Chase Me, Ara Portia (Published Under IMMAC PPH)

27:

"No, don't come here." Agad niya akong pinigilan nang makita niya akong papalapit na sa kaniya.

Everyone is quiet. Sina Mom at Kianna ay nakikinig lang sa amin. May dalang bouquet ng bulaklak si Ara. Mom's favorite and two boxes of pizza. Nakatingin siya sa akin nang hindi ko maintindihan pero agad na bumaling kay Mom.

"I'm sorry, Tita. Ayaw ko po talagang pumunta e pero matatagalan pa ako sa probinsya. I will miss you kaya sana I will spend some time with you and Kianna pero hindi ko alam na nandito rin pala si Kurt. I'm mad at him but I cannot tell him to leave kasi bahay niya naman 'to." She laughed bitterly. "Iiwan ko na lang po itong bouquet saka pizza na gusto mo baby dito sa may sala. I just can't really come near him right now."

"Ara,"

"Have a good night, Tita. Baby, where's my purse? I need that kasi, e."

"Oh nakay kuya." Kianna replied.

Awtomatikong napokus ang tingin ni Ara sa akin. Mas lalo tuloy bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang dahil sa kaba. She's mad and I'm guilty for making her feel that way. She nodded her head.

"I can manage. Pakikuha na lang baby, okay? Sa'yo ko na lang kukunin bukas." She then waved at Mom and Kianna. "Una na po ako. Sorry po I really cannot have dinner with you. Bawi na lang po ako next time. Ang dami ko pa rin pong ginagawa, e."

"Sure, anak." Mom said. "Hindi na kita ihahatid ha?"

"No worries, Tita. Bye!"

Ibinaba na ni Ara ang bulaklak at saka ang pizza sa mesa roon sa sala habang ako ay nakatingin lang sa kaniya. She's not really looking at me.

"Ara!" Naglakad na ako nang tuluyan para habulin siya. Naabutan ko na lang siya sa may pinto ng bahay at naharangan doon. She just looked at me. No emotions at all. "I'm sorry, okay? I should have not told you that. I should have not judged you like the way I did yesterday. I was mad. I was immature and I am sorry."

"Give me my keys." Iyon lang ang tanging sinagot niya sa akin. "Tutal nandito na rin pala ako. I need that. Hindi ako makapag-empake nang dahil nasa iyo ang susi ng bahay ko."

"I'm sorry, love. I am deeply sorry for the pain I made you feel just because I was fucking jealous!"

"Stop screaming at my face, Kurt!" She shouted back. "Sasampalin kita, makita mo. You're not my Papa. You do not have the right to scream at me."

"Sorry."

Muli na lang natiklop ang bibig ko lalo na at dismayadong-dismayado na siya habang nakatingin sa akin. Hindi siya makapaniwala lalo na sa nangyayari. Iniabot niya lang sa akin ang kamay niya at hinihingi ang purse niya. I just stared at her hand for a bit at umiling.

"No. I don't want to let you leave mad. I'm sorry na nga, 'di ba? I am a jerk. I know that. I accused you of being a hoe when I should be the one labeled like that."