#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 18

"Any update? War pa rin ba kayo ni Epione? Ilang buwan na ang lumipas."

Ariell didn't answer when Kiel asked her, she just kept quiet like what she usually do simula noong nag-away sila ni Epione. This side of Ariell is so hard to read, she's emotionless— very different from the Ariell we know. I glanced at Kiel, napa-iling na lang siya nang hindi siya nakakuha ng sagot kay Ariell.

"Hay nako! Mauna na ako sa inyo, ha? Male-late na 'ko. Balitaan niyo na lang ako kapag nagsalita 'yang bebe Ariell na 'yan." paalam ni Kiel sa amin.

We just nodded at him before we decided to go to our class. Malapit na rin kasing magsimula kaya kailangan na naming pumasok. Tahimik pa rin si Ariell habang naglalakad kami papunta sa classroom namin. I lost count on how many time she sighed— I shook my head.

"You know, you should try talking to Epione and hear her explanations. Try to understand each other, walang mangyayari kung bubuntong-hininga ka lang d'yan." sabi ni Jeshua sa kanya nang makaupo kami kaya napatingin siya sa kanya.

"Jesh," she called her, pouting like a child— fighting the urge to cry.

"Walang mangyayari kung mag-iiwasan kayo, Ariell. Kailangan may isa sa inyong lumapit. Hindi maaayos ang isang bagay kung walang isang tao na magde-desisyon na umpisahan 'yun." Jeshua added, making Ariell quiet.

Nawala ang atensyon ko sa kanila nang marinig kong tumunog ang cellphone ko. Kaagad kong kinuha 'yon mula sa bulsa ko at kaagad na nakita ang notification. I received a message from Kirk, a smile slowly crept onto my face as I click his message.

From: Kirk

Good Morning, Miss Beret. I want to see you later, but I'm kinda busy :(

To: Kirk

I have plans later. No need to meet me.

I just send the message, but I already received a reply. Wala pa mang isang minuto ay nakapag-reply na siya. Wala ba siya sa klase?

From: Kirk

crush, pinagtataksilan mo ba ako?

Pinag— what? I laughed at his reply. I was just planning to meet Hershey, ang tagal na rin nang makita ko sila. Oh, well, they have been so good to me, might as well visit them.

To: Kirk

lol you're funny

From: Kirk

tama, ako dapat ang rason kung bakit ka masaya

I rolled my eyes after reading his reply. Hindi na ako nakapag-reply dahil dumating na rin ang prof namin. Umayos ako ng upo, gano'n din ang ginawa ng iba. This professor is terror— no doubt.

"Your lips will rip, don't smile too much." Jeshua whispered to me making me turn into her direction. She has that annoying teasing smile so I just rolled my eyes at her.