Our Fallout: A Second Chance

Ten

Chapter 10:
Pretend

I was busy reading a book here at lounge area of main building with Sam when someone sat beside me. It was Jasmine. "What in the world is happening?" tanong niya sa akin ng makita kong nasa likod niya pala sila Rachel at Aaliyah.

"Why?" I asked with boredom as I put down my book at my lap. "Paano mo nauto si Isla na bumalik sa SC?" she asked with amusement. Oh? Did she come out to her own senses already?

"I don't want the responsibility so I gave it back to her." simpleng sabi ko na lang kahit wala akong kaalam alam sa nangyari ng sinandal ko ang ulo ko sa couch.

I closed my eyes trying to feel the sunlight coming through the big wall like window. Ang saya talaga matulog dito kung hindi lang dinadaan daanan ng mga students.

"Kumain ka na?" rinig kong tanong ni Aaliyah. I wasn't sure if she was talking to me so I kept my eyes closed when Jasmine nudged me.

I opened my eyes and I saw her looking at me. "Oo, kumain na kami Aaliyah." sagot naman ni Sam sakanya habang nakayuko nagbabasa parin ng libro.

I bet this girl's having fun trying to read the mood of the room while acting busy with her book.

I'm not trying to avoid Aaliyah right now. I just don't know what to do with her. "So, anong meron sa inyo ni Isla?"  maarteng tanong ni Rachel at umupo sa harap ko. Tumabi naman sakanya si Aaliyah.

"Oh! Shit. Kirsten! 8,345 likes on facebook and 50,000 views on IG. Wow! You guys are famous now." biglang sigaw ni Sam sa tabi kong sofa lang.

Really, Sam? With your timing? Hindi ko maiwasang mapailing sakanya pero kinindatan lang ako.

"It's so weird seeing the two of you being close." Rache' side comment. I saw Jasmine checking the post too. "Oh those two are almost like twins in our room. Mag aasaran, mag aaway, pabida pa sa recitation pero halos hindi na mapaghiwalay magmula nung nahospital sila." sabi naman ni Jas.

Pansin ko naman ang pagiging tahimik ni Aaliyah. "Is this fan club just for a clout or what? Ang dami niyo ng fans oh. And you guys are now trending on tiktok." I never thought Sam's post in all of her media accounts would blow up this fast.

And this girl's enjoying the quick fame on her accounts blowing up. Everyone's tagging us in the comment. Some made amazing fan edits about us. My followers on my social media accounts increased too.

A lot literally happened overnight.

"Babe? What can you say? We're in a GL slash WLW era! Everyone's gay and being gay is now the new normal." natutuwang sagot ni Sam kay Rachel.

Tinuloy ko na lang ang pagbabasa ng ilahad ni Ali ang phone niya sa akin. "It's Papa." agad ko namang kinuha yon at sinagot para lumayo sakanila.

"Hello, Tito Rob?" bungad ko. "Hello, Kirsten? I was about to call your Mom but she's not answering kaya tinawagan ko na lang si Ali baka magkasama kayo." ng mapansin kong nakabuntot pala si Ali sa akin.

"Gusto ko lang sana magpaalam mawawala kasi ako ng ilaw araw. And Ali might stay in your house for a few days. Kailangan kasi ako ng kambal ngayon." tumango ako kahit hindi naman niya ako nakikita.

"It's fine, Tito. Ali's always welcome at our home. Ingat po sa byahe." sagot ko sakanya. "Thank you. I'll try to contact your Mom again later. Thank you, Kirsten." he said as we bid our good bye.

Binalik ko sakanya ang phone. "Are we okay? Did I upset you or something? Is this still about what happened?" biglang tanong niya sa akin.

"We're fine, Ali. I was just busy the whole day yesterday because of our practice. Malapit na last tournament eh." pagpapalusot ko sakanya. Nakatitig lang siya sa akin at unti unting tumango.