Hardest to Lose (Villaraza Series #4)

46 | Lied

46 | Lied

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"Faye!"

But she didn't listen. Mas binilisan niya ang paglalakad at pag-arteng isa akong hangin.

Bumuntong-hininga ako at sinubukang pantayan ang bilis niya. Mangilan-ngilan ang nabunggo ko at paulit-ulit ang paghingi ko ng pasensya. But still she walked and was determined to maintain the distance between us.

She must have deeper reason for this. And I was done playing pretend that her blatant dismay didn't bother me.

"Faye!" I finally grabbed her hand and made her turn to me. "Ano ba!"

Her jaw moved and looked at how I held her. "Let go. May pupuntahan pa 'ko."

"Not until you tell me why have you been acting like this."

This had been for months! I had given her enough time to confront what was the problem with me that she couldn't tell. Hindi na puwedeng magtagal pa 'to. Dahil pikon na pikon na ako!

"W-wala," garagal ang tini na sabi niya. "May pupupuntahan pa nga 'ko, Iñara. Puwede ba . . ."

Mas hinigpitan ko ang pagkakahawak sa kanya. "Ano ba kasing problema? May ginawa ba 'kong 'di mo nagustuhan? Tell me so I can fix it. Huwag namang ganito, Faye. You're one of my closest friends. It hurts when you're like this to me."

She bowed her head and sniffled. "W-wala nga."

"No!" I insisted. "You can't be like this if it's nothing. Ano ba kasing nangyari? At least let me know why you're mean to me."

I always hated having to guess what I did that upset someone. Minsan ay nakasisira ng ulo. Hindi mo alam kung saan ka nagkamali. Kung gusto mo namang bumawi, wala kang ideya kung paano dahil ayaw naman nilang sabihin.

I thought she would spat at me for insisting or even leave me here. But I was taken aback when she suddenly cried.

What did I do?

"F-Faye . . ." halos bulong ko.

Bakit siya umiiyak? Did I really hurt her this much?

She shook her head as she sniffled. "P-please stop . . ."

"B-but-"

"You know why," she cut me off, her swollen eyes unconvinced. "Y-you know why, Iñara."

My lips parted. She probably didn't like my reaction that her tears welled from her eyes again before she shook her head and left.

Tinanaw ko siya hanggang sa mawala siya sa paningin ko. My chest felt stuffy all of a sudden that I wanted to repeatedly hit it.

I cared for her as much as I cared for every person who was close to me. Kaya ngayong tila pinili niyang lumayo, bigla ay parang naglalakad ako na iisang tsinelas ang suot.

But if it was for her peace, could I complain?

"Are you okay? Tulala ka na naman," puna sa akin ni Markus na tumulak sa akin sa realidad.

Ngumiti ako at inalis ang pagkakapangalumbaba. "I'm fine. Marami lang . . . ganap sa buhay ngayon."

"Really?" He placed the tip of the ballpen's cap on his philtrum and looked at me mischievously. "Iniisip mo rin ba kung kailan mo 'ko sasagutin?"

I rolled my eyes with a hint of smile. "Sira!"

"What? It's always on my mind. Dapat lang na ganundin sa'yo."