Rainbow After The Rain (Book 1)

22 - Talk

Niccolo

Isang linggo ang lumipas na si Iya lang ang kasama ko. Actually, I am enjoying her company. She's fun to be with.

But honestly, I tell you this, I miss my friends, Hiro and Jessica, eventhough she's avoiding me, and also, Cassy.

Hindi ko alam pero kapag lalapitan ko sila, laging may ipapatulong si Iya. Maybe conincidence only. But I feel incomplete.

I admit. I had a crush on a girl for the second time! Well, that first one is the second one too. It was Iya. Yeah, that's why I can't say no to her because I have a crush on her. Actually, hindi nga ata nawala.

Napapansin ko din na lagi na din kasama ni Cassy sina Hiro at Jessica. I think they were all close. Cassy is always accompanied by Hiro. While Jessica, is one of Cassy's bestfriend, I think? Minsan ko silang nakikitang nagtatawanan kasama si Dom. At ang lagi nilang puntirya ng katatawanan ay si Hiro. But I think Hiro liked it too. He was actually doing things that will make Cassy smile and like him.

"Yow? Spacing out again?" Iya asked out of nowhere.

I shook my head and apologize to her. She just smiled and discussed me the song that we'll be singing on the next week.

Iya and I were in a coffee shop. Dito agad ang diretso namin pagkatapos ng klase. Right after she discussed me the song, I excuse myself para makaorder ako ng inumin namin. She said it's okay.

So I left her with my things. I just ordered two java chips frappe and then went to our table again.

"Here you go." nilapag ko na sa kaniya ang frappe niya.

She was tensed smiling. "T-thanks, Iko." She then stood up. "Powder room." Then she hurriedly go to the powder room as she said.

Nagtataka ko lang siyang pinagmasdan at umupo na lang ulit. Nilaro laro ko ang ballpen na hawak ko at dumako ang paningin ko sa nakalapag na papel sa puwesto niya.

I was curious to look at it and I saw a drawing. Maganda siya. Pero mas maganda yung drawing niya.

Dumako ang paningin ko sa ibaba. At napatigil ako saglit. Pinagmasdan ang nakasulat.

E.A

Her signature?

I looked for the piece of Iya's drawing years ago. There was a written signature there. I.A. How come did I.A close related to E.A

And that thing made my heart beat stopped, not literally.

Cassy used to sign her painting by I.A same as Iya, six years ago. But now, she got a different signature. It doesn't fit.

Then Iya came back. Tinago ko ang drawing at inayos ang pagkakaupo ko.

"Sorry again." She apologized and sipped to her frappe. I look to her intently and she just smiled at me with her angelic face.

I mentally shrugged.

Nagpalit lang siguro ng sign.

---

Umuwi na ako matapos kong ihatid si Iya sa bahay nila. Nalaman kong anak siya ng may ari ng school at pinakitunguhan naman ako ng maayos ni Mrs. Dela Cruz.

Ngayon, naabutan ko sila Dad, with Tita Alexis, Tito Matthury, Tito Andreu, Tita Xyrene, Matthew, and Jessica.

I forgot our family dinner.

Sumenyas ako kay Dad na mag-aayos lang muna sandali bago humarap sa kanila. He agreed.

Matapos kong magbihis at maglinis ng sarili ay bumaba na din ako, wearing a white shirt and jersey short.

Kumain ako ng tahimik, katabi si Jessica. Still, we have an awkward atmosphere. While Dad and Titos and Titas are still talking about business and life stuffs.

"Ethan? Wala ka bang nililigawan?" panggagambala ni Tita Alexis sa mapayapa kong pagkain na nagpa-ubo sa akin. Inabutan ako ng tubig ni Matthew at hinagod naman ni Jessica ang likod ko. Napatingin ako sa kaniya and she quickly removed her hand off my back.

I saw Dad's crooked smile. I just ignored him. "I-I don't have one." Lumunok ako. "But I had a crush on someone."

They teased me except Dad and Jessica.

"Sa pagkakaalam ko, mabilis ang mga Savino. Tignan mo Daddy mo, nakuha agad ang kiliti ng Mommy mo!" Asar ni Tito Matthury and Dad punch him light in the arm.

"Dude, loyal to." Said Dad. They laughed.

Everyone turned to Jessica. "You, my dear?" Tita Alexis asked her.

She was tensed. "W-wala ah!" saka niya ininom ang isang basong tubig, straight.

"Defensive!" they teased.

---

It's already 9 o' clock in the evening yet the elders are still talking and talking and talking. While me and Jessica were in our backyard. Matthew is in my room.

Nakalubog ang mga paa namin sa pool. We decided to talk. To clear things up.

Jessica broke the silence. "About the last time," she took a deep breath. "I am sorry."

I sighed. "When was this started?"

"Since we were together all the time?"

I heavily sighed. "Damn. Matagal na pala."

She smiled in her reflection. "Yeah."

Minutes of silence. We talked again.

"You can stop it right?" I asked her. She nodded.

"Yeah. I am doing it since last week." She smirked. "Effective. But there was still 30% left." We laughed.

"So, I guess we are okay?" I said. She shook her head. "Why?"

She then glared at me. "That Iya girl." Ngumiwi siya sa akin. "I can't feel that bitch. I don't like her."

"Jessica.."

"Sorry pero totoo yun. Iba siya. Ibang-iba sa kwento mo noon sa akin." She assured me. Kumunot naman noo ko.

"What are you saying? I mean, paano mo naman nasabi lahat yan?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.

Umayos siya ng upo at tumingin sa malayo. "Una ko siyang nakita kaysa sayo after six years. Simula pa lang, iba na ang pakiramdam ko sa kaniya. Parang, nakabangga ako--o tayo ng maling tao? You know that feeling?"

I remained silent.

Ano bang pinagsasasabi nila? Iya is a good person. Kung sino siya dati, ganun din naman siya noon.

"But honestly, mas gusto ko pa para sayo si Cassy kaysa kay Iya." She smirked and left me astounded.

Kumunot noo ko.

Paano naman nasingit ang pangalan ni Blanca sa usapan?