Love Operation: Don't Become The Villainess

CHAPTER 32: ...

Inside the girl's washroom, I sat on the polished and varnished wooden sink beside the one where Josie's makeup are arranged as she fixed and refreshened herself up.

It was just the two of us inside, and the silence is emanating in between the forest green tiled walls. No one's coming in because it's class hours.

I sighed inside my mind, thinking about my missed classes. Kapag nakarating sa aking ina ang madalas kong pag-absent, ano kaya ang magiging reaksyon niya?

Psh. Whether I like it or not, I really need to take my classes seriously. This is still Catherine's life. I can't ruin it like this. I'll make sure to attend this afternoon.

I glanced at Josie beside me at bago ko lang napansin na bahagya siyang nakanguso habang nagbeblend ng kaniyang concealer sa ilalim ng kanang mata niya. The thing is, I think it has been two minutes since she's blending under that same spot as she was mindlessly staring into the mirror in front of her.

I pressed my lips into a thin line, my eyes lowering down to the white tiled floor.

Masyado ko ata siyang nabigla kanina. Tahimik akong napalunok, the white noise surrounding us began to ring louder in my ears.

This is so awkward.

"I'm sorry," I said.

Naging halata ang pagkagitla niya. She turned to me then I looked up to meet her eyes.

Her lips were shaking. I don't know if it's because she was surprised I suddenly spoke, or was it because I said sorry because the whole time they knew each other, the real Catherine never apologized to her.

"W-what?" she stuttered.

"I'm sorry for all the mean things I said earlier. Y'know," I couldn't help but scratch the back of my neck, "Accusing you and stuff like that."

Ramdam ko ang pag-init ng mga pisngi ko. I feel so embarrassed all of a sudden.

Her brown eyes began to water again and I couldn't help but panic a little, raising my hands in between us, not really knowing what to do. I didn't mean to make her cry!

She sniffed, "No, Catherine. You don't need to apologize!" at tuluyan na nga siyang umiyak, "It's all my fault!"

Kinakabahan akong napatayo. Now I also want to cry pero tinatagan ko ang sarili.

"N-no, I had my faults as well," nahagilap ko yung panyo kong ibinigay ko sa kaniya sa bulsa niya. I carefully took it out from her own pocket and pulled her so she could turn and face me.

Dahan-dahan kong dinampi ang panyo sa mukha niya para punasan ang mga luha niya habang patuloy pa rin siyang umiiyak. With a worried expression, I couldn't help but say, "Please don't cry."

Tapos mas lumala pa kesa kanina yung pagbagsak ng mga luha niya.

We lasted like that for around two more minutes before she finally calmed down. Her eyes were puffed and she said she wasn't feeling well anymore so she wanted to go home early. She didn't bother to retouch her makeup anymore because she was feeling weak and drained that all she wanted to do was leave.

Sinamahan ko siyang maglakad palabas ng school habang hinihintay ang sundo niya. Nung nakita kami ng isang security guard ay tinanong niya pa kami bakit bigla siyang uuwi gayong may klase pa. Hinanapan niya kami ng excuse slip from a teacher saying that we're excused. I was planning to go to the faculty to get a slip but I noticed Josie was about to cry again and I don't know why.

I panicked. At that moment, I couldn't help but channel my inner real Catherine.

"My name is Catherine Cordova," diniinan ko pa yung apelyido ko para ipakilala ang sarili ko dahil hindi niya natanong ang pangalan namin kanina. Realization dawned upon the poor guard.

I took out my phone from my pocket and was about to dial a faculty's number when he quickly stopped me, "T-there's no need, Ma'am. I understand."

Using his walkie-talkie, he communicated with the guard stationed by the huge gates to let the driver of Josie named Truman come in once he arrives.

After he left us alone, I couldn't help but feel shitty. Naiiyak ako pero pinilit kong ngumiti. Josie was looking at me with a worried expression but I told her I'm fine.

So this is what it feels like to abuse one's name and power. I feel... guilty, ashamed, and disgraced. Though it certainly did make my life a lot more easier. So this is the cost of making my life a lot more easier...

Habang nagkakaroon ako ng existential crisis at inner turmoil, dumating na yung sundo ni Josie. She didn't want to leave me behind at first because she felt something was wrong with me but I just laughed her off.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," I waved my hands at her, "You're the one who needs to rest."

Tinignan niya ako nang may nakakunot ngunit maamong mga kilay, ang mga labi ay malungkot pero patuloy ko siyang sinigurado sa aking lagay.

"O-okay," was all she could say.

When she finally got inside the car, I waved goodbye at her and watched them drive off. Nang nakalalayo na sila'y naglakad na ako pabalik sa loob, patungo sa library sa ground floor.

It's still 12 in the afternoon. Mamayang 1:30 PM pa yung lunch so I have a lot of time to rest and collect myself.

I let out a breath through my lips, my cheeks puffing out as I did. Papalapit na ako sa library nang biglang nagring yung phone ko mula sa aking bulsa. Sa sobrang tahimik pa ng hallway ay yung dapat na mahina lang na ringtone ng phone ko ay umalingawngaw pa.

When I checked out who was calling, my mood brightened up when I saw Ivan's name.

I instantly pressed the answer button, "Hello? Ivan?"

He cleared his throat from the other line, "Cath..."

Napatagilid ako ng ulo sa pagtataka nang marinig ang kalmado at seryosong boses niya. Did something bad happen?

Though his voice did sound like music to my ears, helping me calm and clear my mind. I couldn't help but silently giggle to myself.

"Yes? What is it?" I looked around and saw an arched open way to the main building's veranda outside. Nagsimula akong lumakad palabas roon.

"A-ah, don't you have classes right now?" he asked.

"I... skipped my morning classes today," I confessed, "I wanted to... clear my mind for a while. I'll tell you later why. But this afternoon, I promise to attend."

"Clear your mind?" I sensed the sudden urgency in his voice, "Did something happen?"

"I told you, I'll tell you later," I made it out to the veranda. Pinagmasdan ko ang malawak na sports field ng school at mga extension buildings sa kanan nito, ang gym sa kaliwa, at sa unahan at kabilang side ng field na katapat ng main building ay ang small forest zone na tinambayan ko kahapon.

"So," I inhaled deeply when the fresh and hot wind blew, "What made you call me even though you knew I have classes right now?"

Sa ilang sandali na nanahimik ito ay mas lalong nadagdagan ang kuryosidad ko.

"I honestly wasn't expecting you'd pick up. I just wanted to call you even though I thought you weren't going to answer. So this was certainly unexpected," he laughed a little, but I sensed a bit of nervousness in his voice.

"Ivan," seryoso kong tawag, "What is it?"

"How is your relationship with Josie Martinez?"

My brows furrowed, also remembering the stress I felt earlier at the mention of her name, "Josie?"

"Yeah."

"Why are you suddenly asking about her?" my eyes raised to the cloudy skies beyond the roof of the veranda and the columns holding it, "We were able to have a talk earlier. Though it didn't really turn out great, I can say that at the very least, we're starting to head somewhere..."

"Yeah... about that..."

"Hmm?"

"I know I was the one who urged you to be friends with her..."

"Yeah?"

"Now I think you should be wary of her."

Na-blanko ang isip ko sa narinig.

"Ha?"