Towering the Flames (SS#2) Under Major Revision

CHAPTER 32

"I called you to explain. Siguro ay nakita mo 'yong isang post ni Amethyst. There's explanation behind that, Chelsy," pagsusumamo ni Cal.

Huminga ako nang malalim at napangiti. He sounded desperate, na tila ba inaakala na iiwanan ko siya nang dahil lang sa picture na 'yon. Yes, I feel off, pero I am all ears to understand his explanation. Nakagugulat nga, e', at bigla-biglang tumawag. He usually asked first before... But at some point, I really like the change.

"Nag-video call kayo? Ano pinag-usapan niyo?" Ngumuso ako. Kitang-kita niya 'yon dahil naka-on cam kami pareho.

Natawa siya saka nagpaliwanag, "the thing is gusto ni Caliver na mag-usap sila ni Amethyst, but the plot twist ay sa phone ko. Kagabi 'yon after dinner at bigla-biglang humingi ng favor ang kapatid ko. Look, Chelsy, I know you're jealous—"

"Hindi, ah!"

"Weh?"

"Oo nga!" Umirap ako.

"Okay... You're not probably... Jealous, because you are not a jealous type of girl," he sounded sarcastic and sweet. "But I know you're feeling bad because of that screenshot. It wasn't my intention to really have a conversation with her. Matanong siya at diyan na part siya nag-screenshot, that's why I looked talking sa picture. I told her to delete the picture kaso umayaw. That's why I am worried. You might overthink. My darling might overthink."

I hope this man knows how good he is at reassuring me. I hope he's aware how he seems like a big green flag in my eyes. At sana alam niya kung papaano ako magkakaroon ng pagkatataon na mag-overthink kung sobra-sobra siya magpaliwanag.

"Do you want more information from me? Swear, if you are thinking like we're talking constantly ni Amethyst, you are wrong. She's already restricted and I promise, I didn't, and I will not do anything that will hurt you."

"Cal..." I whispered between my breaths. "Okay na, naiintindihan ko na."

"Hmm, that's glad. Ask me anything if you feel confused or whatever."

"Cal, I have something in my mind. Gusto ko siyang i-share."

"Tell me, tell me. Chika? A problem? A good news?"

"Just a thought... Now I understand why habol nang habol si Amethyst sa 'yo. Kung bakit mukhang in love pa rin siya sa 'yo kahit wala nang kayo..."

"Why do you think so? Pinagttripan na naman ako?"

"She knows she lost a best one."

Tumahimik sa kabilang linya. I never imagined na maghihiwalay kami ni Cal, because we look like we can fight until our last strength. Pero kung sakaling hindi umayon ang tadhana sa amin... Hindi ko rin siguro matatanggap. I don't chase, but if it's for him, for us, I don't mind jogging a lot to have his attention again. Siguro, kagaya ni Amethyst, hindi ko rin kakayanin, magsisisi ako, hindi ko matatanggap. Gagawa ako ng paraan para maging kami lang ulit.

"You think so?" aniya pa. "Wait, are you not being jealous, right?"

"Hindi nga! Naisip ko lang 'yan, no!" I grinned. "Hindi rin naman nagma-matter nang todo kung gusto ka niya... O kung gusto ka ng maraming babae. I am confident you'll always choose me."

"Naks!" pang-aasar niya. "But that's my darling. I like my woman being confident."

Little did he knows, he made me this confident.

Alam kong hindi ako ang pinakamaganda sa mundo, pero sa mga mata ni Cal? Napaka-espesyal ko panigurado.

Kung anu-ano pa ang pinag-usapan namin hanggang sa ako ang unang inantok. O siguro kanina pa siya inaantok pero hindi niya lang pinahahalata.