The Unfortunate Crush (Published under UKIYOTO PUBLISHING HOUSE)

Chapter 16

Ever since that moment in the falls, Rett was always preoccupied. Maya't maya ay makikita ko nalang siyang nag-iisip ng malalim habang nakatanaw sa kawalan. Tatlong araw na ang nakalipas nang mangyari iyon.

He also goes to the shore to test the boat that he has already finished.

He is still talking to me but not as playful as he was in the past days.

Isang araw, nakita ko nalang siya sa dalampasigan na bagsak ang balikat at parang umiiyak. He looks so confused as if he is finding something.

My heart hurt at the sight.

"Rett! Kain muna tayo!" tawag ko rito pero lumingon lang ito sa akin at umiling.

Ilang araw siyang hindi makausap ng maayos. He would space out most of the time and would forcefully laugh when I say something funny r or would force a smile just to be polite.

Isang gabi hindi ito tumabi sa akin sa tree house.

I thought that he just went to the sea side again just like what he often does. Pero nang lumabas ako para sana hanapin siya ay nakita ko na itong natutulog sa sarili niyang tree house.

Unti-unting kong naramdaman ang sakit sa aking puso.

This is now a sign that I should wake up.

Na ang mga nangyari lang sa amin ni Rett ay pawang pantasya lamang. What happened to us is not part of his reality.

Alam kong kailangan ko ng sabihin.

There were silent moments where I wanted to confess pero kada susubukan ko na ay saka naman ako pinapangunahan ng takot.

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As the wind howled strongly, the rattle sounds from the bamboos harmonizes with the rippling sound of the water from the river.

I am really getting kind of used to these noises at night.

However, tonight is different. Right now, my ears couldn't appreciate the sound of nature as it is currently focused on the noise inside my heart.

Noong akmang papasok na ako sa treehouse ko ay saka niya ako kinausap. Sinabi niyang sa treehouse ko siya matutulog kaya naman ay magkatabi ulit kami.

Naunang nakatulog si Rett kanina samantalang ako ay gising pa rin. Ilang sandali pa ay bumangon ito. At dahil ayaw kong makita niyang gising pa ako, I pretended that I am asleep.

Hinaplos niya ang aking pisngi. Hanggang sa naramdaman ko ang mainit niyang labi sa aking noo.

Kahit kinikilig ako ay pinilit kong huwag imulat ang aking mga mata.

"Who are you, Antonia? You're my girlfriend, right? But then why do I feel like I'm cheating?" Sunod sunod niyang tanong dahilan para tila maubusan ako ng hininga.

"I'm... gonna go back to the falls today, I remember something about falls...A memory of her crying... I want to go back there, baby. I badly want to find answers. Will that be okay?" nahihirapang bulong niya.

"I know that you're my girlfriend but why do I feel like I'm cheating on her? And yet, whenever I think of her, why does my heart hurt at the thought that I'm cheating on you?"

And just like that, bumuhos na pala ang aking mga luha nang hindi ko namamalayan.

Naramdaman ko ang paninigas ni Rett. Naramdaman ko rin agad ang pagpunas niya ng luha sa aking pisngi.

"E-Eve," nauutal na sabi niya na para bang natatakot siya.

Natanto kong huli na para umiwas kaya naman ay sumuko na ako at saka iminulat ang luhaan kong mga mata.