Invisible

06

Chapter 06 : The Bullying

Is it better to heal together? With him?

I laughed. What he said made me laugh.

"Why are you laughing?" parang galit na aniya.

Iniling ko naman ang ulo ko. "You're funny. You know what? Inaantok ka na siguro, kung ano-ano nang lumalabas sa bibig mo. You should go now. Bukas na natin pag-usapan 'yon."

I sipped the glass of milk I'm holding and looked at him confusely when he didn't budge. "Ano na? Hindi ka pa ba aalis?"

"Gusto ko ngang mag-usap tayo ngayon."

Itinawa ko ang tono ng pagkakasabi niya noon. "Why? Because you're scared that you might think about Trisha when you fall asleep? You're scared and you're hurt? That you want me to entertain you?" I sighed. "That's what rebounds do. I don't want to be a rebound, Weslee. Hindi mo naman talaga maiiwasang isipin siya, hindi ba?"

He stared at me. "Why are you still talking to me if you don't want to be a rebound? Why did you stop me from saying the truth when you don't want to be a rebound? Why did you act like that in front of all the students if you don't want to be rebound?" seryosong aniya.

I shrugged. "It appears that I need you. Wala akong ibang magagamit kaya ikaw na lang ang gagamitin ko. But I can find another man if you want to tell the students the truth. Do you still want to protect your ex's name?"

"Yes." He said without a hesitation.

I nodded. "Then that's fine. You can use me as your new girlfriend to hide truth about your ex girlfriend, and I can use you to be my boyfriend to present my family. You can use me, I can use you. It's a win-win situation. But that doesn't mean I'm going to be rebound."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Present me as a boyfriend to your family? What do you mean by that?"

I sighed. Gabing-gabi na at ang ilaw mula sa may pintuan namin at ang liwanag mula sa buwan ang tanging nagbibigay liwanag sa lugar kung nasaan kami. Lumalamig na rin ang ihip ng hangin.

"My parents is going to marry me off with a heir that I don't know. I bet it's old. And I don't want that. Sabi ng Mama ko, kung mayroon akong boyfriend na maipapakita sa kanya, hindi na niya ipu-push iyon. That's why I need you."

He nodded. Processing what I just told him. "Then I guess we need each other." he stated after a while.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Not liking what he said. "I don't like the way you say it."

He chuckled. "You're the one who said it first. Can't I say that too?"

Tumayo ako saka ko inubos ang gatas. "You should really go home right now. I'm sleepy."

"Do you usually drink milk before you go to bed?" wala sa topic na tanong niya.

"Sometimes." Sabi ko, naiirita na. Naka-paa lang ako kaya ramdam ko ang lamig. I crossed my feet.

"Go home, Weslee." I said seriously.

He stood up. "Fine. I'll just go, then."

Tumango ako. "You should. It's getting late and colder."

Sinabayan ko siyang lumabas sa gate namin. Nasa harap ng bahay namin naka-park ang sasakyan niya.

Hindi ako lumabas sa gate dahil naka-paa lang ako. Hanggang sa may gate lang ang bermuda namin.

Nilingon niya ako. "Go. Bilis. Ang lamig-lamig na."

"See you tomorrow."

I nodded. Sumakay naman siya sa sasakyan niya. Paalis na sana siya pero ilang saglit ay tumigil rin. Hinarap niya ako.