Love and Hate Collide

Kabanata 20

I watched my friends distributing the things we brought for them. Elton told me about his plan last night and I just supported him. Sila din naman ang dahilan kung bakit humihinga pa siya ngayon.

I looked at how the people were smiling all ears like we are giving them too much. This is just too small of kind gesture to be honest. But you can see how grateful they are. I couldn't imagine myself living or growing in this kind of place. Siguradong hindi ako makukuntento. Pero sila, hindi ba sila curious sa buhay sa siyudad? Hindi ko alam kung mas pipiliin pa ba nilang manatili dito kung maranasan nila ang buhay roon.

"Dude..." someone tapped my shoulder so I looked behind me. "Tinitingnan ka ng papa ni Prospy. Don't look immediately. Just look...like it's unintentional," Dale told me pero lumingon pa rin naman ako agad. I heard him cursed.

Indeed, his father and her is looking at me. Pero saglit lang at nag-usap na rin ulit. I wonder what they are talking about. And why it's me? Or is it really me? Napalingon ako sa likuran. Si Dale lang ang naroon. Nasa iba't ibang bahagi ang iba abala sa pamimigay ng mga dala namin. They also teach them how to use the hygiene kits.

Imposible kung si Dale ang tinitingnan nila at alam iyon ni Dale kaya sinabihan niya ako. Kaya, ano'ng pinag-uusapan nila? At bakit ako? Did I do something bad at her? I shot my brow up and arranged some things on the table.

The way I see it, her father doesn't look mad or something while he was looking at me. His face looks like...wondering. Wondering about what? About me?

"Baka ipinakilala ka na, gago..." sabay tawa ni Dale na nakalapit na pala sa akin. I glared at him. "Do you like her?" hindi ko inaasahang tanong niya kaya napatigil ako sa ginagawa pero nagpatuloy lang din.

Do I like her? I do not know. Yes, I said things to her. But I don't know. And yes, I kind of nervous when she's near me. That's why I don't wanna be anywhere near her dahil nawe-werdohan ako sa nararamdaman ko. This is fucking insane. I dated girls, alright. But I never get nervous with anyone with them. Not in a split second. So, this is weird for me.

Hindi ko sinagot ang tanong niya. "Are you bored enough to asked me that?" I said to him, getting annoyed. He smirked.

"Come to think of it. Kayong dalawa lang ang palaging nagkikita. Parang sa'yo siya naka depende kaysa sa amin. Dahil ikaw naman ang mas malapit. Not...even once...you find her-"

I cut him off. Napipikon na sa pagiging chismoso ng gagong 'to. "What is it? You do have time minding us, yeah?"

Tumawa siya, halatang nang-aasar. "I'm just curious, alright? Hindi ka na kasi sumasama sa inuman natin. Palaging may excuse! Kesyo trabaho ganyan gan'on. At malalaman namin kay Mozes na nasa bahay mo ka lang pala? Ano ginagawa mo do'n? Watching kdramas?" he chuckled and shook his head.

I'm busy alright? I'm working. It's the truth. I work at home. That's very good place for me to work. Walang mga katulad nitong kausap kong nanggugulo. At isa pa, naiinis ako sa tuwing sasabihin ng tao ko na nagbabantay sa CCTV na lumalabas si Prospy sa baba.

She doesn't know anyone aside from us! Paano kung mapa'no siya sa labas? Nasa poder ko siya. Well, technically, nasa akin dahil building ko naman iyon. Kaya kung ano'ng mangyari sa kanya ay kargo de konsensiya ko siya. At huli, she's now friend with that piece of shit, Khrystle. I cannot risk it.

"Mind your own shit, asshole. Hindi kita pinakilaman noong iiyak-iyak ka dahil si Elton ang gusto ni Suzie..." I intended to said that.

His eyes widened and looked annoyed. There! Ayaw pa tumigil kasi!

"That's a different story!" iritado niyang sabi at halos mapunit na ang plastic na hawak niya. Pasalampak niyang nilalagay ang mga nahuhulog na gamit.

I smirked. "Oh yeah? Ours is different story also. So stop fucking being so nosy. Elton is beyond enough..." sabi ko. Dahil sa lahat si Elton sa amin ang pinaka chismoso. Akala mo walang pake, akala mo hindi nakikinig pero bawat detalye, memoryado! So, I'm being extra careful especially when that asshole is around.