Shades of Kagan

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Avian Burn's Point of View

I find myself sitting in a coffee shop with a hot chocolate in front of me. Unfortunately, my aunt texted me that I didn't have to go to the hospital, and here I was inside a coffee shop, wasting my precious time. Nasa harapan ko si Nadia ngayon habang nakahawak sa kanyang inorder na coffee. She holds the cup with both hands while her index finger traces the tip.

Pero hindi iyon ang nakakuha ng aking atensiyon. I'm staring at her right wrist right now. At dahil maputi ang kulay ng balat ni Nadia ay kitang kita ko mula sa aking pwesto ang pagkapula ng kanyang balat. She got a bruised in her wrist. Nang mapansin niyang nakatingin ako sa kanyang pulsohan ay agad niyang ibinaba ang kanyang long sleeves upang tabunan ang namamaga niyang pulso.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess, Avi." Kita ko ang lungkot sa mga mata ni Nadia habang humihingi ng tawad sa akin. I didn't respond so I just hold the cup of hot chocolate and sip it from time to time.

"Dan and I... we're not in good terms. Nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa ginawa mo kanina kasi kung hindi ay baka ano na naman ang gawin niya sa akin." She started crying in front of me. Observing her current state right now, the only thing that I can say is that she's in an emotionally abusive relationship.

"But I don't have the courage to leave Dan. Huwag mo sana sabihin ito kay Klaude. I don't want him to worry." That made her cry even more. May ilang tao ang tumitingin sa gawi namin dalawa. I started becoming uncomfortable in my seat. Baka isipin nila na ako ang nagpaiyak sa magandang dalaga sa harapan ko.

"Dan is possessive. He always sees me as an object that needs to be owned. I don't know how to get away from him. He really branded me as his. He's so controlling." The frustration is evident in her voice.

"When he was courting me, he was all smiling and charming. Kaya hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kong mahulog sa kanya. Pero ngayon, he always wanted us to be together! As if I don't have a life of my own! He doesn't even allow me to be with my friend Klaude." Nakatingin lang ako kay Nadia habang nagsisimula na siyang mag reklamo sa boyfriend niyang si Dan. Mabibilang lang sa kamay ang paguusap naman ni Nadia. Ngayon ay nagtataka ako kung bakit niya sinasabi ito lahat sa akin? It's not like we're close or anything.

"By the way, Avi. I am sorry for acting like a bitch. I easily get jealous because I've been with Klaude since we're kids. Hindi lang siguro ako sanay na may nakakausap siyang iba." Ako naman ang nagulat sa sinabi ni Nadia. No way! She's jealous of me? How come?

"I told you, Nadia," hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko nang nagsalita siyang muli.

"I know. I know that nothing is going on between the two of you." She sighed.

"I don't know why. I shouldn't feel this way. I have a boyfriend already. Pero sobra ang selos na naramdaman ko sa'yo nang makita kong lagi kayong magkasama na dalawa. I thought that was supposedly my place. I am sorry, Avian." Ngumiti ako sa kanya ng tipid. Somehow, I understand Nadia, and I admire her honesty. Nadia is so good to be true, and I envy her braveness. Come to think of it, only a few people will admit they are jealous of someone. She even approached me and told me all this stuff, something I couldn't do.

Ibinaba ko ang kamay ko at nilagay sa aking mga binti. Ayokong makita ni Nadia ang nanginginig kong mga kamay. My hands are shaking as unwanted memories filled my head.

"But I mean no harm, Avi. Gusto rin kitang maging kaibigan. I mean it." The sincerity in her voice made me comfortable. Ngunit wala naman siyang dapat ipangamba. Klaude's feelings for her are real and strong. He won't be swayed easily by other girls. And that is what I admire about Klaude, he sticks to his ideology. I can't even see myself being together with Klaude. Iniisip ko pa lang ang ideya na 'yon ay halos magtaasan na ang balahibo ko.