Parade Of The Past

Chapter 9

The Clueless Girl

"I'm genuinely sorry, Cass. Kung ako rin siguro 'yan ay babagsak rin ang puso ko. You sure you'll be okay?" Azaria whispered. Agad ko naman siyang nilingon at binigyan ng matamlay na tingin. I don't know either, hindi madaling sagutin ang tanong niya.

Naikwento ko na sa kaibigam ang lahat ng nangyari at narinig ko. I'm quite thankful to have her here with me at medyo gumaan rin ang pakiramdam ko. Ang kanina ko pa iniisip ay kung paano ko haharapin pareho si Kathalina at Royce. I'm still in shock and I don't know how I'll react when I see them again. "Hindi ko alam, Ria. But maybe, kailangan lang siguro ng pahinga."

What a great way to rest. My phone vibrated as it lied to my lap. Speaking of Kathalina, nagulat ako nang makakuha ng mensahe galing sakaniya. What is she up to now?

"Should I reply?"

Dumungaw si Ria sa telepono ko. Ngumiwi ito bigla na parang may nakagat na maasim, at tinignan akong muli. "Depende, Cassia. It's up to you."

Tumayo na sa kinauupuan si Ria at nagsimula nang ayusin ang iba nilang gamit na nakakalat dito sa booth. Tapos na ang araw namin dito, at paniguradong mayroon uling gulo bukas. Tatlong araw ang nasabing festival, at hindi ako magtataka kung onti-onti kaming kakainin ng pagod kahit na natutuwa rin kami.

The school was quiet now more than ever. Kaniya-kaniyang pagpa-pack up na, at ang iba ay umuuwi narin. Hindi naman ako sigurado kung ganoon parin mamaya dahil may basketball match pa bago matapos ang programa sa kabilang org mamaya.

Napahinga ako ng malalim at tinitigan ang cellphone habang ipinapagpag ang paa na may damo. "Fine."

Kanina pa lumulutang ang utak ko at iniisip ang pag-titipa ng mensahe kay Kathalina. Hindi rin naman nila pwedeng malaman na narinig ko ang usapan nila, kaya dapat ay hindi ako mag-mumukhang apektado. "Cassia, what are you doing here?"

"Nothing, I'm not in the mood. Binisita ko si Ria." I muttered while avoiding a crashing tent beside me. Nilingon ko si Arch Delio, na anak ni Tía, sa kabilang gilid ko. I don't like the idea of him trying to ask me questions dahil lahat ng sagot ko, malalalaman ni tita. I want privacy. Just for once. Kahit ngayon lang, manahimik muna ang buhay ko.

"Well, at least stop giving me a frown, I come in peace." Tinignan niya ang orasan sa braso. "Please, leave me alone." Nilingon ko siya. "Kahit ngayon lang."

"I'm not going to force you to open up, but Ida.." I heared that name again. "I know you're not okay." Nilapitan niya ako at tinapik ang balikat ko, "I'm always here when you need me." He leaned closer to whisper, "And I'm letting you off this time. Mom doesn't have to know. Just promise me you'll take care."

Pinasalamatan ko ang pinsang ngayon lang nakisama. Maybe he sensed that I didn't want anyone to handle my problems for me, o kaya naman ay ayaw niya lang talagang makisama nanaman si Tita dito. She can be.. harsh sometimes. "Are you sure you're going? Pwede ko namang sabihin na bigla kang nagkasakit." Si Ria uli nung kinatok niya ako sa kwarto at bumisita, nang makauwi ako galing sa Gavi College.

"No, Ria. I'm sure. Walang rason para matakot ako at hindi pumunta. Isa pa, nabigla lang ako kahapon kaya ganon nalang ako nakapag-react." Sagot ko naman sakaniya nang ulitin niya ang usapan tungkol sa pag-aaya ni Kathalina sa'min na lumabas. Hindi pa naman ako kampante, pero ano namang mawawala kung pupunta ako? Wala naman siguro.

She smiled sadly at me and let out a big sigh, "I just want what's best and comfortable for you, Cass. Sabihin mo lang kung hindi natin ito itutuloy."

"Tutuloy tayo."

I hugged her at sinarado na ang pinto. Pareho na kaming naka-gayak at nakapag-ayos, bago bumaba para humanap ng masasakyan. Umabot pa ng isang oras bago kami makarating sa address na isinend ni Kathalina kay Azaria kaninang umaga. When I stepped out of the car, I immediately felt.. nervous.

I hope I don't mess this up.

"Let's get over this, Cassia Vergara."

Huminga ako ng malalim bago ako tumango at pumasok kasabay ni Ria. I'm not going to fuck this up. "Hi Kath!" Masiglang bati ng kaibigan ko. I was shocked with the sudden change of emotions. I can't help but smirk, while being snugged by the cold ambience of this restaurant. "Hello, Hi Cassia!" Napatigil ako bigla noong niyakap niya ako. I hugged back and gave her a smile she couldn't forget. It would've been awkward if she knew I heard her conversation with Royce earlier, mas mabuti na ngang hindi. Humigpit ang yakap nito sa'kin.

I really thought this night will be horrible, but it was bearable. It was a little bit better than what I was expecting. Huminga ako ng malalim. The whole night went smooth. Parang nakikipaglaro lang kami, except Ria and I avoided making mistakes, which is good.

I tried to be genuine with my actions because even after what I heared, I realized that I shouldn't betray my morals and act fake. Hindi ko gustong idagdag 'yon sa bokabyularyo ko. "Isn't that Cael Ross?" Bigla kong inangat ang ulo ko at napatingin kay Kathalina. "What?"

"Cael Ross, hindi nyo siya kilala?"

Nagkatinginan agad kami ni Ria. Alam niya ang iniisip ko. I knew that name sounded familiar, and I had a flashback to where I first heard it. That article..

"Andito na ba tayo?" tanong ko agad.

She didn't answer, but instead, she showed me her phone screen. "Artists on hiatus, or missing?" Kumunot ang noo ko sa tanong niya. Why is she asking me about celebrities at this hour? "Oh, ano naman meron diyan?" I rubbed my eyes in confusion.

"Cassia? What the actual fuck, you know what, I'll ask you straight to the point. Isn't that Cain? Yung nasa picture?" Hinarap niya ang telepono niya sa'kin. Her brightness welcomed me, kaya napapikit pa ako nung una bago dumilat muli para tumigil. Cain again. Naalala ko nanaman siya.

Natahimik lang ako saglit at tinitigan ang litrato. Siya nga ba 'to? That's not possible. I stared at Ria, who's just as stunned as me. "Baka kamukha lang, tignan mo yung link, ano bang pangalan nung lalaki?"

"Cael Ross."

"See? Hindi siya yan." How can I be so sure that that's not him? Paano kung siya nga iyon? "Matutulog ako, gisingin mo nalang ako pagdating natin."

And that was my final blow. Right at that moment, my heavy eyes dropped again, as I drifted to dreamland, while trying to fight my unanswered thoughts.

"No, who is he?" I lied. She then gave me an answer that made me shiver. "He's an artist on the mainstream. One of the highest paid Artist, Actor, and Producer. Kilalang kilala siya, I'm beyond shocked to know you don't recognize him." The clueless girl let out a giggle.

"Really?" Hindi ako makasagot. What is happening? "There he is!" Nabaling agad ang atensyon ko sa taong itinuro niya.

It was... Cain.

"Akala ko pa naman he's on hiatus kagaya ng nabasa ko sa article, I never knew I'd bump into him here!" Kathalina fangirled. Kumaway-kaway pa ito ngunit hindi din siya nilingon ng lalaki. "Isn't that Cain?" I asked, puzzled. Pati si Ria ay agad akong nilakihan ng mata nang makalingon. "Cain who? His name is Cael, silly!"

Lei saw how confused I am and stepped forward to segue. She held my hand under the table and from that moment, I knew what she's about to do. "I'm sure you're just kidding." Tumawa ito at binago ang usapan habang ako ay nakatingin parin sa lalaking kumakain mag isa malapit sa piano.

I froze when he looked back. Umiwas agad ako ng tingin at nahalata iyon ng katabi ko. Who is he? I'm fucking bewildered.

Is Cain lying to me about his identity, or is this one of Kathalina's petty games again?

Good heavens.