The Ugly Duckling (PUBLISHED UNDER PSICOM)

Ugly #36

Dee texted me last night, asking me to meet her at the secluded area of the campus today. Hindi ko sinagot ang text niya dahil hindi ako sigurado kung pupunta nga ba ako o hindi.

A part of me, probably the in denial part of me, didn't believe that Dee did it. Kahit na siya lang ang naiisip ko ay hindi ko magawang maniwala ng buong-buo. I love Dee. She's like a sister to me.

Her betrayal still hurts but I just wanted to forgive her. I missed spending time with Dee. I missed everything about my best friend. Masakit man ang ginawa niya ay mas masakit naman ang hindi namin pag-uusap nang ganito.

Buong araw kong pinag-isipan ang text na iyon ni Dee. My mind was preoccupied the whole day. I was even thankful that Sage wasn't around today or he would have asked if something was wrong with me.

Kagabi pa lang ay sinabi na sa akin ni Sage na hindi siya papasok ngayong araw. Hindi niya ako masusundo, masasamahan sa vacant time, at maihahatid sa bahay. It was fine with me. Hindi ako naiinis katulad nung nakaraang araw. My cheeks suddenly heated at the memory of the night we kissed.

It was like he knew I was thinking of him. My phone buzzed a message from him. I picked up my phone to check his text for me.

SIS:

Have you eaten your lunch yet?

Napakagat ako sa labi ko nang gumalabog ang puso sa dibdib ko. Lumabas ang ngiti sa labi ko at pinindot ko ang screen para sumagot sa kanya.

Me:

Yep. How bout you?

Tumawa ako sa mabilis na pagsagot ni Sage. Halatang-halata na hinihintay niya ang reply ko sa kanya.

SIS:

Just did. Sino kasama mo?

Napailing-iling ako na may malaking ngiti sa mukha. Wala akong kasabay kumain dahil ako ay isang loner pero hindi ko sasabihin kay Sage iyon. Hindi rin naman niya malalaman dahil wala siya dito.

Me:

A really hot guy.

SIS:

Hot guy? Wala naman ako sa tabi mo, ah?

Me:

WOW.

SIS:

:) Got to go. Take care for me, alright?

Me:

Yes po. You too.

Hindi na sumagot si Sage at inabala ko naman ang sarili ko sa lessons at pag-iisip sa text ni Dee. Nang dumating ang dismissal ay nabuo ang desisyon ko. Wala naman mawawala sa akin kung pupunta ako. This issue had been dragged for too long.

Pagkarating na pagkarating ko sa lugar na gustong makipagkita ni Dee ay napasimangot agad ako. I was on time but there was no sign of Dee around. I decided to wait and give her a few minutes before I leave. Maaga-aga pa naman at paniguradong aabot naman ako sa soccer game ni Luke.

I lifted the hand that was clutching on my phone. I pressed the lock button and saw that it had already been ten minutes. I pursed my lips. If I stayed here, baka hindi na ako makauwi para makapagbihis.

With a heavy chest, I opened my bag and slid my phone inside. I zipped it closed before turning around to leave. I was on my third step when I heard a female's whiny voice from a distance.

"Ano ba!" my steps halted and I twisted my body to see who it was but there was no where in sight. "Bitawan mo ako! I could damn sue you for this!" lumakas ang boses hanggang sa tuluyan ko nang nakita kung kanino nanggagaling iyon.