Played (Montellano series #1)

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

I never looked at Paulo ever again. Kahit noong paalis na sila at nagpapaalam, hindi ko na ulit siya kinausap pa.

He ended it. As much as I want to retain our friendship for old times' sake, he was the one who wasted it. He did it again.

I can't believe it. I've known him since we were young. I've known him as a gentleman and a good man. I didn't know why he changed. O ganito talaga siya?

I didn't tell my cousins about what happened. Hindi rin naman nila napansin na hindi ko kinausap si Paulo. Hindi ko na sinabi dahil ayaw kong masira ang pagkakaibigan nila. I don't want them to hate Paulo more.

He called me that night and apologized but I'm certain that I can't be friends with him anymore. What he did was too much. He did it twice. I can tolerate if he only did it once but he did it again.

Was it because he really likes me that much? Is he that desperate?

Bumuntong-hininga ako at kinuha ang phone. Nasa veranda pa rin ako at pinapanood ang mga bituin sa kalangitan. I went here to talk to Pau when he called.

Ako:

Hey, is everything okay?

I texted Rake. I thought he'll come here today but he didn't. Nakailang texts na rin ako sa kanya pero hindi siya nagrereply. I wonder what happened?

But then with the rumors and news we heard today, I guess he was busy. Siguro abala sila ngayon sa kanila.

I stared at the night sky. It looks so peaceful and quiet, very opposite with what's happening under it. I feel like things around us are in total chaos right now. I just hope those rumors are not true and if they are, I don't know what's the situation gonna be.

Ilang minuto pa akong nanatili sa veranda bago magdesisyong matulog. Kinabukasan, I immediately checked if Rake has texted as soon as I woke up but still no message from him.

"Jans, are you on a diet?" pabirong tanong ni Nica nang mapansin ang pagkain ni Jansen.

I looked at our cousin. Kumunot ang noo ko sa sobrang kaunti ng pagkain niya. When he left yesterday, he immediately went to their room without talking to us. Hanggang ngayon sa breakfast, hindi rin siya kumikibo.

"Wala akong gana." that's the first time he talked today.

"What happened, man? Kagabi ka pa tahimik?" Baste asked.

Umiling si Jansen. Everyone watched him. Tumikhim siya at tahimik na tumayo. He walked out.

"What happened?" tanong ulit ni Bas.

"I don't know, man." Sagot ni Kaizen. "I'll ask him later."

Bumaling ako sa phone ko nang tumunog iyon. I thought it was Rake but I saw Pau's name. I put it down again.

Tahimik kaming nagpatuloy sa pagkain. From time to time, I'm glancing at my phone waiting for Rake's message. Natapos na kami sa almusal pero hindi pa rin siya nagtetext.

Ako:

Hey, are you receiving my texts? Are you okay?

I sighed heavily. Should I be worried? Isang araw pa lang naman siyang hindi nagtetext, 'di ba? Hindi dapat ako mag-alala, 'di ba?

Gosh. I don't know what to do when in a relationship. Dapat pala nagpatutor ako kay Nica o kay Ate. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung dapat na ba akong mag-alala o magalit sa hindi niya pagtetext.

But he should have texted good morning, right? Oh goodness, hindi ko talaga alam! Dapat ko na ba siyang tawagan?

I sighed again. Nilingon ako ni Ate Mikee. Nasa veranda kami habang pinapanood ang boys na naglalaro sa baba. Jansen was just there sitting on the bench and watching thoughtlessly.