Lies in the Past (Alimentation Series #2)

Chapter 20

"You're here?" Gulat akong napahawak sa bibig pagkatapos makita ang taong naghihintay sa ibaba.

Hindi ko masabi na kadarating lang niya dahil jogger pants at hoodie ang kanyang suot, may beanie na siyang suot pero ang hood ay nakapatong din sa ulo. I can also judge that he just woken up, obvious sa eyes niya.

"Great. We're both here," tahimik niya akong tiningnan, para bang hindi na rin nakakagulat na makita ako ngayon.

"He went here last night," tumikhim si Harminder sa likod ko. "Radish is always here too, during vacation."

"Best friend moment," sabi ko.

"And I think you're about to take the title away from me." Sabay irap sa akin. My eyebrows lifted. "That's why Harminder didn't tell me that he was going home already because he had someone with him! I feel betrayed."

"What are you saying, Radish? You said you haven't finished your requirements yet so we went here without you." Harminder said in a low voice.

Nasa gitna nila akong dalawa, salitan silang tinitingnan. Umismid si Radish habang si Harminder ay nakatingin sa kaniya. They are standing tall both on my sides.

"I thought hihintayin mo ako until I finished my requirements. That's the purpose of me telling you that I'm not done yet, because I know you'll be waiting for me. Isn't it always like that?" Radish is really disappointed. It seems that they were used to going home together in the province and Harminder left him in Manila.

"Ang arte mo naman," kibit-balikat ni Harminder. "You're now here, safe and sound."

Puro pag-iinarte si Radish. He ignored Harminder and walked ahead. I bit my lip because I didn't know if he was serious or nag-iinarte lang talaga. Malalim ang buntong hininga ni Harminder nang sabay kaming sumunod sa best friend niyang nagtatampo.

"Is it my fault?" I slowly asked while we're walking in the same way. Nakamot ko ang noo ko. "Hindi ko naman alam na magkasabay kayo."

"No, it's not your fault. Radish is just like that. I just have to understand his mood."

Mukhang ganoon nga talaga dahil sabay-sabay kaming nag-breakfast tatlo. Harminder said Tita Rein had already left because she had to work early, so she couldn't join us for breakfast today. She just didn't go to work yesterday because we were going home.

Radish was silent in his seat. I catched a glimpse of him but quickly dropped my eyes back to my plate because he might catch me looking. Lamig na lamig ba siya at ang kapal ng hoodie na suot?

"You should eat egg," sabi ko pagkatapos makita na hindi kumakain si Harminder. I get the serving spoon at nilagyan siya sa plate niya. "Do you want bacon?"

"No, I have too much on my plate. I can't eat it all if you add more." He took the serving spoon from my hand and took two hams. Halos mapangiti ako nang nilagay niya iyon sa plate ng best friend niyang nag-o-overthink dahil iniwan siya sa Maynila. "You're too old to sulk, Radish."

"Ayoko niyan," mabilis niyang sinabi. I watched them and my eyes widened as Harminder poked Radish in the head with a spoon. At sa reaksyon ni Radish, parang wala lang iyon. "Remember Harminder that I am your friend who will never leave you."

"You're sus, Radish."

He looked at Harminder. "O, totoo naman, ah? When did I ever leave you? Don't trade me for someone else, especially a woman who drinks a lot of alcohol." Sabay sulyap sa akin. Pinanliitan ko siya nang mata. Inis na inis sa 'kin? "He just left me in Manila, but I'm still his best friend."

"Inaagaw ko ba?" Tinaasan ko siya nang kilay, nakangisi. Pareho silang magkaibigan, seloso. "If you want, keep Harminder beside you when you sleep."

"Talaga. I slept in his room last night. We are next to each other. That's the thing you can't do."