Renegade

Chapter 18

CLARISSE'S P.O.V.

***

"It's good to see that your hand is not acting up, Clang."

Ngumiti ako kay Garnet nang kunin niya ang kanang kamay ko at masahiin iyon. Katatapos lang namin sa isang lab exercise kung saan kinailangang namin mag-plate ng bacteria at mag-set up ng blue-white screening. Magka-group kami ni Garnet at kanina niya pa ako pinupuri dahil hindi nanginig ang kamay ko at nagawa ko nang tama 'yung mga plates na na-assign sa akin.

"After this we have to create scie paper, 'di ba?" Garnet asked.

Tumango naman ako bilang sagot sa kaniya bago kinuha ang kamay ko. I opened my lab manual to pretend I will check the format for the scientific paper. Pero sa totoo lang, kanina ko pang gustong lumayo kay Garnet.

I did not like that she was this happy and so friendly with me. I also noticed how her energy was on another level. She was a bit too cheerful for her usual self.

At hindi ko maiwasang maalala ang posibleng dahilan ng good mood niya ngayon. I remembered everything that happened yesterday; clearly and detailed enough to intensify the rage I was feeling right now.

Paano niya nagagawang pakisamahan ako nang ganito na para bang wala siyang ginagawang masama sa likuran ko?

"Bukas na rin 'yung practicum natin, Clang. I heard Sir Zaragosa is strict when it comez to practical exam." Muling lumapit sa akin si Garnet at saka sinilip 'yung lab manual na kunwaring binabasa ko. "Kinakabahan ka ba sa evaluation ng practical bukas? Kasi ako sobra. Sana magawa ko 'yung bawat station 'tapos masagot ko 'yung mga questions."

I just nodded at her babblings. Yes, babbling. Kasi hindi ko naman iniintindi 'yung sinasabi niya. I hated that I had to stay casual to her after she hurt me for sneeking with my boyfriend and for breaking my trust.

Napabuntong hininga ako kasabay ng kirot na nararamdaman ko sa aking dibdib. I didn't expect Garnet to be this good at lying. Akala ko kilala ko na siya— she's my best friend after all. But it turned out, there was still a side of her that I don't know.

O baka aware akong gano'n talaga siya pero dahil best friend ko siya, hindi pumasok sa isip ko na pati sa akin magagawa niya.

"Clarisse, are you okay? Kanina ka pa tahimik. Puro tango at iling ang isinasagot mo sa akin. May nangyari ba? May problemaba?"

For the first time today, I met her gaze. She was curious and worried at the same time and I hated myself for actually thinking now that Garnet meant that concern for me.

Ayoko sa lahat 'yung plastik na kaibigan— kasi mabilis akong magtiwala. At kapag naging kaibigan mo ako, handa akong makipagpatayan para ipagtanggol ka. But I guess, no matter how good you are as a friend, people are just meant to betray you because of their greedy desires.

"May lagnat ka ba, Clang? Bakit parang iiyak ka na?" She cupped my face with her hand and I could not help myself but to feel disgusted.

Iniwas ko ang mukha ko sa kamay niya 'tapos ay pilit na ngumiti. Gusto kong sumabog at sumbatan siya ngayon pero pinigil ko ang sarili ko. There was a proper time to make her and Alex pay for what they did behind me.

Hindi ako pwedeng magpadala sa emosyon ko. Gusto kong makabawi kay Alex sa panggagago niya sa akin. He should taste his own medicine.