The Art Of Hating

Chapter Thirty-five

How long has it been after that scandal?

Thinking about it, halos magpi-pitong taon na pala. Matagal na pero kapag naiisip ko'y nahihiya pa rin ako sa nangyari.

The scandal actually circulated not just in our circle but also to our parents. It's not a shock to me that it happened though. Kaya nga sobrang kahihiyan ang nararamdaman ko tuwing may social gathering na kailangang puntahan ang pamilya. Uso rin naman kasi ang chismis sa mga mayayamang pamilya, though they're trying to be subtle about it because it's inappropriate. Rude ang mga taong nagtatanong sa ganoong mga bagay sa ganoong okasyon. As much as possible, everyone's trying to be classy but there are some people who can't just shut their mouth.

May mga Titas pa rin na nagtanong kung ano ang nangyari sa amin ni Cameron as if they're close to us.

"Oh, you know hija, both of you are still very young. . . And I think you're both not yet ready for serious relationship." I remember a friend of Mom told me one time. I don't want to appear rude that's why I just agreed. Though, I never talked to that Tita again after that night.

It actually annoy me that the oldies were interested about that compare to the people my age. Ang sabi'y ngayon lang nagkaroon ng scandal sa pagitan ng mga pamilya dahil kahit hindi naman malapit sa isa't-isa ay hindi rin naman magka-kompetensya sa larangan ng negosyo. Hindi naman naging big deal sa parents ko ang nangyari, though they didn't like Cameron for me in the first place. Ang Sarmientos ang nahiya sa nangyari na kahit na sa pagiging immature at jerk ni Cameron bilang isang teenager ay gumawa sila ng paraan para ma-solusyunan. May mas malaking scandal pa kasing kinaharap si Cameron after the incident he did to me.

Although I was not that updated about his life after he fly with his Mom to let the scandal died down, I remembered hearing news about him from his friends.

Tonight, we'll talk again after years of avoiding each other's path.

I'm. . .actually nervous of what will happen tonight. Kaya nang makapasok sa restaurant na sinasabi niya ay nagdadalawang isip ako kung tutuloy pa ba. But I realized, why would I run away? Wala naman akong kasalanan sa kanya kaya bakit ako iiwas? We both need this talk. I don't have to prolong this because we both need this closure.

Right.

Huminga ako ng malalim nang makita agad siyang pinaglalaruan 'yong bulaklak na nasa vase sa gitna ng mesa. Probably feeling my stare, he looked up and we locked gazes.

Nag-init ang pisngi ko, annoyingly remembering what happened almost seven years ago. Thank God he's not smirking right now. The usual Sarmiento aura was actually nowhere to found. Ngumiti man sa 'kin ay halatang alanganin at kinakabahan.

Feeling his awkwardness, I felt relieved. At least, hindi lang ako ang kinakabahan dito.

I walked towards his direction and raised a brow to appear at least, intimidating. He immediately avoid eye contact at that. Hah. Nice one, Hya.

"I'm sorry I'm late," pormal kong sabi at pinaghila ang sarili ng upuan. "Kumain ka na?"

Umayos siya ng upo at umiling.

"I was waiting for you," his usual deep tone resonates. "Ikaw?"

I felt a little guilty about it na pinaghintay ko siya ng more than 30 minutes dito tapos malalaman niyang nag-dinner na ako. But I should be honest, too. Alangan namang magsinungaling pa ako.

I nodded at him.

"Yeah. Just order food for your dinner. I'll have tea." To calm my nerves.