Love Among The Pages

021

"Oh" Nagulat ako ng biglang magabot si Dash ng bottle of water.

"Baka malusaw, dahan-dahan" natatawang sabi nya

I was watching Cian with Calli, they're together habang masayang kumakain. They seemed so at ease with each other, I think it's all good.

They're talking to something, Calli listened intently, her laughter soft but genuine, punctuating their discussion. Cian's face lit up with that familiar smile of his, the one that used to be reserved when— he was talking to me.

A pang of jealousy gripped me unexpectedly. Pero bagay naman kasi talaga, I even saw some students na napapatingin sa kanila at saka kikiligin.

I watched as Calli's hand brushed against Cian's arm casually, a gesture that made his smile widen.

Clingy naman masyado.

Seeing him with Calli, it felt like I was losing him in a way that it's for the better. Tama naman ang desisyon ko diba?

A bitter taste lingered in my mouth as I watched them stand up, Cian grabbing Calli's books with a casual ease that made my chest tighten. They walked out of the cafeteria together, their laughter fading into the distance.

"Jelousy, Jelousy" I heard Dash murmured

Pinanliitan ko sya ng mata but he just shrugged his head "I'm just singing my favorite song" he said

"Jealousy Jelousy— you should try to listen, baka maka relate ka" natatawang banat nya.

I just rolled my eyes at him, wala ba syang ibang gagawin at kanina pa sya rito. May 3 hours vacant kami dahil may meeting daw ang mga teachers, pero may class kami sa last period.

Bakit kasi hindi pa sinagad hanggang uwian. Nasusuya lang ako sa mga nakikita ko rito.

"I'm hungry, alam mo may nakita akong masarap na streets food dyan sa labas" si Dash "Gusto mo. I'll treat you, para naman umayos ang tabas ng mukha mo" dagdag pa nya.

Pumayag na rin ako, nang palabas kami ay nakasalubong pa namin sila Calli.

Calli smiled at me but Cian keep his usual facade, hindi sya bumaling sa akin at dirediretsong naglakad.

Don't looked back.

Paulit ulit kong sinasabi sa utak ko na huwag lilingon pero traydor talaga ang utak ko. Pinanood ko siyang maglakad palayo sa akin, Calli's hand are clinging to his arm.

"Tara na" Dash snapped out of me "Ikain na lang natin 'yan" he added

'Di kalayuan ang sinasabi nya, marami ngang mga streetfood vendors ang nakapila rito. Kumuha lang ako ng isang cup ng kwek-kwek habang sya naman ay dalawang cup ng kikiam.

Sya ang nagbayad pati ng sa akin, so i let him. 25 pesos lang naman kaya' di na ako pumilit pa.

"Are you okay?" he asked

When our eyes met, i saw a glimpse of pain with those stares. Umiwas sya ng tingin at nagumpisa na lang sumubo ng hawak nya.

"Oo naman" I lied

I know hindi sya naniniwala roon, pero wala naman akong magagawa kung sabihin kong hindi.

As if naman may mababago kapag sinabi kong hindi ako ayos.

Isa pa ay he likes me, kaya ayokong mag sabi sa kanya tungkol sa nararamdaman ko kay Cian. He's hurt, I know he is at ayoko ng dagdagan ang sama ng loob nya.

Nang matapos kami ay napagdesisyunan naming pumasok na lang sa room pa doon na lang maghintay ng susunod na klase.

"Ethan" Ash called me