Life Of Yesterday (Only a Mémoire)

Chapter 8

"You what?"

Marco's face was full of confusion. I badly wanted to retract my words. Did I just confess to him? What the hell was I thinking?

"Don't make me repeat my words, 'di ko na uulitin 'yung sinabi ko."

His lips parted. "So, it was true. You like me." 'di makapaniwalang sabi niya. "Beatrice..."

I faced him. "Ano?"

He bit his lower lip and smiled a little. He was trying to hide his smile but I guess happiness overpower him because the force of his smile was so strong that no matter how much he wanted it to hide, it was very evident in his eyes.

"You... like me." he said rather childishly.

"Mukha kang gago."

Natawa siya. He clutched his hand on his chest dramatically. "Ouch." Napairap ako. "Pero Beatrice..." pagtawag niya ulit kaya tumingin ako ulit sa kaniya. "Totoo?"

I stood up. "Bahala ka nga."

Natigilan ako sa paglalakad sana nang hawakan niya ang kamay ko. Kaagad akong napatingin do'n pero 'di niya inalis ang kamay niya.

Deep inside me was wishing na hindi niya alisin. It really felt nice whenever his skin was touching mine.

"Ano?" I asked.

He pulled me and made me go back to my seat. Tinanggal din niya ang pagkakahawak sa 'kin at saka sinabing, "Sorry."

"You're not sorry." I stated because by the look on his face, he really wasn't. Mukha pa rin siyang gagong nakangiti r'yan sa isang tabi.

"Galit ka?"

My forehead turned into a crease. "Why would I?"

"I touched you without permission."

"Sanay na ako sa 'yo." I sarcastically said because truth be told, sanay na talaga ako. At first, medyo naninibago ako pero ginagawa lang naman niya 'yon whenever he feels like needed. He wouldn't touch me for nothing.

"But you really like me, Beatrice?" he asked, smiling.

"'Di ko na nga uulitin 'yon."

He shrugged. "I'll take that as a yes."

"Kaya sila nagagalit sa 'kin, eh. I feel like what happened was my fault for liking you."

"Inulit mo." He pointed me. "You repeated that you like me." parang batang sabi niya.

"Para kang tanga."

Natawa siya at nagtakip ng bibig. "Sorry, sorry."

"But really, Marco. I don't think we should be closer to each other."

Biglang lumungkot ang itsura niya sa sinabi ko. Totoo lang naman kasi. Pag-iinitan lang ako nina Kai kapag nalaman nila na mas naging close lang kami ni Marco. Palagi na lang ba akong matatapunan ng juice? At least, kung lalayo ako, wala na silang reason para magalit sa 'kin.

"What? Why?" Marco asked. His face fell.

I stood up. "Maybe they'll leave me alone if I distance myself to you. I don't want complications in my life, Marco." I said as I get my coat and bag from him and walked towards our room.

Pagbalik ko sa room, wala pang tao pero malamig dahil lagi namang iniiwang bukas ang aircon. Umupo kaagad ako sa upuan ko pero natigilan ako nang makitang nawawala ang mga libro ko.

Halos ikutin ko na ang room pero 'di ko talaga makita. Sigurado akong dito ko 'yon iniwan kaya imposibleng mawala.

Napatingin ako sa pinto nang biglang bumukas. Dumating si Marco at tahimik na umupo sa upuan niya. Bakit ba 'di siya pumunta sa friends niya? Sunod siya nang sunod sa 'kin, kaya ko naman ang sarili ko.