Home of Hopes (Caledonia Series #1)

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Feelings

"Ano'ng nangyari sa iyo?"

Bigla akong lumingon sa may-ari ng boses. Nagtitipon ang tubig sa mata ko sa paraan ng pagtanong niya sa akin. Maingat akong humakbang patungo sa kanila kahit na hindi ko na maitsura ang mukha ko. Nanlambot ako sa aking kinatayuan ng sinalubong ako ng mainit na yakap ni Victoria. Pagod kong nilipat ang paningin kina Paul na matigas ang mata sa akin. Si Wilbert ay pinagmasdan kong saan ako galing.

"Ano'ng nangyari sa buhok mo, Miss, at parang galing sa away?"

Kumalas ako sa yakap ni Victoria. Nahihiya kong salubungin ang mga mata na nagmamasid sa akin ang iba ay nagbubulong-bulungan. Bagsak ang balikat ko kasabay ng dampi ng aking katawan sa isang malamig na cemento. Tiningnan ko ang langit at nag-uunahan na ang itim sa paligid. Yumuko ako ng konti at pinaglalaruan ang kamay kong nagsikop sa hita.

"'Te, mukha kang bruha sa buhok mo, pero infareness ang ganda mo pa rin kahit ano'ng gawin sa'yo ha."

Umiling ako sa komento ng kaibigan ngunit sa kabila ng pagbibiro niya ay hindi ko halos magawang itawa. Sa halip ay mas nag-uunahang pomorma ang tubig sa aking mata. Pinanatili kong nakayuko upang 'di nila mahalata kng sakaling may bumagsak na luha. Kalat ang buhok ko kahit anong parte.

Tama nga ang sabi ni Victoria na para akong bruha, but I don't mind. They don't know what I've been through. I just wanted to relax and go home, but how can I do that when it's afternoon. Huminga ako nang mallaim at kiangat pa ng mairin ang mapupula kong labi in a natural way. I just can't accept that she physically hurt me when all I've said to her is harsh words. Charlotte is like that, but I accept her. Even now, I accept the fact that my crush likes her. I let go. I let go of the person I met a decade ago. I just don't know how she can even do that to me when all I have is kindness and sweetness towards her.

"Aray ko naman."

Hula ko ay siniko siya ng dalawa. Bumuntong-hininga ako. Hinila ni Victoria mula sa tabi ko ang bag ko. Pinilig ko ang ulo ko at binalik sa dating posisyon. I was busy wringing my tears when I felt fingers running through my hair, making it smooth again. My hair is natural. They said it was fake and I rebonded. They didn't know that it was natural. It was natural black straight hair.

"Kasi naman, bakit kasi ganito buhok mo? At ang tahimik niya pa," sa mababang boses ni Victoria.

I refocus my gaze on the ground. The green grass blew in the wind together with my hair blowing away, making my peripheral vision see the person who was peeking a site at me. I lowered my gaze even more so he wouldn't notice, but he's the most stubborn guy I've ever met. He sat beside me and scoured my hair, making my face reveal wet tears. I wiped it slowly in a natural way until a warm hand wanted to see my face. Umilag pa ako para hindi niya ako makita ng buo ngunit huli na ako, gumulong na pababa ang luha ko.

I didn't mean to release those tears, but I couldn't help it. I only cry when it really hurts me. I may be rude, but I was hurt too. I was in pain too. I'm not numb. I may be strong and rude. I say harsh words, but I know my limit. My mother's attitude will flow into my blood. I closed my eyes when a warm hand wiped my tears a way.The way he held me, I was like a frat boy to him. And I can feel the concern in his eyes when I unwrap my eyes and look in his direction.