Red Strings

09

"I told you, you can always talk to me," I said but still giving him space if he doesn't want to tell it to me yet.

"But you don't talk to me, Leizel." He said that it was double meaning for me. Pakiramdam ko alam niya na galit ako because of what he did.

"Hindi naman importante.."

"Then make it the same way, I'll tell you what's my problem every time I feel down and you'll tell yours, in any circumstances." He stated and it was a promise.

Pipiliin ko bang magkwento sa kanya? O itatago ko ulit sa sarili ko ang mga naiisip?

"You're not telling me what's wrong. Something's off with you tuwing nakikita mo 'ko." Puna niya. So he knew... "You're jealous, Leizel?"

Agad akong napalingon sa kanya. Grabe ha! Ibang level na yung selos, uy.

"B-bakit at saan naman ako magseselos?" Damn, Leizel! Why did you stutter, baliw! Sasagot ka lang e.

He smirked. "Mula nung birthday ni Astrid, you saw me with Azra, right? When I talked to you outside, you started acting strange."

"Anong sinasabi mo, I didn't act strange."

"Keep trying on denying it, Leizel."

"Why would I even be jealous of that girl? She's your girlfriend, right? Then I respect that." Sambit ko at umiwas ng tingin.

"Hindi pa ba malinaw na sinabi ko noon na wala akong girlfriend?" Psh! Even you, you're bluffing.

"Sigurado ka? I'm always seeing you together." I said and with that I realized that I slipped with my words. Shit, Leizel! Ano ba 'yan!

He laughed with that. Nagsimula mag init ang pisngi ko sa hiya, napansin niyang nadulas ako!! Nakakainis!

"That doesn't mean we're together-"

"Well, it maybe? No friends are so 'close' and that girl is really clingy to you!" I stopped him before he even finish what he says.

"Gusto mo ba talagang ipilit 'yan sa akin?" He said. Hindi ako nakasagot.

"She's not my girlfriend, Leizel, Wala akong girlfriend and I'm sorry that it made you mad."

"I'm not mad,"

"Alright, I'll get you home now." Sambit niya, didn't want to argue with me anymore. Tumayo siya at naglahad ulit ng kamay. Tinanggap ko iyon.

Pero ayoko pa. At a short period of time, I was attached to this place already, like him. We made memories with just a simple walk at a beautiful scenery and place, I treasured it already. I just hope that somehow, that new memory of us at this place will replace his painful memory of his complete family. I wish when we go back here, he doesn't feel the pain in that memory anymore.

"Let's walk there," He was pointing on another walk place here. 

Ang lakaran ay may mga tile na bato. nakaibabaw pa iyon sa mismong batak batak na bato bilang sahig dito. Nakahilera ang mga nakaukit na litrato ng mga bayani sa bato. It was displayed like a canvas and across it are trees with the light bulbs again. Ang liwanag, ang gaan sa pakiramdam.

"Do you have siblings?" Bumaling ako kay Ade and questioned him out of no where.

"Half sisters." Sagot niya. Tumango tango ako. May anak na pala ang Tatay niya sa iba.

"Are you close to them?" I asked curiously.

"Medyo, bata pa sila. Minsan ko lang din sila mabisita kaya hindi ko alam kung paano ang mga pananaw nila."