Guarded Soul (The Brats #2)

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

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When I went to Rejo's house, I was told he's at school. Kasama ko si Ashanti na pumunta at gamit n'ya ang isa sa mga sasakyan ni Tiago. Matagal ko rin siyang hindi nakausap, pero nang tawagan ko para tulungan ako kanina, sinabi n'ya agad na susunduin n'ya ako.

I wasn't allowed to go out, but I just really believed that I had to do something.

"Do you think he's really at school?" I asked while Ashanti was driving.

She shrugged. "Who knows."

Kahit tinutulungan n'ya ako ngayon, malamig pa rin ang pakikitungo n'ya sa akin. It's okay for me. May kasalanan ako sa kaniya. I should be thankful she even helped me.

"I'm sorry, Shanti..." I broke the ice between us. May kalayuan pa ang school.

She just sighed and didn't say a word.

"I know I should've said it earlier, but then I was always hesitant. I don't know how to say it every time I see you happy with him. At nang malaman na kayo na, mas lalo akong natakot..." I delivered honestly, not looking her way because I was completely embarrassed.

"What is it to be scared about?" Ramdan na ramdam ko ang lamig sa boses n'ya.

"I know this is gonna be stupid, but I was scared to hurt you and ruin what's going on between you two..."

Hindi siya nagsalita.

"I'm sorry. I'll accept your resentment against me. I don't care how long you're going to treat me coldly but I know I deserve it."

She felt betrayed by her closest cousin, of course she has all the right to keep grudge.

"How are you?" I asked after a long silence. "Did you talk to him already?"

Hindi ko rin maatim na dahil sa akin, may masisirang relasyon. O nasira na...

She rolled her eyes. "He kept visiting me for fuck's sake. I said I wanted a cool-off."

I was shocked a bit when she responded naturally. Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi ko.

"What did you actually feel about it? The kiss on your birthday?" Hindi ko alam kung insensitive ako sa pagtanong no'n but I was really curious.

She glared at me for a moment. I didn't know a glare would relieve me.

"What a question. Of course I felt betrayed and hurt! I didn't know they had that connection. At talagang sa birthday ko pa!" she exclaimed and cursed with crisp. Natakot ako dahil nagmamaneho nga pala siya.

"Did he explain?"

"He wants to, but I am still not in the mood to hear him. I'm not even in the right state to listen to him. I might not believe everything he'll say. Explaining to me right now would be useless..." Humina ang boses ni Ashanti.

She pulled over when we were already at the parking lot. I still want to talk to her but I have some plans to do. I have to see Rejo, or else my sacrifices for today would go in vain. Kinasabwat ko pa naman ang pinsan ko. Mapapagalitan kaming dalawa.

I wore a cap when I started looking for him. Pinahiram ni Ashanti ang cellphone n'ya sa akin. I groaned because she kept on receiving messages from different platforms. Email, Whatsapp, Kakao talk, and many more. And all of it came from one username. Raiko.

I callled Rejo. Matagal bago n'ya sinagot.

"What?" pagalit nitong tanong. Sobrang suplado.

"This is Hiraya..." mabagal kong sabi, natakot.