Mended Broken Souls (✔️)

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

"Nandiyan na si crush mo."

Inilayo ko agad ang tenga ko sa bibig ni Venice dahil nabibingi. We're here inside the church to do the taize prayer again, and there will be an important meeting and announcement, too, from our youth leaders later.

Lumingon ako sa likuran, checking if he's really already here or Venice was just bluffing.

"Wala naman," kunot-noong sabi ko. Nginuso niya ang kaniyang labi sa tabi ko.

I glanced at my side. Sumalubong sa akin ang nakangiting si Caleb na nakaupo na pala sa tabi ko. Nag-iwas agad ako ng tingin nang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Hindi ko talaga siya kayang iwasan.

He is the one who always finds a way to keep close to me. Parang hindi ko rin naman kayang iwasan at layuan siya dahil... nasanay na ako sa presensiya niya.

Beside him was Christian. Seconds had passed when they began to talk, the reason why his eyes weren't on me anymore.

Kaunti pa lang nanditong youth sa simbahan. Nakita ko rin sila Shiela at mga kaibigan niyang tinatapunan kami ng tingin, pero wala naman akong natatanggap na irap mula kay Shiela. All I can clearly see on her eyes was jealousy. I really hope that she won't do things that would damage me again.

Wala pa ang youth leaders kaya karamihan sa amin ay nag-uusap-usap muna.

"Venice, may request lang sana ako," sabi ko at nilingon siya. Her eyes were on me already while she was swallowing something in her mouth.

"Ano yorn?"

Napailing na lang ako dahil nagsalita siya na patuloy sa pagnguya.

"Tapusin mo muna 'yang kinakain mo."

"Itwo na pho..." Ngumiti agad siya sa 'kin nang matapos siya. "Ano 'yon?"

"Please don't tell Caleb that I'm starting to have feelings for him. I'm not yet ready," mahinang pakiusap ko. It was almost an inaudible whisper because he's just beside me that might hear us.

"Ano ka ba, oo naman! Wala naman akong planong sabihin sa kaniya dahil hinihintay kong ikaw ang magsabi. Basta handa na ang mahabang tili ko pag-aamin ka na talaga!" Tinakpan ko agad ang bibig niya nang medyo napalakas ang pagkakasabi niya sa mga huling salita.

Her eyes went wide open at me like she just realized something.

I promptly removed my hand from her mouth and acted after like nothing happened. Pasimple pa akong tumingin sa tabi ko at agad na nag-iwas ng tingin nang makitang nakatingin na pala sa 'kin si Caleb. I thought he's still fixing his eyes on Christian.

Napasapo ako sa aking noo dahil mukhang narinig niya 'yong huling mga salita ni Venice.

"Okay ka lang?" My eyes slightly went wide open when I heard him ask. Kabado akong tumango at hindi siya nilingon dahil baka mautal pa ako sa harapan niya.

I don't want that to happen. I also don't want him to notice that something's peculiar on me. I'd rather die.

Ilang sandali pa'y dumating na rin ang youth leaders hudyat na magsisimula na kami. Tulong-tulong naming sinindihan ang mga kandilang nakapalibot sa imahe ni Jesus na nakalagay sa isang pulang sapin. We started. After that, deep talks happened again.

Since the day I opened my personal problem towards my co-youth servants in BEC, I became comfortable to share all my thoughts and experiences with them and to whom I am group with.

When we were done, pinaupo ulit kaming lahat dahil may pag-uusapan.

"Ang pag-uusapan natin ngayon ay tungkol sa upcoming youth camp na gagawin natin," Ate Yesha started. Napuno agad ng bulungan ang buong simbahan.