Until You Say I Do

Kabanata 15: I Need A Break

Kabanata 15
"I NEED A BREAK"

"Pia?"

Nangunot ang noo ko at nag-angat ng tingin sa tumawag sa akin. My eyes widened a bit after I saw Paul Costa.

"Paul." I asked confused. "Bakit ka nandito?"

"Can we talk?" He asked hesitantly.

"O-Of course. No problem." I shifted on my seat and move a little to give him space.

He sat beside me. "How are you?"

"I'm good." I smiled. "You?"

"Good..."

He looked away while my eyes remained on the ground. There's an awkward silence between us.

"May kaylangan ka?" Tanong ko kalaunan at tiningnan siya.

He looked hesitant when he shook his head. "Gusto lang kitang kamustahin. I haven't see you these past few weeks so I'm just wondering why you aren't stopping by to watch our practices."

I bit my lip to keep the truth from myself. I can't tell him that I stopped going because, I couldn't watched him making out with a girl so I simply lost interest to go, and that I was hurt after seeing him with another woman, I was envious, and felt bad that he hadn't even told me when I thought we were friends.

Ayaw kong mas maging komplikado pa ang lahat sa pagitan namin kaya naman mas pinili ko nalang na magsinungaling.

"I'm kind of busy these past few weeks. You know, the exam and some school stuff and there are these some parties and important events I have to attend with my family so." I shrugged and glanced over at him.

He nooded and move a little to cut the distance between us. Nangunot ang noo ko at bumaba ang tingin sa espasyo namin at muli siyang tiningnan.

"Can you pay us a visit? Kahit saglit lang. May practice kami bukas."

Tipid akong ngumiti at umiling. "Sorry, Paul, pero may importanteng lakad din ako bukas."

I lied.

Napakurap kurap siya sa sagot ko. Nangunot ang noo niya at bumaba ang tingin sa upuan. "Are you mad at me, Pia?"

I sighed. "Hindi Paul. Bakit naman ako magagalit sayo?"

"Napansin ko kasi na parang iniiwasan mo ako. Tapos nitong mga nakaraan parang hindi na kita makilala. You changed, Pia."

"What changed are you talking about Paul?" I chuckled nervously before I looked away.

"Its confusing me. You gave Healer a gift, and you gave your baked cake to your friends instead of me. Pia, you never did that. You exclusively give me your gifts. You watched me play every day when we had our practice. You're my number one fan, but all of a sudden you turn to a person who was not you at all. "

Hindi ako sumagot. Nanatili akong tahimik habang nakakunot ang noo at nakatingin sa mga kamay ko.

"Tell me what's wrong, Pia. Don't keep it to yourself and turn your back on me. I don't like it."

My head snapped towards him. Something from his words caught at me.

"I am not turning my back on you, Paul. I'm still a fan of your band."

"Exactly! Fan of 'our band.' Not 'my' fan." Pagdidiinan niya.

Nanliliit ang mga mata ko sa kaniya.

"And not just my fan, you are also my friend, Pia, and I care for you."

"I've never saw you cares about me being 'your' fan nor being 'your friend'" not when I saw you kissing a girl and act like a jerk, "So why are you even bothered, Paul?"