Fleeting Moments

Chapter 19: Call

Hinayaan ko na lang dahil baka nahihiya pa talagang magsabi lalo na't kaharap si Ryo. Mas may chance pa yatang sabihin ni Nate sa akin kapag tinanong ko siya kaysa kusang umamin sa akin si Cali.

"Boyfriend mo 'yon e. Kung lait-laitin mo 'yon no'ng college 'pag tayo ang magkausap, wagas. Tapos ngayon. . . ."

I clicked my tongue and pressed his knee. Cali frowned. She then looked at me as if asking for my help.

"Hindi naman kasi talaga," bubulong-bulong na tanggi niya.

"Ows? Mamatay?" Ryo laughed. "Mawalan ka man ng trabaho?"

As much as I wanted to stop him from making fun of Cali, I couldn't help but laugh with him. Natigil lang ang tawa ko nang maramdamang gumapang ang kamay niya sa kamay kong nakapatong sa may tuhod niya. I stole a glance at him and he was still looking at my laptop's screen, grinning at Cali . . . o baka kaya nakangisi siya e dahil nasimplehan niya ng hawak ang kamay ko.

Cali continued to defend herself with her repetitive and obvious lies. Her eyes kept on shifting to the left, like there was someone there, watching her. Maybe it was Nate trying his hardest not to laugh. The quality of the video was quite bad, but it was clear that Cali was totally blushing.

Kausap ko pa rin si Cali at inilihis ko na lang sa work ang usapan, pati sa binyag ni Raiko. I asked if she could come. If I need to ask Tita to have someone drive her there, I would do so. Gusto ko na nga ring tanungin si Nate, dahil alam ko namang sabay silang pupunta sa amin, pero hindi ko ginawa dahil nagkukunwari nga akong naniniwalang walang ibang kasama si Cali sa kuwarto.

My smile faded when I felt Ryo's hand slipping away. Maingat niyang inalis ang kamay niya pero naramdaman ko agad. I glanced at him. He stood up and walked away wordlessly.

Nadako ang tingin ko sa labas at may sasakyan doon. It's probably Tito. Hindi ko sigurado at hindi ko kilala ang sasakyan, pero sa rami ba naman kasi ng nasa garahe, hindi na ako nag-abala pang sauluhin ang mga iyon.

"Sa'n nagpunta 'yon?" Cali asked.

My gaze went back to the screen. "Dumating na si Tito e, sinalubong yata."

Though from here, I could make out a figure of Ryo knocking on the window of the driver's seat. It was hard to see clearly because of the gate and the bushes. I have a feeling na baka hindi si Tito ang nasa labas.

"Sige na, tatawag ako ulit mamaya. 'Liligo lang ako," Cali said, as if she were in a hurry. Mahina lang pero narinig ko si Nate na tinawag siya. Hindi na lang ako nag-comment. I smiled and ended the call.

I closed my laptop and left it on the table. Nanliit ang mga mata ko at sinubukang makita si Ryo sa labas nang mas malinaw.

I was quick on my feet when I heard him curse loudly. Even one of their househelps who was busy in the garden went with me to check.

"Ryo!" Naabutan ko siyang nakadungaw sa bintana. It was as if he could fit himself in the small space, he would. He looked mad. He didn't even seem to hear me.

Napalingon ako sa kasambahay nilang may hawak pang towel. Though I haven't said anything, she nodded at me and went back inside. She's probably going to call Tita.

I took a step closer to the car. I could hear Ryo whispering a few threats and curses to whoever was sitting on the driver's seat.

I couldn't remember the last time I saw him this mad. Both his arms were trying to reach for something inside the car, and it took me a moment to realize that he was holding someone by the neckline of their shirt.

Another car pulled over in front of their gate. Bumusina ito nang ilang beses.

Tito rushed outside from the passenger seat. His strides were heavy as he tried to pull Ryo out. Nanatili ako sa isang gilid dahil sa kaba't takot. Ryo looked too angry. It was one of those few moments where he looked too consumed in rage that I couldn't even get myself to walk near him.