Alluring Gleam of Light (Scholar Series #2)

Chapter 21

"Hindi ako nagsinungaling, Jaile. I can't find the part where you think I lied to you." Kunot ang aking noo habang nakikinig sa paliwanag ni Elizzer.

I almost protested. And point out where he'd lied to me. Pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko.

I calmed myself.

I listened to him.

Nakahilig pa rin ang lalaki sa akin.

I heaved a sigh. "The picture ... Tell me about the picture." Paalala ko dahil sa lahat ... Isa iyon sa parteng gusto kong marinig mula sa kaniya.

"I only met her once. I really never knew Luisa. Anak siya ng bestfriend ni mommy and I never became interested in her. Last day, we had a group activity. And that same day, my mom didn't lend me her car. She asked me what time I'd go home, I told her five in the afternoon. That's why she told me she'd be picking me up. I've never heard her that excited after a very long time. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Akala ko, excited siya dahil pumayag akong magpasundo. But little did I know, she has plans. And that's to set me up with her best friend's daughter." He stated.

"My mom is sick. She's sick I don't think you could ever lasts if you get the chance to take care of her. I always do what she wants ... Maging masaya lang siya. That's why when she asked me to take a photo with Luisa because that's what the girl wanted ... I didn't complain."

Napapikit ako ng madiin. Sa sakit ng mga sinasabi niya ... Parang ayoko na lang makinig.

Lahat ng sinabi ni Luisa sa classroom ay totoo. I wonder what part of it weren't true. O kung may hindi nga ba totoo sa sinabi niya.

She might be saying nothing but the truth.

"I was so busy. Siningit lang talaga iyong pagpa-picture niya. Every poise we had were all suggested by mom and Luisa's mom because she's also there. They all just forced me and I'm so sorry that I let them. I can't just say no to my mom. I can't afford seeing her enduring the pain and madness in her chest. She is sick. At ... ayoko nang dagdagan pa iyon." Sinabi niya iyon lahat na parang batang nagsusumbong sa akin. Na pakiramdam ko tuloy ... Ako ang nanay niya.

"Sunday ... Sunday in the afternoon ... Ang oras dapat natin." Bulong niya.

"My mom asked me my time. Gusto niyang samahan ko siya sa mall dahil bibili siya ng relo. She wants my guide. My taste in watch. Kaya Linggo, iyong oras natin, I sacrificed it, because that's the first time after a while she asked me to date her. Alam ko namang makakaintindi ka that's why I agreed with no hesitation."

Lalong napukaw ang atensyon ko sa sinabi niya. I caressed his head that's placed almost on my chest.

"Hindi ko alam na iyong araw na 'yon ... Kasama na naman namin sina Luisa. It's again a set up. For my mom, pumayag ako. Pumayag ulit ako. Para lang hindi siya mapahiya sa mommy ni Luisa. But I told her that's the last. Ayoko na. Hindi ko na siya pagbibigyan." He told. "And believe me ... there's no special with it. Nothing romantic happened."

"I heard Luisa. She said you had told her your plans. What about it? Alam niya tapos ako hindi?" I sounded like a demanding girlfriend kahit na hindi naman niya girlfriend.

"I told them. Hindi lang siya. It's honestly a conversation between us four because they asked me."

Suminghap ako matapos marinig iyon. Sinungaling! Napaka sinungaling talaga noong babae na 'yon!

"Ano pa? May tanong ka pa ba? Do you still doubt me?" Puno ng lambing na tanong ni Elizzer.

Napayuko ako ng dahan-dahan, iniisip kung dapat bang itanong ko ito sa kaniya.

"Tell me, please ... Ayokong nagdududa ka sa akin. Ask, Jaile. Ask." Dagdag pa niya.

Kinuyom ko ang aking mga kamao at bumuntong hininga para mag-ipon ng lakas ng loob.