Milieu Euphony (In Act Series #2)

Phase 28

PHASE TWENTY-EIGHT

DREADING EXCITEMENT

I was forced to attend the gathering yesterday, but I made sure that I won't be forced to stay.

Not now. Not tomorrow.

Not anymore.

I was slowly gaining my independence and the momentum that it had brought me to a length that I didn't know that I was capable of.

So, in front of a new museum, there I was.

It was a Saturday, and I had no classes that's why it was easy for me to make the decision.

Visiting a museum wasn't a part of my plans for my so-called vacation. However, I insisted because I wanted to get away from the emotions that I had been feeling. I wanted to confirm whether the emotions that I'd feel would be similar to the museums and installations that I visited.

The best way to do that was to visit a place whose primeness was at its highest. After all, the excitement and anticipation would persist when the feeling was left untouched.

I was expecting to be on my own—without accompaniment or familiarity whatsoever like how I usually journey. I wanted to feel its rawness—on how it could resonate with what I was feeling, on how honest my emotions could get, and on how far it could let me feel things for the first time.

But when I reached the last flight of the stairs and met the stare of someone familiar, I knew that I won't be all alone.

Michelangelo and his friends were there, and they looked like they wanted to invite me.

I secretly sucked a deep breath and stood still on my spot.

Tres acknowledged my presence with a tip of his head, while Giuseppe and Zoren smiled at me. Lalong lumawak ang ngiti ni Giuseppe nang ipinalipat-lipat niya ang tingin sa 'min ni Michelangelo.

"Uy!" Dramatiko siyang suminghap at inakbayan ang pinsan niya. "Mika, may ka-date ka pala? 'Di mo naman kami ininform. Magmula nang magkasama kayo naging masikreto ka na ah! Nako, ang daya-daya mo iki-kick kita sa grupo, sige!"

Michelangelo looked away and glared at his cousin. "Wala akong ka-date."

"Asus! In denial pa." Bumaling sa 'kin si Giuseppe bago nagpunta sa likod ko, marahan akong itinutulak patungo sa gilid ng pinsan niya. "'Yan, tabi kayo para good-good kayo. Ilanga raw nang busangot 'yang si Mika eh. Miss ka yata?"

I let out a dry chuckle and shook my head.

"Hindi ko alam na nandito kayo," ang tanging sagot ko, hindi binibigyan ng tingin si Michelangelo.

I felt the bronze's stare at me, but I remained unfazed.

Ngumuso siya. "Ay, 'di ka talaga sinabihan ni Mika? Akala ko in denial 'yang mokong na 'yan." Sinulyapan niya si Zoren. "'Wag mong sabihin sa 'kin na 'di mo sinabihan si Annika at masasampiga kita. 'Tong si Tres sinet-up ko kaya automatic na kasama si Lavien."

Nahigit ko ang hininga.

Kasama si Lavien?

"Kasama si Lavien," Michelangelo murmured, his gaze still at me.

Hindi ako makahinga ngunit hindi ko sigurado kung dala ba 'yon ng kay Lavien o ng kay Michelangelo.

"Paanong automatic na kasama si Lavien e 'di ka nga sigurado kung sasama 'yon? Annika's not sure—"