Ineffable Euphoria

Kabanata 22

Kabanata 22...
Stranger

Hindi ko mamamalayang nakakuyom na pala ang kamao ko kung hindi pa iginiya ni Liza ang braso ko patungo sa aming pwesto dahil nakapwesto na pala ang mga photographer.

To how I manage to present a poker face at him despite our long eye-to-eye contact, and even smile through the photos, I don't know.

"Well, damn..." Liza whispered beside me. "I know you're beautiful, but why the fuck is he staring at you like he's examining if you're real or not..."

I know. I can feel it too.

His eyes never left me and are continue staring right through my soul, regardless of all the people that's between us amidst the photo op.

Gusto kong alisin sa utak ko, pero tila ba sirang plaka na paulit-ulit ipinapakita sa akin kung paano n'ya ako titigan na animo'y puno ng pagsisisi, pero mistulang lamang pa rin ang kataasan ng tingin sa sarili. Katulad na katulad no'ng araw na huli ko s'yang nakita katawanan ang mga pulis na s'yang naglagay sa kustodiya kay Daddy.

All I know is that I couldn't stand having him near me, no matter how hard I clenched my jaw or fists.

I want to get back to him.

If I can't hurt him the way he hurt me, I'll most certainly contend with it physically.

But I won't do that. At least not in front of these people, where my students are probably watching.

Kaya oras na natapos ang pag-click ng mga camera, at mahinang nagpalakpakan ang lahat, sabay kong tinapik ang likod nina Liza at Eyan.

"May kuhain lang ako..."

"Huh?" si Eyan.

"I'll be quick."

Lie.

Bryan's inquisitive eyes met mine, and I had no choice but to give him a little smile before stating I'll be fine and exited the stage as quickly as possible, but not exactly running. I remained with my poise as I strode down the stage, pass the tents and even smiled at some faces that seemed familiar to me.

"Marjorie, wait."

Ganoon na lamang ang mura ko, kasabay nang mas mabilis kong paglakad nang marinig ang pamilyar na tawag na 'yon.

How dare he come after me?!

Where'd he got the fucking nerve?!

"Wait..."

Ramdam ko ang paglapit nang boses nito kaya walang pasubali akong lumiko sa pasikot ng isang tent kung saan may nagkukumpulan.

Despite of my anger at him, I'm better off here as I am than be him here, regardless if I'm going to punish him or not! I simply do not want to be associated with him. Seeing him triggers everything that has happened in the past, and I don't like it.

I despise it so much.

It took me too much to get to this point, and I'm not going to let him destroy me again.

"There she is! Laia!"

I'm not entirely sure what went into me, but the moment I saw Kuya Zyair and Apollo beside him, my eyes slightly watered and before I knew it, I was already walking hastily towards him. The instant I got close to Kuya and saw his worried affection in view of my sudden action, one scrunch of my brows and I meet him with a tight hug.

"Hey... What's wrong?"

"What happened? Did she hurt herself?" I heard Apollo asked.

"Did you hurt yourself?" Kuya Zyair echoed.