Fleeting Moments

Chapter 14: Envelope

Mabuti na lang din at hindi mahilig sina Tatay sa ganoong klase ng balita. Dahil kung oo, at nalaman nilang si Ryo iyon, patay kami pagkauwi ko. Lalo lang magiging mahirap na makipag-usap at magkapaliwanagan nang maayos. Paniwalain pa naman si Tatay.

According to the article supporting the Valentine's day blind item, the model slash host went to the player's house to settle the issue and to check if the player's really keeping a pregnant woman under his roof and his influential, untouchable mother. Walang nabanggit kung paano umalis si Talie, but it was written that the model slash host went to a socialite's house, isa sa mga close friend niya.

Then, they apparently got wasted in an expensive club. I don't know who the socialite the article was referring to was, because I wasn't familiar with any of Talie's friends. Kahit noong college, hindi naman ako nag-abalang alamin ang pangalan ng mga nakakasama niya. Si Cali, nasa nature na yata niyang i-inform ako at ipagkalap ng impormasyon pero wala naman akong ma-recall sa mga nabanggit niya sa akin. Besides, kung kay Talie nga ay wala akong pakialam, sa mga kaibigan niya pa kaya?

"Frankie." I instantly felt tense the moment he called me. "Wala talaga 'yung kay Talie."

I betrayed myself and looked at him. Bagsak ang balikat niya habang nakatingin pabalik sa akin. His eyes looked glassy and pleading. I feel like if I were to ask him to kneel and apologize, susunod agad siya nang walang pag-aalinlangan.

I shook my head. I could keep on trying to remain unbothered with those articles. Galing lang naman iyon sa website na puro blind items, hindi sa verified news network. Kahit pa sabihing madalas ngang tama sila, alam ko naman ang totoo. I wasn't and won't be Ryo's one-time girl toy. Kung totoo nga ang parteng itinatago niya ako kay Talie dahil may namamagitan sa kanila, wala na akong pakialam doon. Gusto ko na lang maging tahimik.

"You don't have to lie to me," I told him and smiled a little.

If he were only doing this to make me feel better, then he should stop because I don't need any of it. Simple lang naman ang pakay ko kaya ako lumapit sa kaniya.

Noong naghiwalay kami, sabi niya, ayaw na niya akong makita kahit kailan. I could have done that, but I didn't want to deprive him of his rights as Raiko's father. Our breakup had a lot of loose ends, but I trusted and knew that he deserved to know.

I wouldn't mind if he wants to be with Talie, or even with other girls. I liked seeing him happy, so if that's what would bring him happiness, sino ako para tumutol?

His expression faltered. Hindi ko alam kung lalo siyang natunaw at nanghina o nanigas sa sinabi ko. His lips parted a little, and I patiently waited for him to say something.

He scoffed, looking away. He was chewing on his lower lip, and he looked like he was having a debate with himself on whatever it was that he was holding back. I sighed and was about to turn my chair to face my laptop again when he spoke.

"Hindi naman ako nagsisinungaling." Bahagyang nanginginig pa iyon.

I adjusted the pillow behind me. When I looked at him, wala nang bahid ng pag-aalinlangan sa mata niya. That's when I knew that I couldn't do anything to postpone this conversation.

Maybe I shouldn't have responded. If I remained silent, e di magsasawa rin siyang kumausap sa wala. Dapat pala, sinarili ko na lang talaga iyon para wala kaming pinag-uusapan ngayon. I was afraid to talk about it before, and I am more afraid now.

"Tangina, Frankie. Hanggang ngayon ba, hindi ka naniniwala?" hindi makapaniwala niyang tanong.

I hissed and glared at him. Now he's starting to bring this topic a little further. Mukha pa ring wala siyang balak umatras at magpatalo.