Beyond Repair (Beyond Series #1)

Chapter 40

After my classes at Monserratte University, I went straight to a coffee shop to meet Zariel. I was the one who asked him if we could meet since it's been a while since we last saw each other.

We communicated naman the past weeks pero hindi ko pa rin nakakalimutang may atraso ako sa kaniya. Iyong gabing nasa bar siya at bigla na lang inatake ni Javi. Balak ko pa siyang puntahan no'n pero sa huli ay kay Jared kami napunta, then the rest is history.

"Miss mo na ba ako, Dan? Sawa ka na sa boyfriend mong from the NBA?" mapang-asar nitong sabi.

"Ay, mali. Former NBA player na lang pala kasi iniwan ang career para sa'yo. Grabe, lakas talaga!"

Halos mapasapo ako sa noo sa pinagsasabi niya. Hindi ko alam kung tatawa ba ako o ano.

"Pa'no mo naman nasabi na dahil sa'kin kaya siya umalis?"

I mean, how did he easily conclude that?

He scrunched his nose. "Sabi ng kapatid mo."

My forehead formed a crease. "Kay Denise?"

"Oy, oy, oy! 'Wag mo 'kong titigan nang ganiyan! Nagkasalubong lang kami sa bookstore!" katwiran niya agad kahit wala naman akong sinasabi.

"Ang defensive mo naman. Sinabi ko bang may relasyon kayo ng kapatid ko?"

"Wala nga sabi, Dan!"

Nalaglag ang panga ko sa taranta niyang reaksyon. Umiwas siya ng tingin kaya mas lalong nanlaki ang mga mata ko.

What's... with his face?

"Don't tell me..."

I couldn't even finish my statement! If my hunch is right, that would be so... unbelievable! And weird! And...

"Ewan ko sa'yo, Dan. Ang malisosya mo. Ang bata-bata pa no'n ni Denise..." he reasoned out as if that's enough for a reason.

"Hindi na 'yon bata. 21 na kaya si Denise."

Zariel is also 29 like me.o, 8 years of age gap. Not bad...

Woah! Wait!

What the heck?! Binubugaw ko ba si Denise?!

"Grabe ka na, Dan. Ganiyan ba talaga 'pag masaya sa love life? Nagiging supportive?"

Inirapan ko siya. "Mas maldita sa'kin 'yon."

But seriously, Denise is NBSB tapos si Zariel, lawyer na... mama would like him. Only that it would be kinda weird knowing that Zariel once expressed interest in me.

"Kumusta naman kayo? You look happier than ever," he genuinely said.

I smiled genuinely in return. "But we all know that he is a celebrity. Sikat at sinusundan ng media. Are you okay with that?"

I get that people close to me knows what I am, so they are worried about the same thing. And I really, really appreciate them.

"I should be okay..."

Sinasanay ko na rin ang sarili ko. Madalas na kaming lumalabas sa mga crowded na lugar at mas nae-expose sa public nang magkasama. Hindi na ako nagugulat pa kapag may mga lumalapit sa kaniya para magpa-picture o autograph.

Though sometimes, I have to admit that it's really... uncomfortable. Pero alam kong kailangan ko na lang intindihin ang sitwasyon at hangga't maaari ay kontrolin ang nararamdaman ko. Parte na iyon ng buhay ni Javi at dahil gusto kong maging parte ng buhay niya, sasanayin ko ang sarili.

The same night, the Director of ArtSoc Philippines called and informed me about the program they have in Benguet. I was surprised, since normally, I get to be informed at least a week before. Apparently, his secretary forgot to send me the invite last week, so I only had 2 days of prior notice. Minabuti kong mag-file agad ng leave notice sa academy na hindi naman naging problema ang approval.