My Secret Credibility

Chapter 27

Black Necklace... black necklace... black necklace...

Aba'y malay ko ba kung sino ba talaga siya! Bahala na kung may mangyari na sa kaniya! Wala naman akong pakialam dahil wala naman akong kakilalang nag-susuot ng black necklace!

Dahil sa aking inis ay halos tinadyak-tadyakan ko ang kalsada rito. Whoever you are, please 'wag mo na akong gambalain sa mga problema na dapat sa'yo lang. I already know that you're not one of my friends!

Maaaring nagkamali lang ang matandang 'yon. Umiling ako sa aking mga iniisip at bumuntong hininga. You just have to rest, Zara. I have no time for this stupid things like this.

"W-What are you doing here in my house?" hindi ko mapigilang magtanong.

"Well, I was waiting for you. I want to explain the things that I don't want you to misunderstand about."

Hinayaan ko si Clage na nakaupo sa aking malambot na sofa habang ako ay nagpunta ng kusina upang maghugas ng kamay tsaka upang maghilamos na rin ng aking mukha.

"Kumusta 'yong ankle mo?" tanong ko sa kalagitnaan ng paghihilamos ngunit hindi siya sumagot, "Hey? Does it still hurt? Sumagot ka naman."

"No, that's not important. I'm more than okay." I heard him groaned so I quickly tilted my head into him.

Nevermind, he's fine.

Nagpunas ako ng aking mukha sa pamamgitan ng katabi kong maliit na tuwalya ngunit, gayunpaman ay bigla akong binackhug ni Clage. "I'm sorry for being cold, Zara. I shouldn't do that to you earlier, I'm sorry. I've just heard that you're not feeling okay last night. I'm just worried you know, ayaw ko lang ipakita 'yon sa'yo dahil wrong timing ang pagkakataon na 'yon. I accidentally sprained my ankle and we have a quiz recitation. Hindi kinakaya ng mga paa kong lapitan ka sa mga oras na 'yon."

He's really explaining the things that I've already understand.

Stop it, Clage. You're just waisting your time about this.

"O-Okay. I understand, just stop doing this. I have to rest and you too, okay?" konti-konti kong kinalas ang kaniyang mga brasong nakayakap sa aking bewang, "Kailangan mong mag-pahinga upang magkaroon ka ng lakas para sa basketball tournament. Hindi ko alam ang rason kung bakit ayaw mong umatras ngunit, kung diyan ka sasaya ay susuportahan kita. You don't need to explain the things that I've already understand, Clage."

Nilingon ko siya ng bigla siyang bumuntong hininga kaya naman humikbi ako sa kaniya. You just have to cheer him up, Zara. Kinakailangan talaga para matapos na ito.

"Let's make a bet, Clage. Kapag nanalo ka sa basketball tournament, do whatever you want with me. Kung matalo ka naman, you can still do whatever you want."

Humalakhak siya, "What kind of bet is that? You're telling me that I can do whatever I want even though I won or lose?"

Ayan! Tumawa na siya. Effective naman pala itong sinabi ko sa kaniya eh, kahit kalokohan lang.

Winning is fun... sure, but winning is not the point. Wanting to win is the point. Not giving up is the point, never letting up is the point. Never being satisfied with what you've done is the point.

"Why? Ayaw mo ba? I'm giving you a chance, Clage. Come on! Sakyan mo na itong sinabi ko dahil minsan ka lang makakakita ng ganito kay Zara." pang-aasar ko pa.