Hoping This Time

CHAPTER 14

Hinila ako ni Jillian papaalis ng school. Halata sa mukha ni Jillian na galit siya at walang ganang makipag-usap ng mahinahon. Bolt still quietly followed us, even after what Jillian said to him.

Nakarating kami sa isang cafe na kilala sa school namin. Malapit lang ito dahil kabilang kanto lang. Nakaupo kami sa isang table ni Jillian habang si Bolt ay umoorder ng inumin namin. Actually Jillian treated me, but Bolt treated her for a drink.

Tahimik lang ako habang nakayuko. I'm processing everything happened and parang nawawalan ako ng gana makipag-usap kay Ethan. Ni hindi niya nga man lang ako i-text.

Hindi naman sa ano at kung ano ah, it's just I don't know. Bakit ko ba inaantay text niya? I sighed and looked up. Nakita ko si Jillian nakasandal sa kinakaupuan at mukhang busy sa cellphone niya.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin sakin. "Are you okay?"

Napatango ako. "Oo.."

"I've told you never trust her." Sabi niya.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin. "Sorry..."

"Don't say sorry, it's kinda my fault leaving you alone. But overall, it's Ethan's fault." Sabi ni Jillian at umirap.

Napanguso naman ako at napabuntong hininga. Magsasalita sana ako nang biglang sumabat si Bolt. "Inaano niyo nanaman si Ethan."

"Isn't it his fault? He started everything." Sabi naman ni Jillian.

"Oo nga, sabihin na sinimulan niya ang usapan na ito, pero wala naman siyang kasalanan kung ganon si Mia. You two always know that she's always like that." Sabi ni Bolt at inabot ang mga inumin namin.

"Thank you.." Bulong ko.

"I'm still blaming your friend." Sabi ni Jillian at kinuha ang kanya. "Thanks."

"Well, ganito na lang. Let's just be happy Thalia is okay and you won for the 47th time." Sabi ni Bolt at ngumiti sa amin.

Napangiti ako. "Congrats nga pala, Jill."

Jillian sighed. "Thank you, but I'm still annoyed with Mia and Ethan."

"Kahit ako.. Akala ko nagbago na siya, hindi pala. Naniwala agad ako." I sighed.

Napailing si Jillian. "Now, you should always remember that she will never be true to you. This is the second time she done this to you."

"Do you want her to face her consequences? I'll talk to tito Diego about this." Bolt said.

Napailing na lang ako. "Wag na.."

"Wag na? Don't let this slide!" Sabi ni Jillian habang nakasipsip sa inumin.

Napakibit balikat ako. "Ayokong malaman nila Sir Diego. Kapag nalaman nila, tiyak malalaman ni mama. Usapan lang namin ni Ethan ito." I looked away and sighed. "Galit ako sa kanila kaya baka itigil ko na rin."

"Now, you're using your brain." Jillian said, smiling. "Finally!"

"Jillian."

Jillian looked at Bolt. "What? Totoo naman sinasabi ko. Inuuna kasi ni Thalia puso niya, not her brain."

"Pero kaibigan ka ni Thalia. Can't you sugarcoat it?" Bolt asked.

Jillian sneered at him. "Thalia always know how I talk. Besides, if I sugarcoat it, she won't realize it."

"Basta, itigil ko na. Napapagod na rin ako kay Mia." Sabi ko at sumisip ng inumin ko.

"Well, I'm here if you need me."

Bolt sighed and didn't talk again. Suddenly his phone rang and picked it up. Nangunot pa noo niya habang sinagot ang tawag.

"Mom." Sabi ni Bolt. "Okay. I'll be there." Napakunot noo ko at tumingin kay Bolt. Bolt smiled at us. "Alis na ako. Bye, Thalia. Bye, ai."