Teardrops on a Sketch Pad

Kabanata 31: You Disappointed Me

[Xylandria's POV]

It's Aisha, Belle, and Victoria. Lumingon din si Walter sa kanila at parang naguluhan sa naging reaksyon ko.

"Seriously? I thought you're busy." Malapad silang nakangiti habang naglalakad papunta sa table namin.

Natameme ako at bigla akong pinagpawisan. Walter is here... and so are my friends. I'm not ready for this, I don't what to say. Should I introduce him? Shit, i'm stuck!

"W-well, i'm not, for now." Huminto silang tatlo sa harapan namin at naghaharumentado ang sistema ko nung unti-unting lumipat ang tingin nila sa kasama ko.

"So you're with a friend?" Hilaw na ngumiti si Victoria nung makita ang buong mukha ni Walter.

"B-boyfriend, he's my boyfriend guys. Walter, I want you to meet my friends since high school. Victoria, Aisha, and Belle." Tipid akong ngumiti at pinakilala sila.

Walang imik na inilahad ni Walter ang kanyang kanang kamay at napadapo naman ang tingin ng mga kaibigan ko sa kaliwang braso niyang putol ang kamay. It's awkward, but my friends are left with no choice but to shake hands with him.

Kagat-kagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko dahil sa sitwasyon namin ngayon. I bet my friends are already insulting me in their heads.

"Nice to meet you. So your name is Walter?"

"Yes, Walter Holloway."

Nakaawang ang labi na nagkatinginan ang mga kaibigan ko. Tumingin ako kay Walter at alam kong nahihiya siya, hindi lang niya pinahahalata.

"Mag-oorder ba kayo? Why don't you guys sit with us?" Pag-aya ni Walter na mabilis ikinailing ng mga kaibigan ko.

"Thank you, but we're not planning to dine in. May lakad pa kasi si Vicky eh," tukoy ni Aisha kay Victoria na sumang-ayon. Tumango naman si Walter at naintindihan ang rason nila.

"Can we borrow Andria for a sec?" Tumingin ako kay Walter at marahan lang niyang tinango ang ulo. Kaya tumayo na ako nung magsimula nang maglakad yung mga kaibigan ko palabas ng Sky Autumn.

"You got to be serious, Andria," sarkastikong tumawa ni Victoria habang iniiling-iling ang kanyang ulo.

"What do you mean?" Nagkatinginan silang tatlo at bumuntong-hininga.

"He's disabled, Andria. We never imagine that you'll get involve with a guy like him. Yes, he's Walter Holloway. The world class champion pero... Xylandria, naman. Why him? Dahil ba sa pera? Don't tell me na nagiging desperada ka na para maabot ang mga pangarap mo."

Hindi ako makapaniwalang suminghap dahil sa narinig ko mula sa bibig ng mga kaibigan ko. Bakas ang pagkadisgusto sa kanilang mga mata at nasasaktan ako dahil sa kanilang pinapakita.

"Really? I thought kaibigan ko kayo. Kilala niyo ako and I was never desperate! How can you say things like that? Mahal ko si Walter at mahal niya rin ako."

"Mahal? That's foolishness. How can you love someone like him? Xylandria, you can't waste your time and heart for a guy who doesn't deserve a bit of you."

"Ako lang ang makakasabi niyan, Aisha. Wala ka sa posisyon para pagsabihan ako." Nanunuyo ang lalamunan ko dahil sa sama ng loob.

"Then tell us the reason why! Kasi hindi namin makita ang rason kung bakit nahulog ang loob mo sa kanya. There are so many guys out there, more than I can even count. Ba't PWD pa? Ba't hindi na lang kasi si Dave? Xylandria, we're just worried. We don't want you to get hurt." Magkasalubong ang kilay at nag-aalala ang mga matang giit ni Belle.

"I don't think a reason is required to love someone. Thank you for your worries guys, but no one can change my mind. I'm not leaving Walter." Masusi ko silang tiningnan sa kanilang mga mata habang nakatayo nang matuwid. Victoria shake her head in disbelief and a sarcastic chuckle left her mouth.

"What did you do to Xylandria? What happened to our friend? Who doesn't waste even a mili-second to things worthless as him!" Napayuko ako at mariing kinagat ang labi para pigilan ang sarili kong umiyak.

"W-walter is not worthless like what you guys think. Mahal ko si Walter dahil may mga bagay akong nakikita na kailanman ay hinding-hindi makikita ng mga sarado ang utak kagaya ninyo. If you'll excuse me, hinihintay pa ako ni Walter sa loob." Hindi maipinta ang mga mukha ng kaibigan ko dahil sa pang-iinsultong hindi ko sadyang bitawan. I started walking towards the door but I stopped when I heard Aisha's voice.

"You disappointed us. We never thought you'll allow your mind to get corrupted by love." Mapakla akong ngumiti bago sumagot.

"Likewise. I am also disappointed knowing that you guys only value standards, not happiness."

Dire-diretso na akong naglakad papasok at naabutan ko si Walter na nakatulala lang sa mesa. Mukha kanina pa dumating yung orders namin pero hindi pa niya nagagalaw yung kanyang croissant. Napaangat siya ng tingin sa akin nung maramdaman niya ang presensya ko. Tipid akong ngumiti sa kanya bago umupo sa kanyang harapan.

"Where are your friends?"

"Somewhere," kibit-balikat ko at napatikhim. Even though I expected that this will happen, I was hoping that they might change their values. Gusto kong matawa sa sarili ko. Why did I even fucking hope? If I didn't met Walter and if one of my friends fell in love with a PWD, tiyak kong kokontra rin ako.

My friends expected a lot from the most gorgeous woman they ever know who never had a single boyfriend before.

I sighed before I glance at Walter who seemed to be puzzled for what happened outside. His seaweed green eyes made my heart calm and even with the nuisance scar on his left cheek, I can't deny that he's the most handsome guy I ever known and yes, Walter deserves me.

"I'm sorry," napataas ang magkabilang kilay ko sa kanyang sinabi.

"For what?"

"Nag-away kayo ng mga kaibigan mo dahil sa akin. Tama ba?" Hindi ako sumagot at nanatiling diretso ang tingin ko sa mga mata niya.

"I'm sorry if I can't be the man you can present to the crowds confidently."

"I don't need to present you to anyone. You are my man, Walter. Their opinions won't change my feelings." Malungkot siyang napayuko.

"I know and I thank God for having you."

And I wish God will let me have you for the rest of our lives. I don't know what will happen to me after 18 months. I can't imagine a day without you.