Faked Attachment (Syclups #4)

07

Josh's POV

             I was silently leaning in the wall, dazing with that book she gave me, when someone suddenly poked me on waist.

I reluctant to glance because i know who it was. She's going to ruin my mood again, for sure. Telling and commanding me what to do.

I'm sick of it, man.

I am Josh, everyone told me that i'm too matured and responsible, everyone will be willing to marry me, i am straight when i think, i am sticked to my choice and decisions, i am wise on my plans...but everything should change.

Kailangan kong itago at baguhin ang sarili ko para lang sa isang misyon galing sa kanya.

I really want to ask myself, why am i so obedient to her? I've never done something wrong or bad to her, how can she do all of this to me?

She's ruining my life, my happiness, my freedom, my youth..just because of that fuckin debt!

"How's the pace, hmm?"
Tanong niya at tinaas baba pa ang dalawang kilay. I didn't move any of my face's muscle and show no emotion. I don't want to entertain her anymore.

"You're asking me that everyday.."
Walang gana kong sabi at tumayo ng tuwid para maglakad paalis.

"Hey! I'm still talking to you!"
She howled in her so-called authoritative tone..like as if I'm afraid.

I gritted my teeth and jaw to calm myself and prevent from yelling. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to restrain the situation before facing her again.

"I'll talk to you some other day, for now, i have no updates.. Stop approaching me kung ayaw mong mabuking ka"
Seryosong sabi ko at tuluyan na ngang umalis sa lugar na iyon.

It feels much better without her presence.

"Where did you go? You're so late, lagot ka sa class president natin"
Bungad niya sa akin pagkaupong-pagkaupo ko sa tabi niya.

"Hindi yan, tropa ko naman si Cherry"
Kaswal na sabi ko sabay ngisi na ikinangiwi niya lang.

Annie...
She's been great and kind ever since we met.
She's considerate and helpful, she done nothing wrong.. She don't deserve all of these but fuck..i can't do anything.

I stared at her face while she's busy listening to the speaker in front. She seems curious to all things and so willing to learn.

The more she look innocent, the more i get consciences.

"So ano? Anong nakuha mong lesson sa topic ng speaker?" nang-uusisang tanong niya agad pagkatapos matapos ng maliit na seminar para sa aming mga senior hs students.

"Wala nuh? Ayan, tulala pa more"
Sabi pa niya at pinaningkitan pa ako ng mata kaya natawa ako.

Naglalakad pabalik ng classroom namin, sa mga ganitong sitwasyon ay dapat kinukulit ko siya at magpa-pansin ng magpa-pansin.. Pero wala eh, inaatake ako ng konsensya ko ngayon. I feel like i betrayed my own principles.

"Ano palang kukunin mong course? You're so good at english, are you planning to take education major in English?"
She suddenly asked on our way.

Napatingin ako saglit sa kanya at nagkibit balikat.
"Not sure.. As of now, i want to be a lawyer, pero ewan, pwede pa naman iyong magbago mamaya, bukas, next week, or next month.."

Yeah. I've always wanted to be a lawyer, where i can stand in front of many people while defending justice.. It's my dream.. It's actually a secret but i don't know how i said that casually in front of her.

" Life is unpredictable, after all.."
Sabi ko pa at nilingon siya. Malalim na ang iniisip at nakatingin sa malayo. "You?"

Doon siya napatingin pabalik sa akin at tumawa, pilit at pekeng tawa..
"Does that matter?"

Huminto ako sa paglalakad kaya ganun din siya. I took a good glance to check and try to measure her mood.

"I will end up on my father's arrangement in the end.. So, my dream and preferences..doesn't really matter.."
Sabi pa niya at patagong bumuntong hininga. She forced a smile infront of me and sway her arms as she walk ahead.

"I am sorry, Annie.."
Wala sa sariling bulong ko sa hangin. Alam kong hindi niya na iyon narinig kaya hinayaan ko nalang. It has two meanings after all, it's hard for her to understand it now..

So she's also manipulated?
I've managed to conduct a complete background check of her but i didn't really heard that he's manipulated by her father..

She looks so free outside..

"Hoy, wait! Hintayin mo'ko!"
Doon lang ako natauhan na wala na pala sa corridor si Annie, malamang na dahil sa katagal kong nakatulala doon ay malayo na ang nalakad niya.

Tumakbo na ako para maabotan pa sana siya, but i end up bumping into her..with a man.

Napatingin silang dalawa sa akin habang sinasamaan ako ng tingin ni Annie na akala mo'y nasira ko ang date niya.

"A-ahh..?"
I mumbled, asking for acknowledgement.

"Akala ko naligaw kana ng building"
Kunwari'y malambing na tanong ni Annie pero sinisingkitan na naman niya ako ng mata habang hindi nakatingin yung lalaki.

"Bilis mo kasi maglakad" reklamo ko rin.

Napatingin ako doon sa lalaki nung bigla siyang umubo ubo. He seems familiar.. Kaano ano niya si Annie?

"This is..?"
Sabay na tanong namin kay Annie.

"Ah, uhm, Josh this is Stellvester, he's from another section. Stell, si Josh"
Sabi ni Annie at ngumiti ng malawak, hindi sa akin kundi doon sa Stell lang.

Hmm.. I'm smelling something fishy..

"Oh, the transferee right? Congrats sa contest bro, it's rare for a transferee to adjust in a short period of time to a new place.."
Sabi naman ni Stell at nilahad pa ang kamay. Patagong napataas ang kilay ko pero tinanggap ko nalang iyon at nakipagtanguan.

"Uhm, punta na ako Annie, see you"
Stell said and smiled wildly to Annie. Ito namang babaeng ito, ang lawak rin ng ngisi kahit na matagal ng nawala sa paningin namin si Stell.

"Crush mo?" curious na tanong ko. Nagreact naman agad siya at pinalo pa ako sa braso para itanggi.

"Anong crush? Gagi hindi ah!"