Lies in the Past (Alimentation Series #2)

Chapter 10

I was trying to be casual and polite when Shakeera's with me. But I know for sure she's been feeling my transparent disappointment towards her, which I couldn't fully hide from her.

Something that off between us is that I don't usually talk first. I never initiate anything. Madalas kong nahuhuli na natutulala siya at malungkot. She's basically not dumb. Hindi niya pa lang kaya na buksan ang usapin sa pagitan naming dalawa kay umaarte siya na parang maayos kaming dalawa.

We're fine, of course. I was trying. Pero noong isang araw na nakasalubong namin si Kent habang papunta kaming canteen, naging awkward lalo. I didn't say a thing. I don't want to mention it first. I don't want to give her a cue to open the topic with me. Instead, I want her to decide for herself, without me forcing her to do so.

Nahihiya ba siya na pag-usapan namin? Isang linggo ang lumipas at mas napanatag siyang ganoon lang kami. Iyon bang nag-uusap pero ramdam naming pareho na awkward at may dapat kaming pag-usapan. She didn't even try to talk to me about her made-up lies. Kahit paano ay gusto ko pa rin naman malaman ang dahilan niya para magsinungaling sa akin. Hinihintay ko lang siya. She should explain herself to me.

"Hey, Verity Lemonade!" It was Macy's loud voice echoing in our table. Dito na ako kumakain sa canteen madalas dahil nakikita ko iyong mga nakasama at nakausap ko sa party last week. "Here you are, Shakeera."

Canteen is literally for everyone. Mas madami pala ang tumatambay dito. Sa loob nga ng one week ay tatlong beses ko nang nakita rito si Harminder. He was usually with his friends during his breaks. Hindi ko lang siya nilalapitan dahil nahihiya ako, lalo pa at iyong mga kasama niya ay kaibigan din ni Kent. Kilala nila akong lahat dahil sa mga paghahabol ko noon sa kaibigan nilang si Kent.

"Macy!"

Mag-isa siya today. May dalang cup of coffee at mukhang iyon lang ang sinadya rito. "I didn't see you here yesterday!"

"Oh, sa cafeteria ng department namin kami tumambay." Napasulyap ako kay Shakeera na tahimik sa tabi ko habang nagbabasa ng lesson. She glanced at Macy for a seconds and smiled. She didn't speak up though.

Lalaking-lalaki si Macy manamit. Actually our university's uniform fits him very well. Kung hindi mo siya maririnig magsalita, you wouldn't think that he is gay. All about his features scream manliness. Maganda rin ang pagkaka-ayos sa kanyang kilay, but it seems very natural.

"Ganoon? May party kaming pupuntahan sa Friday. Sasama ka ba? My friends also want you to come. They really liked you!" He said like it was really fascinating that his friends like me. "You should come with us, isama mo si Shakeera."

"I don't think I can join you," Shakeera was so fast when she responds to Macy. I looked her in the eyes. "We have family dinner that is already scheduled also that date."

Macy nods his head as he tries to understand Shakeera's reason. He was a very polite person. Nakasama na rin namin ni Shakeera sa table ang ibang kaibigan ni Macy and no one of them is rude. Maayos silang nakikisama.

"Ganoon? How about you, Verity Lemonade?"

"I'll see first, Macy. I don't want to make a promise, baka kasi bigla akong magkaroon ng urgent."

"That's better! Ayaw ko rin talaga sa mga nangangako tapos hindi naman pala sasama at sa last minute lang magsasabi. Let me hear your answer on Friday na lang. My class ako, nag-excuse lang to buy coffee. Inaantok kasi ako!"

Natawa ako sa kaniya. That explains why he is now alone. Nagmamadali na siyang umalis kaya hindi ko na siya chinika. When he is already gone, I brought my attention back to my unfinished plates. Final touches na lang ang ginagawa ko dahil ipapasa na ito mamaya.