Symphonic Waves (Ciudad de Escalante #6)

Phase 06

After the argument I had with Sylvan, the atmosphere between us became heavy and cold. I could really feel the ice surrounding him and I think my classmates also notice that. I didn't bother to say any apology again. Hindi mataas ang pride ko pero kung wala naman dapat hingan ng pasensya, hindi ko gagawin.

For almost three days after it happened, we barely had an eye contact and no interaction at all. I'm so happy at first. My heart is unbothered for days. I can breathe smoothly now. No wild palpitations. No skipping of heartbeats.

I guess, my wish is coming to my life. Parang bumabalik na sa lahat ang dati kong buhay sa school. Iyong mga panahon na hindi naman niya ako pinagtutuunan ng pansin at hindi pinag-iinitan.

Ngunit nakalimutan ko na dapat hindi laging kampante. Nothing in this life is guaranteed and sure.

"Are you okay? You look tense," Constance, my brother asked me.

He was beside me, driving. Habang ako naman ay nakaupo sa passenger's seat. Kaya ko naman magmaneho pero dahil sa kaba ko magmula kagabi, sa tingin ko maaksidente pa ako at baka ano pang mangyari.

We're on our way now at the coffee shop near our university. I heard Ametrine is one of the owners, kaya doon napagdesisyunan ng mga groupmates ko na gawin. She's not my groupmate but everyone is curious where she works.

"I'm nervous," I admit. There's no point in lying at him. Kilalang-kilala na niya ako.

I released two consecutive breaths and check my face at the mirror. I wore one of my cute floral white dresses today and let my chocolate brown hair down. I looked fine outside, but it's definitely a chaos inside. I hope I'll be fine later.

If you're wondering why I'm like this, it was because Sylvanus Del Castillo is my groupmate and there's no way we could avoid each other!

"Is that jerk bothering you again?" naiinis niyang sabi kaya agad kong tinampal ang kamay niya. Why would he call him like that? I know who he's referring to. Well, he's a jerk obviously, pero mali pa rin na tawagin ang tao na gano'n.

"Your words, Constance," saway ko.

I mentioned Sylvan at him last time because I was curious why he knows my brother. Bukod sa kapwa sila may banda, one of Constance's friends is Sylvanus' ex-girlfriend. Iyon daw ang puno't dulo ng lahat kung bakit nagkakilala.

"So, siya nga?" He hissed.

"Yeah," I sighed. My brother knows everything. Siya ang nasasabihan ko sa lahat bukod kina Elisha at Third.

"Tsk, huwag kang makonsensya. He deserves that," aniya kaya napakunot ang noo ko.

"Deserves what?" kuryoso kong tanong.

"The humiliation he's into right now. Gago na nga, pakitang-tao rin pala," agap niya at umiling. Napaawang ang bibig ko sa kalituhan. What was he saying?

"For sure, he's mad at you. Ganoon lagi iyon kapag nalalamangan. Just don't give a fuck about him," dagdag niya at tumingin sa akin.

His perfect eyebrows formed in thin line when he saw me confused and clueless.

"Don't tell me, you don't know about it, Ate?" natatawa niyang sabi.

He gasped when I remained silent.

"You just made a history, Ceres! The first woman who made Sylvanus lose his balls," Constance chuckled evilly as if he was enjoying that Sylvan is in dire situation right now.

Mas lalo akong naguluhan habang naktingin sa kapatid ko na tumatawa. What's happening, really? May dapat bang ikatuwa roon?

"You two had a debate, right? Kumalat iyon sa campus. First time na may makatalo kay Sylvan," si Constance nang humupa na ang kanyang tawa.

Mabagal akong tumango at unti-unti nang naramdaman ang kaba. Yeah, we had a heated debate last time. The argument was suspense and mind blowing. Halos maiyak na ako sa inis at pressure. Doon ako sinampal ng katotohanan kung gaano siya kagaling. It's really hard to become Sylvanus' enemy. There's no easy win.

"There's nothing to be proud of it, Constance. Nanalo lang ako kasi..." I paused and bit my lip.

"I involved a bible verse in my counterattack," mahina kong dugtong at napapikit nang maalala ang araw na iyon. I was ashamed a little because I can't believe I went that far to justify my argument.

I don't have any choice. I was carried away. My dignity is on the line, I was desperate to win too. Pero nauubusan na ako nang sasabihin at napapangunahan na ng emosyon. Wala na akong panlaban. All I want on that moment is, to end the debate with him and call it a day.

"If you didn't involve a bible verse, no one will know he's an atheist," Constance laughed.

"He's studying in Mediversal for his extra classes. It doesn't make sense," he continued.

My jaw dropped from what I heard. My heart pounded hysterically in realization. I'm aware he's attending extra classes. Pero sa Mediversal?! Is that true? Mediversal is a Christian college where they require their students to participate in the activities during holy days and they also publicly profess faith in God.

Namutla ako at parang binagsakan ng mabigat na bagay sa balikat. I'm already petty to involve a bible verse against him, knowing he's not a believer. I really went overboard on that debate and didn't mean to attack him personally.

I regret that part. I swear. I don't have an idea that it will create a damage. Simpleng activity lang iyon para sa akin.

Gosh, Ceres. What did I do? Hindi ko alam na may extra classes siya sa Mediversal. Ignorance is really a sin. That's why he's really mad at me! Iyon ang gusto niyang sorry na marinig sa akin. I made him looked hypocrite at everyone's eyes.

"We're here..."

Mas lalong naging bayolente ang puso ko nang huminto na ang sasakyan sa tapat ng coffee shop. Lumunok ako ng dalawang beses bago kuhanin ang bag at laptop. Agad bumaba si Constance sa kotse para pagbuksan ako ng pinto.

"I'll get going. Magte-text nalang ako mamaya kung papasundo ako," habilin ko sa kapatid at bumaba na rin.

"Susunduin talaga kita, so text me," aniya at sumulyap sa loob ng coffee shop.

"Drive safely, baby boy..." I uttered softly and move closer to give him a hug.

"Tsk, don't call me like that," iritado niyang sabi kaya natawa ako nang mahina. I sticked my tongue out to tease him but he only hissed. Tapos, pinatakan na rin ako ng halik sa tuktok ng ulo bago pumasok muli sa sasakyan.

Pinanood ko munang makalayo ang kotse bago ko napagdesisyunang pumasok. Bumalik ang kaba ko na dala-dala kanina dahil medyo marami na ang mga tao sa shop. I'm two hours late from our call time.

Nagpaalam naman ako sa mga groupmates ko dahil may gagawin muna sa church ng umaga. At bilang pambawi, ako nalang ang gagawa ng powerpoint presentation kapag pe-present na sa klase. They told me it was fine, but of course, I doubt when it comes to Sylvan. I'm sure he's pissed from my tardiness.

Hindi na ako nagsayang ng oras at pumasok na sa loob. And as soon as the warm air welcomed me with the smell of coffees, mixed with the aroma of chocolate and cakes, a cold blank stare from Sylvanus Del Castillo also greets me.

Nataranta ako sa kinatatayuan. I don't know why I spotted him right away. Halos puno na ang loob ng shop. Nagkatitigan kami ng ilang segundo. He was sitting casually while holding a thick book. Kasama niya ang dalawa pang groupmates ko sa pang-apatan na mesa.

I was torn for a moment when I saw that the only vacant seat on their table is the seat beside him. Malamang sa malamang doon ako uupo. I hope I can breathe properly beside him. Argh. Bahala na. Hindi ko na dapat isipin pa at lapitan na sila. I'm already late. Nakakahiya kung mag-iinarte pa ako.

"Hi! I'm sorry I'm late," I traced to lessen the awkwardness.

"Oh, Ceres! You're here na! Upo ka," masayang sabi ni Melissa nang makita ako.

Umupo ako sa upuan katapat niya at nilapag na ang laptop at iPad sa mesa. Binati rin ako ni Jasper na kagrupo ko rin habang si Sylvan naman ay hindi kumikibo at nanatiling nagbabasa. I pressed my lips against each other and stared at him.

Hindi naman siya mukhang galit dahil late ako. He looked like he doesn't care. Nabalutan ako ng konsensya nang maalala ang pinag-usapan namin ni Constance kanina. Should I bring it up later and say my apology again? But what if, he doesn't want to talk about it anymore? Ayokong mag-away kami rito kung sakali.

"Ceres, ito na pala 'yung natapos namin. Pa-check na rin if tama, ah? Tapos 'yung part din ni Sylvan. Summarize mo muna bago tayo mag-proceed sa next," sabi ni Melissa at inabot sa akin ang mga activity sheets.

"Hays, kapagod," bulong ni Jasper at sumandal sa kinauupuan.

"True, sasabog na yata ang ulo ko," pagsang-ayon ni Melissa at nag-unat.

"Pahinga muna kaya kayo? Ako muna ang gagawa rito. Uh, do you want something? My treat!" sambit ko at tumingin sa menu. Baka gutom na rin sila dahil malapit na ang lunch time.

"Mamaya nalang siguro kakain. Wanna puff something muna. Pampawala lang ng stress," si Melissa at kinuha na ang vape sa bag. Napanguso ako at napatango.

Students at my age, mostly they learn to use vape and cigarettes as their coping mechanism. Ayon sa naririnig ko, effective talaga kapag stress at madaming iniisip. It's not normal and advisable, but still, I don't care if someone used it. Unless it's someone close to me like my brother.

"Ako rin, pampakalma lang ng utak," ani Jasper at lighter naman at kaha ng sigarilyo ang nilagay sa bulsa. Tumayo na siya at maging si Melissa ay gano'n na rin.

"Maiwan muna namin kayo, okay lang ba?" Melissa worriedly asked because everyone is aware that Sylvanus and I aren't in good terms.

"Oo naman," sagot ko at sumulyap kay Sylvan na parang sasabog na rin ang utak sa anumang binabasa. Kanina pa rin hindi mawala-wala ang kunot sa noo niya.

"Uh, kahit ako muna ang gumawa rito. Pahinga ka muna," suhestyon ko kay Sylvan.

Tumigil siya sa pagbabasa at bumahid ang iritasyon sa kanyang mukha. He raised a brow at me. I bit my lip. May mali ba akong nasabi? I'm just worried. Kanina pa silang umaga gumagawa at pwede naman na magpahinga muna at ako muna ang kikilos.

"Take a rest for a while... or you can join them. Hmm, ako muna ang bahala rito at babantayan ko ang mga gamit," nangangapa kong sabi at umiwas sa kanyang mata na nagsisimula na namang dumilim.

"He can't join us. Hindi naninigarilyo si Sylvan. Pinapa-ban nga ng mga Del Castillo ang mga sigarilyo," natatawang sabi ni Jasper. Natigilan ako sa pagta-type ng password sa aking laptop nang sabihin niya iyon.

I gasped. What did he say? Pinapa-ban ng mga Del Castillo ang alin? Cigarettes?

"Akala ko naninigarilyo ka na rin Sylvan," Melissa chuckled.

"No, why would I?" Sylvan stated bitterly and I felt his intense gaze at me.

My lips parted. He denied it? Him, smoking, was supposed to be a secret, then?! I don't know! Geez. Ano na naman ang sinabi ko? My knees feel like they will give out when he glared at me. Buti nalang nakaupo ako ngayon, dahil kung hindi parang babagsak ako.

Napalunok ako at napapikit sa kaba.

"Sige, labas muna kami. Balik kami agad. Oh, walang mag-aaway, okay?" nanunuksong sabi ni Melissa at inaya na si Jasper sa labas.

I sighed when they left our table. Nang makaalis na sila ng tuluyan, agad akong humarap kay Sylvan para humingi ng pasensya.

"Sylvan. I didn't mean to—"

"Can you just shut it?" pagpuputol niya sa sinasabi ko at nilagay ang AirPods sa tenga.

I gasped when his face hardened. Veins in his neck and hand became much visible. He looked really pissed. Bumagsak ang balikat ko at hindi na nag-abalang magsalita pa dahil baka mas mainis siya. At hanggang sa matapos ang mga ginagawa namin, hindi niya ako pinansin o binalingan man lang ng tingin.