All for Naught (NOTHING SERIES #1)

Chapter 24

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I immediately wiped the tear that fell on my cheeks when I realized I'm silently crying. Tumayo ako bago pa ako maiyak ng sobra.

"Una na pala ako, Chi. Hindi ko na mahihintay ang Kuya mo." Binigyan ko ito ng pilit na ngiti.

"Ingat po, ate. Sabihin ko nalang po kay Kuya na you visited."

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at tumango lang. I looked around, ng hindi makita ang Tito niya at tuluyan na nga akong lumabas. Tears again fell on my cheeks so I wiped it. Humihikbi na rin ako dahil the more I try to stifle my sobs and cry, the more it wants to be let out.

"Shit," I whispered when I bumped into someone.

"Maeve?" Gulat na sabi ng lalaking kinagagalitan ko ngayon.

I didn't look at him and just continued walking out.

"Maeve!" He called but I kept on ignoring him.

Pumasok ako sa sasakyan ko pero naging mabilis siya at pumasok rin sa kabila. Halos sabay pa kaming umupo. Tinignan ko siya ng masama pero may mga panibagong luha ang natulo sa pisngi ko.

His lips parted in shock.

"Labas." Malamig kong sabi.

"Why are you crying?" Lumapit ito para punasan ang luha ko pero iniwas ko ang pisngi ko.

"Get out!" I said, louder this time.

Napalunok ito, gulat pa rin but fear is also seen in his eyes now. I bet he realized things.

"Labas, Cairo!" Galit ko ng sabi.

"I'm sorry." Sabi nito, puno ng takot habang nakatingin sakin.

He kept on glancing at my cheeks, hands raised as if he wanted to wipe my tears. Napatiim bagang ako.

"I don't want to talk to you."

"I'm sorry. Let's talk, I'm sorry." Inabot niya ang kamay ko pero agad ko iyong hinila palayo.

"Liar! Ayoko ng makausap ka! Napakasinungaling mo! Ayoko na sayo! Ayoko na sayo!"

Tuloy tuloy na ang pagtulo ng luha sa pisngi ko.

"Napakasama mo. Wala naman akong ginawa sayo, bakit ganito ka sakin? Bakit ganito ka magmahal? Ang... Ang sakit mo mag mahal, Cairo."

Napapikit ito ng mariin. I saw tears fall on his cheeks but he wiped it immediately. When he opened his eyes, it was now bloodshot.

"I'm sorry for lying. Hindi... Hindi ko naman gustong malaman mo."

"At bakit, huh?! Bakit ayaw mong malaman ko? Kung... Kung ganito pala ang gusto mo, sana hindi ka pumayag sa napagkasunduan natin! Sana nagsabi ka! Hindi yung... Hindi yung pinaniwala mo ko sa bagay na hindi naman pala totoo!"

I wiped my tears as new one falls.

"Kasi alam kong hindi ka papayag, Maeve. You understand me, I also understand you. But things aren't understood well if we're not on each other's situation." Mahinahon nitong sabi, nakayuko.

"So you chose to lie?"

"Itinago ko."

"You lied, Cairo! With your whereabouts! Bakit hindi ka na lang naging honest, huh? Bakit kailangan mo pang itago. Pinaniwala mo ko sa bagay na hindi totoo." Puno ng sakit kong sabi.

"Please, Maeve. I had no choice."

"That's bullshit. That's been your reason ever since, Cairo. Nakakasawa pakinggan! Nakakasawa umintindi!" I shouted.