That One Time

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine
Reality

Before I could even remove the message, the 'Delivered' instantly went to 'Seen', which literally agitated the hell out of me. I even became more nervous when the three dots started dancing. At that moment, I knew I had to get out of here and escape. Kaya naman mabilis kong binitawan ang aking cellphone at dali-daling umalis ng aking kwarto.

Abot-abot pa rin ang aking kaba habang bumababa ako sa hagdan, at nabungadan ko ang aking ina na nagtitiklop ng mga damit sa sala. "Kleighn Astrid, tulungan mo ako rito," tawag niya sa akin. In order to get my mind off things and to not let my mother get angry, I sat beside her and started folding clothes. It occupied the time until we were about to eat dinner. 

I really thought I can forget the embarrassment I did earlier while doing the chore or eating dinner with my family, but I was wrong. The moment I went back to my room and spotted my phone on top of the bed, everything came crashing back and I was starting to get nervous again. 

Mula sa lockscreen ay kita kong may mga notification mula sa Messenger, at paniguradong isa roon ay mula kay Savior. Dahan-dahan kong kinuha ang aking cellphone at binuksan iyon. Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago ko pinindot ang Messenger, kinakabahan sa maaari kong mabasa. 

Just when I was expecting a confusing question or different answer from Savior, it was actually just a GIF of a person asking 'what'. I hurriedly typed something as a reply to excuse myself from more embarrassment.

Kleighn Astrid Jimenez
Hala, sorry! Kay Taylynne ko talaga dapat 'yan itatanong, hindi ko agad napansin na sa'yo ko pala na-send 😅

I felt more embarrassed at my reply. I'm hoping it didn't sound too much of an excuse to him because how would I be able to face Savior at school tomorrow?

Agad din naman akong nakatanggap ng reply mula kay Savior.

Savior Bautista
I figured, no worries. Alam ko namang hindi talaga para sa'kin 'yang tanong na yan pero nagulat din ako noong nabasa ko kanina 😆

Kleighn Astrid Jimenez
Pasensya ka na, ah. Gagi, nakakahiya

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. Buti na lang naintindihan 'yon ni Savior. However, his next reply got my breathing stop for a moment again.

Savior Bautista
It's really okay, Kleighn. But, do you also want to know my answer to that? 

Hindi agad ako nakapag-isip ng isasagot sa kanya. Half of me wanted to know what his answer will be and the other half was telling me that it was not any of my business. I was utterly confused about what I should do so...

Kleighn Astrid Jimenez
Ha?

Napa-facepalm naman ako sa aking naging reply. Lalo ko lamang pinahiya ang sarili ko kay Savior. Ngunit kasabay noon ay kinakabahan din ako sa kanyang magiging sagot.

Savior Bautista
I don't really think of it as a crush, per se. Si Kelszey lang naman ang nag-iisip noon.         

Savior Bautista
Truth is, I've always admired this girl since grade school. Nagagalingan kasi ako sa kanya kasi ang dami niyang kayang gawin tapos ang bait pa niya. I just have this sense of respect for her.

I'm not sure why but I felt a pang of pain as my eyes ran through his message. It was crazy how I can feel dispirited over one little message. Nawalan ako ng  gana na makipag-usap kay Savior at kasabay noon ay ang pagkawala rin ng lakas kong mag-reply sa kanya.

Ngunit kahit ganoon, pinilit ko pa rin ang sarili kong mag-reply.

Kleighn Astrid Jimenez
Uh, that's really cool. Good for you.