Maybe I'm Lying [COMPLETED]

KABANATA 23 - The Bargain

"Charm wait!" Bessie and Gracia called for me as I stormed out of the room. Hindi pa sila nakalalabas sa pinto ay hinarangan ko na sila gamit ang mga kamay ko.

"Don't follow me," utos ko sa kanila. Napatingin si Bessie kay Gracia habang si Gracia naman ay napabuntong hininga nalang. Malambot ang tingin sa akin nito.

"Tell us what happened!" ani Gracia.

"I'll tell you when I'm already sure. Now, Maria Gracia... I want you to listen to me," mariin kong sabi sa kanya na ikinatango niya. "Stay here. You and Bessie should never go home alone, okay?" dagdag ko.

Tumango siya. Napabuntong hininga ako at walang nagawa kung hindi i-tap ang kaliwang balikat ni Bessie. That was meant to be a hug, but I stopped when I realized I hadn't hugged them ever, not even once, not even as a joke. As I gaze at their worried faces and what could happen to them because of my messed up life, cowardness eats me. I swallowed hard and walked away from them, holding back my tears.

Nakasalubong ko ang tumpok ng mga estudyante sa tapat ng College of Interior Design Building, napatigil ako nang sabay-sabay ang ginawa nilang paglingon sa akin. I rolled my eyes at them to tell them that I don't have time for their nonsense saka nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Muntikan pa akong mabunggo nang may biglaang humarang sa harapan ko. I sighed, annoyed.

I examined her.

"What is it?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at her, which she answered with a grin. That's when I knew that she was looking for a fight.

"Huh! Sa tingin mo you could still act like you're the Queen here?! Bistado ka na arsonist!" I let my fingers run through my hair as I tried to recognize her octopus-like face, but she was an unfamiliar one. I'm not insulting her. I'm just describing how she looks in the clearest way possible.

"If you have evidence, then go to the court. I don't have time for people like you!" Lalagpasan ko pa sana siya nang mariin niya akong hawakan sa braso at hilain pabalik sa harap niya.

This sea creature! Inuubos niya talaga pasensya ko!!!

Nagpipiglas ako nang dalawang lalaki ang humawak sa magkabilang braso ko. Nagsimula na kaming palibutan ng mga nakikiusyoso.

"Saan ka pupunta sa tingin mo?!" nanggagalaiti niyang tanong. Kita ko ang paglitaw ng ugat sa leeg niya sa tuwing susubukan niyang magsalita.

I chuckled sarcastically and tried to pull my arms away from the two guys' grip, but I failed to free myself. "I'm only guilty of being too hot!" I replied.

"Huwag mong sabihing may pinaplano ka na namang sunugin?!" akusa ng babaeng mukhang pugita. I'm so done with her. I need to rush to Wren and ask what happened to Scott, and why we can't any longer sue Amy. Speaking of that bitch, it was a miracle she weren't here to piss the hell out of me too, like what this octopus girl was doing.

"Now... if my hotness burns you... then imprison me!" hamon ko sa kanila at nagpipiglas muli. "LET GO OF MY DELICATE ARMS! YOU COWARDS!"

I stopped protesting the moment I saw the girl's hand in the air, preparing to hit me.

Oh no! I hope it won't leave a bruise... could a slap disfigure someone's face? I'd be doomed if that's true.

I closed my eyes. Praying for my face to be spared, but the slap hasn't landed on my cheeks yet. Kaya binuksan ko ang mga mata ko at nakita ko si Wren na hawak na ang palapulsuhan ng babaeng mukhang pugita na sasampal sana sa akin.

Napanganga ako nang itulak ni Wren patagilid ang babaeng pugita na halos ikasubsob niya sa sahig. "I'm sorry... my respect are only limited to those who are deserving," sabi pa nito at madilim ang mukhang lumingon sa braso ko.