Chance Again (Again Series #3)

Kabanata 17

That was the first time Cleo said that she needed me, the day that I felt so confused. That was also the hardest, to reject her because I wanted to know the reason why.

"Ayaw kong kinakausap mo ako, and I don't care if you need me pa." Tumayo ako para umalis na.

And I didn't know why it felt like I wanted to go back after seeing how she bit her lip while looking at me.

"Pumayag ka, Awii?" Sinalubong agad ako ng tatlo sa labas ng Canteen, si Kesha ang nagtanong.

Imbis na sagutin, nilagpasan ko sila.

Natagalan pa ang pagsunod ni Kesha at Jonary sa akin matapos nilang mag-sorry kay Tim, pero narinig ko ring sinabi nila na pupunta sila sa birthday ni Cleo kahit wala ako.

So what? E 'di mag-enjoy sila, right?

Hanggang sa classroom, naroon ang nagtatakang asta ng dalawa sa akin, iniisip kung bakit ko tinanggihan si Cleo pero hindi nila ako kinikibo, alam siguro na magagalit ako kapag tinanong nila.

Kasabay kong lumabas ng building sina Kesha at Jonary nang matapos ang klase. Naririnig ko pa silang nagbubulungan kung sino ang magtatanong sa akin pero nagpanggap ako na walang naririnig.

"Awii, you're not coming ba talaga?" si Jonary ang naglakas ng loob.

"As if!" mataray kong sinabi.

Naramdaman kong nagkatinginan sila.

"Sure ka ayaw mo?" si Kesha.

"Why would I want to?" I responded as quickly as I could.

"E 'di, umuwi ka na pala," dugtong niya. "Hindi ka na namin sasabayan hanggang gate, ten minutes pa kasi bago matapos laro nila."

Tiningnan ko ang soccer field na nginuso ni Kesha sa akin.

I saw her playing. Of course, she still looked cool, swift, and smooth as she ran after the ball. But right now, she looks troubled.

I rolled my eyes. "I know, duh!"

Pinanatili ko ang maganda kong tindig hanggang marating ang gate. Sumakay rin agad ako sa kotse, naroon na si Mang Mario.

"Tara na po, Ma'am?"

Tumango ako sa tanong ni Mang Mario. And even as we left the school gate it felt slow, tila ang bigat sa pakiramdam ko.

Why would she need me, right?

Dumating ako sa bahay. Both my Mom and Dad are home, kaya wala akong choice kundi ang sumabay sa kanila for dinner.

"Sabi ni Beatrice, wala ka raw sa focus nitong mga nakaraang araw?" It's my Mom. "Aren't you interested in ballet anymore?"

Dahil sa gulat ay nag-angat ako ng paningin. "What? Of course, I still am! I love ballet! And what is she saying that I am not focused these days? I surely am!"

Napailing si Mommy, nagtataas na kasi ako ng boses. "Next week na ang competition, Aurora. At noong nakaraang araw lang, muntik ka pa raw madisgrasiya."

Natapos ang dinner sa sermon ni Mommy at Daddy na hindi ko masyadong pinakinggan.

I mean, maybe they are right. Wala nga ako sa focus nitong mga nakaraang araw, takot lang akong makarating iyon kay Grandma kaya itinatanggi ko at iyon na ang sakit ko, ang hindi umamin sa mga pagkakamali.

I was about to head into my room when I heard Arielle in her room like she was talking with someone.

"Too bad, Mom won't allow me."

Of course, I got scared at first, thinking that she might be talking to someone non-existent not until I came into her room.

And she just looked at me like I was nothing!