Bygone Memories of Yesterday (Affliction Series #2) ✔

Chapter 14

“What’s with the bonnet?” Mica asked as she looked at my hair. Ang nakalugay kong buhok ay natatakpan ng kulay puting bonnet. I also got it trimmed but I’m sure they didn’t notice it. 

“New hairstyle,” I answered innocently as I played with its tips. “Hindi ba bagay?”

“Bagay naman—”

“Bagay na bagay. Lalo ka ngang gumanda, eh.” Umirap si Mica nang bigla na lang sumulpot si Neus sa tabi ko. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. 

“Thank you.” I smiled.

He matched my smile. “You look amazing in that bonnet but you have to take it off.” Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. “It’s against the school rules, Anj.”

Marahas akong umiling. “A-Ayoko. Ako na’ng bahala sa teachers. I’m keeping this.”

“O-Okay. If you say so.” Nagtataka akong sinulyapan ni Neus bago hinarap si Mica. “Kailangan niyo ng pumasok. Nasa’n si Shania?” 

As if on cue, Shania neared us with ... Keith?

Awtomatiko akong napalingon kay Mica at nakita ang walang emosyon niyang mukha. 

Is there — no, it can’t be. Shania was the one who’s firm with the belief na walang magbo-boyfriend ng ex ng isa’t isa. Keith is Mica’s ex. Hindi niya naman kakainin ang mga salita niya, hindi ba? 

“Sorry we’re late. Traffic kasi eh,” Keith said. Bumaba ang mata ko sa bag na bitbit niya. It’s Shania’s. Umawang ang labi ko.

Seeing my eyes on the bag, Shania took it from his hold. 

“Tara na?” anyaya niya saka alanganing ngumiti. Inakbayan ako ni Neus dahilan para maibalik ko ang tingin sa kaniya. 

“Let’s go,” he whispered as he guided me. 

“I understand, Miss Palorma. You may be seated,” wika ng prof namin nang ipaalam ko sa kaniya ang dahilan kung bakit ako naka-bonnet. Nakatungo akong bumalik sa upuan ko. 

“You know, you have been wearing the same bonnet for a week now, it makes me wonder ... Anong tinatago mo riyan sa ulo mo?” Mica joked. 

Seeing her hands reaching for my bonnet, I quickly stood up and stepped back. Ang mabilis kong kilos ay nagpagulat sa kanila.

“No!” I snarled and held my bonnet tight. 

Napakurap-kurap si Mica. “Woah, chill. I was just joking.” Umiling siya kapagkuwan nagbukas ng panibagong topic. 

“Anj?”

“Hmm?” I glanced at Neus. 

“Is there something I — we, need to know about?” tanong niya habang nakatingin sa bonnet ko. Lihim akong napalunok. 

“W-Wala naman. B-Bakit mo natanong?”

“Kasi gaya ni Mica, naiisip ko rin kung bakit lagi mong suot ‘yan.”

Tumawa ako. “Ano ba kayo, wala lang ‘to, okay? I just liked wearing this, that’s all.” I smiled to assure them. 

It’s hard, lying to everyone like this. Pero kasi, wala pa rin akong lakas na sabihin sa kanila ang totoo. I don’t want to see their sad faces once I tell them. Mas lalo lang akong malulungkot. 

Call me selfish for not telling them so I wouldn’t be sad, I don’t care. Gusto ko lang maging masaya ang lahat. 

For the past eleven months, my life had become perfect. Lahat ng ‘yon, dahil kay Neus. Mula nang dumating siya sa buhay ko, there were no dull moments. At ayaw kong matapos ‘yon. Ayaw kong matapos ang mga araw na masaya kaming dalawa, kasama ng pamilya at mga kaibigan namin.