HATE ME
CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
Abala silang lahat nang nakalabas ako. I saw everyone helping except for Slater and Anthony. Pati si kuya Jason, tumutulong din.
Even Harley was there.
Pati si Lisha.
I was just observing them, alerting my eyes for any sign of Anthony.
Tahimik na nilapitan ko si Clark nang makitang kalalabas niya lang sa villa. May dala siyang medium-sized tupperware na mukhang ibang putahe naman ang laman.
"Have you seen Anthony?" I asked him, trying to look and sound as discreet as possible. I don't want anyone else to see me yet. Sa ngayon, ayoko munang sagutin ang mga tanong nila Jean at Roselle. Ayoko ring harapin muna si Harley at Lisha.
I just want to see Anthony.
And talk to him.
"He's with Slater. May pag-uusapan daw sila." Nginuso niya yung direksyon patungo sa maliit na pool na nasa bandang likod ng villa. "I saw them went that way."
"Thank you Clark." I did not even wait for his response dahil mabilis kong tinahak yung daan papunta doon.
I reached the place pero nagtago ako agad sa likod ng puno ng niyog nang makita silang dalawa. Seryoso silang nag-uusap. Nakakunot ang noo ni Slater habang hindi ko naman kita ang mukha ni Anthony dahil nakatalikod siya sa direksyon ko. I think Slater's giving him something dahil may hawak itong malaking paper bag.
"Sigurado ka na ba?"
"Yes." Anthony's voice was firm.
Slater sighed. "Sige, naiintindihan ko."
Hindi sila nag-imikan ng ilang segundo. Anthony was the first one to break the silence. "H-how is she?"
My heart fell after hearing his question. He's asking about Irish.
"She's doing fine in Canada."
"That's great."
Mukhang may sasabihin pa sana si Slater pero hindi niya tinuloy. "Are you really sure you're not gonna accept her gift? She said she had something written for you inside."
Kitang-kita ko ang mariing pag-iling ni Anthony. "Ayokong tanggapin."
Slater lowered the hand that was holding the paper bag.
"I hope you won't regret your decision. Sige, tutulong na ako dun."
Slater started walking away pero binalikan niya si Anthony na naiwang nakatayo lang. "Dude, you know I don't like to meddle but I think it's best if you accept this. Alam kong galit ka dahil umalis siya nang wala--"
"Ibalik mo yan sa kanya. I don't need it," singhal ni Anthony kay Slater.
"Are you acting like this because of Jessie?" Pareho kaming nagulat sa tanong niya. I couldn't see Anthony's face but I know he's shocked too because his shoulders tensed up.
"No. Don't involve Jessie in this conversation. Hindi siya kasali."
"Do you like her?" My world literally stopped. Parang magkaka-heart attack ako sa mga tanong ni Slater.
"It doesn't matter."
"Well it will after you hear what I'm going to say next. I'm doing this for the both of you. Nasa sa'yo na kung anong gagawin mo, dude."
Slater stood up straight. Pinapantayan yung tingin ni Anthony kahit mas matangkad ito sa kanya.
"Irish is sick and she's dying. She has a chronic heart disease. At yung pagpunta-punta niya ng Canada, hindi yun para bisitahin si Tito na nagpapagamot. She's the one doing her medications their. Kinailangan niya ng lumipat doon dahil delikado na para sa kanya ang bumyahe."
