Love Next Door

Chapter 14

Hindi ko namalayan na napatigil ako sa paghinga. Naramdaman ko na lang na parang hinihingal ako.

Pinagdarasal ko na sana hindi tungkol sa 'min ni Ingrid kung bakit ako pinapatawag ni Dad.

Which is impossible kasi yun lang naman ang issue talaga dito.

Pumunta nga ako sa living room at nakita ko ang mga pinsan ko doon. Yung mga pinsan ko magkakasunod na nakaupo sa sofa. Halos lahat mga mukhang kinakabahan.

Para silang nasa loob ng Principal's office dahil may ginawang kalokohan.

Nandun din si Miguel na nakaupo sa single chair sofa na nasa kaliwa, tinignan ko kung sinong nakaupo sa kanan at nakita kong si Ingrid ang nandoon.

Wala dito yung mga maliliit, kami lang mga teenager.

Nakita kong may bakante pa sa tabi ni Gab at doon ako umupo.

"Saved that for you," mahinang sabi ni Gab pero sapat na para marinig ko.

"What's going on?" Bulong ko rin sa kanya.

"Biatch here made a scene," ang tinutukoy niyang Biatch, si Ingrid.

"What'd she do this time?" curious kong tanong kay Gab pero bago niya pa ko masagot nagsalita si Daddy.

"Nandito na ba lahat? Si Harry?" tanog ni Dad.

"Tito," tinaas niya yung kamay niya para makita siya ni Dad. Lumingon naman si Dad kay Lolo. Hindi rin nagtagal umalis na si Dad at sinarado ang pinto ng living room.

Huminga ng malalim si Lolo.  

"Anong nangyayari sa inyo? Bakit may nakikita akong nagaaway?" His voice was firm pero maririnig mo ang konting pagka concern sa boses niya.

Walang sumasagot lahat mga nakayuko ang ulo except kay Kuya Dane, Kuya Anthony at Harry.

"Ryan, tell me bakit kayo nasisigawan ni Ingrid?"

"I don't know with her. We were just talking then, suddenly, she just hit me and screamed at me," nakasimangot na sagot ni Ryan.

"Because Lolo he was mocking me. They all do," she started sobbing.

"Oh great," bulong pa rin ni Gab pero malakas na para marinig ko at ni Jack na katabi rin niya sa kabilang side.

Nagsalita ulit si Lolo, "Mocking you? Why would he mock you? What were you even talking about?"

Walang sumasagot sa tanong ni Lolo. Huminga si Lolo ng malalim.

"Tell me or else," pagbabanta niya.

"We were just talking about our plans for the weekend. And then, she said she doesn't want our friends to be here and she said she doesn't like the additional noise and blah blah blah. And when I told her that it's not of her business, she got mad." paliwanag ni Ryan.

"Because you were rubbing it in my face! They also used to be my friends until they decided to ignore me and be on her side." she gave a glare.

Well, it wasn't my fault that you're so annoying

Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay.

I knew this day would come. Yet, I'm still holding back.

I'm scared that I might regret everything I wanna say.

"I thought we're over that? Zoe?," bumaling sa 'kin ang atensyon ni Lolo at mabilis na lumipat kay Miguel. "Miguel, I know isa ka sa pinaka involved regarding this issue," sabi ni Lolo in way na parang may ka business meeting lang. "Hindi pa rin ba 'to tapos?" confusion etched on his face.