Drawn to His Flame

Kabanata 6

Bloodied

All of a sudden, I could feel millions of needles pricking my heart. I thought that I already made it clear to myself not to be affected by Treyton anymore. Pero mukhang hanggang salita lang talaga ako. Because seeing him and Almira hugging each other tightly like they don't want to get separated ever again hurt as hell.

Before, when I was crushing over Treyton, I remembered him dating a lot of girls. Nasaktan din naman ako noon pero hindi ko alam kung bakit dumoble ang sakit na nararamdaman ko ngayon. Ngayong wala na dapat akong gusto sa kanya.

I didn't know how long they were hugging each other. Aalis na sana ako para hayaan silang dalawa na mapag-isa pero hindi ko alam kung bakit pinili kong iakyat ang aking paningin dahil sa mga paa lang nila ako nakatitig kanina pa. Maybe I'm just a masochist who wanted to let himself suffer more by seeing how these two lovebirds in front of him adore each other.

Almira had her back at me but I swallowed hard when Treyton's eyes and mine met. Kinapos na lang bigla sa hangin ang baga ko kaya agad akong umiwas ng tingin. Who wouldn't when Treyton's stare screams that he's ready to murder someone?

Ano na naman ang ginawa ko?

I exhaled sharply when I heard their fading footsteps. The torture's finally over. Napatingin naman ako pagkatapos sa taong padabog na umupo sa tabi ko. "Nakita mo 'yon?" I asked my friend.

Shell frowned more like a kid who was robbed of her candy. "Alam ko namang imposibleng maging single ang gano'ng kapoging nilalang, pero bakit si Almira pa ang nakabingwit sa kanya? Like the heck? Maganda na nga siya, sexy pa at matalino tapos may Treyton pa ang babaeng 'yon? Na saan ang hustisya?"

Napailing na lang ako sa pinagsasabi niya. "You can't really hide how jealous you are," bulong ko pero narinig naman ni Shell.

"I'm not jealous! I just dislike the fact that she's blessed and almost perfect. Like is she even human pa?" nakanguso niyang tanong bago napakibit-balikat.

I tapped her shoulder once to calm her down. She looked stress earlier because of our last subject and I think it got worse after seeing that PDA. "Don't dwell on it anymore. Baka Katipunera lang si Almira sa past life niya at may ginawa siyang malaki para iligtas ang bansa kaya sobra-sobra ang biyayang natatanggap niya ngayon," biro ko.

Pero napabuntong-hininga na lang ako nang balewalain lang ni Shell iyon. "Naaalala mo pa ba kung ano ang hiningi kong pabor sa 'yo kanina, Reg?" she asked which confused me.

"I really can't act as the bridge now, Shell. May jowa na ang tao," sagot ko dahil mukhang iyon ang ipinapahiwatig ng kaibigan ko.

She shook her head aggressively before facing me. "I'm going to ask you to fulfill a bigger role. If being a bridge is impossible, then be a wrecking ball instead. Sirain natin ang relasyon nila!"

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko dahil doon. "Maghunos-dili ka nga, Zaspa!" I exclaimed. Kahit noon pa man ay hindi ko naisip na manira ng relasyon kahit patay na patay ako dati kay Treyton. Ngayon pa kaya na ang tangi kong gusto ay iwasan ang taong iyon?

And come to think of it, I believe that it's better this way. If Treyton would remain in love with that girl, I wouldn't be bothered by him presently. Mapupunta na ang lahat ng oras ng lalaki kay Almira kaya hindi na niya ako mababagabag pa.

"Why? It's a good idea kaya!" depensa pa rin ni Shell.

Napasinghap ako bago sumagot. "Kahit hindi mo sabihin, alam kong ayaw mo kay Almira. But don't stoop down to that level. Promise, makakahanap ka rin ng Treyton mo. Or if you're lucky enough, you'll even find someone better."