When Heaven Smiled

17

Chapter 17
Lies after lies

"Are you coming with me?" I asked Maxon when I told him about Lhaine's plan. I told him that they wanted to meet him.

Pinagpag ko ang dahon at alikabok sa batong mesa. Sumama sa akin si Maxon rito dahil sanay na siyang hindi ako nilalayuan. Wala rin kasi ang mga mapanghusgang mata ng ilang estudyante—not that I really care nor it's affecting me. Sadyang bothered lang ako sa tingin nila na para bang lalandiin ko anytime, anywhere si Maxon.

Kumagat siya sa sandwich na hawak ko at hinayaan ko lang siya. He stared at me while chewing his food. Perhaps he was thinking about what I said. Baka hindi pa siya komportable makita ang mga kaibigan ko.

"Pinayagan ka ba?" He tilted his head to properly look at me. Pinunasan niya ng tissue ang gilid ng labi.

I couldn't answer him because I was thinking of the right alibi to say.

"Does it even matter?" I sighed.

I just really want to see Lhaine for the last time.

"Oo. To me, it matters." He sipped his Coke. "Kasi mahigpit talaga ang Mama at Papa mo 'di ba? They might get the wrong impression about us. Ayaw ko rin na mapahamak ka."

"Fine, I'll try to ask Mama again!" I pouted in disappointment. "Pero paano kung 'di ako pinayagan?"

"Simple, e 'di hindi tayo pupunta sa get together ninyo ni Lhaine." He just shrugged and playfully smiled at me. Para bang ang dali-dali ng solusyon sa problema ko ngayon.

Nanatili akong nakanguso dahil sa sinabi niya. I crossed my legs and thought of other plausible alibis. Nakakainis naman.

"Huwag ka na magtampo, next time na lang kung hindi talaga." Para siyang nakatatandang kapatid kung magbilin sa akin. "Magkikita pa naman kayo niyan. Imposibleng hindi."

And yes as the obedient child, I asked Mama again. If she says no, then... I don't know, I just hope she would say yes so it wouldn't be hard for me.

"Mama..." Dala-dala ko pa ang tsaa niya dahil alam ko in the mood siya para rito. Nakangiti pa ako habang inaabot iyon.

"Ano na naman 'yan Alice? I already said no." She massaged her temples.

I'm sorry Maxon, but this is for my friend.

"Hindi po, may group project po kasi kami sa Sabado..." I smiled politely, looking like a good child. "Kina Mikee."

"Hmm, okay sige." Mama focused on her laptop again. Ginalaw niya ang tsaa na gawa ko. "Magpahatid ka kay Kuya Rene."

"Hindi na po! Malapit lang naman."

"Okay then, if you say so."

Halos sumigaw na ako ng 'Yes!' pero siyempre mapapahamak ako 'pag ginawa ko iyon. Pakendeng-kendeng pa akong pumasok sa kwarto dahil sa saya. Sandali lang naman ako, hindi naman ako sasama sa overnight. It's just one day of lying.

Kaya kinabukasan pagpasok, dali-dali kong sinalubong si Maxon ng yakap. Tumingkayad pa ako para maabot siya.

"Woah, woah." He chuckled. Nagulantang siya sa ginawa kong pagyakap. He supported my back so I wouldn't fall. "This is PDA, baby... They're looking at us. Ayos lang naman sa akin pero baka—"

Agad naman akong kumalas sa yakap at nakabawi. I cleared my throat and pretended that nothing happened. He laughed at my reaction. That playful grin on his lips appeared once again.

"Pinayagan na ako ni Mama." I proudly said. Pinayagan naman talaga ako. Ibang sitwasyon nga lang.

Nauna akong maglakad para iwan siyang mag-isa doon. Binilisan ko ang pag-akyat sa hagdan patungo sa aming room.