The Oleander Woman [Free Space Series #1]

CHAPTER 42: her pov (8)

"Kaori, what's yours? Milktea or Frap?"

"Milktea, salted caramel." Sagot ko habang papunta roon sa upuan na nasa dulo sa tabi ni Tamg.

She's just using her phone, not even bothering looking at me. Halatang ayaw niya akong katabi.

"Hi, Kaori."

I looked up when I heard someone call my name. It's Gail. Yung madalas na binabad-mouth saakin ni Catrina.

I feel uncomfortable when she starts asking me a bunch of weird questions, like, do I have a boyfriend? Nag sorry pa siya dahil nakalimutan niyang lesbian ako. Pero pagtapos nun, nagtanong nanaman ulit ng kung ano-ano. Akala ko pa naman titigil na kasi nakaka-offend ang nauna niyang tinanong. Pero mukhang manhid siya.

"No, I don't have a girlfriend. I'm single." I clarified.

"Oh, really? You see, I know you and Tamg had a relationship before-"

"Gail,"

"Come on guys, we don't need to hide it. There's no point in hiding it since there are no other people here than us. Me, Lynpen, and Linken were both friends with Tamg." 

"Gail ano bang-"

"Kaori, I just wanted you to know that she finally has a boyfriend now. After so many years, Tamg is back in a relationship. I am so proud of you that I might cry."

A heavy clot stuck somewhere in between my heart and my mouth.

Loud and clear, narinig ko lahat. Hindi ko lang nagawang makapagreact dahil pinoproseso ng utak ko ang mga sinabi niya.

"What can you say about it?" She turned her gaze at me, happily.

"Congratulations," is the only thing I was able to say. Then I glanced at her. "Congrats."

Our eyes met, but she did not say a word.

"I forgot... I still needed to go somewhere," tumayo ako at isinukbit sa balikat ang bag. I'm feeling numb. I am at a loss for words. I'm not sure how to respond appropriately.

"Are you sure? Sige, sabihin nalang namin kay Van na nauna kan-"

"Very great. Seloso kasi ang boyfriend ni Tamg. I'm friends with him, and he might not like it if I told him that one of her girlfriends-ex are still-" tuluyan ko na silang iniwan at hindi na narinig ang mga kasunod na sinabi niya.

She's doing that on purpose!

Sumakay akong jeep para makabalik sa studio. Kinokontrol ko ang sarili kong huwag sumabog.

"Hey, where did you go? Bakit ka biglang nawala kanin-"

"Is it true?" I cut him off.

"What?" Van asked, confused. "What truth?"

"She's in a relationship with someone." Madiing sinabi ko sa mismong mukha niya. "What the hell? Why would you let me go there with you knowing that she's not single anymore?!"

"What?" Kahit siya nabigla. "She has a lover?! Hey, hey, calm down. Who told you that?"

"It doesn't matter who told who! Fuck! Sino yung bago niya?!"

The idea of her having a relationship with someone is making me go crazy. Tuwang-tuwa ako nung nalaman kong ilang years na siyang walang kahit na sinong nagiging boyfriend, coz that only means that she's still not over me. She cannot forget about me. Pero ngayon? Ngayong may bago siyang boyfriend, anong ibig sabihin nun?!

"Kaori, you calm down, sino ba kasing nagsabi? Look, I'm not aware of that. Wala rin naman silang nabanggit kanina. I think they're pranking you."

"Prank? What do you mean prank?" Halos matawa ako sa sinabi niya. "I'm not even close with them!"