CHAPTER 79
"Ano 'yon?" Tanong ko kay Sherman. May sinabi siya sa akin na hindi ko naintindihan kaya napatingin ako sa kanya ng may pagtataka. "Uhm, naiwan ni Yna ang phone niya. Will you look at that noh?" Sabi niya at ngumiti sa akin.
"Hey!" Bumaling ang atensyon namin ni Sherman dahil sa nagsalita sa likuran namin. "I think forgot my phone, bumalik lang ako para sana kuhanin. Nakita niyo ba?" Nahihiyang sabi niya at tumingin sa aming dalawa ni Sherman.
"Nako girl, tamang-tama! Ngayon lang din namin napansin! Where's your sundo ba?" Mabilis at medyo naaaligagang sabi ni Sherman, at umaktong may hinahanap. "Why don't you hold on for a moment? The party's almost over, and they're about to announce the night's winners." Sabi ko kay Yna, binalewala ang naaasiwang kilos ni Sherman. Hindi naman siya umimik at nanatiling nakatingin sa akin.
"And it's common courtesy to dance with your partner before you leave the hall." Nakangiti kong sabi at inilahad ang kamay sa kanya bago tumayo. "What?" Yna asked, puzzled. "I don't understand why you keep switching... you...then, back then... and now?" She spoke again, but she doesn't know what she wants to say, so she glanced at me with a stern gaze, as if assessing the situation.
I want to say something, but I don't think it will help ease the tension between us. She may look calm, but the expression she's making is not something... I should feel okay with. That kind of expression makes my guilt rise up again. I stared down at my hand and then at hers, slowly making a fist and clamping it on her gown.
"No, I'm sorry I have to decline... I think it would be better if I left, I don't feel well," Yna replied, not looking at me, her eyes filled with discontent. "Thank you Sherman, enjoy the night, you two," she added when Sherman handed her the phone and walked away without looking back.
"Wow... that's the first time I've seen you two argue," Mahinang sabi ni Sherman. Tumaas ang kilay ko at tinignan ko siya ng seryoso kaya napatikom siya ng bibig.
"Maybe it's too much for her to dance?" Napapaisip kong sabi. "Is it really because of that?" Napabaling ulit ako kay Sherman na ang paningin ay nasa stage. "Ganyan ba ang epekto ng nangyari sa'yo noon?" Walang gana niyang tanong?
"I don't know." I answered shaking my head pero napaisip pa rin ako. "I know you know I endured till last year before getting back on my feet, right?" Kalmado ngunit may pait sa tono ng pananalita "You think it's easy to move on and then suddenly see someone who resembles..." I cut myself off at bumuntong hininga.
Sherman gave me a sympathetic look. "Nevermind," I said, looking at him. He gave a hesitant smile. "Don't look at me like that." Sabi ko at pumikit. "I know." Sabi niya at tinapik ako sa balikat.
"I'm sorry for leaving you alone, but it's time for me to go up there and hand over the awards." Paalam ko kay Sherman at tumayo na. I gave him a faint smile as I glanced at him, siya naman ay nakatingin lang sa akin.
It won't feel this heavy if I get a chance to find out the answer to my question. But I don't want to strain Yna by forcing her to say what I want to hear.
The night ended with the king of the halloween masquerade ball, present, and the queen missing. After the awards were given and a few words for the closing remarks were given.
"I am officially announcing the engagement of Ezekiel Helffrich and Cerca Durbrow!" Masayang sabi ni mom sa lahat ng naririto which made me lose composure at agad hinanap ng paningin kung nasaan si Elizabeth.
