The Shattered Pieces

KABANATA 8

"Ano ang kakantahin natin, Samuel?" tanong ko sa kasama ko habang inililibot ang mga mata sa sala nila.

He didn't answer me quickly. Ipinagpatuloy niya ang ginagawa niya at hindi man lamang ako tinapunan ng tingin para sagutin ang tanong ko sa kanya.

I wasn't thinking that he was going to bring me here. Sa bahay nila. We didn't talked about practicing here and he didn't mentioned it either. Kaya nabigla ako nang yayain niya ako rito at sabihing dito na lang mag-rehearse.

"Accept me," rinig kong sagot niya sa akin.

I stopped on my track when I heard him said that. I slowly turned my face to face him. And I caught him already staring at me.

Sa mga mata niyang iyon na nakatuon sa akin ay muli ko na namang naramdaman ang kaba sa aking dibdib at pagkabalisa dahil sa kanyang mga titig na animo'y sinusuri at pinapasok ako't maging ang kaluluwa ko.

I was not used of Samuel looking at me like that. And I wasn't used yet with that kind of look he has on his eyes. Dahil pakiramdam ko, pakiramdam ko ay may ibang pinapahiwatig ang mga tingin niyang iyon sa akin.

I just shook my head to disregard my thoughts.

"I don't know if they will like it though," he said as if he wasn't sure.

Napaangat na lamang ako ng aking kilay at hindi na nagsalita pa. I continue roaming my eyes around their living room.

Malaki pala talaga ang bahay nila. I thought it was really not this big. Maluwag din iyon at malaya talagang gumalaw. They have swimming pool at the back of the front door of their house.

"Nasaan ang parents mo?" muling tanong ko nang mapansin kong wala ang magulang niya.

Naramdaman kong tumingin siya sa akin saglit.

"Manila," he answered.

Dagli akong napalingon sa kanya nang sumagot siya.

"Manila?" kuryusong tanong ko. Tumango siya. "So you're alone here..." it was a statement and not a question.

Kaya pala ang lakas ng loob na yayain ako sa bahay nila. I thought that Kairos and Eric will be going but they didn't arrived yet. Even Niko wasn't there.

Tumalikod na siya mula sa akin at inayos ang gitarang gagamitin niya.

"I have Manang Clarita with me here," aniya.

Nagkibit na lamang ako ng aking balikat sa sinabi niya. He sure has an answer for everything I asked him.

Hindi na ako nagsalita at tinitigan na lamang siya. While staring at Samuel, I couldn't deny even to myself that he's good looking. Not to mention that he's comfortable to be with.

I was back on my trance when I heard him talk again.

"Are you related with Eunice? The nursing student?" he asked that made me glanced at him again.

What's with the question?

Tinitigan ko muna siya nang mahigit isang minuto nang magtanong siya sa akin nang gano'n.

Based on his expression, he was curious. But... Was it that all? Only his curiosity?

"Bakit? Gusto mo ba?" I didn't mean to seem bitter when I asked that but my tone was kinda like that.

Kumunot ang noo niya sa akin nang magtanong ako rin ako.

"I was only asking if she's related with you. Tapos ngayon gusto na kaagad? That doesn't make sense," masungit na sagot niya.

Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili kong mapatawa nang parang biglang magsungit siya sa akin. Kasalanan ko bang 'yon ang labas sa akin? He's just being denial for his feelings. Tsk, pathetic.