Broken Sonata [short story]

continuation

"Sir Nathan? Ano pong ginagawa niyo dito? Matagal na po simula nong pumunta ka rito ah?" Mula sa pagiging manyakis, napalitan ang ismid sa kanyang mukha ng genuine na smile.

"Ah. Oo, busy sa ulap ei." Saad niya habang kausap si Pao-pao. Ngayon lang ako nakarinig ng kyut na pangalan ng isang mukhang addict.  "Love, sabi ko naman kasi sa'yo antayin mo ako ei" reklamo niya na parang batang iniwan ng nanay ng bumaling siya sakin.

Napamaang nalang ako dahil sa kanya. "Pao-pao, excuse us." tumango lang si Pao-pao at kumaway pa ang ilang 'mukhang' addict sa papalayo naming pugura.

Napahinga naman ako ng maluwag at halos maduwal na sa aking pagkakatayo kung hindi lang ako nahawakan ni Nathan--siya rin pala ang tinutukoy  ng waitress  kanina. Hindi man halata na kinabahan ako dahil sa mga mukhang addict na'yon pero sobra talaga ang kaba ko.

Mula pagkabata ay natutunan ko na ang paglalagay ng maskara sa mukha. Kung gaano kakalmado ang aking hitsura, ay triple ang feelings na aking pinakatatago.

Ngunit kanina ay bahagyang natabig ang aking maskara. Dahilan upang masilayan ng mga adik na iyon ang aking reaksyon...

"Woah. I thought hindi ka natatakot sa kanila. Actually hindi ka naman dapat matakot kila Paolo ei. Mababait ang mga iyon, ngunit medyo mainit ang ulo nito sa mga negosyante. Because some business owners took their land and demolished their houses"

Mabait? kaibigan ba nito ang mga iyon?

"Yeah, they once became my friends. Isa ako noon sa namigay ng donation para sa kanila. All in all, they are kind hearted type of people. Marunong din silang tumanaw ng utang na loob" nagmistulang nabasa niya ang iniisip ko. "btw, sinundan kita dahil naiwan mo 'to sa coffeeshop kanina"

Nakarating ako sa bahay. And just like what i expected nagtext nga si Matt sa'kin. Sadyang hindi ko lang talaga nabasa dahil sa pagmamadali.

........

Im with Prestine at the cafeteria. Hindi na kami muling magppractice ngayong linggo. Dahil kailangan naming ipahinga ang aming mga sarili.  My face lit up when I saw Matt and Precious figures.

I know Precious and she's not type of a woman who'd steal someone else lover. And isa pa, she likes Kuya Calder. Yung older brother ni Matt.

"Matt!" I called them. "Precious"

I was quite shocked when I saw ate Precious' state. She was no longer the girl who have a sarcastic grin.

Meron siyang eyebags at namumutla na. Mukhang hindi na nakakatulog ng ilang araw.

"Jaimie, Una na ako nag aya ang SSG. Meryenda daw sa lumehan. Arat sama ka.. ayts andyan pala sila" napanguso niya ng makita sila Matt "Ge. Una na 'ko sunod ka nalang"

Salute ang name ng banda namin. At SSG naman ay para sa Salute Squad Gang. Ofcourse behind us five, meron din kaming loyal supporters.

Napatango nalang ako at kinawayan siya.

"Precious are you okay?" I asked. Nakatungo lang siya at hindi ko napalampas ang palihim niyang pagpunas ng luha.

Worry began to spread to my system when I heard her soft sob. Wala namang ibang nakakapansin sa'min dahil medyo maingay din dito sa cafeteria.

I was about to touch her when Matt shoved my hands away. He glared at me as if I did something inappropriate.

I was quite surprised by that sudden move. Nang makabawi ay nakita ko din ang pagdaan ng gulat sa mga mata ni Matt.

They began to converse as if I'm not with them. Matt talking and lighting up Precious' mood. And Precious drifting away.

Hinayaan ko nalang sila dahil mukhang kailangan talaga ni Precious ng comfort, na hindi ko kayang ibigay bilang tao at kaibigan.

I sighed and walk away. I couldn't bear the pain, seing them create their own world. I couldn't help but get jealous. Which I shouldn't feel. Which is not right. After all, Precious is just a friend. She can't r---

My heart pounded when i found myself in someone's embrace. "I'm sorry baby."

Three words. Those three words melt every sigle doubt I felt, jealousy and all of my insecurities. I didn't even realized that I felt those things.

"It's okay I understand. I know she needs you, more than I do."

Matt was still hugging me tight, sniffing my scent. As if it could make all of his pain and tiredness disappear. As if I was his medicine.

Three days have passed. Hindi ko na muna sila pinuntahan. Dahil wala naman akong maitutulong. Hindi ako makakatulong. When I tried reaching them, the only thing I felt was 'I'm not belong'.

When I asked Precious what is her problems, she only shaked her head and began to sobbed again. I know she is hiding something from me. But l didn't force her to tell me. I knew that somebody she'll open up to me, when she's ready. But at the mean time, I gave them space.

I also noticed that Matt was tired. His complexion dropped. He began to have eyebags and his skin was pale.

'BEAT'

I felt a rush of adrenaline as I heard a loud strike of  thunder. I turned around and was about to look for a place where I could shelter. But what I saw melted my frightened heart amidst a heavy rain.

I found myself being drenched by rain as my tears started to fall.

May mas nakakatakot pa pala sa malakas na pagkulog at kidlat. At 'yon ay ang makita ang taong mahal mo kasama ang ibang tao, habang naliligo sa malakas na tila ng ulan.

Just like that, with my heart torn apart. I walked away.