CHAPTER 2
I should have left when I still have a chance. How stupid of me for waiting two hours and ended up joining them on the table for lunch. I cannot chew the food properly, my palms are sweating, and I'm feeling uncomfortable to hear him speak. Can't he just shut his mouth at least? Alam ko naman na wala s'yang pakialam kung nandito man ako, pero sana kahit magpanggap man lang s'ya na bothered dahil kaharap n'ya ako sa table habang kumakain, 'di ba?
"Sorry to ask, Sir Jastin ah. Pero may girlfriend ka na ba?"
Naiwan sa ere ang kutsara na dapat ay isusubo ko dahil sa tanong ni Jo pero agad ko ring ibinaba dahil naramdaman kong tinapik ni Fourth ang braso ko sa gilid.
"Want another chicken, Sol?" He asked. He has been saving my face the whole time. And Sol, huh? He sure know how to help a friend. He's aware that Jas used to call me Sol so he did that for a reason. Thanks, Fourth.
"Wala pa sa ngayon," nakangiting sagot ni Jas sa tanong. Ah, wala.
"I'm surprise to know that a successful businessman like you doesn't have a girlfriend. Sigurado akong maraming pipila kung sakali, ano sir?"
"Hindi naman."
"Maiba ako, Ande. Mag-i-stay ka na ba rito?"
Nag-angat ako ng tingin at ngumiti kay ate Shane, hanggat maaari ayaw kong magtama ang mga mata namin ni Jas.
"Sa ngayon, ate, baka dito muna ako."
"Sa mga lola?"
"Opo, ate."
Tumangu-tango si ate Shane. "That's great. I am happy that you're back and I'm sure they do too." Makahulugang tiningnan ni ate Shane si Jas kaya napatingin rin ako sa kan'ya pero wala s'yang reaksyon at tuloy-tuloy lang sa pagkain.
"Kain pa kayo," kapagkuwan ay alok niya sa mga kaibigan ko.
"Thank you, Ma'am Shane and Jastin, bro." Nakipag-kamay muli si Leo kay Jastin at tinapik ito sa balikat, ganoon din si Guelle, but Fourth won't leave my side. Ni hindi s'ya ngumingiti o kaya nagsasalita man lang. After lunch ay nagkwentuhan muna kami bago tuluyang magpaalam si Joana, nag-chat kasi s'ya sa gc namin at tinanong kung kaya ko pa. Si Miguelle ang nag-reply.
Guelle: mamamatay na 'yan sa sobrang kahihiyan, sana tagalan mo pa.
"Thank you, ate." Lumapit ako kay ate Shane at yumakap, pero nawala ang ngiti ko nang may ibinulong s'ya sa akin, napalitan iyon ng pagkagulat pero nang tingnan ko s'ya sa mga mata n'ya, alam kong seryoso ito. Nakangiti niyang hinaplos ang aking buhok.
"I hate how Jas treated you," Fourth said. "I've been watching him and he never look at you."
Natahimik ako nang ungkatin ni Fourth si Jas sa kalagitnaan ng pagpapahinga namin pagkarating sa bahay. Hindi ko rin masisisi si Jastin dahil malaki ang kasalanan ko. I gave up our relationship easily. I gave up while he was still fighting for us. I left him while he was protecting me. I betrayed him.
But I did that to protect him, that was the least I could do at that time. He's hurting. He was trying to go against what his family wants. He never disobey his parents and I can't stand him hurting himself just to protect me. Maayos akong nagpapaalam noon pero aayaw n'ya. But I had no choice, I left unannounced.
Kung galit pa s'ya okay lang dahil naiintindihan ko.
"Ayos lang," sagot ko bago pumikit at humilig sa inuupuan. I'm tired.
"Kung okay lang sa 'yo, sige. But please don't let him hurt you just because you hurt him once," dinig kong sabi ni Jo. Tumango ako.
"I won't let him hurt me but..." nagmulat ako at tumitig sa kisame ng ilang saglit. "I'll soon be taming fire above the sea."
