AVS 1: Catching Flights

XXXII

Chapter 32 : Slap

Hindi ko mabilang kung ilang beses na akong umiirap dito sa gilid habang 'yong mga taksil kong kasama ay nandoon sa claw machine at talagang tuwang-tuwa pa. Pinagkrus ko ang aking mga braso sabay irap ulit nang makarinig ako ng mahinang tawa sa likod ko.

"You know, it wouldn't hurt to join them. Loosen up and have some fun," ani ng isang nakakarinding boses sa gilid ko. Napagpasiyahan kong huwag na lamang siya pansinin at nagpatuloy panonood sa tatlong naglalaro sa harap kahit masama pa rin ang loob ko sa kanila.

"Few years have gone by, and you've turned into a snob," he whispered. Yet, somehow, I know he meant it loud enough just for me to hear.

I faced his direction and gave him an annoyed look. "Pwede ba? Can't you just shut the fuck up? You're annoying, really."

He raised both of his hands, "Woah, chill. I was just trying to talk to you casually."

I gave him an 'isn't-it-obvious expression', "Well, I don't. And actually, it would be nice if you'd just stay away from me because I don't want to go anywhere near you aside from the office. Let's keep things professional between us, shall we?"

"Okay, I just thought maybe we could be friends, you know. Never thought you haven't moved on yet." My ears perked up on what he said. Sa lahat ng pinaka-ayaw ko ay 'yong mga hindi makaintindi kahit ilang beses ng sinabihan.

I pulled him out of the arcade and made sure that we were in a secluded area before bursting out of rage. "What the fuck are you implying? Who are you by the way, para sabihing hindi ako maka-move on? Ikaw yata 'tong hindi maka-move on e!"

He looked shocked at my outburst.

"Alam mo, simula nang lumanding ka pabalik dito, ilang beses ko na pinipigilan ang sarili kong sampalin ka dahil sinasagad mo lagi ang pasensya ko. Can't you just understand that I do not in any way want to talk or interact with you outside of work? You even have to bring up the past in every conversation. Move on! That was years ago. I was dumb and blinded by the idea of having you but now I'm totally over it. You don't get to tell me to move on kung matagal ko na 'yong ginawa kaya ayaw ko nang nakakasalamuha ka pa, pero ikaw 'tong pilit nang pilit. Like, can't you grow up? Not everything will be the same as it was years ago. Isaksak mo 'yan sa utak mong hindi makaintindi."

I tried to inhale deeply, napakarami ko pang gustong sabihin pero huwag nalang. Hindi niya rin naman siguro maiintindihan sa estado pa lang ng pag-iisip niya ngayon.

"Remember, the day you chose to humiliate me in front of the whole student population, was also the same day I told myself to never hold on to someone again. I already moved on from you years ago, I hope you'd be mature enough to understand it kasi sa totoo lang, nakakabwisit ang pagiging paulit-ulit mo."

I was about to walk out nang may naisip ako. Huminto ako saglit bago umallik sa harap niya at malakas siyang sinampal.

"You owe me that years ago, and you also owe me that for always talking about the past and bringing out my hidden scars these past few days."

Nakita ko pa kung paano agad na namula ang kaliwang pisngi niya at kung paano bumakas dito ang kamay ko. Hindi ko na ito inisip pa at agad na umalis sa mall. Ni hindi ko na nagawang magpaalam kina Doll. but it's fine, I'll send them a message nalang. Ang importante ay makaalis ako rito.

The moment I entered my car is the moment I was able to heave a deep breath and sigh a relief. Well, that confrontation was good. At least, kahit papaano, through that slap, I was able to air my grievances from all those years ago together with the grievances I felt these past few days.

I picked up my phone and was about to message Doll and Liya nang biglang pumasok ang mensahe ni Doll.

Dolleycakes

Girllllll, u just did not

Like, the fuccccc?

But if I were u, I'd do the same too

Liya's w me, dw 'bout us, just rest

Butttt you have to serve the tea soon

(•ᴗ<)

ang bilis mo magtype HAHHA

Teka lang

What happened?

Oh

Yeah

Tell u soon

How'd u know????

Nagtatype pa sana ako ng panibagong mensahe nang biglang tumawag ito. Hindi pa nagtagal ng isang segundo ang tawag nang marinig ko ang sigaw niya.

"Opps! I'm sorry po!" pamungan na narinig niya mula sa kabilang linya.

"Hello, Ash?" I replied with a faint hum.

"So ito na nga, by the way, we're currently in clinic sa 3rd floor in case gusto mo pumasok ulit sa mall. Pero ayon nga, 'di ba we we're playing kanina tapos bigla ka nawala. Bitch, akala mo hindi ka namin napansin pero alam naming nawala kayo pareho do'n sa arcade. So siyempre, hinanap namin kayo no'ng narealise namin na nawala kayo, mga ilang minutes siguro mula no'ng umalis kayo. Tapos no'ng nagkita ulit kami nina Liya at Cally kasi nga hindi namin kayo mahanap, biglang lumitaw si Clay sa harap namin and teh! He had this very red handprint on his cheeks! Don't get me wrong, akala ko lang no'ng una baka may nakasalubong lang siyang you know, naging kalandian niya whatsoever, pero ito na nga. We asked him, by 'we' I mean kaming tatlo. We asked him if he saw you kasi nga 'di ba, dalawa kayong nawala tapos he looked sad and gloomy no'ng namention ka namin. I even saw him sneak a glance at the arcade door and bitch I know something happened by that act alone. Let me tell you, he looked miserable! Which is quite nice to see surprisingly since we know how dead faced, he can be. Pinipilit nga siya ni Cally na sabihin sino may gawa no'n sa kaniya e, but he just kept on looking down, saka lang siya nag-angat ng tingin no'ng nag-change topic si Cally at sabing dalhin nalang namin siya sa clinic. I'm sure as hell that baby girl ain't got a clue, but I know na nagetsdin ni Liya 'yong asta ni Clay. So ayon!" she chirped happily.

"Wow, I did not ask, but thank you for the whole novel-like storytelling. You could've answered me directly like 'we knew from his body language' and such, but you also have to exaggerate. Anyway, I'll just send you a message when ako free for tea, literally, and figuratively. I'll probably get busy for the upcoming days, so just wait up. But let me tell you, I never knew a confrontation with him would be this good. It's like a huge load on my shoulders has finally been lifted."

She coughed, which I know is just to hide her amusement. "Well, we'll wait for you. Just hit us up anytime and I'd surely cancel any of my ongoing projects just to come to the tea party. And oh, I'm happy that you finally felt relief." With that, I dropped the call with a bright smile.