Damgeen High School Musical (Double Trouble Series #2)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Rave Jackson

I don't have any ideas on how to spend my summer vacation. I'd probably lock myself inside my room during those months. Or maybe, on the other hand, I could familiarize with the city.

It's been a week after that party. Medyo namamahay pa ako sa bagong mansiyon. Hindi pa nakakatulong ang paninira sa akin ng mga lumang kasambahay sa mga bagong hinire nila Mommy.

One day, I decided to roam around the city. Hindi tulad ng mga syudad na katabi nito, katamtaman lang ang lawak nito ngunit kompleto naman sa mga commercial and establishments. Our family driver drove me around. Buti na lang pala ay kabisado niya rin ang lugar dito. Nang nakadaan pa nga sa isang mall, napagpasyahan kong magpababa roon.

"Dito lang kayo, Manong?" tanong ko sa driver.

"Oo, miss. Text na lang po kung babalik na kayo."

"Sige."

At dahil bakasyon, inaasahan ko na kung gaano karami ang mga tao na namamasyal sa tulad nitong lugar. Napapangiti nang mapait tuwing may natatanaw na grupo rin ng mga kabataan, gumagala kasama ang mga kaibigan. At that moment, I suddenly wondered. Makakakilala rin kaya ako ng mga bagong kaibigan dito?

How funny my situation was right now. Minsan lang ako magkaroon ng ganitong lamyerda. Walang kasama na kahit sino at mag-isa. Parang ang lungkot bigla. Mas naramdaman ko ang pagiging dayo sa lugar na ito. It felt lonely. Like a fish out of the water.

Inayos ko ang crossbody bag sa likuran ko at pinamulsa ang mga kamay habang binabaybay ang harapan ng mall.

I must admit, the place was nice. Malawak ang mall at maraming amenities na bukas para sa publiko. I even spotted a band performing at the stage outside the mall, mukhang may Battle of the Bands For a Cause. Maingay ang mga tao at hindi magkamayaw sa panunuod. Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako, mas lalong nagmadali papasok sa establisyimento.

"That will be for 149 pesos, Ma'am."

I gave the exact bill before reaching for my drink. Napagpasyahan kong bumili ng mga ilalagay sa bagong kuwarto. Palibhasa, ngayon lang nakalabas at nakagala sa labas ng Tres kaya ngayon lang din makakapamili.

Kung noon, agad siguro akong kakaripas sa retail music stores dito. Mamimili rin ng vinyls at discs na pagkatapos gamitin ay gagawing dekorasyon sa dingding. Posters ng mga iniidolong classical musicians, pop, especially jazz. But now, it's different.

Last time at the party, I messed up. Emman's vagueness made dumbfounded.

Heck. When did that first time happened? I couldn't remember him confessing his true feelings for me! But... that's exactly what he meant, right? I failed to remember it... the first time.

Kaya naman, dahil doon, sinubukan kong alalahanin. My heart was then in my throat. My mind did a quick flashback ever since we met for the first time. It was when we're on our third grade, doon ko siya unang nakilala. Naging kaklase.

He's a transferee. His treatment for me was a bit noticeable if you'd observe it. Ngayon ko lang natanto na simula pa man noon, iba na ang tungo nito sa akin. But never did I recall him telling something about his feelings for me! Then what does he mean by-

My forehead creased as soon as I felt my head throbbed in a fraction. It was bearable at first. The pain was probably manifested in my face and Emman noticed my situation. He hurried to support me but when I glanced at him, tuluyan na akong napapikit nang mariin dahil mas lumala lang ang nararamdaman!