Take me down the road of Sacramento

Fifty nine

"Bakit ka nag-aalaga ng insect? Eh, ahas ka, 'di ba?" Nang marinig ko ang pamilyar na boses na iyon ay kusang tumaas ang sulok ng labi ko. Sampung taon na ang nakalilipas ngunit wala pa ring pinagbago sa pag-uugali niya.

"Excuse me," Aèm suddenly called out Titus' companion. I admit, i was shocked.

"Yes, Judge?" Titus' asked, confused. He wasn't looking at Aèm, his eyes are on me.

"Animals are strictly prohibited inside the court room," she said, looking at that unnamed guy. "Don't forget to leave it outside the next time you get inside that door, alright?" she added while pin-pointing the court's huge door.

"I beg your pardon?" It was his paralegal, Allyssa. Maybe she's intrigue by Aèm, calling out her friend.

"Sabi ko, bawal ang hayop sa loob ng hukuman. Iwanan niyo 'tong animal na 'to sa labas!" Pataas nang pataas ang tono niya habang nakatingin sa lalaki. "Wala rin akong pakialam kung may pangalan siya. Ang lakas ng loob manglait, akala mo naman kagwapuhan!"

"Yumaman ka ba kapupuna sa imperfections at actions ng kaibigan ko? Balatuhan mo naman ako!" Kaunti na lang ay dumikit na ang mukha niya sa mukha nung lalaki.

Hinila ko siya upang mapaglayo sila. Baka makatanggap siya ng suntok dahil sa pagiging takaw gulo niya. "Halika na!"

"Hindi kasi natuturuan 'to ng leksyon kaya ganiyan na lang kung makaasal. Daig pa si lord!" Amba na naman niya itong babanatan ngunit hinila ko na siya. Gayunpaman, bago pa ako tuluyang makalayo ay nagkaroon ako ng lakas ng loob iboses ang matagal ko ng kinikimkim sa kanya.

May ngiti sa labi akong tumigil sa paglalakad at pinagpantay ang aking mga paa. Tumayo ako ng tuwid. "How does it feel like to be leaving in her shadows?" I put one of my hands inside my coat's pocket. "To fall in love with someone who's not brave enough to fall for you?"

Napangisi ako habang ini-imagine ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya ngayon.

"You see, your words won't affect me anymore, perhaps my action would amplify your growing hatred." I twisted around to face him. To make him see the girl he molded. A girl who was molded by his tearful bad-mouting habit. "All I can say now." I held my chin high and my face stretched a grin. "Stay hydrated, alipore."

"Babe!" It was Fauro. I know he's calling me 'babe' on purpose. "You did a great job!"

"Are you kidding me? Is that a compliment or an insult?" I raised a brow, making him chuckle.

Unexpectedly, he walked closer and planted a swift kiss on my cheek. I twisted around to see if Titus was there and I wasn't mistaken. He's looking at us with a blank stare. His brows was lodge in a line over his brooding brown-eyes.

Aèm winked conspicuously at Fauro. "Nice one."

Mama
Tapos na ba?

Dito na kayo dumiretso sa bahay.

Ace
Opo, Mama.