Illusion (Quarantine Series #1)

CHAPTER 10

I lost count already on how many times I took a glance from my watch. It is already past eleven but Joy isn't around yet. Ilang oras na akong naghintay sa kaniya but seems Joy doesn't have a plan to show up.

What the hell is happening to her?

Kinakabahan na ako. I don't know why. She's giving me thoughts that were flying on my head already. Kung aalis siya ay sana nagpaalam man lang siya sa akin o kung nag-iwan ng note. But bad for me, she left me empty-headed.

I clicked my tongue as I brushed my hair up with such annoyance. Hindi ako mapakali. I was walking back and forth on the balcony at nahihilo na ako sa ginagawa ko. I placed my right hand on my chin while the other was on my waist. I look down while continued walking.

Joy? Pinag-aalala mo ako!

Napatingin na naman ako sa relo ko at agad napahilamos sa mukha ko. Umupo muna ako bago tingnan ang buong village na ngayon ay madilim na. Tanging ang mga lamp post nalang ang nagbibigay liwanag at ang buwan. I look up in the sky and was greeted by the starry night. Sumandal ako sa upuan ko bago tingnan ang telescope na nakapuwesto sa bandang unahan ng mesa.

I cooked foods. Decorate the venue. And even prepared myself for tonight. But I guess everything is about to mess up. Joy is not coming. Nasaan naba kasi siya? Bakit bigla nalang siyang nawala?

Naalala ko na naman ang lahat na sinabi ni Kristelle kanina. That's very impossible. Magagawa bang gawin yun ni Joy sa akin?

Napabalikwas nalang ako nang mag-ring yung phone ko. I lazily took it out from my pocket and tap the answer button.

"Kumusta? Is it successful? Anong nangyari? Kuwento mo naman sa akin."

I partly open my mouth and roll my tongue inside. I averted my gaze somewhere. I let out a heavy sigh before I answer Nikos.

"Wala, dude. She didn't show up. Hi-Hindi siya dumating." My voice cracked for I don't know why.

Am I really that affected? What's happening to you Deiv? Don't overreact. Just chill.

"Kawawa naman si baby ko." I cringed as I hear him say. I rolled my eyes and bit my lower lip.

I don't have time for such thing, dude. You don't know what I am feeling right now.

Napapikit nalang ako sa nasabi ko sa isipan ko. Hindi ko nalang pinatulan yung sinabi niya.

"Hey, you still there?"

"Hmm."

"What now? By the way, okay na ba yang pakiramdam mo?" He asked. I carried my one leg and put it over the other.

"Okay na ako." maikli kong sabi. Napa-okay nalang siya at katahimikan ang sumunod.

"You know what. This is all my fault. I got carried away. I should have rejected her in the first place." I break the silence, started talking while letting the cold night shiver my whole body.

"What do you mean?"

I chuckled bitterly. "Everything were just a mere play. Everything." I said with such emphasis on the last word.

"I don't get you Deiv. Say it directly." Medyo naiinis niya nang sabi.

"We're in a relationship." I started, clearing the lump on my throat.

I heard him groan. "I thought you are still on it. Sabi mo 'di ba?"

"I lied."

"You lied? For what, Deiv?"

"Hindi ko alam." Napailing nalang ako kahit alam kong hindi ako nakikita ni Nikos.

"Then what do you mean by everything were just a mere play?"