luha ko sa mata. I went through this the first time, I can go through this the second time. 

"Matutulungan mo talaga ako, dyan." mahinang sabi niya. 

My eyes lit up, just to show how curious I am. Way to go, Lia. "Talaga? Sino nga? Tutulungan kita, promise." 

He chuckled. "Hindi ko pwede sabihin." 

I pouted. It's amazing how I can hold it in, for this long. 

"Daya mo," 

"Bakit, hindi mo rin naman sinasabi sa akin kung sino yung sayo ah?" he challenged me. "Bakit, sino ba sayo, Lia?" 

I just continued looking at him. I didn't wanna look away, because he might think that it's really him. I can't risk that. Look what happened, the last time I confessed to Kale. This is obviously not the right time to do that, nor would I ever confess again. I don't wanna get hurt. 

"Ewan ko sayo," sabi ko nalang at humanda na sa pagtulog. "Tutulog na ako." 

Humiga na ako na hindi nakaharap sa kanya. I bit my lip, trying to keep my chill. I heard his laugh. Niyakap ko nalang ang unan na binigay niya sa akin. I shut my eyes and tried to sleep. 

Ilang minuto na ang nakalipas ay di pa rin ako makatulog. Nakapikit lang ang mga mata ko. 

I suddenly heard the sound of the guitar. I remained on my position, with my eyes shut. I want him to think that I'm really sleeping. That I couldn't hear him. 

If I was really sleeping, I wouldn't hear him anyway. Alam niya ata 'yun, dahil naikwento ni Mama nung inimbitahan niya silang dalawa na mag merienda sa amin. Madalas din kase kailangan talaga akong ilaglag ni Mama sa kama para magising. Wala talaga kase akong naririnig o nararamdaman pag tulog ako. 

Dahil ikaw pa lang ang inibig

Nang ganito, aking aaminin

Ikaw lang ang tanging laman ng damdamin

Wala nang iba

I listened as he sang beautifully. He must be singing it to her. The girl he likes. He must be thinking of her. 

I forced myself to sleep. I didn't mind the loud sound of thunder outside. I didn't wanna hear him sing the song. I didn't want to deal with the same pain I dealt with Kale. 

Unti-unting pumatak ang mga luha ko. Buti nalang talaga at hindi ako nakaharap sa kanya. Ayokong makita niya kung gaano ako nasasaktan ngayon. Kung gaano ako apektado. Ang tingin niya sa amin ay magkaibigan lang. At wala akong balak na baguhin 'yun. Okay na ako sa ganon. Sapat na sa akin na nakikita niya ako biglang kaibigan niya.