The Bridge Between You & Me

Chapter Thirty-Six

From Liar-ra:
Mahal, darling, sweetheart! I can't go home *insert pouting Liarra*. Magpa-ampon ka muna ulit kay Papa Vince tonight, okie? 'Yong gamot mo pala, h'wag mong kalimutan ha? Muah!

Napapangiting umiling-iling ako, kahit sa text lang ay naririnig ko ang matinis na boses niya.

"Uuwi ka na, Ma'am?"

Iniangat ko ang aking tingin mula sa celphone na hawak ko para lingunin ang kumakausap sa'kin. Kinailangan ko pang tumingala dahil mas matangkad siya sa'kin.

"Yes, Sir," nakangiting sagot ko sa co-teacher kong dumaan sa gilid ko.

Muli kong ibinalik ang aking tingin sa cellphone na hawak ko para replyan si Liarra.

To Liar-ra:
Ingat ka, don't stay out too late. I'll see you at home, muah!

After I clicked send, I immediately checked my inbox for Vince's message dahil late na pero wala pa siya. That's new because he's never late in fetching me from work.

I tried calling him to ask if he's busy so I could take a cab na lang, pero nagri-ring lang ang phone niya.

I waited for a few more minutes before trying again, and this time ay sumagot na siya.

Sumandal ako sa railing na nasa likuran ko bago nagsalita, "Are you busy? I'll commute na lang if you still have a lot on your plate."

It took him a few seconds to respond kaya I lifted my phone to check if he's still there.

"Oh, Amyrtelle! I'm sorry, this is Chiselle. I think Lucas forgot his phone in my office."

"Chiselle..." I murmured.

"Your name was registered as something else kaya hindi ko nakilala. But anyway, Vince already left the office a while ago, I think he left to fetch you na," dirediretsong dagdag pa niya.

Napataas ang kilay ko, but I just brushed it off. "Ok, thank you," napapatangong sagot ko at ibinaba na ang tawag.

Nilagay ko ang cellphone ko sa bulsa at sinubukang bahagyang igalaw ang kanang kamay ko na naka-cast, pilit nililibang ang sarili. Walanghiyang Liarra kasi talaga 'yon, pahamak.

"What happened to your hand?"

Nakataas ang kilay na lumingon ako sa nagsalita, si Sir Rhod.

I forced a smile before speaking, "Nothing serious, Sir. I just sprained it at home."

Mas lalong naging evident ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya at iiling-iling pang sinipat ng tingin ang kamay ko.

"Hand me the envelope, you shouldn't be carrying heavy things with your injured hand," aniya at maingat na kinuha mula sa'kin 'yong hawak kong envelope.

Hindi na ako nakipatalo pa at hinayaan siya sa gusto niya. Pagod na pagod na'ko at gustong gusto ko nang matulog.

"Are these the kids' report cards?" tanong niya habang abala ang mata sa pag-scan ng cover ng envelope.

Walang imik na tumango ako. I took a few steps sideward, just enough to put a safe space between us. Even after I quit my job and started working in another school, I still can't bring myself to be comfortable around men. The thoughts of Black are still lingering in my mind, and I hate it.