Behind The Bars

Chapter 8

Boses

I went inside the lift, with a fast beating heart.

Shawn's voice when he called me by my full name still echoes in my mind. I never thought my name could sound so good.

Umiling ako na parang maaalis noon ang mga nararamdaman at naiisip ko.

Nalaman niya ang full name ko nang tanungin ako ni Tchia sa restaurant kanina, nagseselos daw kasi siya dahil tinatawag akong "V" ni Gio, bakit daw may nickname si Gio sa akin at siya wala. She even asked for my number and the rest followed me on my all my socials.

Tinawagan ko kaagad si Pia nang makapasok ako sa aking condo. I had to tell her what happened and also to convince her about Shawn.

"Yes babe?" Bungad niya kaagad sa kabilang linya.

Napangiti ako dahil akala ko galit siya, hindi ko kasi nasagot ang mga tawag niya kanina, hindi ko naman binitbit ang cellphone ko sa beach.

"I'm sorry, I missed your calls. May sasabihin ako." Saad ko bago ibaba sa kama ang bag na dala-dala.

Narinig ko agad ang pagmamadali niya sa kabilang linya. Kinabahan ako kaya sinabihan ko kaagad siya na wag magalit, tinawanan niya lang naman ako at sinabihang depende sa sitwasyon.

"I saw Shawnry Villaluz last night and he invited me---"

"Please tell me you declined." She cut me off even before I finished. I bit my lower lip and she let out an exaggerated gasp when she noticed my silence.

"Oh my God, V!" She added, sounding so concerned.

"Hey listen first." I managed to say before she give me nonstop lectures about not trusting strangers.

"Fine, fine. So what happened?"

I know she's concerned so I said sorry again. Sinabi ko sa kanya lahat ng mga nangyari. I made sure it was detailed simula nung in-invite ako ni Shawn hanggang sa hinatid ako pauwi kani-kanina lang. I didn't leave even a tiny information behind dahil gusto kong marinig ang opinyon niya sa mga nangyari.

"Well, I think that the guy is very interested with you."

Napasinghap ako ng malala sa narinig mula sa kanya.

I was expecting her views about Shawn's innocent claims and not what he feel or think about me!

And I was also hoping na mabanggit niya at magtanong siya about Gio, Jesus.

I even made an extra effort to describe Gio like one of the fictional characters I have read in books but she didn't even bother!

"Pia Calista, what the hell? Hindi naman yan ang gusto kong marinig! My God!" I complained, crossing my arms now kahit hindi niya naman kita ang reaksyon ko.

"What? You know if Shawnry was innocent like what you wanted me to believe then that's good, if he wasn't then all I care about is if you're having feelings na for him. Because you know if you have, wala na akong pakialam kung anong nagawa niya before, as long as he makes you happy."

My lips automatically rose up at that. I will probably do the same thing about Pia because her happiness is as important as mine. I just value the girl so much.

"I love you but bold of you to assume I am already having feelings for him." I said on my defense.

I heard her scoff before mocking me.

"Oh bakit hindi ba? Eh sa paraan ng pagsasalaysay mo kanina parang kilig na kilig ka, tapos determinado ka pang baguhin ang pananaw ko sa kanya. I know you, V. Hinay hinay lang, may Alonzo pa." Pagbibiro niya. Umismid ako sa narinig.