Closer
"Ate, where did you hear such rumors?" malumanay kong tanong sa kanya.
Sa school lang naman namin umiikot ang gano'ng usapan. Kung kakalat man 'yon, ang bilis naman? Kahapon pa lang nagsimula ang tungkol do'n. Surely, she doesn't know anyone from my school.
Napailing siya sa akin habang pinapalis ang mga luha sa pisngi.
"From Julia. She said her cousin Jakob told her," she said in a small voice, clearly still not good with me as she tried to keep her distance.
I sighed. That fucking Jakob again.
"Well, it's not true. Kaya 'wag kang magpapaniwala sa kahit na anong usap-usapan."
Her tear stricken face looked at me with doubt and I sighed loudly this time.
"Ate, come on. Bakit ko naman magiging boyfriend si Damiano? I barely even know him!"
"Ang sabi daw ng kuya ni Ken, pumasok ka raw sa kwarto ni Damiano? Kasama siya? Matagal daw kayong bumalik," she spat bitterly.
"And why don't I even know that you've been going to Isla del Deseo?" she added heatedly this time.
My mouth went agape. This is the first time I've seen Ate Claren channel such attitude towards me. Palagi kasi siyang mabait, mahinhin, kalmado, at maintindihin. Maybe her feelings for him is much deeper than just a crush?
Kasi, sino namang iiyak para sa crush lang?
Napakamot na lang ako sa batok ko dahil sa reaksyon niya.
"Ate, I'm friends with his younger sister, Francia. Kaya ako nando'n sa kanila. And I did not go to his room with him, may isinauli akong gamit at iniabot ko lang 'yon sa katulong nila."
I do not even know how to properly explain it to her. She doesn't know about Francia. Paniguradong mas dadami lang ang tanong niya. I always share things to her. Nitong nakaraang linggo lang na hindi na ako masyadong nakakapagkuwento sa kanya.
"You're friends with his sister?" She stopped to think.
"Pero ano naman ang isinauli mo kay Damiano?"
She's adapting Julia's nosiness now. Ewan ko na lang anong magiging reaksyon niya kung sasabihin ko ang totoo. Borrowing a thing from Damiano seems suspicious enough in her point of view. Paano na lang kaya kung sabihin ko pa na shirt ang isinauli ko.
"Just the fins of his surfboard. Nasira kasi 'yong sa akin. And I went there last weekend to surf with Francia. So..." I casually lied and shrugged my shoulders.
Her eyes squinted a bit bago siya dahan-dahang tumango. Ang mga matang kanina lang ay malamig kung makatingin ay biglang nangilag sa akin.
"Right... I'm sorry, I assumed without asking you first." She looked away guiltily this time.
I chuckled and hugged her, dragging her body along with me as I swayed left and right. Marahan na rin siyang natawa.
"Next time kasi, 'wag niyo na masyadong pinapaniwalaan ni Julia kung ano mang pinagsasabi ni Jakob. Ang gagong 'yon kasi, sugo at alipores ni Ken kung makaasta. Kulang na lang halikan niya ang puwet no'n." I rolled my eyes.
"Alright, alright, Laurent. Just don't cuss and badmouth him. Hindi magandang pakinggan, baka marinig ka pa ni Mama."
Natahimik ako at napatango. Ate gave me a reprimanding look and I gestured my fingers as if I'm zipping my mouth.
The next day at school went better. Sure, the rumors are still going around pero nilinaw naman iyon ni Francia sa iilang mga nang-uusisa pa talaga sa kanya. Wala na rin akong pakialam kung maniwala man sila o hindi. Kay Ate ko lang naman iyon gustong linawin.
BINABASA MO ANG
Earthquake (Disaster Series #3)
Romance(CURRENTLY ON-HOLD) Standing firm and with head held high has always been the way that Laurent Donatella Damartin has lived her life. Unyielding and unfazed, that's what she strives to be. For her, it will always be principle, above all else. But...
