Matahum [Completed]

28 Kamatuoran

Kamatuoran

"What the hell, Jeorge."

Sapo niya ang noo habang binabagtas ang hallway patungo sa elevator. Mabilis pa rin ang tibok ng kanyang puso. She didn't run a marathon but it felt like it. She almost said it. There was a brief moment when she was ready to spill the words and profess. Nababaliw na siya. She had to practically flinch every time her mind would revert to what happened.

Good thing, singing in the bistro had her preoccupied all night. Nang matapos niya ang pang-limang kanta ay bumaba muna siya para magpahinga. At the corner she saw someone familiar. Nilapitan niya ito.

"Markus?"

He was sitting, alone with his beer. Mukhang kanina pa ito dahil may dalawang bote pang nakatabi sa mesa. He grinned at her and tapped the seat in front of him.

"I always forget how good of a singer you are," he said.

"Kumain ka na?" she asked and relaxed after the waitress got Markus order.

She was not sure why the man is drinking. It is certain that there's no celebration with the looks of his face. Hindi naman siguro ito narito para lang makipagkumustahan. She chose to be civil and drank the beer he ordered.

"Kumusta?" tanong niya.

"She's not fine if you're wondering," anito dahilan nang kanyang pagbuntong-hininga.

"I'm not. Still not gonna give her my liver. Ano siya, sinuswerte," she said, scoffing a little.

"Ang tigas mo rin talaga."

Hindi rin nagtagal ang kanilang pag-uusap dahil kinailangan niya nang bumalik sa stage. Inasahan niya nang umuwi na ang binata ngunit nagulat siya nang makita ito sa labas na naghihintay sa kanya. He offered to take her home. She said yes for old time's sake. Isa pa, makakatipid siya sa pamasahe kung sasabay siya rito.

"Dito na lang."

He stopped the car in front of the house.

"Kina Carol ka pala nakatira?"

She nodded. "Yeah, for the mean time."

Bumaba siya ng kotse at nakitang lumabas din si Markus. She waited for what he's about to say. Kung tungkol na naman ito sa kanyang ina ay baka makatikim na talaga ito sa kanya ng suntok. His face looked sullen and dark with the little light coming from the house. Lumapit ito na kanyang ipinagtakha.

"Ano pang tinutunganga mo-

"Jeorge, mahal mo ba talaga siya o malungkot ka lang?"

"What?" Hindi niya maintindihan ang pinupunto nito.

So this about Gabriel after all.

Sasagutin niya sana ito nang marahan siyang hinila ng lalaki at tinangkaang gawaran ng halik. Mabilis niya itong itinulak at sinampal. Hindi agad ito makatingin habang hawak ang mukha. She heaved a sigh, looking down to their feet.

"I'm sorry."

"Umalis ka na," she said, firmed and loud.

"Jeorge..."

Napatunghay siya. "Now, I'm sure of what I feel about him so you should go," ika niya saka pumasok sa loob.

Nanghihina niyang ibinaba ang dalang bag, umupo saka mariing ipinikit ang mga mata. She messaged her temples, hoping to get rid of the thoughts from her head. Gusto niya na lang itulog ang lahat ng ito.

Her mom, he said, she's not doing well. Ano pang silbi na sa hospital ito lumalagi? Hindi ba nakakatulong ang mga doctor doon? Ang sabi nila ay nasa early stage pa kaya bakit hindi ito maayos?