Who's Beneath The Dance Stage (Tarra Garra Series #1)

KAPITULO 19

Before he could even open the door of his car, tumayo na ako at tinakbo ang pagitan no'n mula sa waiting shed. Nakita kong sinundan ako ng tingin nina Hanna. They took their eyes off Cyril to follow where I was going.

"Hindi ba, kotse 'yan ni Ikarus?"

Sumagot din si Rosanna. "Oo, dilaw na wrangler..."

Ramdam ko ang tagal ng tingin ni Hanna sa akin. Kahit na medyo umiwas na ang kaniyang mga kasama ay nanatili 'yon. Ilang sandali kaming nagkatinginan.

I stopped listening to their murmurs. Mabilis kong binuksan ang pinto at agad na pumasok doon. Naabutan ko si Ikarus na parang nagtataka sa pagmamadali ko. Mabilis ko ring isinara ang bintana para hindi ako matanaw nina Hanna at ng grupo niya. Nakatingin parin naman sila kahit na naisara ko na. But I was sure the window was tinted. It wasn't my priority anymore.

"Iuwi mo na ako." umiwas ako ng tingin.

Nagtagal pa rin ang tingin niya. Ilang sandali bago siya nagsalita.

"Are you sure? Do you want to-"

Pinutol ko ang sasabihin niya. "Please. Thank you."

Siguro iniisip niya rin ang maaaring mangyari sa bahay kaya ganito.

To be honest, I don't even know what to think and I don't know what to say about what I just heard. Hindi pa masyadong nagsi-sink in sa utak ko ang narinig ko kanina.

I don't even know if it was true. It could be true, I guess. But it could also be Cyril's another stupid reverie and her pathetic imaginations. I know her well enough, we've been together in the dance troupe for quite some time. She often does look at people just to live through them vicariously. In short term, a gossiper. An intentional eavesdropper. She started fifty percent of all the rumors in school, so, I think it's valid that I can't help but be doubtful, if not being biased.

I sighed frustratedly, I just focused on my breathing.

I looked at the guy beside me with furrowed forehead when he didn't start the car. Naabutan ko na naman siyang nakatingin saakin.

"'Wag mo akong tignan ng ganyan." sabi ko na may bahid na ng inis. Tahimik akong nag-iwas ng tingin. "Iuwi mo na ako."

"Tignan ng ano?"

"Nang ganyan," I gestured him. "na parang awang-awa ka saakin."

I heard him exhale. "I'm not pitying you, Katalina. I'm admiring you."

Hindi na ako nagsalita buong byahe. Gano'n din naman si Ikarus na sigurado akong nakikiramdam. I bet he's confused now. Kaninang umaga lang, nagtatawanan pa kami. Hinatid niya pa ako sa school. And we spent the night together!

Pero kasi... hindi ako natutuwa sa narinig ko kanina kina Cyril. Ang dami ko nang iniisip, dumagdag pa iyon. At ang burger, nahulog ko pa! Pinasadya ko ngang bumili ng buy one take one para masabayan siya! Sana kinain ko nalang din.

"Salamat."

Mabilis akong bumaba ng sasakyan. I didn't wait for him to open the door like I used to these months we've been very close. Nagmamadali ako nang binuksan ang padlock. Mabilis din akong tumalikod para pumasok sa bahay. I heard his car driving away slowly.

My thoughts diverted my attention that I forgot what happened last night. Napatayo si Mama mula sa sofa nang buksan ko ang pinto. She hurriedly reached for the TV remote to turn of the television. Nakalimutan ko na magkaaway nga pala kami ni Mama ngayon.

Naupo ako sa sahig para tanggalin ang sapatos na binili saakin ni Ikarus kasabay ng bagong uniform. I felt her presence behind me, but I took my time taking off my shoes.