#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 22

"Come on, Khaisia, help me out. I'm shy to ask him out... I don't know if he'll say yes."

Annoyed, I turned to face Juliana who is now in my room to ask for my help. Instead of answering her, I lazily laid on my bed, ignoring her. But instead of going out of my room, she sat on my bed to persuade me.

"Get out of my room, Juliana." I just answered. "I still have to go to school tomorrow... Don't piss me off."

"Come on! We just became friends!" sabi naman niya sa akin.

"I never told you that I want to be your friend." sagot ko naman sa kanya at inirapan siya. Hindi niya 'yon pinansin at nagkibit-balikat na lang.

"Ask him for me, okay? Dad is planning a dinner with them, have you heard?" she asked which caught my attention.

"What?" I uttered, can't believe my ears.

"You heard me. I heard it's already tomorrow," she answered, and then, we heard a knock. "I think that's dad." sabi pa niya.

Tumayo siya at binuksan ang pinto. Umupo naman ako para tignan kung sino 'yon at tama nga si Juliana. Dad was even a bit shock to see her in my room, but didn't say anything more. Tumingin lang siya sa 'kin at nagtaas naman ako ng kilay na hindi na lang din niya pinansin.

"Don't go anywhere tomorrow, and go back home immediately. We have to meet my friend and his family," he said, full of authority. And by that friend, I know he's talking about Mr. Severino.

Umalis na rin naman siya matapos niyang sabihin 'yon sa 'kin. Juliana looked at me like she wanted a compliment because she knew about it first. Tamad lamang akong humiga ulit sa kama ko, still ignoring Juliana's request.

"Ask him for me, okay?" makulit na sabi pa niya. "Just once— if it doesn't work out, I'll stop."

"Whatever. Just get out of my room," sagot ko lang sa kanya.

"I will take that as a yes, then. Thank you so much!" she excitedly answered before she exited my room.

I heaved a sigh and closed my eyes, trying to sleep. I didn't notice how I fell asleep. I just woke up the next day because of my alarm. Kaagad naman akong bumangon para mag-ayos na. Nang matapos ay lumabas na ako para umalis na. Jeshua already texted me, ang sabi niya ay kailangan na naming ayusin ang mga instrument na gagamitin.

"Remember what I told you, young lady. Go home immediately," sabi sa 'kin ni Daddy nang makita niya ako. "And don't even think about disobeying me. Don't be such a pain in head," he added, not looking at me.

Hindi ako sumagot at lumabas na lang. Wala na akong pakialam kung magalit man siya dahil kahit ano namang gawin ko, at the end, pareho lang ang magiging reaksyon niya. It's either disappointed or angry, hindi na ako umaasang matutuwa pa siya sa 'kin. Hindi na nga ako magtataka kung isang araw bigla na lang niya akong itatapon na parang isang gamit dahil nakuha na niya ang gusto niya.