Pitch of the Nimbus (Cloud Series #2)

Nimbus 27

Chapter 27
TRUTH

"Bakit ayaw mong sabihin kung anong ginawa ng gagong 'yon sa'yo?!"

"N-Nag-uusap lang kami. Wala siyang ginawang masama," Sinubukan kong huminahon kahit pa ramdam ko pa rin ang panginginig ko. "Ayokong magkagulo kaya hinila kita..."

Ngumisi siya at napasuklay sa sariling buhok, hindi natutuwa. His necktie was now creased and he doesn't care about it at all. Napalunok ako.

"Anong pinag-uusapan niyo?" nakangisi ngunit nakatiim-bagang na siya. "Bakit ayaw mong sabihin sa'kin?"

"It's just all about Daria..."

"Hindi ko ba puwedeng malaman kung anong pinag-uusapan ninyo tungkol sa kanya?"

I swallowed hard and I felt my lips paled. He was stifling his urges to burst out and I waited for him to shout or get mad at me... but he didn't. Nakatitig lang siya at naghintay sa sagot ko. Nang mapagtantong hindi ako nagsasalita, sinuklay ulit ng daliri ang buhok niya. He licked his lower lip and nodded.

"Get inside the car," he commanded calmly. "Umuwi na tayo."

Akala ko lalampasan niya ako pero hinintay niya akong maglakad at mauna. Tears almost trickled from my eyes as I turned around to go inside his car. Sumunod siya at pinagsarhan pa ako ng pinto bago siya umikot at sumakay na sa driver seat.

Tahimik kami buong byahe pauwi. Gusto ko siyang tanungin kung bakit maaga siyang nakauwi pero nagbara ang lalamunan ko. His silence... is scaring me. His silence is making me sad and lonely. Parang nawawasak ang puso ko habang patagal na patagal ang katahimikan namin.

When we reached the house, I stayed at the door, thinking how to start a conversation with him. I was tearing up. I was about to speak when he faced me and talk instead.

"Are you alright?"

Gulat akong nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. He was staring at me calmly... and nothing else. I don't know what's on his mind.

Suminghap ako at mas lalong pinunit ang dibdib. What is he thinking? What... is his thoughts about me now?

"I'm sorry..." my voice cracked upon speaking.

"What are you sorry?"

"Just... just go and get mad at me. Don't hold it back. I don't like it... when you're this calm after everything."

"Why will I be mad? May dapat ba akong ikagalit?"

Kinagat ko ang labi ko at hindi nakasagot.

"Ang sabi mo, nag-usap lang kayo tungkol kay Daria at hindi ko puwedeng malaman kaya anong ikagagalit ko doon? I'm asking you if you're alright because you're the one who wasn't talking to me. Sabihin mo kung hindi ka ayos, gagawan ko ng paraan."

My tears are threatening in my eyes painfully. But what's more painful is... my heart. It's shattering terribly right now.

"A-Ayos lang ako..." I looked down as I felt my eyes tearing up more.

His eyes lingered on me for too long before he nodded. "Then, let's date? Are you fine if we date outside?"

I looked up to him, lips were half-parted. He smiled. Natulala ako saglit, hindi inaasahan ang pagtatanong niya niyon.

"Babe, it's our monthsary next day."

Nalaglag ang panga ko. He stared sadly at my reaction. Napapikit ako at halos kutusan ang sarili. Damn it, how did I fucking forget?

"I'm so sorry..." I shook my head, very disappointed and tired of myself. "Let's date... I will go home early after class."

He nodded. "Come here..."