Mercedez 3: Wildfire Games

10

Jealous

I could still hear the echoes of Hadzri's words reverberating in my mind as an eerie silence passed in between us for moments. "I hope I'm wrong," he had said cryptically which echoed inside my head, leaving me perplexed and anxious. The pulsating beat of the muffled music matched the drumming of my heart as I tried to decipher the meaning behind his words.

"W-What do you mean?" Kabado kong tanong.

Ngunit hindi na ito sumagot at basta na lamang na tumalikod para maglakad paalis. I took a step forward.

Ano'ng ibig niyang sabihin?

My thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and concern. The air suddenly felt thick with uncertainty, and I wish I had followed him to clarify it again. But pride and the fear of vulnerability had held me back. Hindi ko nga rin mawari kung saan iyon nanggaling.

Feeling the discomfort from Hadz' departure, mas pinili ko na lamang na magpaiwan sa kinatatayuan. I have something to sort out first.

I-dinial ko ang numero ni Ylan at tinawagan siya. The phone rang repeatedly, but he didn't answer. Each ring intensified my growing anxiety.

Why wasn't he picking up?

Normally, he would always be there for me, especially during times of confusion, distress, and lalo na sa celebrations. Doubt and worry crept into my mind more, and I wished desperately to the heavens na sana maging okay na kami. I need the security of not being abandoned, a familiar anchor I wish to embrace in the storm of emotions.

As the phone continued to ring with no response, I contemplated kung mag-iiwan ba ako ng message ulit. I hesitated. Ilang messages na ang nasend ko pero hindi niya naman nireplyan. Which... He doesn't even do to me.

Disheartened, I ended the call, hoping Ylan would call me back soon... at sana makapag usap na kami. I need us to talk properly about his problems with me, hindi itong binabalewala niya ako. The unanswered call left me feeling adrift, unsure of where to turn for the support and reassurance I craved. That all is well and that I wouldn't totally lose my best friend.

I have friends. Lots of them. But Ylan is someone I trust so much. He is my only bestfriend. He managed to break that wall and be my security. I treasure him a lot and I know that losing him will leave me in despair. Ayaw kong mangyari iyon.

I pivoted and decided to go back. Haharapin ko nalang ito bukas. Babalik na ako ng Maynila bukas ng hapon kaya pupuntahan ko na lamang siya. Paniguradong nasa condo niya lang iyon kung hindi siya umuwi ng Surigao. For now, I have to give this day to myself. It's my birthday. And that's what breaks my heart, too. It's my birthday, and he... ditched it for the very first time.

Nanubig ang mga mata ko habang naglalakad. I blinked a lot of times to erase it. I also bit my lower lip hard to stop it from trembling. Sumikdo ang sakit sa dibdib ko kaya hinawakan ko iyon at bahagyang hinaplos.

That's okay... You will talk to him tomorrow.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Napasinghap ako nang salubungin ni kuya Zero, Ylan's brother. The eldest Elorde. Bigla akong nabuhayan ng loob. Baka narito na siya!

See, Haliya?! Your best friend will never forget you!

I flashed a very wide smile in excitement.

"Hi!" I hugged him swiftly. "Sino ang kasama mo?" Palihim akong nang usisa.

He looked around and pointed somewhere. Sinundan ko iyon ng tingin. It was Xenon talking to a socialite woman. They seemed close and... oh, well, what do I expect from Xenon's charms? Matinik sa mga babae iyan.